Good afternoon Trojan Parents, Great news! Starting Monday, January 20th, we will resume our regular bus routes. If you have any questions, please call the school. Thank you for your patience, and have a great weekend!
over 1 year ago, Joshua Lopez
The January 2025 Edition of The Rabbit Newsletter is available! Enjoy!
over 1 year ago, Victoria Lopez
Just like that Christmas break is over, and we are into 2025. The winter solstice has passed, and the days are now getting longer. Before you know it, we will be changing our clocks once again. As the school year has gone by, I continue to be amazed at the communities we live in. As I follow the news and things that are happening across the country and other parts of the world, I am thankful for the little piece of the world we call home. We have great kids, teachers, staff, neighbors, and friends who come together in times of need. As I write this, California is under an unprecedented disaster with the fires in the Los Angeles County area. Because we have had two major fires in the San Luis Valley over the last 12 or so years, we know too well the destruction they can cause. The Spring Creek Fire in 2018 consumed over 108,000 acres and destroyed over 140 structures. When you look at the photos and videos of what these fires can do, it reminds us how fast things can be taken. Things can be replaced. Family, friends, and memories made cannot and should always be cherished. Meet your new School Resource Officer My name is Jerry Lujan, and I am the School Resource Officer (SRO) for the Conejos County Sheriff's Department, assigned to the North Conejos, Sanford, and South Conejos school districts within Conejos County. This is my first school year as an SRO. I retired as a Chief of Police from the La Jara Police Department after 28 years. I spent a little over 6 years with Conejos Sheriff Department as Deputy Sheriff at the start of my career back in 1990 to 1996. I have always loved the San Luis Valley and have lived here all my life. I like to hunt, fish, and play poker and golf. Please welcome Deputy Lujan as our new SRO for the schools and a welcomed addition to the unit at the Sheriff’s Department. Reading my newsletter may get you lunch on me! My question last month was about when the Great Sand Dunes were designated as a national monument. President Herbert Hoover made this designation on March 17, 1932. (Pictured: Jolie Holtcamp – she correctly answered the question in November) I kept the question from my December newsletter since there was only a couple weeks before we went on break. Remember to tell me the answer, and you may get lunch on me!! Thanks.
CAUGHT DOING GOOD DEEDS!!! Marius Espinoza was caught recently by me doing good deeds. I noticed that he would hold the door open for fellow students, greet them as they entered school, and helped his teacher clean the classroom by straightening desks and cleaning up papers. He was doing all this without being asked. What a great example Marius is setting for others to follow. Keep it up Marius, and thanks for doing a good deed!! If you see or hear of a student doing something above and beyond, or if a student helps another in a crisis, please let me know so that I can look into it. I want to recognize our students who are doing great things and share those students and stories with everyone!! And if the student has a waiver signed for media release, I send those to the National Association of School Resource Officers so they can let the nation know of the great things our students do. Knowing who is in our buildings Recently at a junior / senior high school in Jefferson County, a man knocked on a classroom door that opened to the outside. The man deceived the teacher into thinking he was part of the construction crew that was doing work at the school, and she let him in. The man wandered around the building for 40 minutes before asking another teacher where the library was. The teacher questioned him and whether or not he could be in the building. The man was escorted to the office and was later arrested for trespassing. This is a prime example about why everyone who comes to our buildings needs to enter through the front door and be checked in at the office. We should not be utilizing side doors or propping doors open with objects. One of the first lines of defense is only allowing access through one entry point and having to be checked in. We all have to be vigilant, and we absolutely need to know who is inside our schools. Quote Corner “If you are always trying to be normal, you’ll never know how amazing you can be.” ~Maya Angelou Thanks for taking the time to read my newsletter. If you see me, tell me the answer: What is the depth of the Last Chance Mine in Creede, CO?
