The Colorado Springs School District 11 Offers Free Breakfast And Lunch Over Summer (Photo) -05/27/25

60 Years Of Empowering Learners: D11 Adult And Family Education Program To Celebrate Graduation And Historic Anniversary -05/23/25

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — For six decades, the Adult and Family Education (AFE) Program of Colorado Springs School District 11 has transformed lives and communities through the power of learning. On Thursday, May 29, 2025, the District invites the public to a special evening of recognition and celebration at the Roy J. Wasson Academic Campus (RJWAC), beginning with the Graduation and Celebration of Learning at 7:00 PM, followed by the 60th Anniversary Celebration at 8:00 PM.
 

Founded in 1965, AFE has been a cornerstone of adult education across the Pikes Peak region, offering transformative opportunities for learners of all backgrounds. From adult basic education and English language acquisition to career development and dual-generational literacy, AFE prepares individuals for personal growth, academic achievement, and workforce readiness.
 

Celebrating 60 Years of Transforming Lives, One Lesson at a Time
 

This year’s event is more than a graduation—it's a community milestone. For 60 years, AFE has:

• Empowered Adults: Thousands have achieved literacy, job readiness, and lifelong learning goals.
• Strengthened Families: Through our Family Literacy programming, we support two generations at once—ensuring parents and children learn and thrive together.
• Inspired Community Impact: Our alumni contribute meaningfully to the Pikes Peak region, creating lasting ripple effects of opportunity and hope.

“Our graduates are living proof that education is transformative at any stage of life,” said Principal Wendy Swearingen. “We are incredibly proud of the legacy AFE has built—and excited to see how our learners continue to shape the future.”
 

Powered by Partnerships

The impact of AFE is magnified through strong community collaboration. We are honored to work alongside partners including:

Pikes Peak Workforce Center, Pikes Peak State College, Colorado Department of Education (Adult Education Initiatives), Colorado Department of Labor and Employment / The Office of New Americans, Lutheran Family Services, First United Methodist Church, Mountain Metro Transit, CPCD – giving children a head start, Parent Possible, Buell Foundation, Tony Grampsas Youth Services (TGYS), and many more.
 

Event Details

Roy J. Wasson Academic Campus (Auditorium, Courtyard, Cafeteria)
Thursday, May 29, 2025
7:00 PM — Graduation & Celebration of Learning
8:00 PM — 60th Anniversary Celebration
Refreshments | Music | Community | Fun
 

Get Involved

• Attend the event and celebrate the achievements of our learners and alumni.
• Share your story on social media using [Insert Hashtag] to reflect on how AFE has impacted your journey.
• Enroll in upcoming classes and take the next step in your educational journey.

Join us as we celebrate 60 years of learning, legacy, and limitless potential!

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Temporary Closure Of Boulder Street Begins June 3 For Palmer High School Renovation (Photo) -05/20/25

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

May 20, 2025

Temporary Closure of Boulder Street Begins June 3 for Palmer High School Renovation

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Beginning the morning of June 3, 2025, Boulder Street will be temporarily closed between Nevada Avenue and Weber Street to support the first phase of renovations at William J. Palmer High School.

This closure is temporary and is expected to last approximately 2.5 years. It is necessary to allow for the laydown of heavy materials directly on Boulder Street and to create a secure access route for construction vehicles entering and exiting the site. This setup will ensure the safe delivery of new materials and efficient removal of demolition debris as construction proceeds.

It is important to note that this is not a permanent closure of Boulder Street. A separate and more extensive process—involving formal application to City Council and opportunities for community engagement—would be required to vacate the public right-of-way on a permanent basis.

The closure supports a major renovation to one of Colorado Springs’ most historic schools and is part of an ongoing effort to modernize learning environments for current and future students.

For more information about the Palmer High School renovation project, visit www.d11.org/palmerrenovation.

Closure and Detour Map

The map attached shows the section of Boulder Street that will be closed between Nevada Avenue and Weber Street from June 3, 2025, through January 3, 2028. It also highlights the anticipated short-term impacts on Weber Street through July 20, 2026. Signage and detour routes will be clearly posted to assist drivers and pedestrians in navigating the area safely during construction.

North Middle School Students Unleash “The Monster Within” In An Immersive Art Experience Inspired By Meow Wolf And North Alumnus Artist Patrick Shearn (Photo) -05/16/25

Colorado Springs, CO — May 2025 — Inside the Viking Black Box at North Middle School, monsters come alive—but not the kind you'd expect. These are the internal monsters we all carry: reflections of identity, curiosity, emotion, and transformation. This year-long immersive art experience, titled “The Monster Within,” was envisioned, designed, and built entirely by North’s Advanced 8th Grade Drama and Design students.

Inspired by a field trip to Meow Wolf Denver, this co-curricular, CTE-supported project brings together art, drama, and storytelling in a jaw-dropping, student-created installation that invites visitors to step into a world of imagination and introspection.

The students’ journey deepened in March with a visit to the Psycullescence exhibit at the Galleries of Contemporary Art (GOCA) at UCCS—where they met Patrick Shearn, the internationally acclaimed immersive artist behind the exhibit and a proud North Middle School alumnus. Shearn led students through an exploration of his work and process, sharing how public art can reflect the inner landscape of emotion and experience. His influence and encouragement sparked new depth and direction in the students’ work.

