Attendance Line Number - 490-3062

November 19, 2004

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

In this issue...

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PRINCIPAL REFLECTIONS

As we approach the Thanksgiving season, I can't thank each of you enough for the various forms of support you give to your children, the staff and Shepardson as a whole. Supporting your children at home is indeed the primary role you serve in your child's education. The PTO offers both fundraisers and community events to help us better serve the educational and sense of belonging needs. I am reminded daily, often by your presence, of your active role as a volunteer to help all children "reach for the STARS!" With your help, they have the "hope" they need to take the risks involved with learning new skills. Thank you!

At the same time, I must reflect upon the hardworking team we have at Shepardson. They don't complain as they work long hours beyond the school day, as they seek new strategies that will help even one child find success, and as they work as a team to ensure that our common goals and initiatives are genuinely addressed, not just on paper but with the children we are proud to serve. Each staff member brings different strengths and ideas to help us create a comfortable, safe and respectful learning environment that helps each child learn new skills. Thank you!

Last week we were honored to have members of the PSD Foundation and influential business and community members join us for a tour of Shepardson. I am always most proud and pleased to provide tours to show how hard the students and staff work here and how many parents volunteer their time to ensure our ability to differentiate for the diverse needs of our students. Our visitors were impressed and especially pleased with our student tour guides. Thanks to these sixth grade students who gave up their instructional time to share Shepardson and their stories with the community! I am so proud of each of them!

Exemplary Student Tour Guides

Reecie Dern
Sadia Aziz
Joey Heiserman
Jacob Cordova
Danielle Cole
Miranda Blas
Collins Wang
Jake Weitendorf

Have a safe and restful Thanksgiving! I will be expressing my thanks for the privilege of working with and for this entire school community! "Together we can reach the stars!"

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

(Table of Contents)   (Top)

CALENDAR

November 19, 2004

NOVEMBER 2004			DECEMBER 2004
23	Tue	Changes to parking lot expected!	10	Fri	Next Newsletter
24 -26	Wed	Thanksgiving Vacation	16	Thu	Choir sings in community today
DECEMBER 2004			21	Tue	Winter Parties
Dec		NO PTO meeting this month	21	Tue	End of Quarter
9	Thu	SIT 4:00 - 6:00 pm	Dec 22 - Jan 5	Wed-Wed	No School -- Winter Vacation
9	Thu	Gingerbread Social 6:30 - 8:00 pm

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PARKING LOT CHANGES AT SHEPARDSON

Effective Monday, November 22, 2004 (weather permitting)

In our efforts to improve both the efficiency as well as the safety of the parking lot, more changes are expected to be made this weekend. More parking stalls will be created with this new plan! I appreciate your alertness and patience to these changes.

1. Daycare Van Parking Area: This area will be eliminated.

2. Drop Off Zone: This area will be expanded and will include daycare vans. It is only designed for parents and daycare vans to drop off their children and not leave their cars. As cars leave, more cars must move forward into the Drop Off Zone.
   1. The Drop Off Zone:
      1. The red curbing along the building will be "drop off only"; no parking. Parents must stay in cars.

      2. The former daycare parking area along the fence.

      3. A defined walking area along the fence and inside the parking lot will help children walk in a safe zone.

   2. Parents interested in this option (instead of parking) will need to stay in this lane until you approach the actual "drop off zone." While it may take a couple minutes, it is still faster than finding a parking place.

   3. Please instruct your children to wait just inside the fence and watch for your car. Their quickness will help this zone move more efficiently.

   4. Move to next available spot. Please do not stop upon entering the zone. Cars behind you are not able to move forward.

   5. Please do not pick up children BEFORE entering the zone. This has happened and prevents the cars behind you from moving forward sooner. It also causes more mixture of cars moving in and out of zones, making it even more confusing.

3. "Through Traffic Zone": This is the other area and requires space for the flow of traffic through the lot for the purpose of exiting or parking. It is important that cars DO NOT stop in this zone.

4. Parking Areas
   1. Parents will no longer be allowed to park along the curb on the east side of the lot, nearest the building. This will be the expanded "drop off zone."

   2. We will be adding a few more parking spaces for cars in the center area as a result.

   3. Please notice the No Parking in the SW area and the one handicapped spot.

   4. Places are often more available outside of the parking lot.

5. Busy times:
   1. In the morning, the flow of traffic begins around 8:15. Supervision on the playground does not begin until 8:20 am. Please ensure your child's safety until then.

