FAQ - Mesa Middle School

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FAQ

How can my child participate in IB at Mesa? Is there an application process?

All students who attend Mesa participate in the Middle Years Program. There is no application process.

What will my child be learning?

The curriculum at Mesa will continue to follow the Douglas County School District and Colorado State Standards blending the MYP aims and objectives. Students explore all eight subject areas: English language and literature, language acquisition (Spanish or French), individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, physical and health education, arts (both performing and visual), and technology/design. Years 4 & 5 of the MYP continue at Douglas County High School where students complete an independent personal project in addition to their coursework.

How will I know how my child is doing?

Students are assessed by Mesa teachers using the Douglas County School District's Middle Years Grading Practices in addition to criteria defined by the International Baccalaureate and Mesa's assessment policy.

How can I support my child's learning?

Reading, watching, or listening to national and international news and discussing the impact on a personal, local, or broader world.
Asking your child open-ended questions encouraging him/her to think critically and allowing him to define and express his personal opinion.
Encouraging and assisting your child in becoming more involved in community service activities.
Modeling and reinforcing the Learner Profile attributes: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-Takers, Balanced, and Reflective.

Are the subject area criteria and grading scales determined by Mesa teachers or the IB?

IB develops all criteria and scales. MYP teachers collaboratively develop interim objectives based on the published assessment criteria for years 1, 3 (8th grade), and 5 (10th grade) set by IB.

How are Mesa students informed of the grading practices?

All classroom teachers explain the grading practices at the beginning of each course.

How can a student interpret feedback and affect change?

Students will use a task-specific rubric to assess their learning and identify the next steps toward additional growth.

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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).