Great Things Going On Now
Though we are only two weeks into the 2012-13 school year it certainly feels like everything is in full swing. Based on walkthrough observation feedback I am receiving from principals, and personal visits to classrooms, it is evident teachers are clearly teaching objectives aligned to our curriculum and measuring student learning through the administration of daily formative assessments. I have also seen a lot of evidence of teachers taking to heart the district goal of engaging all students in learning by implementing the Kagan cooperative learning strategies we learned in early August.
One of the most fascinating processes of moving into a new building is the fact that staff members have needed to invent processes for daily routines. Having been in our former facilities for so many years we pretty much took for granted how students would enter school each day, how we would transition to lunch, how we would transition to recess and back to classes, and how parents and community members would access the buildings. I want to commend the administrative and teaching staff for approaching these processes with an open mind and monitoring and adjusting routines as necessary.
One of the most fascinating processes of moving into a new building is the fact that staff members have needed to invent processes for daily routines. Having been in our former facilities for so many years we pretty much took for granted how students would enter school each day, how we would transition to lunch, how we would transition to recess and back to classes, and how parents and community members would access the buildings. I want to commend the administrative and teaching staff for approaching these processes with an open mind and monitoring and adjusting routines as necessary.
The Past Week
This past week I spent a great deal of time conducting monthly payroll processes, visiting each workspace to make connections regarding final furniture and equipment needs, meeting with construction personnel about final budgetary goals, and catching up on a large volume of general administrative paperwork.
Big Things We Are Working On
Center Schools is currently working in partnership with the Mountain Valley, Moffat, Sangre De Cristo, and Gunnison school districts to strike a win-win agreement with Saguache County regarding possible acceptance of Secure Rural Schools funding. The County is in great need of an infusion of dollars into its general fund and, though accepting SRS funds would greatly benefit the Road and Bridge departments and Saguache County school districts, the Commissioners need to find a way to bolster funding in the County general account.
With preliminary school and district accreditation calculations completed, Center Schools is now in position to work closely with CDE to finalize its year three Targeted Improvement Grant proposal. This is the Turnaround grant that has been supporting Haskin Elementary School with a well-aligned curriculum provided through Focal Point and a wonderful partnership with Lindamood-Bell aimed at supporting improved reading performance for below grade level readers. CDE has told us year three renewal processes will be much more extensive in an effort to guarantee these dollars are being spent on efforts that are showing results.
With preliminary school and district accreditation calculations completed, Center Schools is now in position to work closely with CDE to finalize its year three Targeted Improvement Grant proposal. This is the Turnaround grant that has been supporting Haskin Elementary School with a well-aligned curriculum provided through Focal Point and a wonderful partnership with Lindamood-Bell aimed at supporting improved reading performance for below grade level readers. CDE has told us year three renewal processes will be much more extensive in an effort to guarantee these dollars are being spent on efforts that are showing results.
Construction News
The folks from Alcon Construction have been making great progress forming and pouring the surface of our large south parking lot. Artificial turf has been completely installed on the preschool/daycare playground and fencing is nearly complete. North River Greenhouse personnel have been doing a beautiful job of landscaping areas that have become available to them on the East side of the school. I am being told it is very possible that the south parking lot will be done this week, and field turf could even be laid on the new football/soccer practice field.
At our construction meeting this Wednesday it was determined that a high curb will be installed on the border of the sidewalk areas along 4th Street to increase pedestrian safety. In addition, cable style guard rails will be installed on the East side of Sylvester Street to keep vehicles from finding their way into water retention areas constructed there. These changes are being made at the request of the Town of Center after citizens voiced concerns about the safety of these zones.
At our construction meeting this Wednesday it was determined that a high curb will be installed on the border of the sidewalk areas along 4th Street to increase pedestrian safety. In addition, cable style guard rails will be installed on the East side of Sylvester Street to keep vehicles from finding their way into water retention areas constructed there. These changes are being made at the request of the Town of Center after citizens voiced concerns about the safety of these zones.
Video of the Week
On Friday August 17th nearly 400 Valley educators gathered to work on aligning curriculum and improving classroom instruction throughout the SLV. Craig Zablocki, a former school teacher from Adams District 14 in Denver, kicked off this effort with a wonderfully entertaining presentation that included the message that educators need to model for their students a willingness to take risks to become better. Because of its length the video had to be broken into three parts. I encourage you to take a peek at what we were doing on the 17th by accessing the video at the following link: http://keepingourfocus.weebly.com/videos.html
The Week Ahead
I would like to remind parents of 6th graders that we will be holding a 6th grade orientation session this Thursday at 5:30 PM at the Fyock Community Library.
On Monday I will meet in Center with University of Colorado at Denver personnel about statewide Physical Education curriculum development. On Tuesday I will travel to Denver to serve on the Colorado Teacher of the Year selection committee. On Wednesday I will be back in Center for a brainstorming session to consider the possibility of applying for a single district or rural collaborative Race to the Top grant. Colorado is one of only five states whose districts can apply for this new stream of money. I will be back in Denver on Thursday for the monthly CEA, CASE, CASB Anchor Group meeting, after which I will attend a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion aimed at kicking off the Boettcher Teacher Program. Adams State University and the school districts of the San Luis Valley are partners in this effort. On Friday there is no school for students but Center will host a Senate Bill 191 multi district training session.
Thanks for listening once again.
George
On Monday I will meet in Center with University of Colorado at Denver personnel about statewide Physical Education curriculum development. On Tuesday I will travel to Denver to serve on the Colorado Teacher of the Year selection committee. On Wednesday I will be back in Center for a brainstorming session to consider the possibility of applying for a single district or rural collaborative Race to the Top grant. Colorado is one of only five states whose districts can apply for this new stream of money. I will be back in Denver on Thursday for the monthly CEA, CASE, CASB Anchor Group meeting, after which I will attend a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion aimed at kicking off the Boettcher Teacher Program. Adams State University and the school districts of the San Luis Valley are partners in this effort. On Friday there is no school for students but Center will host a Senate Bill 191 multi district training session.
Thanks for listening once again.
George