SSSD May Newsletter

Steamboat Springs School District May Newsletter
Introducing your 2023-2024 Sailors Dance Team! Congratulations to everyone who showed up for tryouts and danced their hearts out.
A Message from Dr. Celine Wicks, Superintendent
Dear Steamboat Springs School District Community:
Our schools are abuzz with end-of-year activities and traditions. Last weekend, Steamboat Springs High School enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Prom and the After-Prom. Both events were an enormous success. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers who made these events possible. Without hundreds of hours of volunteerism, these events would not be possible!
On Friday, May 26, Yampa Valley High School will be holding their graduation ceremony. The following day, Steamboat Springs High School will hold their graduation ceremony. We wish all graduating seniors success in their post-graduate endeavors. Thank you to all of the parents for sharing your wonderful children with us, and allowing us to be part of their academic journeys. We look forward to hearing about their pursuits in the years to come.
As the academic year comes to a close, I would like to thank all of our staff members for their dedication to students, families, and the entire Steamboat Springs School District. We have extremely talented educators who consistently go above and beyond every day for students. Please help me thank our entire staff for making our community of learning outstanding!
As always, thank you for your continued support of Steamboat Springs School District.
In partnership,
Dr. Celine Wicks, Superintendent
District News
SSSD Awarded $1.9M Over Three Years by CDE to Expand Mental Health Services
The Steamboat Springs School District has been awarded $648,061, including a grant awarded to North Routt Community Charter School, a year for three years through the Colorado Department of Education School Health Professional Grant to expand mental health services across the district. The SSSD grant award is the largest of any rural school district in Colorado. Additionally, grant awards to area schools total $3.6M over three years to provide mental health services across Routt County schools.
Grant Awards and Donations Round-Up
The Steamboat Springs School District has recently been awarded several grants and donations to enhance educational opportunities across the district. We are excited to share with the details of a few of the grant awards and donations that will be utilized next school year:
- Summer Language Acquisition Programming: The Rocky Mountain Health Foundation donated $10,000 to support SSSD’s 6- week English language acquisition programming during the summer, which is geared toward Newcomers and Emerging Bilingual students. Newcomers and Emerging Bilingual students are new to the country and the Steamboat Springs community and are working on English language proficiency. The program will serve 60 students in current grades 1-5. The program encompasses not just language skills development but also academic support in reading and math, immersive experiences in the community, and access to healthcare services students might not otherwise receive. For instance, Honey Stinger donated $2,000 to cover the cost of the swim lessons at OId Town Hot Springs.
SSSD plans to use these funds to team up with staff from Northwest Colorado Health and their Youth Resiliency Program Manager to deliver a curriculum that supports social-emotional health and youth resiliency. Themes that students will read about and discuss include but are not limited to: mindfulness, zones of regulation, empathy, friendships, conflict resolution, and hopes and dreams. Additionally, the Northwest Colorado Health Dental bus will be parked on the Soda Creek Campus this summer on 3 separate dates to provide dental services, which includes teeth cleaning, exams, x-ray, and fluoride treatments, to students and families in need. The school district will provide bus transportation for students coming to summer school, which will eliminate the need for families to take time away from work or travel to other locations for dental appointments. - Early Literacy Professional Development: The Colorado Department of Education awarded SSSD $292,495 for one year for the Early Literacy Professional Development grant. This grant provides funds to Sleeping Giant School, Soda Creek Elementary, and Strawberry Park Elementary to improve early literacy by implementing and sustaining scientific and evidence-based reading instruction. For example, the grant will fund an Early Literacy Coach at SGS, among other professional development activities.
- Cross-Country Ski Equipment: An anonymous donor through the Yampa Valley Community Foundation donated $5,000 to the school district to supply Steamboat Springs Middle School and Sleeping Giant School Nordic ski teams with cross-country ski equipment. The athletes train with both classic and skate skis. The equipment expense associated with participating in this sport is significantly more than other school-sponsored sports (such as basketball or football), creating barriers to participation. SSSD will purchase a middle school set of both classic and skate skiing Nordic equipment to ensure students with financial barriers are able to participate in the Nordic ski team.
Lead Testing Update
Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 22-1358: Clean Water in Schools and Child Care Centers in June 2022. This new law mandates that all child care centers, family child care homes, and schools that serve preschool through fifth grade in Colorado test their drinking water for lead before May 31, 2023, and remediate if necessary.
Earlier this spring, the Steamboat Springs School District conducted lead testing on all district schools' drinking water sources. The district found five sources of concern at Steamboat Middle Schoo, three sources of concern at Strawberry Park Elementary School, and one source of concern at Steamboat Springs High School.
To address this issue, four drinking fountains will be replaced at SSMS with new Elkay units with bottle fillers and filtration. The kitchen handwashing station was retested and passed. Additionally, three new drinking fountains at SPE will also be installed. Finally, the kitchen faucet at SSHS will also be replaced. These new fixtures will be operational before the start of the new school year.
To provide further information, Routt County Public Health has released a FAQ document regarding the recent lead testing conducted in schools. This document aims to answer any questions regarding the testing results and what to do if there are concerns about the health effects of lead exposure.
If you have questions, please reach out to facilities manager Pascal Ginesta (pginesta@ssk12.org)
2023-2024 Annual Update For Current Students
2023-2024 Annual Update For Current Students
Every year, parents/guardians are asked to review and update household information, emergency contacts, and waivers and releases for their students. You can now complete your annual student update online through your Alma Start account. It’s important to have all updates submitted and approved before August 21, the first day of school.
We are switching from Infinite Campus to Alma for the 2023-2024 school year. You must complete the Annual Update in Alma Start. If you have already completed the Annual Update in Infinite Campus, you will still need to complete the update in Alma Start.
In the News
Board of Education approves new graduation requirements at Yampa Valley High School
Yampa Valley High School is looking to change the school's graduation requirements as soon as next school year. This new plan will create two different graduation pathways, one traditional and one career focused. (Photo by: John F. Russell/Steamboat Pilot & Today)
SSHS Students Pick Up and Clean Up and Learn More About the Environment
SSHS Med Prep Club Selling First Aid Kits
Students in the Med Prep Club at Steamboat Springs High School have been busy making First Aid Kits to sell. Senior Charlie Rosemond says they’re user friendly. The kids in the club are trying to raise money to buy another AED for the school which is an Automated External Defibrillator. Or a female doll or plate on which to practice CPR since women are 27% less likely to receive CPR because people learn on a male doll. The club certifies about 30 people each year in CPR. (Photo by: Shannon Lukens, Steamboat Radio)
Prep Sports
Sailors serve it up at state championship as No. 1 doubles takes silver
Steamboat freshman Dylan Quinn follows through on a shot during a No. 2 doubles match against Holy Family in the girls tennis state tournament in Colorado Springs on Friday, May 12, 2023.
(Photo by: Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today)A team to remember: Steamboat boys lacrosse falls in state quarterfinal
SSHS Athletes Honored at Sailor Luau
Steamboat Springs High School honored its students athletes at the Sailors Auction, Awards, and Luau on Monday, May 1. (Photo by: Shannon Lukens, Steamboat Radio)
Follow Steamboat Radio on Facebook and the Steamboat Pilot for more game photos, news, and updates!