Great Things Going On
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On Saturday morning 36 Center High School seniors received their high school diploma in front of a capacity crowd at the Center Schools Varsity Gymnasium. During the ceremony William Weatherford, Class of 2015 valedictorian, first offered special words to his cohort followed by Elyse Rodriguez, Class of 2015 salutatorian. I had the extreme pleasure of offering up the keynote speech to the Class of 2015 and did my best to compliment it on all of its various accomplishments, including 21 students graduating with honors, 4 straight Centers of Excellence awards earned, 4 straight Healthy Schools Champions awards, a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships earned, and recognition as one of 17 Schools of Opportunity in the nation. I also did my best to let them know what I have personally learned from them over the years. This class is special to me because it is my last graduating class as Center Schools superintendent, and they were also born the year I arrived in Center to begin my career as a school administrator (1996-97). The ceremony was followed with many local family receptions in celebration of their proud graduates. I must say this is one fine tradition I will truly miss when I leave the community of Center.
During the past week Center High School science teacher Diego Martinez wrangled together a number of students to replicate the effort Charles Lindberg put forth when he attempted the first successful trans Atlantic flight from New York to Paris. He and his students spent 30 hours and 30 minutes awake in his classroom to gain a better understanding of what it must have been like to fly for that amount of time while having to stay awake. On Thursday afternoon our students safely “landed” in France with a much better body of knowledge of the physical and mental effort it took for Lindberg to make this historic flight. I want to thank Mr. Martinez for his offering this experience to our students.
During the past week Center High School science teacher Diego Martinez wrangled together a number of students to replicate the effort Charles Lindberg put forth when he attempted the first successful trans Atlantic flight from New York to Paris. He and his students spent 30 hours and 30 minutes awake in his classroom to gain a better understanding of what it must have been like to fly for that amount of time while having to stay awake. On Thursday afternoon our students safely “landed” in France with a much better body of knowledge of the physical and mental effort it took for Lindberg to make this historic flight. I want to thank Mr. Martinez for his offering this experience to our students.
Last Monday representatives from the Colorado Association of School Executives came to Center Schools to officially present Mr. Kevin Jones with the Colorado High School principal of the year award. An assembly of all middle and high school students was pulled together for this presentation. I would like to personally congratulate Mr. Jones for all the great work he has done as Center High School’s principal and athletic director over the years I have worked with him. He has truly developed into an outstanding leader of a school of excellence that seeks high student achievement and offers a multitude of learning opportunities to our students.
Finally, also on Monday the Center High School Students With a Cause organization held yet another community wide blood drive on the center Schools campus. The good folks from Bonfils in Pueblo were in attendance to answer donor questions and draw blood. Adele Alfson, Center High School guidance counselor, has established this club to allow students ample opportunities to participate in community service work. This activity was once again completely planned and coordinated by Center High School students.
Finally, also on Monday the Center High School Students With a Cause organization held yet another community wide blood drive on the center Schools campus. The good folks from Bonfils in Pueblo were in attendance to answer donor questions and draw blood. Adele Alfson, Center High School guidance counselor, has established this club to allow students ample opportunities to participate in community service work. This activity was once again completely planned and coordinated by Center High School students.
Big Things We Are Working On
Last Thursday the Center Schools Board of Education held a special meeting to hire probationary teachers, to approve Center High School Class of 2015 graduates, and to approve a preliminary budget for the district. Our preliminary budget includes the funding of two additional elementary teaching positions, a K-5th grade counseling position, and an extra half ESL position. The major goal of the adoption of this preliminary budget is for the district to do it's best to pin down the revenues it anticipates it will receive for the upcoming year. As of the time the budget was approved, our best guess is that the district should be working with $500,000 extra revenue for the upcoming year. This is the result of increased per-pupil funding from the legislature, special funding targeted at small rural school districts, special funding targeted toward at-risk student populations, and an anticipated increase in the number of students who will attend the district.
The board of education also approved spring negotiations with the Center Education Association with minor tweaks being added to the class and club sponsors sections of the Master Contract, the contract being extended by an additional year, an agreement made to build a step salary increase into the preliminary budget for all staff members for the coming year, and a special perk to be offered to all employees for the 2015-16 school year, that being the provision of a free cafeteria lunch for all staff members each day.
Our focus this week is turning to getting the doors open for our annual middle school summer school and elementary summer reading academy. Many educators from the San Luis Valley have already been engaging in Lindamood Bell’s Seeing Stars and Visualizing and Verbalizing training. The goal of this is to have them fully trained this week and then to support them during their local school district summer reading academy while they put what they have learned into practice. Our elementary and middle school summer school programs will run from Monday, June 1 through Thursday, June 25. Our alternative high school summer school will pretty much run all summer through the middle of August.
The board of education also approved spring negotiations with the Center Education Association with minor tweaks being added to the class and club sponsors sections of the Master Contract, the contract being extended by an additional year, an agreement made to build a step salary increase into the preliminary budget for all staff members for the coming year, and a special perk to be offered to all employees for the 2015-16 school year, that being the provision of a free cafeteria lunch for all staff members each day.
Our focus this week is turning to getting the doors open for our annual middle school summer school and elementary summer reading academy. Many educators from the San Luis Valley have already been engaging in Lindamood Bell’s Seeing Stars and Visualizing and Verbalizing training. The goal of this is to have them fully trained this week and then to support them during their local school district summer reading academy while they put what they have learned into practice. Our elementary and middle school summer school programs will run from Monday, June 1 through Thursday, June 25. Our alternative high school summer school will pretty much run all summer through the middle of August.
The Past Week
Last Monday we conducted spring contract negotiations with the Center Education Association. On Tuesday I will worked in Canon City holding interviews to fill the position of principal at the Harrison K-8 school. Wednesday was field day for Haskin Elementary students and I meet with a Denver University researcher on that day. Thursday was the last day of school for all students, as well as our special board meeting pertaining to approving graduates, budgeting, and staff hiring. Friday was a work-day for all Center Schools employees, and I also pitched in to help out the custodial crew on its annual spring weed clean up effort. On Saturday we conducted graduation ceremonies for the CHS Class of 2015.
The Week Ahead
This Tuesday I am working on a lot of office items, while also breaking away to attend the funeral of a good friend's spouse. On Wednesday I will attend a BEST Health Plan meeting in Monte Vista. I also have my monthly technology information meeting with Julio Paez this day. On Thursday I will begin work on the district department head evaluations I need to finish before my departure at the end of June. On Friday I will be doing Race to the Top of the Valley work related to quarterly assessments.
Thanks for listening once again. Have a great week!
George
Thanks for listening once again. Have a great week!
George