District 49 Falcon Homeschool Program 2019 Completion and Continuing Ceremony

Pikes Peak Early College Celebrated Class of 2019 and Continuing Students

Pikes Peak Early College celebrated graduates and continuation students with a ceremony on May 20 at the Antler’s Hotel. Family and friends were gathered to celebrate student achievements.

Patriot High Celebrates Graduates

Patriot High School Class of 2019 celebrated their commencement ceremony on May 17 at Hotel Eleganté. Thirty-one graduates were celebrated for their milestone achievement with family and friends present.

SSAE Class of 2019 Celebration

Springs Studio for Academic Success celebrated the Class of 2019 on May 17 at the Doubletree Hotel. Families, friends, District 49 administrators and Board of Education directors gathered for the celebration of 74 graduates.

EIES Pioneer New Learning Methods

Evans International Elementary School fifth-graders had the opportunity to explore social studies and science units at the USAFA Equestrian Center on May 6 for Pioneer Movement Day. Students were able to review units in a Movement Method based way with ten stations to learn more about animal adaptation, Native American history, art expression, shelter building and much more.

Sand Creek Graduates Inspire Young Scholars

Sand Creek High School Class of 2019 donned their graduation caps and gowns to visit elementary and middle schools, thanking former teachers and offering inspiration to young students on May 9 for their annual Senior Walk.

HMS Students Shine at the “Night of the Stars”

Horizon Middle School staff recognized 130 academic student scholars with grade point averages of 3.50 or higher at the school’s annual “Night of the Stars” awards ceremony on May 14.

Staff Members Show Heart for Students, Fellow Colleagues

Team members contribute to success in District 49 every day, and many give it their all. The May 9 Fantastic 49 festivities honored five employees for giving their heart and soul to D49 students and colleagues.

VRHS Unified Team Scores Big with Student Body

Camaraderie and excitement filled the gym at Vista Ridge High School April 24 for the Unified basketball game against the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. Unified basketball brings together students with and without disabilities on the same athletic team, and promotes inclusion through sports.

D49 Shows Support for Military Families in April

A sunny day and warm greetings welcomed military connected families and community members alike to D49’s 3rd Annual Military Family Appreciation Day.

Texas Instruments Inspiring Young Programmers

Falcon Elementary School of Technology third, fourth and fifth-grade students had the opportunity to work with Texas Instruments coding experts on April 26, 2019. Students learned how to program and code rover machines thanks to funding from the IGNITE grant, a Department of Defense Education Activity grant awarded to District 49.

FMS Firebirds Go for Launch on Space Camp Adventure

Two Falcon Middle School Firebirds will take the field trip of a lifetime later this summer. Alease Church and Gavin Adams have confirmed spots at Space Camp where they will train like astronauts.

Staff, Students Recognized for Work Ethic, Dedication During Fantastic 49

At a typical Fantastic 49 celebration, sentiments share a common theme, touching on hard work and commitment to District 49. Once again, the presentation before the April 11 BOE meeting included warm accolades for students and two D49 staff members, plus a district-wide department.

D49 Students Win from Amazing Pageant Experience

There is a place in the spotlight for learners like Aislynn Cates, a sixth-grader at Falcon Middle School. “It made me feel unique, and like I can do anything,” shared Cates. She and other D49 students took the stage at the Colorado Miss Amazing pageant March 30. The event transcends pageantry, creating a platform for girls with disabilities to have their voices heard and their faces recognized.

D49 Nutrition Services Department Serves Up Top Rated Customer Service

“At the heart of everything the nutrition services department does is our customers- the students,” said D49 Director of Nutrition Services Monica Deines-Henderson. “We understand they have a choice every day to either have their meals with us or not, and we want to make each meal a positive experience for them.”

Staff, Students Honored for Leading the Way in District 49

Individuals in D49 aspire every day to make our educational community the “Best Choice to Learn, Work and Lead.” Before the monthly board of education work session March 27, one staff member and two students were celebrated during Fantastic 49 for leading in notable ways.

