Berthoud Resident Berthoud, CO 80513
440 Mountain Ave. Berthoud, CO 80513
© Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
August 4, 2016
Berthoud, 80513
PAID
STANDARD POSTAGE #7
Page 2 Back to School August 4, 2016
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
August 4, 2016 Back to School Page 3
New Berthoud El principal prepared to listen, learn, and collaborate By Katie Harris The Surveyor
When Melanie Patterson steps into the role of principal at Berthoud Elementary (El) this month, she’ll have some big shoes to fill. In a school with a gifted group of teachers, strong parent and community involvement, and an outgoing principal in amilla ojeske, who served in that role for years, atterson won t be able to win the school community s approval by accident. Lucky for her, she’s already gained overwhelming support from staff members, parents and community members who met with her throughout the hiring and transition process. atterson s professional-whileapproachable demeanor, as well as her Melanie Patterson collaborative leadership style and embracePrincipal at Berthoud ment of Berthoud El’s culture, have fostered Elementary School an impressive first impression in her new school community. It wasn t by chance atterson landed in erthoud. eminiscent of her previous principal position in the Weld ounty district, the town had just the charm and community engagement she was hoping to come back to. I love the pride and support for schools that comes from a small community,” said atterson. y family has spent time in erthoud, and I ve always loved it here.” atterson, whose hobbies include reading, biking, and golf, currently resides in ongmont with her husband ory, -year-old son Keegan, and -year-old daughter Kaila. he said she looks forward to spending more family time in erthoud now that she ll be employed in town. Over the course of the summer Patterson has spent time at Berthoud El, meeting with outgoing principal ojeske, sitting in on hiring interviews, and reviewing work that s been done at the school in the past. he said her first year as principal will be one of observing and gaining understanding. y biggest priority is to get to know the students, parents and staff to listen and learn and to begin partnering with educators and administrators across the other three erthoud schools,” said atterson. he listed engagement of students and parents, dedication of staff members, commitment to support all learners, culture of continuous improvement, and standard of academic excellence as some of Berthoud El’s strong points, and said she was excited to further those values. Patterson encouraged community members to “stop in and say hello” and said she s looking forward to the - school year.
Berthoud Elementary, 560 Bunyan Ave., 970-613-7500,Principal Melanie Patterson.
Page 4 Back to School August 4, 2016
Berthoud High School
W
e are looking forward to the start of the 2016-2017 school year. There were many highs and lows last year for the Berthoud High School H family. As I re ected on last year, I am so thankful for the care and support this community offered to our staff during the difficult times last year. We always appreciate your support of BHS and the Berthoud Bash. We were fortunate to receive over $55,000 from the BASH and our amazing community. We are preparing for another great year and hope to continue to improve in every aspect of what we do at Berthoud High. You can be a part of this continuous improvement by attending our School Advisory Committee meetings throughout the year. There will be meetings on during the first full week of eptember, ovember, anuary, March and May on the second Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. in the library. Please join us if you can and we appreciate the help on this important committee. We have a new roof thanks to our school district and the Better Schools Grant and our custodial staff has worked extremely hard preparing our school for another year. I did my share of painting, chair shopping and even changed a few sprinkler heads in anticipation for Chris Garcia another year. Principal at Berthoud BHS would also like to welcome some great new adHigh School ditions to the BHS teaching staff for this year. • David Moore in math, coming from Mountain View High School (MVHS). • Tyler English in health/physical education coming from Turner Middle School. • BriAnna Morel in science coming from MVHS. erome uddy, our former teacher who is coming back to us, for rench half time. • Lyndee Lum — Agriculture — coming from AgriCorps in Ghana essica rown coming back for a second year. Here are some important dates for you as August approaches: ack to chool ight is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. • Friday, Aug. 19: freshmen day only onday, Aug. first day of school for all students he athletic department will have the all ports ight parent meeting on Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium. Please remember that the on-line paperwork for athletic participation and payment is on our website, Berthoudhighschool.com. We would also recognize the class of 2016 for their 14 collegiate sports signings to move on to the next level. We wish all of that class the best of luck in 2016-2017. I wish you the best for the remainder of the summer and I hope you all come back to us refreshed and ready for a spectacular year in 2017! Thanks, Mr. Garcia
Berthoud High School, 950 Spartan Ave., 970-613-7700, Principal Chris Garcia.
