Skyview Middle School Academic Departments

  • Creating a zone of innovation will allowed all POWER Zone schools to operate as one unit with one clearly unique overarching mission and value system. Skyview Middle School and the other schools in this zone, aligned their curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional development practices to a zone wide calendar that supports the mission and values of the teachers, parents, students, administrators and community members.

    Skyview Middle School acknowledges the potential of powerful educational research.

    • Improved instruction. Providing teachers time to work in collaborative teams is the best way to improve schools. (Dufour, 2009).
    • Establishing effective procedures and routines. Establishing effective procedures and routines are the most important step in establishing a well managed classroom. (Harry Wong, 2001).
    • Classroom management. Classroom management will be better because teachers will be able to focus on establishing effective procedures and routines rather than assessing students. Anxiety affects testing results. (Driscoll, 2006) Giving the students time to get to know their teacher before testing will produce valid benchmark assessment scores, increased accuracy in testing.
    • Higher employee morale. Employee engagement in work place decisions leads to increased productivity. A calendar sensitive to the needs of staff will lead to more effective staff (United States Personnel Management, 2010).
    • Quality instruction. Time spent teaching is time students are learning. Seat time in school is not what produces student achievement. (Nelson, 1990). This proposal promotes quality instruction which creates engaged learning time for students.
    • Timely conference days. Designated conference days increase parental involvement. (Henderson, 2002) Increased parental involvement significantly increases student achievement.
    • “Buy in” from our stakeholders. Change of calendar honors community needs as evidenced through POWER ZONE proposal process.
    • Respectful relationships. Respectful relationships are a zone value. Strong staff relationships will allow more effective PLC and fewer discipline referrals.


    I-Pad Team Resources

POWER Zone Graduation Requirements

  • To Graduate from Vista Ridge High School students must:

    Earn a total of at least 24.5 credits

    AND

    Demonstrate Mastery in each of the required content areas:

      • "Reading, Writing and Communicating" (English)

      • Math

      • Social Studies (3 demonstrations, 1 demonstration must be in Civics/Government)

      • Science (3 demonstrations)

      • Practical Arts (2 demonstrations or equivalency of 4 semesters)

      • Fine Arts (1 demonstration or equivalency of 2 semesters)

      • Physical Education (1 demonstration or equivalency of 2 semesters)

      • Health (1 demonstration)

      • Essential Skills (Pathways)

     

    How do I Demonstrate Mastery?

    To Demonstrate Mastery in "Reading, Writing and Communicating" (English) and Math, students must meet a minimum score on one of the items on CDE's Menu of Options.

    To Demonstrate Mastery in all other content areas (Social Studies, Science, Practical Arts, Fine Arts, Physical Education, Health and Essential Skills) students have the following options:

    • Earn a C or higher in end-of-course grade

    • Earn a C or higher in end-of-course final exam

    • Work-based learning experience

    • Capstone

     

    For more information on Graduation Requirements please visit the VRHS Course Catalog

     

Section I: Instruction

  • ICA School Year/School Calendar/Instruction Time

    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.

    Comments (-1)
  • ICA-R School Year/School Calendar/Instruction Time

    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:

    Comments (-1)
  • IE Organization of Instruction

    IE Organization of Instruction

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

    Comments (-1)
  • IG Curriculum Development

    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).

    Comments (-1)
  • IHACA Law-Related Education

    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.

    Comments (-1)
  • IHAK Character Education

    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.

    Comments (-1)
  • IHAL Religion in the Curriculum

    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.

    Comments (-1)
  • IHAM Health and Family Life/Sex Education

    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.

    Comments (-1)
  • IHAM-R Health and Family Life/Sex Education (Exemption Procedure)

    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.

    Comments (-1)
  • IHAMA Teaching about Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

    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).

    Comments (-1)
  • IHBA Special Education Programs for Students with Disabilities

    IHBA Special Education Programs for Students with Disabilities

    Comments (-1)
  • IHBB Gifted Education

    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.

    Comments (-1)
  • IHBD Equivalence of Services (Title I)

    IHBD Equivalence of Services (Title I)

    Pursuant to federal law, school districts receiving Title I funds to provide educational services to students must do so in accordance with Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act.

    Comments (-1)
  • IHBEA English Language Learner

    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.

    Comments (-1)
  • IHBF Homebound Instruction

    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.

    Comments (-1)
  • IHBG Home Schooling

    IHBG Home Schooling

    Comments (-1)
  • IHBIB Primary/Preprimary Education

    IHBIB Primary/Preprimary Education

    The District shall establish and maintain a kindergarten program or programs.

    Comments (-1)
  • IHBIB-R Primary/Preprimary Education

    IHBIB-R Primary/Preprimary Education

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

    Comments (-1)
  • IHBK Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success

    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.

    Comments (-1)
  • IHBK-R Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success

    IHBK-R Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success

    Implementation Plan for Student Individual Career and Academic Plans

    Comments (-1)
  • IHCDA Concurrent Enrollment

    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.

    Comments (-1)
  • IHCDA-R-1 Concurrent Enrollment

    IHCDA-R-1 Concurrent Enrollment

    Comments (-1)
  • IHCDA-R-2 ASCENT (Accelerating Students Through 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.

    Comments (-1)
  • IIB Class Size

    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.

    Comments (-1)
  • IJ Instructional Resources and Materials

    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.

    Comments (-1)