[MeriwetherMatters] January 9, 2007

[MLS Matters]

MERIWETHER MATTERS:  January 9, 2007

In this Issue.....

Paper Bag Collection
Skate Night
MLS Kids' Art Fundraiser
Talent Show
Offerings from the Parent Resource Center
Western Feeder Pattern-Fall 2007 Elementary Redistricting



Paper Bag Collection:

The paper bag collection is continuing!  The Emergency Food Bank is in need of paper grocery
bags.  Just take your standard, good- condition bags, fold them neatly and put into another bag. 
Instead of plastic bags, why not ask for paper, and recycle them thru the Food Bank?  The
collection box is in the front lobby.



Skate Night:

Rollerskating Night for grades K-2 is  January 19.  Mark your calendar!



MLS Kids' Art Fundraiser:

Our school has teamed up with Original Works to offer an exciting program that allows you to have
your child's very own artwork reproduced onto a number of professional, full color products. MLS
PTO profits from each order!
 
Your child will be creating their artwork in school, using the regular art curriculum as the basis
for their work of art. You will then have the opportunity to order a variety of products with your
child's own artwork featured on each and every product. These products make great gifts (think
Mothers Day!), and your child will gain pride and self-confidence with his or her accomplishment.
 
We are thrilled to be participating in this unique and innovative program. Please contact the
co-chairs if you would like to help! 
Co-chairs are Michelle Goodrich 979-1420, michellegoodrich at earthlink.net and  Kim Crater 296-4764
kimcrater at earthlink.net
 
Look for complete program, product and pricing information coming soon!



Talent Show:

Talent Show Sign Ups are here!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday Jan. 10th or Friday Jan. 19th
On the gym stage after school @2:30
Parents can pick up @ 4:00
Come either day to show us your act to be a part of the 
MLS Talent Show
on Friday Feb. 2nd @7pm
following the Spaghetti Dinner @5:30
Please bring your signed permission slip and any props or music you will be using. Please keep
your act to 3min. or less.
Any questions, please feel free to call us:
Scott and Mark Neisser
974-9922
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
 I give my child _________________________________ permission to participate in the Talent Show on
Fri. Feb. 2nd @7pm.
____________________________________________________
(parents signature)






Offerings from the Parent Resource Center:

Getting a Handle on ADHD:  A Survival Guide for Parents
Presenter:  Dr. Janie Irons, ACPS School Psychologist
Topics include:
Understanding ADHD, myths and misunderstandings, co- occurring conditions, study skills,
behaviors, social skills, talking to your child about ADHD, special considerations for the
siblings of an ADHD child, community resources, home/school collaboration.
 
Thursday, February 8, 6:30 ˆ 8:30 ˆ For parents of elementary school students
Thursday, February 15, 6:30 ˆ 8:30 ˆ For parents of middle and high school students
Albemarle Resource Center, 1200 Forest Street , Charlottesville
This event is free and open to the public.
For more information and to RSVP email Sarah Blech at sblech at k12albemarle.org or phone (434)
975-9400 ext. 2342.  
 
 
RFB & D Learning through Listening program is offering a special holiday promotion for new
individual memberships.  Offer expires 1/15/07!
Join by 1/15 and with your completed application and first book order, your child will receive a
free Wave specialized portable CD player.  For more information phone 
(800) 221-4792 or www.rfbd.org
 
Virginia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association presents:
"Literacy through Research, Education and Advocacy" with Dr. Joseph Torgesen and Peter W. D.
Wright, Esq.
February 2 and 3, 2007
Sheraton West Richmond Hotel, 6624 West Broad Street , Richmond , Va.
Reading Comprehension, Written Expression, Decoding-Reading, Mathematics, Fluency, Assessment,
Behavior Management, Collaboration, Legal Issues and more.
 http://vbida.org for more information.





Western Feeder Pattern
Fall 2007 Elementary Redistricting

Planning process begins:

Albemarle County Public Schools
this month begins planning
attendance boundary changes for
elementary schools in its Western
Feeder Pattern to reduce
overcrowding at Crozet Elementary
School this fall.
During its January 11 regular meeting,
the School Board will review and
finalize a process and timeline. The
proposed timeline calls for a School
Board decision and family notification
before Spring Break.
The goal of this limited redistricting
process is to reduce student
overcrowding at Crozet without
overcrowding other area elementary
schools. Area middle and high
schools will not be impacted by this
redistricting process.
School Board Policy FB (Facilities
Planning) provides guidelines for
developing redistricting options.
Division-level staff will create options
to be presented to the public for
input. The public input will be considered
by the superintendent as she
develops the final staff recommendation
to the School Board. The School
Board will host a public hearing on
the recommendation and will make a
decision in March.
Division staff are working to develop
options with the following considerations
in mind:
•The options will be within the
scope of the Division’s Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) and
budget.
•The options will take into consideration
existing enrollment capacity
at elementary schools, student
enrollment growth projections
for each school, and related
planned campus expansions.
•The existing enrollment capacity
of Brownsville and Meriwether
Lewis Elementary Schools will be
utilized. This may mean some
current Crozet students would
transfer to Brownsville or Meriwether
Lewis, where seats for
students are available. Current
Brownsville, Meriwether Lewis or
Murray Elementary School students
would not be transferred to
other schools in fall 2007.
•Ensuring that students who are
transferred from Crozet to other
schools in fall 2007 will not be
redistricted again during their
elementary school years.
Updates will be provided in this for-mat
to families throughout the process.
For more information, please
talk with your child’s school principal.

Proposed Timeline
January 11: School Board
reviews and finalizes
proposed process and
timeline.
By January 15: Number of
students to be transferred
from Crozet Elementary
School identified. Division
staff develop options for
elementary attendance
boundary changes.
February 1: Informational
meeting for elementary
Western Feeder Pattern
families on redistricting
options at Crozet
Elementary at 7 p.m.
March 8: Superintendent’s
recommendation presented
to School Board for review.
March TBA: School Board
holds Public Hearing.
March 22: School Board
vote during work session at
5:30 p.m. in the Albemarle
County Office Building.
Week of March 26: Families
to be transferred receive
notification by U.S. Mail.
April: Working together,
elementary schools begin
student transition planning
and activities.

Family feedback:
Once the redistricting options are developed, the
school division will provide opportunities for public
input through an informational meeting, a School 
Board Public Hearing and on-line.


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