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
BACK TO SCHOOL 2016 Back to School 2016© is published by the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor. Editorial content is provided by Surveyor staff writers and the Thompson School District. For more information about advertising with the Surveyor, call 970-532-2252. All additional information regarding individual schools, fees, registration and testing dates, alternative education options and other resources can be found at thompsonschools.org or call 970-613-5000.
970-532-2252 440 Mountain Ave., Berthoud, CO 80513
www.BerthoudSurveyor.com
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
Finally finding the path
August 4, 2016 Back to School Page 5
head coach. rye also took a leap of faith and became a substitute teacher in the hompson District. He said it now seems ironic his first assignment as a sub was at . I walked into the building that day and never left,” he said. rye acknowledges and By Bob McDonnell thanks then rincipal ill iebers for giving him that first job. The Surveyor o become eligible for full-time employment in the district, rye spent most aturdays for a year in reeley at the oard of ooperative ducation office Anyone who meets Steve Frye, the new athlete director at Turner Middle School taking classes. After completing these classes, he attained his teacher’s license. Last (TMS), immediately realizes he has two passions in life — kids and sports. This year Frye was signed as the full-time physical education teacher at TMS. makes him a great fit for the job at . rye is excited about his new position as athletic rye s route to become both the athletic director and director and dean of students at . He will still be in dean of students is not a straight line. He had some dethe classroom teaching physical education. he beforetours along the way. school muscle lab, which rye started, will continue. He His family moved to Loveland in 1983. Frye attended has plans to expand it this year too. grade school, middle school and then graduated from Looking at the coming year, Frye mentioned the Loveland High School (LHS) in 1998. “I’m a Thompwrestling team. He coached this group in his first son (school district) product all the way,” he proclaims year at the school. He recalls starting with six students proudly. coming out for wrestling. Frye’s face lights up when he rye attended the niversity of Idaho on a football says this year he hopes for 50 wrestlers. scholarship. After one year there, he transferred to the In the past, rye has been involved with coaching University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley. He erthoud High chool H football. After acceptstayed at UNC, completing his degree serving as graduing his new role at TMS, Frye decided not to coach at ate assistant under Coach Kay Dalton. He coached the H this year. He says he wants to focus all his efforts team’s defensive line. on the new job. He has not ruled out the possibility of A change he terms as a coaching shift at UNC caused someday returning to the H coaching staff. Frye to leave the school and work in the private sector. When asked what coach or athletic director helped He did outside sales for 11 years. him mold his style, Frye answered, “All of them.” He rye remembers the day, while working, he reali ed s im allus and ay he was not happy doing sales. I was successful but holPhoto by Bob McDonnell mentions the in uence of low,” Frye said. He also realized his real passion was for New TMS AD and dean of students, Steve Frye, with the Heinrichs. Additionally, he noted that LHS Athletic leading and working with young people. So, at age 27, help of daughters Victoria and Violet, get ready for the Director Gene Alvine was outstanding as well as his replacement Devin Anderson. rye decided to go back into football. new school year. Frye is spending time this summer prepping for his rye visited the olorado Ice Indoor ootball team. He new job. He can be seen in the halls and in the gym at says, I told them I wanted to play football.” he Ice signed him to play after a tryout. TMS frequently. Some days his two young girls, Victoria and Violet, accompany him. It was a good decision for both the team and rye. He played for three years, includFrye’s wife, Christine, is a pediatric occupational therapist, so the girls like to tag ing two all-star games. along with their dad during the summer. his renewed rye s desire to get back into sports. An opening at ort ollins High rye is grateful for the chance to live out his dream of being an educator and coach. School caught his eye. LHS standout athlete Dave McCloughan heard of Frye’s plans. He summed up his route from high school athlete to his current role at TMS in one c loughan coached rye at H . He told rye oveland would be better for him. sentence he erthoud community saved me.” o, in , rye joined the H football coaching staff, with ohn oovey as the He is back on the path of doing what he loves.
