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
Our Cañon City High School team finished in the top 30% nationally in the Cyber Security League competition.
Claire Lamman
Cañon City High School Math Teacher Alex Hill was invited to TechStart on Friday to honor the accomplishments of her Cyber Security Club students. Briar Martin, Zoe Martin, Blaze Patterson, Hayden Ossinger, Kevin Richardson, Kayla Kerns, Macen Shipman-Werner and Jessica Rodriguez earned Bronze, Silver and Gold level awards in a national Cyber Security contest in which most of the contestants were enrolled in college. Congratulations!
Last week 46 elementary students from Cañon City and the Florence RE-2 School District participated in a Battle of the Books tournament. In all, eight elementary schools were involved. Fremont Elementary took first, McKinley Elementary second, and Mountain View Core Knowledge School took third.
Cañon City High School Class of 2015 graduate Claire Lamman, who recently earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics and Astronomy with summa cum laude honors from the University of Colorado at Boulder, was also named Outstanding Graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences. Additionally, this fall Claire will begin a graduate research fellowship in astrophysics at Harvard University. Wow!
Last week 46 elementary students from Cañon City and the Florence RE-2 School District participated in a Battle of the Books tournament. In all, eight elementary schools were involved. Fremont Elementary took first, McKinley Elementary second, and Mountain View Core Knowledge School took third.
Cañon City High School Class of 2015 graduate Claire Lamman, who recently earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics and Astronomy with summa cum laude honors from the University of Colorado at Boulder, was also named Outstanding Graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences. Additionally, this fall Claire will begin a graduate research fellowship in astrophysics at Harvard University. Wow!
There was plenty of excitement at this year's Battle of the Books!
Our Future Focus
CNA students share their experience.
|
CCHS students share their love of science.
|
Technology recyclers.
|
The scene in the Tiger Dome during the Spring SELF Expo.
It would be impossible to share something more appropriate to illustrate our future focus core belief than images we gathered at the SELF (Student Empowered Learning) Expo on Tuesday evening May 10th. At this, we saw amazing students displaying their unique talents to the entire community while tapping into their vast learning experiences. The focus was not solely on those who plan to go on to college. The SELF Expo allowed students of all abilities to pursue personal interests, and their work touched on the many career opportunities that lie before them.
Can you diagnose problems in an engine coolant system? We saw students who can.
Can you safely disassemble a computer into all its parts? We saw students who can.
Do you have what it takes to be a Certified Nurse's Assistant? We saw students who do.
Can you design and build a house from the ground up? We have students who can.
Can you prepare a historical building tour presentation for local history buffs? We met a student who did.
Can you design a solution to society's plastic waste problem? We saw a group of young ladies who are doing so.
Can you prepare food that looks like art? We tasted some.
Can you write a series of horrifically entertaining stories? We read sme for ourselves.
Can you create t-shirt designs and open your own internet for-profit business? We went on-line and bought one.
Can you make science come to life for children? We watched it happen with our own eyes.
Can you analyze social media analytics? We had no idea about the depth to which this could be done.
Can you produce professional quality newscasts? We see this happening every day at CCHS.
Can you turn annual Prom planning into a vocational building design process? Our Junior Class did!
Can you guide significant needs students to understand and reflect on the impact of the Holocaust? Our teachers did!
Can you inspire our next generation of teachers? Our teacher Cadet program does, and so did the SELF Expo!
When we do it right, our annual budgeting process aligns clearly with our future focus. Though we're only in the preliminary process, the work we're doing right now to allocate new resources secured through this year's School Finance Act is being done with our Student Empowered Learning Framework vision in mind. This includes budgeting for updated learning resources and balancing the Board's priority to put the district on a strong financial footing while continually making it possible to attract and retain high-quality staff to work with our children. There is still much work to be done on this front, but all that has been accomplished so far will be presented at our Board of Education meeting on Monday, May 13th.
Can you diagnose problems in an engine coolant system? We saw students who can.
Can you safely disassemble a computer into all its parts? We saw students who can.
Do you have what it takes to be a Certified Nurse's Assistant? We saw students who do.
Can you design and build a house from the ground up? We have students who can.
Can you prepare a historical building tour presentation for local history buffs? We met a student who did.
Can you design a solution to society's plastic waste problem? We saw a group of young ladies who are doing so.
Can you prepare food that looks like art? We tasted some.
Can you write a series of horrifically entertaining stories? We read sme for ourselves.
Can you create t-shirt designs and open your own internet for-profit business? We went on-line and bought one.
Can you make science come to life for children? We watched it happen with our own eyes.
Can you analyze social media analytics? We had no idea about the depth to which this could be done.
Can you produce professional quality newscasts? We see this happening every day at CCHS.
Can you turn annual Prom planning into a vocational building design process? Our Junior Class did!
Can you guide significant needs students to understand and reflect on the impact of the Holocaust? Our teachers did!
