CSDB BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
September 2014
REPORTS FROM STUDENT PROGRAMS
School for the Blind
 We are excited to announce that we have been awarded the 2014 Jan Stauber
Grant through the efforts of Joyce Smith, our school librarian. The grant will
promote a partnership with the School for the Deaf, with the goal of introducing our
middle school students to the genre of ‘mysteries’ via Sherlock Holmes stories. This
will be a collaborative effort between Ms. Smith and the Language Arts teachers.
 Our Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are in the process of developing
priorities, areas of focus, and goals to guide these collaborative teacher groups
throughout the school year. Possible topics include data analysis, curriculum
mapping, monitoring student growth, and intervention strategies. Our PLCs are
divided into two groups/levels: elementary and secondary.
School for the Deaf
 Elementary School:
- Elementary students took their Fall writing assessment and the elementary
Professional Learning Community (PLC) has begun analyzing the results of the
assessment in order to identify strengths, weaknesses, and trends.
- One of the middle school language arts teachers has begun a "Reading Buddies"
collaboration with the elementary 4th and 5th graders that will occur for 20
minutes once a week.
- The upper elementary students are working on research projects and
reports. One group of students is working on state reports. They are using
library books and our school databases to research their chosen state. Another
group of students is starting a research project about Native Americans and
reading memoir stories written by Native Americans.
- The lower elementary students are developing "All About Me" posters and books
and are learning about P.R.I.D.E. behavior expectations.
 Secondary:
 In 2013-14, the next phase of LAC (Literacy Around the Clock) was piloted at the
high school level. The focus was data-driven classroom applications of the
literacy skills introduced in the Vocabulary Lab. This year, our goal is to expand
this program by aligning this literacy curriculum throughout all English classes
and sequentially through middle/high school grade levels (horizontal and vertical
curricular alignment).
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CSDB Board of Trustees
September 2014
Page 2
 Two high school students are presently taking online classes to meet credit
requirements and supplement their learning experience with courses not offered
within the CSDB curriculum.
 ‘Drama’ has been added to middle/high school elective options. Middle and high
school students are enthusiastically selecting this class focusing on theater
concepts and production. We are looking forward to seeing their work in action!
 Professional Collaboration (PCT) 2014-15 focus: Classroom management,
Infinite Campus, student health and safety.
 Professional Learning Community (PLC) 2014-15 focus: Curricular alignment
throughout content areas (horizontal) and sequentially through grade levels
(vertical).
Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction / Preschool Programs
Preschool Programs:
Deaf
 The preschool for the Deaf is working on maps of our school and getting to know
new routines. The class will be touring campus to take pictures and complete maps.
The young students are also trying to get to know the many staff members on
campus. In Math, students are working on making patterns and learning classroom
rules.
Blind
 The students have figured out how to navigate the classroom and are successfully
identifying the different objects on their calendar. These objects are the same as the
those being used in the Adams building so we have a consistent symbol and
expectation when the students transition from preschool to kindergarten.
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
 NWEA MAP Fall (3rd - 12th grade) testing will occur the 2nd week of September.
 STAR Math and DRA-2 (K-2nd grade) testing is occurring the 1st and 2nd week of
September.
 Language Arts teachers are currently completing a 30 day pilot with a supplemental
program called IXL Language.
Student Services
 The Employability Center staff is working hard to place students in work placements.
We have one student, but possibly two, who has recently earned a competitive job.
 Student Health has conducted 15 sports physicals, provided support in meeting
medication compliance during the enrollment process, and is researching the need
for possible participation in the NOT (not on tobacco) program.
 We have enrolled 32 new on-campus students so far this school year.
Superintendent's Report
CSDB Board of Trustees
September 2014
Page 3
Student Life
 It was great to see the Student Life teamwork together during the opening week to
plan PRIDE activities to get ready for welcoming the students back to school. Staff
also had a few opportunities to engage in team-building activities.
 Students participating in the fall sports have already shown their enthusiasm and
commitment by participating in lifting workouts with the athletic trainer, Celeste
Osbourne, twice a week. The varsity teams (volleyball and football) did well in their
scrimmages. Afterwards, they had a good time mingling and enjoying a BBQ lunch
with the opposing teams.
