Keeping Our Focus
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    • 2015 >
      • Binational Educator Exchange
      • January 11, 2015
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      • January 25, 2015
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      • May 24, 2015
      • May 31, 2015
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      • June 21, 2015
      • June 28, 2015
    • 2014 >
      • 2014 In Review Part 1
      • 2014 In Review Part 2
      • 2014 Accreditation
      • Sanchez-Varoz Documents
      • Superintendent Work Calendars
      • Alternative to Expulsion Policy
      • Superintendent Job Performance Surveys
      • January 6, 2014
      • January 12, 2014
      • January 19, 2014
      • January 26, 2014
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      • February 9, 2014
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      • August 24, 2014
      • September 1, 2014
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      • September 14, 2014
      • September 21, 2014
      • September 28, 2014
      • October 5, 2014
      • Extra Points 10-5-14
      • October 13, 2014
      • October 19, 2014
      • October 26, 2014
      • November 2, 2014
      • November 9, 2014
      • November 16, 2014
      • November 23, 2014
      • November 30, 2014
      • December 7, 2014
      • December 14, 2014
      • December 21, 2014
    • 2013 >
      • January 6, 2013
      • January 13, 2013
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      • January 27, 2013
      • February 3, 2013
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      • February 24, 2012
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      • June 16, 2013
      • June 23, 2013
      • July 21, 2012
      • July 29, 2013
      • August 4, 2013
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      • August 26, 2013
      • September 2, 2013
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      • September 15, 2013
      • September 23, 2013
      • September 29, 2013
      • October 6, 2013
      • October 13, 2013
      • October 20, 2013
      • October 27, 2013
      • November 3, 2013
      • November 11, 2013
      • November 18, 2013
      • December 1, 2013
      • December 8, 2013
      • December 15, 2013
      • 2013 in Review
    • 2012 >
      • 2012 in Review
      • Class of 2012 Graduation Video
      • 3rd Grade TCAP Release
      • December 16, 2012
      • December 9, 2012
      • December 1, 2012
      • November 11, 2012
      • November 4, 2012
      • October 27, 2012
      • October 14, 2012
      • October 7, 2012
      • September 30, 2012
      • September 23, 2012
      • September 19, 2012
      • September 9, 2012
      • September 2, 2012
      • August 26, 2012
      • August 19, 2012
      • August 12, 2012
      • August 5th, 2012
      • July 29, 2012
      • July 22, 2012
      • July 15, 2012
      • July 8, 2012
      • June 17, 2012
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      • June 3, 2012
      • May 27, 2012
      • May 20, 2012
      • May 13, 2012
      • May 6, 2012
      • April 29, 2012
      • April 22, 2012
      • April 15, 2012
      • April 8, 2012
      • April Fools
      • Mar 25, 2012
      • Mar 18, 2012
      • Mar 11, 2012
      • Mar 4, 2012
      • Feb 26, 2012
      • Feb 19, 2012
      • Feb 12, 2012
      • Feb 5, 2012
      • Jan 29, 2012
      • Jan 22, 2012
      • Jan 15, 2012
      • Jan 8, 2012
    • 2011 >
      • 2011 in Review
      • Dec 25, 2011
      • Dec 18, 2011
      • Dec, 11, 2011
      • Dec 4, 2011
      • Nov 27, 2011
      • Nov 13, 2011
    • Lobato Decision >
      • Lobato Update

Great Things Going On

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This past week the Center School District had the opportunity to entertain Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia for an afternoon.  While on site the Lieutenant Governor read to preschool students, observed a Lindamood-Bell intervention session, toured our Ealry Steps to School Success program, toured elementary classrooms to see how iPads are being used by students, popped in on middle and high school classes, and engaged staff and community members about early childhood literacy.  By far the most memorable part of the visit was when he wandered into Katrina Ruggles’ senior seminar classroom.  I encourage each of you to ask her about that. 

Speaking of Katrina Ruggles, I want to thank her for the outstanding “Wise Choices” presentation she arranged for our high school students and community members early last week.


I also want to thank Kindra Rounds for the great culminating activity her class presented in relation to their study of Romeo and Juliet.  As part of this, her honors language arts class presented an outstanding play to students and community members.  I also want to commend Kindra for the way she and her honors language arts class engaged with the Lieutenant Governor when he wandered into her class on Thursday.


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Thanks also to Melissa Garcia, Sarah Vance and all of our Lindamood-Bell staff interventionists who put on a great “Shooting Stars” celebration for Lindamood-Bell reading intervention participants.  At this event families were treated to dinner, students and staff members were honored for their hard work, and kids who attended LMB intervention sessions were awarded a number of wonderful incentive prizes.

A gigantic thank you goes out to our middle and high school folks and our Vista workers who put on a wonderful Parent Appreciation event last Thursday evening.  Attendees enjoyed an excellent meal, free family portraits shot by our photography class, a wonderful display of student art work, a presentation of video production class work, and an alternative performance concert, in addition to a chance to win a bunch of door prizes.

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Though we had no school on Friday, many Center Schools staff members worked hard hosting all-valley middle school track and baseball contests.  I want to thank Kevin Jones (who ran the track meet), Carrie Zimmerman (who ran the baseball tournament), and Susan Banning (who coordinated the concession stand and visitor hospitality services), as well as the many others who gave their precious time to pull this off. 

As I am writing this we are waiting to hear how Center High School junior class member Alanna Chacon did at the ISWEEP science and engineering contest in Houston, Texas.  At this event Alanna presented on how to reduce arsenic concentrations in drinking water.

Last but not least, it comes with a heavy heart that Center Schools wishes soon to be former Center High School science teacher Russ Braiden the best as he moves on to become elementary principal at Del Norte’s Underwood Elementary School next year.  Russ has been a great staff member and role model for our kids.  We have no doubt he will be an exceptional asset to our friends in Del Norte. 


The Past Week

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On Monday we held a budget meeting that included all department heads and administrative and teacher representatives from all of our schools.  On Tuesday I finalized some building leader evaluations, attended the Wise Choices assembly, and watched the performance of Romeo and Juliet put on by Mrs. Rounds's honors English class.  On Wednesday we held spring negotiations with the Center Education Association, as well as a noon-time board of education executive session for the purposes of discussing personnel matters.  On Thursday I spent a lot of time on campus as we hosted the Lieutenant Governor in Center.  


Big Things We Are Working On

The top of our importance list right now includes making end of year staffing decisions, preparing for end of year ceremonies and events, and continuing work on a preliminary 2013-14 district budget.


The Coming Week

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On Monday I will be finalizing more administrator evaluations.  On Monday eveing Center High School will hold its annual academic awards ceremony.  Tuesday is my monthly marathon of meetings day including the San Luis Valley Superintendent’s Advisory Council meeting, our District Accountability Committee meeting, and our regular monthly Board of Education meeting.   On Wednesday I will be traveling to Denver to meet with the CEA, CASE, CASB Anchor Group over dinner with the Colorado State Board of Education and Commissioner Hammond.  I’ll remain in Denver on Thursday as I will participate in a student suicide prevention convening.  I’ll be back in the Valley on Friday focusing on Boettcher Teacher Program work. 

Thanks so much for listening again and have a great week!

George