School Namesakes
Opened in August, 2002, Zach Elementary was named in honor of Grace and Robert Zach who served as educators in the Poudre School District for many years. Both Grace and Robert Zach began English teaching careers the fall of 1950 in Fort Collins. As classroom teachers and as department chairs, they were curriculum builders, dedicated to implementing courses that value both innovative creativity and strong course content —creative writing, paperback books as classroom libraries, humanities classes, filmmaker in the schools —a lengthening list. It was their privilege to help an enviable number of students discover or expand diverse inter-disciplinary talents.
Grace coached Fort Collins High School speech and debate winners in state and national competitions and helped Poudre High School students excel in critical analysis and writing skills needed to earn Advanced Placement college and university credits. During his 20 years at Fort Collins High School Bob’s creative writing classes and student publications inspired award-winning young journalists, poets, writers, and filmmakers who continued to expand that talent with excellence in their adult careers.
As Poudre School District Language Arts Coordinator, Bob encouraged and mentored innovative excellence in teaching K-12. Composition Aids were hired to strengthen and expand student writing skills district-wide; outreach and cooperation with CSU faculty members brought classes and enrichment workshops for teachers; similar involvement with the Colorado Council on the Arts and Humanities brought poets, artists, and musicians into classrooms and district-wide presentations. With special funding grants, a Rocky Mountain High School Humanities and Technology program added a science teacher to the humanities team and a mentoring program named “Compose” that linked student writers with public school teachers, university faculty, and community members. Bob added imaginative innovative approaches to solid academic excellence. Grace and Bob experienced the delight of finding second-generation students sitting in their classrooms — a rewarding capstone to rewarding careers in teaching.
Grace coached Fort Collins High School speech and debate winners in state and national competitions and helped Poudre High School students excel in critical analysis and writing skills needed to earn Advanced Placement college and university credits. During his 20 years at Fort Collins High School Bob’s creative writing classes and student publications inspired award-winning young journalists, poets, writers, and filmmakers who continued to expand that talent with excellence in their adult careers.
As Poudre School District Language Arts Coordinator, Bob encouraged and mentored innovative excellence in teaching K-12. Composition Aids were hired to strengthen and expand student writing skills district-wide; outreach and cooperation with CSU faculty members brought classes and enrichment workshops for teachers; similar involvement with the Colorado Council on the Arts and Humanities brought poets, artists, and musicians into classrooms and district-wide presentations. With special funding grants, a Rocky Mountain High School Humanities and Technology program added a science teacher to the humanities team and a mentoring program named “Compose” that linked student writers with public school teachers, university faculty, and community members. Bob added imaginative innovative approaches to solid academic excellence. Grace and Bob experienced the delight of finding second-generation students sitting in their classrooms — a rewarding capstone to rewarding careers in teaching.
Our Mascot
Zach Zephyrosaurus
Zephyrosaurus was a small plant-eating dinosaur that roamed parts of North America during the middle of the Cretaceous Period. It was an herbivore and its name means "west wind lizard." It was six feet in length and three fee in height.
Zephyrosaurus was a small plant-eating dinosaur that roamed parts of North America during the middle of the Cretaceous Period. It was an herbivore and its name means "west wind lizard." It was six feet in length and three fee in height.
Grade Level Curriculum
Kindergarten and First Grade:
Open Court Reading and Leveled Readers; Core Knowledge Literacy, Sayings, and Poetry; Zaner Bloser Spelling; Zaner Bloser Handwriting; Everyday Math Curriculum (First Grade); Daily Language Instruction; Pearson American and World History and Geography and Teacher Developed Units; Teacher Developed Core Knowledge Science Units
Second through Fifth Grade:
Core Knowledge Classics and Leveled Core Knowledge Novels; Core Knowledge Sayings and Poetry; Zaner Bloser Spelling; Zaner Bloser Handwriting; Everyday Math; Daily Language Instruction; Pearson American and World History and Geography and Teacher Developed Units; Teacher Developed Core Knowledge Science Units
Specials for all grade levels are offered daily and include: Physical Education, Music, Art, Technology, and Media
Open Court Reading and Leveled Readers; Core Knowledge Literacy, Sayings, and Poetry; Zaner Bloser Spelling; Zaner Bloser Handwriting; Everyday Math Curriculum (First Grade); Daily Language Instruction; Pearson American and World History and Geography and Teacher Developed Units; Teacher Developed Core Knowledge Science Units
Second through Fifth Grade:
Core Knowledge Classics and Leveled Core Knowledge Novels; Core Knowledge Sayings and Poetry; Zaner Bloser Spelling; Zaner Bloser Handwriting; Everyday Math; Daily Language Instruction; Pearson American and World History and Geography and Teacher Developed Units; Teacher Developed Core Knowledge Science Units
Specials for all grade levels are offered daily and include: Physical Education, Music, Art, Technology, and Media
Character Education
We offer character education for all grade levels including: School-Wide ROAR (Respect, Organized, Attentive, Responsibility) with Positive Behavior Support, Bully Proofing, Regular Classroom Meetings, and Conflict Resolution Strategies.
Gifted and Talented
The purpose of Zach’s Gifted and Talented program is to provide expanded and accelerated learning experiences and creative opportunities that meet the needs of all identified students.
Zach Elementary has made Gifted education a priority, and starting in the 2012-2013 school year it will have two full time GT and advanced learner coordinators/instructors to meet the needs of the students formally identified as gifted and students who exhibit advanced learning behaviors. All 3rd, 4th and 5th grade GT students will be in pullout classes, taught by the certified G/T and advanced learner teachers, for both Reading and Math. The Math classes are accelerated classes where the students work above grade level in the 5th and 6th grade Everyday Math books. Emphasis is on problem solving, higher level thinking skills, and logic. Special enrichment/activities within the classroom include competing in Math Olympiad and The Stock Market Game.
