Back To School by Loveland Reporter Herald

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

Back to School Letter from the Thompson School District Superintendent Dear Friends, The 2009-2010 school year is upon us. I feel the excitement and promise in the air. Last year was my first in the Thompson School District. Like a new student coming to a brand new school, I was anxious. I wanted to learn about the schools, the people, the students and the district. I now have a year under my belt, and what can I tell you? I had a great year! I learned so much. I discovered the great value and opportunity in our schools. Here’s what I learned: Ron Cabrera • Quality staff. Thompson School District teachers are well trained. During the past year they received extensive training in math as they prepared to implement a new math curriculum. They gained more knowledge and skills in critical thinking and literacy so they can nurture those qualities in our students. We trained the staff to be collaborative leaders so decision making would

be reflective and sensitive to the best decisions that affect our students. I found commitment and a mission in our staff. • School district improvement. I received input from or met with over a thousand people who voiced their concerns and ideas. Armed with this information, the district didn’t stand still. We identified many areas where we could improve our work. We put into motion a system alignment process to increase our effectiveness and efficiency. The end result is always in mind: great student success! This past year, we worked on seven system improvement projects. This school year we are putting into action two work plans and are taking on another two projects to keep the district improving. I am so thankful that parents, students, and staff give us information so we can improve. • Financially stable. In these difficult economic times, the school board and senior leadership have been capable financial stewards. Resources have been managed to retain important services while instituting measures to conserve our resources. We made sure our organization stayed whole during the economic downturn in order to keep our quality staff so students wouldn’t be affected. And yet, we still invested in important projects for our students, such as up-

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

Contents Registration for TSD schools ....................................... pg. 3 School calendar................................................................ pg. 4 School and athletic/activity fees................................ pg. 5 Kindergarten programs ................................................. pg. 6 School closings/late start ............................................ pg. 6 School time schedules .................................................. pg. 7 What’s new at TSD .......................................................... pg. 8 TSD’s Strategic Plan ....................................................... pg. 8 Athletic seasons at TSD ................................................ pg. 9 Student accident insurance ......................................... pg. 9 Board of Education ....................................................... pg. 10 District news and info.................................................. pg. 11 TSD information directory .......................................... pg. 11 Educational options at TSD ....................................... pg. 12 TSD student assessment .......................................... pg. 13 Early Childhood programs .......................................... pg. 13 Transportation ............................................................... pg. 14 Discipline enforcement ............................................... pg. 14 Transfer requests.......................................................... pg. 14 TSD special education ................................................ pg. 15 Learning Services at TSD .......................................... pg. 15 District forums ............................................................... pg. 16 Diversity Awareness calendar .................................. pg. 16 Information for high school juniors ......................... pg. 16 Share Fest ....................................................................... pg. 17 Get involved at TSD ...................................................... pg. 17 Geometry in Construction class projects ............. pg. 18 Thompson Education Foundation ........................... pg. 19 Bond projects ................................................................. pg. 20 Nutrition Services at TSD........................................... pg. 21 Q&A with TSD Director of Nutrition Services....... pg. 22 Improved learning techniques .................................. pg. 23 Loveland’s alternative schools ................................ pg. 24 TSD Transportation Center........................................ pg. 29 How much homework is too much? ....................... pg. 30 Kid’s Expo preview ....................................................... pg. 31

grading our technology, purchasing 21st century curriculum, preparing new intervention assistance for students, and maintaining our schools and work facilities. • A new district vision and mission. This past fall, the Thompson School District Board of Education adopted new vision and mission statements. These statements are more than symbolic exercises; they are the focal points of the district’s work. The vision gives us the picture of our future and the mission speaks to our daily purpose:

Empower to learn Challenge to achieve Inspire to excel There is much to be excited about for the coming school year. Again, much like a student whose first year’s experience has eased the anxiousness and now has transformed himself into a confident veteran, let the school year begin. I’m ready to learn some more! Sincerely,

Dr. Ron Cabrera, Superintendent

Attend the Loveland Reporter-Herald’s Kid’s Expo, held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on July 25 at the Chilson Senior Center in Loveland. Read more on page 31. This publication is a project of the Thompson School District, 2890 N. Monroe Ave., Loveland, CO 80538, and the Loveland Reporter-Herald, 201 E. 5th St., Loveland, CO 80537. All Thompson School District editorial content is provided by the Thompson School District. All remaining content provided by the Reporter-Herald. Advertising sales and revenue are generated and gathered by the Reporter-Herald.

Thompson School District can be contacted at 970-613-5000 or by visiting www.thompsonschools.org THOMPSON SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF Editor: Melissa Adams, Communication & Community Resources Assistant Editor/Proofreader: Debbie Wright Photography: Melissa Adams, Brian Lindecker LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD STAFF Editor & Page Design: Jade Cody Page Design & Reporter: Rhema Muncy Contributing Writer: Meghala Divakaran Thompson School District is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status or veteran status in its activities, programs or employment practices. The prohibition against sexual harassment includes a prohibition against harassment based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status or veteran status. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact the Department of Human Resources, 800 S. Taft Ave., Loveland, CO 80537, 970-613-5000, or the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Region VIII, Federal Office Building, 1244 N. Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, Colorado 80204, 303-844-5695. The 2009 Thompson School District & Reporter-Herald Back to School/Kid’s Expo section is published by the Loveland Reporter-Herald on behalf of the Thompson School District. Contents are copyrighted by the Reporter-Herald and the Thompson School District. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content, in part or in whole, without express written permission is prohibited. Neither the Reporter-Herald nor the Thompson School District assumes any liability for errors or omissions.

Registration – 2009-2010 School Year WHAT TO BRING • A birth certificate if the child is enrolling in kindergarten or new to the district. • An up-to-date record of immunizations required by Colorado law. • Phone number of the child's doctor as well as of relatives or friends who can be contacted in case of an emergency. • Proof of residency (e.g., utility bill) if enrolling in kindergarten, new to the district, or if there has been a change in residence over the summer.

Elementary Schools Bill Reed, Conrad Ball & Turner Middle Schools Lucile Erwin & Walt Clark Middle Schools

All Grades: August 3, 2009, from 8-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-4 p.m.; August 4, 2009, from 1-6 p.m. Check with your school to see if students must register in August if preregistration took place in the spring. New Students to the District: August 3, 2009, from 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m. Returning Students: 8th Grade — August 4, 2009, from 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m. 7th Grade — August 5, 2009, from 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m. 6th Grade — August 6, 2009, from 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m. New Students to the District: August 3, 2009, from 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m. Returning Students (Grades 6-8): August 4, 2009, from 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Student registration materials will be mailed to parents/guardians the last week of July. Partial schedules and student fee invoices will be available on registration day.

Loveland High School

New Students to the District and Transfer Students from other District High Schools: Please call 613-5212 beginning July 29, 2009, to schedule an appointment for registration and information. Please remember to bring previous school records to your appointment. Grade 9: Student registration materials will be mailed to parents/guardians during the first week of August. Only 9th graders attend August 17, 2009. Buses will run regular schedule. Ninth graders report to auditorium for orientation. Lunch will be available for purchase (approx. $2.50). Freshmen will receive their class schedules and yearbook and ID photos will be taken. Parents may either walk in to pay registration fees or send a check with student. Returning Students (Grades 10-12): Student registration materials will be mailed to parents/guardians during the first week of August. Sophomore, junior and senior students will have pictures taken for yearbook and IDs on August 14, 2009, and receive student schedules. Students will need a separate check made payable to Lifetouch Photography to pay for photo packets. Returning students’ (grades 10-12) schedule: Students with last names A-H report to auditorium from 8-9:30 a.m. Students with last names I-P report to auditorium from 9:30-11 a.m. Students with last names Q-Z report to auditorium from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. First day of school for all secondary students is August 18, 2009. Add/Drop Day: August 17, 2009, from noon-3 p.m. for all students. Athletic Registration: Students may start clearing for fall sports on August 10, 2009, from 7 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Please clear early. Plan now for physicals.

Mountain View High School

New Students to the District and Transfer Students from other District High Schools: Please call 613-7800 beginning July 29, 2009, to schedule an appointment for registration and information. Please remember to bring previous school records to your appointment. Fall check-in REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS on August 4, 2009. ID and yearbook photos will be taken, fees paid (separate checks are required) and parking permits issued. Specific times for check-in are as follows: Students with last names A-D, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Students with last names E-L, 9:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Students with last names M-R, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Students with last names S-Z, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Only 9th graders and new students attend August 17, 2009, for new student orientation. Free lunch. Buses run regular schedule. First day of school for all secondary students is August 18, 2009. New Students to the District and Transfer Students from other District High Schools: Call 613-7916 or 613-7917 beginning July 28, 2009, to schedule an appointment with a counselor for August 3 or 4 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please remember to bring your previous school records, birth certificate, immunization records and proof of residence to your appointment.

Building closed for lunch from noon-1 p.m. 9th grade orientation August 17, 2009. Only 9th graders attend this day. Free lunch. Buses will run regular schedule. First day of school for all secondary students (Periods 1-4) is August 18, 2009. Athletic Registration: Open registration begins July 30, 2009, from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; fall sports begin August 17, 2009. (Golf begins August 10, 2009.) New Student Orientation: July 29, 2009, at 3 p.m. Returning/Rebounder Students: Students will register August 6 and 7, 2009, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Students will need to call FHS at 613-5300 and schedule an appointment during the week of August 3, 2009.

Ferguson High School

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

Thompson Valley High School

Returning Students’ Fall Registration: Student registration reminder will be mailed to parents/guardians during the last week of July with directions on how to download required registration materials from the TVHS Web site (www.tvhseagles.org). Students and their parents need to come to TVHS cafeteria on August 5, 2009. THIS IS REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS. Students will get their picture IDs taken and receive schedules and parents will be able to pay fee/fines at this time. Students will need a separate check made payable to Lifetouch Photography to pay for photo packets. Student and parent suggested alphabetical schedule: Students with last names E-L, 9:30 a.m.-noon Students with last names A-D, 7-9:30 a.m. Students with last names Q-Z, 3:30-6 p.m. Students with last names M-P, 1-3:30 p.m.

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

Berthoud High School

New Students to the District and Transfer Students from other District High Schools: Please call 613-7711 or 613-7710 beginning July 29, 2009, to schedule an appointment for registration and information. Available dates for these appointments are August 6 and 7, 2009, from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Please remember to bring previous school records to your appointment. Back to School Night: August 13, 2009, from 5-7:30 p.m. Grade 9: Registration was completed at middle schools in February 2009. The first day of school for freshmen and new students is August 17, 2009. Returning Students (Grades 10-12): Registration for classes was completed in February 2009. They will report for their first day of school on August 18, 2009. Parents will receive student schedules and invoices in the mail during the first half of August. Add/Drop Day: August 17, 2009, from 12:30-3 p.m. for grades 10-12 and 2:30-3 p.m. for grade 9.

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009 BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald 4

CALENDAR VARIANCES DATE August 17

MIDDLE SCHOOL School is in session for 6th grade students only at BRMS, CBMS, LEMS, TMS and WCMS. No school for 7th or 8th grade students.

DATE August 17

HIGH SCHOOL School is in session for 9th grade and new students only at BHS, LHS, MVHS and TVHS. No school for 10th, 11th or 12th grade students.

DATE August 21 October 15 October 23 October 29 & 30 December 22 January 5 January 11 February 25 March 11 March 19 May 20

FERGUSON HIGH SCHOOL Teacher Work Day – No School for Students Graduation, First Quarter Teacher Work Day – No School for Students FHS in Session with Students Graduation, Second Quarter FHS in Session with Students Teacher Work Day – No School for Students FHS in Session with Students Graduation, Third Quarter Teacher Work Day – No School for Students Graduation, Fourth Quarter

SCHOOL FEES 2009-2010

tudents at all grade levels are expected to have their own basic school supplies. A list of these supplies is available at each school. The Board of Education adopts the following fees to cover a portion of the expendable supplies used by each student participating in these specific classes and activities.

Middle School COURSE/FEE DESCRIPTION

COST

Applied Arts Consumer Family Studies Industrial Education

$3/semester $11/semester

Art Art - Grades 6, 7, 8

$10/semester

Music Band, Choir, Orchestra Instrument Rental

$5/trip travel fee $40/year

High School These courses do not fulfill core requirements for graduation. They are elective courses that have costs associated with running the program; a minimal fee is assessed when students register for the course. COURSE/FEE DESCRIPTION General AP Studio Art AP Courses Leadership Class Transcripts Retaking required classes for graduation that were failed due to attendance issues

COST $35/semester Student pays for textbook $5/semester One copy free $2/copy thereafter $100/semester/class

Art Drawing I & II, Painting I & II, Commercial Art, Sculpture/Ceramics I & II Metalsmithing/Jewelry I & II Photography I, II & III TV Broadcasting I & II Video Production I & II

$20/semester $30/semester $40/semester $20/semester $30/semester

P.E. Athletic Training First Aid (fee required) Life Guarding (fee required) Lifetime Sports Science Microcomputer Projects

$15/semester plus $5/trip travel fee $11/semester $10/year $40/year Approx. $25/course Set by Red Cross (approx. $35) Set by Red Cross (approx. $65) $15/semester plus $5 trip fee $18/semester (LHS)

Please note: • Fees will be waived for students qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals under the Federal Free or Reduced Price Meal Policy. Students coming on or going off the free or reduced-price school meal program during the school term will have fees prorated. • Students may be charged for optional materials that they select for class projects in addition to the board-adopted fees. • In some high schools, fees are assessed by credits and half credits rather than by years and semesters. Please check with the high school at registration. • Fees for retaking non-elective classes required for graduation are being assessed as per board policy JQA/JQA-R. Copies are available in each high school. This retake fee will be in addition to any other school fees required for that class.

Board authorized fees Dear Parents/Guardians and Students, The Board of Education voted to set fees for the 2009-2010 school year. We have done this reluctantly. Although some have questioned the board's authority to establish student fees, Colorado law specifically provides that the board may require students to pay "reasonably necessary" fees. Under the law, we have decided that it is necessary to impose and collect student fees in order to maintain the quality of our educational programs. Each fee listed on the student’s fee schedule should be designated as either voluntary or mandatory, as required by state law. However, no student will be denied access to transcripts, graduation ceremonies or necessary classes (except high school classes requiring "retake fees") for failure to pay required fees. As provided by state law, students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals are exempt from paying fees.

Our aim is to provide the best programs and services possible. We believe that the imposition of student fees is necessary to maintain and enhance the educational experiences of students in the Thompson School District. Thank you for your continued support of your student(s) and the district. If you have further questions regarding the fees or the voluntary or mandatory nature of such fees, please contact your school for clarification. If fee payment at the time of registration presents a hardship for you, the school will be happy to work with you on a payment plan. Please remember that the staff is working diligently to implement this policy and appreciates your cooperation. — Board of Education The fee structure as adopted by the Board of Education is subject to annual change.

There is a $450 maximum athletic/activity participation fee per family per school year which includes the fees collected for Knowledge Bowl, Band, Choir, Orchestra and Forensics. This includes participants in both middle and high school programs. Parents should keep track of the athletic/activity fees (excluding the $5 travel fee) they pay and notify the school(s) when the maximum has been reached.

ATHLETIC /ACTIVITY FEES (MANDATORY)

Students who participate in secondary level athletics and some selected activities are required to pay a fee which is collected at the school. Students with financial need may request a waiver of the fee through their principal. Fees are to be paid or waivers obtained prior to a student's participation in a sport or activity. Participants who are cut or who quit an activity within 10 practice or school days will be reimbursed the full amount of the fee if reimbursement is requested no later than 15 calendar days after the first practice. Students who participate in an activity at least 10 days will not be reimbursed if they choose to drop out of a program. Middle School Athletic/Activity Fees: $20 per sport participation fee for intramural sports $50 per sport participation fee for interscholastic sports

$5 per activity trip travel fee $125 family maximum for middle school (excluding the $5 travel fee) High School Athletic/Activity Fees: $125 per sport participation fee $30 per activity (Knowledge Bowl, Forensics) $5 per activity trip travel fee $325 family maximum for high school (excluding the $5 travel fee) Please note: • Fees will be waived for students qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals under the Federal Free or Reduced Price Meal Policy. Students coming on or going off the free or reduced-price school meal program during the school term will have fees prorated. • Extracurricular activities (other than athletics) and student organizations may collect fees to cover the cost of specific activities or events.

