| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | May 14, 2004 |
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| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | May 14, 2004 |
Many thanks to so many of you who honored me this past week. This week I received the Collaborative Award which is presented to a PSD teacher or administrator for "outstanding service to students with special needs." It should have been given to the entire Shepardson team... that includes parents, students and staff. It takes the whole team composed of staff who continue to seek new strategies that help all children reach their highest level, of parents who follow through and support their children, and of students who continue to try hard every day, especially when it's a struggle. Every staff member here cares about every child and will give each one the special help and caring that is needed to take the risks involved in learning. Imagine a difficult task that you had to face every day. Many students are faced with such challenges every day yet they come with smiles, confidence and determination. I learn something every day from your children and the staff. I know that the students at Shepardson who interact with peers with different strengths and needs are learning life skills that respect and value diversity; besides, it's the right thing to do. It is indeed my honor and privilege to serve you. Thanks again to the very special folks who gave up their time to write letters and submit this nomination, to over 30 staff members who joined me for this special evening, and to the many cards and posters especially those from the 5th and 6th graders. The honor, however, must go to the Shepardson community! As our vision states, "Together we can reach the stars!"
There are many events in May. We thank all of the parents, staff and students who attended the annual Sock Hop and for the efforts of PTO to make this a fun, family event. Finding ways for families to enjoy the celebrations of learning and sense of community is a most rewarding experience. Special thanks to PE Teacher Greg Neal who helped our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students perform their personal best at the annual PSD Track and Field Days last Saturday. Thanks to all for taking time to spend these special moments at school with your children. YOU are all what makes Shepardson a wonderful place to learn and grow!
| - | Mary Kay Sommers |
| email: msommers@psd.k12.co.us |
| CALENDAR | May 14, 2004 |
| MAY 2004 | MAY 2004 | ||||
| Thu | May 20 | Choir sings for community and school groups today | Thu | May 27 | 6th Grade Graduation at 7:00 pm in gym |
| Thu | May 20 | SIT 4:00 - 6:00 | Fri | May 28 | Last Day of School; Release at 11:30 am Letter to Parents; Report Cards come home today |
| Wed | May 26 | Spring Zing (gr 3/4 in am, gr. 5/6 in pm) | |||
| Wed | May 26 | Kdg Graduation 5:30 pm at school | AUGUST 2004 | ||
| Thu | May 27 | Spring Zing (kdg in am, gr. 1/2 in pm) | Mon | Aug. 23 | First Day of School |
Last year two teachers piloted conducting their listening conferences before school began. This arrangement is of interest to a few more teachers this next fall. Teaching all day and then doing conferences at night is exhausting.
Teachers may choose alternative times next fall. If they choose to meet with parents before school starts, they will be contacting parents to set up the schedule. Those teachers who choose a time after school starts will be conferencing primarily during these two weeks: either Aug. 31st - September 2nd or the following week September 7-9.
Parents can sign up as usual for these conferences at the Back to School Open House. In the placement letter on May 28th, we will notify parents of when your child's teacher plans to conference next fall. We truly appreciate your understanding and support of these different schedules.
As most of you know, our fourth grade teacher and friend, Mrs. Brownie Hayek, will be officially retiring at the end of this school year. Brownie taught at Shepardson for 15 years and 10 years in Nebraska. This year completes a career that encompasses her teaching students in every grade Kdg through grade 6. Winning the Fort Collins Teacher of the Year Award was truly one of the special highlights of her career. However, working every day with children, parents and staff has always been her joy. Both Brownie and her husband, Rich, will be subbing and seeking other opportunities in their next chapter.
Brownie and husband Rich will be moving back to Nebraska the first of June. They are renovating an old cabin in the woods on the banks of the Missouri River. Their farm of 100 acres includes a vineyard and is only 25 miles away from the one room schoolhouse where her grandmother served as the "schoolmarm"...prior to marrying her grandfather, of course. She is truly returning to her roots and is looking forward to being a Farm Wife and finding ways to keep life more simple. She would love to stay in touch with families.
Rich and Brownie Hayek
Fair Sun Island Farm
Rt. 1 Box 75
Peru, NE 68421
We thank Brownie for sharing her talents, gifts and incredible dedication to the children at Shepardson. She has truly made a difference in all of our lives. Congratulations, Brownie, and best wishes forever!
