Attendance Line Number - 490-3062

October 8, 2004

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

In this issue...

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PRINCIPAL REFLECTIONS

We are quickly approaching the end of our first quarter on Oct. 15th! This year Shepardson will be joining the last set of district schools to use the electronic reporting system. We are experimenting now to be prepared for this building-wide use of technology. The teachers have had 5 hours of training, have been using different reporting options, and will have district help available to help us complete the task of printing report cards without any errors and in a timely way. Given Shepardson's inability to transmit large amounts of data quickly to/from the district server, we will not be surprised if we have printing and formatting issues on our first formal printing.

As a result, teachers will be sending home grade cards sometime during the week of October 25th. Grade levels will determine which day of that week they will send cards home. We ask that you let your child's teacher know if you find errors. We also ask in advance for your understanding as we complete this task. We expect the rest of the report cards to be printed without problems!

Special thanks to all of the 8 staff members who accompanied, planned and implemented a well-designed Eco Week experience for our sixth graders at Pingree Park last week. Their staff invited us to return which is the strong indicator of a successful trip. The major reason for this success was the careful planning and attention to many details prior to and during this experience that primarily the sixth grade teachers (Mrs. Eberhardt, Mrs. Hoffman, and Project Director Mrs. Winters) assumed. Students were actively engaged in learning ecological standards related to fire and water as well as being given opportunities to develop their own personal skills through a ropes course and challenging day hikes in mountainous terrain. I was truly impressed with the positive attitudes of the students toward each new learning experience. Watching students take "risks" to do tasks they never thought they would do was indeed a testimony to their ability and motivation to achieve new heights (both literally and figuratively). Many thanks to PTO for their generous contribution to reduce the personal cost of this trip for families. Congratulations to students and staff!

Have a great weekend!

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

(Table of Contents)   (Top)

CALENDAR

October 08, 2004

OCTOBER 2004			OCTOBER 2004
Tue	12	5th Grade Music Program at 6:00 pm	Mon-Tue	18-19	NO SCHOOL (comp time for parent conferences held in August)
Wed-Thu	13-14	Fall Enrichment Registration 7:45 am - 8:30 am and 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm Media Center	Mon-Fri	18-22	Red Ribbon Week
Thu	14	SIT - 4:00-6:00	Wed	20	Family Art Night (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
Fri	15	End of Quarter	Mon	25	Fall Enrichment Begins
Fri	15	End of Sally Foster Wrapping Paper Sales	Wed	27	Family Picture Night

(Table of Contents)   (Top) IS YOUR CHILD IMMUNIZED?

Poudre School District has been found to be too lenient when parents have not responded to our request to update the school records, get required immunizations, or sign the waiver card. We thank the many parents who have already followed up after our friendly reminder letter. The next step will include a letter to explain a deadline, after which children must be excluded from school until one of the above actions occurs. In the event of an outbreak of a disease, students who are not immunized will be excluded from school until conditions are safe for their return.

We can help parents find locations where free immunizations are given. Contact our Health Technician Elaine Beckman when she is at school between 11:30 - 2:30 every day.

Why is this important? In addition to the health and legal issues for children, there are cases of children who were not immunized, contacted rubella, and impacted the unborn child of a teacher. Working in a school environment requires safety issues for children and adults to be a priority. We appreciate your understanding and attention to these details.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) SIT REPORT TO PARENTS

The SIT committee last met 9/23/04 at 4 p.m. The first new item brought to the committee was filling a parent participant position during Lorna Greens extended absence. Anyone interested should contact Mary Kay or Lorna directly.

Debbie Bostak reported on recent activity of the DAB and the new faces at Poudre School District. Chuck Hubbeling updated on the activities of PTO and the volunteer sign in and documentation process.

The Annual Yearly Progress from Mary Kay shows that Shepardson is meeting goals and gaining the necessary accreditation to qualify for federal funding under the "no child left behind" program. Data shows that 99.34% of the students passed the reading criteria and 98.22% passed the math. Shepardson has been rated "excellent" by the state (SAR) the past three years. Paperwork for District accreditation through an Annual Report is due in November.

As student enrollment increases, so does Shepardson's' ESL and Special Education needs. We were pleased to have an increase in staffing to support the ESL and Special Education programs to accommodate the increase in student and classroom demands. The accelerated math program is being offered to 22 Shepardson students at Boltz Jr. High School.

Chuck and Rand volunteered to be members of the budget committee. The group reviewed confidentiality policy, open house participation, and the new organizational structure of the district. The Committee is scheduled to revise the covenant and charter this school year. The next meeting is scheduled at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, October 14, 2004.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) FAMILY PICTURE NIGHT

Skillman Photography will be taking family pictures in the Media Center on Wednesday, October 27.

