Buffs Newsletter

Dear Smoky Hill Community,

Welcome back, Buffs! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Fall Break, filled with time to recharge and connect with family and friends. As we begin Quarter 2, I’m excited for the continued learning, growth, and accomplishments that lie ahead for our students.

The first quarter was full of hard work and meaningful moments that reflect the spirit and pride of Smoky Hill High School. Thank you to our students for your dedication, to our teachers and staff for your unwavering commitment, and to our parents and guardians for your partnership and support. Special congratulations to all students who earned recognition for their first-quarter attendance achievements and the 9th-grade students who earned their way out of FAST Class. Keep up the great work!

Let’s carry the momentum forward into Quarter 2, continuing to strive for excellence, show kindness, and support one another as we move closer to achieving our goals. Together, we make Smoky Hill a truly special place to learn and grow.

WE ARE ONE HERD
Dr. Andre Bala

We admit that this is a pretty strange way to raise funds but it has been wonderful for us going on our 6th annual event! For those who need this product and have shopped with us in the past it has been a GREAT experience with NO high pressure sales, and Extremely competitive and discounted prices on BRAND NAME mattresses. If you or someone you know has a need for a new mattress please consider stopping by the west gym on Saturday, October 25th from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. to take a look!

Our goal is to raise $10,000+ to help our Music Programs (Band, Orchestra, and Choir). Here is a list of everything that will be on sale next weekend:

• Mattresses, Boxsprings, and Frames
• Adjustable power bases that move the head and feet up and down for your mattress
• Sheets, Pillows and Mattress Pads/Protectors
• Weighted Blankets by Blanquil (myblanquil.com)
• Cord-a-Roy Brand Bean Bag Chairs that transform into a mattress (cordaroys.com)
• Luxury Massage chairs and many other massager accessories (infinitymassagechairs.com)

Thanks for your support and you can call or email Tony from the mattress fundraising company with any questions: tony.gittings@cfsbeds.com or 303-916-7767.

Sources of Strength Week. See flyer below for spirit day themes and activities.

Monday 10/27 GREEN DAY

Tuesday 10/28 RED DAY

Wednesday 10/29 GREEN DAY + ADVISORY

Thursday 10/30 RED DAY + Latino Night 4-6:45 pm (hosted by Latino World Alliance)

Friday 10/31 GREEN DAY

Join Latino World Alliance for a night of celebration on Thursday October 30th. For more information, please contact:

Alejandra Larrahona Balbontin, World Language Teacher, alarrahona@cherrycreekschools.org

Abril Olivas, Social Studies Teacher, aolivas4@cherrycreekschools.org

Students who took the PSAT 9 or the PSAT/NMSQT exam on October 8th are now able to access their scores through their College Board account. For more information visit the College Board website.

The NACAC National College Fair will take place this Saturday, October 25, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. at CU Boulder. More than 190 colleges and universities will be in attendance, offering a great opportunity to learn more about a wide range of schools and programs.

We encourage you to attend and explore your college options!

For more info:

• Click here for participating colleges.
• Click here to register for the fair (free).

The 41st Annual Smoky Hill Craft Fair Saturday is happening on Saturday November 1.

All money raised from this Fall Craft Fair goes towards Smoky Hill activities, athletics, and senior scholarships.

Our next Parent Information Network Event:

Upcoming Parent Accountability Meetings:

Smoky Hill Drama Presents “The Outsiders” on Friday, November 7 & Saturday, November 8 at 7:15 pm in the Smoky Hill Auditorium. Tickets will be on sale during lunches the week of the show and at the door.

Incoming Freshman Night, View of the Hill, is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12 from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Students in grades 9 through 12 will have the opportunity to complete the Healthy Kids Colorado (HKC) survey this year through their social studies class on November 13-14. Please see the attached letter for more information on the survey and how to opt your child out if you prefer.

CCSDHKCSParent Letter Arabic.pdf
CCSDHKCSParent Letter English.pdf
CCSDHKCSParent Letter Spanish.pdf

Below is a link to the story that recently aired on 9News. Take a minute to watch.

