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
Homer Galloway
I wish to offer my deepest thanks to Homer Galloway, a crossing guard at Harrison School. Many district patrons have told me his work ethic and the enthusiasm with which he approaches his task is an absolute highlight of their daily commute. Schools can only operate effectively when people in all parts of the system give it their all. Homer, thank you so much for setting such a fine example, and for helping us to meet our first core belief by keeping our children safe on their way to school.
On Thursday, October 17th the Colorado Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two real cases in front of much of the student body of Cañon City High School. This is part of Colorado's Courts in the Community, a program initiated in 1986 to allow high school students to experience first-hand how disputes are resolved in a democratic society. The cases argued included Walton v. People, about the use of medical marijuana as related to a person convicted of a DUI, and People v. Berry, a case related to embezzlement. Special thanks go to our entire Cañon City High School social studies department and to Link Crew advisor Shane Thornton and Assistant Principal Michelle Johnson for the preparation they put into making this possible for our students.
On Thursday, October 17th the Colorado Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two real cases in front of much of the student body of Cañon City High School. This is part of Colorado's Courts in the Community, a program initiated in 1986 to allow high school students to experience first-hand how disputes are resolved in a democratic society. The cases argued included Walton v. People, about the use of medical marijuana as related to a person convicted of a DUI, and People v. Berry, a case related to embezzlement. Special thanks go to our entire Cañon City High School social studies department and to Link Crew advisor Shane Thornton and Assistant Principal Michelle Johnson for the preparation they put into making this possible for our students.
Garrett Olguin gets "Mugged"
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Jesse Oliver after getting "Mugged"
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Rick Miller and Antwone Fisher
Many readers may be aware Colorado Governor Jared Polis proclaimed October 2019 to be Principal Month. Thus, we have been doing all we can to honor the outstanding work of our building leaders. In support of this effort, last week our Board of Education took it upon themselves to "mug" each of our building leaders by presenting to them, in person, a silly drink mug. What a wonderful way to personalize our appreciation!
Last week Rick Miller, founder of Kids at Hope, brought Antwone Fisher, screenwriter, poet, lecturer, best-selling author, and children's rights advocate, to present to Harrison School teachers and families. This presentation explored Antwone's life as a child survivor of abuse and how this turned from hopelessness to hope. Discussion surrounded the struggles many of our children face and how, thanks to the science of HOPE, success is still possible. The message Rick and Antwone shared is “all children are capable of success, NO EXCEPTIONS!" It is pleasing to see how the Harrison School staff has adopted this as its primary core belief!
Last week Rick Miller, founder of Kids at Hope, brought Antwone Fisher, screenwriter, poet, lecturer, best-selling author, and children's rights advocate, to present to Harrison School teachers and families. This presentation explored Antwone's life as a child survivor of abuse and how this turned from hopelessness to hope. Discussion surrounded the struggles many of our children face and how, thanks to the science of HOPE, success is still possible. The message Rick and Antwone shared is “all children are capable of success, NO EXCEPTIONS!" It is pleasing to see how the Harrison School staff has adopted this as its primary core belief!
The Harrison staff poses with Antwone Fisher
Our Future Focus
CCHS JROTC students submitted a video for their grant application
On Saturday, October 12th a cadre of Cañon City High School JROTC officers received a grant from the 10th Mountain Division Foundation in the amount of $750 to help facilitate the completion of capstone projects. This was the result of three of our cadets producing a video outlining the proposed Capstone to the foundation, as well as their written grant request. Their Capstone Leading Question will be, "How can JROTC cadets increase our community, state, and nation's awareness of the Spirit and Legacy of the 10th Mountain Division? Congratulations!
On Tuesday we held a Superintendent Advisory Council meeting during which we discussed allowing parents access to student email credentials through Infinite Campus, how to handle lost Chromebooks in relation to our $25 insurance fee program, several security concerns on the ACCESS campus, special education paraprofessional staffing levels at the Lincoln School of Science and Technology, our increasing costs for deaf interpretation services, addressing our needs to fingerprint employees locally, possibly purchasing an automated substitute caller system for the district, and various school population/boundary issues.
On Tuesday we held a Superintendent Advisory Council meeting during which we discussed allowing parents access to student email credentials through Infinite Campus, how to handle lost Chromebooks in relation to our $25 insurance fee program, several security concerns on the ACCESS campus, special education paraprofessional staffing levels at the Lincoln School of Science and Technology, our increasing costs for deaf interpretation services, addressing our needs to fingerprint employees locally, possibly purchasing an automated substitute caller system for the district, and various school population/boundary issues.
Last Week
Cañon City High School choir programs held their annual Premier Concert last week
Civic Canopy reconvened last week
On Monday I wrote and published another installment of Echoes from Cañon, met with Director of Operations Jeff Peterson and Assitant Superintendent of Schools Adam Hartman about transportation/school boundary data, and attended a board work session and meeting. On Tuesday we held a Superintendent Advisory Council meeting. I then attended a Regional Manager's Meeting, met with board of education candidate Beth Gaffney, facilitated a Civic Canopy session, and then ran over to CCHS just in time for the Fall Premier Concert. Wednesday included a DHS FIOG meeting, a touching base meeting with Fremont County Department of Human Services Executive Director Stacie Kwitek, and a visit to the every other week TechSTART tech night out social gathering. On Thursday we hosted the Colorado Supreme Court at Cañon City High School. I then made my way to Denver to participate in the annual Colorado Association of School Executives Superintendent of the Year selection process. Late in the day on Friday I proceeded to Breckenridge to join board members Shad Johnson and Robin Reeser at the Colorado Association of School Boards Fall Delegate Assembly. This is an annual event where CASB sets its legislative advocacy priorities. We remained there until Saturday afternoon.
