The Sand Creek Zone

  • sand creek zone leadership

     

         The Sand Creek Zone is located at the southern end of District 49. Our zone includes Evans Elementary, Horizon Middle, Remington Elementary, Sand Creek High School, Springs Ranch Elementary and Stetson Elementary. The Sand Creek Zone is made up of 5 Title 1 schools, receiving federal funding to support academic achievement and growth. We also offer a Dual Language Immersion opportunity at Stetson elementary, beginning with Kindergarten and 1st grade, that is only available in District 49. Many of our schools truly embody the Community School model, utilizing our community partners, resources and volunteers to bring a well-rounded education to our students and families.  Josten's Renaissance is a cornerstone of the Sand Creek Zone; we believe that building relationships is critical to high-achieving schools and that students and staff must feel connected to their work in order to succeed. We are dedicated to student success, service to our community, dedication to our people and constant innovation and growth. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


    in the zone new logo

    Recognize a Sand Creek Employee that is "In the Zone". This is a special recognition that acknowledges a Sand Creek Please nominate one staff member that is "In the Zone". 

     
    This is a special recognition that acknowledges a Sand Creek Zone employee who has done an outstanding job, made an extraordinary effort, went above and beyond their role, or presented an overly caring or welcoming attitude. This nomination is meant to acknowledge exemplary behavior or an example of going the extra mile, truly embodying our values of Culture, Instruction and Success. 
     
    Each nominee will be recognized; either with a letter from the Superintendent or the coveted "In the Zone" award. Those selected as "In the Zone" through this nomination will receive zone wide recognition for their exceptional efforts. Nominations do not guarantee an award winning spot for this month. All nominations will be put through a screening process each month. Be specific and elaborate on your nomination!
     
    NOTE: We will use your nomination wording in their letter, newsletter blurb, and facebook post. We will also share your name as the nominator.

    Nominate your Sand Creek Zone employee here.


    frameworkThe Sand Creek Zone holds instruction in high regard. We believe all teachers should provide great instruction, every day. Our instructional framework came from a collaboration of all zone instructional coaches as well as feedback from our administration team. This framework is visible in each classroom in the Sand Creek Zone and guides our observations and evaluations of what good instruction looks like. 

    Instructional Framework: The Sand Creek Zone is committed to building collective efficacy by intentionally fostering a student-centered culture with clear instructional expectations focused on student success.

    Culture: positive relationships, clear routines, explicit expectations with accountability, engagement, and recognition

    Instruction: Data-driven decisions, viable curriculum, intentional, collaborative planning, explicit core instruction and intervention, language-rich environment

    Success: Student growth and achievement is vital, clarity of learning intention and success criteria, effective use of instructional time, timely feedback, growth mindset, and peer collaboration

    We offer many certifications and certificates that students can earn prior to graduating high school with a focus on Business, Manufacturing, Computer Science, Engineering, Graphic Design, Personal Training, and Health & Exercise Science pathways for students to explore. We are excited to be adding Criminal Justice starting in the Winter of 2024. We offer a wide variety of college courses at Sand Creek High School, supporting the most CE students in the district with many of them earning 1-2 years of free college courses prior to graduation. We also have brought on AVID at the high school level to move our students from the middle to higher-achieving courses, mindsets and growth.

     


    flierThe Sand Creek Zone leads the way in Community and Family Engagement. We have 5 Family Engagement Liaisons for our Title 1 schools; these liaisons provide resources, plan events and connect with our families to add value to the work of our schools. We host the only food and clothing pantry, the Community Resource Center, at Horizon Middle School, which is open to all families in D49. We provide many opportunities for Adult and Family Education with our Parent Academies, resource fairs, and Sand Creek Zone partner meetings. We know the value of partnering with our families and community and strive to enhance and maintain those partnerships.  For more information on the D49 Community Resource center, check out CO01900838.schoolwires.net/crc.


