A. SEE YOU AT THE PFC PARENT PARTY/AUCTION tomorrow, Saturday, March 14, at the Blackhawk Museum! A thousand thanks to Stri Zulch, Nancy Ishii and all of the other wonderful parent volunteers for putting this fabulous event together!
B. LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE 5th GRADE MUSICAL "WILLY WONKA" at Lafayette's Town Hall Theatre, March 16 and 17, 6:00 PM & 7:30 PM. Check the Town Hall Theatre Kids website for details. Thank you to Lyenne Denny, Cindy O'Connor and Director Rena Wilson for all of their efforts in making this production possible! See you there!
C. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED in our annual READ ACROSS AMERICA/DR. SEUSS' BIRTHDAY BASH on Monday, March 2. We had guest readers for each classroom and we are appreciative of everyone's efforts. Thanks also to the PFC and Mrs. Rhodora Del Rosario for providing exquisite food for our hungry volunteer readers. READ ON, SCORPIONS!!!
D. REMIND YOUR CHILDREN to be wary of strangers at all times, to walk in groups and to always tell a trusted adult if other adults are making them feel uncomfortable. This is a message that cannot be repeated too often for all of our children.
E. Join the PFC! Register for e-SCRIP!!

THE SIX PILLARS & PAY IT FORWARD CORNER

"How quickly a truly benevolent act is repaid by the consciousness of having done it."
-- Hosea Ballou, clergyman, writer (1771-1852)

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.

A. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO JOINED THE RUN FOR KIERAN LAST SUNDAY AT STANLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL, supporting Stanford Children's Research Center and the Lafayette School District's Special Ed Program!! You supported the memory of one of our dearest former students by upholding the Pillars of Caring and Respect!!
B. JUMP ROPE FOR HEART IS COMING THE WEEK OF MARCH 16, supporting the American Heart Association and the lifelong health of those who participate! Thank you, Nik Kosach (Mr. CLUB FIT), the students of Springhill School and the American Heart Association!
C. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED SANDBOX TOYS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO THE ACALANES LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD PROMOTING HEALTH & EDUCATION TO JUVENILE AIDS VICTIMS IN AFRICA---SUPPORTING THE PILLAR OF CARING.

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. Churchill's third grade classroom, students work independently on a daily basis in Writer's Workshop. The students develop ideas, pre-write, draft, confer, and publish, all at their own pace. They meet individually with peers, parents, and the teacher to develop their story plans, but the student is in charge of his/her own project. This offers the students the ability produce the minimum of 8 published pieces to an infinite number.

This Week in the Library

Remember, there are over 100 reasons to read. This week, reason number 21 is "It reduces stress."

Could a man capture a leprechaun's pot of gold in one day? The prize is Princess Kathleen's hand in marriage, but everyone knows how carefully leprechauns guard their treasure. When a wandering minstrel decides to try no one expects him to succeed, but could he prove them wrong? Kindergartners heard Teresa Bateman's clever tale Traveling Tom and the Leprechaun.

Have you ever wondered what happens at the beach when it's dark and all the people go home? In Brian Lies' Bats at the Beach the first graders discovered that bats come out to play in the sand and water, enjoy picnics and campfires, and have a rousing good time until the moon sets, the sun rises, and it's time to go home. This book is one of the nominees in this year's Primary division for the California Young Reader Medal.

Do you like to square dance? Maybe do a rumba or a samba? Or is boogying more your style? Hilda the hippo dances to every beat, much to the dismay of all the other animals. Second graders were amused by Karma Wilson's book Hilda Must Be Dancing as they found out how the animals solved the problems created by Hilda's dancing. This is another nominee in this year's Primary division for the California Young Reader Medal.

Jack the Cat is building a nest to attract the perfect chicken, who will lay an egg to make the perfect omelet. The only problem is his nest attracts more than the perfect chicken! Third graders enjoyed Catherine Friend's humorous book The Perfect Nest, yet another one of the nominees in this year's Primary division for the California Young Reader Medal.

She was the first woman to graduate from Berkeley with a degree in civil engineering. She was the first woman to receive a certificate in architecture from the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. She was the first licensed woman architect in California. She designed and oversaw the building of hundreds of structures, but she is probably best known for her work with William Randolph Hearst on his castle perched above San Simeon. Fourth graders saw slides of some of Julia Morgan's work, including an early sketch for the Hearst Castle, as well as some exterior and interior shots of the castle, and then heard the book Julia Morgan Built a Castle by Celeste Davidson Mannis.

