PCKCS 4-24-08

Friday, April 25th - No school (teacher in-service)

PCKCS Dinner Theater
April 25th & 26th

For all you last minute shoppers, tonight is your last opportunity to call for show tickets. There are still seats available for both Saturday shows – Friday night is completely sold out. Please call Cindy Piggott at 303-805-1969 this evening if you would like to purchase tickets.

For those folks who have purchased tickets, please note that the doors will open for the dinner shows at 4:45pm, with dinner being promptly served at 5pm. The show begins at 5:30pm and should run a little more than two hours. The doors open for the matinee at 11:45am with coffee and dessert being served at 12 and the show beginning at 12:30pm.

What does it takes to put a show together? Here’s the lowdown in numbers:
591 – that’s how many guests will be attending the Fiddler on the Roof shows this coming weekend!
55+ - that’s how many volunteers it has taken to get the show rehearsed, crafted, sewed, supervised, fed and organized!
17 – that’s how many weeks the cast and crew have been working with Mrs. Myers to be ready to go!
83 – that’s how many cast and crew members are bursting to entertain you
95 – that’s how many costumes are hanging and ready to be worn for the performances (that is many, many hours of sewing by our volunteer sewing squad!)
16 – that’s how many total hours it took our construction crew to totally complete the set
2,822 – that’s how many snacks were donated by families for the cast and crew during 17 weeks of rehearsals
1 – one fantastic music director that has made it all happen!!!!!

Congratulations to all the cast and crew of “Fiddler on the Roof”.
BREAK A LEG this weekend!!!


Earth Day Celebration was enjoyed throughout the building. The Town of Parker received the “Tree City USA Award” from the National Forestry Service at a presentation at our school followed by our 1st and 6th grade students planting 30 trees around our grounds. Check out the “Tree Map” of Denver www.greenprintdenver.org/trees/map.php - We are on it!

PCKCS Art Show Needs Your Help - Volunteers are needed to help hang and label art pieces before they are displayed in the Art Show starting May 9th. We could use your help anytime from May 5th – May 8th. Please leave a message for Mrs. Ackerman as to what day and time you can help.

Art Department Needs – old postage stamp collections, small pieces of wood (3”-5”) for sculpture bases, styrofoam meat trays, papers for collage, acrylic paints and lace.

8th Grade Parents - Graduation and year-end events are being planned for our 8th grade students. A flyer/registration form has been emailed home to everyone with details. If you did not receive one, please contact Diane Flores (720-851-7555 or dlfloresd@msn.com). Check out the MS link on the front page of our school website (ckcs.net) for more details.

Thank Yous

Earth Day Thank You - Many thanks to all of you who contributed to our Earth Day event. The speakers were fabulous, and we are very appreciative of their time, information and inspiration.

Speaker team - Craig Miller and Calvin Kaemmerling from Parker Water and Sanitation, Emily Coll from the CSU Extension Service, Christel Kozar, Core parent, and Lisa Sitzmann, Core teacher.

Middle School students who helped with Earth Day as instructors and/or preparing posters, demos, and treats. We couldn't have done it without you!

Fiona Breslin for organizing the events and providing a wonderful trash free lunch for our speakers.

Karen Marceau, for organizing and providing materials for the UV bead project.

Kristina Gleason, for doing a fabulous job with the tree planting project.

To the Feck Family for the supply of binders. We can always use binders!

PCKCS 4-17-08

FROM THE DIRECTOR

The votes are in…Congratulations to Kim Bruce, Mara’D Jahde and Michael Sparks, our newly elected OC members, and ‘Thank You’ to all parents and staff who took the time to vote on Tuesday. The race was close, with all four candidates receiving strong support.

The new OC members jumped right into their roles by attending their first official meeting last night. All newly elected OC members attend the last two meetings of the year as observers, and then shift into their ‘full role’ at our summer work session in June.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank three of our outgoing OC members who have served diligently over the past year or two: Scott Thomas was heavily involved in our contract negotiation with the district last year, and both Scott and Sonya Gillen (along with the rest of the OC) were instrumental in getting our Field of Dreams project off the ground. Mike Mullane joined us last year and offered his expertise as a CPA and auditor. Unfortunately, Mike is stepping down at the end of this year, but Pat Redalen (former OC President) has agreed to fulfill the last year of Mike’s two-year term…Welcome Back, Pat!

OC meetings are always open to all parents and staff. Monthly meeting times, dates and agendas are posted on the bulletin board to your left as you enter the front doors of our school. If you haven’t attended a meeting, I encourage you to join us at your convenience. It’s a great way to stay connect with what’s happening around the school.

APRIL
18th Dads & Donuts 7:00 A.M.
18th MS Social 4:00 P.M.
22nd Earth Day
25th Teacher In-service No School
25th & 26th Dinner Theater Tickets still available!

 Earth Day, April 22nd - We are encouraging everyone to try to make it a trash-free day! If your student is bringing a sack lunch, please try to use reusable containers. Thank you for your support!

