Great Things Going On Now
This week I want to thank Haskin Elementary School paraprofessional John Noriega for the great work he did this past week sight words testing all Haskin students. His effort to do so saved a lot of classroom instruction time and that is greatly appreciated.
I also want to thank Haskin Third Grade Teacher Christine Mikeljack for her continued effort to brighten up the work climate at Haskin Elementary School through her work with the Sunshine Club. Mrs. Mikeljack continually finds ways to treat our teachers and has done a great job of organizing other staff members and encouraging them to pitch in.
Finally I want to thank the Town of Center utility crew for the great work they did repairing our football lights in time for Friday’s first home game of the season against Salida. We truly appreciate the special effort the town made to get us ready!
I also want to thank Haskin Third Grade Teacher Christine Mikeljack for her continued effort to brighten up the work climate at Haskin Elementary School through her work with the Sunshine Club. Mrs. Mikeljack continually finds ways to treat our teachers and has done a great job of organizing other staff members and encouraging them to pitch in.
Finally I want to thank the Town of Center utility crew for the great work they did repairing our football lights in time for Friday’s first home game of the season against Salida. We truly appreciate the special effort the town made to get us ready!
The Past Week
This past week I spent quite a bit of time in buildings on Monday. I also met with Nick Cutforth, director of the HELM Physical Education Grant project. On Tuesday I was in Denver serving on the Colorado Teacher of Year selection committee. I stayed in Denver on Wednesday to work on our Haskin Turnaround Improvement Grant renewal application and to make adjustments to our Consolidated Federal Programs application. On Thursday morning I met with the Colorado Legacy Foundation to discuss the possibility of applying for a Race to the Top District/Consortium grant for the San Luis Valley. If successful, San Luis Valley school districts would qualify for between 10 and 20 million dollars to support education reform efforts. I then attended the CASE, CEA, CASB Anchor Group meeting in the afternoon, and a Boettcher Teacher Program kickoff ceremony at the Governor’s mansion in the evening. On Friday I was back in Center as we hosted a Senate Bill 191 Teacher Evaluation Training event that was attended by all teachers from Del Norte, Center, and Mountain Valley school districts, as well as a slew of teachers and administrators from Sierra Grande, Centennial, North Conejos, and Sargent school districts.
Big Things We Are Working On
We are still working with Saguache County on the Secure Rural Schools funding matter. The Saguache County school districts are hoping the commissioners will delay a decision on the matter until they hear from Jarrod Biggs, Research Analyst from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. As stated last week, the County is in great need of an infusion of dollars into its general fund and, though accepting SRS funds would greatly benefit the Road and Bridge departments and Saguache County school districts, the Commissioners still need to find a way to bolster funding in the County general account. The Saguache County school districts believe Jarrod Biggs can offer the commissioners advice as to how the County could benefit from accepting SRS funds, including channeling money to its general fund as is much needed.
If the County chooses to decline Secure Rural Schools funding the next big thing we will be working on in Center will be making major mid fiscal year budget reductions.
If the County chooses to decline Secure Rural Schools funding the next big thing we will be working on in Center will be making major mid fiscal year budget reductions.
Construction News
Work on facility landscaping continues. As of the end of last week our South parking lot was completely poured. We hope to open it for access in the next couple of weeks. Late last week an electronic marquee sign emerged in the front of the property as well. We look forward to using it to communicate school happenings to the community once it is ready. I took a walk through our adult and vocational learning center last week and wonderful progress is being made on these facilities. We still hope to occupy these facilities by the end of September.
Video of the Week
This week’s video of the week is a compilation video of highlights of our August 17th All Valley PLC day. In the video you will see educators from all over the San Luis Valley meeting in general session and breakout sessions working on PLC teambuilding and concepts surrounding intentional lesson planning. Our next All Valley PLC will take place on Friday October 12th. You can view the video at this link: http://keepingourfocus.weebly.com/videos.html
The Week Ahead
On Tuesday I will attend the Saguache County Commissioners meeting to offer input regarding the pending SRS funding decision. Wednesday will be filled with construction committee meetings. On Thursday I will meet with high school PE personnel about the HELM/SPARK PE curriculum. On Friday I will be back in Denver for the quarterly Colorado Association of School Executives Coordinating Council. I no longer have to chair these meetings, but need to be in attendance this year as I serve out my term as Immediate Past President of CASE.
Thanks for listening once again.
George
Thanks for listening once again.
George