Dear Cotopaxi Community,
It is with mixed emotions that I write this letter. My time at Cotopaxi Schools has been so special because of each of you and each of your children, our students. Thus, you can understand my difficulty in finding the words to share that I will not be returning to Cotopaxi Schools as your principal next school year. This summer I will begin a role in administration within Cañon City High School (CCHS).
This of course was a difficult decision to make and there were many factors to consider. I was very thoughtful of my decision, and ensured I took the time I needed to make it. In all, I know this is the right move for me, my family, and my future aspirations in educational leadership.
I want to thank you for your support for our staff, teachers, and students. In the past two years as principal of Cotopaxi Schools we accomplished so much. I am proud of our school’s continued work in building back up our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) with our P.R.I.D.E. (Positive Attitude, Respect, Integrity, Determination), and our collective work on our strategic plan and profile of a graduate. The strategic plan has and will continue to guide decision making and be used as our True North. We have prioritized student-led conferences and are working to teach students on how to have discussions regarding their own growth and achievement. We continue to leverage Fremont Multidistrict Initiative and the Professional and Internship Community Experience program to ensure our students are having post-secondary opportunities while in school, for success after graduation. We are working on revising our elementary literacy and math curriculum to better meet the needs of our students. We have implemented various pilot programs to be able to better identify students' specific learning needs to ensure more individually targeted instruction. We are moving the needle academically, towards our expected goal that 80% of students will meet projected growth goals in literacy and math in the next few years. As recent recipients of the Stronger Connections grant, the above and more will continue to flourish.
I am honored to have shared this time with you and your child(ren), our students, and I truly thank you for your support, collaboration, and feedback while doing this work together. A part of my heart is saddened to be departing, but I am also excited to be continuing this work with Fremont County students, and staff. I am sure we will cross paths in the future, and I am hopeful of that!
Thank you Cotopaxi, as you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Sincerely,
Jennifer J. Gonzales