David Reynolds, faculty and chair of the English Department at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, recently released an original haiku collection, Coming Storm, which explores love, loss, nature, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments across the 12 months of the calendar year.

The collection, which began as part of a Fountain Valley School time-release award granted to Reynolds in 2023, includes approximately 100 haiku poems written by Reynolds over the past decade. After reviewing more than 350 passages and carefully curating his final selection, Reynolds offers poetry enthusiasts – from novice writers and high school students to seasoned professionals – various themes, ranging from political and societal reflections to lighter observations of daily life. Throughout the process, Reynolds envisioned an accessible yet layered collection, likening his haiku to “a chocolate truffle; small but rich.”

“A lot of haiku have a heaviness to them. A lot are about mortality and sadness and while I think it’s good to explore that, I think there’s also great space for haiku to be light and fun,” he says.

Reynolds’ experience teaching creative writing courses and workshops to a mix of high school and adult learners in the Colorado Springs community for nearly 10 years has helped shape his unique approach to writing. Reynolds also takes pleasure in overseeing Poetry Out Loud and Fountain Valley School’s award-winning student literary magazine, Athenaea, organizing a city-wide poetry competition open annually to high school students across the Pikes Peak region, and planning FVS’s ShakespeareFest depicting student-directed performances. He and his students’ works have been featured in Modern Haiku on multiple occasions.

This newly published collection marks an important milestone in Reynolds’ career, reflecting both his journey as a writer and his professional dedication to educating others. With Coming Storm, praised by Head of the Haiku Society of America’s Mountain Region Michael Drummy as containing “real gems,” that probe all five senses and evoke a shared emotional experience, Reynolds brings to life a deeply personal yet universally relatable collection, offering readers a unique window into the power of haiku to capture life's fleeting moments.

Coming Storm may be purchased for $25 directly from David Reynolds by emailing eynolds@fvs.edu">dreynolds@fvs.edu. 
 

###

Founded in 1930, Fountain Valley School of Colorado is a boarding and day school for grades 9-12. Situated on 1,100 acres of rolling prairie in Colorado Springs, the School provides a rigorous, global curriculum in academics, arts, athletics, and the outdoors to develop young adults who are courageous, open-minded, self-reliant, curious, and compassionate. Enrollment is approximately 240 students from 20 countries, 26 states, and the Pikes Peak Region. www.fvs.edu
 

Colorado Springs, CO – October 10, 2024 – West Campus, located in the heart of Old Colorado City, is celebrating its 100-year anniversary with a community block party on October 11, 2024! Join us for an evening filled with celebration, reflection, and fun as we honor a century of educational excellence and community spirit.

Event Details:

• When: October 11, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Where: West Campus, 1920 Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs, CO
• What to Expect:
  • Food trucks offering a variety of delicious local options
  • Games and activities for all ages
  • Campus tours showcasing West's historic buildings and innovative classrooms
  • A special time capsule ceremony where we will preserve memories for future generations

As we commemorate 100 years, we invite the entire community to come together for this memorable night. West Campus has been a cornerstone of Old Colorado City, providing quality education to generations of students. Now is the time to celebrate our past, present, and future.

Whether you're a West alum, current student, parent, or simply a member of the community, we encourage you to join us for this unique event. Come share your memories, meet friends old and new, and be part of the next 100 years of West Campus history.

Date: October 15, 2024 

Location: Doherty High School Football Field 

Join us for a special Military Appreciation Event as we honor our servicemen and servicewomen at Doherty High School’s football game! 

Game Schedule: 

• JV Game: 4:30 PM Kickoff 
• Varsity Game: 7:00 PM Kickoff 

Supporting Events: 

• Food Trucks serving delicious meals and snacks throughout the evening. Food services beings at 5 pm. 
• Photo Booth for capturing memorable moments with friends and family. 
• Wings of Blue (weather permitting) will deliver the game ball in an exciting aerial display. At 6:50 pm.  
• Free Admittance for all attendees with a Military ID. 
• Presentation of Colors by the Doherty NJROTC to commence the evening’s festivities. 
• Senior Night recognition during the Varsity game to celebrate our graduating seniors. 

We invite everyone to come out and show their support for our military and senior students. 

Jenkins Middle School is buzzing with excitement and community pride thanks to the efforts of its 8th grade WEB Class (Where Everyone Belongs)! This year, WEB is officially a class, and the impact has been nothing short of transformative. One student, Amelia Horn, recently shared her experience, explaining how the class is changing the dynamic and culture of Jenkins Middle School for the better.

The WEB Class didn’t just stop at leading—this year, they launched the Jenkins Care Closet, a year-round resource to help Jenkins families in need. From clothing to hygiene products, the Care Closet has already gathered over two thousand donations, thanks to the generosity of staff, students, and families. Each week, the Jenkins community comes together to collect items, ensuring that everyone has access to essentials.

And what’s a great cause without a bit of fun? Jenkins teacher, Mr. Kocher, has agreed to shave his head once a special donation goal was met—and that goal has been shattered! On Friday, October 11, 2024, at 3:00 PM, the big moment will happen, and everyone is invited to witness Mr. Kocher's transformation!

Come see firsthand the impact that our students and teachers are making, not just within Jenkins, but in the larger community as well. With the heart of leadership in action, this event promises to be something truly special. Join us in celebrating the generosity and hard work of our Jenkins Middle School family!