| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | February 17, 2006 |
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Shepardson's Home Page: http://schoolweb.psdschools.org/she/ |
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| In this issue... |
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| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | February 17, 2006 |
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Shepardson's Home Page: http://schoolweb.psdschools.org/she/ |
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| In this issue... |
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At this time of year, it can feel like the Olympics here at Shepardson. We have several major events going on at the same time in addition to our primary focus on instruction. Of course, we strive to "reach for the Gold" in all of these venues. We are working diligently on kindergarten registration and programming, remodeling, hiring, CSAP training, scheduling and testing, and multiple tasks related to next year. Your patience and understanding are most appreciated.
As our mission statement states, we believe in continuous learning so that we can use different approaches to help every child reach their personal best. When performance is not what we expect, it is our responsibility to seek a different strategy that may be the one that works best. Such efforts are the opposite of teaching a grade level curriculum to every child regardless of needs. I am always so appreciative of having a team who recognizes the significant role each person plays in the education of each child at Shepardson. Research continues to prove that the quality of teachers is what makes the biggest difference in a child's learning.
Jan Hoffman, Gayle Eberhardt, and Heidi Hanson were recognized in January for completing their Masters' Degree with Lesley University. Their major was "Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Literacy." They spent most weekends and extra hours completing expectations for this advanced degree. They are typical of most teachers who have already completed or are working on their master's program. Congratulations, Jan, Gayle and Heidi, for your outstanding work to enhance your professional expertise that will benefit our students!
Last week these three teachers also presented an inservice for the staff on Gender Differences. Teachers were asked at the end to select one new strategy that they will use or strengthen to ensure that boys are more engaged in the learning process. Some of these include an inquiry form of instruction, literature that boys can connect with the main characters and providing more opportunities to be physically active. I am always so proud to be working with a team who is eager to seek new strategies.
Other staff members have been actively seeking additional training. Margo Miller, Sarah Harkins, and Gayle Eberhardt have received intensive training on ways to effectively work with our gifted learners. Cecilia Bonertz, Lena Ziegler, Sandy Shibles, and Jan Hoffman attended the Colorado Council for the International Reading Association state conference. They will be sharing some specific strategies to enhance motivation, reading, writing and vocabulary development. We share at staff meetings when we don't have building issues or mandated in-services (such as last month's sexual harassment) to address. Time to collaborate and share is our most precious and limited resource.
Have a wonderful weekend with your children!
| - | Mary Kay Sommers |
| email: msommers@psdschools.org |
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| CALENDAR | February 17, 2006 |
| FEBRUARY 2006 | MARCH 2006 | ||||
| 13-22 | Mon-Wed | 3d Grade CSAP Testing | 2 | Thu | Read Across America Day |
| 20 | Mon | President's Day - NO SCHOOL | 7 | Tue | PTO Meeting-7:00 pm |
| 21 | Tue | New Students Teachers Start | 10 | Fri | 6th Grade Wax Museum Presentations |
| 22 | Wed | District Spelling Bee | 13-17 | Mon-Fri | SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL |
| 2/27 - 3/3 | Mon-Fri | REACH Week | |||
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Our fourth graders presented a marvelous production of "A Hike Through Colorado History" which is more commonly referred to as their music performance for the year. Their enthusiasm, knowledge of Colorado history, colorful characters, and their dancing exemplified their joy of learning through music! They were so accomplished that we think it could be a Broadway Hit! Special thanks to Mrs. Caren Everett who makes these musical productions possible and so enjoyable! Outstanding job, Fourth Graders! |
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Mrs. Elaine Beckman has been our Health Tech at Shepardson since 2004. She quickly became a team player and even redesigned and painted areas around the office to make them more appealing and less institutional. She worked closely with parents, staff and the nurse to ensure that we are making children's health issues our number one priority. Elaine has accepted a 7 hr. position at Webber Junior High School. We will miss her greatly and so appreciate the positive impact she has had upon all of us at Shepardson. Thank you and best wishes, Elaine! We welcome parent Mrs. Laura Male who is now our Health Tech. She will maintain this 3-hour position (11:30 - 2:30). While Laura's most recent years has been working directly with her own children, her previous work experience was in a school with at risk children. She recognizes the need to work calmly, efficiently and effectively with children and adults. Her recommendations indicate that her skills and work ethic are so strong that she is still missed at that school! We couldn't be more pleased to have Mrs. Male accept this position and become an instrumental part of our team. Welcome, Laura! |
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Our goal is to create the best heterogeneous classrooms that match students' needs and strengths with those of the teachers whenever needed. We invite parental input throughout the year so your child's needs and your expectations are clearly known by the classroom teacher prior to the placement process. We know that the best learning and teaching environment occurs when teachers and parents are working together and parents are supportive of the instructional design and of the teacher.
If you feel your child's teacher is not aware of your concerns, then you may choose to complete a Placement Information Form for Student Placement to ensure that we understand the needs of your children from your perspective. Please contact the office for this form. We do not accept specific requests for teachers but will address the needs of your child. These forms are due in the office no later than Friday, April 28th. The intensive process for placement begins in May.
How does this placement process work? Classroom teachers will meet with the counselor throughout May to create the most balanced and workable groups, ones in which we believe that each child will be successful. Since we also know that the dynamics of a group can impact instruction, we spend many hours in discussion. It is time consuming and is in no way a random process. We appreciate your input, patience and understanding. We want to ensure that both students and teachers will be highly successful next year.
Our goal is to have class lists and supply lists sent home with each child on the last day of school.
