Echoes from Cañon
Examples of Excellence
Each month McKinley Elementary hosts a Wildcat Grill event to which community members are invited, honoring specific groups. This month’s honorees were local first responders such as firefighters, EMTs, police officers, and deputies. This tradition is outstanding, creating a sense of community and a welcome culture around the school. I want to thank the entire McKinley staff for hosting such wonderful events and making stakeholders feel welcome.
On Monday we held our first District Safety Fair and nearly 100 folks attended. Valuable information was presented on bullying prevention, reporting safety concerns, and general district safety procedures. Thanks go out to Director of Student Support Services Paula Buser for coordinating the event, and the many local providers and community members who attended.
On Monday we held our first District Safety Fair and nearly 100 folks attended. Valuable information was presented on bullying prevention, reporting safety concerns, and general district safety procedures. Thanks go out to Director of Student Support Services Paula Buser for coordinating the event, and the many local providers and community members who attended.
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I’d like to highlight the work of our building leaders this week. I think John Pavlicek and Brian Sprenger of Harrison K-8 may have conducted upwards of 40 classroom walkthrough observations in the last five days. Brian Zamarripa of Washington Elementary provided specific feedback to his teachers related to learning targets, and they have responded in outstanding fashion. At this week’s leadership team meeting Principals worked together practicing how to review lesson targets and offer feedback for improvement, Finally, at week’s end I noticed the Washington staff is now focussing their efforts on use of highly engaging instructional strategies. This is great work!
This week I would like to highlight to work of Director of Human Resources Misty Manchester. Misty may have the most knowledge of anyone on our administrative office team as she has worked in the human resources and business services departments for almost 20 years before becoming a director. Misty is responsible for the hiring and placement of more than five hundred employees. Through it all she is always professional, interacting with others in a compassionate and empathetic manner. Misty is also willing to put in the time and effort needed to get the job done. We are quite fortunate to have Misty as our Human Resources Director!
This week I would like to highlight to work of Director of Human Resources Misty Manchester. Misty may have the most knowledge of anyone on our administrative office team as she has worked in the human resources and business services departments for almost 20 years before becoming a director. Misty is responsible for the hiring and placement of more than five hundred employees. Through it all she is always professional, interacting with others in a compassionate and empathetic manner. Misty is also willing to put in the time and effort needed to get the job done. We are quite fortunate to have Misty as our Human Resources Director!
The Focus of Our Work
Our IRS on site audit of payroll processes has been completed and we are awaiting their final report. According to Buddy the only issue that seems to have come out is our use of purchased services and issuance of 1099 forms as a result. This surrounds whether or not some people we paid should have been treated as district employees rather than as independent contractors. We’ll take a hard look at this designation going forward. In the meantime we have reviewed the status of some folks we have designated this way in the past.
Also, our Evaluation Council is deeply engaged in work related to supporting highly effective instruction by all teachers, by attending CEA’s Theory Into Practice sessions, and creating ways that student learning outcomes can be incorporated into teacher evaluation processes.
Also, our Evaluation Council is deeply engaged in work related to supporting highly effective instruction by all teachers, by attending CEA’s Theory Into Practice sessions, and creating ways that student learning outcomes can be incorporated into teacher evaluation processes.
Last Week
On Monday I attended a statewide superintendent gathering to discuss ways to work together to advocate for the needs of K-12 public education systems. I also attended our District Safety Fair Monday evening. On Tuesday I had Superintendent’s Advisory Council, Leadership, and CCEA leadership meetings. Wednesday brought a bunch of meetings with community members, while on Thursday I had my monthly DHS gathering with Fremont director Steve Clifton and RE-2 superintendent Rhonda Roberts. On Friday and Saturday I attended sessions 3 and 4 of Theory Into Practice instructional improvement training in Pueblo.
This Week
There is no school Monday, though I plan a full day of work around the office. On Tuesday we’ll work in the Learning Center setting cut points for indicators of student learning related to teacher evaluation processes. On Wednesday morning I’ll be in Pueblo to attend October Southern Superintendents meeting. I will then take an exploratory trip to Mapleton High School with Nick Carochi and Bret Meuli on Thursday ahead of work being done with the Canon 20/20 committee. I'll focus on building visits on Friday October 30th.
My in-building office hours for the coming week will be as follows:
Wednesday October 28th from 2 to 3 PM at Harrison
Friday October 30th from 9 to 10 AM at Washington
Friday October 30th from 10 to 11 AM at CES
Friday October 30th from 1:30 to 2:30 PM at MVCKS
. . . and as Fall settles in deeply I'll be enjoying the World Series all week with my Mets being participants for only the 6th time in my life. I apologize to Harrison assistant principal Brian Sprenger whose Cubs did not make it. Maybe next year? I also look forward to a little friendly banter with CCHS Principal Bret Meuli and Assistant Principal Toby Melster who were apparently led astray as children and so grew up to be Royals fans.
George S. Welsh
My in-building office hours for the coming week will be as follows:
Wednesday October 28th from 2 to 3 PM at Harrison
Friday October 30th from 9 to 10 AM at Washington
Friday October 30th from 10 to 11 AM at CES
Friday October 30th from 1:30 to 2:30 PM at MVCKS
. . . and as Fall settles in deeply I'll be enjoying the World Series all week with my Mets being participants for only the 6th time in my life. I apologize to Harrison assistant principal Brian Sprenger whose Cubs did not make it. Maybe next year? I also look forward to a little friendly banter with CCHS Principal Bret Meuli and Assistant Principal Toby Melster who were apparently led astray as children and so grew up to be Royals fans.
George S. Welsh