OCTOBER 12, 2009
Good Morning
Every Monday, Email Club members receive important
information regarding upcoming events and communications from The PTA and
Strandwood staff via the Roadrunner. The Roadrunner also provides links to important flyers
and new items on the school website. Do you have any comments about this Roadrunner or suggestions for future Roadrunner articles or features? Drop us a line at strandwood_emailclub@hotmail.com. |
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Traffic Safety Meeting Notice
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Pleasant
Hill Traffic Safety Commission
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
6:00pm, City Hall Community Room
100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill
Because of the recent accident involving two PHMS students, traffic
safety along the Oak Park Boulevard corridor has been receiving heightened
attention. As a result, it will be a topic of discussion at next week's
meeting of the Pleasant Hill Traffic Safety Commission. The seven-member
commission reviews traffic safety problems and makes recommendations to the
city council.
PHMS parents are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting to ask the
commission to develop recommendations for improving the safety of children
crossing Oak Park Blvd. Of course, parents may voice their own suggestions for
safety improvements as well.
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Last Tuesday the Principal of PHMS sent out this message.
"Dear Parents,
I would just like to update everyone on the condition of our two students who
were hit by a car last Wednesday. I visited both girls on Friday morning in
different hospitals. Both were awake, verbal and recovering very well. Their
parents have felt very supported by the school and members of the community. It
is at times like this that I feel very proud to be a part of such a very
special school and community.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Roselin, Principal"
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Photo courtesy of the Bargmann family.
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Calendar
Click the calendar below to go directly to the Strandwood web calendar.
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Who Is Buried In Grant's Tomb?
From what animal does catgut used to make tennis racquet strings come? Who invented Venetian Blinds? Who wrote the Monroe Doctrine? Check the answer box at the bottom of the page to confirm your answers. | |
WHAT IS IT?
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This is a close up of an object. What is it? The Answer is at the bottom of the page.
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The Rain Is On The Way
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Big rain and high winds are in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday. Remember, leave a little early and slow down. The roads will be very slick and visibility will be low. I'm always surprised when the news says that the rain caused so many accidents when it was really folks just driving too fast for conditions.
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Picture Day This Friday
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| Don't forget, picture day is this Friday. You should have received a photo packet in your child's communications folder. |
Got symtoms?
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 Parents and guardians, when reporting an absence either on the Attendance Hotline or by email please include the symptoms for your student's illness. For example, high fever, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, or headache, congestion, etc.). This saves us a phone call and helps us accurately report information to our Student Services. Thank you! |
FAME Returns
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 FAME has started for the year and is now in room C1. The sets and props can be left up between sessions which makes it great for all involved. The entire FAME lesson schedule will be posted to the website soon. On the left is a photo of last weeks session in progress. Below is the artwork and music that goes with this lesson. You can click on the link and hear the music. (Photo by Lisa Keck)
Art: "The Harvesters" by Pieter Bruegel
Music: "The Happy Farmer" (Opus 68 from 'Album for the Young') by Robert Schumann
Would you like to listen to this piece of music? If so, click here.
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Bike To School Day
By Noga Kessler
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 Bike to School Day will be on
Thursday, October 15th! Ride your bikes to school and receive a water bottle and snack.
To view the Bike Safety Week page on the Strandwood website click here.
For questions please email Noga at nogakessler@yahoo.com.
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5th Grade Outdoor Education Walk-A-Thon
By Mary Schuster
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The fifth graders walked their hearts out last Wednesday to earn money for outdoor education. The annual Walk-a-Thon kicks off the countdown to outdoor ed, which will be November 16-20 at Sempervirens Outdoor School in Boulder Creek. In the photo Mr. Premo sprays the 5th graders with water as they come around for another lap (photo by Rose Bargmann).