VRHS Wrestler Pins her Name to History

For a moment during the match, Bella Mitchell felt her advantage begin to slip. “I actually got a little scared at one point, because she had turned really far and my hips came off the mat,” the VRHS wrestler recalled. “I was scared that she was going to flip me over.”

Honorees Go Above and Beyond to Make D49 Fantastic

Individuals across District 49 aim for excellence every day. For some, it encompasses working hard in and out of the classroom. For others, it is about demonstrating D49’s values on a daily basis. The board of education honored four individuals during Fantastic 49 festivities before the regular board meeting February 14 for their commitment to always going above and beyond.

Unified Basketball Players Shine at VRHS

Vista Ridge High School students joined together to play a Unified basketball game exhibition, Feb. 5.

Construction at Inspiration View in Progress and Ahead of Schedule

IVES Principal Kristy Rigdon invited a group to tour the worksite at the end of January. Wearing hard hats and fluorescent vests, guests including the D49 Chief Officers as well as Board of Education Vice President John Graham explored the rapidly developing campus.

S2S Teams Meet and Greet at Purple Ball

A crowd of more than 400 attendees including elementary, middle and high school students with their parents in tow gathered for the evening to recognize the work taking place with Student 2 Student (S2S) programs around Colorado Springs.

Officer Visit in the Books at Woodmen Hills Elementary School

Students at WHES hosted special visitors from the community at the school Jan. 11. Sergeant William Webster and Deputy Courtney Norman from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office were onsite to read to young learners as part of the Badges and Books program.

BOE Recognizes Individuals Who Make Learning in D49 Fantastic

Team members across District 49 impact learning in many ways. For some, it is teaching students in the classroom. For others, it is about helping ensure students and staff have the best learning environment possible. The board of education honored five staff members during Fantastic 49 festivities before the regular board meeting January 10 for their commitment to D49.

Download the D49 APP Today!

To welcome a new year, and students back to campus, School District 49 is launching a mobile app for smartphone users. Those who download the app will find a wealth of information at their fingertips. D49 families will receive important notifications as well as having the option of logging into the app to get up to the minute information about their students, including grades, attendance and account balances.

PPEC Learns CPR, Motivated by Student’s Inspiring Story

More than 60 students and staff earned CPR certifications from this event, co-organized by PPEC senior Kaine Greathouse.

Military Partnerships Saluted during Special Fantastic 49

Thanks to partnerships with local military installations, D49 students with parents who serve in the armed forces have programs available made just for them. During Fantastic 49 festivities Dec. 13 before the regular monthly Board of Education meeting, Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base and Schriever Air Force Base were honored for their collaborative support of District 49.

HMS JOI Club Supports Local Families While Spreading Holiday Spirit

The JOI Club turned the HMS gym into a Christmas wonderland Dec. 8. for its annual day of service.

Cardboard Arcade Project Fosters Imagination, Innovation at WHES

Teachers around the globe have latched onto the concept of Caine’s Arcade, a project-based curriculum that teaches students how to use innovation in creating projects from inception to completion. During November, students in Mary Hopper’s project-based learning classes at Woodmen Hills Elementary were given the opportunity to take on the cardboard arcade challenge.

MRES Students Reflect to Create Award-Winning Art

The little artists drew pictures and took photographs, and the accolades accompanied their hard work. Fourteen students at Meridian Ranch Elementary School received awards Nov. 26 as part of the national PTA Reflections contest.

HMS Students Learn No Acts of Kindness are Too Small

The Horizon Middle School student body gathered in the gym to hear an emotional story about overcoming a rough childhood, enduring abusive parents, entering foster care and being adopted. On Nov. 27 HMS students had the rare opportunity to listen to punk rock musician, motivational speaker and kindness promoter, Davey Muise.

Springs Studio Students Harvest Kindness to Benefit Food Bank

Food and carnival games were ripe for the picking at the Springs Studio for Academic Excellence Harvestmania event Nov. 9. Students and staff gathered together to celebrate the season, and to raise money for Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado.

