Attendance Line Number - 490-3062

November 11, 2005

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

In this issue...

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PRINCIPAL REFLECTIONS

Shepardson is truly a special school for many reasons! One aspect that we cherish is the inclusion of students who have different needs. This week I want to celebrate the efforts of those who are learning English. This year we have 71 children who are speaking 13 different languages: Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Spanish, Russian, Marathi, Japanese, Indian, Icelandic, German, French, Arabic, and Mongolian. We also have several from other countries who are fluent English speakers as well. Sue Harbour, our ELL teacher, is anxious to work closely with both teachers and families to ensure that the learning experience is the best it can be. Having students with cultural and language differences provides our students with a learning climate that will indeed simulate the world where they will work and live. Having just read Thomas Friedman's book, The World Is Flat, I am even more convinced of what the children of today will need for a future we cannot yet comprehend. Learning to work effectively with and genuinely respect those from other cultures as well as other diversity characteristics will indeed be a significant advantage.

I recently returned from Manila in the Philippines where I spoke about Early Childhood at a conference of school administrators representing 22 different countries. I also spent a day at one of the Brent International Schools, which is a private school that serves Americans who are working overseas as well as many other nationalities including children from the Philippines. While the diversity is clearly greater there than what we have here, I found the culture and the evidence of student learning and production there to be very similar to Shepardson! There were several areas that they questioned me about Shepardson, such as inclusion. It was "UN Day" when the students made interactive learning boards representing every one of their countries. Students were so enthused to learn about different cultures that day from foods to games to the interactive boards. Parents were everywhere! I met with several teachers who were eager to share what they were doing to improve their teaching of writing and computer skills. Like Shepardson, their teachers were clearly on-going learners. I applaud our school community for eagerly accepting our diversity and for helping us prepare your children to be leaders in a global world.

Our character traits from the STARS program includes service. Another trait that we often emphasize and teach is caring for others. We are so pleased that we have been successful in adopting an elementary school in Thibodaux, Louisiana! Chackbay Elementary School in Lafourche (la-foosh) Parish. Mr. Rea Kreider will be working with a team to develop a relationship in meaningful ways between our student populations. If you have an interest in helping us, please let us know. We will have more information in the next newsletter.

Have a wonderful weekend cherishing your children and families!

-	Mary Kay Sommers
	email: msommers@psdschools.org

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CALENDAR

November 14, 2005

NOVEMBER 2005			DECEMBER 2005
18	Fri	Thanksgiving Luncheon	16	Fri	Choir at Mall - 12:00
23-25	Wed-Fri	THANKSGIVING VACATION	20	Tue	Music Program 1st & 2nd - One Program - 6:00 pm
DECEMBER 2005			21	Wed	All School Sing With Choir - 1:00pm Gym
1	Thu	Barnes & Noble Book Fair	21	Wed	Winter Parties - 2pm
8	Thu	Winterfest Social	21	Wed	End of Quarter/Semester
8	Thu	SIT 4:00-6:00 pm	12/22-01/03	Thu-Tue	Winter Break
9	Fri	National Geo Bee Finals - 8:45 qm - Gym

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SIXTH GRADERS WILL CHANGE THE WORLD! This year's sixth grade class energized and inspired us by their words and enthusiasm for sharing a musical performance called "From the Inside Out"! They learned that what is inside is what counts, how they must be responsible for their choices, and how to develop their own personal code. Learning early how they can choose what attitude they want to have is something even adults forget is a choice! It was powerful listening to them sing how each one can change the world. And we believe they can and they will! Outstanding job, sixth graders! Special thanks to Mrs. Caren Everett, Music Teacher, who worked so hard to make this show an incredible and meaningful production. Special thanks also to parent David Brull who lent us his sound equipment so the show could really go on! You both are changing the world!

