April 2018
From The Principal Dear Parents: Ten years ago this month, I was excited to open the doors of a brand new elementary school that would honor all learners. I had staff members ready to meet new students, and I had families anxious to start a new journey building new traditions. It has been such a privilege serving the Bethke community the last ten years. Thank you for supporting our school each year as we continue to grow. I hope you can come celebrate with us on Friday, April 27, at our Spring Showcase celebrating ten years at Bethke. We will highlight amazing students from Bethke and their many talents. It will be a special night!
Bethke Elementary School To honor and inspire academic excellence to prepare the whole child for success in a 21st century world.
Principal Ann Alfonso
[email protected]
Assistant Principal
Jay Gallagher
[email protected]
The school is secured, and you are doing a great job buzzing in at the front door! When you come to our school, please remember that the ONLY access to the building is through the main doors in to the front office. When picking up your student from anywhere in the building, including the cottages, you must come through the front office. Thank you for planning time to do this. After many weeks of conversations with our accountability committee and staff about budgeting for 2018-2019, we have created a plan to support student growth at Bethke for the fall. We have been projected at 647 students so with our increased budget we will add more reading intervention support, math intervention support, GT resources and support, integrated services support, and paraprofessional support. We are excited to serve Bethke students even better next year! With the new year will come some changes in our staffing. I’m excited to support our staff in taking on new professional challenges. It’s what keeps them current and passionate about their work. Here is an overview of our grade levels for the fall at this time: K: Mrs. Kalvels, Mrs. Ricks, Mrs. Eddy, and Mrs. Busselman 1: Mrs. Hause, Mrs. Berger, Mrs. Harras, and Mrs. Carlucci 2: Mrs. Berg, Mrs. Beaven, Mrs. Haselby, and Ms. Bell 3: Mrs. Vigil, Mrs. Boggs, Mrs. Eucker, Mrs. Fennimore, and one to be hired 4: Ms. Mocke, Mrs. Drage, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Wedemeyer, Mrs. Samples 5: Mrs. Rossi, Mrs. Bruhn, Mrs. Gunstream, Mrs. Rayls, and Mrs. Moore
In June, a third portable building will be set up on the north side of our school to house two additional classrooms. We are very fortunate to have the extra
5100 School House Dr. Timnath, CO 80547 Office Phone (970) 488-4300 Attendance (970) 488-4301 Bethke Website Advertising in this newsletter does not imply endorsement by Poudre School District.
April 2017
From The Principal (continued). . . space to accommodate our growth. A fence will also be installed around all three buildings and the entire north side of the building. Enrollment is changing quickly around here. At this time, I predict we will have two second grade classrooms outside, two third grade classrooms, and two intervention classrooms serving grades 2-5. I will continue to monitor class sizes and adjust our programming as necessary in the fall. It’s important to stay flexible in our planning so we can meet the needs as they arise. Ms. Schupp will be moving into a 100% reading interventionist role alongside Mrs. Hewitt. We are excited about adding this increased support while continuing full time specials and counseling. I’m excited to announce Mr. Gallagher will serve as a full time Assistant Principal serving students and parents while we open up a separate GT position. This month our teachers will begin thinking about class lists for the fall. They welcome your input on a learning environment for your child but will not take specific teacher requests. Mr. Gallagher and I will review lists this summer, add new students who enroll over the summer, and post final lists in August. Hope to see you at some of our events! What a great month it will be! Ann Alfonso, Principal
Mrs. Alfonso in April 2008 next to her office!
