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

Tuesday, October 27
RAPPORT Mtg.; DO, 9:00 AM

Wednesday, October 28
Dina MacDonald Thinking Strategies Parent Night, Part II; Springhill Library, 6:30 PM

Thursday, October 29
PFC-Sponsored Poets in the School, 4th grade
Reservoir Run Classroom Winners Party; MP Room, 2:45 PM

Friday, October 30
Halloween Parade; 2:00 PM

Saturday, October 31
Halloween

Sunday, November 1
Daylight Savings Time ends; set clocks back an hour

Tuesday, November 3
Election Day
MP Room closed; lunch outside

Wednesday, November 4
County wide Shelter-in-Place Drill; 11:00 AM
Primary Focus/CHARACTER COUNTS! Assembly; MP Room
Gr. K-3: 1:00 PM
Gr. 4-5: 1:50 PM
Lunch outside
PFC Mtg.
Executive Board: Lounge, 5:30 PM
General Session: Library, 7:00 PM

Thursdy, November 5
PFC Sponsored Poets-in-the-School, 4th Grade (see schedule)
Fall Music Assembly, Gr. 1-3; MP Room, 11:00 AM- 11:50 AM
Primary Focus/CHARACTER COUNTS! Parent Assembly; MP Room, 6:30 PM

Friday, November 6
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; MP Room, 2:40 PM-5:00 PM

LASF and the Lafayette School District Need Your Support

By now, you have all read about the shrinking state of funding for education from the state of California. These are certainly challenging times. But do you know what LASF, Lafayette's education foundation, is doing to meet this challenge? They have refined programs and funding priorities, ensuring the most value for the dollar, and set a fundraising goal of $1.5M this year to support our schools.

A key part of our fundraising campaign is the Fall Phonathon, which starts on Sunday, October 18. LASF is aiming for 100% participation from school families in any dollar amount they can comfortably give. Together, LASF and parent club donations pay for essential programs and services that would be lost due to state funding shortfalls. It is a carefully coordinated effort between the districts, LASF and parent organizations that contributes to the operation of such exceptional schools.

We recognize that the economy is down, many families have just made a significant parent club contribution or may have financial concerns. It is a tough season for fundraising. But even a quick look at what is going on at each of our Lafayette school sites reminds us of the value of what we have and want to keep.

We are all grateful for the benefits of the "can do/will do" attitude that distinguishes Lafayette from other communities. So if you can, please answer the call - the LASF phonathon call. A gift of any kind will fund current year programs in our schools and lay the foundation for collaboratively protecting and supporting the education of our children. We appreciate and value your ongoing support.

Lafayette Library Closure

The Lafayette Public Library will be closed for one month beginning Monday, October 19, while they move to the new Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Students who currently go to the library after school will be impacted by this closure. Please make alternate after-school care arrangements for your child (ren) through Friday, November 13. Two school libraries will be open until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to offer a place for students to work on homework. Middle school students can go to the Stanley library where textbooks, research materials, and computers will be available. Elementary students can go to the Lafayette School library.

17th Annual Lafayette Reservoir Run - October 25, 2009 New "ELITE" MARQUES MILE Added

The Lafayette Reservoir Run is the city's most popular "family affair", involving kids, parents, grandparents and hundreds of serious runners from all over the Bay Area. Over 2,500 participants compete in a 10K, 5K or 2 mile race through the heart of downtown Lafayette, around the reservoir and back. Race times begin at 8:30am and "day of" registration begins at 6:30am. Enjoy music provided by Stanley Middle School and a pancake breakfast provided by the Lafayette Rotary Club. This event is presented by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lafayette. This year a one mile road race has been added, with the participants being a dozen or so 4 minute and sub 4 minute milers to run in the 1st ELITE Mile. This one mile road race will be run at 8:00am and will be over in 4 minutes, so be sure to arrive a few minutes early if you want to enjoy the spectacle. Parking is available at the BART parking lot. Walk down to Plaza Center (Mt. Diablo Blvd. at Moraga Rd.) To pre-register, visit the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce website, www.lafayettechamber.org. or www.active.com. Beneficiaries of the event are the local schools and the services and programs of the Chamber. There are division awards for all top participants in the 5K and 10K. The two mile fun run is a non-timed event. For more information visit www.lafayettechamber.org or go to YouTube http://www.youtube.com/results? search_query=lafayette+reservoir+run&search_type=& aq=f

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. THINKING STRATEGIES PARENT WORKSHOPS: Do you wonder what strategies are being utilized in the classroom to access those higher thinking skills of your children? For the last three years, the teachers of the Lafayette School District have been working with Thinking Strategies Coach Dina MacDonald and she is, once again, providing two nights of parent education in this vital area of curriculum. If you have not seen Dina in action before, consider coming to the THINKING STRATEGIES PARENT WORKSHOP, PART I, Stanley Middle School Library, 6:30 PM, Wednesday, 10/21. If you attended last year, please consider attending THINKING STRATEGIES PARENT WORKSHOP, PART II, Springhill Library, 6:30 PM, Wednesday, 10/28. It will be time well spent!

