| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | January 23, 2004 |
Shepardson's Home Page:
http://schoolweb.psd.k12.co.us/schools/she/
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| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | January 23, 2004 |
Do you know a young child in your neighborhood that may be ready for Kindergarten? Please tell them about Kindergarten Registration on Thursday, February 5th from 7:00 am - 6:00 pm. Decisions will be made based upon the numbers of students who enroll and live in our attendance area as well as those who hope to enroll as a School of Choice family. We appreciate your help.
The Annual Report for last year 2002-03 is now available in print form. All SIT and PTO members have a hard copy and soon it will be added to our website. This report includes more than test scores for it also shows other accomplishments made by students and staff and the results of the incredible services provided by PTO. It is one way to show how much we value our partnership with parents and the comprehensive program that exists at Shepardson. Please contact the office if you would like your own copy.
As a team, we are so committed to spending our time creating the best learning environment for children that we usually, if not always, avoid those time-consuming activities that might bring honor upon an individual or the school. Lately, we've been reminded of the value in submitting applications for honors or grants that will serve to recognize the accomplishments and hard work of many folks here. In one application, we needed to know the number of recorded volunteer hours. We know that it's hard for busy parents to stop and sign the Volunteer Book for this purpose. Now that there appears to be real value (could be $25,000), perhaps more parents will spend the extra two minutes recording their time. We hope so! If you have an interest in helping us write these applications, please let us know. From the Annual Report, it is easy to be proud of what our students, staff and parents accomplish at this school. It is truly an amazing school...because of the dedicated and caring people!
National School Counselors Week is the first week of February! We are so fortunate to have a full time counselor and one who is so dedicated, works so hard for the Shepardson families and staff, and is highly skillful and knowledgeable. I am so thankful that Rea Kreider is such an important part of our team. Please join me in thanking him for his efforts and caring for our community! Thank you, Rea, for all you do!
Thank you for sharing your children with us and being part of the Shepardson community!
| - | Mary Kay Sommers |
| email: msommers@psd.k12.co.us |
| CALENDAR | January 23, 2004 |
| JANUARY 2004 | FEBRUARY 2004 | ||||
| Mon | Jan. 26 | First Day of Enrichment Classes | Tue | Feb. 3 | PTO Meeting 7:00 pm |
| Mon | Jan. 26 | Report Cards Distributed Today | Thu | Feb 5 | Kindergarten Registration 7:00 am - 6:00 pm |
| Tue-Thu | Jan. 27-29 | Parent Conferences (School in session) | Fri | Feb. 6 | School of Choice applications due today |
| FEBRUARY 2004 | Tue | Feb. 10 | Family R & R Night 6:30 - 7:30 pm | ||
| Mon-Fri | Feb. 2-6 | National School Counselors Week | Thu-Fri | Feb. 12-13 | District Inservice Days (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS) |
| Tue | Feb. 3 | 6th Grade Parent Planning Meeting 6:15 Media Center | Mon | Feb. 16 | NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day |
SHEPARDSON SUBMITTING AWARD NOMINATIONS
Lately, due to some encouragement and recognizing the value of self-reflection and the natural feelings of honor that occur for the teacher and the school, we've become more receptive to responding to these invitations. At this time, we're in the process of submitting nominations for three awards. Mrs. Bev Addington, first grade teacher, was nominated by a "mystery" person (perhaps a parent) to submit an application for the Disney Teacher of the Year Award. She completed the paperwork and found the reflection process to be highly valuable. Congratulations and good luck, Bev! Mrs. Brownie Hayek, fourth grade teacher, was nominated by Shepardson for the Fort Collins Teacher of the Year Award. Again, the reflective process that asks you to describe your beliefs and values in teaching was valuable to her. If interested, there is still time to write her a letter of support. Letters not used will be compiled into a special memory book for her. Congratulations and good luck, Brownie! Parent Jennifer Kelly and Principal Mary Kay Sommers submitted an application for Shepardson to be considered for two awards through the 21st Century Schools of Distinction Awards program. We felt that Shepardson's qualifications were especially impressive in the "Involved Parents and Teachers" award and in the "Best of the Best" category. It was easy to find many examples but difficult to be selective. Good luck, Shepardson! |
| The Student Council Spirit Committee has determined how Shepardson students will be joining together to show their school spirit through Spirit Days. Mark your calendars and watch for reminders in the newsletter: | ||
| February 20: | Wacky Hair Day (Friday) | |
| Students and staff will come with creative coiffures that portray unique versions of WACKY HAIR! Hair paints or colored sprays may also be worn that day. | ||
| March 2: | Pajama Day (Tuesday) | |
| Students and staff will help celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday and also Read Across America Day as they come to school clad in their pajamas. | ||
| April 16: | Hawaiian Day (Friday) | |
| Students and staff will dress as though they are ready for that longed-for getaway to the tropical paradise of Hawaii. Colorful clothing, leis, or other appropriate Hawaiian attire will be welcome at school that day. | ||
| May 7: | 50's Day | |
| Students and staff will help capture the spirit of Sock Hop as they dress in those wonderful fashions of the 50s for the day: poodle skirts, "dungarees," ponytails, pompadours, or other fashions of days gone by. | ||
Family R & R Night (Research and Reference) is coming. Because of a scheduling conflict with the World Book trainer, R & R will be Tuesday, February 10 from 6:30 until 7:30. During that hour, half of the R & R will be in the computer lab with Tom Krebs who will show you how to access World Book Online from home. The other half of R & R will be in the Media Center where you and your child will find information in a variety of sources that are part of the reference collection.
