Buff Newsletter

Dear Smoky Hill Community,

Thank you to our students, parents, and guardians for your partnership and support this week. It truly makes a difference. As we approach Fall Break, let's finish the first quarter strong. Students, please keep working hard, communicate with your teachers, and submit your assignments on time. It's The Buffalo Way. We are very grateful for your help in reaching our Panorama SEL survey goal of 65% completion! Your voices guide how we support every student. Thank you also for prioritizing attendance on Count Day. Our students' presence ensures that we receive accurate funding and resources for our school. We also recognize Yom Kippur. To all who observe, we wish you a meaningful day.

Looking ahead, College & Career Readiness Day is Wednesday, October 8, 2025. We ask that our students please arrive on time and give their best effort in engaging in the activities that will support their next steps beyond high school.

Thank you for your continued support!

With tremendous gratitude,

Dr. Andre Bala "

Monday 10/6 RED DAY

Tuesday 10/7 GREEN DAY

Wednesday 10/8 College Career Readiness Day/Early Dismissal

Thursday 10/9 RED DAY + Fall Choir Concert (Auditorium @ 7:15)

Friday 10/10 GREEN Day

Wednesday, October 8th is College and Career Readiness Day.

• 9th grade students have been registered to take the PSAT 8/9.
• 10th and 11th grade students have been registered to take the PSAT/NMSQT.

These practice assessments expose students to the style of questions and content they will see on the SAT in the spring of their junior year. Students who participate in these practice exams score on average higher than students who do not. Additionally, 11th grade students to take the PSAT/NMSQT are eligible for scholarship opportunities based on their overall performance. For more information, click here.

• October 8th at 4pm is the deadline cut off for grades. Any Ds or Fs will result in staying in FAST for 2nd quarter.
• Students must have an 85% daily attendance rate to get out of FAST.
• Students who have been out of school suspended will return for 2nd quarter.

The More You Know…

Caregiver & Family Involvement in Prevention

Family involvement is one of the most protective factors against teen substance use. The more engaged and present you are in your teen's life, the more likely they are to make healthier choices. Maintain open lines of communication and create a supportive, non-judgmental environment where your teen feels safe discussing their concerns. Set a good example by modeling healthy habits and attitudes toward substances. Strong family bonds and positive reinforcement help teens feel supported, valued, and understood, which reduces the likelihood of them turning to substances.

Reinforcing Positive Choices

While it’s important to discuss the dangers of substance use, it's equally important to recognize and reinforce your teen’s positive behaviors. When they make healthy decisions—like choosing to stay substance-free, walking away from peer pressure, or helping a friend—acknowledge and praise them. Positive reinforcement strengthens their sense of responsibility and encourages them to keep making good choices. Let them know that their actions matter and that they are capable of making responsible decisions. Engaging in rewarding activities, like sports or volunteering, can also boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment.

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

We will be administering the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and the PSAT/NMSQT to our 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students on Wednesday October 8. This assessment is an important step in preparing for college admissions, scholarships, and future opportunities. For juniors, the PSAT/NMSQT is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

To help students feel confident and perform their best, we encourage juniors to take advantage of free preparation resources:

• Learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT and why it matters: College Board – PSAT/NMSQT Overview
• Access FREE personalized, high-quality practice: Khan Academy – SAT & PSAT Prep

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.

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.

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.

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

What is Star?

Guidance on how to read the Star Student Report is available here and is also translated.

Translated versions of the directions below can be found here

For questions specific to the report, please have them speak with their student’s teacher.

For questions about missing reports (for students who took the Star assessments), please have them email assessment@cherrycreekschools.org

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

Minga is a secure digital platform that provides students with a virtual ID card, allows for hall pass tracking, and improves event and club communication. It’s designed to reduce classroom disruptions, support our staff in knowing where students are during the school day, and provide students with easier access to school resources and information.

How is Smoky Hill using Minga?

• Digital IDs: Students will use their phones to access their school ID, which they’ll scan to enter after school events. (Your student will need a physical I.D. for the school day.)

• Hall Passes: Teachers will issue digital hall passes, giving staff real-time information about students who are outside the classroom.

• Accountability & Safety: By having accurate and immediate visibility, Smoky Hill can better support student safety, reduce hallway wandering, clear bathrooms and respond quickly to concerns within the building.

• Engagement: Minga will also be used to highlight school events, announcements, and student celebrations to build a stronger sense of community. Minga will also support tickets for homecoming and prom.
  
  

Why are we implementing Minga?

What should families know?

• Students receive Minga training and login instructions at school.

• Minga is FERPA compliant.

• Students and staff are expected to use Minga as the hall pass system and violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action(s).

For more information visit https://minga.io/

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.

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

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