Friday, January 8
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; Multipurpose Room, 2:45 pm

Monday, January 11
Student Council Meeting; Room 23, 12:30 PM

Tuesday, January 12
LASF General Board Meeting; Stanley Library, 7:00 PM

Wednesday, January 13
Lafayette School District Board Meeting; District Office, 7:00 PM

Friday, January 15
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; Multipurpose Room, 2:45 pm

Monday, January 18
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Holiday

Thursday, January 21
Springhill TEAM GREEN Meeting; Office, 1:45 PM

Friday, January 22
STUDENT COUNCIL SPIRIT DAY: STUFFED ANIMAL DAY
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; Multipurpose Room, 2:45 pm

Monday, January 25
School Site Council Meeting; Office, 3:00 PM

Tuesday, January 26
Kindergarten Registration; Multipurpose Room, 9:00 AM-11:00 AM

Wednesday, January 27
Kindergarten Registration; Multipurpose Room, 9:00 AM-11:00 AMM

Thursday, January 28
Stanley Early Dismissal; Parent/Teacher Conferences
District Strings Festival; Acalanes High School, 7:00 PM

Friday, January 29
5th Grade Play Rehearsal; Multipurpose Room, 2:45 pm
Cub Scout Pack 200 Pinewood Derby; Multipurpose Room, 3:00 PM-9:00 PM

Saturday, January 30
LASF Function: Starry Starry Night (more information to follow)

A. WELCOME BACK!!! I WISH A HAPPY, HEALTHY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!

B. KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Kindergarten Registration for the 2010-2011 school year will take place on Tuesday, January 26, 9:00 AM- 11:00 AM, and Wednesday, January 27, 9:00 AM- 11:00 AM and all days following. Registration packets may be picked up from the Springhill Office after January 11 and returned on the actual days of registration. Please encourage all those you know in the Springhill community with kindergarten-aged children for next year to register on these dates, even if they are not sure their children are ready for kindergarten yet.

C. FIRE LANE: PLEASE READ:
As per the the Fire Marshal's directive of today, 12.17.09, cars in the Springhill School parking lot may no longer be parked along the island parallel to the western border of the school parking lot (directly across from the Principal's and Secretary's parking spaces). The curb will be painted red shortly, but in the meantime, orange cones will be placed to prevent cars from being parked there. If you do park there, YOU ARE SUBJECT TO HAVING YOUR CAR TOWED AND A SIGNIFICANT FINE IMPOSED. The Fire Marshal will be checking. This area must remain clear as a FIRE LANE. Thank you for your cooperation.

D. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED OUR WINTER CONCERT JUST BEFORE WINTER BREAK:
A job fabulously well done by our Upper Grades under the superb direction of Vicki Ghulam (vocals), Liz Brummel (band), Wendy Clymer (strings) and all of the volunteer accompanists. Let's continue to support LASF so that these programs can continue! Thank you!

E. 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/

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

THE SIX PILLARS & PAY IT FORWARD CORNER

"The choices that make a significant difference in our lives are the tough ones. They're not often fun or easy, but they're the ones we have to make. Each is a deliberate step toward better understanding who we really are."
Alexandra Stoddard, writer, political commentator

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 Thank you all who contributed dried and canned food to the CC COUNTY FOOD BANK DRIVE in the preceding weeks. Thank you for upholding the Pillars of Responsibility and Caring and for paying it forward!

B. THE STUDENT COUNCIL CONDUCTED ITS FIRST PAY IT FORWARD FUND RAISER this year to benefit the ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION (ARF). Over $350 was raised during the Jamba Juice Sale!!! Thank you, Student Council, for upholding the Pillars of Responsibility, Caring and Citizenship! 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. Wilson's 4th grade, Instruction is differentiated throughout the day. A workshop approach, which is used in both reading and writing, allows each child to work at his or her own pace with teacher guidance. The classroom library is filled with books with identified reading levels ranging from third grade through middle-school. Children are encouraged to choose their own reading materials using strategies that help them determine their interest level as well as their reading level. Book sets are available for partner and small-group reading as well. The teacher meets with children individually or in small groups throughout the week to discuss individual reading, and for mini lessons that increase students' use of comprehension strategies. At several points throughout the year, students read and discuss a class novel together, which provides additional opportunities for modeling and practicing the strategies.

