From The Principal

Happy October!

This week, we had an amazing College Fair featuring over 40

schools, showcasing a range of in state and out of state colleges–thank you to our Counseling department for making it a success!

We are also proud to announce that we've been recognized as one of the US News and World Report Best High Schools, and we’ve earned the AP Honor Roll: Gold. Huge congratulations to our dedicated staff and hardworking students for achieving these honors!

Tomorrow we are looking forward to the Manitou 5K starting at 8 am. We have already raised over $10,000 for our MSMS Arts Programs: a big thank you to the students, staff, and community members who have contributed to this effort and a special thank you to Cassandra Bresnahan for her vision!

Looking ahead, please remember that next Wednesday, October 9th, will not be a late start day due to PSAT 9 for 9th graders and PSAT NMSQT for 10th and 11th graders (no school for 12th graders).

Enjoy your weekend!

Anna Conrad

Manitou Springs High School

Principal

Manitou 5K: Saturday, 10/5 at 8 am

Come celebrate the beauty of Manitou Springs! Race starts and ends in Fields park. Run along the rolling creek, view the art along the creekwalk, loop the beautiful parks full of murals, sculptures, disc golf, skateparks and more. The path is flat and accessible to all. Run/walk. Bring your family, bring your neighbor, bring your friends! Chip timed by CCR Timing. T-shirt designed by Mirka (an 8th grader at MSMS)!

Sign up now!

Learn more

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Upcoming PSAT/NMSQT Testing, Wednesday, October 9th

Dear Mustang Students and Families,

On Wednesday, October 9th, the high school will have testing for 9th -11th graders starting at 8:05 am (this will NOT be a late start). Seniors will NOT have school on October 9th. 9th grade will take the PSAT 9, while Grades 10 and 11 will take the PSAT NMSQT. Testing for students without accommodations will conclude approximately 11:30 am, followed by lunch available for students from 11:30-12:00 pm. Families may pick up students anytime after testing concludes at approximately 11:30 am. If students are not waiting for the early bus, they must be picked up by 12:00 pm. Early bus routes for high school students will leave from the plaza at 12:30 pm and students may wait in the commons if they are taking the early bus.

For students with testing accommodations, testing will conclude by approximately 1:00 pm. Regular buses will run at 3:20 pm. Lunch will be provided for them once their testing concludes. Families may pick their students up after testing concludes at approximately 1:00 pm or supervision will be provided in the commons for these students until the 3:20 buses.

The PSAT 9 and PSAT NMSQT exams give students, families, and our school information regarding where students are in meeting career and college readiness benchmarks. Additionally, the PSAT NMSQT enables 11th grade students to be eligible to compete for the National Merit Scholarship.

Research shows that taking PSAT aligned tests in preparation for the SAT decreases stress and increases readiness and scores for students. As part of our career and college readiness work at MSHS, students will continue to take these tests in the fall and spring until April of their junior year when they will take the SAT. The SAT is used by colleges (to include community colleges) all over the country for college acceptance, scholarships, and at times placement into courses. Furthermore, if students earn qualifying scores for both Math and English, the SAT can satisfy the testing element of Colorado’s Menu of Graduation Requirements (which students need to earn in addition to the minimum number of credits to be able to graduate).

Additionally, this year the SAT Suite of Assessments will be taken by ALL students online. Students will be given the opportunity to test their devices through the College Board Student Portal called Bluebook, which is an app downloaded on their device. Our technology team has been visiting advisory classes to ensure all devices are prepared for testing. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring that students have their charged devices with them at school on testing day, as well as all other chargers etc. that will support their success on this day.

Thank you in advance for your partnership on this matter and please reach out to us if you have any further questions.

Best,

Jessie Nunley

Manitou Springs High School

School Assessment Coordinator

Assistant Principal

Save The Date!

After gathering community input, we’re excited to announce that the Manitou Springs School Board of Education has officially approved renaming our stadium "George Rykovich Stadium" in honor of our legendary coach, George Rykovich!

Join us for a special dedication ceremony during our varsity football game on Friday, October 11th at 7 PM as we celebrate Coach Rykovich's incredible legacy. We want to pack the stands to honor the man who led the Mustangs to 222 victories and two state championships (1987 & 1990) during his 36 years as head coach.

Coach Rykovich was also formally inducted into the Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame on January 23, 2023—an honor only two Mustangs have received.

Let’s come together as a community to honor Coach Rykovich’s extraordinary contributions to our school and the state. More details will be shared soon—stay tuned! Be part of this historic moment and cheer on the Mustangs!

Check Out This Week's Prospector

The Prospector is the online student newspaper for MSHS! This publication is run by students in the Advanced Journalism class and advised by Amanda Kerrigan. Multiple articles are posted weekly and can be read on the site or through Facebook or Instagram. Support MSHS student journalism by following The Prospector and engaging with the content.

