Echoes from Cañon
Examples of Excellence
Kylie Heninger finished 2nd in the Junior Olympics National Air Rifle Competition.
Last week we received word that CDE is recognizing Cañon City Schools for academic growth within its special education population in the content areas of English Language Arts and Math. It turns out CCSD was showed the top growth across the state among special education students. This recognition is a testament to all of our hard-working special education teachers, paraprofessionals, service providers, regular classroom teachers, and instructional leaders. Thank you!
Somewhat related, I just want to take a moment to thank our contracted intervention special advisor Melissa Busolo for stepping in last year to support and guide our team of literacy coaches in the implementation of Lindamood-Bell reading interventions. At mid-year, we realized we needed some assistance in pacing and lesson planning, and Melissa did a great job of quickly establishing trusting relationships and supporting our team.
On Sunday evening we learned Cañon City High School's JROTC Academic Bowl team made it into the final round of 16 schools at the national competition in Washington D.C. and ultimately finished in 12th place. How about that!
On a final note, another of our JROTC cadets, Kylie Heninger, finished in 2nd place nationally in the air rifle competition. Kylie is a member of the Class of 2018 and we'll dearly miss her.
Somewhat related, I just want to take a moment to thank our contracted intervention special advisor Melissa Busolo for stepping in last year to support and guide our team of literacy coaches in the implementation of Lindamood-Bell reading interventions. At mid-year, we realized we needed some assistance in pacing and lesson planning, and Melissa did a great job of quickly establishing trusting relationships and supporting our team.
On Sunday evening we learned Cañon City High School's JROTC Academic Bowl team made it into the final round of 16 schools at the national competition in Washington D.C. and ultimately finished in 12th place. How about that!
On a final note, another of our JROTC cadets, Kylie Heninger, finished in 2nd place nationally in the air rifle competition. Kylie is a member of the Class of 2018 and we'll dearly miss her.
The Focus of Our Work
Congratulations to the CCHS JROTC JLAB Team for finishing 12th at nationals!
As part of our Federal Programs application process, we were able to secure funds to have Renee Watters, a Lincoln School of Science and Technology grade 5 teacher, support grade K-5 math instruction. She'll be supporting teachers by helping staff to provide parent support for students while at home, assigning class and homework in the Pearson Realize learning platform, customizing homework, pacing the curriculum, and printing student learning results for a standards-based report card.
Last week Director of Student Support Services Paula Buser and I met with CCPD Chief Daric Harvey and Seargent Tim Bell to clarify the role of School Resource Officers. Our update includes the following:
To be visible on campuses throughout the school district as much as possible.
To be an active law enforcement presence ready to address any criminal related matters that occur on school property or at school events.
Provide timely response to incidents that compromise the safety of students, staff and the school.
Assist school personnel, as appropriate, to ensure the safety of students, staff, and facilities.
Offer a positive connection between the Police Department, students, parents, school administration and surrounding neighborhoods.
Focus on educating students on safety issues and the law, and provide law enforcement services when necessary.
Provide coordinated grade-level appropriate instruction in lessons that promote law-related education, to include but not limited to conflict resolution, restorative justice, crime awareness, and crime prevention and safety.
Act as a helpful legal resource and positive role model for students, parents, and staff.
Make referrals to appropriate school personnel for problems related to enforcement of school rules.
Attend monthly District Safety Committee meetings.
Manage input of follow-up information into the Safe2Tell system, in a timely manner, when a report has been received and responded to by the CCPD.
During our Board of Education meeting this Monday we hope to secure board approval of our 2018-19 budget, as well as approval to sell bonds related to our Cañon City Middle School major campus upgrade project.
Last week Director of Student Support Services Paula Buser and I met with CCPD Chief Daric Harvey and Seargent Tim Bell to clarify the role of School Resource Officers. Our update includes the following:
To be visible on campuses throughout the school district as much as possible.
To be an active law enforcement presence ready to address any criminal related matters that occur on school property or at school events.
Provide timely response to incidents that compromise the safety of students, staff and the school.
Assist school personnel, as appropriate, to ensure the safety of students, staff, and facilities.
Offer a positive connection between the Police Department, students, parents, school administration and surrounding neighborhoods.
Focus on educating students on safety issues and the law, and provide law enforcement services when necessary.
Provide coordinated grade-level appropriate instruction in lessons that promote law-related education, to include but not limited to conflict resolution, restorative justice, crime awareness, and crime prevention and safety.
Act as a helpful legal resource and positive role model for students, parents, and staff.
Make referrals to appropriate school personnel for problems related to enforcement of school rules.
Attend monthly District Safety Committee meetings.
Manage input of follow-up information into the Safe2Tell system, in a timely manner, when a report has been received and responded to by the CCPD.
During our Board of Education meeting this Monday we hope to secure board approval of our 2018-19 budget, as well as approval to sell bonds related to our Cañon City Middle School major campus upgrade project.
Override Progress
Our technology and operations departments continue work in preparation of kicking off our one-to-one Chromebook program at Cañon City High School this fall by making adjustments to the wireless network, ordering and installing flat panel displays for each classroom, and ordering and prepping devices to put in student's hands.
Bond Progress
In the coming weeks, we'll be abating asbestos from a modular located on the Cañon Exploratory School campus in preparation for its removal. Scaffolding has been erected in the Tiger Dome so we can upgrade HVAC units and replace skylights. A truckload of glass arrived last week and so reinstallation of windows at CCHS, Lincoln, and McKinley have begun. Also, a ton of work has been going on replumbing the potable water systems in each of those buildings.
As far as our new BEST grant projects go, we hope to review preliminary drawings of our new grounds shop next week and we are planning several tours of new Colorado in preparation for the design phase at CCMS and Washington.
As far as our new BEST grant projects go, we hope to review preliminary drawings of our new grounds shop next week and we are planning several tours of new Colorado in preparation for the design phase at CCMS and Washington.
Last Week
While on vacation in Austin I enjoyed seeing the sites that Keep Austin Weird!
I had a full day of work last Monday, including a routine meeting with Director of Human Resources Misty Manchester, a touching base meeting about records retention with Board-Superintendent Secretary Colleen Carroll, a meeting aimed at further defining the role of School Resource Officers with Cañon City Police Department leaders and Director of Student Support Services Paula Buser, a weekly Superintendent Advisory Council meeting, and a pleasant meeting with representatives from our Home Bi-Ed Advisory Board. I was on a family vacation Tuesday through Friday in Austin, Texas, though I kept up on work correspondence as best I could. On Sunday Assistant Superintendent of Schools Adam Hartman and I spent the entire day together working through our 2018-19 Federal Programs application, as well as making final adjustments to our 2017-18 Federal Programs grant budget.
This Week
CCSD Model Schools Conference attendees plan their week long experience.
I’ll take an intermission from my family vacation this week by attending the Model Schools Conference in Orlando, Florida with Assistant Superintendent of Schools Adam Hartman and a team of grade 6-12 school level administrators. At this event, we hope to learn more about ways to meet the needs of our students in an ever-changing world. We’ll focus on our portrait of a graduate, specifically the traits and skills we need to develop in our students. On Monday evening I’ll phone into our regularly scheduled board of education meeting. On Thursday and Friday, I’ll return my focus to my family vacation.
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