 PCKCS Art Show Needs Your Help - Volunteers are needed to help hang and label art pieces before the are displayed in the Art Show starting May 9th. We could use your help anytime from May 5th – May 8th. Please leave a message for Mrs. Ackerman as to what day and time you can help.

 Art Department Needs – old postage stamp collections, small pieces of wood (3”-5”) for sculpture bases, styrofoam meat trays, papers for collage, acrylic paints and lace.


PCKCS Dinner Theater
April 25th & 26th

With show time only a week away, tickets almost sold out and the cast and crew ready to go, it looks like The Fiddler on the Roof is set to be a hit! Volunteers are all lined up and assigned their jobs for the day. If anyone is still interested in helping during any of the shows, please contact Cristy Johnston at 303- 841-4569 as soon as possible as there will always be room for more help.

Only a few sets of tickets remain for each of the shows. If you need some last minute tickets, please call Cindy Piggott at 303-805-1969. All ticket sales will be advance sales only - tickets will not be available at the door.

A big thank-you to our “Walk of Fame” volunteer this week – Jennifer Sparks! She has volunteered to be plugged into several jobs during the show next weekend and will surely be kept busy with all the things that need to done. Thanks to Jennifer (and to all dinner theater volunteers).

Thank Yous

To the Evert family for the yummy hot drinks during afternoon carpool. It was a nice treat on a snowy day!!

To Suznne Carni for painting the outside storage shed.

To Tim Steward, Michael Pearson and Orion Skinner for helping monitor the OC election process and tabulating the results.

To Orion Skinner for his extensive work on 2007-2008 Parent Survey. To Cristy Johnston for organizing Dad & Donuts this Friday.

To Jennifer Weems, Becky McKenna, Jodi Richardson and Joan Wilson for volunteering in the lunch room when Mrs. Redfern and Mrs. Coyle had to be out of the building this week. You guys are troopers!

To the Wade family for their art supply donation.

PCKCS 4-10-08

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Get ready to vote! No, I'm not talking about electing the next President of the United States, I'm talking about the OC election next Tuesday, April 15, 2008. For the first time in several years, we have more candidates running than we have open seats. Every year three OC members are slated to rotate off the OC, and three new ones are elected. However, an OC member who is scheduled to rotate off may choose to run for a second term.

In today's Thursday newsletter (and on our website at www.ckcs.net) you will find a short bio on each of our four candidates, along with a brief overview of the voting process. Kim Bruce, Jeanne Burks, Mara'D Jahde and Michael Sparks are all PCKCS parents who wish to serve on the OC for the next two years. Per our bylaws, three of these four highly qualified parents must be elected to serve on the OC by the parents and staff of the school.

Voting will begin at 7 A.M. on Tuesday morning, April 15, and run throughout the day until 7 P.M. The process is easy...simply stop by the front office anytime between 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. and cast your vote. You may be asked to show a picture ID before voting, and you will sign in on a parent/staff roster. All parents of current PCKCS students are strongly encouraged to vote. Remember, the OC represents the parent body of the school; they are your voice on policy issues and school governance decisions. Please make it a priority to stop by and vote next Tuesday. Thank you.

APRIL
10th May Menus Due
15th Operating Council Elections 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
15th DC Board of Education Meeting 5:15 P.M.
18th Dads & Donuts 7:00 A.M.
18th MS Social 4:00 P.M.
22nd Earth Day
25th & 26th Dinner Theater

 Douglas County School Board Meeting - Next Tuesday, April 15, at 5:15 P.M. the Douglas County Board of Education (620 Wilcox Street, Board Meeting Room) will hear a formal proposal from the DCSD charter schools regarding our request for a ‘fair share’ allotment of any future bond/mill levy dollars the school district receives from taxpayers following a successful bond/mill levy election. It would be helpful to have a healthy showing of charter school supporters at the meeting, as the ballot question and decision to include charter schools as recipients is still to be decided. Our presentation is scheduled for 5:15 and should last approximately 20 minutes. Your supportive presence is encouraged and appreciated. Thank you.


 Earth Day, April 22nd - The Middle School will be involved in a symposium about water issues, and will have opportunities to hear from a number of community members. Later in the day, older students will mentor younger students in water-related activities. There will also be tree plantings, and an exploration of UV radiation. We are encouraging everyone to try to make it a trash-free day, so, if your student is bringing a sack lunch, please try to use reusable containers. Thank you for your support!



PTO

Dads & Donuts – This very fun event for students and dads will be held again this year – April 18th at 7:00 A.M in the school gym. Moms - we need your help! Please e-mail Cristy Johnston at cristy.johnston@comcast.net

PCKCS Dinner Theater April 25th & 26th

Moms and Dads, looking for a great way to have “date night” with your son or daughter? Maybe your child wants to take a grandparent out for a night on the town? “Fiddler on the Roof” is a fantastic way to do that! For $18 per adult or $12 per child, have we got a show for you! But hurry! We literally have only a handful of tickets for each show remaining (in pairs, threes or fours only). Call Cindy Piggott at 303-805-1969 to get your tickets.

