Echoes from Cañon
Our 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
Eliza Cash and Ashley Kaess
|
Emily Reynolds
|
Reven Wright
This week we learned we have some incredibly happy students and some extremely proud parents, as it was announced Cañon City High School seniors Emily Reynolds, Eliza Cash, and Ashley Kaess will receive full-ride scholarships to colleges of their choice. Emily has earned the Boettcher Scholarship, one that will pay her way to any Colorado institution she chooses to attend. Eliza and Ashley each will be Daniels Scholars, covering all college costs to any they choose to attend in a four-state geographic area, including Colorado. Congratulations to each!
Simultaneously, Cañon City High School's Building Trades-HomeBiEd Board is gearing up once again to support CCHS students who are choosing to attend trade school as a launching point to higher level careers in construction. This week HomeBiEd instructor Andy Addington supported each qualifying senior in completing all required paperwork on this front and these awards will be announced at the Cañon City High School Class of 2019 scholarship night.
Recently Harrison 5th grader Reven Wright won first place in the annual Colorado Association of Conservation Districts Water Conservation Awareness Poster Contest. This contest is designed to bring awareness of Watershed Conservation to children in grades 5-12. This award qualified her to compete at the state level contest, which she also won! Reven's poster was then submitted to the national competition, where she earned second place honors from among all 50 State qualifiers. Along the way, Reven gained valuable knowledge about Watershed Conservation as well as a hefty $350.00 cash prize and special recognition on the NACD website. Congratulations Reven, and to her teacher Kim McConnon for supporting her on this journey!
Simultaneously, Cañon City High School's Building Trades-HomeBiEd Board is gearing up once again to support CCHS students who are choosing to attend trade school as a launching point to higher level careers in construction. This week HomeBiEd instructor Andy Addington supported each qualifying senior in completing all required paperwork on this front and these awards will be announced at the Cañon City High School Class of 2019 scholarship night.
Recently Harrison 5th grader Reven Wright won first place in the annual Colorado Association of Conservation Districts Water Conservation Awareness Poster Contest. This contest is designed to bring awareness of Watershed Conservation to children in grades 5-12. This award qualified her to compete at the state level contest, which she also won! Reven's poster was then submitted to the national competition, where she earned second place honors from among all 50 State qualifiers. Along the way, Reven gained valuable knowledge about Watershed Conservation as well as a hefty $350.00 cash prize and special recognition on the NACD website. Congratulations Reven, and to her teacher Kim McConnon for supporting her on this journey!
Our Future Focus
Tammy DeWolfe guides Lincoln observations made by Kelly Albrecht and Kelli Jones.
This week we conducted a site visit to Lincoln School of Science and Technology to evaluate its instructional progress.
While there were impressed by the strong growth in literacy based on benchmark assessment data reviewed. We believe this is indicative of the staff's faithful adherence to our district's curricular materials, and the application of best literacy practices from outstanding small group instruction to engaging direct instruction to expert use of amazing paraprofessional educators.
We also saw strong evidence of staff collaboration throughout the building and highly effective use of all available resources. Lincoln staff has also acquired more than the district can possibly offer through safe routes to school, playground, technology, and school safety grant application processes.
Finally, we noted an amazing efficiency in the way Lincoln operates, from strong staff acquisition at all levels, to an absolute adherence to its Discovery culture.
It was clear to the entire visiting team that Lincoln School of Science and Technology is living up to its potential. This is a direct result of the hard work of all staff, and the amazing leadership Tammy DeWolfe has displayed over many years.
While there were impressed by the strong growth in literacy based on benchmark assessment data reviewed. We believe this is indicative of the staff's faithful adherence to our district's curricular materials, and the application of best literacy practices from outstanding small group instruction to engaging direct instruction to expert use of amazing paraprofessional educators.
We also saw strong evidence of staff collaboration throughout the building and highly effective use of all available resources. Lincoln staff has also acquired more than the district can possibly offer through safe routes to school, playground, technology, and school safety grant application processes.
Finally, we noted an amazing efficiency in the way Lincoln operates, from strong staff acquisition at all levels, to an absolute adherence to its Discovery culture.
It was clear to the entire visiting team that Lincoln School of Science and Technology is living up to its potential. This is a direct result of the hard work of all staff, and the amazing leadership Tammy DeWolfe has displayed over many years.
Override Progress
Our Technology Visioning Committee met this week at TechStart.
On Thursday Cañon City Schools' Technology Visioning Committee held its March meeting at the downtown TechStart complex. While there, we discussed how we'll support putting Chromebooks in the hands of all grade 6-8 students next year, and plans we have to support teachers in preparing for our K-5 implementation during the 2020-21 school year. Also, TechStart leaders and tenants were on hand to offer advice as to how we might put in place an innovation center as we move forward.
Bond Progress
The scene at the CCSM groundbreaking ceremony.
Students and board members had the honor of being first to break ground.
