Important Parent Reminders
Please
call the attendance line at 328-4703 if your child will be absent form
school. Leave your child’s name, teacher’s
name, date, and the reason for the absence.
If you do not notify the office, the absence will not be unexcused. Also, if your child will be late or is
returning to school after an appointment, please walk your student
into the office and sign them in.
District 11 Board of Education Policy
states: “In order to help ensure that no
unauthorized persons enter buildings with wrongful intent, all visitors to the
schools will report to the school office when entering to receive authorization
before visiting elsewhere in the building.
The principal has final authority to authorize a visitor. This policy only applies during school
hours.” Therefore, all visitors must
report to the office and sign in before visiting
or volunteering in the school.
Box Tops for Education
Please
continue to clip and send in your Box Tops for Education. Box tops can be found on hundreds of
products. Visit www.boxtops4education.com for a
complete list of participating products. Collecting box tops is an easy way to earn
cash for our school at no additional cost to you. A collection bag is located in the hallway
next to the office.
King Soopers/Safeway Certificates
King
Soopers and Safeway grocery gift cards are available in the
office. Cards may be purchased at face
value and Steele earns five percent of the total sales. Buying and using grocery gift cards is a great way to help our school at no additional
cost to you. Purchases may be made
anytime during the school day.
School Lunches
If
you have questions about your child’s lunch account, please call the lunchroom
manager, Mrs. Alirez-Mimm, at 328-4732 and leave a message. She will return your call as soon as she can. District 11 Food and Nutrition Services has a
website containing healthy recipes, nutrition tidbits, fun food facts and
healthy lifestyle web sites that may be interesting for both students and
parents. Visit this web site at www.cssd11.k12.co.us/fns/nutrition_tidbits.htm.
School Choice Window
Don’t
forget that the choice permit window for District 11 closes on February 1st. If your child is currently a student on
permit at Steele and will be attending Steele next school year, please stop by
the office as soon as possible, to fill out a permit for the 2008-2009 school
year. All Steele neighborhood children
are guaranteed enrollment at Steele. If
you have friends who are interested in attending Steele, please tell them that
they may come to the school office through February
1st to have their child’s name put on a waiting list. We are proud of the fact that Steele
Elementary is a great place for children to learn!
Skate City
Please join us for Skate City Night on Thursday, January 17th,
from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, for an evening
of recreation and fun, at the Skate City
located at 1920 N. Academy Blvd. Watch for flyers to come home in your
student’s backpack.
Parent Sounding Board
The next Parent Sounding Board Meeting with
Dr. Bishop is on Thursday, January 10,
2008, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Tesla, 2560 International Circle. All District
11 parents are welcome and
are encouraged to bring to Dr. Bishop’s attention issues, general concerns,
questions and good things happening in D-11 schools. In turn, Dr. Bishop will share with parents
the latest information about programs and projects in D-11. Concerns about individual students are not
appropriate for the sounding board and are better addressed by the student's
school or the Division of Instruction.
Please call 520-2005 for directions or more
information.
Building Advisory Accountability Committee (BAAC)
Our November BAAC meeting,
held on the Tuesday before break, included in-depth discussion over a variety
of subjects including MAP testing data for 1-5th grade students. More
data on this will be available for us at the next meeting such as overall D11
data and comparison data for other schools in D11. We also plan to have an over
view of our writing program at Steele which follows a Writers’ Workshop model.
Additionally, we spoke of the need to get more information out to more of our
parents and a “Town Hall” type meeting will be (tentatively) held in
February. To really be effective, we
need to know what you want to know! Give
us your questions, concerns, suggestions, so that we can set up an agenda to
get the dialog flowing and the information to you. Look for more on these ideas after the
holidays. And speaking of the holidays,
since everyone and everything is happening in December, we will not hold a BAAC
meeting this month. Our next meeting
will be January 15, 2008, at 2:45 pm in the Steele Library. As always, please email or call me if you
have any ideas or thoughts of something you’d like to see addressed in our
January meeting. I can be reached at thelongshouse@yahoo.com , by phone at
471‑4752, or stop me at school. I
hope you all enjoy the upcoming holidays, spending lots of time with family and
friends.
Dana Keys
BAAC
Chairperson
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP)
The
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) at North/Palmer is a
five-year honors program. Entrance to
the program is by successful completion of a formal application process, and
qualified students new to the program may enter at anytime, on a
space-available basis.
