| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | October 24, 2003 |
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| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | October 24, 2003 |
This week we finished the budgeting process that involves staff and parents from PTO and SIT. Staff submits requests for new items, we analyze our past usage and typical expenditures and then thank PTO for expanding our budget with the funds they are able to provide Shepardson. Many new families from other states are amazed at how low our education funding is when compared to other states. We are usually one of the lowest funded states in the U.S. Last year the average state spending per pupil in the U.S. was $7524. Colorado State funding ranges from $5511 to over $12,000 with the larger figures going to the smaller and less efficient school districts and to those with more students who qualify for at-risk funds. Because of the formula that is used by Colorado, PSD is also one of the very lowest funded school districts in the state, receiving $5537 per pupil, which is less than average in CO. Many of us have come from states that require families to pay for the rental of textbooks and for the general supplies being used during the year; such extra funding is illegal in Colorado. Thanks to Amendment 23, there are new efforts to ensure that our funding is more aligned with inflation. We are grateful to our community for passing mill levy overrides and bond issues that allow us to receive additional monies from local property taxes to serve specific purposes ( such as, building new schools, and funds to upgrade technology.)
Our "school budget", which does not pay for salaries nor utilities, is for the general supplies, equipment, copy machines, some substitutes, media/technology annual purchases, and some negotiated agreements. Most of the budget (92%) we receive from the district is quickly absorbed with those items listed above. Thanks to the PTO, our budget increases by another 60% ($32,000)! These funds are used to support the purchase of new materials, instructional items, equipment, and other resources that will enhance the teaching and learning at Shepardson. This year PTO also shared the cost of purchasing and installing elevated fans that rotate in each classroom. These funds also support our assemblies, the enrichment program, playground balls, and extend a para's time so the media center is open throughout the school day. In addition, we actively seek additional funds whenever possible. Most teachers spend up to $1000 of their own money to purchase other items they would like to have to make learning more fun and easier. We cannot thank PTO and the parents of Shepardson enough for your commitment in time, service and money to support our school at a level that would not be possible without you.
This year the Student Council, along with Media Para Mary Gamble, Media Specialist Margie Bucher, and Art Teacher Lori Pibal has begun live TV announcements every morning and one prepared video news show during the week. The new morning feature occurs in the Media Center at 8:35 a.m. and begins with the Pledge. We invite families who are here at that time to stop by and join us for this short event. Please note that if you are walking through the Media Center at this time, you may find that you've just been featured in the background on our local TV show. We are working on ways to project the announcements over the speaker as well as the TV for those of us who are walking through the building at the time. Congratulations to all of the staff and students for all of their hard work! Very well done!
Special thanks to Lori Pibal for her annual Family Art Night that occurred this week! It is always a joy to see families creating and having fun together, exploring their artistic talents. Art problem solving involves higher-level thinking. Thanks to all who helped make this special evening possible.
Counselor Rea Kreider and his Red Ribbon Team have also enhanced our week with Red Ribbon activities. This week is one that naturally encourages families to talk about their values related to drinking and illegal drug use. We know that families who share their expectations with their children early are more likely to have children who develop strong commitments for doing the "right thing." Please join us in your own way in discussing other ways to have fun and become healthy adults.
Have a wonderful weekend!
| - | Mary Kay Sommers |
| email: msommers@psd.k12.co.us |
| CALENDAR | October 24, 2003 |
| OCTOBER 2003 | OCTOBER 2003 | ||||
| Thu-Wed | Oct. 23 -29 | Red Ribbon Week | Thu-Fri | Oct. 30 & 31 | NO SCHOOL - (in lieu of conferences) |
| Fri | Oct. 24 | End of Quarter | Mon | Nov. 3 | Report Cards Distributed today |
| Tues | Oct. 28 | Picture retakes 8:15 am-9:00 am, for all students | Tues | Nov. 4 | Election Day in Colorado |
| Tues | Oct. 28 | Sixth Grade Music Program 6:30 p.m. | Tues | Nov. 4 | PTO Meeting at 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed | Oct. 29 | Family Picture Night starting at 5:00 pm | Thurs | Nov. 6 | Book Fair at Barnes and Noble 6:30 - 8:30 |
ALYSSA HIRSCH WINS!