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April 2017
PTO News Spring has sprung, which means that there are less than two months left in the school year! Can you believe how quickly the time has passed? Don’t worry, though, there are still lots of things happening. By now, you should have received information about the PTO survey at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8XMQCLL Please take a few minutes to complete the survey as it will help define the direction and priorities for next year. The survey closes April 6 and results will be discussed at the April 10 PTO meeting. Thank you to all the families who visited Freddy’s during the affinity night. The PTO raised $120 from this great event. The Spring Book Fair is coming up from April 23 through April 27! Originally we stated that there would only be one fair and that was last fall, but we've decided to move to a single Spring Book Fair each year from here on out. In order to provide Mrs. Gasser with funds for the 2018-2019 year, we needed to hold the first Spring Book Fair this year. There will no longer be a November Fair. So come shop for books and support the library. We will be open from 9 am to 4 pm on Monday, 8 am to 4 pm on Tuesday through Thursday. On Friday we will be open from 8 am to 7 pm! We are also needing volunteers at the Book Fair to help students and parents find the books they can't wait to read. Volunteers select the times and tasks they would like to help with. The tasks include setup, cashier, helping students find books for their wish lists, reordering books, helping parents find books, and tear down. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Lynné Diaz at
[email protected]. Did you donate to Bethke this year? If you would like a record of your donation for tax purposes, you can get that two different ways: If you paid through SchoolPay, it’s available by logging in online. If you paid the school directly, please contact Naima Haddad at
[email protected] to receive a copy. The Spring Showcase will be Friday, April 27th from 5:00-7:00 pm, and I’ve put in a request for good weather (the last two years have been COLD!). Either way, stop on by to see student artwork and to have a bite to eat from the food trucks. The next PTO meeting is scheduled for April 10 at 8:35 am. We hope to see you there. Lisa Laake PTO Secretary
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April 2017
Counselor’s Corner
The Counselor’s Corner
Christie McPhail, Bethke Counselor I recently read a great article titled “10 Insights of Remarkable Parents from a Family Therapist” by Angela Pruess. I’ll share the first half of the list this month and the rest in May. 1. Know that kids will act like kids. Often parents forget that the way a child learns is by messing up. The ‘magic’ happens when a supportive caregiver steps in to steer them in the right direction. The part of the brain responsible for reason, logic, and impulse control is not fully developed until the early 20’s. Immature behavior is normal for immature human beings with immature brains.
2. Set limits with respect, not criticism. Because our kids need to learn
literally everything about the world from us, they will require many limits throughout their day. Without proper limits in their environment, kids will feel anxious and out of control. Limits can be delivered in the form of criticism and shaming, or they can be communicated in a firm but respectful way.
3. Be aware of developmental stages. Have you ever questioned
where your easy-going toddler disappeared to as he was suddenly screaming bloody murder while getting dropped off at daycare? Hello separation anxiety! There are literally hundreds of very normal, very healthy transitions kids go through to become adults. Being aware of these puts their puzzling behaviors into context, and increases the odds of reacting to them accurately and supportively.
4. Know your child’s temperament and personality. If we are in tune
with the characteristics that make a child unique, we have a better understanding of when they may need support and when and where they will thrive. Once you know the basics of what makes your child tick, many things become much easier to navigate, such as choosing the best routine for homework or understanding why your daughter needs to come home early from a sleepover.
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April 2017
Counselor’s Corner (continued). . .
5. Give your child plenty of unstructured play time. Many adults don’t fully understand and appreciate the power of play. Play is at the root of how kids learn and develop. This means leaving time each day for straight-up unstructured, kid-controlled, exploration of the world.
Don’t hesitate to call or email if your child could benefit from counseling support.
[email protected], 488-4319
Congratulations to Mrs. Newman! She was awarded a Rotary Club STEM Grant that will be used for a BeeBots Starter Kit and five Makey Makey kits in our technology area. Thank you, Mrs. Newman, for your hard work and enthusiasm for our Bobcats.
