Superintendent Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year
Dear TSD Community,
Please accept my warmest welcome to the 2026-27 school year. I hope you are all enjoying the end of a wonderful summer. I am excited for the year we have ahead of us, as we continue to ensure high levels of learning for each and every student. The challenges we face every day do not change our commitment to our students, and we are working very hard as we prepare to welcome our students on August 18, with smiles on our faces.
School Fees
Our new Student Information System, ALMA, makes it easier to view your student's fees and make payments online. Please note that credit card payments incur a processing fee. If you prefer to avoid this fee, you may still submit a check to your school's front office, and staff will apply the payment to your account. All historical charges can be viewed in your ALMA account.
District-wide fees for the 2026-2027 school year will be invoiced in early September.
Free and Reduced Lunch Program
All students will be served breakfast and lunch at no cost this school year. If you believe your family will qualify under the NSLP Free and Reduced lunch program, we encourage you to submit your application at the start of the school year in order to participate in other discounts that might be available to you, including discounts for school fees and athletic fees. Please see the attached information package for details and FRL application form.
New Staff
Please join me in welcoming (or welcoming back) our new staff members for the upcoming year:
- Stephanie Velasco Nieto will be our new District Nurse.
- Jessica Miller is joining our IT Department.
- Lauren O'Hare is re-joining the THS Math Department.
- Dalia Garcia and Jose Soto are joining our kitchen staff.
- Heidi Blair is re-joining our Special Education team one day per week.
Your Voice Matters: Help Shape the Future of All Schooling Supports
CDE is seeking feedback from all families to better understand why parents choose all varieties of school options (e.g., traditional public school, charter, online, homeschool, other) and what educational programs, services, and resources they use to support their students.
The information gathered through this survey will play an important role in informing the upcoming State Board rulemaking processes and legislative priorities for part-time homeschool programs, online schools and beyond. Just as importantly, it will help policymakers better understand the diverse needs and choices of all families as they consider how state funding and resources can best support students and families.
Your perspective is important. The more families who participate, the more accurately the survey will reflect the strength, opinions, and needs of all communities across Colorado.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and encourage other families to do the same. Your participation will help ensure that all voices are heard and considered in decisions that may affect future policies, programs, and funding regardless of schooling choices.
Survey Link and QR Code:
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and help shape the future of education in Colorado.
John Pandolfo
Superintendent
Telluride R-1 School District
(970)-369-1213
