Manitou Springs Middle School

We’re thrilled to kick off the new school year, and our students are already off to a fantastic start! Each morning on the announcements, we recognize students and staff who reflect our mission: we are a safe school advancing the best teaching, the best learning, and a sense of belonging for all. We've also reviewed key school-wide procedures and expectations with all students to ensure a positive environment. This week, we focused on:

• Lunchroom Etiquette: Emphasizing good manners, such as saying "please" and "thank you," and cleaning up after ourselves.
• Respectful Language: Encouraging kind and respectful communication at all times.
• Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy
• Leaving Class: Guidelines for going to lockers, the restroom, the office, or the health tech.
• Class Transitions: Being on time and prepared when moving between classes, including to and from the SILC building.
• District-Dress Code: (Dress Code can be found in our Parent/Student Guide)
  

Next week, we’ll focus on:

• Fire Drills and Safety Procedures
• Reporting Unsafe Situations: How to get help if students see something concerning.
• Care for School-Issued Laptops
• Lost & Found Procedures
  
• Introduction to Our School Counselor, Mr. Holt: How students can access support.
  
  

If you have any questions or would like more details on any of these topics, please feel free to reach out. We’re excited to partner with you to make this an incredible year for your student!

Warm regards,
Dustin Cady
Principal, MSMS
dcady@mssd14.org
719-685-2099

8/26 - Football vs. Vanguard, Boys Soccer @CSCS, Cross Country @ Peyton, Volleyball Home

8/28 - Late Start Wednesday - 10:05 School Start, Volleyball @ Banning Lewis, Boys Soccer @ James Irwin

8/29 - Leadership Class Field Trip to High Trails Outdoor Education Center (HTOEC), Football vs. CSCS

8/30 - Cross Country @ Monument Academy

9/2 - No School, Labor Day

9/3 - Boys Golf @ Valley High

9/4 - Volleyball vs. Ellicot, Boys Soccer vs. Vanguard

9/5 - Volleyball vs. New Summit, Football @ Elizabeth, Boys Golf @ Patty Jewitt

9/5 - Cross Country vs. RMCA at Monument Valley Park

9/9 - Volleyball @ James Irwin, Boys Soccer vs. Banning Lewis

9/10 - Boys Golf @ Valley High

9/11 - Late Start Wednesday, 10:05 School Start, Volleyball vs. RMCA, Boys Soccer vs. Atlas Prep

9/12 - Boys Golf @ Patty Jewitt

9/13 - Cross Country @ Vanguard

9/16 - Volleyball vs. Payton, Boys Soccer vs. Monument Academy @ El Pomar

9/17 - Boys Soccer vs. Thomas MacLaren, Boys Golf @ Valley High

9/18 - Volleyball @ Atlas Prep, Boys Soccer vs. New Summit

9/19 - Football @ Ellicoft, Boys Golf @ Patty Jewitt

9/20 - No School, Staff Work Day, Cross Country @ Banning Lewis

9/23-9/27 - Homecoming Week

9/23 - Boys Soccer vs. Ellicott

9/24 - 8th Grade Field Trip to HTOEC, Volleyball A & B @ Thomas MacLaren, C team home scrimmage , Boys Golf @ Valley Hi

9/25 - 7th Grade Field Trip to HTOEC, Football vs. RMCA, Volleyball vs. Monument Academy

9/26, 27th - 6th Grade Overnight Trip to HTOEC, Boys Golf @ Patty Jewit

9/27 - Homecoming Parade, Cross Country @ Monument Academy

9/30 - Volleyball @ CSCS, Boys Soccer Playoffs

10/1 - Football @ Banning Lewis

10/2 - Late Start Wednesday, 10:05 School Start, Cross Country @ CSS, Boys Soccer Championship, Volleyball Playoffs

10/4 - Volleyball Championship, Boys Golf Championship Tournament @ Patty Jewitt

10/5 - Mustang 5K Event, Football Championship Game

Important Parking and Pickup Reminders

For everyone's safety, please do not park or make U-turns on Stadium Drive during morning drop-off or afternoon pickup. Parking along Stadium Drive could block emergency vehicles from accessing the school.

Pickup and Drop-off Procedures

Step 1: When lining up in the pickup lane, pull forward to the cone marked "Pick Up Line Starts Here" at the front of the school. This will allow more cars to queue up in the parking lot, preventing a backup onto El Monte Pl.

Step 2: Once your student is in your vehicle, move into the drive-thru lane and continue straight to exit onto Stadium Drive. Avoid making U-turns on Stadium Drive as they cause congestion and delay traffic flow. Please do not park in the drive-thru lane to load your child.

Thank you for helping to keep our students safe!

It has come to our attention that we are having a few issues in the parking lot at MSHS during pickup times. To diminish this issue, please remember the following.

• U-Turns in front of the buses is prohibited when they are trying to leave for the afternoon routes when leaving the High School.
  

• There are only Right Turns between 3pm and 3:30pm. Turning left when leaving the High School during this time blocks the buses when leaving the High School.

• Please ensure to let buses in when leaving the High School
  (the spot by the bleachers where the buses come around).

Please help our buses leave the parking lot in a timely and safe manner and abide by the rules.

We encourage our students to attend after-school events, support our teams and clubs, and show their Mustang spirit in a fun and respectful manner. Please note that students are expected to follow the school district's Code of Conduct at all after-school activities. If a student violates the Code of Conduct, parents will be contacted to pick them up, and additional school consequences may apply.

Sincerely,

MSMS Administration

• Keep Devices Charged
  Make sure your student charges their laptop every night using the provided charger. If they forget, they can recharge it at the school's device charging station in the media center or in their core teacher's classroom. If the charger is lost or damaged, a replacement costs $21. Students should keep their charger until the end of high school, or until they move away, leave the district, or begin using their own device.

• Learn from Your Student
  If your child is using a new device, program, website, or app, ask them to show you how it works. They'll enjoy teaching an adult, and you'll gain insight into how they're spending their time online.

• Set Boundaries
  Incorporate rules into your family plan that encourage putting devices aside to make time for exercise, hobbies, face-to-face interactions with friends and family, and outdoor play.

• Stay Connected with the School
  If you're uncertain about the technology your student is using, contact Mr. Marcus in the media center for help with technical issues. For questions related to homework or assignments, you can email their teacher directly.

• Lead by Example
  The biggest influence on young tech users is their family. Everyone, including parents, should practice kindness and good manners online, and regularly limit their own screen time.

Contact Us!

Name: Marcus D Jordan

Position: Media Tech

Email: mjordan@mssd14.org

Manitou Springs Middle School

415 El Monte Place,

Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Phone: 719-685-2127

Fax:719-685-4552