Overland Newsletter
November 2, 2026
Craft Fair – Sunday, November 8
Important Dates for Seniors
- NOV 5-6: Jostens in cafeteria during both lunches
- NOV 11: FAFSA/CASFA Workshop in Post Grad
- NOV 13: Last day to submit a Senior Portrait to the Yearbook ($10)
DEC 9: Senior Panoramic Pic during Advisory in West Gym
Staying Healthy as the Year Gets Busy
As we move into November, the school year is in full swing, and students are balancing classes, sports, extracurricular activities, jobs, and social commitments. With busy schedules and the holiday season approaching, it can be easy to put health and well-being on the back burner. November is a great time to refocus on healthy habits and make sure students are taking care of themselves as they head into the winter months.
A few reminders for students:
Prioritize sleep. Teens need plenty of sleep, even when homework and activities compete for their time. A consistent sleep schedule can support focus, mood, and overall well-being.
Keep your water bottle handy. Hydration is especially important during long school days, practices, and games.
Don’t skip meals. A quick breakfast or nutritious snack can help students maintain energy and concentration throughout the day.
Take stress seriously. Feeling overwhelmed occasionally is normal, but ongoing stress can take a toll. Encourage students to talk with a trusted adult, counselor, teacher, coach, or the school nurse when they need support.
Know when to stay home. If you’re sick with a fever (100.4°F), lethargy or an uncontrolled cough, resting at home helps you recover and reduces the chance of spreading illness to classmates, teachers, and teammates.
Take care of your mental health. Make time for things that help you recharge, such as exercise, hobbies, time with friends, or simply taking a break.
High school is an important time for students to become more responsible for their own health. Learning to recognize what your body and mind need—and knowing when to ask for help—is an important part of becoming an independent young adult.
Take care of yourself, look out for one another, and make this a healthy start to the semester!
Treatment & Support & Resources
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.
Vincent Scudella, LCSW, LAC
Overland High School
vscudella@cherrycreekschools.org(720) 747-3872
Full Day Absence
(720) 747-3995
Early Release
(720) 747-3996
Spanish Line
(720) 747-3997
Accountability is not about labeling students. It is about helping students become.
Preparing students for college, careers, and life requires both academic knowledge and the skills that support success beyond high school. Our Career & College Readiness Blazer Check is grounded in the Colorado Department of Education's Colorado Essential Skills, which emphasize the personal, interpersonal, entrepreneurial, and professional skills students need to navigate education, work, and life. Students belong at OHS, and because they belong, we hold them to high expectations. Our responsibility is to make expectations clear, teach and model readiness skills, provide support, and create opportunities for students to grow.
THREE-WEEK RESET
Each Blazer Check represents approximately one three-week period. A low score does not define a student. The next three-week period provides a new opportunity to demonstrate growth.
THE 90/10 GRADE
CONTENT & SKILLS — 90%
- What has the student learned?
CAREER & COLLEGE READINESS — 10%
- How is the student demonstrating the skills that support success?
The Blazer Check is not a compliance grade or a substitute for academic assessment. It makes readiness skills visible while keeping academic mastery clearly represented in the grade.
2026–27 CHECK DATES
Semester 1: 9/4 • 9/25 • 10/23 • 11/13 • 12/11
Semester 2: 1/29 • 2/19 • 3/12 • 4/9 • 5/7
Did you know your student has access to FREE, healthy meals every day at Overland High School? Thanks to Healthy School Meals for All, all students can enjoy:
Free Breakfast each morning
Free Lunch every school day
Free Power Meals after school, served Monday–Thursday from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Power Meals are a great way for students to refuel before sports, clubs, or homework — and they’re available to all students at no cost.
We encourage every student to take advantage of these nutritious options!
Students will lock their phones in a Yondr pouch in each classroom.
Our reasons for having students secure their phones in a Yondr pouch are
- improved safety and security
- enhanced student engagement
- classroom management
- social and emotional wellbeing
Students may use their phones during lunch, before/after school, and during access periods in designated locations. Phones should not be visible in hallways.
- Run updates on your laptop outside the school day. Some updates can take an entire class period.
- Bring your charged laptop to school every day.
- Label your laptop charger. Use a piece of masking tape and a sharpie.
- Memorize your ID number. You will need this to enter the Library.
- If you need to borrow a charger from the Tech Office, you must show your locked Yondr pouch with your phone inside. You will have a temporary fine of $30 until you return the charger.
- Stay informed by checking PowerSchool, Outlook email, Schoology, and the Overland website on a regular basis.
- Download Minga to your phone to show your student ID at Overland events.
- Check your Minga and school email regularly to see if you have LOP (loss of privilege) or need to attend the ARZ.