“The theme ‘The Monster Within’ was inspired by curiosity about how the internal systems of fictional monsters could represent different parts of our personalities,” said Cole Bennett, North’s Design teacher. “Every project in this room took meticulous dedication. Students defined their own goals, alternated leadership, and brought their ideas to life through months of hard work.”

“We began with our feeder elementary’s art theme, ‘Let the Wild Rumpus Begin,’ and our students elevated that concept into something uniquely middle school,” said Amanda Gaden, Drama teacher. “They explored identity, vulnerability, creativity, and voice—and built an immersive world around it. These kids are pure magic.”

What makes this project extraordinary isn’t just the final product—it’s the pathway thinking, the collaboration, and the creative risk-taking that went into every inch of the Viking Black Box Theater. From concept to execution, the installation is a student-led achievement that reflects the power of arts integration, project-based learning, and student agency.

Students applied to be part of this advanced course, worked across disciplines, and engaged with professionals in the arts community. Their work stands as a bold example of what’s possible when we trust students to lead, create, and express freely.

You’re Invited to Experience “The Monster Within” -you do not want to miss this opportunity to visit in person! School ends Friday, May 23rd. 

What: A walk-in, immersive art installation created by North Middle School students
Where: Viking Black Box Theater, North Middle School
When: Open for visits—schedule a time today!
Who: Advanced 8th Grade Drama & Design Students
Why: Because this isn’t just art—it’s expression, identity, and the future of learning

To schedule a visit, interview students or staff, or request photos or media access, please contact Amanda Gaden at amanda.gaden@d11.org or 719-328-5755.

Palmer High School To Break Ground On Historic Renovation -05/12/25

Honor the legacy. Empower the future.

Colorado Springs, CO — May 7, 2025 — Colorado Springs School District 11 invites members of the media and community to a monumental moment in the city’s history: the groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation of William J. Palmer High School, the city’s oldest and most iconic high school.

When: Monday, May 12 at 3:15 p.m.
Where: Palmer High School Courtyard (Enter from Boulder Street)

This historic investment will transform Palmer into a future-ready learning environment while honoring its deep legacy in the heart of downtown. The renovation includes a full restoration of the school’s historic core and the construction of a new Academic Wing — designed to support student agency, interdisciplinary learning, and the globally minded International Baccalaureate philosophy that defines the Palmer experience.

“This is more than a renovation,” said Superintendent Michael Gaal. “It’s a re-commitment to public education at the center of our city — and to every student who walks through these doors with a dream and a future worth investing in.”

The design team, composed of RTA Architects and NES Inc. (both local firms with more than 40 years of experience in Colorado Springs) and national education design leader Perkins Eastman, has spent the last year gathering input from students, families, educators, alumni, and community members to bring a shared vision to life.

This event will include remarks from District and City leadership, ceremonial ground-breaking, and opportunities for interviews and photography.

Additional Key Dates:

• Construction Begins: Summer 2025
   

• Phase One Completion: Summer 2028
   

About Palmer High School:
Founded in 1874, William J. Palmer High School is the flagship high school of Colorado Springs School District 11. Located in downtown Colorado Springs, it serves a richly diverse student body and proudly offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme.

Honoring 40 Years Of Excellence: Rotary Champions Pikes Peak Celebrates Scholar-Athletes At Annual Awards Banquet -05/08/25

Colorado Springs, CO — The 40th Annual Rotary Champions Pikes Peak Awards Ceremony will take place Monday, May 12, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 PM at Ed Robson Arena, honoring the most accomplished high school scholar-athletes in the Pikes Peak Region.

Founded in 1985 by the Garden of the Gods Rotary Club, the Rotary Champions Program was created to spotlight students who lead with integrity and excel in athletics, academics, leadership, and community service. In the face of negativity surrounding youth at the time, this program aimed to shift the narrative—and 40 years later, it continues to uplift and reward excellence in our next generation of leaders.

This year’s ceremony will feature special guest Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, who will present the prestigious $10,000 scholarships to the overall Male and Female Champions—selected from a field of more than 300 nominees across 44 high schools.

Returning as Masters of Ceremonies are Jessica Mendoza, Sports Director at KKTV, and Jesse Kurtz, Executive Producer of the Mountain West Network—two beloved voices in regional athletics.

What to Expect:

• Presentation of 27 sport-specific Medallion Awards
   

• Spirit of Champions Award, honoring resilience through adversity
   

• Ian Weikel Champion of Service Award, recognizing community impact and honoring a local hero
   

• Two $10,000 Scholarships to the top Male and Female scholar-athletes
   

Since its founding, the Rotary Champions Program has honored over 11,000 student-athletes and awarded more than $350,000 in scholarships. Former honorees have gone on to serve in the military, education, medicine, engineering, professional sports, and public service.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, May 12, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Ed Robson Arena, Colorado College
Admission: Open to press and public (limited seating – RSVP recommended)

Join us to celebrate the very best of youth leadership, service, and achievement in Southern Colorado.