• Bennett Ranch Elementary School Classrooms

    • In conjunction with the Colorado state standards, we feel that end of grade level outcomes must be aligned from preschool through fifth grade. This alignment, along with grade level outcomes, are described and distributed in foundation documents. These documents describe to parents, staff and community members the minimum requirements needed for a student to have mastered at proficient or advanced levels at the end of their current grade level to be successful in the next year. The foundation requirements are measured by common quarterly assessments. A failure to meet the foundation minimums will not necessarily result in grade level retention, but will possibly initiate more intensive interventions and focused parent-teacher conferencing.

      Upon evaluation of effectiveness of data obtained from testing, Bennett Ranch Elementary School reserves the right to develop, administer and revise common assessments as needed to continually align to instruction based on expectations of Colorado standards.

      We ensure that any gaps in learning can be addressed as needed.


      Additionally, upon entering kindergarten, students are required to take a readiness assessment. The results of the readiness assessment do not change admission status to Bennett Ranch Elementary School, but simply serve to inform teachers and parents of the academic and social levels at which students enter kindergarten.

      At Bennett Ranch Elementary School, we believe the following components are essential to academic success within the school setting and beyond. As we prepare students for college and careers, the following academic indicators will be monitored and assessed:
      • Academic Achievement
      • Attendance and Punctuality
      • Academic Learning Environment
      • Behavior and Attitude.
      Involvement in the community or extracurricular activities contribute to an overall picture of academic success. We also encourage community involvement as one of the academic indicators. It is our belief that students need to be proficient and beyond on grade level standards.

      Attendance and punctuality for at least 90 percent of all scheduled school days is essential to developing students prepared for college and careers. A student must be able to demonstrate proficiency within the academic learning environment, measured by proficiency levels reported on the standards based report card as “Life Skills." We encourage students to pursue interests outside of school hours in order to fulfill the community involvement needs.

      Finally, students must demonstrate respectful behavior and a positive attitude to be successful in post-secondary endeavors. Proficiency towards these academic indicators are monitored (with the exception of community involvement) and reported to parents at parent-teacher conferences or in conjunction with quarterly report cards. In cases where students are discrepant in one or more areas, the indicators serve as a baseline for discussing student needs.
       
     

    Falcon Zone Graduation Requirements

    • Policy IKF specifies that graduation from District 49 must be based on demonstrated mastery of Colorado Academic Standards. One method of demonstrating mastery is successful completion of a sequence of courses. In the traditional model of earning credits toward graduation, each course is associated with an academic content area as well as a number of credits earned. The following table establishes the baseline expectations for credit-based demonstration of mastery toward high school graduation. In this model, one credit denotes the successful mastery of content that has traditionally been incorporated in a full year of study. Credit is awarded on a semester basis only and requires a passing grade of "D" or higher.

      A class of 2017 diploma shall be awarded to Falcon Zone students who earn the following credits by the end of the 2016-2017 school year:
       
      Content Area Credits
      English 4.0
      Social Studies 3.0
      Science 3.0
      Mathematics (at high school) 3.0
      Practical Arts or Foreign Language 2.0
      Fine Arts 1.0
      Physical Education 1.0
      Health 0.5 
      Elective Credits 7.5
      Total:  25.0
       
      As stated in BOE policy IKF-R, "Graduation Requirements, Courses and Credits," Falcon Zone graduates who meet the following requirements will earn a college endorsement:
       
      Content Area Credits
      English
      *American Literature and English Literature required 
      		 4.0
      Social Studies 4.0
      Science
      *Chemistry required
      		 4.0
      Mathematics
      *Geometry and Algebra II required
      		 4.0
      Foreign Language
      *Two years of the same language required
      		 2.0
      Fine Arts 1.0
      Physical Education 1.0
      Health 0.5 
      Elective Credits 6.0
      Total: 
      		 26.5
       
       
     

    Section I: Instruction

    • ICA School Year/School Calendar/Instruction Time

      Prior to the end of the school year, preferably by the February regular meeting, the Board of Education shall adopt a calendar for the following school year. The calendar shall specify the days during which district schools shall be in session, the days on which the district will close in observation of federal holidays, and the dates of major breaks.

       
       

    • ICA-R School Year/School Calendar/Instruction Time

      The following criteria apply to the District 49 School Family Calendar and should be used when calculating instructional time:

       
       

    • IE Organization of Instruction

      The Board of Education shall provide elementary and secondary education extending from kindergarten through grade 12.

       
       

    • IG Curriculum Development

      The Board of Education is required by state law to determine the educational programs delivered in the schools of the district. Curriculum shall be aligned with the Colorado Academic Standards to ensure that each student is provided the educational experiences needed to achieve or exceed grade-level standards or complete the requirements and goals as listed on a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

       
       

    • IHACA Law-Related Education

      The Board of Education recognizes the importance of a law-related education program to enhance student awareness about the law, the legal system, and the fundamental principles and values upon which our constitutional democracy is based.

