Friday, December 19
Minimum Day
All K: 8:15 AM-11:35 AM
Gr. 1-3 students dismissed at 11:50 AM
Gr. 4-5 students dismissed at 12:00 PM
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; MP Room, 12:15 PM
Deadline for LASF Science Fair Project Entry and Display Board Order Forms
Saturday, December 21
Winter Solstice
Hanukkah begins at sundown
Monday, December 22
Hanukkah
Thursday, December 25
Christmas
Friday, December 26
Kwanza begins
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year's Day
Monday, January 5
School Resumes
Cub Scout Pack 200; Library, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Wednesday, January 7
Lunch outside
LASF General Board Mtg.; Stanley Library, 7:00 PM
PFC Executive Board Mtg.; Lounge, 5:30 PM
Thursday, January 8
KidzArt; Rm. 25, 2:45 PM
Friday, January 9
Stanley Jazz Messengers, 4/5 grades; MP Room, 11:45 AM-12:15 PM
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; MP Room, 2:45 PM
LASF Science Fair display boards distributed to students' classrooms
Monday, January 12
Student Council Mtg.; Rm. 23, 12:20 PM
Chess Club; Library, 2:45 PM
LSD Board Mtg.; DO, 7:00 PM
Wedneday, January 14
PFC Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, Lounge, noon
District Advisory Council Mtg.; DO, 6:30 PM
Thursday, January 15
LASF Science Fair project assistance in library at lunch.
KidzArt; Rm. 25, 2:45 PM
Friday, January 16
Student Council Spirit Day: STUFFED ANIMAL DAY LASF Science Fair project assistance in library at lunch.
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; MP Room & Rm. 25, 2:45 PM
Monday, January 19
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observed; Holiday
Wedneday, January 21
Parent Ed Night/Thinking Strategies w/Dina MacDonald; Stanley Library, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Thursday, January 22
KidzArt; Rm. 25, 2:45 PM
Friday, January 23
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; MP Room & Rm. 25 2:45 PM

Garden Work Days:
* Wednesdays (9-11am) 1/14, 2/11, 3/11, 4/8, 5/13
* Sundays (2-5pm) 1/25, 2/22, 3/22, 4/26

A. I WISH YOU ALL THE MOST WONDERFUL OF HOLIDAY SEASONS AND A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!
B. ORANGE JUICE NOW ON SALE: Students may now buy orange juice for 75 cents during lunch time.
C. NEW ADDITION TO STAFF: Please welcome Mr. Nik Kosach, our new PE Specialist, who will take Roberta Noel's position upon our return from Winter Break. Although, it is quite difficult to think of anyone replacing Roberta after twenty years, Nik will be a welcome addition to our staff. Roberta and her family have moved to Lone Pine in the Eastern Sierras---thank you, Roberta, for your many years of service to Springhill youth!
D. THANK YOU TO ALL PARENTS who attended our Winter Concert yesterday. The 4th Grade Chorus and the 5th Grade Band & Orchestra gave an extraordinary performance. Many thanks to LASF and especially Liz Brummel, Wendy Clymer, Vicki Ghulam and all of their volunteer accompanists for guiding our student musicians so well. Well done, all!!!
E. ALL PARENTS: HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF LASF: As per an e-blast earlier this week LASF, is inviting you to participate in an online survey regarding the future of LASF. Check out the website at: www.surveymonkey.com/LASF and please complete this survey if you so desire. Many thanks!
F. KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Kindergarten Registration for the 2009-2010 school year will take place on Tuesday, February 3, 9:00 AM- 11:00 AM, and Wednesday, February 4, 9:00 AM-11:00 AM and all days following. Registration packets may be picked up from the Springhill Office after January 12 and returned on the actual days of registration. Please encourage all those you know in the Springhill community with kindergarten-aged children for next year to register on these dates, even if they are not sure their children are ready for kindergarten yet.
G. SCIENCE FAIR: Please check the calendar and the LASF Corner of this week's Friday Flyer to find out what is happening with Springhill's Annual LASF Science Fair to be held Wednesday, January 28, 6:30 PM, in the MP Room. There are many deadlines before then, so check it out!!! Thank you, LASF!
H. YET AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH to Corrine Christensen, Dianne MacArthur and the PFC for the exceptional gourmet Teacher Appreciation Luncheon last Wednesday. As always, it was unbelievably delicious!!!
I. Join the PFC! Register for e-SCRIP!!

