As students enter the classrooms in Park County School District 1 they can expect high quality opportunities and education.

“I think what they’re going to be able to expect is [the same] high quality classroom level instruction [and] excellent opportunities for kids to get involved outside of the classroom,” Superintendent Jay Curtis said. 

Extracurricular involvement for students continues to be a goal for the district, Curtis said — they want students involved in at least one thing outside of the classroom.

“Because we know the research behind that … students who are productively engaged in at least one activity outside of the classroom … feel a much higher level of safety, security and belonging and as a result of that, they’re typically just more successful and productive as students,” Curtis said.

Skills USA had a successful summer with two students placing top 10 within the nation and another securing Powell High School’s second ever national medal.

“People like to be a part of a winning program, success breeds success,” Curtis said, adding, “It’s easy to want to get involved in something where other students have been successful and paved the way. I do think that will certainly have an enormous impact on other students wanting to be a part of some of those programs.”

Outside of activities, Reimagining and Innovating the Delivery of Education (RIDE) has been offered districtwide after being introduced to Powell Middle School last year. The governor’s innovative education initiative will continue at the middle school and expand to at least  some high school programs.

It’s cool to see teachers reenergized while adding something to their program, Curtis said, while noting the district has to be mindful about how much they change and when. Accountability requirements have not yet caught up with RIDE.

“So while I am fully supportive of this project based learning, hands on learning and certainly the skills that are being touted and highlighted through the RIDE initiative, I would contend that in many ways, we are already in this district … instilling many of those skills in students from the time they start kindergarten until they graduate,” Curtis said.

While Curtis loves that RIDE highlights the importance of developing these skills in students, the district already has implemented certain things to help develop soft skills in students. That includes leadership, communication and collaboration. “We provide tremendous opportunities to do those things clear back, starting in kindergarten,” Curtis said.

While staff work hard at developing students, families can also expect a few new faces in Powell schools, or in some cases, familiar faces in new roles.

One such case is at Westside Elementary School where Kelsey Tobin, who previously taught fifth grade, will be stepping into the principal role. At the same school Jamie Jacobsen, who previously served as a substitute teacher and a para educator, will be stepping into the role of fifth grade teacher.

Brandy Davidson, Parkside Elementary School’s new counselor, also previously worked in the district as the in-school suspension coordinator and in the behavior program. Aryn Downs has worked for PCSD1 since 2023 as a para and in special education.

“As for other new staff around the district, you know, we think that despite the hiring challenges that are present in attracting and retaining high quality teachers, we continue to be a destination that people just want to be a part of,” Cursis said, adding, “Recruitment and retention is the same, as all people want to be a part of a winning team, and the excellence that we have established in how many years, our reputation precedes us and helps us attract those high quality people.”