Learning Services
Learning Services is the division that addresses academics within Thompson School District. This includes assessments, student services, curriculum, testing, professional development and instructional leadership, Below is a list of subjects and areas that fall under this division:
Academy at Ferguson High School
The Academy, for students in grades 9-10 who attend Ferguson High School, which provides an alternative learning environment.
Accountability
The district and schools are held accountable by the State Department of Education as well as locally through the Board of Education. Individual schools have school accountability groups and the district has the District Accountability Advisory Committee (DAAC) composed of staff, parents and other community members. DAAC receives charges annually from the Board of Education about accreditation, long-range planning and how curriculum relates to the strategic plan.
Accreditation
Schools and the district are accredited yearly by the Colorado Department of Education and the local Board of Education based on Colorado Student Assessment Program results, school improvement plans and the School Accountability Reports/Adequate Yearly Progress and other indicators.
Activities and Athletics
This includes athletics, which are governed by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA); athletic forms; field trips; overnight activities; and student/school fund-raising activities See Activities and Athletics under Student Achievement Services.Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement courses are available at four high schools. See Course Description Guide; Educational Options, Thompson Teaching and Learning; AP site.
Alternative education
Educational options are available to students throughout the district in the form of programs within high schools or at Ferguson High School, which is a small school alternative to the larger high schools. Ferguson includes juniors and seniors. Freshmen and sophomores attend the Ferguson Academy. The SOARS program is available to students for credit recovery or for drop-out retrieval. Many students are also referred to alternative programs because of special needs related to discipline, expulsion or behavior, such as the Hope Center for emotionally disturbed students or the expulsion school for those who have been expelled. Also see Schools of Choice.
Assessment
The Colorado Student Assessment Program is just one tool used to assess student achievement and growth. Depending on the grade level or program, various types of assessment are performed. For state results, see the Colorado Department of Education.
At-risk programs/outreach
The Outreach Department covers many programs and opportunities for students at risk and includes counseling services.
Attendance
See discipline code/attendance or call your school.
Basic Skills
The basic skills of reading, writing and math are one of the pillars of the strategic plan. Thompson School District believes that a solid foundation in these areas builds on and can be integrated into all content areas.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Career and Technical Education addresses school-to-career opportunities for students while they are still in school through internships, activities and coursework at post-secondary institutions. See Career and Technical Education under Curriculum and Student Achievement Services.
Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA)
CHSAA is the state organization that sets guidelines for athletic and other activities at the high school level. See Athletics and Activities or CHSAA Web site.
Complaints/conflict resolution
For complaints in specific areas relating to students and school:
First Call (The Student Achievement Services system for dealing with concerns and complaints)
- Roger Boettcher, 970-613-5075, All Elementary
- Annette Overton, 970-613-5010, Lucile Erwin, Turner, Berthoud High, Ferguson, and Loveland High
- Diane Lauer, 970-613-6785, Bill Reed, Conrad Ball, Walt Clark, Mountain View, and Thompson Valley.
Credit recovery
High school students who fail classes may retake these classes online through the Secondary Options in Achievement Resulting in Success (SOARS) program at the Administration Building/Community Learning Center.
Critical Thinking and Creativity
This is one of the foundation goals of the district strategic plan. See Thompson Teaching and Learning; Assessment, Student Achievement.
Curriculum development and implementation
See Curriculum Department under Student Achievement Services.
Developing technology access for students and staff
See Professional Development; Teacher on Special Assignment in technology.
Diversity and equity
Part of Safety and Belonging goal in the strategic plan. See Outreach Department.
Dropout retrieval
Students who plan to drop out or have dropped out may resume their education and receive a degree through the Secondary Options for Achievement Resulting in Success (SOARS). See Educational Options/Student Achievement Services.
Early childhood education
Early Childhood is a pre-K-12 program that includes Head Start, the Colorado Preschool Program and Special Education services.
Early Childhood and Head Start Centers
For information, please call 970-613-5052. All Early Childhood Centers have a Head Start program. See Early Childhood under Student Achievement Services.
