| Attendance Line Number - 490-3062 | March 24, 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 | March 24, 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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THINKING! I've been in some powerful exchanges lately throughout the school that result in creating and evaluative thinking. I watched fourth grade students work on revision in writing... a very difficult skill and one that most children would rather avoid. I heard dialogue in small groups about how can we make this character be more realistic. I heard one child ask his partner, " I need to do something with this sentence but I don't know what." Both students bent their heads down and diligently worked to make it better. A vision that makes a teacher smile! I hope you are as proud of your children as we are. They are truly working hard to learn!
Student performance as a means for sharing their research was done exceptionally well in first and sixth grades. First graders investigated an American symbol and presented to their classes and their parents. Presentations varied from singing to drama. Their enthusiasm for learning and sharing was incredible. All of the visitors were so impressed and their teachers couldn't quit beaming with pride. Outstanding job, first graders!
Meanwhile, the sixth graders shared their annual Wax Museum with the entire school and their parents. Each student selected a famous figure, researched and prepared a trifold report complete with evidence of many standards. As a culminating event, they dressed in costume and memorized a short summary of their lives, as if each student were indeed that character. I really enjoy finding out why they chose each one and what character traits they admired in each of these personalities. The most common responses would include working hard, perseverance, tenacity and courage. They really responded to those who stood up for what they believed, like Rosa Parks. What a meaningful learning experience in both grades that allowed them to use their communication and literacy skills in powerful ways. Thanks for all of your hard work, students, staff, to the many parents who helped make these events happen!
Just a quick note to clarify the possibility that I may need to take a one year's leave of absence from Shepardson. Having served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Elementary School Principals for the last three years, I have now been selected as one of two candidates to serve as its President. If I should win the election, this three year commitment would be similar to my current involvement except that my travels would be more national and international rather than in the regional United States. I would also have even more opportunities to share the story of our real world of education with national leaders and legislators. However, during year two when I would be serving as President, an interim principal would be hired to relieve me because of the substantial increase in travel during that year only.
I would never consider this position if I felt my absence would negatively impact Shepardson in any way. The entire staff is highly committed to the needs of our diverse students. Their dedication and experience are strongly focused with or without my presence. What I can do is take our stories, our frustrations and our vision to a different level so that education may be more strongly supported and more clearly understood. The future of education in this country is indeed at risk while it remains the major vehicle for how we invest in our children. My passion is your children for I want them to be prepared for their future, which will be very different from what we can even imagine. I thank you for your continued support and understanding as we move together to ensure the best for every child everywhere.
Have a wonderful weekend with your family!
| • | Mary Kay Sommers Principal |
| email: msommers@psdschools.org |
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| CALENDAR | March 24, 2006 |
| MARCH 2006 | APRIL 2006 | ||||
| 3/20 - 4/7 | Mon-Fri | CSAP Testing | 11 | Tue | 3rd Grade music Program-6:00 pm-Gym |
| 24 | Fri | End of Quarter | 13 | Thu | SIT 4:00-6:00 pm |
| 31 | Fri | Report Cards Distributed | 14 | Fri | NO SCHOOL |
| 18-24 | Tue-Mon | Scholastic Book Fair | |||
| APRIL 2006 | 21 | Fri | 6th Grade Lock In- 6:00-10:00 pm-Gym | ||
| 1 | Sat | Odyssey of the Mind District Competition | 22 | Sat | Family & Youth Summit 8:30-4:00-The Ranch |
| 2 | Sun | International Children's Carnival 2:00-5:00 Lory Student Center | 22 | Sat | Oran Saye Memorial Workshop 7:30-5:00-Boltz |
| 4 | Tue | PTO Meeting-7:00 pm | 25 | Tue | Choir Music Program-6:00 pm-Gym |
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Maisie Iven, a sixth grader in Mrs. Shibles' room, became a published author again! Maisie's poem (below) was selected for publication in the 2006 edition of the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans. Congratulations!
A Recipe for a Best Friend
Take out a blue glass-mixing bowl,
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By: Nicole Dowswell and Brittany Drake There were many vivid characters that were played during the 6th grade Wax Museum Presentations. Students re-enacted everyone from inventors to ballerinas. It was certainly a show to remember! The 6th graders worked for months for this important week. The students performed for the delight of the school on the Friday just before Spring Break. They went to classrooms around the school putting on an incredible show. All of the classrooms that signed up for this event got a handful of people that changed history forever. A presentation was also scheduled that Friday afternoon in the gym, for the entertainment of parents and other family members. Everyone who went to the performances couldn't wait to move on to the next. For example, one of the most memorable characters was John Lennon (a former Beatle), performed by Brian Verde. The audience dipped their feet into a pool of music, fame, and talent. Another impressive presentation was Alicia Markova. Nichol Ngo performed this ballerina; she painted a spectacular portrait of a very complicated and wonderful ballerina. Davy Crockett was a splash of entertainment as Will Budy kept the audience wishing they could go on the wonderful adventure he took. This, of course, is just a slice of many talented students who portrayed their characters brilliantly. And to those of you who missed these presentations, you are probably wishing you could've been there. |
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The 3rd Grade Social Studies Materials Adoption CAT has chosen materials that are ready for evaluation! They will be displayed for two weeks in the following elementary school media centers:
Linton, Kruse, Irish, Harris, CLPE, Livermore, Beattie
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On March 6, the Poudre School District's Board of Education voted to support an initiative to create additional collaborative time for instructional staff to work together for student academic success.
