PRINCIPAL’S CORNER

May is the month of track meets, Parent’s Day Tea, school plays and, of course, Graduation.  It is hard to believe the class of 2010 has made it to the end of their journey at Edison.  When I started at Edison they were in the 2^nd grade.  I will never forget their energy and vitality.  They still carry that same energy and they will be greatly missed at Edison.  They have been leaders in the classrooms, the athletic fields and in our school hallways.  Not only are they leaders, but they are role models.  We are all proud of this group and wish them great success in the future.  We will miss them!

 Mrs. Rachel Paul

Playground Dedication

We will be having a playground dedication on May 7^th at 3:30pm at the elementary school.  This dedication will follow the Parent’s Day Tea.  I am hoping that several members from the community are able to attend.  If you are coming to Parent’s Day Tea, just plan to stay on campus another half hour and join us on the playground.

 Continuation

The continuation ceremony for the 5^th and 8^th graders is scheduled for May 27 at 7:00pm.  We will be honoring both classes and continuing them on to the junior high school and high school. 

 Retirement Party

We will be having a retirement party for Mr. Grosche on June 5, 2010 at 4:00pm in the auditorium and gymnasium. This will be a community pot luck and all are welcome to attend. The school staff will be bringing the main dishes and we are asking the community to bring salads, desserts and side dishes.  Included in this retirement party will be a “roast.”  If you have a funny story you would like to share, please call the school and sign up for a slot. We will send out more information as it becomes available as well as putting information in “The Ranchland.”

~Rachel Paul

SECONDARY THOUGHTS

End of Year? – No, Not Really. Well, we’ve always looked at this time of year as the end of the school year with the start of the new school year some 12 weeks away.  Twelve weeks for your student to do nothing more mentally challenging than figure out how to get out of doing the chores -- definitely Tom Sawyer material.  The loss of knowledge over the summer is well-documented.  One of the criticisms leveled against our country’s education system(s) is the amount of review that is built into our textbooks and coursework.  The curricula in those countries that are our main economic rivals contain far less review of previous years’ material than does ours.  The need for us (U.S.) to spend so much of our school schedule in review is a direct result of the loss of knowledge our children experience during the summer break. 

 The summer vacation was necessary during the early years of the United States when we were heavily an agrarian economy.  The kids were needed on the farm to plant, care for,  and harvest the crops.  They were going to miss school anyway, so summer vacation just    recognized reality.  According to USDA’s Amber Waves website, “At the turn of the 21st century, 5.9 million people lived or worked on 2.1 million farms, representing 2 percent of total U.S. population. Only 20 percent of rural U.S. counties now depend on agriculture for more than 15 percent of earnings. Even in these farming counties, nonfarm sectors have been and continue to be major sources of employment.”* We continue this tradition not because we need it, but it is what we adults did when we were in school and we like it and we expect it, but we pay for it by placing speed bumps in the way of our children’s competitiveness. *(www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/ September05/Features/FarmPoverty.htm)

 I am not advocating for a year-round school calendar.  What I am asking you parents to do is minimize the loss of skills and knowledge during the summer and give your child an advantage over others next year.  Keep your child engaged in academic activities.  Many bookstores offer workbooks along the line of “What Every 5^th Grader Should Know”.  Mardel is a good source for these kinds of titles.  In the past Edison has offered workbooks for kids to work on during the summer.  Although, I have yet to have any parent ask for one of these books, I will again make the offer to provide a workbook for your student if you promise to have your child work on it. 

 The biggest tip I have for you is to keep your child reading.  The public libraries have summer reading programs that are fun.  If you don’t want to go that far, just having a time set aside during your family’s week that everybody will turn off the TV, the video games, and the cell phones, and read for a set period of time.  This will do two things:  it will demonstrate that reading is important, and it will make sure that time is spent reading.  Reading is one of those skills that improves only through practice.  Should you have any questions regarding your child and reading, come talk to our wonderful secondary staff.  We are here to help.

~ Richard W. Briggs

 PROM KUDOS!!

Congratulations to the junior class, Mrs. Binkley-Jones, junior parents, and other volunteers or draftees for the work they did on this year’s prom.  It was very well done and again raises expectations for next year.  The layout was impressive.  You should be proud of the results.

This year’s court, as voted by the student body, was Queen Ariel F, King Greg F, Princess Carina S, and Prince Nathan M.  Congratulations to them!

