A Final Sendoff for FHS Falcons, Class of 2020

District 49 closed out the 2019-2020 academic year with a graduation ceremony to honor the Falcon High School Class of 2020.

Scorpion Graduates Celebrate, Score with Outdoor Graduation

The sting of COVID-19 prevented some of the usual end-of-year senior festivities to take place as planned, but the SCHS Scorpions Class of 2020 finally celebrated.

VRHS Celebrates Graduation Outdoors with Family

The Vista Ridge High School Class of 2020 gathered together for one last time on a beautiful June morning to celebrate their graduation.

Central Registration Office Is Open

Starting on Monday, June 22, the District 49 Central Registration Office is open by appointment only.

Dream of Teaching Made Possible for Three Staff

For three paraprofessionals in District 49, fitting college into their demanding schedule is a dream come true and a chance to cultivate their life’s mission.

PHS Class of 2020 Starts Post-Grad Season in Center Field

PHS celebrated graduating seniors with a socially distanced, drive-in movie theater style ceremony May 23

PPEC Perseveres, Celebrates Class of 2020

Parents and family members sat in decorated cars and made lots of noise in the parking lot at VRHS May 22 to help honor the PPEC Class of 2020.

SSAE Grads a New Class of Trailblazers

The purple-robed, Springs Studio for Academic Excellence Class of 2020, kicked off graduation season in the era of COVID-19, May 22.

PPEC Freshman Presents $5700 to Local Nonprofit

It started with an assignment in Julie Butterworth’s biology class at Pikes Peak Early College. She asked students to select a nonprofit and assist with a campaign.

VRHS Team Leads State in LifeSmarts

One group of Vista Ridge High School seniors is proving they have the skills to take on the real world. The LifeSmarts team finished first in Colorado.

Bus Drivers Needed

District 49 is hiring bus drivers. A full time bus driver position is fully benefitted.

Ridgeview Elementary Earns National Award

For a third year, RVES earned top recognition among schools across our country as a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School.

Team Members Thanked for Making an Impact

District 49 celebrated staff members who have made a significant difference to students and colleagues.

D49 Celebrates Staff Who Go Above and Beyond

Individuals across District 49 deliver their best every day. D49 honored four deserving staff members Feb. 13.

BOE Appoints Director District Four

Colorado Springs resident John Koster will serve as Director of D49’s District Four.

D49 Recognizes Staff Members Who Exemplify Excellence

Team members work hard every day to make District 49 the “Best Choice to Learn, Work and Lead.”

HMS Students Spread Holiday JOI

The holiday season is about the joy of giving. It’s making others feel merry and bright, and reminding ourselves that small acts of kindness make a big difference.

RES Students Reach for the Stars

Remington Elementary Students had a rare opportunity from The Challenger Learning Center to visit a mobile planetarium on December 10.

SSAE Campus Celebrates Expansion with Groundbreaking

A new look for the Springs Studio of Academic Excellence campus for school year ‘20-’21 is taking shape right now.

D49 Board of Education named 2019 Board of Distinction

State association of school boards recognizes the BOE for its overall record of stable, courageous leadership.

Staff Honored for Demonstrating D49 Cultural Compass

Employees received accolades during the Dec. 12 Fantastic 49 celebration for exhibiting core values of District 49. Honorees share characteristics of care, teamwork and innovation.

District 49 Board of Education sets New Assignments in 2019

D49 welcomes back familiar faces to the Board of Education and greeted a new member at the beginning of December.

Falcon Zone Staff Finalists for Digital Convergence Awards

Firebird Nation Campus Executive Principal Brian Smith and Aaron Lentner, MRES third-grade teacher are finalists for recognition by the National Council on Digital Convergence.

D49 Thankful for Shining Stars Across District

The week before Thanksgiving set the stage as the perfect time for the District 49 family to express gratitude for the inaugural group of Support and Service Stars.

VRHS Show Choir Champions

The Vista Ridge High School Show Choir is showing off some new hardware in its rapidly growing collection of awards at VRHS.

D49 Teachers Win “Extra Yard” Recognition from AFA

Two teachers in District 49 scored regional recognition for going above and beyond in their classrooms. Amy Levi, third-grade teacher at Ridgeview Elementary, and Kortney Sorensen, P.E./health teacher at Falcon High School, were selected as honorees in the Air Force Academy’s “Extra Yard for Teachers” campaign.

SRES Super Day of Science

Springs Ranch Elementary School students participated in “Super Day of Science,” on Sept. 13. Colorado College physics students volunteered their services for the day’s events as they prepared interactive science demonstration shows.

Former NBA Star Sparks Passion Within Firebirds

P.E. teacher Jedd Sims wanted a lesson for his Falcon Middle School students different from the rest. “I’m a big basketball fan and thought it would be unique for our kids to meet a former NBA player,” Sims shared. That’s when he learned about the Denver Nuggets Community Ambassadors.

