Echoes from Cañon
Our Board Adopted Core Beliefs
1. We meet the social-emotional needs of all students, putting Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs before Bloom’s Taxonomy.
2. We believe learning growth matters most, requires risk-taking, and the work we do in our schools has the greatest impact on this.
3. We’re future-focused, believing the development of certain traits and skills will best prepare our students for ever-changing careers.
4. We emphasize what is good for kids over the needs and comfort of adults.
1. We meet the social-emotional needs of all students, putting Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs before Bloom’s Taxonomy.
2. We believe learning growth matters most, requires risk-taking, and the work we do in our schools has the greatest impact on this.
3. We’re future-focused, believing the development of certain traits and skills will best prepare our students for ever-changing careers.
4. We emphasize what is good for kids over the needs and comfort of adults.
Our Core Beliefs in Action
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The Mountain View Core Knowledge School staff held an Ugly Sweater Contest!
As the holiday season approached I was amazed at the many ways our students and staff made the season better for everyone. Maybe it was the vast display of instrumental vocal, acting, and visual art talent by more than 300 high school students at the 20th annual Fine Art of Christmas event. Perhaps it was the numerous seasonal music concerts offered at each of our elementary, middle, and K-8 schools. Maybe it was the annual seven-hour marathon of performances Mr. Albrecht's Encore, and Tiger Ladies troupes put on for our K-8 students, and the immeasurable hours of caroling his Madrigal's performed throughout the region. Perhaps it was how the Cañon City High School Pride Club raised funds to take more than 30 deserving elementary students on a Christmas shopping trip for their entire family, or the way they also coordinated the ringing of the Salvation Army bell in front of the red kettle at City Market for the entire month of December. Whatever it was, I hope each of you can join me in showing your appreciation. There is no better place to celebrate the Christmas season than in Cañon City, and this is because of the many ways our staff and students go about spreading cheer!
Prior to the semester break, several of our employees reached out to highlight some great work being done by individuals.
Harrison K-8 Teacher Laura Copper noticed Assistant Principal Garrett Olguin keeping his doors open late for students in need of support.
She wrote, "I have personally been at several evening events lately where you are always there and greeting our students and families with a smile. I'm sure it is difficult to have so many late nights away from your family. I just wanted to say thank you for going above and beyond. You are truly appreciated!" Garrett, I echo Mrs. Cooper's sentiments here.
Susanna Florom from Washington Elementary wished to highlight the contributions of Literacy Coach Kelli Jones. She wrote, "Kelli always has student success as her goal, and everything she does as a coach is focused on attaining that goal. She's always willing to answer questions, cover groups, provide materials, and model instruction to help teachers work toward increasing student success. She approaches coaching with a growth mindset, meeting teachers where they are and helping them improve. Kelli is amazingly patient while holding teachers accountable to best practices. She also approaches her duties with a collaborative attitude. Kelli has done an amazing job developing her role of literacy coach at Washington, and she deserves any accolades or rewards that can be offered." Washington Elementary has recently been identified as a Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award recipient, and this is the result of outstanding work by many folks like Kelli. Thank you, Mrs. Jones!
Prior to the semester break, several of our employees reached out to highlight some great work being done by individuals.
Harrison K-8 Teacher Laura Copper noticed Assistant Principal Garrett Olguin keeping his doors open late for students in need of support.
She wrote, "I have personally been at several evening events lately where you are always there and greeting our students and families with a smile. I'm sure it is difficult to have so many late nights away from your family. I just wanted to say thank you for going above and beyond. You are truly appreciated!" Garrett, I echo Mrs. Cooper's sentiments here.
Susanna Florom from Washington Elementary wished to highlight the contributions of Literacy Coach Kelli Jones. She wrote, "Kelli always has student success as her goal, and everything she does as a coach is focused on attaining that goal. She's always willing to answer questions, cover groups, provide materials, and model instruction to help teachers work toward increasing student success. She approaches coaching with a growth mindset, meeting teachers where they are and helping them improve. Kelli is amazingly patient while holding teachers accountable to best practices. She also approaches her duties with a collaborative attitude. Kelli has done an amazing job developing her role of literacy coach at Washington, and she deserves any accolades or rewards that can be offered." Washington Elementary has recently been identified as a Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award recipient, and this is the result of outstanding work by many folks like Kelli. Thank you, Mrs. Jones!
Our Future Focus
We've been corresponding with a philanthropic organization called Civic Canopy in preparation for involving our greater community in solutions to attract and retain high-quality staff to work with our school children long into the future. We've solidified four dates to hold engagement sessions as January 31, March 14, Aprill 25, and May 31. Prior to the semester break I sent an invitation to folks I am hoping will participate.
Director of Student Support Services Paula Buser recently submitted a school security disbursement grant application. She has applied for up to $500,000 for additional security radios, a radio repeater, upgraded security camera systems, and body armor for our security guards.
The Colorado Education Institute reached out to me in late December to let me know the Cañon City Board of Education was selected to participate in their Breakthrough District Governance Network. This takes place in late January. The goal of this work is for CEI to learn from outstanding boards of education about how to plan for instructional improvement so such strategies can be spread throughout the state.