Can you inspire our next generation of teachers? Our teacher Cadet program does, and so did the SELF Expo!
When we do it right, our annual budgeting process aligns clearly with our future focus. Though we're only in the preliminary process, the work we're doing right now to allocate new resources secured through this year's School Finance Act is being done with our Student Empowered Learning Framework vision in mind. This includes budgeting for updated learning resources and balancing the Board's priority to put the district on a strong financial footing while continually making it possible to attract and retain high-quality staff to work with our children. There is still much work to be done on this front, but all that has been accomplished so far will be presented at our Board of Education meeting on Monday, May 13th.
Override Progress
On May 9th we held our last Technology Visioning Committee meeting of the 2018-19 school year, during which we celebrated many accomplishments.
It's hard to believe it was only two years ago the committee was formed to develop a technology instruction action plan to bring to the community for consideration in a mill levy override question. Since then, our community gave us permission to do this work in earnest y approving question 3A in November 2017. Immediately following this, high school teacher devices were purchased, an Instructional Technology Coordinator was hired, all high school teachers were trained in blended learning techniques, technology display devices were installed in all high school classes, the high school wireless system was analyzed and upgraded, grade 9-12 student devices were purchased and distributed, and by all measures we had the most successful Year 1 one-to-one technology implementation the state of Colorado has ever seen. Don't believe me? Just last week Colorado Empowered Learning released a report on the success of this effort. You can access it at this link. (If you're reading this installment through email, be sure to visit the Echoes from Cañon blog site directly to access the link).
It's hard to believe it was only two years ago the committee was formed to develop a technology instruction action plan to bring to the community for consideration in a mill levy override question. Since then, our community gave us permission to do this work in earnest y approving question 3A in November 2017. Immediately following this, high school teacher devices were purchased, an Instructional Technology Coordinator was hired, all high school teachers were trained in blended learning techniques, technology display devices were installed in all high school classes, the high school wireless system was analyzed and upgraded, grade 9-12 student devices were purchased and distributed, and by all measures we had the most successful Year 1 one-to-one technology implementation the state of Colorado has ever seen. Don't believe me? Just last week Colorado Empowered Learning released a report on the success of this effort. You can access it at this link. (If you're reading this installment through email, be sure to visit the Echoes from Cañon blog site directly to access the link).
Deanna Padilione is our new Instructional Technology Coach
At our May 9th meeting, we reviewed our Year 1 implementation plan and prepared to replicate it at the grade 6-8 level during the 2019-20 school year.
Already this year all grade 6-8 teachers had devices in hand and have been completing training in blended learning instructional techniques. We're now in the process of purchasing grade 6-8 student Chromebooks, preparing to install display devices in all grade 6-8 classrooms, and we've even hired an additional Instructional Technology Coordinator to support Daniel Coppa's efforts, as was outlined in our plan. Deanna Padilione, most recently from Fremont Middle School in Florence, has accepted this position.
Looking further to the future, when K-5 teachers return to work in August they'll receive their Chromebook devices and begin blended learning training immediately. Excitingly, K-5 staff will be supported by our K-5 Technology Instructors who'll be available each week to support early implementation and experimentation efforts thanks to our increase in life skills staffing through a Title IV Art position and School-Based Health Professional grant staffing.
Already this year all grade 6-8 teachers had devices in hand and have been completing training in blended learning instructional techniques. We're now in the process of purchasing grade 6-8 student Chromebooks, preparing to install display devices in all grade 6-8 classrooms, and we've even hired an additional Instructional Technology Coordinator to support Daniel Coppa's efforts, as was outlined in our plan. Deanna Padilione, most recently from Fremont Middle School in Florence, has accepted this position.
Looking further to the future, when K-5 teachers return to work in August they'll receive their Chromebook devices and begin blended learning training immediately. Excitingly, K-5 staff will be supported by our K-5 Technology Instructors who'll be available each week to support early implementation and experimentation efforts thanks to our increase in life skills staffing through a Title IV Art position and School-Based Health Professional grant staffing.
Bond Progress
A rendering of how the entry of our new Washington Elementary School may look.
Our new district Grounds Shop/Electronics Recycling and Chromebook Repair Center now has walls and a good portion of its roofing. Recent weather has delayed excavation on the footings at Cañon City Middle School's new instructional wing, but work is still on schedule.
On Monday, May 20th Cañon City Schools will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for our new Washingon Elementary School project supported by the Building Excellent Schools Today program. The entire community is invited to attend!
Students, staff, community, and dignitaries will gather at 10:15 AM on the East playground of the school to hear messages from Principal Brian Zamarripa, a Washington student leader, and Board Vice-President Lloyd Harwood before Mr. Zamarripa, Washington staff representatives, students, and board members plunge shovels into the ground to officially kick off the 14 month construction phase of the project.