THE SIX PILLARS & PAY IT FORWARD CORNER

CHECK OUT THE GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT CHARACTER EDUCATION & SPRINGHILL's CHARACTER COUNTS! PROGRAM BY OUR OWN JEAN FOLLMER IN THE LAMORINDA WEEKLY AT: http://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archiv e/issue0220/Character-Counts-Character-Education- in-our-Schools.html

Thanks, Jean Follmer!!!

CHECK OUT THE SIX PILLARS BANNERS HANGING IN THE CENTRAL COURTYARD!

Springhill School has recently sent a team of eight (four parents and four staff members, including myself) to San Francisco for three days this summer where we were introduced to an impressive, character development framework used nationwide known as CHARACTER COUNTS! It has an excellent track record primarily with schools, but also with sports organizations, businesses, nonprofit institutions, etc. We are eager to share what we learned at this workshop with the Springhill community. As parents, you will have opportunities to learn much more about how we might use CHARACTER COUNTS! as a framework for all that we do at Springhill. Through school communications, parent ed presentations from our PFC and your own children, you will be kept apprised of this endeavor as the school year progresses. CHARACTER COUNTS! is based on the Six Pillars: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. We are enthusiastic about every aspect of CHARACTER COUNTS! and are looking forward to introducing its components to the student body. Because of the way in which the framework is designed and the flexibility with which it can be implemented, it can serve as an umbrella under which we will continue our PAY IT FORWARD program and our regular SPIRIT WEDNESDAY activities, and, perhaps, can create the opportunity for a number of additional activities. You will be receiving much more news about CHARACTER COUNTS! as the year unfolds, but you may also access the following website for more information: http://characterco unts.org/

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 made a significant change in the Pay It Forward program last 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 no longer identify the specific students who performed the acts (e.g., "Two 2nd graders had a lemonade sale over the weekend and raised $30 for the school's Coins For a Cure Diabetes Drive.") 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.

A. THANK YOU TO ALL SPRINGHILL STUDENTS WHO PAID IT FORWARD LAST SUNDAY by attending the annual Lafayette Hospice Tree Lighting Ceremony in downtown Lafayette with Mrs. Ghulam. Students sang Somewhere Out There and Peace Like a River. Well done and thank you for upholding the Pillars of Caring and Citizenship!
B. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED TO KIDS FOR KIDS and to Girl Scout Troop 30814 for collecting new toys to be distributed to foster children in our county this Holiday season. Way to pay it forward and uphold the Pillars of Caring and Responsibility!
C. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FOOD BANK: We began our annual CC COUNTY FOOD BANK DRIVE on Monday, 12/1/08, and will conclude it on Friday, 12/12/08. Please consider bringing canned goods and dried goods for those less fortunate than ourselves during the holidays and upholding the Pillars of Responsibility and Caring. No fresh or frozen foods, please. Thank you for paying it forward!
D. THE STUDENT COUNCIL CONDUCTED ITS FIRST PAY IT FORWARD FUND RAISER this year to benefit THE ACALANES VALLEY AND RIDGE ASSOCIATION's DRIVE to improve the safety of the car and foot traffic on Stanley Blvd. All of our students are prospective Acalanes High School students and their safety in the future is as important as it is today. Thank you to all students who purchased a QUENCHERS nutritious smoothie yesterday to benefit this worthy cause! Thank you, Student Council, for upholding the Pillars of Responsibility and Citizenship! Well done!!!
E. SOCCER EQUIPMENT DRIVE: Girl Scout Troop #31116 continues to collect all LMYA soccer uniforms and soccer equipment in case you still want to donate! Last year, we collected over 1,500 soccer uniforms (representing 110 complete teams!) as well as hundreds of shin guards, soccer shoes, and balls which were shipped to needy youth/kids in Afghanistan, Africa, and Haiti. Donation boxes will be located in front of the Springhill Office up until Friday, December 19th. Thank you for paying it forward and upholding the Pillars of Caring and Citizenship!

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 Ms. Hungerford's 5th grade, students use the Words Their Way Program, which assesses the students in their spelling development, and then puts them into a specific place of instruction to fit their developmental stage. They work with a set of 24 words each week, sorting them into different categories, as well as coming up with their own sorts and word hunts.

*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.

Thank you, Traci Lawrence, for all the time you spent working as the Friday Flyer Editor position over the last few weeks. Great job getting the flyer out to us every week! We appreciate your effort. We'd now like to welcome Susan Candell to the next few weeks! Great job, Team!!!

