Great Things Going On Now
This past week spring 2012 TCAP scores were officially released and though we certainly have some specific areas where we need to improve Center Schools has quite a bit to celebrate.
Some of our accomplishments worth noting include:
A 35 point gain in 3rd grade reading proficiency (a 48 point gain over 2 years).
A 23 point gain in 4th grade reading proficiency.
An 18 point cohort point gain in proficiency in 5th grade reading.
A 7 point gain in 4th grade writing proficiency.
An 11 point cohort gain in 5th grade writing proficiency.
A 19 point gain in 3rd grade math (a 27 point gain over 2 years and our highest ever 3rd grade math proficiency).
A 13 point gain in 4th grade math (an 18 point gain over 2 years).
A 9 point gain in 6th grade reading proficiency.
A 19 point gain in 7th grade reading proficiency.
A 10 point cohort gain in 8th grade reading proficiency.
A 7 point gain in 6th grade writing proficiency.
A 7 point gain in 7th grade writing proficiency.
A 5 point gain in 6th grade math proficiency.
A 13 point gain in 7th grade math proficiency.
A 3 point cohort gain in 8th grade math proficiency.
A 5 point cohort gain in 10th grade reading proficiency.
Our highest performance ever in 10th grade writing (a 21% in the last 4 years).
Our highest performance ever in 9th grade math proficiency.
A 17 point gain and our highest performance ever in 10th grade science (an increase of 30% in the last two years).
Some of our accomplishments worth noting include:
A 35 point gain in 3rd grade reading proficiency (a 48 point gain over 2 years).
A 23 point gain in 4th grade reading proficiency.
An 18 point cohort point gain in proficiency in 5th grade reading.
A 7 point gain in 4th grade writing proficiency.
An 11 point cohort gain in 5th grade writing proficiency.
A 19 point gain in 3rd grade math (a 27 point gain over 2 years and our highest ever 3rd grade math proficiency).
A 13 point gain in 4th grade math (an 18 point gain over 2 years).
A 9 point gain in 6th grade reading proficiency.
A 19 point gain in 7th grade reading proficiency.
A 10 point cohort gain in 8th grade reading proficiency.
A 7 point gain in 6th grade writing proficiency.
A 7 point gain in 7th grade writing proficiency.
A 5 point gain in 6th grade math proficiency.
A 13 point gain in 7th grade math proficiency.
A 3 point cohort gain in 8th grade math proficiency.
A 5 point cohort gain in 10th grade reading proficiency.
Our highest performance ever in 10th grade writing (a 21% in the last 4 years).
Our highest performance ever in 9th grade math proficiency.
A 17 point gain and our highest performance ever in 10th grade science (an increase of 30% in the last two years).
The Past Week
In addition to the above both Skoglund Middle School and Center High School achieved above average growth in all subject areas tested while Haskin Elementary boosted reading growth above the 50th percentile for the first time in its history.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday all Center Schools teachers participated in Kagan multiple student engagement training. This staff development opportunity was paid for through our Turnaround Improvement Grant and was aimed at supporting teacher efforts to make sure every child is fully engaged in learning every lesson taught. The training sessions were intense but I believe Center staff members learned a lot and Center Schools building administrators will do their best to ensure the strategies are being used in classrooms and support teachers in the growth of their use.
On Friday August 10th all Center Schools staff members gathered in the new building Commons for an all staff breakfast, a presentation on TCAP results, and a look at the coming year's academic improvement plan. The staff was able to get together once again at lunch time as the Center United Methodist Church women provided a wonderful pot luck lunch for returning staff members. CUMC has been holding this first day of staff event for at least the past 20 years.
Big Things We Are Working On
As the 2012 school year begins it is worth reminding everyone that the vision of the Center School District, as can be found inlaid in brass on the floor of the new school, is “Focused on the Future.” This means we are extremely aware of the fact that we may be preparing our students for jobs that do not yet exist.
In order to accomplish this our mission states we will “seek to develop independent, self-motivated, adventurous, learners armed with the skills necessary to meet the challenges they will face in their future.”