 The extra-curricular activities, for the fall, have been scheduled from 4:00–9:30 pm
Monday thru Thursday. Additionally, tutoring and the Literacy around the Clock
program have also been arranged to provide academic interventions for students.
Outreach
 Staff in the Outreach Department have been celebrating the many successful events
provided to students and families through the summer months. Those events
included: “The Week” educational interpreter training, the Family Learning Retreat,
the summer enrichment camps for students who are deaf/hard-of-hearing and for
students who are blind/visually impaired, and the ASL Immersion. As part of the
Outreach team’s process, feedback, from the summer events, is discussed and
suggestions, provided by participants, are reviewed and considered for future event
planning. The satisfaction ratings from participants for all of the events were
overwhelmingly positive, with 95-100% of participants providing the feedback that
they were “satisfied or very satisfied” with their experience.
 To address the Outreach Strategic plan objectives for this year, Outreach staff have
begun putting events dates on the calendar for the year and initial stages of
planning are occurring.
 Kudos to Deb Branch, Distance Learning Coordinator, who completed her education
technology endorsement after attending classes during the 2013-2014 school year.
REPORTS FROM SUPPORT SERVICES
Finance
 Everyone has received their budgets for the new school year, and our goal for the year is to
keep spending on track while providing for the needs of the students.
 The FY16 Decision Item has been submitted to the Office of State Planning and Budget, and
the remaining FY16 budget request is due September 30. The forms are almost complete
and will be submitted to the budget office at CDE shortly.
 The State’s new financial system, Colorado Operations Resource Engine (CORE), went live
July 7. There are currently a few issues with the payroll information being uploaded into
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CSDB Board of Trustees
September 2014
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CORE from the State payroll system. At this time, no payroll expenditures are recorded in
CORE.
Personnel
 To date, a total of seventeen (17) positions have been filled for the beginning of the
2014-2015 school year. Currently, there are eighteen (18) vacancies: four (4)
vacancies for Non-Classified positions; fourteen (14) vacancies for Classified
positions.
 New Employee Orientation occurred July 30th thru August 4th, with thirteen (13) new
staff (and their mentors), and Substitute employees participating in the following
activities: Continental Breakfast/Meet-and-Greet; Superintendent’s Welcome to
CSDB; Campus Tour; Network Access Training; Program Overview/Job Assignment;
Human Resources Orientation / Benefits Information; Team-Building Activity (low
ropes); Introduction to PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports);
Facilities Services/Crisis/Asbestos Awareness, etc.; Child Abuse Reporting; NonViolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) Initial training; Program Overviews/Q&A with
Superintendent’s Council; Infinite Campus Awareness; Awareness Short Course:
Deaf/Blind/Deafblind – How to Work with an Interpreter/Human Guide; MentorInductee Collaboration/Lunch; Classroom /Work Area Preparation Time.

Feedback relative to New Employee Orientation was solicited via ‘SurveyMonkey’,
with a 64% response rate. The feedback received was primarily positive, indicating
continued success in our efforts to welcome and support new employees through
New Employee Orientation. Feedback received will be considered in the
development of the New Employee Orientation Agenda for August 2015, in an effort
to incorporate suggestions received to make additional improvements.
A variety of schoolwide ‘Back-to-School’ Professional Development activities occurred
August 5th thru 8th:
- Schoolwide ‘Welcome Back’ Meeting;
- 2014-2015 CSDB Schoolwide Plan information sessions;
- Employability Center: Community Field Trips to Adult Service Agencies; Formal
Job Coach Training; LCCE Checklist Workshop;
- Outreach Programs: Debrief Summer Programs; Strategic Plan: Action Steps;
Website Updates; Individual Contract Planning; CO-Hear Team Meeting; Itinerant
Teacher Evaluation Rubric;
- Preschool: Preschool-Related Services Collaboration; SB 191 (Teacher
Evaluation) Orientation; Math Curriculum Maps; Behavior Management;
- School for the Blind: IEP Content Development; Data Collection Analysis/First
Quarter Intervention;
- School for the Deaf: Embedding Literacy and Numeracy Throughout the Day;
Team-Building Activity (low ropes); Overview of ASL/English Instructional
Strategies; Schoolwide Plan;
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CSDB Board of Trustees
September 2014
Page 5

- Student Life Programs: Medication Delegation; Daily Living Skills Checklist
Review; LCCE Checklist Workshop; Intro to Tablets; PBIS Behavioral
Expectations Planning; Food, Fitness, Fun;
- Student Services: Special Services Provider Rubric and Evaluation Process;
Preschool-Related Services Collaboration; Reunification Training; S.M.A.R.T.
