Off We GROW!
It has been a gorgeous week outside, and we have taken full advantage of it at UPES! The staff continues to prioritize opportunities for environmental learning, exploration, and kids being kids!
I am simply blown away by the learning occurring in each of these classrooms. We are already seeing incredible growth in academic skills, but beyond that, we are seeing intentional growing of hearts! We handed out over 25 Seed Slips to students showing what it means to grow hearts, minds, bodies, and the earth (pictures below). Teachers are starting each day with community building circles, giving each student a voice, and demonstrating how important it is for that voice to be heard.
Preschool joined our pack on Wednesday! Preschoolers, our youngest learners at UPES, are such an integral piece of our school! They had a great couple of days on Wednesday and Thursday, and we are so excited to finally be complete.
We continue to have so much to celebrate, and are excited to share that with you. If you haven't already, please check out our school's Facebook page for a glimpse into the magic of this amazing little school- www.facebook.com/upesponies
As a reminder, there will be no school on Monday for Labor Day. Please see below for other important dates and late start Wednesday schedules.
#watchusGROW
Your partner in education,
Jackie Powell, Ute Pass Principal
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Art for All 2nd graders learned about lines, and then went outside to identify and draw various types of lines with Mrs. Kettler. | Recess Fun Students are building friendships and using their imagination on our amazing playground. | MSHS Visitors Football players and cheerleaders from Manitou Springs High School visited UPES to read to the students and talk about sportmanship. |
Art for All
Recess Fun
MSHS Visitors
Important Dates in August/September
2- Landsharks Running Club begins
5- No School
6- Connect14 classes start
13- PAC Meeting 3:00
14- Late start (supervision begins at 9:35, first bell rings at 9:55, tardy bell rings at 10:00)
15-16- 6th grade camp
20- School picture day
21- Late start (supervision begins at 9:35, first bell rings at 9:55, tardy bell rings at 10:00)
22-23- 5th grade camp
21- Open Outdoors (Open House) 4:30-6:00
28- Late start (supervision begins at 9:35, first bell rings at 9:55, tardy bell rings at 10:00)
30- Homecoming parade
Construction in Area
Road construction will begin in front of the school Monday, August 29th.
From: Aug. 29 - Sept. 9
Times: 6:30 am - 6:00 pm
Lanes Open: One at a time with flaggers directing traffic
Company: Kewitt Construction
Preschool Info
Preschool begins on Wednesday, August 31st! Please make sure all required forms are submitted prior to this date. When UPES is on a late start Wednesday, students in preschool will follow their typical schedule (not the late start schedule). Preschool students do not attend school on Fridays.
Please reach out to Mrs. Vankirk at lvankirk@mssd14.org with any questions.
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. Menus will be available beginning next week on the district website--> departments-->nutrition services.
Why are meals no longer free?
Over the past two years, the federal government allowed all students to eat free breakfast and lunch regardless of their family's financial situations. However, beginning August 19, 2022 all students will be charged for both breakfast and lunch unless they qualify for Free and/or Reduced-price meals.
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
While you are submitting your application, we will provide your student with meals allowing the student to charge meals. If the account goes into a negative balance, the families are responsible for paying the outstanding balances.
Any questions or concerns, please call Paula Faucette, Director of Nutrition Services, at 719-685-2005 or email pfaucette@mssd14.org.
Connect 14
Two of these classes will be 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!
Landsharks Running Club
Ute Pass Landsharks Running Club Fall Cross Country 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 Fall Cross Country 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 September 2nd with a celebration run to follow after the last meet. Practices consist of running games and track workouts with a strong focus on fun.
Races are held on Monday evenings at Shining Mountain Golf Course. Races will begin at 5pm on September 19th, 26th and Oct 3rd. Runners run ONE (1) of the following distances: Kindergarten & 1st grade 0.5 miles only, 2nd-6th grade 1 mile OR 1.5 miles.
Registration opened August 1st and closes September 9th 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 September 3rd then an additional $10/runner fee applies.
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
Here's how you find us....