Page 6
Back to School August 4, 2016
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
How to help students choose an extracurricular activity Special to the Surveyor xtracurricular activities can benefit students in various ways. Academic clubs, sports and volunteer organizations provide students with opportunities to grow as people and make new friends while also teaching kids skills they will use for the rest of their lives. Many parents are aware extracurricular activities can help students improve their chances of gaining admission to college. But students who choose the right extracurricular activities will benefit in greater ways than simply strengthening their college applications. The following are a handful of ways parents can help their sons and daughters choose extracurricular activities they can benefit from for years to come. • Ask kids to jot down their interests. Students are more likely to enjoy and excel at extracurricular activities that align with their existing interests. Ask kids to jot down a list of their interests or anything they might want to try. Youngsters might want to learn a musical instrument even if they have never before taken a course in music. Once kids have listed their interests, look for activities that allow them to further explore those interests. Chances are there is a school-sponsored or community-based club or organization that will align with at least one thing on your child’s list. • Encourage kids to have fun. Kids are more likely to enjoy and fully commit to an activity if they find it fun. While extracurricular activities can help kids grow as people and improve their image in the eyes of college admis-
sions officers, kids will get even more out of an activity if they enjoy doing it. • Look for something that won’t interfere with schoolwork. Extracurricular activities can look great on a college application, but that benefit is lost if the activity interferes with a student’s academic performance. Some activities, including sports, demand more of students’ time than others, but make sure kids know school always comes first. • Ask around. Ask neighbors or school officials for recommendations to help kids who have tried but failed to find the right fit with regard to extracurricular activities. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error before a child finds an activity he or she is comfortable with. Fellow parents can make great resources, and school officials likely know of a host of clubs and organizations kids may be interested in. • Sign up with your kids. If kids are hesitant to sign up for an activity because they are shy, sign up with them. Volunteer organizations are typically family-friendly, and kids might be more likely to come out of their shells if they sign up with their parents or siblings. As kids grow more comfortable with an activity, they will want to get more involved even if mom and dad don’t have the time. arents can employ various strategies to help kids find activities they can be passionate about for years to come.
School Calendar 2016-2017
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
August 4, 2016 Back to School Page 7
Page 8 Back to School August 4, 2016
Ivy Stockwell Elementary School
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
community garden. hanks to eyton Adams for building us even more raised beds for our garden as part of his agle cout project. If you are new to Ivy tockwell lementary, please make sure you have elcome to another great year at Ivy Stockwell Elementary. We are completed your online registration as soon as possible. ou can find this inforexcited to be entering our fifth year of our cience, echnolmation on our district website at www.thompsonschools.org. We will also be ogy, ngineering, and athematics implementation. very year available for registration support we deepen our programming and we see the on Aug. from a.m. - p.m. results in the ama ing things we see from our stuou can turn in any re uired dents. We are so lucky to have dedicated staff and documentation immuni ations, supportive families to help us etc. during this time. improve every year. Also, ack to chool night Ivy has been very busy this will be on Aug. from summer with opportunities p.m. tudents can bring in their for enrichment and literacy supplies and visit their new support. eachers and supclassrooms. In addition, parents port staff have spent countcan pay fees and access a variety less hours this summer planof resources before after school ning and providing workshops care, bus routes, nutritional serthat have taken advantage of vices, etc. . our new Innovation Station. irst day of school informahis Innovation ab tion was created this past year If your student is in kinthrough a , grant from Rick Bowles th dergarten-5 grade, and your tterbox. In this lab, students Principal at Ivy Stockwell last name starts with A- , you could select from many Elementary School will report for school all day on related courses including -D riday, Aug. half-day kinprinting, robotics, aviation Ivy Stockwell Elementary, 175 Fifth St., Berthoud, 970-613-6100, Princidergarten is still half day . ou pal Rick Bowles. rocketry, stop motion aAnimation, machines and will not report to school on Aug. gadgets, circuitry, and architecture. . If you are a student with last name starting with - , you will report to We also offered a seven-week summer school program with students from you will not report on Aug. . he