Superintendent's Report

CSDB BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT October 2017

REPORTS FROM STUDENT PROGRAMS Education Departments Both Schools  Students completed the fall MAP testing, September 18-27.  Teachers have jumped into Professional Learning groups focused on literacy and numeracy and have established SMART goals specific to improved student outcomes, based upon student data.  Teachers are also participating in campus-wide Schoolwide Plan workgroups, focusing on identified objectives.

School for the Deaf  September 15, 3rd-8th grade teachers visited the Manitou Springs School District elementary and middle school classrooms. This visit provided us insights on how we can provide more interdisciplinary instruction.  Students in the 5th-8th grade Nature Club are going to Garden of the Gods on Fridays. Students are studying various types of plants and trees, as well as enjoying our beautiful Colorado outdoors.  Students in the Communication Technology class have completed their second Bulldog News video. In this video, each student presents information about a famous Deaf adult. This video is shown in recognition of Deaf Awareness month, which was celebrated in September.  All 9-12th grade students participated in a Deaf Awareness Day assembly, with two guest speakers, Walter VonFeldt and Karl Reddy. These gentlemen talked about work ethics and understanding the culture and language of the Deaf. In addition, the high school ASL class is creating videos related to Deaf culture and history. Our drama classes provided a presentation on famous actors/actresses.  The 9-12th technology class created advertisements for various products. They made posters and showcased them in the hall. Students and staff voted on the highest quality advertisement.  September 29, the 9th-12th grade high school students participated in the first Kindness Club meeting of the year. This club is facilitated by counselors, with students leading committees. The committees will focus on developing monthly events, posting information on the bulletin board, and facilitating a team-building activity.

School for the Blind  The elementary geography students are learning about Colorado geography and map-making, so they can participate in an in-class competition called “Map Masters.”  The secondary classes are learning about natural disasters and how they relate civics and geography. Students are discussing ways to help victims of tragedy and how to prepare for common emergencies in Colorado.  Two seniors are enrolled in an online Hadley Braille Music course, with the support of Julie Novak.  The Science classes are performing sheep dissections to study the respiratory system.  Our Friday Workshop Theme, for the months of September and October, is Orientation and Mobility. Students have participated in various activities to include a cardinal directions scavenger hunt, O&M bloopers, and obstacle courses under blindfolds or simulators.

Family-Centered Early Education Program (FCEE) School for the Deaf, Preschool - 2 nd Grade:  Students in Kindergarten – 2nd grade have been learning about weather. The hot topics for students have included hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires. Within this unit, students have also had discussions focused on the various types of clouds, weather patterns, the water cycle, why it rains/snows, and different types of storms. In the coming week, students will dive into topics such as blizzards, avalanches, hurricanes and sandstorms.  In the American Sign Language (ASL) class, students created an ASL video describing, in their own words, what PRIDE meant to them. Students were excited about being in the video and being able to show what they have learned about CSDB PRIDE!  Students just wrapped up their “All About Me” thematic unit. To celebrate and share what they learned, preschool families were invited to come to the CSDB campus. Students read their “All About Me” books and shared their expressive sign language video projects summarizing what they learned about themselves and all of their favorite things (colors, foods, activities, class, etc.). A great time was had by all!

School for the Blind, Pre-School – 2nd Grade:  Students participated in a campus-wide scavenger hunt, to learn about different locations around campus, the staff members who work in that area, and their personal career.  The first family event, “Career Day” was recently held. Family members were invited to come to CSDB to talk with students about their specific career.

Student Services  Staff in the Employability Center have established six new job placements, this year, including: Jiffy Lube, STEMsCO, Kneaders Café & Bakery, Life Care Center of Colorado Springs, Zeezos, and Ka Pow Comics & Coffee.  Twelve students attended the Colorado Construction Career Day workshop where they experienced hands-on learning in different construction trades.  Parent–Staff Organization (PSO) is continuing the mini-grant program, again this year. PSO awards up to $175 for special projects that impact students within the school or dorms.

