Elissa Chapman’s second-grade class at Sleeping Giant School celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by completing a series of activities to learn more about his legacy.

The students conducted independent research on Dr. King, created a nonfiction informative piece, watched a video and discussed what the “I Have a Dream” speech meant to them. To culminate, each student came up with a dream they had for the world and displayed their dreams on a bulletin board at the school.

SSHS Student Leadership Class leads fundraising efforts for Make-A-Wish Colorado during Wish Week

The Student Leadership class at Steamboat Springs High School has planned a fun-filled week of fundraising opportunities to help raise money for Make-A-Wish Colorado. The events will raise money to help grant wishes for kids like Otis and Eden of Steamboat, a brother and sister with the same critical illness. 

Make-A-Wish Colorado’s student-led fundraising program, Kids For Wish Kids, allows students to gain exposure to philanthropy and learn valuable leadership skills while raising funds to grant more wishes for Colorado children with critical illnesses.

Most participants choose to host a Wish Week, a spirit week themed around Make-A-Wish. Wish Week is planned and managed entirely by the students, with guidance from an adult advisor. The schools feature a wish kid and center their fundraising activities around that child and their wish, typically including a celebration that the wish kid and family attend. 

Otis and Eden helped kick off Wish Week by being guests of honor at a pep rally, where the Student Leadership class presented their plans for Wish Week to the entire school. 

Vanessa Avitia, a sophomore, wants to make sure Otis and Eden are represented and honored throughout the week, and she was a part of the group that welcomed Otis and Eden to the school during the pep rally.

“We want them to feel like they are the stars of Wish Week,” said Vanessa. 

To donate to Make-A-Wish Colorado, go to bit.ly/49lkASv. 

Eighth graders prepare for high school 

Did you know it’s already time for the eighth graders in our school district to start preparing for the transition to 9th grade? To help, eighth graders at Steamboat Springs Middle School participate in the “9 Months to 9th Grade” curriculum.

Beginning in early January and lasting through May 31, eighth graders will be learning about the following high school topics, just to name a few: 

• High school schedules: Differences between the Red and White calendars/90-minute classes
• Freshman CREW class 
• Credits and what you will need to graduate
• How to create a four-year plan and what choices you will have
• How to register for classes and change them if you need to
• CMC, Advanced Placement offerings, and what “Dual-Enrollment” means
• Who your counselor will be and what services they offer
• How to get academic help (tutoring, office hours, etc)
• Extracurricular options, including athletics and clubs  
• How to communicate with high school teachers

SSMS staff on a roll with home visits 

During the fall, staff members from SSMS completed 29 home visits. Since the 2022-23 school year, teachers from the Steamboat Springs School District have been conducting home visits with their students.

A home visit involves teachers pairing up and traveling to students’ homes to introduce themselves to parents. The visit focuses on building relationships, extending support, and actively listening to parents’ concerns and insights.

The following SSMS staff members are fully trained and led home visits: Meghan Alexander, Monica Feagler, Naomi Lang, Stacy Paul, Cindy Ruzicka, Kristin Selby, Marin Shanahan and Corey Stokes. The SSMS team was also supported by district staff members Annabella Paris and Maria Segovia.

SGS Gifted Education teacher receives award 

Janet Peasley, Gifted Education coordinator and teacher at Sleeping Giant School, has been awarded the Julie Gonzales Memorial Scholarship through the Colorado Academy of Educators for the Gifted, Talented, and Creative. They only award three scholarships annually, and we are thrilled that Janet was selected this year. Congratulations!

Transportation and facilities shout out

A huge amount of thanks needs to go out to our Transportation Department, led by Casey Ungs, and our Facilities Department, led by Pascal Ginesta.

Bus drivers have kept everyone safe on the roads, and the facilities staff for keeping up with the sheer volume of winter weather we have had over the past few weeks, ensuring all of our sites were safe for students, staff, and visitors. We would also like to extend a thanks to everyone who has been on crosswalk duty or any outdoor duties keeping kids safe. You are appreciated!

After-Prom volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed for Steamboat Springs High School’s After Prom on May 11-12. We need parent volunteers to help create a safe and exciting event for students after they attend Prom. Volunteers will be part of a committee meeting every few weeks to choose a secret theme, games, snacks, decorations and more. We particularly need help with decorations and fundraising.

The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at SSHS. To volunteer or learn more, email Nicolien at Nicolien.Eckelboom@gmail.com.

Celine Wicks is the superintendent of the Steamboat Springs School District.