Our students at Columbine ALREADY love to read, however, we are going to highlight that fact with a month full of exciting events!!  Below is just a sampling of what is in store:
· Each class will decorate their door from a favorite book.
· The first week is Drop Everything and Read week.Students and teachers will drop everything and read when the announcement is made.
·We will be keeping track of reading minutes on a bulletin board in the hall....watch as the mountain climber tries to make it to the top of the mountain!!
·Community readers will be coming to read to our students during the second week of February. If you would like to donate your time to read aloud to our students during that week, please contact Darby Remley at 686-2300. If you have a favorite book you would like to share, bring it along!  If not, teachers will be happy to provide you with a book to read aloud to the class.
·Students will reunite with their Earth Promise groups to read together outside in nature.
·A story will circulate throughout the school with each classroom adding plot and details.
·At the end of the month we will have a Read-A-Thon in the gym. This is where Cris Gammill will read the story that has been passed around the school. This will also be the day the children can dress up as their favorite character from a book.
We hope you can stop by sometime during the month to help celebrate with us!
 


                                      
 

Woodland Park School District is making it easier to pay for your student's school fees...

 ACTIVITIES & ATHLETICS
Brian Gustafson

Summit Elementary School's Jump Rope For Heart Demonstration Team

Jump Rope For Heart (JRFH) is a fun, school-based education and fund-raising program of the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAPHERD).  Since 1978 the event has raised over $350 million to fight heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 3 killers in the U.S.  Summit Elementary School has participated in JRFH since the 2000-2001 year. 
In the 2006-2007 school year, Sue Wright, Summit's Physical Education Specialist, started a jump rope team at Summit.  The team's name is the Summit Sky Skippers.  They meet once a week and practice for an hour.  The Sky Skippers have performed at Summit's JRFH events, a WPHS basketball game, and the Woodland Park School District's Bike & Hike.  This year Mrs. Wright's goal was to provide more opportunities for the team to perform.  Beverly Dunning, Director of Youth Marketing for the AHA, suggested the team become a JRFH demonstration team.  Mrs. Wright researched the requirements for becoming a demo team, felt the team was ready, and got an "okay" from Principal Eric Owen to proceed. 
The primary role and purpose of a JRFH demonstration team is to motivate students and teachers to participate in a JRFH event.  Demo teams can increase event income and number of participants as well as build participant enthusiasm.  A demonstration team promotes the mission of the AHA and AAHPERD in a fun and entertaining way.
The Sky Skippers Demo Team has standards they must follow.   Some of the standards are:
· Being able to demonstrate basic single rope skills, double dutch skills, and partner and team routines with precision, rhythm and endurance.
·  Demonstrate a good attitude and sportsmanship at all times.
·  Understand and be able to speak about the mission of the AHA and AAHPERD, the purpose and value of the JRFH program and the benefits of rope jumping as a form of physical activity.
The Sky Skippers Demo Team practices twice a week.  Demo team members benefit in many ways.  Team members:
· Gain health benefits of jumping rope on a regular basis.
· Meet many people and make new friends.
· Travel to other schools and communities as JRFH "ambassadors."
· Gain poise and self-confidence performing and speaking in front of large groups.
· Become role models for other students
· Learn teamwork and cooperation.
· Participate in a volunteer activity for a good cause.
Demonstration teams are vital to the success of JRFH.  The Sky Skippers Demo Team students serve as ambassadors for the JRFH program and provide registered JRFH schools a valuable service.  The demo team will be performing at Miami Yoder Elementary School and Edison School on Feb. 18th.  The Sky Skippers will be performing on Feb. 3rd at the WPHS boys and girls basketball games during half-time.

You are Invited!!!