Friday, November 20
END 1st TRIMESTER
3rd Grade Pilgrim Feast; Upper Yard, 10:45 AM-11:50 AM
PFC Book Fair take down; MP Room
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; MP Room, 2:40 PM-5:00 PM

Monday, November 23
District Inservice Day; Student Holiday

Tuesday, November 24
District Inservice Day; Student Holiday

Wednesday, November 25
District Holiday

Thursday, November 26
Thanksgiving Holiday

Friday, November 27
District Holiday

Saturday, November 28
Eid al Adha

Monday, November 30
CC County Food Bank Drive Begins; 11/30-12/14
Picture Make-up Day; MP Room, 10:45 AM-11:45 AM
Student Council Mtg.; Rm. 23, 12:20 PM

Tuesday, December 1
Bargain Book Bonanza; noon

Wednesday, December 2
PFC Executive Board Mtg.; Lounge, 5:30 PM

Thursday, December 3
PFC-Sponsored Poets-in-the-Schools, 4th grade

Friday, December 4
REPORT CARDS GO HOME
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; MP Room, 2:40 PM-5:00 PM

Monday, December 7
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Solar Energy Ribbon Cutting; Lafayette School, 12:00 PM
Cub Scout Pack 200 Leaders' Mtg.; Library, 7:00 AM- 8:30 PM

Wednesday, December 9
LSD Board Mtg.; DO, 7:00 PM

Friday, December 11
Hanukkah begins at sundown
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; MP Room, 2:40 PM-5:00 PM

Saturday, December 12
Hanukkah

A. PLEASE NOTE ON THE CALENDAR THAT PICTURE MAKE-UP DAY IS MONDAY, November 30, , 10:45 AM-11:45 AM in the MP Room. This is the only day we could get for picture make-ups before Winter Break.


B. I WISH YOU ALL A VERY WARM, SAFE AND THANKFUL HOLIDAY NEXT WEEK! HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!!!


C. THANK YOU ALL WHO ATTENDED OUR ANNUAL BOOK FAIR: Raising funds for our Library has never been more fun! What a fantastic selection of reading material!!! A huge thank you to Sheryl Lauer, Catherine McCarthy, Sherry Mattern and all of the parent volunteers for making this magnificent week come together.

D. 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/

E. 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.

F. CONGRATULATIONS TO TEAM #1: INTRAMURAL FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS!!!
Allison Merrill & Will Rembac, co-captains; Evan M., Sean M., Carson B., Sabin M., Chris A., Isabella C. & Kage G.
CONGRATULATIONS ALSO TO TEAM #3; 2nd PLACE: Cole Christensen & Roni Marrone, co- captains, Alex W., Connor M., Stanley K., Jorge C., Carson E., William O. & Ted L., and to all other students who participated in a great flag football season!

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

THE SIX PILLARS & PAY IT FORWARD CORNER

"Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful."
---John Wooden

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. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FOOD BANK COLLECTION begins Monday, November 30. Look for the bins in the front of the school and please donate only canned and dried goods. Thank you for supporting the Pillars of Caring, Responsibility & Citizenship!

B. DONATIONS FOR OUR SERVICE MEN & WOMEN SERVING IN IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN: DVDs, comic books, toiletries, magazines, etc.---all are welcome donations for Evan Gordon, Campolindo Junior, and his Eagle Scout effort to provide much- needed items for our service members now in the Mideast. Look for the donation bin in front of the Office beginning Monday, November 9. Thank you for supporting the Pillars of Caring, Responsibility & Citizenship!!!

C. THANK YOU TO ALL PARENTS WHO ATTENDED OUR PRIMARY FOCUS/ CHARACTER COUNTS! ASSEMBLY LAST WEEK: As an extension of our RED RIBBON WEEK, it was our culminating activity for Springhill students during this important character building month that will set the character expectations for the rest of the year and beyond. Many thanks, once again, to Karen Elliott and her many volunteers for coordinating all of these beneficial activities!
If you missed it, Primary Focus/CHARACTER COUNTS! will be performing again on Thursday, November 19, 6:30 p.m. at Burton Valley Elementary School.

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!!!

Each week in Ms. McNaught's Kindergarten class, students practice math with a hands on program called, Marcy Cook Math Tiles. This unique math workshop allows students to explore different mathematic equations using a hands on approach. The math pages range from beginning counting to addition and subtraction problems. Due to the programs wide range of math levels, students are able to practice at their own learning pace, as well as challenge themselves, in order to meet their specific needs.

*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. SPRINGHILL TEAM GREEN: We had our first SPRINGHILL TEAM GREEN Meeting last week and have set a very ambitious green agenda for the year. You will be hearing much more in the near future as to how you can be part of the green solution as we pursue the following:
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, supporting the Pillars of Caring, Respect, Responsibility & Citizenship!!!

B. SOLAR ENERGY RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE DISTRICT at Lafayette Elementary School at noon on Monday, December 7!!!

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

bwodhams@lafsd.k12.ca.us

I can't believe it's Thanksgiving already - where did the time go? We are heading back East - I hope you all have great plans!

The Book Fair was a great success! Many thanks to Sheryl Lauer and Catherine McCarthy - they put together a fun week for the whole family. I love how they kicked it up a notch by adding Paperweight, raffle prizes, gift wrap, and games. Your efforts are appreciated by all of us in the Springhill community! Also many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make it happen!

Remember to buy your tree this year from Honey Bear Trees - they will be donating a portion of your purchase back to Springhill. Make sure you check backpacks for more information!

