Friday, April 25 
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; Multipurpose Room, 3:00 PM-5:00 PM
3rd Grade Apple Valley Graduation; Multipurpose Room, 10:45 AM-12:00 PM

Sunday, April 27
LASF Phonathon; 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

Monday, April 28
Student Council Meeting; Rm. 23, 12:20 PM
SSC Meeting; Office, 3:30 PM

Tuesday, April 29
LASF Phonathon; 6:30 PM-9:00 PM
PFC Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools; 3rd grade

Wednesday, April 30
PFC Teacher Appreciation Luncheon; Lounge, 12:00 noon
Jumprope For Heart Picture in Main Courtyard; 10:50 AM
California Symphony; Multipurpose Room
~9:00 AM-9:40 AM: All 2nd Grade
~9:45 AM-10:25 AM: All 3rd Grade
~10:45 AM-11:25 AM: All 4th/5th Grade
PFC Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools; 5th grade
LASF Phonathon; 6:30 PM-9:00 PM
Kindergarten Open House; 6:30 PM

Thursday, May 1
May Day
RAPPORT Meeting; District Office, 9:00 AM
Marine Mammal Center Bus; Kindergarten
PFC Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools; 4th grade

Friday, May 2 
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; Multipurpose Room, 3:00 PM-5:00 PM

Sunday, May 4
LASF Phonathon; 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

Monday, May 5
Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo
STAR TESTING, Gr. 2-5, May 5-May 9
LASF Phonathon; 6:30 PM-9:00 PM
Cub Scout Pack 200; Library, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM

Tuesday, May 6
STAR TESTING, Gr. 2-5, May 5-May 9
PFC Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools; 3rd grade
Incoming Kindergarten interviews; Rm. 12, all day
Bargain Book Bonanza; 12:00 noon
District Wellness Council; District Office, 3:15 PM

Wednesday, May 7
TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY
STAR TESTING, Gr. 2-5, May 5-May 9
PFC Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools; 5th grade
Multipurpose Room closed; lunch outside
PFC Teacher Appreciation Luncheon; Multipurpose Room, 12:00 PM-1:05 PM
Incoming Kindergarten interviews; Rm. 12, all day
LASF Phonathon; 6:30 PM-9:00 PM

Thursday, May 8
STAR TESTING, Gr. 2-5, May 5-May 9
PFC Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools; 4th grade

Friday, May 9
STAR TESTING, Gr. 2-5, May 5-May 9
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; Multipurpose Room, 3:00 PM-5:00 PM

Sunday, May 11
Mothers' Day

Monday, May 12
STAR TESTING MAKE-UPS
Student Council Meeting; Rm. 23, 12:20 PM
5th Grade Play: "The Music Man", Town Hall Theatre

Tuesday, May 13
PFC Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools; 3rd grade
LSD Board Meeting; District Office, 7:00 PM
5th Grade Play: "The Music Man", Town Hall Theatre

Wednesday, May 14
PFC Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools; 5th grade
Lunch outside
LASF Art Fair Set Up; Multipurpose Room, 12:30 PM- 9:00 PM
LASF General Board Meeting; Stanley Library, 7:00 PM

Thursday, May 15
PFC Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools; 4th grade
Lunch outside
LASF Art & Music Fair/OPEN HOUSE, time TBD

Friday, May 16
Lunch outside
Multipurpose Room closed all day; LASF Art Fair take down

Saturday, May 17
Armed Forces Day
WHO Luncheon honoring Erin Caldwell; His Lordship's Restaurant on the Berkeley Marina, 11:00 AM-1:30 PM

A. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN LAST SATURDAY's PFC RUMMAGE SALE. Thanks especially to Karen Williams and Shelli Shepherd whose tireless efforts resulted in such a successful event. Thank you all so much!!!

B. POETS IN THE SCHOOL for 3rd, 4th & 5th Grades has begun! Many thanks to PFC for sponsoring this valuable program benefiting Springhill School for over eight years now! Thank you, PFC!!! 

C. STAR TESTING DATES & OTHER INFORMATION FOR THIS YEAR:
-1. 4th Grade STAR WRITING TEST: Took place on Tuesday, March 4;
-2. 2nd-5th Grade STAR TESTING: Monday, May 5-Monday, May 12
-3. To ensure optimum results during STAR TESTING, we ask that:
--a. Students arrive at school on time;
--b. Students have a good night's sleep and nutritious breakfast before school;
--c. All dental and doctor appointments be arranged for the afternoon or another day.
--d. Parents promote and maintain an atmosphere of calm and absence of stress for your children during this time. State Standardized Testing is NOT the "be-all" and "end-all" of your child's education! Thank you.
4. Questions about the STAR Program also can be directed to Ms. Rachel Zinn, the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for our school district. She can be reached at (925) 284-7011.

