Superintendent's Corner
September 2018
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A Message from Dr. Brad Meeks
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I’d like to be able to say that the start of the school year went off without a hitch. Unfortunately, as most of you know, our middle school experienced a one-day, construction-related delay. While we were able to notify families the week before, we regret any inconvenience this delay caused. I will say, as principal Heidi Chapman-Hoy and I walked the building last week, the delay felt long forgotten. Students were settling in and the new classrooms were already in use. I want to thank our middle school staff, students, and families for their patience and understanding at the start of the year.
We knew the timeline for construction would be tight this summer and that some projects would carry into the fall. The projects that are still ongoing, such as getting the HVAC system operational at the middle school, are happening outside of school hours and on the weekends. Our goal is to ensure as few disruptions to students and staff as possible.
As a reminder, we are planning a grand reopening event at Gardner Field, free to the community, at the Homecoming football game on October 12. However, you will get to see an inside-the-fence-view of the progress on September 12 if you attend the
Annual Community BBQ
at Steamboat Springs High School (sponsored by Alpine Bank).
Overall, the bond-funded projects completed this summer went well. We appreciate having been given the opportunity to tackle these long-outstanding, deferred-maintenance issues in our school district. This experience has been a good indicator of the time, resources, and expertise needed if our community chooses to fund additional facility projects in the future.
As mentioned in my previous communications, since January 2018, an Advisory Committee of 32 community volunteers (including teachers, parents, and community members who don’t have children in school) has been working toward generating a long-term plan for district facilities and programs. They are building on the work started a few years ago by CC4E. As part of this effort, there is a communication committee dedicated to building an understanding of the challenges facing the district. You will soon see
their flier
around town.
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The flier shares how growth in the Steamboat Springs community is impacting the school district. It shows that in the 20-year period from 1986 to 2006, Steamboat Springs School District gained 500 students. Then, in half that time (from 2006 to 2016), it gained 500 more. The school district is tracking toward 3,000 students by 2030. The flier also explains that the district hasn’t added a traditional school facility in more than 30 years. You may be thinking, “Isn’t Soda Creek Elementary School new?” Yes, but the school was built simply to replace an aging, outdated facility on the same property. It did not add additional capacity. In fact, as soon as it was built, it required exterior modular units to support its full student population.
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Scenes from Steamboat Springs Schools:
Check out this video featuring SSSD alumni.
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At this year's welcome back event for staff we showed a video of student reflections on their time in the school district.
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According to
CDE’s preliminary ratings
, Steamboat is the 3rd highest performing school district in state! The pattern of academic excellence in our schools and district continued this year.
Read more
Steamboat Springs High School teacher,
Deirdre Boyd, is one of the ten finalists for the 2018 National History Teacher of the Year Award profiled on the Gilder Lehrman Institute of America History blog.
Read more
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Read recent
Steamboat Pilot & Today
articles.
Through grants, community donations, and the volunteered time and talent of a landscape architect, Soda Creek is transforming a previously unused hillside behind its playground into a garden, outdoor classroom and meditative natural landscape for all to enjoy.
Read more
First home football game moves to Sept. 21 as Gardner Field construction wraps up.
Read more
The Steamboat Springs Chapter of Spellbinders connects Strawberry Park and Soda Creek Elementary students with elders who share the wisdom of cultures through folk stories.
Read more
, watch the CBS news
video
Across Colorado, youth are vaping nicotine at twice the national average, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Read more
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Steamboat Athletes in the News:
Steamboat cross country attracts runners of all kinds.
Read more
Members of the SSHS golf team are out on the tournament circuit.
Read more
Steamboat Springs High School football builds on fundamentals and teamwork.
Read more
Steamboat volleyball looks to thrive on healthy competition.
Read more
Steamboat boys’ tennis hungry for state under new head coach.
Read more
Steamboat High School soccer excited to see potential.
Read more
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Thoughtful Parenting Topics:
Click here
to read about numerous natural ways to keep your family healthy this school year.
Click here
for tips on
getting into a school routine.
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Photos and video.Throughout the school year, there will be professionals in our schools and at athletic events
capturing photos and video footage of students, staff, and volunteers. At times, you may also see a professional outside of buildings capturing aerial drone footage. The footage obtained will be used on school and district websites and social media platforms. It may also be used in school and district print and presentation materials. If you prefer that your child is
not featured in school photos or videos, please fill out
this form by September 14.
The SSSD Back to School Pilot Insert is available
here.
We're hiring!
Are you interested in driving for the district? We will train you to get your Commercial Driver's License, pay you a wage while you are training, and provide full healthcare benefits.
Apply today
There are families in our community who struggle to make ends meet. If you are
struggling to provide food for your family, there are resources available to you in Routt County. You will be treated with respect, compassion and understanding during tough times.
Read more
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September 12: Community BBQ Sponsored by Alpine Bank
September 17 -21: SSMS 6th Grade Yampa Valley Science School, week one
September 24 - 28: SSMS 6th Grade Yampa Valley Science School, week two
September 21: Applications and essays due for 2019
Rotary Youth Exchange programs open to students age 15 to 19
October 5: No school, professional development day
October 12: Grand Reopening of Gardner Field at the Homecoming football game
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Find out more about Steamboat Springs Parent Information Committees (PIC):
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