C. GET OUT YOUR RUNNING SHOES: See you at the LAFAYETTE RESERVOIR RUN on Sunday, October 25. Many thanks to Meredith Johnson and Darcy Talbot for coordinating Springhill's efforts to be well represented at this important fund raiser. See you there!!!

D. RED RIBBON WEEK/NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK STARTS MONDAY, 10/19: Check out the calendar for the variety of activities for Springhill students during this important character building week that will set the character expectations for the rest of the year and beyond. Many thanks to Karen Elliott, Corrine Christensen and all other volunteers for all of their efforts in putting this important and beneficial calendar of activities together! Pay It Forward during Red Ribbon/National Character Counts Week!!!

E. HALLOWEEN is approaching. We will have our annual Halloween Parade through the halls at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 30. All kindergartens will have their parade earlier in the day. Please check the calendar for specific times. Please remember the following: NO costumes of violence (e.g., dripping blood, slashers, Freddie Kruegers, Friday the 13th characters, terrorists, etc.), costumes with weapons or lookalike weapons (e.g., swords, guns, knives, etc.), or any negative representations of currently or historically-maligned ethnic groups or nationalities will be allowed. Thank you.

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

THE SIX PILLARS & PAY IT FORWARD CORNER

"Your enemies are your best spiritual teachers because their presence provides you with the opportunity to enhance and develop tolerance, patience, and understanding and to develop your capacity for compassion."
. - Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

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. COINS FOR A CURE: As one of several initial PAY IT FORWARD Projects this fall, Springhill School is again participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) COINS FOR A CURE Program. The drive began Wednesday, 10/7, and will continue through Friday, 10/30, and will consist of a collection can in each classroom for students and staff to contribute any spare change they wish. The actual WALK TO CURE DIABETES took place at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek on Sunday, 10/4. Thank you to all those families who participated. . . and thank you so much as we begin another successful year of PAYING IT FORWARD!

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 Mrs. Finta's 1st grade, the main homework in first grade is the Book Bag Program. These books are broken down by specific levels tied into Developmental Reading Assessments. Each child is given 3 - 4 books per week to read that have been chosen to match their 'just right' reading level. This way it eliminates the frustration that a child encounters when he/she tries to read something that is just too difficult. Fluency and comprehension is built into this program.

*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

Red Ribbon Week festivities begin on Tuesday, October 20 at Springhill. Our committee has planned so many wonderful events and activities to honor this nationwide week of remembrance. We need some help on Tuesday from 8:30 - 10:00 receiving the posters from the kids, prepping the posters to be hung, and applying a tattoo or two. If you can help on Tuesday or in another way please contact Karen Elliott at karen@chelliott.com. Karen, Corinne Christensen, Doreen DeRoque, Betsy Hyatt, and Jean Follmer have put together a fantastic week around the theme Attitude is Everything! - be sure to ask your kids about it and have a discussion about how our attitude is everything!

Don't forget Lafayette Reservoir Run is October 25th. This is a great way to get out, get some exercise, see friends, and raise money for our Lafayette Schools. Meredith Johnson and Darcy Talbot are this years Reps and they are doing a great job! If you missed the registration they sent home last week you can pick one up in the office.

The District Parent Ed Committee has many great speakers coming - please be sure to check out the Parent Education section in the Friday Flyer for more information on upcoming events! Thank you Heather Kennedy for being Springhill's Representative on this important committee!

Lastly - the PFC Executive Board voted on and endorsed Measure G. This measure keeps in place a parcel tax used to support Acalanes High School. More information is available in the Legislative portion of the Friday Flyer presented by Karen Yuen - many thanks Karen for getting the word out! Please remember to vote!

Have a great weekend!

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

LASF is Moving to the Library

We are excited to announce that LASF is moving our administrative offices to the new Lafayette Library and Learning Center at the end of November. The location of the new library is ideal for us - in the center of town and a relatively short distance from all our public schools.

