| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | November 7, 2003 |
Shepardson's Home Page:
http://schoolweb.psd.k12.co.us/schools/she/
| Table of contents | Index to Shepardson Report Newsletters | Shepardson Home Page |
| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | November 7, 2003 |
PRINCIPAL REFLECTIONS
Congratulations to the sixth graders for an outstanding performance of the musical "Forever Free"! Their message on the importance and ways to be Drug Free was upbeat, dramatic and fun. These students spent many extra hours practicing special solos, speaking parts and dance routines. Student Tucker Bush also served as their percussionist! A special thanks to Ms. Caren Everett, Music Director, for all of the extra work these programs require! Another example of what wonderful students we have at Shepardson!
|
| CALENDAR | November 07, 2003 |
| NOVEMBER 2003 | NOVEMBER 2003 | ||||
| Thu | Nov. 13 | SIT 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Wed-Fri | Nov. 26-28 | NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Vacation |
| Thu | Nov. 13 | All Preorders for Thanksgiving Luncheon at school due today | DECEMBER 2003 | ||
| Fri | Nov. 21 | Thanksgiving Luncheon at Shepardson (must have ordered) | Thu | Dec. 11 | Gingerbread House Social in gym |
On occasion, schools receive information to share with families to ensure that they know the latest news that may help their children be safe or may assist the family in some way. The Department of Treasury has asked us to help families know about a refundable tax credit called the Earned Income Tax Credit. It can be as much as $4,204 even if you don't have to file a tax return. One requirement, for example, is a working family must earn less than $34,692. We have requested some brochures and local places that will do your taxes free. The brochures will soon be available at school if you would like to know more about this opportunity.
A new safety ruling does apply to many families here who have young children. We sometimes see children in front seats or in cars without seatbelts. This new law is even more restrictive. Your children's safety is so important that we are attaching this information with this newsletter.
The week of November 17th is designated as American Education Week. Public Education is the backbone of this country and is dedicated to teaching every child regardless of race, family income, primary language, and health or disability. While not perfect, and we never will be, we strive to improve upon the strategies that help every child learn. Using brain research along with identifying what the Best Practices really are, we seek those methods that will help each child become a more successful learner. There are no "perfect" programs since we are working with unique individuals with different talents and challenges. We believe passionately that every child has the right to reach his/her full potential. I believe that every child has gifts to develop and share both as a child and as an adult. The future of this country is dependent upon every child becoming a productive and caring member of our society, one who accepts and values the diversity that makes this country special, and one who is willing to make this world a better place for everyone! We know that children who have parents who value education and become partners with the school are the luckiest of all, for they will be the ones most likely to reach these high goals. At Shepardson, we are truly fortunate to have such dedicated and caring families who are willing to support all of our students in many ways so that they can all be successful. I am so thankful to be working with and for the families and especially the children and dedicated teachers at Shepardson.
We need some parent help with the School Store. Cheryl Chvatal has been incredibly dedicated over the last few years to making our School Store a success. She orders from catalogs, stocks the store shelves and solicits ideas from older students in addition to supervising the store during lunch each Friday. The School Store generates the funds to help Student Council do the outstanding community service projects they do each year. Two examples of the Student Council's generosity so far this year are a $150 donation to the family of a little boy at Putnam Elementary who was in need of surgery, and another $150 will be donated to a Shepardson family needing assistance with medical expenses as well. Student Council also sponsored all of the Red Ribbon Week activities that took place last week. In the past Cheryl's call for help has been successful in recruiting other parents to help supervise the store one or two Fridays each month for about 1-2 hours during lunch. We are putting that plea out again. If you can help even one time each month and would be willing to supervise 3-4 hard working students as they run the store during lunch, please contact Cheryl (223-2789) or Rea Kreider (226-6370). Cheryl just cannot continue to be there every Friday, as she has done so far this year. Besides, she will eventually "graduate" from Shepardson with her daughter and we will be needing experienced adults to take her place. Anyone interested?
(Try saying that 10 times fast. I'll bet it comes out "Wed Wibbon Week Wap-Up")
This year's Red Ribbon Week Celebration was led by Andrew Williams, Shepardson's Student Council vice-president and his committee of Will Gustafson, Kiara Cooper and Ainsley Deter. It's amazing what we packed into just 5 days, and Andrew commented to me that he hadn't realized how much work it takes!
