The Pony Press

From the Principal...

Families and Community,

Happy last Friday of the school year! We've had several rainy adventures this week! Luckily, for the most part, the water falling from the sky stayed out of the building this time.

Next week, we have a short and super fun week! On Monday, all students will be at the school for our last "regular" day at Ute Pass! On Tuesday, our student council has organized a Pony Party/Fun Day. In the morning, students will rotate between several activities with a buddy. In the afternoon, we will split between classrooms for some fun movie time. If you are interested in volunteering, please use this form- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4eacab2da3f4c70-pony#/ On Wednesday, our entire school will be going to Bear Creek Park for our Field Day. Students will rotate between several stations/games throughout the day. We will enjoy a hot dog cookout, and even participate in some great tug-of-war competitions. Permission slips and $5 were due this week for that field trip. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact your child's teacher or Mr. Wester. It will be really important to have all students here on time so they don't miss the bus!

On Thursday, we will do yearbook signing and our final celebrations for the school year. Students will all eat lunch together at 11:15, and then will be dismissed for the year at noon. Report cards will be sent home that day also.

Please come check out our Lost and Found before we pack it up for the summer! There are several really nice jackets and clothing items that are missing their homes and humans!

As a reminder, our building is undergoing some much needed renovations this summer. The main areas impacted will be the roof, the front office/entryway, and the hallways. With this construction, our playground and tipi area will be closed during the summer to ensure safety of everyone. The construction will begin on May 25th and run right up until school starts in August. We're excited to send updates along the way!

#watchusgrow

Your partner in education,

Jackie Powell, Ute Pass Principal

Important Info for next week...

Gold Week

Monday, May 22nd-

Specials Day 1- Last day for Specials
5th grade to Cheyenne Mountain State Park for camping

Tuesday, May 23rd-

Specials Day 3
Student Council Pony Party Fun Day!
5th grade returns from camping trip

Wednesday, May 24th- No Late Start!

All School Field Day at Bear Creek Park

Thursday, May 25th- Last Day for Students

Noon Dismissal, Report cards go home

Friday, May 26th-

Building Closed for Summer for Renovations

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

Information about Universal Preschool

Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK)

Last April, Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill that works towards “every child in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten is eligible for half-day (15 hours), state-funded, voluntary preschool beginning in the 2023-24 school year. Three-year-olds with qualifying factors are eligible for part-time (10 hours) preschool programming. Families of children in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten with certain qualifying factors, are eligible for an additional 15 hours stacked on top of the half-day programming, bringing those children to full-day programming.”

Manitou Springs Elementary School and Ute Pass Elementary School will continue to offer our exceptional preschool programs for both three-year-olds and students that are in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten. Information for families

Families are now able to submit an application through the state-wide Universal Preschool System for the 2023-24 school year. Here is the link to the application: https://upk.colorado.gov/

Families will still need to complete our preschool enrollment process as well as the UPK application. Here is the information for MSSD: Student Enrollment

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.