Saturday, October 3
Light the Night Leukemia/Lymphoma Walk; Walnut Creek

Sunday, October 4
Walk to Cure Diabetes; Heather Farms, 10:00 AM

Monday, October 5
Cub Scout Pack 200; Library, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
COINS FOR A CURE; JDRC (Juvenile Diabetes Research Center) Drive begins

Wednesday, October 7
PFC Executive Board Mtg.; Lounge, 5:30 PM

Friday, October 9
5th Grade Play Demo, "Grease, Jr."; Location TBD, 2:00 PM

Monday, October 12
PFC 5th Grade Drama Parent Mtg.; Library, 7:00 PM

Wednesday, October 14
PICTURE DAY; MultiPurpose Room
Lunch outside
LSD Board Mtg.; District Office, 7:00 PM

Friday, October 16
LAFAYETTE TEAM GREEN Mtg.; Library, 8:45 AM- 10:45 AM

Wednesday, October 21
Dina MacDonald Thinking Strategies Parent Night, Part I; Stanley Library, 6:30 PM

Saturday, October 24
United Nations Day

Sunday, October 25
Reservoir Run; Lafayette Reservoir, 8:00 AM

UPDATED SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS: H1N1 INFLUENZA/SWINE FLU

September 22, 2009

Dear Parents,

As expected, we are beginning to get unconfirmed reports that students and staff may have contracted the H1N1 flu virus (swine flu). While there is no standard protocol for communication, we thought it prudent to let our families and staff know that HIN1 flu virus is likely emerging in our community. We would like to take this opportunity to remind families of the best practices that are recommended by Contra Costa Health Services to help prevent the spread of this illness (even though you have received this information on multiple previous occasions):

· Check your children for symptoms of influenza (primarily fever with either a cough or a sore throat).
· Keep sick people at home. Don't send them to school, childcare or work. No one should return to school until they have had no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine, even if they feel better.
· Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, have them use an alcohol-based hand rub to clean their hands.
· Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow.
· Teach your children to stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
· Vaccinate your children and yourself with the seasonal flu vaccine.

Please know that we are monitoring attendance closely at all of our district's school sites (there are no significant changes in absenteeism thus far), and we are remaining in close contact with the Contra Costa Health Services to get the most up-to-date information about prevention and safety protocol.

Information about H1N1 flu for parents, including fun videos and podcasts you can share with your child are available online at www.cchealth.org/topics/swine_flu/parent_information .php.
To find out where to get seasonal flu vaccine for you and your family, contact your health care provider or health plan. You can also call the Public Health Flu Hotline at 925-313- 6469 or visit www.flucliniclocator.org. Prerecorded information is also available by calling Contra Costa Health Services Health Emergency Information Line at 1-888-959- 9911.

We appreciate all of your support.

Sincerely,

Fred Brill, Ed.D.
Superintendent

A. LAFAYETTE TEAM GREEN: Many thanks for the overwhelming response from so many of you interested in participating in the first LAFAYETTE TEAM GREEN SUMMIT to be held in the Springhill School Library on Friday, October 16. Under the auspices of Sustainable Lafayette, coordinated by Steve Richard, District Science teachers and administrators as well as parents are meeting to determine how best to address the aspects of a sustainable and environmentally aware community. Unfortunately, we could not accommodate all of those Springhill parents who expressed a desire in attending the October 16 meeting, but all of those interested parents will be convening shortly at our own SPRINGHILL TEAM GREEN meeting to follow the community gathering. More information to follow!
B. MANY THANKS TO BOTH STEPHANIE MARRONE AND CORRINE CHRISTENSEN FOR YOUR TIRELESS EFFORTS TO PUT TOGETHER THE SPRINGHILL PFC GOLF TOURNAMENT. Unfortunately, there were just not the number of golfers signed up to make it work and the event had to be canceled for this year. Thank you again, Stephanie & Corrine!
C. 5th GRADE PARENTS & STUDENTS: DEMOCRACY IN ACTION!!! Student Body Elections took place today! Results will be published in next week's Friday Flyer!
D. STUDENT SAFETY: It is always a good idea at the beginning of the school year to speak with your children about the importance of maintaining safe practices when walking to and from school. Recent news stories remind us that it is always best to walk with a friend, and never should a child agree to get in a car with an unknown adult. Children and adults should report any suspicious activity to school or police officials.
E. PFC FUND RAISER: SALLY FOSTER GIFTWRAP!!! Many thanks to Melissa Johnston and Gabrielle Ohleyer for coordinating this fund- raising effort. Thank you to all those who participated!!!
F. SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL: The School Site Council is a team which includes the principal, teachers, other school personnel and parents, all of whom are elected by their peer groups to represent them on the Council. The Council meets monthly to address the changing needs of our students by developing a School Site Plan and implementing the goals of that plan. The School Site Plan attempts to address the special and unique needs of our community and includes such items as review and allocation of the School Improvement Plan (SIP) budget for teacher aides and possible other programs. Equally as important, it is the job of the Council to address areas of concern and to carry out effective solutions. For more information about the School Site Council, including agendas and minutes of recent meetings, please check out the Springhill School Website at: http://www.lafsd.k12.ca.us/springhill/ There are four parent positions currently vacant on the Council. If you would be interested in running for these positions or have questions about the School Site Council, please call Bruce Wodhams at 927-3580 or e-mail at: bwodhams@lafsd.k12.ca.us. Thank you to our three departing parent members for the outstanding job they did: Kim Stewart, Doreen deRoque and Cathy Holt!
G. Join the PFC! Register for e-SCRIP!!

THE SIX PILLARS & PAY IT FORWARD CORNER

"In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends."
- John Churton Collins, British literary critic (1848- 1908)

CHARACTER COUNTS! AS YOU GO FORWARD DAILY, STAND TALL UPON THE PILLARS OF TRUSTWORTHINESS, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, FAIRNESS, CARING & CITIZENSHIP!!!

