Echoes from Cañon
Examples of Excellence
The CCHS JROTC Color Guard presented the flag at Friday's 9-11 observance ceremony.
We are excited to announce our Fremont and Chafee County Regional Early Childhood Operations Committee was awarded a LAUNCH Together grant last week. As a result, the Chaffee and ECHO Family Center and Early Childhood Councils will be able to invest 2 million dollars in the social and emotional wellbeing of children ages 0-8 over the next 4 years. This was a large scale effort by many people however, Pam Walker and Janine Pryor deserve a ton of credit for organizing this effort.
I also thank the entire Cañon City High School staff for offering Work Sessions to our students who are falling behind in class or who simply need extra support to master curricular concepts; the staff offered their first Saturday Session last weekend. Saturday Sessions are open to all students, but are mainly for those who have still not completed their work after being given the chance to do so at a regular Work Session during the school week. I greatly appreciate his proactive, restorative academic practice that takes place now in support of students in grades 9-12.
It was reported this week that our technology staff has completed or begun work on 574 work orders since August 15th. Though there are still 170 open requests, this represents a tremendous amount of work in such a short period of time. Many thanks director of technology Shaun Kohl and his entire staff for all they have done to get our technology, old and new, up and running for the new school year.
On a final note, thank you to our friends at Pueblo Community College-Fremont Campus for all the work they did organizing the community wide 9-11 observance ceremony that took place last Friday. This was a great opportunity to teach our children about the significance of that day’s events, and all of us were given the opportunity to show our deep appreciation for our community’s first responders, as we grew in our understanding of the dangers they face each day.
I also thank the entire Cañon City High School staff for offering Work Sessions to our students who are falling behind in class or who simply need extra support to master curricular concepts; the staff offered their first Saturday Session last weekend. Saturday Sessions are open to all students, but are mainly for those who have still not completed their work after being given the chance to do so at a regular Work Session during the school week. I greatly appreciate his proactive, restorative academic practice that takes place now in support of students in grades 9-12.
It was reported this week that our technology staff has completed or begun work on 574 work orders since August 15th. Though there are still 170 open requests, this represents a tremendous amount of work in such a short period of time. Many thanks director of technology Shaun Kohl and his entire staff for all they have done to get our technology, old and new, up and running for the new school year.
On a final note, thank you to our friends at Pueblo Community College-Fremont Campus for all the work they did organizing the community wide 9-11 observance ceremony that took place last Friday. This was a great opportunity to teach our children about the significance of that day’s events, and all of us were given the opportunity to show our deep appreciation for our community’s first responders, as we grew in our understanding of the dangers they face each day.
The Focus of our Work
This week we welcomed three new classified staff members to our technology department. They are Nadav Yehuda, Chase Welchlen, and Rachel Arsenault. These folks were hired to replace long time technician Roger Tuttle, who retired this past summer. Funding saved as a result of Roger’s retirement, as well as our being able to enter into a new district copier contract at a much reduced rate, helped to fund these hires. Doing so was also the result of a decision made during spring negotiations, ensuring building level technology teachers are able to focus on teaching children as opposed to maintaining equipment.
Nadav, Chase, and Rachel will be the first line of communication in supporting technology in their assigned buildings. Meanwhile Hunter Dean-Moore has taken over as the new IT Coordinator and will supervise these new staff members. He will also be responsible for managing and maintaining our higher level technology systems including servers, network switches, phone systems, and wireless access points. He will be in direct contact with the 3 Technology Specialists and will work closely with them on day to day tech needs and higher level technical issues.
At 5 P. M. Monday evening, September 12th, at the district office, the CCSD administrative team will present to the board of education more detailed information on future options for facilities. Among the options will be a cost analysis for tearing down some old facilities on the CCMS campus and making all health and safety upgrades needed in all other district buildings; a second cost analysis for the previously mentioned items plus a brand new Washington Elementary School building; and tearing down Washington and shifting students to create a large elementary school on the Harrison campus and a large middle school on the CCMS campus. This option will include costs to upgrade CCMS campus to handle approximately 800 middle school students, as well as an option to build a brand new middle school on the same site. We encourage all interested community members to attend this meeting to learn more about these facilities options.
Nadav, Chase, and Rachel will be the first line of communication in supporting technology in their assigned buildings. Meanwhile Hunter Dean-Moore has taken over as the new IT Coordinator and will supervise these new staff members. He will also be responsible for managing and maintaining our higher level technology systems including servers, network switches, phone systems, and wireless access points. He will be in direct contact with the 3 Technology Specialists and will work closely with them on day to day tech needs and higher level technical issues.
At 5 P. M. Monday evening, September 12th, at the district office, the CCSD administrative team will present to the board of education more detailed information on future options for facilities. Among the options will be a cost analysis for tearing down some old facilities on the CCMS campus and making all health and safety upgrades needed in all other district buildings; a second cost analysis for the previously mentioned items plus a brand new Washington Elementary School building; and tearing down Washington and shifting students to create a large elementary school on the Harrison campus and a large middle school on the CCMS campus. This option will include costs to upgrade CCMS campus to handle approximately 800 middle school students, as well as an option to build a brand new middle school on the same site. We encourage all interested community members to attend this meeting to learn more about these facilities options.
Last Week
I began last week on Morning Line at KRLN Radio first thing Tuesday morning, then I attended SAC and leadership team meetings. On Tuesday I also planned our next building leader PLC session with literacy coordinator Gina Gallegos and director of instruction Adam Hartman, and worked on creating a literacy coach evaluation process with Gina Gallegos. Finally, I headed over to watch the varsity volleyball match at the Tiger Dome. On Wednesday we had a central office staff meeting, and I held monthly meetings with our operations staff and our director of special services Lynnette Steinhoff. On Thursday I attended an Early Childhood Leadership Commission meeting in Denver. On Friday I began my day at Citizen's Stadium participating in our community 9-11 event, and ended my it at the same venue watching the varsity football team play its first home game of the season, pulling out a victory in the final seconds!
This Week
CCHS principal Bill Summers addresses the audience at the community 9-11 observance
On Monday I will hold an evaluation meeting with one of our directors, observe classroom instruction with Adam Hartman, and spend time with operations manager Jeff Peterson preparing for our board of education presentation on facilities options. Then I will attend a board work session and board meeting. On Tuesday I’ll sit in on our monthly meeting with the CCPD, hold a SAC meeting, meet with classified and certified association leaders, and look in on a teacher induction session. We have a delayed start staff development day on Wednesday, so I will observe some of this work around the district, hold another director evaluation meeting, and attend our regional health and wellness advisory council meeting. On Thursday I’ll meet with some teachers at Harrison K-8 about use of our new Journeys reading resources, I’ll meet with Fremont County DHS director Steve Clifton, and present information about our school district at the regional leadership academy. On Friday I’ll meet with regional superintendents about legislative advocacy efforts for the next lawmaking session.
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
Thanks for listening once again!
George S. Welsh