May 6, 2009 Update on the Swine Flu Situation

Dear Parents:

While I am sure all of you are watching the news and taking the necessary steps to keep your family safe, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of the important actions suggested from the health department and apprise you of the steps we are taking throughout the district to keep your children safe.
To increase awareness and vigilance we have taken the following actions:

* School staff have distributed fliers reminding people of the best hygienic practices for school offices, classrooms and bathrooms.
* Teachers are reminding students of the importance of hand-washing and other practices listed below.
* Staff have ordered antibacterial wipes for every classroom and we are distributing them as they arrive.
* Custodians are vigilantly disinfecting desktops, computer keyboards, countertops, doorknobs and bathrooms. Additionally, they are monitoring soap dispensers to ensure they are functional and full on a daily basis.
* Principals have updated emergency phone trees and are reviewing their site level emergency preparedness plans.
* We are monitoring absence rates at all of our schools on a daily basis.

Public health officials advise the following actions to stop the spread of germs and sickness:

* Keep children who are sick at home, and contact your health care provider.
* Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
* Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
* Remind your children not touch hands to face, especially eyes, mouth or nose.
* Remind your children not to share food or drinks.
* Teach your children to stay at least three feet away from people who are sick.
* People who are sick should stay home from work or school and stay away from other people until they are better, and contact their health care provider.

At this time, the county health department advises us that students who are not ill can safely come to school; our schools will remain open. We will keep you updated with any important information as it becomes available. Any children who are sick in school will be sent home (according to information from Contra Costa Health Services, influenza-like illness is defined as: Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and one of the following - cough, sore throat, headache, or muscle aches).
If you have questions about your family members' health, please contact your healthcare provider. If your child or family member is diagnosed with swine flu, please notify your school office as soon as possible.

You can get more information regarding swine flu from Contra Costa Health Services: Visit online at cchealth.org or call the Health Emergency Information Line: 1-888-959-9911. Other informative websites are posted by the federal government: www.pandemicflu.gov or the American Red Cross at redcross.org There is a new and detailed Swine Flu Fact Sheet on the Contra Costa Health Services website. The direct link is http://cchealth.org/topics/swine_flu/pdf/fact_sheet.pdf

Please know that we are in close contact with Contra Costa County Office of Education and Contra Costa Health Services, and we will update you as new information becomes available.

Sincerely,
Fred Brill, Ed.D.
Superintendent

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGES

A. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED LAST WEEK'S KINDERGARTEN MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS!!! What amazing talent we have in our K classes! A special thank you to teachers Bridget Quinn, Kathy Miller, Susie Graham and Meghann McNaught and to all those volunteer parents. Well done!

B. DEAR PARENTS: If there is the possibility that your child(ren) will not be attending Springhill School next year (with the exception of current 5th graders) due to moving or attendance at a private school, please let your child's teacher know as soon as possible to assist us in planning for the 2009-2010 school year. Many thanks!

C. Join the PFC! Register for e-SCRIP!!

THE SIX PILLARS & PAY IT FORWARD CORNER

"They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts."
- Sir Philip Sidney, British poet (1554-1586)

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. PENNIES FOR PATIENTS, our annual drive for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society has ended!!! Thank you for all of your spare change contributions and for supporting the Pillar of Caring!!!

B. OUR ANNUAL NATIONAL BRAIN TUMOR SOCIETY QUENCHERS FUND RAISER SPONSORED BY THE STUDENT COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, 5/14. SEND YOUR ORDER FORMS BACK ON MONDAY, 5/11. Thank you for 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 Ms. Wilson's 4th grade, math instruction is differentiated through regular small group instruction and assessment. Students participate in one of three learning groups and they may work alone, in partnerships, and in small groups for introduction and practice of concepts. In addition, each student has many opportunities to work with Heather Records, our math specialist, and with our classroom aide for review and reteaching of difficult topics.

LASF Art and Music Fair

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, is right around the corner! Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 28th. 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!

Take this opportunity to check out the wonderful work LASF is doing with our students and see the amazing results spotlighted in the multi-purpose room. While you are there, you may also want to read about the various lessons your children have received, the art history behind them, and the techniques they have had the opportunity to practice. Children can also take part in the "hands on" activities that will be provided by some of our great LASF art instructors.

Springhill will also be hosting the much-anticipated vocal/instrumental variety program put on by Springhill's 4th and 5th graders!! So, be sure to head up to the amphitheatre adjacent to the upper playground for some beautiful music!