On Friday afternoon we held our official Cañon City Middle School groundbreaking ceremony. This was attended by approximately 500 guests, including the entire Cañon City Middle School student body. Principal Jesse Oliver served as master of ceremonies, introducing Justin Osborne and Katie Stitt from the Colorado State Land Board, who explained how the Building Excellent Schools Today program works. Katie is a former CCMS student! Next, Student Council President Brooke Watley and Board of Education President Larry Oddo each shared remarks before Mr, Oliver, Director of Operations Jeff Peterson, the Board of Education, and students representatives from grades 4 through 8 plunged their ceremonial shovels into the ground.
Among Mr. Oddo's remarks, he pointed out how "Cañon City has a long history of supporting its schools, dating back to the 1800s and continuing right up to and including today."
He added, "From the board’s perspective, it's very important to us that we deliver as promised to the community. Not just to the folks that voted for the bond issue, but everyone in the community. To show that we are making good use of taxpayer dollars, whether local or from the state. This is indeed very gratifying work, something not every school board gets to be part of, and we are keenly aware of that. We're excited by the drawings, designs, specs, and spreadsheets (well at least some of us are on that last one).
Among Mr. Oddo's remarks, he pointed out how "Cañon City has a long history of supporting its schools, dating back to the 1800s and continuing right up to and including today."
He added, "From the board’s perspective, it's very important to us that we deliver as promised to the community. Not just to the folks that voted for the bond issue, but everyone in the community. To show that we are making good use of taxpayer dollars, whether local or from the state. This is indeed very gratifying work, something not every school board gets to be part of, and we are keenly aware of that. We're excited by the drawings, designs, specs, and spreadsheets (well at least some of us are on that last one).
This Phase 1 map shows where now construction has begun (dark green) and where demolition will take place this summer (red).
We think what is getting built here will be a perfect blend of old and new, a nod to history while being future focused (core belief number 3), designed to provide opportunities for both refuge (core belief number 1) and risk (core belief number 2), and certainly what is best for kids (core belief number 4)!"
With groundbreaking behind us, work will begin on the new additions almost immediately, starting with the removal of the west parking lot surface on April 8th. New construction in the west parking lot, as well as to the east of the 1980s gymnasium, is slated to be completed in time for spring break next year when we'll move the 8th graders, life-skills classes, cafeteria/commons, and office staff in. Outer envelope work will take place this summer on the 1980s gym that will remain, and demolition of the original gym and auditorium will take place this summer. After moving out of the 1924 structure and into the new sections next spring, renovation will begin immediately on it and on the inside the 1980s gym. Our goal will be to move back into it by the fall of 2020. Once we move into the renovated 1924 structure we'll finally be able to demolish the 1970-80s wings and old vocational facility to the east of the campus and complete site work.
With groundbreaking behind us, work will begin on the new additions almost immediately, starting with the removal of the west parking lot surface on April 8th. New construction in the west parking lot, as well as to the east of the 1980s gymnasium, is slated to be completed in time for spring break next year when we'll move the 8th graders, life-skills classes, cafeteria/commons, and office staff in. Outer envelope work will take place this summer on the 1980s gym that will remain, and demolition of the original gym and auditorium will take place this summer. After moving out of the 1924 structure and into the new sections next spring, renovation will begin immediately on it and on the inside the 1980s gym. Our goal will be to move back into it by the fall of 2020. Once we move into the renovated 1924 structure we'll finally be able to demolish the 1970-80s wings and old vocational facility to the east of the campus and complete site work.
Last Week
TechStart tenant, and owner/operator of River Science, Luke Javernick discusses the Upper Arkansas Technology Sector's plans to support the expansion of a regional STEM career workforce.
I kicked off my week in Lori Coppa's classroom at Cañon City High School attending a special presentation about the effective use of social media. Next was a Design-Build team meeting where we finalized the Cañon City Middle School construction schedule. I then met with classified association leaders to prepare for upcoming master agreement negotiations, and ended Monday with a board work session, during which we engaged our CASB Student leaders, followed by a regular board meeting. On Tuesday I had a Superintendent Advisory Council meeting, a Facilities Corporation Board meeting, and I attended a community meeting about the possibilities of building a recreation center. On Wednesday I was on-site at Lincoln School of Science and Technology to conduct an annual instructional program evaluation. On Thursday I caught up on a lot of office work and then facilitated a Technology Visioning Committee at the TechStart facility downtown. On Friday I attended the Upper Arkansas Technology Sector meeting at the Tech Start facility before heading down Main Street to see the Cañon City Middle School groundbreaking ceremony.
This Week
My major goals this week are to meet face to face with department directors to conduct their annual evaluations. We'll also make our annual Cañon Exploratory School site visit and do much of the groundwork for hiring two new Harrison K-8 Assistant Principals.
Other Voices
On Friday afternoon Cañon City Middle School Student Council President Brooke Watley addressed her classmates about what the Cañon City Middle School restoration project means to them. I'm sharing her words here:
Good afternoon, and thank you for being here today!
Words cannot describe how honored I am to be standing before you all. In just a little while we'll be watching the first official construction progress of the new building.
