Back to School for Durango 9-R

With students heading back to school on August 20th, Durango School District 9-R’s Back to School Hub has all the resources in one location to help the school year get off to a smooth start. Support La Plata County Humane Society this month; between a photo contest, PJ Party, and the Buds and Brews event, there is something for everyone. The City of Durango has opened applications to city water utility residents in commercial accounts for the Turf Grass Replacement program, encouraging native and natural landscaping. You’re watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by The Payroll Department and Dunkin’ Donuts. I’m Sadie Smith. School is almost back in session. Students return on Tuesday, August 20th. To help with a smooth transition back to the school year, Durango School District 9-R has created a back-to-school hub for ease of access. Find links for registering new and returning students for kindergarten through 12th grade and links for preschool registration. Bus registration is open. Make sure your student is registered to ride the bus, even if your school or address hasn’t changed. The Boys and Girls Club of La Plata County has partnered with the school district to offer afterschool programs through the club at Durango Schools. Programs will be offered at Animas Valley, Florida Mesa, Needham, Park, and Riverview Elementary Schools this year. The program costs $14.50 a day or $10 a day if you qualify for the free/reduced lunch program. Additional financial assistance is available through the Colorado Care Assistance Program and the Boys and Girls Club. All students are now eligible for free school breakfasts and lunches. However, families are still encouraged to fill out income assistance forms as the information helps the school district apply for additional funds to cover the costs of meals and nutritional programs and support after-school activities. Qualifying households may also be eligible to receive summer EBT benefits, discounted school fees, class materials, bus passes, utility support, and more. Lastly, make sure that all contact information is up to date so the school district can send messages in the event of an emergency. Call 855-502-7867 to sign up to receive phone calls, or text ‘START’ to 60860 to receive text messages. Is your pup or cat calendar cute? Submit your favorite pick of your pet to the La Plata County Humane Society’s Woofs and Whiskers photo contest. The top 11 photos will earn a place on the 2025 LPCHS calendar, and the first-place photo will win the placement in their month of choice, cover photo, and a one-hour professional photo session with Cassidy Crisp of Crisp Clicks. Photo submissions close August 31st and voting is now open. Tickets for the Punk Rock Pajama Party will go on sale soon. The family-friendly event at the Subterrain will support the cats of the Humane Society and starts at 7:00 P.M. on August 24th. And for those 21 and older, support the Humane Society through its Buds and Brews event. At Ska Brewing, buy a round for pets in the pound, and at Durango Organics, buy weed for pets in need. The City of Durango has opened applications for the Turf Grass Replacement program to city water utility residents and commercial accounts. The program offers rebates to encourage the replacement of water-intensive lawns with water-efficient landscaping designs or replacement of traditional turf with low-water turf options. This is the pilot year of the program and the city has three primary goals: to provide education and advice on outdoor water consumption, incentivize local businesses and organizations to utilize native and natural landscaping to conserve water and reduce maintenance needs, and support statewide efforts to track and understand outcomes of turf grass replacement. Learn more about these and other stories online at durangolocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I’m Sadie Smith.