NEW: Volunteer for carline in November using the link below.

The powerful combination of tuition and philanthropy bridges the gap of the true cost of educating a CSS student. During a typical year, that gap represents about $2,600, but after spending nearly $150,000 in COVID-19-related expenses, the average gap per student soars beyond the budget. Your philanthropic dollars to the Annual Fund applies to the school's operating budget and signature programs in addition to mitigation costs.

For nearly 60 years, parents, grandparents, alumni, alumni parents, foundations, and friends have collectively lifted up The Colorado Springs School. From acquiring our 28-acre campus to maintaining and building 10 buildings, which house distinctive learning spaces for our current thinkers and problem-solvers, we acknowledge that we stand on the shoulders of giants. At this historic time in history, we must protect the school's assets and leverage our resources innovatively to deliver the school's mission of preparing students for a dynamic world.

This year, an inspired group of donors has stepped forward with a $50,000 challenge gift to launch our Annual Fund. We've been challenged to secure 60 gifts at the Claremont Society level of $1,962 or more by November 12, 2020. To meet the challenge, these gifts must be paid in full or coordinated through an automatic recurring monthly payment ($1,962/10 months = $196 per month) with the Advancement Office.

But wait! Can't give a Claremont Society level gift of $1,962? Give a personally meaningful gift to unify our support as a community. Every gift counts -- high parent participation across the board demonstrates a core commitment that is viewed favorably when we apply for grants and funding outside of the school.

The 2020 Fun Run shirts are here! These wicking sport shirts are offered in youth and adult sizes and short sleeve or long sleeve. They feature a masked Kodiak bear paired with a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr: “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” Order by Sunday, November 8, 2020. Shirts will be delivered to the school and sent home with students.

The Parents Association has been hard at work planning the annual Fun Run! Depending on COVID-19 protocols and where we are on Friday, November 20, 2020, we are hoping to hold an in-person version of Fun Run. If we are not able to, we will coordinate a virtual version of Fun Run for families to participate in during the week of our Thanksgiving break. A virtual Fun Run will leverage our sense of community and social media to encourage families to take time on the break to go for a walk or run with their family. Prizes will be awarded for various feats such as best costume, most participants, and longest run.

The Fun Run shirts feature business sponsorships on the back, along with a hand-drawn design of a Kodiak bear in the mountains by 5th grader April C. '28. If your business would like to be a sponsor, please see the form below. Deadline for sponsorship is Saturday, November 7, 2020. Goodie bags will be distributed to Fun Run participants, and sponsors may include goodies and coupons.

Questions? Please contact Sponsorship Chair Lynn Shepherd at lynn@docshepherd.com or (632) 680-3442.

Children's School students are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes to school on Friday, October 30, 2020, and take part in a parade on campus. Costume accessories such as masks, wings, and wands, need to be brought to school in a separate bag and will be set aside for later in the day, as students need to be able to function in class. Sturdy shoes for the day are recommended. Face masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 must be worn.

Students will parade twice around the quad as Middle and Upper School students and faculty and staff watch in a socially-distanced fashion. PreKindergarten students parade at 8:15 a.m., and students in kindergarten through 5th grade will parade at 2:00 p.m. Students will return to classrooms for Halloween activities. Please note that parents are not able to view the parade in person this year. We will set-up a Facebook Live to stream the afternoon parade.

Middle School students will continue the tradition of carving pumpkins. They need to bring their own pumpkin to carve October 30. To allow for maximum carving time, students should hollow out their pumpkins at home, remembering to incorporate the stem or base into the design.

For your Halloween planning at home, Dr. Sarah Bartz, P'29, P'31, with Children's Hospital Colorado shared the below article. It is a great resource to help families plan Halloween fun!

Have you checked out what Chef Lori Burgess is planning to cook for students? Breakfast for lunch, chicken tenders, Thanksgiving lunch, Greek salads, and more!

If you'd like to order lunch for your student, be sure to do it before the 10:00 p.m. Wednesday deadline for the following week.

For example, if you want to order lunch for Friday, November 13, the order must be placed by 10 p.m. Wednesday, November 4. Please note that due to supply, there may be times menu items are substituted.

The Upper School mountain bike team recently wrapped up its season. In its 5th year, the team draws more interest with each season. Several days a week, the team took off for North Cheyenne Cañon to ride some of the best mountain biking trails in the area, if not the state. Enjoy these images of riders on the Chutes Trail. The team is coached by teachers Tim Ferguson and Eric Gaylord, as well as Kelly Walker, all seasoned bikers. Photos by Kelly Walker. View more images here.

Tune into athletic news at csskodiaks.com

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.

As a result of COVID-19, CSS applied for and was subsequently funded with a Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loan through the CARES Act. We're proud to put these dollars to work for our school. As a result of this loan/grant, CSS is a Federal Funds Recipient for the next several weeks. Members of the CSS administration have participated in several training sessions on Title IX (and Section 504, Title VI, and the Age Discrimination Act among other pieces of relevant Federal legislation), which apply to us as temporary federal funds recipients. Read the full notice here.

Through the robust network of the CSS community, alumni, parents, faculty/staff, and past parents assist students in exploring their passions and career interests through Senior Capstones. These independent projects conducted over several weeks in May forge real-world opportunities and connections as seniors prepare to make their way in a dynamic world. Students have taken on research and writing projects, shadowed engineers, medical professionals, and artists. They have coordinated large-scale events, interned with local companies, interviewed industry experts, and gained valuable professional skills.

As mentorship is central to our mission and to the Capstone process, we encourage you to take this brief survey to learn more about how you can engage with a senior. Learn more here.

The Parents Association Board will hold virtual meetings for the foreseeable future on the first Thursday of each month. Anyone is welcomed to join.

Next Meeting: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, November 5, 2020

Where: Google Hangout, Let's chat during lunch!

Join by phone: +1 540-680-4396 (PIN: 349712789)

Click here to learn more about the role of the Parents Association in building community in our school. Email the Parents Association at parentsassociation@css.org.

Each fall, a special visitor from the past presents to Upper School history and AP History. Dahveed, a coureur du bois - a French Canadian wood-runner who is an independent fur trader from the late 1700s - brings with him a large collection of historically authentic fur trade reenactment artifacts. Items include animal fur, a wool blanket, and a cooking pot.

When the fur trader visited last week, some students dressed in costume to act out a famous fur trade legend from the 18th century. Normally Dahveed, played by teacher David Benson, also presents to 1st grade but didn't this year out of precaution with COVID-19. View more photos here.

Middle School students crafted Halloween cards for senior citizens during advisory today. The cards will be taken to a local facility. Even Mr. White joined in. View more photos here.

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 Major Dates calendar. We will continue to update 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.