August 2024

I hope you had an amazing and well-deserved summer break. As we prepare to kick off the 2024-2025 school year, I want to take a moment to connect with you. Our district has accomplished so much over the past year, and I’m excited to continue this momentum as we embark on another year of learning and growth together.

Reflecting on this past year, I am humbled by the warmth and kindness extended to me and my family. The pride that our students, staff, families, and community members have in our schools is truly inspiring. Manitou Springs School District 14 is a remarkable place to work, and I am honored to continue this journey with all of you.

To our returning families, I want to express my sincere gratitude. Thank you for continuing to choose Manitou Springs School District 14. Your trust and commitment mean the world to us. For families new to our district, welcome! We are thrilled to have you join our community and look forward to partnering with you.

As we launch into the new school year, it’s important to reaffirm our commitment to the core values that define us:

• Relationships: We value authentic connections grounded in trust and respect between ALL people.
• Deep Learning: Our community practices dynamic, divergent, critical, and global thinking. We challenge each learner to master, transfer, and apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for success.
• Opportunity: We provide accessible and engaging opportunities for purposeful growth and visionary learning.

For staff, I’d also like to remind everyone about our mandatory kickoff breakfast on Monday, August 12. The breakfast is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a team, set the tone for the year, and reconnect with colleagues across the district. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

We are dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience for all students and are excited to meet your high expectations. I am proud to be a Mustang and look forward to working alongside our students, staff, and community. Let’s make every moment count this year!

Sincerely,

Sean Dorsey
Superintendent of Schools
Manitou Springs School District 14

• Monday, August 12 - Staff Kickoff Breakfast (mandatory for all staff)
  

• Friday, August 16 - First Day of School
• Thursday, August 22 - District Accountability Committee Meeting (9-11 am)
  
• Wednesday, August 28 - Late Start Wednesday (2-hour delay)
• Monday, September 2 - Labor Day (Schools and District Office closed)
• Wednesday, September 11 - Late Start Wednesday (2-hour delay)
• Wednesday, September 11 - Community Coffee & Talk with Superintendent Dorsey (8-10 am)
• Friday, September 20 - Staff Work Day (no students)
• Monday, September 23-Friday, September 27 - Homecoming Week
• Thursday, September 26 - District Accountability Committee Meeting (9-11 am)
  

Board of Education Meetings

• Monday, August 19 - Regular Meeting (5:30 pm)
• Thursday, September 5 - Work Session (5 pm)
• Monday, September 16 - Regular Meeting (5:30 pm)

The Transportation Department aims to keep bus routes consistent for the upcoming school year. While additional stops may be added to accommodate new students, the overall route paths will remain unchanged.

Currently, the department is working with EDULOG, the transportation app, to finalize routes based on student locations. Updates will be provided as soon as possible.

A two-week grace period will be in place at the start of the school year to allow for any necessary minor adjustments based on drivers’ observations. These changes are expected to be minimal.

For more information, visit the Transportation page on our website.

Pay your $50.00 technology fee online!

Online Payment:

• Go to www.myschoolbucks.com or download the mobile app and register for your free account.
• Add your student(s) using their school name and student DOB.
• Make a payment to your students’ accounts with your credit/debit card or electronic check.
• A program fee may apply. You will have the opportunity to review any fees and cancel if you choose before you are charged.

As we begin the new school year, the Manitou Springs School District is excited to introduce several new educators and highlight some important staff transitions. We are thrilled to welcome these talented individuals to our team, and we look forward to the positive impact they will have on our students and community.

New Staff Members:

Manitou Springs Elementary School (MSES):

• Hannah Burgess - 2nd Grade Teacher

• Megan Hunsdale - 5th Grade Teacher

• Taylor Krug - 3rd Grade Teacher

• Carolyn Leyes - Principal

• Michelle Manning - Special Education Teacher (AN)

• Elody McIlhargie - Admin Secretary

• Andrew Norkoli - 5th Grade Teacher

• Yuri "Judy" Warner - Special Education Teacher (SSN)

Manitou Springs High School (MSHS):

• Christopher Lewis - Counselor

• Nathaniel Owen - Math Teacher

Manitou Springs Middle School (MSMS):

• Jacob McCarley - Language Arts Teacher

Ute Pass Elementary School (UPES):

• Jacob Sampson - 3rd Grade Teacher

We are delighted to welcome Carolyn Leyes as the new principal of Manitou Springs Elementary School! Carolyn brings 22 years of educational experience in the Pikes Peak region, having served as an elementary classroom teacher, teacher leader, instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. She and her husband Dan have been residents of downtown Colorado Springs for 20 years, where they enjoy hiking and spending time with their grown kids and grandkids. Carolyn is passionate about creating a positive and inclusive learning environment where every child feels valued and empowered. As we look forward to the upcoming school year, her top priority is to ensure our school is a safe, nurturing, and inspiring place for all students. Carolyn is excited to partner with parents and the community to foster strong relationships and open communication. Please join us in welcoming Carolyn Leyes to our school community!

We are pleased to present the latest version of our 2024-2025 district scorecard. This document highlights our strategic goals and the steps we are taking to advance our educational mission. As we move through the school year, we will continue to update this scorecard with new action steps and subaction steps to ensure we are making meaningful progress. The continued support of our community is invaluable as we strive to uphold our commitment to excellence in education. Please view our most recent scorecard here.

From June 24-28, 2024, Jackie Powell, Principal at Ute Pass Elementary School, attended the prestigious Tointon Institute for Educational Change’s Principal Leadership Academy in Vail, Colorado. Selected from over 150 applicants for one of 40 spots, Jackie joined other top principals from across the state, gaining invaluable leadership training designed to enhance school effectiveness and boost student achievement. The Tointon Institute, funded by a generous donation from Bob and Betty Tointon of Greeley, Colorado, has been a cornerstone of educational leadership development in Colorado since 1995. Participants engage in a rigorous five-day program, followed by a year of continued professional development, focusing on research-based practices proven to positively impact student outcomes and teacher retention.

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: $38 for ages 15+ | $22 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.

The upper activity field at Manitou Springs Middle School is currently in a bidding process. We received one bid which was too high. We've gone back out for more bids. As soon as we get a bid that is fiscally feasible, we will begin work on the upper activity field.

The choice enrollment window is open. Individuals interested in exploring educational options within our district can visit our enrollment page at www.mssd14.org for detailed information on the enrollment process and to submit an application. Please note that the choice window closes on August 9th.

We're on Facebook and Instagram! Follow our pages to stay up-to-date on what's going on in our schools.

District pages:

District Facebook: @manitouspringsschooldistrict14

District Instagram: @manitouspringsschooldistrict14

School Facebook pages:

Manitou Springs Elementary School: @manitouspringselementaryschool

Ute Pass Elementary School: @utepasselementaryschool

Manitou Springs Middle School: @manitouspringsmiddleschool

Manitou Springs High School: @manitouspringshighschool

Athletics & Activities: @mssd14athleticsactivities