MRES Bulldogs Honor Veterans

Meridian Ranch Elementary School celebrated Veterans with a patriotic concert on November 15, 2018. Kenyada Gilbert, Army veteran, was cheered as she walked out of the “Meridian Ranch Clapout” after the Veteran’s Day concert.

EIES Students Give The Gift Of Giving

Lisa Ghrayyeb-Hartman, Evans International Elementary School counselor, meets with the Neonatal Intensive Care staff at Penrose-St. Francis Hospital, Nov. 15. EIES staff members delivered donated items collected by third grade students to the hospital while students watched via a live video call.

PHS Students Give Thanks To Community

Patriot High School culinary arts students cooked and served food for over 100 Falcon community members during the school’s annual pre-Thanksgiving luncheon, Nov. 14.

Falcon Education Foundation Presents $26,000 for Learning in District 49

The list includes captivating projects from a science escape room to a nature store trading post. Thanks to the Falcon Education Foundation, students in District 49 will be exploring and learning from unique classroom experiences. Thirty-seven teachers received mini grants for innovative classroom projects during Fantastic 49 festivities before the Nov. 8 board meeting.

FESoT Community Commemorates Veterans Day

Students, family and community members gathered at Falcon Elementary School of Technology (FESoT) on Tuesday evening, Nov. 13, to celebrate Veterans Day.

RES Students, Staff Serve Up Appreciation at Military Luncheon

Red, white and blue decorations filled the gym. Thank you notes were posted on the wall. Men and women in uniform were the distinguished guests. Remington Elementary School honored area military during a Veterans Day appreciation luncheon Nov. 13.

First Annual Rocky Mountain Restorative Practices Conference is a Wrap

District 49’s DoDEA grant funded program, BRIGHT, hosted its first annual Rocky Mountain Restorative Practices Conference, November 8-9, 2018 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs. John Register, keynote speaker, kicked off the conference Thursday morning with an inspiring message.

Board of Education Thanks Community for Passing Ballot Measure 4C

Board members all voiced sincere gratitude at the Nov. 8 Board of Education meeting. Each had words of thanks to the D49 community for voting in favor of ballot measure 4C. The initiative passed in the Nov. 6 election with 56% of voters in favor of the measure.

D49 Students Explore Important Choices at Get a Life Expo

School District 49’s Pathbuilders team developed the Get a Life Expo to offer an engaging experience of discovery for students in middle school and early high school.

Fantastic 49 Honorees Show Passion for Giving Back

If a D49 student needed something fun to do during summer break, all they had to do was ask someone in, of all departments, nutrition services. Michelle Suggs and Sophie Bettendorf made that part of their commitment to the D49 summer meal program, which also made them Fantastic 49 honorees for October.

Family STEM Night Encourages Outside-the-Box Learning

Somewhere in a cup of instant pudding-powder mixed with a few tablespoons of water and a gummy worm is a lesson about science.

New PEAK Playground Promotes Student Success

A place to exercise body, as well as mind. A newly installed playground for students at the PEAK Education Center created just that. Students and staff celebrated their new activity area with a ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 30.

PPEC Recognizes National Honor Society and Academic Achievement Students

Olivia Kirschbaum, a senior at Pikes Peak Early College, who is also enrolled in her first full year at Pikes Peak Community College, receives her 3.75 academic lettering sweater from principal Rochelle Kolhouse, Sept. 24.

WHES Rock Your School Day

Woodmen Hills Elementary School enjoyed a rock themed day full of fun activities and music Sept. 20. WHES joined thousands of educators around the world for Rock Your School day to capture students’ attention with fun experiences. Students were able to dress up in rock inspired garb and make fake musical instruments.

D49 Teachers Score “Extra Yard” Recognition from AFA

Three teachers in District 49 all have something in common. Parents and colleagues would say these teachers deserve recognition for going above and beyond in their classrooms. Once again, the Air Force Academy’s “Extra Yard for Teachers” campaign made that possible.

