|
A Strandwood PTA Publication
|
|
APRIL 4, 2011
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 PTA and school websites. 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.
If you no longer wish to receive these electronic communications please use the "Safe Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the newsletter.
|
|
|
A Message From Our Principal
Got Progress report?
|  Progress Reports went home on Friday, March 25th. We completed our 2nd Trimester on March 11th. At the end of a trimester classroom teachers are assessing students to determine if they are proficient on the standards taught that trimester and if they continue to have mastery of standards taught in the previous trimester. This year we also assessed the end of year standards first through fifth three different times.
Once a classroom teacher has completed trimester assessments, collected student work, reviewed formative assessments given throughout the trimester and considered each student's performance on the Benchmark assessments they enter a 1, 2, 3 or 4 on the progress report for each key standard. At the end of the second trimester my expectation is there are more 3's than 1's or 2's on a student's progress report. I'm looking for growth on the student's RAP (Reading Assessment Program) level. I'm looking for number of absences and tardies, also lots of S's and E's in the Lifeskills. I read the comment section where great information is provided by many of our teachers on how to support your student/s at home.
I review each report card. I am looking for student progress. If I see that a student has not made progress or at this time of year has a 2, I'm concerned. I will ask the teacher to share student work, I'll meet with the teacher or ask questions to determine what is being done in the classroom to help the student move forward toward mastery. We are fortunate to have a generous PTA which supports our efforts to provide additional learning opportunities outside the classroom. The primary classes have an instructional assistant for five hours a week. My expectation is that the classroom teacher will use the IA to provide one to one tutoring or small group or monitor guided practice while the expert - the teacher - teaches small groups. Our PTA also provides funding for two 19 hour a week positions, one to support our youngest students Kindergarten and first grade as well as one for our upper grade students who continue to need help with reading. We have an excellent new Resource Specialist who is working with a group of regular education students in the afternoons to teach them one to one or in small group. We have a dedicated group of parents providing enrichment for our GATE students using our GATE funds.
As you look at your student/s progress report you will see how your student is progressing toward end of year standards. If you notice your student has not made progress or has 2's on a standard/s that have been taught since the beginning of the school year, make an appointment with the classroom teacher. Ask questions, converse with the teacher about the standard - what is it measuring, what does mastery look like? Find out from the classroom teacher - "what does my student need more practice in?" Read to your student, have your student read to you. Ask questions and expect complete sentences as answers. Let them count the change at the store. Have them write every day.
Keep your expectations high. We have high expectations for students and ourselves and we are constantly pushing ourselves to mastery! |
|
|
|
|
Photo courtesy of the Bargmann family.
|
Calendar
Click the image below to go directly to the monthly Strandwood PTA web calendar.
|
|
What is it?
What is the object in the close up photo below?
Find the answer in the Dates, Times and Places section at the bottom of the newsletter.
|
|
|
|
|
March Box Tops Winner
| Congratulations to Brett Anderson in Ms. Leffin's class. He turned in 130 Box Tops is the winner  of our March Box Tops Contest. There are two more months to save and win! The last day to turn in Box Tops for the April contest will be Monday, May 2nd.
Do you shop online? If so, please visit the Box Tops Marketplace at www.boxtops4education.com or click on the link via our website. Over 100 retailers give eBox Tops to our school when you shop at the Marketplace.
Popular stores include Aeropostale, