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We had so much fun seeing all of you on Friday for the car parade through campus! Our faculty and staff and the Class of 2020 appreciate your love and support. We miss you, Kodiaks! Click here to view more images. #KodiakStrong
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Looking Ahead to 2020-2021 & Reflecting on e-Learning
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Show Your Pride & Vote for CSS
We need your vote to help us retain our top ranking of Best Private School with the Colorado Springs Business Journal.
Please vote by May 17. Thank you in advance for your support!
- Click here to vote for the The Colorado Springs School.
- We are in the category of Education & Careers. Click on Private Schools on the left hand side, then click on The Colorado Springs School.
- Enter your email and birth date (you must be at least 13 years old to participate).
- Please vote in at least 14 other categories for your vote to count. Spread some love to your favorite local businesses!
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Social & Emotional Health
During this unprecedented time let's look to check-in with each other.
Offer each other patience, grace, and a little latitude as we find new rhythms.
Learn more here.
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CSS e-Learning Family Support
Click here to join this closed Facebook group to share tips and to help other parents positively navigate e-Learning. A team of school moderators will share tools and resources in addition to parents who can crowd source dynamic solutions.
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F
amilies can submit e-Learning questions or inform the school of technical concerns by emailing [email protected]
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NHS Students Available to Support e-Learning
The CSS National Honor Society has scholars that are available to support you and/or your child with e-Learning. We will adhere to all safety restrictions at this time. NHS students are ready to work with Kodiaks remotely, even if it's to say hello or for a read-aloud. If interested, please contact Amy Johnson-Smith at
[email protected].
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National Teacher Appreciation Week: Thank You, CSS Teachers!
"A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning." - Brad Henry.
CSS Teachers: Even in these difficult times, you've adapted to e-Learning, stayed strong, and continued to inspire our students. All the hard work you put in day after day does not go unnoticed - thank you for everything. You are missed and appreciated!
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What is your role at CSS? I am a Middle School history teacher (World Geography, American History, and Ancient Civilizations), and the head coach for the boys' and girls' Middle School soccer programs.
What is one thing you enjoy about CSS? There are many things I love about working at CSS, but the thing I have loved best is the chance to work with students in a variety of settings, whether teaching in the classroom, leading overseas trips, paddling on rivers, squirming through caves, skiing on Colorado's slopes, coaching on Boddington Field, or logging countless hours in CSS vans. This has allowed me to get to know students' personalities, strengths, and areas of challenge in a way that would not have been possible in a traditional school setting.
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? This isn't a typical answer, so I run the risk of being accused of being a lame superhero; however, I have said for years that if I could have any power, I would love to have the ability to never sleep. Imagine what one could accomplish and experience with all that extra time!
What did you want to be growing up? Growing up, I was all in on being a professional soccer player. Although I didn't quite make it, soccer has been a huge part of my life for almost 40 years. As a coach, I have really enjoyed trying to kindle a love for soccer in young people and helping them achieve their goals.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? Despite loving to joke around and being energetic with groups of students, I am actually pretty shy and an introvert.
What draws you to working with students? I love the fact that students have their whole lives ahead of them with so many exciting possibilities. It is energizing to see young people find and develop their passions. When it happens in a class, seminar, or sport I am teaching, it is particularly gratifying.
What is one thing you've learned from students? I have learned not to take myself too seriously. It is a lot more fun that way.
What is your favorite spot in the world? My favorite spot in the world is Moraine Lake in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Nestled in the Valley of the Ten Peaks with jagged peaks surrounding it, Moraine Lake's otherworldly turquoise-blue water is something I will never forget.
What is a favorite memory at CSS? This is a tough question, as I have had so many great experiences at CSS. One of my favorites was an 18-day trip to Peru I took with 15 Middle and Upper school students in June 2002. Experiencing Cusco, hiking the Inca Trail for four days to Machu Picchu, and then completing a high Andean trek that took us through remote villages while circumnavigating 21,000 ft. Mt. Ausangate were all amazing. Seeing first-hand the joy of these discoveries through the eyes of the students made it even more memorable.
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Faces of CSS: Blisse Beardsley
What is your role at CSS?
I am a Middle and Upper School math teacher, a Middle School volleyball coach, a Middle School girls' assistant soccer coach, and a Middle School student council faculty representative.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I grew up on a small island 8 miles called Mackinac Island in Lake Huron, northern Michigan. There is a population of about 400 year-round residents. No motorized vehicles are allowed, except emergency ones. The island has about 100 kids total in one building for public school for kindergarten through 12th grade. I graduated with 4 students in my grade.
What did you want to be growing up?
I have always wanted to be a teacher. I loved helping friends with their math for as long as I can remember. My mom has also saved quizzes that I created and gave my younger brother when I was about 10. They were normally quizzes about our mom. I even had some extra credit questions on them.
What is one thing you enjoy about CSS?
