Center of Focus

April 6th, 2025

Focus on the Fabulous- Vikings in Action

It was another great week at Center Schools!  We are gearing up for the assessment season.  The state assessments are an essential part of our district work as we get the opportunity to demonstrate the hard work of our instructional staff and the learning that has taken place with our students throughout the year.  The state assessment measures students’ mastery of the academic standards and the complex thinking and critical skills students need to succeed in school and life.  The data from assessments are crucial in determining if educational goals are being met and if students are on track to graduate prepared for college and careers. As we prepare for the next few weeks of testing, we must support our students at home, in school, and the community.  One way to do that is by creating a supportive environment.  We can do this by encouraging healthy habits, including ensuring students get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and exercise regularly.  We can also help students view testing as a learning opportunity and be positive and supportive! 

Students in District Nurse Wendy Murillo’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Patient Care Technician (PCT) classes are getting trained and certified to provide real-world medical services.  These credentials offer rewarding paths to enter healthcare by providing direct patient care and making a tangible difference in people’s lives.  Our students are getting the opportunity to gain these credentials and have this experience as part of their high school career. 

Our CNA and PCT students helped at the Del Norte Health Fair this past week. They checked vitals and blood sugars. This is a great real-world experience for our students as they work to earn medical credentials that will help them in their post-secondary aspirations. 

District Ownership Plan at Work

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

Administrators have conducted 256 instructional observations this school year. The graphs list current percentages related to instructional expectations. 

Along with instructional observations, our Curriculum and Instruction teams, led by Kevin Hagan at the secondary level, and Ashley Lane, at the elementary level, have led peer observations, or HOPPS- Highlighting Our Peer Practices, which have given staff the opportunity to get into each other’s class rooms, observe, and provide feedback and support to their colleagues.  The goal is to foster a positive, collaborative learning environment by highlighting and sharing effective teaching practices among peers.  The elementary conducted HOPPS this past week, and the secondary team plans to conduct HOPPS later this month. 

In Ms. Archuleta's class, students learned about moths' camouflaging tactics as part of their survival skills. You have to look extra close to see where the moths are hidden throughout the classroom!

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.

Have I mentioned our Capstone Projects?  Well, once again this week, juniors were working hard to complete their projects. 

Seniors are nearing the end of their high school careers and getting ready to present during their exit interviews.  Dr. Ruggles sent out invites this past week.  If you have the opportunity to help in this process, it truly is a meaningful, amazing experience to see and hear our seniors present.  The interviews will take place on May 14th.  This is the culminating project of their Post-Secondary and Workforce Readiness and their Senior Seminar class that Dr. Ruggles teaches.  Senior Seminar is designed to prepare students for life after graduation by focusing on college, career, and personal development skills. It emphasizes practical knowledge and social-emotional growth rather than traditional academics.  Key areas of focus include life skills, college and career prep, financial literacy, civic responsibility, and professional skills.  This class helps students transition from high school to adulthood with confidence by offering real-world readiness.

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

Melissa Busolo posted our first round of discipline reports for staff to access this week. This is part of our effort to increase transparency, accountability, and follow-through in our discipline efforts. 

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 determining student success. 

Several interviews took place last week, and recommendations have been made for some of our open positions.  We will continue our recruitment efforts as we strive to fill each position with a highly qualified staff member.  Current openings:  Assistant Director to the Superintendent, Elementary Teachers, Secondary Social Studies, Special Education, and a paraprofessional. 

Fast Forward

Calendar Dates

Monday, April 7th- Head Start Meeting, MLT, Testify House Education Committee

Tuesday, April 8th- CMAS- Haskin – 3rd- 5th ELA, CMAS Skoglund- Math, Superintendents Advisory Council, CDE Monthly Superintendent Meeting with Commissioner, District Health Advisory Committee, District Accountability, Board Work Session, Regular Board Meeting, CHS Baseball vs. Rocky Ford

Wednesday, April 9th-  CMAS- Haskin 3rd-5th ELA and Math, CMAS Skoglund- ELA, Rural Alliance Advocacy, Opportunity Coalition, SLV IOG, Safety Meeting, SLV Superintendents PLC

Thursday, April 10th- CMAS- Haskin 3rd-5th Math, CMAS- Skoglund- ELA CWEL Spring Webinar, Center Weekly OAC Meeting

Friday, April 11th- Rural Superintendents Academy- Alum Convening, Skoglund MS Track @ Sangre

Saturday, April 12th- CHS Track @ Del Norte, CHS Baseball @ Monte Vista