En españolUpcoming Events
3/13/2010
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3/24/2010
3/25/2010
School Announcements
PRIDE
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Excellence
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Integrity
Disciplined
Excellence
Media Center News
Through the use of Title I funds, the school has added a significant number of new books to the shelves. With the assistance of volunteers from Target, Mrs. Elson retired books that were more than 10 years old or that had not been checked out for several years. She is now offering the discarded books to the students and community for a donation of fifty cents ($.50) per book. Students are able to look through the books during the school day and she will have the books available for parents to look through during Parent Teacher Conferences. The sale will continue until all of the books are gone.
CSAP Testing
CSAP Begins
The annual CSAP testing begins in February. The 3rd graders will take the reading test on February 17th and 18th.
The following tests will be given in March:
· 3rd grade math and writing
· 4th grade reading, writing, and math
· 5th grade reading, writing, math and science
Please begin talking with your children about the importance of testing. Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep, has nutritious meals, and is at school every day AND on time.
Homework
At the January parent night, Mrs. Carmen Perez, our school counselor presented tips and ideas to help families with school work. Her presentation was called “Where There’s a Parent, There’s an A”. Please see the Counselor page under Academics for homework tips.
New Door Security
A new door security system has been installed at Somerlid and is scheduled to become active sometime in January. With the new system, ALL doors to the building will be locked from the outside. This includes the front door. The main entrance and the handicap entrance have been equipped with a video camera, a door buzzer, and an intercom system. The system will be monitored by the office staff.
- To enter the building, the patron will press the white button on the intercom.
- A member of the office staff will answer the intercom and view the video camera on a monitor.
- Once a visual and voice identification has been made, the door will be opened from the office.
Important Announcement - Early Arrivals To School
Students are not to be at school before 7:50 A.M. Students are arriving as early as 7:15 A.M. and are unsupervised. Concerns arise to the safety of the students without proper supervision. It has been reported to the office that horse play and rough activities have occurred prior to teachers reporting to work. Teachers are contracted to begin their day at 7:50 A.M. Students will not be allowed on the playground until there is supervison and must remain outside of the fence until 7:50 A.M.
Weather Related Closures
Although the closure of school rarely occurs, it is important to review the policy. The superintendent will determine when schools need to be closed or the opening of school delayed due to inclement weather. Delays or closures will be announced on all three major television stations (KOAA, KRDO, and KKTV). Local radio stations will also broadcast the delays or closures. The School Messenger phone system will be activated. The system will begin calling parents between 6:00 to 6:30 a.m.
Breakfast Program
With the growing population, the school has tried several methods of serving breakfast. The school is currently having students in grades three through five pick up their breakfast from the cafeteria and take their breakfast to the classroom to eat. Grades three through five are through the breakfast line by 8:10 a.m. Students late to school (after 8:10 a.m.) in grades three through five will NOT receive breakfast. Kindergarten through 2nd grade will eat their breakfast in the cafeteria. Students late to school in kindergarten through 2nd grade will NOT receive breakfast after 8:30 a.m.
Cold and Flu Season
With the cold and flu season here, please take extra precautions at home and follow common, sensible practices. Please have your children wash their hands frequently, have them cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and get plenty of rest.
If your child is running a fever, coughing excessively, is vomiting, or has diarrhea please keep them home.
Should your child come to the office not feeling well, we will take their temperature. Any temperature over 100 degrees, parents will be contacted and the student will be sent home. When a student comes to the office complaining of a stomach ache, sore throat, or headache we have the student rest in the office. If the sysmptoms persist, a phone call home is made. Please realize that we are not medical professionals and we make the best judgement calls concerning the health and welfare of our students.
If your personal information, such as your phone number or address, has changed please stop by the office and update the information. Information cannot be changed over the phone. It must be done in writing.
If your child is running a fever, coughing excessively, is vomiting, or has diarrhea please keep them home.