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April 2017
Arty Facts In the Art Room Students are busy making beautiful masterpieces for the Spring Showcase this month. Kindergarten students are making artwork that shows visual rhythm. In first and fourth grade students are weaving. Second grade students are learning about architecture. In third grade students are making and glazing clay bowls inspired by glass artist Dale Chihuly. Fifth grade students are making expressive self-portraits. Spring Showcase This year’s Bethke Spring Showcase will be on April 27 from 5:00-7:00. We will have 2-D and 3-D artwork on display from every student at Bethke. Plan to come and celebrate your young artist! Original Works Thank you again for purchasing Original Works products. Your purchase not only honors your young artist, but also goes a long way to support all students here at Bethke! With the money we received from Original Works, the art department purchased an iPad, electric pencil sharpener, and general art supplies. Thank you for making these purchases possible! Thank you for supporting the arts at Bethke! Lydia Richardson, Art Teacher
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April 2017
Fitness News Jog/Scooter club is starting at the beginning of April. We will meet on the below dates and all students K-5th grade are free to come to as many or few gatherings as your schedule allows. Students will jog or scooter (no electric scooters allowed) around the outside of the playground. We (Mrs. Keyworth and all the willing parent volunteers) will count their laps. Students can earn foot charms based on the number of laps they complete. Come and enjoy the movement and company of others. Students who would like to scooter will need to bring their own scooter and helmet. Any Bobcat who would like to store their scooter and helmet during the day are free to drop their equipment off with Mrs. Keyworth before school after 8:15 am. Let the fun begin! Mondays 3:15-3:40 pm
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Fridays 7:55 - 8:20 am
April 6, 20, 27
4th and 5th grade students are competing in the below track and field events during Physical Education classes in hopes of learning, attempting, and enjoying a variety of different events. Bethke can take 5 boys and 5 girls per grade for each event to the District Track meet where our Bobcats will compete against students from the other elementary schools in Poudre School District. Students are limited in the number of events they can qualify for which increases the number of students who can participate. District Track Meet Distance events: Wednesday May 9 5:30-6:15 4th grade 800 M 6:15-7:00 5th grade 1600 M All other events: Saturday May 12 8:00-10:00 5th grade 10:00-12:00 4th grade 1st hour girls run track and boys compete in field events, 2nd hour they switch Events: Track: 1600M/800M, 50 M, 75 M, 100M, 200 M, 75 M shuttle relay Field: Softball throw, shot put, long jump, and triple jump What you can qualify for: An individual student might qualify for one event or more. The most events a student can qualify for is 5 under these guidelines: 1 distance event, 2 sprints, 1 relay, 1 field event
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April 2017
Fitness News The Spring Showcase is a wonderful evening to highlight some of the amazing accomplishments your children have demonstrated through the Arts. Students will have their works on display as well as many performances, food trucks, and a great time to reconnect with other Bethke families. If your son or daughter is interested in being in the unicycle demonstration, they need to set up a time with Mrs. Keyworth to practice and share their ability. Dance performance groups will be decided during our dance unit. Friday April 27th Food Trucks* Art Displays Interactive Tech Demo Lego League Demo Dance Performance Unicycle Demo Kindergarten Performance Chorus Preview 3rd Grade Recorder Performance
Outside Hallways / Art Room Computer Lab Hallway by lab Gym Gym Outside Outside Cafeteria
4:30-7:00 5:00-7:00 5:00-6:00 6:15-6:35 5:10-5:25 5:30-5:45 5:15-5:25 6:00-6:20 5:35-5:50
*Food Trucks at the Spring Showcase include: Austin Taco, Corndoggies, Wing Shack, Kona Ice
Hoping for: PHS Truck, The Goodness Truck, and Rollin’Stone Pizza
Mark May 11th on your calendars for the 2018 Bethke Field Day! Below is the signup sheet for any parent who would like to volunteer to run a station or bring some needed materials to make the day fun and enjoyable for all. Thanks in advance for your help!
https://docs.google.com/document/ d/1zAkv_tNeCbHaNiYpQmMaG6VbbpR2Nm6bJfe_IMVlXlQ/edit?usp=sharing Terri Keyworth PE Teacher
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April 2017
Music Notes
Music News April 2018 1st Grade Program…April 19th
The Bethke First Graders will perform their musical, “It’s How You Play the Game”, on Thursday, April 19, at 6:30 pm in the Bethke gym. They will perform again on Friday, April 20, at 9:00 am. Come enjoy our show about being a good sport!
Bethke Spring Showcase
The Bethke Spring Showcase will take place on Friday, April 27. This will be a fun evening celebrating the many talents of our Bethke Bobcats. Our Kindergarteners will sing songs about Spring. Our Show Choir will perform a preview of their Spring concert. The Third Graders will perform several songs on their recorders. The Kindergarten and Chorus groups will perform outside, in front of the main entrance, weather permitting. If poor weather is an issue, these groups will perform in the cafeteria. The 3rd graders will perform in the cafeteria.
