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Archive for January 2009

Director’s Weekly Report

Tuesday morning the entire school watched the Inauguration ceremony, using both the Church hall and the 2/3 classroom. Afterwards classes discussed the historical significance of this event in an appropriate manner for their ages. Class 2/3 is in the midst of a newspaper project and set up a Pacifica News Press room, complete with reporter badges and official status. They watched the ceremony and speeches on TV and then prepared for a news conference that took place early in the afternoon when Barack Obama himself came to their press conference to be interviewed.

We are all fortunate to be a part of this historic event. It is one of those events we will all remember for our entire lives and where we were when we shared the experience.

In the hallway there is a map to help you determine in which LAUSD district area you reside, and a sign up sheet. We are looking for people to make contact with school board members and various other officials to enlist support for our Charter Extension. There is an advocacy informational sheet being developed to give you information on how, what and who. To be successful, we need everyone to do his or her part. So please read the information in the hallway and put your name on the appropriate sheet. Thanks for your help in assuring our school’s success.

If your child will be out of school for more than 5 consecutive school days for any reason and you know ahead, please talk with your teacher and make arrangements for a short term independent study agreement. This will provide some meaningful educational plans for your child if on a trip, or some work to accomplish if away for another reason. This process also allows us to collect much needed ADA money for your child while away. Upon completion of the absence and return to school, the work must be turned in to your teacher for your child to be credited with attendance. If you have any questions about this process, please ask in the office.

1/2 Classroom Updates

Now that we’re back in the swing of things, it’s time to address our “Nuts & Bolts” volunteer hours again.  “Nuts & Bolts” is one of the most crucial academic segments of the kids’ day, when they work on fundamental math and reading skills.  During this hour and a half, Kelly is alone with the second graders and could really use another couple sets of hands.  Our goal is to have two parent volunteers in that space during that time.

More is better, but two will work.  I have put up a new volunteer sign-up sheet on the bulletin board, outside the classroom door.  PLEASE, even if your child isn’t a second grader, please find a day that you can devote 90 minutes to our classroom and Kelly.  It’s 10:30 am to noon.  Please add your name to the sign-up sheet today.

Now for the exciting news . . . .  New to the classroom schedule is “Music With Sascha.”  Each Wednesday, Sascha will devote a segment of time to music for the entire class.  Kelly has provided him the CA state standards for music, and asked him to create a program to address each standard.  From now on, there will be music in our classroom in a real and structured way, EVERY WEEK!  Yay!

I know some of you have talents and/or specialized education in the music department.  Please feel free to get together with Sascha and share your resources and skills.  For those of you with no musical skill (like me!), please stop by one day and check it out!  Should be fun.

Feel free to call me or email me with your 1/2 classroom questions and comments.

Joan

We Need Every Family’s Help With Charter Renewal

We need your help in the Charter Extension approval process! In the lobby, there is (or shortly will be) a map to help you determine in which LAUSD district area you reside, and a sign up sheet.

We are looking for people to make contact with LAUSD school board members and various other officials to enlist support for our Charter Extension. There is an advocacy informational sheet being developed to give you information on who to contact and what to say. To be successful, we need everyone to do his or her part.

We need other help, too!  Check with Gary if you have time and talents to lend to this important project.

Director’s Weekly Report

We regularly are having prospective families come to informational meetings about our school. These include a tour of the school and we have been using pairs of grades 4-8 students as tour guides, along with an adult. Visitors have been complimentary of our student’s knowledge, politeness, confidence and willingness to talk about our school and their experience as students here. Visitors appreciate having first hand models of what we are trying to accomplish and the opportunity to ask questions of our students. A big thank you to our student volunteers!

At last Tuesday’s meeting to discuss our charter status, we shared that we are applying for a three-year extension of our current charter. We have reason to believe that the Charter Division of LAUSD will support a recommendation to extend to the Board, provided our upcoming site visit on February 3 and 4 verifies what we have said about our school and all of you. BUT we are also mindful that the Charter Division also recommended last year that we be granted a three-year renewal and the Board gave us only one. Also, thirty minutes prior to each Council meeting every other Tuesday we will meet with all who are interested to discuss our progress. We do not expect any decision from LAUSD until at least the end of March or April or even later.

Our Middle School Needs You!

Parents, volunteers and anyone interested  — the middle school is looking for support in the classroom. We need you!

Greetings From Your Community Affairs Tri-Chairs

With the New Year comes new events to plan!   Some community suggestions have included – dance parties, game nights, community service — which should we choose?

Children and snacks are welcome at our planning meetings – supervision and sharing required.

Calling is better than emailing us:  Agnete (310) 801-1400 or Deva (310) 622-3660.