Berthoud Eagle
Principal to Parent
December 2010
This month I have a couple of important issues I want to share with you. Each year we update our
crisis plan for Berthoud Elementary and as we gain more information from district, state and
national sources, we are able to create and implement a strong plan of response to a crisis
situation. Obviously, we all hope we will never face such a situation, but we also know it is best to
be as prepared as possible. I appreciate how our building visitors are more conscious than ever of
signing in and wearing a visitor’s tag. Families can also be of tremendous help by keeping the
home and emergency information updated with the office and classroom teacher. Each time we
have a blizzard we are reminded how crucial the updated information can be!
Along with our police and fire departments we have determined an off-site evacuation place. In
case students need to evacuate the school site, we would walk to the Five Stones Student Center
at 770 2nd Street. Parents would be able to check their children out from this secure site. It was
difficult to find a building that could house 450 – 500 people in our small town that was also within
walking distance! Thank you to Grace Place for offering this site. Our alternate site would be at
Turner Middle School.
Also, as a school and district we must incorporate technology standards into our daily instruction
and practice. These standards include using technology to facilitate and inspire learning,
innovation and creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills. Also to communicate,
collaborate, and be fluent in using research and information tools, while promoting digital
citizenship and ethical behavior. If we have the appropriate tools to make all of this possible our
students can have the important experiences they need.
I want to thank our parent community for working to raise funds to supplement district monies and
acquire the necessary technology to update our classrooms, such as laptops, document cameras
and projectors, and interactive white boards. We have just ordered three Promethean boards to
complete our classrooms 1st – 5th, one kindergarten and our ILC, made possible through the Fall
Fundraiser and the Fall carnival! Thanks to our community who have generously supported this
effort through PTA and the Berthoud Schools Fund.
Mrs. LoJeske
Berthoud Elementary Homework Policy
If a student is traveling for a vacation or personal reasons, homework will not be distributed prior
to their trip. The homework will be held and can be completed upon their return. We do
encourage students to keep a journal of their trip, to practice math facts and read during their
absence.
If a student is absent for two or more days due to illness, parents may contact the front office to
request work. Please consider that teachers will need time to gather work from your child’s other
teachers. If a request is received first thing in the morning, work can usually be ready for pickup
in the front office at the end of the school day. Please call first to make sure the work is in the
office. A student who is absent will receive an equal number of days to complete their make-up
work compared to the number of days absent.
Traffic Concerns
We had a near tragedy after school recently because a parent requested a student to cross two-
lanes of traffic to meet them on the other side of the street. The child was nearly hit by a car.
Please avoid making this type of request. It is much safer to meet your child in front of the school
and walk them across the street.
Also, you probably have noticed staff members manning the crosswalks before and after school.
Their goal is to keep both the children and parents safe as they drive through the parking lot. We
understand that morning drop offs are a busy time for parents especially if they are on their way to
work. However, please be respectful of these staff members and follow their instructions when
they make a request. Thank you for your cooperation.
SINCERE THANKS
A special thank you to Lisa Beard for updating our Proud Card Board. Thank you to all who
helped with vision and hearing screenings. Also, a big thank you to all of our families for donating
coins to Christmas in Berthoud. Thank you to our parent volunteers who helped out during our
Visitor’s Day lunch.
Lego Robotics
The Berthoud Elementary Lego Robotics team coached by Brian Carter and Bill Sontag
participated in the Thompson Valley Robotic Expo. During the robotics competition the team had
to earn points by getting their robot to perform and complete missions. The team built the robot
with Lego pieces and programmed all of the missions. The Furious Foods team performed
excellently and won the teamwork exercise and placed in the top 3rd of the competition. The team
exercise involved passing Lego pieces back and forth and trying to get the required pieces. The
team could not talk to each other or see what they were doing. The team received 31 out of a
possible 32 points. Congratulations to Kevin Carter, Joseph DuToit, Ryan Howard, Daniel
Pelphrey, Holden Sherard and Timmy Sontag!! The team was also able to see and control other
robots, such as an underwater robot and a variety of remote controlled Vex robots.
Eyeglasses Found
We have three pairs of children’s eyeglasses in the front office. If your child is missing a pair of
glasses, please have them stop by the front office to check and see if the glasses belong to them.
