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' Meeting; Library, 7:00 AM-8:30 PM

Wednesday, December 9
Lafayette School District Board Meeting; District Office, 7:00 PM

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

Saturday, December 12
Hanukkah

Monday, December 14
Craig Cheslog, State Legislator's Office. speaker, 5th Grade; Library 2:00 PM
School Site Council Meeting; Office, 3:00 PM

Tuesday, December 15
RAPPORT Meeting; District Office, 9:00 AM

Thursday, December 17
4th/5th Grade Winter Concert; Multipurpose Room, 1:30 PM-2:15 PM

Friday, December 18
Minimum Day
All Kindergarten: 8:15 AM-11:35 AM
Grades 1-3 students dismissed at 11:50 AM
Grades 4-5 students dismissed at 12:00 PM
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; MP Room, 12:15 PM

Monday, December 21 - Friday January 1
Winter Break

Monday, December 21
Winter Solstice

Friday, December 25
Christmas

Saturday, December 26
Kwanzaa Begins

Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year's Day

Monday, January 4
School Resumes

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGES

A. I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL AND THANKFUL HOLIDAY LAST WEEK! WELCOME BACK!

B. 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.

C. 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/

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

THE SIX PILLARS & PAY IT FORWARD CORNER

"Adversity is the state in which man mostly easily becomes acquainted with himself."
---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 began on 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. Thank you for supporting the Pillars of Caring, Responsibility & Citizenship!!!

C.SOCCER EQUIPMENT DRIVE: Once again, Girl Scout troop #31116 is collecting all LMYA soccer uniforms and soccer equipment! Last year, the troop collected over 1,000 soccer uniforms as well as hundreds of shin guards, soccer shoes, and balls which were shipped to needy youth/kids in Zimbabwe and Uganda. Donation boxes will be located in/near the office up until Friday, December 18th. Thank you for your donations! Questions? Contact: Caroline Sjostedt at 256-3010 or caroline_sjostedt@mechbank.com. Be green, recycle your uniforms! Thank you for supporting the Pillars of Caring & Responsibility!!!

D. THE STUDENT COUNCIL HAS DETERMINED that its first PAY IT FORWARD FUND RAISER this year will be to benefit ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation). Be looking for information to come home on Friday, December 11, for your child to buy a QUENCHERS nutritious smoothie to benefit this worthy cause! QUENCHERS DAY itself will be Thursday, December 17, at first recess. Thank you, Student Council, for upholding the Pillars of Responsibility and Caring! Well done!!!

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. Sturman's 1st grade, when a new concept is learned in math every student is required to work on what we are doing as a class. As each student finishes the worksheets, that have been explained and shown on the document camera, they may work on a math "challenge" packet that is kept in their desk. If there is something that needs further explanation with the original concept the teacher often sits at the back table and students can come and work with her in a small group.

*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. WHAT SUGGESTIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR SPRINGHILL TEAM GREEN? Help us find ways to:
1. Explore 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. Explore school and community green pursuits that provide a fiscal benefit to the schools and community;
3. Explore 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 hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday - we sure did! We visited Washington, D.C. - no we did not crash the party - and then on to Baltimore where I grew up. Good times!

There have been some questions regarding carpool that I will attempt to address right now. When you enter Springhill in the morning please note that the bus arrives at 8:10-8:20 and needs to pull all the way around to the Multi-Purpose Room please do not block the way of the bus! When dropping off after 8:15 please pull all the way around the half circle and do not park! In the afternoon it does get a little trickier. If you are there for 2:30 pick up please pull into the right lane - again do not park in the circle after 2:00 pm. If you do not see your child keep moving around until your child arrives. If you are picking up for a 2:40 release and you are early please pull over to the left and watch for your child then move into the pick up lane. You may have to drive down the center of the lot , turn left and pull in at the end of the line. Do not park in the center of the lot behind parked cars because sometimes the teacher parked there must leave and you also create a back up for the other carpoolers. I hope this clears carpool up for those who had questions. Again we are looking for parking lot monitors - let me know if you are interested. Always respect the teachers who are directing traffic!

