For nine intense hours, the CSS Matchwits team gathered in Coach David Benson's classroom on Saturday to compete online in the inaugural Knowledge Bowl Nationals before emerging as the 1A 1st place winners.

Congratulations to Aadi N. '21, Owen W. '21, Dane C. '21, Finnegan T. '22, Nathan G. '23, Oliver P. '24, Micah R. '24, and Alex H. '24! And a special shout-out to Mr. Benson!

The Kodiaks were among 39 teams from schools in Colorado, Minnesota, and Washington state that played in the power-matched tournament consisting of a written round and five oral rounds.

After the fifth oral round, schools were sorted into size classifications based on student enrollment. Four classifications of an approximately equal number of schools were created based on the size of the schools attending the tournament: small (1A), medium-small (2A), medium-large (3A), and large (4A). The teams with the top three scores in each size classification then played each other in a championship oral round.

Parents delivered lunch and snacks to keep the Kodiaks fueled throughout the day.

"CSS did an amazing job all day long!" Mr. Benson said. "It was neck-and-neck all day long and as we entered the final, championship round, it was indeed another showdown with Caprock -- whom we narrowly defeated to win the Colorado State championships recently -- and Chisholm."

By the end, the Kodiaks earned a score of 79 points. Caprock Academy from Grand Junction, Colorado, took second with 72 points, and Chisholm High School from Minnesota took third with 71 points. We are proud of you, Kodiaks!

The global pandemic has changed the way we hold school. This includes carline for all three divisions during which volunteers check the temperature of each student every morning as part of our COVID safety and health protocols.

We invited our careline volunteers -- moms, a dad, and a grandmother -- to a small ceremony Wednesday on the Trianon terrace to recognize them. They each received a gift bag, a certificate, a sweet, and sincere gratitude. As Head of School Tambi Tyler said, "thank you" seems too small to show how much we have appreciated their help all school year.

"Undoubtedly, your volunteer service made a difference and touched the hearts of our Kodiak community," Ms. Tyler said. "Thank you for your active participation. Your commitment in good weather -- and bad -- has served as a model for the grit and tenacity it takes to ensure our students are prepared for a dynamic world. Your dedication to the school's mission allowed us to have a successful year and showed our students that our parent community cares about them." View more photos here.

The cast and crew of the Upper School production delivered two wonderful performances of The Comedy of Errors last week. Congratulations, Kodiaks, and a shout-out to director Jonathan Andujar! The theatre-in-the-round format on Boddington Field allowed the audience to surround the stage. Thank you to everyone who joined us to support our thespians, including ambitious Middle School cast members! View more photos here.

Families may order lunch online for the entire month of May.

If you prefer not to order for the month, please note that lunch orders need to be placed by 10 p.m. the Wednesday before the start of the next week. For example, if you want to order lunch for your child for Tuesday, May 11, the order must be placed by 10 p.m. Wednesday, May 5.

Please note that due to supply and snow days, there may be times menu items are substituted.

The 5th Annual CSS Biological Research Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, 2021, from 8:05-10:50 a.m. outdoors on the quad. Upper School freshman biology students are planning and conducting their own biological research experiments. They will present their results during the conference. Please note that only freshmen parents and close family are invited to attend the event.

Several volunteers are needed, including guest scientists who are members of our extended community and have some academic or professional experience in the science world. Knowledge of basic elements of experimental design, biological concepts, and/or organisms such as plants, bacteria, fungi, and bugs makes you well-suited to give feedback to these young scientists. The role of our guest scientists is to encourage students to explain their research, ask them some questions to make them think about their work more critically, and give them praise for what they did well. More detailed guidance will be provided.

If you or someone you know might be a good fit for this role, please email Biology Teacher Natalie Hanson at nhanson@css.org. Volunteers are also needed to help at the welcome table to check in guests.

Student experiment topics include use of essential oils to inhibit mold growth on strawberries, duration of insecticide toxicity in soil, effect of salt and sugar balance on yeast fermentation rates, growth of bacteria in the presence of varying levels of antiseptic agents, and various factors affecting plant growth and germination.

Let's earn 1st Place again! Show your school pride and help us retain our ranking as the top Private School in the Pikes Peak Region with the Colorado Springs Business Journal.

