City-wide engagement as D11 sponsors the home opener at Switchback’s Weidner Field 

Colorado Springs School District 11 will be the title night sponsor this Saturday, March 14, for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks’ home opener match against the Las Vegas Lights FC. D11 and Switchbacks FC have formed a partnership that highlights the importance of local businesses coming together with local education. 

In addition to an exciting Sea of Cyan Fan Zone before the match, families from D11 will get to unfurl the American flag, help as ushers in the stands, toss the starting match coin, cheer on the sidelines, and play a scrimmage at halftime. Elementary girls’ soccer players will go up against the Palmer High School girls’ soccer team. 

Not only does the partnership increase engagement with downtown and create opportunities for families, D11 and the Switchbacks now have an apprenticeship program, supporting employment growth in Colorado Springs. The first D11 Switchbacks Marketing Apprentice will walk out on the field with other district representatives. 

“At the Switchbacks, our vision statement says that we will embed ourselves into the heart of the community. We believe working with kids in our neighborhood is just the way to do that,” said Switchbacks President Brad Estes. “We are ecstatic to partner with D11 as our title night sponsor for the home opener, and we are even more ecstatic to continue developing interesting avenues for kids to develop in Colorado Springs.”

Join D11 and the Switchbacks at Weidner Field this Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 1pm for the Sea of Cyan Fan Zone and 3pm for the game. 

Switchbacks FC:

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks Football Club is a professional soccer team based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, competing in the USL Championship, the second tier of the American soccer pyramid and one of the most widely followed professional soccer leagues in North America, reaching over 84 million fans. Founded in 2015, the Switchbacks play at Weidner Field, an 8,000-seat downtown stadium that opened in 2021 and serves as a premier destination for sports and community events in the region. In 2024, the club captured both the USL Championship Western Conference title and the USL Championship title, marking one of the most successful seasons in club history. Matches are broadcast nationally on ESPN (ESPN+ and select linear channels) and locally on KOAA and Xtra Sports 1300. The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, its holdings, and Weidner Field are owned by Dean Weidner of Weidner Apartment Homes.

The Colorado Springs School District 11

The Colorado Springs School District 11 is reshaping public education by focusing on excellence, choice, and engagement to drive student achievement. With a PreK-14 model, including the county’s largest number of preschool sites and the D11 Promise scholarship, the district ensures access to high-quality education for all students. D11 values parents’ right to choose the best educational path, offering a range of options from traditional schools to innovation zones and online platforms. Through strong community partnerships, the district provides students with expanded opportunities and a commitment to finding excellence through experience.

Prepare for an amazing night of entertainment provided by our own CIVA Raven Talents!

Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Friday, March 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 1:30 PM & 7:00 PM

Get your ticket online at https://civaarts.ludus.com/index.php or at the door. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
New Summit Charter Academy
Nikki Reichert
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
719-749-4012
eichert@newsummitcharter.org" style="text-decoration-line: none;">nikki.reichert@newsummitcharter.org

New Summit Charter Academy Kindergarten Class Spreads Kindness Across the Country

Colorado Springs, CO – Mrs. Lucero’s kindergarten class at New Summit Charter Academy is proving that kindness knows no boundaries. As part of a nationwide educational initiative known as “Hearts Around the USA,” students are collecting valentines, postcards, and letters from all 50 states—and beyond—to demonstrate that kindness happens everywhere.

The project, traditionally held around Valentine’s Day, encourages classrooms to receive mail from across the country and place a heart sticker on a map for each state represented. As letters arrive, students proudly mark the corresponding state and display the cards, turning their classroom into a vibrant showcase of connection and community.

Mrs. Lucero thoughtfully tied the activity into New Summit’s schoolwide Kindness Challenge, helping her young learners see that acts of kindness extend far beyond their hometown. “We want our students to understand that kindness isn’t just something we practice at school—it’s something people share all over the country and the world,” said Mrs. Lucero. “Each card we receive is a reminder that we’re connected.”

To expand the project's reach, Mrs. Lucero shared the initiative in a national Kindergarten Facebook group. Families and classrooms from across the country responded enthusiastically. When participants provided their contact information, Mrs. Lucero’s class sent valentines in return—creating a two-way exchange of goodwill and learning.

In addition to reinforcing social-emotional learning, the project supports academic goals by helping students learn about geography, state names, and map skills in an engaging and meaningful way. Each new letter sparks discussions about different states, landmarks, and communities, turning every delivery into a teachable moment.

New Summit Charter Academy is proud of Mrs. Lucero and her kindergarten students for embracing this opportunity to combine learning with compassion. Through small acts of kindness, these young learners are building connections that stretch across the nation—one heart at a time.

For immediate release. Colorado Springs, Colo.

Coronado High School hosted the FIRST Robotics Pikes Peak Regional from March 5–8, welcoming 33 teams from across the United States and three international teams, including two from Chinese Taipei and one from Mexico.

During the four-day competition, students designed and operated robots to complete engineering challenges, scoring points by launching game pieces into a hub and climbing a tower structure.

Coronado’s robotics team, “Cougars Gone Wired,” earned 5th place overall and received the Excellence in Engineering Award for outstanding robot design and engineering.

In addition, team mentor Ryan Knight received the Woodie Flowers Finalist Award, honoring mentors who demonstrate exceptional dedication and leadership in guiding students.

The event brought together hundreds of students, mentors, and volunteers to celebrate innovation, teamwork, and hands-on STEM learning.

Colorado Springs, Colo. – On March 23 and 24, Silver Key will welcome community members for a two-day Champions Week event in support of its Meals on Wheels program and broader elder nutrition efforts. Volunteers from across the Pikes Peak region will help prepare and deliver nutritious meals to local elders, shining a light on the growing issues of elder hunger and isolation.

Champions Week aligns with national efforts led by Meals on Wheels America to raise awareness and advocate for stronger support of elder nutrition programs. Locally, Silver Key’s Meals on Wheels program delivers more than a meal—it provides safety checks, social connection and reassurance to older adults who wish to age independently at home.

“Champions Week is about showing our elders that they are valued and not forgotten,” said Jason DeaBueno, President & CEO of Silver Key. “When volunteers step into our kitchens and onto delivery routes, they see firsthand how essential these meals and visits are. It’s nutrition, yes—but it’s also connection, dignity and independence.”

In addition to preparing Meals on Wheels, volunteers will also help prepare nutritious food for Silver Key’s Connections Café, expanding the impact of Champions Week to elders who gather for affordable community meals and fellowship. Silver Key’s food pantry is another vital way older adults access the groceries and supplemental nutrition they need to remain healthy and independent.

Meeting Growing Needs

As food and fuel costs rise, so does demand for home-delivered meals and other nutrition services. National advocates are urging Congress to increase funding for the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program and protect critical supports such as Medicare and Medicaid home and community-based services, SNAP and community block grants that help sustain local programs.

There is also growing momentum behind “Food Is Medicine” initiatives to expand access to medically tailored meals and address social isolation through coordinated national strategies.

“These policies directly affect whether an elder in Colorado Springs receives a warm meal, access to groceries or a welcoming place to gather,” DeaBueno added.

Media are invited to attend Champions Week on March 23 or 24 to capture volunteers in action and speak with staff about the impact of Meals on Wheels and Silver Key’s broader nutrition programs in our community.

To learn more about volunteering, donating or advocating for elder nutrition, visit www.silverkey.org or www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.