first day of school with both erthoud lementary and Ivy tockwell. In addition, students could take school on Aug. all students is Aug. . If you have a family with several last names, call the a class on fabric crafts, cardboard duct tape design and poetry. office and we will make sure we adjust so that all of your children go on the In the middle of summer, we had a huge turn-out for our summer ead-In same day. and ook wap. tudents read in the shade under the trees, swapped books, hank you to all of the erthoud community for your support of Ivy tockand enjoyed a popsicle. hey were also able to trade in their used books for new ones to read over the summer. A huge thank you to all of the parents and well, erthoud chools, and the hompson chool District. ou help make our schools ama ing. students who volunteered their time this summer to water and weed our Ivy
W
Page 10 Back to School August 4, 2016
Turner Middle School
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
ditional attention — it demands practices like standards-based instruction to make that happen. And it requires students to accept a portion of the responsibility for their education. “If you want small changes in your life, work on your attitude. But if you We will continue to provide students with the highest levels of social and want big and primary changes, work on your paradigm.” emotional education and support. I am excited to inform you that we have — Steven Covey added an additional fulltime counselor to the TMS y now, many of you have listened to me discuss the staff. The job of a counselor various paradigm shifts that are currently taking has changed dramatically place in education. Mr. Covey devoted his life to since you and I were in education and business. And I chose this quote because school. And I’m thrilled that he clearly understood the connection between education this additional position will and its impact on our larger sociallow us to better meet the ety. And he more than understood educational and social needs the need for paradigm changes in of all TMS students. how we educate our kids. So as we start this new I do believe that kids are kids, school year, let me be the no matter if we’re talking 2016 or first to say, ull steam 1916. But the more things stay the ahead!” You will see a same, the more they change (yes, number of new faces at and vice versa). Our technology, TMS this year. I’m excited business structures, political sysfor the new group of teachtems, entrepreneurial and innovative climate and social landscapes Turner Middle School, 950 Massachusetts Ave., 970-613-7400, Principal ers who will be joining the Dragon Team. They are are not as they were in 1916. As Derrick Martin. full of energy and innovasuch, our educational systems Derrick Martin tive ideas! Look for Core-X shouldn’t remain there as well. Principal at course descriptions and after-school club information as we start the new We cannot continue to use educational models from a Turner Middle School bygone era when our kids require an approach that mir- school year. I m confident we will put together another impressive list of programs and offerings that appeal to all kids. And look for bios of all our new rors a rapidly evolving society. staff in future TMS newsletters. I understand when parents say they believe that these fast-changing times As always, I encourage parents and community members to get involved often result in their kids being treated as specimens in some sort of lab experiwith our school in any way possible. Whether it be through our school acment. The lab just happens to be the schools. My hope is that these concerned countability group AA or our parent volunteer group ID , there are parents come to understand that this couldn’t be further from the truth. We many opportunities to get involved here at TMS. Come be a part of our sucare not engaging your kids in fads and untested trends. We are preparing cess! them by providing them the necessary competencies they will surely need in If parents/community members ever have any questions or concerns, please order to compete with school children across this state and country for a world do not hesitate to contact me. My door is always open for you. that, again, is changing rapidly. As a STEAM school (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), Turner Middle School (TMS) will continue to focus on the whole child by providing relevant and engaging courses, activities, clubs and opportunities that allow all kids to find their passion. roject-based learning will also continue to be a driving force behind what we do. TMS is devoted to ensuring that all students can demonstrate competencies in a variety of methods and are proficient in important st century skills. And we believe that reading, writing and arithmetic are just as important as computer coding, VEX robotics and 3D printing. We will continue to teach, assess and monitor student progress using a standards-based instructional model. I am proud of teachers at TMS for not simply, ‘doing’ standards-based instruction but for embracing it. If we are to adhere to a competency-based system — one in which both teachers and students know clearly what students can do and what standards require ad-
B
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
Special to the Surveyor
August 4, 2016 Back to School Page 11
STEM taking schools by storm