$5/semester

Music All Performing Musical Groups Marching Band Band Uniform Cleaning Instrument Rental

COST

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

Math Principles of Technology I & II

COURSE/FEE DESCRIPTION

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

Applied Arts All Business/Marketing Classes $5/semester (Accounting, Advanced Computer Applications, Business Law, Career Development, Computer Applications, E-Commerce and Web Design, Introduction to Business, Keyboarding, Marketing Research, Multi-Media Presentations, Finance, Principles of Marketing, Sales and Advertising) Work Experience (Business, $5/semester Marketing, Family and Consumer) Web Application $25/semester (LHS) Administration I & II CISCO $25/semester (LHS) All Family & Consumer Science $5/semester Classes (Teen Challenges, Life Management, Relationships, Housing and Interior Design I & II, Textile Studies, Early Childhood Education I & II, Teacher Cadet I & II) Catering $10/semester Foods I & II $10/semester All Industrial Tech Classes $5/semester (Invention and Design, Technical Drawing, Architectural Drawing, Project Design Team, Construction I, Transportation I & II, Manufacturing I & II, Principles of Technology I & II) Project Lead the Way $20/semester (PLTW, Intro to Engineering Design, (BHS, MVHS) Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering) Computer Graphics Business I & II $15/semester

High School continued

Facts about student fees

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

Under Colorado law, the board may require students to pay any fees that are reasonably necessary for textbooks and expendable supplies. The board may also charge tuition for summer school and extended school programs and miscellaneous fees as a condition of participation or attendance at extracurricular activities or programs that are not within the academic portion of the educational program. • Schools may not charge fees unless they have been authorized by the Board of Education for the 2009-2010 school year. • Students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals are exempt from paying all fees. • No student will be denied the use of textbooks or the ability to enroll in a class based on his or her parents’ refusal to pay the required textbook fee. • Textbook rental fees are based solely on the purchase price and normal life expectancy of each book rented. • No fee will generate revenue in excess of the purpose for which the fee is being collected. All fees will be used for the purpose set forth in the fee schedule and will not be spent for any other purpose. • No fee will be charged to a student who does not participate in the activity or consume supplies or incur costs associated with that particular course or activity. • Under Colorado Revised Statute 22-32-110(1)(p), students may be required to bring specific, necessary supplies for their own use in the classroom. • In addition to the board-adopted fees, students may be required to pay for optional materials that they select for class projects. • Students will be charged for the costs of certain required services such as additional copies of transcripts or college searches. • Students may be required to pay for all or part of field trip costs relating to admission, entrance fees, meals and lodging. Field trip fees are waived for students qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals. • Extracurricular activities and student organizations may collect fees to cover the costs of specific activities or events. • Athletic fees will be deposited in the district’s athletic fund to offset athletic program costs such as field maintenance, referees, security, ticket sales, coaching salaries, transportation and equipment.

COLORADO SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS Kindergarten-Grade 2 DPT ....................................................................5 * Polio ...................................................................4 * MMR ..................................................................2 Hepatitis B ..........................................................3 Varicella ..............................................................2 Grades 3-5 DPT ....................................................................5 * Polio ...................................................................4 * MMR ..................................................................2 Hepatitis B ..........................................................3 Varicella ..............................................................1 Grades 6-8 DPT ....................................................................5 * Tdap...................................................................1 Polio ...................................................................4 * MMR ..................................................................2 Hepatitis B ......................................................... 3 Varicella ..............................................................1 Grade 9 DPT ....................................................................5 * Polio ...................................................................4 * MMR ..................................................................2 Hepatitis B ..........................................................3 Varicella ..............................................................1 Grades 10-12 DPT ....................................................................4 Tdap...................................................................1 Polio ...................................................................3 MMR ..................................................................2 Hepatitis B ..........................................................3

*Only four DPT and three Polio required if last one given after age four years.

School closings/late start The superintendent may announce a late start schedule for the opening of schools if weather or other emergency conditions are severe but not serious enough to close schools. If a decision is made to start schools late, it will be announced no later than 5:30 a.m. A late start means that all bus routes and school starting times will be delayed by 90 minutes. • All bus routes will be run as usual only 90 minutes later. • All school start times will be delayed 90 minutes. • All a.m. kindergarten and preschool programs will begin 90 minutes later than usual. • P.M. kindergarten will have no delay in their normal start time. When the district is on a late start schedule, all schools will be dismissed at normal times and all after-school bus routes will run in the normal order and at the normal times.

If the district decides to cancel school because of inclement weather or other dangerous conditions, these stations will carry the announcement: KCOL (600 AM), KTRR TRI102.5 (102.5 FM) and KOA (850 AM) radio stations, Denver television stations and the district’s television channel, Comcast Cable Channel 14. For route advisories, dial 613-5192. Please note: All channels will be contacted for both school closings and late starts. Information will also be available on the district’s school closure line at 613-6788 and the district’s Web site at www.thompsonschools.org. If the district has to cancel school after students have already arrived for the day, no child will be sent home on the bus or released to walk home unless a responsible adult has been contacted and the child has a place to go. When schools are closed, all athletic events and practices are canceled.

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

Each Wednesday all students in the district are released approximately one and one-half hours early. This time is made available by lengthening the four other school days in the week. Teachers and other staff members remain on duty to participate in training, planning and other improvement activities. Specific development activities are established at the school based on identified goals and targets for improvement. Please contact your schools for more information on their plans for improving learning. **Kindergarten Option: All-day, fee-based kindergarten program offered. Call school for more information.

What’s new for the 2009-2010 school year

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

Among the new course offerings to students this year is Geometry in Construction at Mountain View High School. This “contextualized” class brings the reality of geometry to the construction of a house. The class is modeled after the Loveland High School course, which has grown each year since its start three years ago. Spanish will be offered at all elementary schools through distance learning with two full-time teachers assisting with classroom instruction. This was made possible through the 2006 mill levy election. Superintendent Ron Cabrera begins his second year at Thompson School District with two new people in key positions. Judy Skupa is the assistant superintendent of Learning Services, formerly known as Student Achievement Services, which was headed by Lynn Langton, who retired. Mike Jones is the assistant superintendent of Human Resources & School Support, which combines two divisions – HR and operations (facilities, transportation, etc.). Jones held a similar position at St. Vrain Valley School District. Terry Schueler, who left in spring 2009, was previously assistant superintendent over Operational Services. The new Transportation Services Center opens this summer, providing needed expansion for the department that oversees student transportation and the “white” fleet of district vehicles. The transportation center was funded through the 2005 bond. Also part of the 2005 bond was the funding to place a new building at Van Buren Elementary School to replace the existing building that houses special education programs and a new early childhood facility at Monroe Elementary School.

TSD’s Strategic Plan UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES Overall Action Plans reflect: • Whole child (subgroup data and strategies) • Opportunities for success (subgroup data and strategies) • Accountability (assessment, measurable goals, people responsible) • Sharing responsibility (people responsible) • Communication (communication of progress) • Respect (behaviors that show respect for self and others) • Stakeholders meaningfully involved (people responsible and communication of progress) • High and consistent expectations (annual targets) • Continuous progress orientation (continuation tasks, data use) • Integration of technology (a tool and method of meeting diverse learner academic needs) PRE K-12 – BASIC SKILLS Reading 5-Year Goal: In the Thompson School District we expect all students to be proficient or advanced in reading by 2011, and we expect yearly progress toward closing the achievement gap in all subgroups. Essential Components: Standard 1Reading Comprehension, Standard 4Critical Thinking, Standard 5-Using Information Sources, and Standard 6-Literature. Writing 5-Year Goal: In the Thompson School District we expect all students to be proficient or advanced in writing by 2011, and we expect yearly progress toward closing the achievement gap in all subgroups. Essential Components: Standard 2Writing, and Standard 3-Mechanics/ Conventions. Math 5-Year Goal: In the Thompson School District we expect all students to be proficient or advanced in mathemat-

ics by 2011, and we expect yearly progress toward closing the achievement gap in all subgroups. Essential Components: Standard 1Number Sense, Standard 2-Algebra, Standard 3-Statistics and Probability, Standard 4-Geometry, Standard 5-Measurement, and Standard 6-Computation. CRITICAL THINKING AND CREATIVITY Goals: (1) Complex Thinking, (2) Effective Communication, (3) Information Processing, (4) Collaboration/Cooperation, and (5) Creative Problem Solving. Standards/Foundations: (1) Clarity, (2) Accuracy, (3) Precision, (4) Relevance, (5) Depth, (6) Breadth, (7) Logic, (8) Significance, and (9) Fairness. SAFETY AND BELONGING 5-Year Goal: All students feel safe at school – physically, academically and emotionally. They also feel a sense of belonging in their classrooms, on the playground, and as part of cocurricular activities. Essential Components: (1) Physical Safety, (2) Acceptance and Tolerance, (3) Opportunity for Academic Success, (4) Self-Discipline and Personal Responsibility, and (5) Resiliency and Empowerment. SCHOOL TO LIFE 5-Year Goal: All students in the Thompson School District will relate their school life in practical ways to life beyond the school walls. Students will receive academic and career counseling, meaningful career preparation experiences, and opportunities to contribute in age-appropriate ways to their community. Essential Components: (1) Communication/Presentation Skills, (2) Organizational Skills, (3) Creative Thinking and Problem Solving, (4) Career Exploration and Workplace Readiness, (5) Social and Life Skills, (6) Accessing, Analyzing and Evaluating Information, and (7) Technology Skills.

Licensed Family Childcare Association

Committed to Quality Childcare

For Free Child Care referrals call 30-299518

461-1011

30-297025

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

hompson School District begins the school year with new graduation requirements, three new principals, new classes, two new assistant superintendents, a completed transportation center and much more. Beginning this year, students entering 9th grade will need additional class time in world languages, science, math and language arts to graduate. The total credit requirement of 24 (previously 22) began with students who will graduate in 2012, but the class requirements changed beginning this year. This year’s freshmen will need to take an additional .5 credits in language arts, bringing the total to 4; one more credit in math, bringing the total to 3; one more credit in science, bringing the total to 3; and one credit for world language, previously not required. General elective requirements went from 10 for the class of 2011 to 12 for the class of 2012 to 8 for the class of 2013. This change reflects the difference in specific subject requirements and increased credits. New principals will take the helm at two high schools and one elementary school. Chris Garcia is principal of Berthoud High School, replacing Leonard Sherman, who was principal there for 31 years. Garcia most recently was assistant principal at Prairie View High School in Henderson. Martha Gustafson is principal of Walt Clark Middle School. She most recently served as principal of Manhattan Middle School of Arts and Academics in Boulder Valley School District. She replaces Scott Wallace, who retired. Georgianna Dawson is principal of Laurene Edmondson Elementary School. She replaces Craig Hansen, who retired. She was previously the English Language Acquisition administrator for the district.

Athletic Seasons at TSD Athletic event ticket prices MIDDLE SCHOOL Girls Volleyball Boys & Girls Swimming Fall Intramurals (Combines a variety of outdoor sports and cross country) Boys Basketball Girls Basketball Boys Wrestling Boys & Girls Track

No admission is charged for middle school athletic events except for end-of-the-season tournaments. Admission to these events is $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for students without a school ID. There is no charge for middle school and high school students with a school ID. General admission tickets for high school athletic events are $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for students. Children six and under are free. Family and all-sports plan tickets are available at Thompson Valley High School, Loveland High School, Berthoud High School and Mountain View High School for all home athletic events. Parents can obtain these tickets at the high school. For more information about prices, contact the school. A combo family ticket (includes attendance at the four high schools) can be purchased at the Administration Building, 800 S. Taft Ave., Loveland. Senior citizens (65+ years) can obtain a Golden 65 Card which allows them to attend any regular season, at-home athletic event FREE. Call Deb Huffsmith at 613-5030 for more information.

September-October September-October September-October November-December January-Early March January-Early March Late March-Early May

The middle school athletic program seeks to balance traditional interscholastic competition with an expanded emphasis on intramurals so more students can participate. No return busing is provided from in-district middle school athletic events. August-October August-November August-October August-September August-October August-October August-November August-October November-March November-March November-March November-March March-May February-May February-May February-May February-May February-May February-May February-May

Physical Examinations

he district strongly encourages parents to obtain physical examinations for all kindergartners and other students who are new to the district as well as for continuing students entering grades 4, 7 and 10. Students participating in middle or high school athletics are required to have a physical before they can take part in any supervised conditioning exercises or practice sessions. The district's physical and immunization form is available in the central office or in the schools. Most local physicians also have forms in their offices.

Please note: All high school students are eligible to participate in athletic programs that are not offered at their home high school. Homeschooled students may participate in athletic programs at the middle school and high school level as long as they meet the same eligibility requirements as Thompson School District students.

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TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

Thompson School District offers parents the opportunity to obtain student accident insurance through a private company. The plans are available to all students in grades K-12. Parents can elect to purchase a low, middle or high option that provides either school-time or 24-hour coverage. These policies cover only accidental injuries. They do not pay for illnesses. Injuries suffered during football practices or games will only be covered if the separate football plan is purchased. United Healthcare also provides a student health insurance plan option. Visit www.k12studentinsurance.com for details. Insurance application brochures are available in the high schools by the time football practice begins in August and can be obtained in all schools during registration and throughout the school year. They can be found online at the Web site above. Call the district insurance office at 613-5774 or athletics office at 613-5030 for more information.

970-219-7845

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HIGH SCHOOL Girls Softball* Boys Football* Boys Tennis Boys Golf Cross Country Girls Gymnastics* Girls Volleyball* Boys Soccer* Boys Basketball* Girls Basketball* Boys Wrestling* Girls Swimming* Boys Swimming* Track Baseball* Girls Tennis Girls Soccer* Girls Golf Boys Lacrosse* Girls Lacrosse* *Admission is charged for these events.

Board of Education Boundaries for Board of Education Director Districts currently are organized around elementary school attendance areas. This list also indicates which middle and high school attendance areas are included in the Director District boundaries. Director District A Lola Johnson 2473 Chama Court Loveland, CO 80538 669-8838 Director District B Dennis Breitbarth 4109 Stoneham Circle Loveland, CO 80538 667-6126 Director District C Lucille Steiner 7401 Streamside Drive Ft. Collins, CO 80525 204-9008 Director District D Leslie Young 4020 W. County Road 16 Loveland, CO 80537 203-4084 Director District E Bill McCreary 1240 W. 6th Street Loveland, CO 80537 667-7625 Director District F Marcia Venzke 2043 Wimbleton Drive Loveland, CO 80538 667-9743 Director District G Karen Stockley 316 Bothun Road Berthoud, CO 80513 532-7031

Big Thompson, Namaqua and Van Buren Elementary Schools Walt Clark and Bill Reed Middle Schools Loveland and Thompson Valley High Schools

Mary Blair, Centennial, Garfield, Lincoln and Laurene Edmondson Elementary Schools Lucile Erwin, Conrad Ball and Bill Reed Middle Schools Loveland, Mountain View and Thompson Valley High Schools Mary Blair, Stansberry and Cottonwood Plains Elementary Schools Lucile Erwin and Conrad Ball Middle Schools Loveland and Mountain View High Schools Carrie Martin, Namaqua and Sarah Milner Elementary Schools Walt Clark and Bill Reed Middle Schools Thompson Valley High School Truscott, Garfield and B. F. Kitchen Elementary Schools Bill Reed Middle School Loveland and Thompson Valley High Schools Winona, Monroe and Truscott Elementary Schools Conrad Ball and Bill Reed Middle Schools Loveland, Mountain View and Thompson Valley High Schools Berthoud and Ivy Stockwell Elementary Schools Turner Middle School Berthoud High School

2009-2010 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING SCHEDULE ll meetings begin with a 5:30 p.m. work session followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m. and are held in the board room at the Administration Building, 800 S. Taft Ave., Loveland, with the exception of the Oct. 21, 2009, and April 21, 2010, meetings, which are held in the library at Berthoud High School. Board of Education meetings held at the Administration Building are televised live on Thompson Schools Television, which can be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 14 or by clicking on the Thompson TV Live button on our Web site, www.thompsonschools.org. These meetings are rebroadcast the Thursday (3 p.m.) and Friday (7 p.m.) following each board meeting. 2010 2009 January 6 August 5 January 20 August 19 February 3 September 2 February 17 September 16 March 3 March 17 October 7 April 7 October 21* April 21* November 4 May 5 November 18 May 19 December 9 June 2 June 16 *Meetings to be held at Berthoud High School library.

