Families,

Happy New Year! I hope that the holiday break provided you with time to relax, rejuvenate, and be around people near and dear to your heart (and that your family stayed clear of ALL the illnesses going around right now)! We all sure missed our students, and the buzz throughout the building as staff returned today is full of promises of a strong second semester focused on growing hearts, minds, bodies, and the earth!

January brings in fewer activities and more time to reflect and reset for the rest of the school year. Our mid-year data is incredibly exciting, and I will forever brag on this amazing group of educators and the way they provide hands-on learning opportunities from preschool through 6th grade!

The choice window opened on January 1st for our district. If you are a current out-of-district (choice) family, you do not have to fill out a new application each year, although choice enrollment is reviewed each year by a team to consider attendance, special plans, and behavior. If you know of interested families that are out of district, encourage them to complete a choice application as soon as possible to begin the process of securing a spot at this special little school. We will be hosting a UPES Showcase night on Monday, January 13th for prospective families to get more information.

Also beginning on January 1st, applications for the Mountain Academy of Arts and Sciences (the 6th grade program at UPES) may be submitted for current 5th graders wishing to attend 6th grade at UPES. MAAS applications must be submitted before February 1st for current UPES students to be considered for a spot. Applications are available on our district's webpage- mssd14.org under the enrollment tab, and then click Mountain Academy of Arts and Sciences. See below for more information as you consider your choices for 6th grade, and for a direct link to the application. All applications (choice and MAAS) must be submitted to Christina Baker at the district office via email at cbaker@mssd14.org.

As you look through the pictures below, and as you listen to the stories from your amazing young people that we have the privilege to educate, I hope you feel the joy, hear the laughter, and appreciate this truly unique little gem that we get to call our school.

#watchusgrow

Your partner in education,

Jackie Powell, Ute Pass Principal

6-7 Staff Work Days

8- Students Return

10- 6th Grade to Fine Arts Center, Report Cards Go Home

13- UPES Showcase Night 5-6:30 pm (for new families that are interested in attending UPES next school year)

14- PAC 3 pm

15- Late Start (2 hour delay)

20- No School -MLK Jr. Day

22- All District SAC Meeting at MSES 5:30-7:30 pm

24- 6th Grade to Cave of the Winds

Manitou Springs School District 14 offers two incredible opportunities for sixth graders including Manitou Springs Middle School and Ute Pass Elementary’s Mountain Academy of Arts and Sciences. Both options will provide your student(s) with a rich education in a safe, inclusive environment that focuses on relationships, deep learning, and opportunities.

Manitou Spring Middle School 6th Grade Program

Manitou Springs Middle School is located in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and shares a beautiful location with the SILC and High School campuses. The sixth-grade program at MSMS consists of approximately 65 students, resulting in an average class size of 14 students. Each student participates in four core classes daily—English Language Arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies—along with three exploratory classes. The exploratory curriculum includes a year-long music course and a rotation of P.E., Design and Modeling, Art, Spanish, and Creativity Matters. Additionally, sixth-grade students take part in a S.O.A.R. class, which focuses on developing essential skills for academic success and independence while fostering community and engaging in outdoor activities. The sixth-grade schedule operates independently from the seventh and eighth grades, but students enjoy participation in school-wide events such as honor roll celebrations, leadership-led pep assemblies, and semester dances.

Ute Pass Elementary’s Mountain Academy of Arts and Sciences

Ute Pass Elementary School (UPES) is located in Cascade-Chipita Park, Colorado in a more remote, mountain location. The Mountain Academy of Arts and Sciences (MAAS) was started eleven years ago with a focus on environmental stewardship and hands-on learning opportunities. UPES has approximately 175 students from preschool through sixth grade. There are two MAAS classes which follow Colorado State sixth grade standards and also embed over 20 field trips, overnight backpacking trips, and service projects throughout the local area. Students attending MAAS will still be able to participate in sports through Manitou Springs Middle School, and transportation is provided to and from Manitou Springs for students.

No matter what direction your family chooses, your child is sure to have a wonderful sixth grade experience at either school. For more information, please see the following timeline:

• December 22, 2024- Mountain Academy of Arts and Sciences applications will be available on the website

• January 1, 2025- MAAS Applications will begin being accepted digitally (either filled out on the website, or printed and emailed to Christina Baker at cbaker@mssd14.org)

• January 13, 2025- UPES Showcase from 5-6:30 pm

• January 23, 2025- MSMS Showcase from 5-6:30 pm

• February 1, 2025- MAAS Application Window closes

• February/March- 5th Grade Field Trips to Manitou Springs Middle School

• Early March 2025- Families will begin hearing from the district about conditional acceptance into the MAAS program

We are happy to provide tours and speak with you on an individual basis to help you make the best decision for your student and family. For further questions, please contact Jackie Powell at jpowell@mssd14.org or Dustin Cady at dcady@mssd14.org.

Student safety is paramount to everything we do at UPES. Per our 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!

Families,

We are updating our contact information in Powerschool to improve alignment with all our systems.

A test message was sent out via email, phone call, and text on Thursday, December 5th at 4:00pm. If you do not receive an email message, text or phone call, please email Christina Baker at cbaker@mssd14.org.

If you prefer not to receive phone calls, or emails, please contact Christina and she will remove you.

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!

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:

• January 15
• February 5
• March 5
• April 2
• May 7

Connect14 is an incredible opportunity for students that attend Manitou Springs School District 14. New this year, Connect14 will be run by individual schools. UPES is currently holding after school summit classes (contact Mrs. Dudley to sign up) and multiple tutoring sessions by invitation.

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/