An increased focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education is one of the most in uential initiatives to reach schools in recent years. The world has become increasingly complex and competitive, and today s youth needs to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to evaluate ideas and turn them into productive applications. hese are two of the key hallmarks of STEM. According to the National Science Foundation, STEM subjects include chemistry, computer and information technology science, engineering, geosciences, life sciences, mathematical sciences, physics and astronomy, social sciences (anthropology, economics, psychology and sociology), and STEM education and learning research. Recognizing that more and more students are gravitating toward -focused fields and that projected STEM job rates are rising steadily, schools have begun to beef up their offerings with regard to STEM subjects. Jobs in mathematics, computer system analysis, systems software, and biomedical engineering are just some of the careers in which anywhere from a 15 to 62 percent increase between 2010 and 2020 is predicted, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Individuals may believe study begins in high school, but the success of older students in STEM subjects is often shaped much earlier on. hat s why parents and edu-
cators can do much to cultivate an interest in natural and social sciences, as well as in math, as early as possible. Here are a few ideas to do just that. • Encourage participation in the community. Various national clubs and science-based organi ations have begun to pay more attention to STEM and offer activities that foster a greater love of science, engineering and math. By joining such clubs and organizations, students can learn more about these subjects and reinforce their enjoyment. • Set up an internship or meet-andgreet. Take students to STEM-centered places of employment so they can get a firsthand experience from within the trenches. rovide opportunities for students to chat with people in the field and ask uestions about the type of schooling necessary to pursue a particular degree, and if any hobbies and other activities promote learning. • Investigate school-based opportunities. Schools are broadening course offerings and also establishing STEM-based clubs. tudents have the opportunity to get involved with other like-minded classmates. If a club isn t already available, a teacher or a parent can consider volunteering to serve as the head of the club. STEM is a hot topic of discussion in the world of education. Students can expect to get plenty of exposure to science- and mathrelated topics both inside and out of the classroom.
Page 12 Back to School August 4, 2016
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
Why music education matters Special to the Surveyor ome the school year, the music and arts budget in the os Angeles nified chool District will reach its highest point in a dozen years. While that’s great news for students, it also illustrates the sad fact that arts and music programs have taken a considerable hit in recent decades, when arts education fell victim to budget cuts. he benefits of music education extend far beyond getting kids to tap their toes. he ational Association for usic ducation lists the following benefits among the many reasons to support music education in schools. • Music training helps develop language skills. tudies have shown that music training contributes to the physical development of the part of the left side of the brain associated with processing language. A study from researchers at tanford niversity found that mastering a musical instrument may also improve reading skills, which can benefit students both inside and outside the classroom. • Music training can improve hand-eye coordination. tudies have linked long-term music training to improved hand-eye coordination. That is likely connected to the motor skills children develop when playing musical instruments. Without those instruments, those motor skills may not develop as strongly. • Music improves concentration. Even students who cannot play a musical instrument can still benefit academically from simply listening to music. In , a research team from the tanford niversity chool of edicine found that music engages the areas of the brain involved with paying attention. Today’s students deal with numerous distractions, from smartphones to tablets to social media, but those who routinely listen to certain types of music might find it easier to block out those distractions and focus on their work. • Music can help students’ emotional development. A 2003 study commissioned by Chorus America found musicians are more likely than the average person to be involved in charity work as volunteers and donors. he A also notes that music students may be more likely to exhibit empathy toward other cultures. • Music can improve self-esteem. In a study examining fourth-grade students attending public school in ontreal, a researcher at the niversity of exas at Austin found children who received piano lessons weekly for three years had higher self-esteem than children who were not given piano lessons during the same period; neither group had participated in formal music instruction before the study, and students in both groups reported similar levels of self-esteem prior to participating in the study. Music education can enrich the lives of young students in a myriad of ways, potentially contributing to happier, more fulfilling lives.