In a nod to Women's History Month and last week's Colonial Day, fifth graders heard about several women of the colonial era who refused to be bound by the strictures of the age and carved out a life for themselves on their own terms. Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman was a slave in Massachusetts who left her master and sued for her freedom. Her case ultimately led to the banning of slavery in that state in 1783. Margaret Brent oversaw her own business, argued her own cases in court, and at the request of dying Governor Calvert, helped save Maryland during its "Time of Troubles" in 1645. Anne Bonny left her family for a life as a pirate in the early 1700s. Although she was captured, she disappeared from prison and nobody knows what happened to her after that. Stories of these fascinating women, along with many others, are in Mary Rodd Furbee's book Outrageous Women of Colonial America.

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.

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

Garden Work Days:
* Wednesdays (9-11am) April 8, May 13
* Sundays (2-5pm) March 22, April 26

Thanks so much for your continued support of the Springhill Garden!
Kathy
933.5266
khemmenway@aol.com

Splish, Splash, Summer Bash at Hideout!
Kid's Hideout is now accepting registration for summer. Please visit our website at www.kidshideout.net/FORMS, then go to the "Summer - Camp Hideout '09" section at the bottom of the page. Register early for discounts!! We will be open EVERY WEEK this summer (that's 10 weeks of care!). Each week will include activities in baking, cooking, arts, crafts, sports, science and drama/dance. We will also have Wheels Days, Tasty Tuesdays, Field Trips, Pool Days & Bounce House Fridays each week.
Register & pay all fees by Friday, March 20th to receive 10% off "Camp" fees and receive free extended care. Invite and enroll with a NEW family and you both receive 25% off of one weeks' "Camp" fees. See registration form for details! For more information, please call Beth at 283-7808 or beth@kidshideout.net. Come soak up some sun with us this summer!

Spring Break
We are still accepting enrollment for Spring Break - Hideout Goes Hollywood! Please visit www.kidshideout.net/FORMS, and then go to the Spring Break under CAMP REGISTRATION FORMS!

PARKING
When dropping off or picking up your child, please, DO NOT get out of your car, or leave your car unattended. If you need to walk your child to class, or if your child requires your assistance to get into or out of your car and collect their belongings, please find a parking stall. Don't forget that the Briones lot is also available, and generally has plenty of parking. Please remember that the parking lot situation is difficult for everyone, and these guidelines will greatly reduce the congestion that we have been experiencing. Leave yourself a few extra minutes to get your child to and from school safely. Thank you for your cooperation.

Start putting your 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!!!

2009 LMYA DOLPHINS SWIM TEAM
APRIL STROKE CLINICS and SUMMER SWIM TEAM
Registration on THURSDAY MARCH 26, 6:00- 9:00pm--Acalanes High School Cafeteria

~OPEN TO ALL TEAMS - LMYA Dolphins are offering April Preseason Stroke Clinics conducted by Acalanes High School Swim Team Head Coaches Marc Cavallero & Jeff Miller. The clinics begin on April 6 and run for 4 weeks Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs sessions available.
Register Online at www.LMYASWIM.com or in person on Thursday March 26, 2009, 6-9:00pm

~Join our community swim team, the LMYA Dolphins-- the only swim team in the area to offer the option of regular season evening practices. Swimmers age 4-18 are welcome to enjoy high quality training, stroke instruction, competitive swimming and lots of summer fun and fitness at Acalanes High School Pool. Our dynamic and experienced coaches Jeff Miller & Marc Cavallero, who are currently head coaches for the highly competitive Acalanes High School Team, subscribe to the SWIM SMART Program which promises success and fun.
~Registration is Thursday, March 26 from 6:00- 9:00pm at Acalanes High School Cafeteria in Lafayette. Bring your calendar and checkbook to sign-up. Preseason practices begin May 4th. Regular season morning age group practices begin June 15 and evening practices begin June 16.

~LMYA Swim Team also offers a "Gutter Guppy" introductory program for water-safe 4 - 6 year olds. Gutter Guppy evaluation/registration will be held May 19 & June 1.

