Friday, January 23
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; MP Room & Rm. 25 2:45 PM

Monday, January 26
Chinese New Year
Student Council Mtg.; Rm. 23, 12:20 PM
Chess Club; Library, 2:45 PM
SSC Mtg.; Office, 3:00 PM
Cub Scout Pack 200; MP Rm., 6:30 PM-8:30 PM

Tuesday, January 27
PFC-Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools, 5th grade
RAPPORT Mtg.; DO, 9:00 AM
MP Room closed; lunch outside
Wellness Committee; DO, 3:15 PM

Wedneday, January 28
MP Room closed; lunch outside
ALL SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS BROUGHT TO THE MP ROOM BY 8:30 AM
LASF Science Fair; MP Room, 6:30 PM

Thursday, January 29
ALL SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS PICKED UP FROM THE MP ROOM BETWEEN 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
District Strings Fest; AHS, 7:30 PM

Friday, January 30
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; Library & Rm. 25 2:45 PM
Cub Scout Pack 200 Pinewood Derby; MP Room, 3:00 PM-9:00 PM

Monday, February 2
Groundhog Day
Chess Club; Library, 2:45 PM
Cub Scout Pack 200; Library, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM

Tuesday, February 3
Kindergarten Registration, 2009-2010 School Year; MP Room, 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
RAPPORT Mtg.; DO, 9:00 AM
PFC-Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools, 5th grade
Bargain Book Bonanza; noon

Wednesday, February 4
Kindergarten Registration, 2009-2010 School Year; MP Room, 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
PFC Meeting
Executive Board: Lounge, 5:30 PM
General Session: Library, 7:00 PM

Thursday, February 5
4th Grade Winter Concert; MP Room, 7:00 PM

Friday, February 6
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; Library & Rm. 25 2:45 PM

Monday, February 09
Student Council Mtg.; Rm. 23, 12:20 PM
Chess Club; Library, 2:45 PM

Tuesday, February 10
3rd Grade Smile Train Fundraiser
PFC-Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools, 5th grade

Wednesday, Febrary 11
3rd Grade Smile Train Fundraiser
PFC Teacher Appreciation Luncheon; Lounge, noon
OLSAT/AIM Parent Information Mtg.; DO, 6:30 PM
LASF General Board Mtg.; Stanley Library, 7:00 PM

Thursday, February 12
Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; Library & Rm. 25 2:45 PM

Friday, February 13
Holiday

Saturday, February 14
Valentine's Day

Monday, February 16
Presidents' Day Holiday

Tuesday, February 17
School resumes


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

A. ABSENCES: Please be aware that each day of a child's absence costs the District $43.50 per student per day regardless of reason for the absence. Certainly, if the child is sick, the child should stay home. We want to encourage families to schedule vacations on non-student days (whenever possible) and for absences of 5 days or more, complete an independent study. We must stress the importance of learning opportunities lost by missing school needlessly. Thank you for your cooperation!
B. THANK YOU TO THE STANLEY JAZZ MESSENGERS AND MR. BOB ATHAYDE for the brilliant concert you provided for our 4th and 5th grades last Friday. It was a beautiful way to start the New Year and confirms the fact that all of our elementary school musicians are in wonderful hands when they get to middle school! Thank you also to Mr. Tommy Davidson, LASF, Mrs. Lori Franzke for making it happen!
C. 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 scrumptious, delectable and ambrosial!!!
D. 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.
E. 1st-5th GRADE REGISTRATION FOR 2008- 2009: We will be accepting 1st-5th grade registrations for the 2008-2009 school year starting Wednesday, February 18. Please inform any new neighbors or those whose children are currently in private schools who plan to have their children attend Springhill School next year. Remind them to bring the child's birth certificate, immunization record and two proofs of address. Thank you.
F. 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! G. Join the PFC! Register for e-SCRIP!!

THE SIX PILLARS & PAY IT FORWARD CORNER

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://charactercounts.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. BE PREPARED TO PAY IT FORWARD IN 2009 with a variety of opportunities to uphold the Pillars of Caring, Responsibility 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. Spain's 2nd grade, students do Minute Math daily. Minute Math is a math fact activity where the students are timed for one minute to do as many math facts as they can. Students first review and practice their individual level of facts, then the timed quiz begins. If students reaches their individual goal, they can move to the next level. Some students will stay on a level a few times to make sure they master the math facts for that level. Once they too reach their individual goal, they will then move to the next level. Minute Math is a great differentiated math fact practice activity for the class!
*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.

Legislative Update
Las Trampas Creek Council is urging people to call the Governor's office this week regarding cuts to education funding.

Governor's Office: (916) 445-2841, Fax: (916) 558- 3160

Keep your message simple: "As a parent, with children in school, I urge the Governor to AVOID OR AT LEAST MINIMIZE EDUCATION FUNDING CUTS! We need to make education a priority, even in these hard times! California is already 47th in the nation in per pupil spending."

Show your support and attend this years EDUCATION ADVOCACY DAY. Let's reinforce the recent letter campaign with a large Advocacy Day turnout and drive home the message that high quality public education is fundamental to California 's long-term economic health and vitality. Trip includes bus transportation, materials, lunch and an optional tour through the Capitol.
Sign-up by Jan. 30th:
http://www.lastrampaspta.org/2009_advocacy.pdf

Questions? Contact Springhill's Leg Rep Karen Guthrie, 925.283.7956 or kfguthrie@earthlink.net.

