|
2012 - 2013 School Year Falcon News 092712
|
Vol I, Issue 6
|
|
Our Lady of Fatima Parish School |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Educating students
to become Catholic leaders
of the 21st Century!
|
|
|
|
|
Collaboration 101 - the ZPD
| |
Dear Parents and OLF Families,
When our students have the opportunity to learn in the zone of proximal development (ZPD) we are empowering our Falcons to soar to new heights. Last week's Principal's Challenge produced this desired result.
Lev Vygotsky's ZPD is a social concept of pedagogy which states that children can reach into their untapped developmental potential when they are aided by peers to solve problems through guidance.
During the preparation for International Peace Day, the Falcon's nest was filled with students who just had fun together! From MAP to 8th Grade, groups of children where learning from each other how to make the 1,000 paper cranes based on Sadako's story in Hiroshima.
Anybody can fold paper, but the complex pattern of an unknown construction, requires explanation, memorization and execution. I was amazed, when I saw our students erase grade level boundaries and gender differences, and construct more than paper birds. They were building an exceptional community of thinkers and doers. They focused on solving the task of the Principal's challenge and achieved it together.
International Peace Day was topped with the display of over 1,220 paper cranes and the release of live peace doves in a circle of unity. Now the challenge for our students is to remember that we are collaborators and peacemakers every day of the year!
Blessing,
Beate Nguyen, M.A.Ed
Principal
|
|
 |
MARK YOUR
CALENDAR!
October 2012
FAM Food Collection
every Spirit Tuesday!
Wednesday, October 3
Cub Scouts Troop 737
Meeting at 6 p.m.
Wed. - Fri. - October 3-5
Sign-up for conferences
Wednesday, October 10
Photo Retakes
Full Formal Uniform
Thursday, October 11
World Sight Day!
Eye wear collection begins
Friday, October 12
Early Bird AGC deadline!
Tuesday, October 16
World Food Day
Wednesday, October 17
Parent Meeting is a prayer evening with a Candlelight Rosary Procession
Thursday, October 18
Great California Shake-Out
Sunday, October 21
HUNGER WALK @ SC
Monday, October 22
Red Ribbon Week
Parade @ SC
Tuesday, October 23
Minimum Day
Wednesday, October 24
United Nations Day
Tuesday, October 30
Minimum Day
& Parent Conferences
1-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 31
Happy Halloween
Early Dismissal @ 2p.m.
Parade & Fun!
|
|
|
| ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN 2012 |  Please encourage each other to participate in the Annual Giving Campaign! To-date we have 25% of our families participating! Our goal is to have 100% support, regardless of the size of your gift! No gift is too small! If you have any questions, please contact Linda Gould Alves.  What we ask of our families, we also ask of our staff and teachers! A principal's request has also been communicated to all employees of the school! When it comes to supporting the school, we are one team! |
|
OLF School Sunday!
| |
Beginning this month, the school will be known as Team 5 for Parish Hospitality. We will serve donuts, coffee and more at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass and 11:00 Sunday Mass. Our students will be allowed to wear their school uniforms in order to increase the visibility of the school within the Parish. Please ensure that you participate in this great opportunity to help our Parish!
TEAM 5
Debbie Ritchie, our Consultative Board member is in charge of the Catholic Identity Committee with this area of responsibility. The first opportunity is on Sunday, September 30th. Let us go to Sunday Mass regularly and be engaged in our Parish!
|
|
Parent Conferences and Student-Led Reviews
| |
Please note the following important dates (*changed from the preliminary yearly calendar)
October 3 Sign-ups for families with multiple children
October 4 Sign-ups for all!
October 5 Last day to sign-up for conferences
October 29 No parent conferences*
October 30 Minimum Day - dismissal at 12 noon* Conferences 1-5:30 p.m.
October 31 Early dismissal at 2 p.m. - Halloween
November 1 Minimum Day - dismissal at 12 noon* Conferences 1-7:00 p.m.
November 2 No school - Faculty In-Service
|
|
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE - SEPTEMBER 21
| 
Thank you for your commitment to world peace and your dedication to meeting the Principal's challenge of 1,000 paper cranes!
Thank you, Boo Williams for the amazing job of assembling the paper crane garlands! |
|
Football and Volleyball Schedules
| 
The Falcon Football and Volleyball schedules are now posted on the school's website. Click here to go directly to the schedule. Please come support the OLF teams. |
|
PICNIC SUCCESS!
| |
Thank you to Austin and Jen Zoutis, Denise Schnarr, Mike Dolan and all the other parents who helped make the Annual School Picnic a great success!
