Samone a.k.a. "UsaMiKo"

Until Pikes Peak Prep 9th grade student, Samone Roberts, walked into my office I knew nothing about Manga.  

A little bit of research told me that Manga is the Japanese word for comic.  Manga-style comic books, graphic novels and artwork are gaining international popularity. But here was one of our students who had actually taken her artistic talent to put together a comic story and artwork in Manga-style. Samone Robert has been drawing in Manga-style since she was nine years of age.

There are many characteristics that make Manga very distinctive. The largest thing that Manga art is known for is its characters. Manga characters almost always have large eyes, small mouths, and they also usually have abnormal hair color.  This type of comic book reads from right-to-left.  Most people would consider it backwards. In the early ‘90s, when Manga first came to America, comic companies would print the comics to read left-to-right like an American comic.  But most companies nowadays are printing them in their original format. Also, these type of comics are often done in black/white instead of color.

Samone’s story focuses on an agency whose main purpose is to defeat evil monsters called Ink Marks.  One agent, LiLa, while working hard does not accomplish much and she blames one of the most popular and successful agents Yumi.  The boss of the company requests that both agents co-teach a class for upcoming, new agents.  They now have to work together to teach others while defeating an evil monster.

Samone (AKA UsaMiKo*) will continue to expand on the project and is saving money to print copies of it.

Pikes Peak Prep Ambassadors Introduce Fundraising Campaign

Recently fourteen student were selected as the Ambassadors for Pikes Peak Prep Charter School. These Ambassadors represent the school throughout the community with service projects, speaking engagements and business opportunity tours.  The Ambassadors represent the diverse school population and are viewed as mentors and leaders of Pikes Peak Prep. These students were provided etiquette and public speaking training at The Warehouse Restaurant, private dining room.  Ms. Denise Sutton spent the lunch focusing on etiquette skills that are needed in a professional environment. Our young gentlemen were standing each time our female students needed to leave the table! Everyone learned to always pass to our right and what piece of silver needs to used for each portion of the meal. After lunch, Dawn Dawson (Reflections Advertising) gave our students some valuable advice on public speaking.

Our young Ambassadors were given the opportunity to use their skills at the White Linen Lunch at The Warehouse.  There were about 25 guests from nearby churches, ENT Federal Credit Union, Compass Bank, Urban Peak, Pikes Peak Library District, USOC, Comcast Cable, and others that were entertained by 9th grade Pikes Peak Prep students.  The Ambassadors greeted their guests as they arrived. Six of the Ambassadors spoke why Pikes Peak Prep is so important to their lives.  Lastly, one of our Ambassadors kicked off the fundraiser that these students have decided to focus on this school year, Change for Change. The Pikes Peak Prep Ambassadors decided that they wanted to support families in need that are located in their own school community. 

There are families within the Pikes Peak Prep community that can not afford gas, groceries, medication or even utilities.  Ambassadors are collecting spare change to support these requests. During the White Linen Lunch the Ambassadors received close to $200.00 to fund requests. One of the clergy members from a nearby church will collect money from their congregation every other Sunday using the Change for Change can to help our students and their cause.  The Ambassadors will continue to raise money for their community families and fund these needs throughout the school year.

Please look for the Pikes Peak Prep Ambassadors as they continue to try to make a change in our community! Keep up the good work!

CenturyLink Employees Give for Thanksgiving

There’s a reason to be thankful at Pikes Peak Prep.  All families in need of a Thanksgiving dinners received a full Thanksgiving dinner for six thanks to the donations from local employees of Century Link.  On November 18 employees of Century Link delivered Thanksgiving dinners for 20 families at the school.  These contributions assisted the Pikes Peak Prep families in making their celebrations truly happy.  Thank you so much to the employees at Century Link.

Limo Tours to Everest College!

Everest College sent a Limo to pick up the Pikes Peak Prep students for a tour of the college.  For most of the students it was there first time to ride in such luxury.  Once they arrived at the college they were greeted by the Everest College staff who provided them information and a tour of the facility.  The students were treated to lunch, candy, and even got to ride back to Pikes Peak Prep in the Limo.

A Beautiful Wall by our Students

Congratulations to the most recent Ben Franklin Award Winners Ms. Stephanie Studebaker and Ms. Lisa Cross. When classes started this August, everyone probably noticed the gorgeous mural painted onto the wall dividing PPP from the empty lot beside it. During the end of last year, Ms. Studebaker noticed the wall was always tagged with “gang-related” signs. Thinking it was a perfect way to improve the school and school community, she along with Ms. Cross set out to change the “artwork” on this wall into something beautiful that displayed our students many talents. Ms. Studebaker took the time and effort to make sure the idea was approved by all those who needed to be notified and Ms. Cross gathered all the supplies and donations needed for the project. With only a month and a half left of the school year, the two teachers along with supervision of other teachers and PPP’s students from 3rd grade and 8th grade set out to turn the wall into a magnificent wall of beauty. Ms. Studebaker, Ms. Cross, and their students are excellent examples of how we can help improve our school and community.

PTO Craft Fair coming up...

Just a note from your fabulous PTO

During the PTO Craft Fair (December 9^th), the PTO will be raffling off some “Theme Baskets” and other prizes.

We are asking for themed donations from teachers, parents and friends for each of the grade classes

 K-12. A week before the fair, (Dec 2^nd ) A PTO representative will pick up all donations from classes and separate items into 12 baskets.

All donations must be new items for the baskets. Items can be anything pertaining to your student’s grade theme.

Thank you in advance,

Pikes Peak Prep PTO

                                                     Class themes are as follows

                             Kindergarten- Crayola’s/ Art             1^st Grade- Barbie

                                        2^nd Grade- Disney                    3^rd Grade- Pets

                                   4^th Grade- Chocolate                 5^th   Grade-Christmas

                                  6^th Grade - Books/Reading              7^th Grade- Coffee / kitchen

                                     8^th Grade - Sports                       9^th Grade - Game night

                                                  10^th -11Grades’ camping/ outdoors

                                                                   12^th Movie night

Climb, Climb, Climb!

Pikes Peak Climbing Club

The Rock Climbing club is structured for our 7th-12^th grade and meets every Wednesday from 3:45 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. at CityROCK. Students learn the basics of climbing, knots, belaying techniques, and safety.  They will climb indoors and outdoors, visiting such places as Ute Valley Park, Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Canyon, and other out of town spots.  They will rappel, boulder, top rope, and sport climb. 

CityROCK has climbing for all ages and abilities. Their gym features climbing walls for leading and top roping, with overhangs, cracks and dry tooling routes for ice training. They also have a large area dedicated to bouldering with a large variety of problems.

Check out a couple of photos from last year.