I remember like it was only yesterday first walking into the school as a sixth grader. Little did I know what memories I would make here. Adding to the ever-growing hair-tie wall, racing around the halls in my socks on Halloween, or sneaking into classrooms to cover a teacher in a well-deserved paper attack. While the school as we know it may not be here to create more of those memories, and stress, its spirit will always exist, both in its students and the community.
This school has a long history. CCMS was originally Cañon City High School when built in 1924. Over seven decades it has been renovated to meet the needs of students. Despite all the remodeling, some of the original features can still be seen. For example, the infamous heater vents in the original gym, known to have knocked out a child or two unfortunate enough to have not noticed them. As old as this building is, there's something about it which will never leave the generations of students who studied here over the years; the community spirit.
I can’t wait to see what my community can accomplish with that spirit. Canon City recently participated in the Small Business Revolution contest. We may not have won, but we'll never be the same. To make it to the top six we had to push ourselves to change, to grow, to be bigger and better, and we are. This new school is proof of that. We're moving the community forward, we have decided to keep pushing for more, and we deserve more.
The first step is giving back to our children, as our future lives in them. When we create an environment for our children to safely learn and explore we give them opportunities to grow the community. My hope for the future of Cañon City, which might seem like only a dream right now, is to have a school in our community, THIS school, that rival big city schools in advanced curriculum, technology, arts, and culture. Together we can put Cañon City on the map as a destination for not only tourists and small business owners, but also families with children. We have so much potential should we channel it correctly.
Good afternoon, and thank you for being here today!
Words cannot describe how honored I am to be standing before you all. In just a little while we'll be watching the first official construction progress of the new building.
I remember like it was only yesterday first walking into the school as a sixth grader. Little did I know what memories I would make here. Adding to the ever-growing hair-tie wall, racing around the halls in my socks on Halloween, or sneaking into classrooms to cover a teacher in a well-deserved paper attack. While the school as we know it may not be here to create more of those memories, and stress, its spirit will always exist, both in its students and the community.
This school has a long history. CCMS was originally Cañon City High School when built in 1924. Over seven decades it has been renovated to meet the needs of students. Despite all the remodeling, some of the original features can still be seen. For example, the infamous heater vents in the original gym, known to have knocked out a child or two unfortunate enough to have not noticed them. As old as this building is, there's something about it which will never leave the generations of students who studied here over the years; the community spirit.
I can’t wait to see what my community can accomplish with that spirit. Canon City recently participated in the Small Business Revolution contest. We may not have won, but we'll never be the same. To make it to the top six we had to push ourselves to change, to grow, to be bigger and better, and we are. This new school is proof of that. We're moving the community forward, we have decided to keep pushing for more, and we deserve more.
The first step is giving back to our children, as our future lives in them. When we create an environment for our children to safely learn and explore we give them opportunities to grow the community. My hope for the future of Cañon City, which might seem like only a dream right now, is to have a school in our community, THIS school, that rival big city schools in advanced curriculum, technology, arts, and culture. Together we can put Cañon City on the map as a destination for not only tourists and small business owners, but also families with children. We have so much potential should we channel it correctly.
Nothing saddens me more than knowing I won’t get to experience making new memories, and dabble in what sounds like some cool classroom technologies in the new building. However, I find peace knowing that while I won’t be here to walk its halls, to sit in its classrooms, or gaze out its windows, the school will remain in my life. My little brother will come here and do those things, as will the children of future generations. I look forward to stopping in and seeing my favorite teachers and staff members, and of course, seeing who fills the gap my class will make when it moves on.
Before we watch construction begin, I would like to end with some of the things about this school I believe few will miss. I won’t miss the bathrooms with stalls that don’t close, or the ceilings that collapsed every time it even sprinkled outside. What I will miss least about the school? That award easily goes to the staircase which runs from the sixth to eighth-grade halls, which I have personally dubbed the Staircase of Death, as I have never failed to trip down or up them at least once a day since I arrived. I know I’m not the only person to do so either. I have to admit, I won’t be sorry once those parts of the building are gone, no matter how cherished the rest of it is.
It's time to move forward! We can’t look back now. We must say goodbye to the past and welcome the future. We're not closing the book of this school, simply turning to the next chapter. I can't wait to see how the story unfolds.
Thanks for taking the risk to share your thoughts, Brooke, and thank you all listening once again!
George S. Welsh
Before we watch construction begin, I would like to end with some of the things about this school I believe few will miss. I won’t miss the bathrooms with stalls that don’t close, or the ceilings that collapsed every time it even sprinkled outside. What I will miss least about the school? That award easily goes to the staircase which runs from the sixth to eighth-grade halls, which I have personally dubbed the Staircase of Death, as I have never failed to trip down or up them at least once a day since I arrived. I know I’m not the only person to do so either. I have to admit, I won’t be sorry once those parts of the building are gone, no matter how cherished the rest of it is.
It's time to move forward! We can’t look back now. We must say goodbye to the past and welcome the future. We're not closing the book of this school, simply turning to the next chapter. I can't wait to see how the story unfolds.
Thanks for taking the risk to share your thoughts, Brooke, and thank you all listening once again!
George S. Welsh
