Attendance Line Number - 490-3062

September 23, 2005

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

In this issue...

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PRINCIPAL REFLECTIONS

This week each teacher spent time introducing students to the United States Constitution in a way that was appropriate for their developmental level. Primary students were excited to learn a "big new word" while they made rules that they felt would help our school or their classroom work better! Third graders are using this focus all year through a special feature designed for children by the Denver Post newspaper. Fifth graders will be studying this document and its impact in many ways all year as part of their social studies standards. Sixth graders interacted with the concepts through a game and a PowerPoint program. Several grades read a special book, talked about the three branches of government as well as other aspects related to the operation of the federal government and our country in general. Many classrooms made a Class Constitution and several located specific web sites when in the computer lab. Many teachers found the discussion about the Constitution stimulated some valuable questions and higher level thinking. Helping students know more about how our government works is a worthwhile experience at any time! We encourage families to continue this discussion as events unfold that are relevant and meaningful to your children.

Have a wonderful weekend with your children!

-	Mary Kay Sommers
	email: msommers@psdschools.org

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CALENDAR

September 23, 2005

SEPTEMBER 2005			OCTOBER 2005
27	Tue	Music Program 5th Grade - 6:00 - Gym	12	Wed	Art Program Orders Due
30	Fri	Half Day - Students Dismissed at 11:15 am	12-13	Wed-Thu	Fall Enrichment Registration 7:45-8:30 am/3:15-4:00 pm - Media Center
OCTOBER 2005			13	Thu	SIT 4:00-6:00
4	Tue	PTO Meeting - 7:00 pm	14	Fri	Sally Foster Wrapping Paper Kick Off
7	Fri	Original Works Art Program Packets sent home	14	Fri	End of Quarter

(Table of Contents)   (Top) FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY ANNUAL FALL BOOK SALE

On October 7-9, Friends of the Library will hold its annual used book sale at Foothills Mall in the Mervyn's court. Over 30 categories of books-including children's books, teen books, specialty books, fiction (hardback and paperback)-as well as tapes, videos, and CDs will be available. Prices start at 50¢, and most books are priced at $4 or less.

Sale hours:

Friday,		October 7		8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Saturday,		October 8		8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday,		October 9		11 a.m.-6 p.m.   ($5/bag sale from 4-6 p.m.)

Proceeds support literacy programs, summer reading programs, and other Fort Collins Public Library activities and events.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) WELCOME TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF AMERICA!

The Boys and Girls Club of America, 1608 Lancer Drive, Fort Collins (next to Lincoln Jr. High School) invites students to participate in one of these after-school activities:

• Youth Soccer Clinic: Learn soccer fundamentals with Michele Schmidt (Mondays/Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00 p.m.)

• Run 4 Fun, Run Across America: Run 10 laps or more in the gym on Mondays and earn prizes from across America along the way

• Power Hour: Need assistance with your homework? Pam is the special person who will help you with all your homework needs.

• Floor Hockey: Starting Monday, October 3, we will have an integrated team with the local Special Olympics (Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.)

• Write On! Learn how to interview, write, photograph, and publish a monthly newsletter (4:00 p.m. Fridays in October)

• Free time with your kids? Every Friday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m., we are opening our club to parents/guardians. Come play pool with your kids or shoot some hoops in our gym, plus other activities for free! The first time your family can come as guests.

Register at the Boys and Girls Club of America; registration fee is $5 for the entire year and includes dinner every night!

For more information, call Michele Schmidt, athletic director, at (970) 484-5198. The Boys and Girls Club of America is open Monday - Friday, 2:20-7:00 p.m. (earlier on early dismissal days).

(Table of Contents)   (Top) MEXICAN FOLKLORE ASSEMBLY

On Thursday, September 29th, Native American/ Hispanic storyteller, Rich Castro, will be performing a Mexican folklore tale "The Legend of Aztec Grito." The K-3 assembly will be from 1:00 - 1:45 and the 4th - 6th program from 2:00 - 2:45. Both performances are in the gym and parents are welcome to join us! Don't miss the chance to see this dynamic performer.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PTO CORNER

Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 4th at 7:00 p.m. (committee work) followed by the 7:15 p.m. Board Meeting in the Shepardson Library. For more information please contact: Jennifer Burkhart @ 225-1873 NEW FACES AND INPUT ARE WELCOME SO PLEASE JOIN US AND LEARN ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT SHEPARDSON! Help Wanted: We still need two more POD Reps for this year. One for 5th and one for 6th grade. If you are interested in helping out, please call me, Jennifer Burkhart, at 225-1873. Thank you for considering to help!

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PARENTS URGED TO ATTEND PUBLIC INPUT MEETINGS TO DISCUSS ENROLLMENT & BOUNDARY CHANGE OPTIONS

Parents are urged to attend one of several public input meetings in October and November to review scenarios and provide feedback on options for district-wide enrollment and boundary changes.

For more than a year, Poudre School District and stakeholder groups have been studying enrollment and boundary challenges with the objective of building a long-term systematic plan to provide high-quality, equitable education for all students given the financial realities of the school district.

Three factors-growth in some areas, decline in others, and a growing percentage of families exercising School Choice-are creating significant, uneven distribution of students across schools. The focus at this time is on elementary schools, where more than 1,200 open seats exist.

The PSD Boundary Committee comprised of parents and an Enrollment Planning Group met extensively over the past year to discuss options for boundary changes, building new schools, and combining or closing schools.

In August, the Board of Education took Administration's recommendation to convene a Student Enrollment Steering Committee representing schools, district administration, parents, and the community. The Committee studied findings of both the Boundary and Enrollment groups' work, reviewed survey data from the public, and presented preliminary options to the Board September 19.

