Manitou Springs Middle School
October 6th, 2023
Dear Families,
We have a lot to look forward to in the month of October! Please see below for information about October events:
Next Week Schedule & Events (10/9 - 10/13)
- 8:05 school start time Monday - Friday (no late start Wednesday)
- Wednesday field trips: Denver Museum of Nature & Science (6th), Skate City (7th)
- 8th graders take the PSAT 8 on Wednesday and 8th graders are dismissed from school at 12:30. The school district does not provide bussing for this early release.
- First quarter ends Friday, October 13th. First quarter grades will be finalized.
No School Friday, October 20th - Staff Work Day
Parent Teacher Conferences October 26th & 27th
Our staff is excited to connect with families during virtual parent/teacher conferences on October 26th & October 27th. Links to sign up for conferences will be sent out next Wednesday, October 11th. Please see below for more information:
- Thursday, October 26th will be an early release day for students (12:30 PM). Conferences will start at 1:15 PM and go until 7:00 PM.
- Friday, October 27th there will be no school for students. Conferences will start at 8:00 AM and go until 12:15 PM.
As mentioned above, links to sign up for conferences will be sent to families next Wednesday, October 11th. Feel free to reach out to our office for support in scheduling a conference: 719-685-2127.
Sincerely,
Mr. Cady, Principal
719-685-2099
Calendar Updates 🗓
October 6th: Boys Basketball Tryouts
October 9th: School Accountability Committee Meeting (SAC), 5:30 - 6:30 PM, MSMS Media Center
October 11th: 8th Grade PSAT, 6th & 7th grade field trips. 8th grade dismisses @ 12:30. Boys basketball pictures @ 3:30 PM.
October 13th: End of 1st Quarter
October 18th: Picture Retakes 8:00 - 12:00 in Media Center, Boys Basketball @ Banning Lewis
October 19th: Skate City Fundraiser 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Skate City on Academy
October 20th: No School, teacher workday, Boys Basketball @ Thomas MaClaren
October 21st: Cross Country @ Summit 1:00 - 5:00
October 23rd: Boys Basketball vs. Monument Academy
October 25th: Basketball vs. RMCA
October 26th: Virtual P/T Conferences, 12:30 student release, conferences from 1:15 - 7:00 PM
October 27th: No School, virtual P/T conferences from 8:00 to 12:00
October 30th: Basketball @ CSCS
High Trails Fun!
Quality time with Otis
Fun & Games at Lunch
Advanced Art Class
Setting up our new shelves
Homework got you stumped?
Thank you to our Parent Action Committee and Rocky Mountain Beignets for providing treats for Bike, Walk, and Roll to School Day.
NEW - MSSD14 Excused Absence Policy
Dear Families and Students,
The staff in Manitou Springs School District are excited to welcome you to a new school year filled with opportunities to learn and engage!
In the spring of 2023, the Manitou Springs Board of Education passed a new policy regarding excused absences. This policy will change how the district honors parental excusals.
We know that students who attend school do better academically and emotionally, and we will continue to support you in your student’s success. We also want to support our staff in reducing the load that chronic absences add to their plates. Please see your student’s handbook for further information.
Getting into the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever. It helps to:
- Reduce stress!
- Make it easier to connect with friends and teachers.
- Support learning.
Reaching you for support in attendance is more important than ever. It helps to:
- Make sure to call every time your child is absent or tardy.
- Please be sure we have your correct: address, phone number and email.
We are working to make our school environment a place where everyone can be safe, healthy, and learning. We will do our best to listen and partner with you so that our children have a successful year. Do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Kolleen Johnson
School Policies - Manitou Middle School Parent & Student Guide
Please review our Student & Parent Guide for important school policies and procedures. It is located on our school website under the Parents/Students tab. Here is a link to the document:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gGKs8L3jcVZqYIHo_XXONFoEPY-c9q9G32653d3asys/edit
Middle School Scholarships
Did you know that scholarships are available for all grade levels? There are scholarships that you can apply for in middle school. Check out this website: Scholarships for Middle School Students
Employment Opportunities
Community Events
Skate City Glow Party!
Trunk or Treat
Creepy Conundrums: Spine-Chilling Mustang Tech Tips!
Spooky and Safe: The Teal Pumpkin Project for an Allergy-Friendly Halloween
Is this actually a tech tip?
Technically no, but please enjoy the Halloween related tech joke above.
What's spooky about food allergies?
Living with food allergies can be challenging, especially during festive times like Halloween. The Teal Pumpkin Project, initiated by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), aims to make Halloween safe and inclusive for everyone.
This project encourages households to offer non-food treats alongside traditional candies. These non-food treats are marked by a teal pumpkin or a sign, signifying they are safe for kids with food allergies.
Here's how you can participate
- Get a teal pumpkin: You can paint a pumpkin teal or buy a teal pumpkin to place at your doorstep.
- Provide non-food treats: Stock up on small toys, stickers, glow sticks, or other non-food items that kids will love.
- Spread the word: Let your friends and neighbors know that you're participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project by sharing the message on social media or displaying the official Teal Pumpkin Project sign.
- Support food allergy research: Consider making a donation to FARE to support research and education about food allergies.
By joining the Teal Pumpkin Project, you create a more inclusive Halloween for those with food allergies. Let's make Halloween safe and fun for all!