Friday, November 9
Book Fair Set Up; Multipurpose Room closed all day
Lunch Outside

Sunday, November 11
Veterans' Day

Monday, November 12
Veterans' Day Observed; holiday

Tuesday, November 13
Book Fair
Lunch Outside
District Wellness Council; District Office, 3:15 PM
Lafayette School District Board Meeting; District Office, 7:00 PM

Wednesday, November 14
Book Fair
Lunch Outside
PFC Executive Board Meeting; Lounge, 5:30 PM
5th Grade Play Parent Meeting; 7pm Library

Friday, November 16
Book Fair
Lunch Outside
End 1st Trimester

Monday, November 19
Staff Inservice; student holiday

Tuesday, November 20
Staff Inservice; student holiday

Wednesday, November 21
Holiday

Thursday, November 22
Thanksgiving Holiday

Friday, November 23
Holiday

Monday, November 26
School resumes
Student Council; Room 23, 12:20 PM

Wednesday, November 28
Cub Scout Pack 200; Multipurpose Room, 6:45 PM-8:30 PM

Friday, November 30
REPORT CARDS GO HOME WITH STUDENTS

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGES

A. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO VOTED last Tuesday and made the much-needed MEASURE J Parcel Tax a reality. It is much appreciated and the students and community of Lafayette will benefit greatly for many years to come due to your efforts! A special thanks to Doreen deRoque, Kathy Hemmenway, Corrine Christensen and the countless other parent volunteers whose tireless efforts came together for such a welcome result! Well done, Springhill Community!!!

B. SEE YOU AT THE BOOK FAIR!!! Our annual Book Fair commences on Tuesday, 11/13, and wraps up on Friday, 11/16. Many thanks to Darcy Cole, Melissa Johnston, Gabrielle Ohleyer and Sherry Mattern for making it all happen! Do your holiday shopping at the Book Fair!!!

C. THANK YOU TO VICKI GHULAM , LIZ BRUMMEL, JANET JOHNSON, SHELLY SMITH & PACK 200, KATE VANHOVEN, BAND MEMBERS, ORCHESTRA MEMBERS, CHORUS MEMBERS AND all student performers and the parent volunteers who made the Fall Music Assembly on Thursday such a great success! Well done!

D. ONCE AGAIN, MANY THANKS TO THE PFC FOR THE DELICIOUS STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON LAST WEDNESDAY! IT WAS DELICIOUS AND MUCH APPRECIATED!!!

E. 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. Deitch's 3rd grade, all students take a pre-test before each math chapter to determine their level of knowledge. The pre-test is used to group the students and also to determine what, if any concepts are already solidly in place and what, if any, concepts might need extra reinforcement. Students who pass with a 95% on the pre-test, take the final test. A 95% on that indicates competency in the chapter concepts and those students are given instruction in higher level applications of similar concepts. Students who demonstrate competency in some areas, but not all, are allowed to do accelerated work on those concepts and/or higher level work.

*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: Springhill School collected $322 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation through COINS FOR A CURE. Well done, Scorpions!!!

B. GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD BOOK DRIVE: What a fantastic response from the community to AHS seniors Jane Appert's and Taylor Stern's book drive for the citizens of Botswana, Africa, through the organization "The African Library Project". Over two barrels were filled with books! Thank you to all who contributed!!!

C. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE NEXT SPRINGHILL STUDENT COUNCIL JAMBA JUICE SALE COMING UP SOON TO PAY IT FORWARD!!!

D. CONTRA COSTA FOOD BANK will have its barrels here to collect dried food and canned goods for the needy from November 26 to December 21! Please give what you can!

Wow, Measure J passed with a 73% majority!! Thank you to all of the parents and community members that came out to vote on Tuesday, we are deeply grateful to you. Also a very big thank you to Doreen deRoque and Kathy Hemmenway as well as the countless other volunteers who made phone calls, distributed signs and door hangers and handled many other jobs to ensure the success of this critical campaign. Once again proving what a truly special community we live in.

