Buffs Newsletter

The Smoky Hill STRIDE Clinic is being relocated to the southeast parking lot, just outside the Smoky Hill Cafeteria and Nurses' Office. Because of this, the southeast parking lot will be closed for construction and will reopen on Monday, November 24th.

Hello Smoky Hill Families,

Thank you for all of the thoughtful feedback you have shared over the past week regarding our attendance policy and several of its specific components. We appreciate your partnership and want to ensure that our policies are clear, consistent, and supportive of our students and families. Based on the concerns we have heard, we would like to provide the following clarification:

• Club Sports:

  • Moving forward, absences for club sports will be excused when verification and documentation are provided by families at least one week (7 days) in advance of the competition date.

• College Visits:

  • All college visits will be excused with verification and documentation submitted at least 24 hours in advance.

• Vacations:

  • Vacations will have the first three (3) days excused with appropriate documentation. Any vacation days beyond the initial three will not be excused.

As previously communicated, all absences and tardies must be reported to the Attendance Clerk (via Talking Points), Rosita Tantao, or the Dean’s Office , as these are the only individuals who can excuse absences requiring verification and documentation.

Thank you again for your continued communication and support as we work together to uphold a system that best serves our students.

In Partnership,

Rosita Tantao, Assistant Principal | Smoky Hill High School

Monday 12/1 GREEN DAY

Tuesday 12/2 RED DAY + Winter Dance Showcase @ 7:15 pm in Auditorium

Wednesday 12/3 GREEN DAY + SAC Meeting from 6-7:30 pm in MOCR

Thursday 12/4 RED DAY + Free FAFSA Workshop in Rm I-214

Friday 12/5 GREEN DAY

Save the Date for Tuesday, December 2 for our Winter Dance Showcase starting at 7:15 pm in the Auditorium.

The dance program is truly in a new era, which is why we named our dance showcase as such. We have a few returning students who are ready to step into leadership roles, many new students who are exploring their artistry in dance for the first time, as well as students who are taking the stage for the first time ever in their life!

We are also partnering with Smoky Hill Chamber Orchestra to perform a piece with live music, played by our incredible orchestra students.

December 3 from 6-7:30 pm Main Office Conference Room

Senior Families, if your child(ren) already applied to a 4-year college, 2-year college, or trade school, you might be wondering, “What do we do now?”

Your next step: Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

The SHHS Counseling Departments will be hosting a FREE workshop, with help from college financial aid professionals, to support students in completing their FAFSA application.

RSVP REQUIRED. If an interpreter is needed, please contact 720-886-5472.

LOCATION: Smoky Hill High School Rm I -214

Click on the date below to sign up:

• December 4th (Thursday) FAFSA Workshop

Students and their contributors (parent(s)/guardian(s) MUST attend the workshop to successfully submit the FAFSA.

** Before the workshop, students and their contributors need to get their FSA IDs. That way, they are ready to complete and submit the FAFSA at the workshop.

This meeting is virtual via Zoom. Meeting link will be shared next week.

Our Extended Advisory date for the month of December has changed from 12/3 to 12/10.

All students are expected to arrive on 12/10 at 8:20 am. School busses will run as normal.

Please email Assistant Principal Caitlyn Fox at cfox@cherrycreekschools.org with any questions.

Final exams are December 16-18. Final exams allow students to demonstrate what they’ve learned and to finalize their grades; they also reinforce a culture of academic excellence by setting high expectations, honoring sustained effort, and emphasizing true mastery of course content. To reinforce this belief, all teachers are expected to provide students with a final exam, culminating activity, or in class presentation on their designated exam day. In turn, students are expected to attend and participate in final exams. In the instance a student misses an exam/s, the Student Make-up/Late Work Policy applies, and if eligible based on that policy, would be able to make up the exam during the remainder of finals week or when school resumes after the winter break.

Registration for the Summer 2026 Colorado Health Careers Academy is NOW OPEN!

Colorado Health Careers Academy will be back at both the ACC, Littleton and CCD, Lowry campuses in the summer of 2026.

NEW for 2026! CHCA has partnered with AllHealth Network to offer a career exploration module in Behavioral Health!

Space is limited and students are encouraged to register early.

The Cherry Creek School District is happy to announce the kick-off of our process for nominating the 2025-2026 Educator of the Year. If you are interested in nominating an exceptional educator who represents Cherry Creek’s Mission – “To inspire students to think, to learn, to achieve, to care,” and the District’s Core Values: Growth Mindset, Equity, Whole Wellbeing, Engagement, and Relationships please read below for nominating instructions.

All teachers, special service providers (i.e., counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, therapists, etc.) and non-teaching licensed personnel (i.e., deans, instructional coaches, etc.) are eligible to be nominated. The written nomination should be 100 words or less and describe how the nominee exhibits and/or embodies our mission and core values. We are excited to honor our outstanding educators and we hope that you will participate in the nomination process.

Please click here to submit your nomination. Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff!

Are you CCSD unhoused or a family in transition? https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/programs-and-services/office-of-student-health/office-of-student-health/unhousedfamilies-in-transition-mckinney-vento

The More You Know…

Keeping Your Home Safe

Keeping your home a safe space for your teen involves securing any potentially harmful substances, such as alcohol, prescription medications, or vaping products. Consider implementing a system for monitoring your teen’s use of substances, and regularly talk about your expectations regarding use. Discuss the consequences of violating household rules and explain why these rules are in place. Having a locked storage space for medications and other substances can also help prevent misuse.

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

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)

The new https://www.readlearnleadco.org/ website is a helpful resource for families who want to support their child’s reading development at any age. It offers simple, everyday tips—like reading together, playing word games, or talking about your day—that can make a big difference. You’ll also find guidance on how to recognize reading challenges early and how to partner with your child’s school to create a personalized READ Plan. Resources are available in English and Spanish, and reading in your home language is encouraged!

Bison Football is building the next generation of athletes the Bison Way through discipline, teamwork, and community. We’re looking for players ages 8U–13U ready to grow, compete, and represent with pride!

Buffalo families and community. The Buffalo App is here.

Your one stop shop for all things Smoky Hill Activities and Athletics.

Download it today on the App Store and stay up to date with your favorite club/team.

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.

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 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!

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 (preferred),
• 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, or needed to leave early.
• 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 for daily absence.
• English: Attendance Voicemail- 720-886-5450
• Spanish Attendance Voicemail- 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 AND please send a Talking Points message. 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

Smoky Hill Counselors are working with students to teach them financial literacy. Why is teaching financial literacy important? Financial literacy is essential for all students, regardless of their background or future career path. It equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of personal finance, make informed decisions, and achieve financial security. Below are hyperlinks to resources for parents:

Financial Literacy Rocks

Personal Financial Literacy Resource Bank

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, we will host 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 and 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, and updated daily, by Ms. Marquita Millard, College & Career Specialist.

📅 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

11/21/2025, 11/14/2025, 11/7/2025, 10/31/25, 10/24/25, 10/10/25, 10/3/25, 9/26/25, 9/19/25, 9/12/25, 9/5/25, 8/29/25