Below is the link to the story that recently aired on CBS4. Take a minute to watch.

The athletic registration platform has changed. Please be patient as the whole process is brand new. The new link to register your student for a winter sports https://students.arbitersports.com/smoky-hill-high-school/shhs-athletics-2025-2026-winter

Winter Sports include:

• Girls Swimming
• Boys and Girls and Unified Basketball
• Boys and Girls Wrestling
• Ice Hockey (District Team)

Students must be registered, have an updated sports physical on the new CHSAA Approved form, completed by a guardian, and submitted PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 17th (registration must be completed by Friday 11/14 to be able to begin on 11/17). Registration LINK. CHSAA Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Form Link.

Please make sure you have the following materials to complete registration:

• CCSD Student ID #
• CHSAA approved physical form signed and dated by the doctor, athlete, and parent/guardian (upload form in section below).
• Doctor and hospital information
• Emergency Contact Information
• Allergy and medication information
• All payments are now made through My School Bucks on the registration

Questions? Please reach out the Mr. Benedict or Ms. Dawn in the Athletics Office.

(720)886-5551 | www.smokyhillathletics.com | @smokysports

Buffalo families and community. The Buffalo App is here.

Your one stop shop for all things Smoky Hill Activities and Athletics.

Download it today on the App Store and stay up to date with your favorite club/team.

Life is a Puzzle, Solve It Sober

Setting Boundaries Without Shaming

Teens are more likely to respect limits when they feel heard rather than judged. Set clear boundaries around substance use, but avoid scare tactics or shame-based messages—they often backfire. Instead, use curiosity and empathy: ask open-ended questions like, “What are your thoughts on drinking at parties?” or “How do you feel when others offer you something to smoke?” Reflect their feelings and share your concerns calmly, emphasizing that your rules come from care, not control. Examples of healthy boundaries might include saying, “You need to check in with me if you’re going to a party where substances might be present,” or “I expect you to come home by a certain time, and if you’re not feeling well, we can talk about options.” Building trust helps keep communication open—even when it’s hard.

How to Start the Conversation

Talking to your teen about substance use can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be a one-time “big talk.” Start with small, open-ended questions like, “What do you think about vaping?” or “What have you seen or heard about drugs at school?” Listen carefully and avoid interrupting. Creating a non-judgmental space will encourage your teen to be open. Let them know that you’re there to help, not to punish.

Resources:

Be informed of substances so that you can engage in healthy conversations: https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/learn

Parent Resources: https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/prevention/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources

The More You Know…

OCTOBER 25th: Do you have prescription medication that you need to dispose of safely? You can safely and anonymously drop off your unneeded prescription medications to be disposed of. This is just one measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from starting. Go through your medicine cabinets, gather any unneeded medication and take it to your local police department. For more information and to find your neighborhood collection locations, visit: https://www.dea.gov/takebackday

Did you know Cherry Creek School District has an Adolescent Substance Use Prevention, Intervention, Resources & Education (ASPIRE) Team of school health professionals that supports students and school communities with substance use prevention, intervention and education? If you feel your child is in need of support, reach out to your school for more information.

Morgan Craft, LCSW, LAC

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

mcraft@cherrycreekschools.org

720-886-5508

To support our students and families, Smoky Hill will be hosting a Donation Drive until October 31st. We are collecting individually-packaged snacks, shelf-stable items, and toiletries to stock our school-based community pantries. Visit CherryCreekSchools.org/DonationDrive for online donation options and more information!

A new school year is here! We bet you’re already full of pride.

Give the gift of a yearbook to make their big moments even more special. Order their 2026 yearbook today! RESERVE A COPY

Yearbooks are sold on a first-come basis and while supplies last.

• current school ID,
• valid government-issued ID,
• alien registration/permanent resident card,
• Military ID/dependent card with DOB,
• RTD-issued youth special discount card.

If you are a parent and in need to transportation to get to and from Smoky Hill for a parent meeting, please reach out to Rachel Brown or Gabriella Garcia and we would be happy to support you.

