Great Things Going On Now
This week I would like to thank all the people who work behind the scenes during the summer to keep Center Schools operating and offer many of our students opportunities to stay engaged during the summer months. Last week I highlighted the summer school instructional staff and the custodial staff. This week I would like to mention the great work done by business office assistant J. J. Beiriger and administrative office assistant Jessica Ornelas. When everyone else is gone for the summer J. J. and Jessica are still manning the administrative office complex, conducting their regular duties, and meeting the needs of the staff members and the public.
Other folks who I have seen working throughout the summer include director of instruction Lori Cooper, contracted counselor Katrina Ruggles, response to intervention coordinator Susan Banning, recreation director John Mack, and transportation director Mike Phillips.
Other folks who I have seen working throughout the summer include director of instruction Lori Cooper, contracted counselor Katrina Ruggles, response to intervention coordinator Susan Banning, recreation director John Mack, and transportation director Mike Phillips.
It also goes without saying that our building principals continue to work all summer. They are not often on campus but barely a day goes by during the summer when I don’t notice them continuing to fulfill their duties via electronic means.
Finally, many of our coaches are also hard at it preparing our high school teams for next year. Varsity football coach Lee Flood has attracted a bunch of kids to the weight room this summer and girls varsity basketball coach Scott Poole has already taken his team to a summer camp. Boys varsity basketball Coach Mark Jones has secured an alternate gym to practice his boys and varsity volleyball coach Annie Rice has been working with her girls at an alternate site in Alamosa.
Finally, many of our coaches are also hard at it preparing our high school teams for next year. Varsity football coach Lee Flood has attracted a bunch of kids to the weight room this summer and girls varsity basketball coach Scott Poole has already taken his team to a summer camp. Boys varsity basketball Coach Mark Jones has secured an alternate gym to practice his boys and varsity volleyball coach Annie Rice has been working with her girls at an alternate site in Alamosa.
The Past Week
This past week I spent Monday and Tuesday in Grand Junction at the Colorado Department of Education’s summer symposia session where I got to meet face to face with many CDE employees about the many reform initiatives Colorado is implementing. While there I had the opportunity to meet directly with CDE Title I director Trish Boland about Center’s Title I grant.
I returned to Center Tuesday night to attend the June Board of Education meeting, then proceeded to Colorado Springs on Wednesday morning to kick off a Focal Point curriculum training at the Pikes Peak BOCES and went on to Denver to participate in a Turnaround PLC session with Lori Cooper and Kathy Kulp. While in Denver I attended our bi-weekly construction meeting via telephone. I headed back to Colorado Springs on Wednesday night and participated in a superintendent accreditation support group session on Thursday at the District 11 administrative office building. This is a group of superintendents from all over the state who are taking it upon themselves to meet to support each other in working toward improving their district accreditation ratings.
On Friday I was back in Center attending an information meeting about a Save the Children early childhood literacy grant that will be implemented throughout the San Luis Valley, incuding Center. On Friday afternoon I met with Haskin Elementary principal Kathy Kulp and instructional coach Sarah Vance about plans for administering Haskin in the coming year.
I returned to Center Tuesday night to attend the June Board of Education meeting, then proceeded to Colorado Springs on Wednesday morning to kick off a Focal Point curriculum training at the Pikes Peak BOCES and went on to Denver to participate in a Turnaround PLC session with Lori Cooper and Kathy Kulp. While in Denver I attended our bi-weekly construction meeting via telephone. I headed back to Colorado Springs on Wednesday night and participated in a superintendent accreditation support group session on Thursday at the District 11 administrative office building. This is a group of superintendents from all over the state who are taking it upon themselves to meet to support each other in working toward improving their district accreditation ratings.
On Friday I was back in Center attending an information meeting about a Save the Children early childhood literacy grant that will be implemented throughout the San Luis Valley, incuding Center. On Friday afternoon I met with Haskin Elementary principal Kathy Kulp and instructional coach Sarah Vance about plans for administering Haskin in the coming year.
Big Things We Are Working On
Still at the top of our list is finalizing our federal programs and turnaround improvement grant budgets and finalizing a 2012-13 budget to be presented to the board of education on Thursday June 28th.
Construction News
The landscape in Center has already changed significantly as outer walls and roofs have been demolished on the old high school. As I write this all that remains of Skoglund Middle School are parts of the cafeteria.
Asbestos removal continues in Haskin with the timeline being the end of the day June 20th for this to be completed. Once this process is done Haskin will begin losing doors and windows and actual demolition should proceed within about a week.
Meanwhile the new building continues to gain parking lot. A lot of furniture has been delivered as well. Some science rooms have their new tables and many of the elementary classrooms are beginning to grow tables and chairs as well.
Significant remodeling work is also proceeding on the vocational and adult learning facilities while the new varsity gym is beginning to get its block veneer installed.
Asbestos removal continues in Haskin with the timeline being the end of the day June 20th for this to be completed. Once this process is done Haskin will begin losing doors and windows and actual demolition should proceed within about a week.
Meanwhile the new building continues to gain parking lot. A lot of furniture has been delivered as well. Some science rooms have their new tables and many of the elementary classrooms are beginning to grow tables and chairs as well.
Significant remodeling work is also proceeding on the vocational and adult learning facilities while the new varsity gym is beginning to get its block veneer installed.
The Week Ahead
On Monday I will be participating in a San Luis Valley Superintendent PLC geared at conducting work in support of our Valley Race to the Top Collaborative. I will be attending the Center Kiwanis meeting Monday evening and have quite a few budgeting meetings scheduled for Tuesday, as well as a District Leadership Team meeting. Wednesday through next Monday I will be on vacation as I am travelling to Tucson to attend the Marana High School Class of 1982 reunion. While on the trip I will be finalizing federal programs budgets and doing my part to process June’s payroll.
Extra Points
On Friday night Becky and I had the pleasure of attending the San Luis Valley Community Theater presentation of Guys and Dolls at the Ute Theater in Saguache.
Much to our delight Center High School Class of 2007 graduate Luis Salazar was featured in the performance in the role of Nathan Detroit.
The production was wonderful, the venue was great, and it was fun to see a fine young man from Center displaying such artistic talent.
I encourage each of you to support such artistic efforts, be they community musicians, artists, dancers, or actors. The arts are truly what distinguishes humanity from all the other species on earth.
Thanks for listening again.
George
Much to our delight Center High School Class of 2007 graduate Luis Salazar was featured in the performance in the role of Nathan Detroit.
The production was wonderful, the venue was great, and it was fun to see a fine young man from Center displaying such artistic talent.
I encourage each of you to support such artistic efforts, be they community musicians, artists, dancers, or actors. The arts are truly what distinguishes humanity from all the other species on earth.
Thanks for listening again.
George