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 Mr. Fisher's 5th grade, Junior Great Books are utilized to assist students to think further about a story through drama. For example, after reading Jack & the Beanstalk and working on critical thinking skills and interpretive questioning, the class is put into heterogeneous groups and asked to act out a scene. Each group or cast is asked to interpret characters in different ways. They are allowed to make impromptu costumes, props and scenery. After the performances, students are asked to compare the different versions. An extension of this activity is to use clustering, where students of similar abilities are asked to write a short script based on a Junior Great Book story they have read and then to present it to the class. Each story provides opportunities for students to write either a creative essay or story and it is easy to apply the 6 Traits writing strategies.

*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!!!

1.Battery recycling extended through May 2nd! Mrs. Hirsch's second grade class is working on battery recycling for a pay-it-forward over the next 2 weeks (April 21st-May 2nd) in honor of Earth Day on April 22nd. Did you know that you should NOT throw away used-up batteries into your household waste? Did you know that Contra Costa County is accepting single-use batteries for recycling? For the benefit of Springhill families, we will take care of your battery waste recycling. Please drop off any single use non-rechargeable batteries (only AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V, please) in the bin out front of the office through Friday, May 2nd. After the end date of the project you may bring your batteries to a variety of places listed on this website:http://www.wastediversion.org/battery-recycling- program.htm Thank you to Ms. Hirsch's 2nd grade for promoting this worthy Pay It Forward opportunity!

2. BE LOOKING FOR A STUDENT COUNCIL QUENCHERS SALE on Thursday, May 8, to benefit the National Brain Tumor Foundation in memory of former Springhill student, Zane Melmed. More information to follow. We have several other former students currently afflicted with brain tumors. For those wishing to contribute to the NATIONAL BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION further, please be aware that the NBTF Angel Adventure Walk will take place in San Francisco on Saturday, May 3. For further information, contact: logsdon@braintumor.org Thank you.

Happy Friday and Welcome Back, 5th graders!!

Please look in today's Friday Folder for a very important letter regarding the formation of a sub- committee to research future PFC fund allocations. If you are interested in serving on this committee please contact me by Friday, May 2nd.

As many of you have heard by now, the district received additional, unanticipated proposed budget cuts last week that will result in an increased deficit of $250,000. This will impact our school in many ways, one of which is the reduction of classroom aide hours by 1 - 2 hours per week. If you have questions concerning this probable reduction please feel free to contact Dr. Tom, our district Superintendent, Mr. Wodhams, or me.

Thank you to all who turned in a LASF donation envelope this week; LASF is a crucial component in our district, and your support is greatly appreciated!! 

See you next week~

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

LASF's mission: "To support and enrich the education of every child in the Lafayette public schools through a broad community-based effort."

We are proud to let everyone know that the first annual Donation Day had a very successful outcome! In total, the Lafayette School District collected over $100,000 in donations/pledges!

For more information, please call Springhill's LASF fundraising representative, Julie Novak at thenovaks@sbcglobal.net< span class="Apple-converted-space"> or 930-9435.

EXCITING NEWS about this year's LASF Art and Music Fair!
Art lovers, music lovers and "hot dog" lovers look out! The LASF Art and Music Fair, being held in combination with the Springhill Open House this year, is right around the corner! Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 15th. It will be an evening full of fun activities, beautiful student art displays, classroom happenings, musical merriment, as well as great food available from Top Dog!

In addition to the amazing artistic abilities being spotlighted in the multi-purpose room that evening, Springhill will also be hosting the much-anticipated vocal/instrumental variety program!

Below is a brief timeline of events planned for the evening:

5:30 PM Art Fair Open
6:00-7:00 Open House in classrooms
5:30-7:15 Dinner served in Quad
7:15-7:45 Musical Variety Program
8:00 PM Art Fair Ends

Check it Out! Dinner will be offered that evening from TOP DOG for everyone's enjoyment and convienence! 
Top Dog will be selling the following items (cash only):
~ Hot dog, Chicken Apple Sausage, or Veggie Dog for $3.50
~ Chips for $1.50
~ Cookie for $1.50
~ Bottles Water for $1.50
They will also be offering a "Doggie Bag", which will include any dog, chips OR cookie, and water for $6.00! 

__________________________________________ 
If you have any questions regarding the LASF Art & Music Fair contact Kerry Bolen (943-1499) kerrybolen@sbcglobal.net, or Holly Nolan (988-0865)hollynolan@comcast.net. For questions regarding Food Sales please contact Jamie Whelehan (933- 5416).

Interested in Volunteering at the Art Fair? We could use your help before, during, and after the fair. Please contact Kerry or Holly. Come join the fun!

