Superintendent's Corner
October 2019

A Message from Dr. Brad Meeks
What does it mean to host the largest class of sixth graders in the history of Steamboat Springs Middle School (SSMS)? It means that everything from when 227 students change classes, to which side of the hallway they walk on, to when they leave the building for the day, is carefully choreographed. We knew this big class of students was coming. In preparation, last year SSMS used their training in trauma-informed care and whole child best practices to build systems and schedules focused on social and emotional wellbeing.  

While social and emotional wellbeing has always been a priority at SSMS, principal Heidi Chapman-Hoy and her staff recognized that an even greater focus would be needed to serve 227 sixth graders with 28 or 29 students in every core class. With this in mind, the staff at SSMS dedicated itself to creating safe and calm environments that would reduce anxiety for students transitioning to middle school.

What does that look like? Sixth graders start their day spread out across the school in intervention and world language classes. There are staggered passing times for each grade level in the school as well as a staggered dismissal for sixth graders. Additionally, the dining space has been extended into the arcade and additional high-top tables have been added in the cafeteria, where the stage is also used as a seating area for lunch.

At other times in the day, the stage doubles as a classroom, as does the school’s conference room, where math class and small learning groups are held. Four classrooms were added to the existing school footprint in the summer of 2018 by relocating the counseling area and taking space from special education and gifted and talented programs. Every inch of space in SSMS is utilized. District and school administrators have spent the last five years troubleshooting and strategizing on how to best serve students in schools that are at or over capacity.

Significant time has been spent on creating multiple master schedules, figuring out how to reduce encore classes to a safe size for the tools involved (shop class, for example), and reconfiguring the parking area to improve student safety. While these logistical considerations are necessary, we know that it’s time for our attention to turn instead to SSMS programming strategies such as whole-school STEM integration and developing cross-grade-level opportunities for student and staff collaboration.

Our school district has three initiatives, 4A, 4B, and 4C, on the November ballot. You can read the ballot questions, pros and cons, and a history of the district’s community Advisory Committee process at buildingforthefuture.ssk12.org. You can vote by mail or use the Voter Service and Polling Center located at 522 Lincoln Ave. Monday–Friday, October 28–November 4, 2019, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; Saturday, November 2, 2019, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM; and Election Day, November 5, 2019, 7:00 AM–7:00 PM. For ballot drop-off locations visit www.co.routt.co.us/221/Elections. 
Celebrations!
Through the Colorado Free Application Day event on October 15, Steamboat Springs High School seniors submitted 303 college applications and saved over $15,000 in application fees. Our students' futures are bright!
Wendy Hall joined elite company as she won her 500th career match. Hall, now in her 27th season as the head coach of the Steamboat Springs volleyball program, is just the fifth volleyball coach in state history to ever win 500 matches, and is just the fourth to win 500 at one school. Read more
Ms. Sidell's 2nd Grade Class at Soda Creek collected supplies and money for the Routt County Humane Society shelter as part of their communities unit. 
Emily Beyer has been hired as grant writer for Routt County school districts: Hayden, South Routt, and Steamboat Springs. In the 2018-2019 school year, the grant writer helped Routt County school districts secure nearly $3 million in grant funding for projects ranging from security upgrades to on-site mental health services to preschool scholarships.
The Steamboat Springs High School Parent Information Committee r eceived over $3,000 from City Market and will use the money to support Steamboat Springs High School clubs, the after-prom party, staff appreciation and SAT prep for students. Read more
Amy Bohmer will serve as interim principal of Soda Creek Elementary School for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year following the departure of Michele Miller from the school on November 11. Ms. Miller has accepted a position as Head of School at Stone Creek Charter School near her family home in Eagle County.  Read more
Eleven Steamboat Springs Middle School students and three teacher sponsors summited La Plata Peak yesterday morning on an EOS trip. Students plodded through windy and cold conditions and enjoyed an amazing trip.
The Steamboat Springs High School boys golf team captured the regional title in Fort Lupton. Read more
Steamboat Springs Middle School teacher Marin Shanahan was featured in the Pilot's Thriving at Altitude series. Read more
Like us on Facebook , and check out our posts for regular updates, news stories, and photos from our schools. 
News & Notes
Calendar of Events
Read recent Steamboat Pilot & Today articles.

Steamboat Springs Middle School student Mackenzie Ostrowski released her first novel, “Captive Assassins,” in August. Read more

Dinger the dinosaur, the Colorado Rockies mascot, made an appearance at Strawberry Park Elementary School. Read more

Steamboat Springs Middle School student Zoe Anfang penned a letter to JUUL. Read more

Steamboat Springs High School students participated in what was expected to be the biggest climate demonstration in the planet’s history. Read more

The “Yes to Education Steamboat” committee formed in support of SSSD ballot measures in November. Read more

Sailors in the news!
Announcements
The district is seeking stakeholders interested in participating in a Design Advisory Committee for a new PK-8 school should ballot measures 4B and 4C be successful in November. Apply here
Oct 17-19: Addams Family Musical at Steamboat Springs High School

Oct 19: Steamboat Springs High School NHS Green Halloween at Bud Werner Library, 10AM - 2PM

Oct 21-26: Homecoming Week (view the schedule here)

Oct 21: Board of Education Meeting at District Office boardroom, 4:30PM

Oct 21: Joyce Rankin Explains the Read Act at Soda Creek, 5:30PM

Oct 23: Eat. Chat. Parent. How to talk with young people about vaping, JUULs and other electronic Nicotine products at Steamboat Springs Middle School, 5:30PM

Oct 25: Strawberry Park Elementary School Community Fall Festival, 4PM

Nov 7: Parent Teacher Conferences

Nov 7-8: No School for Students

Nov 11: Board of Education Meeting at District Office boardroom, 4:30PM

Nov 15: Parent Connection Summit at Colorado Mountain College, 8:15AM - 2:45PM Read more