Students

AYPYN is designed to locate and support the development of high-quality and high interest after school spaces in the communities where large concentrations of Army families reside. AYPYN definition of high quality and high interest after school programs are programs that provides a variety of activities (academics included) that youth choose to be involved in and find enjoyable and/or rewarding.

The program must provide youth the opportunity to have positive and meaningful interactions with adults. All students are eligible to participate in all activities under AYPYN. Funding is based on the daily attendance of Army connected youth to include Army Active Duty, Army Civilian, activated Army National Guard, and activated Army Reserve.

Please check your child's junior high or high school's website for AYPYN clubs offered. 

United Way: 211 is the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services in the country. It’s powered by people: thousands of caring, local experts are available to help, 24/7. Calls to 211 are confidential and can be anonymous.  

You’ll find information about:   

• supplemental food and nutrition programs
• shelter and housing options and utilities assistance
• pandemic information
• emergency information and disaster relief
• employment and education opportunities
• services for veterans
• health care, vaccination and health epidemic information
• addiction prevention and rehabilitation programs
• reentry help for ex-offenders
• support groups for individuals with mental illnesses or special needs
• a safe, confidential path out of physical and/or emotional domestic abuse

FOOD

• Food Distribution Centers

CLOTHING

• Catholic Charities (719) 636-2345
• Mercy's Gate (719) 277-7470
• Spring's Rescue Mission (719) 884-2770
• Salvation Army (719) 382-1182
• Crossfire Ministries (719) 447-1806

HOUSING

• Family Promise
  519 N. Tejon St.
  Colorado Springs, CO 80903
  719-329-1244
• Partners in Housing
  455 Gold Pass Heights
  Colorado Springs, CO 80906
  719-473-8890
• RJ Montgomery – Salvation Army Homeless Shelter
  709 S. Sierra Madre
  Colorado Springs, CO 80903
  719-578-9190
• Springs Rescue Mission
  Homeless shelter: Men, women, families
  5 W. Las Vegas St.
  Colorado Springs, CO 80903
  719-632-1822
• Urban Peak
  Homeless shelter: Ages 15-20
  423 E. Cucharras
  Colorado Springs, CO 80903
  719-630-3223 719-205-7129 (After 5pm & weekends)

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures that children who are homeless have equal access to public education. Parents or guardians can decide whether their child will stay in the school they attended before becoming homeless or transfer to a new school closer to their temporary residence. 

Educational Rights of Homeless Children and Youth Program

• Students go to school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there
• Choose between the local school where they are living, the school they attended before they lost their housing, or the school where they last enrolled
• Enroll in school immediately, without proof of residency, immunizations, school records, or other documents
• Get transportation to their school of origin
• Get the school services they need
• Be free from harassment and isolation; and 
• Have disagreements with the school settled quickly

Contact: Dave Gish, gishd@wsd3.org

Reference:

•  McKinney-Vento Homeless Education

Policy: 

• Admission of Homeless Students

In July 2024, Colorado’s General Assembly passed HB24-1216.  The bill defines a justice-engaged student as a student who is involved in the criminal justice system in any capacity, including, but not limited to, adjudication, probation, ticketing, detention, diversion, commitment, or community supervision.

Justice-Engaged Student’s Bill of Rights

C.R.S. 22-108-103: HB 24-1216 establishes the following bill of rights for justice engaged students.

With respect to education, a justice-engaged student has the right to:

• Provision of alternative solutions to a general education, including, but not limited to, appropriate available alternate education programs.

• Prompt enrollment or re-enrollment no later than 10 business days after the first request to the local education provider, so long as the student is eligible for enrollment, as determined by the local education provider.

• Appropriate credit for coursework completed while justice-engaged, and for that coursework to be applied toward graduation or school continuation.

• A plan for graduation, developed with the justice-engaged student, the student's family, caregiver or advocate and clarify requirements to allow the student to complete the high school graduation requirements at the earliest possible date. A clearly defined and documented plan for graduation upon re-entry, re-enrollment, or continuation with a local education provider.

• Privacy, including privacy when related to diversion, probation or questioning about a crime at a local education provider and not in view of the student’s peers.

• Protection by the federal "Individuals with Disabilities Act", section 504 of the federal "Rehabilitation Act of 1973", applicable foster care regulations, and the federal "McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act".

• Create evidence of and be evaluated for giftedness.

• Participation in school activities or career readiness pathways in accordance with rules promulgated by the State Board.

If you are aware of or are a Justice-Engaged Student, please contact: Shane Skalla, skallas@wsd3.org. 

• Below are links to helpful documents provided by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
  • Mental Health Facts
  • Getting The Right Start
  • How To Help A Friend
     

• Resources:

  • Colorado Crisis Services (24 hour hotline) (844) 493-TALK (8255) or Text TALK to 38255
  • Peak View Behavioral Health (719) 444-8484
  • Crisis Stabilization Unit (Aspen Pointe) (719) 572-6100
  • Cedar Springs Hospital (719) 633-4114
  • Peak Military Care Network (719) 955-0742
  • National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) (719) 473-8477
  • Empower Colorado (866) 213-4631
  • Safe2Tell (877) 542- SAFE (7233)
  • Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention (719) 573-7447

A Purple Star School supports military-connected students with resources for their social, emotional, and academic well-being as they transition into new communities. WSD3 is working toward this designation to better serve its military families, which make up 22% of its student population.

Learn more about Purple Star Schools