Center of Focus

May 11th, 2025

Focus on the Fabulous 

We had another productive and celebratory week at Center Schools!

Monday was Cinco de Mayo, and our preschool teachers planned fun, educational, and cultural activities for our youngest Vikings. The students got creative with projects like making papier-mâché piñatas, and both staff and students dressed in festive, culturally appropriate outfits. The day was filled with joy and engaging activities celebrating culture and creativity.

That evening, we held our Annual Athletic Awards Banquet to recognize the impressive accomplishments of our student-athletes. Coaches highlighted students who demonstrated growth, teamwork, and standout achievements throughout the season. A special highlight of the night was honoring Viking alumni - The Three D’s: Dennis Schoenfelder, Dave Furukawa, and Dale Beiriger. These longtime contributors to Center Schools were recognized with a tremendous honor: the naming of our new Viking track after them, in appreciation of their many years of dedication to our students and district.

We also announced this year’s Center Hall of Fame inductees: Phillip Martinez and Lloyd Garcia. Phillip was a multi-sport Viking athlete, and Lloyd was a legendary baseball coach. Both have excelled on and off the field, and their character, work ethic, and accomplishments are a source of pride for our Viking community. Congratulations to both!

Tuesday evening featured Senior Appreciation Night, during which our graduating seniors shared heartfelt and creative videos. Later that night, we hosted the CHS Academic Awards Ceremony, during which students were honored for their academic excellence, commitment, and hard work throughout the year. Several community organizations presented scholarships and awards. Congratulations to Ivan Guaderrama and Leilani DeSoto for being named Outstanding Boy and Girl!

We are grateful to the following organizations for their generous support and recognition of our students:  Adams State University, Trinidad State College, The Kiwanis Club, The McCormick Family, The Skeff Family, Center Education Association, The Will Weatherford Scholarship Foundation, and the Steve Martinez Scholarship Foundation. 

And a special thanks to Ms. Alfson and Ms. Banning for coordinating the evening and making it extra special for students and families!

Thursday evening marked another celebration: the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony, hosted by Mrs. Neufeld and current NHS members. Being inducted into the NHS is a prestigious honor that recognizes students for their scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Congratulations to our new inductees! Seniors were also recognized for their contributions to the organization and school community. NHS continues to develop well-rounded student leaders who make a positive impact.

Celebrating Excellence at Center Schools

Tuesday, May 6th, was National Nurses Day, and we are incredibly fortunate to have three amazing professionals on staff who make up our outstanding nursing team: Wendy Murillo, Taylor Hacsi, and Randi Asbell. Their dedication, compassion, and commitment to our students' health and well-being do not go unnoticed.  Thank you for all that you do!

Wednesday night was another evening of celebration, as we held our Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Pinning Ceremony. Congratulations to all the students who achieved the milestone of becoming certified nursing assistants! This opportunity was made possible thanks to the vision and hard work of our district nurse, Wendy Murillo, who helped build this pathway for our students. We are so proud of our newly pinned CNAs and excited about the bright futures ahead of them.

In addition to these celebrations, our district received statewide recognition for our commitment to student health. All three of our schools, Haskin Elementary, Skoglund Middle School, and Center High School, were awarded the highest possible designation as Asthma-Friendly Schools. This recognition is a direct result of Wendy’s continued advocacy and work to ensure our schools meet high standards for health and safety. Congratulations, and thank you again, Wendy!

Also on Wednesday evening, Center Schools was well represented at the San Luis Valley Educator of the Year Banquet in Monte Vista. We were proud to celebrate two remarkable team members:  Misty Lambert, nominated for Support Staff of the Year, and Laurice Butler, nominated for Educator of the Year.

These outstanding individuals embody what Center Schools stands for, a commitment to students, a tireless work ethic, and a deep passion for education. Misty and Laurice show up daily ready to support, lead, and make a difference. We are blessed to have such high-caliber professionals on our team, and we thank them for their powerful impact on our district and community.

District Ownership Plan at Work

Priority #1 – Curriculum and Instruction

Goal: CCSD staff lead rigorous, engaging, collaborative learning experiences that align with CCSD Instructional Expectations in every classroom.

This past week, we celebrated the heart of Center Schools, our amazing teachers, during Teacher Appreciation Week. A huge thank you to our wonderful principals who organized special activities and treats each day to show appreciation for all our teachers do.