Many thanks to Sheryl Lauer and Catherine McCarthy for a wonderful Book Fair that went above and beyond! Many thanks to all the volunteers and those who attended - we appreciate you!

You will see the Contra Costa Food Bank barrels conveniently located around campus - please take a moment when you are shopping to pick up some canned food items for this worthy organization. The Food Bank needs food all year round but the holidays the need is greater. Thank you!

On to grimmer news.... The following is an excerpt from the Acalanes School District Bulletin regarding State Budget cuts. I ask that you read it because it is very important to understand why we - the PFC - asks for money each year. If we are to maintain our high standards here at Springhill we all need to know what is going on at the State level and how it impacts us. At our last Rapport Meeting (the meeting where PFC/PTA presidents get together with the Superintendent and School Board and discuss what's happening) our Superintendent Fred Brill expressed his admiration for out "can-do attitude" but also expressed concern with the lack of outrage at the State. We should be angry - we pay a premium to live here and every year we get less of our money back from the State into our schools. Here is the excerpt ;

On Wednesday, November 18, the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), California's nonpartisan fiscal and policy advisor, issued the following statement
"Our forecast of California's General Fund revenues and expenditures shows that the state must address a General Fund budget problem of $20.7 billion between now and the time the Legislature enacts a 2010-11 state budget plan. The budget problem consists of a $6.3 billion projected deficit for 2009-10 and a $14.4 billion gap between projected revenues and spending in 2010-11. Addressing this large shortfall will require painful choices-on top of the difficult choices the Legislature made earlier this year."
This projection is based on failed state budget solutions that many independent analysts questioned when they were introduced earlier this year. The LAO notes that California's operating deficits will be in the $20 billion range for a minimum of five years. This forecast is based on no cost of living increases for state funded programs through 2014- 2015. The Legislative Analyst is recommending the implementation of mid-year budget cuts as soon as possible.
Our next PFC Meeting is February 3, 2010 at 7pm in the Library. There is a possibility we will schedule a special meeting with Superintendent Brill and School Board members to discuss the Budget cuts so be on the look out for that news.

Have a great weekend!

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

Reserve Saturday January 30 on Your New 2010 Calendars
On Saturday January 30th, LASF is hosting our major fundraising party for the year with the theme a "Starry, Starry Night". Tickets are $75 per person and include a hosted bar, souvenir drink glass and appetizers. We are planning a relaxed, casual and fun event at the Veterans Memorial Building where you can join your friends to celebrate our schools, community and children.

Live and Silent Auctions and Giving Tree
As is tradition, the annual event will feature live and silent auctions. We are still soliciting items for auction. To donate, please contact our Auction Coordinators, Mary Bakos at (925) 284-4795 or mlbakos@yahoo.com or Carrie Barlow at (415) 606- 4949 or purecurls@mtbarlow.com. This year, the event will feature something new - a giving tree for those who would like to make a 100% deductible contribution.

Photos Needed
LASF is working on visual presentations for our fundraising event and annual report. We need photos showing a broad range of ages and activities.....kids doing LASF classroom activities plus special events like art or science fairs, choral, drama or instrumental music or other performances. If you have digital photos of your child which you would allow us to use, please contact your LASF head rep, Sally Fonstein at (925) 285-9608 or sfonstein@comcast.net.

Winter Concert for 4th and 5th graders

Friends and family are invited to attend the Sprinhill Winter Music Assembly for 4th and 5th grader at 1:30 to 2:30 Thursday 12/17 in the multipurpose room.
All 4th and 5th graders will attend. Performing will be the 5th grade band and strings classes and the 4th and 5th grade choruses. Performers should wear standard concert attire: white on top and black or dark pants or skirt on the bottom.