Chorus Spring Performance…May 3rd
The Bethke Show Choir will perform their spring show, “A Celebration of Broadway”, on Thursday, May 3, at 2:00 pm (this is a time change from 9:00 am) for the school and again that evening at 6:30 pm for families. As always, families are welcome to attend both performances. Come out to listen to songs from Broadway classics such as “Oklahoma”, “The Sound of Music”, “South Pacific” and “Les Misérables”. They will also sing songs from newer Broadway hit shows such as “Wicked”, “Seussical the Musical” and “Mamma Mia”.
Upcoming Performances This Year 1st Grade Musical……….April 19 at 6:30 (April 20 at 9:00 am) Spring Showcase Musical Groups………April 27 (5:00-7:00 pm) Chorus Spring Show……….May 3 at 2:00 and 6:30 pm Kindergarten Celebration…………..May 30 at 10:00 am
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April 2017
Literacy The National Reading Panel guide to reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, accuracy, fluency, vocab/spelling, comprehension and writing.
Comprehension is the REASON for reading. If readers can read the words but do not understand what they are reading, they are not really reading. Good readers need to be both purposeful and active. Purposeful – good readers have a purpose for reading. Active – good readers think actively as they read. Using their experiences and knowledge of the world, their knowledge of vocabulary and language structure, and their knowledge of reading strategies, good readers make sense of the text and how to get the most out of it. Ways to help your child with text comprehension: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Asking questions about the text they are reading Having your child summarize parts of the text Clarify words and sentences that your child does not understand Asking your child to predict what might happen next in the text
Good COMPREHENSION can help students understand what they read, remember what they read, and communicate with others about what they read. Literacy – Melissa Nicholas & Carla Hewitt
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April 2017
StuCo News Bethke is celebrating 10 years since opening in 2008! For the month of April, StuCo would like to encourage our Bethke students to enter a creative drawing for our 10 year celebration t-shirt contest! Bethke staff will vote on a winning design on April 13, so show your Bethke pride and create an original design for us to vote on! Make sure to turn in your submission by Thursday, April 12, to your homeroom teacher. Student Council will be taking orders for these new and unique t-shirts at our Spring Showcase, so look for our table on Friday, April 27!
We can’t wait to see what all of the wonderful submissions our creative Bobcats come up with!
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April 2017 Thank you for your yearbook orders! Online sales ended on Friday, March 23. Books will be delivered to students in their homeroom class the last week of school.
Kids Care Club did not meet during the month of March due to Spring Break.
Our next meeting will be Wednesday, April 25, at 3:15-4:15. This meeting will wrap up our year. We will honor Earth day, which is April 22, by cleaning up our school grounds. The kids enjoy this because it gives them a sense of pride in doing something for their school. Since this is the last meeting, there will be no Kids Care Club in May. Thanks for a great year! Mrs. Berger and Mrs. Haselby
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April 2017 5th graders need a booster shot before the start of 6th grade!
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April 2017
WATCH D.O.G.S. ® coming to Bethke Elementary!
Below is a brief description of the program – please be sure to stop by our table at the Spring Showcase to learn more and sign up! WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) is a family and community engagement, educational initiative. There are two primary goals of the WATCH D.O.G.S. ® program:
To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important. To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying. Program Benefits
Students gain positive male role models.
Fathers get a glimpse of their students’ everyday world and learn about the increasingly complex challenges and decisions today’s youth are facing. As a result, they can learn to relate better to their student and hopefully connect with them.
Fathers gain a greater awareness of the positive impact they can have on their student’s life in three critical areas including: academic performance, self-esteem, social behavior.
Due to budget shortfalls and cutbacks, often teachers are presented with larger classrooms each year. The WatchDOGS volunteers provide real and important help for the teachers and students.
Schools gain an extra set of eyes and ears. The presence of a father or father figure will provide an additional deterrent to bullying, enhance a sense of security in the building, and will help to create an environment conducive to learning.
WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) WatchDOGS are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S. ® school. During the day, a WatchDOG may read or work on flash cards with students, play at recess, eat lunch with students, watch the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their own students, but other students as well. Many school principals have reported that the mere presence of a WatchDOG dramatically reduces reports of bullying. On the day of their participation, WatchDOGS are given a brief review of their involvement and they wear an official WATCH D.O.G.S. ® t-shirt with a disposable ‘Dog Tag’ identifying them as WatchDOGS.
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April 2017
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April 2017
Bethke Elementary School Newsletter
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April 2017
Bethke Elementary School Newsletter
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