We know that the single most crucial factor in a student’s success is having a high-quality, effective teacher in the classroom, and we are proud to have some of the very best here in Center. Our teachers go above and beyond daily to make learning engaging, meaningful, and challenging, even as the school year begins to wind down.

A few examples of the creativity and dedication we witnessed this week:

In Mrs. Pepper’s 4th-grade class, students participated in a high-energy, hands-on learning activity called "Escape Emoji Island." This culminating math challenge required students to apply the skills they’ve learned all year to “escape” the island. The competition was fierce, and several students triumphed in their quest!

Mrs. Quintana’s 2nd-grade class celebrated Glow Day, a fun and memorable way to reinforce learning while enjoying a glowing classroom filled with black lights, neon colors, and excitement. Activities were designed to engage students in meaningful learning while having fun in a unique setting.

Thank you again to our teachers for your unwavering dedication, creativity, and commitment to our students. You are truly making a difference, and we are grateful to each of you!

Priority #2 – Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR)

Goal: CCSD develops hard-working learners who are contributors, problem solvers, effective communicators, and empowered to thrive in today’s world.

On Monday, CHS junior students showcased their hard work and learning by presenting their Capstone Projects to their peers. These comprehensive assignments are designed to help students develop real-world problem-solving skills, apply critical thinking, and explore topics that matter to them. It was impressive to see the depth of thought, creativity, and effort our juniors put into their projects.

Also on Monday, CHS students participated in a Course Fair, organized by Mrs. Neufeld, CHS Principal. This event allowed students to explore various course offerings, ask questions, and make informed decisions about their academic pathways. By aligning course selections with their interests, strengths, and future goals, students set the stage for high school success and beyond.

These experiences are a great example of how Center High School is committed to empowering students to take ownership of their learning and prepare for life after graduation.

Priority #3 – Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

Goal: Maintain high expectations for student learning and behavior, with structures in place to support all students’ academic and behavioral needs.

Last week, our secondary students had the exciting opportunity to attend a Colorado Rockies game, and this week it was Haskin students' turn to enjoy the experience!  Congratulations to all the students who earned this reward by working hard all year, making positive choices, and consistently demonstrating the values of our Viking Graduate Profile and Habits of Character — Patience, Respect, Integrity, Effort, Compassion and Kindness, and Responsibility.

We see your efforts, and we are proud of you!  Way to be #VikingStrong — you make us #VikingProud!

Priority #4 – Recruitment and Retention (R&R)

Goal: Recruit, train, and retain highly qualified teachers—effective educators are the most important school-based factor in student success.

We’re making significant progress in staffing for the upcoming school year - all of our district-level and secondary positions are now filled! This is a huge step forward as we build strong teams across the district.

We’re still looking to hire more licensed elementary teachers to help us keep class sizes small. Smaller class sizes allow us to deliver targeted, intentional, and high-quality instruction to each student, a key priority in our commitment to excellence.  With the highest teacher salary in the San Luis Valley, Center Schools is a great place to grow your career and make a meaningful impact.  Help us spread the word- share this opportunity with friends, family, and colleagues who are passionate about teaching and student success!

Fast Forward

Calendar Dates- We are getting into all the activities and events associated with the end of the year.  Make sure to get these dates on your calendar! 

Monday, May 12th- Nurse Appreciation Week, ASIST Safe Talk Training, End of Year Band Concert- 6:30- 7:30 pm- Aux Gym

Tuesday, May 13th- CDE Superintendent CDE Commissioner Update, HS Day Awards- 8-10 am- Auditorium, District Accountability, Regular BOE Meeting

Wednesday, May 14th- Senior Walk-11:15 am, Senior Exit Interviews- 9-11 am, Superintendent PLC, IEP Meeting, District Ownership Team Meeting, NJHS Induction

Thursday, May 15th- Final Capstone Presentations, 5th Grade Continuation-1:30-3:00 pm- Auditorium, Author Art Show- 5-7 pm

Friday, May 16th- Colorado School Finance Project Meeting

Tuesday, May 20th- Kindergarten Graduation

Wednesday, May 21st- MS Awards- 8-10 am, 8th Grade Continuation- 7:00 pm

Thursday, May 22nd- Preschool Graduation @6:00 pm- Auditorium- Haskin Field Day, CHS Graduation Practice

Saturday, May 24th - CHS Graduation- 10 am- Main Gym

Saturday, June 7th- ARC Graduation