Should your child come to the office not feeling well, we will take their temperature. Any temperature over 100 degrees, parents will be contacted and the student will be sent home. When a student comes to the office complaining of a stomach ache, sore throat, or headache we have the student rest in the office. If the sysmptoms persist, a phone call home is made. Please realize that we are not medical professionals and we make the best judgement calls concerning the health and welfare of our students.
If your personal information, such as your phone number or address, has changed please stop by the office and update the information. Information cannot be changed over the phone. It must be done in writing.
Discipline
Last year, the school implemented a Positive Behavior Support system. While the plan began to strengthen discipline, it didn’t cover all aspects of the school. During the summer, a group of teachers met and came up with expectations for the school to use to enhance the positive of the school. We ask that the parents become aware of the new expectations as it affects all students at Somerlid.
Talking zones - there are three noise levels in the building. The GREEN zone allows for talking in normal voices. The YELLOW zone allows for adults to speak, but students are to remain silent. No one is permitted to speak in the RED zone including staff members.
Playground – Thank you to everyone that has not allowed their student to arrive at school before 7:50 a.m. Last year, there were students on the playground as early as 7:15 a.m. This is when the bullying, aggressive behavior, and other problems began. The staff is on duty at 7:50 a.m. each morning with three teachers outside and one teacher in the hallway. During lunchtime, there is a minimum of two staff members on duty with the students. Footballs are not allowed at Somerlid. While football is a favorite game of both boys and girls, the simple game of touch football always turns into a game of tackle and can become very dangerous. Again, thanks to everyone for following the playground guidelines.
Card Turns – The school has changed the card turn procedure.
Kindergarten through 2nd grade will have a five card system.
Kindergarten through 2nd grade will have a five card system.
- White – Doing Great
- Green – Warning
- Yellow – Warning, Classroom Consequence
- Red – Consequence, parent contacted, either by phone or note
- Blue – Mandatory detention
Grades three through five are on a four card system.
- White – Doing Great
- Yellow – Warning, Classroom Consequence
- Red – Consequence, parent contacted, either by phone or note
- Blue – Mandatory detention
With this system, cards are returned to white on a daily basis, allowing each child to start fresh every day. To allow students to learn from their mistakes, green and yellow card turns are warnings without parental notification. Somerlid is trying to develop students who will take ownership in their actions and to learn from their mistakes.
Weekly Progress Cards – Every Friday, every student at Somerlid will receive a progress card stating the child’s weekly behavior. The card will be marked IF a child has had to turn a card in class. If there was no card turn for the week, the row will remain white. If the child does not return the signed card the following Monday, the child will turn a card in class. The staff feels it is important to recognize students for doing a great job each week.
PRIDE Passports – Last year, Somerlid implemented the PRIDE card reward system. Students recognized for doing something good received a PRIDE card. A daily drawing was held to recognize students. The problem was that some students were never recognized while other students were recognized several times. This year, students carry a PRIDE passport. Once the student has filled out their passport, they are recognized by the office staff. ALL students have the opportunity to achieve success and be rewarded.
E-CAP/Returned Checks
Pueblo City Schools has contracted with E-CAP (Electronic Check Alliance Processing) to handle all unpaid checks. All checks returned unpaid will be presented electronically and a fee equal to the maximum state recovery fee may also be recovered electronically or by draft. Returns not recovered may be subject to attorney fees and other fees when applicable.
Emergency Procedures
On Wednesday, September 10, 2008, Somerlid was placed in a lockdown position for the protection of the students and staff. It was caused by a serious incident on the north side of town.
A lockdown means that all doors are locked immediately, including the front door and no one will be allowed into the building. A sign will be placed on the front door stating that the school is in a lockdown. Depending on the situation, students may be locked in their classrooms. If this is the case, no student will be dismissed from school until the lockdown has been lifted.
Should the lockdown be in effect at the end of the day, the administration and the Pueblo Police Department will determine if it is safe enough to release students to their parents or if a complete lockdown should remain in place.