There are so many. CSS has given me relationships with students and other faculty members that I never dreamed possible. I have definitely found another home here. I have had the opportunity to teach some students two years of math, teach siblings, coach athletes for four years in a row in two sports, camp and cook with students and faculty members, design numerous different seminars with faculty across curriculums, and work with students from 3rd grade to 12th grade.
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Faces of CSS: Greg Johnson
What is your role at CSS? I teach science and mathematics in the Upper School.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? In my 20s, I happily lived out of my truck or a tent for months at a time while I traveled the Western US, South America, and the South Pacific in search of adventure such as rock climbing, mountaineering, river running, and scuba diving.
What is a favorite memory at CSS? Meeting my wife here.
What is one thing you've learned from students? I learn something new and interesting from students every single day in the classroom. Most of my students are smarter and more clever than I am. I've just been thinking about science and math longer than they have, so I get to teach these subjects to them.
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? Flight.
What did you want to be growing up? First, a pilot, and then a mountain guide.
What draws you to working with students? The energy, creativity, inventiveness, and humor of high school students.
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Faces of CSS: Lori Burgess
What is your role at CSS? I am the chef who prepares lunch and other goodies for the children and faculty and staff.
What do you enjoy about your role? I am the lucky one who gets to provide food and other refreshments to some incredible students and faculty and staff. My career philosophy is, "Always go beyond what your clients wants/needs," and my customers are the kids. I want their time during lunch to be a place to laugh, relax, eat good food, and just be kids.
What draws you to working with children? Well, kids of all ages LOVE to eat. My profession allows me to see the excitement when there are "curly fries" on the menu. I so appreciate their smiles, intriguing questions, practicing manners daily, and so much more. Everyday you have a different cast of characters that makes your day perfect.
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? I don't need to be a superhero, but I would like to FLY.
Chef Lori prepared the e-Gala dinner for families, and there were requests for the borracho beans recipe. She shares it here:
Borracho Beans
2 cans pinto bean
1 can of black beans and kidney beans
(drain and rinse all beans)
1 medium onion
1-2 garlic cloves
(saute onion/garlic)
1 roasted red bell pepper (canned or jarred)
2 cans diced green chilies
1 can Ro-tel tomato/green chili
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (or to taste)
1 can of beer
Add Salt/Pepper/Cumin
Mix all ingredients together
Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes
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Order the 2019-2020 CSS Yearbook
It's not too late to order the 2019-2020 CSS Yearbook!
Click here to order.
You may choose options to customize your book.
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Parents Association Upper School Book Swap
Mark your calendar! Upper School students purchase their own textbooks. Get the best deals by buying gently-used books at the Parents Association Upper School Book Swap in the Trianon on
Thursday, May 28, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Social distancing guidelines will be followed, and no more than 10 students will be allowed in at a time.
-CSS textbooks for 9th through 12th grade may be dropped off at the collection bin just inside the front entrance of the Trianon
beginning Monday, May 11. The bin will be available Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. A form will be provided for the student's contact information and asking price for each book.
-All books sold must be on the Upper School Book List for 2020-2021. However, the list is not yet available but will be shared with families soon. Seniors are invited to drop-off any CSS textbooks they no longer need.
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Donations for the Spring 2021 Garage Sale
Have you been spring cleaning? Your Parents Association garage sale team, Abby Ortega and Michelle Gates, are gearing up for the spring 2021 garage sale, which is held every two years. They will be accepting donations once campus re-opens. Please box up those household goods, toys, books, clothes, small furniture, and other treasures. Large items will be collected once a storage space is secured. If you have questions or a storage space for larger items, please contact Michelle Gates at (719) 440-2251 or
[email protected]
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CSS Hosts Virtual Model UN Worldwide Event
Members of the CSS Model United Nations were instrumental in planning and hosting what is believed to be the first Model UN virtual conference, which took place Saturday with 150 students from across the globe. Students debated policies and issues on various topics, ranging from coronavirus in the developing world to HIV/AIDS issues, refugee issues, and more.
Our fearless club leader,
Aadi N. '21, proposed this idea for a virtual conference back in early April and has been a driving force behind making this event happen. The virtual platform has allowed Model UN to expand in some unique ways. More than 20 different schools have come together from 6 states - Colorado, Oklahoma, Indiana, California, New Mexico, and New York - and 8 countries - Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Turkey.
CSS students -
Aadi, Alair F. '21, Madeline K. '21, Chloe L. '22, Bella M. '20, Finnegan T. '22, Dane C. '21, and
Orlando M. '21 - have been working together with students from several other schools to organize and host this conference. They pulled this all together in just 3 weeks, a feat that is unprecedented in Model UN history. We also had several CSS students attending as participants:
Fritz C. '21, Nathan G. '23, Owen G. '21, Aidan D. '21, and
Asher D. '21.
Asher won an award for Outstanding Delegate (2nd place) in one of the advanced councils, the ITU.
The conference started with a motivational speech by
Aadi and a special keynote address by El Paso County Coroner Leon Kelly P'27, P'30. From there, students were broken out into 8 different council rooms, where they debated and practiced diplomacy as they attempted to solve real-world problems. Congratulations, Kodiaks!
