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


PRINCIPAL's MESSAGES

A. GOOD DECISION MAKING was highlighted during this week's RED RIBBON WEEK; but, it does not end with this special week. It is a daily process. Direct your children in the skills of making good decisions at every opportunity! Go over the FOUR AGREEMENTS with your children:
AGREEMENT #1: Always Do Your Best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.
AGREEMENT #2: Be Impeccable With Your Word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
AGREEMENT #3: Don't Make Assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
AGREEMENT #4: Don't Take Anything Personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

Many thanks to Karen Elliott, Corrine Christensen and all other parent volunteers for your efforts in brining another exciting Red Ribbon Week to the Springhill students. Well done, Karen, Corrine & helpers!

B. SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL: Thank you to all who participated in the School Site Council selection process. Congratulations to Mrs. Doreen deRoque, Mrs. Cathy Holt, Mrs. Kim Stewart and Mrs. Heidi Felt, our newly elected parent representatives to the council. Thank you again.
C. HALLOWEEN is approaching. We will have our annual Halloween Parade through the halls at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 31. All kindergartens will have their parade earlier in the day. Please check the calendar for specific times. Please remember the following: NO costumes of violence (e.g., dripping blood, slashers, Freddie Kruegers, Friday the 13th characters, terrorists, etc.), costumes with weapons (e.g., swords, guns, knives, etc.), or any negative representations of currently or historically-maligned ethnic groups or nationalities will be allowed. Thank you.
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!!!

In Mrs. Finta's 1st grade, differentiate in math is achieved by utilizing Marcy Cook tiles as well as Versatiles. These programs allow each child to work at their own instructional level. Both programs cover all appropriate concepts from 1st to 5th grade.

*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: Last chance to contribute to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation through COINS FOR A CURE. The drive ends today. Thank you all who have contributed. The 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: mailto:Heidi@ac3online.com
B. GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD BOOK DRIVE: Jane Appert and Taylor Stern, seniors at Acalanes High School, will be starting a book drive October 22 to collect 1,000 books to create a library in Africa for their Girl Scout Gold Award Project. They are hoping to involve the community in their project by inviting elementary aged children to donate unused and unwanted books. They are looking for books for any reading level through 8th grade. The books will be sent to a primary school in Botswana, through the organization "The African Library Project", where a lack of literature leaves adolescents unskilled and illiterate. A collection box will be left outside the main office beginning October 22. The drive will run for approximately 5 weeks. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Questions? contact Jane Appert at jani2379@aol.com or Taylor Stern at taylorbrode@aol.com.

The PFC would like to give a huge thank you to Karen and Colin Elliott for the many endeavors they took on this week for Red Ribbon Week. Especially for the groundwork preparation for the 5th grade bulb planting. The several hours spent by moonlight tilling the rock hard clay made easy planting for our 5th graders! We would also like to thank Kathy Hemmenway, Kim Bettencourt and the many other helpers Karen had with decorating, poster making and hanging and handing out fruit roll ups.

Are you participating in this Sundays 15th Annual Lafayette Reservoir Run?? It is not to late sign up to run or volunteer to help today!! If interested please contact Leslie Geannacopulos at lgeannacopulos@comcast.net.

Do you have your costume ready?? Don't miss out on our annual Halloween parade next Wednesday afternoon. Arrive early - parking can be a little crowded at our all-school events. Also, our neighbors on San Reliez Court have reminded us to please not park on their private street. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Enjoy these last beautiful days of Indian summer!!

Corrine Christensen
2007/2008 Springhill PFC President
joeandcorrine@msn.com

LASF NEW FAMILY FUNDRAISING DRIVE

LASF will be conducting its annual New Family Phonathon on November 12th and 13th. LASF provides top quality curriculum-based programs in science, humanities, technology and the visual and performing arts to children in the Lafayette School District and Acalanes High School. LASF relies on support from our parent community to provide the bulk of its funding. We will be contacting all new families plus those families who have not yet donated for the 2006/07 school year. To avoid that phone call and to help us target our limited volunteer resources, please make your pledge by November 9th. You can obtain a donation form from the LASF website (www.lasf.org). If you have any questions, please contact the LASF office at 299- 0644 or Springhill's LASF fundraising representative, Julie Novak at thenovaks@sbcglobal.net or 930-9435.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!! Please consider donating just a few hours of your time to help in this worthy cause. This is a critical fundraiser that will help LASF close this year's funding gap, and we need your help to make it happen. For dates and more information, please call Julie Novak at thenovaks@sbcglobal.net or 930- 9435.


