9-R NEWS BRIEFS – September 25, 2009
 

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

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ANIMAS VALLEY ELEMENTARY
Huskies of the Week for RESPECT
· Staff Member – Michol Brammer, Academic Coach
· Kindergarten – Cass Maloney & Pamela Mendisco
· First Grade – Ian Daly and Bella Lopez & Hayes Linney
· 2nd grade – Louie Ickes & Angelia Lashway
· 3rd grade – McCade Bruce and Dawntelle Sylvester & Siena DiGiacomo
· 4th grade – Violet Witchel & Ashely Dorf
· 5th grade – Layne Clements & Max Martinez & Alec Enriquez

DURANGO HIGH SCHOOL
Support scholastic journalism! El Diablo is selling subscriptions again this year — $10 for all 8 issues, delivered. Call Barbara McLachlan at 259-1630, ext. 2241, email [email protected], or send a check to 2390 Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301.
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Athletic Director Sheldon Keresey and Principal Diane Lashinsky has recommended Klint Chandler for hire as the Head Girls Varsity Basketball Coach at Durango High School, subject to the approval of the 9-R School Board. Mr. Chandler was selected from a pool of three candidates invited to interview after a three-month search. He is a welding teacher at Durango High School and has served as the DHS Girls Junior Varsity Coach for the past four seasons; with prior experience as a Junior Varsity and Middle School coach in Ignacio. Coach Chandler will replace Mary Psenda-Doane, who resigned at the end of the 2008-09 season.
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Durango High School Choir Festival: Durango High School Choirs invite you to enjoy an evening of musical entertainment. The concert date has changed from previous publications and will now be held on September 30th at 7:00 p.m. at Miller Middle School.
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SAVE THE DATE!
DHS will hold Parent/Teacher Conferences the evenings of October 8th and October 15th, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Scheduling requests from parents will be accepted on Monday and Tuesday October 5th & 6th, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Parents may call the high school at 259-1630, extension 2327 and leave a message with their name, their student’s name, phone number, which teachers they would like to see and their preferred date and time. A volunteer will call you back to confirm their conference schedule.

ESCALANTE MIDDLE SCHOOL
On Thursday, October 1st (and subsequent first Thursdays), the Escalante Parent Organization (E.P.O.) will meet. Starting with a “Sip & Chat” at 7:45 a.m., parents will meet in the Parents’ Center to greet each other and discuss any subject a parent wants to address. The business meeting will begin at 8:21 a.m. All parents and community members are welcome. The E.P.O. is an excellent opportunity to stay engaged with your students. For more information, call Elena Lozano (P.I.E) at 247-9490 ext.2858.
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Bill Bowker, the Escalante Middle School Football Coach coached his 200th career victory last week. That is quite an accomplishment, considering the fact that there are only 8-10 games each season in middle school. Congratulations, Coach Bowker!

NEEDHAM ELEMENTARY
Needham Elementary will be participating in the Durango Cowboy Gathering festivities by hosting a Cowboy Poetry assembly on Thursday, October 1st at 1:15 and 2:20 in the Needham Multi-purpose Room. For more info, contact the Needham office at 247-4791.
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Needham third graders will participate in the new “Life in a Log Cabin” program developed by the Animas Museum. Their visit to the Joy Cabin will introduce students to the pioneer life of early Durango. Docent Mary Jane Hood will focus on the daily life of settlers who came to this area in the 1800’s. For more information, contact Mrs. Shipp at 247-4791, ext. 3611.

OTHER NEWS
Study Connection, an after-school academic mentoring program pairing volunteers from the community with students at the schools, will begin at Needham on Monday, September 21, at Fort Lewis Mesa on Tuesday, September 22, Florida Mesa on Wednesday, September 23, and Riverview on Thursday, September 24. Study Connection is a partnership between the 9-R school district and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado. Call 970-247-3720 to volunteer or request enrollment for students.
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There will be an organizational meeting to initiate a Durango Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Branch of the International Dyslexic Assoociation on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at the Hampton Inn on North Main St from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Our special guest speaker is Elenn Steinberg, president of the Rocky Mountain Branch of the IDA. Elenn is on the State Committee for Special Education and is an advocate for children with learning differences. Educators, parents and others working to ensure better and more comprehensive educational opportunities for our children are welcome and urged to attend. For further information call Mimi Thurston at (970) 759-1778.
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Education Appreciation Week is September 29th – October 7th at Waldenbooks/Borders. All “educators” (anyone involved in the education of a child — so every 9-R employee) will enjoy 30% off their personal and classroom purchases of list priced books, chocolates, gifts & stationery and more when they bring in their current Classroom or Educator Discount Card, school district ID card, or pay stub. For more information, contact Amy Allison-Paylor, Manager of Waldenbooks in the Durango Mall.
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Per the September 4th News Briefs item, online voting is now open for the ABC Children’s Picture Book Competition at www.abcbookcompetition.org. Jacqueline Juliana’s children’s book, Baby Bummer, is one of the finalists. The book that receives the most votes gets published. Each school is eligible to vote 10 times, and each individual is eligible to vote once a day.
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FORT LEWIS COLLEGE SKYHAWK CHEERLEADERS LOOKING FOR PARADE CARS
The Skyhawk Cheerleaders are looking for classic cars and convertibles to carry team members during the 2009 Homecoming Parade. We are looking for a wide variety of vehicles to represent a range of eras. The parade is scheduled for Friday, October 9th at 6:00 p.m. Participants will need to arrive at 5:15 p.m. for the lineup. If you are interested, please contact Skyhawk Spirit Program Director, Suzanne Garcia at (970) 799-0936 or [email protected].