The directories are here and coming home today! This is a monumental task lead by Kristi Buck with the help of Eleanor Whitehead and Vicki Renfro. The directory is the perfect resource guide to the people and happenings here on campus. Be sure to check your child's backpack this weekend.!

The Book Fair starts on Tuesday. Once again The Storyteller Bookstore has agreed to provide us with a wide and wonderful variety of books and gift items for your shopping pleasure. Please see below for dates and times and be sure to check it out!

Unfortunately our PFC Secretary, Nancy Ishii, has had to resign. Maria Nelson, a Springhill Kindergarten mom, has graciously agreed to step into Nancy's shoes. Maria's role as Secretary will be effective starting November 14th.

Remember, there is no school on Monday due to the Veterans Day holiday. Have a long and relaxing weekend!!

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

NEW FAMILY PHONATHON LAST DAY TO AVOID THE CALL

LASF will be conducting its annual New Family Phonathon on November 12th and 13th. We will be contacting all new families plus those families who have not yet donated for the 2007/08 school year. To avoid that phone call and to help us target our limited volunteer resources, please make your pledge by the end of day, today! You can obtain a donation form from the LASF website www.lasf.org .

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. If you have any questions, please contact the LASF office at 299-0644 or Springhill's LASF fundraising representative, Julie Novak at novaks@sbcglobal.net
or 930-9435.

This week in the library we read some of the books that are being featured at the Book Fair next week.

What do you think happens when a baby crocodile won't eat his breakfast? The kindergartners heard a story about a finicky crocodile that decides he wants to eat a child. However, when he meets a child, things don't really go his way. Ask your kindergartner what finally inspires the tiny crocodile to eat his breakfast.

Sometimes it's exciting when students have a substitute teacher. Some students like to please the substitute and let her know how smart they are. The first graders heard a story about a girl that has to make an important decision and learns a big lesson. Ask your first grader how the end of the story turns out.

What would you do if everyone were handing out dinosaurs instead of stickers and balloons? The second graders heard a terrific story about a boy who begrudgingly goes with his mom to run errands only to receive dinosaur after dinosaur as a reward! Ask your second grader what the boy fed the dinosaurs for a snack.

Have you seen a polar bear before? They are so cute and cuddly looking. Could you imagine raising one? The third graders heard a true story about a polar bear and his new family at the Berlin Zoo. Ask your third grader what the little polar bear loved to play with.

Bats can say boo too! What can a bat do when she can΄t even scare anyone on Halloween? The first graders heard a story about a bat named Bertha that just wants to join in on the spooky fun. Ask your first grader who Bertha finally scares on Halloween night.

New Books in the Library
Birdsongs by Betsy Franco celebrates the birds you might see in your backyard or creek on any given day. The poetic picture book shows birds in their natural habitat and the wonderful sounds that they make. You can count on the birds to coo, caw, and tut-tut-tut until the day is done. Read this book and you will be delighted by a surprise visit from the Mockingbird at the end. Steve Jenkins' outstanding collages of shaped, painted, and textured papers are vivid and realistic. You'll want to step out into your backyard and watch the birds after reading this book.

Happy Birthday to our Author of the Week
Happy November birthday to Lois Ehlert! Some book titles by Lois Ehlert are Leafman, In My World, Planting a Rainbow, and Wag a Tail.

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

Hunger in Contra Costa and Solano Counties

FACT: 33 percent of the people receiving emergency food in Contra Costa and Solano counties are children and 21.4 percent are over 50 years old.

FACT: While the Federal Poverty Level is $20,650 for a family of four, a startling 65.9 percent have incomes under $15,000, while 73.1 percent of the clients of emergency food programs have an income less than 130% of poverty.

FACT: 78.5 percent of families who use emergency food programs in Contra Costa and Solano counties report that the food they bought just didn't last and 41 percent of adults reported they did not eat for a whole day because there wasn't enough money to buy food.

