Great Things Going On Now
I want to thank the Sunshine Club for the wonderful all staff banana split party it hosted on Wednesday, October 17th. Bringing all our staff together like that before our fall break was a great idea!
On Monday October 15th in Washington D.C. the U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for National and Community Service recognized 24 organizations from across the nation as Together for Tomorrow Challenge winners for the 2012-2013 school year. Together for Tomorrow is a joint initiative of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships together with the U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for National and Community Service that recognizes community-led partnerships to support struggling schools. Together For Tomorrow honorees included 24 initiatives that met criteria set out in the Together for Tomorrow School Improvement Challenge. An additional 7 Together For Tomorrow demonstration sites operating as part of the AmeriCorps VISTA program through CNCS were also honored.
On Monday October 15th in Washington D.C. the U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for National and Community Service recognized 24 organizations from across the nation as Together for Tomorrow Challenge winners for the 2012-2013 school year. Together for Tomorrow is a joint initiative of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships together with the U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for National and Community Service that recognizes community-led partnerships to support struggling schools. Together For Tomorrow honorees included 24 initiatives that met criteria set out in the Together for Tomorrow School Improvement Challenge. An additional 7 Together For Tomorrow demonstration sites operating as part of the AmeriCorps VISTA program through CNCS were also honored.
The Together for Tomorrow Demonstration Sites that were honored were as follows:
· Center Public Schools, Center, CO
· Foundation for Educational Excellence / Denver Summit Schools Network, Denver, CO
· Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut / United Way of Greater New Haven United Way, New Haven, CT
· Heart of Florida United Way / Orange County Public Schools / Office of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando, FL
· Tulane University Center for Public Service, New Orleans, LA
· United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Detroit, MI
· Tennessee Campus Compact / Achievement School District, Memphis, TN
Katrina Ruggles, Center Schools contracted counselor and “grant writer extraordinaire” was on hand to represent Center Schools at this event.
At the event United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said, “The Together for Tomorrow Challenge winners we recognize today have made model commitments to help foster partnerships, propel school improvement, and produce better outcomes for students. To sustain change over the long haul, nothing is more important. Time after time, we have seen how committed parents and community volunteers can make a powerful difference in the educational outcomes of our students. Today we shine the spotlight on these initiatives that are bringing together citizens and communities to help young people achieve their best in school and prepare for success in life."
· Center Public Schools, Center, CO
· Foundation for Educational Excellence / Denver Summit Schools Network, Denver, CO
· Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut / United Way of Greater New Haven United Way, New Haven, CT
· Heart of Florida United Way / Orange County Public Schools / Office of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando, FL
· Tulane University Center for Public Service, New Orleans, LA
· United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Detroit, MI
· Tennessee Campus Compact / Achievement School District, Memphis, TN
Katrina Ruggles, Center Schools contracted counselor and “grant writer extraordinaire” was on hand to represent Center Schools at this event.
At the event United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said, “The Together for Tomorrow Challenge winners we recognize today have made model commitments to help foster partnerships, propel school improvement, and produce better outcomes for students. To sustain change over the long haul, nothing is more important. Time after time, we have seen how committed parents and community volunteers can make a powerful difference in the educational outcomes of our students. Today we shine the spotlight on these initiatives that are bringing together citizens and communities to help young people achieve their best in school and prepare for success in life."
On Tuesday October 16th the Center High School marching band performed for the first time in a generation at the Monte Vista High School band night. Center Schools band director Kate Newmyer reported that the performance went well and was well received. You can view the performance in this week’s video for the week section of this posting.
On a final note I want to thank Haskin Elementary School 4th grade teacher Zoraya Vazquez and Middle-High Paraprofessional Alan Alsup for the great work they are doing reorganizing our district drama club. I understand they held auditions for their first performance last Friday and had a wonderful turnout of students from all levels.
On a final note I want to thank Haskin Elementary School 4th grade teacher Zoraya Vazquez and Middle-High Paraprofessional Alan Alsup for the great work they are doing reorganizing our district drama club. I understand they held auditions for their first performance last Friday and had a wonderful turnout of students from all levels.
