MARAUDERS WEEKLY

January 19

• No School

January 20

• Blue Day
• ACCESS Testing CLDE Students
• After School Tutoring, 3:15-4:45 PM
• Girls Basketball @. TCA, 6PM
• Boys Basketball vs. TCA, 6 PM

January 21

• Alternative Schedule
• Progress Learning PSAT/SAT Practice, 7:35-11:05 AM
• 8th Grade Discovery Day, 12-3:10 PM
• After School Tutoring, 3:15-4:45 PM
• Girls Wrestling @ Sand Creek, TBD

January 22

• Blue Day
• ACCESS Testing CLDE Students
• After School Tutoring, 3:15-4:45 PM
• Boys Wrestling @ Ralston Valley, TBD
• Boys Basketball vs. Sierra, 6 PM
• Girls Basketball @ Sierra, 6 PM

January 23

• Orange Day: Marauder PRIDE Day
• ACCESS Testing CLDE Students

• Boys/Girls Wrestling, TBD

I hope you are enjoying a well-deserved three-day weekend as we take time to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King challenged our nation to live up to its highest ideals: justice, dignity, and equal opportunity for everyone. He believed that each person should be judged by their character, and that our communities are strongest when we work together. His vision still guides us toward a more hopeful and fair future.

Every day at Mitchell High School, I see how Dr. King's vision continues. The diversity of our students, staff, and families makes our community stronger and helps us reach for excellence together.

Last week showed this in action. Alongside a strong week of teaching and learning, we saw true Marauders pride during Alumni Night at the Boys Varsity Basketball game on Thursday, January 15. The gym was full of energy and connection. SAC Co-Chair Reverend Bibbs gave a moving rendition of the National Anthem, our cheerleaders inspired the crowd, the pep band played the fight song, the AFJROTC Reds showed their precision, and the 1975 state-champion football team returned to be recognized and present their Colorado Springs Hall of Fame plaque, which will soon be displayed on campus, and the Varsity basketball team played their best game of basketball thus far in the season.

It was a special night that showed the best of our school and community.

This week will keep up the same energy. On Wednesday, January 21, we will have a modified schedule so students and staff can take part in the second and final round of the Progress Learning PSAT/SAT benchmark assessment in the morning. In the afternoon, we look forward to welcoming 8th-grade students from our D11 feeder schools: Swigert, Galileo, and Sabin. We will showcase Mitchell’s culture, academic programs, and the opportunities that make our school a great place to learn and develop. The inaugural 8th Grade Discovery Day is important for building our future enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year.

Please review all school communications for all details, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you, as always, for your consistent support of Mitchell High School, where we know that all students can learn and be prepared for life after high school. Let’s keep working together to build the kind of community, Dr. King dreamed of: one based on respect, opportunity, and shared purpose.

Let’s make it another great week, Marauders Nation and get those WINS - We Increase Numbers by believing in our Students!

George C. Smith, Principal

The School Accountability Committee (SAC) comprises a dedicated team committed to driving student success and ongoing school improvement. Reverend Michael Bibbs and Alyssa Webb serve as co-chairs for the 2025-2026 school year, bringing strong collaborative leadership that will further strengthen the SAC’s mission. Their guidance is expected to boost parental engagement and foster greater community involvement.

The next SAC meeting will be held at its regularly scheduled time and place, Mitchell High School, on Thursday, February 12, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. For your convenience, a virtual attendance option is also available via the provided link.

We sincerely appreciate everyone who has attended and contributed to the Mitchell High School SAC. Your involvement is vital to our shared success.

For more information, contact our committee:

Co-Chair Michael Bibbs at michaelbibbs039@gmail.com (719) 287-2729

Co-Chair Alyssa Webb at opuswebb@gmail.com (719) 475-7465

DAC Representative Alyssa Webb ... Substitute Representative Sharon Simpson-Dogon

Secretary Sharon Simpson-Dogon at yeswellnessmatters@gmail.com

A Note About College Applications and Post-Secondary Planning:

Senior students still needing help completing their college applications should see Mrs. Montez or Mr. Cooks in the Future Center. If students are not interested in attending college directly after high school, we still need to meet with you! There are lots of other opportunities for students who are interested in apprenticeships, internships, military, etc.

Students With Jobs Outside of School/Potential High School Credit:

For any student who is employed and has not filled out the application for high school credit in Schoolinks, please see Mrs. Montez or Mr. Cooks in the Future Center. Students who work a certain number of hours within a semester can earn high school credits.

