COLORADO SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT 11

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 5, 2001

1115 N. El Paso St.

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Office of School/Community Relations - (719) 520-2005

Superintendent: Norm Ridder

On the Web - www.cssd11.k12.co.us

BOUNDARIES: The area's largest school district encompasses the core of Colorado Springs. Maps of school boundaries are displayed on the district's Web site or call 520-2009 for information.

THIS SCHOOL YEAR: D-11 voters in November approved a tax proposal that would generate about $10 million this year and as much as $27 million by 2006.

About half the money - $14.2 million - is being spent on teacher salaries and benefits and adding teachers to shrink class sizes.

The roughly 1,800 teachers in D-11 received an average 7 percent pay raise in fiscal year 2001 and will receive an average 8 percent pay raise next year, said Glenn Gustafson, chief financial officer.

The district expects to add about 125 teachers this school year. Ninety-eight teachers will be used to reduce class sizes. The remaining additional teachers will be used in programs that are expected to affect student achievement.

Nearly $5 million of the voter-approved money has been dedicated to new instructional supplies and other materials - such as textbooks, desks and lunch tables.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: Aug. 20

APPROVED SCHOOL HOLIDAYS:

Aug. 27-31 - Only elementary students are excused at 1 p.m. Some students will go back for testing in the afternoon.

Sept. 3 - Labor Day

Oct. 8 - Columbus Day

Oct. 18-19 - Parent/teacher conferences, all students off.

Nov. 9 - Staff training, all students off.

Nov. 21-23 - Thanksgiving break

Dec. 24-Jan. 4, 2002 - Winter break

Jan. 7, 2002 - Teacher Work Day, all students off.

Jan. 21, 2002 - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Feb. 1, 2002 - Staff training, all students off.

Feb. 15, 2002 - Staff training, all students off.

Feb. 18, 2002 - Presidents Day

March 1, 2002 - Staff training, all students off.

March 25-29, 2002 - Spring break

April 26, 2002 - Staff training, all students off.

May 9-10, 2002 - Staff training, all students off.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: May 24, 2002

APPROVED CLASS SIZE: Call the individual school for sizes.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE SPEAKERS: Non-native English speakers are encouraged to visit their neighborhood schools for help. Each site can call on translators for assistance. Some information on D-11's Web site is in Spanish. Contact the nearest school or call Phyllis Hurley, supervisor of the English as a Second Language program, at 520-2551.

CHOICE PROCESS: Colorado law allows students to attend any school they choose through a permit process. The application window for D- 11 students who want to attend other than their neighborhood schools is Nov. 1 to Feb. 1. New families have one month to apply for a choice permit. Permit applications should be picked up at the school the student wants to attend. There is no charge for the permit. Transportation is not provided for choice students. For information, call 520-2005. D-11 students wishing to transfer to another district should check with the district for permit procedures.

TRANSPORTATION POLICY: Elementary students who live more than 11/ 2 miles from their neighborhood school will be bused; those who live 11/4 miles to 11/2 miles may be bused. Middle school students who live more than two miles from their neighborhood school will be bused; those who live 11/2 miles to two miles may be bused. High school students who live more than 21/2 miles from their neighborhood school will be bused; those who live two miles to 21/2 miles may be bused. There are some exceptions. Check with your school or call D- 11's transportation center at 520-2940.

SPECIAL-NEEDS STUDENTS: Parents of students with emotional, mental or physical special needs can call Ron Hage, executive director of special education, at 520-2148 for information about services.

BREAKFAST/LUNCH PROGRAM: Cost for school lunch is $1.65 per meal for elementary students and $1.80 for middle and high school students. Milk is 40 cents for white milk and 45 cents for chocolate. Breakfast, including milk, is 80 cents for elementary students and 90 cents for middle and high school students.

Families who meet certain income guidelines may qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. Application forms are available at each school, or call food services, 520-2924, for information. Many schools are offering breakfast. Call the individual school for times.

DAY CARE: Before and after-school day care is available at these elementary schools: Audubon, Bates, Bristol, Carver, Chipeta, Columbia, Fremont, Henry, Midland, Jackson, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Penrose, Queen Palmer, Rudy, Steele, Stratton, Scott, Taylor, Trailblazer and Wilson. The federal program Head Start is available at Adams, Audubon, Bristol, Carver, Edison, Ivywild, Longfellow and Madison, Queen Palmer. Call schools for times, providers and costs.

REGISTRATION: Elementary and middle school - Students should go to their closest school but are asked to call in advance.