*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. NEXT SPRINGHILL TEAM GREEN MEETING IS THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1:45 PM IN THE SPRINGHILL SCHOOL OFFICE.

B. 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!!!

C. SOLAR ENERGY - Springhill School should be "flipping the switch" to solar energy within the next month and will have its own ceremony. At that time, we wish to acknowledge certain people who made solar energy a reality for the entire district: former Springhill parents Leon and Marion Lee; former PFC Presidents Kathy Hemmenway & Corrine Christensen; Science Teacher Kim Brast; and James Hatfield who provided two years of consulting free of charge to Springhill School when he worked for Solar City and Sun, Light & Power. We will let you know when the special day arrives!

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

bwodhams@lafsd.k12.ca.us

Welcome Back! I hope your holidays were safe and full of fun! It's funny how quickly we fall back into the routine - it's what I look forward to after vacation!

Please note that the curb on the West side of the front lot closest to the front of school has now been painted red by order of the Fire Marshall. We are no longer allowed to park there or even stop there while waiting for carpool. Rumor has it that the Marshall will not hesitate to write out $500 tickets for violating this regulation. Please adhere to this rule.

Our next PFC General Meeting is February 3rd at 7pm in the Library. I cannot express to you how important this meeting is to our community. Dr. Fred Brill - the Superintendent of the Lafayette School District - will be speaking to us about the Budget cuts coming down from Sacramento. If you cannot make our meeting there are several others you may attend - this is how important this information is! The following are the dates the other schools will be hosting Dr. Brill:

Wednesday, January 13th: Lafayette Elementary MultiPurpose Room 1:30.
Thursday, January 21st: Burton Valley Room 35 at 1 p.m.
Thursday, January 28th: Happy Valley Library at 8:45 a.m.
Friday, January 29th: Stanley Library at 8:30 a.m.
It is our responsibility to fully understand what our schools are facing in these tough times. Our District is facing a $1.5 million structural deficit this year (2009- 2010) and expected to rise to at least $2.2 million for 2010-2011. These numbers should scare you - what we face is not should we have a Fall Fun Fest or Book Faire but how many Aides are we going to have to cut and what programs have to go due to lack of funds. This is serious business and no longer about the PFC asking for money to fund field trips (they were the first to get cut). Please take the time and attend one of these meetings - LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! We need you to hear what we hear and take action to protect our children's future.

We are busy planning the Spring Parent Party and Auction - an event on April 24th at Dr. Sanmann's barn in Happy Valley. It will be a much more casual event this year with an online Silent Auction, Live Auction, Cake Walk, and many more exciting offerings! Mark your calendars. If you are interested in joining the planning fun please contact Jennifer Bielawski tjbielawski@gmail.com .

The Enrichment team has put together a wonderful slate of programs for before and after school. Please check out the Friday Flyer/Community Flyer for more information. If you have questions please contact Sharon Kidd at skidd@berkeley.edu or Julie Pancoast Tobias at toastjb@comcast.net.

Have a great weekend!

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

Today, the Governor is scheduled to release next year's proposed state budget which will be critical information for all school districts in developing their budgets for next year. Watch for news from our school district in the coming weeks on how the Governor's proposed budget will affect our schools.

You are encouraged to get informed and to participate in the following events:
February 3rd - PFC General Meeting, Wednesday at 7:00 pm in Springhill Library. Fred Brill, the Superintendent of Lafayette, will be coming to speak to us about the budget cuts that we will experience for 2010-11.

February 4th - Superintendents' Forum, Thursday at 7:00 pm, located in the small theater at Acalanes High School. All of our 6 local Superintendents will discuss the budget crisis and its affect on their school districts. Bring your questions.

February 17th - Advocacy Day - Bus trip to Sacramento. Join the Las Trampas Creek Council of PTAs, which includes Lafayette schools, on the bus to Sacramento. We will hear from and communicate with education experts and our legislators on school funding, education reform, and budget reform. Registration information will be available soon. This year's theme is "California Schools in Crisis: Advocating for Solutions." Click here for flyer.
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

LASF Springhill Science Fair is Coming!