On Monday, May 20th Cañon City Schools will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for our new Washingon Elementary School project supported by the Building Excellent Schools Today program. The entire community is invited to attend!
Students, staff, community, and dignitaries will gather at 10:15 AM on the East playground of the school to hear messages from Principal Brian Zamarripa, a Washington student leader, and Board Vice-President Lloyd Harwood before Mr. Zamarripa, Washington staff representatives, students, and board members plunge shovels into the ground to officially kick off the 14 month construction phase of the project.
Last Week
Sandra Seifert was among this year's retirees we honored on Monday evening.
Last week assemblies were held in each building honoring the work of our staff. On Monday I attended a meeting with Recreation Director Kyle Horne. I also had a phone conference with Antonio Parés from the Donnell-Kay Foundation, then attended our annual retirement celebration reception. On Tuesday I appeared on KRLN's Morning Line with RE-2 Superintendent Dr. Brenda Krage. Then I conducted a Superintendent Advisory Council meeting and the Cañon City High School Spring 2019 SELF Expo. On Wednesday I met with classified association leaders, joined the McKinley Elementary staff during delayed start professional development time, attended a meeting to plan for publicizing our School-Based Health Center partnership with Valley-Wide Health Services and Solvista, worked on Federal Programs budgeting with Assistant Superintendent of Schools Adam Hartman, and traveled to Springs to attend a legislative advocacy wrap-up meeting. On Thursday I conducted two expulsion hearings and our last Technology Visioning Committee meeting of the school year. On Friday I worked with our finance department on our preliminary budget, attended a TechStart lunch and learn, and worked on communication items to end the week.
This Week
On Monday we'll be gathering K-5 technology teachers to plan future instructional content. We'll also hold a board work session and regular meeting, during which many outstanding students will be honored by the board and our preliminary budget will be presented. On Tuesday we'll begin certified staff compensation bargaining. We'll also slip a district leadership team meeting in during a break. On Wednesday I have to turn my attention to a few expulsion hearings once again, and I very much look forward to attending our annual Career and College Connections Banquet at the Abbey Events Center. On Thursday I guide the final meeting of this year's Leadership Cañon cohort, and on Friday I'll be in Denver for our next Colorado Education Initiative Assessment for Learning Project meeting.
Other Voices
Adam Combs
With Harrison K-8 Assistant Principal Garrett Olquin recently named new Principal of Lincoln School of Science and Technology, we had an administrative opening to fill at Harrison. Prior to this, the Board of Education was considering changing the administrative support structure at Harrison from a Principal, Assistant Principal, TOSA/Athletic Director model to Principal/2 Assitant Principal model with Athletic Director duties separated into a part-time extra duty contract position.
Application, screening and interview processes took place during the month of April and Mr. Adam Combs and Mrs. Sheryl Wiseman were selected to fill the open Assistant Principal positions. The Harrison administration is now in the process of conducting an Athletic Director search.
Adam Combs will be coming to us from his current position as Fremont Middle School Principal. Mr. Combs has a Masters Degree in Education from Grand Canyon University, once served as an Editor/Reporter for the Florence Citizen, taught middle school Language Arts for nine years, then served as Assitant Principal/Athletic Director at Florence Middle School for two years before becoming Principal. During our process, Adam stated, "one of my goals is to be in a position that would allow me to continue to support technology integration in education." With Harrison's 6th through 8th-grade students beginning their one-to-one device journey this fall, Adam's skills will certainly come in handy.
Application, screening and interview processes took place during the month of April and Mr. Adam Combs and Mrs. Sheryl Wiseman were selected to fill the open Assistant Principal positions. The Harrison administration is now in the process of conducting an Athletic Director search.
Adam Combs will be coming to us from his current position as Fremont Middle School Principal. Mr. Combs has a Masters Degree in Education from Grand Canyon University, once served as an Editor/Reporter for the Florence Citizen, taught middle school Language Arts for nine years, then served as Assitant Principal/Athletic Director at Florence Middle School for two years before becoming Principal. During our process, Adam stated, "one of my goals is to be in a position that would allow me to continue to support technology integration in education." With Harrison's 6th through 8th-grade students beginning their one-to-one device journey this fall, Adam's skills will certainly come in handy.
Sheryl Wiseman
Sheryl Wiseman has served the Cañon City School District in various capacities during the past 10 years, from middle school Language Arts to Special Education, and most recently in an administrator development opportunity as Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA)/Athletic Director at Harrison School. Mrs. Wiseman's strengths include supporting school cultural initiatives and developing restorative behavior programs. Sheryl was recommended to fill this position by Harrison staff because of her passion for the school and the progress she has made in her development as a school level leader.
We welcome Mr. Combs to the Cañon City community, and we congratulate Mrs. Wiseman on her new position.
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
We welcome Mr. Combs to the Cañon City community, and we congratulate Mrs. Wiseman on her new position.
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
