Cañon City thrives through adventurous spirit, dynamic people, innovative schools, and historic charm.
Echoes from Cañon
Our Mission
The Cañon City School District is future-focused, providing innovative educational opportunities to successfully prepare all students to meet any challenge they may face.
The Cañon City School District is future-focused, providing innovative educational opportunities to successfully prepare all students to meet any challenge they may face.
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
Cassie Norden was able to pull off a successful Battle of the Books competition using digital tools.
Despite our requirement to complete the 2019-20 school year in remote fashion, Harrison Title I instructor Cassie Norden and a team of adult supporters were once again able to hold a Battle of the Books competition. Battle of the Books is a voluntary reading incentive program for students in grades 3-12. The purpose is simply to encourage students to read good books and have fun while competing with peers. Students participate by reading from a book list provided. A typical "Battle" is a game, during which teams earn points by answering questions about the books on the book lists. Thanks for making this possible for our kids once again, Cassie!
On Friday afternoon the Harrison School staff paraded through their geographic attendance zone in cars so students could see their teachers one last time before the summer break. This was well attended, and from the vantage point I had along the route in several areas, much appreciated by parents and students.
We wrapped up Educator Appreciation Week on Friday by offering a nod to all of our parent partners. Though our teachers have been working harder than ever, we know their effort would go to waste if it were not for the support our outstanding parents are offering their children. We'd like to highlight the fact that many of our parents are supporting their children while also working full-time jobs and encouraging older siblings to take responsibility to support younger children. We've also seen parents attending Google Hangout meetings to become familiar with the technology resources being used by their children, and attending small group Hangouts for exceptional learners to support their child's understanding of lessons. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
On Friday afternoon the Harrison School staff paraded through their geographic attendance zone in cars so students could see their teachers one last time before the summer break. This was well attended, and from the vantage point I had along the route in several areas, much appreciated by parents and students.
We wrapped up Educator Appreciation Week on Friday by offering a nod to all of our parent partners. Though our teachers have been working harder than ever, we know their effort would go to waste if it were not for the support our outstanding parents are offering their children. We'd like to highlight the fact that many of our parents are supporting their children while also working full-time jobs and encouraging older siblings to take responsibility to support younger children. We've also seen parents attending Google Hangout meetings to become familiar with the technology resources being used by their children, and attending small group Hangouts for exceptional learners to support their child's understanding of lessons. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
The Harrison School staff organized on a parade through neighborhoods for students and parents!
Our Future Focus
Cañon Exploratory teacher Krystal Saffold has been conducting a cool learning activity using a web-based resource called Padlet. Krystal was teaching her children about space and space travel. I've attached an image showing how her students were able to publish their work. Krystal's Principal, Kelly Albrecht, said, "I just continue to be in awe of our teachers who are now teaching from home with the same passion and enthusiasm they had in their classrooms all the while challenging themselves to be innovative. They are all trying new things in an effort to provide the same high-quality educational experience they had before the quarantine. Many of them, like Krystal, are doing this while also homeschooling their own children."
Cañon City High School vocational business instructor Ben Newman reports six CCHS students attended FBLA's Virtual State Leadership Conference last week. The following students represented Cañon in the following events:
CJ Purdy-Accounting II, Dane Fox-Digital Video Production (took 5th place), Murad Mikayilzade-Coding/Programing (3rd place), Alex Repar-Publication Design, Brittany Wilson-Publication Design, and Emily Clarke- Organizational Leadership (7th place).
Three CCHS students finished in the top ten in the state! Murad, who garnered a 3rd place award, plans to compete at FBLA's National Leadership Conference. This will be held virtually from June 29th through July 1st.
Cañon City High School vocational business instructor Ben Newman reports six CCHS students attended FBLA's Virtual State Leadership Conference last week. The following students represented Cañon in the following events:
CJ Purdy-Accounting II, Dane Fox-Digital Video Production (took 5th place), Murad Mikayilzade-Coding/Programing (3rd place), Alex Repar-Publication Design, Brittany Wilson-Publication Design, and Emily Clarke- Organizational Leadership (7th place).
Three CCHS students finished in the top ten in the state! Murad, who garnered a 3rd place award, plans to compete at FBLA's National Leadership Conference. This will be held virtually from June 29th through July 1st.
