We are recruiting students for incredible, free outdoor adventures and learning through our partnership with Colorado College. CCLIM is three Thursdays a month from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. It's an opportunity for your child to experience new places and outdoor activities while building their confidence, communication skills, teamwork, and leadership. The positive connection and mentoring they'll experience with Colorado College student sponsors is also a great opportunity to learn more about options for their future! Take a look at the flyer and pictures below from last year's Jack Swigert students in CCLIM.

Reach out to our staff sponsor, Ms. Amy Tomerlin if you want to learn more or to get your student signed up for this great opportunity!

Amy Tomerlin: amy.tomerlin@d11.org

We will hold fall conferences during the following times:

• Tuesday, 10/15: 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM (Teacher Work Day - No classes. Students attend only with their family to attend individual conferences.)
• Wednesday, 10/23: 12:00 PM - 7:30 PM (1/2 School Day with Early Release. Conferences begin at 12:00 PM.)

In October, students will begin preparing for student-led conferences in each of their classes. These conferences are an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about what your student is learning this year, to support their interests and abilities, and to partner with your child's teachers and other school staff to support your student's success and excitement about school.

We will have prizes for all families and students who attend their scheduled conferences! Details about how to sign up for specific conference times will be in next week's newsletter and on our school website!

All students at District 11 schools who serve meals in their cafeteria will eat for free regardless of the eligibility status should a household apply. The State of Colorado provides meals for students who participate in the National School Lunch Program under the Healthy School Meals for All program.

However, we still need your help by completing this Free/Reduced Meal Application. Here's why!

Even though the students are eating their meals for free, other benefits of our families completing this application are as follows:

• Possible reduction of fees for programs both within District 11 and outside of District 11
• Qualified students will receive Summer Electronic Benefits (S-EBT) in the summer when school is not in session
• Additional funding for schools and District 11 thereby providing an enhanced educational experience for students

Thank you for your time completing the free / reduced lunch application!

"Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture. While we celebrate Hispanic and Latino communities beyond this month, from September 15 to October 15 we give extra recognition to the many contributions made to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods, and much more." Click the link to the Smithsonian Institute website below to learn more!

Parents/guardians, when entering the building just to pick up a student or waiting for them in the front Cyber Cafe area, you will be asked to show your ID and a guest badge will be printed. This is a required district policy to ensure the safety of our students. You will not be able to pick up your student without an ID to confirm it is you! We want to keep your students safe, so thank you so much for understanding this policy even though this may have not been the practice in the past.

• 100% of staff met the expectation of accurately entering daily attendance within the 1st 10 minutes of class this week! Great work, team!!!
• We saw an increase in per period average attendance last week. Students are approaching but not yet meeting the target of a 92% per period attendance rate. Staff can help us meet this goal by not admitting late students to class without an e-hall pass. This system ensures that students' attendance is updated from being marked absent to being marked tardy when our attendance team pulls e-hall pass reports and updates attendance. Families can help us meet our goal by getting students to school on time and scheduling appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. Please call us to share updated information about student attendance as needed at 719-328-6900.

Mr. Dante Leach and Ms. Andi Walker are teaching their students strategies for writing effective arguments supported with logical explanation and textual evidence. To engage students in practicing logic and argumentation prior to crafting their own arguments about different forms of government, this creative team have stirred up a bit of campus controversy around an example topic complete with scholarly sources and heated debate: is a hotdog a sandwich?

Take a look at the evidence below and let us know what YOU think! Let's settle this issue together.

Unfortunately, there are outdated Facebook accounts for our school that we can't access. This can cause confusion resulting from outdated information. Here is our new Facebook account so you can like, follow, and stay updated!

We're on Facebook as @JackSwigertMiddleSchool.

Hello families! Thank you so much for your continued support during our Football, Cross Country, and Volleyball seasons! An extra special shout out to all the families who came to support Swigert during their first home match against the North Vikings! It was great to see our community come out and support our athletes! Here’s a look at the athletics are taking place this week.

