- School District 49
- Innovation Zones
- Sand Creek Zone
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Register for the 4th and 5th Grade HMS basketball camp here: https://forms.gle/U4QUQCpQaRABrLjEA
Join us on Wednesday, April 13th at 6pm at Sand Creek High School for our parent academy focused on Suicide Prevention Training. This event will be hosted by Sarah Rieves, Community Engagement Advocate for the Sand Creek Zone.
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Past Parent Academy Resources
If you missed our parent academy on Screen Time, Social Media and Gaming: Helpful or Harmful?, you can access the video presentation below:
Here is the powerpoint of the presentation used by Tom Caughlan from Children's Hospital.
If you missed our parent academy around Starting the Conversation: How to Talk to Your Kids about Vaping, JUULS and Other Electronic Nicotine Devices, you can view the video below.
Check out the resources from Sand Creek High School's Parent Academy in January 2022.
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Youth and Families Presentation
Did you miss our Parent Academy: Balancing Working from Home and Parenting?
Check out the recorded webinar here:
Use this link to access the presentation.
If you watched this recording, please take a moment to give us some feedback on our survey: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hjeNrz3x1UO3UtiTuUYuh9XpkeKI5-dEvwvaYuqmfspURVRWU00zRjJLNFZBSkxIMTVHVEdPQkc0WSQlQCN0PWcu
Parent Academy: Resiliency. Check out the recorded webinar here: https://vimeo.com/481783856
If you watched the recording or attended the live event, please take our survey and give us feedback on how we did:
https://forms.gle/dnXjq9v1dzgZBwXMA
Resources:
Book: Living with Intensity by Susan DanielsBook: The Gift of FailureSearch: Emotional Resources: Generational MindfulVideos: Mayfield Counseling Center YouTube Channel/PodcastCourses: Youth Mental Health First Aid Dates (TBA but will send when available)Research: Psychology Today
Sand Creek Zone Overview
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The plan for Sand Creek Zone schools was developed during the 2016-2017 school year over a number of forums with community members, teachers, students, and parents. Educational leaders across the zone also provided valuable input. In addition, goals were developed in response to staff and parent survey results compiled during the 2016-2017 school year.
MISSION - Pursuit of Excellence
Sand Creek Zone PlanThink of the Sand Creek Zone plan this way...the vital work we do every day, no matter the assignment, drives student success. Each member of the Sand Creek Zone team engages in service for our learners,. parents, and community in some way, shape, or form. Every staff member helps create a work environment that is healthy and stimulating. Our schools will continue to innovate and grow in purposeful fashion.Our goals address four pillars...Student Success, People, Service, and Innovation/Growth. We have defined strategic actions aligned with each of the pillars and goals and measures to assess our performance.
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Pillar: Student Success
Student success is the first pillar of the Sand Creek Zone plan. The goals for student success are addressed through four strategic initiatives and are measured through a large number assessments that can be made on an annual basis. Click for the goals, initiatives and measures for student success.
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Pillar: People
Our people are integral to our pursuit of excellence through our vision of commitment, personalized paths, having a growth mindset, inclusivity, heart and pride in who we are and what we do. This pillar is focused on effective communication, engagement and building a world-class team in Sand Creek zone.
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Pillar: Service
As a pillar of the Sand Creek Zone plan, service is a commitment to our community. It's a commitment to students, parents and taxpayers that we are getting the most out of the investment made in our schools, people and programs and that we are operating efficiently.
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Pillar: Innovation & Growth
Born as a formal innovation zone with the Colorado Department of Education, Sand Creek Zone is committed to innovation, driving continuous improvement in all we do. We understand innovation will drive learning in individual students and growth in enrollment.
Sand Creek Zone Updates
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Amber Whetstine, learning services executive director, and Sean Dorsey, Sand Creek Zone innovation leader, will present June 2 a full-day workshop for leaders that will focus on providing on-going, specific feedback to all teachers on a weekly basis to improve teaching and learning. All principals, assistant principals and instructional coaches in the zone will learn how to schedule and conduct meaningful teacher observations and feedback sessions throughout the school year.Comments (0)
2020-2021 News in District 49
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FMS Educator Finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year
A language arts teacher at Falcon Middle is writing her legacy as one of the best in the state. In her third year as an educator, Ashley Lowe was selected as one of seven finalists for Colorado Teacher of the Year.
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D49 Investing in Transportation to Return Service to Families
Facing an ongoing shortage of drivers and indefinite reduction in service, the District 49 transportation department is investing in its current corps and offering better pay to attract new candidates.
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School Year Wraps Up with Fantastic 49 Fanfare
D49 leaders and board members honored students and staff who made the 20-21 school year brighter during the Fantastic 49 celebration June 10 at Creekside Success Center.
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FHP's Achievement Ceremony
Falcon Homeschool Program honored the part-time homeschool students that are moving forward at the annual Achievement Ceremony on Saturday, May 22.
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Crowd Showers SSAE Class of ‘21 with Praise
On a partly cloudy evening in southern Colorado, complete with a passing rain shower, every graduate from the Springs Studio for Academic Excellence graduating class got a moment to shine.
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Vista Ridge Family Applauds Resiliency of Class of ‘21
Cloudy skies and cooler weather did not dampen the pride and excitement of the VRHS community as graduates were presented their diplomas May 30.
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Patriot High School Celebrates Class of 2021
Patriot High School honored the class of 2021 Friday, May 28 at the Falcon Legacy Campus
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Staff Members Applauded as Employees of the Year
Individualized shirts with award logos, framed certificates and personalized cookies awaited 67 staff members for the Employees of the Year celebration at Creekside Success Center May 26.