Sources from Faces of Hunger: a Study of Hunger and Food Insecurity in Contra Costa and Solano, 2006; Hunger in America 2006 Local Report prepared for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

What better way to teach your child the value of giving than to share the gift of a nutritious meal? There are many local organizations in need of our help. Have your child help prepare and deliver a nutritious meal, or donate some nutritious food items to those in need.
www.foodbankccs.org
mealsonwheelsofcontracosta.org
www.loavesandfishesofcontracosta.org

Speaking of hunger.....please talk with your kids about what they are eating at recess and lunchtime. Nutrition sustains their energy throughout the day. During lunch time, we see beautiful fruit untouched, full sandwiches thrown away, minimal bites out of different items and even full Hot Lunch meals tossed in the garbage. Let's talk to our kids and examine and adjust what we are packing in their lunch boxes to eliminate waste and sustain their energy levels.

Thanksgiving Camp - Hideout Style

We are currently accepting registration for Thanksgiving Camp at Kids Hideout. We will be open from 8 AM to 6 PM on Monday and Tuesday (the 19th & 20th), and from 8 AM to 4 PM on Wednesday (the 21st). We will be closed on Thursday and Friday (the 22nd & 23rd).

During Hideout camp, we will be making individual Holiday pies,"hand-made" turkeys, exploring science with Gak, Clean Mud, Ooblek and Bubble Wrap art, playing outdoor games, and much, much more... We will also be offering Hot Lunch on Wednesday.

Please stop by the School Office (or Hideout) for a registration form. You can also contact Beth at 283-7808 or beth@kidshideout.net for more information! Come check us out!!

Chill Out With A Good Book

Come to the Springhill Book Fair Tuesday, November 13th - Thursday, November 15th. Choose from a variety of books for all ages provided once again by the wonderful Storyteller Bookstore in Lafayette. The book sale proceeds are the one re-occurring source of income that the library receives each year. Get your holiday shopping done all in one place and enjoy a week full of activities and fun.

Questions? Call Gabrielle Ohleyer 284-5968, Darcy Cole 938-1338, Melissa Johnston 280-1039 or Sheryl Lauer 962-9388.

Play Lacrosse!

Registration is currently underway for the Lamorinda Lacrosse girls spring '08 season. Openings still available for 3rd and 4th graders, as well as 5th and 6th graders. New players welcome! For more information and registration go to: www.lamorindalacrosse.com


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.

Attention 5th Grade Parents: STRIKE UP THE BAND!!!!

It's time to signup for the 5th grade drama production of The Music Man! Forms came home with your student this week and are due no later than Friday, Nov. 16th! Please return the form to the Drama Box on the PFC Table in the office. Extra signup sheets are in the office. All 5th graders are encouraged to participate! The Mandatory Parent Meeting will be on Wednesday, November 14th, at 7pm in the library. Bring your sign-up sheet, your check and be ready to sign up for a committee. The productions will be on Monday, May 12 & Tuesday, May 13 at Town Hall Theater. Rehearsals will be every Friday, beginning Jan 11th. and dress rehearsal will be Sat. May 10th. This is a big commitment, but is a fun and exciting experience for all participants. There are always big parts for the outgoing and small parts for those that are less comfortable with the limelight. Questions? Contact Kathy Biro at thebirofamily@gmail.com or Kristi Buck at 4Bucks@buckfamily.com


Springhill Spirit Wear

Springhill Spirit Wear arrived and was distributed to your child's classroom on Friday, Nov. 2nd, last week. Please contact Katie Sowarby katiesowarby@comcast.net or Amy Delong- Martin mikeamymartin@comcast.net if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks and enjoy your spirit wear!

To submit entries to the Friday Flyer, email Sharon Swan: fridayflyereditor@yahoo.com

925-280-0141 All entries due Wednesday before 3:00pm. Entries must be kept brief, please.
Subscriber info: annmariemwarren@yahoo.com

Web: http://www.lafsd.k12.ca.us/springhill