Override and Bond Progress
Old gymnasium flooring (circa 1925) will overlook teh new CCMS stage, while a new classroom at Washington shows some stained concrete sampl colors, and an outside view of the soon to be demolished 1949 facility.
Last week I had the opportunity to tour the Cañon City Middle School and Washington Elementary facilities under construction with our architect from RTI, Doug Abernathy. Each building is moving along as planned and inside finishes are really starting to take shape. Doug and I also had the opportunity to discuss some options for honoring former Cañon City Schools employee Gerald Williams in the new Washington facility.
After our tours of school construction, Doug and I stopped by Cañon City High School to observe progress toward the replacement of the Tiger Dome gymnasium and bleachers. This has been a complicated project because the original floor was laid using an outdated construction process, requiring a major subfloor build-up and leveling process. This was fascinating to view, and I look forward to seeing the new flooring wood laid in the coming weeks.
After our tours of school construction, Doug and I stopped by Cañon City High School to observe progress toward the replacement of the Tiger Dome gymnasium and bleachers. This has been a complicated project because the original floor was laid using an outdated construction process, requiring a major subfloor build-up and leveling process. This was fascinating to view, and I look forward to seeing the new flooring wood laid in the coming weeks.
The Tiger Dome floor is almost ready for new wood flooring and replacement bleachers.
Last Week
Last week I completed all documents for principal evaluations and met virtually with each building leader. I also held a directors meeting and brainstormed various scenarios with building leaders for what it might look like to open schools this fall. I dropped in on as many staff meetings in support of Educator Appreciation Week as I could. I virtually attended the annual PEBC superintendent forum, a virtual CASB regional gathering, and the Opportunity Coalition and Pikes Peak Alliance legislative advocacy meetings. The highlights of my week were meeting in person with our architect Doug Abernathy, attending a CCHS capstone evaluation training session, and seeing the Harrison Staff Educator Appreciation Week Parade.
This Week
This week I'll attend a Board meeting and work session, write and publish this blog, touch base with Director of Student Support Services Paula Buer, conduct a directors meeting, attend a District Leadership meeting, and meet about the possible establishment of a Fremont County education regional collaborative. I'll also virtually attend multiple legislative advocacy meetings, a PCC-Fremont Campus Advisory Board meeting, an Accountability Grant learning session (though I hear the Joint Budget Committee is likely to kill this grant), and a Colorado School Finance Project meeting.
Other Voices
Last week I responded to a set of 10 interview questions from the Cañon City Daily Record. I felt they provide good information and are worth sharing here:
1) We are heading toward the end of an unconventional school year. How difficult was this for students and staff to adjust to online education?
I would say for most, and despite the many external stresses everyone is experiencing, it has been pretty smooth. However, shifting to digital instruction has been a heavy lift for a small portion of our families, and for a small portion of our staff. Our staff, on all fronts, has risen to the occasion. However, because of a lack of response by some, unfortunately, we have not been able to reach and properly support all our families and their children.
2) Part of the reason why you closed school earlier this year was that you knew children would have to wear masks and temperatures would be taken at the door. The way things are going, how likely is it that those practices will be in place this fall?
If I had to bet my house, I might take the risk to wager we will NOT be back at school as normal under any circumstances, at least at the beginning of the school year. I DO think we'll be able to occupy our campuses in some form, but this will likely require only allowing portions of our student body to enter the school on a given day, and doing things like closely monitoring health conditions, keeping social distancing, possibly wearing masks, and supporting in-person learning with digital instruction.
3) How much planning is the district doing right now to prepare for changes in the fall because of the pandemic?
At the building leader level, we are already deep in a brainstorming process aimed at lining out many options for how we will come back to school in some form or fashion in August. We are asking our instructional staff to focus on finishing this school year. However, once they close out the spring semester, we will begin to engage the rest of the staff in this work, and that will help our plan to become much better.
4) You mentioned in your letter to parents wanting a chance for students and teachers to say goodbye for the year. Is that possible this month as students return equipment, clean out desks, etc.?
