Berthoud Eagle

December 2011

Principal to Parent This month I have a couple of important issues I want to share with you. Each year we update our crisis plan for Berthoud Elementary and as we gain more information from district, state and national sources, we are able to create and implement a strong plan of response to a crisis situation. Obviously, we all hope we will never face such a situation, but we also know it is best to be as prepared as possible. I appreciate how our building visitors are more conscious than ever of signing in and wearing a visitors tag. Families can also be of tremendous help by keeping the home and emergency information updated with the office and classroom teacher. Each time we have a blizzard we are reminded how crucial the updated information can be! Along with our police and fire departments we have determined an off-site evacuation place. In case students need to evacuate the school site, we would walk to the Five Stones Student Center at 770 2nd Street. Parents would be able to check their children out from this secure site. It was difficult to find a building that could house 450 500 people in our small town that was also within walking distance! Thank you to Grace Place for offering this site. Our alternate site would be at Turner Middle School. Also, as a school and district we must incorporate technology standards into our daily instruction and practice. These standards include using technology to facilitate and inspire learning, innovation and creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills. Also to communicate, collaborate, and be fluent in using research and information tools, while promoting digital citizenship and ethical behavior. If we have the appropriate tools to make all of this possible our students can have the important experiences they need. I want to thank our parent community for working to raise funds to supplement district monies and acquire the necessary technology to update our classrooms, such as laptops, document cameras and projectors, interactive white boards, and all new computers in our lab! Thanks to our community who have generously supported this effort through PTA and the Berthoud Schools Fund. Mrs. LoJeske

Berthoud Elementary Homework Policy If a student is traveling for a vacation or personal reasons, homework will not be distributed prior to their trip. The homework will be held and can be completed upon their return. We do encourage students to keep a journal of their trip, to practice math facts and read during their absence. If a student is absent for two or more days due to illness, parents may contact the front office to request work. Please consider that teachers will need time to gather work from your childs other teachers. If a request is received first thing in the morning, work can usually be ready for pickup in the front office at the end of the school day. Please call first to make sure the work is in the office. A student who is absent will receive an equal number of days to complete their make-up work compared to the number of days absent.

SINCERE THANKS Thank you to all who helped with vision and hearing screenings. Thank you to the Student Council Sponsors, our Student Council, PTA and the Breitstein and Mattise-Lorenzen families for helping out with Family Movie Night. Thank you to our Student Council Representatives for welcoming visitors during the Visitors Day lunch. Holiday Gift Shop The Holiday Gift Shop will be open December 12th 14th in the art room. This has been a fun and long-standing tradition that allows students the opportunity and experience of buying gifts for family members. This is not a fundraiser for the school, just a wonderful time to enjoy the excitement and satisfaction of giving to others. There is a display case in the front hallway where samples of the gift choices may be viewed. Please help your child in the planning of who to buy for and what to give, and remember to have alternate choices in the event we run out of some items. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Fate 532-0352 or 430-9794. Spirit Day This month our Spirit Day will be on Friday, December 9th. Wear Red and Green for the holidays! CSAP TESTING DAYS The following are the CSAP testing dates. Please make arrangements to plan appointments and vacations outside of these testing windows. The third grade will be tested in reading on February 29th & March 1st. The March testing window for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades are as follows: Third grade writing and math testing dates are March 12th 23rd. Fourth and fifth grades reading, writing, math and fifth grade science will test March 12th 23rd. Tardies A students participation in the morning routine of their class is very important. However, if a student is tardy, a parent/guardian must come in to the front office to sign the student in. If a student comes in late unaccompanied by an adult, then that student will receive an unexcused tardy on their attendance record. If your child is going to be late due to an appointment, please notify the office by 9:00 am if they need a hot lunch ordered. Holiday Party Snack Ideas We appreciate all of the healthy snacks that parents have been sent in for their children recently. Sweet treats along with healthy treats can help children to learn about moderation. The following are great healthy snack ideas to consider for classroom holiday parties. Please note that food brought in to the school must be prepackaged from the store. Things like low fat pudding, dried fruit, granola bars, whole grain crackers, veggie trays, fruit trays and cheese sticks are all great treats! Thank you for supporting healthy food choices for our students. Scooters Found If your child lost a scooter, please contact the front office 613-7500.

School of Choice/Open Enrollment All students in the Thompson School District are assigned to attend a specific school based upon the geographical attendance area of their residence. However, students have the option of attending a school other than their assigned school. Families who wish to enroll their student in a school other than their assigned school must complete a School of Choice/Open Enrollment Application and submit it to their school of choice. Applications are accepted from December 1, 2011 January 10, 2012 for upcoming middle and high school students and from January 6 February 24, 2012 for upcoming elementary school students for the 2012-2013 school year. Applications are available at any school or on the districts website during the application window. A separate application must be completed and submitted for each student. Requests are approved based on space availability and program availability. Once a student is accepted, he/she is enrolled at their school of choice for the duration of the grades served by the school, until a change of residence, or until the student discontinues a requested program. Transportation arrangements are the responsibility of the family choosing this option. Students attending their current school on an Administrative Transfer (or students who have moved outside of the attendance area for their current school) and who wish to remain at that school, must complete an application during the open enrollment window. Failure to submit and receive an approved open enrollment will result in your student being enrolled at your assigned school for the upcoming school year. Specific questions about enrolling in a school can generally be answered by calling that school's administrative office. Information can also be found on the Thompson School District website at http://thompson.k12.co.us/Divisions/Learning_Services/schools_of_choice.html. We invite you to visit a Thompson school to get a personal look at our quality educational programs. Contact the school to arrange for a visit.

December
8 9 9 12 - 14 15 22 Original Works Orders Delivered Spirit Day: Wear Red and Green! Coin Drive Ends Holiday Gift Shop 6:30 Kindergarten Showcase End of 2nd Quarter/First Semester - Holiday parties: last hour of the day

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Winter Break 12/23 - 1/8