Members of the committee will present scenarios as the starting point for discussion at public input meetings in October and November (see meeting schedule below).

The Steering Committee will analyze feedback from the public, hold an additional work session with the Board November 21, and make a recommendation to the Superintendent for consideration by the Board in January.

Parent and Community Public Input Meeting Schedule:

Public input meetings will be held in an "Open House" format to present information, answer questions, and to obtain feedback. Parents can attend any one of the meetings, where the same information will be provided. Those attending can ask specific questions and will be asked to complete a feedback and survey form. Childcare and refreshments will be provided.

7:00-9:00 p.m.		Monday		October 11		Moore Elementary School		1905 Orchard Place
7:00-9:00 p.m.		Wednesday		October 12		Fossil Ridge High School		5400 Ziegler Road
7:30-9:00 p.m.		Thursday		October 13		Poudre High School		201 Impala Drive
7:00-9:00 p.m.		Wednesday		October 19		Eyestone Elementary		4000 Wilson Avenue, Wellington
7:00-9:00 p.m.		Wednesday		October 26		Fort Collins High School		3400 Lambkin Way
7:30-9:00 p.m.		Thursday		October 27		O'Dea Elementary School		312 Princeton Road
7:00-9:00 p.m.		Wednesday		November 9		Riffenburgh Elementary School		1320 East Stuart Street
7:00-9:00 p.m.		Thursday		November 10		Lab School for Creative Learning		223 S. Shields Street

Preliminary options, meeting schedules, and continuous updates are posted on the front page of the PSD website under Boundary & Enrollment News, at www.psdschools.org. Information: 490-3427, or e-mail elaubhan@psdschools.org

(Table of Contents)   (Top) SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS SERVE AS BUS LEADERS

Each year, several sixth grade students, under the direction of counselor, Rea Kreider, are trained to be Bus Buddies for bus riders in grades K-2. At the end of the school day, they gather and lead each bus group quietly through the school to their bus pick up site. Bus Buddies must be responsible for getting themselves organized quickly and for being on time so that younger students are escorted to the bus on time. We appreciate their leadership and their caring about the safety of our youngest students. Many thanks to this special team of sixth grade leaders!

Bus Buddies for this fall include Lexi Lowery, Gabe Brull, Derek Dietrich, Trey Seale, Grant Fourcroy, Tori Oblender, Morgan Reuter, Maisie Ivan, Jessy Knaus, Kirsten McKenzie, Aaron Lira-Soto, Lizette VanZyl, Kevin Emory, Sandra Hamrick, RJ Tuttle, Megan Arent, Michael Hurley, Nicole Dowswell, and Gretchen Carrow.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTION TO NAME 4 DIRECTORS - ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

Four Board of Education director districts are open for election at the November 1 Coordinated Election. The following candidates have been named:

• District C - Jim Hayes

• District D - Jana Ley and Bob Long

• District E - Ernest Cienfuegos-Baca, Bruce Smith, and Larry Neal

• District F - Nancy Tellez

Board members are selected by voters at large, regardless of which director district the voter lives in.

Monday, October 3 is the last day to register to vote in the November 1 Coordinated Election.

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.

Candidate forums are being scheduled and will be televised on PSD's Channel 10 in early October. Watch for details.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PROJECT LINUS BLANKET MAKING DAY

Our Blanket Making Day is fast approaching and we are getting very excited. It is Thursday, October 6th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in our Gym. Project Linus is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization. It was named after the adorable security blanket-toting character from the Peanuts comic strip. Creator Charles Schulz was aware of their efforts and delighted to have Linus inspire blanket makers to help comfort children in need. It is their mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers". Anyone, any age can help these children.

On October 6th, we will be making single layer fleece blankets. All that is required is fabric and a pair of scissors. Baby blankets require only 1 yard of material, small child size requires 1 1/4 yards, all others 1 1/2 yards. Remember, that we are making these blankets for all ages and sizes. A special reminder - we are in need of blankets for boys.

You can find fleece material in all colors and patterns. JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts currently has all their fleece on sale and if you mention that this is for Shepardson's Project Linus/ Katrina day you will receive special pricing of $2.49 a yard on all plain colored fleece. Hancock Fabrics and both WalMart stores carry fleece as well. There are many colors and patterns available. Have fun picking your favorite!

(Table of Contents)   (Top) WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS OF GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS

The Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented is sponsoring their 8th Annual Parent Institute on Saturday October 1,2005, from 8:30 am- 3:30 pm at the Radisson Hotel in Denver. Topics being addressed include... Young gifted Students in the Regular Classroom, the Autonomous Learner Model, Using the Internet for the benefit of gifted children, Nurturing Creative Gifts, and Issues for Older Gifted Students. The registration deadline is this Saturday, September 24th, and space will be limited. If interested, register by mailing name, address, phone # and registration fee (see below) to CAGT c/o Bonnie Hollowell, 1833 S. Sedalia Circle, Aurora, CO 80017.

Single CAGT member		$40
Single non-member		$65	(this includes annual membership)
CAGT member couple		$55
Non-member couple		$80	(this includes annual membership)

In addition, CAGT is offering a Student Conference at the same time on the same day at the Radisson Hotel. Registration fee is $40 per student and space is limited. Topics include...The Amazing Language of Mathematics Through Origami, Starting and Running Your Own Business, When Gifted Doesn't Feel So Great, and Traditional Irish Drumming. Registration includes the same information as mentioned above and can be mailed to Bonnie Hollowell at the same address. Questions?? Call Charlene Shelton at 303-394-3531.

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