Please vote online by May 13, 2021:

1. Click here to vote for The Colorado Springs School.

2. We are in the category of Education & Careers. Click on Private Schools on the left hand side, then scroll down to The Colorado Springs School.

3. You will be prompted to enter your email, name, postal code, and birthdate (you need to be at least 13 to vote).

4. Please vote in at least 19 other categories for your vote to count. Spread some love to your favorite local businesses!

The Kodiaks dominated the Vanguard Coursers 12-0 fon Wednesday rom the first possession when senior middle fielder Ben M. '21 scored with ease his first of 3 goals. Freshmen Emmit G. '24 and John B. '24 each tallied 2 goals, while Alex S. ’21, Graham B. ’22, Owen G. ’21, Aidan D. ’21, and Grayson G. ’22 each collected one score apiece.

Head coach Roger Tucker implemented a quick rotation, allowing all the boys to gain some experience during this first season outing in two years. Newcomer Owen W. ’21 anchors the defense as the team goalie, and he collected 11 saves on the day.

“It was a fun day for the boys,” said Coach Tucker, “and it was great to finally have some other competition besides ourselves. This group of seniors started the program back up again 4 years ago, and they are working hard to make sure to hand it off to the next group of players in good shape. They are phenomenal leaders who will be missed next season.”

The Kodiaks are back in action next Tuesday, May 11, at Vanguard with a 4:30 p.m. tipoff. Go, Kodiaks!

View the upcoming schedule for lacrosse, boys' varsity volleyball, and girls' varsity tennis at www.csskodiaks.com.

The #3 seed Kodiaks traveled to Fowler on Saturday for Regionals where the girls closed out their 2021 season with 0-3 losses in both games. The Kodiaks came up short 22-25, 13-25, 19-25 in the first matchup with #1 seed Fowler, and fell 13-25, 16-25, 15-25 to #2 Limon in the second matchup of the day. As a #3 seed, having to play two back-to-back games is certainly a disadvantage for any team, a test of stamina and grit. After losing the first set of the day 22-25 to Fowler, the Kodiaks appeared deflated, struggling with efficient passing and back row coverage. The girls were able to string together some impressive runs but were quickly countered and overpowered by both Fowler and Limon at the net.

The Kodiaks graduate six seniors from the varsity squad leaving some big shoes to fill next year. But the experience gained from appearing and playing in the Regionals will help to build some continuity in the program next season. At Regionals, Coach Kyong Lee was intentional about playing her seniors who have been committed to the program while also weaving in younger players to gain more experience for future years. We are proud of the Kodiaks and look forward to watching this group grow from today’s experience and return to the playoffs next season, wiser and primed for a run at state. Go, Kodiaks!

The boys’ Middle School soccer team managed to salvage five games on the season, facing numerous changes to the schedule due to COVID quarantines on other campuses. In the five games that were all CCAL matches, they collected one win against Thomas Maclaren School. More importantly, the boys were able to enhance their soccer skills under the tutelage of coaches Amos White and Geddy Marple. They gained game experience, which is most important in player development, and had fun in the process.

The team was led by a handful of 8th graders who helped to mentor the younger players through the season. Head Coach Amos White commented, “We had a very young team this spring with about half of our roster being sixth graders. This didn’t stop them from playing hard even against older and more experienced teams. Our three 8th grade captains, Jackson R. '25, Malakai W. '25, and Daniel M. '25, were strong leaders and mentors and helped to develop our younger players. There was widespread improvement with the boys, and as the young players grow into their skills, this will be a fun team to watch.”

The season concluded on Boddington Field when parents and players gathered for some soccer fun and a potluck meal before awards were distributed to the players.

Co-MVP: Malakai W. '25

Co-MVP: Jackson R. '25

Kodiak Coaches’ Award: Wyatt S. '25

Most Improved Player: Ceasar M. '26

Experiential trips are BACK, and so are the gear lists. With Colorado Expedition, Middle School Seminars, and Walkabout around the corner, check out this Parents Association community connection. Many times members of our community have gear to loan, sell, or give away. This group is designed to allow members to connect and make it easy for all to have an excellent experience.