August 4, 2016 Back to School Page 13
Page 14 Back to School August 4, 2016
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
How students can handle the transition to middle school Special to the Surveyor
A child s school-aged years are filled with many different lessons and experiences. While in school, kids have the opportunity to broaden their horizons and meet new people. Many students will attend various schools before moving on to college, and therefore they must learn how to adjust to new schools. While many students attend elementary school together for years, students may not know their classmates once they make it to middle school, which tends to boast larger student bodies than elementary schools. That’s because many middle schools’ student bodies are a combination of several elementary schools. Making the transition from elementary school to middle school or junior high can spark anxiety in students, but that does not have to be. The National Education Association says a common element of a successful middle school experience is a smooth and positive transition from elementary school. The following are a few ways students can handle their transition to middle school. • Participate in a school-based transition program. Middle schools frequently host open houses for elementary school students, who can take tours of the campus. Parents can take part in these events with their children. If your sched-
ule does not allow you to attend, then schedule a private tour with the middle-school principal or a faculty member. Middle-school guidance counselors or guest speakers also may make the rounds, visiting elementary schools directly. Be sure your student attends such information sessions so he or she can get an idea of what to expect during middle school. • Dispel any myths your youngster might have heard about middle school. Youngsters hear lots of things about middle schools, and much of what kids hear might be untrue. Ask kids what they have heard about the schools they will be moving on to, and then do your best to dispel any myths. • Find a middle-school buddy. Ask an older sibling or invite someone who is currently enrolled in the school to speak with your child and answer any questions he or she may have. Hearing directly from a fellow student may make your child feel more comfortable about what to expect. • Talk about any other fears. Engage in an open dialogue with your son or daughter about any additional fears he or she may have. If students are worried about academics, spend some time over the summer going over the curriculum. If the potential for peer pressure is a cause for concern, reinforce advice on how to react to peer pressure. Parents and their children can take several steps to make students’ transitions to middle school as smooth as possible.
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
August 4, 2016 Back to School Page 15
Page 16 Back to School August 4, 2016
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
Voters to decide on mill levy and bond issue this November What’s included in the two issues? By John Gardner The Surveyor The Thompson School Board of Education discussed and approved placing initiatives on the November ballot regarding the pending mill levy override and bond issue to pay for operational services and building needs throughout the district at its June 15 meeting. The $11 million mill levy override will help cover ongoing operational costs, such as teacher pay raises and cost of living adjustment for all employees, funding of existing district charter schools, and some one-time educational initiatives and new buses. The $288.5 million bond issue would ultimately fund the updated Thompson Reinvented phase one project. Phase one includes a new Loveland High School campus estimated at $145 million, an addition to Berthoud High School that would include a pool facility, and additional classrooms to Berthoud Elementary school, to name a few. But the bond issue would also help catch the schools up on nearly $72 million in delayed maintenance projects. What’s the mill levy pay for?
According to ordon ones, hompson chool District s chief financial officer, the mill levy is necessary to close the teachers salary gap between Thompson and neighboring school districts. Jones explained at the June 15 meeting that if the mill levy initiative passes in November, the county would begin collecting the additional taxes starting Jan. 1, 2017. Those dollars are typically delivered to school districts between March and June, annually, which would provide the district with additional revenues not budgeted for the 2016-17 school year. However, additional expenditures, in the form of a 1.8 percent steps and columns pay raise and 1 percent cost-of-living increase are included in next year’s budget, which contribute to the $5.32 million use of reserves that is re ected in the - budget. ones said those additional funds could be
returned to the district’s general fund reserves should the MLO pass in November, reducing the amount borrowed from the district coffers for next year to approximately $2.2 million. The $11 million MLO increase would be annual and would continue into perpetuity. Unfortunately, the additional funds would be exhausted in three years if the district opted to continue the 2.8 percent pay raise annually. “The funds would be essentially spoken for at that point,” Jones said. The MLO if approved for the November ballot but if rejected by voters would put the district in a predicament where it would have to cut $5 million in annual operating costs to reduce the budget expenses in a couple of years. Exploring Thompson Reinvented
