As we head into winter, we want to ensure that everyone is prepared for the changes that weather can bring to our schedule. Our district spans from the lower elevations in Manitou Springs to higher elevations along Ute Pass, which means that weather conditions can vary dramatically across our schools. Sometimes it’s clear in one area, while another part of our district may be facing heavy snowfall.

Prioritizing Safety in Every Weather Decision

Our team closely monitors weather conditions across the district to make the safest decisions for our students and staff. If a change to our schedule is necessary, we strive to make the call as early as possible, with safety as our primary concern.

Two-Hour Delays and Closures
On days with a two-hour delay, all school start times and bus routes are shifted back two hours. Please note that morning preschool will be canceled on these days. If a two-hour delay is called on a late start Wednesday, students will still report at the normal delayed start time.

Stay Updated with Alerts

To receive real-time notifications about delays, closures, and other important updates, make sure your contact information is up to date with your school. You can also subscribe to text alerts by texting “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. For the latest updates, visit our website and follow us on social media. (Please view more information about text messaging here.)

For additional details, please see our Inclement Weather Document on the district website, and follow us on social media for timely updates.

Thank you for helping us keep our district safe during the winter season!

Sincerely,

Sean Dorsey
Superintendent of Schools
Manitou Springs School District 14

• Wednesday, November 6 - Late Start Wednesday (2-hour delay)
• Wednesday, November 20 - Late Start Wednesday (2-hour delay)
• Thursday, November 21 - District Accountability Committee Meeting (9-11 am)
• Monday, November 25-Friday, November 29 - Thanksgiving Break
• Wednesday, December 11 - Late Start Wednesday (2-hour delay)
• Thursday, December 19 - District Accountability Committee Meeting (9-11 am)
  
• Monday, December 23-Friday, January 3 - Winter Break
• Wednesday, January 8 - School Reconvenes
  

Board of Education Meetings

• Thursday, November 7 - Work Session (5 pm)
• Thursday, November 21 - Regular Meeting (5:30 pm)
• Thursday, December 5 - Work Session (5 pm)
• Monday, December 16 - Regular Meeting (5:30 pm)

Manitou Springs Elementary School continued its beloved tradition of the annual pumpkin drop! Students had a fantastic time predicting which pumpkin would hit the ground first and witnessing gravity in action. Special thanks to Paul and Missi for providing such a fun and educational experience for our staff and students. We appreciate you both for keeping this tradition alive!

Unity Day 2024 was a memorable celebration at Ute Pass Elementary School! Our students and staff came together to build commUNITY through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion—taking a powerful stand against bullying. Huge thanks to Mrs. Wood and our Student Council for their incredible efforts in organizing the day! The celebration ended on a high note with the whole school singing 'Lean on Me' and enjoying an all-school recess. The campus was a beautiful sea of orange, a vibrant symbol of our commitment to unity and respect.

On October 9th, students at Manitou Springs Middle School participated in Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day! A total of 22 students arrived at school using eco-friendly modes of transportation and were greeted with a special treat. This initiative not only promotes healthy, active habits but also helps to reduce traffic in our community—an effort we are proud to support!

Manitou Springs High School is proud to celebrate its forty students who qualified as Advanced Placement Scholars for the 2023-2024 school year! Congratulations to the 23 AP Scholars (who earned a score of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams), five AP Scholars with Honors (who earned a 3 or higher on four or more AP exams and maintained an average of 3.25+), and 12 AP Scholars with Distinction (who earned a 3 or higher on five or more AP exams and averaged 3.5+). Your hard work, curiosity, and brilliance elevate our entire community—thank you! A special shout out to the dedicated AP teaching staff members who make this possible for our students.

*2024 graduates who have received this honor are not pictured.

We’re forming a Bond Steering Committee to guide important facility improvements and set the stage for our schools’ future. This committee will play a vital role in guiding facility improvements, ensuring the best for our students and staff. If you're passionate about supporting our students, staff, and community, this is a great opportunity to make a difference!

Interested?
Scan the QR code below to fill out a quick form, or contact Suzi Thompson at sthompson@mssd14.org for more details.

Join us in building a stronger future for Manitou Springs School District!

Mr. Walker, English teacher at the high school, and Mrs. Dunlap, Art teacher at Manitou Springs Elementary School, saw an opportunity for collaboration when they were brought together on the Art's Integration Committee. Mrs. Dunlap had just completed the Manitou Monster project, where kindergartners create monsters with a specific list of attributes and draw them. Over the summer, each student is paired with a local artist who creates a version of that monster in their own medium, and then the results are displayed in a gallery the following year.

