Great Things Going On
Thanks to the hard work of former Skoglund Middle School science teacher Mimi Dolan a number of Center Schools 6th and 7th graders have been attending the Exxon Mobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp in Colorado Springs. Our students competed agains kids from all over Colorado for this opportunity and are now staying in dorms at the University of Colorado at Colorado Spring while they participate. At the camp they will have the opportunity to use their math, science, engineering, technology, and communications skills, while also taking part in lab and field experiences aimed at enriching these skills.
Last Friday I attended a Capstone Project Professional Learning Community meeting at CDE along with Center Schools contracted counselor Katrina Ruggles. This event was aimed at allowing schools and districts who have done significant work in the area of personalizing learning for high school students to share their experiences in an effort to design effective capstone learning experiences geared at meeting future state of Colorado graduation requirements. It was an absolute joy traveling to and from Denver with Katrina and picking her brain about how best to take the work we have been doing related to ICAP to turn that into capstone learning experiences for our students.
This coming Friday Center Schools will be hosting another Summer Bicycle Rodeo. This year's event take place from 12:30 PM until 4 PM in the school parking lot. Center Schools Americorps staff members are organizing this even and all participants will receive a helmet, a bike lock, and a tire pump. New and used bicycles will even be raffled off at this year's event!
Center Schools is also offering many things for school age students to do this summer in the form of Summer Clubs. This year's clubs include opportunities for students to swim, do art, engage in science, design robots, and enrich their reading. Parents and kids can get more information about these opportunities by calling 719-754-3442.
Finally, Center Schools will be hosting its second annual Chili Fest on Saturday July 11th in conjunction with the annual Poor-Boy Car Show. The event will take place at the Center Schools parking lot and events include food tasting, door prizes, live music, vendors, and even a bouncy castle for the little ones. Community members are invited to enter their favorite chili recipe at this event.
Last Friday I attended a Capstone Project Professional Learning Community meeting at CDE along with Center Schools contracted counselor Katrina Ruggles. This event was aimed at allowing schools and districts who have done significant work in the area of personalizing learning for high school students to share their experiences in an effort to design effective capstone learning experiences geared at meeting future state of Colorado graduation requirements. It was an absolute joy traveling to and from Denver with Katrina and picking her brain about how best to take the work we have been doing related to ICAP to turn that into capstone learning experiences for our students.
This coming Friday Center Schools will be hosting another Summer Bicycle Rodeo. This year's event take place from 12:30 PM until 4 PM in the school parking lot. Center Schools Americorps staff members are organizing this even and all participants will receive a helmet, a bike lock, and a tire pump. New and used bicycles will even be raffled off at this year's event!
Center Schools is also offering many things for school age students to do this summer in the form of Summer Clubs. This year's clubs include opportunities for students to swim, do art, engage in science, design robots, and enrich their reading. Parents and kids can get more information about these opportunities by calling 719-754-3442.
Finally, Center Schools will be hosting its second annual Chili Fest on Saturday July 11th in conjunction with the annual Poor-Boy Car Show. The event will take place at the Center Schools parking lot and events include food tasting, door prizes, live music, vendors, and even a bouncy castle for the little ones. Community members are invited to enter their favorite chili recipe at this event.
Big Things We Are Working On
Incoming superintendent Chris Vance and I are still in the process of putting together a final 2015-16 budget recommendation for the board of education to consider on Tuesday June 30th. this past week some things became a litter clearer when it comes to planning for revenue, as we attended a meeting of the Saguache County Commissioners and learned what their stance is on the distribution of 2014 and 2015 Secure Rural Schools funding. Items we'll be tackling this week include how to spend extra dollars allocated to rural schools for 2015-16 by the Colorado legislature, and general support staff levels for the district.
The Center Schools custodial staff is deep into summer improvement projects including continuing work on the old Masonic lodge building in an effort to turn it into a Boys and Girls Club facility, expanding the Center Preschool program ti include an additional classroom and a half, keeping our grounds looking wonderful, and refreshing classroom for the upcoming school year.
Center Schools is also still in the process of filling some key positions this summer. Mr. Vance is leading the committee that will select a new PK-12 and public librarian. Building administrators are also still filling some open teaching positions including high school social studies and grade 5-12 instrumental music.
The Center Schools custodial staff is deep into summer improvement projects including continuing work on the old Masonic lodge building in an effort to turn it into a Boys and Girls Club facility, expanding the Center Preschool program ti include an additional classroom and a half, keeping our grounds looking wonderful, and refreshing classroom for the upcoming school year.
Center Schools is also still in the process of filling some key positions this summer. Mr. Vance is leading the committee that will select a new PK-12 and public librarian. Building administrators are also still filling some open teaching positions including high school social studies and grade 5-12 instrumental music.
The Past Week
Last week I continued to prepare my office for our next superintendent Chris Vance. He, I, and school board president Michael Lobato attended a meeting with the Saguache County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday related to the distribution of federal Secure Rural Schools funding. On Wednesday and Thursday I worked on department head evaluation paperwork and completing our annual consolidated federal programs grant application. I also worked late into the evening on Thursday evening preparing the June payroll file. On Friday I attended a meeting at the Colorado Department of Education focused on developing capstone graduation projects for graduating seniors.
The Week Ahead
This week I am finishing up paperwork related to department head evaluations, scheduling face to face evaluation meetings, and working on finalizing our 2015-16 budget documents. My office has already been cleared out so it can be prepared for Mr. Vance. These are the final tasks I am charged with doing as superintendent of schools here in Center.
Thanks for listening once again.
George
Thanks for listening once again.
George