Due to this initiative, elementary and junior high schools will have 4 full release days (one each quarter), on Wednesdays, for instructional staff collaboration across schools and levels. The school day for all schools will be 8 minutes longer so no instructional time with students is lost. The elementary release days will be as follows for the 2006-2007 school year:
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Among the benefits of this initiative for consistent collaborative time are providing teachers opportunities to work together to develop strategies to improve student achievement by analyzing student data, developing and coordinating curriculum, and implementing meaningful interventions. As the dates approach, we will be sharing the plans, goals, and results of the work that is done on these days.
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Place your shirt orders by March 27th, for a chess club T-shirt or Sweatshirt. Youth and Adult sizes are available!!!
The shirts will be Royal Blue with the chess club logo and the words "Shepardson Chess Club". T-Shirt is 100% cotton. The hooded sweatshirts are 50/50 polyester cotton.
Prices are $8.50 - short sleeve T-Shirt, $12.00 - long sleeved T-Shirt, and $18.00 - hooded sweatshirt.
Order forms are available in the office.
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Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 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! Support Shepardson by purchasing tickets to Canyon Concert Ballet's Beauty and the Beast! Look for information on the attached flier! Please note that Kindergarten graduation is scheduled for May 25 at 5:30 pm. Sixth grade graduation is on May 30th at 7:00 pm. Other fun events are scheduled during May. The last day of school for full day students is May 31st. Half-day kindergarten students' last day is May 30th. More details will be shared in upcoming newsletters from the school and from teachers. The Book Fair is coming and it will be bigger and better than ever! The Scholastic Book Fair is scheduled for April 18 - 21. We will be four cases bigger this year, which means more books for adults and older kids. Plus, we will have Spanish books! We need volunteers to work three-hour shifts as cashiers during the fair. Volunteers receive every fifth book they purchase free! If interested in volunteering, please call Leigh Ann Dilley 377-3913 or Elizabeth Baker 225-2052. |
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The Wonders of the Universe: A Journey Through Time The International Children's Carnival is an educational event featuring games, crafts, activities, and performances from all over the world! The event will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, at the Lory Student Center Main Ballroom on the Colorado State University Campus. By participating in activities from various cultures, children increase their knowledge and understanding of the world. The exhibit of diverse songs, dances, games, and crafts provides new outlets for children in their exploration of the arts. Games and crafts are targeted to children ages 3-12. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact Jenn Christ, Coordinator of Central Programs and Staff Development with Apartment Life at CSU, (970) 491-4755, jlchrist@lamar.colostate.edu Sponsored by CSU Housing and Dining Services • Apartment Life • CSU Off-Campus Student Services • Resources for Adult Learners • Lory Student Center Diversity Grant
Teenagers and adults can team up to learn how they can make our community a healthier, more supportive place for youth and families while they learn through community service. This powerful combining of minds and energy will take place on Saturday, April 22, from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., at the 2006 Family and Youth Summit, to be held at the First National Bank Exhibition Hall at The Ranch/Larimer County Fairgrounds. The Summit is an interactive, fun-filled, one-day conference for youth (ages 12-18), parents, youth service providers, educators, and others that will provide tools and skills to help youth and families make smart, healthy lifestyle choices such as avoiding substance abuse, violence, and teen pregnancy. To register for this event online, go to www.healthylarimer.org. To receive a registration form by mail or for more information, contact HCC at (970) 495-7503 or krs4@pvhs.org. Registration fees are $15 for students, $30 for adults, and $50 for a family of three or more. Registration deadline is April 15.
The Gardens on Spring Creek, the City's community horticulture center, offers two fun and inspiring youth programs. Read and Seed takes place each Tuesday from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. It involves a Story time plus fun and educational hands-on activities for 4-6 year olds. Garden Journeys includes a healthy snack, art, music, math, science and all around plant fun for 6-12 year olds! It takes place the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. For program information call 416-2486, visit www.fcgov.com/horticulture or drop by The Gardens at 2145 S. Centre Ave. Registration is recommended.
Designed especially for elementary-aged youth Kids will have the chance to do team play activities, learn about Nobel Peace Prize winners, broaden their international understanding and much more.