The kids had fun, the food was great and the weather was perfect! Thank you, Student Council for organizing the games!
|
| THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT! |  THANK YOU TO THE ALVAREZ FAMILY FOR THE GENEROUS GIFT OF A PORTABLE DEFIBRILLATOR FOR THE SCHOOL. GEORGE AND GRISELDA MADE A DONATION TO FACILITATE THIS PURCHASE. NOW WE ARE ARRANGING FOR PROPER TRAINING FOR ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED, TEACHERS, COACHES, STUDENTS, AND PARENTS! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR THE NECESSARY TRAINING SESSIONS FOR THE OLF COMMUNITY, PLEASE CONTACT MRS. NGUYEN! |
|
Pray for Lilly Needham
|
|
We all continue to pray for Lily Needham! Our 4th Grader continues to recover slowly. To obtain factual journal information on her progress, please visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lilyneedham
Mrs. Nguyen will be delivering a reconfigured display of our origami garlands to "little Lily" by next week. This will allow Lily to enjoy the students' work and brighten up her room! We love you Lily!
|
|
| Cub scouts to reorgnize as Pack 737 | |
We are excited at the school to offer the opportunity for our 1st - 5th Graders to participate in the Cub Scouts Pack 737 that is being brought back to OLF Parish.
CUB SCOUTS PACK 737
Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 6 p.m. for the first meeting of interested cubs and their parents. We will need parental support to make this a great success! Please contact Fr. Mike, if you would like to get more information or help out!
|
|
8th Grade Fundraiser - Sally Foster Gift Wrap & Cookie Dough
|
Our sales are off to a great start! Please remember to turn in your raffle tickets to the clinic for every 5 items you sell. We will call out winners on Monday at line-up. Please return orders by October 1st to the clinic. If you have any questions, please call Sue Gibbs 283-5986.
|
|
Mathtastic Motivation
| |
 We are introducing a new program designed to build your child's interest and skill level in mathematics. Mathtastic Motivation's offers our students additional opportunities to succeed in a challenging subject. The focus is to inspire students and instill in them a great love for math. The program will provide enthusiasm for math, encouraging students to build skills and to expand their knowledge. Mathtastic Motivation develops an appreciation for mathematics and divergent thinking, which lasts a lifetime.
The program is open to all students in grades MAP-8th. It will be held each Wednesday during lunch recess in the third grade classroom. If you would like your child to participate in this exciting math program, please complete the registration form which you can obtain from Mrs. Rodriguez. Space is limited, so sign up now!
|
|
Sign Up for S.O.A.R.
|
All of us value S.O.A.R. as an essential part of our learning support provided at OLF. As in previous years, we do not anticipate S.O.A.R. to start until October 8th, which is after the students complete their ITBS testing.
If you are interested in S.O.A.R. please add your name to the list in the S.O.A.R. mailbox in the Clinic by next Wednesday, October 3rd. Space is limited. For more information please contact S.O.A.R. director, Susan Mekrut at smekrut@pacbell.net. |
|
|
|
|
|
Spirit T-Shirts
| |
We will be making one more order for Spirit T-shirts, but need to have a minimum order of 25 shirts. Parents, we love to have you wear our OLF Spirit shirts when you volunteer, at special events and Ambassador functions. You may also order an extra shirt for your child. Cost is $15 each. There are several extras in the office which are for sale. We have 3 youth small, 3 youth large, 2 adult small, 3 adult large, and 2 adult Xlarge. If you would like to order another shirt, please fill out the form in the clinic and leave it with your check in the box marked "T-Shirt order forms". Go Falcon Moms and Falcon Dads!
|
|
LAST CALL FOR DIRECTORY ADS!!
|
| We are putting together the OLF Family Directory 2012-13. This vital tool helps everyone stay in touch and communicate with each other. If you wish to advertise on the back pages of our OLF Family Directory, please submit a print-ready copy to Mrs. Clark cclark@olfschool.net Ads are $25 for business card size, $50 for half page and $100 for full page. Space for full page ads will be limited! Please turn in print ready material no later than next Friday, Oct. 7th. |
|
|
|
|
|
SCHOOL ACTIVITY PHOTOS WANTED!
| |
 Our young Yearbook Committee made up of 8th Graders who chose this as their elective, would like you to assist in submitting your pictures to Principal Nguyen and Mrs. Fries, our 6th Grade teacher. Please do not email, but put pictures on a flash drive! Thank you! |
|
Parish Blood Drive | |
OLF Parish will be hosting a blood drive on Sunday, September 30, 2012 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm in the church parking lot. Look for the Bloodmobile! All the blood collected will be designated for Mission Hospital. Identification is required. Walk-ins welcome! To make an online appointment, please go to
Reception volunteers (minimum age is 15 years old or younger if accompanied by a parent) are needed to work hourly increments (welcoming donors, signing in donors, providing reading materials, calling donors that have missed their appointments, and scheduling walk-in donors). Please contact Daisy Nueva at 949-492-5427 for more information. |
Our Lady of Fatima Parish School Mission Statement
Our Lady of Fatima School is a Catholic parish elementary school. Our mission is to nurture individuals to discover their God-given gifts, to encourage them to use these gifts in the service of others and to empower them to be models of integrity and peacemakers who work for justice. We-parents, school staff, and parish community- collaborate in striving for excellence in the education of our children.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