Garden Work Party - THIS Sunday! Bring the family to come work in our school garden THIS Sunday, 1/25 from 2-5pm. Bring work gloves, shovels & rakes. Projects are ready for you & the kids! Stop by for a short visit or stay the whole afternoon! If weather is questionable, please call Kathy Hemmenway to confirm at 915-4488.

SAVE THE DATE -
2009 Springhill Golf Tournament
Friday, May 8th, 2009 - 1:00 pm
Boundary Oaks Golf Course, Walnut Creek
Details to follow. Come on out and have some fun!!

Asian Art and Culture Celebration
All events are free! See www.laflib.com for more details.

Pajamarama Story Hour with a performance of a children's Chinese ribbon dance. Ages 3+ please. Tuesday, January 27th 7-8:00pm Lafayette Library.

Ping Pong Demonstration with Survivor finalist Yau-Man. Those who dare are welcome to test their skills against these veteran players. All ages welcome. Wednesday, January 28th, 7-8:30pm AHS gym.

Shirley Fong-Torres, TV chef and author of The Woman Who Ate Chinatown, speaks on the sights, smells and stories of Chinese cooking traditions. Thursday January 29th 7-9:00 pm Lafayette Library.

Hands-on opportunity to experience Chinese Arts including calligraphy, brush painting, and origami. Saturday January 31st 11am-1pm Lafayette Library

Children's story hour hosts "Dragon Day," stories and a special Chinese dragon craft. Monday February 2nd 11:15 am Lafayette Library.

Yu's Martial Arts School in Lafayette will present a demonstration by multi-level students, with a finale by Master Yu himself. A few audience members may be invited on stage to test out a few moves! Tuesday February 3rd 6-7 pm Stanley Middle School Multi Purpose Room.

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! 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.

Roughing It Day Camp is a traditional outdoor day camp located at the Lafayette Reservoir for children 4 1/2-16 years of age. We offer instruction in horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, fishing, sports, crafts, outdoor education and more. Roughing It has been helping children grow in wonderful ways since 1972. Our program builds friendships, teamwork skills, and confidence. Summer 2009 Day Camp Sessions run: June 22 - July 17, 2009 and July 20 - August 14, 2009. See www.roughingit.com for registration and program information. * This year we are proud to donate a $500 certificate to the Spring Hill Auction as a way of giving back to the community.

Lindsay Wildlife Museum Programs Available
Register now for exciting, discovery-based programs at Lindsay Wildlife Museum. Everything from one-day Spring Break Workshops, Summer Camp listings and education classes are offered for children (ages 2 and up), families and adults. Visit our website, www.wildlife-museum.org and click on programs to see the full listing of programs for families, children and adults and registration information or call the museum (925 935 1978) to request a brochure. Pre- registration is required.

Classes include:
Phun Physics
Sounds of the Wild
Camouflage Colors
Bugology
Bluebird Project
and more!

Attention Parents of Middle School Girls!
Ever wish you could be a fly on the walls, halls or lunchrooms of your local middle school to see what life for your girls is really like in school? Here's the next best thing: "The Truth About Girls' Middle School Experience", a Q&A with a panel of high school girls from all four schools in the Acalanes High School District. These girls have not only attended our local middle schools, but also work with current middle school girls in so they really have a pulse on what is happening in our community. The panel is brought to you and moderated by AAUW (American Association of University Women), aauwoml.org. Join us for a free and lively session Wednesday, February 18t h 7:00-8:30 at Orinda Intermediate School Multi Purpose Room. Light refreshments served.

Single Parent Series
Tuesday, February, 10, 2009-You're Not My Mother-Introducing New Relationships to Kids

Keys to Cultivating Trust, Respect, and Openness with your Teenager
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, 7:00-9:00pm
MHS Theatre, No fee
David Heckenlively, MS, MFT. And Ricardo Murguia, LCSW

This interactive workshop will focus on healthy ways to communicate with your teens. Topics will include tools for developing home agreements that work, setting limits with loving detachment, understanding risk-taking behavior, addressing drug experimentation, use and abuse, and understanding healthy differentiation versus unhealthy defiance. Learn new ideas and practical skills in order to play a more effective role in guiding your teen and family through healthy growth and change.

David Heckenlively, MS, MFT, is the founder of Integrated Teen Services, in Walnut Creek where he provides assessment, treatment planning and psychotherapy for teens and families. He leads weekly parent support and education groups, evaluates therapeutic schools and programs throughout the country and provides consultation regarding treatment settings.

Ricardo Murguia, LCSW, Executive Director of Coyote Coast. Coyote Coast provides specialized services to families with youth returning home from highly structured out-of-home environments such as wilderness therapy, therapeutic boarding schools and rehabilitation centers. They also work with families in crisis who may be facing or trying to avoid such options.

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds
In High School, College, and Beyond:
Helping Your Teen Thrive With Positive Self Image

Tuesday, March 3rd, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Acalanes Theatre, No Fee

Topics Include:
Parent Influence
Weight as a Cultural Obsession
Sexuality/Social Life---How self image affects decisions
Eating and Exercise---What happens when they leave home

Sponsored by Acalanes Parent Ed, for more information email lgsendme@sbcglobal.net.

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