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TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

The boundary for Harold Ferguson High School encompasses the entire school district.

. . . s t n e s e r P

Puppets Of Praise Fun & Food

Sponsors Dairy Queen Pizza Hut Chick-Fil-A Baskin Robbins KFC-Cleveland location Penguins Ice Cream Bible Superstore

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Impact for Life Ministries Wing Shack

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Sat. Aug 1st - 10am-2pm at the Hillcrest, 535 N. Douglas Ave. For more information call:

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Staying Connected Thompson School District information directory

henever parents have questions, the best place to start is in the student's school. The Thompson School District has adopted the philosophy of allowing as many decisions as possible to be made at the level closest to the students, staff and parents. However, most programs also have a designated coordinator for the entire district. This directory is designed to help parents find the appropriate contact person as quickly and easily as possible. The main phone number is 613-5000. Information is also available through the district's Web site at www.thompsonschools.org. The prefix for the following numbers is 613.

Visit www.thompsonschools.org or watch Thompson Schools Television, which can be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 14 or by clicking on the Thompson TV Live button on the Web site. For information on school closures, call the School Closure Line at 613-6788.

Emergency response If you hear of a community emergency affecting the school district, please turn your radio dial to KTRR TRI-102.5 (102.5 FM) or the City of Loveland station (1610 AM) for information and updates. The latest information will also be posted on the Thompson School District Web site at www.thompsonschools.org. For information on school closures, call 613-6788.

Thompson Schools Television Thompson Schools Television can be viewed in Loveland and Berthoud on Comcast Cable Channel 14 or by clicking on the Thompson TV Live button on our Web site, www.thompson schools.org. Thompson Schools Television program providers and a programming schedule can be found at http://thompson.k12.co.us/ departments/ccr/channel_14.html. Board of Education meetings: Board of Education meetings are broadcast live on the day of the meeting and then rebroadcast on Thursday at 3 p.m. and Friday at 7 p.m. following each board meeting. Kid TV: Kid TV is a student-hosted, weekly program for elementary schools to provide news and information about what is being learned or events occurring in the life of the school. The programs will begin airing in October. Look for the schedule on the Web site next fall. The program airs weekdays at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and weekends at 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. 2005 Bond Update: Since the passage of the 2005 bond issue, Thompson Schools Television has produced Bond Update programs directed at various aspects of the bond projects, including schedule updates and interviews with architects, principals and Bond Administrator Jay Earl. The programs will return periodically in the fall. Check the schedule on the Web site.

Infinite Campus: A portal for parents, students

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009 11

Infinite Campus Portal provides middle and high school parents and students real-time access to accurate and current information on students’ school attendance, schedules, grades, class assignments, reports and more. You can access Infinite Campus Portal from any Internet capable computer that has a newer browser installed. To create your own portal account you will need your unique, personal Activation Key upon entry to the portal. This information can be acquired directly from your child’s middle school or high school. Once you have that information, visit the following Web site to set up your account: https://campus.thompson.k12.co.us/ campus/portal/thompson.jsp. After you have successfully entered your Activation Key, you will need to establish an account by creating a User Name and Password. Both the User Name and Password must be a minimum of six characters. Once the account has been established, click on the link to log in or return to the original site identified above to log in. For assistance with your Infinite Campus Portal account, contact the Thompson School District Infinite Campus Help Desk via phone at 613-5102 or via e-mail at parentportal@ thompson.k12.co.us.

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Accountability/Accreditation — Lisa Leith........................................................ 5070 At-Risk — Dennis Rastatter .................................................................................. 5059 Athletics/Activities — Deb Huffsmith ................................................................ 5030 Attendance Boundaries — Skip Armatoski ...................................................... 5017 Bond Administration — Jay Earl .......................................................................... 5767 Budget/School Finance — Steve Towne........................................................... 5777 Business Services — Steve Towne .................................................................... 5777 Career Education — Kathy Gaasvig.................................................................... 5027 Channel 14 Programming — Brian Lindecker ................................................. 5779 Child Abuse Prevention — Julie Ward ................................................................ 6072 Communication & Community Resources — Wes Fothergill ...................... 6077 Curriculum and Instruction — Diane Lauer ...................................................... 6785 Distribution of Materials in Schools — Melissa Adams/Debbie Wright ............................................................ 5011/5071 District Web Site — Greg Blair ............................................................................. 6089 Early Childhood Programs — Theresa Clements/Diana Klundt .... 5031/5052 Elementary Education — Paul Bankes .............................................................. 5025 English Language Acquisition — Jorge Garcia/Theresa Morgan.. 6083/5022 Facilities Services — Brian Erickson.................................................................. 5350 Facility Rental — Mae Svendsen......................................................................... 5393 Financial Services — Steve Towne ..................................................................... 5777 Foreign Exchange Students — Monica Brundeen .......................................... 5032 Gifted & Talented — Carol Swalley ..................................................................... 5058 Head Start — Diana Klundt .................................................................................. 5052 Homebound Instruction — Dennis Rastatter .................................................. 5059 Homeschooling — Dennis Rastatter.................................................................. 5059 Human Resources — Luis Martinez .................................................................. 5007 Instruction Support & Technology Services — Erv Klein ............................. 5138 Learning Services — Judy Skupa........................................................................ 5092 Media Center (School Libraries) — Reyne Woolf ............................................ 5131 Nutrition Services — Tammie Rempe................................................................ 5147 Planning — Kate Browne ....................................................................................... 5048 Publications/News Media — Melissa Adams ................................................. 5011 Purchasing — Traci Burtnett................................................................................. 5151 Resource Enrichment Center — Carol Swalley/Danel Lins............ 5058/5057 School to Life Coordinator — Kathy Gaasvig ................................................... 5027 Secondary Education — Roger Boettcher ........................................................ 5075 SOARS Night School — Nancy Frink................................................................... 7575 Special Education — Karen Pielin/Sammi Spear ............................. 5019/5020 Student Health Services — Barb Hartman ...................................................... 5065 Student Records — Ginger Shearer ................................................................... 5049 Superintendent — Ron Cabrera .......................................................................... 5013 Thompson Education Foundation — Wes Fothergill ...................................... 6086 Title I Programs — Roger Quintanilla/Theresa Morgan................... 5093/5022 Transportation — Nansi Crom ............................................................................. 5187 Volunteers/VITAL Office — Chris Ingold ............................................................ 5072

District news & info

Performing Dance Teams

“Us Kids”

Chance to Dance Looking for something fresh and exciting to participate in this school season?

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“Us Kids” is a unique youth performing dance team, new to Loveland. All kids ages 5-14 are invited to join one of our teams for an exciting, fun-filled season of dance.

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(970) 577-0339 to register or for further information

No previous dance training necessary…No auditions…Minimal time commitment…and best of all…really low monthly fee (only $29.00 per month)!

Register: Monday & Tuesday, August 10th & 11th from 1:00-6:30 (both days) at Cherry Blossom – 315 E. 4th Street, Downtown, Loveland.

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BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

Mark D. Crane, D.D.S., M.S. Practice Limited to Orthodontics Braces for Children and Adults

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children have an orthodontic screening no later than age 7. Early orthodontic screening can lead to simpler, more effective treatment for dental patients. Please call our office for your complimentary consultation! Sunstone Office Park 4144 Timberline Road Fort Collins 970-226-6443

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Educational options at TSD CORE KNOWLEDGE Thompson School District is offering a Core Knowledge curriculum open to all district elementary students at Truscott Elementary and to all district middle school students at Bill Reed Middle School. Core Knowledge offers an integrated curriculum rich in history, arts and science with a grade-by-grade sequence of learning. Bill Reed also offers the regular district curriculum at all grade levels. Both Truscott and Bill Reed will offer Spanish as a foreign language. For information, call Truscott Elementary at 613-6900 or Bill Reed Middle School at 613-7200.

opportunities to more students and provides more depth in the subject areas.

HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS Thompson School District offers several options for high school students who have dropped out or need to take credit recovery classes and for homeschooled students needing a specific classroom-setting course. The opportunities are listed below. SOARS: Registration for the SOARS (Secondary Options for Achievement Resulting in Success) program will begin August 5, 2009. SOARS high school is for students who have previously dropped out of a Thompson School District high school. The student and a parent/guardian will need to schedule an interview with the counseling secretary by calling 613-7576 beginning August 5, 2009. Classes will be held four days per week for two hours per day at the following times: 8-10 a.m., 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Credit recovery: Students who want to enroll in credit recovery will need to contact the counselor at their home high school to obtain an application. Check the school Web site for times, locations and dates. Homeschool courses: Homeschooled students will have the opportunity to select courses from a full, comprehensive high school curriculum. Anyone interested in taking two classes during the 2009-2010 school year should contact Nancy Frink at 613-7575 beginning August 5, 2009. Classes will begin on August 17, 2009. Students will attend four days per week for two hours per day.

FERGUSON HIGH SCHOOL Ferguson High School (FHS) is a small, relationship-oriented school that offers a program designed to address the needs of the student for whom the regular high school situation has not been successful. FHS provides a positive, safe, personalized and drug-free environment where high expectations are valued. Trust, proactive involvement and effective communication enable students to develop a sense of fulfillment, belonging, self-esteem and teamwork that help them to gain employability and life skills. These skills enable them to achieve and exceed their postsecondary goals. For information, call Ferguson High School at 613-5300.

LOVELAND AREA INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (LISA) LISA is designed to develop talent and encourage the pursuit of excellence in the fields of visual and performing arts. This program will give LISA students opportunities to perform, appreciate and understand the arts in a variety of cultures. The LISA program is offered at Garfield Elementary School, 613-6000, Bill Reed Middle School, 613-7200, and Mountain View High School, 613-7800.

CHARTER SCHOOL New Vision Charter School is a tuition-free public school of choice for grades K-8 located at 2366 E. 1st St. in Loveland. For information, call 593-6827 or go to the Web site at www.newvisioncharterschool.org.

PROJECT LEAD THE WAY Project Lead the Way is a pre-engineering program that provides hands-on, project-based learning that adds rigor to traditional technical programs and relevance to traditional academics by using 3-D computer modeling software and 3-D printers, prototyping and applying scientific and mathematical concepts and principles to student-constructed projects. Students learn problem-solving methodology and ADVANCED PLACEMENT — 24 COURSES actually test their student-generated products/models. While learning via applicaOFFERED Advanced Placement (AP) is a voluntary tion and guidance from instructors, students also learn to analyze, synthesize and program that offers specific college-level classes at the high schools. By participating evaluate concepts through a myriad of inin the courses and exams, students are bet- formational elements provided by means of the Project Lead the Way curriculum. ter prepared for the rigor of college, earn Project Lead the Way courses are for ANY college credit while in high school and student who is interested in engineering, save tuition money as a result. engineering technology and/or would like All AP courses have a cost for the texta rich hands-on, fun experience. For inforbook. Students also pay for the end-ofmation, call the district CTE coordinator at course exam that leads to college credit. 613-5027. Districtwide, there are 24 AP classes offered. Not every course is offered at SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING every high school every year. Check the AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) High School Course Guide for a list of STEM is being offered at Berthoud High courses. School as a focused educational program. Middle schools offer pre-AP strategies STEM will strive to produce scientifically A set of content-specific strategies is and mathematically literate graduates who used at the middle schools to prepare stu- can step into leadership positions at the dents for a more rigorous curriculum and most competitive postsecondary programs to promote access to AP classes for all stu- in the country. The curriculum, educationdents. The district has provided profesal enrichment and interactive approach sional development through the College will develop scientists capable of planning, Board to middle school teachers to assist conducting and communicating their own them in introducing the skills, concepts investigations. Students will design their and assessment methods to prepare stuown research project and work with an dents for success in AP courses when they adult mentor during their junior and senior reach high school. years. Included in the program are Pogil Preparing middle school students for AP Chemistry, Project Lead the Way engineering classes and Advanced Placement opcourses establishes solid academic work tions. Students interested in entering this habits early, provides more challenging

Continued on Page 13

Ed. options From Page 12

rigorous program should contact Jane Ballard at Berthoud High School at 613-7730. HEALTH & WELLNESS The Health & Wellness approach at B. F. Kitchen Elementary will focus on student learning through a health and wellness focus. Research shows that students who are active and eat properly have better success at school. The school will address the issues of increases in the number of children with childhood obesity and childhood diabetes – healthy bodies and healthy habits to build healthy minds! The school will work with various health and wellness agencies to provide a structure that includes individual health profiles and goals; fresh fruit and vegetable snacks paired with a mini-lesson on health and nutrition; swimming lessons for 4th graders; recess zones with planned activities; and quarterly health and wellness focus topics culminating in a celebration of learning event at the end of each quarter. Back to School night will be held August 20, 2009, from 6-7:30 p.m. For information, call B. F. Kitchen at 613-5500. MATH FOCUS The Math Focus at Turner Middle School will strive to academically challenge those students who possess mathematical ability. Through the math focus program, students will have an opportunity to accelerate their mathematical journey by leaving Turner Middle School having completed algebra and geometry. All students in the math focus program will have the chance to expand their learning through a math project lab which is incorporated within their regular classroom time. This experience gives the student a mathematical edge when entering high school. For information, call: Bill Siebers, 613-7403; Suzanne Cox, 613-7454; or Carrie Bartmann, 613-7444.

GRADE K District Assessments

reading and math, the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) for reading, writing, math and science, and DIBELS for assessing literacy at the elementary level. In addition to these summative assessments, teachers utilize daily formative assessments such as running records and observations to assist in meeting the specific needs of your child. It is important that you receive and understand the assessment data collected on your student. This diagnostic information forms an overall view of your student’s abilities and allows for meaningful conversations with your child’s teacher about specific academic strengths and weaknesses.

10 11 12

DIBELS ACUITY Reading ACUITY Math Standards Assessments

State Assessments CSAP Reading CSAP Writing CSAP Math CSAP Science COACT

National Assessments EXPLORE PLAN ACT / SAT / AP

AUGUST 17 & 18 OFFICIAL ASSESSMENT DAYS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS August 17 and 18, 2009, are mandatory assessment days for all elementary schools. During these two days the staff at elementary schools will be working to accurately assess the reading level of students. This data is critical for effective instruction of our students. Schools will be scheduling testing for all K-3 students and some 4th and 5th grade students. If your student has been scheduled for a testing period, please make every effort to have them at school for that period. These are official school days and your student is required to be present at school for their scheduled testing period. If you have not yet scheduled a testing period for either August 17 or 18, please contact your elementary school.