     

Sand Creek Zone Schools

Sand Creek Zone Superintendent

Phone: 719.495.1167

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Dustin Horras

Dustin Horras serves as the Sand Creek Zone Superintendent.  The Sand Creek Zone encompasses six schools in the southeastern boundary of District 49.  
 
Horras is beginning his 29th year in District 49, all serving within the Sand Creek Zone.  His teaching career began at Evans Elementary School, teaching 4th grade.  After two years teaching 4th grade, Horras spent seven years as the physical education teacher at Evans.  Following nine years teaching at EES, he spent one year as the Dean of Students at Sand Creek High School.  Dustin returned to Evans and spent three years as the Assistant Principal before taking over as principal for the next four years.  After one year working with all schools in the Sand Creek Zone as Zone Specialist, Horras returned to a principal position at Horizon Middle School where he spent the previous nine years.  Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, Dustin transitioned into the role of Sand Creek Zone Superintendent.

As Zone Superintendent, Horras takes great pride in the Sand Creek Zone schools, the students and staff.  He believes in a strong culture based on what is best for students that includes staff that are devoted to supporting each student's social, emotional, and academic development.  Going above and beyond in meeting the needs of all students and providing an outstanding education in an engaging and caring school environment is essential to success across the Sand Creek Zone. 
 
Sand Creek Zone schools deeply value and encourage parents and the community as partners in the development and education of all students while working together to create a learning environment that supports individual students in fulfilling their potential as learners. 

Dustin looks forward to continuing to serve the Sand Creek community as Zone Superintendent.  Please feel free to reach out at dustin.horras@CO01900838.schoolwires.net.

Sand Creek Zone Updates

  • 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.
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2014-2015 News in District 49

  • BOE Honors Schroeder For Awards, Recognitions, Distinctions

    Twelfth-grader Riley Schroeder, 18, explains his recent awards, recognitions and distinctions during a Board of Education meeting May 14 in District 49. “I just want to live a happy life and help others live a happy life,” said Schroeder, who’s been enrolled in the district since preschool.

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  • Students Share Interactive Projects During IB Exhibition

    Fifth-graders Ricardo Rodriguez, 10, and Caedan McCulloch, 11, inform classmates about water pollution May 13 at Evans International Elementary School.

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  • Remington Students Shine in Beauty and the Beast

    Lana Arends, fifth grade, performs as Gaston in Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr. May 7 at Remington Elementary School.

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  • Science Teachers for the Day

    Eighth-grader Amber Muehlhausen, 13, teaches a lesson about reflection and refraction May 7 at Evans International Elementary School.

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  •  Gazette Section B. April 29, 2015.

    Gazette Best and Brightest: Riley Schroeder, Sand Creek High School

    One of Riley Schroeder's goals is to help others live a happy life.

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  •  Dallo Fall

    RES Families Explore Cultures, Celebrate Diversity

    Dallo Fall of Senegal leads the Jamoral troupe through West African dancing and drumming traditions April 30 during “Celebrate the Arts Family Fun Night” at Remington Elementary School in District 49.

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  • Growing A Better World In Their Own Backyard

    "The students' dream is take what they are learning at the YWAM aquaponics facility to build one for Care and Share to serve southern Colorado," said Todd Matia, SCHS engineering instructor.

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  •  Anne Flemke

    Preschool Families Explore Science Ideas for Summer Fun

    Teacher Anne Flemke watches preschooler Ava Pairsh, 5, inflate a balloon by creating carbon dioxide with baking soda and lemon juice during a family science workshop April 24 at Springs Ranch Elementary School in District 49.

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  • Students With Special Needs Sharpen Warrior Skills

    Eleventh-grader Phillip Held, 17, navigates an obstacle course April 21 at Sand Creek High School in District 49. Two teams of students with special needs, ranging from developmental to intellectual disabilities, had rushed into the school’s field house, where they discovered an adapted obstacle course based on the popular NBC television program “American Ninja Warrior.”

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  • Student Athletes Sign Letters of Intent

    Twelfth-grade athletes sign letters of intent April 16 at Sand Creek High School.

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