Achievement

Courage

Caring

Excellence

Perseverance

Teamwork

Pilot -- Mr. Smith (Principal)

Co-Pilot -- Mr. Latino (Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction)

Bombardier -- Mr. Blanc (Assistant Principal of Discipline)

Navigator -- Ms. Blackwell (Principal Secretary)

Air Marshal -- Ms. Cockrell (Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction)

Gunner -- Mrs. Wermers (Athletic Director)

Control Tower Operator -- Miss VazquezDiaz (Discipline Secretary)

Radio Operator -- Mrs. Jordan (Project Manager)

ICAP and KID CAFE'S look new. This school year our Assistant Principal Mr. Latino and our Head of the Counselors Department Mrs. Niichel have partnered to bring a change in attaining graduation requirements and student voice. CCRC classes will now participate with our counseling staff and Kid Cafe team at the same time.

What is an ICAP? -Individual Career Academic Plan ICAP is a multi-year process for students in explore, discover, and connect their coursework learning to activities and experiences that will prepare them for college, the military, trade/technical school, or the workforce.

What is the Purpose of ICAP? - Helping Students Plan & Own Their Future Every student is prepared to be Postsecondary and Workforce Ready (PWR) upon graduation from a District 11 (D11) high school is the purpose. We want every student to identify, plan, and then enter a college, trade/technical school, the military, or a workforce opportunity designed to further a student's education and career training beyond high school.

Here is what ICAP will look this semester:

1. Teachers will accept the appointment request from Ms. Angie Torres, and read the details to their class about what to expect.
2. On their ICAP/KID Cafe DATE- Attendance will be taken IMMEDIATELY, then then teachers will ESCORT their students to the cafeteria as soon as possible.
3. Intervention passes will not be approved during the classes’ ICAP/KID Cafe date.
4. Students will need their laptops to login in their computers, counselors will then begin the lesson if a class is on the ICAP side first. If a class is on the Kid Cafe side first, they will head to the West side of the cafeteria.
5. Once complete, teachers will escort students either to the Kid Cafe side, or their class will be dismissed once each student has been checked by a counselor. Each student will have to be approved by a counselor to be complete their ICAP.

What are Kid Cafes?

Kid Cafes are the staff's opportunity to practice student connectedness allowing students to know more faculty members than just their teachers. Faculty members work with students to keep students On-Track through short 5–7-minute interviews. Representatives from Faculty, our Admin team, Counseling, ESPs, SPED, Security, and any other departments represented on our campus participate in Kid Cafes. With use of BAG (Behavior Attendance Grades) Reports staff is able to provide a visual for students and have meaningful dialogue about next steps for academic success.

We appreciate our Student Connectedness Subcommittee for your creativity in designing this two-in-one opportunity for all students.

Behavior Attendance and Grades reports (BAG reports) are updated weekly and are communicated to students through their CCRC teachers. The BAG report also includes students' cumulative GPA and credits earned toward graduation. This allows for teachers and students to have conversations around student progress toward meeting their educational goals and achievement levels. See the BAG Report image below.

Our fall play Trap: a psychological documentary thriller wrapped after a successful run with over 900 audience members attending over the production week. It received rave reviews for its execution in keeping an audience on their toes with an immersive experience.

28 Thespians have been prepping to go to the state level Colorado Thespian conference next week. They attended the Colorado Springs Conservatory before break to attend workshops to refine their performance pieces. A showcase of their competition work is Tuesday, December 5 at 7 in the auditorium. Free admission.

Spring Musical announced Wednesday the 29th after a “musical madness” bracket of 8 shows came to an end. “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” comes to Mitchell’s stage in March. Info meeting for those looking to audition and apply for backstage crew is Monday, December 4 at 3:15 in the auditorium. No experience necessary, and all are welcome.

One November 1st the physics students launched their air rockets last week during 7th and 8th periods on the football field. Rockets varied in sizes and shapes only to test their strength for the launch. Most of the rockets went around 80 yds. A couple went over 100 yds and the best went over 130 yds.

On November 4, 2023, YDA spent the entire day at Mitchell HS for the Youth Matters Film Festival. 11th and 12th graders in our social studies department viewed three documentaries, one written and directed by one of our very own students. Students got a chance to meet the film directors and ask questions. Students were also encouraged to apply for the summer program and become future film makers. Who knows, we may have another director/producer in out student body. YDA is extremely supportive of Mitchell High School and we are fortunate to have them as a community partner.

On Friday November 10th Mitchell High School held a Ceremony to celebrate and honor the Veterans in the Mitchell Community. The Mitchell HS Band and Choir along with the Cadets of the AFJROTC Program honored more than 60 Veterans that included Mitchell HS Staff and their families, Parents, grandparents and other relatives of students. Additionally, we were able to honor 9 Veteran residents of the Winslow Court Retirement Center including a 103 year young Veteran of WW2.

The Celebration included a march in of the Cadet Corps, a ceremonial US Flag Folding and a Saber Arch for each of the Veterans. The talented musicians and singers of the Mitchell HS Band and Choir honored the Veterans by performing each Military Service Song prior to an individual Veteran recognition under the Saber Arch.

On Saturday November 4th, 120 Cadets of the Mitchell HS AFJROTC Program honored Veterans by Marching in the Annual Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade. Cadet Lt Colonel EJ Anaya led the cadet march that included a Color Guard, two cadet squadrons, and the REDS Exhibition Drill Team. The REDS, commanded by Cadet Major Alexa Plascencia, were a crowd favorite and drew great applause with their final performance in front of the review stand.