The students had one hour to walk (and only walk!) laps around the track. Here were the super walkers:
20 laps (about 5 miles)
Abigail Burns
Cassie Silva
Emma Carter
19 laps
Keyan Wozniak
Jake Spellman-Hess
Isabella Ianora
Elise Deignan
Christina Albrezzi
Gabriel Singer
Katie Christman
Becca Monroe
18 laps
Emily Stone
Daniel Click
Connor Heuerman
Sean Roarty
Roxanne Cisneros
Daniela Suarez
The money collected will go toward lowering the tuition fees for outdoor school.
Thanks to all who sponsored walkers, and the biggest thank-you to Gina Rigley who took charge of the event this year.
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Nutcracker News
By May Hanecak
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 Auditions for 3rd grade Clara's are this week. Please be sure to get those (3rd grade Clara) permission slips into the office by Tuesday in order to be eligible to audition. Please see below for audition details.
Clara Audition details:
October 14th - Auditions for 3rd grade Clara at 12:30pm in MU Room. Permission slip required by due date 10/13 in order to audition. Click here to download the permission slip.
Not interested in a principal role but would like to be a part of the Nutcracker? As in previous years, students in 4th & 5th grades are able to participate on a volunteer basis. That will remain the same this year. There are several ways to be involved both "On Stage" and "Behind the Scenes".
4th Grade Volunteers: Arabian Dancers, Battle Scene, or Backstage Crew
5th Grade Volunteers: Sugar Plum Fairies, Battle Scene, or Backstage Crew
All dance rehearsals for 4th and 5th grade volunteers will be held before or after school in the Multi-Use Room once a week (day TBD). Students must be able to attend all rehearsals. 4th and 5th grade volunteer performers will participate in one Dress Rehearsal and one Show Performance.
Permission slips for 4th and 5th grade volunteer roles as listed above will be available Friday, October 16th.
Questions? Please contact Diane Kastell (dikastell@yahoo.com or 686-4943) or May Hanecak (may_hanecak417@yahoo.com or 934-6828).
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Fall Fest and Cake Walk
By Alice Burns
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The feeling of fall is in the air and that means the Fall Fun Fest and Cake Walk are right around the corner. Mark your calendars for Oct. 23, from 5:00 - 7:30 and come join the fun. We will have games, food, pumpkin carving and this year the book fair will be set up in the library from 2:50 - 8:30.
If you would like to help or can organize a game please contact Alice Forsyth, Kelly Gallagher or Wendy Sarrasin.
The Fall Fun Fest also means it's time to BAKE THOSE CAKES for the Cake Walk. The cake walk is the spot where kids, moms and dads dance to the music to see if they might win a fabulous cake! Bakers get ready to create that fabulous cake for the cake walk. We hope to see colorful cakes, scary cakes, amazing cakes. Contact Alice Burns, 798-4166 and/or Ruben and Rosie Medina, 937-7679 with questions.
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Sutter's Fort Meeting
By Amy Carter
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Hold the date.
Fourth grade informational parent meeting for Sutter's Fort Environmental Living program will be held November 9th at 7pm.
Details to follow.
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District Technology Plan
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 The Mt. Diablo Unified School District is required to have an approved Technology Plan by the California Department of Education to be eligible to receive technology funds and E-rate savings. MDUSD will be submitting its new five-year plan in December 2009. Staff is requesting student, staff, parent and community input. A draft copy of the 2010-2015 Draft Technology Plan is available for viewing on the district website or by clicking here.
Please send all questions, suggested revisions and/or additions to Director of Development, Stephanie Roberts or by phone at 682-8000 x 6201 or you may fax suggestions to (925) 685-4032.
The Draft Technology Plan will be brought to the School Board on Tuesday, October 27 for information, and Tuesday, November 10 for action.
