Families and Community,

I've shared this story with several of you, but it is most appropriate this time of year...

I have attended the UPES Variety Show multiple times as a parent long before I became principal. Although my kids weren't typically in it, we would still come support the school and their classmates. Last year, I sat and watched the first post-covid (is that a thing) Variety Show as both a parent and a future principal of this amazing building. I will never forget my excitement in that moment. I watched countless kids walk to the front of the stage with confidence as they sang, danced, wrestled, played instruments, put on comedy routines, and more! I remember one particular student who performed an "interpretive dance" to a song she liked at the time. I remember as she closed her eyes and danced without reservation. It was in that moment that it struck me just how truly different our little school is from other schools. We are a place where kids dance freely, sing loudly, and elevate their voices in whatever way possible. We are a place where kids have a voice.

As I watched the Variety Show again this year, from a different position (both in literal sense and also in my career), all those same feelings rushed back. We are so incredibly lucky to be here right now- In this place where our students are growing in so many ways, including in confidence! Huge shout out to Mr. Ferguson for organizing this event, Mrs. Kettler for adding the most incredible "Art Walk" to the variety show, and Mr. Batson for helping us livestream it so families could watch it from home.

Keep scrolling to see some of the exciting learning opportunities from this week!

#watchusgrow

Your partner in education,

Jackie Powell, Ute Pass Principal

Gold Week

Monday, March 6th-

• Specials Day 2
• 4th Grade Hike to GMF
• Honor Choir Practice 3-3:45 pm
• Superintendent Input Session 3:15-4:15 at UPES gym

Tuesday, March 7th-

• Specials Day 3
• Pikes Peak Library at UPES to present research lessons to 1st-5th grade

Wednesday, March 8th- Late Start Today!

• Specials Day 1
• Clothing Drive tubs available after school
• Connect14 Cookie Monsterz and Creative Movement classes at UPES

Thursday, March 9th-

• Specials Day 2
• 6th grade to MSMS
• Ping Pong Connect14 Club at UPES

Friday, March 10th-

• Specials Day 3
• Furry Friends and Feel Good Friday Dismissal

March

1- Late Start

1- Variety Show 5-7 UPES gym

6- Superintendent Search Input Session @ UPES 3:15-4:15

7- Pikes Peak Library here to present research lessons to 1-5th graders

8- Late Start

9- 6th grade to Manitou Springs Middle School

13- Parent Connection Night at UPES

14- PAC Meeting 3 pm in the gym

15- Late Start

22- Late Start

22- Performing Arts Night (Honor Choir and 5th grade play)

24- MSMS Dance (6th grade) 4-6 pm

27-31 Spring Break

We are selling Ute Pass Elementary Shirts! These are just like the staff shirts this year, only with a black screenprint instead of the white on the staff shirts. Shirts are $15 and can be purchased at the front office (cash or check only please).

Superintendent Search Input Opportunities:

There are three scheduled in-person opportunities for students, staff, families, and community members to provide feedback in the superintendent search process which are outlined below.

3/6 - 3:15-4:15 UPES

3/7 - 3:45-4:45 MSMS/MSHS at the HS Media Center

3/9 - 3:15-4:15 MSES

There is also a survey which will provide folks with an opportunity to give feedback in the superintendent search process. The survey mirrors the opportunity people have if they choose to come to one of the in-person sessions as it asks the same questions that will be asked by the facilitator.

Link to Manitou Springs School District 14 Stakeholder Survey

If you have any questions please refer to our district website which contains information as well.

Are you looking to be more involved with the incredible things happening at UPES? Here are some ways we can use YOU!

Mountain Math

Dates: Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (volunteer for one day or more)

Contact Person: Ms. Powell- jpowell@mssd14.org

Times: 12:30-12:50

What will I do: Assist with math games, flash cards, and help grow our students' math skills!

UPES Library

Dates: Flexible- one to three times per week for 20-30 minutes

Contact Person: Mrs. Kettler- kkettler@mssd14.org

Times: Also flexible!

What will I do: Help Mrs. Kettler check-in books, replace books on the shelves, etc

UPES PAC

Dates: PAC meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 3 pm in the gym

Contact Person: Amanda McCloskey- upepac@gmail.com

Times: 3 pm

What will I do: The PAC puts on several amazing events each year, and also helps support our staff through monthly appreciation surprises! Contact Amanda to see how you can help!

Art supplies are coming in! Thank you! Thank you! If you would like to donate art supplies, everything remaining on the is still needed. I appreciate your support in helping UPES students make so many wonderful creations.

These students showed what it means to grow hearts, minds, bodies and the earth this week!

Greenbox Arts resident artist, Amir Amiri visited UPES on Thursday! He plays the santur, an amazing instrument with 72 strings! Check out his webpage at www.amiramiri.com!

2nd grader, Zoe, performs at the Variety Show on Wednesday!

Some of the incredible artwork at the Variety Show!

6th graders collaborate over challenging problems in math class!

Preschoolers practiced writing their letters in shaving cream this week!

6th graders had a virtual visit from an architect as they launch their tiny home projects!

Our 3-day rotation schedule for specials classes allows students to have more access to PE, Music, and Art! We know it might be a bit more confusing for families instead of every Monday being one special, but we want our kids to be exposed to more of these amazing classes while avoiding students always missing a certain special if there is no school on Friday or Monday. Should there be a snow day, we will just move that day to the following day. Here's a calendar to help you navigate this at home. Please reach out with any questions!

