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"The mission of the Springhill School Community is to learn,
work and play in a safe place where respect for each other and
responsibility for our own actions creates trust, teamwork and an
atmosphere of friendship." 2007-2008 Springhill Spirit Theme: PAY IT FORWARD: Gratitude and Caring OCTOBER SPIRIT REMINDER: Be grateful and caring of your global community by learning about and supporting the needs of other cultures!
Friday, October 5 LASF Oktoberfest, Elliott Home, 6:30 PM Monday, October 8 Columbus Day Observed (no holiday) Coloma 4th Grade Camp Volunteer Inservice; Stanley School, 3:30 PM-5:30 PM Meeting of all prospective candidates in MP Room at 1:05 PM to receive petitions. Candidate may solicit student and staff signatures on petitions starting this day. Tuesday, October 9 Springhill Measure J Phone Bank, 5:30 PM-8:30 PM Candidates practice speech in front of Mr. Wodhams; Petitions due to Mr. Wodhams by 3:00 PM. Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Fund Raiser for TEAM LAUREN BISHOPP, Mangia Restaurant (Dine in: 6:00-7:30 PM; Take out: 4:00-10:00 PM) Wednesday, October 10 LASF General Board Mtg.; Stanley Library, 7:00 PM Candidates practice speech in front of Mr. Wodhams; Petitions due to Mr. Wodhams by 3:00 PM. Thursday, October 11 Election Assembly (VP, Sec., Treas. Speeches): Amphitheatre, 11:15 AM ,grades 4-5 Friday, October 12 Ramadan Ends Election Assembly (Pres., S.C. Speeches): Amphitheatre, 11:15 AM , grades 4-5. Voting will follow in the classrooms for all 4-5 graders. Results will be announced by end of school. Saturday, October 13 Light the Night Leukemia/Lymphoma Walk; Civic Park, WC, 7:00 PM Monday, October 15 Red Ribbon Assembly: John Abrams; Amphitheatre (MP Room if raining) 1:00 PM: Grades 1-3 1:50 PM: Grades 4-5 Springhill Measure J Phone Bank, 5:30 PM-8:30 PM Tuesday, October 16 OLSAT TESTING, all 3rd grade; 9:00 AM LSD Board Mtg.; DO, 7:00 PM Wednesday, October 17 4th Grade Gold Rush Camp; Coloma PFC Meeting Executive Board: Lounge, 5:30 PM DAC Mtg.; DO, 6:30 PM Thursday, October 18 4th Grade Gold Rush Camp; Coloma Friday, October 19 4th Grade Gold Rush Camp; Coloma Distribution of Red Ribbon Poster ("Good Character/Good Choices") materials Sunday, October 21 Springhill Measure J Phone Bank,3:00 PM-6:00 PM Monday, October 22 RED RIBBON WEEK Tuesday, October 23 Submission of "Good Character/Good Choices" Posters for Red Ribbon Week Wedneday, October 24 United Nations Day EVERYONE WEAR RED DAY Sunday, October 28 Lafayette Reservoir Run; 8:00 AM Walk to Cure Diabetes; Heather Farms, Walnut Creek, 10:00 AM
A. LASF OKTOBERFEST: Don't miss this year's fun-filled LASF Party, the OKTOBERFEST, on Friday, October 5. All ticket sales and raffle proceeds go to benefit LASF and the wonderful work they do in our schools! Don't miss it! If you cannot make it to the OKTOBERFEST, please buy some raffle tickets! Many thanks! B. MANY THANKS TO THE PFC FOR THE DELICIOUS STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON LAST WEDNESDAY! IT WAS DELICIOUS AND MUCH APPRECIATED!!! C. 5th GRADE PARENTS & STUDENTS: DEMOCRACY IN ACTION!!! Student Body Elections are coming up. Check out the calendar (above) for specific timetable of events! D. Join the PFC! Register for e-SCRIP!! DIFFERENTIATION CORNER *Differentiated Instruction takes place in all of our classes. Each week, we will be profiling a particular teacher's implementation of Differentiated Instruction every week in the Friday Flyer. Don't miss it!!! Mr. Begg's 4th grade began the "Accelerated Math" program in September. AM is a math management program that allows students to progress at their own rate, and at their individual levels throughout the California State Fourth Grade Standards. The Accelerated Math program generates individually unique assignments that integrate the use of multiple math skills to help build and practice critical thinking skills, while gradually introducing and developing new skills and concepts within the California State Framework. *Differentiated Instruction is not individualized instruction, but rather the delivery of curriculum to students in a manner that complements their learning style while always challenging them at their ability level. PAY IT FORWARD CORNER Every week we will be including different aspects of our Pay It Forward theme for this year in the Friday Flyer. Character development should be a major component in any well-rounded educational program and it has been for many years at Springhill. Ask your children what their classes are doing for Pay It Forward. Come to Spirit Wednesday, 8:30 AM every Wednesday morning in the main courtyard and find out how we promote character development at Springhill School. We do have a significant change in the Pay It Forward program this year. If you are familiar with how this program was originally designed, you know that all of the "pay it forward" efforts remained anonymous in order to promote the altruistic and selfless nature of the act. Although we will acknowledge all of the acts themselves in the weekly Student Bulletin, at Spirit Wednesday and in the Friday Flyer, we will no longer identify the specific students who performed the acts. We are hopeful the enthusiasm for the program will continue to be as strong as it has been the last several years with this change. Thank you. Keep up that PIF Spirit!!! A. COINS FOR A CURE: As one of several initial