LASF Fact of the Week:

Ever wonder how LASF supports humanities in your child's classroom?

LASF brings California Poets in the Schools, the nation's largest creative writing program, to all 4th and 10th graders. Humanities education includes support in literature, languages and social studies. At the elementary level, LASF's Instructor Program introduces students to multi-cultural experiences as they learn about everything from Chinese New Year and Chinese culture, to Native California and its indigenous peoples. History is showcased in units on the Gold Rush and a tour of Lafayette history.

Cock-a-doodle-dooooooo! Have you ever heard a rooster crow? Do you think a scarecrow would mind being awakened by a rooster on a megaphone? He might if he lives on a zany farm where the animals all talk at once! Ask your kindergartner what the scarecrow has to say about all the noise on the farm.
You're unique because you're you. How about this week you celebrate "you-ness" which only you can do! This week the first graders heard a story about how everyone should honor their own remarkable individuality. Ask your first grader what one-of-a-kind means.
Have you ever seen a skeleton that liked to dance? How about one that enters a dance contest even though he knows he might be treated differently? This week the second graders heard a story about a skeleton who loved to dance and one girl that had the courage to join him. Ask your second grader what kind of night "Boogie" had.
Pumpkinseeds are a divine snack, but do you know how many seeds are in a pumpkin? The third graders heard a story about a class of students that opened up pumpkins and got very messy hands. The class had to count how many seeds they ended up with and boy were there a lot! Ask your third grader if they would like to count pumpkinseeds too.
Have you ever had your feelings hurt? Sometimes our feelings can be so sensitive and we don't know why we feel so bad. The fourth graders heard a story about how name-calling and insults can really hurt someone's feelings and how it's always a good idea to remember that others have feelings too. Ask your fourth grader if they have ever had their feelings hurt.
A family's legacy is something that is passed on from generation to generation. This week the fifth graders heard a story that told of the encouragement and support that a boy received from his mother when growing up and how that legacy was passed on when he became a father. Ask your fifth grader if they know what legacy means.


New Books in the Library

Can you imagine living in a world where everyone can do magic except you? That's exactly what 11-year-old Ned Truso's problem is in Missing Magic by Emma Laybourn. Ever since Ned can remember he hasn't been able to do magic. No one can figure out why Ned is dry of magic, he just is. When he's sent to the Leodwych School of Magic, he finds out that nothing could be worse than having no magic. Ned is tormented and tossed into every strange and awful mess you can think of and still things get worse for him. He even finds out a terrible secret that he was never supposed to know. If you want to find out what happens to Ned read this book; it will definitely have you wanting more.

Happy Birthday to our Author of the Week

Happy October birthday to Eric Kimmel! Some titles by Kimmel are Days of Awe: Stories for Rosh Hashanah, The Chanukkah Guest, I Took My Frog to the Library, and The Magic Dreidels. Check out these and many more of Eric Kimmels' books at the Springhill Library.

Springhill Library Website

Explore our website at http://www.lafsd.k12.ca.us/people/smattern/index.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

ACTIVE KIDS, BETTER GRADES? Kids who are physically active are more likely to be academically motivated and alert in school, according to the National Association for Sports and Physical Education. Studies suggest a link between regular physical activity and academic performance, noting that exercise enhances brain functioning, increases energy levels, improves concentration, and is associated with higher test scores in math, reading, and writing. But with busy lives, competing demands on time, and the lure of sedentary pursuits like TV watching and computer time, how can we help kids incorporate regular physical activity into their daily lives? One key is finding physical activities they enjoy. Whether a child is a non-athlete, a casual athlete, or a serious athlete, his fitness niche can be determined by his interests, abilities, temperament, and body type. When a child finds activities that suit his "fitness personality," he is more likely feel accomplished, to have fun, and to want to keep doing them. Not only does such activity support physical health, but it comes with the added bonus of supporting children's learning and school performance! For more info, visit www.kidshealth.org .