The GT Reading classes proceed at an advanced pace and focus on creative opportunities that students might not get in a regular classroom, such as plays, hands on projects, and collaborative presentations. In addition, the students read not only the Core novels, but also experience a wide range of fiction and nonfiction books with high level discussions. Development of writing skills is highly emphasized. Instruction is student centered with student involvement and decision making being cornerstones of each class period. The certified GT and advanced learner coordinators/teachers will also be available for special pullout needs for advanced students in the areas of writing, spelling, and vocabulary.
For more information, visit the GT section of the PSD website or contact our school GT coordinators.
Jan Nimlo (3rd Grade Math, 4th and 5th Grade Math and Literacy)
e-mail: jnimlo@psdschools.org
Terra Moore (K-2nd Grade Advanced Learners, 3rd Grade Literacy)
e-mail: terram@psdschools.org
Zach Elementary has made Gifted education a priority, and starting in the 2012-2013 school year it will have two full time GT and advanced learner coordinators/instructors to meet the needs of the students formally identified as gifted and students who exhibit advanced learning behaviors. All 3rd, 4th and 5th grade GT students will be in pullout classes, taught by the certified G/T and advanced learner teachers, for both Reading and Math. The Math classes are accelerated classes where the students work above grade level in the 5th and 6th grade Everyday Math books. Emphasis is on problem solving, higher level thinking skills, and logic. Special enrichment/activities within the classroom include competing in Math Olympiad and The Stock Market Game.
The GT Reading classes proceed at an advanced pace and focus on creative opportunities that students might not get in a regular classroom, such as plays, hands on projects, and collaborative presentations. In addition, the students read not only the Core novels, but also experience a wide range of fiction and nonfiction books with high level discussions. Development of writing skills is highly emphasized. Instruction is student centered with student involvement and decision making being cornerstones of each class period. The certified GT and advanced learner coordinators/teachers will also be available for special pullout needs for advanced students in the areas of writing, spelling, and vocabulary.
For more information, visit the GT section of the PSD website or contact our school GT coordinators.
Jan Nimlo (3rd Grade Math, 4th and 5th Grade Math and Literacy)
e-mail: jnimlo@psdschools.org
Terra Moore (K-2nd Grade Advanced Learners, 3rd Grade Literacy)
e-mail: terram@psdschools.org
Enrichment Activities
[School Sponsored Enrichment Activities]
All Day Kindergarten Program
Gold Choir and Green Choir
Book Bowl
Lego Robotics
Running Club
Art Enrichment
Science Club
[Vendor Provided Enrichment Activities]
Chess Club (provided by an outside vendor)
All Day Kindergarten Program
Gold Choir and Green Choir
Book Bowl
Lego Robotics
Running Club
Art Enrichment
Science Club
[Vendor Provided Enrichment Activities]
Chess Club (provided by an outside vendor)
Before and After School Childcare
“Base Camp” is offered to students who need to arrive early or leave late from Zach Elementary. Before school hours are from 6:30 a.m. – 8:40 a.m. After school hours are from 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. This is a tuition-based program. Please contact the district Base Camp director for more information.
Opportunities for Parent Involvement
PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization)
School Accountability Committee
V.I.P. (Classroom Volunteer Opportunities)
Lego Robotics Volunteers
Chess Club Volunteers
Field Day and Field Trip Volunteers
School Accountability Committee
V.I.P. (Classroom Volunteer Opportunities)
Lego Robotics Volunteers
Chess Club Volunteers
Field Day and Field Trip Volunteers
Special Building Design Features / ECO-Friendly Benefits
63,000 square feet
95% air-conditioned, supported by thermal ice storage
Classrooms have same orientation and day lighting for more uniform heating/cooling
Two-story building design, resulting in a smaller footprint and more exterior natural surface area (landscaping, playground)
Safety features include: four sets of stairs; single, front-door entry with electronic security systems; and elimination of outside doors to each classroom
Building provides opportunities for student learning: electrical systems; hard-wire technology systems; heating/air conditioning; wastewater; fire protection system.
Learning opportunities outside also include: gravel in parking lot vs. asphalt, recycled shingles, natural/low water grasses and plants. Bus loop is separate from parent drop off which is safer for the students. Natural light visible from most areas of building.
Security System includes cameras at major entrances; card access entry into the school Recycling Center Less hard surface paving around the school to reduce “heat sink” effect 100% wind powered
Recycled products were used to make the carpet, flooring, furniture, shingles, and other building materials at Zach Core Knowledge Elementary.
95% air-conditioned, supported by thermal ice storage
Classrooms have same orientation and day lighting for more uniform heating/cooling
Two-story building design, resulting in a smaller footprint and more exterior natural surface area (landscaping, playground)
Safety features include: four sets of stairs; single, front-door entry with electronic security systems; and elimination of outside doors to each classroom
Building provides opportunities for student learning: electrical systems; hard-wire technology systems; heating/air conditioning; wastewater; fire protection system.
Learning opportunities outside also include: gravel in parking lot vs. asphalt, recycled shingles, natural/low water grasses and plants. Bus loop is separate from parent drop off which is safer for the students. Natural light visible from most areas of building.
Security System includes cameras at major entrances; card access entry into the school Recycling Center Less hard surface paving around the school to reduce “heat sink” effect 100% wind powered
Recycled products were used to make the carpet, flooring, furniture, shingles, and other building materials at Zach Core Knowledge Elementary.
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