Early Childhood programs HEAD START PROGRAM The Head Start Program provides services to children who are 3 and 4 years old as of October 1st of the current year. Children are enrolled in classrooms with developmentally appropriate curriculum and provided with nutrition, health and family support services. To be eligible, children must meet federal income and program guidelines. COLORADO PRESCHOOL PROGRAM The Colorado Preschool Program provides services to children who are 4 years old as of October 1st of the current year. Children are either enrolled in integrated preschool centers or in community preschools that participate in the program. This program is funded by the State of Colorado to prepare children for success in school. To be eligible, children must have risk factors such as chronic health problems, lack

of group experiences, premature birth, etc. SPECIAL NEEDS Special needs service options are available to children who meet federal and state guidelines for special help in developmental areas. Children who meet these guidelines are eligible for services as of their third birthday. Services may be provided in a classroom, in a small group or in a community setting. FALL REGISTRATION Fall registration for all accepted Early Childhood children will be August 5, 2009, from noon to 6 p.m. and August 6, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lincoln Elementary School, 3312 N. Douglas Ave., Loveland. For more information, call 613-5052 or 613-5761. Early Childhood services are provided at the following locations:

Edmondson Center 307 W. 49th St. Loveland, CO 80538

Lincoln Center 807 W. 33rd St. Loveland, CO 80538

Madison Center 1307 E. 5th St. Loveland, CO 80537

Sarah Milner Center 743 Jocelyn Dr. Loveland, CO 80537

Carrie Martin Center 4129 Joni Lane Loveland, CO 80537

Monroe Center 1500 N. Monroe Ave. Loveland, CO 80538

Coyote Ridge Center 7115 Avondale Road Ft. Collins, CO 80525

Berthoud Center 950 Massachusetts Ave. Berthoud, CO 80513

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

SCIENCE AND NATURE SCHOOL Big Thompson Elementary School of Nature and Science students will receive a wellrounded, in-depth, relevant education integrating basic skills through a broad curriculum with a nature and science focus. The students will explore and understand connections in their world and leave with a deeper understanding of the natural environment that surrounds them. For information, call Big Thompson at 613-5600.

ollecting information about student performance relative to the skills and knowledge required at each grade level is vital. This information allows teachers to tailor instruction to the specific needs of the class and individual students. We collect a body of evidence about student performance by administering assessments at various times during the year. Our assessments are progressive in difficulty. This means that as your child’s abilities improve, some assessments will no longer be used, but other assessments will be utilized to produce useful data. This allows us to track longitudinal growth of students as well as growth during the year. Our comprehensive assessment system includes ACUITY for

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE International Baccalaureate (IB) is in progress in Thompson School District. Coyote Ridge Elementary, which opened last fall, will apply to become a candidate school for the Primary Years Programme. Lucile Erwin Middle School and Loveland High School are candidate schools for the Middle Years Programme. Students who wish to continue after the Middle Years Programme may apply for the Diploma Programme at Loveland High School. The IB program is a multicultural, international approach to learning the “big picture” through inquiry and critical thinking. With IB all subjects are equal in importance including mathematics, science and technology, social studies, arts, personal, social and physical health and language. All levels of IB programs must be authorized by the IB Programme. The high school program has been authorized and the middle and elementary school programs are in process. For information, call 613-5200 for high school, 613-7600 for middle years, and 679-9400 for elementary school programs.

TSD student assessment

Transportation A

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

lthough the Thompson School District is not mandated to transport regular education students, the Board of Education elects to provide this service to eligible riders who reside outside of the following distances: • Elementary students who live over one and one-half (1.5) miles from school • Middle school students who live over two and one-half (2.5) miles from school • High school freshmen and sophomores who live over three (3) miles from school Students who live within the distances indicated above are considered "walkers" and are not scheduled for transportation services. The Thompson School District works cooperatively with the City of Loveland to provide crossing guards at several crossing sites on elementary student walk routes. These crossing guard sites are determined by the city. Please contact Transportation to receive information on the suggested walk route for your child. Our special needs routes have specialized schedules based on the programs and students they serve. If your child rides one of the Special Education routes, please keep Transportation aware of any changes in contact information, pick-up/dropoff information or other information you feel may be pertinent for transportation of your child. If your child will not require transportation for the day, we ask that you contact Transportation at 613-5185 prior to the ab-

sence so that the driver can be informed. Kindergartners enrolled in half-day programs and who reside outside of the walk area may be provided oneway busing; mid-day busing is not provided. High school juniors and seniors are not scheduled for transportation. However, if space is available on existing scheduled buses, the parent may apply for "space available" busing. Request forms for “space available” busing may be obtained at individual school offices or at the Transportation Center, 2500 E. 13th St., Loveland. To maximize efficiencies and stretch the transportation dollars as far as possible, routes are arterialized. Buses do not go into every subdivision or down every street. Bus stops are usually located on main roads to reduce the number of miles on each route and the time it takes to run the route. Preliminary bus routes and schedules will be available to parents approximately two weeks before the start of school. Copies of bus route stop locations and times are available at your child's school; please ask to see this information when registering your child. Bus route information will also be made available at the following locations: Thompson School District Administration Building, 800 S. Taft Ave.; Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams; Berthoud Public Library, 236 Welch Ave.; City of Loveland Utility Billing Office, 500 E. 3rd; and City of Loveland Service Center, 200 N. Wilson Ave. Routing information made available in August will list

Metro Creative Services photo

Student transportation questions may be directed to: Cyndi Hawk — General Information......................................613-5186 Linda Worthington — Regular Education Routing.................613-5188 Sherry Allerheiligen — Special Education Routing................613-5189 Kay McMullen — Dispatch/Field Trip Scheduling................613-5191 Nansi Crom — Director............................................................613-5187 The Web site address for TSD Transportation is: http://thompson.k12.co.us/departments/os/transportation.html bus stop locations/times for the startup of school. After September 15th, route times/stop locations may be adjusted to reflect ridership and final bus assignments. Please call 6135185 if you have questions regarding bus stop locations or stop times after this date. Written notices will be forwarded to parents if bus stop locations are moved or if scheduled stop times are altered more than five minutes. Students should be at their assigned bus stop no more than five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Transportation registration forms will be sent home with each child during their first week on the bus. The completed registration form

must be returned to your child's driver. Failure to return the form may result in your child being denied transportation privileges. Students are strongly discouraged from bringing skateboards, scooters, rollerblades or other bulky, hard-to-store items with them to the bus. Not all buses are equipped with underbody storage compartments and suitable storage areas for large items are not readily available aboard buses. For the safety and security of students and staff, audio/video cameras may be used on school vehicles transporting students to and from school or extracurricular activities.

Discipline Schools of choice Enforcement Transfer requests

KNIVES / BLADES No blades of any size will be allowed in school by students. Students caught in the possession of blades of any kind will face an immediate out-of-school suspension or possible mandatory expulsion for their first offense. Repeat violations regarding knives/ blades will result in more severe disciplinary action.

DRUGS / ALCOHOL Students coming to school under the influence of drugs or alcohol will face an immediate 10-day out-ofschool suspension for their first offense. The second offense will result in a recommendation for a 45-day expulsion. Proof of completing a treatment program may allow the student to return before the 45 days have expired. Any student suspected of being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol will be turned over to police for investigation prior to suspension and/or expulsion. BULLYING The district believes all students are entitled to a safe school environment and believes all types of bullying, including cyberbullying, are unacceptable. Parents receive the general guidelines for disciplinary action as set forth by the state and Board of Education policy in the Thompson School District Discipline Code.

approved. However, permission to transfer may be denied for the following reasons: • The requested school’s total enrollment exceeds Service Level A as defined by the Master Plan (95% of its capacity) or modular classrooms are tudents in the Thompson in use to support its instructional proSchool District can attend grams. schools outside their attendance • The requested school does not area as long as space, staff and prooffer appropriate programs for the grams are available in the desired student or does not offer a requested school. Parents will be responsible program. for transportation. A transfer request • The requested school is not form can be obtained from any structured or equipped with the facilischool in the district, the district’s adties necessary to meet special needs ministrative offices located at 800 S. of the student. Taft Ave., Loveland, or online at • The student does not meet the www.thompsonschools.org. established eligibility criteria for parIn order for a student to transfer to ticipation in a particular program ina school outside his/her attendance cluding, but not limited to, age rearea, both the principal of the stuquirements, course prerequisites or dent’s home school and the principal required levels of performance. of the student’s desired school must • Accommodating the student’s reapprove the form. Until a transfer quest would require purchase of adform has been requested and apditional equipment or the addition of proved, the student must continue to teaching staff. attend the school in his/her attenFor more information, see board dance area. policies JECC and JECC-R – AssignIn most cases, transfer requests are ment of Students to Schools.

available within school district

Learning Services at TSD

everal special programs in Learning Services focus on various learning approaches used to reach students with diverse needs. Under this umbrella are programs that help provide options to gifted students, students needing language assistance, at-risk students, minority students and more. GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION Programming options and support services designed to help meet the academic and social/emotional needs of our gifted/talented/creative students are available at each school. Some additional district-sponsored opportunities include the Resource Enrichment Center (a lending library of resources for parents/students/teachers), Odyssey of the Mind, Shadows in the Arts, Robotics, District Spelling Bee, District Chess Tournament, and Middle School Math Counts. Contact: Carol Swalley, Gifted and Talented Education Coordinator, 613-5058, or Danel Lins, Gifted and Talented Parent Liaison, 613-5057.

understanding and supporting the unique needs of students from diverse backgrounds. At Thompson School District we respect differences including (but not limited to) race, ethnicity, age, family structure, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, home language, and socioeconomic status. We work with multiple other departments to provide these services through the Community Diversity Council, cultural events and programming, the Loveland Hispanic Latino Leadership Institute (HLLI), community action plans, professional development opportunities for staff, financial support for middle and high school students in diversity clubs, and resources and networks with state and national equity professionals. Contact: Maria Gabriel, Equity and Diversity Coordinator, 613-5775, or Dennis Rastatter, Director of Student Support Services, 613-5059.

TITLE I Federal Title programs provide funding to specific at-risk populations for services in areas ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (ELA) such as literacy, math, and family involvement. Every parent is asked to complete a home Students are served at Monroe, Van Buren, language survey at registration. If the primary Winona, Truscott, B. F. Kitchen, Garfield and home language is not English, the student is tested to determine English language proficien- Sarah Milner elementary schools and other Ticy. Elementary students are typically provided tle I agencies. Contact: Roger Quintanilla, Title ELA services at their home schools. Bill Reed is Programs Coordinator, 613-5093. the magnet school for middle school students who have little or no English. Conrad Ball stu- STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES Meeting the psychological and personal dents and those students who need limited assistance with learning the English language will needs of students is part of the district's safety be served at their home schools. Students who and belonging goal. Each building has a school counselor/psychologist assigned to assist stuqualify for ELA services at their high schools are typically served at their home schools with dents and offer support through various community outreach opportunities. Contact: Denthe exception of newcomers. Our newcomer nis Rastatter, Director of Student Support Serprogram is at Loveland High School for nonEnglish speaking students. Contact: Jorge Gar- vices, 613-5059. cia, ELA Coordinator, 613-6083. INDIVIDUAL BUILDING PROGRAMS EQUITY AND DIVERSITY Contact your building principal to learn The goal of the Equity and Diversity Office is about individual programs that optimize learning for diverse students. to assist members of school communities in

Be prepared for the flu season Health experts have expressed concerns that back to school will bring with it a big increase in the number of flu cases. In light of this concern, the district has information for staff and students about health habits that help prevent the flu, the importance of staying home when sick, and when to see your doctor. This information is available on the district Web site at www.thompsonschools.org, at your child’s school, or on Parent Portal (Infinite Campus). For additional and updated information about the flu, contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 1-800-CDC-INFO or online at www.cdc.gov, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at www.cdphe.state.co.us/ or the Colorado Help Line at 1-877-462-2911.

Community welcome to reserve space in schools Thompson School District’s community usage policy welcomes members from the community to rent space for their events in district buildings. Fields for outdoor events are also available. To make a building reservation and receive a permit, please contact the facility use coordinator at 613-5393.

TSD offers special education services

enabling school districts to access Medicaid funds for health related services provided to children. Such services include but are not limited to: health assessments and evaluations, nursing services, speech, occupational and physical therapy, and psychological or social work services as part of an individual student's educational or health plan. Your child will continue to receive services at no cost to you under this system. This initiative simply helps the district maximize federal funds in support of local education. Allowing the school district to receive Medicaid funds in no way limits other Medicaid benefits for which your child is eligible and has no impact whatsoever on your own family coverage. The district appreciates your assistance with this important program. For more information about Medicaid, please contact the Special Education Department at 613-5020.

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

termine that the student needs to be referred to special education for a formal assessment. A special education evaluation includes a variety of individualized assessments administered to a child only after parents have given he term "special education" means spe- written informed consent. This evaluation incially designed instruction to meet the cludes a variety of assessment tools and unique needs of a child with a disabili- strategies that will lead to the most complete ty. Special education services are available for understanding of the child's unique educational needs. A meeting will be held with the students with identified disabilities in accorparents, teachers and those who conducted dance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the assessments to determine if the child has a disability and is eligible for special education Rehabilitation Act of 1973. services. If a disability is identified, an IndividWhen a student is not making expected learning or social/behavioral gains, a Request ual Education Plan (IEP) will be developed. For more information, please contact your for Assistance from the school’s Student Interchild's teacher, counselor or school psycholovention Team (SIT) can be requested. The goal of the SIT process is to find learning so- gist, the Special Education Department at 613lutions for individual students through a team 5020 or Beth Johnson, parent liaison, at 613approach using a structured problem-solving 5014. process that focuses on student assets. After MEDICAID completing the SIT process, the team may deIn 1988 the U.S. Congress passed legislation

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Special Education

Diversity Awareness Calendar AUGUST 2009 — DIVERSITY AWARENESS MONTH August 9 — International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples August 12 — International Youth Day August 26 — Women’s Equality Day, USA* SEPTEMBER 2009 — NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH (SEPT. 15-OCT. 15) September 13 — Ramadan, Islamic September 16 — Mexican Independence Day, Mexico* September 19-20 — Rosh Hashanah, Jewish September 22 — Autumnal Equinox September 28 — Yom Kippur (begins sundown), Jewish September 28 — Native American Day OCTOBER 2009 — NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS & LGBT HISTORY MONTH October 3-9 — Sukkot, Jewish October 11 — Simchat Torah, Jewish October 11 — National Coming Out Day, USA October 17 — Diwali, Hindu October 20 — Birth of the Bab, Bahá’i* NOVEMBER 2009 — NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH November 1 — Día de los Muertos/All Saints Day, Mexico/USA November 12 — Birth of Baha’u’llah, Bahá’i* November 16 — International Day for Tolerance November 26 — Thanksgiving Day, USA*

DECEMBER 2009 — HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH December 1 — World AIDS Day December 3 — International Day of Disabled Persons December 8 — Bodhi Day, Buddhist December 10 — Human Rights Day, USA* December 12-19 — Chanukah (begins sundown), Jewish December 25 — Christmas, Christian* December 26-January 1 — Kwanzaa, USA* JANUARY 2010 — NATIONAL POVERTY IN AMERICA MONTH January 1 — USA New Years, USA* January 18 — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, USA January 30 — Muharram/Islamic New Year, Islamic FEBRUARY 2010 — BLACK HISTORY MONTH February 14 — Hsin nien/Chinese New Year, China February 14 — Tet-Vietnamese New Year, Vietnam February 15 — Nirvana Day, Buddhist February 17 — Ash Wednesday (Western), Christian February 26 — Milad Al-Nabi, Islamic

ATTENTION ALL HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS The Thompson School District, in accordance with state and federal law, authorizes the release of names and addresses of students to Armed Forces recruiting officers. The recruiting services have requested this information in order to inform students about scholarship programs, tuition assistance and other educational and vocational training opportunities available from the military. Service in any branch of the Armed Forces is an employment and educational alternative that high school graduates have today. Federal,

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APRIL 2010 April 2 — Good Friday, Christian April 4 — Easter Sunday, Christian April 11 — Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Jewish April 14 — Day of Sience April 21-May 2 — Festival of Ridván, Bahá’i* MAY 2010 — ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE & OLDER AMERICANS MONTH May 5 — Cinco de Mayo, Mexico* May 9 — Mother’s Day, USA May 19-20 — Shavout, Jewish May 23 — Declaration of the Bab, Bahá’i* May 27 — Buddha Day, Buddhist May 29 — Ascension of Baha’u’lláh, Bahá’i* JUNE 2010 — LGBT PRIDE MONTH June 19 — Juneteenth, USA June 20 — Father’s Day, USA June 21 — Summer Solstice *Holidays with constant dates. Provided by the Thompson School District and Community Diversity Council as an informational piece to assist schools in providing inclusive environments for all students and their families.

state and district regulations specify that the name and address of your son or daughter will be released to the recruiting services unless you notify us in writing to the contrary. The district will periodically inform high school students and their parents of the right to request that the district not release to military recruiters their information or that of their son or daughter. After a student or parent makes a request not to release, the district will not release that student’s information to military recruiters unless and until it receives subsequent parent consent to release such information.