• Use the RTD Trip Planner to make plans to get to your destination.
• Visit How to Ride to answer any questions you may have.
• The RTD Bike-n-Ride program makes it easy to combine transit and bicycling. All buses are equipped with bike racks on the front of each bus.

If you have more questions, go to rtd-denver.com or call RTD at 303-299-6000.Call +1 303-299-6000 via Google Voice

October 31, 2025: Main registration and payment deadline. After this date, a $40 late fee will be applied to each exam, bringing the cost to $140.

March 1, 2026: Last date for any cancellations, less the cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued after this date.

AP Exams: May 4-8 & May 11-15, 2025 (Smoky Hill's AP & IB Exam Schedule)

Call 2 Action (our Smoky Hill activism class) is here to announce the reopening of Buff's Pantry!

As a class, we have aimed to make a difference in our Smoky Hill community, and we decided to do this by creating a safe space where students can receive the food and hygiene products they need on a weekly basis. We offer multiple types of food, whether it’s canned/boxed or just quick snacks, hygiene products, baby products (diapers/wipes), and clothes/shoes. We receive donations from SECOR, the local community, students, and our CCSD district Food Pantry Liaisons. Last year, we were able to serve 70 families in total. Our goal is to limit food insecurity and strengthen our school holistically.

Weekly, as students scan the QR codes that are placed in every classroom and around the school and we receive orders in the Google Form, Call 2 Action students will create individualized bags for each student. They will then deliver them to the counseling office. Students will be called to the counseling office to pick up their bags. Our hope is to reduce any shame that comes with needing support by keeping this process as anonymous as possible.

Here is the Buff's Pantry Google form link for you to fill out with your needs:

https://forms.gle/NoraXVqzbxUYT4B8A

Check us out on the news!!

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/aurora-smoky-hill-high-school-social-justice-class-buffs-food-pantry/

If you wish to donate:

We are in need of the following items if you have any spare stock in your home or wish to purchase items from our list:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2O6R74E3W2244?ref_=wl_share

Also, you can have your student drop these off at the main office or bring them to Mrs. Ogide's room (1-11). We will also be running donation drives throughout the year. Stay tuned!

How our staff is supporting your student at school:

Call 2 Action asked our staff to help support our Buff's Pantry by spreading awareness with the QR code tents that were placed in their mailboxes. This is for them to extend to a student to scan if they confide in them about a need in their life. Our wish is that through the connections they foster with your students, the better we can serve Smoky.

The safety and well-being of our students is of high priority. As such, the accurate monitoring of attendance is imperative to be able to account for students at all times. Please follow the procedures below.

• Send a text message through the Talking Points app,
• Step 1 - Open Talking Point and select New Message
• Step 2 - Scroll to the bottom of the list and select Smoky Hill High School (under School Admins)
• Step 3 - Include this information in your message: STUDENT'S NAME, the DATE and TIMES of the absence, the REASON your student is missing class.
• If any of the above information is missing or indecipherable, your student's attendance may not be updated.
• Call the Attendance Voicemail line prior to 2:00 p.m. on the day of the absence.
• English: Attendance Voicemail- 720-886-5450
• Spanish Attendance VoicemailVoicemail- 720-886-5455
• When leaving a voicemail message on the attendance line, please include the following:
• STUDENT'S NAME (please SPELL OUT the LAST NAME)
• YOUR NAME and PHONE NUMBER
• the DATE and TIMES of the absence
• the REASON your student is missing class

NOTE:

• Please inform us of changes in home or work phone numbers.
• Absences that are not excused within 48 hours will require a Dean’s approval for changing an absence to “Excused.” ONLY 48 HOURS TO EXCUSE AN ABSENCE.
• If your student needs to be dismissed early from class, have him/her bring a note written by a parent or guardian to the Attendance Office prior to the start of the school day. This is to help reduce disruptions in the classroom.
• Students who leave without following the above procedure may be marked “Unexcused.”
• In the event that a student becomes ill at school and needs to go home, he/she must either:
• Report to the clinic.
• The nurse will phone a parent/guardian and obtain permission.
• Have a parent/guardian call and give permission to the Main Office at the time the student is leaving.