In general the
MYP looks for students who have scored at or above 85% on nationally
standardized tests. Teacher
recommendations, grades over the past two years, writing and math samples from
the student and the student’s desire to participate are all part of the body of
evidence which is considered through the application process. The program stresses the development of a
well-rounded individual, and participation outside of school in activities such
as sports, music and the arts is encouraged. By IBO regulations all students must
participate in Foreign Language, PE, technology, and exploratory arts (Art, Drama and
Music) classes, as well
being actively involved in Community Service projects. To participate in the program, students must
take IB level classes in all areas.
Classes in all
grades of the MYP are presented at an accelerated rate with minimal repetition,
and homework is expected to be a regular part of the students’ schedules. You should anticipate an average of 1 to 1½
hours of homework per day. The program
works with the students to develop time management skills and study strategies
to enable them to make good choices in response to the many options they face.
There
will be a meeting for prospective students and parents on Thursday, January 10, 2008, at 7:00 pm in the North Middle School
Cafeteria. For those students and
parents who are unable to attend the meeting on January 10th,
another meeting will be held on Monday,
February 11, 2008, at 7:00 pm in the North Middle School Cafeteria.
Applications
are available in the office or on the North Middle School IB web site at http://www.d11.org/north/ib_@_north.htm The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, February 29, 2008. Applications should be turned into the IB
office at North Middle School.
Student-Centered Academic Interdisciplinary Lab (SAIL)
The School District 11 Student-Centered
Academic Interdisciplinary Lab (SAIL) program is a full-time gifted magnet
program for fourth through ninth grade students and is housed at five buildings
in District 11. The purpose of SAIL is
to engage and challenge gifted learners, incorporating project-based learning,
acceleration, inquiry thinking and integration of content. While the program addresses state content
standards, the pace is typically faster and the content explored at a deeper
level.
During January and February 2008, there
will be parent information meetings about the D-11 Student-Centered Academic
Interdisciplinary Lab (SAIL) program at the following sites:
Elementary:
Jan. 8, Stratton (gym), 2460 Paseo Rd.
Jan. 15, Fremont, 5110 El Camino Dr.
Middle School:
Jan. 17, West (auditorium), 1920 W. Pikes Peak Ave.
Jan. 22, Irving (auditorium), 1702 N. Murray Blvd
Feb. 12, Irving (auditorium), 1702 N. Murray Blvd
Feb. 13, West (auditorium), 1920 W. Pikes Peak Ave.
High School:
Jan. 24, Mitchell (Room 10), 1205 Potter Dr.
Time: All presentations will be held from 6:30-7:30
p.m.
SAIL application deadline: Applications
for the SAIL programs may be obtained at http://www.d11.org/GT/. The deadline for the SAIL applications is February 29, 2008.
Shadowing: Students may visit and shadow at interested
SAIL sites during February.
Contact: 520-2464
3rd Grade Blast OFF!
The third grades will be out
of the building for about 8 weeks while we travel through the universe studying
our new science unit on Our Solar System. With U.S. Passports in hand we will be landing
on the eight planets (and one dwarf planet) to discover first hand their
characteristics, properties and livability.
We will be sending home
postcards via the U.S. Postal Service to let you know that we are safe. What a great way to start the New Year! Our spaceship twinkles so look for us in the
Northern Sky!
Mrs. Couper and Mrs. Blum
Art Strokes
The art classes of Ms.
Ramirez’ have completed the Native American (or 1st Nation)
Theme. Projects include Kachinas, Cedar
Box, Parfleche, 2D “Mask”, and a Pueblo Pastel.
Take a moment to view their creativity.
The next Quarter classes of Martinez,
Graber, Couper, Utterback and Fuller will be focused on Africa
with projects created based on the large, ancient continent.
The following students’
artwork has been selected to represent Steele at the Air Academy Federal Credit
Union Art Contest/Exhibition at the Imagination
Celebration Place in the Citadel mall from January 15-24, 2008.
1st
Graders - Benji Wrubel
Isabella Janney
Katherine Hatch
5th
Graders - Bayliegh DeLarm
Ruby Zook
Makena Mueller
Emma Frantz
Loretta Ramirez
Art Specialist
Hunt/Whittier/Steele
Elementary
Steele Library News
Last month I focused on the
nine information literacy standards adopted by School
District 11. This month I
would like to discuss the six National Technology Standards for Students (K-12)
adopted by the state of Colorado and School District 11.
These standards represent what students should know and be able to do to
learn effectively and live productively in an increasingly digital world.
1.
Creativity and
Innovation
Students apply existing knowledge to generate new
ideas, products, or processes and create original works as a means of personal
or group expression. Students use models
and simulations to explore complex systems and issues that identify trends and
forecast possibilities.
2.
Communication and
Collaboration
Students interact, collaborate, and publish with
peers, experts or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
Students communicate information and
ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats
and develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with
learners of other cultures. Students
also contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems.