Trojan Families, This is a reminder that for today begins new pick-up procedure. Please enter the school on County RD 13 by the football field and fairgrounds and proceed to the back of the school. Thank you.
over 1 year ago, Maddie Mansheim
The South Conejos School Board of Education will conduct a Special Meeting on the 15th day of January 2025 at 6:00 PM. The meeting will be held in the Secondary Flex area.
over 1 year ago, Victoria Lopez
South Conejos School District RE-10 Board of Education Special Meeting January 15, 2025 6:00 p.m. Secondary Flex Area Mission Statement: South Conejos School District will provide students with a strong educational foundation to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens. Students and staff will feel welcomed, safe, and supported. A. Call to Order/Roll Call/Quorum/Read Mission Statement B. Pledge of Allegiance C. Citizen’s Comments – Agenda items only. Limit 3 minutes D. Approval of Agenda E. Approval of Consent Agenda 1. Approval of Minutes – None 2. Reports – None F. Reports No Reports G. Discussion and Action Items 1. Staffing H. Executive Session Executive Session pursuant to C.R.S. 2-6-402(4)(b) for the purpose of receiving legal advice from the attorneys for the School District regarding the case SCSD vs. WOLD. Adjournment
Dear Trojan Families, We are committed to ensuring the safety of all students, staff, and families during school pick-up times. To address traffic concerns on G Street and improve safety during dismissal, we will be implementing a new pick-up procedure starting January 13th, 2025. New Pick-Up Location and Procedures Starting on this date, pick-up will take place at the back of the school. Please review the updated procedure below: Entry Point: All parents picking up students must enter the school via County Road 13, near the FairGrounds and Football Field. Pick-Up Lines: At the rear of the building, there will be two pick-up lines: Families heading eastbound on G Street after pick-up will use the left lane. Families heading westbound on G Street after pick-up will use the right lane. Student Name Tags: Please ensure your student’s name tag is clearly displayed in your car to assist staff in efficiently bringing your child to your vehicle. Speed and Safety: Drive slowly and carefully at all times to ensure the safety of everyone. Exceptions for Front Entrance Pick-Up Families who have health or safety concerns and have spoken with school administration may continue to pick up their students at the front entrance. These families should use the parking lot on G Street and park in a designated space. High School Student Drivers and Other Parking Needs High school student drivers will continue to exit onto G Street from the parking lot. Families needing to come into the school after dismissal should also enter the parking lot via G Street. Please note that the County Road 13 entrance to the parking lot will be blocked off during dismissal. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we implement this new system. Our goal is to provide a safer and more efficient pick-up process for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school office at 719.376.7001. Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping our students safe. Sincerely, Maddie Mansheim Principal South Conejos School District
over 1 year ago, Maddie Mansheim
Pick Up Route
Free Ice Skating, wellness tips & tricks, snacks, drinks, and giveaways! January 10, 2025
over 1 year ago, Danisha Martinez
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Good evening Trojan Parents, This message is for parents with children who live in town. Until further notice, anybody who lives in town will need to bring their child to school. We will, however, be picking up children who live in Gomez Apartments. For anyone who may have difficulties bringing their child to school, please contact us in the morning. Thank you for your understanding, and we are excited to see everyone back at school.
over 1 year ago, Joshua Lopez
The South Conejos School Board of Education will conduct a Work Session on the 7th day of January 2025 at 6:00 PM. The meeting will be held in the Secondary Flex area.
over 1 year ago, Victoria Lopez
South Conejos School District RE-10 Board of Education Public Notice Work Session January 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. South Conejos School District Secondary Flex Area Mission Statement: South Conejos School District will provide students with a strong educational foundation to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens. Students and staff will feel welcomed, safe, and supported. A. Define and Review Board and Superintendent Roles B. Evaluation Rubric/Tool C. Policy Review D. Behavioral Challenges E. Sign Board Operational Norms
The South Conejos School Board of Education will conduct a Special Meeting on the 7th day of January 2025 at 5:45 PM. The meeting will be held in the Secondary Flex area.
