SSSD August Newsletter
Dear Steamboat Springs School District Community:
This truly is my favorite time of year. The beginning of a new school year brings renewed energy and the potential to achieve lofty goals. This week, as I visited each school, I was struck by the incredible enthusiasm from both staff and students. I watched as students ran to their former teachers with open arms, eager to share their summer adventures, and excitedly met their new teachers for the first time. I saw friendships rekindled and new bonds formed—children meeting peers who will undoubtedly become lifelong friends. These moments warmed my heart and reminded me why I cherish the start of a new school year so much.
As we embark on this journey together, I want to express my deep gratitude for the unwavering dedication of our educators, support staff, and families. Their commitment to our students' success is evident in the vibrant, welcoming environments that greet our children each day. Our schools are not just places of learning; they are hubs of community, where we all come together to support and uplift one another.
This year, we have set ambitious goals for our district - goals that will challenge us to grow and innovate in ways that will benefit every student. We will continue to focus on academic excellence while also prioritizing the social and emotional well-being of our students. We understand that a well-rounded education includes not only rigorous academics but also fostering resilience, creativity, and empathy in our students.
You may have also heard about our ongoing exploration of affordable housing solutions for our staff. This initiative is crucial to ensuring that we remain a top ten school district in Colorado. We don’t have definitive plans yet, and we are in the early stages of exploring potential options. Our first Board meeting of the year addressed this issue, and we are committed to finding viable solutions. We welcome any ideas and suggestions from our community as we work together to tackle this important challenge. We also remain committed to being fully transparent about this process with the entire community.
I encourage you all to stay engaged and involved as we move forward. Whether you are a parent, guardian, teacher, or community member, your voice and participation are vital to our shared success. Let’s work together to create an environment where every student and staff member feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
I look forward to seeing the incredible achievements that this year will bring. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our district. Together, we will make this school year one of the best yet.
In partnership,
Dr. Celine Wicks, Superintendent
cwicks@ssk12.org
Ahead of the Board of Education meeting on August 12, we provided our community with a fact sheet about our efforts to address the critical issue of affordable housing for our teachers. We are committed to considering all potential options and being transparent to the entire community about this process. Affordable housing for teachers benefits the entire community by reducing long commutes, enhancing work/life balance, and leading to better student outcomes and a stronger school culture.
Steamboat Springs School Board says it can no longer sit on Whistler Park land
The Steamboat Springs Board of Education says it cannot continue to sit on land the district owns that is functionally part of Whistler Park, saying they will either develop the property for teacher housing or sell it for fair market value and build elsewhere. (Photo by Dylan Anderson, Yampa Valley Bugle)
Steamboat boys tennis prepares for 2024 with largest team in years
In seasons past Steamboat Springs boys tennis coach Jason Scicchitano has grown frustrated with the lack of effort his players put into offseason training.That all changed this summer for what could be the strongest team in years. (Steamboat Pilot & Today)