Great Things Going On Now
Haskin Elementary School welcomes Jaton Pearson who has graciously agreed to transfer from a position in our preschool program to take over a Kindergarten class. Because of high numbers in our Kinder program this year we are expanding from three class sections to four. Thanks Jaton for being so flexible and stepping in to do this for our kids!
The Sunshine Club is still hard at it making Haskin Elementary School a great place to work. Last Friday our "Sunshiners" held an after school social gathering to bring people together in a less formal setting.
Last Friday Center High School Principal Kevin Jones also conducted our first district instructional walks with teachers by having language Arts Teacher Diane Parker and Science Teacher Russ Braiden join in on classroom walkthroughs. We are beginning this practice to take advantage of peer expertise in support of better classroom instruction by all teachers.
I want to thank Center Schools Instrumental Music Director Kate Newmeyer for taking our students to the CSU Pueblo Band Day event this past weekend. Thanks Kate for going the extra mile to provide opportunities like this for our kids!
The Sunshine Club is still hard at it making Haskin Elementary School a great place to work. Last Friday our "Sunshiners" held an after school social gathering to bring people together in a less formal setting.
Last Friday Center High School Principal Kevin Jones also conducted our first district instructional walks with teachers by having language Arts Teacher Diane Parker and Science Teacher Russ Braiden join in on classroom walkthroughs. We are beginning this practice to take advantage of peer expertise in support of better classroom instruction by all teachers.
I want to thank Center Schools Instrumental Music Director Kate Newmeyer for taking our students to the CSU Pueblo Band Day event this past weekend. Thanks Kate for going the extra mile to provide opportunities like this for our kids!
The Past Week
On Monday I had the opportunity to “hold down the fort” in the MS/HS building because Kevin Jones and Skoglund Middle School Principal Carrie Zimmerman were out of the district at a training geared at supporting their work hosting Boettcher Teacher Candidates in our schools. I also met with town officials about increasing safety on the roads bordering the school property.
On Tuesday I travelled to and from Denver to participate in the monthly CEA, CASE, CASB Anchor Group meeting.
On Wednesday I conducted RtttV work, focusing mainly on writing the Valley Race tot the Top Consortium grant and getting ready for the October 12 All Valley PLC event. Moffat School District Superintendent Kirk Banghardt is helping me with the Octber 12 Valley PLC and in working with him to plan it I also had the opportunity to tour the newly built Crestone Charter School.
On Thursday I spent a lot of time in the buildings and got to participate in a few classroom instructional walkthroughs.
On Friday I attended the Colorado School Finance Project meeting in Denver where I learned about the most up to date state revenue forecast, heard a presentation on Great Education Colorado’s Year of the Student project, and experienced a presentation on the recent filing of papers by the defense in the Lobato v Colorado lawsuit. While in Denver on Friday I also had the opportunity to meet face to face with CDE’s Laura Noonan who is helping the SLV to write its Race to the Top Consortium grant, and with Kristin Lortie from the CDE Capital Construction (BEST Grant) division.
I remained in Denver on Saturday to participate in a CASE SB 191 evaluation process. While there I got to work with the entire North Conejos School District team of principals.
On Tuesday I travelled to and from Denver to participate in the monthly CEA, CASE, CASB Anchor Group meeting.
On Wednesday I conducted RtttV work, focusing mainly on writing the Valley Race tot the Top Consortium grant and getting ready for the October 12 All Valley PLC event. Moffat School District Superintendent Kirk Banghardt is helping me with the Octber 12 Valley PLC and in working with him to plan it I also had the opportunity to tour the newly built Crestone Charter School.
On Thursday I spent a lot of time in the buildings and got to participate in a few classroom instructional walkthroughs.
On Friday I attended the Colorado School Finance Project meeting in Denver where I learned about the most up to date state revenue forecast, heard a presentation on Great Education Colorado’s Year of the Student project, and experienced a presentation on the recent filing of papers by the defense in the Lobato v Colorado lawsuit. While in Denver on Friday I also had the opportunity to meet face to face with CDE’s Laura Noonan who is helping the SLV to write its Race to the Top Consortium grant, and with Kristin Lortie from the CDE Capital Construction (BEST Grant) division.
