Skinner Middle School is committed to creating a positive school environment that promotes student learning. Safe school environments are known to increase students’ attachment to school and improve academic achievement. Skinner’s vision statement, Skinner C.A.R.E.S., provides the framework for a school culture where students can thrive.

Skinner C.A.R.E.S. represents the school’s commitment to creating a caring family, achieving academic excellence, respect and responsibility, ensuring fairness and safety, and standards proficiency. Skinner C.A.R.E.S. communicates the behavior expectations for students and faculty. The Skinner C.A.R.E.S. Award recognizes and reinforces these caring behaviors.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Skinner Principal Pat Sandos and Assistant Principal Veronica Jeffers presented the award to seven deserving students. Three eighth-grade students, Paola Cardona Romero, Cynthia Chavez and Victor Soto, were acknowledged for their outstanding behavior. Seventh-graders Junior Simental and Priscilla Villanueva were recognized as students who exemplify the school’s vision. Jorge Ortiz and Emily Sara Sandoval are sixth-graders who consistently help other students and represent the school and their families well.

Skinner Middle School cares about its students. The Skinner C.A.R.E.S. Award is just one of many innovative strategies used to create a safe school environment and increase academic achievement. In order to meet individual needs, students have the option of learning within a five-person or two-person team. The five-person teams are “looping” teams - in other words, students and core teachers stay together through eighth grade. Math, social studies, science, language arts and reading are taught by five different teachers. The benefits of looping include a reduction in transitional anxiety, additional time to build relationships with teachers and peers, better communication between teachers and parents, and looping raises student achievement.

In the two-person teams, students move to another set of teachers in seventh- and eighth-grade. Math, social studies, science, language arts, and reading are taught by two teachers. The benefits of two person teams include a family-like atmosphere, easier transition from elementary school, teachers able to gain a strong sense of student ability in more subjects, and an increase in student achievement.

For more information about the Skinner C.A.R.E.S. Award or other school programs, contact Jeanette Sánchez at 303-433-8851. Skinner Middle School is located at 3435 W. 40th Ave.