March, 2012 - PSD - Poudre School District

Riffenburgh Elementary School
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Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter
Page 1 Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter March, 2012
Important Dates
March 20-30 – 4 th /5 th TCAP
(formerly CSAP) testing,
11a.m.-12 noon – 3 rd 9-10 a.m.
March 26 – PTO Meeting, 6:30
in the Riffenburgh Media Center
April 5 – Class Pictures, beginning
at 9:00 a.m.
April 10 – Paint Box Theatre
Production assembly, 10:00
a.m. in the gym
April 12 – 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd Music
Program, 2:30 & 6:30 in the
gym
April 13-16 – NO SCHOOL,
Parent Teacher Conferences
and Collaboration Day
April 18 – Rollerland Skate
Party, 6-8 p.m. at Rollerland
April 27 – 5 th grade field trip to
Lesher IB Middle School, 9:30
-12
April 30 – PTO Meeting, 6:30
in the Riffenburgh Media Center
May 1 – Swallow Hill Music
assembly, 9:30 in the gym
May 7-11 – Teacher appreciation
Week
May 11 – NO SCHOOL-K-8
Teacher Work Day
May 17 – Field Day
May 18 – Wellness Carnival
Riffenburgh Attendance Line: 488-7936 This line is open 24 hours a day. Please call in
absences AND tardies before 8:30 am even if you have let the teacher know.
News from the Principal
4 th QUARTER OF 2011-12 SCHOOL YEAR Riffenburgh students have
returned rested and ready from Spring Break. 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th graders have been
focused on TCAP assessments , which they will have completed when this
newsletter arrives. We look forward to a busy final two months of the school
year, including a variety of special events. We know it will all go by very
quickly!
SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE The next meeting of
Riffenburgh’s School Accountability Committee is scheduled for 7:30 am,
Monday, April 2, in the school Library. During this SAC meeting we will
review Riffenburgh’s School Improvement Plan and our progress in the areas of
Math and Science. We also will look at staffing priorities and options for the
2012-13 school year. Please call Riffenburgh’s office (488-7935) if you are
interested in learning more about the School Accountability Committee.
SPRING CONFERENCES Teachers will be contacting parents of individual
students to schedule Spring Parent Teacher Conferences during the first two
weeks of April. Third quarter report cards were sent home with students on
Friday, March 23. Parents are always welcome to contact their child’s teacher to
compare notes on academic and social progress. We appreciate parental
involvement and support in our efforts to help all students achieve success.
continued

Page 2 Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter March, 2012
From the Principal (continued)
APRIL 16 COLLABORATION DAY Poudre School District’s 4 th Quarter Collaboration
Day takes place on Monday, April 16. Riffenburgh staff members
will be working on the next steps of implementing our International Baccalaureate
initiative throughout this non-attendance day for students.
First Graders Become Botonists
Important Dates
Continued
May 21 – PTO Meeting,
6:30 in the Media Center
May 24 – Field Day Rain
Date
May 25 – Citizenship Assembly,
10:35 in the cafeteria
May 28 – NO SCHOOL-
Memorial Day
June 1 – 5 th grade graduation
9:30 in the gym
June 1 – LAST DAY OF
SCHOOL, 11:30 release-
NO LUNCH
The first graders are welcoming spring by learning about plants.
This IB inquiry will investigate several questions.
How do plants grow and change
How can we care for plants
What is the importance of plants in our lives
Over the next few weeks, the first grade classrooms will be full of new plants. We
are looking forward to taking a plant observation walk to Edora Park to compare and
contrast different types of plants. This week, the first grade botonists have had an
opportunity to compare and plant seeds. It was fun to try and identify mystery
seeds. As we started this inquiry, students generated interesting inquiry questions.
For example,
How much water does a cactus need to survive
Which flowers can you eat
Can you tell what the plant will be from its seed
Does a plant always grow from a seed
Do plants breathe
Do all plants need sun to survive
First graders will enjoy two educational field trips. One will be to Bath Nursery
where we will learn about plants in our area. A second field trip will investigate
how seeds travel and what plants grow in Fort Collins. We are all looking forward to
these learning field trips. First graders love plants!