Sand Creek Scorpions Celebrate Homecoming 2018

Senior varsity football players, Robert Long (#82), and Christian Pramberg (#1), prepare to charge the field in their last homecoming game at Sand Creek High School, Sept. 21.

Skyview Serves Up Life Skills Event for Students with Disabilities

Skyview Middle School students with disabilities practiced math, reading and everyday life skills Sept. 11 when a local food truck visited the school. Paraprofessional, Devon Marry, coordinated the occasion with Stephanie Perry, case manager.

VRHS Wolves Loud, Proud for Homecoming Festivities

School pride was in the air, and cheering fans were in the stands, as the Vista Ridge High School football team stood ready for competition. The Wolves celebrated homecoming Sept. 14 with a football game and fanfare.

Falcon High School Homecoming; Once a Falcon, Always a Falcon

Friday night-lights in Falcon were bright for Falcon High School’s homecoming activities on Sept. 14. The festivities included fireworks, football game, homecoming court crowning, and special alumni cheer presentation.

Staff Members Receive Praise as Teachers of the Year

Seventeen D49 teachers received accolades from principals, and recommendations from students and parents to prompt selection as their school’s Teacher of the Year.

School District 49 Earns National Recognition for Military Family Outreach

School District 49, in conjunction with its esteemed partners at Peterson Air Force Base are recipients of the 2018 Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award™.

FMS Firebirds go Back to School for 2018

Quiet hallways are not an indication summer break is in full swing at Falcon Middle School. Behind closed doors, on the first day of school, rooms were buzzing with activity on August 2.

WHES Scholars Welcomed Back by Familiar Faces

Woodmen Hills Elementary School may have welcomed some new students for the first day of class Aug. 2, but some things were as constant as ever. As young learners arrived, several long-standing staff members were there to greet them for another year.

RVES Greets Students for First Day of School

Ridgeview Elementary School picked up right where it left off on the last day of school before the start of summer break. On the first day of school, Friday, August 3, Andrea Aragon, RVES assistant principal, greeted every student at the front door.

VRHS Senior Soars Proudly

AFJROTC cadet commander Mark Wilson starts his senior year at VRHS, after earning his private pilot’s license during summer break.

OES Students and Teachers Kick Off the 2018-2019 School Year

New District 49 and Odyssey Elementary School kindergarten teacher Deanne Thoden, greets her students on their first day in class, Aug. 3.

ALLIES Students Find a Permanent Home as the new School Year begins

Stephanie Hazelton, Innovation Lab teacher, greets students as The Academy for Literacy, Learning & Innovation Excellence opened its doors, Aug. 3.

FHS Opens New Academic Wing and Welcomes the Class of 2022

Falcon High School Link Crew members pump up the incoming freshman Class of 2022 during orientation day, Aug. 1.

EIES Welcomes Wildcats back!

Evans International Elementary School welcomed over 580 students for the 2018-19 school year on Aug. 2. Students and families gathered outside on the field for a day of reunions.

SRES Kindergarteners Get a Jump Start to the School Year

SRES physical education teacher Jeff Ingram greets kindergarten students, Aug. 1.

Scorpions Link Up for Class of 2022

Welcome to the Sand Creek family. That was the sentiment delivered by many to incoming freshmen Aug. 1. “This is an exciting day,” remarked Audra Lane, campus director at SCHS. “It’s fun to see all the energy.”

MRES Welcomes new Bulldogs

Meridian Ranch Elementary School welcomed a brand new class of MRES Bulldogs on Aug. 1. Kindergarteners and family members met with staff and teachers during a half day orientation session.

Journey to Learning Begins for Newest FESoT Students

Young and excited scholars arrived at Falcon Elementary School of Technology August 1 and 2 for kindergarten orientation. Kindergarten is all about laying the groundwork for learning in the years to come.

D49 Welcomes SY 18-19 with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies

Three major projects at School District 49 are ready for the start of school year 2018-2019. To mark these milestones D49 hosted three ribbon-cutting ceremonies, on three different days, a week ahead of the first day of school.