Subscribe to this category

Archive for the “Breaking News” Category

From Our Director

We are at the end of the 2008-2009 school year and what a year it has been.  We have been up, down and all around.  So many uncertainties that are still hanging over us, even as we close for the year.

The one thing that has been consistent and strong is the feeling of community that has been developed over the years at Pacifica.  This community of learners continues to be welcoming of new members, as it was for me in August.  I and all our newcomers were quickly made to feel comfortable and a part of the Pacifica community.  And there was and is so much to learn that we all have become excellent role models for what we aspire for our students; to be lifelong learners.  I have learned so much from this experience and will be indebted to each and every one of you for the rest of my life.

Even as some of our friends/members move to other educational communities we will still all have Pacifica in our hearts and minds.  Take my word for it as someone who has made a life out of changing communities many times, each and every one has something to contribute to who we all become.  It is always hard to leave a comfortable place that feels like home.  But new challenges and environments create new opportunities to help us become who and what we may have never imagined possible.

So I thank each and every one of you personally and collectively for what you have added to our community this school year.  For me it has been a tremendous learning and growing experience that will stay with me forever.  I wish everyone a rewarding summer whatever you choose to do.  Above all enjoy these precious times with your children.

All the best,

Gary

Testing Time At Pacifica

For two weeks beginning May 11th, we will be conducting the state-mandated California Standards Tests with grades two through eight.  We will be sending you very soon more information about how families can support students through this important process, but please start planning ahead for restful nights, nutritious breakfasts, arriving at school on time, healthy snacks, extra bottles of water and plenty of exercise during these two weeks.

Attitude toward testing is as important as the knowledge required, so please talk with your children about this opportunity to demonstrate what they know.  Testing is another way for all of us to communicate with each other and this is each student’s opportunity to tell the world how much they have learned.

Without applying too much stress, let your child know the importance of this process and that this type of testing/assessment will be a part of their lives in the future, and that our collective goal is to support him or her to show what they’ve learned.

These assessments will also demonstrate the learning that has occurred at Pacifica this school year, and we want to celebrate that and shout the news to the world.

Your teachers have been discussing with students the process and getting students ready both academically and psychologically with lots of practice on the technical aspects of test taking, strategies for how to take the test itself, and being mentally postive and alert.  We ask that you reinforce some of these ideas and also have reassuring discussions at home.

If you have questions or concerns, please talk with your teachers and look very soon for additional information in your family mailbox in the lobby.

Woodworker Needed

We’re looking for a woodworker who can replace four broken plywood pieces from the wonderful Greg Fleishman play structure that we have.

If you’d like to gather parent volunteer hours this way, please contact our Site Chair, Cynthia Nightingale, at site@pacificaschool.org.

This doesn’t have to be a parent volunteer.  If you know somebody who would help us out on a volunteer basis, please also email Cynthia.

Thank you!

Lunch Program Update

Keep an eye on your family boxes this week for info on signing up for school lunches.

The lunch program will start the day we get back from Spring Break on Monday, April 13^th.

Orders and payments are due on Tuesday, March 31^st.

Join Us Saturday For Site Beautification Day

This coming Saturday you have the opportunity to celebrate the Spring Equinox in the most spectacular way — Site Beautification Day at Pacifica!

From 10am -2pm, we will be at school having a blast, changing our world, rejoicing and…… weeding!

If you’ve ever arrived at school Monday morning after a Beautification Day, and appreciated the changes you’ve seen, try experiencing the happiness you feel after you’ve participated in making those changes!
It’s the best.

See you Saturday!

Your Site Committee,
Cynthia and Robin

Get Involved With Our Website

Hello Parents!

The Communications Committee is looking for a volunteer to interview teachers, staff and Org Council members, and write the related bios for our website. This would be a fun project to work on with your kid(s).

Please email tracy@pacificaschool.org if you can take this project on.

Thank you!

Pacifica Gets A New Broadcast Phone Message System

Did you get your phone message Sunday afternoon about our All Community Meeting today? I recorded that message at 5:30 am on Sunday morning before leaving for an all-day class and set the message to broadcast to each student’s home at 2:00 pm. How nifty is that?

Pacifica has just started using call-em-all, an automated phone message broadcast system for sending out important messages to our community by phone. This system will only be used for important messages and the caller ID on the call is Pacifica’s phone number. Please take these calls and/or listen to the messages when you get them. The information will be important.

Would you like to use call-em-all for your organization? Please click the logo below to get more information.

Important ALL COMMUNITY MEETING

We have scheduled a very important ALL COMMUNITY MEETING for Tuesday, March 10th at 3:30 pm to discuss the status of our Charter extension process.  The renewal process is always a challenge for alternative schools like ours and this year in particular is going to require a full-on Pacifica family and friends push.

Please come on Tuesday and find out what your family can do to support this important effort.  Please bring your ideas, your Pacifica enthusiasm and your personal contacts for anybody who could be influential in helping us get our Charter renewed.

More information about the meeting can be found in the letter from Beth Abels, Chairperson of our Organization Council, placed in your family mailbox on Friday.

Tuesday’s meeting is critical to organizing our efforts.  See you then!

Tuesday, March 10th @ 3:30pm.

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.

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.