The Past Weeks
I took last weekend off from writing my weekly communication as it was Fall Break for us. Going back over the past two weeks, here is the work I was engaged in:
On Monday, October 15th Center Schools hosted Cindi Ward of the Colorado Department of Education’s Turnaround unit to discuss the progress of the work taking place in Haskin. Later that same evening the District Leadership Team met to review progress made toward achieving our current academic improvement plan. On Tuesday, October 16th I travelled to Denver to attend Senator Michael Johnston’s first School Finance Technical Advisory Group meeting. After the meeting I hustled back to the Valley to attend an end of construction dinner gathering in Alamosa with key folks from our construction committee.
Wednesday, October 17th was a half-day for students. On Wednesday evening I attended a bi-monthly BOCES cost-sharing meeting to continue to explore how Valley school districts can collaborate to save dollars.
Thursday, October 18th through Sunday, October 21st was fall break and Becky and I did a lot of work on our 4 month long and counting kitchen remodel project. The only schoolwork I did over the break was to compile payroll files on Sunday evening.
On Monday, October 15th Center Schools hosted Cindi Ward of the Colorado Department of Education’s Turnaround unit to discuss the progress of the work taking place in Haskin. Later that same evening the District Leadership Team met to review progress made toward achieving our current academic improvement plan. On Tuesday, October 16th I travelled to Denver to attend Senator Michael Johnston’s first School Finance Technical Advisory Group meeting. After the meeting I hustled back to the Valley to attend an end of construction dinner gathering in Alamosa with key folks from our construction committee.
Wednesday, October 17th was a half-day for students. On Wednesday evening I attended a bi-monthly BOCES cost-sharing meeting to continue to explore how Valley school districts can collaborate to save dollars.
Thursday, October 18th through Sunday, October 21st was fall break and Becky and I did a lot of work on our 4 month long and counting kitchen remodel project. The only schoolwork I did over the break was to compile payroll files on Sunday evening.
On Monday, October 22nd a contingent of Center Schools representatives attended the Boettcher Teacher Program kickoff luncheon in Alamosa with special guest Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia. Later that day I participated in a meeting with Saguache County Social Services, San Luis Valley Mental Health personnel and Center Schools representatives to come to an agreement as to how we can all work better together.
On Tuesday, October 23rd I spent the day in Grant Junction attending the West Slope Superintendent Conference.
After spending Wednesday in the buildings I was on the road once again to Denver to attend the second School Finance Technical Advisory Committee meeting.
Friday was spent finalizing the San Luis Valley Race to the Top Consortium grant.
On Tuesday, October 23rd I spent the day in Grant Junction attending the West Slope Superintendent Conference.
After spending Wednesday in the buildings I was on the road once again to Denver to attend the second School Finance Technical Advisory Committee meeting.
Friday was spent finalizing the San Luis Valley Race to the Top Consortium grant.
Big Things We Are Working On
As mentioned earlier I have already travelled to Denver to attend two of Senator Johnston’s School Finance Technical Advisory Group meetings. He will be holding three more such meetings in the next three weeks. The purpose of this group is to explore the possibility of rewriting the Colorado School Finance Act and, this being the case, it is really important that we try to be at the table as much as possible.
So far what I have found being considered is a plan that would include the following six key aspects:
1. A total core instructional cost for each child, with core instructional costs including instructional staff, other instructional services, and costs for student support personnel.
2. Extra support for low income, high needs students. In some other states an additional 40 percent of average pupil cost is allocated to children eligible for free and reduced lunch, and additional categorical funding is offered for high cost special education students, early childhood, career and technical education, and school construction.
3. Funding follows the student. This might mean that some form of average daily pupil count where enrollment data is used to allocate dollars on a quarterly basis could be explored.
4. Aid based on local fiscal capacity and concentrated poverty. This would simultaneously take into account concentration of low-income students and a district’s revenue raising capacity based on property wealth.
