The Ute Pass Press

For those of you I have not had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Jackie Powell, and I am the proud principal at Ute Pass Elementary. This is my third year as principal here at UPES, and my 17th year in education. Before joining the UPES team, I was a special education teacher, a first grade teacher, an instructional coach and interventionist, an assistant principal, and then a principal at a large elementary school. Ute Pass is my home and I look forward to many years leading this amazing little school. I have six core beliefs that shape my leadership and my drive for this to be the best school in the entire world! They are the following:

• All students can learn.
• We are all learners.
• Education goes beyond academics.
• We are never done.
• It is never too late.
• Everyone has a story that matters.

I will be sending a newsletter each month, but please reach out if you have any questions at anytime. The best way to reach me is by email at jpowell@mssd14.org, or feel free to schedule a meeting, which our secretary, Mrs. Dudley, can help you with!

We are thrilled to welcome our students and families back to Ute Pass Elementary! Whether we are your home school, or you have chosen to come here- welcome home! Ute Pass Elementary School (UPES) is a truly special place. We are bursting at the seams with excited students and teachers. More students=more hearts and minds we have the privilege to grow!

You will find the absolute best teachers and staff at Ute Pass. This dedicated group of individuals values creativity, exploration, and environmental learning through a Whole-Child approach. They are looking forward to building relationships with your children, your family, and our community. We'd like to welcome (back) the following staff members to our UPES team:

• TC Cramer- Preschool Paraprofessional
• Jacob Sampson- 3rd Grade Teacher
• Mica Wood- Dean of Students

As we head into a new school year, please pay attention to important dates below. It's going to be an incredible year of GROWTH. If you have not already done so, please follow/like us on Facebook! I will be putting all of our happenings on there to share the amazing things our students and staff are doing.

At UPES, we believe our families and community are in integral part of growing our children into successful and happy young people! We look forward to partnering with you this school year!

Again, thank you for your support. We can't wait for you to watch us grow this year!

Your partner in education,

Jackie Powell, Ute Pass Principal

Student safety is paramount to everything we do at UPES. Per out Family/Student Handbook (linked above), please note the following expectations for all visitors and volunteers to Ute Pass Elementary:

Partnerships with our schools are an important piece in a child’s education. Volunteers are expected to make arrangements prior to volunteering in the school or classroom. In some instances where volunteers or chaperones are supervising students alone, a background check is required. If you think you’ll want to chaperone for events, please contact your child’s teacher to find out about needs and opportunities. For the safety of our students and staff, during school hours, all family members, visitors, non-district workers, and volunteers must sign in at the office and receive a badge to be visible at all times when in our building. State-issued identification is required by school personnel for check in through our Raptor system. Visitors during lunch will sit at a visitor’s table with their child(ren). When leaving, all visitors must check out at the office.

In the mornings, family members may walk their child(ren) to the entryway, but we ask that you give all your "have a great days" and "goodbyes" at the door. This helps us ensure that only staff members and pre-arranged visitors are in the building once school begins. Thank you for helping us provide a safe learning environment for all students!

Each child will be bringing home a few important papers today (or possibly you received them at Meet the Teacher). The following forms need returned:

• School Lunch Form (1 per family)
• Student/Family Handbook Acknowledgement (1 per family)

Please check backpacks for other information from your child's teacher and a magnet with all of our UPES important dates!

We are fortunate to have Nurse Sarah Lee back with us full-time at UPES again this year! If you have any emergency medicine or health information that the school needs, please submit that to Nurse Sarah as soon as possible. Her email is slee@mssd14.org. Be on the lookout for a flyer coming home from Mobile Smiles!

August

16- First day for 1st-6th graders

16- Kindergarten Gentle Start Day 1

19- Kindergarten Gentle Start Day 2

20- All Kindergarten and Preschool students come

28- Late Start (School begins at 9:55 am, tardy bell rings at 10 am)

Duty/supervision/breakfast begins at 7:35.

The first bell for students to enter classrooms is at 7:55, and the tardy bell will ring at 8:00. Dismissal is at 2:50.

Here are the ins and outs of our pick up/drop off lane:

• The family drop-off/pick-up lane will allow children to be picked up all the way to the end of the central sidewalk (to the gas meters against the street).
  
• Teachers will supervise students in the locations noted on the map above.
• No car will move into or exit the lane until every car has been loaded. (If you do not have the time to wait, please consider parking and walking in the areas marked above.)
  
• When all cars are loaded, the line of cars will exit together.
• The crossing guard will then allow walking parents to cross the parking lot at crosswalks to gain access to their vehicles.
  
• When these vehicles are loaded and moving, the next line waiting on Chipita Park Road will be allowed in to begin the process again.
• Furry Friday dismissal- on Fridays, bring your dogs through our pick-up lane for a treat!
  
• Friday afternoon concerts- Mr. Ferguson will be playing on select Friday afternoons at dismissal (weather permitting)!
  
• Do not utilize the bus lane parking lot for drop-off or pick-up.

Please note the available areas for parking and walking above. If your child is sitting on the wall with their teacher, please ask a staff member to get your child for you to avoid excess traffic near the pick-up lane. As always, your patience is deeply appreciated!

We are excited to welcome Savanna Anstedt back as our Preschool teacher at UPES! When UPES is on a late start Wednesday, students in preschool will follow their typical schedule (not the late start schedule). Preschool students do not attend school on Fridays.

Please reach out to Ms. Savanna at sanstedt@mssd14.org with any questions.

Free Meals for Students, Plus Important Reminders for Families

We are excited to share that all students in Manitou Springs School District will receive free breakfast and lunch through the Healthy School Meals for All program! This new statewide program, approved by Colorado voters, is helping Colorado children and teens have access to nutritious food at our schools.

Even though breakfast and lunch will be provided for free, we need families to continue sharing household income information through this form in order for our school to receive full access to federal funding.

Be sure to fill out the form as part of your back-to-school registration! If you have questions or would like additional support, please reach out to Paula Faucette-Director of Nutrition Services, 719-685-2005 or email pfaucette@mssd14.org for more information.

The school district will be providing supervision for a limited number of students during all late start Wednesdays during the 24-25 school year. To sign up, follow the Google Form link below and register your student(s).

It is important that registration is completed only for students who would otherwise not be able to attend school if not for late start childcare.

https://forms.gle/yM9kLatxQKw7eU1F6

Late Start Wednesdays for first semester:

• August 28
  

• September 11
• October 2
• November 6
• November 20
• December 11

Connect14 is an incredible opportunity for students that attend Manitou Springs School District 14. New this year, Connect14 will be run by individual schools. Stay tuned for more information for the classes that will be offered at UPES this semester!

Manitou Springs Elementary School will host an after-school program through Champions After School Care. This opportunity will be offered to Ute Pass Families also, and transportation would be provided from UPES to MSES after school.

We have a very active and incredible Parent Action Committee who supports our little school in BIG ways!

The PAC meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 3:00 pm in the music room at UPES. Moving into the 24-25 school year, the PAC is excited to have a larger presence in the school, continuing to take care of the amazing staff at UPES, putting on events and meeting new families, and to get new members! They will have a table set up at our Open House/Open Outdoors with more information and opportunities to join in on the fun! Please contact Janelle, PAC President, at upepac@gmail.com with any questions.

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/utepasselementaryschool/