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VETERAN'S DAY TODAY! This year Shepardson joined all of the schools in Fort Collins and around the United States to celebrate Veterans' Day. It is important that our students understand the reason for this celebration, especially when we have family members who are serving as troops in Iraq and in other locations. Under the direction of Mary Gamble, this year through live morning announcements we had the whole school begin the day with the formal Flag Salute with the presentation of the colors under the leadership of Mr. Verbest. The entire school sang the Star Spangled Banner, led by our own famous vocalist and music teacher (and new grandmother) Caren Everett, who sings at CSU and Rockies' games. Students and staff came dressed in Red, White and Blue. Special thanks to the Spirit Committee of the Student Council and their sponsors Beth Brown, Caren Everett and Sue Harbour for making these arrangements. Please take time to share what this day means to you and your family as well.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) ORIGINAL WORKS FUNDRAISER

Everyone should have received their orders by now. The students' artwork looks beautiful printed on tiles, shirts, and the many other items ordered. Thanks to everyone, we raised over $2700 to apply towards the kiln. Mile Hi Ceramics will be here this week to give me quotes.

We will be sending in one late order on November 21. If you would like to participate in this upcoming order, pick up an order packet in the front office. The artwork to be used needs to be 10 1/2 x 8" and on a good quality paper. Orders need to be turned in to Mrs. Pibal by November 18. There is no guarantee that the orders will arrive back to us before the New Year.

Thank you, to everyone, for your continuing support of the arts.

Lori Pibal, Art Teacher

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PTO CORNER

Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 10th 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! MANY THANKS! So many activities have taken place this fall! PTO would like to express its gratitude to everyone who has helped! From Pod reps, room parents and classroom volunteers to those who have helped with Staff Appreciation Week and the many other events and fund-raisers - THANK YOU! BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKFAIR...December 1st! Watch for details about this event! It's a great day to do some holiday shopping while supporting Shepardson Elementary! Mark your calendars for the upcoming WINTERFEST SOCIAL... December 8th! Reservation forms for this annual favorite will be sent home the WEEK OF NOVEMBER 28th. Formerly called the Gingerbread Social, this year's event will include various craft activities and winter fest fun! For more information please contact Jennifer Burkhart at 225-1873. Thanks! INTEL Matches Donations! We are happy to announce that thanks to a special Shepardson family, we are now set up with Intel to receive matching funds when Intel employees make a donation to Shepardson. If someone in your family works for Intel and is interested in making a matching donation, please contact Jennifer Burkhart for more information - 225-1873. Thanks! Bracelets Still Available for the Jeff See Foundation One of our Shepardson Families has fallen upon difficult times. The See Family has been a part of Shepardson for many years - from the time their children attended Shepardson to the years Carol See served as our kitchen manager. Sadly, Jeff See has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Shepardson, along with O'Dea Elementary, is selling inspiring bracelets in order to send support to the Jeff See Foundation, to help in their time of need. If you can help, please send a donation of $2.00 with the order form below. A bracelet will be sent home with your child in their Friday folder unless other arrangements are requested. Thank you! Jeff See Foundation Donation Name: ______________________________________________________________ Child's Name: ___________________________     Teacher: ____________________ # of Bracelets: ______________ x $2.00 each Total enclosed: _______________ Please make checks payable to Shepardson PTO. Interested in Making Direct Donations to support our school? Simply use the following form: Shepardson Elementary Certificate of Donation I/We are making this tax deductible donation in lieu of or in addition to participation in other fund raising activities. *Name: __________________________ *Address: ________________________ _________________________________ *Phone: __________________________ Amount Enclosed: __________________ Please send receipt home with my child: Child's Name: _____________________ Teacher: __________________________ *Optional Please make checks payable to: Shepardson PTO Thank you for your support!