Directions for picking up your child will be given by the principal or the teacher in charge. No child will be dismissed without the parents properly identifying themselves and signing out their child. Students will remain in their classrooms until a parent is available to pick them up from school. Phone calls to parents will be made as soon as time permits.
This prodedure will also be followed should school be dismissed early for other emergency situations such as bad weather.
Freed Middle School has been chosen as our evacuation site in the event we would need to leave Somerlid for any reason.
A lockdown means that all doors are locked immediately, including the front door and no one will be allowed into the building. A sign will be placed on the front door stating that the school is in a lockdown. Depending on the situation, students may be locked in their classrooms. If this is the case, no student will be dismissed from school until the lockdown has been lifted.
Should the lockdown be in effect at the end of the day, the administration and the Pueblo Police Department will determine if it is safe enough to release students to their parents or if a complete lockdown should remain in place.
Directions for picking up your child will be given by the principal or the teacher in charge. No child will be dismissed without the parents properly identifying themselves and signing out their child. Students will remain in their classrooms until a parent is available to pick them up from school. Phone calls to parents will be made as soon as time permits.
This prodedure will also be followed should school be dismissed early for other emergency situations such as bad weather.
Freed Middle School has been chosen as our evacuation site in the event we would need to leave Somerlid for any reason.
Lunch Program
Changes have been made to the hot lunch program for this year. The selection for students is now limited to two entrees per day. Food services have discontinued the PB & J sandwiches, the yogurt entrée, chef salads, and cold cut sandwiches. Please remember that through the Title I program, Somerlid students receive free breakfast and lunch daily.
Medication at School
We cannot dispense any medication, including over the counter medication, without written orders from a doctor. This includes cough drops and Tylenol.
In the past, we have allowed students to bring cough drops and keep them in the office. This is against district policy; therefore, unless we have doctor's orders, we will not allow students to have cough drops or any other type of medication at school. Medication forms are available in the office.
Should you have any questions, please contact the school at 549-7595 or Jill Young, RN, at 253-6310. She is the school nurse assigned to the schools on the north side of town.
In the past, we have allowed students to bring cough drops and keep them in the office. This is against district policy; therefore, unless we have doctor's orders, we will not allow students to have cough drops or any other type of medication at school. Medication forms are available in the office.
Should you have any questions, please contact the school at 549-7595 or Jill Young, RN, at 253-6310. She is the school nurse assigned to the schools on the north side of town.
No Child Left Behind
Through the federal legislation and the No Child Left Behind act, schools are required to notify parents if the teaching staff is highly qualified. To be highly qualified, all teachers must have a degree in education from a college or university and licensed by the state. Teachers must be teaching in their endorsed area to be considered highly qualified. For the 2009-2010 school year ALL teachers at Somerlid are highly qualified as required by federal law.
Also through the No Child Left Behind legislation, a school must meet specific standards in reading and math known as Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). AYP is determined by CSAP scores for grades three through five. Although Somerlid experienced a drop in scores last year, the scores were still high enough to meet the standards required by the federal government for AYP.
Parent Portal
As soon as all information is updated into the computer system, new letters will be sent out to inform parents of how to gain access to the parent portal to look at your child’s grades and attendance. This will take the place of grade checks and mid-term reports.
Pets On The Playground
Parents, pets are not allowed on the playground so please leave your pets at home when you pick up your children after school. Pets often get frightened or agitated. This leads to the animals possibly biting or clawing the children. Another concern is when the animals have accidents on the playground and the feces or urine is not cleaned up. Childhood allergies to animal dander are increasing which is becoming a health concern with many students and parents. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Red Flag Days
Red Flag days will be determined when the following weather occurs:
- The morning temperature is 26 degrees or colder. The wind chill factor will be included in the temperature.
- Precipitation is falling, either in the form of rain or snow.