Shad Johnson and Robin Reeser participated in CASB's annual Fall Delegate Assembly
This Week
This week I have a Monday packed with meetings. I then fly to Washington D.C. on Tuesday morning to participate in Colorado Department of Education Coherence Lab work. The goal of this project is to help CDE break down departmental communication barriers so districts can be better served. I'll be in D.C. through mid-day Friday, keeping up on office correspondence electronically. When I return to Cañon I hope to make it in time to see the Cañon City High School fall play performance. Also while in D.C., I'll participate in a Rural Alliance phone conference about rural charter school authorization, and I'll call in to an Early Childhood Leadership Commission meeting.
Other Voices
Kyle and Dana Horne
After Friday night's high school football game Dana Horne was kind enough to share this message to both teams:
Good Afternoon Cañon City Tigers and Harrison Panther Coaches,
I would like to take an opportunity to acknowledge and praise both high school football programs. You should commend your players, coaches, and programs for the sportsmanship that was displayed on Friday night. My husband, Kyle Horne, is the announcer for the Cañon City Tigers, calling the plays and recognizing the players. I have the honor to assist him with spotting plays and a multitude of other responsibilities. We both watch the game intently with binoculars so we can catch the correct numbers or catch any penalties when they occur. Over the past 20 years, we have watched a multitude of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors on the field. However, on Friday, October 18th, we captured something so much more special. We were able to witness young men demonstrating the utmost sportsmanship, by patting each other on the back or lending a hand to get up. It was obvious there weren't any chippy comments occurring. It was even more telling of both programs as they united around a fallen player being carted off the field to an ambulance, continued to play a focused and respectful game until the end, and gathered to pray in the middle of the stadium afterward. Wow! Thank you for demonstrating the character and beliefs all humans should follow. In today's society, we rarely hear positives or receive praise for our efforts. Please share with your young men that their behavior and effort did not go unnoticed and they definitely deserve such praise. I am proud to be an employee and educator in Cañon City. I'm am also proud to have witnessed such loving acts by fine young men. If anything, I hope all can learn it isn't about winning or losing, but showing integrity at every point in your life.
Keep up the amazing work and good luck to both teams for the remainder of the 2019 season!
Sincerely,
Dana and Kyle Horne
Good Afternoon Cañon City Tigers and Harrison Panther Coaches,
I would like to take an opportunity to acknowledge and praise both high school football programs. You should commend your players, coaches, and programs for the sportsmanship that was displayed on Friday night. My husband, Kyle Horne, is the announcer for the Cañon City Tigers, calling the plays and recognizing the players. I have the honor to assist him with spotting plays and a multitude of other responsibilities. We both watch the game intently with binoculars so we can catch the correct numbers or catch any penalties when they occur. Over the past 20 years, we have watched a multitude of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors on the field. However, on Friday, October 18th, we captured something so much more special. We were able to witness young men demonstrating the utmost sportsmanship, by patting each other on the back or lending a hand to get up. It was obvious there weren't any chippy comments occurring. It was even more telling of both programs as they united around a fallen player being carted off the field to an ambulance, continued to play a focused and respectful game until the end, and gathered to pray in the middle of the stadium afterward. Wow! Thank you for demonstrating the character and beliefs all humans should follow. In today's society, we rarely hear positives or receive praise for our efforts. Please share with your young men that their behavior and effort did not go unnoticed and they definitely deserve such praise. I am proud to be an employee and educator in Cañon City. I'm am also proud to have witnessed such loving acts by fine young men. If anything, I hope all can learn it isn't about winning or losing, but showing integrity at every point in your life.
Keep up the amazing work and good luck to both teams for the remainder of the 2019 season!
Sincerely,
Dana and Kyle Horne
Photo by Lisa Rix
In response, Harrison Superintendent of Schools Dr. Wendy Birhanzel offered this message:
Horne Family,
Thank you for taking the time to send this note. In today’s world, we see too many examples of bad sportsmanship so we truly appreciate you taking the time to note this. Regardless of the score on the board, this is what coaching and teamwork are about; raising young adults to be caring members of society. Harrison is proud to partner with Cañon City in our sports division and we do our best to teach our athletes to respect each other on and off the field.
Thanks again for the kind words and have a great week!
Dr. Wendy Birhanzel
Superintendent of Schools
I can't tell you how pleasing it was to start my work week with these messages in my inbox! What better place is there to display civility and integrity, two key traits we seek to develop in our youth, than on a field of competition?
Thank you all for taking the time to recognize this! Doing so will only encourage it to continue.
. . . and thanks for listening once again,
George S. Welsh
Horne Family,
Thank you for taking the time to send this note. In today’s world, we see too many examples of bad sportsmanship so we truly appreciate you taking the time to note this. Regardless of the score on the board, this is what coaching and teamwork are about; raising young adults to be caring members of society. Harrison is proud to partner with Cañon City in our sports division and we do our best to teach our athletes to respect each other on and off the field.
Thanks again for the kind words and have a great week!
Dr. Wendy Birhanzel
Superintendent of Schools
I can't tell you how pleasing it was to start my work week with these messages in my inbox! What better place is there to display civility and integrity, two key traits we seek to develop in our youth, than on a field of competition?
Thank you all for taking the time to recognize this! Doing so will only encourage it to continue.
. . . and thanks for listening once again,
George S. Welsh