The Future Center would also like to wish all students a great first week back!

Marauder Athletics at 8th Grade Discovery Day
Marauder Athletics will be on display during 8th Grade Discovery Day on Wednesday as we welcome our future Marauders! During breakout sessions, our student-athletes will share their personal “Why”—why they play, compete, and represent Mitchell—giving incoming students an inside look at the heart of Marauder athletics.

Winter Sports Spirit Week is Coming!
Get ready, Marauders! Winter Sports Spirit Week runs February 2–6, bringing a full week of school spirit, themed days, and fun as we celebrate our winter athletes. The week will wrap up with a high-energy pep assembly you won’t want to miss. Start planning your blue and orange spirit gear now and get ready to show your Marauder pride!

Mitchell's 1975 Hall of Fame State Football Champions present the Hall of Fame plaque at Thursday night's Alumni Night.

Ready To Learn Class Meetings – The Big 3 Reset

This week, our students participated in Ready To Learn class meetings to reinforce the expectations that keep Mitchell High School safe, structured, and focused on learning. As we begin the new semester, we revisited The Big 3 Resets to ensure all students understand the expectations and supports in place.

1. Dress Code – No Hats, Hoodies Up, or Headwear Inside the Building

As a safety precaution and per district guidelines, students may not wear hats, hoodies over the head, or any type of headwear while inside the school building. Maintaining visible faces and clear identification strengthens our overall safety plan.

2. Securly Pass – Required for Any Classroom Exit

All students are required to use Securly Pass any time they leave the classroom—restroom, nurse, or any other destination.

• Students receive 4 passes per day.
• This system helps us monitor student movement, reduce hallway traffic, and protect valuable instruction time.

3. Personal Electronic Devices – Stored in Yondr Pouches

Per Colorado Springs School District 11 Board Policy, students must secure personal electronic devices in their Yondr pouch throughout the school day. This includes:

• Cell phones
• Earphones & AirPods
• Smartwatches
• All other personal electronic devices

Students may also choose to store devices in a secure, locked case in the Discipline Office.

Why Attendance Matters

Attending school every day is one of the most important habits a student can build. According to Attendance Works, regular attendance is a major predictor of academic and social success at every grade level. Students who attend school consistently are more likely to:

• Achieve academically – Regular attendance increases the likelihood of passing core subjects such as reading and math.

• Stay on track for graduation – By high school, chronic absence becomes one of the strongest warning signs for dropping out. Missing 10% or more of the school year—even excused absences—can significantly impact progress.

• Build positive habits and routines – Attendance Works emphasizes that early, consistent attendance helps students develop responsibility, time management, and strong work habits that carry into adulthood.

• Strengthen social and emotional skills – Being present at school allows students to build relationships, participate in the school community, and develop important social skills.

Simply put: Students can’t learn if they aren’t in class. Even a few absences per month can add up quickly and create academic challenges before families realize how much instructional time has been lost.

We appreciate your partnership in ensuring that every student is Ready To Learn every day. If you have questions about any of the Big 3 expectations or attendance support, please contact the Office of Student Discipline & Attendance (719-328-6685).

Last week, CLDE students successfully completed the Listening and Reading portions of the WIDA ACCESS assessment. This week, students will complete the Speaking and Writing sections.

If a student is absent during their scheduled testing time, they will coordinate with their CLDE teacher to complete make-up testing.

Please reach out to Ms. Silva or Ms. Lavery with any questions. Thank you for supporting our students as they demonstrate their language growth and skills.

In psychology, a locus of control refers to how people explain the causes of success and failure in their lives, and for high school students, this mindset can shape both academic achievement and personal growth. An internal locus of control means believing that effort, decisions, and persistence play a central role in outcomes, while an external locus of control frames results as the product of luck, unfair rules, difficult teachers, or forces beyond one’s influence. When students develop an internal locus of control, they are more likely to take responsibility for their learning, respond to feedback, and view setbacks as opportunities to improve rather than as permanent limitations. Teachers benefit as well, because classrooms grounded in this mindset foster engagement, resilience, and meaningful growth rather than resignation. In contrast, a strong external locus of control can quietly undermine both teaching and learning; students may disengage, blame circumstances for repeated failures, and see little reason to change their behavior. If carried into adulthood, this mindset can have lasting consequences, leading individuals to feel powerless in their careers, relationships, and goals, forever reacting to life rather than shaping it, and waiting for change instead of becoming the force that creates it. What daily practices can you develop to fortify your internal locus of control?"