5. A gradual phase in process. The group believes a transition needs to be carefully managed. This would mean that districts that receive additional state aid would see a gradual increase over multiple years.
6. Connecting resource allocation with educational accountability and transparency. This would require districts to use a common set of accounting codes so data can be compared across districts and across school.
Of course the key to the whole plan is that somehow more money would be available to meet the needs of students in the system. Thought this has been talked about a lot, specific ideas as to how to generate such revenues have not yet come to the forefront.
Our other major area of focus for the past several weeks has been working toward the completion of a 19 million dollar Race to the Top Consortium grant for all 14 Valley school districts. The grant will be finalized for shipping to Washington D.C. on Monday, October 29th. It is truly exciting that our proposal has received support from the San Luis Valley BOCES, all 14 Valley school district boards, superintendents and teacher associations, in addition to actual letters from Governor Hickenlooper, Senators Bennett and Udall, Commissioner Hammond, the Colorado Legacy Foundation, the Boettcher Foundation, the Public Education Business Coalition, Children’s Voices, Great Education Colorado, the Save the Children Foundation, Adams State University, Trinidad State Community College, the San Luis Valley Colorado Education Association Uniserv Unit, and the Alamosa Chamber of Commerce.
Hopefully I’ll be able to offer a link to the final application in next week’s Keeping Our Focus. In the mean time we’ll cross our fingers and hope that our grant is among the best in the nation and receives serious consideration for funding by the US Department of Education.
So far what I have found being considered is a plan that would include the following six key aspects:
1. A total core instructional cost for each child, with core instructional costs including instructional staff, other instructional services, and costs for student support personnel.
2. Extra support for low income, high needs students. In some other states an additional 40 percent of average pupil cost is allocated to children eligible for free and reduced lunch, and additional categorical funding is offered for high cost special education students, early childhood, career and technical education, and school construction.
3. Funding follows the student. This might mean that some form of average daily pupil count where enrollment data is used to allocate dollars on a quarterly basis could be explored.
4. Aid based on local fiscal capacity and concentrated poverty. This would simultaneously take into account concentration of low-income students and a district’s revenue raising capacity based on property wealth.
5. A gradual phase in process. The group believes a transition needs to be carefully managed. This would mean that districts that receive additional state aid would see a gradual increase over multiple years.
6. Connecting resource allocation with educational accountability and transparency. This would require districts to use a common set of accounting codes so data can be compared across districts and across school.
Of course the key to the whole plan is that somehow more money would be available to meet the needs of students in the system. Thought this has been talked about a lot, specific ideas as to how to generate such revenues have not yet come to the forefront.
Our other major area of focus for the past several weeks has been working toward the completion of a 19 million dollar Race to the Top Consortium grant for all 14 Valley school districts. The grant will be finalized for shipping to Washington D.C. on Monday, October 29th. It is truly exciting that our proposal has received support from the San Luis Valley BOCES, all 14 Valley school district boards, superintendents and teacher associations, in addition to actual letters from Governor Hickenlooper, Senators Bennett and Udall, Commissioner Hammond, the Colorado Legacy Foundation, the Boettcher Foundation, the Public Education Business Coalition, Children’s Voices, Great Education Colorado, the Save the Children Foundation, Adams State University, Trinidad State Community College, the San Luis Valley Colorado Education Association Uniserv Unit, and the Alamosa Chamber of Commerce.
Hopefully I’ll be able to offer a link to the final application in next week’s Keeping Our Focus. In the mean time we’ll cross our fingers and hope that our grant is among the best in the nation and receives serious consideration for funding by the US Department of Education.
Construction News
We continue to tie up loose ends with our project. As of last Monday we were able to use our new varsity gymnasium. We’ll soon send out a last call for Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment purchases.
Two exciting finishing touches will soon be installed. The first are science themed vinyl graphics that will be put in place upstairs by the middle and high school science rooms, under the skylights. The second is a series of silhouettes of actual past and present Center High School athletes that will be placed in the windows of the new varsity gymnasium. These graphics are being made from actual pictures taken of Center athletes, however the promise is that we’ll never reveal who each athlete is.