The CSS EX ED Gear Swap page has been launched to help families. CSS families are invited to post TRIP GEAR items with pictures for loan, sale, or for free without the hassle of organizing a tag sale. Please keep postings to items that are relevant for The Colorado Springs School's expeditions and outings -- items such as camping gear, outerwear, appropriate shoes and accessories and clothing (including base layers). This is not the time/place to unload your child’s tutus or baseball gear -- remember to save that stuff and donate it to the PAB garage sale next year. The CSS EX ED Gear Swap is currently open to current CSS families.

Volleyball, basketball, soccer, chess, video game creation, and Legos will be offered as summer camps at CSS this year! Learn more and register here.

The Colorado Springs School has been providing summer camp experiences for more than 30 years. All programs are open to the public, and we encourage CSS families to take advantage of these experiential education programs.

There are known and unknown risks in navigating these uncertain times. But individuality and isolation from one another are not long-term solutions to the adversity presented by our current world. Instead, we aim to build and promote a community that is solution-minded, embraces the mindset and practice of "we before me", and collectively adheres to the guidelines of medical professionals and elected officials. The Community Pledge has been written in the spirit of developing a common language and understanding by which we will all commit for the 2020-2021 school year.

Aadi Nashikkar, a Colorado Knowledge Bowl state champion, a Stanford-bound young man and a Colorado Springs School senior with a 4.499 GPA, lost his name sometime during the eighth grade.

In Sanskrit, Aadi means “beginning.” When Nashikkar first ran for student government in eighth grade, he was quite unenthusiastic about his first name because it seemed nearly everyone had their own pronunciation for it.

“I never corrected anyone,” Nashikkar said. “It was easier to fit in if I let people take my name and mold it to their liking. I was no longer saying even my own name correctly.”

When he recounted his disappointment about losing his first election, Nashikkar’s mother, Kshama Belsare, stopped him and asked him what he had just called himself. Nashikkar pronounced his name wrong. His mother set him straight.

“Having ignored the pronunciation of my name for so long,” Nashikkar said, “I had played into my own whitewashing. When I confidently embraced my name, my leadership improved. I could fight for others because I was fighting for myself.”

The countdown to graduation has begun! In just four weeks, graduates with the Class of 2021 will take their steps out into a dynamic world. During the next month, we will share Senior Spotlights on social media highlighting college matriculation decisions and a series of answers to some reflective questions on their time at CSS. Follow along on Facebook or Instagram.

Seventh grade science students created models of DNA and RNA using pipe cleaners and styrofoam. "In doing so, students got hands-on experience understanding how DNA pairs form and how they aid in the process of protein synthesis," said science teacher Peter Wade.

Guest speaker Upper School science teacher Natalie Hanson led students in a skit demonstrating the processes of transcription and translation, which take the information in DNA and use it to produce proteins.

Students acted out the process by performing the process of transcription and translation themselves, translating colors from Spanish to English, and informing each other how to assemble proteins using RNA.

Parents, teachers, and students are encouraged to submit nominations and digital photos of student achievements to Anslee Wolfe, Communications and Marketing Manager, at awolfe@css.org. These extracurricular achievements make us a well-rounded school and highlight the many unique talents and passions of our student body. A diverse selection of achievements is highlighted in ROAR and shared on social media. We also welcome alumni achievements!

Due to COVID-19 we will continue to make adjustments to the calendar. We will make changes to the school's google calendar as we progress from week to week. We are adhering to local, state, and federal guidelines regarding on-campus, in-person learning. As a result, planning for the 2020-2021 school year is ongoing and requires the school to respond with agility, grace, and a heavy dose of patience. View the calendar here.

First Day of School, PreK - 12: August 25, 2021 (some Back-to-School events, First Day of Sports and Orientations to occur the week prior; details to follow)

Thanksgiving Break: November 22 - November 26, 2021; Classes resume on Monday, November 29, 2021

Winter Break: December 20, 2021 - January 3, 2022; Professional Day January 3, 2022, Classes resume for Semester II on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.

Spring Break: March 21 - March 25, 2022; Professional Day on March 28, Classes resume on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

Graduation: Thursday, May 26, 2022, 8:30 a.m.

Late Start Wednesdays: The school plans to continue the late start Wednesday schedule next school year. This collective planning and collaboration time amongst our entire faculty and staff has proven beneficial to execute the school's signature programs and prioritize academic goals for students' benefit.