D49 POWER Zone

09/02/2026

Join us Tomorrow!
POWER Zone Food Truck Family Picnic!

We’re excited to invite all of our POWER Zone families and staff to our POWER Zone Family Picnic on Thursday, September 3, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at Skyview Middle School!

This is a chance for families from all seven POWER Zone schools to come together, play family games, participate in kids’ activities, and enjoy music while Principal Levi DJs! We will have six food trucks, or you can bring your own picnic. We’re excited to see you soon!

Mark your calendars!

📅 Thursday, September 3
⏰ 4:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Skyview Middle School Back Lot

Bring the whole family and come ready to have some fun! We can’t wait to see our POWER Zone community together in one place. 💙

08/17/2026

🎒 It’s not too late! 💙

Even though school is already underway, we want to make sure every student has what they need to feel ready and supported. If your family still needs a backpack or school supplies, please know.

Families can reach out to their school counselor or connect with our POWER Zone Community Liaison, Victoria Villescas, at [email protected].

No need to worry or feel like you’ve missed the window—we’re here to support our POWER Zone families! 💙📚✨

08/15/2026

Vista Ridge athletic coaches completed a training that equips them with tools to recognize mental health challenges in their student athletes, respond with care, and connect young people to real support. The training topics addresses Mental Health in Sports, Recognize and Respond, and Building Healthy Team Culture with live practice scenarios, goal setting, and action planning throughout the day.

Vista Ridge Athletics and Athletic Director Eddy McGee would like to thank Game Plan Life Foundation (founded by Montee Ball, former NFL running back and College Hall of Fame inductee) and UCCS Associate Professor/Program Director of Athlete Wellness and Mental Performance, Dr. Jess Kirby, for conducting this professional development.

The POWER Zone prioritizes People First, and our coaches do their best to take great care of our student athletes.

08/04/2026

✨ What a Great First Day in the POWER Zone! ✨

What an incredible start to the school year! Today, our schools were filled with smiling faces, excited conversations, and the energy that comes with new beginnings.

From welcoming kindergarteners on their very first day to celebrating seniors beginning their final year, it was a joy to see our students back where they belong—learning, growing, and connecting.

Our teachers and staff worked tirelessly to create classrooms where every student feels seen, valued, and supported. That's what People First looks like in action, and it's at the heart of everything we do.

Thank you to our families for sharing your children with us and partnering with us for another exciting year. We can't wait to see all the learning, growth, and memories this school year will bring.

Here's to an amazing 2026–2027 school year!

💙 Welcome back, POWER Zone!

07/24/2026

Our new POWER Zone staff spent the past three days learning the tools and practices that help us create safe, supportive, and engaging schools while strengthening effective teaching in every classroom.

They participated in 7 Steps to a Language-Rich Interactive Classroom and Capturing Kids' Hearts training. Through 7 Steps, they explored instructional strategies that increase student thinking, discussion, reading, and writing. During Capturing Kids' Hearts, they focused on building positive relationships that help students feel connected, valued, and ready to learn.

These trainings are an important part of how we support both our students and one another. We are impressed by this outstanding group of educators and grateful they chose to join the POWER Zone. It's going to be a great year!

07/20/2026

Did you know the POWER Zone is home to a one-of-a-kind public school designed specifically for students with characteristics of dyslexia?

At ALLIES (Academy for Literacy, Learning & Innovation Excellence), bright students discover that their learning differences don't define them—they're simply part of how they learn. Through specialized instruction, small class sizes, certified Academic Language Therapists, and the nationally recognized Take Flight intervention, students build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and rediscover the joy of learning.

Every child deserves a place where their strengths are celebrated and they are empowered to succeed. At ALLIES, students learn to overcome challenges, embrace their gifts, and prepare for success in middle school, high school, and beyond.

https://youtu.be/CoPxxCB1jMU?si=va51fyRqhUgdlILo

💙 Learn more about ALLIES and the enrollment process:
https://www.choosepowerzone.com/allies

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

07/17/2026

Enroll today and experience the difference that only District 49 provides. https://www.d49.org/discover-d49/registration-information

Elementary School (K-5)
Through hands-on projects that build creativity, confidence, and critical thinking.
Students explore:
Science
Social Studies
The Arts

Middle School (6-8)
Career Readiness and Hands-On Exploration
Students explore future career pathways, including:
• Engineering & Design
• Skilled Trades
• Business and Marketing
• Architecture & Technical Sciences
• Digital Media & Technology

06/11/2026

Way to go, Jacob!
We are VR!

Congratulations to National Student of the Month, Jacob Bourland from Vista Ridge High School in Colorado! ✨

His nominator wrote: "He represents the rare intersection of academic rigor, athletic discipline, and an unparalleled gift for community building. His influence on our school culture this year has been nothing short of transformative, moving the needle on student engagement through his roles in Student Council, athletics, and the performing arts. The most visible evidence of Jacob’s impact is found at our quarterly pep rallies. Since taking the microphone, he has effectively revitalized these events, leading to a 150% increase in student engagement and morale. He possesses a natural charisma that captivates the entire student body, turning routine assemblies into high-energy celebrations of our school identity. Jacob leads by example across diverse platforms. In Student Council, he serves as a strategic voice for the student body, helping plan and execute initiatives that improve our daily campus life. As a leader on the football team, he demonstrated the grit and teamwork necessary to inspire his peers during the high-pressure fall season. Lastly, as a key member of the Show Choir, he balances the technical demands of performance with the same passion he brings to the field"

Read more about this student leader here ⬇️
https://www.jostensrenaissance.com/jacob-bourland/

05/30/2026

After celebrating the school year and closing it out with our students and families, POWER Zone teachers and leaders spent two days in planning, preparation, and professional development to ensure a strong start to the 2026-27 school year. We are grateful for our dedicated, outstanding educators, and we wish everyone a wonderful summer!

05/30/2026

After closing out the year with students and teachers, POWER Zone leaders spent a meaningful day together reflecting on the 2025-26 school year and planning for the next school year. The day was spent engaged on the topics of student data and instruction, school culture, and leadership performance. There was great thinking, combined with lots of fun, encouragement, and affirmation across the day! This is an incredible group of dedicated leaders giving their all to the POWER Zone community!