~ Richard W. Briggs

As most of you know, the Edison Junior/Senior Prom was held this last weekend and it was a great success!  It was thoroughly enjoyable to watch all the students dancing and having fun.  It would not have happened without a lot of help from many people.  So, I would like to extend a hearty ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped put together a wonderful prom.  The Junior parents were invaluable in the amount of time and energy they supplied; everyone had great ideas and cooperated to make them happen; Mary Watson, for the beautiful canvas windows and archway; Holly Gail for the delicious cakes; and Mr. Jordahl for helping with the gate.  We also had several corporate sponsors:  Olive Garden donated the spaghetti, Borriello Brothers Pizza for the salad and garlic knots, Hardings Nursery for the plants and bushes, and Pro Steel for the scaffolding we used to hang the curtains.

 Please show your appreciation to these businesses as they contributed to the success of this year’s prom.

  ~Deirdre Binkley-Jones

 SPORTS SPOTS

The 2010 track season is coming to an end this month. The high school team has three remaining meets; May 1^st @ Elbert, May 8^th Black Forest League Meet @ Elbert and Regionals @ Limon on May 15^th. There are six girls and four boys on the team and they have all been putting forth a great effort and training hard this season. For the first time in several years the girls’ team has been able to put together a couple of relay teams due to higher participation numbers than in years past.  The middle school team only has the Black Forest League meet remaining on May 8^th. They should be very competitive in several events and it is a great opportunity to come out and support both the middle school and high school teams. Events start @ 8:00am and will continue throughout the late afternoon. Track awards will be presented at the Spring Awards Assembly on May 28^th.

 It has been a very successful year for all of Edison’s athletic teams.  It has been a pleasure to coach these young men and women and work with Mike, Missy, Angie and Rose. 

I look forward to a great 2010/11 sports year!  Sports information will be in the summer newsletters.

~Jeff Jordahl

 KINDERGARTEN & 1^st GRADE CLASSES

Thank you so much to all of our supportive parents and community members for helping make this another successful school year!  We couldn’t do it without you, and you are truly appreciated.

We have several exciting events coming up to finish the year.  On May 7^th, we invite our parents and grandparents to the annual Parents Tea at 2:00pm.  Our class will have a water play party sometime during the last two weeks of school, on a day when the weather is warm and sunny!  We will go on an end-of-the-year field trip with the other elementary classes to the Florissant Fossil Beds on May 18th, and all of the elementary students will participate in Field Day on May 26th.

 Favorite memories from this school year:

Rance – learning about recycling and building an invention

Britney – eating cake on the 100^th day of school

Lanai and Tayler – Fuzzy Parties

Chris – seeing a live tarantula

Josh – decorating gingerbread houses

John – morning music, especially “Freeze” and “Animal Action”

Jacob – learning about space

Rylan – the 100^th day

Alex – the Easter egg hunt

Chase – resting time

Kolbe – learning about guide dogs and police dogs

Jarom – counting the days of school

Hayli – learning math

Hannah – playing with new friends

 Have a safe and wonderful summer!

~Andrea MacDonald 

2^nd GRADE CLASS

What a great group of alert and intelligent children!  We have been busy stepping up our proficiency in all content areas.  Our literacy topics have included:  inventions, ways we travel, and creative expression.  We have been learning to fill out cause and effect charts as well as learning to be generally more independent during seatwork time.

 In math we are learning to tell time on an analog clock and relating it to the digital clock.  Discussion and activities have centered around logical reasoning in elapsed time and comparing what we do at home to what we do at school during certain times of the day and night. 

 We appreciated the wonderful Easter party given by our party mothers Stephane Closson, Candi McBroom, and Randa Anderson.  

 The annual Parents’ Day Tea on Friday, May 7, is providing a great opportunity to show our appreciation for our mommies and daddies.  We are excited about welcoming parents to our school to honor them with a special musical program!

~Mrs. Elizabeth Frank

 3^rd GRADE CLASS

Third grade is gearing up for our life science insect study.  Our butterfly larvae should arrive the week of April 28.  The students are always amazed at how quickly the larvae double their size.  We have also been studying geology.  Mrs. Everhart has put some wonder sites on the Edison Elementary Computer page that students and families can access from home.  If you have never been to the Florissant Fossil Beds, which our elementary students will be visiting on May 18, check out the web page.  It is full of information and what our students can expect. 

