Dear Laramie County School District 1 Families,

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!

I hope your summer included time to recharge, enjoy family and friends, and create some lasting memories.

Across the District, our staff members have spent the summer preparing classrooms, buildings, programs, and services for the return of our kids. In recent weeks, we have also participated in professional learning and training designed to help us begin the year with purpose and provide students with a strong, successful start.

We are grateful to welcome our students and families back and are excited about the opportunities ahead. As we begin a new year, we bring our attention back to our mission statement: The mission of Laramie County School District 1, in cooperation with students, parents, staff and the community, is to guarantee a high-quality education in a safe and orderly environment for all students, inspiring them to become lifelong learners and responsible, productive citizens.  

We remain committed that your child’s lived experience is one that is safe, supportive, healthy, and centered on their academic and personal well-being.

Strong partnerships with families are essential to student success. Throughout the year, please reach out to your child’s teachers, principal, or the district office whenever you have questions or need assistance. We value your partnership and look forward to working together to make this an outstanding school year.

—Dr. Stephen Newton, Superintendent of Schools

LCSD1 students took a trip to the Cheyenne Frontier Days arena to participate in the Challenge Rodeo. They rode horses, learned how to rope with Gov. Mark Gordon, met rodeo royalty and made lasting memories.

Thank you to the volunteers and CFD staff for making this event possible for our students.

This summer, following the Laramie County School District 1 Board of Trustees' approval of a construction contract, LCSD1 hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Arp Elementary building.

The new building will be built on the grounds of the old Arp building.

LCSD1 recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the district's new 5–6 elementary school, Mountain View.

The school will be located next to Afflerbach Elementary. Its mascot is the Red Dog, which is another name for a baby bison.

With the addition of Mountain View to the South Triad, LCSD1 will have three 5–6 schools, one for each triad.

5–6 schools draw fifth and sixth graders to a focused school that can better prepare them for the junior high environment they will soon be introduced to. The schools those students would have normally attended will only have students up to the fourth grade, relieving population pressure in those schools as well.

LCSD1 Superintendent Dr. Stephen Newton—along with principals, administrators, board members, cheerleaders and East High's band—greeted roughly 105 new hires to help kick off the 2026–2027 school year!

LCSD1 Summer Academy and Jumpstart students celebrated the last day of summer school with a fun-filled field day. 

Each school had its own set of field day activities. Students at Dildine Elementary played indoor bowling, "lightsaber" tag, and drew with chalk. Students at Freedom played Foursquare and a sponge relay. Students at Rossman rode on belly boards, played with a parachute, and did their own sponge relay. 

Freedom students also received a performance by members of the Central High band. 

South High's stunt team recently attended a skills camp at Altitude Athletix.

Central, East and South High's marching bands had impressive performances in this year's Cheyenne Frontier Days parades.

LCSD1 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stephen Newton also made an appearance at the parades.

Central High School students Olivia Reynolds and Slade Taylor were recently recognized as part of the 2026 Congressional Award Gold Medal Class. They attended this year's Gold Medal Summit in Washington, D.C.

The students were among 877 Gold Medal recipients recognized during the summit. As part of the event, medalists were recognized at the U.S. Capitol and met with members of Congress.

"Participating in The Congressional Award program taught me how to set goals and stick with them," Reynolds said. "Earning the Gold Medal showed me what I'm capable of and helped me grow as a person."

"Earning the Congressional Award Gold Medal taught me that serving my community isn't just something you do for a requirement; it actually changes the way you see people and your place in the world," Taylor said. "This program showed me that helping others and improving myself can happen at the same time."

The Congressional Award Gold Medal is earned by setting and achieving goals in four program areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition or exploration.

Members of LCSD1's Transportation Department recently competed in the Wyoming Pupil Transportation Association Bus Rodeo.

Four staff members received awards during the rodeo portion of the contest and the LCSD1 team brought home the traveling trophy.

Laramie County School District 1 is proud to announce that it has earned a national honor in the 2026 National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Publications and Digital Media Excellence awards.

LCSD1’s Community Relations Office received an Honorable Mention in the Magazine category for the district’s 2024–2025 edition of the Elevate annual magazine.

“This award aligns with the district’s strategic plan which places community engagement at the heart of our district mission,” LCSD1 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stephen Newton said.

The annual NSPRA awards celebrate outstanding work in educational communications including print and digital publications, videos, social media, infographics and more. Entries are judged by seasoned communication professionals from across the country.

A full list of 2026 winners can be found here: https://www.nspra.org/Awards/Award-Winners/Publications-and-Digital-Media-Excellence-Winners

Visit the district’s website to view the magazine: https://www.laramie1.org/elevatemagazine

As we begin the school year, be sure to exercise caution for our walking, biking, skating and scooting students.

LCSD1 is now accepting meal applications for the 2026–2027 school year from Central and East triad students.

South triad households should not submit a meal application. All students will automatically receive free breakfast and lunch under the Community Eligibility Provision.

Questions? Call Nutrition Services at 307-771-2440.

Cheyenne Schools Foundation's 5K "Run for #1" will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Central High School. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

Come out and support our students!

The deadline for Laramie County School District 1 students to receive their required immunizations is Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026.

Immunizations are required by state law. Students not meeting this requirement will be excluded from school starting Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. Parents/guardians will be contacted to pick up their child and take them for the necessary immunizations. Students may return to school immediately after receiving vaccines. 

Immunizations are available at local healthcare providers and Cheyenne-Laramie County Public Health. 

For further details, please contact your child’s school.

Board meetings are held at Storey Gym, 2811 House Ave., at 6 p.m. on their respective dates. Work sessions are held at 5 p.m. Meetings and work sessions can be attended in-person or online. For more information, visit https://www.laramie1.org/board-of-trustees

Stay connected with us through the district's social media platforms to stay up to date with what's happening throughout the district.

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LinkedIn: Laramie County School District #1

YouTube: laramiecountyschooldistric8018