Center of Focus

November 2^nd, 2025 

Focus on the Fabulous

Welcome to November!  Center Vikings wrapped up October with a flurry of fabulous fall activities!

Our halls were filled with creativity as staff and students participated in the festive Halloween Door Decorating Contest. Congratulations to our winners!

FSCP Office- Dalia, Sharon, and Brisa- Best Halloween Door

The Art Room-Mrs. Soden- Scariest Door

Mrs. Cantello’s Class- Cutest Door

Ms. Hernandez’s Class- Most Unique Door

Mrs. Stilly’s Class- Most Fall Door

We appreciate everybody participating in the fun competition that brightened our hallways!

Halloween spirit filled our classrooms as well. Mrs. Villagomez’s Kindergarten class participated in an educational and cultural lesson celebrating Día de los Muertos. Partnering with Mrs. Maldonado’s class, students painted colorful skulls to highlight the beauty, meaning, and traditions of this cultural celebration.

Our district is committed to recognizing and honoring diversity, and this was a wonderful way to celebrate and learn together.

The week concluded with the always-popular Haskin Halloween Parade! Our students and families went all out with creative, imaginative costumes that brought smiles all around. It’s always a good time to see our community come together for this fun annual tradition. 

A shout-out to Mr. Noriega, who is always willing to pitch in and help. He stepped up and helped with the middle school boys' basketball team while the hiring process was being wrapped up. Mr. Noriega already carries a heavy load, being the elementary, middle, and high school band teacher. Nevertheless, he is always willing to help when needed. He is known as the Voice of Center, thanks to his superb announcing talents. He also fills in the many coaching roles. He exemplifies what it means to be part of the Viking Family, and we appreciate his willingness to lend a helping hand. We are lucky to have you, Mr. Noriega. You deserve a hip-hip-hooray!

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.

This past week, Mrs. Bishop’s high school language students participated in Socratic Seminars, engaging in thoughtful conversations around the book they are currently reading. The text explores real-world themes and experiences that resonate with our students and can create meaningful connections to their own lives.

These student-led discussions encouraged participants to think critically, listen actively, and communicate effectively. Through this process, students practiced essential academic and life skills, listening, speaking, questioning, responding, and analyzing complex ideas, while engaging in authentic literacy.

Socratic Seminars are an important instructional strategy that foster higher-order thinking, promote respectful dialogue, and empower students to take ownership of their learning. Kudos to Mrs. Bishop for designing the structures and supports that allow her students to engage in these high-quality, inquiry-driven learning experiences.

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.

Mr. Sperandio’s Culinary Arts class recently hosted a Mac and Cheese Lab and Food Tasting Competition and it received rave reviews! Beyond creating delicious dishes, students are gaining valuable real-world skills that extend far beyond the kitchen. Through this hands-on course, they’re learning teamwork, time management, creativity, and problem-solving, which are all essential skills for success in any career path.

The Culinary Arts program is truly serving up opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and shine!

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

CCSD maintains high expectations for student learning and behavior, with structures in place to support the needs of all students.

Last week was Red Ribbon Week and our counseling team put together some fun activities and dress up days to reinforce our belief in a drug free community.  Everybody wore Red on Tuesday to honor red ribbon week. 

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and longest-running drug prevention campaign, dedicated to educating students and communities about making healthy, safe choices. It serves as an important reminder of the power of living drug-free and the impact that positive decision-making has on our future.  Thanks to the counseling team for reinforcing for our students that their choices matter and they have the strength to stand up for themselves!

Mrs. Villagomez continues to lead restorative justice efforts at the elementary level, focusing on building strong relationships and positive behavior. Students earn Viking Bucks from staff members for demonstrating good behavior, working hard, and modeling our Viking Habits of Character. This past week, Haskin Elementary students who had earned Viking Bucks were rewarded with a Glow Party celebration! It was a fun and engaging way to recognize and reinforce positive choices among our students. 

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

CCSD is committed to attracting, training, and retaining highly qualified teachers, knowing that effective educators are the single most important school-based factor in student success.

One of the goals of our Recruitment and Retention (R&R) Team is to promote our district, our staff, and public education in order to build a positive climate and culture! It’s essential that our community, and our nation, understand the importance of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all students. This is one of the many great things about living in our country.

Our Viking team continues to shine and gain recognition! From our talented Viking Honor Choir to the impactful work of our Counseling Team promoting healthy living and standing strong against bullying, our staff and students are making headlines for all the right reasons!

Fast Forward

Monday, Nov. 3^rd- Grant work, Health Wellness Meeting, Special Education Parent Night

Tuesday, Nov. 4^th- Election Day!  CDE Monthly Superintendent Meeting, ASVAB for Juniors, MS Boys’ Basketball @ Sanford

Wednesday, Nov. 5^th- CRSA Statewide Weekly Meeting, MS/HS Device Inspections, SLV Sups PLC

Thursday, Nov. 6^th- CHS Knowledge Bowl Meet, Weekly OAC Meeting, MS Boys’ Basketball vs. Sargent

Friday, Nov. 7^th- Professional Development- ALP Training