If you have any empty oatmeal containers, please send them in.  The third grade will be making a time capsule with third grade memorabilia, notes from family and friends.  The time capsule is to be opened at the student’s high school graduation.

                                                            ~Ms. Hotop

 4^th and 5^th GRADE CLASS

We have finished our elementary matchwits year and I am very proud of the kids and their participation at each meet.  At every meet, each team finished in a room above where they had started. I would like to thank those parents who were able to come out and support us as well as provide snacks and drinks.  We are looking forward to the Parents’ Day Tea on May 7^th.  Please mark your calendar.  The afternoon will start at 2:00pm. with the program “GO WEST” in the auditorium followed by a playground dedication and refreshments at the elementary building.  Some of the things we are looking forward to in May are: a field trip to the Florissant Fossil Beds, jump up day, and field day, just to name a few.  Our class has been using this fourth quarter to incorporate some of the tools Google offers into our learning.  We have filled out forms, worked on group documents, created presentations, worked on collaborative projects and visited parts of the globe.  I have been very excited to see the students’          involvement and interaction during these times.

As the year is drawing to a close I would like to thank my classroom parents for their support throughout the year.  I will look forward to the fourth grade again next year and wish the fifth graders the best as they move to middle school.  Fifth grade parents, mark your calendars for the Continuation on May 27^th at 7:00pm. 

~Paul Frank

 STATE KNOWLEDGE BOWL

State Knowledge Bowl was held April 15^th and 16^th at Colorado College. This was the second time we have competed in the state competition, the first was 2008. There were twelve 1A schools competing with schools ranked up to 5A. We landed in the middle of the bottom third overall, but came in 6^th for 1A schools in the state. Our varsity team had a great time competing and making new friends. This year’s team consisted of Jade Meinzer – Senior; Trystan Binkley-Jones – Junior; Dylan Binkley-Jones – Sophomore; and Chris Everhart – Sophomore. Coming in 6^th in our division was good considering we were without Jade and/or Trystan for parts of the competition, which is geared more toward upper classmen. They all did a great job and we congratulate them on both their performance at State Knowledge Bowl and the fact that they made it that far.

~Mrs. Sargent

Coach

 MUCHOS GRACIAS

The Spanish II and Spanish III classes enjoyed presenting a dramatized version of Little Red Riding Hood (Caperucita Roja) to the Pre-school, Kindergarten, First and Second grade. The audience was prepared to hear the Spanish version by an English run-though first.  Then the “tape” was re-wound and they saw and heard the story in Spanish.  The story was narrated by Jenna Frank, with Becca Frank playing Caperucita Roja, Chris Everhart as the Green Frog, Elena Gonzalez as the Blue Bird and Grandma, and Dylan Binkley-Jones as the Wolf.  A big thank you to Mrs. Rowe, Mrs. McDonald and Mrs. Frank for letting us entertain their students.

~Mrs. Dody

RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile offers checkups, immunizations, medical and dental care to children through the age of 21.  Medicaid, CHP+ and sliding scale applications for those without insurance are accepted.  Trained staff members are available to assist in the registration process.  Parents/guardians must be present at time of appointment and proof of guardianship papers is required.  Please bring vaccination record to receive immunizations and arrive 15 minutes early prior to your appointment.  This visit may also be used for the 2010/11 school year sports physical.

 The RMCM Edison schedule is 8:00am-5:00pm on Wednesday, May 5^th for medical appointments and 8:00am-5:00pm, Thursday, May 6^th for dental appointments,

Please call Christine Rowe at 478-2125 if you want to schedule an appointment.

 Hats on for Hearts

Thursday, May 6^th will be “Hats on for Hearts” Day.  Elementary students can bring $1.00 and be able to wear a hat of their choice for the school day.  Secondary students can wear their hat for the day by contributing $2.00 for the day.  All of the money raised for the day will be turned in to the American Heart Association.  Contact Mrs. Everhart is you have any questions regarding the day.  Please help in the fight against heart disease and get involved on the “Hats on for Hearts Day.”

 MUSICAL NOTES

Get ready for a night of exaggerated conflicts and emotions, otherwise known as MELODRAMA -- Edison style!  Prepare to participate in the mayhem as you’ll want to boo and hiss with your fellow audience attendees at the dastardly deeds of the Diggalittledeeper citizens!   Phineas Flatworm, Lola-Lola, Olympia Klenz and others look forward to entertaining you as they present “The Villian Wore A Dirty Shirt or…’Always Wash Your Longjohns ‘Cause It Makes A Lotta Cents’”.