Team Meeting;
- Child Abuse Reporting/Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NCI) Training;
- Adult Sexual Misconduct in Schools: Prevention and Management;
- CPR/First Aid Training;
- Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) Presentation/Q&A;
- Driver/Transportation Training; and,
- Work Area Prep/Work Time.
Monthly New Employee Orientation will occur September 8-9, for permanent and
Substitute employees.
Facilities/Security/Technology
 A new project to augment the network switches on campus has begun. This is
related to the campus visual/audio intercom. We intended to purchase 13 new
switches. Dell partnered with us and provided one switch free. This is
approximately a $6,000.00 value.
 The Adams lighting project continues with the expectation of training new staff on
the equipment as early as October 10
 The fire alarm project is moving ahead of schedule. The fiber installation is 95%
complete. Brown, Ritter and Palmer are compete including final inspections by
Colorado Springs Fire Department. Adams system is complete, and the Gym will be
complete by September 12. The Early Education Center and Stone are next for
replacement.
 The controlled Maintenance requests are due to State Architect’s Office September
5.
 The capitol request for Jones and Palmer was submitted to Office of State Planning
and Budget (OSPB).
Public Relations
Media
 Denver Post Preps -Post Preps provided athletic information regarding the CSDB
football and volleyball teams.
 Gazette – “Governor appoints new board members of the Colorado School for the Deaf
and the Blind” published July 2014.
 El Paso County Department of Human Services (EPC DHS) created a video about a
CSDB elementary student. Amy Gunning, elementary teacher in the School for the Blind
and Mimi McGinty, physical therapist, described CSDB services during the interview, which
Superintendent's Report
CSDB Board of Trustees
September 2014
Page 6
occurred in the School for the Blind. The video will be used at the EPC DHS annual
conference and be included within their You Tube channel.
Events since the June board meeting:
 Family Learning Retreat – 22 families registered, 18 families attended (25 adults, 31 kids)
from 13 communities of the state. 13 presenters provided information for the families,
while their children attended the youth program.
 The Week Interpreting training – 26 attendees from 5 areas of Colorado, 2 from outside of
Colorado, 8 trainers and 6 volunteers from the Pikes Peak Community College Interpreting
Program were involved with The Week. This event was co-sponsored by CSDB and the
Colorado Department of Education.
 CSDB Alumni 140th Celebration – Approximately 140 alumni attended this year’s
celebration which included a lunch at CSDB, tours of the campus, and a group photo.
 2014 Low Vision Expo – Approximately 120 community members attended this one-day
event, 22 exhibitors presenting agency information. This event was co-hosted by
CSDB and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
 BELL Camp – 4 youth who are blind/visually impaired attended 10 days of braille and
daily living skill instruction, co-hosted by CSDB and the National Federation of the Blind.
 ASL Immersion - This event was co-sponsored by CSDB, the Colorado Department of
Education and AT&T Relay.
IMPORTANT DATES
September 11
September 22
September 27
October 9
Board of Trustees meeting
Professional Development
Homecoming
Board of Trustees meeting
Superintendent's Report
CSDB Board of Trustees
September 2014
Page 7
STUDENT SERVICES
As of September 3, 2014
Total Number of
Students Currently
Served Statewide
Total Number of
Students Served on
Campus since August
2014
Current Campus 3-21
Enrollment
Preschool
Elementary
Middle School
High School
Bridges to Life
Dually Enrolled Students
TOTAL
Day Students
Residential Students
Parent Option
District Option
Teacher: Student Ratio
CHIP (Deaf)
CHIP (Deafblind)
Blind: Birth – 3
Direct Outreach
ELDI Programs
305
221
221
School for the Deaf
5
35
27
49
32
2
150
School for the Blind
7
17
17
17
10
3
71
141
80
6 (+ 11 unknown)
204
1:5
283
15
15
54
102