Great Things Going On
In the past several weeks I have had the opportunity to take a bit of time for vacation. Still many things took place in the district such as follows:
I want to begin this week by thanking Lori Cooper for working with the developers of the new PARCC assessments last week by arranging to have students attempt to answer sample questions on various devices they might use when encountering the test. Center Schools was one of two districts in the country that participated in this process and the feedback we got fro PARCC employees was that our students were simply wonderful to work with.
I want to begin this week by thanking Lori Cooper for working with the developers of the new PARCC assessments last week by arranging to have students attempt to answer sample questions on various devices they might use when encountering the test. Center Schools was one of two districts in the country that participated in this process and the feedback we got fro PARCC employees was that our students were simply wonderful to work with.
Two weeks ago we had the opportunity to bid farewell to our latest Americorps team. They were a great group to work with, helping us by supporting instruction in summer school, offering summer enrichment activities for students, working on our grounds and in the park, and supporting the preservation of historic items discovered in the district when we moved out of our old schools.
Last week I attended a board of education policy staff development session at the BOCES. At this event Center Schools BOE members honed their skills regarding policy review, creation, and development.
As summer is winding down I want to thank the custodial crew for the great work they have done keeping up our grounds, and cleaning and detailing all classroom spaces. Their goal is to make sure the building looks like new when students and staff members arrive in August and they are well on their way to doing this.
Last week I attended a board of education policy staff development session at the BOCES. At this event Center Schools BOE members honed their skills regarding policy review, creation, and development.
As summer is winding down I want to thank the custodial crew for the great work they have done keeping up our grounds, and cleaning and detailing all classroom spaces. Their goal is to make sure the building looks like new when students and staff members arrive in August and they are well on their way to doing this.
The Past Few Weeks
During the past several weeks I have spent a lot of time with my family working on home improvement projects. While on work time I focused on Race to the top of the Valley reporting, completing United States Department of Education Race to the Top reports, conducting a warranty walk on the new building with GE Johnson, attending a CASE Legislative Committee meeting where a decision was made to support this fall’s ballot question that would fund the Johnston Finance Act, and facilitating a Save the Children Early Steps to School Success site visit.
Big Things We Are Working On
The district is currently considering purchasing a house that could be used to shelter future Americorps teams. At this point an appraisal has been conducted on a particular property and the School Board is considering entering into a contract to purchase it. It is the districts hope that the Vocational Building Trades class can work to improve the property, Americorps teams can be house in it, and eventually the district could sell it for a profit.
Outside of this issue the district is focused on opening our schools and preparing for Jump Start. Most administrators will attend the annual Colorado Association of School Executives convention this coming week, and they, along with secretaries and counselors will be back at work full time the week of July 29th. The first day of school for students in grades K-5 will be Monday August 12. The first day of Jump Start is Monday August 12 as well. 6-12 students should be receiving notification letters in the next two weeks that state whether or not they need to attend Jump Start.
Outside of this issue the district is focused on opening our schools and preparing for Jump Start. Most administrators will attend the annual Colorado Association of School Executives convention this coming week, and they, along with secretaries and counselors will be back at work full time the week of July 29th. The first day of school for students in grades K-5 will be Monday August 12. The first day of Jump Start is Monday August 12 as well. 6-12 students should be receiving notification letters in the next two weeks that state whether or not they need to attend Jump Start.
The Coming Week
As stated above, I will be attending the annual CASE Convention this coming week. During the convention I will attend the Rural Education Council Meeting. On Tuesday I will be a panelist at the new superintendent workshop, then I will also be a panelist on the topic of school finance at the rural educators session. On Wednesday morning Center High School principal Kevin Jones, Skoglund Middle School principal Carrie Zimmerman and I will present to administrators around the state about our Jump Start program, then Haskin Elementary K-2 principal Kathy Kulp will join us and CDE to present on our experience as an SB 191 pilot school in the afternoon. On Thursday I will have the honor of presenting Center High School graduate Taylor Lobato with the CASEY award, the highest honor CASE presents to non-members. On Friday I will then attend a key leaders session in an attempt to learn more details about the ballot question intended to fund the Johnston School Finance Act. While at the CASE conference I will attend my final coordinating council meeting as an executive officer, as I will be stepping down as immediate past president at the end of the convention.
It’s great to be back at work and I thank you for listening once again!
George
It’s great to be back at work and I thank you for listening once again!
George