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. CONTRIBUTE TOYS TO CHILDREN's HOSPITAL: Thank you once again to the Kvitko family for starting their annual CHILDREN's HOSPITAL TOY DRIVE. Starting on Monday, 9/21, you will find collection bins for toys in front of the school. New toys or those still in good shape may be dropped off to be enjoyed by the patients at Children's Hospital in Oakland. Many thanks, Kvitkos!!! Thank you for supporting the Pillars of Caring , Responsibility & Citizenship!
B. DONATE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES, MASKS, HATS, DRESS-UP CLOTHES, ETC. FOR THE HOMELESS CHILDREN OF SHELTER, INC., to the donation bin in front of the school. Thank you to Girl Scout Troop 32154 for sponsoring this worthwhile drive! Thank you for supporting the Pillars of Caring , Responsibility & Citizenship!
C. UPCOMING PAY IT FORWARD EVENTS:
1. Monday, October 5: COINS FOR A CURE JUVENILE DIABETES DRIVE BEGINS
2. Walk to Cure Diabetes; Heather Farms, Sunday, 10.04.09, 10:00 AM.
3. Light the Night Leukemia Walk; Civic Park, Walnut Creek, Saturday, 10.03.09, 5:30 PM.
D. CHILDREN's HOSPITAL GOODY BAGS: Thank you to First Grade Girls Springhill Daisy Troop # 321933 for collecting Halloween goody bags for the kids at Children's Hospital Oakland. Donations can be placed in the bin in front of the school office. Thank you for supporting the Pillars of Caring , Responsibility & 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. Bornfleth's 5th grade, ·compacting, where basic assignments are pre-assessed is a common occurrence. 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 pre-test before beginning a 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.

*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.

Bruce L. Wodhams
Principal
Springhill Elementary School
3301 Springhill Road
Lafayette, CA 94549

bwodhams@lafsd.k12.ca.us

Thank you to Melissa Johnston and Gabrielle Ohleyer for the tremendous job they did this year organizing the Gift Wrap Sale - no numbers yet but I am predicting a huge success! The deadline was this past Wednesday September 30th - thank you to all who sold or purchased your support of Springhill is greatly appreciated!

Red Ribbon Week is coming up October 19 - 23 - if you are interested in helping out with any of the activities please contact Karen Elliott at karen@chelliott.com. Many thanks to Karen and her committee for taking on this week of special events!

Also, Lafayette Reservoir Run is coming up on October 26th - more information will be coming out about how you can get involved in this community fundraiser. It's a great way to get together with friends, get some exercise, and raise money for our schools here in Lafayette!

Mark your calendars for the next PFC General Meeting on November 4th at 7pm in the Library. Please join us and let your voice be heard - remember it's your PFC!

We have an opportunity to receive a free shed to house our Physical Education equipment - the catch is it's located in Los Gatos.... We would need 2 Dads, 1 truck, and a set of tools to take it apart at the location and bring it back to Springhill. If you are able to help out please contact Jean Follmer at jeanfollmer@yahoo.com. Many thanks!

Julie Donlon
2009-2010 Springhill PFC President
uvdonlon@aol.com

LASF "We're Serious About Science"

The LASF Science Program is in full swing at Springhill! Instructors are coming into the classrooms with special lessons on the five senses for Kindergarteners and are helping Second Graders understand the rocky composition of the Earth's crust. Many Fourth Graders are busy investigating life found in a drop of pond water and are learning how to use a compound microscope.

At Stanley Middle School, its seventh graders and sheep brains...students use a sheep specimen to identify brain regions and their functions. Meanwhile, at Acalanes High School, LASF encourages sophisticated scientific experimentation by funding Labquest Software for use in data collection and analysis.

"Every Child. Every Classroom. Every Dollar Counts"

Parent Work Day in the Garden Next Week!

Next Wednesday, October 7 it's time to pull out your gardening gloves & head over to our school garden. Join fellow parents for this year's first work day from 9- 11am (right after Spirit Wednesday). Projects include: installing pavers, loading soil into new planter boxes & weeding/mulching the edible retaining wall, just to name a few. Check out our Fall crops & maybe go home with an onion, herb or tomato to try! Remember to bring your gloves, hat & water bottle - coffee will be provided! Any questions, contact Kathy Hemmenway - khemmenway@aol.com.

Remember, there are over 100 reasons to read. This week reason number 3 is "You can learn how to do something new."

Across the nation libraries are focusing on "Banned Books Week." The fifth graders and I talked about what it means to challenge a book and what it means to ban a book. We brainstormed reasons why books might be challenged and took a look at a list of the most challenged books of the past year. We also discussed how this issue ties into the First Amendment of our Constitution. As always, I emphasized that each family has the right to determine which books are suitable for their children.

Fourth graders watched a video about the Dewey Decimal System of organizing nonfiction books in the library and then practiced recognizing and using call numbers.

Third graders watched a brief online video about the Dewey Decimal System, then learned how to use call numbers to find books, and ended by practicing their new skills.

Be My Neighbor by Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko uses pictures and words to celebrate the many different communities in which children live. Second graders learned that while customs, ages, and beliefs may differ, neighbors share a place where they feel at home.

Fletcher the fox is worried when his favorite tree begins to lose its leaves and tries to help to no avail. First graders heard Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson, a gentle, beautifully illustrated story about autumn.

Kindergartners laughed at Nancy Carlson's animal characters in her book ABC I Like Me! They could recognize some of their own good qualities and behaviors in her bright illustrations.

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

Sherry Mattern, Library Specialist

To submit entries to the Friday Flyer, email Beth Roosa: 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