PAY IT FORWARD Projects this year, Springhill School is again participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) COINS FOR A CURE Program. The drive will begin Monday, 8/01, and will continue through Friday, 10/19, and will consist of a collection can in each classroom for students and staff to contribute any spare change they wish. Collection cans and a packet of information arrived in classrooms on Friday, 9/28. The actual WALK TO CURE DIABETES will take place at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek on Sunday, 10/28, 10:00 AM. Several staff members will be participating. For further information regarding the walk, please contact Mrs. Heidi McLeod at: Heidi@ac3online.co m Thank you so much as we begin another successful year of PAYING IT FORWARD! B. LIGHT THE NIGHT LEUKEMIA/LYMPHOMA WALK: Starting at 5:00 PM, the Annual LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK will take place Saturday evening, 10/13, at Civic Park in Walnut Creek. The actual walk begins at 7:00 PM. Walk with our own Lauren Bishopp's Team or other friends and neighbors for this worthy cause. For more information, check out: http ://www.active.com/donate/ltnSanFr1/1908_bishopp e OR www.lightthenight.org Thank you! ALSO: On Tuesday, October 9, Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Fund Raiser for TEAM LAUREN BISHOPP at Mangia Restaurant (Dine in: 6:00-7:30 PM; Take out: 4:00-10:00 PM)! Don't miss it!!! MEASURE J: LAFAYETTE SCHOOL DISTRICT PARCEL TAX Although I do not use this space to promote Measure J, I do wish to make the Springhill community aware of the rational and motives for the district putting this measure on November's ballot. Those reasons include: ---to ensure stable, locally-controlled funding ---to support critical programs, including: preserving small class sizes, K-5 science teachers and instructional technology support ---to attract and retain teachers: our beginning teacher salaries are 6th out of 7 of neighboring districts ---to eliminate structural deficit caused by the State no longer funding vital programs such as K-5 reading specialists, instructional materials and library support ---to reduce parent subsidies of core instructional programs, e.g., instructional aides. I do strongly encourage all eligible Lafayette citizens to register to vote and to cast your vote on Tuesday, November 6! Thank you! Bruce L. Wodhams Principal
Parent/teacher conferences have come and gone and we are back into our regular routine. Thank you to all of the hard working parents that took time out their busy day to meet with the teachers, this is a great time to touch base and get a feel for your child's classroom. Tonight is the LASF Octoberfest, which is sure to be a great event for all attending! LASF relies on the generosity of parents, businesses and the community at large to continue to serve our schools and to expand their programs to meet the educational needs of local students. Thank you to all that support LASF! I am sure many of you are wondering what is happening with the upper playground hand ring maze and why is it still off limits??!! We are still waiting for a couple pads to cover a few sharp corners and we have one more beam to replace. All should arrive by the 15th of this month and we hope the playground will be in full swing by the 19th. Thank you all, especially the students, teachers and aides, for your patience in this matter! Mark your calendar for October 15th. We will be having a special assembly featuring John Abrams - The Bully Game. John's program focuses on bulling prevention, repelling peer pressure and improving the overall school experience. Students are the contestants and the entire audience is involved. Everyone learns valuable lessons about preventing bullying. The assembly will be held in the multi-purpose room with grades 1 to 3 from 1:00 to 1:45 and grades 4 to 5 from 1:50 to 2:40, parents are encouraged to attend. Ein Prosit!! Corrine Christensen 2007/2008 Springhill PFC President joeandcorrine@msn.com
 OKTOBERFEST IS FINALLY HERE! to everyone who bought event tickets as well as raffle tickets for Oktoberfest! The money raised is going towards supporting the Lafayette Arts and Science Foundation It is sure to be a wonderful evening for all! GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE RAFFLE TICKET HOLDERS
This year Ramadan started on September 13th and it ends on October 12th. Ramadan is very special to the Muslims and is considered to be the holiest month on the Islamic calendar. During Ramadan Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. This means that they have nothing to eat or drink during the hours when it is light. The reason they fast is that they believe that fasting teaches them compassion and self-control. It reminds them of everything that they are thankful for. There are about eight million Muslims in North America. And, there are more than a billion Muslims in the entire world. Ask your first or second grader what they think about fasting. Have you ever heard of a book being banned? This week is Banned Books Week, and you can look on the American Library Association website at ALA.org/bbooks to see what books made the top ten most frequently challenged books for 2006. Banned Books Week supports the idea that everyone should have the freedom to read what they choose. Did you know that J.K. Rowlings' Harry Potter books have been the most challenged books in the 21st