Page 3 Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter March, 2012
Dutch Mill Bulbs Fundraiser
Friday March 23rd-April 6 th
50% of all proceeds goes to Riffenburgh PTO
There is no item that is over $6.00.
The bulbs will be sent to us in April in time
for Spring planting.
Dutch Mill Bulbs guarantees all their bulbs.
Teachers Share the Strategies that Motivate
Children to Read
What if your child wants to read at school, but not at home
Here are some strategies teachers use to motivate kids to read:
Find irresistible books. Start with classics, such as Dr. Seuss.
If you're not sure which books are most popular, ask the teacher or a librarian.
Address problems immediately. If you notice your child is struggling with reading,
talk with his teacher.
Celebrate reading! Treat reading accomplishments as big successes, the same
way you might cheer for a soccer goal or clap for a piano piece.
Read together. These days, many computer games and toys teach about reading.
But nothing replaces a nurturing, enthusiastic parent.
Read every day. Listen to audio books with your child, giggle at newspaper comics,
read aloud, and attend library events.
Reprinted with permission from the March 2012 issue of Parents make the difference!®
(Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2012 The Parent Institute®,
a division of NIS, Inc. Source: B. Inglesby, "Creating a Lifelong Reader,"
Mom's Homeroom, http://momshomeroom.msn.com/articles/6/28839153.

Page 4 Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter March, 2012
Caps4Cash
Caps4Cash is a Morning Fresh Dairy Program where schools can earn 5¢ per cap
collected. ALL Morning Fresh Caps from glass bottles are eligible (Milk, O.J. Egg
Nog, etc.).
How you can start earning money for your school:
Drink your Milk
Save your bottle caps
Collect caps from family and friends
Bring the caps to school
Drop them in the collection can in the entryway!
Tdap Vaccine Requirement
2012-2013 School Year
All 6 th through 12 th graders are required to have had a Tdap
Booster
Most secondary students have had this booster, and it is recorded on their
school record.
Students entering 6th-12th grade may still need the vaccine.
The “p” (pertussis) has been added to the standard Td booster in order to protect
teens against whooping cough.
Prior to the first day of school, a copy of the immunization record from the doctor’s
office must be provided to the school.
If they have already received the booster, you may give this record to their current
school before school is out.
State law in Colorado does allow parents to sign the back of an immunization
card if they choose to take a personal or religious exemption for not receiving
the booster. This must be on file at the school.
Medical Exemptions must have a physician signature on the back of the immunization
record and be on file at the school as well.
revised 12/19/11

Page 5 Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter March, 2012
Spend Time with Your Child When There's No
Time to Spare!
There's no question that time with children is vitally important. It's been said that
children spell love T-I-M-E.
Still, the truth is that many parents would agree that on some days, they hardly have
time to brush their teeth. So where can a harried parent find the time to spend with a
child
Here are some ideas:
Plan some one-on-one time. Your child should know that there will be some
time during the week when she gets your undivided attention. Seeing "Mom
and Sydney" on the calendar for Saturday will help your child make it through
a particulary tough week at school.
Do things together. Invite your child to help you while you are cooking dinner.
You'll get time together--and helping in the kitchen could become your child's
favorite chore.
Make the most of short fun breaks. Time together doesn't always have to be
planned, and it can come in small chunks. You're working on a report for work.
Your child is doing math homework. Say, "Let's work until 7:00 and then take
a 10-minute break together."
Let your child know she's on your mind. If you can't be there, send your child an "I
love you" email. Or write a note and tuck it in her lunch.
Reprinted with permission from the March 2012 issue of Parents make the difference!®
(Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2012 The Parent Institute®,
a division of NIS, Inc. Source: R. Silverman, "No Time 5 Tips to Spend
Time with Children When You Have No Time to Spare,"
www.drrobynsilverman.com/parenting-tips/no-time-5-tips-to-spend-time-withchildren-when-you-have-no-time-to-spare/.

Page 6 Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter March, 2012
Second Grade News
In science second graders completed
learning about balance and motion with
a fun filled trip to the Edge Sports Center.
At the center we enjoyed experimenting
with balancing objects, rolling
different sized balls, and spinning balls.
We all felt this was a great learning opportunity.
In math we are now reviewing
money. We have started adding
money amounts, figuring how much
change we should receive when buying
things, and reviewing the value of the
nickel, dime, quarter, and penny. We
also learned about perimeter and area
and need to keep reviewing those concepts
so we don’t forget.
Our IB theme for the next five weeks is
our weather unit. We have been busy
recording the temperature, looking at
clouds, and measuring rain. We will be
learning about some severe types of
weather and how we can be prepared for
such events. We are trying to use our
Treasures stories that tie in to kinds of
weather. Some of the Treasures stories
will include The Tiny Seed, The Ugly
Vegetables, Super storms, and Pushing
up the Sky.
Help Wanted
To All Riffenburgh Families
PTO is looking for volunteers to fill 2 board positions.
PTO President:
The responsibilities for this position include preparing agenda using template, officiating
the monthly PTO meeting (only 8 per year), answering questions and/ or
directing people with questions to those with answers, and introducing PTO to the
new families of Riffenbrugh.
PTO Vice President:
The responsibilities for this position include helping the president complete their
duties.
These positions, although lofty in title, are not as time consuming a one might deduce.
The responsibilities are mainly communication and delegation. If interested,
please contact Jen McCoy at 482-1489 or e-mail at jemccoy@psdschools.org. I
would be happy to discuss this vacancy more thoroughly.

