Welcome to South Elementary 2009-2010!  It's going to be a great year!  This will be our second year working toward our International Baccalaureate authorization.  We hope to have our authorization visit some time this spring.

Many teachers attended training this summer and will continue working on our Program of Inquiry which outlines the concepts and content that students will be learning from Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. 

Keep watching the website for updates on our Program of Inquiry and progress towards authorization.

Community District Information Survey

What:  South Elementary Science Fair
When:  April 22, 2010
Judging:  3:00 - 4:00 pm
Viewing of Projects and Family Science Night:  6:00-7:30 pm

Dear Parent,

One of our main focus points this year at South Elementary is the IB Learner characteristic Inquirer.  We will be spending time in our classes trying to understand what it means to be an inquirer, and why it is important.  The IB Learner Profile describes an inquirer this way:

They develop their natural curiosity.  They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning.  They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

As parents, we can help our children become inquirers by encouraging them to ask questions and then learn to find answers to those questions. 

In keeping with this theme of learners as inquirers, South will be hosting a Science Fair this year.  Science is one field in which inquiry is a key skill which takes place within a well defined system - the Scientific Method.  By encouraging our children to ask scientific questions and then develop the means, through research or experimentation, to answer those questions, we will be helping them to develop this key IB attribute.  We'd like to encourage you, as parents, to help your child become involved in the Science Fair and to use this experience to become Inquiring Learners.  To aid you in doing this, we've provided this packet of ideas, guidelines and tips.  Please read through these materials and then you and your child can get started.

Sincerely,

South Science Fair Organizers

Casino Night & Auction

Buy your South Elementary Casino Night & Auction tickets NOW and SAVE $5 for each ticket! Advanced Tickets are $15 per person/$25 per couple and includes hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and $100 worth of casino currency towards a fun night at our gaming tables. This event will be held Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 6PM-10PM and will be hosted at Kirk Hall at the Douglas County Fair Grounds. Proceeds from this event are going towards providing our teachers with the required IB training necessary for our elementary school to ultimately complete IB authorization for the 2010/2011 School Year.

There will also be CHILD CARE provided by the South Elementary staff and volunteers at our school. The cost for child care is $5 for the first child and $10/family, ages six months and up! The price includes pizza and drinks, a movie and structured activities with some open play time. SPACE IS LIMITED AND HISTORICALLY HAS FILLED UP QUICKLY! So buy your tickets now! The DEADLINE for Child Care Signup is MARCH 5th or until we are FULL!

You can purchase your tickets using cash or check from the South Elementary Front Desk or at our Parent/Teacher Conferences on March 2nd and 4th (we will be able to take Visa or MasterCard on conference nights as well). Alternatively, you can purchase your tickets any time using your Visa or MasterCard by emailing the South PTCO at [ mailto:southelementaryPTCO@gmail.com ]southelementaryPTCO@gmail.com or calling 720-987-9254.

We can't wait to see you all there! So come on out and have an enjoyable "night on the town" with us and at the same time, support our South Elementary IB Program! Please be sure to bring your family and friends to this event as it is sure to be as much of a blast as it was last year!