Student Life Superintendent's Report CSDB Board of Trustees October 2017 Page 3

 Pine Creek High School invited CSDB students to their performances of “The Miracle Worker.” Two CSDB students shared highlights, during the intermission, to increase the community’s awareness of CSDB.  Student Body Government (SBG) officers, class representatives, and class sponsors participated in leadership training to learn parliamentary procedure and to discuss fundraising plans for this school year.  One dorm unit (high school boys) had a spaghetti cook-off! The students created two different kind of spaghetti sauce. They invited students and staff to taste and vote on the tastiest spaghetti sauce. It turned out to be a TIE! Another dorm unit (elementary family unit) had a “Burrito Week.” They developed a shopping list on Monday, went to the store on Tuesday to buy ingredients, then on Thursday, the students cooked and ate the burritos!  Bridge to Life (BtL) had a character workshop which focused on “perseverance.” The group discussed President Lincoln and his life prior to being elected as President and how he overcame his failures.

Outreach  Completed the PR video which showcases programs and services provided by CSDB.  The ASL Distance Learning team and an ASL Instructor are teaching a distance learning class for secondary students who are Deaf/hard of hearing. There are 18 students who will participate in this distance learning opportunity. (DHH students from Palmer High School and Aurora Middle School). Students will learn more about American Sign Language, Self-Advocacy and Deaf Culture. The class will also allow students to meet and interact with adults and peers who are deaf/hard of hearing. The class will continue for 8 weeks.  The CIMC staff are currently moving inventory into Jones Hall.  CIMC staff supported the Vision Clinic, on the Western Slope, September 28-30.  We have 109 families who are receiving ASL instruction, in their homes, weekly, from a Language Literacy Instructor.

REPORTS FROM SUPPORT SERVICES Finance  The Accounting Department has begun attending webinar prototype sessions for the new time and leave system that is being developed for the State. This is the first part of the process which includes developing the structure and establishing processes.

Personnel  To date, a total of twenty (20) positions have been filled for the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year. Currently, there are eighteen (18) vacancies: two (2) vacancies for Non-Classified positions; sixteen (16) vacancies for Classified positions. Interviews are in process.  A variety of schoolwide Professional Development activities occurred September 15, to include ‘Safe 2 Tell’ training for all staff.  Monthly New Employee Orientation occurred October 2-3, for substitute employees.

Facilities/Security/Technology Facilities  We have a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for Jones Hall. We have started to move in the books and equipment to the building.  The Safety project is under contract; we have several items which are special order and will take extra time for delivery.  The Stone HVAC project is under construction.  Palmer Hall asbestos removal is on schedule. The General Contractor will begin this month.  The design team for the Gym locker room project will begin this month.  The public art project discussion, related to Jones/Palmer Halls, will kick off October 11.  Safety drills have been held with students and staff.

Public Relations Events  Early Literacy events occurred in several communities. Denver Metro Early Literacy event was held September 22, 2017. The kick-off event for the Northern Colorado Early Years was September 14. The next event will be Pikes Peak Early Literacy, October 10, at Bear Creek Nature Center and then, October 20, at the Denver Zoo, for Denver Metro and Northern Colorado Early Literacy groups.  The Deaf+Autism event, held at Happy Dog Ranch, was co-sponsored by CSDB, Hand and Voices, Marian Downs and the Natural Wisdom Counseling Center. Thirteen families networked and gained information, while playing at the farm.  The southern regional event, for families who have a child who is Deaf or hard of hearing, was held at the Pueblo Children’s Museum.

Media  LaJunta Tribune – Report of upcoming football game with CSDB MaxPreps – Report of football game results Cripple Creek-Victor vs CSDB MaxPreps – Report of football game results Elbert vs CSDB

 Gazette – “A Look Back” featured the 1950 fire of the School Building at CSDB.

IMPORTANT DATES October 12 Board of Trustees Meeting October 13 White Cane Day October 26/27 Parent-Teacher Conferences October 27 Professional Development November 9 Board of Trustees Meeting Superintendent's Report CSDB Board of Trustees October 2017 Page 5

STUDENT SERVICES As of October 1, 2017 Total Number of Students Currently 660 Served Statewide Total Number of Students Served on 198 Campus since August 2017 Current Campus 3-21 196 Enrollment School for the Deaf School for the Blind FCEE 18 13 3rd – 8th Grade 43 26 High School 43 21 Bridges to Life 19 10 Dually Enrolled 2 1 Students TOTAL 125 71 Day Students 117 Residential Students 79 Parent Option 7 District Option 189 Teacher: Student Ratio 1:5 CHIP (Deaf) 330 CHIP (Deafblind) 13 Blind: Birth – 3 22 Direct Outreach 99 ELDI Programs 126