For all things sports-related, please reach out to Ethan Moore: 719-328-6930 or Ethan.moore2@d11.org

Cross Country will compete at the Cougar Classic at Monument Valley Park on Saturday, September 21st. This event starts at 9am. Monument Valley Park is located at Culebra Avenue.

Our Volleyball teams will be in action Thursday, September 19th at Russell Middle School. B squad starts at 4:45. A squad will start shortly after the conclusion of B squad. Russell Middle School is located 3825 Montebello Drive West. With a quick turnaround, both teams will be back in action on Friday, September 20th at Swigert! Both teams will take on Sabin! B squad starts at 4:45. A squad will start shortly after the conclusion of B squad.

Admission prices are as follows:

$2.00 - Adults & High School Students

$1.00 - Middle School Students

Free - Children Under 6th Grade

Attention all wrestlers!! Thank you to all those who participated in pre-season practice! Wrestling season officially begins on Tuesday, September 17th! All athletes must have an up to date physical. Practices begins in the cafeteria at 4:15-5:15. Please make sure you have a plan in place to pick up your athlete at the conclusion of practice!

Our football teams will be playing against Jenkins Wednesday, September 18th at Doherty High School. B squad starts at 4:45. A squad will start shortly after the conclusion of B squad. Doherty High School is located at 4515 Barnes Road.

Weekly Grade Checks will be done by the coaches and school Athletic Director every Monday.

Scholar athletes are not eligible to play if they have any Ds or Fs.

• If a student has a “D” or “F” they will be given a slip to take to their teacher to get missing work and check with teacher.
• If a Student Athlete is not eligible, they will not be allowed to play in the games for that week. If a student is placed in ISS or ISD for a period or the day, the student will not be allowed to practice or participate in the game for that day. If a student is suspended out of school, they will be removed from the team.
• Students must be at school the day of the game.
• If miss entire day = Not allowed to play in the game/match/meet
• If half day missed = Sit out 2 quarters of the game/1 match
• If 2 periods missed = Sit out 1 quarter of the game/Subs in
• If students know they are going to be absent from school, they must communicate with coaches.
• Students must also be at practice the day before a game/match/meet, or they sit out from the game/match/meet.
• If students are going to miss practice, they must let the coaches know ahead of time and get it approved.

Reach out to our Athletic Director & Dean, Mr. Ethan Moore, with any questions about athletics.

WHO: Interested parents/guardians, staff members, and community members should join us for our monthly School Accountability Committee (SAC) meeting.

WHAT: This month's SAC meeting will be the first district SAC training of the year, covering these topics:

• SAC 101
• SAC Refresher
• Family Engagement
• Standard Operating Procedures for attendance, behavior and cell phone policies
• Meet with your Area Superintendents
• Childcare and Refreshments will be Provided!

WHEN/WHERE: This in person meeting will take place on Thursday, 9/26 from 6:00 – 8:00pm at the Tesla Professional Development Center (2560 International Cir, Colorado Springs, CO 80910) Room 116/129.

WHY: We are building an engaged, diverse School Accountability Committee (SAC) that will support school improvement, decision making, leadership, and community engagement. We want YOUR voice and presence, and this training will help us strengthen our efforts and learn how to build the SAC we want and need.

HOW: RSVP below to receive more information!

WHO: Jack Swigert families and communities members will join us for our 1st Quarter Title 1 Night. Our Social Studies, English, and Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) teams will co-host this event and share information about the learning activities and opportunities happening in their classrooms this quarter.

WHAT/WHY: Schools receiving Title I, Part A funds must convene an annual meeting at a convenient time to inform parents of their school’s participation in Title I, Part A services, programs or activities. The school must offer multiple meetings and involvement opportunities. Schools must also, if requested by parents, offer opportunities for regularly scheduled opportunities to provide suggestions and to participate in decisions regarding the education of their student. Click here to learn more about Title 1 community engagement.

WHEN: Wednesday, 9/25 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM

WHERE: Jack Swigert Middle School Cafeteria

"The Student October Count is based on a one (1) day membership count in which districts are asked to report all students who are actively enrolled and attending classes through their district on that date." Our school funding and programming depends on strong attendance on Count Day, October 1st, 2024. Can we count on you?