This weeks articles:

Reintroduction of wolverines to Colorado is important for ecosystem by Frank Brost

Blended learning program up and running by Kaleb Cervantes and Elliot Mettler

Logan Moore committed to Dordt University by MaKenzi VerVaecke and Jarrin Hall

The Muse is the digital literary magazine of MSHS! Students can submit art, photography, short stories, poetry, and original music and video to prospector@mssd14.org. Check out our latest submission!

Dogs Having a Party by Madison Sharon

You can follow on INSTAGRAM or like us on FACEBOOK to see our social media stories and contests!

A Word From The Counselors

MSHS high school counselors Mr. Lewis (last names A-K) and Mrs. Strupp (last names L-Z) presented to all senior advisories last week information about the College Application Process & Post- Secondary Options. Please ask your student about this presentation! Counselors also emailed a copy of the presentation to all senior students so they can reference it back to it as it has MANY helpful links and videos! We spoke about the upcoming October Colorado Free Application Day$ , Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Common app vs Direct to institution applications, how to request a letter of recommendation, important deadlines, upcoming college fair opportunities and much more!!

A reminder to all students and families Naviance is not how students apply to college but it is important that all students keep their college list updated in Naviance as it is the ONLY way that MSHS sends transcripts and letters of recommendation so students can finalize their applications. Students need to apply to their schools either 1) via Common App (https://www.commonapp.org/) or 2) directly to the university/college via their individual websites. A reminder that students simply need to request an appointment with their counselor if they have any questions. We are here to help!

UPDATED: Yearbook Price Schedule

October 1- October 18: $65

October 19- February 21: $75

February 21- Onward: $85

I made a mistake communicating the price schedule in prior communications. I apologize, and it will not happen again. Please buy your yearbook now before the price increases again.

Buy your yearbooks now before the price increases!

Link to buy: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A00968300

Senior Photo Deadline

Senior Photos are due on Halloween. So that's midnight on October 31!

Here is the link to submit: https://images.jostens.com/ImageShare/upload

When you submit, make sure you provide your student's name. Senior quotes go in the "Description" box.

Senior Ads

Senior Ads are due February 1st.

If you would like a member of the yearbook staff to design your ad for you, rather than getting the standard Josten's Template, we can do that for you for an extra $15 fee. Proceeds go to the Yearbook Camera budget. Contact Mr. Walker at rwalker@mssd14.org for more information.

Here is the link to buy an ad: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1009002/Manitou-Springs-High-School/

Thank you!

Important Upcoming Dates:

Friday, October 4: Varsity Cross Country Invitational Vs. Summit @ Summit High School @5PM; Varsity Football Vs. Florence @ Florence High School @7PM

Saturday, October 5 : Manitou 5K (8 am)

Monday, October 7: JV Football Vs. Florence High School @ Manitou Springs HS @4PM

Tuesday, October 8: Girls Volleyball Vs. Woodland Park @ Woodland Park @ C (4:30PM) JV (5:30PM) Varsity (6:30PM); Boys Varsity Soccer Vs. James Irwin Charter @ James Irwin @ 6PM

Wednesday, October 9: PSAT 9th-11th Grade (Release approximately 11:30AM); No school 12th Grade

Thursday, October 10: Girls Volleyball Vs. Banning Lewis Prep @ Manitou Springs HS @ C (4PM) JV (5PM) Varsity (6PM)

Friday, October 11: George Rykovich Stadium dedication @ 7PM; Varsity Cross Country Championship Vs. The Vanguard @ Monument Valley Park @ 3PM; Varsity Football Vs. La Junta @ Manitou Springs HS @ 7PM

Monday, October 14: JV Football Vs. La Junta @ La Junta @ 4:30PM

Tuesday, October 15: Girls Volleyball Vs. Lamar @ Lamar @ C (4:30PM) JV (5:30PM) Varsity (6:30PM)

Thursday, October 17 : Staff Work Day (No Students); Boys Soccer Vs. Lamar @ Manitou Springs HS @ JV (4PM) Varsity (6PM)

Friday, October 18 : Fall Break (Schools and District Office closed)

Monday, October 21: JV Football Vs. Lamar @ Manitou Springs HS @ 4PM

Tuesday, October 22: Boys Soccer Vs. Atlas Prep @ Manitou Springs HS @ JV (4PM) Varsity (6PM); Girls Volleyball Vs. Colorado Springs Christian @ Colorado Springs Christian @ C (4PM) JV (5PM) Varsity (6PM)

Thursday, October 24: Conferences (12:30 PM Student Dismissal); Girls Volleyball Vs. Salida @ Manitou Springs HS @ C (4PM) JV (5PM) Varsity (6PM); Boys Soccer Vs. Woodland Park @ Woodland Park @ JV (4:30PM) Varsity (6:30PM)

Friday, October 25 - Conferences (No School); Varsity Football Vs. Woodland Park @ Manitou Springs HS @ 7PM