This is exactly how it will happen. Each school is putting out schedules for students to return technology, and at this time they should have an opportunity, in small controlled ways, to see their teachers and to say goodbye for the summer.
5) The state budget is going to be cut and a reduction of funding is likely in many areas. How much do you think education will be affected by this?
We actually are making plans for at least a 10% cut. This will remove $3 million from about a $30 million budget. I have been through some difficult times in my 23 years as a superintendent of schools, but have never had to deal with such a drastic cut in one budget year. Next week, after the May 12th state revenue forecast, we'll have a better idea about what we are dealing with.
6) If you do receive less funding, what area in the district's budget does that have an immediate impact?
The difference between these potential budget cuts and the ones we suffered during the Great Recession is we are now in a much better place as far as facilities maintenance and repair as a district. Our operations task in the coming year will be to support the advancement of student learning, and that is where we will invest the dollars we have available. There are some plans we've had for future facility maintenance and upgrades, but those will have to go on hold until we get through this difficult time. Our philosophy is next year's 3rd graders likely only get one shot in 3rd grade, and so we will do all we can with what we have to make sure they have the opportunity to learn all that is required of them as a 3rd grader, no matter our financial situation.
7) All sports fans miss athletics. How difficult was it for those seniors to miss out on the spring season?
Words can not describe how devastating this has been for kids. Once in a lifetime opportunities were taken away from them. However, they are amazingly resilient, and my hope is they will all be able to move forward from this in a positive way. Our community needs to know the damage may not yet be over. There is still no guarantee that when we come back int eh fall we'll be able to operate our extracurricular programs as normal. We all need to be prepared for this and the lost opportunities suffered by the Class of 2021 could turn out to be far worse than those lost to the Class of 2020.
8) Speaking of seniors, any updates on possible graduation ceremony plans?
We have it scheduled for Thursday, July 30th, as requested by 90% of the Class of 2020. Our hopes are that we can hold a ceremony with all 220 graduates, and at least some guests. However, we recognize our local department of public health will have the final say bout how it can be done, and so we have a plan B (students only), a plan C (4 smaller ceremonies featuring different portions of the Class of 2020), and a plan D (virtual).
9) Until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, it seems like large gatherings are going to be limited moving forward. How would that impact schools next year?
It all depends on the gathering limit. If we get to here we are allowed gatherings of 50 or more individuals, without masks and social distancing, we could get by with school mostly as normal. The major adjustments we would have to make would be to not hold full student body gatherings, serve lunch in classrooms as opposed to cafeterias, and limiting extracurricular events to, perhaps, no live audiences. It is my expectation that what we are allowed to do will evolve throughout the course of the next school year. We are committed to starting the school year with significant restrictions, if necessary, and slowly loosening them as we are allowed.
10) This has been a completely new experience for all educators. What have you learned most during this time?
I have always deeply suspected this, but for certain, I now fully understand that the passion and empathy our educators have for their students go far above and beyond their pay grade. What our teachers have done in the past two months, while suffering the same external concerns everyone else is dealing with, goes far beyond our basic work expectations. They have exhibited civility, innovation, agility, tenacity, agency, and integrity in the process of making sure as many children as they can effectively reach may still move forward with their educational experience. It is an absolute shame this will be rewarded with extremely limited resources in the short term, but I have no doubt each understands the larger picture in our state, nation, and the world, and will continue to do all they can to offer outstanding opportunities for learning to our children any way they can.
Thanks to all for listening once again.
George S. Welsh
1) We are heading toward the end of an unconventional school year. How difficult was this for students and staff to adjust to online education?
I would say for most, and despite the many external stresses everyone is experiencing, it has been pretty smooth. However, shifting to digital instruction has been a heavy lift for a small portion of our families, and for a small portion of our staff. Our staff, on all fronts, has risen to the occasion. However, because of a lack of response by some, unfortunately, we have not been able to reach and properly support all our families and their children.
2) Part of the reason why you closed school earlier this year was that you knew children would have to wear masks and temperatures would be taken at the door. The way things are going, how likely is it that those practices will be in place this fall?