       
       

    • IHAK Character Education

      The Board of Education believes that while parents are the primary and most important moral educators of their children, the school and community should reinforce parental efforts.

       
       

    • IHAL Religion in the Curriculum

      Informed by the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution, which specifies that congress will make no law respecting the establishment of religion, public entities should neither promote nor disparage any religion.

       
       

    • IHAM Health and Family Life/Sex Education

      The Board believes a comprehensive health education program is an integral part of each student's education. The health education program should emphasize the functioning and proper care of the human body and encourage the development of lifelong, positive health habits. In addition, it should inform students about potential physical and mental health hazards they are likely to encounter in various life situations and help them make sound, intelligent decisions when they are confronted with choices that could affect their health or that of others.

       
       

    • IHAM-R Health and Family Life/Sex Education (Exemption Procedure)

      Exemption will be granted from a specific portion of the health education curriculum on the grounds that the material taught is contrary to the religious beliefs and teachings or closely held personal beliefs of the student or of the student’s parent/guardian. If the request for the exemption is from a specific portion of the health education curriculum that concerns human sexuality, no reason must be given by the parent/guardian when requesting the exemption.

       
       

    • IHAMA Teaching about Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

      In accordance with state and federal law, the district shall provide age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate drug and alcohol education and prevention programs from early childhood (preschool) through grade twelve (12).

       
       

    • IHBA -R Special Education Programs for Handicapped/Disabled/Exceptional Students

      These regulations specify the conditions and procedures under which the District shall address the needs of handicapped, disabled, and exceptional students.

       
       

    • IHBA Special Education Programs for Handicapped/Disabled/Exceptional Students

       

       
       

    • IHBB Gifted Education

      The Board of Education is dedicated to providing comprehensive programming for the identification and education of gifted students. Gifted students are those students between the ages of four (4) and twenty-one (21) whose abilities, talents and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. The Board believes that a quality instructional program that differentiates curriculum and instruction is essential so all students can learn and grow to their level of potential.

       
       

    • IHBEA English Language Learner

      In keeping with the intention of the state of Colorado to offer educational opportunities to those children whose dominant language is other than English, the district shall provide suitable research-based language instructional programs for all identified English language learners in grades kindergarten through 12 in accordance with the requirements of state and federal statutes, Colorado State Board of Education rules and the Colorado Department of Education guidance.

       
       

    • IHBF Homebound Instruction

      The purpose of homebound instruction is to maintain continuity in the educational process for those students who, because of a temporary extended illness or condition, cannot attend school.

       
       

    • IHBG Home Schooling

       

       
       

    • IHBIB Primary/Preprimary Education

      The District shall establish and maintain a kindergarten program or programs. A kindergarten program may be a half-day or full-day program, and the District shall receive state funding for students enrolled in these programs on a half-day or full- day basis, in accordance with state law. For the 2005-2006 school year and each school year thereafter, a child must be five (5) years of age by September 15 to be eligible for enrollment in any kindergarten program, unless the child is otherwise enrolled in the program pursuant to applicable law. In the Sand Creek Innovation Zone elementary schools, for the 2012-2013 school year and each school year thereafter, a child must be five (5) years of age by August 15 to be eligible for enrollment in any kindergarten program, unless the child is otherwise enrolled in the program pursuant to applicable law.

       
       

    • IHBIB-R Primary/Preprimary Education

      The following criteria have been established for the admission of students to the District's preschools:

       
       

    • IHBK Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success

      The Board believes that to decrease student dropout rates, increase graduation rates and encourage all students to reach their learning potential, it is important to support students in planning for postsecondary and workforce opportunities throughout their education. To promote students’ postsecondary and workforce success and in accordance with state law, the district shall provide the following opportunities and information.

       
       

    • IHBK-R Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success

      Implementation Plan for Student Individual Career and Academic Plans

       
       

    • IHCDA Concurrent Enrollment

      The Board believes that students who wish to pursue postsecondary level work while in high school should be permitted to do so in accordance with this policy and accompanying graduation requirements for successful completion of approved postsecondary courses offered by institutions of higher education.

       
       

    • IHCDA-R-1 Concurrent Enrollment

       

       
       

    • IHCDA-R-2 ASCENT (Accelerating Students Through Concurrent Enrollment)

      ASCENT is Concurrent Enrollment that extends the opportunity for postsecondary enrollment one year beyond the 12th grade year for qualified applicants.

       
       

    • IIB Class Size

      The Board is aware that class size has bearing upon effective teaching. It therefore directs the Chief Education Officer to work with principals in establishing a reasonable and equitable class enrollment for each teacher.

       
       

    • IJ Instructional Resources and Materials

      As the governing body of the school district, the Board is legally responsible for the selection of instructional materials. Since the Board is a policymaking body, it delegates to the District’s professional personnel the authority for the selection of instructional and library materials in accordance with this policy.