Straight from the Superintendent

Dear Manitou Springs Staff and Families,

As we head into the second quarter, I want to take a moment to celebrate the great work happening across our schools. Classrooms are alive with learning, our dedicated staff continues to go above and beyond to support every student, and our community spirit remains strong.

I am also thrilled to share that our recent bond measure has passed, providing $37.6 million to invest in critical improvements to our infrastructure, accessibility, and safety and security. This milestone reflects our community’s deep commitment to creating safe, welcoming, and future-ready learning environments for all students.

Thank you to our staff, families and community members for your ongoing partnership and trust. Your support makes all the difference as we continue working together to ensure that every student thrives.

Warm regards,

Sean Dorsey
Superintendent of Schools
Manitou Springs School District 14

This is an incredible milestone for Manitou Springs School District 14, and it would not have been possible without the support, engagement, and dedication of our community to our students and staff.

With the bond approved, our next steps include:

• Selecting the Bond Oversight Committee – see more information below

• Developing detailed project timelines for planned improvements

• Beginning the bid process for upcoming work

• Preparing and submitting a BEST Grant application to maximize funding and stretch local dollars even further

This investment in our schools will strengthen safety and security, improve accessibility, and upgrade infrastructure across our district, ensuring that our facilities reflect the excellence happening inside our classrooms every day.

Thank you again for voting yes on 4C. Together, we are building a stronger, safer, and more sustainable future for Manitou Springs School District 14.

We’re looking for community members who are passionate about supporting our students and schools to serve on the Bond Oversight Committee. This committee will help ensure transparency and accountability as we move forward with projects funded by the recently approved 4C Bond. The committee will begin meeting once a month starting in December and may shift to quarterly meetings during the 2026–2027 school year. Applicants must live in or own a business within the Manitou Springs School District boundaries (address verification required).

If you’re ready to collaborate and make a difference, we’d love to have you apply! Please use the link below to submit your application. The deadline to apply is November 21st, 2025.

November 4th-20th: UPES Thanksgiving Boxed Food Drive

November 17th: MSES Community Food Drive | Touch the Truck Event 3:00-4:00pm

November 19th: 2 Hour Delay Start for Students

November 21st: Deadline to apply for the Bond Oversight Committee
November 24-28th: Thanksgiving Break. NO SCHOOL.
December 10th: 2 Hour Delay Start for Students

December 11th: BOE Work Session at 4:45pm. BOE Regular Meeting at 5:45pm at UPES.

December 12th: Coffee with the Community at MSES. 8:00am
December 22-January 2nd: Winter Break. District Closed.

We were excited to continue the Manitou Springs School District 14 Digital Magazine, Rooted and Rising, for Fall 2025!

We share inspiring stories, student and staff spotlights, and the many ways we’re living out our commitment to relationships, deep learning, and opportunity. Stay tuned for the next edition coming out at the beginning of 2026!

Ute Pass Elementary hosted their annual Día de los Muertos celebration! Señor Batson, Mrs. Kettler, and their PAC team planned, coordinated, and executed an amazing event. A highlight was the collective ofrenda, a traditional altar that showcased research and new learning from each grade level.

Several high school volunteers from both Manitou Springs and Woodland Park helped make the day even more special. Students were able to get a passport, visit all the stations, and turn it in for a prize bag! Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success and to the families and students who attended. For more photos from the celebration, check out Ute Pass Elementary’s Facebook page.

Manitou Springs Elementary hosted their first-ever Pumpkin Decorating Contest and the creativity was incredible! Congrats to Ms. Larsen’s class for taking 1st place and earning a pizza party! After some hands-on pumpkin science fun, we wrapped up with a crowd favorite — the Pumpkin Drop — expertly emceed by Ms. Thompson and launched by Mr. Paul. The day ended with a festive costume parade and classroom parties. Thanks to all the families who donated pumpkins, came to the parade, helped out with classroom parties and helped make this tradition possible. What a great day! To see more photos of the pumpkins, head over to Manitou Springs Elementary's Facebook page.

Our MSHS boys and girls cross country teams had an incredible season, showing dedication, teamwork, and perseverance. The boys were Tri Peaks League Champs (their 2nd in 3 years), Class 3A, Region 5 Champs, and finished 3rd in the Colorado 3A State Invitational. The girls were Tri Peaks League Champs for the second year in a row, Class 3A, Region 5 Champs, and finished 2nd in the Colorado 3A State Invitational. A huge congratulations to all the athletes for their hard work and determination, and a special thank-you to Coach Sherwood, Coach Mack, and Coach Paradise for their dedication and for inspiring a love of the sport in our students. What a season! Your effort and team spirit made us all proud!

This fall MSHS launched Sources of Strength! Staff and nominated students had the opportunity to come together on October 1st to train with a National Trainer from this fantastic, research-based peer leadership program. Sources programming is a social-emotional focused program that emphasizes strength, connection via teaching us how to maintain our hope, strength and help-seeking even when times get tough. More than 40 of our high schoolers attended the training and are now Peer Leaders on campus. Teachers who are advising this group are: Mr. Lewis, Ms. Tindall, Ms. Perez, Ms. Selz, Mr. Gilliam, Mr. Williams, Ms. Santos & Ms. Pratt. We had a successful first campaign of the year “When You’re Haunted By Big Emotions…Who You Gonna Call?” The entire campus participated to create a Halloween-themed display honoring those who support us when times get tough. The school paper recently ran an article on the launch of Sources: https://mshsprospector.org/21503/showcase/mshs-revives-sources-of-strength/

MSMS is proud and excited to enter its third year of Sources of Strength! On October 2nd our newest crew of student leaders spent the day at a high energy training which built camaraderie and strengthened leadership skills. Our 2025-26 MSMS Sources Team has hit the ground running and are already heading into their 3rd campaign of the school year. Sources of Strength is an upstream approach to mental health promotion and prevention of adverse outcomes such as suicide, violence, bullying, and substance misuse. It builds campus culture and increases belonging across the campus.

Shout out to our MSMS Advisor Team: Ms. Mattison, Mr. Malloy, Ms. Greene, Ms. Bartlett, Mr. Holt, Ms. Jeck, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Bethke & Ms. Pratt. We are proud of the important prevention work happening and excited for what’s to come.

Over the summer, we celebrated the incredible journeys of our students as they grow, achieve, and thrive. We will continue to highlight the passion, perseverance, and potential that define the Manitou Advantage. If you haven’t seen them yet, head over to the Manitou Springs School District Facebook page for all of our Rooted and Rising videos! Rooted in Manitou, Rising Beyond.