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, Novemver 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

Thursday, 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
Springhill TEAM GREEN Mtg.; Office, 1:45 PM
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

Monday, November 9
Student Council Mtg.; Rm. 23, 12:20 PM
Cub Scout Pack 200 Leaders' Mtg.; Library, 7:00 PM- 8:30 PM

Wednesday, November 11
Veterans' Day; Holiday

Thursday, November 12
Poets-in-the-Schools, 4th grade

Friday, November 13
Visit of Betsy the Fire Engine from Lafayette Library/Learning Center
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; Library, 2:40 PM-5:00 PM
Book Fair set up in MP Room; all day

Monday, November 16
PFC Book Fair; MP Room
7:15 AM: Teacher Breakfast and Walkthrough
11:45 AM: Student Walkthrough begins (schedule forthcoming)

Tuesday, November 17
PFC Book Fair; MP Room
Lunch outside
RAPPORT; DO, 9:00 AM

Wednesday, November 18
PFC Book Fair; MP Room
Lunch outside
LSD Board Mtg.; DO, 7:00 PM

Thursday, November 19
PFC Book Fair; MP Room
Poets-in-the-Schools, 4th grade

Friday, November 20
PFC Book Fair take down; MP Room
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; MP Room, 2:40 PM-5:00 PM

A. THANK YOU TO WELLS FARGO: Springhill School was the fortunate recipient of a $1000 grant from the Wells Fargo Adopt-A-School Program to assist schools in these troubled economic times. Ms. Mina Gill of Wells Fargo made the presentation at this week's Spirit Wednesday to our Student Body President Brian Hemmenway. Thank you, Wells Fargo!

B. H1N1 UPDATE: In order to keep you apprised of the latest information we have regarding the H1N1 virus, we have compiled a list of H1N1 FAQs which you can view by going to: http://www.lafsd.k12.ca.us/springhill/

C. PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are getting ready to introduce our before school reading intervention program. We will be working on reading fluency and comprehension for those students who are in need of support in these areas. We are looking for enthusiastic, conscientious parent volunteers who are willing to put in time before school to work in the computer lab with two teachers, Helen Hirsch (2nd grade teacher) and Jeannine Pitney (retired reading specialist). The program will start on November 2, 2009 and end on January 29th 2010. The program will run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:50-8:30 am. If you are interested in helping us one, two or all three of these days please contact Helen Hirsch or Susan Manzano at (925) 927- 3580.

D. SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL: Congratulations to Mrs. Heidi Plumb, Mrs. Kathy Hemmenway and Ms. Beth Brown who have been elected to represent parents and the community in the Springhill School Site Council. Thank you to all parents who participated in the voting!

E. THINKING STRATEGIES PARENT WORKSHOPS: Thank you to those who attended the two workshops conducted by Dina MacDonald, Lafayette School District's Thinking Strategies Coach. I hope those who attended have a greater insight into the critical thinking skills that are being offered everyday in our schools' classrooms.

F. RESERVOIR RUN: Thank you to all those who participated last Sunday in this fun event that raised money for the Lafayette schools. A special thanks to Meredith Johnson and Darcy Talbot for coordinating the Springhill efforts to participate. Well done!

G. RED RIBBON WEEK/NATIONAL CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK: Again, many thanks to Karen Elliott, Corrine Christensen, Doreen deRoque, Betsy Hyatt, Jean Follmer, The Murgia Family, and the many volunteers for all of their efforts in putting this important and beneficial calendar of activities together!

H. HALLOWEEN is upon us. We will have our annual Halloween Parade through the halls today at 2:00 PM, 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.

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

THE SIX PILLARS & PAY IT FORWARD CORNER

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. LEFTOVER HALLOWEEN CANDY??? GIRL SCOUT TROOP #33005 IS COLLECTING THOSE LEFTOVERS FOR THE CONTRA COSTA FOOD BANK MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NEXT WEEK, 11/2- 11/4, AT DROP OFF AND PICK UP TIMES IN THE PARKING LOT. Well done, ladies!!! 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.