Our morning announcements are such a wonderful way to start the day! We have student-led announcements and singers every single day!

We want to share some of this Pony Pride from our "home" to yours! If you'd like to watch morning announcements, we are live-streaming them each day! Simply subscribe to the Ute Pass YouTube channel at this link- UPES YouTube

Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK)

Last April, Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill that works towards “every child in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten is eligible for half-day (15 hours), state-funded, voluntary preschool beginning in the 2023-24 school year. Three-year-olds with qualifying factors are eligible for part-time (10 hours) preschool programming. Families of children in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten with certain qualifying factors, are eligible for an additional 15 hours stacked on top of the half-day programming, bringing those children to full-day programming.”

Manitou Springs Elementary School and Ute Pass Elementary School will continue to offer our exceptional preschool programs for both three-year-olds and students that are in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten. Information for families

Families are now able to submit an application through the state-wide Universal Preschool System for the 2023-24 school year. Here is the link to the application: https://upk.colorado.gov/

Families will still need to complete our preschool enrollment process as well as the UPK application. Here is the information for MSSD: Student Enrollment

Small Group Counseling, Classroom Counseling, and Individual Counseling is underway!

Please reach out to Stephanie Wilson if you have any changing needs where we can better support your student!

Her email is swilson@mssd14.org. You may also call her at 719-685-2209 if you have any questions.

PAC is the team that works hand in hand with the staff and community, to enrich how education is experienced within our mountain school. We have found ourselves uniquely positioned to move forward; steeped in tradition but with all the promise of new ideas. UPE has the highest enrollment to date and with that comes fresh perspective. If you are a parent or caregiver from the littlest of littles in preschool up to the "Where did my baby go?" 6th graders, please consider coming to our meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. Kids are welcome!

If you are unable to make it to meetings and would like to be a part of PAC please reach out.

Thanks so much,
Amanda McCloskey
PAC President

Upcoming Events:

• PAC Meeting 3-14-23, 3 pm in the gym

UTE PASS ELEMENTARY SPRING TRACK SERIES

We offer a non-competitive youth program to introduce running to young athletes in a safe and fun environment. The focus is on self-improvement, being an encouraging teammate, and making new friends. The Spring Track Series is a fun running program led by Sara Striegel and is open to students in kindergarten through 6th grade. Please remember to purchase a RED team race shirt if this is your first season running.

Practices are scheduled for Wednesdays/Fridays beginning April 12th with a celebration practice on May 10th. Practices consist of running games and track workouts with a strong focus on fun.

Races are held on Monday evenings at Woodland Park Middle School’s track at 5pm on April 24th, May 1st and May 8th. Runners run TWO of the following distances:

Meet #1
All runners will run the 50m sprint,
followed by the 400m OR 800m race

Meet #2
All runners will run the 100m sprint,
followed by choice of a 400m OR 800m race

Meet #3
All runners will run the 200m sprint,
followed by the 400m OR 1600m race

Registration opens February 1st and closes April 12th at 5pm OR until we reach CAPACITY

Runners must be registered prior to their first practice. Please register online at www.Landsharksrunningclub.com $65 registration fee through April 5th then an additional $10/runner fee applies until registration closes.

I look forward to working with your athletes! Please consider volunteering to help coach or work at our race site. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer.

Coach: Sara Striegel

Email: striegels2@gmail.com

Scan the QR code or contact Sarah McAfee at smcafee@mssd24.org to find out how to join the Manitou team!

A healthy breakfast and lunch is a key factor in growing a healthy mind and body! Ute Pass Elementary will offer breakfast to students for $1.45 and lunch for $2.95. See below for information on accessing menus.

You can find the new free and reduced application on the district website- https://www.mssd14.org/departments/food_service.

If you don’t qualify for free and reduced price meals, please make sure that there is money in your student’s account. You can add money online at this link- https://mssd14.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=57448&pageId=13267314

Any questions or concerns, please call Paula Faucette, Director of Nutrition Services, at 719-685-2005 or email pfaucette@mssd14.org.

Thank you to families who submitted the form to sign up for Late Start Wednesdays. It helps tremendously with staffing and preparation. If you missed the opportunity to sign up, and are in need, please contact Danny Tramel at dtramel@mssd14.org for approval, as we are at our capacity.

Breakfast will be served until 8:00am, however, due to changes in the federal funding, we can no longer offer free breakfast.

Late Start Wednesdays for second semester:

• January 25
• February 1
• March 1, 8, 15, 22
• April 5, 26
• May 3, 10, 17

Connect 14 is an incredible opportunity for students that attend Manitou Springs School District 14. They offer several amazing K-12 classes that highlight the importance of arts integration from Climate Kids Club to Creative Movement to Ping Pong! Registration is open now!

Some of these classes are held at UPES, but transportation is provided for students who wish to attend a session at Manitou Springs Elementary School. Please visit www.connect14.org to sign up today!

at the foot of Pikes Peak in the Rocky Mountains.

Email: tdudley@mssd14.org
Website: http://upe.mssd14.org/
Location: 9230 Chipita Park Road, Cascade, CO, USA
Phone: 719-685-2227
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upesponies