The District Parent Ed has put together a fantastic calendar - it will be posted on our website for your convenience. The PFC website is springhillpfc.org - check it often!

A, not so, gentle reminder - Please DO NOT travel down the center of the parking lot and cut in front of other cars to pick your child up in the afternoon! This is dangerous and rude - we have a set carpool system please adhere to it. If you are interested in helping monitor the parking lot please let me know - we need the help!

The District continues to experience budget cuts coming from Sacramento. The best way to be informed is to attend School Board meetings and our PFC General Meetings. This is a a critical time for our children's education and we all need to be "in the know". This school year the district is operating on a $1 million deficit and the expectation is that the following year the deficit will rise to $2.4 million. These are difficult times for education in our State. There are some very dedicated people in our community who are exploring new ideas but what is really needed is for all of us to be aware, educated, and outraged. As the State grapples with these issues the burden falls more and more on our shoulders - and the shoulders of our children. We will have more information at our next General Meeting onFebruary 3, 2010 - this will be a very important meeting and I strongly encourage each and everyone to attend. This is our children's future that is at stake.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break - and please be safe on the roads!

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

Thank You for the eBay Donations

Thank you to everyone who donated things to be sold on eBay to benefit LASF. Your items will get a new life and our schools will get some much needed funding.

If you weren't able to make it to the donation drop off last Sunday, you can still donate items by bringing them directly to the "I Sold It on eBay" store. Store location is 720 Contra Costa Blvd in Pleasant Hill, phone # (925) 687 5348. Remember to tell them that the item is a donation to LASF.

Personal Springhill ThankYou!

LASF would like to send a big thank you to Springhill mom, Stacey Huie, who put her heart in to running the "I Sold It on eBay" event this past Sunday. Thank you so much Stacey and to everyone else who had a hand in making it such a success! We look forward to the next one!

Remember, there are over 100 reasons to read. This week reason number 10 is "It inspires lifelong learning."

Our Book Fair was truly a fantastic event! Many, many thanks to our co-chairs Sheryl Lauer and Catherine McCarthy and their long-suffering husbands and families! They put together a dedicated committee who worked tirelessly to make the Book Fair a resounding success. So a big thank you goes out to all who helped. I hope everyone can find some time over this coming holiday week to enjoy some of the books you so generously bought to help support the library and our school.

Did you ever think about what might happen to some of the leftovers from the Thanksgiving feast? Kindergartners heard about the adventures of a mouse who set out to grab just one pea from the leftovers on the Thanksgiving table but greedily gathered more and more tidbits before disaster struck in Judy Cox's book One Is a Feast for Mouse.

Lou the firefighter has planned a wonderful feast for Thanksgiving at Station 1, but one fire alarm after another called the firefighters away before they could finish all the preparations. Then Lou got hurt fighting the biggest fire of the day and nobody thought about a feast again until they come back after one more alarm. First graders heard The Firefighters' Thanksgiving by Maribeth Boelts, which is filled with the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Do you want to get the most out of Thanksgiving? If so, Percy has ten simple rules you can follow. Second graders heard about Percy's rules in Laurie Friedman's funny book, Thanksgiving Rules, just published this year.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, each of us has a different reason to be thankful. Third graders heard Leslie Kimmelman's book Round the Turkey: A Grateful Thanksgiving which gave them a glimpse into the lives of several members in one family and the reasons why each one was grateful, ranging from Peggy, who was thankful for her new phone to Aunt Terry and Uncle Dave, who were grateful for their newly adopted daughter, to Grandma, who was thankful for all the blessings of the year.

Rivka, a Jewish immigrant in the late 1800's, learned about Thanksgiving at school and tried to convince her family that it was a holiday they could celebrate, too. She told the Rabbi that the Jews in their community fled from people who wanted to hurt them and their families just as the Pilgrims did, and that they too should give thanks. Fourth graders compared her story, told in Elsa Okon Rael's book Rivka's First Thankgiving with Debbie Atwell's The Thanksgiving Door, a modern-day story of an immigrant family that celebrated their first Thanksgiving in their restaurant, the New World Café, with some unexpected guests.

The Narragansett people celebrated the harvest each year with a festival that involved eating, games, singing and dancing, and sharing with those less fortunate in the community. Fifth graders learned about this festival in the book Nickommoh! A Thanksgiving Celebration by Jackie French Koller. They discussed which of the practices became part of the first Pilgrim celebration and which we still have today. They then heard Eileen Spinelli's The Perfect Thanksgiving, for a modern take on the holiday.

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.

Sherry Mattern, Library Specialist

Kid's Hideout
Thanksgiving Break:
We are currently accepting late registration for our Thanksgiving Camp at Kid's Hideout. Come join the fun on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, as we make holiday crafts and bake Thanksgiving pies.

Winter Break:
We are now accepting registration for Winter Break and the December 18th minimum day. Hideout will be open from December 21st through 23rd, and 29th through the 31st. Join us for holiday art, crafts, & baked goods as we explore and celebrate Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa & New Years! We will also be holding our Hideout Winter Olympics.

All forms can be found on our website at www.kidshideout.net on the "forms" page. You can also contact Beth at beth@kidshideout.net or 925-283- 7808 for information.

Springhill School PFC Student Directories
were distributed in the Friday Folders last Friday, Nov. 6. It's not too late to join the PFC. A limited number of directories are available for $20 if you join now. Please email Melissa Lee at tandmlee@msn. com if you have questions or to join.

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.

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