FABULOUS FAMILY FITNESS: In addition to health benefits, exercising as a family can be a great way to spend quality time together. There are even more benefits too, such as serving as a positive role model, limiting sedentary time, promoting healthy habits, and helping to shape lasting attitudes about health and fitness. If you're looking for a way to incorporate fun and fitness into your family's lifestyle, here are some ideas about getting the family moving - together:

• Make exercise fun and not a chore by playing games like tag and hide-and-go-seek with your kids.
• Take pre or post dinner walks together.
• Take bike rides together.
• Turn on some music and boogie down - this activity inspires a lot of laughs, too!
• Make TV commercials fitness breaks by doing jumping jacks or sit-ups.
• Sign up together for a benefit walk or run for charity.
• Organize a neighborhood game of capture the flag.

For more information, visit www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2004/hmexercis e.htm or http://lifestyle.msn.com

DON'T FORGET TO "CHECK OUT" THE NEW WELLNESS CORNER IN THE SPRINGHILL LIBRARY!

Important not from a former Preschool Teacher about Head Lice

When I was teaching preschool, we had a serious problem for about three months. During that time, it seemed that half of the problem was that parents just didn't know what they were looking for so children returned again and again with nits. The Center For Disease Control has very good pictures comparing each stage of the louse's life with a penny for scale.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/lice/factsht_h ead_lice.htm.

Get Your Free School Bus Passes!

The Lamorinda School Bus Program is participating in Walk/Bike/Bus to School in October. Starting October 8th, special HOT PINK bus passes will be available at your school office. The passes are valid for one trip on the school bus (am or pm) until October 31st. There is a limit of two free passes per student. Get your neighbors and friends to join you on the school bus! Please call 925-299-3216 for more information.

Girls & Boys Chess Club!
Would your daughter or son be interested in learning chess with their friends? The Berkeley Chess School has offered to come to Springhill to provide a class once a week, after school. Normally the class is one hour a week, and includes 20 minutes of instruction and 40 minutes of play. They provide all the materials. At least ten children is required to run the program and the maximum is 20. The fee is approximately $120 for 8 weeks.
If you have a child who may like to participate, please contact Sonia Shiri at shiri@berkeley.edu asap.

Chill Out With A Good Book

The book fair is coming November 13th, 14th and 15th. We need volunteers to help staff the fair . If you have a few hours we could really use your help. We especially need help during the 2 evenings we are open, Tuesday, November 13th from 5:30-8:30 and Thursday, November 15th from 5:30-8:30 as well as anytime during the school day on Friday, November 9th for set-up. The daytime shifts on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are 8:30-10:30, 10:30- 12:30 and 12:30-3:00.
Please contact Gabrielle Ohleyer at mohleyer@comcast .net.

Lafayette Little League
Registration is open ONLINE to all new and returning players. See www.lafayettelittleleague.com for details.


Lamorinda Rugby Registration Now Open!
Lamorinda Rugby Football Club is recruiting youth and high school players for the upcoming 2007/2008 season. Youth season begins after Thanksgiving break and ends in March 08. High School season begins in December and ends in May. To register, log on to our website at www.lamorugby.com and follow the registration instructions. Parent Information nights are Monday, November 5 (Youth) and Thursday, November 8 (High School) in the Miramonte Cafeteria. Both meetings run from 7:30pm until 8:30pm.
ALL LEVELS OF PLAYERS WELCOME!

Lamorinda Soccer Club - LMSC
Boys & Girls Program presents Winter Soccer clinics for U10 players at all levels. The clinics will be held on Saturday and Sunday mornings from January 5th - February 10th at Miramonte High School For more information, go to LMSC website at www.lamorindasoccer.com.

LAFAYETTE RESERVOIR RUN- THIS 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 lgeannacopulos@comcast.net or 979-1796 if you are able to help on the morning of the race.


LASF and Wildcats On Stage Presents:
"Pirate Bride"
A musical for the whole family!
Friday, November 2nd 6:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. shows.
Saturday, November 3rd 5:30 p.m.& 7:30 p.m. shows.
Stanley Middle School - Multi-Purpose Room
Tickets are $7.00 and can be purchased at the door.

Homecoming Harvest Festival at Acalanes High School

Time: 2:30-5:30 October 31
Place: Acalanes High School Small Gym

Fun for all ages, with carnival booths geared especially for younger children! Face painting, dart throwing, pie tosses, pumpkin bowling, and even a magic show. Come indulge in a variety of food too, including caramel apples, Casa burritos, popcorn, apple cider, and hot dogs. Come in costume and enjoy the festivities before heading out to go trick-or- treating! The festival is put on as part of Acalanes Homecoming week.
All proceeds go to Building with Books and Monument Crisis Center.

