SSSD October Newsletter

Dear Steamboat Springs School District Community,

As the autumn air continues to hang over the valley, our schools are bustling with excitement both inside and outside the classroom. I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible achievements of our high school athletic teams. Our student-athletes continue to excel, bringing dedication, teamwork, and school spirit to every game and event. If you haven’t had a chance yet, I encourage you to come out and cheer on the Sailors at one of our upcoming cross-country meets, tennis matches, mountain biking events, football, soccer, or volleyball games. Your support means the world to our athletes and strengthens the vibrant sense of community that makes Steamboat Springs so special.

I’m also thrilled to share some exciting news from Sleeping Giant School. This month, the new outdoor classroom officially opened—a beautiful space designed to inspire hands-on learning and foster a deeper connection with nature. This project was made possible in part through a generous Impact Grant from Rotary International and funding from the Sleeping Giant School PTIC. We are deeply grateful for their support in bringing this vision to life.

Across all of our schools, teachers and students are hitting their stride as we dive deeper into the academic year. Our classrooms are buzzing with energy as students explore new concepts, set goals, and build the skills they need to thrive. It’s inspiring to see the commitment to learning and the sense of purpose in each of our buildings.

Thank you for being a part of our community and your continued support of our students. Whether it's through attending a game, volunteering, or simply encouraging a student to do their best, you play an important role in shaping the future of our schools.

Wishing you all a wonderful October! I have a feeling winter may be around the corner!

Sincerely,

Dr. Celine Wicks, Superintendent
cwicks@ssk12.org

Earlier this spring, 11 Steamboat Springs High School students traveled to Nancy, France, to immerse themselves in French language and culture by participating in an exchange program with a French high school, Lycée Frédéric Chopin.

In September, SSHS returned the favor by hosting 30 students from Lycée Frédéric Chopin in Steamboat Springs. The students were here from September 17 - October 1 and had the opportunity to experience all that Steamboat Springs has to offer, thanks in part to the generosity of our community and the families who opened their homes to the students.

Steamboat Springs High School junior Lyla Baker spearheading the formation of a new club at the high school with the same name as the program at Integrated Community, Study Friends. She believes a large population of emerging bilingual students could benefit from free tutoring, and these students face a learning gap that needs to be filled. Additionally, peer-to-peer tutoring can significantly impact students’ learning, mainly because this method can be less intimidating than student-to-adult tutoring. The program also promotes a spirit of inclusion in our community and schools.

Pinned against a Vail team that stunned them earlier this season, the Sailors had a shot at revenge and a bid for the state tournament on the line. Steamboat’s No. 1 doubles team had a focused attack, leading to a match victory and second place in the 4A Region 8 Regional Tournament at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.(Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today)