A. I WISH EVERYONE A RELAXING, SAFE & REWARDING 4-DAY PRESIDENTS' DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND REFLECTING UPON THOSE PAST LEADERS WHOSE LEGACIES AND WISDOM MIGHT INSPIRE OUR COUNTRY's LEADERSHIP & OUR OWN CHOICES TODAY.
B. THANK YOU TO ALL 4th GRADE PARENTS who attended the marvelous 4th Grade Strings/Band/Chorus Performance last Thursday night. The music was exceptional and a special thanks to Liz Brummel, Wendy Clymer, Vicki Ghulam, all of their volunteer help and to LASF for making this magnificent concert happen! Well done, 4th grade musicians!
C. ALL PARENTS: All of our neighbors ask that you take great caution when driving to and from school and that your attention is placed entirely upon the safety of all vehicles and pedestrians in and around the school. Too many near-accidents have taken place due to the inattention of some drivers. PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY FOR EVERYONE's SAKE!!!
D. 3rd GRADE PARENTS: You may pick up the results of the OLSAT Test your child took in November from the School Office beginning Monday, February 9. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Rachel Zinn at the District Office (927- 3510) or Mr. Wodhams (927-3580) here at Springhill. Thank you.
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. 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!!!
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://charactercount s.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.

A. THE ANNUAL 3rd GRADE SMILE TRAIN GARLIC CROUTON SALE TOOK PLACE TUESDAY, 2/10, and SOLD OUT THE FIRST DAY. WELL DONE, 3rd GRADE!!! Every $250 raised sponsors a child's cleft palate surgery somewhere in the world. Thanks for Paying It Forward and supporting the pillars of Caring and Citizenship with this worthy cause! Thank you 3rd Grade!!!

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. Bornfleth's 5th Grade, compacting is a common practice, where basic assignments are preassessed. Students demonstrating mastery of these skills are given extension activities or replacement activities, and do not need to complete "regular" assignments. Students in room 13 are given a pretest before beginning every new math chapter. Those who score 90% or higher still participate in instruction time, but are provided with challenge packets in the same are of instruction that they complete in lieu of the regular chapter practice work.

Take Action

Please contact via phone, faxed letter, and e- mail, the governor and legislators voicing your concerns about the budget. Use the e-mail you receive with the phone numbers and e-mail addresses. That e-mail includes a message, and feel free to modify that message. And pass the e-mail on to any education advocate that may not have received the e-mail. The legislators need to hear from as many concerned advocates as possible.

This link will lead you to letters, along with fax numbers: http://www.lastrampaspta.org/dec08_letters.html If you want signed letters delivered to the legislators, we'll deliver those on Advocacy Day, February 18th. Put those in my inbox on the PFC table by the 17th.

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

I read recently that there have been more books published about Abraham Lincoln than about any other famous person in history. We focused on aspects of his life and writings with our first through fifth graders this week to honor the 200th anniversary of his birth on February 12.

Who would want to be a companion to a porcupine? Kindergartners found out when Cushion the porcupine sets out to find someone to be his wife, with surprising results, in Lisa Wheeler's funny book Porcupining: a Prickly Love Story.

If you're Abraham Lincoln, what do you do when you're on your way to give an important speech and you find a pig trapped in the mud? And where do you store important papers if you don't have a briefcase? First graders learned the answers to these questions in books based on two stories passed down about Abraham Lincoln: Abe Lincoln and the Muddy Pig by Stephen Krensky and Abe Lincoln's Hat by Martha Brenner.

One day Abe and his childhood friend Austin Gollaher were playing by Knob Creek when Abe fell. Second graders heard this tall tale based on a story passed down in Gollaher's family for generations. A great storyteller himself, Lincoln would have appreciated Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: a Tall, Thin Tale, retold by Deborah Hopkinson, with some fanciful additions. It was a great springboard to discuss how to learn what's truth and what's fiction when we read about well-known people as the students begin working on their famous people reports.

Tad and Willie Lincoln treated the White House like a giant playground, annoying everyone except their father, who found them a welcome distraction from the decisions and sorrows of the Civil War. One time they infuriated the head gardener who threatened to punish them severely if they dug any more holes in the rose garden. The third graders heard about their visit to the president to resolve their problem in the book Mr. Lincoln's Boys by Staton Rabin.

Imagine losing your mother when you're just nine years old. Then imagine a stepmother who brings a new beginning to a poor backwoods family and who inspires her stepson to grow, learn, and stand tall. Fourth graders heard the story of how Sally Johnston believed in Abraham Lincoln from the beginning and provided him with the opportunity to become the man who would lead our country through one of its most difficult times in the book Stand Tall, Abe Lincoln by Judith St. George.

"Upon the subject of education, I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in." Fifth graders took turns reading these and many other honest words from Abraham Lincoln's speeches and writing, as well as learned more about his life and what prompted his actions, in the book Abe's Honest Words by Doreen Rappaport. Kadir Nelson's luminous illustrations added immensely to the power of this new addition to the Lincoln canon. We also read his famous Gettysburg Address, illustrated with powerful woodcuts by Michael McCurdy. Happy Presidents' Day weekend!

