From the Principal...
Families and Community,
It was a busy one this week packing all the traditional five-day fun into a surprise four-day week! We ended the week with beautiful weather and the chance for several classes to venture out in our community! 6th grade made a chilly trip to High Trails on Tuesday for some learning (and sledding) fun. 4th and 5th graders headed out on an adventure today to "adopt" some green space in GMF to care for, study, and extend their learning from the classroom. I have worked at several schools where students are lucky to get 1, possibly 2 field trips a year. I'm so proud of our staff for prioritizing opportunities for students to learn outside of a typical classroom, explore, and give back through service projects! 3rd graders are on a mission to reduce plastic waste and have set up their own washing station in the classroom! They are using washable and reusable items instead of plastic. These students are making changes that positively impact our world!
We are only a couple weeks away from our "Love to Read Week" at UPES! On February 13th, we will have a school-wide Book Character Day where students can dress up as their favorite book characters. We will have a parade at 12:30 behind the school (weather permitting) to showcase all the creative costumes. If you would be interested in coming in to read to your child's class that week, or even recording you reading a short book using an online platform, please contact your child's teacher! That week will also be our Book Fair in the Art Room! It will be open Tuesday-Friday. We have conferences on Thursday and Friday, so stop by before or after your family conference!
Speaking of conferences, please access this link to sign-up for your child's conference- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4FA5A729ABFE3-midyear. Conferences are 20 minutes each. Thursday will be a 12:00 pm early dismissal and there will be no students on Friday. We look forward to sharing the incredible growth we are seeing this school year!
As a reminder, the district is currently accepting choice applications for next school year. By going to the district website, under enrollment, and by selecting choice applications for the 23-24 school year, you can see an idea of enrollment availability. We already have most grade levels at capacity and are starting waitlists. If you, or a family you know, is considering UPES next year, please don't wait to submit those choice applications to Christina Baker at cbaker@mssd14.org!
Keep scrolling to see some of the exciting learning opportunities from this week!
#watchusgrow
Your partner in education,
Jackie Powell, Ute Pass Principal
Important Dates in February and Beginning of March
February
1- Late Start Wednesday
6-9- Valentine's Grams for sale before school
10- Staff Work Day- no school for students
13- Book Character Dress-Up Day
14- PAC Meeting
14-17 UPES Book Fair (in Art Room)
16- 12:00 Dismissal/ Family Conferences
17- Family Conferences- no school for students
20- No School- President's Day
March
1- Variety Show, Some are even calling it a Smorgasbord Show! :) 5-7 UPES gym
Join our Amazing UPES Crew!
UPES Book Fair
Dates: February 13-17
Contact Person: Mrs. Kettler- kkettler@mssd14.org
Times: 9:30-11:30, 11:30-1:30, 1:30-3:15
What will I do: Mrs. Kettler will have you help with students finding items, the cash register, and anything else!
Love to Read Week
Dates: February 13-17
Contact Person: Your child's teacher!
Times: Flexible!
What will I do: Sign up to come in and read to your child's class, or ask your child's teacher about online platforms where you can record yourself reading a short story for the class to enjoy during our Love to Read Week at UPES!
Mountain Math
Dates: Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (volunteer for one day or more)
Contact Person: Ms. Powell- jpowell@mssd14.org
Times: 12:30-12:50
What will I do: Assist with math games, flash cards, and help grow our students' math skills!
UPES Library
Dates: Flexible- one to three times per week for 20-30 minutes
Contact Person: Mrs. Kettler- kkettler@mssd14.org
Times: Also flexible!
What will I do: Help Mrs. Kettler check-in books, replace books on the shelves, etc
UPES PAC
Dates: PAC meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 3 pm in the gym
Contact Person: Amanda McCloskey- upepac@gmail.com
Times: 3 pm
What will I do: The PAC puts on several amazing events each year, and also helps support our staff through monthly appreciation surprises! Contact Amanda to see how you can help!
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
Counselor's Corner
Small Group Counseling, Classroom Counseling, and Individual Counseling is underway!
Please reach out to Stephanie Wilson if you have any changing needs where we can better support your student!
Her email is swilson@mssd14.org. You may also call her at 719-685-2209 if you have any questions.
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 Events:
- PAC Meeting 2-14-23, 3 pm in the gym
Landsharks is Back!
UTE PASS ELEMENTARY SPRING TRACK SERIES
We offer a non-competitive youth program to introduce running to young athletes in a safe and fun environment. The focus is on self-improvement, being an encouraging teammate, and making new friends. The Spring Track Series is a fun running program led by Sara Striegel and is open to students in kindergarten through 6th grade. Please remember to purchase a RED team race shirt if this is your first season running.
Practices are scheduled for Wednesdays/Fridays beginning April 12th with a celebration practice on May 10th. Practices consist of running games and track workouts with a strong focus on fun.
Races are held on Monday evenings at Woodland Park Middle School’s track at 5pm on April 24th, May 1st and May 8th. Runners run TWO of the following distances:
Meet #1
All runners will run the 50m sprint,
followed by the 400m OR 800m race
Meet #2
All runners will run the 100m sprint,
followed by choice of a 400m OR 800m race
Meet #3
All runners will run the 200m sprint,
followed by the 400m OR 1600m race
Registration opens February 1st and closes April 12th 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 April 5th then an additional $10/runner fee applies until registration closes.
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
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
Some 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....