Happy first day of school and happy Friday! We've had an amazing first week as a staff: preparing lessons, collaborating, and setting goals for the year. Yesterday, our Student Council and Freshmen Advisors teamed up to host an outstanding Freshman Orientation for the incoming ninth graders! A huge thank you to everyone who made the day possible, especially our incredible Student Council Advisors, Liz Tindall and Ingrid Perez.

Today was our official first day of school, and it was a blast! It was great to see both familiar and new faces, helping students find their classrooms, and watching everyone start to build a sense of community.

We can't wait for our first full week with students next week. Additionally, we hope to see many of you at our MSHS Open House on Wednesday, 8/28 from 6-7:30 pm to walk students’ schedules, meet their teachers, and answer any questions. Go Mustangs!

Anna Conrad

Manitou Springs High School

Principal

Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, student access to and usage of cell phones and personal electronic devices during class time will be prohibited (including airpods/headphones/etc). Students will still be allowed to carry their devices and utilize them during passing periods and lunch time.

While we recognize the potential benefits of using cell phones/personal electronic devices in the classroom, our experience shows that the drawbacks outweigh the advantages. We want our students to focus on our core values of relationships, deep learning, and opportunities. This decision was made after extensive discussions across our staff and our community on how to best support our students' social-emotional and academic success to prepare them effectively for their post-secondary pathways.

We appreciate your support in making Manitou Springs High School a more distraction-free environment and protecting our learning atmosphere. Our goal is your student's success, and we believe this policy change is a significant step in the right direction based on our research, observations, and daily interactions with students. Thank you for your continued support.

Please take time to review our new Student/Family Handbook. This will be reviewed with all students during advisory and in class meetings. It is also linked on our website.

Student Parking Privilege

Students’ use of the student parking lot is a privilege. Students and Staff are expected to follow all the rules of the parking lot. Students must register their vehicles on PowerSchool to get a parking pass prior to bringing a vehicle on campus and/or to park on the hill (El Monte Place).

All students will receive a new parking pass this year. Seniors and Juniors will receive a green parking pass and sophomores will receive the yellow parking passes. Staff members will receive a gold parking pass.

Parking passes will be distributed at student check on 08-13-24 if their vehicle has been registered on PowerSchool. Students who get their license throughout the school year should contact Security Director Janie Anderson to get their parking passes once their vehicle is registered on PowerSchool.

Parking Regulations

1. Speed limit on school grounds is 10 miles per hour. Driving deemed reckless or

hazardous will not be tolerated.

2. Vehicles improperly parked are subject to towing at the owner’s expense. This

includes vehicles in non-parking spots (painted yellow areas indicating it is not a

parking spot), near the house build where there are cones indicating no parking, etc)

3. Staff and students shall not park in the visitor spots located in front of the

school next to the School Resource Officer parking spot and on the back side of HS visitor spots.

4. Vehicles parked in fire lanes on school grounds and on El Monte Place in

designated “No Parking “ zones are subject to be ticketed and/or towed.

5. Student vehicles are subject to search when the administration has reasonable

suspicion to believe the vehicle may contain substances or devices in violation

of school policies.

6. Special restrictions apply for sophomores: you are required to park on the hill.

Parking and driving violations will result in the following:

1st offense: warning

2nd offense: administration will call home to notify the parent/guardian

3rd offense: student’s driving privileges will be revoked for driving and/or parking on

campus

*There may be times when the School Resource Officer and/or Manitou Springs Parking

Enforcement Unit will be involved*

Students parking on campus while privileges are revoked may result in additional disciplinary consequences including, but not limited to, the vehicle being towed at the owner’s expense.

We're excited to announce the 1st Annual Manitou 5K Run and Walk, taking place on Saturday, October 5th! This community race was envisioned by a dedicated Manitou Springs Middle School parent on our District Accountability Committee to strengthen the partnership between the city, local businesses, and our school district. We hope to see many students (K-12), parents, and community members at the race.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, October 5
• Location: Starts and ends at Fields Park
• Time: 8 am - 10 am
• Cost: $35 for ages 15+ | $20 for ages 14 and under
• Inclusions: Free t-shirt designed by Manitou students
• Timing: Chip Timed by CCR Timing

All proceeds from the event will benefit Manitou Springs School District. It's a wonderful opportunity to get active, have fun, and support our schools.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/manitou5k.

Rules of the Road

The rules of the road apply to drivers of all ages, but there are certain additional restrictions that all teen drivers need to know.

Passenger restrictions

Teens with a permit:

• Teens with a permit must be accompanied by a driving instructor, parent, legal guardian or a licensed adult 21 years of age or older (authorized by parent/guardian) in the front seat, buckled up.

Teens with a license:

• For the first six months, no passengers under 21, unless a parent or other licensed adult driver over 21 is in the vehicle.
• For the next six months, one passenger under age 21.
• Medical emergencies are exceptions.
• At any time, no more than one passenger is allowed in the front seat.

https://www.codot.gov/safety/colorado-teen-drivers/parent/teen-driving-restrictions.html

Friday, August 16 : First Day of School; A/B Schedule ; Boys Varsity Golf vs. The Vanguard School @ Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course @ 9AM

Saturday, August 17: Boys Varsity Soccer Scrimmage Vs. Canon City @ Canon City High School @ 9AM

Tuesday, August 20: Boys Varsity Golf Vs. Woodland Park @ Shining Mountain Gold Course @ 8:30AM

Thursday, August 22: Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Pueblo Central @ Manitou Springs High School @ 6PM

Friday, August 23: Back to School Assembly

Wednesday, August 28 :Late Start Wednesday (2-hour delay) ; MSHS Open House 6PM-7:30PM
Monday, September 2 : Labor Day (Schools and District Office Closed)
Wednesday, September 11 : Late Start Wednesday (2-hour delay)
Friday, September 20 : Staff Work Day (No Students)
Monday, September 23:Friday, September 28 - Homecoming Week

Email: aconrad@mssd14.org
Website: www.mssd14.org
Location: 401 El Monte Pl. Manitou Springs, CO 80829
Phone: 719-685-2074
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manitouspringshighschool