Families and Community,

We are 100 days smarter at UPES! Yesterday marked the 100th day of school, and those primary teachers know how to make that a super fun day for our young learners! It's an absolutely crazy thought to me that we've been in school for that many days, because it has truly flown by. I suppose that's what happens when you love what you're doing! I know I speak for the staff as a whole when I say that, although education can be super difficult, it doesn't feel like "work" when you get to be at a place as amazing as Ute Pass Elementary, watching students learn and grow while still experiencing the chance to be a child!

We are kicking off our "Love to Read Week" at UPES! On Monday, 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! Next 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, we spent the work day gearing up for spring family conferences! If you haven't, please access this link to sign-up for your child's conference- Spring Conference Sign-Up. 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! If you are interested, PAC has created a sign up for meals during conferences. You can sign up here- Conference Fuel Sign-Up

Keep scrolling to see some of the exciting learning opportunities from this week!

#watchusgrow

Your partner in education,

Jackie Powell, Ute Pass Principal

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!

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

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

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.