Dear PSD Community,
We are excited to announce that Melissa Cripe has been named the next principal of Cache La Poudre Elementary School, beginning with the 2025-26 school year. A lifelong educator and proud graduate of Poudre School District, Ms. Cripe brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to student success.
Ms. Cripe earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and anthropology from the University of Colorado-Boulder and her master’s degree in reading from Rhode Island College. Since 2002, she has taught kindergarten through fourth grade and served as a reading specialist in multiple states and overseas before returning to Fort Collins. For the past 11 years, she has worked in Poudre School District, serving as the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Coordinator at Zach and Riffenburgh Elementary before becoming assistant principal at Riffenburgh in 2019.
As a Fort Collins native, Ms. Cripe is honored to lead Cache La Poudre Elementary and is eager to build relationships with students, staff, and families. She looks forward to continuing the school’s tradition of excellence and fostering a supportive learning environment for all.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Julie Chaplain is excited for the CLPE community. She says, “Mrs. Cripe will continue the long tradition of embedding trauma-informed practices and shared leadership opportunities for the students, staff, and community of CLPE.”
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Cripe to this new role.
Sincerely,
Brian Kingsley
Superintendent