Great Things Going On Now
I want to begin this week by taking a moment to thank Mike Martinez for the great work he is doing maintaining our new commons area. Mike is now tasked with taking care of a much larger space than he was once faced with and has been doing so with a tremendous can do attitude. Thanks for all your hard work Mike!
I also want to commend our teachers from Haskin Elementary who have been working hard to learn how to utilize iPads in their classrooms for the benefit of student learning. We are looking forward to passing these new devices out to all kids in grades K-3 in the coming weeks, and I have no doubt we will experience success with this program as our teachers have taken the initiative to prepare themselves well.
Congratulations also go out to Haskin Elementary School 5th grade teacher Honey Stecken for being named the SLV Federal Bank Teacher of the Month for October! Honey and her students were featured in an SLV Federal Bank advertisement in this week’s Valley Courier.
I also want to commend our teachers from Haskin Elementary who have been working hard to learn how to utilize iPads in their classrooms for the benefit of student learning. We are looking forward to passing these new devices out to all kids in grades K-3 in the coming weeks, and I have no doubt we will experience success with this program as our teachers have taken the initiative to prepare themselves well.
Congratulations also go out to Haskin Elementary School 5th grade teacher Honey Stecken for being named the SLV Federal Bank Teacher of the Month for October! Honey and her students were featured in an SLV Federal Bank advertisement in this week’s Valley Courier.
Thanks also go out to Center High School Social Studies Teacher Scott Poole for the great job he did teaching CHS students about the election process. Mr. Poole’s students conducted some interesting community surveys that took the pulse of Center regarding the effectiveness of the Mayor, attitudes about immigration, and who to vote for in the presidential race.
Finally, I want to mention that Center High School teachers Diego Martinez and Daniel Newmyer made the home page of the National Spa e Foundation Teacher Liaison newsletter. You can go to this link to see their smiling faces!
http://www.spacefoundation.org/education/education-programs/teacher-liaison-officers
Finally, I want to mention that Center High School teachers Diego Martinez and Daniel Newmyer made the home page of the National Spa e Foundation Teacher Liaison newsletter. You can go to this link to see their smiling faces!
http://www.spacefoundation.org/education/education-programs/teacher-liaison-officers
The Past Week
Last Monday I was in Denver attending the fourth School Finance Technical Advisory meeting.
I had the opportunity to experience Election Day in Center and very much enjoyed seeing community members utilizing the Fyock Library Community Room as a polling place. Additionally, many Center Schools students got the chance to stop by to see how the electoral process works and to cast their vote in a student presidential election.
On Wednesday I had the opportunity to see Center administrators Kevin Jones, Carrie Zimmerman, Kathy Kulp and Sarah Vance sharing the many things they know at a San Luis Valley Administrator PLC in Alamosa. Wednesday and Thursday were also Parent-Teacher Conference days in Center.
I had the opportunity to experience Election Day in Center and very much enjoyed seeing community members utilizing the Fyock Library Community Room as a polling place. Additionally, many Center Schools students got the chance to stop by to see how the electoral process works and to cast their vote in a student presidential election.
On Wednesday I had the opportunity to see Center administrators Kevin Jones, Carrie Zimmerman, Kathy Kulp and Sarah Vance sharing the many things they know at a San Luis Valley Administrator PLC in Alamosa. Wednesday and Thursday were also Parent-Teacher Conference days in Center.
On Thursday I worked with San Luis Valley BOCES Executive Director Nita McAuliffe on an Individuals with Disabilities in Education Grant. If successful, this application will bring 1.5 million dollars to San Luis Valley special education students.
Friday was our third All Valley PLC. This one took place at Sierra Grande Schools. On this day Center teachers had the opportunity to learn about the gradual release instructional model from Dr. Diane Lapp, one of the nation’s foremost experts on the subject. They also had time to meet in grade level-subject area PLCs to conduct work of their choice. As I wandered through these sessions I observed teachers sharing instructional techniques, classroom resource ideas, and supporting one another in the process of planning lessons based on the gradual release model.
Friday was our third All Valley PLC. This one took place at Sierra Grande Schools. On this day Center teachers had the opportunity to learn about the gradual release instructional model from Dr. Diane Lapp, one of the nation’s foremost experts on the subject. They also had time to meet in grade level-subject area PLCs to conduct work of their choice. As I wandered through these sessions I observed teachers sharing instructional techniques, classroom resource ideas, and supporting one another in the process of planning lessons based on the gradual release model.
Big Things We Are Working On
We are currently in the final stages of our annual financial audit. Hopefully we’ll be able to accept a final draft of it at our December board of education meeting.
Additionally, we are hard at work closing out our construction project at this point. We hope to have final reports in to CDE by the end of December on this as well.
Additionally, we are hard at work closing out our construction project at this point. We hope to have final reports in to CDE by the end of December on this as well.
The Week Ahead
Monday was Veterans Day and we did not hold school. On Tuesday I will have my monthly marathon day of Superintendent Advisory Council, District Accountability, and Board of Education meetings.
I will spend time in the buildings on Wednesday morning. I will then travel to Limon to instruct some area principals on the SB 191 teacher evaluation process. On Friday I have a repeat performance of the SB 191 training I did in Limon. This time it will be in Fort Morgan
I will spend time in the buildings on Wednesday morning. I will then travel to Limon to instruct some area principals on the SB 191 teacher evaluation process. On Friday I have a repeat performance of the SB 191 training I did in Limon. This time it will be in Fort Morgan
Video of the Week
What a treat we all experienced this past week when we woke up on Friday morning to see a great story about Center’s very own Joe Martinez broadcast on the Channel 9 News! Joe was selected as 9 News’ November Teacher Who Cares. You can go to this link to see the great things Joe does for students here in Center. http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1958200765001
Congratulations Joe!
Thanks for listening once again. Have a great Thanksgiving week!
George
Congratulations Joe!
Thanks for listening once again. Have a great Thanksgiving week!
George