Director of Student Support Services Paula Buser recently submitted a school security disbursement grant application. She has applied for up to $500,000 for additional security radios, a radio repeater, upgraded security camera systems, and body armor for our security guards.
The Colorado Education Institute reached out to me in late December to let me know the Cañon City Board of Education was selected to participate in their Breakthrough District Governance Network. This takes place in late January. The goal of this work is for CEI to learn from outstanding boards of education about how to plan for instructional improvement so such strategies can be spread throughout the state.
Override Progress
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Student talent was on full display at the December 17th CCHS Capstone Fair.
The best evidence we can possibly offer about the fulfillment of our promise to use override dollars to put technology in the hands of our students was on display on the evening of Monday, December 17th at the first-ever Cañon City High School Capstone Fair. During this extravaganza, dozens of CCHS students, thanks to having equal access to one-to-one technology devices, shared how they; encouraged 18-year-olds to vote, designed an affordable Microsoft Excel class for adults, analyzed the connection between popular literature and heinous crimes, are advocating for family hunting days to be counted as excused absences, have sought to understand the impact recent wildfires have had on the Arkansas River, displayed their unique style of digital artistry, can you predict what kinds of stars will develop in certain types of nebulae, are applying statistical formulae to various types of research, are learning to code and teaching it to others, and are even coordinating a local running event to promote inclusion for persons with disabilities. To those in attendance it was clear our students are greatly benefitting from the technology tools our community has placed in their hands!
Bond Progress
Cindy-Lou Who made and appearance at Harrison K-8.
Prior to Christmas, Director of Operations Jeff Peterson and I met with our Design-Build team about final cost estimates for our new grounds facility building project. Our original budget projection was $1.25 million but the first numbers we saw had the project looking to cost in the neighborhood of $1.75 million. After sharpening our pencils we've been able to bring total costs down to $1.33 million, still a bit above our original project budget. However, with $2.5 million in project reserves for the combined CCMS remodel and this grounds facility building, we were quite comfortable allocating $62,000 in owner reserves.
I appreciate how GE Johnson worked hard to lure local contractors to participate in this phase of work. Matthews Electric's commitment led to a savings of $120,000 over our original estimate. Many other locals were approached to participate as well. However, our booming local construction economy led most Fremont County businesses to pass. Despite this, another big saving came on earthworks, site utilities, drainage, sewer, and water installation. Cooley and Sons, a business based in the San Luis Valley, offered the best price, a $120,000 savings over prior estimates.
We expect to send final drawings off for steel production in the next week or so. However, GE Johnson has already fenced off the construction site in preparation for breaking ground.
Over the break, we received another dose of good news when we learned the geothermal field that serves Cañon City Middle School will indeed be able to service our new facility. We feared there was a leak within the system, but after pressure tests found one of our zones is not operating because of an air bubble. This will be addressed in time to bring the zone back online when the major remodel is complete, leading to significant cost savings.
I appreciate how GE Johnson worked hard to lure local contractors to participate in this phase of work. Matthews Electric's commitment led to a savings of $120,000 over our original estimate. Many other locals were approached to participate as well. However, our booming local construction economy led most Fremont County businesses to pass. Despite this, another big saving came on earthworks, site utilities, drainage, sewer, and water installation. Cooley and Sons, a business based in the San Luis Valley, offered the best price, a $120,000 savings over prior estimates.
We expect to send final drawings off for steel production in the next week or so. However, GE Johnson has already fenced off the construction site in preparation for breaking ground.
Over the break, we received another dose of good news when we learned the geothermal field that serves Cañon City Middle School will indeed be able to service our new facility. We feared there was a leak within the system, but after pressure tests found one of our zones is not operating because of an air bubble. This will be addressed in time to bring the zone back online when the major remodel is complete, leading to significant cost savings.
The Last Three Weeks
Before the holiday break I engaged in some McKinley turnaround support work, caught up on office and community correspondence, attended the first CCHS Capstone Project Fair, (which was amazing), held a Superintendent Advisory Council meeting, met with Cañon Exploratory School staff about their upcoming middle school Chromebook implementation, attended a Facilities Corporation quarterly meeting, reviewed final plans for our new district grounds facility, and celebrated the coming of the holidays with staff.
During the break, I had the opportunity to spend time with all of my children, though in small chunks, and never having them all together. I also traveled to Tucson to visit family, and spent some time organizing my office here in Cañon.
During the break, I had the opportunity to spend time with all of my children, though in small chunks, and never having them all together. I also traveled to Tucson to visit family, and spent some time organizing my office here in Cañon.
This Week
Lots of outstanding visual art was on display at this year's Fine Art of Christmas.
On Monday we have no school for kids, though staff will be deeply involved in professional development activities all day. At the same time, I'll direct much of my attention to some end of semester expulsion related matters. On Tuesday through Thursday, I have a law enforcement touching base session, a Superintendent Advisory Council meeting, a District Leadership Team meeting, a Central Administrative Office staff meeting, a Home-Bi-Ed Board meeting, and a DHS leadership touching base session. On Thursday I also hope to drop in on an Early Literacy Grant consultant visit to McKinley Elementary. My focus will be on catching up on a long correspondence to-do list in my office on Friday.
Happy New Year, and thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
Happy New Year, and thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