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Free Technology Equipment for Strandwood By Amanda Szakats |
Help Strandwood win technology equipment from Samsung! All you have to do is submit a 100-word essay (that's just a few sentences) that answers the below questions:
How the consumer electronics, computer equipment and software awarded through Samsung's Four Seasons of Hope could benefit your school? Essays should focus on:
1. How consumer electronics, computer equipment, and software can enhance the education process.
2. How access to these technologies and the use of social networking can change the way that students learn.
3. The unique and innovative teaching methods that are enabled by computer and consumer electronics technologies.
The essays have to be submitted by each individual from their own e-mail address and must be original essays. The more entries, the better for our school! The deadline is Nov. 1. Follow this link and write your essay today!
http://pages.samsung.com/us/4seasons_hope/education.jsp
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Dyslexia Workshop
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Could It Be Dyslexia? Course #97529349 Presented by April McMurtrey - Dyslexia Specialist
Tuesday November 3, 2009 7:00pm-8:30pm Mt. Diablo Elementary Multi Use Room 5880 Mt. Zion Dr. Clayton
1 What is the TRUTH about dyslexia?
2. How common is it?
3. How does one get dyslexia?
4. What are the classic warning signs?
5. Is there any reliable research regarding dyslexia?
6. Are there any solutions to their struggles with reading, writing and spelling?
*FREE OF CHARGE* Click here to view the flyer
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Math Anxiety
From the Making Math Real Institute and Clinic
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This is an excerpt from a good article regarding math and the axieties that it can create. The link to the entire article is at the bottom.
"Students with math anxiety do not lack the intelligence or the motivation to be successful. Typically, they lack the underlying development that supports the acquisition of the basic tools to do math. For example, a significant number of students who struggle with math have a "big picture"learning style that enables them to do well with reading comprehension, the conceptual side of math, and other learning activities that create pictures in the mind. These students are gifted image makers. They have vivid imaginations and are often highly creative and expressive. However, they may lack the ability to be successful with the mechanics/basic skills of math such as learning the math facts and being accurate with their calculations. They suffer great anxiety because they know their performance does not match their intellectual capability."
To view the entire article please click here. If you would like to visit the Making Math Real home page click here.
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Education Related Assembly Bills
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Several Assembly Bills are in front of the Governor that would benefit education. He had until last night to sign them into law. Tom Torlakson has a webpage dedicated to these bills. Click here to view that page or visit links on the following bills by clicking the AB#.
AB836 - This
bill requires the development of technology literacy standards that would
enhance the level of technology used to deliver instruction and better prepare
our students for the digital economy. Although science, engineering, and
technology professions account for 8 of the 10 fastest growing jobs in
California, our state's education systems ranks 49th in the nation for
technology use in our classrooms
AB267 returns local control to communities and help them blunt state budget cuts
to schools. The measure authorizes local school districts to form education
finance districts for the purpose of raising flexible, local revenue for
schools.
AB476 requires the Department of Education to conduct an independent evaluation
of the STAR program, and on the feasibility and costs for alternatives to the
STAR program, including tests with diagnostic uses that allow teachers to track
individual student progress to aid in classroom instruction. The STAR program
sunsets in 2011.
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High School Athletics Meeting
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There
will be an emergency meeting for the entire College Park community on Wednesday,
October 14, 2009 in the Big Gym at College Park High School from 7-9pm. If
you are a past, present or future CPHS coach, athlete, family member and/or
supporter in any sport or season, it is imperative that you attend this very
informative meeting.
In attendance will be UMDAF members, CPHS
administrators, CPHS Athletic Director and CPHS Athletic Boosters. We are also
inviting all MDUSD Board members, CPHS student athletes and cheer along with
their parents, College Park coaches and all middle school students and
parents in Pleasant Hill.
Items on the agenda will include the following:
- Status
of sports in the MDUSD
- Why
the monies due differ from school to school
- The
role of College Park High School in raising funds
- Pre-payment
options for Winter and Spring transportation fees
- Pre-payment
options for Winter and Spring contributions
- Payment
deadlines and consequences of non-payment
- Making
clear that the fees and contributions are repaying the district for
underwriting our sports when there clearly is no budget for them
- The
importance of full participation in fundraisers from UMDAF, sponsors and
schools
- The
role that future College Park High School students, family and friends
must play to ensure sports for them
- October
27, 2009 meeting for MDUSD to decide the fate of winter sports.