Registration forms and additional information about R & R will go home in the Friday folders on January 30, 2004. To reserve a place for your family at R & R Night, you must return the forms by Friday, February 6th.
PRINCIPAL'S ART SHOW
The Principal's Art Show is starting the school year with a new exhibition of paintings by four first graders. Maria Lawson, Lauren Caddoo, Tess Baker and Megan Baker created paintings using symmetrical leaves painted in warm and cool colors. The bright and beautiful paintings will be on display in Dr. Sommers' office until the end of the quarter. Please feel free to stop by and see the exhibition! |
Winter Session Enrichment classes begin the week of January 26. Class confirmation forms will be sent home with students on Friday. If your children are signed up for classes, please look for the forms and note the days and times of their classes. If you have questions, contact Becky Woodcox, Enrichment Coordinator at 266-6370 or e-mail bwoodcox@psd.k12.co.us.
It is time to start planning our upcoming 6th grade graduation activities. These activities include the 6th grade lock-in party, graduation, teacher gifts, gift to the school and graduation party. The graduation will be on May 27, 2004. If you would like to be on a planning committee for any of these events, there will be a meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 6:15 pm before the PTO meeting in the Media Center. We will also discuss financial arrangements. If you have any questions or cannot attend this meeting contact Debra Ramsey, 267-2965 or debramsey92@hotmail.com. Thank you for supporting our class events.
The results of the Spring 2003 Shepardson Parent Survey are in! Compared to the Spring 2001 survey, responses reflected improvements in nearly all categories. Seventy-seven percent of parents who responded to the question gave Shepardson an "A" grade, 21% gave Shepardson a "B", and 2% gave Shepardson a "C". The table below shows the percentage of parents who responded Always or Usually to the statement on the questionnaire. For complete survey results by grade, please see the Shepardson website or stop by the office.
The SIT team also reviewed written comments from the survey. When asked "What is the single most important thing your school and teachers could do to help you help your children do their best in school", parents cited three main areas: Keeping communication strong, maintaining strong academic standards and keeping expectations high, and meeting the individual needs of each child/each child is unique.
Parents were asked to describe their overall experience with Shepardson. Of the more than 300 surveys reviewed, the feedback on this question was overwhelmingly positive. Parents were very happy with the teachers and staff at the school and the school community.
As a result of the survey, an action plan will be developed for the following areas:
Suggestions about PTO fundraising and events have also been reviewed and considered by PTO.
