Great Things Going On Now
A big thank you goes out to our building leaders for all the work they did preparing for Focal Point mid-year evaluation visits this past week. In order to conduct these visits Kevin Jones, Carrie Zimmerman, Kathy Kulp, and Sarah Vance had to prepare evidence of the work they have been doing conducting walkthroughs, evaluating and supporting teachers, reviewing lesson plans, communicating with staff and community members, following improvement plans, and using data to drive instructional decisions. Focal Point will submit mid year reports to the district early this week, and these will use to support work being done to evaluate the performance of our administrators.
I want to thank our Center Schools teaching staff for working this past Saturday, participating in the Colorado Sample Curriculum roll out event that took place in Center. On Friday and Saturday CDE unveiled a sample curriculum that can be used by any school district in the state. Center Schools hosted this important event that roughly 300 San Luis Valley educators attended. This change in our teacher work calendar came about recently at the request of CDE and I truly appreciate everyone’s willingness to adjust their personal schedules in order to participate.
I also want to thank our maintenance and technology departments for the great work they did preparing our building for this important work, meeting the needs of our presenters, and addressing various issues as they arose. Julio Paez, Teddy Garcia, Ascencion Najera, Rich Brandt, Mike Martinez, Walter Martinez, Gerald Hammer, and Panta Villagomez each had to forfeit part of their weekend to make this work possible for San Luis Valley educators.
Least I forget, the CHS Culinary Arts program led by Brandon Selby, and the Center Athletic Association did a wonderful job of providing tasty meals for many of the Valley folks who attended these curriculum roll out sessions.
Finally, the Center Schools Board of Education has begun the practice of conducting periodic business hours so staff, students, and community members can have the opportunity to engage with them about things that are happening in the district. Their first attempt at this practice took place last Thursday. I will do my best to get the word out in advance as this practice continues.
Least I forget, the CHS Culinary Arts program led by Brandon Selby, and the Center Athletic Association did a wonderful job of providing tasty meals for many of the Valley folks who attended these curriculum roll out sessions.
Finally, the Center Schools Board of Education has begun the practice of conducting periodic business hours so staff, students, and community members can have the opportunity to engage with them about things that are happening in the district. Their first attempt at this practice took place last Thursday. I will do my best to get the word out in advance as this practice continues.
The Past Week
Besides preparing for and conducting the sample curriculum roll out and Focal Point mid-year reviews, I attended the monthly San Luis Valley Superintendent Advisory Council meeting, our monthly Board of Education meeting and a feedback session during which Senator Michael Johnston solicited feedback in relation to a possible revision of the Colorado School Finance Act. Alamosa Valley Courier education writer Lauren Krizansky published a nice article about the happenings of from this meeting. You can access it at the following link: http://www.alamosanews.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=27977&page=72
Big Things We Are Working On
Our big areas of focus at the moment include completing and communicating mid-year teacher and principal evaluations, continually tweaking our new heating system to ensure classrooms and work areas comfortable, and beginning the process of completing mid year budget adjustments.
The Week Ahead
On Monday I will be travelling to Denver to attend the CASE, CASB, CEA Anchor Group meeting and then a BEST Grant legislative information session at the state capitol. On Tuesday I will begin planning next year’s staff development calendar, Wednesday through Friday I will be working to complete evaluations and conducting classroom observations.
Video of the Week
Dennis Schoenfelder's Center High School Video Productions class has established a YouTube channel called NewsFromTheCenter. You can search for it on YouTube or you can access it at this link: http://www.youtube.com/feed/UCWf_Yixu-1dqM5C2Ka15fdg
For this week I have linked to the class's Christmas News 2012 production. Enjoy!
For this week I have linked to the class's Christmas News 2012 production. Enjoy!
As always, thanks for listening!
George
George