| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | February 20, 2004 |
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| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | February 20, 2004 |
Last week the entire Shepardson staff, along with many other schools in Fort Collins, was trained by national speaker Pat Davenport who wrote the book Closing the Achievement Gap. We learned some different strategies that have been proven successful in narrowing the achievement gap for identifiable groups of students. We were also reaffirmed to learn that we are already doing many of these "Best Practices." On Friday, we spent time processing what we've learned and identified ways that we as a whole team can unite and focus more of our instructional efforts to help all children learn at their highest levels.
Starting in April, we will begin a school-wide focus on the six writing traits to support our school goal. Each month will feature at least one trait. We will be adding some strategies as a school while each teacher may be making some different accommodations as well. Remaining focused on the standards, assessing what students know and still need to learn, and then providing either enrichment or additional practice are some of the key elements. These two days are our only "inservice" days since we use the other days to conference with parents. Working with a staff who values on-going professional development is highly aligned with our school's mission as well as an indicator of highly successful schools. They are truly committed to helping your children reach their best performance levels. I'm proud to work with such a dedicated team!
This past week we received word that Shepardson has become a semi-finalist for the 21st. Century Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence! We join the 350 schools out of the 1285 that submitted applications for this award. Parent Jennifer Kelley and I will again complete the next set of questions. We are vying for the "Involved Parents/Teachers" and "Best of the Best" schools awards. In the event we proceed to the next level, a team will do a site visit (and checking on our parent volunteer hours.) We simply wrote about how well our parents and staff work together for the education of all children. Congratulations, Shepardson, for this accomplishment!
| - | Mary Kay Sommers |
| email: msommers@psd.k12.co.us |
| CALENDAR | February 20, 2004 |
| FEBRUARY 2004 | MARCH 2004 | ||||
| Mon | Feb 23 | Different Shoe Day | Mon-Fri | Mar 1-5 | No Name Calling Week |
| Mon | Feb 23 | Yearbook Orders due today | Tue | Mar 2 | Pajama Day for Dr. Seuss' Birthday and Read across America Day |
| Tue | Feb 24 | 5th Grade Music Program (6:30pm) | Tue | Mar 2 | PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m. |
| Tue | Feb 24 | Choir (7:45 am) and Student Council (8:15 am) Pictures | Wed-Thu | Mar 3-4 | Spring Enrichment Registration (before and after school) |
| Sat-Fri | Feb 28 - Mar 5 | Reach Week (Read as much as you can!) | Mon-Fri | Mar 8 - Apr 12 | CSAP Testing Window (Grades 3-6) |
| Thu | Mar 11 | College Night at Shepardson 7:00 p.m. | |||
| Mon-Fri | Mar 15-19 | Spring Break -- No School | |||
In order to ensure the appropriate placement of students in the Sixth Grade Accelerated Math Program, Poudre School District has developed updated criteria for entering the program. In order to enter the Accelerated Math Program, students must meet two of the following three criteria:
Fourth graders will not have a CSAP test, so teacher recommendation will be considered for placement if only one of the measures is attained. Teacher recommendation also will be considered in situations where the application of criteria will lead to placement that is not in the best interest of the student.
If you have any questions or comments about the Accelerated Math Program, please contact John Passantino, Curriculum Generalist, at 419-7587.
Please let us know if you are NOT expecting your child to be at Shepardson next year. Having a more accurate picture of the enrollment enables us to make our best decisions. If you find you are leaving or will not be leaving as expected, please contact us. You can simply leave a message, especially in the summertime. Thanks for keeping us informed.
If you are planning on attending the immunization clinic at Boltz Junior High on March 3, 2004, please stop in our office to pick up the educational brochures concerning the immunizations for Hepatitis B and MMR and read it before signing the consent.
Thank you to all who have participated in the letter-writing portion of REACH Week. We have decided to extend the deadline for turning in letters until early next week. If your children would still like to fill out their 10 letters and receive one of the prizes, we will be collecting letters through next week. In addition, the classroom with the most letters written and turned in will receive a pizza party! The reading portion of REACH Week will begin on February 28th. Yellow reading cards will be sent home in next weeks Friday folders. This is a great fundraiser for our school-thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Maria Smailes at 223-3756.