Mitchell HS is committed to exposing our students to college campuses in our city and around the state. To date, Mitchell students have visited the following campuses: CSU Pueblo, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado College, University of Northern Colorado, University of Colorado- Boulder, Colorado State University-Fort Collins (pictured below). Upcoming College Visits- University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University, Community College of Denver- December 6, 2023. Permission slips due December 4, 2023.

Mitchell High School’s Peak Education Scholars program is off to a great start. 16 students are participating in this new program delivery model for Peak Education. Students pictured below are engaged in their 2nd on-site visit and activity here at Mitchell High School. Our young scholars are being exposed to college and career opportunities, goal setting, community resources and connections and community service while developing and honing their leadership skills.

MHS students Ebony and JayCionna, Mitchell Kids, took CPR at Career Pathways for their upcoming future educator internships.

Connor Fields, an Olympic gold medalist, BMX racing legend, and near fatal crash survivor, shared his story and advocated for the importance of mental health to students and young athletes at Mitchell High School. Fields’ visit is part of his involvement in the Breakfast of Champions®, Peak Vista Community Health Centers’ (Peak Vista’s) premier fundraising event.

"Our vision is to operate in a culture that builds, maintains, and restores trust as defined by sincerity, competence, reliability, and care; to offer a first-class school to our community that prepares all students for post-secondary readiness, college and career."

This is an excellent opportunity for students to earn free credits that will transfer to over 2,900 colleges and get a head start on making the most out of The Mitchell Promise Pikes Peak State College Scholarship. To learn more about CLEP, go to https://clep.collegeboard.org/clep-benefits-for-everyone To register for free CLEP testing, email Ms. Cockrell at renee.cockrell@d11.org

Mitchell is proud to announce our Inaugural Peak Education Cohorts for the 23-24 School Year. These students will receive additional support for postsecondary education and career exploration and opportunities through Peak Education at Mitchell High School. This is a new model of service delivery for Peak Education and Mitchell to be the inaugural site for this service delivery model. There are two cohorts at Mitchell High School. The 9th grade cohort members are Lillianna Ducher, Delilah Epps, Robi Hayes, Helena Juarez, Deijavu McNeill, Draven Shomoh and Nijay Whitt. The 10th grade cohort members are Marissa Anderson, Jadeon Artman, Sierrah Holliday, Levi Sambrano, Hannah Owen, Arturo Perez Morejon, and Daphne (Moe) Telles Guzman. Periodic updates on our soaring Marauders will be provided in future newsletters. If you would like information regarding the Peak Education Program at Mitchell High School, please contact Valerie Jordan, Project Manager at 719-328-6608 or valerie.jordan@d11.org.

The American Dreams Academy through the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream is a new tuition-free, six-month online program available for seniors exclusively at Mitchell High School who are 18 or will turn 18 years old during 1st semester. Students can select from courses created by some of America’s largest companies, including IBM, Meta, Google, and Salesforce, that provide certificates for in-demand jobs like data analysis, IT support, cybersecurity, project management, sales operations and development, and digital social media marketing.

Extracurricular activities provide a channel for reinforcing the lessons learned in the classroom, offering students the opportunity to apply academic skills in a real-world context, and are thus considered part of a well-rounded education. Recent research suggests that participation in extracurricular activities may increase students' sense of engagement or attachment to their school, and thereby decrease the likelihood of school failure and dropping out.

The winter athletic season is upon us! We are excited to see our athletes competing throughout the winter season. Any athlete that has 2 or more F’s are considered ineligible for the week.

If you have any questions regarding individual winter sports, please email the coach associated with the sport your student would like to participate in. Coach contact information is below.

• Boys Basketball: Dorian Watson – watson@d11.org
• Girls Basketball: Bernard Melvin – melvin@d11.org
• Wrestling: Zach Grant – grant@d11.org

• Game Club
• Gender & Sexuality Alliance
• Honor Choir
• Marching Band
• National Honor Society
• Thespian Society/Drama Club

The afterschool tutoring program has started and will be provided Monday -Thursday on all student contact days from 3:15 to 4:45 in the media center. Transportation is available for eligible students. Please contact Valerie Jordan, Project Manager for more information and to verify your student's eligibility for transportation at 719-328-6608 or via email at valerie.jordan@d11.org.

Academic Writing Month

Election Day

Native American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month

Veterans Day

It's cold outside stop by the Business Office to buy your class color t-shirts for just $15.00 and your MHS hoodie for $28.00.

Freshmen: Orange

Sophomore: White

Junior: Gray

Senior: Blue

Ask about the Activity Pass while you're there.

Marauder Nation Toy Drive

November 6th - December 15th

Spirit Week

December 11th- December15th

Finals Week

December 15th- December20th

Winter Break

December 21st - January 5th

Students, staff, parents/guardians, and community members play a significant role as active participants in school governance through the School Accountability Committee (SAC) and other subcommittees. Join us on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Food and drinks provided. RSVP here (https://bit.ly/3dFMvpg)

Gain access to relevant student information and keep track of your child's progress by creating a parent portal account. By creating a PowerSchool parent portal account, parents have direct access to updated information like student attendance and academic standing. Call the D11 Parent Portal Assistance Line at (719) 520-2487, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm or visit https://www.d11.org/PSLanding

As we prepare for landing riding on our wings this month are our MHS teachers. We want you to know that you are our most valued passengers. We are thankful that you have chosen to fly with Mitchell HS.