Grant Dollars Bring Physics to Life with New Tech in FHS Classroom

FHS students are performing an experiment similar to one Galileo attempted 400 years ago in Tim Cerniglia’s Physics 1 class using some updated technology. Working with a $5,000 grant awarded by Century Link, Cerniglia purchased new technology to add practical application to his students’ coursework. 

Sand Creek Stings for Homecoming

Friday the thirteenth and a harvest full moon proved to be good luck for the Sand Creek Scorpions for their homecoming football game vs. Cheyenne Mountain on Sept. 13. Scorpions stung their opponents in a 21-6 victory.

Inspiration View Staff Offers Sneak Peek of New School

D49 Chief Education Officer Peter Hilts looked out over a small crowd Monday, July 22. "How many of you out here are going to be students at Inspiration View?” He asked. "Raise your hands high!”

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.

ALLIES Ribbon Cutting

Please join District 49 as we celebrate the opening of ALLIES with a ribbon cutting ceremony. We invite you to join us for the ceremony and to take a good look at a benchmark achievement in the D49 Building our Future Community plan, Wednesday, July 25th at 3 p.m.

Bennett Ranch Elementary Ribbon Cutting

District 49 is thrilled to announce the completion of major construction projects made possible with the 3B MLO funding approved by taxpayers in the fall of 2016. Our school leaders and esteemed guests will celebrate these milestones and offer an up-close look at our new, and upgraded, buildings. We invite you to attend our ribbon- cutting ceremonies beginning the week of July 23, starting with Bennett Ranch Elementary School!

Students and Friends Meet Through Summer Soccer

D49 staff bring kids and community together with the Southeast Springs Soccer Initiative or SeSSI

Military Students Learning to Hang in There

The life of a military student is challenging. Frequent moves across the globe bring constant change and new beginnings. “Being a military kid can be hard, but things like this make it easier,” said third-grader, Becky Simpson.

BOE Honors, Thanks Staff Members During Fantastic 49

Three District 49 staff members were honored June 14 for their achievements in the district prior to the regular monthly Board of Education meeting.

Students Across District Win with Track and Field Day

Nearly 400 fourth and fifth-graders from 10 schools across D49 participated at the all-district track meet May 17 at Falcon High School. Students were gathered together to practice physical education skills learned throughout the year and to experience competition.

Falcon Class of 2018 Soars into Adulthood

Families, friends and graduates gathered at the World Arena on the morning of May 26, 2018 for Falcon High School’s Class of 2018 Graduation. Falcon’s 2018 class had 242 graduates receiving their high school diplomas Saturday morning. Graduates quietly lined up in the tunnels before entering the world arena floor to kick off the event.

Vista Ridge High Class of 2018 Leave with Degree in Hand

Band music serenaded the audience during the gathering of family and friends for the Class of 2018 graduation of Vista Ridge High School on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the World Arena. 325 Vista Ridge graduates filed into the World Arena floor to “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by VRHS band.

Sand Creek High Celebrates Class of 2018

Sand Creek High School graduates and family members waited to enter the World Arena late afternoon on Saturday, May 26, 2018 for the Class of 2018 Graduation Ceremony. 274 Sand Creek seniors received their diploma on Saturday.

SES Celebrates Learning, Commemorates History

Science experiments, a wax museum, math bingo and a book walk were just some of the highlights of the “Learning Through the Decades” night at Stetson Elementary School May 15.

Pikes Peak Early College Celebrates Grads and Continuing Students

A room full of Pikes Peak Early College students sat quietly at tables surrounded by their family and friends early in the afternoon of Friday, May 18.

Homeschool Students Honored at Completion Ceremony

It’s the season for celebrating the milestone of completing a K-12 education. For area homeschool students, graduation is no exception. Five homeschool high school seniors were honored for their completion during a special ceremony May 19 at the Creekside Success Center.

Springs Studio for Academic Excellence Congratulates Class of 2018

Ninety-two purple-gowned seniors kicked off the District 49 graduation season the morning of Friday, May 18.

Patriot High School Graduates Saluted for Success

Twenty-seven graduates from Patriot High School were commended for their success during a ceremony May 18. The graduation took place at Creekside Success Center and highlighted accomplishments of the students and encouraged them for what is yet to come.

D49 Celebrates New School with Official Groundbreaking

A small team of School District 49 leaders put their shoveling skills to work on a breezy Tuesday afternoon.

Kids Win With Soccer Kick Around

Kids from the Evans International Elementary School neighborhood scored big by learning the basics of soccer at a “kick around” hosted by the Southeast Springs Soccer Initiative at the school June 19.

