Springs Studio Scoop
Springs Studio for Academic Excellence, April Edition
A note from Executive Principal, Mr. Knoche
Springs Studio Families,
Spring Break is over, and planning for the future is the priority! We have some significant and exciting changes coming to Springs Studio and Pikes Peak Early College for the 2019-2020 school year. Springs Studio and Pikes Peak Early College are two of the premier blended learning model schools in the state of Colorado. These schools have been on a journey for the past several years to operate on a single campus. It is exciting to share with our school community that D49 leadership is working to leverage an opportunity to double the size of the Springs Studio building on the Constitution Campus. CEO, Peter Hilts; COO, Pedro Almeida; and CFO, Brett Ridgway have prioritized a building expansion so that Pikes Peak Early College and Springs Studio for Academic Excellence can serve students on the same campus. While the expansion moves through the Board of Education process, PPEC will vacate the Creekside Building and share the SSAE Constitution Campus for the 2019-2020 school year. Construction on the building expansion project, for the Constitution Campus, will begin in the fall of the 2019 school year; with a completion/occupancy date set for the 2020-2021 school year.
Factors contributing to this expansion are:
Springs Studio’s secondary model has outgrown its current space
Pike Peak Early College is currently occupying space that is not designed for a secondary school and does not have a science lab.
Pikes Peak Community College is vacating the Creekside location reducing a need for PPEC to be there.
Campus control is a concern at the Creekside building for PPEC; SSAE has a well-controlled campus access process.
Here are some areas that will not be impacted by the move:
These schools are not combining into one school.
We currently have some overlap of teachers which will be increased to offer better support and more pathway aligned opportunities for both schools.
The days of the week that students are on campus will not change.
Many college courses will still be offered at the Creekside Campus while the new building is under construction.
Transportation will continue for PPEC students and expanded to SSAE students.
The programmatic function and academic philosophy of SSAE and PPEC will not change due to the single location. We will have the opportunity to improve on what we do and continue to strengthen our processes and procedures to prepare every student. Opportunities for students, on this shared campus, will be significantly amplified with improved pathways to college and more opportunities for all students. We value the support of our stakeholders. Communications will be provided by each school as the transition details are finalized.
Sincerely,
David Knoche
Executive Principal
April 18th Information
SSAE Testing Dates
State testing is coming quickly, and we want to give you the dates for these important tests that will provide us with quality data for our school. Your attendance and participation are very important to our school. Please make appointments on days that are not school days especially in April. All testing will be at Springs Studio, except April 11th for 10th-grade students (see below).
April 9th - SAT - 11th-grade students at 7:45 am. Grades 9th, 10th and 12th will work from home virtually.
April 11th - PSAT - 9th-grade students at 7:45 am. Grades 11th and 12th will work from home virtually.
April 11th - PSAT - 10th-grade students at 7:45 am. Testing at Creekside Success Center, 3850 Pony Tracks Drive, Colorado Springs, CO in the Gym. Grades 11th and 12th will work from home virtually.
April 15th, 17th, and 19th - CMAS/English, Math, and Science/Social Studies - 3rd - 8th-grade students. Please arrive by 7:45 am.
April 16th - CMAS/Science - 11th-grade students. Please arrive by 7:45 am.
SSAE Talent & Art Show for all Grade Levels
SSAE Talent & Art Show
Friday, April 19th
5:30 PM- 7:00 PM
Use the link below if you would like to be in the talent show.
Mrs. Wichman has been collecting art that her students have created to display during the Talent & Art Show. If you have some art at home that you would also like to display during the show, please fill out the link below. It may be digital art, studio art, photography, etc.
Please BRING the art to the art room (#129) BY WEDNESDAY, 4/17/19.
Please also have the above link submitted BY WEDNESDAY, 4/17/19.
Suicide Prevention: How are we supporting each other?
We will be hosting Dr. Kim Boyd, D49 Director of Community Care, on April 25th to present "Suicide Prevention: How are we supporting each other?"
Dr. Boyd will present to our high school students on April 25th at 2:00 p.m. SSAE would like for all students to attend this important presentation; however, there will be opt-out forms in the counseling office prior to that day. Please come fill out a form if you are planning to opt out, but will be staying in the building from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
The parent presentation will be on April 25th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and is open for parents of 1st -12th graders to attend. Due to the severe nature of the information provided we ask that elementary and middle school students do not attend. SSAE Student Council and National Honor Society students will provide childcare for those who need it during the presentation. We will be providing dinner for all who attend so, please RSVP on the link below.
Sign up for - Suicide Prevention: How are we supporting each other?
Computer/iPad Turn In
Elementary and Middle School students will need to turn in their computer/iPad by May 15th
High School students will need to turn in their computer by May 16th.
If there is a need for having a computer over summer, you will need to check it out again with a summer fee of $30.00 for insurance. iPads will not be checked out for the summer.
SSAE High Performance Athletes
"Pull for the House"
from now until April 15th.
Why pop tabs? The tab is made of pure, high-grade aluminum. Don't forget about the tabs from soup cans, broth cans, pet food cans, and even tennis/racquetball balls!
Recycling these pop tabs helps families of critically ill children. Proceeds raised will support programs that last year served over 3,000 area children and their families.
Family Engagement Council
Our Family Engagement Council is responsible for making recommendations to their principal concerning priorities for; spending school funds, making recommendations concerning the preparation of the school’s performance, improvement, priority improvement or turnaround plan (whichever is applicable), and meeting at least quarterly to discuss implementation of the school’s plan and other progress pertinent to the school’s accreditation contract with the local school board. The Educator Evaluation and Support Bill of 2010 (S.B. 10-191) also authorized School Accountability Committees to provide input and recommendations to District Accountability Committees and district administration concerning principal development plans and principal evaluations. To become a member, please fill out the FEC Nomination Form.
Family Engagement Council Meetings are held at SSAE from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm on:
April 30
June 4th
Upcoming Events
April 6th - Meet & Greet Informational Night
April 8th - Yoga and Healthy Breakfast - 1st-8th Grade
April 9th - SAT Testing ALL 11th Grade Students
April 11th - PSAT Testing - Grade 9th @ Springs Studio
April 11th - PSAT Testing - Grade 11th @ Creekside
April 15th - CMAS Testing - Grades 3rd-8th - ELA and Math
April 16th - CMAS Testing - 11th Grade Only - Science
April 17th - CMAS Testing - Grades 3rd-8th - ELA and Math
April 18th - Senior Breakfast/Capping Ceremony
April 19th - CMAS Testing - Grades 3rd-8th - ELA and Math
April 19th - Talent & Art Show
April 20th - High School Spring Formal
April 22nd - CMAS Testing - 5th and 8th Grade Only - Science
April 23rd - Meet & Greet Informational Night
April 25th - D49 Art Show
April 30th - Family Engagement Council