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MARCH 2010 — NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH March 8 — International Women’s Day March 21 — New Year’s Day/Naw-Rúz, Bahá’i* March 21 — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination March 30-April 6 — Passover (begins sundown), Jewish March 31 — Cesar Chavez Day, USA

District forums available

he Thompson School District has initiated community Internet forums to enable community members to post thoughts and questions about state education issues, the district, or school-related topics ranging from concerns to celebrations in a non-judgmental atmosphere. The forums also include a photo gallery area where district or school-related photos can be posted for other forum members to view. A forum is an Internet message board where individuals may post and exchange information online. There are currently three main forum areas, which include several topic areas, for participants to contribute to. As topics grow, they may become forums of their own. Forum participants must register, but by creating a “display name,” their identity will be anonymous to other users. The district has set up guidelines for appropriate use of the forums, which are outlined in the registration process. All posts in the forums are moderated and will need to be accepted by the moderator before appearing on the forums. “The forums provide an element of two-way communication between the district and community members,” said Wes Fothergill, director of Communication and Community Resources. “We hope the public will take advantage of this opportunity to open dialogues regarding important issues around education in our district and our state,” he said. To register, go to: http://forums.thompsonschools.org. If you have questions, click on the FAQ link at the top of the forum page. If you can't find the answer there, e-mail the moderator by clicking on the link at the bottom of the forum page or by e-mailing forums@forums.thompson schools.org.

Get involved at TSD

he education of Thompson School District students is a vital partnership between the community, schools, parents and children. Whether you are volunteering with individual students or the classroom teacher, making a one-time presentation on a career or culture, or serving on a decision-making committee, you are an active partner affecting the lives of children. If you can help, please contact the volunteer program specialist at the central office (613-5072) or call the volunteer coordinator or principal at the school.

Share Fest volunteers spruce up schools Melissa Adams Thompson School District

Photos by Nancy Hunt

Recycling bins donated organizations have taken on recycling projects at their schools and the grant will assist with that, said Nancy Hunt, Facilities Service customer service manager. She added that if schools are interested in more recycling, they should call Facilities Services at 613-5350.

Thompson School District received a recycling grant from Alcoa Aluminum and Colorado Recycles, who donated 600 classroom recycling bins. The demand for recycling at the schools has bubbled up from students and parents in recent years. Several classes or student

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

Some of the areas where volunteers worked included the benches on the north side of Berthoud High School, the patio area of Thompson Valley High School and the front of Sarah Milner Elementary School.

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

ensure that the materials and work met district/state standards. “Whatever the needs are — painting, landscaping — they olunteers from area churches cele- go out and get the materials donated and brated their giving spirit on June 13 then work on their project,” Hunt said. “It by adding some polish to schools was great,” she added. in the Thompson School District. Sarah Milner Elementary School’s neighMore than 80 volunteers from four bor, Life Spring Covenant Church, added churches participated in Share Fest, a pro- to its list of partnerships with the school by gram started seven years ago in Boulder. doing work there. Grace Place Loveland Three years ago, Life Bridge Church in worked at Thompson Valley High School. Longmont joined forces to do projects in Beautification or maintenance, they St. Vrain Valley Schools. “We are up to over saved the schools and district manpower 11 churches on board and helped 11 and money in making the improvements, schools there,” said Kim Wikre from Life Hunt said. Bridge. “So, our next goal was to move inSuch projects help introduce the stuto Loveland.” She said it takes some time to dents to the churches and vice versa, catch on, but she thought the first attempt which opens the door to more community was a success. Wikre lives in Berthoud and her children partnerships. “It’s a stepping stone,” Wikre said. For information, contact Hunt at 613go to Berthoud High School, which was 5351. one of the recipients of work completed by Grace Place in Berthoud. She joined that work group as part of Life Bridge. “You can see the difference it makes to parents and students who walk up to the school and see the good things being done,” she said. “It’s cool to be part of it.” Nancy Hunt, Facilities Services customer service manager, worked with Wikre, the schools and the churches to identify projects and

VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS Berthoud Elementary Lisa Beard 532-4247 Linda Pennock 532-2348 B. F. Kitchen Elementary Penny Sanford 613-5507 Big Thompson Elementary Elizabeth Townsend 461-3426 Carrie Martin Elementary Fran Parsons 461-8691 Lisa Schwarz 203-1296 Centennial Elementary Julia Cherry 593-0781 Stacee Kersley 785-691-9810 Cottonwood Plains Elementary Brenda Doran 593-3151 Rachel Sanders 229-0618 Coyote Ridge Elementary Amanda Mudron 377-2793 Rochele Witman 232-9362 Garfield Elementary Lori Hvizda Ward 663-3518 Ivy Stockwell Elementary Sue Selland 532-4490 Laurene Edmondson Elementary Lori Richard 278-0463 Paige Woodard 663-2657 Lincoln Elementary Terri Johnson 663-6197 Mary Blair Elementary Wanda O’Donnell 461-1940 Monroe Elementary Antoinette Ramos 691-3389 Namaqua Elementary Becky Brian 613-0656 Lisa Phelps 461-0312 Sarah Milner Elementary Nicole Acton 744-9654 Stansberry Elementary Marcie Erion 667-7762 Julie Lindsay 663-0342 Truscott Elementary Vanessa Klinker 203-9793 Suzanne Cinert 622-0292 Van Buren Elementary Liz & Patrick Reinard 613-1053 Winona Elementary Elaine Pollard 663-2108 Early Childhood Jane Everett 613-5053 Bill Reed Middle School Marny Gustafson 669-2295 Cindy Eriz 635-9873 Conrad Ball Middle School Jennifer Rupp 669-5020 Lucile Erwin Middle School Terry Warne 635-0773 Turner Middle School Gina Archuleta 532-5532 Kam Ries 532-0686 Walt Clark Middle School Terri Brumagim 402-3832 Berthoud High School Beth Conrey 532-0329 Jennifer Carter 532-4743 Ferguson High School Esther Quinonez 613-5300 Loveland High School Janine Waldrep 214-4046 Mountain View High School Nan Prins 663-1653 Thompson Valley High School Dixie Anderson 663-7131 Denise Walton 622-8816

Classes building hope LHS class builds momentum with other districts Melissa Adams Thompson School District

end product, which a normal classroom setting can’t show. “It addresses efficiency and waste. In construction, you have to reconcile what the real objective is,” Quere said. Moore, who had construction experience prior to the class, said that when he started he would see a problem and want to fix it. “It would be so easy to do it myself, but I am just the person overseeing it. The students learn from figuring it out and it multiplies with all of the students because they are part of it.” Precision was another issue the group discussed. One math teacher commented that in math class a student can be a bit off on an answer because it’s about the process, but in construction that quarter-inch can offset everything. Advice included making sure students work in teams on equipment to avoid injury and so they learn from one another. A key piece of advice was to work closely with district administration in the areas of purchasing, risk management and facilities. One teacher from a large district noted: “Communicate early, often and get all of the players together at

one table – it will help you.” The teachers agreed that they would prefer to work with a nonprofit organization as the recipient of the house. However, as Moore and Burke have learned, nonprofits must work far in advance to apply for and receive the funding for such a purchase. One teacher asked if they had chalkboards in the construction areas so they could explain formulas or other information. Burke said the materials – boards – became the chalkboards. “If you took all of the drywall off the houses we have finished, you would see a lot of math equations.” Experienced teachers said they learned so much about the “other” subject and how it related so closely to theirs. Some of the tools of each trade provided interesting barriers, such as construction people using graphing calculators. “I kept looking for the on and off button,” Burke said. Conversely, Moore thought a Tgavel was some kind of square thing with a dull blade. “You know, a thing-a-ma-bob,” he joked. At press time, the house built during the 2008-2009 school year was for sale through a sealed bid process because the original sale to a nonprofit organization fell through because of funding. The group is in talks now with Habitat for Humanity and other organizations to try to secure agreements for both the LHS and MVHS houses for 2009-2010. The 2007-2008 house was purchased by Angel House of Interfaith Hospitality Network to provide it to a homeless family. For more information about the class and the house, visit www.geometryinconstruction.org.

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ow that the Geometry in Construction class at Loveland High School has proven itself by completing three houses, its creators are building the class’s reputation by assisting others schools around the country in implementing the class. In June, the two teachers who started the class, Tom Moore and Scott Burke, led a week-long class for districts that will be modeling courses after the LHS class. Teachers from two schools in Texas, one in South Dakota, California, Colorado Springs and Pueblo as well as Mountain View High School learned the secrets that have made the contextualized course such a success. Contextualizing is a process of layering classes so students see the value of how subjects work together. Combining the math and construction has boosted test scores for students who might normally have struggled in math; with the hands-on approach of showing how construction requires math skills, it is more applicable. “Each district represented is either coming on board next year or the fall of 2010 and their classes are based on our curriculum,” Moore said, noting that the class evaluations came back very positive. The two followed the workshop with a trip to San Antonio, Texas, where they presented again.

Moore, an LHS math teacher, retired in the spring but will continue working with the program to help MVHS get started and help coordinate outside activities such as this course. Math teachers Paul Quere and Anne Larsen will replace Moore for the LHS class. Burke is the industrial technology teacher at LHS. The course, which took place at LHS, included hands-on construction work, discussion about how math teachers and industrial technology teachers share their knowledge, and sharing of experiences of what not to do. It was a week of synergy, laughter and intensity. One of the key discussion topics was how the teachers, whose subject matters were almost polar opposites, learn and work together. “The teacher becomes the learner again,” Burke told the group. LHS Math teacher Paul Quere noted that the process addresses more than the

Thompson School District photos

Above, Scott Burke shows the class a T-gavel, a construction tool. Below, Tom Moore talks about how the Geometry in Construction class changed the way he approached teaching.

Step up, step out

Cheer & Dance, has managed the Help Kids Succeed program, providing over 900 backpacks full of school supplies each year to kids in need throughout Thompson School wonderful, effective programs and Mechelle Martz-Mayfield District. Thompson Education Foundation district developments that can be • Ten different student scholarship credited to the work and the funds funds are managed through the TEF, he Thompson Education that TEF provides. providing funds to graduating seFoundation (TEF) has been a • Over $86,250 in TEF Creativity niors of Thompson Schools. major supporting partner of Grants have provided multiple • The TEF Masters in Reading prothe Thompson School District, its $1,000 grants per year to help teachject provided 25 teachers with the fischools, its staff and students for the ers implement new projects within nancial wherewithal to receive a past 20 years. Because of the fountheir classrooms. dation’s long and close relationship • In the past nine years every ele- master’s degree; most still teach in the district. with the district, the contributions of mentary student has been able to • The TEF Educators of the Year the TEF are often attributed to the learn the joy of playing music with awards and breakfast recognizes the district or elsewhere, and not to the recorders provided by TEF. excellent work of the Thompson foundation. • TEF provides the funds for an Schools’ staff. Individuals involved in the work elementary science teacher on speTEF has also helped raise funds of the foundation ask for very little cial assignment, elementary science for playgrounds, pools, classroom recognition. However, in the spirit of kits, a star lab, and 5th grade science facilities, and many unique projects field trips to the Bobcat Ridge Natuchange, renewal and development, throughout the district. ral Area. it is time for the Thompson EducaThis school year there are many tion Foundation and its supporting • For the past seven years, the things to be implemented in the spirmembers to make some noise. It is TEF, in a community partnership time for us to be visible in the com- with the Loveland Chamber of Com- it of development and change. The foundation is currently working to merce, Loveland Reporter-Herald, munity and in the district. It is time create: for the community to be aware and United Way, Salvation Army, Ser• School staff ambassadors toma, and recently Rocky Mountain to get involved. There are so many

throughout the district to help disseminate information to staff and students and to provide a single school contact for TEF. • Foundation committees in areas of events, project fundraising, donor development and grant review to help serve the efforts of the foundation. These committees will be open to interested individuals in the community. • Fundraising and awareness efforts for our Technology for the Arts initiative. • School tours for community members to see what is being implemented in the schools. Come join us as we help grow a stronger educational experience for the students in Thompson Schools. Join a committee, donate to a program or call for more information on how to become involved. This is your opportunity to do something great for education. Step up, step out, and make a difference. Mechelle Martz-Mayfield can be reached at 970-613-5067.

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he 2005 bond projects are heading into their last leg with one more major project – Ponderosa Elementary School, which is scheduled to open when school starts in 2010. Architects Bennett, Wagner & Grody and Contractors Golden Triangle Construction are teaming with the district to construct the four-round school on 10 acres at the northeast corner of Kincaid Avenue and Florence Street near 43rd Street in northwest Loveland. Originally the projected budget was over $11 million, said Bond Administrator Jay Earl. However, the tough economy has brought the cost down to a projected $8.8 million. During the course of the bond, the district has dealt with skyrocketing costs as well due to Hurricane Katrina and exorbitant gas prices last summer. “We were fortunate to earn some higher interest rates at the start of the bond, which helped us get through those higher-cost times,” Earl said. Ponderosa acquired its name through a community input process in the spring where community members submitted names following specific criteria, then a committee reviewed the entries and selected the top three, which were then presented to the Board of Education. The board made the final selection in April. This will be the district’s 20th elementary school site. New Vision Charter School currently rents its facility from the Boys & Girls Club. Scheduled to open by the time school starts are two stand-alone buildings: an Early Childhood site at Monroe Elementary School and a special education addition at Van Buren Elementary School. Earl said weather has caused some set backs for the 6,000-square-foot Early Childhood Center but hopes they will be able to open it on time. The district also received a $30,000 Department of Local

Affairs (DOLA) grant to provide a synthetic surface to the playground there. Architect Al Hauser and Clark Construction worked on this project. Architect Jeff Krueger and Dohn Construction are completing the Van Buren special needs facility that will replace the current modular. While millions in bond funds have been spent each year on major maintenance projects, this summer wound down with $150,000 being spent on various projects at 32 district sites including carpeting, plumbing, roofs, ventilation units, resurfacing and electric. Above, Van Buren Elementary School has a new special education addition that replaces a modular building. Below, the Early Childhood Center at Monroe Elementary School. Weather caused setbacks for building the Early Childhood Center, but the school district hopes to open the doors on schedule. Bottom, a drawing of a design for Ponderosa Elementary School. The name for the new school was chosen through a community input process. Thompson School District photos

LHS POOL REPLACEMENT The Loveland High School pool project is moving forward as a partnership between a community group, the school district and the City of Loveland. Total cost for renovation of the pool area is projected to be $3 million with each group providing about a third of the funds. The city will match what the community group raises and the district is providing $1 million from the 2005 bond money to restore the area around the pool, including the mechanical area. The pool space will accommodate a six-lane lap pool to replace the original pool that was condemned in 2001. For information about donating to the pool, contact Nick Hansen at 970-4617125 or Nhansen@ thegroupinc.com.

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tion, or during the first week of school. Applications are available during the school year at all school sites. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining if a student is eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

• Individualized Instruction in Reading, Writing and Study Skills for students of all ages

Give a gift of $20 (or more) to any of TEF’s many educational funds!

Thompson Education Foundation 800 S. Taft Ave. Loveland, CO 80537 PH: (970) 613-5074

$3.10 $3.60

2009-2010 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PRICES Students Adults Elementary $1.25 Breakfast without Milk $1.95 Secondary $1.50 Breakfast with Milk $2.45 Reduced Price Free

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR MEAL BENEFITS Students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Applications will be distributed to all homes either by mail, at registra-

Celebrate Thompson Education Foundation’s 20th Anniversary!