The LASF Science Fair is just around the corner. The event will be held on Wednesday, January 28th. Sign-up forms are due today, Friday, 12/19! Please encourage your child to participate in the fun and exciting event!

Don't forget to take a moment to fill out the LASF survey at http://surveymonkey.com/LASF as LASF is looking for our community input on how they can further enrich and support the children of Lafayette.

Lastly, but MOST IMPORTANTLY, we are once again facing budget cuts to our district and across California in January. Please take a moment to sign the letters for this new Letter Writing Campaign so that we can deliver them to our Legislators in Sacramento. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! If you need the forms, or would like more information, please contact our Legislative Rep, Karen Guthrie, at kguthrie@earthlink.net.

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go"
You know, every morning when I wake up and see the white blanket across my lawn, my roof, my car, then I look out at Mount Diablo and the beautiful snow- covered peaks, I sit here thinking, "Why the heck did I spend all that time and effort putting those darn fake snowflake lights up along the trim of my house, (especially since half of them have burned out already anyway), just so the real icicles can hang off them" Ahh, Bah humbug!

Happy Solstice! Happy Hanukkah! Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Holidays! Season's Greetings! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday break with friends and family. See you next year!

Beth Brown
2008-09 Springhill PFC President
pfcprez@yahoo.com

Quote for the Week:
Santa, define good.

Help Shape the Future of LASF: Strongly Consider Completing the "LASF Online Survey "

LASF is conducting an online survey as part of a major strategic planning effort. Survey results will directly impact strategic planning outcomes, so don't miss your chance to weigh in. The survey is available Monday, 12/15 through Monday, 12/22. To access the survey, go to http://surveymo nkey.com/LASF. For technical issues or other questions, contact Oscar Wolters-Duran at oscar@bluethistleconsulting.com. For information regarding strategic planning at LASF, go to lasf.org.

"Love LASF" Sign-Up Parties: A Great Gift Idea
There are still seats available for LASF Annual Event Sign-Up Parties. What a great gift idea for Lafayette couples or a group date for you and friends! From a Louisiana Bayou party to a comedy night at Town Hall Theatre, there is a perfect party for everyone. Check out the available parties at www.lasf.org/annualevent/signup.html . You can pay for your seats online or by calling LASF at 299- 1644

LASF SCIENCE FAIR SIGN UP FORMS ARE DUE TODAY + $5 (cash preferred) IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PRE-ORDER A DISPLAY BOARD!
Use your winter break to get started on your science project! I have my science question but how do I test it? The answer is keep it simple and test only one aspect or variable. A variable is something you purposefully change during your experiment to see what will happen. It's important to keep everything else in your experiment the same and only allow that one variable to change. That way you know the effect is due to the change in that variable alone. Let's say you'd like to know how a fertilizer affects plant growth. You would need two sets of plants. All plants would receive the same amount of light and water but one group would receive a fertilizer while the other would not. You have only changed one variable, the fertilizer, so you will know that any differences will be due to the fertilizer. If you have the time and resources, it's a good idea to repeat the experiment several times to ensure that the answer to your question was not just an accident. Choose your variable wisely so that it will answer your question! The LASF Science Fair is from 6:30- 8:30pm on Wednesday, January 28th, 2009. It is never too early to start exploring topics! Check out the LASF web site, http://www.lasf.org/links/sciencefair.html to explore links to science project ideas and other science web sites.

IMPORTANT "SCIENCE FAIR" DATES!
TODAY, Friday, December 19th: Deadline for Entry forms and display board orders. The project entry form (single page) and $5 are all that is needed to return - even if you have not decided on an idea.
Friday, January 9th: Display boards distributed to students' classrooms by the Student Council.
Thursday, January 15th and Friday, January 16th: Science Fair project assistance in library at lunch. All parents and students welcome. We will help you come up with project ideas or how to test your hypothesis.

HELP NEEDED: We could use some help before, during, and after the Science Fair. Please contact Sharon Kidd (274-1747; skidd@berkeley.edu) for volunteer info. She will email you a list of jobs available.