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


100% Participation: Every Donation Counts
There is still time to make your LASF 2009-10 donation contribute any amount and you will help LASF reach its $1.5M goal and you will strengthen our donor community. You can donate $20 or you can donate $20 dollars each month for a year - there are many options for making a difference. ß "Every child. Every classroom. Every dollar counts."
Thanks to the many Springhill families that have already donated. Many thanks to the numerous phonathon volunteers.

PLEASE VOTE: May 19th SPECIAL ELECTION AFFECTS SCHOOL FUNDING

"NO AMOUNT OF FUNDRAISING CAN EQUAL THE DOLLARS OUR SCHOOLS WILL RECEIVE FROM THE PASSAGE OF ONE VITAL PIECE OF STATE LEGISLATION SUPPORTING PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING" - LTCC.

Have you voted yet? Is your ballot still sitting on the coffee table? The upcoming May 19th state-wide election will have a significant impact on state funding for school districts in our state. If State Propositions 1A, 1B, and 1C fail, it is estimated that California's budget deficit will increase by $6 billion in addition to the currently estimated $8 billion deficit. This will mean more cuts to public schools.

Please read your ballot information carefully and be sure to exercise your right to vote. No matter what your position however, everyone should understand that failure to pass the key propositions will have a very significant impact on public education in California. 70% of OUSD's budget comes from the State and 40% of the State budget goes to public schools. As one commentator put it, "It is time for Californians to make hard choices."

Information on the May 19th state propositions (1A-1F) and other Leg. News is also available at the following websites:
EdSource: www.edsource.org/election09.html
AUHSD: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs064/1011112155911/archive/1102566008844.html
State PTA: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs089/1102168765122/archive/1102552957189.html
CA State Voter info: www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/quick-reference-guide
CA Leg. Analyst's: www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/Propositions.aspx
Las Trampas Legislative Team's website: www.lastrampaspta.org/Legislation.html

Or contact your Legislative Rep., Karen Guthrie, kf.guthrie@yahoo.com.

This Week in the Library

Remember, there are over 100 reasons to read. This week reason number 28 is "It can make you cry."

I feel as if this school year is rushing towards its end. Classes will visit the library only two more times before I have to close for inventory. You will have a week or so to locate all library books and return them before we start the actual inventory. During that time I will be going through the collection to pull outdated or damaged books from the shelves and make notes on what needs to be replaced. Then, with the help of some dedicated volunteers, we'll scan each item in the collection. Once we've completed the inventory I will send out bills for items that have not been returned, since I will be certain that they are not here.

What do you do when you have a rooster that wakes you up at 5:00 A.M. on a Sunday morning? Farmers Maude and Claude have a unique idea to help their rooster sleep in which requires some help from the other animals on the farm. Kindergartners heard about their plan and its consequences in the book The Rowdy Rooster by Janine Scott.

How do we measure time? By when the sun rises and sets? By when we're hungry or sleepy? By how long we spend at the computer? First graders heard a story about how Mr. Crocodile measured his time, beginning with the schedule he drew up the night before. As he went through his day they saw a clock on each page and could follow his schedule. But some bothersome monkeys made sticking to his careful plans very difficult in Judy Sierra's book What Time Is It, Mr. Crocodile?

The Caldecott Medal has been awarded for the best artwork in children's books published in the U. S. since 1938. It's named after a British illustrator who lived and worked in the 19th century. Each year the winner is announced in mid-January. Second graders heard The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norman Juster with illustrations by Chris Raschka. This 2006 Caldecott winner, told in a little girl's voice, is the story of what she sees through the kitchen window at her grandparents' house, both real and imaginary-her grandparents' faces as she arrives, the stars before she goes to bed, the garden, the dog next door, a T-Rex, even the queen of England. It's truly her window on the world.

Phillipe Petit's exploits have fascinated people for years. In fact, the 2008 film "Man on Wire" recently won the Oscar for best documentary. Part of Petit's amazing story is told and illustrated by Mordecai Gerstein in The Man Who Walked Between the Towers which was the 2004 Caldecott winner. Third graders were fascinated by the story of how he planned and carried out the amazing feat of walking on a wire he had strung between the two World Trade towers in NYC on August 7, 1974.

Have you ever wondered about the artwork in children's books? As an artist, you are concerned with color, line, perspective, shape, space, etc. but you also have to think about how your pictures explain or add to the text, the size and shape of the book, leaving space for the text, and continuity through 32 pages. We discussed these factors in the fourth grade classes this week and then looked at examples of collages, oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors, and gouache in children's books. The students brought their own experiences of working with the different media to the discussion and are beginning to have a better understanding of the role the artwork plays in children's books.