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2009-2010 SCHOOL LUNCH PRICES Students Adults Elementary $2.25 Lunch without Milk Secondary $2.50 Lunch with Milk Reduced Price $.40 À la Carte Items Varied

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he Thompson School District participates in the National School Lunch Program and the National School Breakfast Program. By serving meals that meet the federal guidelines, the Nutrition Services department is self-supporting through a combination of federal reimbursements and revenue from meal sales. Thus, students are able to eat nutritious meals without taking money away from instruction and other needs. Lunches that meet national program guidelines are available in every school. To reduce food waste, the district allows students to select their own food items as much as possible. À la carte food selections are offered in the middle and high schools. Breakfasts that meet national program guidelines are available in the following elementary schools: B. F. Kitchen, Berthoud, Big Thompson, Carrie Martin, Cottonwood Plains, Coyote Ridge, Garfield, Ivy Stockwell, Laurene Edmondson, Lincoln, Mary Blair, Monroe, Namaqua, Sarah Milner, Stansberry, Truscott, Van Buren and Winona. Breakfast is also served at

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Q&A with TSD’s

Director of Nutrition

With childhood obesity on the rise, school districts across the nation are creating learning environments that incorporate better eating habits and increased physical activity. The Reporter-Herald recently sat down with Tammie Rempe, the Thompson School District Director of Nutrition Services, to see how she is coping with these challenges. Meghala Divakaran Special to the RH

a weighted average analysis and know exactly how many servings we serve everyday and the average nutrients in each serving. Will there be a price increase in school meals this year? There will be no price increase this year. We are a self-sufficient department and not part of the general fund. We are mandated to break even annually. A couple of years ago when costs skyrocketed, we lost a good chunk of money due to fuel surcharges. A lot of our paper products and bulk food packaging went up in price and we incurred a big deficit in that particular year. So, we are just trying to get back on our feet and break even this year. How is the state of the economy impacting the free and reduced priced meals? There is an increase in the demand for free and re-

Photo by Meghala Divakaran

TSD Director of Nutrition, Tammie Rempe duced-priced meals across all income sectors in Loveland. People are losing their jobs are looking for any resource available that will help them survive. We process all the free and reduced meal applications here and are currently processing applications for parents who were on the program last year. We call this direct certification, which is our food stamp based program. We are also processing new applications from schools this year. Those parents are counting on us and we will do our best to meet their needs. What would you like parents to know that will make this department more effective? I think parents need to educate themselves about what we do. Everyday, we battle the old school lunch stigma and parents need to see how and what we serve kids. Last year, we served the Leadership Loveland a meal that we serve our children, and it was

orange chicken over rice and one parent said that he wished he had that when he was in school. Parents also don’t realize that a child’s total food consumption is over an entire day and we only serve breakfast and lunch. If children have high-calorie snacks or dinner that does not meet the one-third count of the recommended dietary allowance, we don’t have control over that. Sometimes parents think that portion sizes are not good enough but we try to stay within strict guidelines of the USDA. We offer a wide variety and our menu is kid-based, not parent-based. At times parents are disappointed with the pretzel and cheese meal on Tuesdays. We are serving the masses and it’s a guaranteed eat for us. Through this meal, we are teaching kids that they don’t have to eat meat, potatoes and gravy everyday and that portion size is critical for a healthy lifestyle.

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BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

just play a small role in their overall health. Besides, when children are physically active, they are more atWhat are your goals in tentive in the classroom. For enhancing childhood nuexample, we have a BF trition? Kitchen Wellness School in Childhood obesity has increased substantially in the last the district and their test 15-20 years and that is impact- scores have gone up after one year of wellness focus, ing our health care. Health care costs have risen dramati- so we know that wellness cally and our present genera- has an impact in student edtion will probably not outlive ucation. What role does the Ditheir parents because of disease issues. Type II diabetes is rector of Nutrition play increasing in our students. We in improving nutrition standards of a school are also seeing diets that are strange and are a combination district? of insulin resistance, lactose We ensure that the nutriand gluten intolerance. We tion standards laid out by use research conducted by the United States Departour dietetic interns to ensure ment of Agriculture (USDA) that we meet the dietary reare enforced district-wide in quirements of these children 38 sites that comprise the to the best of our ability given Thompson School District. our financial restrictions. Also, We have 30 schools and when kids are healthy, they eight early childhood sites have a better attitude and that that we oversee. We follow includes exercise and nutriUSDA’s new menu pattern tion. A healthy student goes in which we analyze all the well beyond nutrition, and we food items we receive using

CLASSES FOR AGES 18 MONTHS TO 100!

Learning Foundations Learning systems, techniques cultivate improved performance Rhema Muncy Special Sections Reporter

Jupiter Images Photo

to get used to it,” she said. “Junior and Senior year is when serious prep starts. Your GPA can be subjective, so the ACT will measure those college level skills on a more objective platform. If

the test shows a weakness, really look at it.” For more preparation, check out the free practice tests at www.act.org, www.collegeboard.com and www.gre.org.

The SQ3R Method This approach helps you get the most out of your reading assignments. It will help you create notes from your reading from which to study. SURVEY Carefully pre-read the chapter. Look at the title, subtitles, boldface and italics, graphs and diagrams, summary and/or conclusion, and questions at the end of the chapter. QUESTION Reading is a thinking process; inquiry makes you an active reader. Formulate questions before you read. Convert titles, subtitles, etc. into questions. Write these down. READ Thoroughly read the chapter and fill in the answers to your questions as you go along. Important: Read for meaning, not only the answers. Write down any information you sense is important.

REVIEW Reread your notes as often as possible. Frequent review enables you to better retain the material. Be flexible. At first go through SQ3R step-bystep, and later alter it to suit your own purposes and style. - Adina Glickman, Center for Teaching and Learning, Stanford University

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

RECITE Talk to yourself. Read your questions, answers and notes out loud. Translate key ideas and new terms into your own words. Research any answers or information that don't seem clear enough.

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald 23

tandardized testing acts as a bench mark to measure learning progress and a gateway to higher learning adventures. Achieving a score that truly reflects a readiness to advance is an individualized process based on cognitive improvement, wide vocabulary exposure and a firm learning foundation, according to local professionals. LearningRX, a national Colorado-based brain training franchise, distinguished the different types of learning in a discussion about college readiness. The organization defines knowledge as information gained from learning, studying and memorizing academic material. IQ, on the other hand, is a measure of intelligence, including spatial reasoning, logical ability and relationships. “Learning isn’t about how much you know, but how effectively you process or handle the information you receive,” LearningRX founder Dr. Ken Gibson explained. “Cognitive skills are mechanisms that process incoming information. By strengthening cognitive skills, you’ll create a stronger learner, which is what’s needed to succeed in college and beyond.” Mike Winchell is the executive Director of LearningRX in Fort Collins. Winchell prepares students to face standardized tests head on through targeting specific cognitive weaknesses. “If I wanted to get the best possible grade, I would do brain training first and then a prep course,” Winchell said. “It is kind of like having a gas tank with holes in it. You can continue to pour the gas in and it will just spill out or you can plug up the holes and then pour more gas in.” Brain training courses at LearningRX boost cognitive weaknesses over a 12 week program to help build basic learning foundations in children and adults alike

through learning exercises. These cognitive brain exercises help people boost memory skills to combat test anxiety, quicken processing speed to facilitate fast problem solving on the clock and improve logical reasoning to accelerate understanding math equations. “Cognitive training is like taking your brain to the gym,” Winchell said. Theo Scherman, the CEO of Eduss Learning in Denver, works to help schools focus on teaching educational foundations. “The [school] system is forcing teachers to teach kids to pass the test,” Scherman said. “A lot of students get taught question formats and how to answer them. Then when they get to grade 6, there is a 68 percent fail rate. Not only do we need to identify gaps in the student’s knowledge wall but look at where they are at. If you don’t address early foundational gaps, they will struggle throughout their entire career.” The Eduss system is a computer program that offers one-on-one teaching for basics that students may have missed at some point in their academic career. The Eduss system then builds on a child's education until the child is at, or accelerating beyond, their age level. Their programs are offered in schools as well as in the home. Scherman invested in the program because it coaches students to achieve their top potential by evaluating how students arrive at answers, not their ability to spit out answers for a score. “Standardized tests can come back and tell the teacher a student is struggling but not how or why,” Scherman said. “If we can’t identify what students have missed across their learning career, then we have a problem. The key is to not allow false markers in the student assessments. If I can give the students the foundations they need to build up, they will succeed on standardized testing. If kids are comfort-

able with basics, teachers don’t have to teach to the questions.” Fort Collins Huntington Learning Center exam prep coordinator Kimberly Wiggins emphasized the power long-term reading habits create for succeeding on standardized tests. “Every student should read a minimum of 20 minutes a night,” Wiggins said. “High scores are directly correlated with vocabulary exposure. They will get a varied lexicon through reading at their grade level.” But colleges want to know students can do more than read, she said. They want to know a student’s efficiency, work ethic and ability to study on their own. “You can’t work on strategies unless your skills are right on,” Wiggins said. “You have to be able to draw inferences and conclusions and know how to read, not just know how to get a right answer.” For learning the reading habits needed for college, Wiggins recommended the SQ3R method found on college Web sites such as Stanford University at http:// ctl.stanford.edu/Student/ studyskills/SQ3R.pdf. “Memorizing is a very primitive reading tool,” Wiggins said. “It will work for some extent, but you end up working too hard for your buck.” For succeeding on standardized tests and college classes, Wiggins also emphasized improving basic skills such as organization, inference for finding implicit information and paraphrasing to find main ideas in reading passages or word problems. Workbooks will only improve scores by one to two points, she said. “If you are looking for big jumps, improve your skills,” Wiggins said. “Identify which types of questions you miss the most, especially in reading and science. Know yourself as a test taker.” Wiggins hopes students will start to take standardized testing more seriously, as better scores can lead to better opportunities down the road, a lower college dropout rate and in turn create a better society for the next generation. “Students should take the ACT at a learning center or online their sophomore year

Loveland

Calendar

Day 21 — Ironman 22 — Required Sunday School 24-29 — Thanksgiving home leave DECEMBER 6 — S.A. Banquet 12 — Christmas Music Program 13 — Required Sunday School, ACT Testing 15-17 — Semester Exams 18-Jan 3 — Christmas Vacation JANUARY 10 — Scholarship brunch 11 — L.E. appreciation 15-17 — RMC Bible Conference 19 — Pepsi Center basketball 20 — Career Day, Juniors and Seniors 22-23 — Music Tour 24 — SAT Testing 29-30 — Senior Recognition and Talent show

Two parts to smart: Will your student be college-ready? Here’s some unsettling information: Just because your student can remember math formulas or the timeline of World War II doesn’t mean they’re ready for college. In fact, brain experts will tell you that there are actually two parts to smart – knowledge and IQ – and you need both of them to get into the top colleges and universities. So what’s the difference? Knowledge is information gained from learning, studying and memorizing academic material, such as historical facts, grammar or mathematical equations. IQ is a measure of intelligence, including things like spatial reasoning, logical ability and relationships. Where once IQ was thought to be a stagnant number (e.g. you were born with your IQ), brain researchers now know that it can actually be increased by strengthening cognitive skills. “A student’s cognitive skill set is made up of several mental skills, including auditory and visual processing, short- and long-term memory, comprehension, logic and reasoning, and attention skills,” explains Dr. Ken Gibson, author of “Unlock the Einstein Inside; Applying New Brain Science to Wake Up the Smart in Your Child.” “Unfortunately, many people believe that kids that have memorized a lot of academic information – such as facts, figures and formulas – will automatically do well in college because they did well on their final exams. The truth is, learning isn’t just about how much you know, but how effectively you process or handle the information you receive. Cognitive skills are the mental mechanisms that process incoming information. By strengthening cognitive skills, you’ll create a stronger learner, which is what’s needed to succeed in college and beyond.” In fact, IQ scores are sometimes used as predictors of educational achievement. The Princeton Review published a 2003 study about cognitive skills rankings calculated using an SAT to IQ Estimator. College freshmen who scored in the top 19 percent in terms of cognitive skills among their peers were accepted into state colleges. Those in the top 9 percent for cognitive skills were accepted into private colleges. But only those ranking in the top 0.2 percent were accepted into Ivy League universities.

Cognitive skills also play a leading role in financial success after college. College graduates who ranked in the bottom 24 percent for cognitive skills were only earning $11,000 to $28,000 per year by age 30. Those in the bottom 25 to 74 percent were earning $44,600 average by age 30. By age 30, those with cognitive skills in the top 75 to 95 percent of their peers were earning $59,900 on average. And the top 5 percent were earning $82,900 per year by age 30. “This study really demonstrates the importance of strong mental skills not only for getting into college, but in terms of financial success after college,” says Tanya Mitchell, Director of Training for LearningRx, a national brain training franchise. “I think it’s common for parents to believe that if their student is getting A’s and B’s in high school, that’s probably what they’ll get in college. The truth is that college is much more difficult and memorizing material from books just isn’t going to cut it anymore. Students need strong cognitive skills like logic and reasoning, faster processing speed, problem solving skills and prioritizing in order to not only keep up in college, but to excel.”

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Although Mitchell says that some college prep courses can be helpful, she points out that they’re not about strengthening cognitive skills. “Most of them are focused on academic materials and study habits, not strengthening learning skills. The only way to really strengthen cognitive skills to prepare a student for college is through intense one-on-one brain training with a cognitive skills expert.”

Don’t settle for another disappointing school year.

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TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

SEPTEMBER 2-6 — Senior Survival 13 — ACT Testing, Juniors 18 — Outdoor Club/Bio Field Studies Trip

OCTOBER 2-3 — Music Tour 4 — Required Sunday gymnastics (acrosports), inavailable for students in a School certain income bracket. dustrial arts (auto mechanics, 6-11 — Home Leave CAD drafting, welding, Athletics: Campion be7-11 — WWC Soccer woodworking), Koinonia longs to the Colorado High Campion Tour nament School Activities Association traveling choir, Mountain 14 — S.A. Fall Party Academy Echoes Concert Chorale, Teh (CHSAA), and play varsity 18 — Mud Dog Race The mission statement of and junior varsity sports with Campanas hand bell choir, 22-25 — MUAC Volleyball Campion Academy is “Expe- other private schools in the music theory, string ensemTour nament riencing Christ in a Learning area, while glorifying God ble, private lessons, art, 25 — ACT Testing, Seniors Environment.” The students through our athletic perforMountain Echoes Yearbook, 30-31 — 30 Hour Famine attend a Bible/Religious mances. The teams they of- and student literature minclass each year they attend. istry. fer are soccer, volleyball, NOVEMBER Grades: 9-12 baseball and basketball. 1 — UC College Days Lunch Options: Full time Web site: 2-4 — CogAT Testing, Extra-curricular activicafeteria with three meals a www.campion.net. freshmen and juniors ties: Christian programming day (included in Board) 6-8 — Parents/GrandparTuition: $8,670/year, and activities, community ents weekend $13,580 for room/board/tu- service activities, men's and 7 — School Madrigal ition and entrance fee. A ladies' clubs, outdoor club, AUGUST 9-14 — Week of Prayer Commonweal Foundation sports clubs and bicycling. 10 — Community Service Specialty classes include 23 — Registration Pathways Scholarship is

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With up to 40% of incoming college freshman failing to graduate at some universities, how do you know if your student is college-ready? Nationally recognized cognitive skills tests such as the Woodcock-Johnson III can help you determine if your student is college-ready and also help you pinpoint where improvement is needed. There is no denying that you want the best for your student and that going to college can make a big difference in their life. Improving your student’s cognitive skills can make a big difference in their success at college. There are two parts to smart, knowledge and IQ. To be collegeready, and to get the most out of college, take care of both. Sources: 1.“Unlock the Einstein Inside; Applying New Brain Science to Wake Up the Smart in Your Child” by Dr. Ken Gibson

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3. “The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life”The Free Press 1994 (Salary estimates adjusted to 2005 dollars)

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AUGUST 19 — School begins SEPTEMBER 7 — No school 10-11 — Outdoor school for grades 5-8 20 — Fall festival 21 — No school 28 — ITBS testing

SEPTEMBER 10 — All school picture day 11 — PTF swim party 30-Oct. 2 — RMD Teacher’s Conference, no school

