Echoes from Cañon
Examples of Excellence
Cañon City Middle School students participate in a constitutional convention simulation.
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Mr. Brown had student work behind closed doors and with only candle lighting to simulate the conditions our founding fathers worked in.
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I understand Cañon City Middle School social studies teacher Ryan Brown recently conducted a mock constitutional convention. Instead of simply explaining to his students how this was done in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787, Mr. Brown took the time to set up an opportunity for his students to experience it. What a great example of relevant and engaging instruction! Thanks Ryan!
I also want to offer a shout out to our Principals and instructional evaluators this week. They’re in the midst of completing annual mid-year teacher evaluations. Their job is to first complete this important work with probationary teachers, then with tenured staff. Here in Cañon City Schools it is our philosophy the conduct of intensive mid-year evaluations, though quite time consuming, offers each teacher their best opportunity to highlight their improvement efforts by the end of year. I just want to take a moment to thank our instructional leader for conducting this important work while also navigating their everyday duties.
Though I touched on this story a bit last week, I also want to highlight the great job Cañon City High School Seniors William Bauchem, Brandon Elbert, Rochella Lamborn, and Alyssa Lopez did sharing their public policy presentation with local TV news. On Thursday they were interviewed for a story on Channel 5, and just as they did at a recent Board of Education meeting, made a compelling case for us to consider expanding the time children have to eat school meals. Of course school and district level administration will be considering their proposal before building next year’s academic calendar.
I also want to offer a shout out to our Principals and instructional evaluators this week. They’re in the midst of completing annual mid-year teacher evaluations. Their job is to first complete this important work with probationary teachers, then with tenured staff. Here in Cañon City Schools it is our philosophy the conduct of intensive mid-year evaluations, though quite time consuming, offers each teacher their best opportunity to highlight their improvement efforts by the end of year. I just want to take a moment to thank our instructional leader for conducting this important work while also navigating their everyday duties.
Though I touched on this story a bit last week, I also want to highlight the great job Cañon City High School Seniors William Bauchem, Brandon Elbert, Rochella Lamborn, and Alyssa Lopez did sharing their public policy presentation with local TV news. On Thursday they were interviewed for a story on Channel 5, and just as they did at a recent Board of Education meeting, made a compelling case for us to consider expanding the time children have to eat school meals. Of course school and district level administration will be considering their proposal before building next year’s academic calendar.
The Focus of Our Work
William Bauchem, Brandon Elbert, Rochella Lamborn, and Alyssa Lopez share their public policy presentation with local TV news.
The board of education is in the midst of conducting my annual evaluation process. A staff/community survey is already making the rounds, I have submitted my personal reflections, and soon the board will meet to compile a document they can agree on to present to me.
On Wednesday morning Director of Human Resources Misty Manchester and I had the opportunity to meet new Pikes Peak Education Association Uniserv Director Tim Cross. Tim is replacing Melissa Longuil, who will be greatly missed. Based on our first impressions we truly look forward to working with Mr. Cross.
On Wednesday morning Director of Human Resources Misty Manchester and I had the opportunity to meet new Pikes Peak Education Association Uniserv Director Tim Cross. Tim is replacing Melissa Longuil, who will be greatly missed. Based on our first impressions we truly look forward to working with Mr. Cross.
Override Progress
In a lighthearted moment Adam Hartman and Shaun Kohl ponder our technology implementation.
Last week we received shipping confirmation on devices ordered so staff can begin the process of preparing for student use. We expect to receive a slew of teacher devices early this week.
CCHS Principal Bill Summers, Director of Instruction Adam Hartman, and Director of Technology Shaun Kohl also attended the CASE CALET conference last Wednesday to learn more about ways to effectively manage device implementation.
I also hear at the weekly CCHS Technology Deployment Committee meeting decisions on student device size, and purchase of flat panel classroom displays were made.
CCHS Principal Bill Summers, Director of Instruction Adam Hartman, and Director of Technology Shaun Kohl also attended the CASE CALET conference last Wednesday to learn more about ways to effectively manage device implementation.
I also hear at the weekly CCHS Technology Deployment Committee meeting decisions on student device size, and purchase of flat panel classroom displays were made.
Bond Progress
We’re quickly approaching time to make a decision on a design-build team, with interviews of Bryan-MOA, GE Johnson-RTA and Klein-CRP taking place this Tuesday. Each of these firms participated in a facilities walkthrough last week so they could gather needed information.
Director of Operations Jeff Peterson and I took Anna Fitzer and new CDE Capital Construction Department Director Andy Stine on a tour of Cañon City Middle School Monday morning. We showed them key aspects highlighting the need for upgrading that facility.
Director of Operations Jeff Peterson and I took Anna Fitzer and new CDE Capital Construction Department Director Andy Stine on a tour of Cañon City Middle School Monday morning. We showed them key aspects highlighting the need for upgrading that facility.
Last Week
Jeff Peterson guides CDE's Anna Fitzer through Washington Elementary.
Last Monday I finished director evaluations, communicated to principals about mid-year building review preparations, and took our CDE Capital Construction Regional Representative Anna Fitzer on a tour of Cañon City Middle School to highlight structural, safety, and security issues in the building. On Tuesday we took our three Design-Build finalist firms on site walks of all district facilities. I also spent a good part of that day working on my superintendent evaluation self-reflection. On Wednesday I attended a legislative advocacy phone conference and had the pleasure of meeting new Pikes Peak Education Association Uniserv Director Tim Cross. I ended the week by attending the Colorado Association of School Executives Winter Leadership Conference on Thursday and Friday.
This Week
We look forward to observing instruction at Lincoln School for Science and Technology later this week.
Though I’ll work on this blog and attend a mid-day conference call regarding a social- emotional wellness grant we just received, I’m taking a personal day on Monday. On Tuesday we hold design-build interviews and will hopefully make a decision to partner with a firm. I’ll also attend a Colorado Safe School Resource Center board meeting by phone and then head to Springs for a Pikes Peak Alliance meeting. On Wednesday we have a central office and operations staff meeting. We’ll also have visitors from Fort Carson on site to learn about the Lindamood-Bell intervention work we’re doing, and we’ll even hold our first Design-Build team meeting. On Thursday we conduct Lincoln School of Science and Technology’s mid-year building evaluation. There will also be a Cañon 2020 committee meeting later that afternoon. On Friday I’ll attend our iLearn high school technology staff-development kickoff meeting.
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
