Attendance Line Number - 490-3062

September 16, 2004

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

	PRINCIPAL REFLECTIONS		ART CLASSES AT THE MOCA
	CALENDAR		PTO CORNER
	SCHOOL CLOSURES DUE TO WEATHER		How to Contact SIT / PTO / VIPS
	ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

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This week I am deeply moved by the positive energy that exists among the staff to jointly meet the diverse needs of our students. I watch specialists give up hours of their planning time to talk individually with students regarding their hard work and great performance on the CSAP tests last spring. Many, many thanks to these teachers who are joining me: Lori Pibal, art teacher; Caren Everett, music teacher; Greg Neal, PE teacher; Margie Bucher, Media Specialist; Sue Harbour, ESL teacher; Diann Schooler, 3/4 special educator; Amy May Teague, 5/6 special educator. Early reactions from students are very positive. We are able to help each child see their strength areas and help them find an area on which to focus this year. Our summaries will be given to the classroom teachers to assist them in their planning and instruction. As found in other schools, this process, while highly time consuming, is very powerful. We all like to know how we did on any performance task and especially when we did our best work. Please help me thank this incredible team!

Other interesting observations this week include:

• Watching very busy teachers sign up for a duty when another staff member has broken her foot.

• Helping students learn and use safety rules and processes. This staff makes safety a priority!

• Holding parent conferences and even making home visits to better understand ways we can help each unique child be successful.

• Finding creative ways to differentiate for our learners who already know the skills being taught.

• Using data and graphs to better understand trends and changes that may be needed when planning for instruction this year (This is another way of saying that teachers are not using last year's plans without considering the learning needs of their students.)

• Staff using new language (like "affective filter") to remind ourselves how stressful it can be when we are in the midst of learning something new.

• Office team finding creative ways to address the needs of students and parents!

• Parents working hard to provide special events (ice cream social) and organize fundraisers to expand the resources we can provide for your children.

• Most of all, watching staff giving their full attention to listening to each other and to students and thinking about ways to make education even more effective.

The synergy of this team is beyond description. I am grateful every day for working with a team who is willing to listen to and respect each other, to go "above and beyond" to help students reach the high expectations we set, and to support each other by sharing strategies and observations that help us better address their diverse needs. At the same time, we fortunately have many volunteers who assist us by working with small groups under teacher direction. It is through this powerful and inclusive team process that we can best meet the needs of your children. Thank YOU all for being part of our instructional team this year!

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

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SEPTEMBER 2004			SEPTEMBER 2004
21	Tue	Picture Day	23	Thu	SIT Meeting - 4:00-6:00
21	Tue	4th grade parent curriculum night 6:30-7:30 pm	24	Fri	Student Council Committee Meeting 7:45 am
22	Wed	2nd Grade ILP Meeting 6:00 pm - Media Center

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If schools are closeddue to extreme weather or other situations:Parents should tune in to local radio, television stations, or go online to PSD's Web site to find out about school closures the morning of the day in question. Media outlets are only informed if schools are closed; noannouncementsby the mediameansschools are open, as usual.

A decision about weather-related school closures is made by approximately 6:00 a.m. and media outlets are notified immediately. Parents should not call schools, district offices, or broadcast media.

The following radio and television stations and PSD website will provide information about PSD school closures. We will notify Spanish radio station KGRE, AM 1450 and KJJD, AM 1170 for our Spanish speaking families.

TELEVISION STATIONS:

Channel 2		WB2News-KWGN
Channel 4		NEWS4-KCNC
Channel 7		7News-KMGH
Channel 9		9NEWS-KUSA

NEWSPAPER:
www.coloradoan.com

LOCAL RADIO STATIONS:

BEAR		107.9 FM
KUNC		91.5 FM
KCOL		600 AM
KGRE		1450 AM (SPANISH)
TRI 102		102.5 FM
KIIX		1410 AM
KUAD		99 FM
KCSU		90.5 FM
KJJD		1170 AM (SPANISH)
KKQZ		94.3FM
Denver radio stations KOA 850 AM, and KOOL 105 FM.

PSD WEBSITE:
www.psdschools.org

On severe weather days, when school is held as scheduled, parents are reminded to expect delays in school bus service and to help dress children appropriately for potential longer waits at the bus stop.

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Monday, October 4 is the last day to register to vote in the November 2 General Election. Several important issues are on this year's ballot, some of which impact public education in Colorado.

Voter registration forms are available at public libraries and post offices and at many banks and grocery stores throughout Larimer County. In addition, walk-in voter registration is available at the Larimer County Clerk's Office at 200 West Oak from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays.

For more information, including forms and voter registration locations, visit the Larimer County website at http://www.co.larimer.co.us/elections or call (970) 498-7820.

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The Fort Collins Museum of Modern Art is offering Adult, Youth and Toddler art classes this fall. The variety of classes being offered is outstanding-everything from pastels, clay and mosaics to metal smithing, tie-dye, Japanese anime, and robots. For more information call MOCA at 482-2787 or e-mail them at fcmoca@frii.com. Visit their website - fcmoca.org.

Lori Pibal

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The next PTO meeting will be held Tuesday, October 5th, 2004

• 7:00 p.m. (committee work)
  
• 7:15 p.m. (Board Meeting)

NEW FACES AND INPUT ARE WELCOME SO PLEASE JOIN US AND LEARN ABOUT WHAT GOES ON AT SHEPARDSON!

Thank you...

All Volunteers for helping with the Ice Cream Social!

Your time, talent, scooping and topping were greatly appreciated!

A BIG THANKS to Dena Hartman for organizing this event! Thanks, Dena

ATTENTION NEW FAMILIES

Please join us for a New Family Coffee

Thursday, October 7th 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Stop in for an opportunity to meet some of the Shepardson staff, ask lots of questions,and get connected with a few other families. Questions? Please contact Michelle Murray at 226-6224.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Help Still Needed!

PTO is looking for parents to help with various events and positions!

A little time goes a long way to support our children's educational experience...

Needed:

• PTO Vice President: The Vice President role has changed in that the VP no longer moves into the position of President automatically. The VP simply serves to assist the President throughout his/her term.

• Treasurer School year 05-06: PTO is looking for someone to take on the role of treasurer next school year. Our current treasurer's term will expire and the position will be vacant. If you have a knack for numbers, please consider this position!

• Secretary: The position for secretary is up for grabs! Our current secretary will be moving into the President Elect position which leaves the position of secretary vacant. This position requires little time at school, and can be done primarily from home. There are two meetings a month that take place at school. One in the afternoon, and the other is the PTO meeting in the evening.

• REACH Week Coordinator: This fundraiser is one of the more simple to organize and run yet provides the school with much needed funds. For more information, please contact Jennifer Burkhart @ 225-1873

• ESL Buddy Coordinator: Assist English as a Second Language families as they become an integral part of Shepardson!

• Sock Hop Coordinator: This event helps cap off the end of the school year with a Twist and Shout!

• Other: Other positions might be identified throughout the year. Keep an eye on the PTO Corner for these announcements.

An excellent way to explore the opportunities available through PTO is to come to the meeting or contact, Jennifer Burkhart at 225-1873, or Burkys@aol.com.

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