The first ever Shepardson Oral Spelling Bee was held on Wednesday, February 4. Twenty-nine 4th - 6th grade students made it to the final Bee. And what an event it was! Our students excelled in the event, spelling such words as serendipitous, pugnacious, and sesquicentennial. Wow! We found out we have GREAT spellers! Our first Spelling Bee was very impressive and sure to become a popular annual event at Shepardson. We're proud of all our GREAT spellers. Special recognition goes to the top six spellers: Peter Chen, 1st; Collins Wang, 2nd; Kiera Kauffman, 3rd; Andy Gloor, 4th; Courtney Cordova, 5th; and Arun Chandra, 6th. Participants in the 2004 Shepardson Spelling Bee were:
4th Grade:
Arun Chandra, Grant Fourcroy, Michael Hurley, Tait Rutherford
5th Grade:
Danielle Cole, Andy Gloor, Anne Haas, Anna Isernia, Tori Kauffman, Mary Kate Ouellette, James Rubesne, Collins Wang
6th Grade:
Peter Chen, Lexi Cole, Kiara Cooper, Courtney Cordova, Katie Elder, John Graber, Danny Heiserman, Ian Ingraham, Kiera Kauffman, Holly Lenke, Brandy Liptak, Scott Male, Kimmy Mazza, Abby Miller, Laney Murray, Ilya Smirnov, Brett Yurash |
Four members of the Shepardson Choir participated in the District Honor Choir concert on Tuesday evening at the Lincoln Center. Those members were Sarah Bunn, Tori Kauffman, Collins Wang, and Kimeon Young. Singers from all across the district rehearsed together for five weeks under the director Neil Johnson. Mr. Johnson is not only the choir director at Rocky Mountain High School, but a composer as well. One of the pieces the honor choir sang at their concert was the premier performance of a song written by Mr. Johnson called "One Voice More." They did a wonderful job and it was an experience they will always remember. This performance will be aired on Channel 10 several times; you can check the district website for the schedule http://www.psd.k12.co.us/services/channel10. Choir Director Mrs. Everett will try to find out the schedule; contact the office or her for these details. Congratulations! |
Help Your Child with "Bully Proofing" Strategies...
During the last two months many of my lessons with students have focused on bullying. In Kindergarten classes we saw a video called "You and Me" which helped children understand the differences between being mean and being nice. We discussed pushing, hitting, grabbing, name calling and making faces to be mean. Then we talked about how great it is that each of us is different and that there's no one else exactly like you. Ask your Kindergarten child if he/she remembers the song "Don't Be a Bully. Be a Pal." In 1st and 2nd grade we talked about "monster power," "mouse power" and "personal power." We decided that yelling, pushing and hurting (monster power) or crying and tattling (mouse power) are not the best ways to solve problems. Instead we'll try to use our confident, respectful words (personal power). In 3rd, 4th and 5th grades we started out defining bullying as unfair and one-sided. True bullying happens when someone keeps hurting, frightening, threatening or leaving someone out on purpose. We talked about the difference between a friend being grouchy and mean to you vs. someone who is not your friend repeatedly going out of his way to be mean, even after you have asked him to stop. We discussed many possible strategies including avoiding, ignoring, using a little humor, self talk, joining a group, speaking up in an assertive, respectful voice and asking an adult for help. We watched a movie called "Show and Tell" about Max and his struggles with bullies. We role played speaking up when you see bullying happening around you to help make Shepardson an even safer school. Students in 3rd and 4th grade got pamphlets about bullying to bring home and a bookmark with a list of strategies as a reminder. I also spent quite a bit of time talking about resiliency and how important it is to remember that if you are being treated meanly, it has nothing to do with you. It is not your fault and you deserve to be respected. It is OK to say you don't like it and you want them to stop. If they don't stop, stay calm, walk away and talk to the teacher, your parents, the counselor or some other adult who will listen and help. It has been interesting to watch as the students role-play. Some children are understandably hesitant and uncomfortable when asked to act or sound like a bully, and many of them realized that speaking up in a confident, assertive way is not as easy as it looks. I encouraged them to practice at home, perhaps with parents or in a mirror, so if they ever found themselves in that situation, they could remember how the words sounded and felt.
Different Shoe Day...
There are two upcoming events that I hope the Shepardson community will take part in. The first was brought to my attention by one of our Girl Scout Troops. It's called "Different Shoe Day- A Step in the Right Direction." On Monday, February 23rd, wear two different shoes. When someone asks why you are doing it, tell them it is a symbolic way to remember our individual strengths and differences, and that it is important to value people of all cultures, ethnicities, races and abilities.
No Name Calling Week...
The second date to mark on your calendar is March 1st-March 5th as "No Name Calling Week." Calling others names is something we want to avoid doing at anytime, but let's all be especially aware during the first week of March. If you hear someone name-calling, give them a respectful reminder. Thanks for helping to make Shepardson a friendly, respectful school.
Next meeting is Tuesday, March 2
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
Attached to this week's newsletter is detailed information on topics that will be covered during this presentation. There is no selling involved, only useful information.
Childcare will be provided in the gym. Attached is a reservation form for childcare. There is no cost for this but we do need to receive your reservation form no later than Friday, March 5th. Simply fill out the form and return to the office as soon as possible.
If you have further questions, please contact JoAnn Caddoo at 226-3103 or coloradocaddoo@msn.com
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Yearbook Orders!
It is time to place your yearbook order! Order forms are being sent home with your child today. The cost of the yearbook is $10.00 each. Orders are due by this Monday, February 23. If your child did not bring home an order form, you may contact Marcie Dietrich at 282-9336 or Michelle Murray at 226-6224. The number of yearbooks ordered will determine how many are printed. So don't miss out on this opportunity!
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Sock Hop Help Needed
Volunteers are needed to help with the Sock Hop in May. If you would like to help with food, photos, decorations and set up, please contact JoAnn Caddoo at 226-3103 or email to coloradocaddoo@msn.com . This is a fun event to work on!
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Listed below are upcoming PTO sponsored events and functions:
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Correction:
In the last newsletter it was stated that PTO helps fund the Sixth Grade Lock-in. PTO does not help fund the Lock-In. PTO contributes money to pay for refreshments for the Sixth Grade Graduation.
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