Page 7 Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter March, 2012
¡Feliz primavera! Happy Spring!
As the weather warms up and we think about gardening, many classes are
beginning one of my favorite topics: la comida (food!) 2 nd and 3 rd graders
will be focusing on breakfast foods; 4 th and 5 th graders will be working on
dinner foods. All will be learning and reviewing how to say which foods we
like to eat and drink. Feel free to ask at your home meals, ¿Te gusta (Do
you like) Hopefully you will hear a lot of “Sí,¡me gusta!” (Yes, I like it!) We will
also be talking about what are typical meals in different Spanish-speaking countries.
Kindergarteners have been learning the words for the school supplies they use daily
as well as some of the furniture items in their classrooms. We have read some cultural
books about how schools are different or similar around the world. 1 st graders
are learning parts of the body and have drawn some very unique aliens with many
different body designs that are displayed in the 2 nd and 3 rd grade pod.
-Sra. Peacock
Exploring Paper and Wood
Kindergarten has been busy with our FOSS unit titled Paper. This unit lets the children
observe, manipulate, predict, and draw conclusions about different types of
paper. Included in our paper samples are varieties such as: construction paper, cardboard,
chipboard, kraft paper and waxed paper.
After introducing the paper samples, the children have been conducting various experiments
with them. We have folded paper and evaluated the flexibility of each
type. We have written on paper with crayon, marker and pencil and concluded that
tag board and newsprint were better writing surfaces than waxed paper or facial tissue.
We recycled tissue paper through a process of breaking it down with water and
screening and pressing the resultant pulp. The unit also includes a variety of other
activities to enhance the children’s observation and analysis skills.
This unit appeals to kindergarteners because of its hands-on nature. Every child is
involved in experimenting, and we are amazed at how quickly they acquire new
vocabulary when we include new words in the context of the unit. Kindergarteners
definitely have the curious nature required of scientists!
Kasiah MacDevit
Kim Baker
Sherry Walker

Page 8 Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter March, 2012
Music Notes
The first, second, and third graders will
be performing music to celebrate Earth
Day on Thursday, April 19 th , at 2:30PM
and 6:30PM. There will be songs of insects,
environments, and the planet as a
whole. Several students from each grade
will be featured playing instruments, reciting
poems, and introducing songs. All
are invited to come get excited about
Earth Day!
In 4 th quarter, 4 th and 5 th graders will
continue to experience various folk
dances and drum circles. Kindergarten
has been introduced to a large variety of
classroom instruments as well, from
hand drums to cabasas! All grades will
continue to build their knowledge of music
literacy through folk songs, games,
and classical music listening.
Fort Collins Police Youth Academy
Application Deadline is April 20
Students in grades 8-11 are encouraged to apply for the Fort Collins Police Services
Youth Academy, a five-day “behind the scenes” inside look at law enforcement.
The application deadline is Friday, April 20.
Students can choose from two Youth Academy sessions. One session will be held
June 4-8 and the other session will be held June 11-15. Both sessions will be held
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Participants will learn all aspects of
policing, including:
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Search and Seizure
• K-9 Dogs
• SWAT Team
• Traffic Laws
• Office Safety Skills
• Evidence Collecting
• Building Searches
• Investigations
• Court Procedures
• Defensive Driving
The application and more information are included in the brochure. For additional
information, contact your school resource officer or call Sergeant Dave Wilson at
221-6561.