over 1 year ago, Victoria Lopez
South Conejos School District RE-10 Board of Education Special Meeting January 7, 2025 5:45 p.m. Secondary Flex Area Mission Statement: South Conejos School District will provide students with a strong educational foundation to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens. Students and staff will feel welcomed, safe, and supported. A. Call to Order/Roll Call/Quorum/Read Mission Statement B. Pledge of Allegiance C. Citizen’s Comments – Agenda items only. Limit 3 minutes D. Approval of Agenda E. Approval of Consent Agenda 1. Approval of Minutes – None 2. Reports – None F. Reports No Reports G. Discussion and Action Items 1. Overnight Trip H. Executive Session No Executive Session November 14, 2023 @ 6 pm I. Adjournment
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students across all grade levels. Our preschool students amazed us with their animated and energetic Christmas program, spreading joy and holiday cheer with their performances. Our K12 students demonstrated remarkable hard work and dedication as they came together to create a memorable holiday production for our community, showcasing their commitment and team spirit. Congratulations to our new National Honor Society inductees for their academic excellence and leadership. Additionally, we want to recognize our middle school boys basketball team for their impressive 2nd place finish in the end-of-season tournament, our high school basketball teams girls for their 2nd place finish, and the boys 4th place finish at the Primero Tournament, and the high school girls wrestling team for their 5th place finish at a very competitive Salida Tournament. A testament to their teamwork and determination. Additionally, a heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff for their unwavering love, dedication, and commitment to our students. Your passion for teaching and your tireless efforts to inspire, support, and nurture our learners do not go unnoticed. You play a vital role in shaping the future of our students, and we are deeply grateful for the positive impact you make every day. Your hard work and devotion are genuinely appreciated, and we are fortunate to have such an exceptional team. Thank you for all that you do! What a fantastic way to close out the year!
over 1 year ago, Victoria Lopez
Picture of boys middle school basketball team.
K12 Holiday production
Picture of grinch
Picture of Student
Preschool
High School Girls Basketbal team photo
NHS Inductees
Wrestling
Good Morning Trojan Families. We want to remind all parents and guardians that today is an early dismissal day at 2:00 PM. On behalf of the entire South Conejos crew, we wish you and your family a wonderful and restful winter break. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing everyone in the new year. Happy holidays!
over 1 year ago, Maddie Mansheim
A trojan sledding that says happy trojan holidays
Dear Guardians and Parents, As we approach winter break, it's important to prioritize our students' mental health. Did you know that research shows students are at a higher risk of depression during winter months, with rates increasing by up to 30%? To help combat this, I encourage you and your children practice these mental health tips over break. I hope you all have a restful and wonderful break. I look forward to seeing everyone in 2025! Warm regards, Ms. Danisha Martinez
over 1 year ago, Danisha Martinez
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Trojan Nation, Courtesy of our School Resource Officer, Sergeant Noga, please be aware of this scam: *********************************************** Beware of the Brushing Scam! A recent scam has been appearing in many states as we draw nearer to Christmas. We have some unconfirmed reports that some Chaffee County residents have already fallen victim. A “brushing" scam is when someone receives an unexpected gift or item not ordered in the mail from a place like Amazon or another company. Gifts include rings, bracelets, necklaces, Bluetooth speakers, etc. The gift will have the recipient’s address but not include the sender's information or be from a known retailer. When the recipient opens the package to see what it is and possibly who sent it, there is a QR code to scan to find out who sent the gift. Once the code is scanned, all the information from that phone will be sent to scammers. They receive all access to the phone. All personal and financial information is accessible to the scammers, and often, the victim's bank accounts are drained. The gift can be kept or thrown away, but the QR code should NOT be scanned for any reason. QR code scams are nothing new. Inform your family members about the scam and avoid scanning any unknown QR codes included in the package. *************************************************
over 1 year ago, Joshua Lopez
Dear Guardians and Families, Join us tonight, December 16th, at 6 PM to celebrate our Winter Production, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"! If your student is participating in the play, please remember to arrive at the time noted in the information that was sent home. We look forward to seeing you there!
over 1 year ago, Danisha Martinez
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Congratulations Evan! https://lavozcolorado.com/2024/12/11/student-of-the-week-evan-garcia/
over 1 year ago, Zyra Guyon
The South Conejos School Board District Advisory Committee will meet on the 18th day of December 2024, at 5 PM. The meeting will be held in the district conference room.
