Echoes from Cañon
Our Mission and Core Beliefs
The Cañon City School District is future-focused, providing innovative educational opportunities to successfully prepare all students to meet any challenge they may face.
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.
The Cañon City School District is future-focused, providing innovative educational opportunities to successfully prepare all students to meet any challenge they may face.
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
Superintendent Designee Adam Hartman explains our focus on traits and skills.
In support of our first core belief, the Cañon City School District and Valleywide Health Services created a plan to provide dental services for students in need. This will be piloted at Lincoln School of Science and Technology and McKinley Elementary beginning around October 1st. We will soon be reaching out to families to gauge interest and are hopeful this pilot is successful this fall so we’ll be able to expand the program to other buildings in the new year.
On Thursday September 9th, Cañon City Schools hosted the Colorado Education Initiative governing board, offering an opportunity to present the results of work we have partnered with CEI to accomplish, as well as allowing them to use our facilities to conduct their quarterly meeting. During the first part of this day Superintendent Designee Adam Hartman shared with the CEI board the process we implemented to codify our vision, mission, core beliefs, and profile of a graduate. Cañon City High School Principal Bill Summers then presented how this work is being acted on in the form of capstone projects that measure student development of traits and skills, and the amazing internship and apprentice program we've established at CCHS with more than 140 community partners. In fact, the stars of the presentation were our high school students who shared testimonials about thier internship experiences. While on site, the CEI Board enjoyed a meal made by our Culinary Arts students, and we even got to take them on a tour of the vocational wing of Cañon City High School.
On Thursday September 9th, Cañon City Schools hosted the Colorado Education Initiative governing board, offering an opportunity to present the results of work we have partnered with CEI to accomplish, as well as allowing them to use our facilities to conduct their quarterly meeting. During the first part of this day Superintendent Designee Adam Hartman shared with the CEI board the process we implemented to codify our vision, mission, core beliefs, and profile of a graduate. Cañon City High School Principal Bill Summers then presented how this work is being acted on in the form of capstone projects that measure student development of traits and skills, and the amazing internship and apprentice program we've established at CCHS with more than 140 community partners. In fact, the stars of the presentation were our high school students who shared testimonials about thier internship experiences. While on site, the CEI Board enjoyed a meal made by our Culinary Arts students, and we even got to take them on a tour of the vocational wing of Cañon City High School.
CCHS Principal Bill Summers explains how all the work CEI has supported fits together within the high school education program.
Our Future Focus
As a result of a COVID outbreak, last week Cañon City Middle School had to quickly pivot to virtual learning for three days. In doing so, we heard from one very appreciative parent.
“I just wanted to reach out and say what an incredible team of 6th grade teachers you have, including life skills and AE teachers as well! Being home while my child is online this week, I have gotten to hear lots of interactions. The teachers are infinitely patient, answering lots of questions, some of them over and over. It’s clear that they really care about students and that they have real compassion and understanding for the difficulties online learning creates. It’s been fun to hear a little bit of each of their passions for their chosen fields and how they communicate that to kids in their lessons. My daughter likes each of her teachers and feels cared about as well (and she is not easy to please. Kudos to this fabulous team! We are lucky to have them!"
I echo this sentiment. Thank you Falcon staff!
“I just wanted to reach out and say what an incredible team of 6th grade teachers you have, including life skills and AE teachers as well! Being home while my child is online this week, I have gotten to hear lots of interactions. The teachers are infinitely patient, answering lots of questions, some of them over and over. It’s clear that they really care about students and that they have real compassion and understanding for the difficulties online learning creates. It’s been fun to hear a little bit of each of their passions for their chosen fields and how they communicate that to kids in their lessons. My daughter likes each of her teachers and feels cared about as well (and she is not easy to please. Kudos to this fabulous team! We are lucky to have them!"
I echo this sentiment. Thank you Falcon staff!
Applying Our Traits and Skills
The MVCKS Intermediate Team!
I wish to echo a shout out Mountain View Core Knowledge School Director Karen Sartori offers recently to her intermediate grade level team. She says, "these folks are visible, contagious with positive energy and creative ideas, and they exhibit team cohesiveness, right down to the cute shirts they wear! It sounds to me like they are directly modeling most of our traits and skills for everyone. Thank you!
Finally, the Internal Revenue Service is reaching out to school districts to help spread the word about the Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021, which started July 15, 2021 and will end December 15, 2021. The main target is parents who haven’t claimed the credit for their children.
These payments are an advancement of the Child Tax Credit that would be claimed on the 2021 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Eligible families will receive a payment of up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 or older and under age 18.
The Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool assists those who don’t have a filing requirement. This tool will be available until October 15, 2021. The IRS has online publications that explain the Child Tax Credit, including Publication 5534-C An Overview of the 2021 Advance Child Tax Credit and Publication 5534-E Advance Payments of the Child Tax Credit Which Online Tool Should I Use. I encourage all our parents to explore their eligibility regarding this pandemic stimulus program.
