Attendance Line Number - 490-3062

May 20, 2004

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Shepardson's Home Page:
http://schoolweb.psdschools.org/she/

	PRINCIPAL REFLECTIONS		YEARBOOKS ARE HERE
	CALENDAR		6TH GRADE CLASS FINAL NEWS!
	SPRING ZING REMINDER		GREAT JOB, KINDERGARTEN!
	STAFF LEAVING SHEPARDSON		KEEP YOUR CHILD ACADEMICALLY ENGAGED IN THE SUMMER
	LUNCH CHARGE REMINDER		How to Contact SIT / PTO / VIPS

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It is that time of year when I remember the sixth graders when many of them were in kindergarten here at Shepardson (around 44%). Nearly 60% of them have been here since second grade. My mind experiences flashbacks of many pictures during these last seven years that make me smile with amazement at their growth from post toddlers into young adolescents. They have made a positive contribution to our school as leaders, as learners, and as role models for younger children who will follow in their footsteps. Their parents have equally committed many, many hours and relentless energy toward our school's improvement and activities that value a strong sense of community that cares about all children and that greatly expands our resources to address the diverse needs of our students. It is with mixed feelings that we celebrate their accomplishments and moving to junior high, for their presence will be missed. They have been an important part of this family and we will remember them. Congratulations and best wishes, Sixth Grade! I will miss you tremendously!

Next week an envelope will accompany your child home. It will include MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION for next year:

1. Class placement for 2004-05
2. School supplies
3. School Calendar
4. Letter with events and office hours

We do not send home a letter during the summer. However, we do keep extra copies of school supplies and we post a copy by the front door. Most businesses ask for a copy and will post our school's list. We know you will want this list when the sales occur in July.

Teachers' last official workday is next Friday. Office manager Sharon Aberegg will be available two weeks after school is out and will return two weeks before school begins. I'll be in and out during the summer involved in hiring, training, conferences, meetings as well as some vacation time. You can leave messages and I will return them as I can.

We thank the Shepardson families again for all you have done to work in partnership with us as we help each child achieve their personal best. You have been so supportive, which enables your child's progress to be so much greater than without it. To those leaving or moving, we wish you our best. We will miss you!

Have a wonderful, relaxing summer with your families! See you in the fall!

Email: msommers@psd.k12.co.u

-	Mary Kay Sommers
	email: msommers@psd.k12.co.us

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MAY 2004			MAY 2004
Wed	May 26	Spring Zing (gr. 3/4 in am, gr. 5/6 in pm)	Fri	May 28	Last Day of School; Release at 11:30 am Letter to Parents, Report Cards, Class Placements, Supply Lists, and the Calendar for next year all come home
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)	Fri	August 20	Back to School Open House 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Thu	May 27	6th Grade Graduation at 7:00 pm in gym	Mon	August 23	First Day of School

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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 shirts, hats sunscreen and water bottles are highly recommended. Some grades plan events for families adjacent to this one. Please notice the information teachers are sending home for those details.

Wednesday, May 26th,
	8:45 - 11:00 a.m.		Third and Fourth grades
	12:45 - 2:45 p.m.		Fifth and Sixth grades
Thursday, May 27th,
	8:45-11:00 a.m.		All Kindergarten students
	12:45 - 2:45 p.m.		First and Second grades

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This year we have four classroom teachers and two classified staff who will be leaving Shepardson. We will miss each one of them and we thank them for their dedication, hard work and commitment to our students!

Brownie Hayek,		fourth grade teacher
Scott Dahm,		fourth grade teacher
Theresa Konopczynski,		fifth grade teacher
Pat Reno,		afternoon kindergarten
Carol Schmelzer,		paraprofessional
Lori Magdelena,		paraprofessional

For those who may not know, Mrs. Pamela Wyman, fifth grade teacher, plans to return to Shepardson in fifth grade next year after nearly a full year's leave of absence. We are pleased that she will be able to return!

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Lunch charges are due May 25th. If you are unsure about whether or not your child owes money, please contact Carol See with Food Fest at 226-6370. She is usually in the kitchen by 10:00 am.

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Yearbooks have arrived! They will be given to teachers to distribute on Monday, May 24th. There will be a limited number of extra yearbooks available beginning Tuesday, May 25th. If you are interested in purchasing one, please see Mrs. Swets in the office. The cost is $12 - checks can be made payable to SHEPARDSON PTO. If you have any questions, please contact Marcie Dietrich at 282-9336 or Michelle Murray at 226-6224.

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6TH GRADE CLASS FINAL NEWS! The Shepardson 6th Grade Class of 2004 graduation ceremony will be on Thursday, May 27, at 7:00 p.m. in the school gym. Refreshments will be served in the courtyard afterwards. We would like to thank all of the 6th grade parents and students for all of their support to Shepardson over the years. We wish them the best of luck as they go on to junior high. We also want to thank the 2004 Sixth Grade class for a special gift. Thanks to parent and artist Brad Chiodo, the students selected a drawing to represent their class. This image labeled "Reach for the Stars" is now engraved on a granite stone that will be relocated to the front yard in honor of this special group of students and their families. Thank you for starting a new tradition that will help us renovate our front area to be more welcoming and memorable! Congratulations 6th graders!

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GREAT JOB, KINDERGARTEN! Our kindergarten students performed their first formal music program. They brought stuffed bears from home to make this "Beary" Program so special. We congratulate them and their music teacher, Mrs. Caren Everett, for their hard work!

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Research shows that students who do not read and remain engaged with learning during the summer are likely to return to school operating similar to where they were operating in mid-April. This six weeks loss compared to maintaining or growing can cause significant discomfort when school begins. These are a few tips that we encourage children to maintain their skills during the summer:

• Read every day!

• Join a summer reading program through the public library.

• Write letters and other meaningful compositions (short stories, captions to go with summer pictures, poems, different endings to stories, send emails). Encourage them to edit so that the quality of the writing is strong and they can be proud of their production.

• Practice math facts and use math in natural ways (add mileage using a map, help determine amounts of foods for recipes, add costs of items for you, make math games when in the car using mental math thinking)

• Let your children see you reading and enjoying it. Share your reading with them.

• Draw pictures for grandma and sick relatives and friends.

• Monitor extended watching of TV. Read and discuss appropriate news or magazine articles. Ask them thought provoking questions.

• Encourage daily physical activity that keeps the brain and physical body both energized. Create an activity goal each week.

• Encourage creative activities that cause children to think differently and use materials in different ways.

• Use educational websites to keep students engaged in reading and learning. We also encourage you to monitor student use especially if you have no systems in place to control access to inappropriate site

• Read every day

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