After a busy and productive 11 weeks, we have arrived at fall break. I have been happy to see the consistency in instruction and engagement across our Sand Creek Zone schools and many classrooms. Students have been working to learn and staff have been committed to student success. Fall break provides time for both students and staff a well deserved time to rest, relax, and recharge.

As we return to school on October 28th, please remind students of cell phone protocols. As a reminder, cell phones are not allowed during instructional time - this is an expectation for all classrooms and schools. Although the vast majority of students handled this protocol well during the first 11 weeks of school, some students have begun to push the limits as we have moved further into the school year. In addition, please review the other communications related to school attendance and truancy as well as the discipline and consequences information that have been sent out so far this year. All of these communications are meant to inform students, families, and staff of procedures and expectations across our Sand Creek Zone schools.

Have an excellent fall break!

Dustin Horras, SCZ Superintendent

Each year the Sand Creek Zone surveys families to evaluate their experience in our schools. The information collected is valuable to our school leaders in reviewing current practices and addressing areas we need to improve.

This year's Family Experience survey was sent on Thursday, September 26th. You should have received another email invitation to complete the survey on Sunday, 10/6 - if you have more than one child, you will receive separate invitations for each one. This year, the link you receive is specific to you - watch for the email from lcoats@surveys.hcg.com and within this email will be your link. Please note the address and understand it is safe and legitimate.

Once you click on the survey link, it will tie directly to your student and the top of the survey will say, for example: "You are completing this survey for a 1st grader at Evans Elementary School." If you have more than one child, please be aware of which survey you are completing and please complete both, particularly if you have a child at different schools as your experience for each school and/or grade level should be reflected.

Each survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and we thank you for providing your thoughts and feedback to our schools!

The Sand Creek Zone is dedicated to building a positive culture at all of our campuses. Each school has hosted at least 1 rally to celebrate students and most recently, we participated in a zone wide spirit week. To highlight Count day, each school put their own little twist on a spirit week but many were committed to Black Out Day, Cozy Count Day, and a staff spirit day in our Sand Creek Zone tees. Our next zone Renaissance event will be a blanket drive happening in November. Check out the information below if you would like to donate.

In the clip below, KRDO highlights a Program with El Paso Public Works' annual Job Fair, where students have the opportunity to tour their facility and ]to have hands-on experiences on the many job openings available. Kelsey Grimaldo from D49's Word Based Learning (WBL) office and Scott Hall, training manager for El Paso County Public Works held their fourth annual Job Fair on Friday, September 27, 2024.

As a result, this program which is available to all D49 students, 4 Sand Creek High School students have begun their post graduate careers with El Paso County Public Works:

1. Gabriel Ortiz, 2024 SCHS graduate and the student featured in the clip

2. Angel Bustamante, 2024 SCHS graduate currently working full time

3. Jeremy Ramos, 2024 SCHS graduate currently working full time

4. Abel Ortiz, a current SCHS senior and football player, in his second year of working part-time, 20-25 hours a week during the school year and full time over the summer

SCHS students had the opportunity to tour their facility and are prepared to apply for two part time positions with El Paso County Public Works.

In addition to working with El Paso County Public Works, D49's WBL staff has many similar programs which assist students achieving post secondary success. Stephen McCreary, Choice and Success advisor at SCHS, makes students aware of the opportunities D49 and SCHS has to offer and recruits students to participate.

We are located in the 2nd modular back on the east side of Horizon Middle School. All community members are welcome and we ask that you bring your own bag. To reserve your spot to shop for clothing, please sign up here. If you are unable to attend during these hours, please reach out to your Family Engagement Liaison or Lauren Stuart at lauren.stuart@d49.org.

10/11: Family Experience Survey Closes

10/12-27: NO SCHOOL. FALL BREAK

10/31: Boo Bash at SCHS 5:30-8pm

11/7: Community Resource Center Open from 4-5pm

11/8: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS. STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY

11/11: Schools OPEN for Veterans Day

11/12: Sand Creek Zone Partners at Evans Elementary 5:30pm

11/18-22: Blanket Drive for the Ronald McDonald House (Zone Wide)

11/21: Community Resource Center Open from 4-5pm

11/25-29: NO SCHOOL. THANKSGIVING BREAK.

12/2: Blanket Making Party for the Ronald McDonald House

12/7: Community Resource Center Open from 4-5pm

12/13: NO SCHOOL FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

12/23-1/6: NO SCHOOL. WINTER BREAK