Mustang Tales

As we embark on a new school year, we want to extend a warm welcome to all of our students and families, both new and returning. The start of the academic year is always filled with anticipation and excitement, and we're thrilled to see our hallways come to life with the energy of our students. Thank you again to all of you that have made my first year as principal welcoming and supportive. I look forward to getting to know you and your student(s) during this upcoming school year.

We're are off to a fantastic start! Our dedicated teachers and staff have been working diligently to prepare engaging and meaningful learning experiences for our students. I am confident that this year will be filled with growth, discovery, and achievement for every child.

At Manitou Springs Elementary, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Our focus this year will be on fostering a strong sense of community, launching a tiered core behavior support system, encouraging academic excellence, and supporting the social-emotional well-being of all our students.

Communication between school and home is key to your child’s success. We encourage you to stay involved in your child’s education and to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have throughout the year. Our teachers; Ms. Meredith Hinds, our counselor; and Mrs. Leyes and Mrs. Sueppel, our administrative team are here to support you and your child every step of the way.

I also want to remind you to stay informed about school events, important dates, and other updates by regularly checking our school website and this Mustang Tales monthly newsletter. We have many exciting events planned this year, and we hope you can attend. We look forward to seeing you at our Open House and Picnic on Thursday, September 5th from 4:30-6:00.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. Together, we can make this a year of incredible learning and growth. Let’s make this school year one to remember!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful start to the school year.

Mrs. Carolyn Leyes, Principal

Mrs. Jenny Sueppel, Assistant Principal

Ms. Shoemaker’s Gentle Start Kindergarten Class

We are assembling this year’s MSES SAC team and need your help. This is a group of stakeholders (parents, community members, staff) supporting the school through an advisory capacity.

Each SAC is responsible for making recommendations on the school priorities for spending school monies; feedback on the school performance plan; creating a parent engagement plan; and identifying and problem solving barriers to student success.

The SAC will meet six times a year in the evening. If you’re interested in serving on this committee, email Carlyn Leyes at cleyes@mssd14.org.

We at MSES believe that behavior is a form of communication, reflecting a need or a response to unmet needs. To foster an environment where students can thrive—feeling safe, learning effectively, growing personally, and making healthy choices—it is essential that clear and consistent expectations are set and adhered to by everyone involved.

Holding high expectations means that we consistently communicate and reinforce what is considered acceptable behavior, as well as the standards for academic and personal performance. These expectations help students understand what is required of them and provide a framework for their actions. When expectations are high, students are more likely to engage in positive behaviors because they know what is expected and see a clear path to achieving success.

Accountability is equally crucial. It involves holding students responsible for meeting these expectations and addressing any deviations constructively. When students are held accountable, they learn the importance of responsibility and the impact of their actions on themselves and others. This process of accountability ensures that students are not only aware of expectations but also understand the consequences of not meeting them. It supports a fair and transparent environment where students can learn from their mistakes and are motivated to improve.

Together, high expectations and accountability create a structured environment where students feel secure and supported. They provide the foundation for students to navigate challenges, make informed choices, and develop a sense of responsibility and self-discipline. This approach not only helps in managing behavior but also in fostering an atmosphere where learning and personal growth can flourish.

Below is our tiered system of support to meet the behavioral needs of all students.

Our student/family handbook has more information explaining our tiered approach in correcting behavior that categorizes infractions into minor, moderate, and major levels, each connected to appropriate disciplinary actions.

Student/family Handbook

Part of our Tier 1 expectations is that classes make a social contract. The social contract is co-created by teacher and students capturing the values of how students and teacher want to be treated. Every classroom has a social contract.

In Ms. Hammil’s class, students created their social contract, then made beaded bracelets to remember their core values.

Drop Off and Pick Up: Spaces in front of the building on Pawnee Ave, are kiss and drop lanes - parking is not permitted. Please remain in your car at all times; students will exit your vehicle on the passenger side. Be extra observant and patient of crosswalks as students and families cross to and from school.

The Duclo crosswalk is closed due to the construction of the Carnegie Library Crossing. Cross at the corner of Duclo and Pawnee.

Breakfast begins at 7:30 - students enter through either the play park or Atrium doors.

The tardy bell rings at 8 a.m. Students will enter the building from the playground at 7:55.

Dogs are not permitted on school property.

Mobile Smiles is offering free dental hygiene this fall - they will come to the school to see your student. There is a registration packet attached or you can pick up the form at the front office.

Any returned forms will be passed on to Mobile Smiles.

School spiritwear is on sale! Spiritwear can be ordered by scanning the code or using this link: HTTPS://MANITOUSPRINGS.ITEMORDER.COM

Orders are due by Friday, September 6th.

8/28: Late Start Wednesday, students arrive at 9:55 am

9/2: Labor Day, No School

9/5: Back to School Night 4:30-6:00 (in classrooms 4:30-5; 5-5:30; followed by picnic with swing dedication on the playground)

9/11: Late Start Wednesday, students arrive at 9:55 am

9/17: Fall School Pictures

9/20: Staff Work Day, No School

9/23-9/25: Hearing and vision screening

9/25-9/26: 5th Grade Camp

9/27: Homecoming Parade 1:30 pm

10/1: Creek Week Clean Up Day

10/2: Late Start Wednesday, students arrive at 9:55 am

10/4: Fitness Friday

10/4: Monster Art Project Show 5-8 pm

10/5: Manitou 5k Run

10/15: Fall Picture Retakes

10/17: Staff Work Day, No School

10/18: No School

10/21-10/25: Book Fair

10/24: Parent Teacher Conferences, Noon Dismissal

10/25: Parent Teacher Conferences, No School

10/31: Halloween Parade

11/1: Fitness Friday

11/1: Maniboo

11/6: Late Start Wednesday, students arrive at 9:55 am

11/8: Veterans Day Concert

11/20: Late Start Wednesday, students arrive at 9:55 am

11/25-11/29: Thanksgiving Break

Exciting news! The Manitou Springs Kiwanis Club has generously agreed to allocate a portion of the proceeds from their annual golf tournament to help our district purchase six new radios this year.

In addition to their support for the radios, the Kiwanis Club continues to be a strong partner in other ways, contributing to the MSSD14 community through various initiatives (please see the attached flyer for more details).

To register or for more information, please contact Jay Pretzer at JayPretzer60@gmail.com or 719-491-5468. Please note that registration must be completed with full payment by September 6th.

110 Pawnee Ave. Manitou Springs, CO 80829

(719) 685-2195