Viking Cheers!! Focus on the Fabulous!!
We have several things to celebrate at the middle school this week. First of all, I would like to recognize Katrina Ruggles for spearheading the effort, with the support of the Health Advisory Committee, to secure funds for the middle/high from the Colorado Coalition for Healthy Schools. This grant will allow us to continue our commitment in providing our students with a comprehensive education that fosters healthy behaviors. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the efforts that will continue to enable Skoglund Middle School and Center High School to strive for excellence in providing our students with a safe, healthy school that supports learning and prepares students to be successful in life.
I would also like to acknowledge Shirley Atencio and Carolyn Ruybal and the work they have done as 6th grade class sponsors. Carolyn and Shirley worked this past week to help the kids get organized and prepared to present to the Board last Tuesday evening. The sixth grade representatives did a nice job presenting to the school board and discussed their goals and accomplishments in regards to fund raising and the new responsibilities they have encountered at the middle school. They also discussed their plans for the end of the year trip to the Sand Dunes. The class was represented by Armando Ruiz, Alexis Sanchez-Duran, Hannah Montoya, Daisy Rascon, and Cristian Guaderrama.
I would also like to acknowledge Shirley Atencio and Carolyn Ruybal and the work they have done as 6th grade class sponsors. Carolyn and Shirley worked this past week to help the kids get organized and prepared to present to the Board last Tuesday evening. The sixth grade representatives did a nice job presenting to the school board and discussed their goals and accomplishments in regards to fund raising and the new responsibilities they have encountered at the middle school. They also discussed their plans for the end of the year trip to the Sand Dunes. The class was represented by Armando Ruiz, Alexis Sanchez-Duran, Hannah Montoya, Daisy Rascon, and Cristian Guaderrama.
Skoglund MS Science Fair
The middle school Science Fair was held on Friday in our school library. Lisa Renner, the middle school Science Fair Coordinator, with the help of Daniel Newmyer, did a great job of getting everything in order for the kids to compete on Friday. Lisa set up Friday morning and the judging began that afternoon. Mr. Newmyer’s Scientific Research class and the AmeriCorp volunteers judged the individual projects and conducted student interviews. The Explore teachers have been invaluable throughout the year with the various projects they’ve been assigned and I appreciate their flexibility and commitment to the kids. Lauren McEvoy, Dennis Schoenfelder, Lisa Renner, and Sid Ham have worked hard in their 7th period classes to help kids prepare for both Science and History Fairs this year. It’s been a learning experience for everybody involved, but we’ve had success and these opportunities give kids experiences that will help them to achieve at high levels.
Rewind
Monday morning I met for a coffee talk with Bruce Caughey and other Valley administrators to discuss the needs of rural education. That evening I attended the monthly BOE meeting. I kept busy with RTI, expulsion and parent meetings each day last week. We work hard to keep the lines of communication open with parents and families and this is evidenced by the number of meetings we have each week to address the needs of our students. I was also able to get into a number of classrooms throughout the week. Wednesday started early with our Building Leadership Team meeting. At lunch time I attended the Health Advisory meeting in our building. I also spent time on Wednesday working on the Ticket to Reading Rewards program and merit races. Students have started to get fired up about the reading program, especially the seventh graders. We will be recognizing our readers this week at our ICAP assembly. Thursday afternoon I met with Lori Cooper and our LA teachers to review benchmark data from our quarterly assessments and writing exams. This information was very valuable and will help us to adjust instruction to ensure we are focusing our efforts as effectively as possible. This is another example of how we are fulfilling our core beliefs and using results from quality assessment to lead to high student achievement. After this meeting, I continued to look at our NWEA data to identify students to target that were on the verge of moving out of one CSAP category into another, based on NWEA predictions. Using that information we made plans to provide those students with more intensive instruction in the coming weeks because our purpose is to increase student academic achievement. Friday I worked with Gabe Futrell, the principal at Bell Metz Elementary, on preparing the agenda for the next Monte/Center Administrative PLC.
Forward Focus
Tuesday will start with a Bully Prevention workgroup first thing in the morning. I also have several IEPs scheduled throughout the day, and a SPARK training in Alamosa. Wednesday we will have ICAP activities in the morning for students. During the assembly, we will recognize the efforts of our middle school readers and have some special awards for students who are participating in the TTRR program. After students are released, we will have our monthly PLC with all staff. Thursday I will be facilitating the Monte/Center PLC. We will be focusing on engagement strategies and plan to get into some classrooms during the day. Friday I will be meeting with Mike Newman for our monthly meeting on Mi Animo.
I hope you all enjoyed time with your family over the long weekend! Thanks for reading and here's to a great week!
I hope you all enjoyed time with your family over the long weekend! Thanks for reading and here's to a great week!