• Free sitting with a professional photographer

• Reasonable prices

• Bring your pets

• No obligation to buy

• Pictures will be returned in plenty of time for holiday giving

Photographs will be taken between 4:30 and 7:00 pm. Contact Marcie Dietrich at 970-282-9336 to schedule your appointment.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) SHEPARDSON DIRECTORY ON SALE NOW!

HAVE YOU PURCHASED YOUR 2004-05 SHEPARDSON DIRECTORY YET?

The first order has been sent in but we plan to send a second order. If you missed the first deadline, and you want to order a directory please stop by the office and ask for a directory order form. This needs to be done by Monday, October 11th. Be sure to attach $3.00 per directory. Questions? Call JoAnn Caddoo at 226-3103.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) ODYSSEY OF THE MIND 2004-2005

School is well underway and it is time to think about Odyssey of the Mind (OM) 2004-2005! This year the tournament will be held on April 2nd, again at Rocky Mountain High School.

It is time to start putting together our OM teams for this year. There is another excellent set of problems for the students to work on. I am hoping that some of the same teams from last year will again participate and that we will also have some new teams.

This week, I have been going around to all of the classrooms to describe the OM program and give the students an opportunity to express interest in being on an OM team. The following week, Thursday, October 14th at 7:00 pm, there will be a meeting in the Media Center for all interested students and their parents to come and learn more about this year's OM program.

Once I have the names of interested students, I will be assigning teams. Teams, which have participated in previous years, will be kept together, if desired. Other students will be assigned to a team according to grade and the problem they would like to work on. Another factor for the team setup is the scheduling of a meeting, both for the students and their coaches.

Any questions, just contact me at NancyMcConnell@comcast.net or 207-1788 or contact Becky Woodcox at the school. Thank you for your time and support! Let's have even more fun at OM this year!

(Table of Contents)   (Top) ECO WEEK

Dear Shepardson Students and Parents,

The sixth grade students went up to Pingree Park for ECO Week. While they were gone for three days, they were busy doing different activities. Some of the activities they did were Stream Ecology, Fire Ecology, Ropes Course and hikes. They all had so much fun! During Stream Ecology, they learned about microorganisms. During Fire Ecology, we took a hike to learn about the fire that happened about 10 years ago. On the Ropes Course, the height ranged from 27 to 35 feet. Thanks to the PTO staff, the teachers and our loving parents. We really enjoyed our stay.

By the Sixth Graders

(Table of Contents)   (Top) CSU "CANS AROUND THE OVAL"

By Edward Zhu and Jared Miller

From October 4th to October 14th, we will be collecting non-perishable food items. If you would like to donate a couple of cans, that would be great! In each pod, there will be a box to put your cans. Our reason for doing this is to help feed hungry people in our community. This will be a great opportunity for you to help our community.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) GIRL SCOUTS

The Brownie and Girl Scout Troops at Shepardson are collecting coats of all sizes during the entire month of October. There are marked boxes in each pod and near the fountain, just inside the double doors of the library. We ask that the coats be clean and we also welcome mittens, scarves and hats. Thanks so much for your donation to a good cause! If you have any questions, please call Missy at 229-0200 or Ferah at 206-9339.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) SAFE HOMES PROGRAM

Would you like to be more assured that the home where your 5th -12th grade child visits is "safe from alcohol, drugs, tobacco and violence"? This parent-initiated program creates a Safe Home Directory for all families who agree to create safe homes for the children and young adults who visit. The registration deadline is November 1, 2004. A directory is created showing homes of families who have agreed to comply with safe standards when other children may be in your home. You may register on-line at the TEAM Fort Collins website (www.teamfortcollins.org). Please contact Jeff Sizer at 224-9931 if I can assist you in any other way with your Safe Homes Program

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PTO CORNER

The next PTO meeting will be held Tuesday, November 9th, 2004 7:00 p.m. (committee work) 7:15 p.m. (Board Meeting) in the Shepardson Library NEW FACES AND INPUT ARE WELCOME SO PLEASE JOIN US AND LEARN ABOUT WHAT GOES ON AT SHEPARDSON! Thank you, for coming to the New Families Coffee! What a great way to meet new people and become more connected. Thank you, Michelle Murray, for organizing this important get-together! A Special Thanks to Dee Dern and Diane Dahm For organizing and hostessing the Classified Staff Appreciation Breakfast! It was a bountiful 'patch' of thanks. DESIGNING MINDS NEEDED... To chair and serve on the Courtyard Improvement Committee to redesign the school's entry area. If you are interested, please contact Jennifer Burkhart @ 225-1873. 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 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 Yearbook Committee Representatives: Representatives from each grade level assist the Yearbook Committee in collecting pictures and information from each grade level. Sock Hop Coordinator: This event helps cap off the end of the school year with a Twist and Shout! 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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