Culture and
Climate
At Ponderosa we are dedicated
to empowering staff, students
and community to create a
climate of understanding and
compassion where diversity is
valued and accepted. We use
data to inform our decisions
regarding academics and
behavior in order to close our
achievement gap while raising
the achievement of all students.
Specials
S.T.E.A.M.
The STEAM team is dedicated to
providing all students an aesthetic
education. Through exploration,
inspiration, creativity and
performance students learn and
create innovative projects that
equip them with skills for the 21st
century. Through development of
new curriculum, we connect with
our students’ interests on a deeper
academic level. We provide a
relevant curriculum set by
measurable goals that closely
follow national standards in the
areas of physical education, music,
art, technology and library.
Ponderosa Elementary
1885 S. Lima Street Aurora, CO 80012
www.pond.ccsd.k12.co.us
Elizabeth Sloan, Principal
Ponderosa
Elementary
S.T.E.M. School
Embrace diversity
Rigor, Relevance, College
Preparedness and Success
Instruction and Curriculum
The Ponderosa staff is committed to preparing students for post-secondary education through
a S.T.E.M. based curriculum. We use assessments to determine students’ instructional needs
in order to plan culturally relevant lessons that align with the national standards.
Co-Teaching * Thinking Maps * FOSS (Full Option Science System) * Science Notebooking
Everyday Math * Lucy Calkins Units of Study (writing) * Comprehension Toolkit * Workshop Model
CAFÉ/Daily 5 * SMART Board * iPods * Laptops * Tablets * EiE (Engineering is Elementary)
Excellence in
Equity
Instructional Support
ELA: ELA specialists co-teach
with classroom teachers and
provide sheltered instruction to
meet the needs of culturally diverse
students. By ensuring access to
grade level content, language
development occurs.
Intervention: Ponderosa staff
determines the instructional needs
of students and provides
appropriate interventions to ensure
academic progress and student
success through programs such as
LIFT and Add+Vantage Math.
Instructional Support
Family Literacy
Parent Time: Ponderosa parents learn
about community resources, parenting
skills, and how to help close the
achievement gap among students of color.
P.A.C.T. Time: (Parent and Child
Together) Parents spend time in their
child’s classroom to practice English and
learn how to support classroom instruction
at home.
English and GED Classes: Parents
improve their English skills and prepare to
take the GED exam.
Gifted and Talented: The GT support
teacher identifies students who
demonstrate exceptional academic,
intellectual, and creative abilities.
Academic instruction and enrichment
programs are designed to develop skills in
critical and creative thinking.
Special Education: The staff is committed
to providing an interdisciplinary approach
within the least restrictive environment.
By working with families, students,
teachers and the community, students are
successful and prepared for higher
education.