The Lafayette Youth Commission presents the fourth annual Haunted House!
This year's Haunted House will feature old time movies genres including romance, western, and action flicks. The Haunted House will take place at the Lafayette Community Center , 500 Saint Mary's Road on Friday, October 26th and Saturday October 27th.
Not-so-scary (8 & under): 5-7pm
Very-scary (9 & up): 7:30 - 9:30pm
Ticket prices are $3 for children 8 & under and $5 for those 9 & up. Parents accompanying young children do not have to pay. Tickets will be sold at the door. See you there! All profits benefit the youth of Lafayette.

Any questions, please email me! Thank you for supporting the Lafayette Youth Commission!

Kirsten Stabler
LYC President and Haunted House Co-Chair


Join us for our 3rd Brown Bag

Helping Your Child Lead a Balanced Life

Thurs. November 8, 2007
Noon - 1:30pm, no fee, register in class
Walnut Creek Intermediate School, library
2425 Walnut Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Speaker: Kim Koppenhaver-Klute
Parent Educator, Parenting Consultant

Do your children act grouchy or irritable? Do they have trouble falling asleep or complain about stomachaches or headaches? They may be feeling the strain of being overscheduled.
Come and learn how to help your child manage stress, maintain positive self-image, create downtime and stay connected as a family.
A workshop not to be missed as we enter the holiday season!

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



Annual Book Fair Stanley Middle School Library
Monday October 29, 2007 - Thursday November 1, 2007
Hours 8 AM - 4 PM, with extended hours on Monday 6 - 9 PM

The Lafayette Book Store will provide a variety of books for children and adults, with a percentage of the profits supporting the Stanley School Library. This year the Book Fair is pleased to host guest authors on Monday Evening at 7 PM including Zilpha Snyder author of "The Egypt Game" and Kathryn Reiss author of "Paint by Magic". This is a great time to start your holiday shopping! For further information please contact Librarian Barbara Stevens at 925-299- 3564.


Friends of the Lafayette Library

Author Gene Yang, Tuesday November 6 at 7 pm at the Lafayette Library*
The Friends of the Lafayette invites "Young Adult" readers to a special Tuesday's Child event with author and graphic artist Gene Yang. His most recent graphic novel, *American Born Chinese*, was a National Book Award Finalist and was the winner of the acclaimed Gene Printz Award for the Best Young Adult Fiction. This remarkable book weaves together severalstories, one of a boy who moves from SF's Chinatown to the predominantly white suburbs, and ultimately comments on the teenage struggles with fitting in. The library, in partnership with the Oakland Museum of California, is also proudly exhibiting the original work of Gene Yang, so come by the library and see his work (it's very cool!) for yourself.


Lafayette Juniors' Annual Rummage Sale

Sunday, November 4, 2007 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Lafayette Community Center . The rummage sale features great babies' and kids' clothing, toys and equipment (as well as loads of other gently used items). Proceeds from the sale benefit local charitable organizations. You can support this great event in two ways: 1) Shop the sale on Sunday, November 4; and 2) Donate items in good to great condition that you no longer need. For more information on what and how to donate, please contact Kaytie Mandell at kmandell@caldecott.com or Kathi Torres at kathitorres@gmail.com. (Sorry, no cribs, car seats, or monitors. Electronics must be fully functional.)


INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR 11- 18 YEAR OLDS

Come find out about international camp opportunities with CISV for your 11-18 year old children. CISV will be hosting two information meetings about their international programs on October 27 and November 4. CISV is a 50+ year old non-profit, completely volunteer-based organization that sponsors international camps and exchange programs for youth age 11 and up. In 2007, the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of CISV sent children to camps and exchanges in Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Great Britain, Brazil, and China. Two family information meetings are scheduled as follows:

Saturday October 27, 2007 2-4PM in Foster City at 760 Sea Spray Lane.
Sunday November 4, 2007 2-4PM in Lafayette at the Methodist Church at 955 Moraga Road.

For more information about this program, go to the website at: www.cisvsf.org, or call Teresa Gerringer, 943- 7911. You can also get first hand accounts from the following families who have had children participate in the program - Appert, Bulos, Gerringer, Gitomer/Weiner, Linfoot, Teichman, and Wurtz.