If you have any questions you can contact the LASF Science Fair Chairs: Rhodora Del Rosario (roepd@hotmail.com), Sharon Kidd (skidd@berkeley.edu), (shadow) Kari Dahlen (kari@dahlen.com), (shadow) Heidi Rahlmann Plumb (plumbnest@mac.com)

This Week in the Library

Happy Holidays! During this three week period between the Thanksgiving break and the Winter break we touched upon several of the many holidays celebrated around the world at this time of year. We also took a closer look at the three major holidays of this season-Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas.

Our focus this week was Christmas. We reviewed the story in the Christian Bible, looked at several of the common Christmas symbols and customs- Christmas trees, cards, music, candles, etc. and then found several common themes in all the celebrations. Light, gathering with families and friends, music, and special foods are all part of each of these winter holidays.

Bear's friends all want him to wake up and stay up to experience Christmas with them so they give him various jobs to help them get ready for the holiday and to help him stay awake. Will they be successful or will sleepy bear fall asleep again? Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson is a delightful gentle tale that our kindergartners very much enjoyed.

While looking for Santa, Nicholas Duck finds a Santa coat and hat and before he knows it the other animals are coming up to him with their Christmas requests. How can Nicholas Duck convince them that he's not Santa and find the real Santa so that he can give him his own list? First graders learned the answer to this question in the whimsical new book by David Milgrim, Santa Duck.

Little Rabbit's mother has knit him a Christmas hat to keep his long ears warm. He likes it so much that he wants all his friends to have knitted hats too, so he and his mother work together to make Christmas hats as gifts for them. Second graders got to see the very creative, individualized hats they made in the book Shall I Knit You a Hat? by Kate Klise, illustrated by her sister M. Sarah Klise.

A little reindeer looks forward to the annual visit of her seven favorite uncles, each of whom says she's his favorite niece. But why are they all gathered? Third graders found out in the book Uncles and Antlers by Lisa Wheeler, with zany illustrations by Brian Floca, who makes each uncle unique.

It's Nebraska in the 1880s and Emma is excited about sharing a quiet Christmas with her mother. But Emma's Christmas doesn't go as planned when her doctor mother and she head out in the middle of the night to help a woman whose expected baby is coming early. Can Emma help the woman's frightened children to experience a special Christmas? Fourth graders were moved by the book Prairie Christmas by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk. We finished up with a rollicking new Southwestern version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, A Piņata for the Piņon Tree by Philemon Sturgess.

I was off-site on Monday for a daylong strategic planning meeting with all the district library staff, so not all the fifth graders were able to hear the stories I had planned. Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky and Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon both deal with the miracle of celebrating a special holiday in the most difficult, unlikely circumstances.

Don't forget to check out our website at http://www.lafsd.k12.ca.us/people/smattern/ind ex.htm.You will find monthly updates on what's happening at the Springhill Library, an updated library wish list, reviews of new books, and links to many helpful resources too.

Remember, there are over 100 reasons to read. This week, reason number 13 is "You'll impress your parents and friends."

Sherry Mattern, Library Specialist
smattern@LAFSD.K12.CA.US

Give a Little While You Shop
Tres Jolie, a jewelry and accessory boutique, will donate 15% of all purchases to Springhill.
Visit Tres Jolie at tresjolie.us now through 12/31/08. Enter code SPHILL at checkout.

A Goodbye From Ms. Noel/Club Fit
Dear Parents and students of Springhill Elementary School,

It is with great difficulty I say good bye! After the holidays, I am moving and beginning my new work in Physical Therapy. With any luck, I will also be introducing the 'Club Fit' program to a whole new community of children as well!
I couldn't leave without thanking you all for the support you have shown the Club Fit program all these years (20 of which I was privileged to experience first hand!). It is an essential part of the educational process and your support has shown you realize just that! May it continue long after all you all move on to become parents and grandparents yourselves!
AND!! no worries! The Club Fit Program will continue seamlessly with the new leadership of Mr. Nik Kosach!! He will be here first of the year to continue to educate the children about personal fitness and their health! He just can't wait to share in the program of 'getting healthy by having fun' -also known as Club Fit!!
I will miss you all and think of you often but KNOW you'll be having fun, right along with the new 'Club Fitters' where I'll be teaching next!

Merry Fitness and a Happy New You!! My best ALWAYS!! Ms. Noel

Winter Break at Kid's Hideout
Hideout is still accepting registration for the Winter Holiday Break. If you need care, or just want a fun place for your kids to hang out while you finish shopping, please pick up a registration form today! This form can be picked up from the office, or downloaded from the internet: www.kidshideout.net under Forms, Inservice Days, December Minimum Days. Happy Holidays!