The LASF Science Fair is coming soon! The Science Fair this year will be held on Wednesday, February 17th from 6:30-8:30pm. Mark your calendars now because this is sure to be another wonderful showing of Springhill students working hard and answering all their scientific questions!

It is great to start talking about Science Fair ideas with your child early on in the process. Entry forms will be sent home this Friday in your child's Friday Folder with additional LASF Science Fair information. You can also enter online at http://tinyurl.com/SpringhillLASF2010ScienceFair All your child needs is a burning question and a guess as to what they think the answer might be (their hypothesis). Then they test it and report on their observations. How much more water will evaporate from a cup put in the sun vs. the shade? Can I make more free-throw baskets shooting overhand or underhand? Do plants grow at different rates when watered differently? How many hours per day do children use a computer - how does it differ by grade? Will a quarter and a feather fall to the ground at the same rate? What questions does your student have? Jot a few down and see which one sticks!

Any questions? Feel free to contact the LASF Science Fair coordinators for help coming up with project ideas, turning your question into an experiment, planning your test procedures, or with any other Science Fair questions. Please Call or email Kari (935-9018 or Kari@Dahlen.com ) or Heidi (935-2108 or plumbnest@mac.com ).

Help Our Schools While Having Fun - LASF Annual Event

Over the next weeks and months, school budget news is likely to cause concern for all of us. How can you help? One way is to attend the LASF annual fundraising event, a Starry, Starry Night. There you can meet like-minded parents and community members and raise money to support our schools while having fun. Participate in the silent and live auctions, enjoy fabulous foods prepared by Susan Foord Catering, buy a raffle ticket or two and register for sign up parties for both adults and kids.

Event proceeds go to secure existing district and LASF programs and services through the remainder of this school year and to minimize deficit spending. Our Starry, Starry Night is Saturday, January 30 at the Veterans Memorial Building, from 6-9 PM. Tickets are $75 per person. RSVP by mail or call the LASF office at 299-0644. See our website www.lasf.org for details or on-line ticket purchase

Welcome back!

Remember, there are over 100 reasons to read. This week reason number 14 is "It can give you great quotes or jokes to share."

Did you know that an ostrich is the world's fastest 2- legged runner? Or that to travel to the moon a rocket ship must reach a speed of about 25,000 miles per hour-more than 30 times as fast as sound? Kindergartners learned these and many other facts including what scientists believe is the fastest thing in the whole universe in Robert Wells' book What's Faster than a Speeding Cheetah?

Dust is little bits of things, some unexpected like salt dust, and some older than we can imagine like dust that made King Tut sneeze. Dust even helps to make rain! First graders learned these and other facts about dust in April Pulley Sayre's book Stars Beneath Your Bed.

Perhaps you remember the song The Green Grass Grows All Around? Susan K. Mitchell has adapted the song to describe the animals and plants living in the rain forest and how they are all interrelated. Second graders also learned extra facts about rainforests in the sidebars of her book The Rainforest Grew All Around.

Do we really have sunlight inside of us? Third graders learned how sunlight becomes the energy for all life on earth, starting with plants, and how we share life with everything alive in Molly Bang's and Penny Chisholm's book Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life. Detailed notes by Ms. Chisholm at the end of the book explain the process even more thoroughly and answer several questions students might have.

Africa has a variety of different terrains and any number of exotic (to us) animals. Naturalist Robert Bateman's book allowed the fourth graders to meet some of the animals he's studied and sketched on his many trips to Africa. Not only did he include facts about each animal, he also told real-life stories about some of them in his fascinating book Safari.

We might have a picture of scientists in white lab coats patiently noting details of their experiments. But often scientists have helped solve fascinating cases with their painstaking search for evidence and attention to detail. Typhoid Mary was an early 20th century cook who left a trail of typhoid in her wake. It was scientists who discovered that it was she who was causing typhoid outbreaks in some of the finest NY families. This is only one of the cases fifth graders heard about in the book Science Detectives: How Scientists Solved Six Real-life Mysteries, by the editors of Yes magazine.

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

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