3.
Research and
Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and
use information. They plan strategies to
guide inquiry and locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and
ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. Students evaluate and select information
sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
4.
Critical
Thinking, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making
Students identify and define authentic problems and
significant questions for investigation.
They plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a
project. Students collect and analyze
data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions and use multiple
processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.
5.
Digital
Citizenship
Students advocate and practice safe, legal, and
responsible use of information and technology. They exhibit a positive attitude
toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and
productivity. Students demonstrate
personal responsibility for lifelong learning and exhibit leadership for
digital citizenship.
6.
Technology
Operations and Concepts
Students select and use applications effectively and
productively. They troubleshoot systems
and applications and transfer current knowledge to learning of new
technologies.
By collaborating closely with
classroom teachers and integrating these standards into classroom instruction,
my (our) goal is to help students become efficient and effective users of
library and technology resources. Next
month I will profile a fifth grade student and list technology experiences
fifth graders should have before going to middle school.
New Year Tidbits:
1.
Help! In order to facilitate a teaching model in
the library, I need parents to help students check in/out books and to shelve
books. If you can commit 1‑2 hours
a week, please let me know (328-4724).
2.
Parents can also
check books out of the library. See Mr.
Herr for an account number.
3.
Parent
Connection: Parents can access data
about their children concerning: contact information, attendance, transcripts,
grades, and more. Please see Mr. Herr
for login information.
4.
The school
calendar is a great place to find out what’s going on at Steele. It can be found at: www.d11.org/steele. Click on the Calendar icon.
Mike Herr
herrma@d11.org
328-4724
Music Notes
Congratulations to the Steele Stars
bands, orchestras and choir for a wonderful evening of music presented Tuesday,
December 18th! Your hard work
in the class room and practicing at home is paying off, so keep up the smart
work! Best wishes for even more success
in the second semester.
A reminder to the "Rising
Stars" Choir - if you will be caroling in the Steele community this
Thursday night, please attend rehearsal this Thursday, December 20th,
from 2:40-3:10, to review the songs to be used during caroling. All carolers and chaperones should meet at
Steele Thursday evening in the music room at 6:30, dressed warm with Santa hats
or caps, gloves or mittens and boots to keep warm! A music folder with music will be given to you
to carry and use while caroling. Please
return the folder to Ms. Stauffer when we finish caroling at our last stop.
We will leave Steele Elementary at 6:45
p.m. and finish our caroling at approximately 7:45 p.m. at 1829 Wood Ave
(corner of Wood and Fontanero), the home of Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Jenkins.
Choir parents are asked to help provide baked
goodies, marshmallows, cocoa mix, etc., and should call Mrs. Jenkins at
331-3663 to organize the drop-off of refreshments. Anyone willing to help Mrs. Jenkins may also
make these arrangements by contacting her at the same phone number. Parents of choir students should pick their
child up at the Jenkins' home between 8:00-8:30 p.m. Thank you for sharing the spirit of the
holidays among the families in the Steele community!
Any Steele Star student in 3rd, 4th or
5th grade that would like to join the "Rising Stars" Choir in January
should attend the first rehearsal which will be Wednesday, January 9th, 2008, from 2:40-3:40 pm in the
music room. An information sheet will be
sent home for parents to complete and then return the form at the next
rehearsal.
**Special
note to all choir students/parents:
Rehearsal days are changing from
Thursdays to Wednesdays due to conflicts with basketball. I will work with Mrs. Montoya to try and help
all 5th graders involved in the Shakespeare production as well. There will always be conflicts with
schedules, but we will try Wednesdays for choir rehearsal in the second
semester.
I thank all the Steele Star students for
your hard work this first semester and look forward to working with you the
rest of the year. I wish you all Happy
Holidays and a safe winter break! Musically
yours truly,
Vanessa R. Stauffer
Music Education Specialist
Teachers First
News First on Channels 5/30 hosts Teachers
First, a program to recognize and pay tribute to excellent teaching
professionals in southern Colorado. Once a month from September through May, a
teacher is chosen by a panel from nominations submitted to Channels 5/30. Nomination forms are available at koaa.com
or the station’s office at 530
Communications Circle, 632-5030.
Award recipients receive $500 from the
sponsors and a plaque and will be featured on News First on the second
Wednesday of each month during newscasts.
Qualifying individuals must currently
teach in a southern Colorado K-12 accredited public or private school and must not have been recognized by Teachers First
previously. Nominations are
accepted all year long and must include:
an official nomination form, one letter from the nominator, one letter
of recommendation from an individual not related to the teacher being
nominated, and one letter from the school principal or administrator.
