Manitou Springs Middle School
Jan 19,2024
Dear Families,
We are excited for a fun week of learning at Manitou Middle School. Students are back in the routine of school and are doing a great job. If you see a teacher or staff member, please thank them for their dedication to our students - your words of support mean to the world to us! Thank you for your partnership. As always, let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or celebrations.
Sincerely,
Dustin Cady
Principal
719-685-2099
Calendar Updates 🗓
Calendar Dates
January 24th - late start Wednesday, 10:05 school start, girls basketball @ Banning Lewis
January 25th - wrestling meeting for interested students, 12:00 in media center
January 26th - girls basketball vs. Atlas Prep
January 27th - girls basketball vs. James Irwin
January 29th - girls basketball @ Monument Academy
January 31st - late start Wednesday, 10:05 school start, girls basketball vs. CSCA, 2nd quarter honor roll assembly
February 2nd - girls basketball vs. Vanguard
February 5th - wrestling starts, girls basketball @ Ellicot
February 8th - New Family Open House, 5:30 - 6:30 PM at MSMS, end of quarter 3
February 9th - staff work day, no students
February 14th - late start Wednesday, 10:05 school start
February 19th - President's Day, no school
February 20th - wrestling vs. RMCA
February 27th - wrestling @ James Irwin
February 28th - late start wednesday, 10:05 school Start, girls basketball vs. CSCA
February 29th - wrestling @ Ellicot
March 5th - wrestling @ Peyton
March 7th - wrestling vs. Kiowa/CSCS
March 8th - staff work day, no students
March 11th - spring sports start (track, girls soccer, girls golf)
March 12th - wrestling vs. Ellicot
March 14th - 12:30 release, afternoon parent/teacher conferences
March 15th - no school, morning parent/teacher conferences
March 16th - wrestling league championship @ Ellicot
March 20th - late start Wednesday, 10:05 School Start, quarter 3 honor roll assembly
March 21st - spring dance, 3:30 - 5:00 PM
Students of the Week!
Congratulations to Rozlyn, Felix and Sloane!
Spirit Week is coming!
Leadership Team Building
This week Mary Carol led a leadership team building activity with our Sources Peer Leaders. It was fun and thought provoking and the debrief was helpful to get the students thinking about their roles as leaders as we kick off this semester of work together.
Manitou Springs Middle School's FTC Teams Unleash Robo-Magic!
Manitou Springs Middle School's robotics teams celebrated a triumph at the CO Central Qualifier, where their two FTC teams, The Headless Horsemen and The Spectral Valkyries, showcased their exceptional skills. The Headless Horsemen galloped into 8th place out of 18 teams, securing not only a top-ten finish but also clinching the Control Award for their precision and mastery of the robot. Meanwhile, The Spectral Valkyries soared to an impressive 11th place, earning them the Judges' Choice Award for their innovative approach and outstanding teamwork.
The Teams went to the Pike Peak Qualifier on January 13. During the event the two teams ended up having to face each other in the finals. In the end the Horsemen's alliance won and ended up in first place. This means the Horsemen along with their alliance will be going to state! Both teams won awards at the event as well. The horse received another Control Award and the Valkyries received the Design award, for a robot that was both functional and aesthetic.
Manitou Springs Middle School congratulates The Headless Horsemen and The Spectral Valkyries on their achievements and wishes them the best of luck in their ongoing journey through the competitive realm of FTC robotics. The entire school community stands proud, eagerly anticipating the outcome of the next challenge, confident that these talented teams will continue to shine in the world of robotics. Go Horsemen! Go Valkyries! May success continue to be your ally!
Alexander Silverman- MSMS Security Officer
Alexander Silverman joined us at MSMS as our new security officer. He will be working in the SILC and MSMS. He is an Infantry Veteran from the 101st. He has been with Baker and King for 3 years now. In his free time he competes in USPCA and PRS shooting competitions. In Between these competitions he is either training for the next one or training to be better at his job. Alex was involved in Robotics back in high school. His prior assignment with Baker & King was at Peak Vista Pediatrics Unit.
Coffee and Talk
MSMS Pick Up & Drop Off Procedures
Please do not park or make a U-Turn along Stadium Drive during morning drop off or afternoon pickup. If cars are parked along Stadium Drive, a fire truck would not be able to access the school safely in the event of an emergency. See the directions below for pickup and drop-off procedures:
If you are lining up in the pick up lane please pull forward all the way in front of the school to where a cone has been placed stating “pick up line starts” here. This will allow more vehicles to line up in the parking lot so people are not stuck on El Monte Pl.
Step 2
Once your student is in your vehicle, drive out of the pick up lane and get into the drive thru lane. Drive all the way through to exit the parking lot and onto Stadium Dr. Do not do a U Turn on Stadium Dr. as it causes more congestion and doesn’t allow for vehicles to move forward or exit the parking lot. Please do not park in the drive thru lane and have your children get into your vehicle.
New Family Info Night!
MSMS Breakfast Procedure
All students have access to free breakfast this school year. Starting 2nd semester, the following procedures will be followed by students and staff for morning breakfast routine:
7:45 a.m. - Exterior Commons door will be opened for those coming in to eat. If students are not eating, they are expected to wait outside at their grade level doors.
8:00 a.m. - Exterior Commons & the food line doors will be shut. Breakfast service ends and students make their way to their exterior grade level doors.
8:05 a.m. - Students will be expected to be in class, having completed their breakfast. No breakfast food shall be eaten in class.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
MSMS Administration
Order your yearbook today!
Create a Student Ad!
Check out the QR code or pictures to go to the website!
STEAM Night 2024
Manitou Springs Parking Enforcement
The City of Manitou Springs Parking Enforcement Unit recently painted the guardrail yellow on the north side of the street from Manitou Springs Middle School up to Manitou Springs High School with the intent of making this a no parking zone.
We explained to the Director of Parking Enforcement that we use that area for overflow parking for students during the school day as well as spectators for events held at Manitou Springs Middle School and Manitou Springs High School.
MSSD14 Security Director has been assured by the Director of Parking Enforcement that we will be allowed to continue to use this area as overflow parking and that there will be no citations issued to people parked in this area.
Need Help with Debate Issues & Paper Topics?
Homework got you stumped?
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
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:
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
17th Annual Teen Art Contest
Let PPLD help you be prepared!
Spring Youth Sports
Basketball Winter League
Mustang Tech Tips
Reboot Ritual: The Power of "Turning It On and Off Again"
In the world of tech troubleshooting, we've all heard the dreaded advice of "turn it off and on again". But does it have merit? In fact it does! It has earned its stripes as the go-to solution for device glitches. This simple yet effective technique acts as a digital reset button, wiping the slate clean and allowing the device to start afresh. Whether it's a computer, smartphone, or smart TV, the magic of restarting lies in its ability to eliminate minor errors, software bugs, and accumulated glitches that can disrupt smooth operation.
Why It Works:
- Digital Reset: Restarting clears out temporary data, giving the operating system a clean slate.
- Error Eradication: It eliminates minor errors and software bugs that accumulate during prolonged use.
- Resource Refresh: The process frees up system resources bogged down by multiple applications running simultaneously.
A Universal Fix:
This time-tested strategy is not limited to specific devices; it applies universally. It offers a quick, easy, and surprisingly powerful solution that saves users from unnecessary stress and potential repair expenses. In the intricate world of technology, where complex algorithms abound, sometimes the simplest solutions, like the reboot ritual, prove to be the most potent. So, the next time your device acts up, don't underestimate the power of the restart – it might just be the swift remedy your gadget needs to get back on track.