   2. At 3:00 p.m., more cars naturally come at the same time, increasing the congestion.

   3. On inclement weather days and on days when parents are here for special programs.

6. Bus Zone: The front of the school is reserved for buses only from 8:15-8:45 and from 2:45 - 3:15. Whenever field trips are planned, the area needs to be cleared of cars. An announcement is made if cars need to be moved immediately.

7. AT NO TIME SHOULD A CHILD BE WALKING UNATTENDED IN THE PARKING LOT OUTSIDE OF THE DROP OFF ZONE. Please have your children exit your car on the passenger and safe side of your car unless you are there to help them move to the safe zone.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) COUNSELOR CORNER

From Rea Kreider, Shepardson Counselor

Greetings everyone. I have had a very busy first quarter and I am sure it will continue to be busy as we approach the holiday season. Here's a summary of what students have been studying in guidance.

In the kindergarten classes we have been learning to identify a person's feelings by looking carefully at their facial expressions and body language. The next few lessons will introduce "Impulsive Puppy" and "Mr. Snail" who will be teaching the students how to slow down and think about someone else's feelings before they act. In 1st through 4th grades the first few lessons have concentrated on good listening skills, not only to improve learning but also to demonstrate respect and care. I have had an unusually high number of 3rd and 4th grade students request to meet with the counselor to discuss friendship issues and/or sportsmanship on the playground. Rather than taking students from class to assist them, I will plan additional classroom lessons that focus on actions that demonstrate friendly, respectful behaviors. 5th grade students are in the middle of a four-lesson unit exploring careers. Each student was randomly assigned a job with corresponding salary, necessary education and training, vacation time and approximate hours of work/ week. We have discussed job satisfaction and the relationship between education and salary. During future lessons we will be addressing positive and negative characteristics of an employee, relating these to their present "job" as 5th grade students, and finally trying to describe their "ideal job" as they think ahead towards the future. In the 6th grade we have been working our way through the "Here's Looking at You" curriculum. So far we have studied the health problems caused by the use of tobacco, and effects of the drug nicotine. During the next two lessons we will be covering the problems that can be caused by alcohol abuse. Thank you, parents, for any discussions you are having at home with your child about these topics.

As this holiday season approaches, we have been presented with two opportunities to provide support to a number of families. Rocky Mountain High School adopts families each year and provides food and household supplies to help get them through this busy (and often expensive) time of the year. This year Rocky has agreed to assist 5 Shepardson families. Additionally, Hewlett Packard has contacted us about providing individual "Secret Santa" gifts to 12-15 Shepardson students and we are in the process of working out details to make this happen. As the school counselor, I often learn of students and/or families going through hard times, no matter what time of year. Because of this, I have created a small "Friends Fund" that I can dip into when necessary. In the past this fund has been used to provide such things as medical support, clothing, temporary Base Camp tuition, and costs for parent support groups and registration fees to help enroll a student on an athletic team. If anyone is interested in making a donation to this fund, please contact me at Shepardson.

At this time of year I try to take time to count the blessings in my life. My health. My family. My freedom. May you, your family and your friends enjoy a safe, peaceful Thanksgiving holiday.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PSD ANNUAL REPORT COMING IN DECEMBER

Watch for the PSD Annual Report for the 2003-04 school year-coming to you as an insert in the December issue of the Fort Collins Forum, which is being mailed to the homes of all Fort Collins, Timnath, Wellington, and mountain school areas.

The 12-page PSD Annual Report summarizes the progress and achievements of our staff and students during the past year. You may also access the PSD Annual Report on the PSD web page at www.psdschools.org/psdinfo/annualreport.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) THANK YOU, PTO!

Shepardson is so fortunate to have a community of parents who are willing to provide extra support to help us educate the diverse needs and to provide enrichment opportunities. We thank both PTO and all the parents who assist in some way to help them reach their annual goal. We thank you in advance for your continued support of PTO's programs. All Shepardson students benefit from their efforts!

Last year PTO again increased its contribution to our program by 6% or $29,691.10...thanks to the parents! The Classroom Requests category which is the largest is directly related to specific items that teachers identified to enrich the learning experience of their students. The staff determines how this allocation is distributed to the designated funds. None of these items would be possible if we were to rely on the school budget which is covering the basic program and general instructional supplies as well as contracts on the copy and laminator machines. The next largest category is the Media/Technology area which is highly correlated with schools with higher achievement. Parents on SIT or the principal can give you more specifics if you have questions.

Below is a listing of the breakdown of how the PTO money will be spent this year to support your children and the staff:

(Table of Contents)   (Top) STUDENT RIGHTS & CODE OF CONDUCT READY FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS

Watch for your child to bring home the new Poudre School District Student Rights and Code of Conduct booklet soon. It contains important information regarding expectations for student behavior and is one tool the district uses to help ensure a safe learning environment in our school and district-wide.

