Great Things Going On
It was simply another amazing week in Center Schools! On Wednesday Center's contracted counselor Katrina Ruggles was selected from among 15 other San Luis Valley school district teachers to represent the region as the 2015 San Luis Valley Teacher of Year! Katrina was chosen because of the great fundamental instructional practices she uses and because of the measurable impact she is having on the outcomes of Center High School students. Congratulations Katrina!
On Thursday we learned that Center High School senior William Weatherford was named a prestigious Adams State University Porter Scholar! The Porter Scholarship amounts to a virtual full ride opportunity and is given only to students who show tremendous potential and interest in the field of science. Will is the second straight Center High School graduating senior who has earned this distinction. Congratulations Will!
Then on Friday in Denver, Haskin Elementary, Skoglund Middle, and Center High School were each honored as Colorado Education Initiative 2015 Healthy School Champions major award winners. These recognitions, totaling $7,500 for all three, were only given to 11 total schools in Colorado. Because of the great work supported by Katrina Ruggles and Center Schools healthy schools coordinator and high school secretary Marsha Felmlee our little school district of about 700 students is leading the way in Colorado when it comes to supporting a healthy learning environment for children and overall staff wellness. This is the 4th straight award Center High School and Skoglund Middle School have won, while Haskin Elementary, which won a minor recognition last year, broke into the major award category for the first time this year.
On Thursday we learned that Center High School senior William Weatherford was named a prestigious Adams State University Porter Scholar! The Porter Scholarship amounts to a virtual full ride opportunity and is given only to students who show tremendous potential and interest in the field of science. Will is the second straight Center High School graduating senior who has earned this distinction. Congratulations Will!
Then on Friday in Denver, Haskin Elementary, Skoglund Middle, and Center High School were each honored as Colorado Education Initiative 2015 Healthy School Champions major award winners. These recognitions, totaling $7,500 for all three, were only given to 11 total schools in Colorado. Because of the great work supported by Katrina Ruggles and Center Schools healthy schools coordinator and high school secretary Marsha Felmlee our little school district of about 700 students is leading the way in Colorado when it comes to supporting a healthy learning environment for children and overall staff wellness. This is the 4th straight award Center High School and Skoglund Middle School have won, while Haskin Elementary, which won a minor recognition last year, broke into the major award category for the first time this year.
On Saturday darn near the entire Center Schools community came out to the Center Community Park to honor long time coach Lloyd Garcia as the school district officially named the field after him. This wonderful event followed a well-played varsity baseball doubleheader against the Dolores Huerta Scorpions, continued with a ceremony on the infield that included over 50 of Lloyd’s former players, and just about as many of his close family members. We continued with a wonderful burger and hotdog cookout and an extremely entertaining “old timers” slow pitch softball game that had everyone in attendance laughing and smiling. Lloyd shared some words with the entire gathering including that he, “is extremely honored, and has been truly lucky to have had the opportunity to share his love of baseball with so many current and former players.” I am hoping everyone noticed how each time I spelled Lloyd’s name in this passage it was done so correctly. I also did so when I originally sent the information to the sign printer as to what should be put on the banners that have been installed in the outfield in honor of Lloyd. Unfortunately, I must also admit that I personally approved the printing proofs twice that left an all important letter off Lloyd’s first name. As I have preached to others for so many years, I promise I’ll take personal responsibility for my mistake and will do all I can within my power to fix it. Congratulations Lloyd (with two L’s)!
However, while on the topic of Lloyd Garcia, it was also just announced he will soon be inducted into the Adams State University Teacher Hall of Fame! ASU recently established this program to honor outstanding educators whose chosen profession has created opportunities for students to achieve academic and professional success. This ceremony will take place on Wednesday May 6th and Lloyd is being honored along with other such ASU legends as Manny Wasinger, Dr. Joe I. Vigil, Dr. Luther Bean; Dr. Ira Richardson, and Isaac P. Ortega. All I can say about this is: Wow! Congratulations once again, Lloyd!
I would like to also congratulate the Center Education Association for once again being honored with a Solid Rock Award by the Colorado Education Association last week at the annual delegate assembly. Susan Banning was on hand to accept the award from from CEA President Kerrie Dallman. This award is presented only to local associations who maintain 90% membership rates for three years in a row. I believe the Center Education Association is a prime example of how when teacher associations, administrators, and boards of education work together tremendous growth and improvement can occur in schools.
