Great Things Going On
This past week the Center Schools community was treated to two wonderful performance arts concerts, the first when Center Schools instrumental music teacher Kathleen Newmyer conducted our grade 5-12 students in a wonderful concert that included lots of group, small group and individual performances. The highlight of the show was the “battle of the bands” that took place between portions of the 6th grade band. Kate’s Tuesday performance was followed on Wednesday by Haskin Elementary music teacher Gabriel Swanson’s effort at conducting our Pre-K through 5th grade students in a holiday song and dance concert. Many parents attended these events and greatly appreciated having the opportunity to see their children perform at such a high level, and I think the music selections put everyone in the holiday spirit.
On Friday afternoon Colorado Department of Education Commissioner Robert Hammond was on site to present Center High School with its 5th consecutive Center of Educational Excellence award. Appropriately, Center High School principal Kevin Jones asked long time CHS teachers Diane Parker, Dennis Schoenfelder, Katrina Ruggles, and Kindra Rounds to accept the banner that was presented. Diane, Dennis, Katrina, and Kindra are the only staff CHS teachers who have been around for the entire 8 year span of excellence that Center High School was being honored for.
Big Things We Are Working On
On Friday December 13th Center Schools served as ground zero when it comes to rural education in Colorado as the Colorado Department of Education Rural Education Council meeting took place in our very own Fyock Library community room. After a quick tour of our new facility, the commissioner of education and other representatives from CDE and all corners of the state were treated to presentations about how San Luis Valley school districts are leveraging local expertise and statewide grant dollars to improve the quality of teaching and assessment, reading instruction for at-risk students, and opportunities for students and teachers to make better use of instructional technology. I would like to add that Melissa Garcia, who works both for the SLV BOCES and Center Schools, did a fantastic job of presenting the work we are doing sharing out what we have learned from Lindamood-Bell. While this meeting was taking place principals from all over our region were meeting under the guidance of SLV BOCES Executive Director Nita McAuliffe about how to better implement the state’s new teacher and administrator evaluation system, and a cadre of other educators was meeting to work out details as to how growth in student achievement can be used as a factor in educator effectiveness evaluation.
The Past Week
Last Monday I travelled to the University of Denver to attend a forum on teacher licensure issues. I attended this forum because it appears legislation will likely be brought forth this year to change the way educators are licensed in Colorado and we in Center want to be sure the interests of rural school districts are taken into account when changes are made.
On Tuesday I had my monthly marathon of meetings including the San Luis Valley Superintendent Advisory Council meeting, our monthly District Accountability Committee meeting, and our December board of education meeting, which went late into the evening.
On Wednesday I had the opportunity to attend our annual 5-12 winter music concert in the Center Schools auditorium.
On Thursday I participated in a superintendent walkthrough coaching session that took place with other area chief executives at the Moffat School District.
On Friday my work focus centered on hosting the Colorado Department of Education Rural Education Council meeting, an all Valley administrator PLC meeting, and a committee meeting to work on the measures of student growth portion of the new state evaluation system.
On Tuesday I had my monthly marathon of meetings including the San Luis Valley Superintendent Advisory Council meeting, our monthly District Accountability Committee meeting, and our December board of education meeting, which went late into the evening.
On Wednesday I had the opportunity to attend our annual 5-12 winter music concert in the Center Schools auditorium.
On Thursday I participated in a superintendent walkthrough coaching session that took place with other area chief executives at the Moffat School District.
On Friday my work focus centered on hosting the Colorado Department of Education Rural Education Council meeting, an all Valley administrator PLC meeting, and a committee meeting to work on the measures of student growth portion of the new state evaluation system.
The Week Ahead
On Monday I had my monthly update meeting with the Save the Children Early Steps to School Success program we house. I also had time to touch base with Sargent Schools superintendent Steve Marantino to brainstorm ways our district might work together to more effectively spend our dollars to benefit students. On Tuesday folks from Lindamood-Bell will be on campus to shoot a video promoting the success our reading academies have had in raising reading performance at Haskin Elementary School. We will also host some visitors from the Rocky Ford School District on this day, as they want to pick our brains about how we teach to a curriculum, support and evaluate teachers, and assess students on a daily basis at our middle and high school levels. On Tuesday evening I will spend some time supporting Santa in his work to bring hoiliday cheer to our Early Steps to School Success program before I attend the annual and Academic Resource Center/Center Virtual Academy Holiday Party. Part of my day on Wednesday will be spent meeting about our athletic random drug testing policy. On Friday the district holds its annual staff holiday party.
I’ll be taking next week off from writing to celebrate Christmas with my family, but look forward to sharing with everyone my annual Keeping Our Focus Year in Review during the week of January 1st.
Thanks for listening once again.
George
I’ll be taking next week off from writing to celebrate Christmas with my family, but look forward to sharing with everyone my annual Keeping Our Focus Year in Review during the week of January 1st.
Thanks for listening once again.
George