Make your appointment for an enjoyable, Edison evening on Friday, May 14th, beginning with the Senior Class cooking up dinner at 5:30pm (to help raise funds for their senior trip), followed  by  the  7pm   Diggalittledeeper Drama. 

 The Drama Class asks that you bring a non-perishable, canned food item in lieu of a theatre ticket.  All donations will go to the Antioch Pantry.  Thank you, Edison Community, for your outstanding support!

 Another note to sing about is the Parent’s Day Tea on Friday, May 7^th, at 2pm.  The elementary students are diligently preparing a gold rush musical and look forward to a sparklin’ show!

~Lori Whittemore

 DON’T DELAY

GET YOUR AD IN THIS YEAR’S BOOK

This year’s yearbook staff would like to give you an opportunity to recognize your child, sibling, or a friend in a unique way by purchasing advertising space in the 2010 yearbook.  There are a variety of options for you to consider.  Refer to the information below:

                        A business card size for         $20

                        A ¼ page size for                    $30

                        A ½ page size for                    $75

                        A full page size for                  $150

You may also purchase brand ads for the following prices:

                        First brand for                         $20

                        Additional brands                    $5

 This is a great way to deliver a special message to seniors.  The advertising pages will all be in color and you would need to fill out an ad contract (contact Mrs. Everhart for an ad contract) and pay for your space, before we would add your special message to the yearbook.  Please make your decision to purchase advertising space quickly to make sure you are included in the yearbook.  We would like all ads submitted ASAP, but not later than May 14^th.

If you have any further questions regarding advertising in the yearbook, please contact Mrs. Everhart.  Yearbooks will be here in the fall.

Save your $$$

pre-order A 2010 Yearbook

Now is the time to get your order in for the 2010 yearbook that will arrive in the fall.  The 2010 yearbook is all in color and has memories for preschool through seniors.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Everhart ASAP, but not later than May 28^th.

Remember:  Any personalization (name or icon on the cover) on the cover of the book--must be pre-ordered this spring.

 Eagle Scout Court of Honor

All community members are welcome to attend an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for William H, Sunday, May 18, 2010 at 2:00pm in the Edison Cafeteria.  There will be Refreshments and a powwow by the Matoska Dancers of Venture Crew 2547.  Way to go, Will!

 Elementary Field Day

The annual elementary field day will be held on Wednesday, May 26^th.  Preschool through second grade will enjoy their field day activities from 9 am to 10:30 am.  The third through fifth grade classes will compete on the track and in team competition from 10:30 to noon.  Pull out your lawn chairs and come and join us for the day. 

 2010/11 SCHOOL YEAR SPORTS PHYSICAL

Calhan will host a Front Range Orthopedics visit on Thursday, May 27^th, 3:00pm - 6:00pm, to give physicals to high school students for only $10.  If you are interested in this service, please call Mrs. Paul as soon as possible, 478-2125.

 BOOKMOBILE SCHEDULE CHANGE

Friday, May 28^th, will be the last bookmobile stop and will be at Edison 10:00am-11:00am.  Please plan accordingly.

  SHOW YOUR SUMMER SPIRIT

Summer is just around the corner – the best time to show Edison pride by purchasing hats, bags, hoodies, and various types of shirts, all with custom-designed Edison logos.  Contact a Junior Class member or Mrs. Binkley-Jones for the following items:

            Long-Sleeve t-shirt (ash): $15

            Hoodies (ash): $25

            Short-Sleeve t-shirts (green): $14

3/4 sleeve women’s shirt (white w/ black arms): $18

Baseball-style men’s shirt (white w/ black arms): $20

            Green Caps: $18

            Black Caps: $17

            Bags: $18

The Class of 2011 thanks you for your support!

~Deirdre Binkley-Jones

Class Sponsor

 ANTIOCH CHURCH PANTRY

The pantry is open on the 2^nd & 4^th Saturday of from 12pm-2pm and every Sunday from 12pm-1pm.  Please call 478-2210 for more information.

 JUNE HIGHLIGHTS

Saturday, June 5^th: Retirement Party for Mr. Grosche

 Saturday, June 19^th – Monday, June 28^th:  Secondary Building Closed due to floor refurbishing project.  Access to the building will not be permitted until Tuesday, June 29^th.