More than that, the mission of
LASF and the Lafayette Library and Learning Center - enriching public life (and our schools) through intellectual and cultural experiences - are truly complementary. We hope to see you on Grand Opening Day, Saturday November 14th .

Measure G is on the November 3rd Ballot

Please remember to vote! Measure G renews and continues the existing parcel tax in the Acalanes Union High School District, with no increase to the current tax. Cuts in state education funding have amounted to a reduction of over $1000 per student to the Acalanes District. This local tax provides stable, reliable funds for all of the district's comprehensive high schools - Acalanes, Campolindo, Las Lomas and Miramonte - to fund core and elective academic programming and to maintain library hours. The PFC Executive Board has voted to endorse Measure G. More info on Measure G is at: www.aboutmeasureG.com The Voter Registration deadline is October 19th, 2009. You can start the process at http://www.SOS.ca.gov/elections/votereg1.html> To apply for an absentee ballot, go to http://www.cocovote.us/content.aspx?id=72

Superintendents Forum

Superintendents Joe Jaconnette (OUSD), John Stockton (AUHSD), and Rick Schafer (Moraga SD), will address "Maintaining Excellent Schools in Tough Economic Times" and take questions from the public at the AAUW meeting on Tuesday, October 20th, at 9:30am at the Serbian Orthodox Church, 1700 School Street, Moraga.

Questions? Contact Springhill's Leg. Rep. Karen Yuen at kyuen@fbm.com or go to the Leg Team website at http://www.lastrampaspta.org/Legislation.html

Monday October 19 -RED RIBBON WEEK
Wear Blue and/or Yellow/Gold Day. Character Pillar Blue is Trustworthy and Character Pillar Yellow is Respect. Wear all blue, all yellow, or a combination of the two!!

Tuesday October 20 - RED RIBBON WEEK
Wear Orange Day. Character Pillar Orange is Fairness. Wear as much orange as possible.
Posters are due in the lower playground between 8:15 and 8:30. Each child will receive a prize when handing in a poster.

Wednesday October 21 - RED RIBBON WEEK
Spirit Wednesday Red Ribbon Week game is Wheel of Fortune.
Wear Red Day. Character Pillar Red is Caring. Wear as much red as possible.

Thursday, October 22 - RED RIBBON WEEK
Wear Purple Day. Character Pillar Purple is Citizenship. Wear as much purple as possible
Character Counts Recess Game at lunchtime. Parents, please volunteer to join in the fun.

Friday, October 23 - RED RIBBON WEEK
Wear Green Day. Character Pillar Green is Responsibility. Wear as much green as possible!!

Tuesday October 27 - RED RIBBON WEEK
5th Grade Tulip Planting Ceremony. The 5th grade classes will plant tulips in front of the school.

We had some special helpers on Monday in the garden! Five Springhill alumni spent a few hours on their day off from Acalanes to earn volunteer hours! Alums Luke Van Oss, Connor Goodheart, Robert Stanton, Ricky Brundage, Matthew Doughty & friend, Will Roth, assisted with moving many wheelbarrows of mulch, soil & compost. The students also dug a few holes for new citrus trees and installed pavers behind the tool shed for storage units. Many thanks to Luke's mom, Khan, for organizing the boys - we appreciate their time!

Remember, there are over 100 reasons to read. This week reason number 5 is "You can learn how things work."

While Hispanic Heritage Month is winding down, the Hindu festival of Diwali or "Festival of Lights", one of the major celebrations in India, is now in full swing. Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu new year. Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of good fortune and wealth, is believed to bless homes and businesses on Diwali so people light lamps to help Lakshmi find their homes. Many people also remember the story of Prince Rama who, while he was exiled from his home for 14 years, fought and won a big battle with a demon king who wanted to hurt the people. When Rama returned to his home city, people lit rows of small clay lamps (diyas or dipas) to welcome him. Diwali means "row of lights" and lights around homes and businesses are a big part of the celebration, which may also include cleaning the house from top to bottom, buying new clothes, dancing, music, fire crackers, greeting cards, special gatherings with family and friends, and holiday sweets.

At this time of year we eat pumpkin muffins, enjoy pumpkin ice cream, and sip hot pumpkin soup. Soon we'll even begin carving pumpkins with Halloween faces. Pumpkins are truly a symbol of the season. Kindergarteners heard Pumpkin Day! By Nancy Elizabeth Wallace and can tell you how pumpkins grow and some of the many things we can do with them. Ask them what the name "pumpkin" means.