Thank you to all who took the time to complete the survey. The results and comments are important to the staff and SIT team in continuing to improve our school.
| All Shepardson Grades | Sum of Always and Usually % Responses | |
| Spring 2001 | Spring 2003 | |
| % | % | |
| Sufficient Opportunity to volunteer | 95 | 97 |
| Satisfied with reading instruction | 82 | 87 |
| Satisfied with writing instruction | 79 | 84 |
| Satisfied with math instruction | 83 | 87 |
| My child is adequately supervised | 76 | 83 |
| I feel bullying is a problem | 26 | 34 |
| Teacher responds to my issues | 87 | 92 |
| Well rounded curriculum | 96 | 100 |
| Pleased with principal performance | 86 | 93 |
| Staff assesses child's needs | 81 | 93 |
| My child is encouraged to achieve academic potential. | 84 | 92 |
| My child is academically prepared for the next grade | 84 | 92 |
| I understand teacher's expectations | 84 | 94 |
| Informed of expectations on a timely basis | NA | 93 |
| Shepardson provides a safe environment. | NA | 98 |
| Grade A/B | 84 | 90 |
At times there are major differences in the calendars between the elementary and secondary schools. For example, the end of the 2nd quarter for secondary ends on Dec. 19 whereas, the elementary quarter ends on Jan. 16. Report cards will come home on Monday, Jan. 26. Sometimes elementary students are in school while secondary schools are not in session and vice versa. A calendar was sent home at the beginning of the school year and we try to keep upcoming dates in the newsletter for you. Also, you can access the district and school calendar from our website. We realize these differences can be confusing to families. If you need another copy of this year's calendar, contact the office.
For ALL girls in Kindergarten.
For ALL interested Adults.
Recruitment Event:
Monday, February 9 at 6:30 pm
Shepardson Elementary School
For more information, contact Heidi at 970-493-1844.
Membership is $10 per year. Financial assistance is available.
CONGRATULATIONS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BEE PARTICIPANTS!
The Shepardson National Geographic Bee was held on Wednesday, January 14. Thirty-three students were quizzed on their knowledge of world geography. Congratulations to all 33 participants for their excellent performance. Special recognition goes to Peter Chen, our school champion, and to Ilya Smirnov, runner-up. Thanks to everyone who participated and helped make our first school Geography Bee a huge success. |
Did you know that Shepardson has a school wide postal system? This year it began operation on January 21. The postal system's objectives are: to motivate students to use their writing skills, to enhance the teaching of writing strategies, to create another avenue of communication among our school community, and to gain skills in writing a friendly letter and addressing envelopes. The students in Mrs. DelMonte's 3rd grade class are the postal workers. They collect, sort, and deliver the mail each day. In addition to enhancing their writing skills, they are practicing other skills, such as categorization, scanning, matching, and counting. Each postal carrier has signed a work contract.
Here are a few tips to help your child write letters at home. To make the addressing of envelopes realistic, the students should include the receiver's name, street (pod name), city, state and zip code (class code). Also, please include a return address. If your child does not know the name of the teacher of the child he/she is writing to, just have your child check with his/her teacher. Happy writing!
| Kindergarten's address: | Kindergarten Ct. | |
| 1st and 2nd Grade Pod: | 12 Alpha Centauri | |
| 3rd and 4th Grade Pod: | 34 Nova | |
| 5th and 6th Grade Pod: | 56 Polaris | |
| Office Address: | Office Place |
Example:
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Next meeting is Tuesday, February 3
7:00 p.m. in the Shepardson Library
All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend!
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College Funding Night
Thursday, March 11, 2004
7:00 p.m. in the Shepardson library
Childcare will be provided.
This is a one-hour free seminar on ways to effectively fund your child's college education. There is no selling involved. Shepardson PTO has teamed up with an experienced financial advisor from American Express Financial Services to offer tips and advice on financial aid and your family's expected contribution, taxes and control over assets. You will learn that how, where and when you save will have a profound difference on what you pay for college.
This seminar has the PTO Today magazine seal of approval and has been used by hundreds of schools across the country.
Childcare will be provided. Reservation forms for childcare and more information will be sent home with the February 20 newsletter.
Please feel free to contact JoAnn Caddoo @ 226-3103 or coloradocaddoo@msn.com with questions.
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PTO Bulletin Board
Did you know that PTO has a bulletin board? It is posted along the wall opposite the Media Center. Deb Ramsey keeps it updated with on going PTO information and events. Be sure to stop by and check it out next time you are at school!
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PTO positions are available for the next school year!
Contact JoAnn Caddoo @ 226-3103, coloradocaddoo@msn.com or Jennifer Burkhart at 225-1873.
The Nomination Committee will begin in February and we would like to see more parents becoming involved in the many events and decisions made through the PTO. A variety of time commitments are available!
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If you have questions or comments regarding PTO, contact JoAnn Caddoo @ 226-3103 coloradocaddoo@msn.com or Jennifer Burkhart at 225-1873
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