Great Things Going On Now
This week many Haskin Elementary students finally began using iPads in the course of their daily classroom instruction. Unfortunately it took us a while to get these devices ready for actual classroom use. However, they are now in place and we look forward to seeing our kids benefit from the interactive instruction they will be exposed to while using them. I want to thank Julio Paez, Teddy Garcia and Ascencion Najera for the great work they have done preparing the devices for our students. I also want to thank our kindergarten through 3rd grade staff members for all the research they have done identifying appropriate learning apps to be used by students.
A number of our elementary, middle, and high school teachers will be testing a student survey process this week that may someday be used as part of our overall teacher evaluation process. I want to thank these instructors for trying out this process so we can learn about the impressions each of their students have about their classroom learning activities.
This past week I wrapped up mid-year principal evaluations. I must say I truly appreciate how our building leaders were so thoughtful regarding their personal reflection portion of their evaluation. It was truly a learning process as we discussed exactly what each indicator means, and came to agreement what it would look like to be exhibiting certain professional behaviors. I also truly appreciate the work our building leaders are doing as mid-year staff surveys indicate a general belief that each building leader supports the district’s core beliefs and that each school is headed in the right direction.
A number of our elementary, middle, and high school teachers will be testing a student survey process this week that may someday be used as part of our overall teacher evaluation process. I want to thank these instructors for trying out this process so we can learn about the impressions each of their students have about their classroom learning activities.
This past week I wrapped up mid-year principal evaluations. I must say I truly appreciate how our building leaders were so thoughtful regarding their personal reflection portion of their evaluation. It was truly a learning process as we discussed exactly what each indicator means, and came to agreement what it would look like to be exhibiting certain professional behaviors. I also truly appreciate the work our building leaders are doing as mid-year staff surveys indicate a general belief that each building leader supports the district’s core beliefs and that each school is headed in the right direction.
The Past Week
After wrapping up mid-year principal evaluations early in the week I was able to attend a few Boettcher Teacher program meetings, one on our campus on Tuesday, and one at Adams State University on Thursday aimed at providing support to our principals who will soon be supervising Boettcher Teacher mentors.
On Wednesday Skoglund Middle school principal Carrie Zimmerman and I travelled to Denver to participate in CASE Day at the Capitol. While attending we learned more about the proposed school finance act revision, got to attend a joint House/Senate Education Committee meeting about state school funding revenues, were able to spend some time on the Colorado Senate floor where we met with Senators Larry Crowder, Michael Johnston, Gail Schwartz, and Rollie Heath, had lunch with numerous Senators and Representatives, then attended a Building Excellent Schools Today meeting before proceeding home to Center.
The later part of the week was spent working on our district mid year budget adjustments and focusing more on the work being done on the Colorado School Finance Act revision.
On Wednesday Skoglund Middle school principal Carrie Zimmerman and I travelled to Denver to participate in CASE Day at the Capitol. While attending we learned more about the proposed school finance act revision, got to attend a joint House/Senate Education Committee meeting about state school funding revenues, were able to spend some time on the Colorado Senate floor where we met with Senators Larry Crowder, Michael Johnston, Gail Schwartz, and Rollie Heath, had lunch with numerous Senators and Representatives, then attended a Building Excellent Schools Today meeting before proceeding home to Center.
The later part of the week was spent working on our district mid year budget adjustments and focusing more on the work being done on the Colorado School Finance Act revision.
Big Things We Are Working On
Our biggest areas of focus right now include completing our mid-year budget revisions based on an accurate pupil count and a better understanding of our funding and expenditure streams, tackling some heat system issues we have been dealing with in the new building, and supporting the Board of Education in work they hope to accomplish through some group work sessions.
The Week Ahead
On Monday and Tuesday we will have mechanical, controls, and construction personnel in our buildings addressing some of our final heating system issues. We have a special Board of Education meeting on Tuesday evening where we’ll approve our mid-year budget revisions and have discussions on ways the Board can be more proactive in its leadership of the district.
During the later part of the week I will be in Westminster to attend a Turnaround PLC meeting and the CASE Winter Leadership Conference. On Friday Center Schools teachers will be participating in the last All Valley Professional Learning Community event of the year, this time in San Luis.
During the later part of the week I will be in Westminster to attend a Turnaround PLC meeting and the CASE Winter Leadership Conference. On Friday Center Schools teachers will be participating in the last All Valley Professional Learning Community event of the year, this time in San Luis.
Core Beliefs
It has been a while since I addressed our district core beliefs.
Our first core belief states “our purpose is to increase academic achievement for ALL students.” This means we believe that our main focus at Center Schools is on increasing academic achievement, and no matter what skills and support a child comes to our schools with, we feel we can help them to grow academically.
Our second core belief states “with our support ALL children can achieve at high levels and be successful in life.” This means we believe that what we do at school makes the key difference regarding how much each child learns.
Core belief number three states “quality planning, instruction, and assessments lead to high achievement for ALL students.” This means the district and its teachers understand the importance of teaching engaging lessons that are tied to state standards, and periodically checking to make sure students are learning what is being taught.
Finally, our fourth core belief states “EVERYONE must be committed to excellence in ALL they do EVERY day. Center Schools lives this belief because when you come to our schools you will notice that all the people you come into contact with are always striving for excellence. We believe we already have the best instructional staff in the Valley. However, whether you come into contact with office personnel, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, or technicians, you will find they are motivated to offer the best support they can to make sure our learning environment is successful for kids.
Thanks for listening once again and have a great week!
George
Our first core belief states “our purpose is to increase academic achievement for ALL students.” This means we believe that our main focus at Center Schools is on increasing academic achievement, and no matter what skills and support a child comes to our schools with, we feel we can help them to grow academically.
Our second core belief states “with our support ALL children can achieve at high levels and be successful in life.” This means we believe that what we do at school makes the key difference regarding how much each child learns.
Core belief number three states “quality planning, instruction, and assessments lead to high achievement for ALL students.” This means the district and its teachers understand the importance of teaching engaging lessons that are tied to state standards, and periodically checking to make sure students are learning what is being taught.
Finally, our fourth core belief states “EVERYONE must be committed to excellence in ALL they do EVERY day. Center Schools lives this belief because when you come to our schools you will notice that all the people you come into contact with are always striving for excellence. We believe we already have the best instructional staff in the Valley. However, whether you come into contact with office personnel, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, or technicians, you will find they are motivated to offer the best support they can to make sure our learning environment is successful for kids.
Thanks for listening once again and have a great week!
George