STAR TV News interviewed Andrew and his committee, and there were morning announcements as well. On Tuesday morning, Rachel French, Darienne Smith and Maisie Iven performed a song they had written just for Red Ribbon Week. There were red ribbons tied to the largest trees in front of the school. Each student and adult wore a red ribbon all week long and the "prize patrol" would make surprise visits to classrooms and awarded small prizes to anyone wearing their ribbon. Three contests were organized. Students in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade colored pictures of what they hoped to be when they grow up. 3rd and 4th graders created posters showing all of the things we can do in our lives instead of doing drugs, and students in 5th and 6th grade had the chance to enter a persuasive essay contest explaining why we should all choose to be drug free. Believe me, there were many excellent entries in each category and it was not easy to decide! Those pictures, posters and essays chosen by the committee as the best are displayed in the hallway at school and each of the winners received a prize. The winning essays are included in this newsletter for you to read. The 6th grade musical program entitled "Forever Free" was a fun-filled yet powerful reminder for all of the students and 6th grade parents on Tuesday October 28th. By the time we finished on Wednesday afternoon, I heard a big sigh of relief from the committee, but as Andrew left my office he asked, "What's our next project?" What a great example of service from Andrew and his committee!
Improving students' writing is a goal for all of us here at Shepardson. In addition to receiving prizes, committee members wanted to publish the following essays as recognition for accepting the challenge to enter the contest in the first place and for a job well done.
"DRUG FREE" by Joey Heiserman (5/B)I think it is important to be drug free. You will have more friends. No one would want to be your friend if you made bad choices. You have more energy if you do not do drugs. You would be able to live a long and healthy life if you did not take drugs. You would be able to do more things like sports with your friends. You do stupid stuff when you take drugs.
Drugs don't help you in everyday life. If you don't take drugs it can help you with your job. You can concentrate better and handle more complicated tasks. You can have calm conversations without getting impatient. If you need a job or a nice calm conversation don't take drugs. You should not take drugs at all. I plan to live life to the fullest and that is why I plan on taking no drugs when I grow up.
"WHY I WANT TO LIVE DRUG-FREE" by Haley Abrams (5/C)I want to live drug-free because I know that drugs can do damage to your health. It is very important to exercise and stay healthy especially when you are over the age of 60. Then you need to exercise more so you can live longer.
But, sometimes drugs can do good. For example, if you have medical problems, doctors will give you good drugs to make you better. But, if you take drugs that aren't prescribed to you by a doctor, they can make you even more sick, and if you aren't sick already they'll make you sick. Also, the wrong drugs can do extreme damage to your health. You need to get them given to you by a doctor.
Next, if you are the mother or father of a teenager, you need to talk to them about taking drugs from friends. Then, if they don't listen to you, you need to have punishments that are really hard on them. You need to explain to them why living drug free is fun. Even read them this essay if you want. Living drug free is fun and if you don't believe me, try it!
"I WANT TO BE DRUG FREE" by Cassandra Webster (5/C)Do you want to be drug free? I do. Here's the story to tell you why. About a year ago, my brother died. I was at his work with my class. All of a sudden the phone rang. It was for my teacher assistant who came with us. Her name is Ms. Avery. The person on the other line of the phone was my father. He said that he was going to come pick me up right away. When he got there he came inside and we went to the parking lot. There was a police car waiting for us. As soon as we got into the police car and were driving away I asked my father why he came to pick me up, but all I could get out of him was that there had been a "family emergency." When we got home I jumped out of the police car and ran through the yard and up toward the front door. I ran inside amazed at what was going on around me. I looked over toward the couch and there was my mother and sister. They were crying. Through her tears my sister said, "Come here baby." I went over to her with a scared look on my face. My mother, who was crying very hard, told me, "Your brother went to heaven last night." That week I got to take off of school because of what happened to my brother. By the way, my brother's name is Taylor and he drank way too much alcohol and that's how he died. So I would like to advise you not to do drugs at all.
"WHY I WANT TO BE DRUG FREE" by Lindsey Binder (6/H)There are many different reasons why I want to be drug free. The first reason is that drugs are very bad for you. Drugs have bad chemicals in them. Second, you can do something really bad and have to go to jail. For instance, getting really mad at something or somebody and beating him or her up. Also, you won't be able to follow your heart or dreams. You do horrible things that you really don't mean to. Another thing is that when you take drugs you can die from diseases. Next, people who do drugs usually get addicted to it, so it is really hard to stop. Finally, it is horrible to do drugs. For example, if you were to rate your life before you did drugs, you would rate it an eight, nine or maybe even a ten. After using drugs for a while you would probably rate your life a one, two, three maybe a four. People who take drugs may think their life is a ten but it really is more like a 1. All in all, I want to be drug free because I don't want to do bad things, and I do want to be able to be the best me I can be.