OCTOBER MARCH 12-14 — 6th grade outdoor 4-8 — Copper Ski/Snoweducation board trip 27 — Bible bowl OCTOBER 7 — Required Sunday 29 — K-8 parent / teacher 7-9 — Fall break School conferences, noon dismissal 29 — Parent / teacher con11-22 — Mission Trip 30 — Parent / teacher conferences, no school 12-21 — Spring Break ferences, no school 25-27 — RMC Music Fest NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 26-27 — Parents’ weekend 23-27 — Thanksgiving va21 — Christmas bazaar, 9-3 28-30 — Acrosports tour cation p.m. APRIL 25-27 — Thanksgiving DECEMBER 7-11 — Music tour break 10 — Christmas program 11 — ACT Testing 21-Jan.1 — Christmas vaDECEMBER 12-17 — Week of prayer cation 9 — 1-5th grade Christmas 14 — Community service dress rehearsal J A N UA RY 15-17 — Soccer and base10 — 1-5th grade Christ4 — Return to school ball tournaments mas program 18 — Pepsi Center day 18-19 — Academy Days 16 — Pre and K dress reand required Sunday school FEBRUARY hearsal at Chapel 10-12 — Winter break 20-27 — Senior trip 17 — Pre and K Christmas 20-25 — Home Leave MARCH programs 30-2 — Acrosports tour 5 — Visitation day 18 — Dismiss at noon MAY 2 — Freshman / Sophomore parties 6-9 — Moab biology studies trip 15 — Choir Concert, Acrosports Homeshow 16 — S.A. Picnic 22 — Mountain church 23 — Music brunch, pops concert and scholar’s reception 24-26 — Final exams 26 — Junior / Senior banquet 28-30 — Graduation weekend

15-19 — Spring break 24 — Parent / teacher / student conferences 25-27 — Music festival

APRIL 24 — No school 29 — Track and Field day MAY 18 — Awards night 20 — Kindergarten graduation 25 — 8th grade graduation 26 — Last day of school

21-Jan. 3 — Christmas break JANUARY 7 — National geography bee 18 — Martin Luther King Junior day, no school 28 — K-8 parent / teacher conferences, noon dismissal 29 — K-8 parent / teacher conferences, no school

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TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

FEBRUARY 15 — President’s day, no school 17 — Kindergarten roundImmanuel up Lutheran School 18 — ILS Spelling Bee Immanuel Lutheran School 22-26 — ITBS Testing HMS Richards offers students and families a 25-26 — Preschool parent quality Christian education Adventist School / teacher conferences, no experience. The Bible is HMS Richards Adventist preschool School has been founded to studied alongside literature, MARCH history, music and math. provide an environment for 8-12 — National Lutheran Grades: Pr eK-8 Christian Education. The proschool week Web site: www. gram is designed to provide 12 — Northern Colorado immanuelloveland.org/ an education that is thorspelling bee T uition: Varies by grade oughly Christian; challenging 16 — Nurturing the faith level, scholarships available each student to grow in conference, no school Athletics: Immanuel ofChrist-likeness, as evidenced 20 — Dinner auction by spiritual, academic, physi- fers a complete athletic pro23 — Volunteer recognigram beginning in 5th grade cal and personal maturity. tion which includes soccer, volGrades: PreK-8 24 — 4-5th grade spring leyball, basketball and track. Web site: dress rehearsal Extra-curricular activiwww.hmsrichards.net 25 — 4-5th grade spring Tuition: $299 for a mem- ties: Spanish is taught in program Kindergarten through 8th ber of the constituency 29-April 5 — Spring break grade and middle school stuchurch, Campion SDA dents choose elective classes MAY Church and $390 for a non5 — Band concert member of the constituency for each semester such as yearbook / journalism, mock 6 — National day of prayer church. Scholarships are trial, concert band, leader14 — Middle school spring available through the ACE ship, technology, net sports, fling, elementary school field Scholarship program. lego robotics, speech, bridge day Athletics: Through the 19 — Preschool graduation Northern Colorado Indepen- building, and cooking. Lunch: A daily hot lunch 20 — Eighth grade graduadent League, kids in grades program is offered. tion 5-8 can play soccer, basket21 — Dismiss at noon ball, track and volleyball after school. 24 — Kindergarten graduation Extra-curricular activiAUGUST 24-28 — Eighth grade class ties: Field trips during the 17 — New family / orientrip year and music classes tation night 26 — Last day of school, Lunch: Hot lunch for 19 — School begins (K-8, dismiss at 11 a.m. $2.50 served 3 days a week. Fantastic 4’s, Fabulous 5’s)

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FEBRUARY 3-7 — MUAC Music Festival 7 — Required Sunday School 9-14 — Home Leave 17-21 — UC Basketball tournament 19-21 — Winter Campout 22 — Student week of prayer

St. John the Evangelist Catholic School In communion with family, St. John the Evangelist Catholic school provides a respectful Catholic environment dedicated to developing the whole child through academic achievement, personal responsibility and the formation of faith-filled citizens in a place where Christ is ever present. Grades: PreK-8 Web site: www.school.saintjohns.net Tuition: Varies and scholarships are available. Athletics: Basketball, track, volleyball and other sports through city leagues. Extra-curricular activities: Chess, speech, drama, math counts, river watch, National Honor Society, spelling bee and choir.

Lunch: Homemade meals are offered every day.

Calendar AUGUST 14 — New Family Pizza 24 — First day of school, early release SEPTEMBER 2 — Early release 4 — Principal’s coffee 9 — PTO meeting 24 — School pictures OCTOBER 2 — Principal’s coffee 7 — Early release 9 — Educator’s conference, no school 12 — Columbus day, no school 14 — PTO meeting 24 — Halloween carnival 26 — Pinning ceremony NOVEMBER 4 — Early release 6 — Principal’s coffee 11 — PTO meeting

11 — Patriotic concert 13 — Parent / teacher conferences, no school 16 — Local holiday 25 — Early release 26-27 — Thanksgiving break DECEMBER 2 — Early release 4 — Principal’s coffee, STUCO Movie night 9 — PTO meeting 17 — Christmas concert 18 — Early release 21-Jan 1 — Christmas break JANUARY 6 — Early release 8 — Principal’s coffee 30 — Sock hop FEBRUARY 1-5 — Catholic schools week 3 — Early release 4 — Open house 10 — PTO meeting 12 — Principal’s coffee

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Why Saint John the Evangelist School? • St. John The Evangelist strives for it’s graduates to be faith ﬁlled

• individuals, St. John thelifelong Evangelist strives for it’s graduates to be faithactive community learners, effective communicators, members and problem solvers by providing an exceptional filled individuals, lifelong learners, effective communicators, ors, and challenging academic active community membersenvironment. and problem solvers by • The 2008 Iowa Standards and Testchallenging shows that academic St. John providing an exceptional students are performing 1-4 grade levels above their environment. grade level in reading, math, science and social • studies. The 2007 Iowa Standards Test shows that St. John students are year performing grade levels for above their • New for this - Junior1-4 Kindergarten students ages 4-5. grade level in reading, math, science and social studies. gives back to our community by •• Every 3 of 4class Loveland area students who qualified for the 2007 7 participating State Science Fair were from St. John the Evangelist. in a service project. Johnclass thegives Evangelist School is by in thea North • St. Every back toCatholic our community byaccredited participating serviceCentral project. Association. All teachers are state certiﬁ ed. • St. John the Evangelist Catholic School is accredited by the North Central • St. John the Evangelist has completed the preschool expansion and new Association. and All teachers are state certified. gymnasium, newly renovated cafeteria, technology center & library. • St. John the Evangelist has completed the preschool expansion and our new gymnasium was dedicated in October 2007! Come see our new facilities! Pre 8th schoolGrad e!!!

1730 West 12th Street • Loveland 635-5830 • www.school.saintjohns.net http://school.saintjohns.net N otice of Student Nondiscrimination Policy: The Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Denver, under the jurisdiction of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. cap. and at the direction of the Secretary for Catholic Schools, state that all their Catholic schools admit students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made with Archdiocesan Policy

We invite you to come and take a look at what this investment might mean to your family.

Athletics: Programs through other schools such as soccer, volleyball, basketball and baseball. Lunch: Students bring lunch

Calendar AUGUST 24 — School begins DECEMBER 19-Jan.3 — Christmas break MAY 27 — School ends

Front Range Baptist Academy

The primary purpose of Front Range Baptist Academy is to give students an excellent education and to MAY train them in the knowledge 6 — Walk-a-thon of God and a Christian way 7 — Staff development, of life. They employ tradino school tional teaching methods us10 — Finals week for ing quality Christian curricumiddle school lum taught by well-quali12 — PTO Meeting fied, caring teachers. 14 — Principal’s coffee Grades: PreK - 12 20 — 8th grade graduaWeb site: www.fron tion trangebaptist.org/school 21 — Field day Tuition: K-4 and K-5 half JUNE day —$185 monthly; K-4 2 — Talent show and K-5 full day-$235 3 — Last day for students monthly; Elementary — $345 month. Secondary — $365 monthly. Families with multiple children enrolled get discounted rates. Athletics: Front Range Baptist Academy maintains an active inter-scholastic sports program competing Cornerstone in girls’ and boys’ soccer, Christian School girls’ and boys' volleyball, Cornerstone Christian of- girls’ and boys’ basketball, fers a personal, flexible, and and girls’ cheerleading and self-paced program, which maintains membership in is only possible because en- the Front Range Christian rollment is limited to around Athletic Association. 20 students. Students at all Extra-curricular activigrade levels can learn at ties: We offer band and their own speed in each choir to elementary and secsubject. They also have ondary students. Drama and classes that instruct students art are offered to secondary according to ability, not ac- students. FRBA competes in cording to their established the Colorado Association of grade level. As a Christian Christian Schools fine arts school they also emphasis and academic competition. certain religious perspecLunch: No lunch protives and standards that grams offered. would probably not be allowed to be enforced in a public school setting. SCHOOL START DATES Grades: 2-12 Elementary Orientation Web site: www.corner (9a – 11a) August 20 stone-fortcollins.org Secondary Orientation ( Tuition: Attendance of 9a – 11a) August 21 20 hours a week is considFirst Day of Classes ered full time and rates are (Elem/Sec) August 24 adjusted for part-time work. Kindergarten Orientation Grades 7-12 — First child August 28 in family: $230.00, second First Day of Classes child in family: $220.00, (Kindergarten) August 31 third child in family: $210.00. SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AND INTERMISSIONS Grades 4-6 — First child Labor Day — September in family: $220.00, second 7 child in family: $210.00, CACS Teacher’s Conferthird child in family: ence — October 8-9 $200.00. Thanksgiving — NovemGrades 2-3 — First child ber 25-27 in family: $210.00, second Christmas Break — Dechild in family: $200.00, cember 21-January 4 third child in family: $190.00. Martin Luther King Day

Fort Collins

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TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

Awesome Pedodontics Of Loveland

MARCH 3 — Early release 5 — Principal’s coffee 8-12 — ITBS, ACRE Testing 10 — PTO meeting 15-19 — Spring break 25 — Spring concert APRIL 2-5 — Easter break 7 — Early release 7 — Kindergarten roundup 8-9 — St. Malo, 8th grade 14 — PTO meeting 23-24 — Middle school musical

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19 — Parent / teacher conferences, no school 22 — Leadership day 26 — Living the Catholic faith conference

Calendar

tion in all academic areas. They use a proven curriculum to formulate challenging educational plans that ensure successful learning for each child. Grades: PreK-5 Web site: www.oakwoodabc.com Tuition: $6750, Fees — $200 Registration Fee per Child, $50 Supply Fee for PK/Kinderkarten Class. Inquire about half-day programs and scholarship opportunities. Athletics: Oakwood offers physical education classes for all students as well as bowling, basketball and swimming programs for the older students. In addition, all students participate in a recreational running club daily. Extra-curricular activities: Spanish, vocal music, Suzuki violin lessons, orchestra, art, world art, physical education, Jr. Great Books, friendship circles and drama. Lunch: Students have the option of ordering lunches catered by local restaurants.

and testing go hand-in-hand. Class size – Kindergarten DECEMBER classes are limited to 18 stu3 - JH/HS Chirstmas proHeritage Christian dents in each class. First gram grade is limited to 25 per Academy 17 — Elementary Christclass and all other grades are mas program SPECIAL DATES Heritage Christian Acadelimited to 26 students in each 15-18 — Secondary finals Opening Revival (Secmy offers a Christ centered class. 18 — Christmas vacation ondary) — August 24-28 education. With the excepLeadership and Character Early Dismissal 1:30 (Eltion of AP classes, the bible is begins, half day Building - The school proem/Sec) — August 24-26 a part of the curriculum. vides leadership training that JANUARY Early Dismissal 11:30 Smaller class sizes ensure allows students to identify a 5 — School resumes (Kindergarten) — August 31- more one-on-one time with need and then participate in 18 — Martin Luther King September 4 the teachers. creatively helping to meet Junior day, no school School Picture Day — Grades: PreK-12 that need. RCS students acFEBRUARY September 9 Web site: tively participate in commu5-6 — HS one act play Parent Teacher Conferwww.heritagechristian.info nity and world outreach, 11 — First grade opera ences — October 26 Tuition: Pre-K for the year which in turn prepares each 12 — Teacher in-service, Fall Festival — November is $1,330. 1/2 day Kinderof them to be a positive part no school 6 garten is $2,410, full day is of their future community 15 — President’s day, no CACS Music Festival — $4,240. Elementary 1-6th and workplace. school November 20 grade is $4,460. Junior High Grades: PreK-12 Alumni Game — Novem- (7-8th) is $5,025 and High Web site: MARCH ber 24 School (9-2th) is $5,670.00. www.rcschool.org 4 — Art and music proElementary Christmas ProAthletics: Golf, volleyball, gram Tuition: Registration Fee gram — December 10 boys and girls basketball, of $400 per student (max. of 11 Parent / teacher conferSecondary Christmas Pro- soccer, spring baseball at the ences, Elementary $1,000 per family), $25 adgram — December 17 junior high and high school missions testing fee (for new 12 — Math Olympics Spirit Week — January 19- level. students only). 15-19 — Spring break 22 Lunch: Balanced lunches Kindergarten: APRIL offered for $2.75. Evening of Fine Arts — Half Day M-F (AM or PM) 8 — 4-6 grade program February 18 — $2,420 16-19 — Easter holiday Spaghetti Supper & Talent 5 Day Enrichment — 22-24 — JH/HS drama Show — March 5 $4,840 AUGUST production CACS — March 11-12 3 Day Enrichment — 18 — K-12 first day of Senior Trip (Tentative) — MAY $3,700 school Check Web site for updated Mar 29-Apr 3 6 — HCA Variety show Elementary (Grades 1-5): 19 — Preschool first day school calendar. Drama Presentation — Apr 13 — 2-3 grade spring pro$3,950 SEPTEMBER 24 gram Middle School (Grades 6Resurrection 7 — Labor day, no school Elementary Spring Concert 24-27 — Secondary finals 8): $4,390 — May 6 26 — Kindergarten gradu- Christian School High School (Grades 9-12): OCTOBER Junior / Senior Banquet — ation $4,655 The school offers several 19-20 — Parent / teacher May 7 27 — 8th grade graduation educational options different Athletics: RCS is a memconferences Secondary Spring Concert 28 — Last day of school ber of CHSAA, giving teams from public education: NOVEMBER — May 13 half day, senior graduation the opportunity to advance Curriculum/Testing 6 — Prep for ACSI AccredSports Banquet — May 15 Rather than doing CSAPs and to districts, regionals and Early Dismissal 12 p.m. — itation, half day Oakwood School having the pressure of teach- state tournaments. 10-13 — ACSI AccreditaMay 18-21 Middle School Athletics Oakwood School special- ing to a test, Resurrection tion visit Kindergarten Graduation izes in individualized instruc- Christian School’s curriculum Program includes: 19-21 — JH/HS drama — May 18 Junior Jamboree / Last Day production 25-27 — Thanksgiving of School — May 21 — January 18 President’s Day — Feb 15 Spring Break — March 1519 Good Friday — April 2

High School Graduation — May 22

break

Calendar

Robert C. Schulte DPM

Resurrection Christian School (RCS) is the largest private school in Northern Colorado, serving families and students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Resurrection Christian School is a college preparatory school, utilizing exceptional state of the art facilities including three complete computer labs, smart boards in the classroom, and innovative technology throughout the entire campus.