Two exciting finishing touches will soon be installed. The first are science themed vinyl graphics that will be put in place upstairs by the middle and high school science rooms, under the skylights. The second is a series of silhouettes of actual past and present Center High School athletes that will be placed in the windows of the new varsity gymnasium. These graphics are being made from actual pictures taken of Center athletes, however the promise is that we’ll never reveal who each athlete is.
The Week Ahead
On Monday I am back in Denver for a CEA, CASE, CASB Anchor Group meeting. I’ll stay in the area for the third School Finance Technical Advisory Group meeting that will take place on Tuesday.
On Wednesday I’ll be back in Center for an early release day during which we’ll do some staff development on the new SB 191 teacher evaluation process.
On Thursday afternoon and Friday I will be attending the bi-annual CASE Coordinating Council Retreat. This takes place in Golden.
On Wednesday I’ll be back in Center for an early release day during which we’ll do some staff development on the new SB 191 teacher evaluation process.
On Thursday afternoon and Friday I will be attending the bi-annual CASE Coordinating Council Retreat. This takes place in Golden.
Core Beliefs
It has been a while since I directly referenced the Center School District Core Beliefs. My hope is that by reading this weekly communication you pick up on how we as a staff continually do our best to live by these guiding principals.
Core belief number one states, “Our purpose is to increase academic achievement for ALL students.” I believe that everything we do in Center Schools on a daily basis is geared to this end. From working hard to secure a new facility, to adopting a curriculum aligned to state standards and ensuring it is being taught, to applying teaching strategies that engage all students in daily instruction. What we do is teach kids and evidence shows our teaching is leading to improved student achievement.
Core belief number two states, “With our support ALL children can achieve at high levels and be successful in life.” It is my belief that Center staff members understand that it is what they do that makes a difference in student learning. Whether that be engaging parents to support student learning, being properly prepared to teach the curriculum, finding ways to support students to explore what they will become as an adult, and opening our doors to everyone who comes to learn. The result of this work has been more students who graduate on time, more students who complete college coursework while they are in high school, and more students who are still engaged in college or trade schools two years after graduation.
Core belief number three states that, “Quality planning, instruction, and assessments lead to high achievement for ALL students.” This means Center teachers are ALWAYS prepared to teach kids. Their plans clearly state a daily objective to be learned, outline how students will be engaged in their learning, and measure whether or not each child mastered the objective by the end of the period. Doing this each day ensures each child has access to the curriculum and is held accountable for learning it.
Core belief number one states, “Our purpose is to increase academic achievement for ALL students.” I believe that everything we do in Center Schools on a daily basis is geared to this end. From working hard to secure a new facility, to adopting a curriculum aligned to state standards and ensuring it is being taught, to applying teaching strategies that engage all students in daily instruction. What we do is teach kids and evidence shows our teaching is leading to improved student achievement.
Core belief number two states, “With our support ALL children can achieve at high levels and be successful in life.” It is my belief that Center staff members understand that it is what they do that makes a difference in student learning. Whether that be engaging parents to support student learning, being properly prepared to teach the curriculum, finding ways to support students to explore what they will become as an adult, and opening our doors to everyone who comes to learn. The result of this work has been more students who graduate on time, more students who complete college coursework while they are in high school, and more students who are still engaged in college or trade schools two years after graduation.
Core belief number three states that, “Quality planning, instruction, and assessments lead to high achievement for ALL students.” This means Center teachers are ALWAYS prepared to teach kids. Their plans clearly state a daily objective to be learned, outline how students will be engaged in their learning, and measure whether or not each child mastered the objective by the end of the period. Doing this each day ensures each child has access to the curriculum and is held accountable for learning it.
Video of the Week
This week’s video was shot at the Monte Vista High School Band Day 2012. You can watch our students performance at the following link: http://keepingourfocus.weebly.com/videos.html
Thanks for listening once again. Have a great week!
George
Thanks for listening once again. Have a great week!
George