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#throwbackthursday to 5th Grade
#throwbackthursday to 5th grade, the Class of 2027. Our 5th graders are coming up on their final days in the Children's School before becoming Middle School students. Enjoy this walk down memory lane to their earliest days at CSS, where they began developing the thinking and problem-solving skills they need to become life-long learners. We are proud of your journey, Class of 2027! View more images on Facebook.
Fifth graders will be honored in an e-Continuation Ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, 2020that CSS families will be able to watch virtually. Stayed tuned for details. #CSSClassof2027 (Eighth graders will also be honored in a separate e-Continuation Ceremony the same day; details to follow.)
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Senior Spotlight: Congratulations, Tiffany J. '20!
How long have you been at The Colorado Springs School? I started at CSS in PreKindergarten and have attended CSS except for four years (1st-2nd and 10th-11th). That means 11 years in total.
What is your favorite place on campus? The math room when I was in Middle School, and now the English room in the Trianon. The doors can open, and in the fall and summer there is a nice breeze as you look out over the Quad. You can see the whole campus from there.
During your entire time at CSS, who has been the faculty or staff member that had a significant impact on your life? Mr. White has had the most significant impact on my life. Starting in 6th grade, he sparked my love for history and interest in becoming a teacher. His passion and love for history and his students is something I will never forget.
What are your favorite extracurricular activities at CSS? My favorite extracurricular activities were the plays/musicals, because of all the effort and work put in. You see the process from nothing to an entire play come together.
What are your plans after graduation? University of North Carolina Wilmington
How has CSS prepared you for a dynamic world? It taught me how to stay calm and that I can do more than I thought. It gave me confidence in myself.
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Senior Spotlight: Congratulations, Leggatt K. '20!
How long have you been at The Colorado Springs School? Since 5th grade.
What is your favorite place on campus? Picking just one place on campus is hard. I think maybe the top 2 would be the green room in the theater or Mr. White's classroom in the Trianon. I have lots of memories in both of them, and when I am there I feel at home.
During your entire time at CSS, who has been the faculty or staff member that had a significant impact on your life? If we can say past teachers, then Mr. Tucker. He was my 8th grade science teacher and Walkabout leader. He would teach me about much more than textbook science stuff. One still on campus would be Ms. Bray. I would not be the person I am today without Ms. Bray. She really got me interested in theater and was persistent in getting me involved in theater. While I was reluctant at first, I can say that I am considering theater as a major in college.
What's your favorite item served in Maytag Dining Hall? Hands down the chicken sandwiches.
What are your favorite extracurricular activities at CSS? I personally love theater, but I am also involved in soccer and volleyball.
What passion did CSS help you discover or further explore? Like I said earlier, Ms. Bray helped me find my passion for theater. I think also the school has made me realize how much nature is a part of my life and that I truly love the outdoors.
Give a shout-out to those who made your CSS story possible. A big thanks to my parents for putting me at CSS, even though I may not have wanted to in the beginning. But I can say they made the right choice by putting me here.
What are you doing for e-Capstone? I have taken over the senior slideshow from my dad and am going to put that together for our class.
What are your plans after graduation? I will be attending the University of Vermont.
How has CSS prepared you for a dynamic world? Life lessons are so important and CSS has taught me a lot of them. I think the friends I have at CSS are for life, and hopefully, we will all stay in contact when we depart.
We have hundreds of generous donors who support The Colorado Springs School's Annual every year - in 10 words or less, how would you thank them? Thank you. It'll all be worth it in the end.
If you had $10,000 to give to CSS, what program would you give it to? I would give it to the theater so they could continue to put on amazing shows each and every year.
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Adopt a CSS Senior Facebook Group
Amy Kunstle P'17, P'21, launched a parent-driven initiative for our CSS community known as "Adopt a Senior." It is a closed Facebook group modeled after similar groups and is dedicated to showering the Class of 2020 seniors with encouragement and care packages during this time of shared loss. We wanted everyone to know about this heartfelt and authentic opportunity to connect. We invite the CSS community to "adopt" a senior to show support. Perhaps your kindergarten student is buddies with a senior. Anyone can adopt a senior! The strength of our community is showing up in so many beautiful ways, and this is yet another shining example of what it means to be #KodiakStrong!
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Alumna Requests Bed Sheet Donations
Alumna Requests Bed Sheet Donations for Nursing Facilities
Alumna Amber McClish-Strover '04 has reached out to the CSS community to request donations of bed sheets to help with shortages of personal protection equipment (PPE). Amber is Director of Admissions at Life Care Center of Colorado Springs, which operates nursing care centers. They are currently in "outbreak mode" because they have active COVID-19 cases.
Life Care Center is collecting full size and larger bed sheets, both fitted and top sheets, that will be sewn into gowns that can be washed as a way to help combat the shortage of PPEs. All color/pattern sheets are welcome, but please no sheets with holes.
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