Winter Concert
Attention 4th and 5th grade parents: Springhill School presents its Winter Concert on Thursday, December 18 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room. 5th grade Music Core classes, Band/Chorus/Strings, will perform along with 4th grade Chorus and grade level singing by all 4th and 5th graders. Families and friends are invited to attend!

PAY IT FORWARD
- Send a holiday greeting card to a recovering american soldier! Greeting cards have already been provided! Stop by the Springhill Office and pick up a pre-addressed greeting card from the display box on the desk. All you need to do is add a message inside the card, put a stamp on it, and drop it in the mail. A former Springhill student is providing the cards as a service project. Help to comfort an injured american soldier this holiday season.

A Thank You from Acalanes Valley and Ridge
Slurp by slurp and slice by slice the Student Council and Springhill Elementary as a whole has helped us build a better community. Thank you! Your support will provide a safer path for pedestrians in this Lafayette community. To learn more, read the article in the December 10th issue of Lamorinda Weekly or visit us at www.acalanesvalley.com. As one final push to meet our goal, we will be at Mountain Mike's in Lafayette on December 18. When you place your order, say it's for Acalanes Valley and Ridge neighborhood and they will donate 25% of your bill (excluding alcohol). Dine in, carry out or have delivered some great pizza by a locally owned business. Thank you again from Acalanes Valley and Ridge neighborhood!

Legislative Team Update: Fiscal State of Emergency, School Funding at Risk
Urgent letter-writing campaign for education!
Investing in education is key to California's success; we must let Sacramento hear our voices. Please take action now.

What can we do?

A. Send letters to Sacramento, tell them they can't mortgage our children's future to balance the budget. The Governor's new proposed budget is expected to be presented January 12th ; the budget deadline is January 15th. Download and sign letters for our Officials. Here's the link for the Lafayette letters- http://www.lastrampaspta.org/dec08_letters.html.

Get a set from every eligible voter you know. Sets for signing will be on the PFC table or download them from the link above. If you didn't get your letters in this week, leave signed sets in the box on the PFC table. The absolute deadline is January 7th.

B. Mark Your Calendars and Make a Difference: The 2009 Education Advocacy bus trip to Sacramento is Wednesday, February 18. More information will follow.

For more information contact: Karen Guthrie, Legislative Representative, 925.283.7956, kfguthrie@earthlink.net

Downtown Walnut Creek On Ice
Back for its fourth season, Downtown Walnut Creek on Ice is now open everyday through January 25, 2009 in Civic Park! The rink is open Monday through Thursdays from 10am-10pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-11pm , & Sundays 11am-8pm. Midweek pricing is $11 (includes skate rental) and $15 Friday nights at 5pm - through the weekend. Discount pricing available for school field trips & scout outings. Private ice rental available too! For more information, please call 925.935.SNOW or visit www.IceSkateWalnutCreek.com.

Holiday Floral Arrangement Raffle
Have you seen the beautiful floral displays at Peet's in Lafayette? Now is your chance to win one of these fantastic arrangements by Poppie Fields Floral Design by Suki Jones. It's worth $100! Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00. All the donations will go toward building a safer pedestrian pathway along Stanley Blvd. We'll be selling the raffle tickets on Saturday and Sunday at the corner of Camino Diablo and Stanley Blvd. If interested and you can't make it by this weekend, email holly.sonne@gmail.com. The lucky winner will be contacted Sunday evening, December 20. To view examples and to learn more, visit www.acalanesvalley.com.

LAFAYETTE BOY SCOUT TROOP 224 CHRISTMAS TREE LOT OPENS NOV. 28TH
For over 25 years, Lamorinda has supported Lafayette's Boy Scout Troop 224 by purchasing their Christmas Trees from the Troop. This year the Troop will open their Christmas Tree Lot on November 28th. The Tree Lot is located at Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Risa Road (Next to the Veterans Building). Troop 224 receives several shipments of trees throughout the Christmas season directly from the tree farm in Oregon. This allows Troop 224 to offer you some of the freshest trees available. Plus, all the profits from the Tree Lot go directly to the operations of Troop 224. Thank you for your continued support, and we hope to see you at the Tree Lot.