What can one person do to solve the problems of our environment? In It's Earth DayMercer Mayer's Little Critter watches a movie at school about the Earth's changing climate and how it's affecting polar bears. He is determined to find out what he can do to help. Ask your kindergartner about some of the ways she can be a superhero and help keep our earth alive and well.

Have you ever really looked at a seemingly empty meadow? If you look and listen carefully you'll discover a small world there, lovingly depicted in Joyce Sidman'sButterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow: Poems. Through detailed artwork, lilting poetry, and carefully researched facts first graders learned about some of the plants and animals that call the meadow home. Ask your first grader which was the most surprising resident.

Can you use a library OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) with ease? Second graders learned how to do a title search on the OPAC this week. Ask your second grader to tell you what he did step-by- step.

It is still National Poetry Month and this week our third graders got a taste of poetry as they listened to Jack Prelutsky's Good Sports: Rhymes about Running, Jumping, Throwing, and More. Prelutsky writes about a variety of sports and successes (or lack thereof) in seventeen untitled poems. Chris Raschka's watercolor illustrations are an action-filled plus. Ask your third grader what it means to her to be a good sport.

Did you know that artists have worked with block prints in Europe, Japan, and China since the 1400s? Scratchboard, an offshoot of block prints, evolved in the 1800s. Fourth graders shared their experiences of working with stamps and then looked at books illustrated with both these media, noting the dark lines, the precise detail and individual artists' styles. Then, in honor of Earth Day, we read Mother Earth, Father Sky, a book of poems about the earth edited by Jane Yolen and illustrated with woodcuts. Ask your fourth grader which poem was most meaningful to him.

Miss Hungerford's fifth graders were at camp this week, but Mr. Fisher's class heard Chris Van Allsburg's book Just a Dream. A boy dreams of a future that's very different than what he had imagined from watching his favorite TV show set in the future and wakes up resolved to make a difference to the environment. Ask your fifth grader which of the scenarios seemed worst to him.

New Books in the Library 
Barnstormers: the Tales of the Travelin' Nine, written by Phil Bildner and illustrated by Loren Long, is set in 1899 and centers around three siblings, Griffith, Ruby, and Graham. The three children are traveling with the colorful baseball team, the Travelin' Nine, on which their mother plays. Their exhibition games are meant to earn money to pay the debts left behind after their father's death. The children have a mysterious baseball given to them by their father's brother, Uncle Owen. This baseball has seen better days, but could it be the baseball that causes the crazy visions the team sees on the field as they play ball? Bildner creates a wonderful picture of the past as he takes readers through the team's first game against Cincinnati. This is the first book in the series and is a great read, especially if you love baseball and are curious about how the game was played more than 100 years ago. P.S. The third book in the series was just published this spring.

Happy Birthday to our Author/Illustrator of the Week!
Patricia Reilly Giff was born on April 26. She has loved reading since she was a kid; as a grown up, she was a reading teacher for twenty years. When teaching, writing, and raising a family got to be too much, she stopped teaching. She has written over 60 books for children, including the Polk Street School series, Nory Ryan's Song, All the Way Home, and two Newbery Honor books, Pictures of Hollis Woods and Lily's Crossing. You can check out these and many other books written by Ms. Giff either here or at the public library.

Springhill Library Website
Explore our website at http://www.lafsd.k12.ca.us/people/smattern/index.htm. You can find monthly updates on what's happening at the Springhill Library, more reviews of new books, and links to many helpful resources.

Sherry Mattern, Library Specialist

Rallies do make a difference. Senator Torlakson's Aide and fellow Springhill parent, Craig Cheslog, said that during Governor Schwarzenegger's community talks on the budget in Pleasant Hill he was met with the largest group of protestors seeking to protect school funding. Our statements of commitment to our children's education and resulting media and legislative attention influenced school funding talks in the budget process.

Here are more opportunities to make a difference:

* April 25: Sycamore Valley Elementary, 2200 Holbrook Dr., Danville: "Flunk the Budget Friday," 12:30 pm: http://www.srvcouncilpta.org/Public/teacherimages/flunk%20the%20budget%20ral ly4-25-08.pdf

* May 6, 7-9 pm: Las Trampas Legislative Team's Superintendents' Forum - Acalanes High School Small Theater, 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette. School Superintendents will discuss the budget crisis and other school issues, and what we can do to help.

* May 8: Possible early evening rally at Las Lomas High School. More details next week.

Here's an easy opportunity to send an online message to Sacramento. Share this with friends and family, especially those living in the Central or Imperial Valleys:
http://capwiz.com/nea/ca/issues/alert/? alertid=10817581

Sign up for the Get Smart Newsletter:
http://www.lastrampaspta.org/getsmart_dec07.html