Berthoud Center |
Carrie Martin Center |
Edmondson Center |
970-613-7488 |
970-613-5789 |
970-613-6313 |
Lincoln Center |
Madison Center |
Monroe Center |
970-613-6280 |
970-613-5675 |
970-613-6507 |
Sarah Milner Center |
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970-613-6710 |
Early graduation
Each high school will have information. See Thompson School Operations policy IKFA
Educational Options
See descriptions under Academics.
English Language Acquisition
English Language Acquisition provides programs for students who are not fluent in English. See ELA, Department of Leadership Development.
Expulsion school
The expulsion school program is designed to meet the educational and social emotional needs of those students who have been expelled from their home school. See Discipline Code, Outreach Department.
Field trips
Policy for field trips, in-state and out-of-state activities are outlined in Board policies and the District Sponsored Field Trip Procedures. See Athletics and Activities.
Gifted and Talented education
Program for students identified through assessment and other indicators. See Gifted and Talented under the Assessment Department.
Graduation requirements
The district is presently in the process of revising high school graduation requirements. See current graduation requirements.
Homelessness
Programs are provided for students identified as homeless. See Outreach Department.
Hope Center
An educational program for students identified with severe emotional disabilities. See Special Education Department.
Instructional coaches
Instructional coaches are on-site professional development experts who support instruction. See Instructional Coaching Department under Student Achievement Services.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The IB Program is available at Loveland High School through an application process. See Educational Options, Thompson Teaching and Learning; Curriculum; See IB Web site.
Leadership development
Programs for teachers and principals that provide learning experiences to build a framework of leadership for teaching students in the 21st century. See Department of Leadership Development in Student Achievement Services.
Loveland Area Integrated School of the Arts (LISA)
LISA is an educational option at Garfield Elementary, Bill Reed Middle School and Mountain View High School. See Educational Options, Thompson Teaching and Learning; Curriculum; individual schools.
Media materials and support (school libraries)
The Media Department supports the media centers and library services throughout the district. See Media Services under Student Achievement Services.
Positive Behavior Support (PBS)
This approach to behavior and discipline has been implemented at several schools and is a national data-driven model (national website / state website). See PBS, Thompson Teaching and Learning; Outreach Department.
Registration
Individual schools have registration information. See Back to School publication; Student Achievement Services executive director's office.
Response to Intervention (RtI)
RtI is an approach used at the Thompson School District to address academic and behavioral interventions with students. See RtI, Thompson Teaching and Learning; Outreach Department.
Scheduling events
District facilities must be reserved for use by schools groups or non-school groups whether through the schools or through Facilities Rental.
Schools of Choice
Thompson School District has many educational options based at different schools that are open to all students in the district through waivers or application. See Schools of Choice/Open Enrollment, Outreach Department, Student Achievement Services.
School to Life
School to Life is one of the goals of the strategic plan that focuses on providing relevant curriculum that prepares students for life beyond secondary school. Also see school to career; school to work; Career and Technical Education, Student Achievement Services.
Special Education
Thompson School District provides comprehensive programs for students with special academic and/or physical needs. See Special Education, Student Achievement Services.
Staff development
Thompson School District believes that continued staff development is necessary to help meet the changing needs of students in the 21st century.
Standards-based education
Thompson School District has defined curriculum standards based on the Colorado educational content standards. See Curriculum, Student Achievement Services; Colorado Department of Education.
Student discipline
The Board of Education has approved policies and regulations in accordance with state law that address behavior and disciplinary actions. See Discipline Code.
Student fund-raising
Guidelines for fund-raising activities are detailed in Board policies and regulations. See Athletics and Activities in Student Achievement Services.
Thompson Teaching and Learning
Thompson School District uses several approaches and models in our educational delivery to students. These approaches and models build on one another to provide the most solid foundation on which we base our curriculum and delivery. It also includes the many educational options that we provide to our students. Also see Professional Development, Educational Options.
Transfer forms
Thompson School District has an open enrollment option provided there is space at the desired school of choice. Students may obtain waivers through their home school or from Student Achievement Services. See Outreach Department, in-district, out-of-district transfer forms.
Truancy
Truancy is defined in the Discipline Code.