Michael J. Burns Chad M. Knutsen DPM DPM

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Our young people are learning that making good decisions today lays the foundation for building a future full of opportunities. The RCS faculty, staff, and Board are committed to opening doors of opportunity so that each student may experience success – academically, socially, and spiritually.

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

family and their community.

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Sports Injuries & Prevention

Calendar

• Girls volleyball, basketball, cross country and soccer •Boys football, basketball, cross country and baseball High School Athletics Program includes: • Girls volleyball, basketball, cross country and soccer •Boys football, basketball, baseball, cross country and golf Extra-curricular activities: Elementary: Leadership and Character Building Programs, Mission and Service Projects, First LEGO league, Odyssey of the mind, Math Olympics, Spelling Bee, Speech Meet, Cougar Chorus (choir and drama), Weekly Chapel, Spanish (beginning in 3rd grade) High School and Middle School: Drama, Choir, Band, Student Council, Weekly Chapel, Foreign Language, Business and Internships, AP courses, Honor Society, Mission and service projects, Senior Mission trip to Belize, Art, spelling, and math district competitions, Science fair, World fair Lunch: The hot lunch program that serves breakfast, lunch and after school snacks to K-12th graders Monday through Thursday.

Calendar

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

AUGUST 18 — First day of school SEPTEMBER 25 — Annual Gala 30 — College Fair OCTOBER 3 — High School Homecoming 8-9 — First quarter parent teacher conferences 14 — PSAT testing, Juniors 26-30 — Fall break, no school NOVEMBER 25-27 — Thanksgiving break DECEMBER 11 — Christmas store

21- Jan. 4 — Christmas break JANUARY 18 — Martin Luther King day, no school FEBRUARY 15 — President’s Day, no school

soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track and field Extra-curricular activities: Theatre, Music, Chess, Madrigal Choir, Mock-Trial and Science Bowl. Lunch: No lunch program offered

Calendar

MARCH For a day-by-day calendar, 7 — RCS open house follow the calendar link on 11 — Third quarter parent the school’s Web site. / teacher conferences 15-19 — Spring break APRIL 2 — Good Friday, no school 12-15 — SAT Testing

Rivendell School

Rivendell school offers individualized academics with progression based on child's ability and comprehension of the academic discipline. MAY All PK-5th graders have in24-26 — Finals 25 — Eighth grade gradu- struction in Spanish, German, physical education, art, ation and high school music and computers weekawards night 26 — Last student day — ly. There is a low teacher to student ratio and multi-aged Not so traditional field day classrooms. and all school BBQ Grades: PreK-5 28 — Jr/Sr banquet Web site: 29 — High school graduawww.rivendell-school.org tion Tuition: The tuition for one elementary aged child is Ridgeview $6350, plus registration and Classical School supply fees fees. Preschool, Ridgeview Classical based on a 5-day enrollschool offers an education ment, $7300, plus fees. that prepares students for There are also 3- and 4-day the 21st century by options for preschool. studying the wisdom of the There is a multiple child last 25 centuries and an edu- discount. cation that cares for the Athletics: Students use character of its students as city programs or other esmuch as it cares for their in- tablished public sport tellect. clubs. The classical environment Extra-curricular activichallenges all students to ties: Along with before and achieve their academic poafter school care, they offer tential and a classical cura rotation of Special classes riculum not driven by test which cover art, Chinese, scores. Teachers are hired math, computer or yoga. based on their qualification Lunch: Hot lunches may to teach at the highest possi- by purchased, catered by loble level. cal eateries. There are high expectations of teachers and students and grade inflation or AUGUST social promotion. There is 24 — School begins also a small school atmosphere on a closed campus NOVEMBER with a dress code. 25-27 — Thanksgiving Grades: K-12 Break Web site: www.ridgeview DECEMBER classical.com 21-Jan.1 — Winter break Tuition: No tuition for MARCH this charter school Athletics: Middle school 15-19 — Spring break

Home school Support

Calendar

MAY 28 — Last day of school

Saint Joseph School

Picture Day — September 29 Fall Festival — October 2 Focus (Gr. 6) — October 5 Red Ribbon Week — October 26-30 Open House — October 28 Spirit Auction / Dinner — November 7 Book Fair — December 4 Open House — January 13 Catholic Schools Week — January 25-29 Standardized Testing — (Iowa) February 8-12 ACRE Testing — (Gr. 5-9) March 8-12 School Class Pictures — April 8 Math Bowl — April 19 Spring Book Fair — April 20-23 Elementary Track Meet — May 6 & 8 Rendezvous (4th Grade) — May 20 Field Day — May 28 Last Day of School — May 28

Saint Joseph Catholic School offers a faith-based education. The mission of Saint Joseph Catholic School is to build a spiritual foundation upon which our students develop Catholic morals and values while they achieve academic excellence. Grade: PreK-8 Web site: www.stjosephchurch fc.org/school.html Tuition: Annual tuition is $3800 ($317 per month) and tuition assistance is available. Athletics: Fall — Girls volleyball, 5th-8th; Boys Soccer, 6th-8th Winter — Girls basketball, 6th-8th; boy’s basketball — 6th-8th Spring — Girls and boys District Track, 4th-6th Girls and Boys Track, 7 th8th Extra-curricular activities: Specialty classes include music, band, art, Spanish, library, and health. Extra curricular activities in- SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Labor Day — September clude sports, Student council 7 and Odyssey of the Mind. Lunch: Daily meals are Thanksgiving Recess — offered for $2.25. November 25-27 Christmas Recess — December 21-January 1 SUMMARY OF QUARTERS Martin Luther King, Jr. 1st Quarter — August 18- Day — January 18 October 16 President’s Day February 2nd Quarter Octobrt 19— 15 January 8 Spring Break March — 153rd Quarter — January 19 11-March 26 4th Quarter — March 29Easter Break April — 2-5 May 28 Memorial Day — May 31 SPECIAL DATES PARENT CONFERENCES Orientation Day — AuAND STAFF DEVELOPMENT gust 17 Parent / Teacher ConferFirst Day of School — Auences — October 22 gust 18 Living the Catholic Faith Parish/School Picnic — August 30 Conference (open to pubECO Week (6th Grade) — lic) — February 26 September 2-4 Parent / Teacher ConferBack-to-School Night — ences — April 15 September 10

Calendar

ACTIVITIES FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR: August 28-29 — Whole-Hearted Ministries Conference at Group Publishing August 31 — School-year kick-off, 7 p.m. at Galilee Baptist Church with Wayne & Wingnut ( a Christian ventriloquist.) September 21 — Family Meeting at Galilee Agape Family Schools Baptist, 7 p.m., topic is Learning Styles 101 This home school group offers monthly October 26 — Family Meeting at Galilee family meetings (last Monday of the month at Baptist, 7 p.m., topic is a homeschooling phi7 p.m.) that encourage and support local homeschoolers. Agape also offers field trips, a losophy panel discussion November 30 — Family Meeting at Galilee short-term co-op, speakers and a membersBaptist, 7 p.m., topic TBD only library that contains curriculum, how-to books, and many teacher helps. January 25 — Family Meeting at Galilee Baptist, 7 p.m., topic TBD Web site: www. agapefamilyschools.org January 29-March 5 — Electives (short-term) Co-op Fees: An annual fee of $30 per family

March 5 — Family Meeting at Orchards Baptist, 7 p.m., an electives (co-op) extraveganza March 12-13 — HIM Conference (homeschool curriculum fair) at the Ranch/Exhibition Hall March 29 — Family Meeting at Galilee Baptist, 7 p.m., topic is exploring nature with your children April 26 — Family Meeting at Galilee Baptist, 7 p.m., topic is TBD May 17 — End-of-the-Year Picnic and Recognition Night Agape also offers organized teen nights, home school pool parties, park days and field days.

Transportation center getting ready to roll

be filtered and reused for future washing. “One of the biggest things for us is the large group room with adequate space for meetings with department personnel and a larger training room so that we can perform training for first aid on site,” Crom added. Plus, a transaction counter between the dispatcher and maintenance areas enhances communication for improved scheduling of buses. “Drivers will have the ability to communicate directly with their service advisor to increase efficiency and to track the status of buses in for maintenance in a better manner,” she said. The district hired Fleet Manager Terry Ruddick to manage vehicle maintenance. He comes to Thompson from St. Vrain where he had 20 years’ experience working with their district buses and white fleet. “We’re excited for our employees,” Crom said. Meeting, training and break room facilities are outstanding, she noted, and

Shown above are interior and exterior views of the new transportation facility. the new facility has surveillance and a more secure entry system. “This is a real step up for the district – being able to have direct control over the services that are required,” she said. Also included at this site will be a separate building housing the carpenter and grounds shop as well as a grounds storage area. The carpenter’s workshop used to be housed at the old Ferguson High School site.

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he new Transportation Services Center is scheduled to open this summer providing needed expansion for the department that oversees student transportation and the “white fleet” of district service vehicles. The new facility at 2500 E. 13th Street houses offices, meeting rooms, vehicle maintenance bays for buses and service vehicles, and a large group meeting room that can accommodate 150 people. The district long ago outgrew its leased space at the City of Loveland’s property at Wilson Avenue and 1st Street. LKA Partners Architects from Colorado Springs designed the building and Golden Triangle Construction is the contractor for the site at 2500 E. 13th Street. With the new facility comes the ability for the district to maintain its own vehicles. “This allows us to better control cost and to expedite service and repairs of district vehicles,” said Nansi Crom, director of Transportation Services. It will include nine service bays and space for staging and dispatch of 120 school buses. Bond Administrator Jay Earl said the facility includes a state-of-the-art water recovery system so that when buses are washed, much of the water can

How much homework is too much?

Jupiter Images

Valerie Strauss The Washington Post

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

ackpack bulging, worksheets galore, read this, study that ... all after seven hours in school already. If you think kids are the only ones who disagree with teachers about the need for homework, you may be surprised to learn that many parents don’t like homework any more than their kids do. A new survey shows that parents and teachers don’t always agree on why homework is assigned — or how involved parents should be in helping their kids get it done. Ask kids about the dreaded “H” word and you’ll hear something similar to what Sabrina Martin, a third-grader, said. “I’d rather not do it, but I know I have to,” said Sabrina, 8. Teachers say homework is important in the learning process and can help kids develop study and organizational skills. They say kids need to practice what they’ve learned in school so that the material sticks in their brain. Some teachers say they give homework to get parents involved in the learning process. “My hope is that they will have a conversation with their kids about the homework so it is not just a drill,” said Sue Ann Gleason, a first-grade teacher. There is a big debate among educators about how much homework, and what kind of homework, really helps kids learn. Harris Cooper, who is a professor of education and psychology at Duke University, is an expert

most teachers don’t think parents are involved enough. Sabrina said she doesn’t ask her parents to help her much at all — and that’s the way her teacher wants it. “We are not allowed to ask our parents” for help, Sabrina said, “unless it is a challenge. She wants to see what we can do by ourselves.” One of the big homework issues is exactly how much makes sense to help kids learn. Researcher Cooper says studies show that up until fifth grade, homework should be very limited. Kids in middle school shouldn’t be spending more than 90 minutes a night on homework. In high school, the limit is two hours, Cooper said. Cooper also has a little advice for elementary school teachers doling out homework to kids: Make the assignments fun. Teacher Gleason agreed. “The best homework is when I choose a piece of literature for a particular child because it will tickle his or her funny bone,” she said. “Learning should be fun.”

Get kicking with our school sports physicals. It isn’t too early to schedule your child’s physical exam so call today to make your appointment at any of our convenient clinic locations. Please be prepared with the following:

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald 30

on homework. He said there is very little evidence that most homework in elementary school helps kids learn. Reading is important, he said. There are some studies showing that kids in grades two through five do better on tests when they complete short assignments that practice basic skills that will be on the test, he said. Those skills can be in any subject, he said, including math and spelling. Young kids should not get homework in areas that haven’t been completely explained in school. But a survey of parents and teachers showed that many parents believe teachers give homework to kids on subjects they haven’t learned well in school. In fact, 68 percent of the parents surveyed said that teachers use homework to cover material they haven’t had time to teach in class. Only 17 percent of teachers said that is why they assign homework. The survey also showed that a lot of parents wish they were less involved in homework. But

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Kid’s Expo Preview Expo will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on July 25 at the Chilson Senior Center in Loveland

List of Vendors *as of press time

Poudre Valley Health System Thompson Education Foundation EZ Keys Piano Studio Licensed Family Childcare Mail & Copy Aikido of Northern Colorado New Beginnings Outreach Loveland Music Us Kids Performing Dance Teams Thompson Soccer Association Adventure Dental The Learning Curve Thompson School District Fire It Up Ceramics Children’s Workshop Larimer County 4-H Bright Horizons Colorado Women’s Sports Fund Edge Sports Center Big Thompson Medical Group St. Johns the Evangelist Broadway Bound Resurrection Christian School Dawson Chiropractic EDUSS Enviropest Arpeggio Music Walmart Vision Center Learning Rx Loveland Pre-School

Kid’s Expo Seminar Schedule Seminar location: Patio Time

Business

Seminar Topic

9:45-10:15 a.m.

Aikido of Northern Colorado

10:30-11 a.m.

Broadway Bound Dance Academy

Dance show and demonstration

11:15-11:45 a.m.

Arpeggio Music

Guitar demonstration

Martial arts demonstration

Seminar location: Dry Craft Room Time 9:45-10:15 a.m.

Business Dawson Chiropractic

10:30-11 a.m. 11:15-11:45 a.m.

EZ Keys Piano Eduss

Seminar Topic Growing healthy children Piano demonstration with Candy Russell Home education

Seminar previews 9:45-10:15 a.m. in the Dry Craft Room

9:45-10:15 a.m. on the patio

With an emphases on growing healthy children, Dawson Chiropractic will give parents healthful tips for their kids. The seminar will focus on nutritional and general health tips on helping children to be as healthy as possible. The demonstration will give parents insight into what their children need to truly blossom.

Aikido, a non-competitive and non-violent Japanese martial art, will be demonstrated by children ages 7-12. The technique focuses on taking an opponent down by using their own energy and is largely based on balance. It is similar to a dance. The children doing the presentation have been practicing for less than six months. Aikido stresses self restraint, however, and teaches children to walk away first.

EZ Keys Piano

Broadway Bound

Get an introduction to an innovative new method of learning piano — Simply Music — taught at EZ Keys Piano. Simply Music offers a new approach to learning piano and involves the use of tactile keyboards. Students don’t focus on reading music initially, but instead learn to play with both hands. Most students are able to learn 35-55 songs before getting into the music reading process. During the seminar, everyone will have the opportunity to learn a song.

For those in the mood for some spirited, choreographed dance, the Broadway Bound presentation should fit the bill. The group of dancers, just getting back from a dance competition in New York City, will entertain with four dances, including contemporary, jazz and lyrical dance styles. Broadway Bound offers both recreational and competitive dancing in a range of styles. Dancing classes include ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and many others. It’s offered for people all the way from 18 months to senior classes.

Eduss Learning

Arpeggio Music

10:30-11 a.m. in the Dry Craft Room

11:15-11:45 a.m. in Dry Craft Room

11:15-11:45 on the patio

Arpeggio music provides strain-free guitar lessons to students of all ages with an emphasis in proper technique and musical development with a path toward a career in music or to develop a lifelong enjoyment of music in its listening and in its performance. Adrian Yañez, who teaches the class, has taught guitar for over 25 years. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Park University with majors in Instrumental Music (Classical Guitar) and Music Education (K-12).

With an innovative online software program, Eduss Learning provides a home assessment engine and tutor for children. The system helps parents understand their children’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, and allows them to develop a plan to fill in those gaps. The Eduss system is also widely used as a tool to compliment what children are already learning in school. Eduss focuses on math, English and phonics. During the seminar, the audience will watch a demonstration of the system and watch how it can become an effective learning tool at home.

10:30-11 a.m. on the patio

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

Aikido

BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

Dawson Chiropractic

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BACK TO SCHOOL/Reporter-Herald

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

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