It is time for Spring Zing 2004! I am very excited about another Spring Zing here at Shepardson. Please feel free to come and watch your children participate in this fun day. All students should come dressed for activity and the weather on hand. Shorts, tennis shoes, light colored short-sleeved shirt, hats, sunscreen and water bottles are highly recommended.
| Wednesday,May 26th, | 8:45 - 11:00 am | Third and Fourth grade. | ||
| 12:45 - 2:45 | Fifth and Sixth Grades | |||
| Thursday, May 27th, | 8:45 - 11:00 am | ALL Kindergarten | ||
| 12:45 - 2:45 pm | First and Second Grades |
Members of Student Council spent time last Friday morning before school cleaning up the school's front yard. Mr. Kreider, who has been diligently trimming bushes, was even caught down in the dumpster. Mrs. Ramsey and other parents were there to assist the students and staff. Students were raking leaves, removing trimmings, and scrubbing the bench. Students, staff and parents combined their efforts and interest in making our school look better. Thanks to Mr. Kreider and all involved in this "extra duty"! You truly care about our school. |
There aren't words enough to express the gratitude of the PTO board, families and Shepardson staff for all you have done this past year as President and the previous year as Vice-President! Simply put, you led us with foresight and energy. Your participation and leadership in all the PTO sponsored events, as well as your initiative to bring more offerings to our families, is SO appreciated! It sets a standard for the future of this organization. Thank you for your tireless efforts (on top of 2 jobs!), your initiatives, your staff support, and your continued advocacy for all the children at Shepardson!
by Rea Kreider
Each year, elementary schools across the district "take the temperature" of their school climate by conducting a Student Attitude Survey. At Shepardson, we surveyed our 4th, 5th and 6th grade students, and we want you to know the results.
The survey is a set of 20 statements that students respond to with one of five choices; "strongly agree", "agree", "unsure", "disagree" or "strongly disagree." Examples of the statements include;
Results come back to us indicating the percentages of students responding with each answer on each question, and we can then compare Shepardson's average responses with the district wide averages of all students completing the survey, and we can also study results more carefully by grade and by gender.
In general, this year's survey shows us that Shepardson students like coming to school, believe their teachers are doing a great job, have confidence they can do well in school, and feel we are working hard to make the school a safe place to learn. Statistically,
As we study the results a bit more carefully we find
Each school also has the opportunity to pose 5 "site-specific" statements to their students. From the student responses on these we have learned that, in general, students feel safe while at school and they are working hard on their academics, regardless of what their friends might be doing. One area of concern is that 50% of students in 4th, 5th and 6th grade feel we have a problem with bullying here at Shepardson. As a faculty, we feel this response is much higher than what we actually see everyday. In reality, our Code of Conduct referrals remain the same as last year and have gone down significantly since 2002. We know there are interactions between students that could be perceived as bullying-type behavior, and they are usually verbal in nature. Through "Second Step" we have certainly raised student awareness of what bullying looks and sounds like. We have provided all students with a variety of strategies for dealing with bullies, and have taken class time to actually role play how to assertively yet respectfully stand up for themselves or someone else. The response on one other site-specific statement sheds light on where we need to continue our efforts---53% of students surveyed suggest that if they ask a peer to stop doing or saying something irritating, they don't stop. We will continue to work with all students on how to treat others in a respectful and friendly way, which includes stopping if someone asks them to stop. We will continue to teach students strategies on how to represent themselves assertively when necessary and we will continue to encourage students to be resilient if or when others treat them unkindly.
All in all, Shepardson is a great community and our students' responses on this year's attitude survey definitely reflects that belief.
May 14, 2004
Next PTO meeting is September 7, 2004.
As we wrap up the school year, we as PTO wanted to share with you what we have been able to accomplish through our fund raisers and parent support.
Events:
Programs supported:
Other Services:
Fund Raisers:
Thank you PTO members for your hard work and commitment!
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PTO By Law Changes
At the last PTO Meeting the following PTO by-law changes were voted on:
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Board Members Elected
The following people were elected to the PTO Board:
Thank you for giving PTO another year of hard work and commitment!
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2004-05 PTO Calendar
Attached to this newsletter is the PTO School calendar for 2004-05. It includes our fund raising dates and social events. This calendar will also be posted on the Shepardson website to reference.
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Back to School Open House
With school beginning on a Monday this year, we will have the Back to School Open House on Friday, August 20. Details will be sent home in August. At the open house you will have opportunities to meet your child's teacher, sign up for Scouts, and see what is in store with PTO!
An organizational meeting for the Open House will be held at Case Park, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 10:00 a.m. for PTO members.
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Thank you to Lighthouse Lending for making a donation to Shepardson PTO for every Shepardson family that finances a mortgage through them! Just in the last two months we have received $200.00!
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Welcome New PTO President
I pass the torch to Jennifer Burkhart as our new PTO President! She has been a great help this year and will do wonderful work for Shepardson over the next two years. Her ability to speak fluent Spanish will be an asset to our ESL Spanish speaking families. She has served on various boards and fund raising committees and is over qualified for this job! Thank you, Jennifer, for accepting this responsibility!
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This is our last PTO Corner for the school year!
Have a wonderful summer and THANK YOU to everyone who has helped with PTO events this year!
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