Center of Focus

January 13th, 2025

Focus on the Fabulous

Our Preschool program received high praise from Gary Bruder, Regional Environmental Health Program Manager, after earning a perfect score on its annual inspection report. This is the only perfect score awarded in the entire valley over the past four years, a testament to the outstanding leadership of Janet Sanchez and the dedication of our preschool staff. Mr. Bruder commended their exceptional work in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our young Vikings. We are incredibly proud of Janet and her team for this remarkable achievement, recognized by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Way to go, Preschool team!

Focus on Our Fabulous Athletes

Our Viking athletes had another stellar weekend of competitions! At the Pagosa tournament, our wrestlers achieved an impressive 5th-place team finish, with several standout performances:

• Michael Archuleta: 2nd place at 113 lbs.

• Nic Palma: 4th place at 120 lbs.

• Matthew Archuleta: 5th place at 126 lbs.

• Aaron Valadez: 2nd place at 157 lbs.

• Andre Meraz and Martin Palma: 1st place champions.

Congratulations to all our wrestlers for their hard work and dedication!

Both our basketball teams had decisive victories against South Park. The boys won with a score of 61 to 13, and the girls’ team won by 10 points with a final score of 31-21.

Our winter sports teams are having great starts to their seasons!  Let’s keep the momentum going. 

Celebrating Our Dedicated School Board Members

January is School Board Recognition Month, and the Center Consolidated School District is proud to honor the exceptional dedication and leadership of our school board. Their hard work and commitment are key to ensuring we provide the best education possible for our students.

Last week, we highlighted some of our district’s accomplishments over the past year. These successes would not have been possible without our school board's unwavering support and guidance. We are fortunate to have a strong, dedicated team driving our district’s mission forward. Let’s take a moment to recognize each of our outstanding board members:

Kim Duran – Board President- District C

Kim has been a cornerstone of the Center School Board for many years. Initially elected in 2003, she stepped down to serve as the head coach for Center High School Cheerleading, a role she embraced passionately. Kim returned to the board in 2019 and was re-elected in November 2023. A proud 1986 graduate of Center High School, Kim is married to Victor Duran and has three children: Phillip Martinez, Amanda, and Kristina. A community leader and business owner, Kim’s greatest hope is to ensure the district has the staff and tools needed to provide each student with an exceptional education.

Misty Montoya-Palacios – Vice President- District B

Misty joined the board in 2015 and is currently serving her final four-year term after re-elections in 2017 and 2021. A Valley native and 2005 Academic Recovery Center graduate, she earned her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Trinidad State Junior College in 2011 and works as a Registered Nurse at SLV Health Physician Services. Misty is dedicated to maintaining educational excellence and improving academic performance to prepare students for successful futures.

Lloyd Garcia – Secretary/Treasurer- Member-at-Large

A Valley native and lifelong educator, Lloyd taught at Center Schools for 36 years, impacting countless lives as a teacher and coach. Recognized by the Adams State Educators Hall of Fame and the Colorado Dugout Hall of Fame, he is passionate about fairness and opportunity for all students. Lloyd was re-elected to a second term in November 2023. He hopes to ensure every child is respected, supported, and given the tools to succeed.

Lyn Bogle – Board Director- District A

Lyn has served on the board since 2015 and is in his final term, re-elected in 2021. Originally from Hereford, Texas, Lyn attended Texas Tech University and later settled in Center in 1970. A farmer and entrepreneur, he owns Rocky Mountain Memorabilia and Swift Self Storages. Lyn is also an auctioneer for small estates and charities. His vision is to foster strong communication among parents, staff, students, and the board, ensuring every student receives the education they need to achieve their dreams.

Miguel Rios – Board Director- Member-at-Large

The board's newest member, Miguel, is deeply connected to the community. Growing up in San Luis, Colorado, he later earned his G.E.D. and understands the transformative power of education. Married to Elaine since 1990, Miguel is a proud father of three children, all Center Schools graduates. As a board member, Miguel is committed to fostering an environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. He champions initiatives that address student needs, promote success, and strengthen community partnerships.

Thank you to our school board for their incredible dedication and service. Together, we strive for excellence and opportunity for all students in Center Schools.

District Ownership Plan at Work

The District Ownership Team (DOT) has established long and short-term goals for each of our improvement strategies. 

Priority #1- Curriculum and Instruction:  CCSD staff lead rigorous, engaging, collaborative learning experiences in every classroom that are aligned with CCSD Instructional Expectations

We began the second semester with an impactful professional development day at Adams State University, centered on the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. The sessions, led by Advanced Learning Partnerships, explored how AI shapes the future. They emphasized strategies for utilizing this technology ethically and effectively to enhance student learning and the broader educational experience.

Our district is committed to staying at the forefront of educational innovation, ensuring our staff is equipped with the latest best practices, resources, and training needed to excel in their roles. This professional development opportunity reflects our dedication to preparing both our educators and students for success in today’s world.

Priority #2 Post-Secondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR):  CCSD seeks to develop hard-working learners that are contributors, problem solvers, effective communicators, future-ready, and empowered with the skills necessary to meet and handle the challenges they will face in today’s world.

Priority #3- Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS):  CCSD will maintain high expectations for student learning and behavior.  Structures are in place to support academic and behavioral needs of all students. 

As part of our district’s behavior management plan, we emphasize rewarding positive student behaviors through Viking Bucks, a key element of our Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) system. This district-wide framework fosters safe and effective learning environments for all students while reinforcing positive behaviors aligned with district expectations.

To ensure consistent implementation, we’ve set specific goals for staff:

• Elementary: Staff aim to award 50 points daily (200 points per week).

• Secondary: Staff strive for 100 points daily (400 points per week).

Jazmynn Valadez and Mike Martinez lead the tracking and oversight of Viking Bucks, ensuring the program runs smoothly.

A special shoutout to our secondary staff, who excelled in meeting their goals during the first semester! Alvaro Cardoza led the way at the middle school by awarding the most Viking Bucks, with Trish Rue close behind. Mike Martinez demonstrated leadership at the high school, awarding the most Viking Bucks, while Adele Alfson also achieved district expectations.

We’re proud of all the staff members who made it onto the Viking Buck Staff Leadership Board by recognizing and rewarding students for their positive behaviors. Your efforts are critical in creating a supportive and encouraging environment for our students.

Great job, team—keep up the fantastic work!

Priority #4- Recruitment and Retention: 

CCSD is committed to attracting the best and brightest to teach our students.  Our goal is to recruit, train, and retain highly qualified teachers.  Effective educators are the single most important school-based factor in determining student success. 

Fast Forward

Check out upcoming events at Center Schools!

Calendar Dates

Monday, January 13th – Recruitment and Retention Team Meeting, ACCESS Testing begins this week

Tuesday, January 14th- ACCESS Testing, CDE Monthly Superintendent Call- CDE update, Superintendents’ Advisory Council, SLV Career- Connected All Partners Meeting, District Accountability, Board Meet and Greet, Board Work Session- Audit Review, Regular BOE Meeting

Wednesday, January 15th- Rural Alliance Advocacy Call, Opportunity Coalition 2025 Kick-Off Call, Admin. Team Meeting, District Ownership Team Meeting

Thursday, January 16th- Mid-Year Evaluation, Weekly Construction Meeting- Spencer Architects

Friday, January 17th- Staff PD, CHS Basketball @ Trinidad

Saturday, January 11th- CHS Wrestling @ North Fork, CHS Basketball vs. South Park