Students will be allowed in the building at 7:50 a.m. Students in grades 1 through 5 will enter the building through the gym doors. Kindergarten will report to Mrs. Dye’s room through her outside door. Preschool students will enter through the east handicap door and report to their classroom.
School Messenger
The district has purchased a new communications device that allows for automated messages to be sent to parents. Most of our families have already received messages from the school. The system will also call on absent students. The system will call the main home number. If there is no answer, it will call the cell numbers listed. Phone numbers are currently being updated into the system. Should you change phone numbers this year, please contact the school as soon as possible.
School Safety Reminder
Safety is important near all schools. Please follow the following guidelines:
- Parents and students are walking between cars in the drop off area, both before and after school. This is extremely dangerous. Please walk your child around the drop off area, using the crosswalks and sidewalks to ensure your child's safety. NEVER HAVE YOUR CHILD CROSS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET.
- Please leave your pet at home. While your pet is usually a warm and loving animal at home, many animals get anxious or irritated around large crowds. We do not want to risk any child being bit or injured by a pet on the playground.
- When you enter the playground through one of the gates, help the staff out by closing and securing the gate. We have several gates throughout the campus, and for the safety of our children the gates need to be closed and latched.
- All visitors MUST report to the office prior to visiting the school. Please be patient as Mrs. Gallegos (secretary) and Mr. Ferguson (principal) ask for a picture ID. We are trying to familiarize ourselves with our families of Somerlid.
Somerlid Uniforms
Last school year, the school expanded the types of shirts students are permitted to wear at school. The following shirts are the ONLY acceptable shirts. This information is also found in the Student Handbook.
- Somerlid Spirit Shirts with the school logo in either red, black, or gray. They may have either logo.
- Polo shirt – district approved navy blue
- Polo shirt – red, black, or gray
With the colder weather, students are permitted to wear long sleeve shirts under the acceptable shirts listed above. To avoid confusion next year, Somerlid will return to the Spirit Shirts ONLY. For the 2010-2011 school year, polo shirts will not be acceptable.
The school has Spirit Shirts with the old logo in adult sizes. The price for these shirts has been reduced to $3.00 while they last.
Title I
Somerlid is a Title I school. This allows the school to receive additional Federal funds to enhance school programs. The Title I funds provide the students of Somerlid with the free breakfast and lunch program.
Title I Funding
Somerlid Elementary continues to be a Title I school based on the percent of students receiving free and reduced lunches. Last year, 72% of our students qualified for the free or reduced program. Somerlid received over $200,000 in Title I funds to provide support in reading and math. Most of the funding provided 3.5 additional teachers, additional supplies for the classroom, professional development for teachers, the after school tutoring program, the 2009-2010 summer school program (this will include transportation), additional books for the media center, and additional focus projectors. Funding for Title I monies are based on the number of lunch applications received. If you have not turned in your child’s lunch application, please do so immediately. If your income exceeds the listed amount and your child does not qualify for the program, please return the form with “Do not qualify” in bold print, sign, and date the applications. Questions, please contact the school.
Traffic
Every year parents are asked to follow the traffic rules around Somerlid. This year the curbs have been painted to show the no parking areas. Two handicap parking spaces are located on West Street near the kindergarten playground. The biggest traffic problem is the drop off zone. Parents are parking in the drop off area, getting out of their car and looking for their children. The drop off area is for loading and unloading only. Parents must remain in their car and move with the flow of traffic.
The first day of school, the school set expectations for students concerning the drop off area. Students ARE NOT to walk through the drop off area. Students are to walk around the drop off area and enter the playground from 2nd Avenue. Children and parents will be asked to follow these expectations.
Parents, please do not drop off students in the front of the building. Only bus students will be allowed to enter through the front door. All other students will be directed to walk around to the playground. Again, these expectations were shared with the students on the first day of school.
Parents, please do not drop off students in the front of the building. Only bus students will be allowed to enter through the front door. All other students will be directed to walk around to the playground. Again, these expectations were shared with the students on the first day of school.