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Congratulations to Amelia Brull for having her painting selected to be a part of the SuperArt! Program this school year. SuperArt! is an annual program where student artwork is collected and displayed throughout PSD's administrative offices for staff and community to enjoy during the year. SuperArt! is a rich tradition that recognizes excellence in the visual arts. Amelia and 41 other student artists were honored Feb. 2 at a reception, receiving certificates from Dr. Jerry Wilson. Amelia's painting will be on display for one year. |
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It is time to order your Shepardson yearbook! This year's book has a new format and an even lower price. For $10 you get a yearbook filled with fun pictures of you, your friends and your favorite Shepardson activities. Orders are due by Friday, February 24th. Look for the order form in your Friday folder.
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Presented by Poudre School District, Thompson School District, Front Range Community College and Foothills Gateway
Parents and students! You are invited to the third annual Transition Fair on Wednesday, March 29, from 5:00-7:45 p.m. in the Longs Peak Student Center at Front Range Community College, 4616 South Shields Street.
Students: If you are in junior high or high school and have learning differences or other more significant special needs, this evening is for you. Parents: This is your opportunity to understand the maze of options available to your students after high school.
Ian Watlington, Jefferson County's ARC Director of Educational Support, will be the keynote speaker. Ian has been described as "a compassionate, insightful devil on wheels. He is able to utilize his cynicism to bring smiles to the faces of his friends, and his laugh spreads like an epidemic. He is determined, well-rounded, and fun to play with. Ian wears subcultures like badges of honor." Pizza, cookies, and soda will be served during the keynote address.
Fifty organizations have been invited to share their expertise about college opportunities after high school, support in finding work, recreation and leisure possibilities, transportation, independent living and finances. Organizations include Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO), Social Security Administration, Vocational Rehab, Foothills Gateway, First Call, Center for Community Partnerships at CSU, Dial-A-Ride, Disabled Resource Services, FRCC, Eastern New Mexico University at Roswell, SWAP (School to Work Alliance Program), and Larimer County Workforce Center.
Breakout sessions throughout the entire evening will give in-depth information on topics such as independent living, finances, work and recreational opportunities.
In addition, you'll have an opportunity to tour the Front Range Community College Assistive Technology Lab. Bitsy Cohn, Director of the Office of Special Services at FRCC, will demonstrate assistive technology equipment.
Tickets are $5 per person or $10 per family; scholarships are available. Due to limited space, pre-registration is suggested. For registration information, contact the PSD Special Education Help Line at 490-3202 or Leah Poplett in PSD's Special Education Services at (970) 490-3233. Please indicate during registration if you need a Sign or Spanish interpreter.
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Students will be taking the State-mandated CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program) tests beginning March 20th. Parents can help in several ways.
Please Note: Poudre School District does not endorse or take responsibility for programs or activities sponsored by other organizations.
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Harmony Library, located at Shields Street and Harmony Road, is holding a used book sale in its Community Room March 10-12. Over 30 categories of books, including children's books, teen books, videos, specialty books, and fiction, are available. Book prices start at 50¢ and most books are $4 or less.
The sale is sponsored by Friends of the Library, and proceeds will support this year's summer reading program, as well as other Fort Collins Public Library activities and events.
March 2006 Sale Hours:
| March 10 | 9-10 a.m. | Presale -- for Friends of the Library members only * | ||
| March 10 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Public sale | ||
| March 11 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Public sale | ||
| March 12 | 1-4 p.m. | Public sale -- half-price day |
* Friends of the Library annual memberships are available at the door for $10 per individual and $15 per family.
(Next sale will be July 14-16 at Harmony Library.)
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We need YOUR help!!! If you could spare a couple of hours, come be a volunteer or a judge on Tournament Day:
Saturday, April 1, 2006 Judges are asked to participate in judges' training on Monday, March 6, from 7-9 p.m. at Kruse Elementary School, 4400 McMurray Avenue. For more information, or to sign up and help this great program please contact odyssey@psdschools.org or call (970) 219-6664 and leave a detailed message. The Odyssey of the Mind program was founded on the belief that the mind, like the body, can be trained through practice and exercise to reach its fullest potential. |
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The Family Center, 400-B North College Avenue, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide education to all families who desire to improve their quality of life, is offering homework assistance for students in grades 1-12.
Sessions begin February 13 and will be held Monday-Thursday from 3:00-5:00 p.m. weekly through the end of the school year. Cost is $20 per child per semester; payment plans are available. Bilingual help is available, as well as positive mentoring for participants from CSU students and community volunteers.
Limited transportation may be available to The Family Center on a case-by-case basis. Check with The Family Center for details.
For more information or to register your child(ren), please call Kierstan or Stephanie at (970) 221-1615.
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Parents -- Superintendent of Schools Jerry Wilson wants to hear to what you have to say! Attend a "brown bag" lunch listening session Dr. Wilson will be hosting from 12 noon-1:00 p.m., Thursday, March 23, in the meeting room at The Group, located at 401 W. Mulberry (please park across the street at the Lincoln Center).
This informal Superintendent Conversation is your opportunity to talk with Dr. Wilson about issues and concerns, ways to enhance student achievement, and ask questions about Poudre School District's eight new initiatives to address enrollment, budget, and school efficiency challenges.
No registration is necessary. For information, call 490-3427, or e-mail info@psdschools.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Come one! Come all! Cody Landstrom, Tim Foolery, The Great Loudini, and more will perform at a magic, juggling and comedy show from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, at Boltz Jr. High School Auditorium, 720 Boltz Drive.
Tickets are $5 per person in advance or $6 at the door. Contact Maria Landstrom in PSD's Community Connections Department at (970) 566-8172 or mlandst@psdschools.org to purchase tickets.
Proceeds will benefit the third annual Transition Fair presented by PSD, Thompson School District, Front Range Community College and Foothills Gateway.
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