Spiders are endlessly fascinating. You can see their webs up in trees, underground, even underwater. Sometimes they use them as shelter, sometimes to hold air, sometimes to hide themselves, and, often, to catch insects. First graders heard Spiders Spin Webs by Yvonne Winer, which poetically explored a variety of different spiders and their webs.

Exploring communities continues to keep second graders busy. On the Town by Judith Caseley followed the discoveries a young boy and his mother made as he observed people and places in his community for a classroom assignment.

Although more and more of us rely on directions from Google maps or Mapquest when we're going somewhere, being able to read a map is a skill that is still a useful one to learn. Third graders reviewed how to read a map, then studied a map of Lafayette and answered some questions about places that are familiar to them. Working with maps helps them to become aware of spatial interrelationships, estimate distances, and pay attention to details.

As fourth graders are beginning their study of explorers who discovered and mapped California, we shared Judith St. George's Book So You Want To Be an Explorer? David Small's humorous illustrations highlighted the qualities a good explorer needs-an adventuresome spirit, bravery, curiosity, determination, and respect. Short vignettes of many explorers in many different fields featured some highs and/or lows of their explorations, and encouraged students to think of ways they too can be explorers.

Pumpkin Fiesta by Caryn Yacowitz tells the story of Foolish Fernando, who wants to grow prize winning pumpkins like Old Juana. It's a universal story set specifically in Mexico. We talked about how it ties into Hispanic Heritage Month and then did a quick research activity using laptops to see how it ties into events around the U.S. Using Yahoo, students looked up U.S. pumpkin festivals. They found three festivals, noting their location and dates, and then found one event that seemed especially interesting to them. Each group had a chance to share with all of us what they had discovered.

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.

TOY DRIVE for Children's Hospital Oakland ends Friday, October 23.
Please donate NEW toys, art and craft supplies, baby items, games and gently used books. Your donations will brighten the kids' holidays. Galina Kvitko (925.299.9200)

Sally Foster Delivery is coming!
Our orders from Sally Foster will be delivered next Tuesday, October 20th. Please stop by the Multi- Purpose room after school on Tuesday to pick up your order. We will be there from 11:30-12:00 and again from 2:15-3:15.

RUN or WALK TO SUPPORT OUR LAFAYETTE SCHOOLS! - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
We need YOU!!Sign up to run or walk the 17th Annual Lafayette Reservoir Run!

TWO CLASSES AT SPRINGHILL WILL WIN AN ICE CREAM PARTY!
Each person that registers will get an official bib. Students should bring their bib and their family/extended family member bibs as well. All bibs turned in to their teacher by end of day Tuesday, October 27th will be counted. The two classes with the most registration bibs will get the ice cream extravaganza party. Date of party TBD.

Come join in the 10k (8:45 a.m.), 5k (8:30 a.m.), or 2 mile "fun run" (9:00 a.m.) through the heart of downtown Lafayette, down to the reservoir and back. It is the city's most popular "family affair" and everyone is welcome, even our loving four-legged pets! Moms, dads, kids, aunts, uncles, and anyone else can participate! Afterwards, you can purchase a yummy pancake breakfast!

REGISTER IN ADVANCE AND GET A FREE TEE SHIRT! Registration forms will come home in the Friday folders.

Adult (ages 12 and older) registration Fee - $28 (race day $33)
Kids (ages 11 and under) Fee - $20 (race day $25)

Complete the form, sign the waiver, and enclose a self addressed stamped envelope (to receive bib) and check made payable to: Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. Mail to: Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, 100 Lafayette Circle, #103, Lafayette, CA. 94549.

ONE NAME PER ENTRY FORM! No bibs will be mailed without a self addressed stamped envelope. Extra registration forms are located in the Springhill office.

You may also register online by going to www.lafayettechamber.org. Please make sure you mark the line next to Springhill Elem. on the registration form. 10% of your registration fee goes DIRECTLY to Springhill school!

If you have any questions, please contact Meredith Johnson at meredith_carlisle@hotmail.com or Darcy Talbot at darcytalbot@comcast.net.

Collection for Halloween goody bags for Children's Hospital
First Grade Girls' Springhill Daisy Troop #321933 is collecting Halloween goody bags for the kids at Children's Hospital Oakland. Please help make their Halloween special by donating stickers, pencils, art supplies, toys, books, playdough, silly putty, small stuffed animals such as beanie babies and Halloween themed crafts and goody bags. There is be a bin located outside the office. Please no food, candy or latex balloons.
Questions? Contact Amy Fritschi at fritschi2@att.net or Anne Marie Hill at bryanandannehill@yahoo.com.

To submit entries to the Friday Flyer, email Traci Lawrence: 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