The booklet, available in English and Spanish, will be sent home with elementary students in their weekly folders. Junior and senior high students will also receive the booklet to carry home to parents. In addition, you may view the booklet on the PSD web site at: www.psdschools.org by clicking on Students.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PTO CORNER

The next PTO meeting will be held Tuesday, January 11, 2005 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 EVERYONE for participating in the Barnes and Noble Book Fair! Special thanks to our Guest Readers - Shepardson Everyday Heroes - Mary Kay Sommers, Margie Bucher, Detective Doug Kelly, Paramedic Brett Convey, JoDee Swets, Margie LaFontaine, and First Lieutenant Brad Bunn! You represent the real heroes in our lives... Thank you! Target and Albertsons Reminder... As the holidays approach, remember you can use your Target and Albertsons' cards to support our school at no cost to you! Through the community support programs each has set up, Shepardson will receive monetary support based on the amount of purchases made by Shepardson supporters. If you have a Target Guest or credit card, or an Albertsons Preferred Savings card, make sure to list Shepardson as the school you'd like to receive benefits from these programs. It's a great way to raise money for our school because it doesn't cost anything to participate. Thanks! For more information, please contact, Jennifer Burkhart at burkys@aol.com or 225-1873 Box Tops for Education News The Box Tops for Education fund raising program is an easy way to earn money for Shepardson. Did you know there are three ways you can support this fundraiser throughout the year? You can: CLIP- Box Tops from hundreds of participating General Mills products. Bring or send the Box Tops to school with your child. Collection boxes are in each pod and near the school office. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents. Last year, we collected $662.50 from your clippings alone! THANKS! SHOP- The Box Tops for Education Marketplace. Join the Box Tops Booster Club. Start every online purchase at Box Tops Marketplace, located at: www.boxtops4education.com. Choose from over 200 stores. Up to 8% of each qualifying purchase is donated to Shepardson! CHARGE- The Box Tops Visa Card Apply at www.boxtops4education.com and get a no annual fee Box Tops Visa. Use the card and 1% of each purchase goes back to Shepardson- at no additional cost to you. Thank-you for your support! Any questions, please contact: Claudia Wilson, 206-0231 Hewlett Packard Matching Employee Donations to Shepardson! HP matches funds for donations at the elementary school level! In fact, Shepardson is already listed as a recipient on the corporate web site! On the HP web sit, employees can make a donation (must be more than $25). The donation is given as a payroll deduction and can be made one-time or even as a monthly donation! The donation can be made anonymously and checks are mailed to the school from HP quarterly. If you are an HP employee and would like your donation to go a bit further - this is a great way to do it. If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Burkhart, 225-1873. Thanks! Mark you calendars for the upcoming GINGERBREAD SOCIAL! It will be held Thursday, Dec. 9th with two sittings to choose from. This has become an annual favorite for Shepardson families. Kids can decorate their own unique Gingerbread House. Bring the whole family ~ the only admission is one dozen Holiday Cookies. Reservation forms will be sent home the week of Nov. 29th. We could use help with putting together the Gingerbread Houses and with set up the night of the event. If you are interested, please contact JoAnn Caddoo at 226-3103 or email to coloradocaddoo@msn.com.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PSD ADVISORY BOARD SEEKS COMMUNITY INPUT ON PROPOSED HEALTH & SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM

The Poudre School District Health Curriculum Advisory Board (HCAB) is in the process of reviewing a health curriculum, including sex education, for grades 7 and 10 district-wide. The Health Board, made up of parents, community representatives, and PSD staff, hopes to makea recommendation in March to the PSD Board of Education to adopt a new health curriculum, which will include sex education. "The members of the Health Board believe it is very important to have public input on the entire curriculum," says Dan Cox, science facilitator for PSD. "Over the next few months, the curriculum framework will be available to review in great detail-including goals and objectives for each lesson, activities, teacher resources, approved speakers, and student resources." PSD will continuously update the health curriculum web site, and has placed a "Public Input" mechanism on the site to make it easy to review proposed curriculum and provide ongoing public input.

To view the curriculum framework and provide input, visit the PSD web site at www.psdschools.org and click on Curriculum, or call Dan Cox at 490-3105.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) A GIRL SCOUT THANK YOU!

Thanks goes out to all of you who donated coats to the Girl Scout drive that was held during the month of October! We were able to collect over 50 coats, which will surely be appreciated by those who need them. Way to go, Shepardson!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Missy at 229-0200.

Troop 381

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