Barb Stevens, the librarian at Stanley Middle School, visited with our fifth graders this week. She shared some ideas for summer reading and explained how the Stanley summer reading program works. She also told them about Stanley's One Book, One School choice for this summer, The Peak. Barb finished by answering some questions about what it's like to be a student at Stanley. Her enthusiasm sparked our fifth graders interest, so don't be surprised when they ask you to sign the Stanley summer reading forms. Homophones, anagrams, palindromes, multiple ways of saying the same thing-there are so many ways to play with words and that's what the fifth graders and I did this week. We used Fred Gwynne's book The King Who Rained, Gene Barretta's book Dear Deer, William Steig's books CDB! and CDC? for some fun with words.

Don't forget to check out our website at http://www.lafsd.k12.ca.us/people/smattern/index.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

Last Garden Workday

Springhill's garden committee has just received the great news that the Student Council has purchased a greenhouse for the garden! The greenhouse should be arriving over the next two weeks & we need a few Dads to help assemble it. If you would like to assist with this project, please contact Kathy Hemmenway.

A midweek Garden Work Day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20 @ 9am-12pm. This will be our last work day of the school year. Come by for coffee, bagels & bring your work gloves.

If your family would like to "Adopt the Garden" for a week this summer, we'd love your help! Questions, please contact Kathy Hemmenway at khemmenway@aol.com or call her at 933.5266.

Splish, Splash, Summer Bash at Hideout!
You won't want to miss our fun-filled exciting summer camp program! Kid's Hideout is currently 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.

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.

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!

Last Chance Parent Party Auction Items! Vino in The Vineyard!

There is still a chance to join your fellow parents for a taste of the wine country right here in Lafayette!! A fabulous evening of friends, wine and jazzy music will be held in the newly re-done backyard of Kim and Harry Stewart. Enjoy a crisp chardonnay or a luscious pinot noir overlooking a beautiful hillside vineyard.

Friday, June 5th, 7:00 - 10:00 at The Stewart Home. $50 per person. To participate, contact Corrine Christensen at joeandcorrine@msn.com

Acalanes Benefit Concert - Acalanes Save Our School club
A benefit concert will be held at 7:00 PM on May 15th at the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church. The concert will feature classical and world music performed by students and professional musicians. Tickets are $20, tickets for a pre-concert dinner are $7. Tickets are available online at http://acalaneshs.revtrak.net or at the door.

Acalanes High School students are planning a number of entirely student run events, including a benefit concert with a silent auction, phone banking to sign up parents for the Acalanes eScrip Program, voter registration drives targeted at local youth, and other fundraisers. All proceeds will go to the Acalanes Parents Club to ensure that faculty positions, leadership, library programs, and other crucial student resources can be maintained.

Stanley Open House May 14th at 7 pm
The Stanley School Open House date has been changed to May 14th at 7:00 p.m.

Come to the Stanley Library Spring Book Fair during Stanley Open House
The Stanley Library will be holding a Spring Book Fair during the week of May 11 and will be open during Stanley Open House on Thursday, May 14. (The book fair will not be open on Friday as previously announced.) If you are coming with your 5th grade student or middle school student we encourage you to stop by the library. You can meet the fabulous librarian, Mrs. Barbara Stevens, and find some great books for summer reading. Sponsored by The Lafayette Book Store and the Stanley Library, the spring book fair will be open 8:00-9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, during break and lunch on Tuesday through Thursday, 3:00-4:00 on Monday through Thursday, and 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. on May 14th. Thank you for supporting the middle school library program.

"The following communications, activities or events are not school or district-sponsored, nor are they endorsed by the Lafayette School District."

"The following communications, activities or events are not school or district-sponsored, nor are they endorsed by the Lafayette School District."

10th Annual Lafayette Kitchen Tour
Saturday, May 16th, 10am to 3pm. Tour six exquisite kitchens! Tickets $35, gourmet lunch, $12 extra. Buy tickets in advance through a Lafayette Junior member, Douglah Designs, 3577 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Premier Kitchens, 3373 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Blodgett's, 3291 Mt. Diablo Ct., or online http://www.lafayettejuniors.com/. Benefiting Youth Homes Inc.

Senior Girl Scout Troop 32153 Shred-a-thon Saturday May 9th at Springhill
Senior Girl Scout Troop 32153 is hosting a Shred-a-thon on Saturday May 9th at the Springhill Elementary School parking lot from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The tickets are $10.00 and are good for one box of shredding (1 box= 1 Banker's box 12x10x24 or equivalent to a bag around 40lbs). All the proceeds of this fundraiser go to support the troop and their support of the Girl Scout Our Cabana program in which they are hoping to participate next summer. The Our Cabana program is an international facility maintained by Girl Scouts where troops from around the world come and participate in local service projects. For more information or to purchase tickets please contact Leslie Dumas at 925-283-7566.