Peace Jam Ft Collins is a dynamic educational-outreach program designed to encourage youth to develop the knowledge base, skills and attitudes to become peacemakers within themselves, their schools and communities. Workshops have been designed by and will be presented by junior high and high school aged youth who have themselves participated in PeaceJam conferences. To register or for more information, call or email Nancy Murray at 970-490-2434 or obermurray@comcast.net.
Oran Saye Memorial Workshop This educational workshop is recommended for any parent, caretaker, or educator who wants to know more about helping children who are struggling in school, having trouble with peers or the justice system, or who have depression and/or low self-esteem. This workshop will be especially to parents of special education students. The workshop will be held on Saturday, April 22, from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. at Boltz Jr. High School, 720 Boltz Drive. Registration cost before April 1 is $55 per person or $60 for two parents/same family; after April 1, the cost is $60 per person or $65 for two parents/same family. Fee includes continental breakfast and a box lunch. This year's keynote speaker is Dr. Janis DiCiacco who will speak about "The Hidden Layers of Our Children's Emotions." These layers drive how one perceives the world and reacts/acts to it. Following the keynote address, Dr. DiCiacco will present the breakout session of "Hidden Layers - Low Tech Ideas" featuring low-cost, easy-to-implement tech tools to consider and help support the ongoing interventions, not as a substitution for ongoing educational, mental health, and parental interventions and treatment. Other breakout sessions include:
For more information or to register, log on to www.empowercolorado.com/oran.htm, or call Diane Saye at (970) 226-2155, or e-mail dsaye@comcast.net. Oran Saye was a 12-year-old boy who had ADD and took his life in 1997. His family donated the money to launch the first conference in 1999 and continues to put it on yearly. This seminar is dedicated to preventing further tragedies through education, advocacy and support.
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During the next couple of weeks they will be airing the Elementary Honor Choir
Concert that took place on February 21 along with regular programming.
Congratulations to the students, district-wide, who were selected to be a part of these ensembles. Thank you to their directors, whose hard work and dedication instill a love of learning and music in our students.
Elementary Honor Choir TV Dates
| Tuesday, | March 28, | @10:00 am | Thursday, | April 6 | @10:00 am | |
| Tuesday, | March 28 | @2:00 pm | Thursday, | April 6 | @ 2:00 pm | |
| Tuesday, | March 28 | @7:00 pm | Tuesday, | April 11 | @10:00 am | |
| Thursday, | March 30 | @10:00 am | Tuesday, | April 11 | @ 2:00 pm | |
| Thursday, | March 30 | @ 2:00 pm | Tuesday, | April 11 | @ 7:30 pm | |
| Thursday, | March 30 | @ 7:00 pm | Thursday, | April 13 | @ 10:00 am | |
| Monday, | April 3 | @ 9:00 am | Thursday, | April 13 | @ 2:00 pm | |
| Tuesday, | April 4 | @ 10:00 am | Thursday, | April 13 | @ 7:30 pm | |
| Tuesday, | April 4 | @ 2:00 pm |
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Debbie Bostak, Shepardson Elementary Boundary Rep
| Phone 207-0446 | e-mail: Bostak@verinet.com |
The PSD Boundary Committee has voted on preliminary recommendations. PSD is now seeking community input on the recommendations. The community input will then go back to the Boundary Committee for consideration and possible changes to the initial recommendations. The Committee's final recommendations will be voted on by the PSD Board later this spring.
There were two recommendations which affect enrollment at Shepardson: having Shepardson take overflow from Timnath in through Spring 2008 until the new Southeast elementary school is built. The other recommendation is to permanently add an attendance area to Shepardson. At this time, there are no concerns with these changes.
I am most concerned about the recommendation to feed the Linton attendance areas to Boltz Junior High. When the committee voted on the Junior High recommendations, the final enrollment projections were not available. When I last communicated to you, it looked like there would still be school of choice room at Boltz after feeding the Linton attendance areas to Boltz. However, new enrollment projections were provided to committee at its last meeting on March 8. There was not time at this meeting to address these significant changes to the Junior High enrollment projections. If the final decision voted on by the PSD Board is to move the Linton attendance areas to Boltz, the impact to Shepardson families could be as follows:
The best way to communicate any concerns that you have is to attend one of the two community input meetings. E-mail to the Board of Education would NOT be the best way to be heard at this stage of the process, and in fact could be detrimental to our interests.
The community input meetings are scheduled as follows:
| Thursday | March 30 | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | - Boltz Junior High |
| Monday | April 3 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | - Preston Junior High |
Last spring, we started an e-mail distribution list for parents who wanted to receive more detailed information about boundaries. Please send me an e-mail if you'd like to be added to that distribution list. Or if you plan on attending one of the community input meetings, let me know and I can send you a more details.
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