This Week in the Library

Remember, there are over 100 reasons to read. This week reason number 11 is "You'll be great at trivia games."

December 1 was Jan Brett's birthday. Ms. Brett has written and illustrated many children's books over the past 28 year. She is especially known for her detailed art and her elaborate borders. Her website is amazing and well worth exploring. Explore it at http://www.janbrett.com.

A mule is pulling a bandwagon with a band of animal musicians to a village to play for a gala ball when the wagon gets stuck in a pothole and the mule refuses to move. One passing animal after another tries to help. Kindergartners who listened carefully had a clue as to how the problem was finally resolved in Jan Brett's book Hedgie Blasts Off!

It is winter and Annie's golden-haired cat Taffy has disappeared, so she sets out a corn cake at the edge of the nearby woods to attract a small furry animal that she can tame as a pet. But, as the second graders heard, things don't turn out quite the way she expects them to in Jan Brett's book Annie and the Wild Animals.

Bo the armadillo spots Harmony Jean's new chili- pepper-red cowboy boots and mistakes them for another armadillo. Running after her, he finds himself at the Curly H. Ranch Rodeo where he tries all sorts of new things. Third graders heard Bo's story and spotted flora and fauna native to Texas as they tried to guess when Bo would realize his mistake in Jan Brett's book Armadillo Rodeo.

Fritz is a small, shaggy pony who dreams of having children ride him. But they only ride the beautiful horses within the walled city. Then one day disaster strikes and Fritz gets his chance in Jan Brett's book Fritz and the Beautiful Horses. Tomten (a Scandinavian folklore creature) steals eggs from Henny's nest so she can never have any little chicks to raise. Her friend Hedgie helps her come up with a clever plan to foil Tomten and keep her eggs in Jan Brett's book Hedgie's Surprise. Fourth graders heard these two stories and then discussed why I chose to pair them, finding similar themes and strengths in the characters of Fritz and Hedgie.

Shawnee and Thirza attend the Indian Community School in Milwaukee http://www.ics- milw.org/home/index.php where children from several different tribes come together to learn about common elements of their American Indian heritage as well as basic curriculum subjects. Both Shawnee and Thirza dance the traditional dances of the Ojibwe nation while also learning how to use computers; both talk about the joys and trials of being an American Indian child in our society. After weeks of studying American Indians, it was interesting to share pieces of these Indians' lives in One Nation, Many Tribes by Kathleen Krull.

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

Winter Wonderland at Kid's Hideout

Do you need to do some last minute shopping? Do you still have to work even though your kids are off? Or do you simply need a break to finish up on your holiday festivities? You're in luck! Kid's Hideout is open during Winter Break. Please join us for lots of fun and exciting activities. We will be making Christmas & Hanukkah crafts on Monday, 12/21, holding a Holiday Candy Making class on Tuesday, 12/22 and Holiday Party with crafts and games on Wednesday, 12/23. On Tuesday, 12/29, we will hold our Winter Olympics, Kwanzaa games and fun on Wednesday, 12/30 and have a New Year's Eve party on 12/31 with crafts, games, movie and munchies. Registration is due by Friday, December 11th. We will be accepting late registration beginning Monday, December 14th. Don't miss out on our Winter Wonderland at Hideout! Please contact Beth at 283- 7808 or beth@kidshideout.net. All forms can be downloaded from our website at www.kidshideout.net. Happy Holidays!

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.

Honey Bear Christmas Tree Fundraiser - 20% goes to Springhill

The PFC is pleased to partner with Honey Bear Trees to raise money for Springhill Elementary! When you go there to buy your tree, take your flyer (will be sent home with the Friday Folder) and they will contribute 20% of your purchase directly to the PFC! The only way this will happen is to take your flyer! This tree lot is located across from Acalanes High School and the trees are from the Elze's tree farm.

To submit entries to the Friday Flyer, email Sharon Doi 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