Thank you to everyone who tuned in for the e-Gala & Auction on Saturday! We celebrated student success and The Colorado Springs School community. If you would like to rewatch the program or share it with family and friends, you may through the link below. The link to the Living Room Dance Party is below as well.

With your help, we raised $105,000 and counting! The silent auction raised $47,000, and Raise Your Paddle donations brought in $58,000. You can still be a part of the success and raise your paddle by making a donation here. Your gifts may be eligible for the 50% Colorado Childcare Tax Credit.

Watch the e-Gala & Auction virtual program of tetimonials and talents!

The e-Gala & Auction is the school's largest fundraising event. Your gracious contribution positively affects the lives of all of our students, enabling us to support student-centered learning and success such as arts, technology, and project-based learning.

Kindergarten - 5th grade will share a showcase of artistic endeavors on Tuesday, April 27, from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. on the Quad. This unique version of the Celebration of the Arts! will allow students to perform for each other and express themselves creatively. At the same time, displaying different teaching approaches taken in the Arts this year. No singing...no problem! Rhythm, movement, dancing, mimes, poetry, bell choirs, recorders, visualization exercises, bucket drumming, boom whackers, and newly-minted band instruments have given students new outlets to share their creative energy. We are excited about what the Arts have in store and, of course, cross our fingers that the weather cooperates!

The Upper School Spring Production has been rescheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 30 and May 1, at 5:00 p.m. on Boddington Field. Students will be performing Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors outdoors.

CSS Love Note: Thank you for choosing CSS. We love our Kodiak Community and can't wait to introduce you to the many new students and families that will be joining us for the 2021-2022 school year.

The school's expenses are fixed well in advance of the school year and therefore, the parents' obligation to pay the tuition and fees for the full academic year is absolute, unconditional, and non-refundable after May 1, 2021. Pre-payments of tuition are 100% refundable, less the non-refundable tuition deposit with a withdrawal in writing submitted to Joy Maguire-Parsons prior to May 1.

The Yummy Incentive: Much like other growth-minded organizations, your positive referrals can help us foster a dynamic learning community right here at CSS. We are piloting the Yummy Incentive to show our appreciation to families who refer families to CSS. When a current family makes a referral that results in a new enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year, the current family is eligible for a $250 Maytag dining credit. We want to nurture your student's mind and body as we build upon a diverse and welcoming community. Please reach out to Joy at joym-p@css.org to refer a prospective family.

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.

The Parents Association Board will hold its May meeting outdoors. Anyone is welcomed to join.

When: 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 6, 2021

Where: Bear Creek Regional Park at 21st Street and Argus Boulevard; we will gather at the pavilions near the playground.

On the Agenda: This is the last formal meeting for the 2020-2021 academic year, and we're looking for volunteers and/or ideas for summertime community events such as movie night. We will also be discussing granting money for school programs.

The meeting will also be available online for those unable to attend in person.

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.

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!

On Wednesday, CSS hosted the Calhan Bulldogs in a Black Forest League matchup premiering two teams, both 3-0 in league action, vying for a BFL title. Calhan showed up to play and handily won the first set 25-15. The second set was touch and go with several lead changes, but the Kodiaks dug deep and scrapped their way to a 25-23 set victory. This set the tone for the remainder of the match with CSS in control and momentum in their favor. Seniors Elise L. '21 and Whitney R. '21 again were on the attack at the net with 28 and 17 kills respectively, and their poise and leadership paved the way for the Kodiaks as they won the next and final sets 25-17, 25-20.

Seniors Bailey R. '21 and Alair F. '21 each had 3 blocks at the net, setting up an intimidating defense against a feisty Bulldog squad. The back row belonged to Whitney as she tallied 43 total digs. Junior Shively K. '22, who was back in action for CSS, passed the ball for 34 assists on the evening. “We got the job done,” said head coach Kyong Lee. “Now we await our Regional pairing and prepare to win the next game.” CHSAA will announce the Regional pairings on Monday, and it is likely that the 8-3 Kodiaks will be playing on the road.

Following the game, varsity awards were announced for the season:

Follow the latest on Kodiak athletics at www.csskodiaks.com.

Senior Tribute Night for seniors who participated in volleyball, soccer, mountain biking, and band was held Wednesday evening. Students and parents were honored as Athletic Director Vicki Vaughan read each senior's tribute. We are proud of you, Kodiaks!

Brothers Ethan H. ’21 and Andrew H. ’23 recently completed their final sports season together, playing soccer for the Kodiaks one last time as a dynamic duo on Boddington Field.

These two brothers have only known CSS for their education as their mother Jen was an Upper School math teacher when each son was born and their father Rob has coached basketball over the years. At last week’s soccer awards ceremony, Andrew received the Offensive MVP Award for leading this year’s team in scoring, while team captain, Ethan, earned the prestigious Kodiak Coaches’ Award for his leadership and commitment to the program. Congratulations, Andrew and Ethan!

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.

If you were unable to join us last week for the Experience-Centered Seminar presentations, you may watch it through the link above.

Upper School students shared what they learned during their recent Experience-Centered Seminars. Students touched on essential questions from their seminars, challenges they faced, and reflections during and after their experiences. The evening will included videos from each ECS, as well as a student panel.

For three weeks in March, students attended one of six seminars: Artful Recovery; The Science and Art of Rock Climbing; The Great Iron Pour; Playwriting and Performance; The Science and Statistics of Epidemics; and Wilderness Survival From Past to Present: Native Women to Mountain Men and Modern Day Adventurers in Colorado and Beyond.

ECSs approach broad, interdisciplinary questions to optimize the teaching of critical thinking, organized inquiry, in-depth analysis, and synthesis of information. They demand direct, active participation and primary research in an environment outside of the classroom. Academic requirements include oral and written presentations, term papers, group work and projects, or final exams. Click here to read ECS blogs written by students.

The ECS experience, which sets our students apart as they move into the collegiate world and beyond, is a continuum of seminar programs in Children's School and Middle School.

Congratulations to the Kodiaks for finishing 13th in the nation in the Academic World Quest championships this past weekend!

One hundred teams from 46 states were challenged with 100 questions about world affairs.

Our team -- Aadi N. '21, Dane C. '21, Finnegan T. '22, and Nathan G. '23 -- did an amazing job and went toe-to-toe with some of the top AWQ teams in the nation. Way to go, Kodiaks!

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.