Great Things Going On
This week I would like to offer up a big thank you to Center Schools director of instruction Lori Cooper for the great work she did supporting new teacher orientation training for our new instructional staff members. Because of her efforts our new folks have already been trained in accessing district technology resources, using our nursing services, and operating our student information management system. In addition to Lori's efforts, our building principals oriented our new teaching staff members to the general workflow of each individual building, and Center Schools teachers Jessica Stevens and Linda Donaldson taught our new folks how to take roll, enter grades, and fill out disciplinary referrals on the Infinite Campus system.
I would also like to thank school board president Michael Lobato for stepping in to take members of the Center High School Class of 1959 on a tour of our new building this past Friday. I was not able to do this because I was tending to family commitments. Mr. Lobato reported to me that the tour went well and there were a lot of great questions asked about what we are doing educationally for kids nowadays in Center.
I would also like to thank school board president Michael Lobato for stepping in to take members of the Center High School Class of 1959 on a tour of our new building this past Friday. I was not able to do this because I was tending to family commitments. Mr. Lobato reported to me that the tour went well and there were a lot of great questions asked about what we are doing educationally for kids nowadays in Center.
The Past Week
During the past week we got our July payroll process completed and provided a lot of training for new teachers in basic building routines. Our Principals and school secretaries also officially opened up offices to the public so students can enroll or register for the 2014-15 school year. Additionally, our hard working custodial staff also continued it's tremendous efforts aimed at getting the building ready for students to arrive on Monday August 11th.
Big Things We Are Working On
We will spend a lot of time this week getting student jump start schedules created. This week Skoglund Middle School math teacher Linda Donaldson will once again take charge of the jump start committee that does this task on an annual basis.
The Board of Education will also spend time this week preparing for a board – superintendent work session related to setting goals and priorities for the district for the coming school year. This important work will be facilitated by Mark DeVoti of the Colorado Association of School Boards.
The Board of Education will also spend time this week preparing for a board – superintendent work session related to setting goals and priorities for the district for the coming school year. This important work will be facilitated by Mark DeVoti of the Colorado Association of School Boards.
The Week Ahead
During the coming week we'll continue to orient our new teachers to their work in the Center School District. This effort will include teaching them how we lesson plan the Center way, how we engage all students in learning lessons through the use of Kagan cooperative learning techniques, and how we can better use technology tools to support student learning and lesson delivery.
I will begin my week in Denver by chairing the quarterly Colorado School Safety Resource Center Advisory Board meeting. I will then do a full-blown district vision, mission, and core belief orientation for new teachers on Wednesday morning. All staff members will return to work on Thursday. On this day teachers will learn how to use the eNet Colorado Dream platform for accessing curriculum and quarterly assessments. On Friday we'll hold our traditional all staff gathering during which I will share what I can at this point about the results of this year's statewide TCAP testing. On Friday at noon the good folks from the Center United Methodist Church will be providing a potluck lunch for all the people who work at Center Schools. I don't know how long this event has been going on, but it has certainly been a much appreciated annual tradition during the 18 years I have spent in Center.
I will begin my week in Denver by chairing the quarterly Colorado School Safety Resource Center Advisory Board meeting. I will then do a full-blown district vision, mission, and core belief orientation for new teachers on Wednesday morning. All staff members will return to work on Thursday. On this day teachers will learn how to use the eNet Colorado Dream platform for accessing curriculum and quarterly assessments. On Friday we'll hold our traditional all staff gathering during which I will share what I can at this point about the results of this year's statewide TCAP testing. On Friday at noon the good folks from the Center United Methodist Church will be providing a potluck lunch for all the people who work at Center Schools. I don't know how long this event has been going on, but it has certainly been a much appreciated annual tradition during the 18 years I have spent in Center.
Extra Points
While I trekked to the San Francisco Bay Area in to officiate my son Adam's wedding this past weekend a very special event related to Center Schools was taking place right here in the San Luis Valley. Ascencion Najera, a member of the Center High School Class of 2007 and current technology department employee, and Haskin Elementary School kindergarten teacher Jaton Pearson also tied the knot on Saturday. Both Ascencion and Jaton are wonderful employees and the entire Center Schools staff are very excited for them as they start this new chapter of their lives!
Thanks for listening once again!
George
Thanks for listening once again!
George