Great Things Going On Now
Center Schools now has a Culinary Arts program operating out of a professional quality kitchen in the remodeled Career Tech facility. Brandon Selby is the teacher and he is doing a fantastic job of planning and executing outstanding lessons for his two classes. In addition to this, the program offers adults in the district a special meal each Thursday, as students apply the knowledge they have learned earlier in the week by actually preparing the food. In addition, Mr. Selby’s program is also willing to cater special events. Contact Center High School at 719-754-2232 if you would like to find out more about this.
This week we officially rolled out our K-3 iPad program as students were issued their devices to use as a classroom resource and response device. We’ll report more about how this is going as the program continues. A big thank you goes out to Center Schools Director of Technology Julio Paez and Director of Instruction Lori Cooper for all the work they have done behind the scenes making this possible.
This week we officially rolled out our K-3 iPad program as students were issued their devices to use as a classroom resource and response device. We’ll report more about how this is going as the program continues. A big thank you goes out to Center Schools Director of Technology Julio Paez and Director of Instruction Lori Cooper for all the work they have done behind the scenes making this possible.
Center High School Principal Kevin Jones, Skoglund Middle School Math Teacher Linda Donaldson, and Center School Board President Michael Lobato were stars at this year’s Colorado Association of Schools Boards annual convention, as they presented information on how our district is tackling the task of implementing Senate Bill 191 style teacher evaluations. In addition, San Luis Valley Board of Cooperative Education Services Executive Director Nita McAuliffe starred in a presentation on cost sharing and collaboration efforts being accomplished in our region.
I would like to thank Center High School Cross Country Coach Dennis Schoenfelder for once again finding a way to bring Center Schools students to the Cross Country National Meet. This year the meet was in Rock Hill, South Carolina and five of our athletes qualified to compete.
I would like to thank Center High School Cross Country Coach Dennis Schoenfelder for once again finding a way to bring Center Schools students to the Cross Country National Meet. This year the meet was in Rock Hill, South Carolina and five of our athletes qualified to compete.
I would also like to thank Center Schools Director of Finance Betty Casanova, Business Office Assistant JJ Beiriger, and Administrative Office Assistant Jessica Ornelas for their patience and understanding as we worked through our most difficult payroll period of the year last week. Many Center Schools staff members bank up extra duty work in order to have it paid during the holiday season and, additionally, the district pays for numerous summer staff development and teacher extra contract days during this pay period. While everyone else was off relaxing during Thanksgiving Break, Betty, JJ and Jessica were ensuring that everyone got paid for their hard work. Thanks ladies, for all you do for us behind the scenes!
The Past Few Weeks
In the week before and after Thanksgiving I participated in an all Valley Technology Director meeting that was held at the BOCES building, numerous classroom instructional walkthroughs, and Colorado Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principal SB 191 trainings in Limon, Fort Morgan, Aurora, and Pueblo. Additionally I submitted a 1.5 million dollar IDEA grant application on behalf of the San Luis Valley Consortium, participated in a Rocky Mountain Research Center Professional Learning Community meeting, and attended the annual Colorado Association of School Boards convention in Springs.
Big Things We Are Working On
Center Schools has received a draft audit and will be going over it in detail and accepting it at its December 11 Board of Education meeting.
We are also in the midst of completing mid-year teacher and principal evaluations as will soon be required by Senate Bill 191.
Unfortunately this week we received news that our 19.5 million dollar Race to the Top Consortium grant application did not qualify as a finalist. Two Colorado school districts did make the finals. They are efforts put forth by the Mapleton School District and the St. Vrain School District.
We are also in the midst of completing mid-year teacher and principal evaluations as will soon be required by Senate Bill 191.
Unfortunately this week we received news that our 19.5 million dollar Race to the Top Consortium grant application did not qualify as a finalist. Two Colorado school districts did make the finals. They are efforts put forth by the Mapleton School District and the St. Vrain School District.
Our Core Beliefs
Our first Core Belief states that our purpose is to increase academic achievement for ALL students. Center Schools does this by accepting every student that comes through its doors and working diligently to offer appropriate educational experiences and support for them. This means that if a student is advanced beyond the coursework we are able to offer, we will find a way to challenge that student and meet their educational needs at the level they are performing. This also means that if a student is performing significantly below grade level the district will find a way to intervene in the students learning by providing extra instruction time in their area of deficiency.
The Week Ahead
I have one more busy travel week as I will be in Bayfield late on Monday afternoon for a CASE regional principal meeting. We will be conducting salary negotiations with the Center Education Association on Tuesday. On Wednesday I will be in Denver for a school finance cost study professional judgment panel session. On Friday I’ll be in Denver again for the Colorado School Finance Project monthly meeting and for a Colorado Association of School Executives legislative priorities setting session.
Video of the Week
As a lot of work is being done leading into the upcoming legislative session on the issue of school finance, I thought I would share a video showing a presentation I made to Valley teachers illustrating some of the inequities that exist in our current state system. You can view the video 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