For more information about stroke clinics, fees, meets, practice times, volunteer requirements, Gutter Guppies or to Register On line go to www.LMYASWIM.com Or Email - Registration@LMYASwim.com

HOST FAMILY SUMMER 2009 PROJECT
Participate in our summer programs for European teenagers, who spend a few weeks in the Bay Area working on their conversational English fluency while sharing their Spanish, French or German with their US host siblings, all while enjoying a taste of American life.
We seek great, fun, dedicated people as local coordinators & local leaders for our groups (paid positions), as well as interested volunteer host families.
To learn more, please contact Carla Orvis Hunt a.s.a.p. at our main office in Berkeley: 510.845.2230.

GREASE IS THE WORD
Miramonte High School presents the musical Grease at the Miramonte theater, 750 Moraga Way, Orinda. Shows are March 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 at 7:30 PM and March 15 at 12 noon. Tickets are $15 students and seniors and $20 adults, and can be purchased online at the MHS web store www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/miramonte.

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: KIDS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
On Monday, March 16th there will be a special presentation and event on climate change just for kids, organized by the 5th Grade Girl Scout Troop at Lafayette Elementary School and Sustainable Lafayette (www.sustainablelafayette.net). The evening will feature a presentation by Doug Grandt and Paul Valva of The Climate Project (www.theclimateproject.org) , which was developed in partnership with Girl Scouts. The program is designed for kids (especially 3rd-7th grade) and their parents and will cover what "climate change" is and what kids are doing and can do to make a difference. Kids will also share what they're doing already in the community and there will be "By Kids, For Kids" educational displays. Please join us!

WHEN: Monday, March 16th at 7-8:30 pm
WHERE: Our Savior Lutheran Church at 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette

Admission is free, but space is limited and pre- registration is required. To register, email aej@cpdb.com and state the number of kids/adults in your group that will be attending.

SUN VALLEY SWIM TEAM
Want to join a great swim team? Come join Sun Valley Swim Team (SVST) this summer for the perfect combination of competitive spirit and team fun! Non- pool members are welcome to join our team. You'll love our sense of community and our new pool! In addition to swim team (ages 5-18) we also have a Pre-Team program for ages 4-5. We are also offering an after-school Spring Stroke Clinic by the Cal Women's Swim Team. Clinic is open to all swim teams. Swim team registration is Sunday, March 15th 12pm-2pm at Sun Valley Pool (1000 Leland Drive, Lafayette). For more information, check out www.SwimSu nValley.com or contact BVE parent Tracy Broback at GoRays@SwimSunValley.com

ARTS, ADVENTURE & ACADEMICS 2009
Arts, Adventures and Academics Summer Camp will be held June 22- July 24th at Walnut Creek Intermediate School.
NEW ! This 5 week program is for all campers entering K through 9th Grades. All activities are hands-on and discovery-based, allowing kids to learn by doing. Our high quality programming and caring staff have made this program a favorite for over 25 years!
For more information, please visit our web site at www.arts-ed.org or call (925) 943-5846.

Friends of the Lafayette Library
Come to the Lafayette Library on Thursday, March 19 (NOTE NEW TIME) to hear Blake Taylor talk about his book ADHD and Me: What I Learned from Lighting Fires at the Dinner Table. This story is a must-read for parents of children with ADHD and those who live with the condition. Program begins at 7:30. Coffee and desserts served.

ARTISTS WANTED!
Forms are available in your Library to enter the Lafayette Library Bookmark contest which begins March 2 and ends March 18th. Winners will be notified and an Award Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, April 7th.

The REAL Impact of Sports in Lamorinda
Wednesday, March 18, 7:00 pm
Stanley Middle School Library

Robin Bousquet was just featured in the March edition of Diablo Magazine in an article called Sidelined. She is the Senior Physical Therapist at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes, Children's Hospital, Oakland.
Erika Carlson, Sports Psychologist, Excellence in Sports Performance, Walnut Creek, also affiliated with the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes at Children's Hospital, Oakland.

Join us for an exploration into the physical and emotional impacts of sports on our middle schoolers. How do we avoid 'over participation', which leads to physical injuries and mental burnout? How we can help to build athletes of character, not just ability? Why, when we get on the playing field, do we overlook disrespectful behavior, bullying and unsportsmanlike behavior, all in the chase for a win? And how do we help our kids enjoy sports in our community?

(http://www.diablomag.com/Diablo-Magazine/March- 2009/Minor-Athletes-Major-Injuries/)

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