I remained in Denver on Saturday to participate in a CASE SB 191 evaluation process. While there I got to work with the entire North Conejos School District team of principals.
Big Things We Are Working On
The biggest thing we addressed this week was the filing of Lobato v Colorado answer briefs. These briefs addressed the major issues brought up in the state’s argument aimed at overturning Judge Rappaport’s decision last December. The state says the issue is political and does not belong in the courts. Our answer brief says thisissue has already been settled in the original Supreme Court Lobato v Colorado decision which ordered a trial to take place. The second major issue brought up by the state is what is the right test to apply to determine whether or not Colorado has a thorough and uniform education finance system. In the original Lobato decision the Colorado Supreme court said there has to be a rational relationship between laws and finance. Our argument supports the original Supreme Court guidance that was offered. In all 90 pages of arguments were submitted to the Supreme Court along with numerous Amicus Briefs (friends of the court statements) in support of upholding the decision. The state now has 21 days to respond to our arguments and then the case will be scheduled for a court hearing.
Construction News
On Sunday $80,000 worth of weight room equipment was delivered and installed in our new facility. Work continues on landscaping our property and we continue to approach the time when we will be able to fully occupy the remodeled adult learning center.
The Week Ahead
This week is Homecoming Week at Center Schools!
Monday October 1st is “Mexico Monday” as students will dress in a fashion that celebrates the Mexican roots of many of our students and families.
On Tuesday October 2nd we’ll have our decades celebration as students will dress in the fashion of the following decades: Seniors the 80s, Juniors the 70s, Sophomores the 50s, and Freshmen the Future
Wednesday October 3rd will be gender bender day: Girls are encouraged to dress like boys and boys are encouraged to dress like girls.
Thursday October 4th will be sports/jersey/ hat day. Students will be encouraged to wear their favorite sports jersey or attire. The homecoming parade will take place beginning at 3:00 PM. In addition there will be a community pep rally on Thursday evening at 7 PM.
Monday October 1st is “Mexico Monday” as students will dress in a fashion that celebrates the Mexican roots of many of our students and families.
On Tuesday October 2nd we’ll have our decades celebration as students will dress in the fashion of the following decades: Seniors the 80s, Juniors the 70s, Sophomores the 50s, and Freshmen the Future
Wednesday October 3rd will be gender bender day: Girls are encouraged to dress like boys and boys are encouraged to dress like girls.
Thursday October 4th will be sports/jersey/ hat day. Students will be encouraged to wear their favorite sports jersey or attire. The homecoming parade will take place beginning at 3:00 PM. In addition there will be a community pep rally on Thursday evening at 7 PM.
Friday will be blue and white day. Homecoming athletic events will include a boys soccer game against Telluride at 3:00 PM, a volleyball game against Telluride at 4:00 PM, the a football game against Dolores at 7 PM.
On Wednesday I’ll participate in the weekly Race to the Top Consortium grant conference call. Center Schools will also host the Colorado Association of School Boards regional meeting on Wednesday evening.
Thursday and Friday should be routine workdays for me in Center.
Extra Points
On Tuesday I will be in Denver once again, this time to participate as a panelist in the Public Education Business Coalition Superintendent Forum that will take place at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Center for Performing Arts. The lineup of participating superintendents includes John Barry from Aurora, Tom Boasberg from Denver, Elizabeth Celania-Fagen from Douglas County, Mary Chesley from Cherry creek, Chris Gdowski from Adams 12, Scott Murphy from Littleton, Cynthia Stevenson from Jefferson County and me. Yes, I think it is odd that I will be on the panel with this distinguished group of school system leaders, but I will be happy to represent small rural school interests at this gathering. In fact, I have attached a video that pretty much explains how I’ll probably look on stage. You can access it at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6keZIUJBsQ
I will also be able to leverage my time in Denver as I’ll be able to chair the Colorado School Safety Resource Center Advisory Board meeting while I am there.
Thanks for listening once again. Have a great week!
George
I will also be able to leverage my time in Denver as I’ll be able to chair the Colorado School Safety Resource Center Advisory Board meeting while I am there.
Thanks for listening once again. Have a great week!
George