Great Things Going On
This past week Haskin Elementary third graders had the opportunity to attend the annual Agriculture Safety Day put on by local farmers and first responders. At this event they learned of the many dangers associated with farm equipment, how to be careful when around it, and how to deal with minor injuries related to such dangers. This program has been going on for many years and has no doubt saved many curious children who live on and around farms from unnecessary injury.
Also this past week, on the 70th anniversary of the liberation of many of the German concentration camps, noted Holocaust historian George Eidinger once again presented a program to our students aimed at giving them an understanding of the events surrounding this unfortunate event. This is always a tough subject to teach, but thanks to Center High School social studies teacher Scott Poole’s efforts our students were able to be exposed to an expert in the field.
Also this past week, on the 70th anniversary of the liberation of many of the German concentration camps, noted Holocaust historian George Eidinger once again presented a program to our students aimed at giving them an understanding of the events surrounding this unfortunate event. This is always a tough subject to teach, but thanks to Center High School social studies teacher Scott Poole’s efforts our students were able to be exposed to an expert in the field.
Last Thursday evening around 24 Haskin Elementary School fourth and fifth grade students were inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society in a fine ceremony held in the Center Schools Auditorium and coordinated by NEHS sponsors Lupita Ortega and Brenda Montoya. At the event Haskin grade 3-5 principal Sarah Vance offered words of congratulations, pins, cards, and honor society cords to inductees. The event was also well attended by many proud parents of our Haskin Elementary School scholars.
This weekend Center High School students Aidee Valles and Dean Martinez had an outstanding opportunity to visit the intersection between art and science as they attended the 2015 American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) exposition. They earned this opportunity because of their work surrounding various scientific and technology principles related to music. Aidee, a CHS senior, shared her findings on converting hand-held electronic devices like iPods, iPhones, and sound amplifiers into never ending solar powered integrated devices. Dean’s work focuses on music integrated software and the creation of a health-training phone application.
This weekend Center High School students Aidee Valles and Dean Martinez had an outstanding opportunity to visit the intersection between art and science as they attended the 2015 American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP) exposition. They earned this opportunity because of their work surrounding various scientific and technology principles related to music. Aidee, a CHS senior, shared her findings on converting hand-held electronic devices like iPods, iPhones, and sound amplifiers into never ending solar powered integrated devices. Dean’s work focuses on music integrated software and the creation of a health-training phone application.
In Pagosa Springs this weekend the Center High School 4 by 400 relay team consisting of Angel Villagomez, Heriberto Gonzales, Adrian Bahena, and Marcus Torrez posted the third fastest time in the state this year!
I would be remiss if I did not congratulate the Center High School baseball team and legendary coach Lloyd Garcia for clinching the Southern Peaks League regular season baseball championship with a doubleheader sweep of the Sanford Indians on Friday. This allows Lloyd to wrap up his SPL coaching career with 24 regular season league championships. The SPL tournament takes place this coming weekend in Alamosa where the Vikings hope to start a run that will take them deep into the state baseball championship tournament.
I would be remiss if I did not congratulate the Center High School baseball team and legendary coach Lloyd Garcia for clinching the Southern Peaks League regular season baseball championship with a doubleheader sweep of the Sanford Indians on Friday. This allows Lloyd to wrap up his SPL coaching career with 24 regular season league championships. The SPL tournament takes place this coming weekend in Alamosa where the Vikings hope to start a run that will take them deep into the state baseball championship tournament.
Big Things We Are Working On
Spring in Center Schools means many of our very extremely active student organizations are taking the time to present a year’s worth of effort to our board of education. At last Tuesday’s special board meeting representatives of many of our grade levels, our Ski Club, and the Center High School KEY Club made time to share their many accomplishments from the past year with the board. During the meeting the board also approved a 2015-16 calendar while also rehiring some key administrators and new teachers.
With much of the work of the legislature complete we are now starting to progress deep into our 2015-16 fiscal year budgeting process. Center Schools director of finance Betty Casanova, incoming superintendent Chris Vance, and I will be working on determining the level of revenue we will have to work with for the coming school year. Key to this process will be determining the share of Secure Rural Schools funding that will be passed on to center Schools from Saguache County upon the two year renewal of the program. These dollars will help determine the end of year fiscal condition of the district, and to a great extent many things we will be able to accomplish in the coming school year. We are required to submit a preliminary budget to the Colorado Department of Education by the first of June, but hope to have this ready during the third week of May.
Once we pin down our projected pupil count and expected 2015-16 operating revenues we will then spend time working to determine final staffing levels for the district for the upcoming school year. This will be important to do in the next few weeks before we renew all teacher contracts and classified staff member work agreements.
With much of the work of the legislature complete we are now starting to progress deep into our 2015-16 fiscal year budgeting process. Center Schools director of finance Betty Casanova, incoming superintendent Chris Vance, and I will be working on determining the level of revenue we will have to work with for the coming school year. Key to this process will be determining the share of Secure Rural Schools funding that will be passed on to center Schools from Saguache County upon the two year renewal of the program. These dollars will help determine the end of year fiscal condition of the district, and to a great extent many things we will be able to accomplish in the coming school year. We are required to submit a preliminary budget to the Colorado Department of Education by the first of June, but hope to have this ready during the third week of May.
Once we pin down our projected pupil count and expected 2015-16 operating revenues we will then spend time working to determine final staffing levels for the district for the upcoming school year. This will be important to do in the next few weeks before we renew all teacher contracts and classified staff member work agreements.
The Past Week
On Monday I attended the Healthy Eaters, Lifelong Movers steering committee meeting in Alamosa where we made plans for how to use grant dollars and staff development time for the 2015-15 school year. The annual ACT test for high school Juniors took place on Tuesday, along with a special board of education meeting that evening. On Wednesday I met with Center Schools director of technology Julio Paez to plan for possible technology purchases for the next school year. On Thursday I worked on budgeting issues with Center High School principal Kevin Jones and attended the Elementary National Honor Society induction ceremony.
The Week Ahead
On Tuesday of this week Center Schools will hose a Cinco de Mayo family night as well as its spring instrumental music concert. On Wednesday I will attend a 2015-16 PLC planning session with other school leaders from around the San Luis Valley, and that evening I am honored to be a guest of Lloyd Garcia as he is inducted into the Adams State University teacher hall of fame. On Thursday at Noon I will meet with preschool director Nicole Rockey and board vice president Yuridia Cendejas about possible expansion of the Center Preschool program for the coming school year, and on Thursday evening our annual Haskin elementary School spring concert will take place.
Thanks for listening once again.
George
Thanks for listening once again.
George