The few remaining tickets will be on sale in the lobby of the school on Friday afternoon from 2:45 – 3:15, just prior to carpool. If you are interested in tickets and want them that day, bring your check or cash and they can be yours!

Already purchased your tickets? Check your child’s’ Thursday folder today for your ticket envelope.

A huge thank-you to all of the Sewing Day volunteers that joined the fun last Saturday to work on costumes. If you have an interest in getting involved with other dinner theater activities, call Cristy Johnston at 303-841-4569. She is currently organizing volunteer schedules and details for show days.

PCKCS 4-3-08

FROM THE DIRECTOR

By now most of you have received the OC letter announcing the addition of a new (third) Kindergarten class – a bonus class – we are offering next fall. I am very excited to welcome these new students to our school, and I know many of their parents are happy to have a full-day kindergarten option. We still have many logistical details to work through, but I am already looking forward to next fall.

One other change to note as we look forward to the 2008-09 school year is a shift in placement for our 6th grade. Currently, we are one of only a few schools in Douglas County that considers 6th grade middle school. Beginning in August, 2008, we will ‘reclassify’ our 6th grade as an elementary grade. Some of our reasons for making this change include:
• The developmental (maturity) level of 11-12 year olds is more closely aligned with elementary students; we will now align with DCSD middle and elementary schools
• Sixth grade students still need the guidance of a primary or homeroom teacher; there is significant training that must occur in 6th grade in order for the student to be adequately prepared for the changes that occur in 7th/8th grade (e.g. the rotating block schedule, having a different teacher for each subject, and the organization of school work, supplies and locker required for success.)
• The need to provide adequate Parent-Teacher Conference slots for all parents of 6th grade students; the current middle school conference model does not allow enough slots
• The opportunity to improve scheduling and the allocation of support resources for 6th grade were also considerations
From the students’ perspective, this ‘reclassification’ will be relatively invisible. Here’s a look at what will change and what will stay the same:

Change
• A new lunch period (12:15 P.M.)
• A revised class schedule
• No Khaki pants/shorts
• No participation in Middle School socials


Stay the same
• Lockers for 6th graders – they still need to practice
• Location of classrooms / two classroom teachers
• Parent access to the IC Parent Portal
• Grading on a Quarterly basis


The final change impacting next year’s 6th graders has nothing to do with the reclassification of 6th grade as an elementary grade, but it involves a change in the 6th grade teachers. After many years of faithful service, Mrs. Sitzmann and Mrs. Colley have both decided to seek new teaching opportunities outside of Core. We are sad to see them go, but we wish them both the very best in their new positions.

As I wrap up this letter to all of you, I am reminded of a quote that seems most fitting for my close: “Nothing in life is constant, except change.” We can either fight it or roll gracefully with it, and I for one love the excitement of what’s to come. I hope you do, too!

APRIL
10th May menus due
18th Dads & Donuts
18th MS Social
22nd Earth Day
25th & 26th Dinner Theater

Earth Day, April 22nd - The Middle School will be involved in a symposium about water issues, and will have opportunities to hear from a number of community members. Later in the day, older students will mentor younger students in water-related activities. There will also be tree plantings, and an exploration of UV radiation. We are encouraging everyone to try to make it a trash-free day, so, if your student is bringing a sack lunch, please try to use reusable containers. Thank you for your support!

Square One Art Fundraiser – FAQ’s
Do I need to return the original artwork with my order? No
Is the magnet free? Yes
How much do I pay for shipping if I order for more than one child? $1.50 shipping per family.
Orders are due tomorrow, Friday, April 4th

PTO

Dads & Donuts – This very fun event for students and dads will be held again this year – April 18th at 7:00 A.M in the school gym. Moms - we need your help! Please e-mail Cristy Johnston at cristy.johnston@comcast.net.




MS Movie Night (originally scheduled for April 11th) has been postponed.


PCKCS Dinner
Theater April 25th & 26th

The Fiddler on the Roof is only 22 days away from curtain time and the cast and crew are ready!! Ticket sales are hot as well, with the Saturday shows virtually sold out. If you are planning on getting tickets for friends or family please call Cindy Piggott at 303-805-1969 soon so you don’t miss out! As of Wednesday this week, we have only 33 seats left for Friday night, 11 for the Saturday matinee and 7 for the Saturday night show.

Sewing Day, Part II is scheduled for this coming Saturday, April 5th from 10am – 3pm at Joy Lutheran Church. The first day was a huge success thanks to so many hands pitching in (want to know who? Read the “Fiddler News”…). If you can help (sewing, ironing or any other important jobs that need to be done), please join in. The goal is to finish up all costumes for the show. Call Christy Pearson or Yvonne Knapp and let them know you plan to help.

For more details and information about the show, please be sure to read the “Fiddler News” in your Thursday folder today. Call Cindy Piggott at 303-805-1969 for more ticket info.

Thank Yous


To the Cummings family for the art donation of art supplies.


To Mom’s in Touch for the beautiful tulips that lasted all week in out lounge.