D. CHILDREN's HOSPITAL GOODY BAGS: Over 136 Goody Bags were collected by the First Grade Girls Springhill Daisy Troop # 321933 for collecting Halloween goody bags for the kids at Children's Hospital Oakland. Well done, ladies!!! 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. Deitch's 3rd grade, all students take a pre-test before each math chapter to determine their level of knowledge. The pre-test is used to group the students and also to determine what, if any concepts are already solidly in place and what, if any, concepts might need extra reinforcement. Students who pass with a 95% on the pre-test, take the final test. A 95% on that indicates competency in the chapter concepts and those students are given instruction in higher level applications of similar concepts. Students who demonstrate competency in some areas, but not all, are allowed to do accelerated work on those concepts and/or higher level 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.

TEAM GREEN CORNER
THE NEW FOUR Rs: Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle & Rot

A. LAFAYETTE TEAM GREEN: Many thanks for those who participated in the first LAFAYETTE GREEN SUMMIT last Friday hosted by Springhill School. It was a great success. Over thirty five people attended and we were able to cover a great number of topics. We are eager for Springhill's own TEAM GREEN to meet soon. where we shall pursue three primary focuses:

1. Exploring school and community green pursuits that allow us to better address the State Standards/ Benchmarks as well as the Lafayette School District Strategic Plan;
2. Exploring school and community green pursuits that provide a fiscal benefit to the schools and community;
3. Exploring school and community green pursuits that address and enhance character development programs already in place (e.g. CHARACTER COUNTS! in the Lafayette School District). Springhill School pays it forward by keeping it green!!!

B. REDUCE SPRINGHILL's CARBON FOOTPRINT (and get some exercise as well!!!): Supporting our Pillars of Respect (for the environment) and Citizenship (a community effort), Springhill is once again reinstituting a tradition of Wednesday Walkers--encouraging students to walk or ride bikes to school daily, but particularly on one day of the week. Of course, we would not encourage such a practice unless conditions were safe for our walkers and bike riders. Thank you.

C. HALLOWEEN GREEN: Halloween is around the corner and and with many classes having Halloween parties, we are requesting that students bring in their own reusable cups/plates/bowls for party snacks. Let's be thinking about reusable materials rather than just disposable materials! Many thanks!

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

bwodhams@lafsd.k12.ca.us

Happy Friday and Happy Halloween!

Included in my letter this week is a Treasurer's Update - please read carefully so you understand what the PFC's goals are as well as what the needs are. It is very important to keep in mind that while we are fortunate to have a reserve it will not last very long. Without a reserve, we will have to ask each parent to contribute more money in order to continue the programs that are important to our children and our community. I also want to stress that we, thePFC Executive Board, want to see 100% participation at every level! We are a community that share a common vision - a quality education for each and every one of Springhill's students. Below is the update from our Treasurers.

As you may remember from the Budget Letter included in your Scorpion Days package, the fundraising goal for the 2009-2010 school year is $245,000 based upon the PFC's expense budget of $365,000 reduced by the use of $120,000 from the reserve account. The "ask" per child was and continues to be $545, assuming 450 students. To the extent we do not raise the $245,000 from direct solicitation (which we did not do), then fundraising efforts have been and will be used to close the gap. If those efforts do not succeed, then PFC's funding of Springhill Elementary will be reduced. So with that in mind, our current status as to fundraising is as follows (numbers are approximate). Direct Solicitation raised $145,000 with a 70% participation rate among all Springhill families (50% of Springhill families contributed the entire $545 per child (and in a few cases more) and 20% of Springhill families contributed an amount less than the $545). That leaves approximately 30% or about 100 families that have not made a direct solicitation contribution. We hope that throughout the year participation improves. Springhill's participation rate is up significantly over last year, thank you! However, our participation rate still lags behind the other Lafayette schools.

We have a fundraising gap of $100,000. Fortunately, the PFC has had several successful fundraisers already. The school picnic, the donations from golfers and sponsors of the cancelled Golf Tournament, and the sale of gift wrap together raised approximately $20,000, reducing the gap to $80,000. That is a sizeable gap but between continuing direct solicitation efforts, the Book Fair, and the parent party in April , we hope to raise the entire amount. We thank all of you have contributed to the Direct Solicitation and have participated in our efforts thus far - it is very much appreciated!

The Lafayette Reservoir Run was this past Sunday, and it was a huge success! The numbers have not come in yet but I know everyone had fun and the weather was great! Thank you to Darcy Talbot and Meredith Johnson for being Springhill's Reps! Great job Ladies! Final numbers should be in shortly!

