Families and Community,

It was so refreshing to gather in the gym for our "Open Outdoors Moved Indoors" event this week. There were so many unforgettable moments as students listed off reasons why they love this special school. Thank you for coming to experience a tiny piece of what makes us different and amazing, as well as celebrating in our instructional victories and focus for this school year. We are honored to have supportive and involved families and local community.

Next week, the history of Manitou Springs and many long standing traditions will be celebrated. It's also Creek Week, and our school will be participating in many activities to protect and clean our beautiful surroundings. Creek Week is a watershed-wide litter and debris collection event to raise awareness about the watershed, water supply, and littering issues in an effort to make our communities cleaner, safer, and more beautiful. The PAC has put together a spirit week for students to participate in:

• Monday: Pajama Day
• Tuesday: Team Up Together Day (wear your favorite sports team)
• Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday (go crazy with your outfit, or if you're in my house, just dress like you normally do when you think you match)!
• Thursday: Crazy Hair Day
• Friday: Green and Gold Day

On Friday, our entire school will head down to Manitou Springs for the parade. We will leave UPES at 1:00 and return by 2:30. Families are welcome to join us at the parade, but we ask that you do not take your children home from the parade unless you notify your child's teacher ahead of time (so they can have their backpacks/coats) and sign out with your child's teacher at the parade. Thank you for taking these extra steps for the safety of our students.

We had an incredible week of learning both at the school and out on field trips! 5th grade went on an overnight trip to Camp Shady Brook with the 5th grade classes from MSES. 6th grade traveled to Chico Basin to learn about bird banding (pictures to come), and 3rd and 4th graders enjoyed a hike to the art park to journal, play, and connect with the environment. We believe that learning is not something that "happens" to you, but something you can own and experience! Look at the pure joy on the students' faces in the pictures below as they get to truly experience learning.

#watchusGROW

Your partner in education,

Jackie Powell, Ute Pass Principal

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! Beginning Monday, you can watch them on our very own YouTube channel. Daily announcements will be available for your viewing pleasure as soon as we complete them for that day (usually around 8:10 am). Simply subscribe to the Ute Pass YouTube channel at this link- UPES YouTube

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. Menus will be available beginning next week on the district website--> departments-->nutrition services.

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.

Ute Pass Landsharks Running Club Fall Cross Country Series

Practices are scheduled for Wednesdays/Fridays beginning September 2nd with a celebration run to follow after the last meet. Practices consist of running games and track workouts with a strong focus on fun.

Races are held on Monday evenings at Shining Mountain Golf Course. Races will begin at 5pm on September 19th, 26th and Oct 3rd. Runners run ONE (1) of the following distances: Kindergarten & 1st grade 0.5 miles only, 2nd-6th grade 1 mile OR 1.5 miles.

Registration opened August 1st and closes September 9th at 5pm OR until we reach CAPACITY

Runners must be registered prior to their first practice. Please register online at www.Landsharksrunningclub.com

$65 registration fee through September 3rd then an additional $10/runner fee applies.

I look forward to working with your athletes! Please consider volunteering to help coach or work at our race site. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer.

Coach: Sara Striegel

Email: striegels2@gmail.com