Parent/Teacher Conferences
Families and Community,
If you've had the pleasure of picking your child up from school at the end of the day, I often walk out the front doors and say, "Well, another great day!" As I reflect on our wrapping up week number 7, I just feel so lucky to say, "Well, another great week at UPES!" Our school might be small in structure and capacity compared to many others across this great state, but I guarantee we have the heart, the drive, and the passion to shine just as bright (or brighter).
Parent/Teacher conferences are right around the corner, and we couldn't be more excited to partner with you in sharing successes of these amazing students! In order to support scheduling, if you have multiple students attending UPES, you should have received a school messenger this morning with a sign-up link. Everyone else will receive the link on Monday, October 10th. Conference slots are 20 minutes with options on Thursday afternoon and evening as well as Friday morning until noon. Students will be dismissed at 12:30 on Thursday, October 20th, and will not attend school on Friday, October 21st. Our staff puts a lot of work into preparing conferences, and we sure appreciate you taking the time to attend them! (Also, plan on arriving a few minutes early to conferences in order to peruse the ever-growing Lost and Found for missing jackets, hats, water bottles, stale crackers, you name it!)
Every year, no matter what school I'm at, I set up something near the front door called an "Appreciation Station". This will be a table with various thank you cards, blank pieces of paper, and bags for each staff member. When you come for your conference, please take a moment to stop at the Appreciation Station and drop a note (or two) for your child's teacher, a specials' teacher, interventionist, secretary, special education staff, kitchen or custodial member, support staff, or anyone you feel inclined to appreciate! I will pass all the notes to staff when they leave on Friday. Let's work together to grow the hearts of our incredible UPES staff!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend full of all the things that fuel your soul!
#watchusGROW
Your partner in education,
Jackie Powell, Ute Pass Principal
Important Dates in October
October
5- Late Start Wednesday (School begins at 9:55, tardy bell at 10:00)
10- Hearing and Vision Screenings for K,1,2,3,5
11- PAC/SAC Meeting 3:00 in the gym
14- Teacher Work Day (No school for students)
20- Parent/Teacher Conferences - Students dismiss at 12:30
21- Parent/Teacher Conferences- No School for students
25- Picture Retakes
26- Late Start Wednesday
30- PAC and Ute Pass Chamber of Commerce Trunk or Treat (Info to come)
31- Costume Parade 2:00 at UPES (Families welcome!)
UPES Morning Announcements
Our morning announcements are such a wonderful way to start the day! We have student-led announcements and singers every single day!
We want to share some of this Pony Pride from our "home" to yours! If you'd like to watch morning announcements, we are live-streaming them each day! Simply subscribe to the Ute Pass YouTube channel at this link- UPES YouTube
Hearing and Vision Screenings
Counselor's Corner
Small Group Counseling!
Hello UPE families! I am excited to announce that our counseling department is beginning fall groups! While many families have already reserved a space for their student, we have room for a few more. Permission slips should have gone home with students by the end of last week- but no worries if you did not get one. Simply email me with which group your student would be interested in joining. The groups are as follows:
Changing Families- For students whose families are going through change. This may be due to separation, divorce, remarriage, or adjusting to step-siblings or a “blended” family.
Friendship- Gives students the tools on how to get along with others.
Kalm and Kewl- For students who want to learn to control their anger and practice and improve conflict resolution skills.
Healing Hearts- For students who have experienced a recent death in the family and need help coping with grief and loss.
Worry Warriors- Students learn strategies to overcome anxiety.
My email is swilson@mssd14.org. You may also call me at 719-685-2209 if you have any questions.
We look forward to seeing your student(s) in a UPE Fall Counseling Group!
Family Involvement Opportunities
It is so great to see families volunteering in classrooms! You are a huge piece in helping our students grow, and our teachers are incredibly appreciative of your time. If you are able to volunteer, please contact your child/grandchild's teacher for best times to support.
If you are unable to volunteer, we still appreciate you! Feel free to come by and have lunch with your child, or join our amazing PAC for opportunities to help! Kindergarten-3rd graders eat at 11:10 and 4th-6th graders eat at 11:40. You are welcome to have lunch in the cafeteria and you can also join recess after lunch and play a little soccer, brave the red spinner, or join a fun game of tag!
Ute Pass Elementary PTO/PAC
If you are unable to make it to meetings and would like to be a part of PAC please reach out.
Thanks so much,
Amanda McCloskey
PAC President
Upcoming PAC Meetings- 3:00 pm in the Gym
- October 11, 2022
- November 8, 2022
Breakfast and Lunch Information
A healthy breakfast and lunch is a key factor in growing a healthy mind and body! Ute Pass Elementary will offer breakfast to students for $1.45 and lunch for $2.95. See below for information on accessing menus.
You can find the new free and reduced application on the district website- https://www.mssd14.org/departments/food_service.
If you don’t qualify for free and reduced price meals, please make sure that there is money in your student’s account. You can add money online at this link- https://mssd14.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=57448&pageId=13267314
Any questions or concerns, please call Paula Faucette, Director of Nutrition Services, at 719-685-2005 or email pfaucette@mssd14.org.
Connect 14
Two of these classes are held at UPES, but transportation is provided for students who wish to attend a session at Manitou Springs Elementary School. Please visit www.connect14.org to sign up today!
Here's how you find us....