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COUNSELOR CORNER 2005-06 Student Council The Shepardson Student Council is up and running for another school year. We have had elections for new officers and you'll notice that we have all 5th grade officers this year. Nick Mason in Mrs. Cooke's class is our President. Colton Davis from Mrs. Brown's 5th grade is our Vice-President, Kristen Rutt from Mrs. Brown's class is our Secretary and Ashlyn Stults, also from Mrs. Brown's class, is our Treasurer. Congratulations to everyone who ran for office. It takes courage to stand in front of a group of your peers and represent that you want to be a leader. The respectful way in which students who were not chosen reacted to the results of the election shows us that they are all leaders in our school. One runner-up for the Treasurer's position who was obviously disappointed commented, "There's always next year!" Here are quotes from our new officers. Nick: "I was so surprised to be elected President! It was like I was in a dream. I look forward to leading Student Council this year." Colton: "Thank you for choosing me for your Vice-President. You made the right choice!" Kristen: "This is my first year attending Shepardson, which I am very proud to be a part of. I want to thank all of you for allowing me to serve as a member of the Student Council. We have an outstanding student body at Shepardson. As your secretary, I will work hard to represent our school's values and traditions. This should be a great year!" Ashlyn: "I would like to thank everyone for voting for me for Student Council Treasurer. I look forward to fulfilling this role throughout the school year." By Rea Kreider, Shepardson Counselor

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PEER MEDIATORS We now have Peer Mediators on the 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th playgrounds during lunch recess. A group of eager and dedicated 5th grade students spent 2+ hours with me learning what it takes to help others resolve conflicts in a peaceful, respectful way. Now they are putting their new skills to work helping younger students with any problems that might come up regarding friendship, fair play and sportsmanship. Thank you 5th grade Peer Mediators for volunteering your time to be peace leaders in our school. That is true service! Brianne Cutter, Nick Mason, Lindsay Morris, Jill Remmers, Haneen Fallah, Raul Ramirez, Brandi Demmer, Jesse Alba, Sarah Gloor, Kate McDonnell, Kattya Madrid, Katelin Hoffman, Sienna Zorigian, Brandon Alcorn, Emily Green, Cody Olson, Samie Trujillo

(Table of Contents)   (Top) SCHOOL STORE NEWS

I would like to share a few thoughts with Shepardson parents about School Store. This is the second year I'm helping run the store and what a fun experience it has been. School Store is open every Friday during the lunch hour and sells small toys and stationary items as well as candy once a month on the last Friday of the month. All items are less than $2.00.

School Store is the fundraiser component of Student Council. They use the profits for different projects such as donating money to charities e.g. the tsunami relief efforts of 2004, buying treats during CSAP time, supplies for other projects, and buying trees for Arbor Day. Not only do the student council members who work the store get a great experience selling and handling money, the kids who buy, especially the little ones, get to learn how to decide what to buy with the money they have. Whether they have enough money is often an issue they have to deal with.

Last year we introduced gift certificates that give the kids an opportunity to buy something for their friends when they do not know what their friends would like. Parents may also buy these, perhaps to use as incentives for their kids. These are available for sale on Fridays or contact me at 282-3434 to order them. This year, weather permitting, we will be open for business on Friday, November 18th when our "turkey dinner" is served. This will give parents the opportunity to see what school store is all about.

Sonia van Zyl
(School Store manager)

(Table of Contents)   (Top) THANKSGIVING LUNCH

Mark your Calendars! Friday, November 18th is Shepardson Elementary's Thanksgiving Lunch. This has become an annual tradition here at Shepardson. It is a chance for our Shepardson community to come together and eat lunch. Order forms were sent home this week with each student. Please be sure to return the form to your teacher to make your reservation. Since our dinner is prepared elsewhere we will not be able to provide additional food for late orders.

The lunch times are:

11:10 a.m. Kindergarten - They will be eating in their rooms

11:20 a.m. 1st grade

11:35 a.m. 2nd grade

11:50 a.m. 3rd grade

12:05 p.m. 4th grade

12:15 p.m. 5th grade

12:25 p.m. 6th grade

We hope to see everyone there!!

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