| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | September 26, 2003 |
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| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | September 26, 2003 |
Becoming part of a new "family" and community can be difficult. We hope that we are especially sensitive to new families by giving you the information that you need. We strive to help you feel comfortable and a genuine sense of belonging to Shepardson. We value your involvement, your ideas, and your partnership with us. Joining us for events sponsored by PTO, such as the upcoming Ice Cream Social, and volunteering are easy ways to make connections and learn more about the school where your children spend a major part of their day.
One event is designed especially for NEW FAMILIES TO SHEPARDSON. On Thursday, October 9th (anytime between 8:15 - 9:30 a.m.) we invite new families to join us for an informal sharing, meeting school folks, and an opportunity to have your questions answered. The PTO sponsors this annual event and has often connected new families with resources and ways you would like to become more involved. If this time doesn't work for you but you would still like to meet, please let me know. If there are specific things you'd like us to have available for you, please contact parent Michelle Murray at 226-6224 who is so gracious to organize this special event. You will be receiving a special invitation from her in the near future.
This week marks the end of our "weekly" newsletters. Until May, newsletters will be coming home on alternating weeks. As you know, these issues are featured on our school website if you need to access information.
For those who may not know, five members of the School Board asked Superintendent Don Unger to resign. The two board members who opposed this decision were Shepardson parent David Dilley and Jana Ley. Dr. Unger will remain through December and is committed to ensuring that we are prepared for the transition. Please be assured that, without any doubt, the staff at Shepardson will remain focused on your children. Being at the school level naturally insulates us from the daily issues that are likely to occur from this decision. The administrators have met and we are prepared to continue moving forward with our efforts and vision clearly defined. Please know that every employee in this district is more focused on student learning than ever before. It is truly a pleasure to be working in the Poudre School District where children's learning is clearly the priority!
| - | Mary Kay Sommers |
| email: msommers@psd.k12.co.us |
| CALENDAR | September 26, 2003 |
| SEPTEMBER 2003 | OCTOBER 2003 | ||||
| Tues | Sept. 30 | First Choir Practice 7:45 a.m. (5th/6th) | Tues | Oct. 7 | PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m. |
| Tues | Sept. 30 | School Ice Cream Social 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Thurs | Oct. 9 | New Family Coffee 8:15 - 9:30 a.m. |
| OCTOBER 2003 | Wed-Thurs | Oct. 15-16 | Fall Enrichment Registration | ||
| Mon | Oct 6 | Last day to register to vote | |||
The Shepardson community celebrated 25 years last Thursday afternoon. The gym was decorated in blue and white, pictures and scrapbooks showed off students, staff, and events held throughout the years. Parents, students, and friends came together to reconnect and share stories about the wonderful times at the school. Sixth grade students gave tours of the building and the PTO provided refreshments. A brief program honored Patty Bell and Barb Erlandson Hyland who recently retired. All former staff and students were recognized and we were fortunate to have 7 members of the original staff and the first principal, Ferrill Standage, in attendance. Current teachers Anita Martinez and Pam Wyman were part of the group that opened the school in 1978. Kathy Andrews spoke of her memories of "Auntie" Margaret Shepardson and presented the school with a framed reproduction of some of her favorite sayings written in her own handwriting. Armed with a new appreciation for our history, we are ready for the next 25 years. Thank you to all who worked so hard to make this special event happen.
Would you like to be more assured that the home where your 5th -12th grade child visits is "safe from alcohol, drugs, tobacco and violence"? This parent-initiated program creates a Safe Home Directory for all families who agree to create safe homes for the children and young adults who visit. A copy of the registration form and a brochure are available in the school office. For more information, contact TEAM Fort Collins at 224-9931. You can also register on the web: www.teamfortcollins.org.
Shepardson is one of the schools that serves in the mentorship role for college students who are seeking a degree in Elementary Education. Each year the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) sends us a group of students who will be in classrooms and learn from their supervising teachers. This year our students are in their Junior Year and will serve more as a learner and tutor. During their Senior Year, they will serve in a Student Teaching capacity in a different school. The amount of time they spend here is considerably longer than is typical for this program, which allows them to truly master many skills as well as serve our students by having another educator in the classroom. Their internship will extend from Oct. 6th to Dec. 12th.
This partnership is dependent upon teachers being willing to assume this mentor role. Major thanks to these colleagues and best wishes to their protégés!
Anita Martinez (1st grade) with Kristen Dart
Jan Hoffman (6th grade) with Katherine Holland
Heidi Hanson (1st grade) with Jennifer Lyon
Bev Addington (1st grade) with Erin Miller
Margo Miller (3rd grade) with Erin Corbin
Kirsten Wood/Shelley Aust (kdg) with Luree Brennan-Combs
Thanks for adding this responsibility to your plate for the benefit of children you will never know and for the future of Public Education! You are truly making a difference!