Mr. Walker was about to begin a unit on Beowulf. His English IV seniors are going to put Beowulf on trial for the crime of Monstrosity, so they are beginning to study monsters and monstrosity in literature. Monsters exist to police the moral and social boundaries of the societies that create them. Seeing an opportunity, Mr. Walker brought his seniors down to MSES, where they picked three monsters to study. Using the monster's traits to determine the social boundaries that the monsters subvert or enforce, Mr. Walker's seniors reverse-engineered the society that would create the monster. For instance, a monster that eats watermelon would come from a society that was concerned about the responsible consumption of the earth's resources.

It was a fun day, with seniors reminiscing about their days in elementary school, using their imaginations, and taking advantage of the proximity and unique artistic environment of Manitou Springs!

Each Holiday Season, the Wellness Team of Manitou Springs School District 14 coordinates supporting families in need with food and gifts for the holidays. This is open to all families who have a child (or children) attending one of our district's schools.

Below are links to more information if you need support or if you would like to support a family:

• Holiday Help Family Needs
• D14 Holiday Help Adopt a Family

As part of our commitment to providing the best experience for our students and families, we’re conducting a Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey in partnership with Studer Education. Your feedback will help us understand what’s working well and where we can improve.

The survey takes about 10–15 minutes to complete, and you can fill it out for each school your children attend. The survey closes on November 8.

• You can access the survey here: https://forms.hcg.com/f/41753602/1402/
• Or scan the QR code below.

Thank you for helping us improve our schools!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the tailgate and football game on Friday, October 11, as we dedicated George Rykovich Stadium in honor of Coach Rykovich's incredible legacy at Manitou Springs. The evening was filled with community spirit and Mustang pride as we celebrated his contributions during the halftime ceremony.

If you would like to continue supporting the new stadium, we encourage you to consider donating to help create a lasting tribute for future generations. You can contribute here: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZJJYF1YWH0RCDT_ZZ646AVB24RKLNR.

Go Mustangs!

Our inaugural Manitou 5K was a tremendous success, with 360 participants helping us surpass our fundraising goal! Thanks to the efforts of our runners, walkers, and 40 amazing volunteers, we raised an impressive $12,300 for our middle school arts programs—well over our $10,000 target. A huge thank you to everyone who made this event possible. We’re excited to continue this new tradition for years to come!

Why Work With Us?

• 181 Day Work Calendar
• Paid time off:
• 10 annual/sick
• Health and retirement benefits
• Supportive work environment
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Pay varies with experience (minimum $15.50/hour)

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist special education teachers in delivering individualized education plans (IEPs).
• Support students in understanding and completing classroom assignments.
• Implement instructional strategies as directed by the special education teacher.
• Modify materials and adapt lessons to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
• Implement behavioral intervention plans and strategies.
• Monitor and record student progress and behavior.
• Support positive behavior reinforcement and conflict resolution.
• Assist in maintaining a structured and supportive classroom environment.Ensure students' physical needs are met to promote comfort and safety.
• Supervise students in various settings, including classrooms, hallways, lunchrooms, and during extracurricular activities.
• Maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

Qualifications:

• Fingerprint/background screening required
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience working with special needs children is preferred

Apply Now:
Support Staff:
https://www.applitrack.com/ManitouSprings14/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?AppliTrackJobId=557&FromAdmin=True

Why Work With Us?

• Paid time off:
• 12 annual/sick
• 10 vacation
• 14 holidays
• Health and retirement benefits
• Supportive work environment
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Pay varies with experience (minimum $16/hour)

Job Responsibilities:

• Perform routine maintenance tasks, including minor repairs, painting, and general upkeep.
• Assist with landscaping duties, such as mowing, trimming, and snow removal.
• Maintain the cleanliness and safety of school buildings and grounds.
• Ensure that all areas are safe and ready for student and staff use.
• Support the set up and tear down of events and activities as needed.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Experience in custodial work, maintenance, or related field preferred.
• Ability to operate basic maintenance tools and equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility to work daytime and evening shifts as needed.

Apply Now:
Buildings and Grounds:
https://www.applitrack.com/ManitouSprings14/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Maintenance%2fCustodial

Ready to make a difference in a positive learning environment? Explore our open positions on our website or contact our Human Resources Specialist, Erika Warren, at ewarren@mssd14.org for more information.

We're on Facebook and Instagram! Follow our pages to stay up-to-date on what's going on in our schools.

District pages:

District Facebook: @manitouspringsschooldistrict14

District Instagram: @manitouspringsschooldistrict14

School Facebook pages:

Manitou Springs Elementary School: @manitouspringselementaryschool

Ute Pass Elementary School: @utepasselementaryschool

Manitou Springs Middle School: @manitouspringsmiddleschool

Manitou Springs High School: @manitouspringshighschool

Athletics & Activities: @mssd14athleticsactivities