This is the meeting you've been waiting for to once
and for all answer all of your questions and clear the air.
Chris Croft, CPHS Athletic Boosters 2009-2010 President
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A Message From the Superintendent
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October 5, 2009
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
State Test Scores Improve
The California Department of Education recently released the Academic Performance Index (API) results for the last school year. Mt. Diablo's API increased by 21 points over the prior year, in contrast to 8 points in 2007-08. Sixty-eight percent of district schools met their growth targets as compared to forty-nine percent in 2007-08. At its meeting on September 22, the Board of Education recognized the following schools: Click here to see the schools recognized, including Strandwood.
Athletics
As part of the district's $30 million in budget reductions last year, all school district funding for high school athletics was eliminated. Shortly after this decision, parents, staff, and community members formed the United Mt. Diablo Athletic Foundation to continue competitive sports. On June 16, 2009, the Board of Education approved the Foundation's proposal for funding athletics in Mt. Diablo. Although fundraising is not meeting all targets, any sport that has been started will be able to finish its season because of the progress made in fundraising to date. No sports at a single school will be cancelled. Staff will present a report of the status of fundraising at the October 27, 2009, School Board meeting. The Board will review progress on funding athletics at that time. Winter and spring teams do not need to wait to ask for contributions. Contributions made now will help to ensure that these teams can compete. There is a risk that winter or spring sports could be cancelled if fund raising is insufficient.
The next fundraising event is a 5K Run & Walk on October 18th at Newhall Park in Concord. Information on event is at: http://www.unitedmtdiabloathletics.org. I plan on participating, and I hope you will too.
Dick Nicoll
Interim Superintendent
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| Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? |
1st Grade Question - Correct this sentence: "We was at the soccer game."
2nd Grade Question - What tall structures were used a burial tomes in ancient Egypt?
3rd Grade Question - Which one of these would you use to measure the weight of a brick?
A) Kilograms, B) Liters or C) meters
4th Grade Question - Which of the following countries is NOT located in Central America.
A) Costa Rica B) Uruguay or C) Guatemala
5th Grade Question -
Which organ removes cell waste from the blood?
Answers are at the bottom of the page. |
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Dates, Times and Places |
October 13 - Site Council Meeting - 3:15 pm in the Library
October 14 - Nutcracker Auditions - 3rd grade principal parts
October 16 - Fall Picture Day
October 19 - Field Trip - All 4th grade - Sonoma Mission, Petaluma Adobe and General Valljo's House
October 23 - 28 - Library Book Fair
October 23 - Fall Fest - 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
October 29 - Vision Screening K-2
November 5 - PTA General Membership Meeting
November 9 - Sutter's Fort Environmental Living Program meeting.
Holidays
November 11th - Veteran's Day
November 23 - 27 - Thanksgiving Break
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In the Office
Flyers regarding the following items are available in the office this month. You can also click on the link, if there is one, to go directly to that site E-FlyersE-Flyers are ones that you can click on to view. As more and more organizations go to paperless this will become a popular method of getting notices to folks. Pleasant Hill Recreation - Share the Magic - An evening of Fun, Mystery and Excitement |
Return To Top
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 Answers |
1st Grade - We were at the soccer game.
2nd Grade - Pyramids
3rd Grade - A) Kilograms
4th Grade - B) Uruguay
5th Grade - Kidney
What is it? Noisemakers
Grant's Tomb -
1. Catgut, used in tennis raquets ,comes from the intestines of sheep.
2. Venetian blinds were invented by the Japanese.
3. The Monroe Doctrine was first enunciated by President James Monroe, but it was written by John Quincy Adams.
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