Mustang Tales
January 28, 2022 Vol 2. Issue 20
Message from Principal Masone
Dear Families:
First grade visited the Space Discovery Center last week. We want to include their adventure along with pictures of our future scientists, and perhaps, astronauts. Check out the pictures below.
Did you know that we have a full-time security officer, Steven Zesati? He services MSES the entire school day to ensure that we are all safe. He is now joining staff out front of MSES on Pawnee Avenue in the morning. Our goal is to have a smooth drop off in the mornings and prevent congestion at the light on Manitou Avenue and Pawnee Avenue. When dropping your child off, please pull all the way to the curb. Give your kiddo a smooch and send him/her on their way. We ask that you do not leave your car parked in front of the school.
I mentioned last week that Manitou Springs School District and MSES is evaluating our math curricula. MSES has been using Singapore Math, also known as Math in Focus. We are considering: lllustrative Mathematics and Eureka. Check out the links.
Dr. Domangue, Superintendent, is hosting a community forum on safety and wellness February 2nd at 5:30pm in the District Auditorium at MSES. Please join me in learning what we can do to maintain the safety of our wonderful community.
Kidpower is supporting Manitou Springs Elementary again with free, virtual classes. The program teaches students how to respond to threatening situations. Kidpower has devoted a great deal of time and resources to MSES. Registration fills quickly, so please see the information below.
Champion's Childcare begins Monday, February 7th, a week later than anticipated. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause families while Champions is completing the licensing process. Registration is ongoing, so please sign up your child if you are interested.
As we continue to deal with COVID in school, it is essential that you continue to send your child to school in a mask. Masks are still mandatory in the city of Manitou Springs.
Help MSES raise money easily at no cost you you. If you shop at King Soopers, link your King Sooper's grocery card to Manitou Springs Elementary School. It is easy and costs nothing, yet brings money to MSES quarterly for special projects. Our goal is to have ten families link their grocery card to MSES in February. Use this link: King Soopers.
Next Wednesday is a Late Start Wednesday.
Thank you for sharing your children with us. Have a terrific weekend!
Warmly,
Maria
COVID Update
Important Dates
- Feb 2 - Late Start Wednesday, (2 Hour Delay)
- Feb 2 - MSSD Engagement Forum, 5:30pm-7:30pm, MSES auditorium
- Feb 11 - Early Release, 12:30pm Dismissal
- Feb 17 - Early Release, 12:30pm Dismissal
- Feb 18 - No School for Students - Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Feb 21- No School - Presidents' Day
- Mar 2 - Late Start Wednesday (2 Hour Delay)
- Mar 9 - Late Start Wednesday (2 Hour Delay)
- Mar 16 - Late Start Wednesday (2 Hour Delay)
- Mar 21-25 - Spring Break
- Mar 30 - Late Start Wednesday (2 Hour Delay)
PreSchool Happenings
Kindergarten CKLA/Ask Your Expert
This week have continued learning about Kings and Queens. Here are some quesitons to ask your little:
What does dainty mean? (Small and fancy). What does the Queen do to find out if the Princess in the Princess and the Pea is a “real princess”? (She puts a pea under 20 mattresses and 20 quilts to see if the princess can feel it). What does the Fairy Godmother in the story Cinderella help her do? (Go to the Royal Ball by turning a pumpkin into a coach, a rat into her driver, and mice into horses). What time does Cinderella need to leave the ball by? (Midnight). Why did we learn about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs if we were learning about Kings and Queens? (Snow white is a princess and her mom is a queen).First Grade Field Trip to Space Discovery Center
Second Grade CKLA/Ask Your Expert
Fourth Grade CKLA/Ask Your Expert
Kidpower
Kidpower Virtual Programs for Manitou Springs Elementary School
Since 1994, Kidpower of Colorado has been teaching children and the adults who care for them the skills and self-confidence that they need to stay safe and respond constructively to threatening circumstances. Kidpower provides experiential, developmentally appropriate, evidence-based programs that teach children skills that help them stay safe from abuse and harassment, including bullying. Learn more at www.kidpowercs.org or call (719) 520.1311.
What skills do children learn?
Be aware and confident
Keep a safe distance from strangers
Use voice and body to stay safe
Get help from busy adults
Set boundaries on unwanted touch or behavior
How do we teach these skills?
We use upbeat language that is skill-based, not fear based
Kids have opportunities to “learn by doing” in a fun and empowering way
We focus on positive, practical solutions children can use to leave or stop problems as quickly as possible
The following classes are for Manitou Springs Elementary 1st through 5th graders AND their parents/adults. These sessions are all free thanks to generous grant funding.
You may enroll in one, two, or three workshops! They build on one another but may be done separately! Space is limited, first come, first served.
Enroll here: https://kidpowercs.org/manitou-springs-elementary-virtual-kidpower-workshops/
Part One: Safety In Public – Skills to Be Aware, Take Charge, and Get Help
Tuesday, March 1, 2022. 6-7 p.m.
Introduces safety rules for when kids are in a public place or on their own. Kids will learn how to walk, stand and move with awareness and confidence; Families will learn how to create Safety Plans for many situations when they are on their own including school, overnights, at the pool, skating rink, movies, or even in the front yard or neighborhood.
Part Two: Safety with Strangers – Using Your Voice and Body to Stay Safe
Tuesday, March 8, 2022. 6-7 p.m.
Kids will learn rules for staying home alone including with a sibling or for brief periods of time. They will learn the Kidpower Safety Rules to Check First/Think First before getting close to or talking to a stranger; taking anything from a stranger; changing the plan about who they are with or where they are going; and getting help in an emergency. They will learn and practice how to use strong, clear voices and to move away to safety when needed.
Part Three: Boundary Skills with People We Know
Tuesday, March 15, 2022. 6-7 p.m.
Kids will learn what boundaries are and how to set effective boundaries with people they know. They will practice using clear language to deal with emotional coercion and bribery. They will learn to tell an adult if they feel unsafe and to persist until they get the help they need. Kids will also learn ways to protect themselves from words that hurt.
Champions Childcare
Manitou Springs and Ute Pass Elementary Schools will be working together with Champions to provide K-6th grade after-school childcare for the spring semester, beginning January 31. After-school childcare will take place at Manitou Springs Elementary School until 6:00PM, Monday-Friday. Click here to learn more: www.discoverchampions.com
Champions safe and accredited programs have a proven track record of offering top-notch programs for over 30 years and counting. Plus, they partner with our school to extend the learning your kids are doing here each day. When your child enrolls, they’ll get extra STEM learning, literacy, arts, exercise, and more.
After School, 1-2 Days, $48/week
After School, 3-5 Days, $80/week
Registration is open now at discoverchampions.com, and space is limited. Our school office doesn’t handle registration, so please contact the Champions Family Support team at 800-246-2154 or email them at ChampionsHelp@kc-education.com with any questions.
Nutrition Services
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students. We would still like all families that qualify to fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch form on our district website.
Yearbook Order Form
Manitou Springs Elementary School
Maria Masone, Principal
Jennifer Sueppel, Assistant Principal
Email: mmasone@mssd14.org
Website: mse.mssd14.org
Location: 110 Pawnee Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO, USA
Phone: 719-685-2195
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Manitou-Springs-Elementary-212896538758987/