The $288.5 million Thompson Reinvented bond issue up for voter approval in November includes the option for a pool facility at BHS as part of the project s first phase. The pool was originally considered but then removed from the proposal after some discussions. ut it was added to the first phase again after erthoud residents expressed their view for a need at the district’s only high school without a pool. The board requested at its June 1 meeting to include the pool back into the project, but also requested keeping phase one to under $300 million. According to Dr. Dan aas, hompson chool District s chief operating officer, the master planning committee has delivered a final hompson einvented phase one plan that essentially includes 36 projects included in the bond. Of those projects, the biggest is by far the $145 million new school facility for oveland High chool. he current H campus would then be reconfigured into a new kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school at the tune of $34 million. Thompson Valley High School, in Loveland, would also see $22 million of improvements, while Mountain View would see roughly $4 million in upgrades. The goal of the Thompson Reinvented proposal is to repair top priority maintenance items (listed as number 1-3 on each individual school’s scorecard) in every school; building two new schools to respond to expected growth;
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor and to consolidate, renovate and reformat schools to align with populations and maximize opportunities for students. Any remaining funds would pay for projects 4-9 on each individual school’s scorecards. The bond would be repaid over a 25-year term. The plan is to use what the district terms a “level debt service” approach where the district pays for the debt through the bond. However, the district also has another bond series that it’s currently paying down – about $90 million – that is expected to be retired in about eight or nine years, in Maas’ estimation. At that point in time, property taxes will either drop slightly or the district could ask voters to keep the existing mill levy at that point, which would result in additional funds for the district without raising taxes, to pay for Thompson Reinvented phase two. “So, a single initiative could actually launch 20 years of reinvention in the Thompson School District,” Maas told the board. “One tax increase: 20 years of improvement and benefits.” he district must notify the arimer ounty lerk s office by uly of its intent of seeking either the bond issue or mill levy override. Ballot language is due no later than Sept. 9. If approved, the bond projects would be overseen by a citizen committee, according to Maas, per district policy. Maas estimated Thompson Reinvented projects would be completed in about seven years. Berthoud High School
$20 million — As for Berthoud schools, the largest project is the Berthoud pool facility that is estimated to cost approximately $20 million. The projected cost for the outbuilding and pool facility is $16 million, leaving close to $4 million to pay for priority maintenance projects. Maintenance items include: upgrading safety items, windows, oors, and fire system door hardware and locks, plumbing, landscaping, and some outdoor facility improvements including resurfacing the track and replacing some turf. Turner Middle School
$2.9 million — The Turner Middle School project would focus $1.9 million on priority maintenance items like upgrading the fire suppression system, replacing oors including the gym, replacing the roof, door hardware, D lighting, room signage, concrete repairs, asphalt repairs, interior painting, and turf repair. Additional funds would be available for additional maintenance items as needed.
August 4, 2016 Back to School Page 17 Another $454,000 would pay for a new bus loop at the facility that would also help increase safety as children are dropped off and picked up. Berthoud Elementary
. million erthoud lementary remains one of the highest priority projects on the list with $6.4 million in renovations that include an expansion of five classrooms to increase the school s capacity from its current level of 455. The addition would eat up an estimated $2.9 million of the overall project budget. Also included in the proposal is $2 million worth of priority maintenance projects, including replacing air handling units, repairing cracks in the building’s foundation, adding an HVAC to early childhood, replacing gym oor, removing lead paint, updating lighting, renovating the playground, security access, replace all ooring, replacing roof, adding solar shading, updating windows, updating boilers, seal foundation, upgrade fire system, new paint, overhaul irrigation, repair turf, and upgrade water heaters. The bond would allow for additional repairs of approximately $1.4 million as needed. Ivy Stockwell Elementary
. million he Ivy tockwell project would focus solely on priority maintenance projects of approximately $1.7 million and would have available funds for additional deferred maintenance items as needed. Items listed as part of the project include afeteria and gym oor replacements as well as other areas and classrooms, fire system upgrades, resurfacing playground, lead testing, playground renovation, replacing roof, concrete repairs, upgraded locks, D lighting, solar shades, water heater replacement, add fencing west of school, and irrigation upgrades.