2017 Teachers of the Year Honored

Heather Reading, kindergarten teacher, is recognized as Remington Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year during ‘Fantastic 49’ ahead of a monthly Board of Education meeting June 8 in District 49.

Busy Construction Season Blasts Off with Wall-Breaking Ceremony

The walls at Sand Creek High School started tumbling down on June 6 when the community came together for a groundbreaking, or rather “wall breaking,” ceremony at the school. Administrators, students, and board members took turns knocking down walls to make way for a variety of school improvements and additions. The event marked the official kick-off for $83.5 million of projects across District 49 made possible by ballot issue 3B. Last November, voters overwhelmingly approved 3B by a 2 to 1 margin.

Special Olympics Brings Social and Physical Support for Students in Extended School Year Program

Representatives from the southeast Colorado Special Olympics regional office taught bocce ball to students enrolled in District 49's extended school year program June 7 at Sand Creek High School. The extended year program serves qualifying students with special needs for four weeks at the beginning of the traditional summer break. The program focuses on retaining information and skills that students learn during the traditional school year. The extra learning helps increase retention and ensures a strong start to the school year. "When we are in the classroom we are working hard on reading and math," said Bridgette Martin, ESY coordinator for secondary students. "A lot of the students have social goals too and this is a practical and fun way to work on those goals."

SCHS Graduates Prepare For Next Chapter As ‘World Changers’

Sand Creek High School graduates prepare for a commencement ceremony May 27 at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs.

2016 Teachers of The Year Recognized

Amy Rogers, math teacher, is recognized as Vista Ridge High School’s teacher of the year during “Fantastic 49” achievements ahead of a monthly board meeting June 9.

Students Create Art Work As Part of #StopOnRed Campaign

"We enjoy the opportunity to see the artwork from our students across the district," said Gene Hammond, District 49 transportation director. "To see the importance of safety on our buses through the eyes of those we serve reminds us of the important job we do each day."

News 5 Features FESoT on Newscast

Falcon Elementary School of Technology fifth grade students learned about being storm safe with KOAA News 5, the NBC affiliate for southern Colorado.

Class of 2016: SCHS Reflects on Successes, New Possibilities

Roughly 280 Sand Creel High School graduates received diplomas May 28 during a commencement ceremony at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs.

Class of 2016: VRHS Marks Milestones, Considers Future

More than 300 Vista Ridge High School graduates received diplomas May 28 during a commencement ceremony at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs.

VRHS Student Athletes Sign Letters of Intent

Twelfth-graders Louis Quinones, 18, and Elway Tubbs, 18, sign letters of intent May 6 at Vista Ridge High School.

Teachers of the Year Awarded During ‘Fantastic 49’

Andrea Aragon, teacher at Ridgeview Elementary School, receives a teacher of the year award June 11 during a Board of Education meeting June 11 in District 49.

Class of 2015: Patriot Learning Center

Patriot Learning center graduates turn their tassel May 21 during a commencement ceremony.

Grant Propels Learning at PLC

Paul Austin, science educator at Patriot Learning Center, will use a $4200 Teachers and Technology grant from CenturyLink to purchase a 3D printer. Austin and his students will use the 3D printer to create different propellers in a boat drag racing unit. "Without this grant, there's no way we could do the tinkering phase of the project," said Austin. "It isn't cost effective and there's no way we'd be able to wait for a manufacturer to do that process for us."

Challenging Mission: To The Moon

The POWER Zone schools in District 49 focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) ecosystem. Fifth grade students from the gifted program at the zone's three elementary schools visited Challenger Learning Center May 20. The students participated in a mission to a lunar base on the moon.

PPSEL Students Present Hundreds of Semester Expeditions

Kindergartner Cassie Johnson, 6, tells principal Don Knapp that “engineers make machines to make life easier” during a gallery night May 20 at Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning in District 49.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

"It's a great chance for our kids to be out and compete against other schools," said Kara Woolery, Evans International Elementary School counselor, "They are showing us what they can do and are such upstanding young people. It's a nice way to end the year."

Class of 2015: Falcon Virtual Academy

Fifty-six students graduated from Falcon Virtual Academy on May 15. This is the last graduating class from FVA as it will evolve into Springs Studio for Academic Excellence during the summer.

Father Shares Why Son’s Teacher Deserves Awards, Recognition

Patrick Jewell, father of second-grader Brett Jewell, 8, shares his appreciation for significant support needs teacher Dawnise Sandwick of Falcon Elementary School of Technology during a Board of Education meeting May 14 in District 49. Jewell wrote a nomination for Sandwick to receive a teacher appreciation scholarship from the Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association.

BOE Honors Bonavita As Colorado Online, Blended Counselor Of The Year

Dale Bonavita, counselor at Falcon Virtual Academy, explains her recognition by the Colorado Department of Education as online and blended counselor of the year during a Board of Education meeting May 14 in District 49.