Searching for the perfect gift for your favorite Teachers and Aides this holiday season?
Did you know the Friends of the Lafayette Library (FLL) receives thousands of books each month to sell in their Book Room? Did you know gently used children and adult titles at the FLL Book Room sell for a fraction of Book Store prices? A gift certificate purchased for your favorite teacher or aide will allow them to stock their classroom bookshelves or pick up great reads to enjoy over the holiday break. Gift Certificates are available at the Lafayette Library in any denomination - so consider giving a Friends of the Lafayette Library Gift Certificate this year!


CALL OUT TO ALL JAZZ MUSICIANS AND JAZZ FANS
Generations in Jazz Foundation is presenting a Jazz night at Joe's of Lafayette featuring our own Bob and Kyle Athayde on December 20th from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.. We want all returning high school graduates (and current students) of our area to come and join the Athaydes for some holiday jazz...BYOH (bring your own horn). Drums and amps will be provided. There will be a $10 cover charge which will go towards providing hors d'oeurves. So come to our first annual "Home for the Holidays Jazz Night" at Joe's. A full bar will be available for the evening for those of legal age!

Details:
Where- Joe's of Lafayette, 3707 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
When- Saturday, December 20th
Time- 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cover Charge- $10 includes hors d'oeurves
BYOH- Bring your own Horn
For more information, contact Jay Lifson, CEO, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce at 925.284.7404, jay@lafayettechamber.org

Moraga Parks and Recreation
Check out the new Activity Guide for Moraga Parks & Recreation! New users receive a 20% discount on enrollment. For more information visit www.moraga.ca.us or call (925) 888-7045.

Twas the Opening Night Before Christmas!
A Brand New, Original Holiday Musical, starring many Springhill graduates!!

December 20, 1:30 and 7:30pm
DVC Theater, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill
For more details, visit www.peterp anfoundation.org

Register Now for Town Hall Kids Winter Theatre Classes.
Join Town Hall Theatre this winter for the Bravo program's production of "Once Upon a Dream, " a classic story of Cinderella. Enjoy the excitement, drama, majesty and thrills of this ageless story where pumpkins become elegant coaches, mice become men, and rags turn to riches with the wave of a wand! This class is for kids ages 7 to 11 years old. Classes start in January. Town Hall's classes expose children of all ages to theatre arts while developing self-esteem, confidence, and leadership skills. Each class culminates in a performance. Hurry, space is limited. We have many more classes for preschoolers, middle-school kids, and teens. Located at 3535 School Street, Lafayette. For more information and to register on-line visit www.townhallkids.com, call 262-1159 or email classes@townhallkids.com.

CAMP GALILEO RETURNS TO LAFAYETTE! Voted "Best Camp for Kids" in Bay Area Parent and the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Camp Galileo is a summer day camp serving kids in Pre- K through 5th grades. Founded in 2002, Camp Galileo inspires kids to imagine new ideas, collaborate with peers and express themselves creatively. Kids enjoy art, science and outdoor programming every day, wrapped in fun camp traditions and delivered by highly enthusiastic staff. Our hands-on curriculum is developed in partnership with The Tech Museum of Innovation, de Young Museum and Klutz. To enroll or learn more, visit www.galileo-learning.com or call 800-854-3684.

Single Parent Series
Single Parent Series continues Thursday, January 22, 2009 at Stanley Middle School in the Library from 7 - 8:30 pm. The topic is Two House Tango:Schedules, Transitions, Household Guidelines: figuring out healthy schedules and transitions that work for everyone; asking do rules have to be the same in both household; and discussing what happens if one parent disciplines very differently that the other.
Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
Tuesday, February, 10, 2009-You're Not My Mother-Introducing New Relationships to Kids

Special Evening
Please join us for an evening with Thinking Strategies Coach and Expert Dina Macdonald.

When: Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Where: Stanley Middle School ~ Library
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

**Please note: This is Session II - "Inferring" R.S.V.P. : to Sandy Campbell at 927-3511 or scampbel@lafsd.k12.ca.us no later than January 16th as seating is limited. Thank you to District Parent Education for sponsoring this event. This is not a repeat of the first parent training workshop. This second session is a deeper, more extended presentation of the thinking strategies. Dina will discus all of the thinking strategies, but will focus primarily on inferring. You will learn how to use inferring with your child as you work with him/her to navigate difficult texts.

To submit entries to the Friday Flyer, email Susan Candell: fridayflyereditor@yahoo.com

All entries due Wednesday before 3:00pm. Entries must be kept brief, please.
Subscriber info: bethhutson@comcast.net

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