We recognize that in doing so our high school graduates must be prepared for the following: To have a high value for life long education, to have a personal vision regarding their future, to be reflective learners, to seek balance in their lives, to adapt to fast-paced change, to be confident in their skills, to be ready for the challenges of life after high school, to be capable of success beyond the San Luis Valley, to be effective communicators seeking to learn languages beyond English, to be able to use up-to-date technology in a legal and ethical fashion, to be able to collaborate to solve problems, and to leave school armed with college level and real world skills.
Of course our core beliefs are the foundation from which we seek to build upon our vision and mission. They are 1. Our purpose is to increase academic achievement for ALL students, 2. With our support ALL children can achieve at high levels and be successful in life, 3. Quality planning, instruction, and assessments lead to high achievement for ALL students, and 4. EVERYONE must be committed to excellence in ALL they do EVERY day.
In order to accomplish this our mission states we will “seek to develop independent, self-motivated, adventurous, learners armed with the skills necessary to meet the challenges they will face in their future.”
We recognize that in doing so our high school graduates must be prepared for the following: To have a high value for life long education, to have a personal vision regarding their future, to be reflective learners, to seek balance in their lives, to adapt to fast-paced change, to be confident in their skills, to be ready for the challenges of life after high school, to be capable of success beyond the San Luis Valley, to be effective communicators seeking to learn languages beyond English, to be able to use up-to-date technology in a legal and ethical fashion, to be able to collaborate to solve problems, and to leave school armed with college level and real world skills.
Of course our core beliefs are the foundation from which we seek to build upon our vision and mission. They are 1. Our purpose is to increase academic achievement for ALL students, 2. With our support ALL children can achieve at high levels and be successful in life, 3. Quality planning, instruction, and assessments lead to high achievement for ALL students, and 4. EVERYONE must be committed to excellence in ALL they do EVERY day.
Construction News
Many folks around town have probably noticed our preschool playground emerging on the North side of our building. In addition grass and plants are beginning to be put in place on the East side of the structure near the school entries.
We are also pleased that we finally have useable parking lots, as surfaces have been opened and striped around the admin/auditorium building, near the old alternative school, and on the Northeast corner of the property in front of the elementary school entrance.
We are also pleased that we finally have useable parking lots, as surfaces have been opened and striped around the admin/auditorium building, near the old alternative school, and on the Northeast corner of the property in front of the elementary school entrance.
The Week Ahead
Of course our first day of kids takes place on Monday August 13th with regular session starting for students in grades PK-5 while Jump Start begins for students required to attend in grades 6-12.
On Tuesday I will participate in a marathon day of meetings including the San Luis Valley Superintendent Advisory Council gathering in the morning, the Colorado School Safety Resource Center Advisory Board meeting (via phone) in the middle of the day, the Center Schools District Accountability meeting Tuesday afternoon, and finally the Center Schools Board of Education meeting on Tuesday evening.
On the evening of Wednesday the 15th I will be attending a meeting in Alamosa aimed at expanding collaborative efforts between school districts in the San Luis Valley.
I’ll be attending an Even Start Board meeting on Thursday morning.
Finally, our first Race to the top of the Valley Collaborative PLC day will take place in Monte Vista on Friday August 17th. At this session Center Schools Teachers will gather with almost 400 San Luis Valley educators to work for the benefit of kids by making connections in Professional Learning Communities aimed at enhancing curriculum and improving the way they plan for instruction aligned to state standards.
Thanks for listening again.
George
On Tuesday I will participate in a marathon day of meetings including the San Luis Valley Superintendent Advisory Council gathering in the morning, the Colorado School Safety Resource Center Advisory Board meeting (via phone) in the middle of the day, the Center Schools District Accountability meeting Tuesday afternoon, and finally the Center Schools Board of Education meeting on Tuesday evening.
On the evening of Wednesday the 15th I will be attending a meeting in Alamosa aimed at expanding collaborative efforts between school districts in the San Luis Valley.
I’ll be attending an Even Start Board meeting on Thursday morning.
Finally, our first Race to the top of the Valley Collaborative PLC day will take place in Monte Vista on Friday August 17th. At this session Center Schools Teachers will gather with almost 400 San Luis Valley educators to work for the benefit of kids by making connections in Professional Learning Communities aimed at enhancing curriculum and improving the way they plan for instruction aligned to state standards.
Thanks for listening again.
George