"The following communications, activities or events are not school or district-sponsored, nor are they endorsed by the Lafayette School District."

LMYA Gutter Guppies
There is still time to sign up for LMYA Gutter Guppies! Geared toward pre-team swimmers ages 3-6, the program will focus on teaching all 4 swim strokes. The 8-week program starts June 16 & coach/swimmer ratio is 1:4. By the end of the program, most children are able to swim the length of the 25-yard pool alone. Every child has the opportunity to join the 6 & under team at any time during the swim season after mastering specific skills. We invite you to come to one of our evaluation days at the Acalanes pool: May 19 and June 1 from 5-6pm. Contact Jean Follmer jeanfollmer@yahoo.com or Kristi Buck 4bucks@buckfamily.com or visit http:/www.lmyaswim.com for further details.

VisionTech Camps 2009
Summer computer camps will be held June 15- August 7th at our technology center in Danville and a few selected camps will be held at the Lafayette Community Center . VisionTech's program is for all students entering 2nd through 11th Grades. Choose from Robotics, Video Game Making, PC Building and JAVA Programming. All of our camps are hands-on allowing kids to learn by doing. For more information, please visit our web site at http://www.visiontechcamps.com/ or call (925) 699-9602.

Town Hall Kids Theatre
Join Town Hall Kids Theatre this summer for summer theatre arts classes for kids 7 to 11 years old. Our award winning children's theatre program offers the following 3 week sessions this summer for elementary school actors: Session 1 (6/22 to 7/12) "The Granny Awards" directed by Emily Garcia; Session 2 (7/13 to 8/2) "Best Little Theatre in Town" directed by Henry Perkins; Session 3 (8/3 to 8/23) "The Little Mermaid" directed by Xanadu Bruggers. Classes meet M-F at Town Hall Theatre, either an AM (9AM to Noon) or a PM (1PM to 4PM) session. No experience necessary to participate and everyone gets a part. For more information and to register on-line go to : http://www.townhallkids.com/ or email classes@townhallkids.com

"Wish Upon a Star!" - a Magical, Musical Adventure
Memorial Weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 23rd - 25th at 1pm and 7pm at the DVC Theatre and Performing Arts Center. The Peter Pan Foundation http://peterpanfoundation.org/ is a group of talented local Lamorinda actors and actresses dedicated to raising money for the Children's Hospital in Oakland. "Wish Upon a Star" is an original musical showcase, featuring many of your favorite Disney tunes. Three different casts will be performing, with the Monday show spotlighting local Middle and Elementary School students, including several Springhill students and alums. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

Saint Mary's College Athletic Summer Camps
The year 2009 will mark the 40th year that Saint Mary's College of California will be offering outstanding Athletic Summer Camps to children between the ages of 6-18. Overnight and day camps include All Sport, Baseball, Basketball Boys Basketball Girls, Golf, Lacrosse, Rowing, Rugby, Soccer Boys, Soccer Girls, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball. Prices range from $150 - $525. Our camps run from June 14th through August 6th 2009. Please contact SMC Camps at 925-631-4FUN or visit our website by clicking summer camps at http://www.smcgaels.com/

Viva el Espanol Spanish Immersion Camps
A unique opportunity for children to learn or improve their Spanish language skills! During each week-long camp, students participate in interactive games, music and movement activities, and art projects that center around a specific kid-friendly theme. This summer's fabulous themes are: Mad Science, Pirates of the "Caribe", Superheroes, South American Adventure, Bugs' Life, and Survivor. Summer Camp Flyer and Registration Form: http://www.vivaelespanol.org/documents/SpanishSummerPrograms2009.pdf Phone: (925) 962-9177

Writing Camp at JM in Moraga this summer for grades 4-9
The Bay Area Writing Project's Young Writers' Camps offer students the time and opportunity to explore their writing interests, discover their strengths and learn more about the craft of writing. The camps provide in-depth writing instruction, structured writing workshop time, flexibility in writing assignments, and daily opportunities to share writing with peers.
The writing camp will be from June 22 through July 10, Monday-Friday. The $400 registration fee includes all materials and a T-shirt. Go to http://www.bayareawritingproject.org/ for more info.

To submit entries to the Friday Flyer, email Sharon Swan: 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