Great Things Going On Now
Congratulations to Center High School math and science teacher Daniel Newmyer upon being recognized with the 2013 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award. Daniel was notified early last week by a phone call from Alan Shepard’s daughter Laura Shepard Churchly. As I’m sure many of you know Alan Shepard became the first American in space on May 5th, 1961. The Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award is open to all K-12 educators from across the nation. Daniel’s Award will be presented at the 29th National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs this April. Daniel will receive a commemorative trophy and a $1,000 award. In addition, his name will be placed on a plaque honoring past recipients that is housed in the Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Mr. Newmyer is being recognized with this award because of his innovative instruction techniques in math and science. Congratulations Daniel!
I also want to thank our current crew of Americorps and Vista workers for establishing an after school reading club for our kids. It is great to see many of our students choosing to stay after school to share their love of reading and their interest in books.
I know many Center Schools students are in the midst of final preparations related to this year’s science fair. Mr. Newmyer, Diego Martinez, Russ Braiden, and Lisa Renner are working hard guiding their students to finish their projects.
I know many Center Schools students are in the midst of final preparations related to this year’s science fair. Mr. Newmyer, Diego Martinez, Russ Braiden, and Lisa Renner are working hard guiding their students to finish their projects.
Finally, I would like to thank Skoglund Middle School Principal and Athletic Director Carrie Zimmerman for the great job she did organizing the Skoglund Middle School Invitational Wrestling Tournament this past Friday. Mrs. Zimmerman had a lot of help from many Center Schools employees, and they all did a great job running an outstanding tournament.
The Past Week
During the past week our high school basketball teams participated in district tournament games. I participated on Monday in our monthly Save the Children Early Literacy program meeting and a Saguache County Social Services Coalition meeting. On Tuesday the San Luis Valley school districts hosted representatives from the Colorado Legacy Foundation, which was conducting a site visit regarding a possible Extended Learning Opportunities grant for all SLV districts. We are one of 11 finalist sites in this process. On Wednesday we held a special board of education meeting/work session to plan some professional learning opportunities for our board directors.
On Friday several teachers and school district building leaders participated in a staff development event at Del Norte High School where we learned about the requirements surrounding how student achievement and growth will factor into teacher evaluations in the future. However, the highlight of the past week was the wonderful letters our 4th grade students wrote to encourage our 3rd graders to do well on the upcoming TCAP reading exams.
Big Things We Are Working On
There will be nothing bigger happening in the state of Colorado in relation to education this week, or for that matter this entire year, than the Lobato v Colorado Supreme Court hearing that takes place on Thursday March 7th at 9:30 AM. This hearing is taking place because the state of Colorado appealed Judge Rapaport’s ruling in favor of the plaintiffs back in December 2011 that found our education funding system to be “unconscionable.” We in Center are hoping the high court upholds Rapaport’s decision so work can finally begin to truly remedy the problems. You can read more about the Lobato v Colorado lawsuit at this link: http://keepingourfocus.weebly.com/lobato-decision.html
The Week Ahead
This week our 3rd graders will be taking their TCAP reading tests.
On Monday Center will host an Early Steps to School Success research site visit. This is in relation to the work we are doing with the Save the Children Foundation through a United Way Early Childhood Literacy grant.
As stated above, the Lobato v Colorado Supreme Court hearing takes place on Thursday. I will be travelling to Anaheim with Haskin Elementary School Lindamood-Bell Site Coordinator Melissa Garcia at the end of the week to attend the Lindamood-Bell International Reading Conference. I will actually be presenting at this conference along with Colorado Department of Education Assistant Commissioner Keith Owen. Our presentation will be about turnaround processes in Colorado and a school turnaround model that has proven to work.
On Monday Center will host an Early Steps to School Success research site visit. This is in relation to the work we are doing with the Save the Children Foundation through a United Way Early Childhood Literacy grant.
As stated above, the Lobato v Colorado Supreme Court hearing takes place on Thursday. I will be travelling to Anaheim with Haskin Elementary School Lindamood-Bell Site Coordinator Melissa Garcia at the end of the week to attend the Lindamood-Bell International Reading Conference. I will actually be presenting at this conference along with Colorado Department of Education Assistant Commissioner Keith Owen. Our presentation will be about turnaround processes in Colorado and a school turnaround model that has proven to work.
Extra Points
Center High School’s innovative blended learning Math program has been nominated for a Colorado Legacy Foundation Ignite Innovation Challenge Award for 2013. You can view the many program nominees, including Center High School’s Diego Martinez, at the following link: http://colegacy.org/view-the-videos-and-vote/
If Mr. Martinez wins one of these awards he has pledged to use any money earned to take students on a flight lesson in a real airplane as part of the TESLA program, “Teaching Extraordinary Students Lessons in Aerospace.”
You can view vote on these projects every day. The top vote recipients will become finalists, then a panel of judges will determine the final award recipients.
Thanks for listening once again and have a great week!
George
If Mr. Martinez wins one of these awards he has pledged to use any money earned to take students on a flight lesson in a real airplane as part of the TESLA program, “Teaching Extraordinary Students Lessons in Aerospace.”
You can view vote on these projects every day. The top vote recipients will become finalists, then a panel of judges will determine the final award recipients.
Thanks for listening once again and have a great week!
George