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 17 is "It doesn't require batteries."

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

Family Work Day in the Springhill Garden!
Sunday, Feb. 22 from 2-5pm

Stop by the garden to help out with a variety of projects:
* installing our erosion control project: Cut out & terrace our large hill, sow seeds, install plant materials
* plant wildflowers
* mulching
* composting
* dry creek bed clean-up & much more!!

Bring your work gloves, a shovel & bottled water. If the weather is questionable, please contact Kathy Hemmenway at 915.4488

Garden Wish List: If you have any gently used garden tools (shovels, rakes, string weed wacker, etc.) that you'd like to donate to the garden, let us know!

Contact Kathy - khemmenway@aol.com

PRESIDENT'S HOLIDAY:
Hideout will be open tomorrow, Friday, February 13th. We will be serving Hot Lunch for $3.50 per child. Please contact us at 283-7808 if you would like care for your child!

SPRING BREAK:
Hideout Goes Hollywood - Please join us for Spring Break - March 30th through April 3rd as Hideout Goes Hollywood! We will be having competitions in drama, dance, sports, art & baking! The children will be creating awards and playing in sports competitions, too! This week is sure to be lots of fun. Sign up forms can be picked up from the school office or HIdeout, and will be available on our website at the end of February. Register early for discounts! For more information, please contact Beth Brown at 283- 7808 or beth@kidshideout.net.

SUMMER CAMP AT HIDEOUT:
Summer Camp registration packets will be available soon. We will have nine camp sessions this summer ranging from June 15th through August 14th. Stay tuned for details!

Start putting you foursome together for the
******Springhill Annual Golf Tournament*****

Friday, May 8th, 2009
At the Boundary Oaks Golf Course, Walnut Creek

Lunch, Dinner, Raffle, Prizes, Contests and loads of fun.
Come join us!!!

Run for Kieran
On March 8, Special Education Enrichment and Development Foundation of Lafayette (SEED) will be participating in a very special event that commemorates the life of one of Lafayette's children with special needs. Run for Kieran is an annual fundraiser held by the Quinn family to remember their son Kieran who died three years ago from a degenerative genetic disorder. Kieran was incredibly near and dear to the hearts of so many in the Springhill and greater Lafayette community. He was a loving compassionate child with an infectious smile and dogged perseverance who touched the lives of so many.

This year's Run for Kieran will benefit SEED and the Department of Genetics at the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. The Run is a wonderful way for us to come together as a community of families, teachers, and friends in support of our children with special needs. SEED hopes that all of you can join us for this wonderful event.

To learn more about Run for Kieran, to sign up for the run or to make a donation, please click here: http://web.me.c om/bridgetquinn

Hi friends of Run for Kieran, I just updated our website with a Raffle Ticket Page. Check out all the neat items you could win, just by clicking on "Raffle Tickets"... Raffle tickets on sale now. Please remember to register for the run/walk no later than Sunday, February 15th in order to receive your great Litlle Prince shirt. To visit, just click on the links below or paste the URLs into your browser.
Site http://web.me.com/bridgetquinn

Thanks again for supporting Run For Kieran 2009, SEEDS & Stanford Pediatric Genetics!

Bus Program Hires FIRST STUDENT for Fall 2009
The Lamorinda School Bus Program is pleased to announce that it has chosen a new company to provide regular-education school bus service starting August 2009. FIRST STUDENT is a well-known, reputable company with many years of experience in pupil transportation. With FIRST STUDENT's price, the LSBP will be able to maintain most of its service next year. (Continuing with Durham would have resulted in the elimination of five buses.) All buses will be new and will be equipped with seatbelts.
FIRST STUDENT will provide opportunities for current drivers to interview and sign on with them. We have been fortunate to have so many wonderful Durham drivers and hope that many of them will join FIRST STUDENT next year.
In the meantime, Durham School Services will continue to provide quality bus service until the end of the school year in June. Durham's special education contract is separate from the Lamorinda School Bus Program and remains unchanged. Questions or concerns can be sent to Juliet Hansen, Program Manager, at jhansen@ci.lafayette or 925-299-3216.

AFTER SCHOOL HOOPS
Join ONE on ONE BASKETBALL for After School Hoops at Springhill Elementary School. Throughout the winter and spring, skilled and experienced basketball instructors will conduct a one hour clinic, once a week, for you and your friends. These clinics will help you become a better basketball player through drills, contests, and game competition. Classes will be held on Tuesday afternoons from 2:40-3:40 PM. Starting March 3rd running thru May 12th, no class on March 31st. Cost will be $95 for the 10 week class. Please go to this page and register http://www.1on1basketball.com/eastbay/catalog/index. php?cPath=116_115 if you have any questions please call (925) 451-5888.

SUMMER RESOURCES FAIR
The American Camp Association and Seven Hills School are sponsoring a Summer Resources Fair, Saturday, March 21st, 10:00am - 1:00pm at Seven Hills School
975 North San Carlos Dr , Walnut Creek (near Heather Farms).
Come meet camp directors and recreational professionals and learn about the many summer programs for kids 4-15 years of age. Admission is free as a public service to families.

