Burro Blast

August 2023

Principal's Corner

WELCOME BACK!

I hope everyone enjoyed their summer. We are very excited about the upcoming year!

Please take the time to review this month's Burro Blast for important beginning of the year information. If you have any questions you may contact me at kevin.sellers@parkcountyre2.org.

Introducing Our new staff members:

We are thrilled to introduce our new teachers to the MS/HS staff:

Mr. David Bourland is from Ohio and will be our MS/HS Band Teacher.
Mr. James Anderson is from Fairplay and will be our Building Trades and Automotive Teacher
Mr. Felix Olarita will be coming to us from the Philippines and will be our HS Science teacher.
Mr. Aldrin Castillo is also from the Philippines and will be our 11th and 12th grade English teacher.
Mrs. Kenna Haase, who was teaching 4th grade last year at ETE, will be serving as our Dean of Students for, both, ETE and South Park MS/HS.
Mrs. Jen Lilliott, who was teaching 5th grade last year at ETE will be teaching MS Social Studies, replacing Mr./Coach Rivas, who is pumped about teaching PE and Health.

Mr. Olarita and Mr. Castillo, unfortunately, are going to be delayed in arriving until the first of September, but I know when they arrive, our students, staff and the community, will give them a Big South Park Welcome! We will be learning so much from each other. It is going to be a great cultural experience for all of us.

Important Student Handbook Information:

Please review the 2023-2024 Handbook:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wmxj_N5_nHCETUPnFWpaamzie_awYatv/view

Dress Code Update: For the most part the dress code has not changed, except for, yes, as long as they are appropriate, STUDENTS MAY WEAR HATS!

Attendance/Truancy: As you know attendance at school is a very important piece of your student's success. Our campus attendance goal for last year was 90%. Middle School, Way To Go! You beat it with 92%. High School, you "Missed It By That Much", with achieving an 87%. Parent's with your help, I believe we can reach 95% this year. Let's make it happen!

Please take time to review the Policy/Handbook on Student Absences Truancy and Tardies. (See the photos below or access the handbook link above.) For anyone new this year, the regular school day is from 7:52am-4:12pm. Students not in class by 7:52am will be marked tardie. Parents, remember, an automated call for unexcused tardies and absences, along with all important announcements, is made to your phone number in Alma, so please keep your contact information update.

"Some days are diamonds, some days are rocks." (Tom Petty) “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself” (Henry Ford) 2023-2024 will be a Diamond Year!

Back To School Night: Thursday, August 10 from 4:30-6:00

SOUTH PARK 2023-2024 HOMECOMING WEEK

Mark your calendars now for September 18-23

Stay turned for more details!

Counselor's Corner

Welcome back to school! I hope you had a restful break and are ready for an exciting year ahead. I want to remind you that my primary goal is to support academic, social, and emotional well-being. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. My preferred method of communication is email because I am often with students, and it allows me to respond efficiently when I have a moment to check my messages. I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible and set up a call or meeting at that point. Thanks for your understanding. My Contact information is:

Stephanie Hatch

South Park MS/HS 6-12 School Counselor

stephanie.hatch@parkcountyre2.org

719-836-4414

All schedules have been posted to Alma. To view you schedule please follow the directions below:

Log into your Alma account:

High school students use sphs.getalma.com
Middle school students use spms.getalma.com

Username is firstname.lastname
If you forgot your password, simply click the “forgot password” button during sign in to reset it. An email will be sent to your firstname.lastname@goburros.org
If you are still not able to log in please contact Ashley Nafus (Middle School Secretary and Counseling Secretary - ashley.nafus@parkcountyre2.org) and/or
Laurence Burnett, (High School and Athletic Secretary - laurence.burnett@parkcountyre2.org) to help troubleshoot.

Step 2: View your schedule for the year by selecting Home> Classes> Grid View. This is the way you can see the entire year.

Step 3: If you want to discuss your schedule, have questions regarding your schedule, or if high school parents and students want to meet to review the schedule and graduation items, please choose from the following options.

Email the questions directly to me (stephanie.hatch@parkcountyre2.org)

Meet me in person at the school on August 7th from 8:00 - 4:00 for walk-in appointments. Check-in with the front office upon arrival.

Use the Google link below to schedule a specific appointment time on August 8th from 8:00 - 4:00. Please add if you would like to be in person, phone, or Google Meet within the description. 15-Minute Meeting Sign Up with Mrs. Hatch

Connect during our Back to School Night on August 10th from 4:30 - 6:00.

Schedules were made based on requests and availability so schedule changes will be made only for compelling academic reasons: i.e. improper prerequisites, improper level placement, failure of a course, etc. The last day to make schedule changes will be August 17th!

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR SCHEDULE IN ALMA for HS and MS

Notes From The Nurse

Attention 6th 6th Grade Parents!

All 6th graders need to have their Tdap booster before school starts and proof sent to the nurse.

For more information please contact Mrs. Laurie Meeker, our District Nurse, at laurie.meeker@parkcountyre2.org.

CMAS: State Assessment Update

CDE created a few flyers with links and videos for parents/students to understand their child's Individual Student Test Score reports. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Susan Haley at susan.haley@parkcountyre2.org or 719-836-4436.

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Career and Technical Education

Come talk with Mrs. Ventura at back-to-school night to learn more!

You can also contact her at erin.ventura@parkcountyre2.org or 719-836-4481.

Don't Wait...Start The Conversation Now!

We Need Your Help

We need for workers for our South Park Athletic Events. We also are in need of volunteers to help with concessions during the games. Please take a look at the athletic schedule in the Burro Blast and contact Coach Rivas, SPAA or myself if you can help. Remember, all the money collected at concessions goes to help all of our students, not just athletics. SPAA stands for South Park Activities Association.

Thank you!