Red Ribbon Week was wonderful! It was so fun to see the kids complete the Character Counts Obstacle Course and overcome the hurdles we encounter everyday! Huge thank you to Karen Elliott, Doreen deRoque, Corinne Christensen, Betsy Hyatt, Stephanie Marrone, Amy Orears, Ms. Vann's 3rd Grade, Quan, the 5th Graders and Teachers, and all of you who contributed to this week of inspiration, learning, and remembrance.

Enjoy this beautiful weather!

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

In Memory of Robert Wood

Robert Newell Wood, one of the three founders of LASF, passed away on October 21st. He is remembered for the many ways in which he offered his time and talents to improving community life, and in particular for his contributions to public education in Lafayette. In founding the Lafayette Arts & Science Foundation, his greatest wish was that LASF would provide all children in Lafayette with a public education that would rival the finest private schools. We are grateful for his vision.

For details on his memorial service, please see:
www.legacy.com/obituaries

Simplify Your Life

Is spring cleaning still on your "to do" list? LASF has a suggestion. Let us take your gently used extras - cameras, laptops, handbags, video game consoles, etc. - and convert them to cash for our schools. LASF is partnering with the "I Sold It on eBay" store to sell donated items. LASF gets proceeds from the sale and you - our donors - get a timely tax deduction. It's simple. We are collecting items on Sunday, November 15 from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Acalanes High School parking lot. A more detailed list of items we would like to sell along with a list of things we cannot take, can be found at our website www.lasf.org

Thank You from the Fall Phonathon Crew

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Fall Phonathon - both callers and those who "answered the call" to donate. Special thanks to Bonnie Cornell, who spearheaded the effort that garnered over $49,000 in pledges, all of which will be spent at our school sites during the 2009-2010 school year. Donation envelopes are in the mail or you can donate on line at www.lasf.org

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Please remember to vote! Measure G is on the ballot for the November 3rd election and requires a two- thirds majority approval. Measure G would continue the current $189 annual parcel tax to support Acalanes, Miramonte, Campolindo and Las Lomas High Schools in the Acalanes Union High School District. The current $6.7 million annual parcel tax revenue is the funding equivalent of 70 high school teachers, the staffing level required to support one high school. For our high school superintendent's update on why the AUHSD parcel tax matters, click here http://archive. constantcontact.com If you vote by mail, your absentee ballot must be received by the Election Department on or before 8 p.m. on election night. If you think your ballot may not arrive on time by mail, you can drop it off at any polling place in Contra Costa County between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on election day.

Questions? Contact Springhill's Leg. Rep. Karen Yuen at kyuen@fbm.com or go to the Leg Team website at

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 7 is "You can experience the past."

With Halloween just days away, excitement is high. Using suspense, gallows humor, and eerie illustrations by Lane Smith, Eve Merriam's poems draw on familiar Halloween themes in the seasonal book Halloween ABC. Fourth graders quickly realized that this is not a book for young children!

Fifth graders were amazed to hear that Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown was published in 1947. We talked about what a parody is and read Goodnight Moon first, then followed it with Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex. I asked them to note similarities and differences between the two books. They felt that not only the rhythm of the two books was the same but also that some of the details were the same. They noted that other details were changed to suit the parody but were still recognizable as take-offs on the original.

Since I flew to Connecticut Tuesday night to help my family celebrate my dad's 84th birthday, I did not see any classes the rest of the week.

I wish you all a happy and safe Halloween! And don't forget to share a spooky story or two.

Check out our website at 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 Sherry Mattern, Library Specialist

Thank you to everyone who supported the Halloween goody bag drive for Children's Hospital. First grade Daisy troop 32193 collected enough items for 136 goody bags! The bags were taken to Children's Hospital earlier this week.

Holiday Wreath Sale
The PFC will be kicking off the holidays with a wreath sale with Honey Bear Trees. The wreaths are 24" mixed greens and pine cones and sell for $28 each. Honey Bear Trees will generously donate $10 from each wreath sold back to our PFC! When it's time to get your tree, the same lot (the lot across the street from Acalanes High School) will donate 20% from your purchase price back to us! To order your wreaths, please contact Jennifer Bielawski at TJBielawski@gmail.com or 949-8822.

