August Newsletter
Straight From the Superintendent
Manitou Springs School District 14 Families,
I am excited to introduce myself as the new Superintendent of Schools for Manitou Springs School District 14. A little bit about me… I have been a building and district level leader in El Paso County for more than twenty years. Prior to becoming an administrator, I was fortunate to serve as a special educator. My wife is a teacher, and my twins are about to become freshmen at Manitou Springs High School.
As I am getting to know the Manitou Springs School District community, I am humbled by the warm welcome I have received. People have been kind and patient throughout my transition. Moreover, the pride that students, staff, families, and community members have in our schools is evident. Simply, this is a great place to lead.
For families returning to us for the 2023-2024 school year, I want to begin by thanking you. Thank you for continuing to choose Manitou Springs School District 14. I know you have options to attend elsewhere. For those families that are new to our district this school year, welcome. We are excited to partner with you as we begin a new school year.
As we launch into the 2023-2024 school year, it is important to revisit our core values as an organization:
Relationships: We value authentic connections grounded in trust and respect between ALL people.
Deep Learning: Our community practices: dynamic, divergent, critical, and global thinking.
We challenge each learner to master, transfer, and apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for success.
Opportunity: We provide accessible and engaging opportunities for purposeful growth and visionary learning.
In essence, we endeavor to provide a great place for families to send their students to learn. We look forward to living up to your high expectations. I am proud to be a Mustang and am so excited to work for our students, staff and community! Have a great start to the school year.
Sincerely,
Sean Dorsey
Superintendent of Schools
Manitou Springs School District 14
Free Meals for Students, Plus Important Reminders for Families
We are excited to share that all students in Manitou Springs School District will receive free breakfast and lunch starting in 2023-24 through the Healthy School Meals for All program! This new statewide program, approved by Colorado voters, is helping Colorado children and teens have access to nutritious food at our schools.
Even though breakfast and lunch will be provided for free, we need families to continue sharing household income information through this form in order for our school to receive full access to federal funding.
Be sure to fill out the form as part of your back-to-school registration! If you have questions or would like additional support, please reach out to Paula Faucette-Director of Nutrition Services, 719-685-2005 or email pfaucette@mssd14.org for more information.
We are thrilled to announce that 17 exceptional Manitou Springs High School students were given honors in the Advanced Placement Program. Several students were granted AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor, or AP Scholar with Distinction. Amanda Kerrigan's Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, Ben Mack’s Advanced Placement Biology, Andrew Slama's Advanced Placement Physics, and Steve Blocher's Advanced Placement Computer Science classes earned a score of 3 or higher on their exam last spring. Students earning a 3, or higher, are eligible for college credit. Congratulations to these students and their teachers for their well-deserved recognition!