Next PTO meeting is Tuesday, October 7
7:00 p.m. in the Shepardson Library
All parents are encouraged and welcome to attend!
For the past 12 years, the Shepardson Choir (made up of any 5th and 6th graders who like to sing) has been very lucky to have parent Liz Rose volunteer as our accompanist. She has been such a treasure to us. Unfortunately (for us), Liz no longer has children attending Shepardson and is busy with other activities, so she can no longer volunteer her piano skills.
If you, or someone you know, might be interested in coming once a week for 30 minutes and playing for our choir, we would be extremely grateful. You could come either Tuesday or Thursday morning, your choice, from 8:00 to 8:30. We would also need you for one or two performances each semester. It doesn't take a lot of time, and you would have the privilege of working with a great group of kids!
If interested, please call the school and talk to Mrs. Everett or e-mail her at ceverett@psd.k12.co.us.
An informational meeting on this new educational law will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. in the Shepardson Library. Our Principal, Mary Kay Sommers will be presenting the details of No Child Left Behind to help us as parents better understand how the law will affect our children's education.
Tuesday, September 30
6:30 - 7:30
Shepardson Elementary
All Shepardson families are invited to our first annual Ice Cream Social to "kick off" the school year.
AN EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED!
*Sponsored by the Shepardson PTO*
The INNISBROOK WRAPPING PAPER SALES has come to a close. Please remember to turn in your order forms. Thank you for supporting Shepardson Elementary by participating in the fundraiser! You can always order online at www.innisbrook.com using school code 104621.
Questions? Contact your Innisbrook team:
| Jamie Mekelburg | at 229-0698 |
| Karen Gogela | at 226-6729 or |
| Suzanne Liringis | at 222-7903 |
Your little trick-or-treaters won't want to miss this hauntingly fun event! Activities include a trick or treat street, a not-so-spooky haunted house, hayrides, and refreshments. Admission is $3 IN ADVANCE for kids 10 and under; however, people of any age are welcome. Tickets go on sale at The Farm, 600 N. Sherwood, or at the Recreation Office, 214 N. Howes, on October 1 until they are gone. Treatsylvania hours are 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, October 24 & 25, and 1-3 p.m. Sunday, October 26. You must purchase a ticket for each child. For more info, call The Farm at 221-6665.
Asian/Pacific American Student Services (A/PASS) at Colorado State University invites applications for the Participation, Awareness, Learning, and Sharing (PALS) big brother/big sister program.
Asian/Pacific American children from kindergarten through 4th grade are paired with Asian/Pacific American college students. There is one monthly program for all PALS participants, and students are encouraged to meet with their pals at least once more each month and contact their pals on a weekly basis.
The goals of the program are to embrace participation of the students in cultural learning and social activities, encourage interactions between other Asian/Pacific American children and adults, and create a sense of community and a wealth of strong friendships. For an application, visit http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/APASS or call 491-6154.
The character trait being promoted by Character Fort Collins for October is thriftiness; defined as "allowing myself and others to spend only what is necessary." The definition is provided by the International Association of Character Cities (IACC).
Character Fort Collins is a community effort to promote character traits amongst family, business, education, government, law enforcement, and faith community members. As a community partner, Poudre School District will promote the Character Fort Collins trait of the month. This is in addition to the Character Education programs that are already in place at each school.
During the school year, Character Fort Collins will have a monthly program broadcast on Poudre School District's Channel 10, available through AT&T Cable, U.S. Cable and WANTV (wireless). For the entire searchable program schedule, visit www.psdschools.org/services/channel10, or check local TV listings. The programming will be broadcast on Channel 27, the City of Fort Collins' station, during the summer months.
More information can be found about Character Fort Collins by visiting their Web site at
Several parents of 6th graders have stopped by to see me regarding school of choice next year at Boltz. This is the last year for the 7th grade Core Knowledge program at Boltz (next year 7th program will move to Fossil Ridge High School). Our plan at Boltz is to add a third "Block" of 7th grade using the PSD curriculum next year. This will mean we should have plenty of room for school of choice at 7th next year. Parents are encouraged to contact me if you have any questions. As always, the earlier a "school of choice" application is in the better the chances of being granted.
Mike Walz, Principal
Boltz Junior High School
Parents are invited to attend an informational meeting about the new Core Knowledge Junior High at Fossil Ridge, 7:00 p.m., October 9, at Preston Junior High School. The junior high will be opening in the fall of 2004 and is now accepting School Choice students for 7th and 8th grades. If you are unable to make the meeting, but would like more information, please call, 492-6262.
The Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art is offering an outstanding selection of exciting art classes this fall. Fliers with class information can be found in the media center. Some of the classes being offered are Chinese Fireworks, Stonehenge Revisited, Paper making, making a Mancala board game, create your own games, monster making based on Maurice Sendak's book, 'Wild Things', and Holiday Traditions. Price is $15 for the first person, $10 for every family member after that. Most classes are a one-time session on Saturday, while some meet once a week for 4 weeks.
Visit their website: www.fcmoca.org or e-mail alyssa10art@cs.com for more information
If you've noticed your child's weekly folder contains fewer fliers on outside events and activities in the community, and strictly school information-you're very perceptive! Poudre School District's new flier distribution guidelines no longer allow fliers to be sent home with students, unless an organization has a contractual partnership with the district toward a common goal to increase student achievement, as is the case with the Healthy Kids Newsletter, and Discovery Science Center brochure.
Instead of individual fliers, you'll be receiving a Youth Program Guide three times a year that lists outstanding programs, activities and events for youth offered by a variety of community organizations. The guide was sent home with all elementary school students in late August. Watch for additional issues of the Youth Program Guide to come to you in January and May.
Fliers promoting events and activities can still be placed on a parent resource table in most schools, for pick-up by parents. For more information, call 490-3427.
The Friends of the Library fall used book sale will be held at Foothills Mall the first weekend in October. Many categories of books will be available for children and teens. Most of the books will be priced from $1 to $4. All proceeds will go the Fort Collins Public Library for un-funded projects such as the summer reading program. Dates and times are as follows:
October 3 - 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
October 4 - 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
October 5 - 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Four Board of Education director districts are open for election and candidates have been named. They are:
District A - Allan Hampson, Jane Tinstman Kramer and Anne Yeldell.
District B - Ross Cunniff
District F - David Dilley, John Fooks, and Perry Lorenz.
District G - M.L. Johnson
Board members are selected by voters from the entire school district, regardless of which district the voter lives in. Candidate forums are being scheduled and will be televised on PSD's Channel 10 in early October. Watch for details.
Voter registration laws have changed! Voters must provide proof of identity on their registration form and when voting at their vote center. Voters not voting in the last election must re-register.
The registration/change of address deadline is October 6. Registration forms and information are available at the Larimer County Elections Office or from their Web site at www.larimer.org/elections.
The School Store began on Friday, September 26th during lunch for the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders. The 1st and 2nd graders will have their chance to shop at the School Store starting in mid-October. Exactly when will depend upon their lunchroom manners, clean up and ability to follow instructions and finish eating in our limited time.
For those who do not know about Shepardson's School Store, it has been running for many years. We sell a variety of items including mechanical pencils, pens, highlighters, erasers, lead, etc. and then fun items like rings, bracelets, water snakes (not real), slime and glow sticks. On the last Friday of each month, candy, gum, pixie sticks, granola bars and other snacks are sold. Most everything in the store is priced at $1.00 or less and many items sell for prices like 2 for $.25, so even as little as $1.00 can be fun to spend.
Many students at Shepardson love shopping at the store. Of course, no one is obligated to purchase items. This year we are trying to organize a way to connect our Accelerated Reader Program to gift certificates for the school store. More about that in the future.
This year Student Council members will be taking on even more responsibility in the School Store. The students will help with ordering, organizing, set up, selling and counting money. All of the money collected at the School Store goes back into the Student Council Account. Student Council then votes on where the money should be distributed. In years past, trees have been planted on school grounds and new playground equipment has been purchased. A family who lost everything in a house fire, medical expenses for a very sick infant, financial assistance to purchase a bench in honor of a faculty member who passed away, the Special Olympics, and the September 11th Disaster Fund are a few of the many ways students have decided to use these funds. We are always amazed at the compassion and generosity of our students.
If there are any adults interested in assisting Student Council members as they manage the School Store, we could use your help. We have had enough parent volunteers in the past to allow a rotation of supervision with most adults being present only 2-3 hours each month. If you are willing to help, please contact Cheryl Chvatal at 223-2789 or Rea Kreider at 226-6370
Gulley's Greenhouse, 6029 S. Shields, will host their 14th annual Pumpkin Pandemonium on October 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be an assortment of children's activities including a pumpkin carving contest, carnival games, hayrides, animals, magicians, and musicians. Pumpkins will be provided free of charge for the carving contest.
Although there is no charge for this event, donations will be accepted to benefit Wingshadow, a non-profit organization benefiting the endangered youth of northern Colorado and their families through a wide variety of services. Canned food items are also being accepted. For more information, call Gulley's Greenhouse at 223-4769.
Kids of all ages are invited to meet the members of the CSU men's and women's basketball teams, 10:30 a.m. - noon, Saturday, October 25th, Moby Arena. Autographs, hand shakes, hoops, and refreshments will all be part of this free "kid time" on the basketball court at Moby.
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