Finally, the Internal Revenue Service is reaching out to school districts to help spread the word about the Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021, which started July 15, 2021 and will end December 15, 2021. The main target is parents who haven’t claimed the credit for their children.
These payments are an advancement of the Child Tax Credit that would be claimed on the 2021 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Eligible families will receive a payment of up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 or older and under age 18.
The Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool assists those who don’t have a filing requirement. This tool will be available until October 15, 2021. The IRS has online publications that explain the Child Tax Credit, including Publication 5534-C An Overview of the 2021 Advance Child Tax Credit and Publication 5534-E Advance Payments of the Child Tax Credit Which Online Tool Should I Use. I encourage all our parents to explore their eligibility regarding this pandemic stimulus program.
Looking Ahead
Bill Summers and Director of Operations Jeff Peterson discuss the use of Citizens' Stadium with city officials.
Last week Cañon City Schools staff met with Cañon City representatives to collaborate on a Cañon City 150 year celebration set to take place in early April 2022. We are excited to partner with local government to make this a tremendous event for all participants.
In the coming weeks we’ll hold a Board of Education meeting, Mr. Hartman and I will attend the Colorado School finance Project’s School Finance Conference and the annual Colorado Association of School Executives Superintendent Conference, I’ll engage in work being done by the Colorado Joint Interim Finance Committee, I’ll work on ESSER III application revisions, and I’ll engage in work related to the formation of our regional collaborative.
In the coming weeks we’ll hold a Board of Education meeting, Mr. Hartman and I will attend the Colorado School finance Project’s School Finance Conference and the annual Colorado Association of School Executives Superintendent Conference, I’ll engage in work being done by the Colorado Joint Interim Finance Committee, I’ll work on ESSER III application revisions, and I’ll engage in work related to the formation of our regional collaborative.
Other Voices
Mr. Hartman has been crafting his work around civility and fairness with eh help of some state level thought partners.
Superintendent Designee Adam Hartman has been hard at work creating a committee of stakeholders to help answer answer the question, “what does a great Cañon City School District look like?” He recently sent this email to all staff:
In recent weeks you've likely learned the district is looking to create a council of co-learners, thought partners, and key connectors in the work of preserving a safe learning environment for ALL of our students and staff. To guide this work, we are developing a Civility Council with the objectives of:
1.) LISTENING
2.) building our collective capacity to talk about bias
3.) analyzing student outcomes in our data as it pertains to diversity
4.) reviewing our institutional practices
5.) establishing uniform policy and practice around bullying, racism, intolerance, etc.
We recognize differences do exist, but are also simultaneously committed to providing a school experience where ALL children and staff want to attend and feel safe while doing so. We are committed to protecting an inclusive and diverse school environment.
In addition to staff, we’ll be inviting some students and community members to join us in this endeavor. That said, it will be a unique challenge to create a council that is reflective of diverse perspectives, and open to asking hard questions, yet small enough for all involved participants to truly be heard (we envision a group with roughly 20-25 total members). Given the challenge of pulling together such a group, and with a desire to give ALL STAFF an opportunity to potentially participate, I am asking that interested individuals send me a brief Letter of Interest via email by the end of this week. From there, I'll work hard to ensure that we have broad representation across the district and community.
In closing, please ask yourself the following questions:
1.) What does a GREAT Cañon City look like?
2.) What does a great Cañon City School District look like?
If you're someone who has an answer you'd like to share, please consider sending me a brief LOI, just outlining your background and why you're interested in being part of the work.
Sincerely,
Adam Hartman
Thank you, Adam, for opening up this community-wide conversation, and thank you all for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
In recent weeks you've likely learned the district is looking to create a council of co-learners, thought partners, and key connectors in the work of preserving a safe learning environment for ALL of our students and staff. To guide this work, we are developing a Civility Council with the objectives of:
1.) LISTENING
2.) building our collective capacity to talk about bias
3.) analyzing student outcomes in our data as it pertains to diversity
4.) reviewing our institutional practices
5.) establishing uniform policy and practice around bullying, racism, intolerance, etc.
We recognize differences do exist, but are also simultaneously committed to providing a school experience where ALL children and staff want to attend and feel safe while doing so. We are committed to protecting an inclusive and diverse school environment.
In addition to staff, we’ll be inviting some students and community members to join us in this endeavor. That said, it will be a unique challenge to create a council that is reflective of diverse perspectives, and open to asking hard questions, yet small enough for all involved participants to truly be heard (we envision a group with roughly 20-25 total members). Given the challenge of pulling together such a group, and with a desire to give ALL STAFF an opportunity to potentially participate, I am asking that interested individuals send me a brief Letter of Interest via email by the end of this week. From there, I'll work hard to ensure that we have broad representation across the district and community.
In closing, please ask yourself the following questions:
1.) What does a GREAT Cañon City look like?
2.) What does a great Cañon City School District look like?
If you're someone who has an answer you'd like to share, please consider sending me a brief LOI, just outlining your background and why you're interested in being part of the work.
Sincerely,
Adam Hartman
Thank you, Adam, for opening up this community-wide conversation, and thank you all for listening once again!
George S. Welsh
