Burro Blast
April, 2026
Message from the Principal
Welcome back! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable spring break. As we return to school, we are entering an exciting and important stretch of the school year filled with opportunities for growth, achievement, and celebration.
April is a key month for academic progress, particularly as we prepare for upcoming CMAS and PSAT/SAT testing. These assessments provide valuable insight into student learning and help guide our continued improvement as a school. We encourage all students to take these tests seriously—get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and come ready to do your best. We are proud of the hard work our students have shown all year and are confident they will continue to rise to the occasion. We plan to encourage and support the students because we know that testing is not always the favorite thing to do!
In addition to academics, we are excited to welcome the start of our spring sports season! Our baseball and track teams are already hard at work preparing for competition. We look forward to a great season filled with teamwork, perseverance, and Burro pride. We encourage families to come out and support our student-athletes as schedules allow.
As we move into the final months of the school year, attendance and engagement remain critical. Every day counts, and we appreciate your continued partnership in supporting your student’s success.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our school community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.
All the best,
Erin Ventura
Principal - South Park Middle and High School
Director - Career and Technical Education
719-836-4400 ext:410 - Office
Middle School Testing Schedule
The Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) are annual spring assessments for grades 3–8 and 11, covering English Language Arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies to measure student mastery of state standards.
Purpose: CMAS tests show how well students are mastering academic standards, helping identify areas where they may need extra support.
High School Testing Schedule
April 15th is SAT/PSAT day. Students will take the test in the morning. The PSAT offers early practice, highlights strengths, and opens the door to scholarships. The SAT (taken in 11th Grade), helps keep future options open; whether that includes college, training programs, or career opportunities. It is also used for placement into concurrent enrollment courses.
Important Notice
Staff at South Park Middle and High School have seen a significant increase in the use of racially driven and inappropriate language among students. We want to be very clear: this type of language is not acceptable in our schools and does not reflect the values we strive to uphold.
Our schools are committed to creating a learning environment where every student feels safe, respected, and valued. The words students choose matter.
Just as importantly, we are preparing students for life beyond high school. Whether students choose to enter college, trade school, apprenticeships, the workforce, or military service, they will be expected to communicate professionally and respectfully. Employers and post-secondary institutions consistently look for individuals who demonstrate maturity, respect for others, and the ability to work in diverse environments. Inappropriate or racially driven language does not align with these expectations and can significantly impact future opportunities.
We ask for your partnership in reinforcing these expectations at home. Conversations about respect, empathy, and appropriate communication are essential as young people learn how to navigate the world.
We will continue to address these behaviors at school through clear expectations and the district handbook protocols. Thank you for your continued support. Please reach out with any questions.
Things to Know from Mrs. Hatch!
College Wear Wednesday
The first Wednesday of every month is College Wear Wednesday!
Students are encouraged to represent a college, university, military branch, or trade school. April 1st is the first Wednesday!
8th to 9th Grade Transition
Freshman Orientation for students and families will be May 13th after school! More details will be shared soon!
Concurrent Enrollment / College Classes (2026–2027 School Year)
Registration is open for students interested in taking college level courses next year.
Students who would like to participate in Concurrent Enrollment through Red Rocks Community College or Colorado Mountain College must complete the enrollment process before the last day of school to be eligible for fall semester classes.
If your student is interested, please encourage them to meet with the school counselor as soon as possible to:
Complete required paperwork
Ensure registration is submitted
Ensure testing requirements are met to place into the class.
Confirm eligibility and course selection
Quarter 3 Reports Cards are Available: Reviewing Credits & Graduation Progress
Using Alma, families and students can:
Review posted grades
View transcripts
Track GPA
Monitor credit progress toward graduation
Per district policy, students must earn the following credits for grade level promotion. I will be reaching out toward the end of the year with any concerns regarding the need for summer school and such.
Sophomore (10th Grade): 6 credits
Junior (11th Grade): 13 credits
Senior (12th Grade): 19 credits
Graduation Requirement: 26 total credits
Summer School & Credit Recovery
Students who need to recover credits may enroll in summer school through Edgenuity.
Courses are individualized to student needs
Registration must be completed before the end of the school year
Parents will receive notification prior to enrollment
ICAP (Individual Career & Academic Plan) & SchooLinks
We use SchooLinks to:
Document volunteer hours
Track ICAP progress
Explore career pathways
View upcoming college and career representative visits
We encourage you to ask your student to show you their SchooLinks account to better understand their academic and postsecondary plans.
2026/2027 Schedules
I am working with students to understand their class preferences, but completed schedules will not be available until Back to School Night in August. Draft schedules might be shared in the meantime, but final schedules will not be able to be finalized until a few weeks before school begins. For students in Work Based Learning (11th and 12th Grade), I will be able to accomodate a morning or afternoon schedule that fits their needs as long as they have shared that preference with me.
Seniors - Class of 2026 - Important Dates and Deadlines
Senior night- Wednesday, April 29th, 6:00 PM. RSVP by April 8th please.
Rose order due- Monday, May 18th. $2/rose.
Check out sheets available in the office Monday, May 18th. Due back to Laurence no later than Wednesday, May 27th.
Graduation fee due no later than Thursday, May 21st.
Mandatory graduation rehearsal- Thursday, May 28th, 2:30 PM sharp.
Graduation ceremony- Saturday, May 30th, 10:30 AM.
Daddy Daughter Dance - Sponsored by FFA
Join us for a special night on April 18th, for the annual Daddy Daughter Dance! Please see flyer for details.
Is Your Student Struggling with Spring Allergies?
Is Your Student Struggling with Spring Allergies?
Seasonal allergies affect many students each spring. Spring pollen is a common trigger, causing sneezing, runny noses, and itchy eyes that can make it harder to focus in class.
The School-Based Health Center can help students manage symptoms and feel their best during the school day. Enrollment is open year-round!
To enroll your student or schedule an appointment, call 970-710-5049.
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¿Su estudiante está lidiando con alergias de primavera?
Las alergias estacionales afectan a muchos estudiantes cada primavera. El polen primaveral es un desencadenante común, causando estornudos, secreción nasal y ojos llorosos, lo que puede dificultar la concentración en clase.
El Centro de Salud Escolar puede ayudar a los estudiantes a controlar sus sÃntomas y sentirse mejor durante el dÃa escolar.
¡La inscripción está abierta todo el año! Para inscribir a su estudiante o programar una cita, llame al 970-710-5049.