BARGAIN BOOK BONANZA SALE IS TUESDAY, November 3rd.
It's that time again...Bring your quarters to school on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd to buy your favorite gently used books. Kindergartners can buy books between 11:10 and 12:10 in front of the kindergarten classrooms. 1st through 5th graders can buy books after they finish lunch in front of the multi- purpose room. All proceeds go to our school library. We also gladly except donations of books. We are especially in need of chapter books for the 4th and 5th graders. Please bag them, label the bag with"bargain book's and place them in the foyer of the multi-purpose room or call Farrel Vance @ 937-8230 to assist you.

Take Me Out To The Book Fair
HELP MAKE THIS YEAR'S BOOK FAIR A HOME RUN!
November 16th - November 19th
Come do your holiday shopping and raise money for Springhill's Library and PFC with your purchase of great new books and holiday gifts provided by the Storyteller and Paperweight. 50% of all proceeds go to the library and 50% to the PFC.
Book Fair Hours:
Monday 11/16 - Wednesday 11/18, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Thursday 11/19, 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Two Special Family Nights: Tuesday, 11/17 and Wednesday, 11/18, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
New This Year: Two fun raffles!
CASH & CHECKS ONLY! Credit card purchases significantly reduce Book Fair profits.
Please call Catherine McCarthy, 256-9464 or Sheryl Lauer, 962-9388 if you would like to help or have any questions.

Calling all Parents of 5th Grade Boys!
Stanley Middle School's very own Troop 241 invites you and your son to an Open House to learn more about the benefits of joining a Boy Scout troop. No previous scouting experience required. There will be a slideshow, popcorn and fun activities for the boys. Please join us from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday November 4th in the Stanley Middle School multipurpose room.

Please register with James Audley at jaudley@caltrust.com or call with questions (415) 999- 2924

Fall Music Assembly
The friends and families of participants are invited to attend and enjoy the Fall Music Assembly. Participants will be all first, second, third graders and the 5th grade chorus. All the students will perform singing songs from around the world. Adult guest artists will include a violinist, a violist, and a flautist. In addition, selected 3rd graders will play the song flute and the fifth grade chorus will perform. No special attire is required except for the chorus. Questions: Mrs. Ghulam lafsd.k12.ca.us

Thanksgiving Camp at Kid's Hideout
Are you looking for something for your kids to do during Thanksgiving Break? Kids Hideout is accepting registration for the Thanksgiving week. Springhill will be closed the whole week. Hideout will be open on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Please join us for Holiday crafts, games and activities. Each child will bring home their own mini- pie on Wednesday. You can download the form at www.kidshideout.net, then click on the "Forms" tab. If you sign up and pay for all three camps (Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Break) by Friday, October 30th, you can take 20% off the "Camp rate" for all three weeks. (Please note: The deadline has been extended!!) For questions, please contact Beth at 925- 283-7808 or beth@kidshideout.net.

Boy Scout Troop 243 Welcomes all 5th Grade Boys
We welcome all 5th grade boys to come to a troop meeting where they can meet the scouts and learn more about our troop. They'll get to hear about all the fun adventures and activities our troop offers, including white water rafting, rock climbing, ski trips, snow camping with wilderness survival, and the private ranch that our troop is invited to each year for a weekend in the spring. Many leadership opportunities with older scouts guiding the younger ones. Located behind the Lafayette Christian Church across the street from Las Trampas pool. Our troop has celebrated over 50 years in Lafayette and continues the tradition of fun! Please contact our troop coordinator for new scouts, Kelly Troxel, at ktroxel@earthlink.net. The troop meets on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending a meeting, we are offering the following dates: 11/10 and 11/17 with advance notice. Parents are welcome and a separate presentation for parents by our Scoutmaster will be provided.

Announcing: "How Drugs Hijack the Teenage Brain: Do you really know how marijuana and alcohol interfere with the learning that is supposed to take place during the teenage years?"

A Parent Education Evening with Ralph Cantor, Tuesday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the MUR at Stanley.

Adolescence is the time when teens are supposed to be working on self identity, dealing with stress, boredom, emotional growth, intellectual development and learning to socialize with others. Drugs and alcohol not only impair decision making abilities but also interrupt your child's ability to master these developmental tasks. Join us at Stanley for an informative evening and Q & A with esteemed Drug Educator, Ralph Cantor and the Stanley Counseling Staff. Sponsored by the Stanley PTA.

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