Shepardson is pleased to announce Alyssa Hirsch, a fourth grade student in Ms. Ziegler's class, as the Best of School winner in this year's Celebration of Neighborhoods Poster Contest sponsored by the City of Fort Collins Neighborhood Resources Office. Alyssa is only one of thirteen students who was recognized recently at a celebration held at the CSU Lory Student Center. Her poster displayed the essence of neighborhoods. Mayor Martinez was there as well to present each winning student with a certificate. Congratulations Alyssa! We are so proud of you! |
Shepardson Elementary School will be hosting their annual Thanksgiving Lunch. This year ALL lunches must be PRE-ORDERED and PREPAID which does include your Shepardson child. If you pay for your child's lunch in advance, you do not need to send additional money with your order. Further information and the lunch order form will be attached to the Shepardson Newsletter of November 7th. Don't forget!!
Picture re-take for all students, including afternoon kindergarten, will be TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28th from 8:15 am to 9:00 am. in the Flex Room. Please remember to bring your photo envelope with you.
Fall Enrichment Classes will begin the week of October 27. Confirmation forms will be sent home TODAY (Friday) with students who have enrolled in classes. Please check the dates for your child's classes carefully - some classes begin the week of October 27, but others won't begin until the following week due to our days off October 30 and 31l!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Becky Woodcox, Enrichment Coordinator, 226-6370 or bwoodcox@psd.k12.co.us.
Now that Fall is here and Winter may be right around the corner, the Health Office is in need of extra clothing. Our supply is very, very low in the small to medium sizes. It is helpful to have pants with elastic waists and unisex colors. T-Shirts and sweatshirts of any kind would be greatly appreciated. We are also in desperate need of socks and underwear! Thank you for the help.
If interested in Odyssey of the Mind, please turn in the form or call Nancy McConnell at 207-1788 by Monday, October 27.
The creativity was flowing Tuesday night in the gym! Family Art Night brought out a lot of hidden talents, especially from the parents. Over 45 families enjoyed pumpkin painting and carving, sandpaper printing, watercolor painting or clay, and taking their masterpieces home to be displayed. A Big Thank You to the Rutherford boys, Laura & Mitchell Lowery, Stacey and Leah Fox, Robin Vojdani, the Hank family, Ms. Harkins, and Mr. Neal for helping set up and clean up. Thanks to everyone who participated. It was fun to visit with all who attended.
Mrs. Pibal, Art Teacher
The press is starting to share some information about NCLB and AYP. While we are still analyzing the data, we do expect that official results will be shared with our community soon with regard to both district performance as well as individual school performance. Below are some key points that may be of interest to you:
What are No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)?
How is AYP calculated in Colorado and Poudre School District?
In Colorado and Poudre School District, progress towards 100% proficiency is broken down into three-year increments.
Next PTO meeting
is Tuesday, November 47:00 p.m. in the Shepardson Library
All parents are encouraged and welcome to attend!
Don't Forget!
Family Portrait Night
Wednesday, October 29Starting at 5:00 pm. at Shepardson Elementary
If you are interested in having a family portrait taken, this is a great way to do it.
Call Marcie Dietrich at 282-9336 to schedule an appointment by October 24.
We need a minimum of 30 families to make this a go!
Box Tops for Education
Attached to this newsletter is an envelope to keep your General Mills box top labels and Toddy's receipts. As it begins getting full, send the labels and receipts to school with your child. These envelopes are a convenient way to store and not loose labels as you collect them. Many parents tape the envelopes to the inside of a kitchen cabinet or on the refrigerator! Questions? Contact Claudia Wilson at 206-0231
Fund Raising--- Is it too much?
The most frequently asked question is: Why does our PTO do so much fundraising? At times it may feel overwhelming, between school, sports, scouts and other activities the amount of fund raising we as families incur with our children. At Shepardson, we have limited our fund raising to two major fund-raisers a year and we add Gold C, book fairs and Box tops as minor but important projects.Why not do just one fund-raiser? Recently I had the opportunity as PTO President to sit in on a budget meeting with Dr. Sommers regarding her budget for the school. It is unbelievable the small amount of funding received for our school. I realized that without the help of PTO, our school would be without so much.
Through our fundraising, we have been able to support enrichment, increase the AR reading program, supplement additional pay to provide more para hours in the media center, buy classroom materials used to support curriculum and so much more. Fund-raising is worth it! The pay off is tremendous for our children. Because
of the overwhelming support from parents and PTO efforts, we help give Shepardson the tools it needs to meet the excellence mark every year.
Our fund-raisers are always optional and you may decide as a family to participate in one or a few or to donate only cash. The choice is yours!
Upcoming Events
Barnes and Noble Book Fair - Thursday, November 6Times : 6:30-8:30 pm
Volunteers needed for this - please call Kathy O'Donnell, VIPS Coordinator at 206-1818 or JoAnn Caddoo at 226-3103, if you are interested in helping.
PTO is a large puzzle. It takes many hands to put the pieces together. Thank you to all that help. Whether it is a small time commitment or large - every bit counts!
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