Center of Focus

October 19^th, 2025

Focus on the Fabulous

Our Viking Honor Choir delivered a fantastic performance at Tuesday night’s regular Board meeting, opening with a fabulous rendition of the National Anthem. Their performance of this challenging piece was both impressive and heartfelt, earning admiration from the Board and the entire audience.

A big thank you goes out to Mr. Swanson for his dedication and extra efforts in reviving the Honor Choir. He shared that the group had been on hiatus since the pandemic, making this their first performance in six years. To be selected, students had to meet several prerequisites, including teacher recommendations and a successful audition before evaluators.

Mr. Swanson and his students are commended for their effort and enthusiasm in bringing the choir back to life. If this week’s performance is any indication, Center Schools can look forward to many inspiring and memorable performances from the Viking Honor Choir in the future.

Mrs. Stilly is once again making learning fun for everyone! Her class held a writing competition, where students wrote opinion pieces on what their class pumpkin should be painted as. 🎃

She invited us all to stop by and bring our classes to read their creative writings and cast our votes! Pink sticky notes were provided for us to place our favorite entries.

Mrs. Stilly found a fantastic way to get students and staff actively engaged in fun, meaningful learning! We can't wait to see what the class pumpkin looks like!

District Ownership Plan at Work

Priority #1 – Curriculum and Instruction

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

It was great to visit several elementary classrooms this past week, and I’m always thrilled to see teachers actively engaged in teaching when I walk in. From Mrs. Quintana’s math review to Mr. McGill’s history lesson and Mrs. Rounds’ PWR activities, students were focused, participating, and learning, even on the last day of the quarter! I also saw many students working hard to finish up lessons and turn in assignments so they could wrap up the first quarter on a strong note.

One of the highlights of the week was in Mrs. Magness’ CLD class, where kindergarten students were sounding out letters, blending sounds, and putting words together!

Mrs. Magness shared her appreciation for our preschool teachers and the strong foundation they’ve helped build.  Our youngest Vikings are well on their way to becoming confident readers!  Great work Viking team!

Priority #2 – Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR)

CCSD develops hardworking learners who are contributors, problem solvers, effective communicators, and future-ready with the skills needed to succeed.

Our FFA Officers are in Washington, D.C., advocating for Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Funding, an incredible real-world opportunity for our students to make a meaningful difference in public school funding!

President Hayley Lozano, Vice President Elijah Garcia, and Secretary Vanessa Lopez are taking proactive steps to support the reauthorization of SRS funds in the U.S. House of Representatives. During the trip, they will meet with national leaders to share the positive impact SRS funding has had on our district and the students we serve.

As the only school in Colorado selected to represent the state in this initiative, we are deeply honored to have our district and students leading this critical advocacy effort. Rather than relying on local tax increases or bonds, our district is taking bold, forward-thinking steps to secure federal support that sustains our schools and expands opportunities for students.

This trip came at no cost to the district. FFA leaders recognized the strength and leadership within Center Schools and invited our district to represent Colorado in promoting this vital cause.

We are incredibly proud of our student leaders for their professionalism, passion, and commitment to serving their community, and for showing what it means to be a Center Viking on a national stage.

Fast Forward

Monday, Oct. 20^th- Operation Wise Owl- Washington, DC- Advocating for Secure Rural Schools Funding!!! Meeting with Speaker of the House Office; Midterm Grades Due

Tuesday, Oct. 21^st- Meeting with Congressman Neguse- SRS Funding, CHS V-ball vs. Olathe

Wednesday, Oct. 22^nd- CRSA Statewide Weekly Meeting, SLV Superintendents PLC, Students Released at 2:00 PM- PTC/Home Visits- 4:00- 7:30 pm

Thursday, Oct. 23^rd- AI PD Planning Meeting, Students released at 2:00 pm, Harvest Party- Parent Teacher Conferences- 4:00- 7:30 pm

Friday, Oct. 24^th- Conversation on Government Shutdown- Senator Hickenlooper

Saturday, Oct. 25^th- JV Volleyball Tourney @ Sargent, X-Country Regional Meet @ Ignacio, CHS Football @ Trinidad