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D49 AFJROTC Cadets Receive Scholarships
Three District 49 seniors have received the J-100 AFJROTC Character-in-Leadership Scholarship.
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Sand Creek Zone Staff, Student Showcased for Fantastic 49
Four staff members and one student were in the spotlight as D49 leaders and board members celebrated them for their stellar representation of the Sand Creek Zone.
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D49 Students Discover Cave Next to Their Playground
Meridian Ranch kicks off the month of May with an immersive learning experience for fifth-graders.
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Liu Approved as Board Director, District 4
The School District 49 board of education filled a vacant seat during a special meeting Wed., April 28. By unanimous vote, the board approved Ms. Ivy Liu to serve as board director for district 4.
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D49 Middle School is one of the Best
Horizon Middle School was named one of the top three middle schools in Colorado Springs.
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Staff, Students Recognized for Demonstrating “Big Rocks”
Employees and students across D49 are committed to our “big rocks,” the most important initiatives across the district.
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SSAE Gymnast Balances Athletics and Academics in D49 High Performance Program
Springs Studio for Academic Excellence student excels in competition and in the classroom setting
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RMCA Earns Top Honors for Support of Military Students
April is the Month of the Military Child, and one D49 Charter School team earned top honors for supporting military students
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Transportation Team Members Celebrated for Contributions
The District 49 workforce is a true example of the old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Employees in a variety of roles are essential and contribute in countless ways to the success of students.
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D49 Partners with FEF to Honor Outstanding Individuals
In collaboration with the Falcon Education Foundation, District 49 honored 12 outstanding staff, students and volunteers during the March 11 Fantastic 49 presentation.
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SSAE Students Roll with STEM at Skate City
Classroom lessons came alive March 10 at Skate City when 40 Springs Studio students in grades 6-8 explored the science of roller skating. Learning started with a part-by-part review of a basic roller skate.
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D49 Earns Purple Star Designation for Support of Military Students and Families
School District 49 is honored to announce a new recognition of its robust support of military families, earning the Purple Star designation.
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FZ Employees Earn Accolades for Empowering Learners
Melissa Ardolf is a jump-rope ninja master. The students in her P.E. class can earn a “black belt” by following digital lesson plans Ardolf created as a new way to reach learners.
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Students Showcase Braille Skills in National Competition
In D49 ensuring every learner has a firm foundation in reading is essential. For most that includes learning how to write letters and knowing sight words. For others, it's about mastering a pattern of dots.
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D49 Team Members Celebrated for Persistence, Positivity
District 49 staff members know what it means to endure and work hard in difficult times. Four of these employees were recognized Feb. 11 for courageously stepping up.
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Connecting Families Through Reading
United Through Reading was founded 30 years ago to foster relationships through the intimacy of reading for military families that are separated by deployment or military assignment.
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Odyssey Students Receive Free Sneakers
More than 180 students at Odyssey Elementary School received a free pair of sneakers from the non-profit organization Samaritan’s Feet.
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D49 Construction Program Building Interest for Ambitious Learning Opportunity
On a day in the not too distant future, a local family will hold the keys to a home built entirely by D49 students.
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Staff, Students Show Care for D49 Family
In the midst of a challenging time for learning, both staff and students are taking time to demonstrate care and compassion for each other. Employees and students were honored Jan. 14.
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D49 Applauds Partnerships for Military-Connected Students
District 49 saluted staff, students and military installation representatives for contributions to military-connected families during Fantastic 49.
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Sand Creek Zone Staff Distribute Food
Sand Creek Zone staff have volunteered to help Care and Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado distribute food to District 49 families.
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VRHS Educator Finalist for Colorado Teacher of Year
Colorado Department of Education selects VRHS educator as a finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year
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District Praises More Top Teachers, Shining Stars
Another group of District 49 teachers and staff members received accolades from the board of education and D49 leaders during Fantastic 49 festivities Oct. 8.
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Badges and Books Program Inspires Reading, Relationships
Little learners at Evans Elementary enjoyed more than a good book when deputies from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office visited the school Oct. 6.
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Scorpions Meet In-Person for SCHS Senior Sunrise
The Sand Creek High School senior class kept tradition alive, meeting in-person for Senior Sunrise.
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Staff Lauded for Leadership in 2020
In the midst of a season of learning unlike any the district has seen before, team members across D49 are working hard every day to make D49 the best choice to learn, work and lead.
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Free & Reduced Resource Page and Re-Application Reminder
Deadlines Approaching: we invite you to take a look at some important information about the overall value of the Free and Reduced Benefits Program
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Staff and Students Return to The Campus for School Year 2020-21
The Campus, home of Springs Studio for Academic Excellence, Pikes Peak Early College and the Falcon Homeschool Program opens for SY 20-21
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First-to-Return Staff, Students Lead the Way
The concept of wearing a mask to teach students who read lips would normally stand in the way of Lisa McCann’s role as a paraprofessional at Stetson Elementary.
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Meridan Ranch Family Reflects On E-Learning
“We’ve got to give (E-Learning) time…we’re all in the same situation, we’re all going to have the same struggles but it’s what we have to do,” says Joe Willard
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FMS Receives National Attention for E-learning Framework
The hallways aren’t packed with students heading to their next class, but learning is well underway at Falcon Middle School.
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District Celebrates Top Teachers, Shining Stars
A distinguished group of teachers and staff members received accolades from the board of education and D49 leaders.