Green is for GO and the Rotary Clubs of Fort Collins wants every child to GO to the winner's circle and READ. What is required to be a winner? Follow your check list:
__ Watch for the GREEN Rotary Read sheet that will come home in the Friday folders. __ Display the form in a prominent spot. __ Encourage your child to read for 15 minutes each day from November 10 - 16th. Your may also read with your child for that amount of time. __ Check off each day's fifteen minutes on the form. __ Fill out the form including signature lines. __ Return the form to Ms. Bucher in the Media Center, Monday-Wednesday, November 16-18.
ABOVE ALL, CELEBRATE THE ENJOYMENT OF READING!
Each participant will receive a colorful, Rotary READ pencil when the form is returned. All forms will be sent to the Rotary READ committee. Gift certificates in the amount of $10.00 will be given to 600 lucky winners in Fort Collins schools whose names are drawn from the participants. IF we have the greatest increase in the number of participants over last year, we will win an author visit in. Get ready, get set, GO!
By Rea Kreider, Counselor
Each spring, students in grades 3-6 take a Poudre School District Student Attitude Survey. This survey poses the students with 20 standard statements to which they respond with "strongly disagree", "disagree", "agree" or "strongly agree." The statements range from "I like going to my school" to "Teachers enjoy teaching students" to "The assignments given to me help me become a better student" and "My Principal works hard to make my school safe." Each year we study the results of this survey very carefully. Shepardson has consistently scored above the Poudre School District average for elementary schools with the majority of responses ranging from 75-95% of students feeling safe, satisfied and listened to at our school. One statement we pay very close attention to is "At my school students treat each other with respect." Last year 50% of students in the 3rd-6th grade at Shepardson responded that they agreed or strongly agreed with this statement, and for us, this seemed low. Although this is the average response for elementary schools throughout the district, we are determined to learn why half of our 3rd-6th graders feel students don't treat each other with respect here at Shepardson. What are the actual behaviors that demonstrate disrespect? When and where are these interactions taking place? Another site-specific statement we added to the survey two years ago is "Other students treat me with respect" and the response to this statement shows us that over 80% of students feel they are treated respectfully. One conclusion we might make from this is that students see and hear others being disrespectful. One other site-specific statement indicates that 52% of students disagree with the statement "If someone is bothering me and I ask them to stop, they stop." This, too, sheds some light an area where improvement is needed, and we have started to concentrate our efforts.
At a recent faculty meeting, I brought this issue to the awareness of all teachers, and I asked that we work together to help all students raise their level of respect for one another. Simple, everyday things like "please", "thank you", "excuse me" and "I'm sorry" will help. Someone's tone of voice can send a message of respect or disrespect. Showing empathy for others by listening and helping. Stopping if someone asks us to stop. I asked teachers to please use the word respect often in their discussions with students and to compliment them when they show respectful behaviors. I know one class has started a classroom tally of any compliments that are given between students. Other teachers start or end their day with an opportunity to give compliments. Point out and discuss the behavior of characters in books or videos when they are especially respectful or disrespectful. Remind students of that old phrase that we have all heard so many times, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."
I am asking for your help at home and at other activities away from Shepardson. Unfortunately, there are many adult models on television, in movies, in professional athletics, at the mall who demonstrate how to speak and act in disrespectful ways. I am confident, that by working together we can help our children learn to live with a higher level of respect. I have set a goal that on the spring 2004 Student Attitude Survey, at least 58% of students in our 3rd-6th grades will indicate that students at Shepardson treat each other with respect. That would be an increase of 8%age points and a step in the right direction. Thank you in advance for the investment we are all making together in our most valuable national resource...our children.
Next PTO meeting
is Tuesday, January 6
7:00 p.m. in the Shepardson Library
There will not be a PTO meeting in December
Thanksgiving Lunch
Friday, November 21Volunteers are needed to help serve this day! Call Kathy O'Donnell, VIPS Coordinator at 206-1818 if you can help either the first or second half of the lunch schedule.
Gingerbread Social
Thursday, December 116:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of creativity, socializing and get in the holiday spirit while you create your own gingerbread house. Mark your calendars and sign up forms will be coming home the end of November. Admission: 1 dozen cookies!
Sponsored by Shepardson PTO
If you have not sent in your form to be included in the directory, the deadline has been extended to Wednesday, November 12. You may also call JoAnn Caddoo at 226-3103 or Tia Oblender at 207-0008.
Directory orders are still being taken so send your form in with payment as soon as possible!
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back to table of contents | Back to Top | Index to Shepardson Report Newsletters |