Teachers and students receive recognition for projects

CENTER — In her weekly update, Center Consolidated Schools Superintendent Carrie Zimmerman outlined some of the progress and events in the school district.

“Congratulations to Lupita Ortega, our district librarian, who received an American Rescue Plan Grant specific to library sciences. The $6,000 grant was awarded in October and Lu is making plans on how best to use those funds to benefit our students and the library. Grant funds have been provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Colorado State Library to help communities respond to the pandemic as well as to related economic and community needs through equitable approaches in digital inclusion and library services,” Zimmerman stated.

On Friday, Nov. 12, a vaccination clinic was held by Saguache County Public Health, with COVID-19 vaccines given to 136 people, including 53 children under the age of 12.

Center Schools also have a new nurse added to the nursing team for the district, Tiffany Smith.

According to Zimmerman, “She is coming on board as part of our COVID relief efforts and will be helping with testing, contact tracing, and providing health support for our after-school programs.”

Two teachers were recognized at the Center Schools November board meeting — Tayler Kriss, Skoglund Middle School Science teacher, and Alex Magness a fifth-grade teacher at Haskin Elementary. Both teachers were recognized for their outstanding work in engaging their respective classrooms students, including an example of student-led learning, where three fifth-grade students held a presentation on various student projects and the fifth-grade yearbook project.

“The students prepared the presentation on their own and shared out about the student-led projects that they are working on in their classroom, including a fifth-grade yearbook project. Students that presented were Eymy Bustillos, Landry Neufeld, and Elliot Cardoza,” according to Zimmerman.

The paraprofessionals and students in the schools have also been working on decorating the school to make it feel more inviting.