Responses to Absences:

• Missing only four (4) days or 17 class periods a quarter classifies your student as Chronically Absent by the State of Colorado.
• Students who have unexcused absences will receive consequences that include, but are not limited to:
• Academic Re-engagement(s)
• Family Meeting(s)
• Being Placed on Attendance Support Plans
• Guardian Shadows
• Loss of privilege(s)
• Medical Note Requirement
• Truancy Court Referral

SHHS Seniors: Are you going to a 4-year college, 2-year college or a trade school? The FAFSA application is now open. (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

What is the FAFSA? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that students complete to determine their eligibility for financial aid. This financial aid can include federal grants, work-study programs, and loans. Many states, colleges and trade schools also use the information from the FAFSA to award their own financial aid packages.

Filling out the FAFSA is free, and it’s the first step in accessing the largest source of financial aid for higher education.

The 2026-2027 FAFSA application becomes available on October 1, 2025.

Naviance is a web-based college and career planning platform that supports SHHS students in exploring their interests, researching colleges and scholarships, and preparing for life after high school. It also provides parents/guardians with access to resources that help them stay informed and actively support their student’s postsecondary planning.

Parents/guardians no longer need a separate username or password to access Naviance. Simply log in to my.cherrycreekschools.org, search for the Naviance Parent tile, and click to be directed to the parent view of your student’s Naviance account. If you have more than one student, you will be able to toggle between accounts.

If you previously used a Naviance Parent login, please disregard it and use this new, simplified access method instead.

A unique opportunity to delve into the world of West Point. RSVP to reserve your place for what will be a great opportunity to learn more about the Academy, whether it is the right fit, and how to apply.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, October 29th, 2025
• Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
• Location: Cherry Creek High School
• 9300 E Union Ave, Greenwood Village, CO 80111-1306
• RSVP: Registration Link

During the Admissions Brief, we will discuss:

1. What West Point Offers: Learn why West Point stands as a premier institution for leadership development, academic excellence, and character growth.
2. Life as a Cadet: Gain firsthand insights into the daily life of a West Point Cadet, including academics, athletics, and leadership training.
3. The Application Process: Understand the steps to apply to West Point and gather valuable tips to enhance your application.

Please see above detailed information on the event. Space is limited, so be sure to secure your spot at the event and RSVP as soon as possible.

Exploring campuses is a key step in your college or trade school journey. It’s not just about touring buildings—it’s about experiencing the environment, meeting the people, and discovering where you feel most at home.

While many families choose to visit during summer or school breaks, there’s also great value in visiting while classes are in session. Doing so allows you to get a true sense of the energy, community, and day-to-day life on campus. Both options can help you decide which schools may be the best fit for you.

To help you get started, we’ve included links to campus visit opportunities at colleges and universities across Colorado. You can also Click here for tips on how to get the most out of each visit.

Wishing you the best as you explore your options.

Between September and May, Smoky Hill will host more than 150 colleges, universities, and military recruiters on campus. These visits are a valuable opportunity for students to learn more about postsecondary options and connect directly with admissions representatives and/or recruiters.

Who Can Attend?

• Juniors and Seniors may attend visits during a class period. Students who attend the College and Career Center (CCC) may request a pass back to class afterward. Students should check with their teachers before missing class to attend a visit, and then sign in on the appropriate attendance sheet when they come to the CCC.

• Freshmen and Sophomores are welcome to attend, but only during an off period.

Visit Details

• Each session typically lasts 20–30 minutes.

• The weekly schedule is emailed every Friday by Ms. Marquita Millard, College & Career Specialist.

• New visits are added daily, so check the schedule often for the most up-to-date information.

📅 Click here for the updated list of upcoming visits: College & Military Visit Schedule

Adult ESL Classes – Free for parents in the Cherry Creek School District!

For questions or more information, please call the Learning Source at 720-291-1345 or email marilyn@thelearningsource.org

Please join us for a celebration of unstoppable joy as we induct this year's awardees!!

November 4th, 2025

11am-1pm

10/10/25, 10/3/25, 9/26/25, 9/19/25, 9/12/25, 9/5/25, 8/29/25