century? Ask your fifth grader why some books are challenged or banned from the library. Do you know what OPAC stands for? This week in the library the third graders learned that OPAC stands for Online Public Access Catalog. The OPAC lists all of the materials that are in the Springhill library. Years ago, the library used to use the card catalog system. Now, most card catalogs have been replaced by the OPAC. Students use the OPAC to look up items by subject, title, author, or keyword by typing in their query on the computer. Ask your third grader what they looked up on the OPAC in the library. New Books in the Library Backbeard: Pirate For Hire, by Matthew McElligot, is the tale of a strangely dressed pirate who wants to look good when he fights. Unfortunately, the Pirate Council does not like his extravagant taste in clothes and he gets the boot from piracy. Backbeard looks for a job, but who would be willing to hire an ex- pirate dressed in wild colored clothes? Read this book to find out how Backbeard utilizes his piratey talents. McElligot's illustrations are incredible and make sure you check out the "Pirate Rules" in the back of the book. Happy Birthday to our Author of the Week Happy September birthday to Russell Freedman! Some titles by Freedman are Eleanor Roosevelt, Freedom Walkers, and Buffalo Hunt. Check out these and many more of Russell Freedman's books at the Springhill Library. Springhill Library Website Explore our website at http ://www.lafsd.k12.ca.us/people/smattern/i ndex.htm. You can find a full update on what's happening at the Springhill Library, find more reviews of new books and links to many helpful resources. Sherry Mattern, Library Specialist Kimberli Sparks-Buckley, Library Aide
A Measure J Fact of the
Week: Word from the phone bank trenches: most of the voters in Lafayette appear to be in support of Measure J. However, a few callees have said, "Oh well, if we don't pass the parcel tax, we'll find the money somehow." FACT: There are no other sources of income to support the programs that the parcel tax funds now. If the parcel tax does not pass, $1.27 million dollars disappear from the budget right away, not to be replaced by any other funds. At risk are small class sizes, instructional aides, reading specialists, counselors, and more! Lawn Sign Distribution If you would like to show your support by displaying a Measure J lawn sign, we will be handing out the signs next Wednesday, Oct. 10, before & after school, outside the MP Room. If you can't make that date, the signs will be available from Doreen deRoque (945- 6499; dderoque1@yahoo. com) Thank you to our recent phone bank volunteers!! Todd & Jennifer Bielawski, Beth Brown, Corrine Christensen, Amy DeLong-Martin, Eric Fromer, Karen Guthrie, Nancy Ishi, Sheryl Lauer, Jennifer McQuet, Lucie Paladino, Margaret Scruggs, Bridget Wellerstein, & our own Principal, Bruce Wodhams! YES! For Excellent Schools - Yes on Measure J (Facts brought to you by the Measure J, Yes for Excellent Schools Campaign. www.yesforexcellentschools.net)
One of those Weeks?
School's back in session and new schedules are underway, but are your
kids still a little out of sorts? Perhaps it's lack of sleep. Kids'
health and behavior takes a nosedive when their sleep habits are out of
whack. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 10-11 hours of sleep for
school-age kids each night. With the days getting shorter it may be a
great time for kids to start getting more sleep. And you never know -
more rest at night may mean smooth (or at least smoother) days for mom
and dad. For additional wellness information, log onto lafsd.k12.ca.us/wellness.html.
Thanks to all who participated in 'Walk to School Day' on Wednesday!!
John Abrams - Red Ribbon Week John Abrams is flying up from Los Angeles to be at Springhill Elementary on Monday, October 15 for our first ever THE BULLY GAME! This is a kick-off for Red Ribbon Week celebrations at the end of the month during October 22nd through 26th. The assembly for 1st through 3rd grades is from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM. The assembly for 4th through 5th grades is from 1:50 PM to 2:40 PM. Parents come join us! John Abrams is nationally known on stage and TV as an actor, magician, and emcee! The Bully Game includes the students as both contestants and an involved and interactive audience. Through magic and music in a game show format, the children will learn: the difference between friendly teasing and not- so-friendly taunting, how gossip works and why it's such a monster, when it's a good time to "tell" and when it's simply "tattling", how to be a good "Witness" and not just a bystander, when and how to use assertive words to repel a bully, how to keep your self respect even when things go badly, and more. This program ties in with our focus at the elementary school age level. The program focuses on children's self esteem and social skills, and children who develop these attributes are less likely to engage in drug use in later years. John Abrams uses interactive action and lots of fun to introduce and reinforce these important concepts. The messages are received loud and clear!! Any questions or feedback? Please contact Karen Elliott at karen@chelliott.com
The Fall Fundraiser Packets are
due on October 17! Stock up on your Earthquake Supplies! If you have
any questions or want to volunteer, email Kathy Langner at klangner@comcast. net or call
925/943-6828.