Page 9 Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter March, 2012
Explore Enrichment 2012 Registration
The 2012 Explore Enrichment classes for primary and intermediate students will be
offered June 11-15 and June 18-22 at Beattie Elementary School, 3000 Meadowlark
Ave. The two one-week sessions are designed for students who want to explore a
fun, educational topic they are interested in like Goofy Gadgets, Math Art Fun,
Jungle Music, Secret Formulas, Poetry Play House, and more!.
The flyer/registration information will be posted to the PSD website in late
March after Spring Break.
Sessions for students in the primary grades will be offered 9 a.m. to noon and sessions
for students in intermediate grades will be offered 1 to 4 p.m.
2010-11 Annual Accountability Report
Available to the Community
Poudre School District is pleased to announce the availability of
the 2010-11 Annual Accountability Report on the PSD website
at www.psdschools.org.
Every year, school districts in Colorado report about their performance to their
communities, based on requirements in the No Child Left Behind Act. The Annual
Accountability Report features information regarding Poudre School District's performance,
assessment and accountability, teacher quality, finances, demographics
and post-secondary readiness.
This following information is also available on the Colorado Department of
Education website at….:
Assessment Data including the Colorado Growth Model, Colorado Student
Assessment Program, and National Assessment of Educational Progress.
Accountability Data including Adequate Yearly Progress and the names and
number of Title I schools identified for improvement, corrective action, restructuring
under No Child left behind.
Teacher Quality Data including Highly Qualified Teacher information, professional
qualifications, and the percent of teachers with emergency licenses.
Post-Secondary Readiness Data including post-secondary readiness indicators,
graduation and drop out rates, and ACT information.
Other Data includes evidence of a safe, civil learning environment; attendance
rates; and number of expelled and suspended students; and district
budget, revenues and expenditures.
If you would like a paper copy of the 2010-11 Annual Report, please contact PSD
Communications at 490-3543 or email info@psdschools.org

Page 10 Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter March, 2012
Parents Can Help Prepare their Child for TCAP
Testing (March 19-April 12)
Poudre School District students are scheduled to take the
state-mandated Transitional Colorado Assessment
Program (TCAP) tests March 19 – April 12.
The TCAP tests replace the former Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP)
tests that students have taken in the past and which were based on the old Colorado
Model Content Standards. The TCAP tests support school districts as they transition
to the new Colorado Academic Standards.
The TCAP, designed to measure standards that are common between the old and
new standards, will assess the same content areas and grades as CSAP including:
math, reading and writing in 3rd – 10th-grades. Science tests will also be given to
5th, 8th and 10th-grade students. According to state law, every Colorado student
enrolled in a public school is required to take either the TCAP or CoAlt (alternate
assessment).
Parents can prepare their child for these tests in several ways:
Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep.
Provide your student with a nourishing breakfast.
Schedule appointments or vacations on non-test days.
Encourage your child to do their best in school at all times, not just during assessments.
The TCAP assessment is designed to provide a picture of student performance to
schools, districts, educators, parents and the community. The data will be used to
measure student, school, and district progress toward higher student achievement
levels.
Other key points about the TCAP:
TCAP encourages districts to move forward with implementation of the new
standards, while providing time for the preparation of students for the higher
expectations to come.
TCAP has been designed to be used only for two years. At the end of the two
years, all districts are expected to have transitioned fully to the new academic
standards.
TCAP does not assess the entire Colorado Academic Standards, nor does it assess
the new standards at the same level of difficulty which will be expected
once the new standards are fully implemented.
When the new standards are fully implemented, a new assessment designed to
assess the full depth and breadth of those standards will also be implemented.
The new assessment is currently scheduled to be implemented in 2014.
For more information about the TCAP tests, check out the TCAP Frequently Asked
Questions or visit the Colorado Department of Education website.

Page 11 Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter March, 2012
Transition Series Meetings Address Issues
Students with Disabilities Face after School
A series of meetings designed to help parents of
students with disabilities will address some of the most
pressing issues families face when students transition
from school into adults living in the community. Two
transition meetings, which are for special needs students
14 and older and their families, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., on the first
floor of the Larimer County Courthouse, 200 W. Oak. A meeting about transition
programs and opportunities post high school was presented Feb. 23.
Upcoming transition meeting dates and topics include:
Thursday, March 22: Legal Night Workshop - A local attorney will give a
presentation about guardianship, power of attorney, and special needs trusts.
The meeting may also include information about social security.
Thursday, April 26: Community Resource Fair and Employment Opportunities
- Representatives will be on hand from Foothills Gateway Rehabilitation,
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Larimer ARC, School to Work Alliance
Program, and the Larimer County Workforce Center, Youth Services.
Light refreshments will be served at all meetings and there will be question and answer
period following each presentation.
The Transition Series meetings are sponsored by PSD, Larimer ARC, Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation and the Larimer County Workforce Center.
For more information, contact Jean Greuel, coordinator of the School to Work Alliance
Program, at 490-3286.
Secondary Summer School 2012 Registration
Information will be Available in April
Summer School 2012 (for grades 9-12) will begin Wednesday, June 6, and the last day
of classes will be held Tuesday, July 3, at Fossil Ridge High School, 5400 Ziegler Road.
Registration information will be available in April and posted to the PSD website as soon as
it is available

Page 12 Riffenburgh Elementary School Newsletter March, 2012