I would like to also congratulate the Center Education Association for once again being honored with a Solid Rock Award by the Colorado Education Association last week at the annual delegate assembly. Susan Banning was on hand to accept the award from from CEA President Kerrie Dallman. This award is presented only to local associations who maintain 90% membership rates for three years in a row. I believe the Center Education Association is a prime example of how when teacher associations, administrators, and boards of education work together tremendous growth and improvement can occur in schools.
On a final note this week I want to thank our Center High School junior class sponsors, and a fine cadre of junior and senior class parents, who put forth such great effort to provide a wonderful prom and after prom opportunity for our CHS students. I enjoyed seeing how well dressed our young men and women were and all indications are that the event was well intended and our students had a safe and wonderful experience. Thanks to all of you who made this experience possible for our kids!
Big Things Going On
Last week the Center Schools calendar committee met to establish a recommendation for a 2015-16 school year schedule. Prior to this committee meeting I conducted a quick survey of teachers, parents, and community members regarding the hybrid 4 day week schedule we put in effect this past spring and found overall support for it bordered in the range of 90% in favor. This was quite helpful information for both the calendar committee and board of education as it will consider keeping this practice in effect next year at a special meeting this Tuesday evening.
Center Schools has also been quite busy recruiting and hiring replacement teachers as we have had openings at the elementary and secondary level, and in specialized areas such as math and special education. Our building principals are right on top of this process and working, as always, to secure the best instructional professionals available to work with our children.
I spent quite a bit of time last week and this weekend working on finalizing evaluations of Center Schools director of instruction Lori Cooper and alternative school director Joy Werner, and I will meet face to face with them this coming week before making a recommendation to our board of education regarding their future employment status. This will be done at a special board of education meeting to be held this coming Tuesday evening.
Center Schools has also been quite busy recruiting and hiring replacement teachers as we have had openings at the elementary and secondary level, and in specialized areas such as math and special education. Our building principals are right on top of this process and working, as always, to secure the best instructional professionals available to work with our children.
I spent quite a bit of time last week and this weekend working on finalizing evaluations of Center Schools director of instruction Lori Cooper and alternative school director Joy Werner, and I will meet face to face with them this coming week before making a recommendation to our board of education regarding their future employment status. This will be done at a special board of education meeting to be held this coming Tuesday evening.
The Past Week
On Monday I completed work in preparation for our annual district calendar committee meeting and I also took video productions students to Adams State University to broadcast the Center High School-Monte Vista baseball game. On Wednesday we had another ICAP/Early Release Professional Learning Community day. Our calendar committee meeting took place that afternoon, and that evening we hosted wonderful parent education events in both Spanish and English with nationally known educational speaker Fabian Ramirez. I attended the SLV Teacher of Year banquet Wednesday evening that honored our very own Katrina Ruggles as the 2015 San Luis Valley Teacher of the Year. On Thursday and Friday many members of our District Leadership Team attended a workshop in Alamosa put on by the Public Education Business Coalition to gain leadership team training and to engage with other school district leaders from around the San Luis Valley about which direction to steer future regional collaboration efforts. Many Center Schools students participated in a trip to Denver on Thursday to attend the Colorado Rockies Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math event. On Thursday evening I attended a reception in Denver for Healthy Schools Champions recipients, and then on Friday I participated in the Colorado Education Initiative Healthy Schools Summit during which Center High School, Skoglund Middle School, and Haskin Elementary were each honored as Healthy Schools Champion award winners. On Friday evening I attended the annual Colorado Association of School Executives awards gathering where Kevin Jones was recognized as Colorado’s High School Principal of the Year. I finally ended my work week on Saturday participating in the events where we named our baseball field after long time Center High School baseball coach Lloyd M. Garcia, and peeking in on the CHS prom grand march. If that weren’t enough, I happily spent the better part of my day on Sunday helping my son and daughter in-law lay ceramic tile in their house. This sure made me look forward to getting back to work on Monday!
The Week Ahead
On Monday I will attend the periodic Healthy Eaters, Lifelong Movers steering committee meeting in Alamosa. The annual ACT for Juniors will take place on Tuesday, along with a special board of education meeting that evening. On Wednesday many of our high school students will get to experience a special presentation about the Holocaust that has been secured by Center High School social studies teacher Scott Poole. On Wednesday I also have a long-term technology planning meeting with director of technology Julio Paez. On Thursday I have been asked to say a few words at our annual Elementary National Honor Society induction Ceremony. I will be travelling to Tucson this coming weekend to attend the memorial for my brother Jimmy who recently passed away.
Thanks for listening once again.
George
Thanks for listening once again.
George