Attendance Line Number - 490-3062

January 20, 2006

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

In this issue...

(Table of Contents)   (Top) PRINCIPAL REFLECTIONS

How important is education in the lives of our children and the future of this country?

This question seems to be surfacing for me in all venues... whether I'm at Shepardson with children and teachers or at a conference with administrators from all over the world. There are clearly cultural differences regarding the true value of education within this community, within this country and between countries.

What differences do I see in these places?

From parents who value education so much that that their children are expected to reach their personal best every day and find ways to extend their learning to those who see education as a babysitting service while parents are at work.

From parents who value educating the whole child to those who only want the basic academics to be taught.

From parents who work closely with the teachers to ensure that they are contributing partners to those who feel that the school is totally responsible for the entire education of their child.

From parents who worry if their child is sick one day to those who take week long vacations when their children are not performing at grade level.

From parents who recognize the value of their child actively engaged in learning to those who define education as doing workbook pages.

From parents who value our need as professionals to spend quality time sharing strategies and problem solving that result in higher levels of learning to those who feel we have enough time in our day to teach, plan for teaching and learning new things.

From parents who value education and the commitment of educators to their children to those who seem to focus on the shorter formal work schedule.

It seems that the culture found in Asian countries where the economic and technological gains are growing quickly has a stronger value for education when compared to our country. However, I am so pleased to notice that, for the most part at Shepardson, we are blessed with a parent community who also holds this strong value for education. You join us for conferences, you make time to work with teachers at school and your children at home, and you value the diversity we have at our school.

Thanks to your commitment for a quality education for your child, the Shepardson staff is able to help your child reach for even higher goals! Thank you for being a positive and contributing partner in the education of your child!

Have a great weekend with your family!

-	Mary Kay Sommers
	email: msommers@psdschools.org

(Table of Contents)   (Top)

CALENDAR

January 20, 2006

JANUARY 2006			FEBRUARY 2006
27	Fri	Spelling Bee Finals 8:45 -10:00-Gym	10	Fri	School of Choice Deadline
31	Tue	Kindergarten Parent Information Night 7:00-8:00 pm	13-22	Mon-Wed	CSAP Grade 3 Reading
			2/13-3/31	Mon-Fri	Winter/Spring Enrichment Classes
FEBRUARY 2006			14	Tue	Valentines Parties 2:00
1-2	Wed-Thu	Winter/Spring Enrichment Registration 7:45-8:30 and 3:15-4:00 pm-Media Center	16	Thu	SIT 4:00-6:00
4-10	Sat-Fri	National School Counselors Week	16	Thu	6th Human Growth & Development Parent Info Meeting 3:30
7	Tue	PTO Meeting 7:00 pm	13	Mon	Boltz Parent Orientation Meeting 7:00-8:00 pm
7	Tue	4th Grade Music Program - 6:00 pm Gym	17	Fri	Kindergarten Lottery 8:30 am (if needed)
9	Thu	Kindergarten Registration - Flex Room	20	Mon	President's Day - NO SCHOOL

(Table of Contents)   (Top) HELP YOUR CHILD BUILD GOOD STUDY HABITS

After conferences or seeing your child's report card, you may want to work more closely to help your child with his/her homework. These tips, offered from National Association of Elementary School Principals, may serve as a good list to share with your child. Find a few that your child is willing to do to help him/her complete homework.

1. Make a homework spot. It should include a table/desk, good light, paper/pens, and dictionary. Then when you sit down, you are ready to work.

2. Set a homework time. Plan to do homework at the same time every day! It works and becomes a good habit.

3. Use a homework notebook or steno. Teachers ask students to write assignments down. Be sure to write all of the information so you will know exactly what to do.

4. Make notes as you read. It's easier to remember the important things if you write them down.

5. Make your own flash cards. This is a good way to study vocabulary, spelling, math facts and formulas, and history facts. Write a word or question on one side and the definition on the other. Sometimes pictures of the word will help you remember it too.

6. Do your hardest---or least favorite---homework first. Save the easiest one or the one you like the best for last. It will feel like a reward for getting everything else done.

7. Write down your questions. Give these questions to your teacher the next day. This way you don't have to remember what your question was.

8. Look up new words. Stop and look up new words. Keep a list of all the new words you learn. You are likely to read them again.

9. Test yourself as you read. Imagine what questions your teacher will ask. If you can come up with the answers, you have been paying attention to what you've read. If you don't know the answers, read it again so that you understand what you are reading.

Make the most of sleep. Before you fall asleep, practice that spelling word one more time. Your brain is still working, even if you aren't. Get plenty of rest so you can remember things and listen better the next day.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) 2005-06 KINDERGARTEN PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

Parent's of next year's kindergarteners are invited to Shepardson's Parent Information Night on Tuesday, January 31 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. to learn about the kindergarten curriculum, tour the kindergarten classrooms, meet the teachers, and learn about the half-day and full-day kindergarten programs. Parents will receive registration forms to complete and return on Registration Day, February 9. We encourage all Shepardson parents to share this information with your neighbors who may only have preschool children. We are anxious to welcome our next kindergarten class to Shepardson! For more information, contact school at 226-6370.

Kindergarten registration for students entering school in PSD in Fall 2006 is scheduled for Thursday, February 9, 2006. Registration will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at all elementary schools. Children who will be 5 years of age on or before September 15, 2006, are eligible to register. On the day of registration, parents should bring their child's birth certificate (original or certified preferred), Social Security number, immunization records, and emergency contact information.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) HALF DAY KINDERGARTEN PILOT PROGRAM

This year we are piloting a slightly different model that capitalizes on both the values of half day and full day programming. The half-day sessions are in place only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The morning session comes all day on Mondays and the afternoon session comes all day on Fridays.

The amount of school time is actually longer than the half-day program but on the full day the lunch experience is included. We believe the longer day will prepare these children for the full day programming in first grade. We were careful to make sure the two sessions were very close in amount of time children spend at school.

At this time the school district's Research and Development department is calling all parents in this program to collect and summarize their anonymous feedback. We will be reviewing their findings as well as how the teachers feel this program has worked for students. A summary and plan for next year will be shared at the Kindergarten Parent Information Night on January 31 at 7:00 p.m. If we continue with this model, we expect to make some changes to ensure the best learning environment for our children.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) LEAVING SHEPARDSON? LET US KNOW.

It is that time of year when we plan for next year. Sometimes families know that they will be moving at the end of the year or there is a good chance that a move will happen. We appreciate your letting us know so that we can make our best decisions, especially around accepting School of Choice students.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) CALENDAR REMINDER

Friday, February 17 is a school day and classes will be held as normal. Please ignore any versions of the 2005-2006 PSD school calendar printed prior to the June 13, 2005, amended date which listed Friday, February 17, 2006, as a school holiday. The correct version of the 2005-2006 calendar is posted on the PSD website at www.psdschools.org under the Quick Links pull-down menu.

(Table of Contents)   (Top) VOLUNTEERS NEEDED