Music

Music is an important part of the Sonoran Sky curriculum. Kindergarten through sixth grade students have music once every four days. The music curriculum is aligned with the Arizona Music Standards, with an emphasis on the music of America and on reading, creating, and performing music.

Chorus

Fourth through sixth graders who want additional music instruction can join the school chorus. The chorus rehearses twice weekly and represents Sonoran Sky at both in school and community performances.

Band and Strings

Students have an opportunity to receive instruction in band (grades 4-6) and/or string instruments (grades 3-6.) Specialists provide sectional and group rehearsals as well as semester performances. 

 

  Art

Through the Visual Arts students, experience the wonder of discovery, comraderie and sharing, self-knowledge, and world knowledge, and the thrills and challenges of creativity.

Arts Experiences Program – A program of arts experiences has been developed at Sonoran Sky to enhance classroom activities and district curriculum as well as foster a continued appreciation for the importance of the arts in our lives. This program consists of designated grade levels participating in the following art experiences: field trips to the Phoenix Symphony, Phoenix Art Museum and Heard Museum , drama presentations by performers and students, dance unit, and participation with various Artists-in-Residence. 

 

Media/Technology

Technology is used as a tool throughout the curriculum to extend and support student learning. Students are taught computer skills through the media center. The media specialists work with students to provide training and practice in a variety of information tools, ranging from reference skills and computerized card catalogs to the use of CD ROMS and the Internet. Classroom teachers have integrated technology though a number of appropriate projects and applications. 

 

Physical Education

Health, Safety and Physical Fitness is taught not only through the Physical Education (P.E.) program, but also through grade level health and prevention programs in the classrooms and with the assistance of the school Nurse.

Parents are reminded that on your child's P.E. days, appropriate clothing should be worn. For the safety of the student, tennis shoes are required. Loose and comfortable clothing according to the weather is also recommended.

P.E. Excuses: “Physical Education is required of all students in the elementary and middle schools in the Paradise Valley Unified School District ” (board Policy IGA). For any student to be excused from P.E., the following criteria must be met:

    Temporary excuse (three days or less) – parents submit a note to the nurse for one specific illness or injury.

    Long-term excuse (more than three days) – parents are required to obtain a written statement from the student's physician to be submitted to the nurse.

If a student is on crutches or has a cast, except in occasional situations, the student will spend his/her P.E. time in the Media Center for the duration of the injury, unless a note is on file specifying otherwise. If a parent's desire/student's need is to be totally excused from all P.E. activities, the note should read “No P.E.,” and the student will be sent to the Media Center for supervision.

If the student can participate in any portion of the P.E. class (i.e., keeping score, carrying equipment, etc.), the note should read “Limited activity.”

Any questions or concerns regarding the P.E. program should be directed to the Physical Education teacher.