July 30, 2015
THIS WEEK IN
VO LUM E 28 | IS S U E 36 | FREE
LIFE
LOCAL
Fishing brings families together in Colorado’s waters
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School’s approach rewards curiosity SkyView Academy creates an environment where ‘everyone is known’ By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdiando@colorado communitymedia.com
At SkyView Academy, textbooks are hard to come by. You’re more likely to find a copy of “The Catcher in the Rye” or something by one of the great thinkers, like Plato or Socrates. “There are textbooks, but we don’t use them,” said Richard Barrett, executive director of the charter school in Highlands Ranch. “Spanish needs a textbook for guidance for what they’re learning. Some of your sciences could use a textbook. But a lot of it is experiential. It’s conversation. It’s hands on. It’s dissection in science class.” SkyView uses a classical curriculum,
which focuses on grammar, logic and rhetoric —grammar being the elementary model, and logic and rhetoric being the middle school and high school model. “The classical approach is read great books, original source documents, it’s the great thinkers Plato, Aristotle, Socrates,” Barrett said. “It’s the Socratic style of teaching in class. It’s not a direct instruction model. It’s very inclusive but there’s an opportunity for students to participate in the conversation at a high level.” The elementary school students begin with grammar. Then, the logic comes in middle school when students will take the next step and go “oh, what does that mean.” In high school, they debate. Students learn to think critically about a topic. “(The teaching style) is more questioning then regurgitating facts,” Barrett said. SkyView sits in a building off C-470 on Business Center Drive. The building once SkyView continues on Page 9
Theater students at SkyView perform their productions at the Lone Tree Arts Center. Courtesy photo
Search-rescue volunteers are needed Group members must be ready for fast response By Taryn Walker
twalker@colorado communitymedia.com
Cancer survivors wear purple shirts and colorful hats as they kick off the Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree Relay for Life on July 24 at Shea Stadium. Photos by Taryn Walker
Survivors rally at relay
Douglas County Search and Rescue saw a turnout of 42 people at its recruitment meeting on July 21, but the agency expects to receive only half of that in volunteers, according to Bruce Fosdick, president and mission coordinator. Every year around this time, the nonprofit with about 60 active members looks for new volunteers. The group was formed in 1998 and encompasses the county, but the team also provides help to neighboring counties. Most distress calls within Douglas County are made in the Rampart Range, Sedalia and Parker areas, according to the group’s July 21 presentation. “We’ve received only two hard copies of applications since the meeting, but I know Rescue continues on Page 9
Annual event in Highlands Ranch raises more than $100,000 By Taryn Walker
twalker@colorado communitymedia.com
Corbin Garrett, 4, and his mother Nicole receive high-fives as they participate in the survivor walk of the Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree Relay for Life on July 24 at Shea Stadium. Corbin is now in remission after battling Burkitt’s lymphoma.
Relay For Life in Highlands Ranch saw roughly 500 participants raise almost $106,000 to help save lives through the American Cancer Society. The forecast called for some precipitation the evening of July 24, but as cancer survivor Tony Hernandez took the stage on the field at Shea Stadium, he said, “A little bit of rain can’t dampen our spirts — It won’t slow us down.” Amber Putnam of Spolight Performing Art Center in Highlands Ranch sang the National Anthem and walkers dressed in Relay For Life shirts put their hands over the heart to sing along, with tears in their eyes. Several survivors and family members spoke before the “Survivor Walk” began, sharing stories of pain, struggle and recovery. People of all ages who’ve battled cancer wore purple shirts and kicked off the all-night Relay continues on Page 9
Douglas County Search and Rescue was re-accredited by Mountain Rescue Association. In this photo, taken earlier this year, the team is evaluated by MRA on its ability to perform a litter evacuation. Courtesy photo by Dave Christenson