Holiday Gift Shop
The Holiday Gift Shop will be open December 13th – 15th in the art room. This has been a fun and
long-standing tradition that allows students the opportunity and experience of buying gifts for
family members. This is not a fundraiser for the school, just a wonderful time to enjoy the
excitement and satisfaction of giving to others. There will be a display case in the front hallway
where samples of the gift choices may be viewed. Please help your child in the planning of who to
buy for and what to give, and remember to have alternate choices in the event we run out of some
items. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Fate 532-0352 or 430-9794.
Spirit Day
This month our Spirit Day will be on Friday, December 10th. Wear Red and Green for the
holidays!
PTA & VITAL Volunteers Needed
If you are interested in being on the PTA board or a Vital Coordinator for the 2011-12 school year,
please contact Ann Yuska (970)535-4875.
CSAP TESTING DAYS
The following are the CSAP testing dates. Please make arrangements to plan appointments and
vacations outside of these testing windows. The third grade will be testing on February 23rd - 24th,
the March testing window for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades will be available next month.
School of Choice/Open Enrollment
For complete Information and Questions please go to the Thompson School District web-site and
click on the link, Choice/Open Enrollment or access through District-Resources-Parents-School of
Choice.
All students in the Thompson School District are assigned to attend a neighborhood school based
on the geographical area of their residence. However, the Board of Education recognizes that
students may benefit from having a choice of schools to attend within the district that is not limited
by the boundaries of attendance. Students may be allowed to attend any school or participate in
the program of their choice on a space-available, first-come, first-served- basis provided they
meet the district’s guidelines, are eligible for enrollment, and follow the approval process
established by the Board of Education.
How do parents/guardians participate in the school of choice/open enrollment program?
Parents/guardians wishing to have their student attend a school outside of their assigned
attendance area must go through an application process. Applications are available at all
Thompson schools and at the reception desk of the Thompson School District Administration
Building, 800 S Taft, Loveland. The application form may also be downloaded on the web-site in
both English and Spanish.
Elementary schools will accept applications for school of choice/open enrollment from January 5,
2011 – February 25, 2011. Parents and students submitting an application will be notified of the
status of their application by March 7, 2011. Applications for school of choice/open enrollment
received after February 25, 2011 will not be considered for the 2011-12 school year.
PTA News
The Berthoud Elementary PTA is still accepting 2010-2011 memberships up through February 1st
2011. If you would like to join please contact one of our PTA officers.
Tardies
A student’s participation in the morning routine of their class is very important. However, if a
student is tardy, a parent/guardian must come in to the front office to sign the student in. If a
student comes in late unaccompanied by an adult, then that student will receive an unexcused
tardy on their attendance record. If your child is going to be late due to an appointment, please
notify the office by 9:00 am if they need a hot lunch ordered.
Parent Reminder
When dropping off or picking up students, please make certain they are under your supervision.
Students should not hide in the bushes or climb the trees. Thanks for your support with this
safety request.
Holiday Party Snack Ideas
We appreciate all of the healthy snacks that have been sent in recently. Sweet treats along with
healthy treats can help children to learn about moderation. The following are great healthy snack
ideas to consider for classroom holiday parties. Please note that food brought in to the school
must be prepackaged from the store. Things like low fat pudding, dried fruit, granola bars, whole
grain crackers, veggie trays, fruit trays and cheese sticks are all great treats! Thank you for
supporting healthy food choices for our children.
December
10 Spirit Day! Wear Red and Green for the holidays!
13-15 Holiday Gift Shop
16 Kindergarten Showcase 6:30 p.m.
17 Second quarter ends
17 Classroom Holiday Parties (last hour of the day, except morning Kdg. classes)
20-Jan. 3 Winter Break
Jan. 4 School Resumes
~SAVE THE DATE~
THE 3rd ANNUAL BERTHOUD BASH
Stars & Stripes & Megabytes
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2011
Embassy Suites-Loveland
TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
LOOK AT WHAT WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED....
Over $100,000 Invested in our Berthoud Schools!!!!
18 FIXED & ADJUSTABLE PROMETHEAN BOARDS,
24 NETBOOKS,
5 LAPTOPS,
20 DOCUMENT CAMERAS
MULTIPLE MOBILE ACTIVOTES & ACTIVEXPRESSIONS
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR THE FUTURE....