If I had to bet my house, I might take the risk to wager we will NOT be back at school as normal under any circumstances, at least at the beginning of the school year. I DO think we'll be able to occupy our campuses in some form, but this will likely require only allowing portions of our student body to enter the school on a given day, and doing things like closely monitoring health conditions, keeping social distancing, possibly wearing masks, and supporting in-person learning with digital instruction.
3) How much planning is the district doing right now to prepare for changes in the fall because of the pandemic?
At the building leader level, we are already deep in a brainstorming process aimed at lining out many options for how we will come back to school in some form or fashion in August. We are asking our instructional staff to focus on finishing this school year. However, once they close out the spring semester, we will begin to engage the rest of the staff in this work, and that will help our plan to become much better.
4) You mentioned in your letter to parents wanting a chance for students and teachers to say goodbye for the year. Is that possible this month as students return equipment, clean out desks, etc.?
This is exactly how it will happen. Each school is putting out schedules for students to return technology, and at this time they should have an opportunity, in small controlled ways, to see their teachers and to say goodbye for the summer.
5) The state budget is going to be cut and a reduction of funding is likely in many areas. How much do you think education will be affected by this?
We actually are making plans for at least a 10% cut. This will remove $3 million from about a $30 million budget. I have been through some difficult times in my 23 years as a superintendent of schools, but have never had to deal with such a drastic cut in one budget year. Next week, after the May 12th state revenue forecast, we'll have a better idea about what we are dealing with.
6) If you do receive less funding, what area in the district's budget does that have an immediate impact?
The difference between these potential budget cuts and the ones we suffered during the Great Recession is we are now in a much better place as far as facilities maintenance and repair as a district. Our operations task in the coming year will be to support the advancement of student learning, and that is where we will invest the dollars we have available. There are some plans we've had for future facility maintenance and upgrades, but those will have to go on hold until we get through this difficult time. Our philosophy is next year's 3rd graders likely only get one shot in 3rd grade, and so we will do all we can with what we have to make sure they have the opportunity to learn all that is required of them as a 3rd grader, no matter our financial situation.
7) All sports fans miss athletics. How difficult was it for those seniors to miss out on the spring season?
Words can not describe how devastating this has been for kids. Once in a lifetime opportunities were taken away from them. However, they are amazingly resilient, and my hope is they will all be able to move forward from this in a positive way. Our community needs to know the damage may not yet be over. There is still no guarantee that when we come back int eh fall we'll be able to operate our extracurricular programs as normal. We all need to be prepared for this and the lost opportunities suffered by the Class of 2021 could turn out to be far worse than those lost to the Class of 2020.
8) Speaking of seniors, any updates on possible graduation ceremony plans?
We have it scheduled for Thursday, July 30th, as requested by 90% of the Class of 2020. Our hopes are that we can hold a ceremony with all 220 graduates, and at least some guests. However, we recognize our local department of public health will have the final say bout how it can be done, and so we have a plan B (students only), a plan C (4 smaller ceremonies featuring different portions of the Class of 2020), and a plan D (virtual).
9) Until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, it seems like large gatherings are going to be limited moving forward. How would that impact schools next year?
It all depends on the gathering limit. If we get to here we are allowed gatherings of 50 or more individuals, without masks and social distancing, we could get by with school mostly as normal. The major adjustments we would have to make would be to not hold full student body gatherings, serve lunch in classrooms as opposed to cafeterias, and limiting extracurricular events to, perhaps, no live audiences. It is my expectation that what we are allowed to do will evolve throughout the course of the next school year. We are committed to starting the school year with significant restrictions, if necessary, and slowly loosening them as we are allowed.
10) This has been a completely new experience for all educators. What have you learned most during this time?
I have always deeply suspected this, but for certain, I now fully understand that the passion and empathy our educators have for their students go far above and beyond their pay grade. What our teachers have done in the past two months, while suffering the same external concerns everyone else is dealing with, goes far beyond our basic work expectations. They have exhibited civility, innovation, agility, tenacity, agency, and integrity in the process of making sure as many children as they can effectively reach may still move forward with their educational experience. It is an absolute shame this will be rewarded with extremely limited resources in the short term, but I have no doubt each understands the larger picture in our state, nation, and the world, and will continue to do all they can to offer outstanding opportunities for learning to our children any way they can.
Thanks to all for listening once again.
George S. Welsh