over 1 year ago, Maddie Mansheim
2024-2025 District Accountability Committee (DAC) Agenda December 18, 2024, 5:00-6:00 Committee Members Attendance Roles Jennai Montoya, Business Owner & Parent Lily Mondragon, Parent Crystal Pacheco, Parent Karina Soto, Parent Jessica Valdez, Teacher Maddie Mansheim, School Leadership Josh Lopez, District Leadership Jennai Montoya Lily Mondragon Crystal Pacheco Karina Soto Jessica Valdez Maddie Mansheim Josh Lopez Chairperson: Lily Mondragon Co-Chair: Secretary: Crystal Pacheco Timekeeper: Time Topic/Presenter Topic Type Resources/Meeting Notes 5:00-5:20 Mid-Year UIP Review Maddie Mansheim, Principal Report 5:20-5:50 Student Handbook Feedback Maddie Mansheim, Principal Josephine Montoya, Vice-Principal Feedback https://www.southconejos.com/page/student-handbook 5:50 Set Date for Next DAC
5:50 Set Date for Next DAC
Trojan Winter Spirit Week! December 16th-19th
over 1 year ago, Danisha Martinez
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Trojan Families, Today we briefly went into lockdown after the LifeSpot application that we use for safety sent off a false alert by mistake to multiple schools across the nation. All students and staff are safe and there was no threat to the school. We want to commend all our students and staff for the preparedness and how seriously they handled the situation. Thank you all for your support and understanding.
over 1 year ago, Maddie Mansheim
Good morning Trojan Crew! We are happy to share the latest edition of The Rabbit newsletter! Our School Resource Officer (SRO) Sgt. Noga's role goes beyond just keeping the campus safe. He has dedicated his time to building positive relationships, offering guidance, and contributing to a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. We thank Sgt. Noga, for being such an integral part of our community!
over 1 year ago, Victoria Lopez
New laws to take effect January 1, 2025 I want to pass along information on a couple of new laws that will take effect starting on January 1 that are important. The first one is a law dealing with cell phone use while driving. All drivers will no longer be able to hold or manually use any mobile or cellular device for calls or any other reason. This new law will now require the use of a hands-free device. One exception is the reporting of an emergency. This new law will carry a fine of $75 and two points against a driver’s license. Repeat offenders will see higher fines and additional points. For first-time violators, the ticket will be dismissed if proof is shown to the court that a hands-free device was purchased. The second law deals with changes to the child restraint laws. Here is the breakdown: • Booster seats: Children must now use a car seat or booster seat until they are 9 years old (previously under 8 years old). • Rear-facing car seats: Children under 2 years old and weighing under 40 pounds must be restrained in a rear-facing car seat in the rear seat if available (previously under 1 year old and under 20 pounds). Children under 2 years old but weighing over 40 pounds may use either a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat. • Seat belt or car seat requirement ages: Children under 18 years old must now be properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint system (previously under 16 years old) Thank you for using a hands-free device and for always having everyone in your vehicle buckled up!!
BUSTED!!! This party had entered the main lobby of the Sheriff’s Department where she was caught green handed trying to steal presents! The Grinch was arrested and placed in a holding cell until she could see the judge. She was later released. FINAL THOUGHTS FOR THE YEAR As we close out 2024 and the first half of the school year, I want to thank our schools, students, parents, and community for the great support that they have given to the school resource officer unit for Conejos County Sheriff. I love your kids which I refer to as “my kids.” I will have some pretty exciting news in my January newsletter that I cannot wait to share with you. For this holiday season, however you and your family celebrate it, remember the meaning behind it. Take this time to reflect on the past year. Look back on the good, and bad, things that may have happened. Don’t dwell on the negative. Instead thrive on the positive. If you are not sure about things, read my quote for this month. This can be a brand-new starting point. This time of year, can be hard. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to someone. Together we make the world brighter!! 988 Crisis line. Quote Corner “Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.” ~ Nido Qubein Thanks for taking the time to read my newsletter. If you see me, tell me the answer: What is the depth of the Last Chance Mine in Creede, CO? I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Good Afternoon Trojan Families, Today, we conducted a lockdown drill as part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our students and staff safe. This was a planned drill, and there was no actual threat to the school. We are proud of how seriously students and staff approached this important practice. Lockdown drills help us prepare for emergencies and ensure that everyone knows how to respond appropriately. Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a safe and secure learning environment.
over 1 year ago, Maddie Mansheim
In an emergency take action