(Adapted from Center Schools Superintendent Carrie Zimmerman’s “Focus on the Fabulous”)

CENTER— In her first column since June, Center Schools Superintendent Carrie Zimmerman reports this brand-new school year is going to be a great one.  
Center staff came back together last week for the all staff welcome back and on Wednesday the school held the new teacher orientation. “We have a great team to start off the year!” Zimmerman commented. As a district, staff reviewed core beliefs and the District Action Plan, both of which will guide their efforts for the year.  
Elementary and secondary teachers broke into two groups to review Teacher Quality Standards and mandatory reporting requirements. Teachers then had the opportunity to attend different breakout sessions related to areas of interest.  
Monday, Aug. 12 will be the first day of school for elementary and sixth grade students and the first day of Jumpstart for high school students. Sixth-grade orientation will be held on Monday night at 6 p.m. in the commons area. Seventh and eighth graders will be starting school on Tuesday, Aug. 13.  
Flashback
Even though students were on summer break, many committed staff members took part in additional trainings and professional development opportunities throughout the summer. “Center Schools staff is committed to excellence in all they do, every day,” Zimmerman said. “This commitment carried over into the summer, and we had staff participate in co-teaching professional development, balanced literacy instruction, Kagan training and Eureka math training.”  
The school’s administration team attended the Colorado Association of School Executives conference the last week in July. The focus of this conference was on Leadership Elevated. It was also the 50th anniversary of the CASE organization. This is one of the largest professional development events of the year and gives the Center School’s team time to network with colleagues across the state, participate in critical learning, and share best practices.  
There were some great keynote speakers, including former Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers. Rivers took administrators inside the NFL locker room and onto the football field to reveal lessons that show that leadership is much more about influence and relationship-building than it is about authority. It was a great way to get a kick start for the beginning of the school year.
The following week the MTSS Leadership Team attended another training in Grand Junction. This was the Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Summit. This was a great couple of days of planning together as an MLT team to fulfill district initiatives related to providing supports for students at all levels.  
The beginning of the year registration and annual CHAMP program was held Aug. 5. Elementary students enrolled in the morning and secondary students came in the afternoon.  Students and families had the chance to get physical exams, screenings, learn about the different programs and supports offered throughout the district, get signed up for activities and clubs,and pick up their laptops. It was a successful event. Thanks to district nurse Wendy Murillo for getting things organized for all of this to happen.
The Center Viking Class of 1969 visited the school campus for their 50th high school reunion.  Thanks to Rich Brandt for giving them the grand tour of the beautiful school building. It sounds like the 69’ers had a great time between Hooper and Center
Middle-school math teacher Linda Donaldson has received yet another award. Donaldson was recognized by the Colorado Council for Teaching Mathematics for the Leadership in Mathematics Award. She was recognized for her outstanding contribution to mathematics and improving learning and teaching. “Linda is an outstanding teacher and we are fortunate to have her educating our kids. They deserve the best and she is one of them,” Zimmerman said.
Thanks go out to the lovely ladies at the Methodist Church for making the administration team’s first day back so special. “This is a longstanding tradition and we appreciate their support for our students and our staff,” Zimmerman commended the ladies’ group. “They treated all of the Center School staff to a lovely homemade lunch and we truly appreciate their support and well wishes for the year.”