Attention Third Grade Parents: In this week's Friday Folders you should receive information about the OLSAT (Otis Lennon School Abilities Test), which will be given to all third graders in the Lafayette School District during the week of October 15th. The OLSAT is a standardized cognitive abilities test that is taken by children all over the nation. It will be used in planning the best possible educational program for your child. Please return the permission slip for testing to your child's teacher by October 10th. If you wish more information, you are invited to attend a parent information meeting on Tuesday, October 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Lafayette School District Office Boardroom. Questions may be directed to Rachel Zinn at the district office at 284-7011, ext. 507. DAC Meeting The first DAC (District Advisory Committee) meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the District Office Boardroom. This meeting is open to all parents interested in differentiated instruction. Please call Rachel Zinn at 284-7011, ext. 522 for more information.
LAFAYETTE RESERVOIR RUN- Fun
for the whole family -- Sunday, October 28 Join in on one of Lafayette's best traditions! Run/walk around the beautiful Lafayette reservoir in either a 2 mile fun run, 5K certified run, or 10K certified run. Send in your registration early to guarantee a t-shirt. Specify Springhill School on the registration form, and the school will receive an extra 10% of each entry fee. Registration forms will be sent home in Friday folders. If you cannot run this year, but still want to help out the community and take part in this fun event, you can! We need lots of race volunteers to help with the event: handing out water, goodie bags, awards, etc. Please contact Leslie Geannacopulos at lgeannacopu los@comcast.net or 979-1796 if you are able to help on the morning of the race. Got E-Waste? A FREE E-Waste Recycling Event will be held next weekend Oct. 5th-Oct. 7th at Diablo Valley College overflow parking lot in Pleasant Hill. Drop off hours are: Friday: 12 pm-5 pm Saturday and Sunday: 9 am-3pm For more info on what items are accepted, go to www.noewaste.com or call (866)-335-3373. Great Worldwide Star Count Kids and adults are invited to count the stars in the evening sky from Oct. 1-15, 2007, and report their results online. The event, sponsored by Windows to the Universe, is designed to raise awareness about light pollution and encourage learning in astronomy. All the information needed to participate will be available on the Web. At the conclusion of the event, the submitted data will be analyzed and a map will be generated highlighting the results. For more information, visit: http://www.starcount.org KidzArt Canceled Due to a low number of responses, the KidzArt classes have been canceled. We apologize for any inconveniences. Brown Bag Speakers at Walnut Creek Intermediate Join us for our 2nd Brown Bag Noon - 1:30pm, no fee Walnut Creek Intermediate School, library 2425 Walnut Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Student Organization Services - SOS Are you going crazy trying to get your child more organized? Does your child seem to have no concept of time? Do you feel that you have to keep track of everything for your child? Learn what is reasonable developmentally for the middle school student so that they can begin to take charge of organizing and managing homework and all of their activities. Please rsvp to Vera Babor at vbabor@acalanes.k12.ca.us - ORINDA COMMUNITY CENTER AUXILIARY'S 32nd ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR - Sat. Nov 3rd 10-5 Sun. Nov 4th 11-5 Orinda Community Center at 26 Orinda Way Local Vendors - Entertainment - Raffle Prizes - Silent Auction - Kids' Art Drop Off 100% of the proceeds benefit Orinda Community Center programs such as: Summer Concerts-in-the-Park, Halloween Parade and Spring Egg Hunt. Show your support by attending this year's OCCA Holiday Bazaar! For more information: Call [925] 254-2445 Or visit: http: //www.ci.orinda.ca.us/parksandrec/auxiliary. html Join the Bishopp Family! Join the Bishopp Family and Team Lula Talulah for an evening of fun and friendship at the 2nd Annual Pizza for Lauren event at Mangia in Lafayette. Time: Tuesday, October 9, 4 pm to 10 pm. Either eat-in or take-out, mention Lula Talulah or Leukemia Society and Mangia will donate 25% of your bill to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Also, make a donation of $25 to Team Lula Talulah and we will give you a team T-shirt and a raffle ticket for one of our fabulous prizes. Come down and join us to find out more. Join us for the Light the Night walk, Saturday October 13th at Civic Park, Walnut Creek, food, music, entertainment from 5 pm, walk from 7 pm. A truly fun family night out. Lauren will be singing her favourite song "I will survive" and she'd appreciate your encouragement. We look forward to seeing you. With thanks, the Bishopp family
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