In the Zone February 2024
February 2024
From the Desk of Dustin Horras, Zone Superintendent
Sand Creek Zone Families,
We are quickly moving through the 3rd quarter, conferences will be held in all of our schools this week and spring break will be upon us before long. I encourage all families to engage in parent-teacher conferences as they provide an excellent time to engage with your child's teacher and school, understanding how your child is currently performing and goals for the rest of the year. Families and schools working together in the growth and development of your child is the best way to ensure current and future success.
Earlier this school year many of our families completed our annual Family Experience survey, giving feedback to each of our schools and our Zone. Part of our survey process is reporting out transparent results and building an action plan to improve. Schools have, or will soon, communicate specific school level results.
As a Zone, our highest scoring items were:
- I believe my child has the necessary classroom supplies and equipment for
effective learning. - I am treated with respect at this school.
- I believe the school is clean and well maintained.
As a Zone, our lowest scoring items were:
- I receive positive phone calls, emails, or notes about my child from the
school. - I regularly receive feedback from school staff on how well my child is
learning. - I believe school rules are enforced consistently at this school.
During our next Sand Creek Zone Partners meeting on Thursday, February 22nd we will collect feedback and gather thoughts from our families in attendance on strategies to address and improve our items above. This meeting will be held at Horizon Middle School and begin at 5:30 pm. Dinner will be served and we will also have a tour of our Community Resource Center and look at improvements happening to the facility at Horizon. After the Zone level meeting, individual school SAC's will meet as well. I hope you can join us.
We are proud to continue honoring and recognizing our Sand Creek staff members who are In The Zone, if you know of someone who is standing out please nominate them here.
Thank you for partnering with the Sand Creek Zone.
Dustin Horras
Sand Creek Zone Superintendent
Charis Johnson, SRES
Niki Cortez, RES
Mrs. Cortez was nominated by an administrator for working through a lot of challenges this year while always maintaining a positive attitude and demonstrating a growth-focused mindset. "She has shown an eagerness to develop her craft to the benefit of her students, and she has established herself as a dependable, dedicated educator." Niki's willingness to adjust and adapt her own methods and techniques to suit the unique needs of her classroom has truly made a difference in the educational experience of her students. The impact she has had on them is evident to everyone that has spent time in Mrs. Cortez's room. We are so fortunate to have you, Niki!
Lori McCoy, SES
Nicholas Nelson, SES
In the Zone Awards
Sammi Cosgrove, EES
Community Partner Spotlight: Care Portal
This month, we would like to spotlight The Care Portal, coordinated by Beautiful Redemption. The Care Portal is made up of our local community churches and is a system to request items financial support for our families in need. From utility bill assistance, to a new bed, to a gift card for clothing, the CarePortal has fulfilled almost all of D49's request. Since we partnered with them in 2021, they have helped 190 students with over $12,000 in support. We are beyond grateful for their continued partnership. Thank you Care Portal!
Stetson
Sand Creek
Over 300 8th graders visited Sand Creek last month for their annual 8th Grade Day. Students took a tour of the building and were able to ask a panel of students questions about the school day, how to manage it all, clubs and more. 8th graders then visited a club crawl to see all of the extra curricular activities and sports SCHS has to offer. Our Student Success team then gave them an overview of registration, pathways we offer, electives to consider and ways to be successful while in high school. Thank you to all of the future scorpions who took part in this day!
Springs Ranch
Last month, the doctors from the UC Health Trauma program visited 5th graders to perform "surgery" complete with stitches as well as teaching the students to take vitals and resuscitate a trauma patient. This interactive event is brought back every year for students to wear scrubs and gloves and really get into the role! Students have the opportunity to extract an object from the skin (pigs skin for effect) which tends to cause a messy operating room, where they then stitch up the patient. What a great hands on learning experience!
Remington
Last week, first graders made volcanos with Play-Doh, baking soda and vinegar. Led by the gifted and talented fifth graders, the first graders had a hands on learning experience to launch into their next unit about Geology. The final demonstration by the fifth graders showed how gas and pressure contribute to eruptions, utilizing a few Coke bottles and Mentos. “The takeaway for students is to understand in a tactile way how our planet is shaped, formed, and reformed by volcanism,” said Ingrid Daniel, Gifted and Talented Teacher. What a great experience!
Horizon
Last week, STEAM students from Horizon connected virtually with students from Woodland Park Middle School. WPMS students showcased their innovative projects around science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. The collaboration was not just about showcasing projects; it's a dynamic exchange that provides valuable learning experiences for both sets of students! Evaluating and providing feedback to their peers from Woodland Park fosters critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to appreciate diverse perspectives. It's a mutual learning journey that goes beyond the classroom walls! Thank you WPMS for this unique experience!
Evans
Evans Elementary held their first ever school wide Spelling Bee competition. Students competed in spelling bees in their respective classrooms, with the winners competing against each other in the K-2 (kindergarten through second grade) competition and the 3-5 (third through fifth-grade) competition.
Isabella Fabre (K-2) and Genesis Powell (3-5) were the winners! Both students and their runner ups will go on to compete in the Scripps Regional competition. Congratulations, Isabella and Genesis!
Community Resource Center: OPEN
The Community Resource Center is back open every other Thursday from 3:45-4:45pm in February. We will NOT be open in March. 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. We apologize for any limits we may place on our food but our supply is very low. For more information, check out www.d49.org/CRC. If you are in need of clothing for you or your family, please reach out to your school's Family Engagement Liaison or Lauren Stuart at lauren.stuart@d49.org to make an appointment!
If you are interested in donating food to the CRC, use the button above!
Upcoming Events
2/12-15: Evening Parent Teacher Conferences*
2/16: Parent Teacher Conferences. No School for Students.
2/19: DISTRICT CLOSED. No School for Students.
2/22: Community Resource Center Open from 3:45-4:45pm at HMS
Sand Creek Zone Partners at HMS at 5:30pm. Dinner served.
2/26: Professional Development Day for Teachers. No School for Students.
2/27: Dual Language Immersion Interest meeting at SES at 5pm
2/29: D49 Health & Wellness Expo at SCHS 4:30-7pm. Cash prizes for classroom attendance.
3/9: D49 Job Fair at SSAE from 9am-1pm
3/18-3/29: Schools Closed for Spring Break
*Look for specific school communication for each school's schedule