In the Zone: SC Zone Newsletter

Sand Creek Zone Families,

Fall break is here and we have officially completed the first quarter of the school year. The first few months are an important time for establishing routines, building relationships, and identifying what students need to be successful. As we move into the second quarter, our focus remains on instruction, supporting students, and continuing the work underway in our schools.

This year, we piloted holding parent-teacher conferences in September so that schools could establish connections with families earlier in the school year. If you have any feedback regarding the earlier conference dates, please share it with me (dustin.horras@d49.org). Moving conferences earlier in the year allows teachers and families to identify student needs, celebrate successes, and establish supports sooner.

Writing remains a Board strategic objective and Zone priority, and our teachers continue to receive training and implement the Writing with Design framework. The goal is to provide students with consistent instruction, opportunities to write within curriculum, and clear expectations across grade levels and schools. We have hosted multiple site visits to give teachers opportunities to observe, receive feedback, and debrief together.

Three Sand Creek Zone schools earned the Distinction level in District 49 through the Colorado Department of Education's School Performance Framework (SPF). Congratulations to Evans Elementary School, Pikes Peak Early College, and Stetson Elementary School! This recognition reflects the academic performance and growth of these schools and the work of their students and staff. We will continue to focus on the work that supports student achievement across all of our schools.

Our next Sand Creek Zone Partners meeting will be held on Thursday, November 12, at Stetson Elementary beginning at 5:30 p.m. We will roll out the preliminary results from our family survey.

Thank you to the families that participated in our Family Experience Survey. We had over 600 families participate which is the highest we have ever had! When we return from break, we will be sending out the Employee and Student experience surveys for feedback from those groups. This feedback allows building leaders to make adjustments and develop action plans to improve.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools. I hope everyone has a safe and restful fall break.

Dustin Horras

Sand Creek Zone Superintendent

Congratulations to Kendall Lee, SCHS student, for being selected as one of six student winners of the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s “I Voted” sticker design contest! Kendall’s design has already been produced and will be one of six winning stickers included with ballots mailed to registered voters across Colorado.

The contest received more than 175 submissions from 33 schools across El Paso County, making Kendall’s selection an incredible accomplishment. Students were challenged to create a design celebrating the anniversaries of the United States, Colorado and/or El Paso County.

Check for Kendall’s sticker and be sure to turn in your ballot!

Recognize a Sand Creek Employee 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.

Those selected as "In the Zone" through this nomination will receive zone wide recognition for their exceptional efforts, an In the Zone tee, a free Crumbl cookie, and Dinner for 2 at Texas Roadhouse.. Nominations do not guarantee an award.

Snooze Mattress + Wellness has already been an incredible partner this school year! They sponsored our Community Café, helping us bring together more than 80 community leaders, staff, and principals. They also treated our PPEC staff to breakfast in recognition of their high participation rate in our annual Voice of the Workforce survey. We are so grateful for their support and partnership and love having a locally owned business in our community that supports our schools!

Springs Ranch Elementary hosts weekly 30-second dance parties, with classrooms competing to be one of the top three each week. It’s a fun way for students to get up, move, and stay energized throughout the day. Check out Ms. Barson’s class in action below!

Holly Withers, D49 Board of Education Vice President and Sand Creek Zone parent, visited several of our schools at the end of September. During her visit to Sand Creek, Holly had the opportunity to get a hands-on lesson in suturing on practice skin from one of our third-year Health Science Pathway students! She also learned about the Partners in PE program, originated at SCHS, which brings students together to learn, participate in physical activities, and support one another.

We appreciate Holly, Mike Heil, and Lori Thompson for taking the time to visit our schools throughout the first quarter. We value our partnership with the entire Board of Education and love seeing our board members connect with students and staff across the Sand Creek Zone!

We are grateful for Colorado Sports and their partnership with the Sand Creek Zone and D49 for the 2026–27 school year. In addition to offering great discounts to our coaches and staff, Colorado Sports donated a free T-shirt to every student at Sand Creek High School and Horizon Middle School. Thank you, Colorado Sports, for supporting our students and schools!

Check them out at https://cosportsonline.com/

The CRC is open to anyone in our community and provides free food and clothing to help supplement what families already have at home. Available food will vary, but may include cereal, mac and cheese, canned and shelf-stable foods, side dishes, eggs, bread and other items.

A few important logistics:

• Please do not line up before 3:30 p.m.
• If possible, bring your own bags or boxes.
• Please be mindful of taking only what your household needs so we can serve as many neighbors as possible. We often have a line of families waiting.
• If you have a larger household and need additional items, please let us know. We are happy to work with you!
• Clothing is available by appointment. If you would like to shop for clothing, please sign up for a time here: Community Resource Center Clothing Sign-Up

The CRC will also be open on the following dates:

November 19 | December 17

Our Zone Community Café brought more than 80 school leaders, staff, principals, and local partners together to connect, share ideas, and identify ways to support our students and families. School leaders shared specific needs and goals while partners came to the table ready to help. We are excited to see these conversations continue through the partnerships, events, and opportunities already happening across our schools.

10/12-23: Fall Break. NO STUDENTS

11/6: Professional Development Day. NO STUDENTS.

11/11: Veterans' Day. Schools are open!

11/12: SCZ Partners Meeting at Stetson Elementary 5:30pm

11/23-27: Thanksgiving Break. NO STUDENTS.

12/18: 3 Hour Early Release

12/21-1/3: Winter Break. NO STUDENTS.

1/4: Professional Development Day. NO STUDENTS.

1/5: Students return from Winter break.

Regular attendance is one of the most important ways to support your student’s academic, social, and future success. Please help your student build strong habits by attending school every day they are healthy and able to do so. Colorado law requires school attendance, and consistent attendance helps ensure students are prepared for the next grade level, college, and career. Learn more about attendance expectations through our Attendance Matters communication.

District 49’s cell phone policy is designed to support student learning and reduce distractions. During instructional time, students may not use cell phones, headphones, Apple watches, or other communication devices. Cell phones and smart watches are not permitted at the elementary level, and secondary students may use devices only during approved non-instructional times. Please review these expectations with your child before school starts.

Check out our D49 Cell Phone Policy communication for more information.

Although school meals are provided at no cost to all students, completing the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application may help your family qualify for additional benefits, including:

• Reduced or waived transportation fees
• Athletics fees
• Classroom fees
• Field trip fees
• Other school-related costs

Discipline and consequences are based on the choices a student makes, the severity and impact of the behavior, and whether similar incidents have occurred before. While every situation may not result in the same consequence, every situation will be treated fairly. Consequences may range from a conversation or restorative response to suspension or, in more serious situations, expulsion. The goal of discipline is to help students take responsibility, learn from their choices, and prevent the behavior from happening again.

Learn more about our approach to accountability through our Discipline & Consequences communication.