Standardized test scores may hold less weight than before Special to the Surveyor College and university admissions teams use unique formulas to determine if student candidates are the right fit for their schools. or many years, admissions officers paid considerable attention to applicants’ performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or ACT. But things have begun to change, and standardized test scores may no longer carry as much weight as they once did. Many students struggle with the pressure of college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT. Students who may be high achievers in school may not perform well on standardized tests, or they may perform poorly because of the weight that such tests bear on their academic futures. College applicants may miss out on the opportunity to attend their preferred schools simply because of this one measure of academic prowess. However, many individuals and educators contend these exams measure test-taking skills rather than academic ability and are therefore not necessarily strong indicators of academic performance. Many schools have changed their
approach to standardized tests and the role such tests play in the college admissions process. According to the admissions department of Harvard College, the SAT does not factor heavily into a student’s application. And while other schools say a lot of their admitted students have high test scores, these scores are not the primary factor for consideration in the application process. In 2015, George Washington University announced it would no longer require applicants to take the A or A . As many as fouryear colleges and universities in the United States already do not require potential prospective students to take the tests, according to NPR. Schools hope testfree admissions criteria will now capture a more diverse pool of students. Many attest that the most reliable predictors of college success are a high school student’s grade-point average and the rigor of the courses he or she takes. till, the nonprofit College Board defends the importance of its SAT, offering that “overwhelming evidence shows that SAT scores and high school GPA in combination are the best predictors of college success.” Students preparing their college applications may rest easier knowing that SAT and ACT scores may no longer bear the same level of importance as they once did in the college admissions process.
Page 18 Back to School August 4, 2016
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
Cursive writing lessons are disappearing from many schools How do you feel about this change? Should schools reinforce cursive writing skills? Special to the Surveyor Cursive writing lessons were once mandatory in schools. Many adults can remember cursive writing lessons on lined paper and time spent practicing this aesthetically appealing style of writing. But thanks to technology and a growing reliance on computers to complete school assignments, handwriting skills are no longer stressed as much as they once were. In fact, some children never receive cursive writing instruction. The absence of cursive writing lessons has led to a heated debate. Some people feel cursive writing is archaic and a waste of time, while others believe it is a relevant skill. Here is a look at both sides of the debate. The pros of cursive writing Various experts and educators have weighed in on the lasting benefits of cursive handwriting. Here are just a few of the benefits proponents of cursive writing point to. • Cursive writing stimulates the brain. “Cursive writing helps train the brain to integrate visual and tactile information, and fine motor dexterity,” Dr. William Klemm said in an article in Psychology Today. The skills developed from learning cursive writing cannot be replaced by using a keyboard. In addition, MRIs have revealed an interesting relationship between handwriting and the brain. The brains of people with good handwriting are more active in areas associated with cognition, language and executive function than the brains of those with poor handwriting. • Cursive writing may promote focus. Writing things down by hand forces a person to slow down and formulate his or her thought. Handwritten notes may hold the advantage over computer-typed notes in terms of recollection of facts. • Cursive writing may help students with dyslexia. Dyslexia is a languageprocessing disorder that can hinder reading, writing, spelling, and sometimes even
speaking. According to the International Dyslexia Association, when writing cursive, the words jotted down become a unit, rather than a series of separate strokes, and that may contribute to better spelling. And since all lowercase cursive letters begin on the line, fewer of them are likely to be reversed. The cons of cursive writing There are various reasons why people think lessons in cursive writing are unnecessary. • Cursive writing is only used in signatures. Cursive writing is seldom used except for signatures. Even then, e-signing and online transactions have removed the need to write in cursive. • Typing on a keyboard should take precedence. Many parents and educators believe cursive writing lessons do little to prepare young students for an increasingly digital world. Such opponents of cursive writing suggest keyboarding lessons should take precedence over teaching handwriting skills. Teachers have admitted that cursive writing lessons take a lot of time, and many simply cannot devote classroom time to them. • Digital texts make it obsolete. Some argue that those who do not know how to read in cursive can never understand historical texts or early manuscripts. However, so much has been transcribed into digital texts that this argument is seen by many as outdated. Cursive writing may be going the way of the dinosaur. But the debate about the value of cursive writing figures to continue.
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
August 4, 2016 Back to School Page 19