CAL SHAKES SUMMER THEATER PROGRAMS NOW ENROLLING!
Cal Shakes is happy to once again offer Summer Theater Camps & Conservatories serving kids ages 8 to 18, with locations in both Lafayette and Oakland Hills. Students engage in daily morning classes, ranging in subjects such as acting, stage combat, improvisation, text and more, while spending afternoons rehearsing a Shakespeare play. The final day of each program is dedicated to student performances. To enroll or learn more, visit www.calshakes.org/camps or call 510.809.3293. This coming Monday February 16, there will also be an Open House held at Holy Names High School from 6:30-8pm. Drop in to meet our staff, see pictures of past productions, and ask questions in person. Light refreshments will be served.

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.



Looking for an inexpensive, fun way to spend the summer vacation with your kids?
BOOK A SUN VALLEY POOL "STAYCATION"
Join our pool and enjoy fun days and evenings at Sun Valley Pool with your family - swimming, barbequing, and socializing with your local community.
Interested in our Swim Team too?
We offer combined Pool and Swim Team Memberships - discounted for new members.
Come experience the Sun Valley spirit and best value in Lamorinda
We are open from March thru October

Sun Valley Pool, 1000 Leland Drive, Lafayette, 94549
Contact us at http://www.swi msunvalley.com

Heritage Soccer Club Tryouts
WHO: Kids who love the game of soccer and looking for a challenge
WHEN**: Feb 12, 13, 14, 15, 21 (see locations & times below) RAIN OR SHINE
WHERE: Diablo Valley College Stadium (Feb 12, 13) and College Park Falcon Stadium (Feb 14, 15, 21). Synthetic Turf Fields
HOW TO SIGN UP: Go to www.heritagesc.co m and fill out the Participation Form and bring it to the field. Forms will be at the field.

Friends of the Lafayette Library
Come to the Lafayette Library on February 19th when Michael McAlister will discuss his book Awake In This Life: A Guide for Those Climbing the Mountain of Spirit. This practical yet inspiring guide offers advice for people of all (or no) faith. Program begins at 7:30. Coffee and desserts served.

Girl Scout Rummage Sale
Girl Scout Troop 31983 of Lafayette is holding a Rummage Sale on Saturday, February 28th from 8AM till 3PM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, located at 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette, Ca 94549. There will be a large variety of goods at this rummage sale; including, furniture, small appliances, toys, clothes, and much more! Please join us in supporting the great work these girls are doing!

Impress Your Valentine and Support your Local School!
Tres Jolie Jewelery and Accessories will be donating 15% of all purchases to Springhill School! Visit at tresjolie.us, and enter SPHILL at checkout.

Campolindo High School Music
The Campolindo High School Instrumental Music Department, under the direction of Mr. Harvey Benstein, invites you to a very special concert. On February 18th at 7:30 pm, the Orchestra will perform the enchanting and timeless "Peter and the Wolf" by Serge Prokofieff. The story will be narrated by Stacey Kikkawa, Campolindo Choral Director. Before this concert, at 6:45, orchestra members will hold an instrumental "petting zoo" where students can learn about and even play on the different instruments of the orchestra. Following this piece, the Orchestra will perform "Violin Concerto in D Major, Op.77 by Johannes Brahms, with guest soloist Jassen Todorov. A native of Bulgaria, Mr. Todorov has appeared with major orchestras in the U.S and Europe, and has been hailed as "an outstanding violinist, a player to watch" by the British music journal,The Strad. Both pieces are approximately 35 mintues long. This free concert will be held in the Campolindo Performing Arts Center. Please join us!

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 18th 7:00-8:30 at Orinda Intermediate School Multi Purpose Room. Light refreshments served.

The Joys and Challenges of Parenting Boys - PTA Parenting Book Club Discussion
Moraga - Thursday, February 26, 2009, 7:00 - 8:30pm, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School

Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons From the Myth of Boyhood (by William Pollack)

The Minds of Boys: Saving Our Sons From Falling Behind in School and Life (by Michael Gurian)

Join our facilitator for the evening, JM English teacher Mr. Don Read (a parent of two teenage sons himself!,) and other parents for a discussion of these books and share your own parenting experiences and tips.

You may register at the event or on-line (course #05- 6108) at http://adulted.acalanes.k12.ca.us/onlinereg/Classes.a sp? txtAction=LoadSections&txtCourseGroupID=1&txtCour seCode=0561 Questions & Comments? sherisweeney@sbcglobal.net or vbabor@acalanes.k12.ca.us

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.

SAVE THE DATE:
Thursday, March 5, 2009, 7 - 8:30 pm in the Stanley Middle School Library.

The District Parent Ed committee hosts "Raising Emotionally Healthy Children: Learn Tools for Connecting with your Children and Helping Them to be Happy, Cooperative and Responsible" with Roy & Susie Smart who will share helpful tools and field questions. Roy and Susie have been facilitating parenting classes and presenting workshops together on positive parenting topics locally for over 8 years. We look forward to seeing you there!

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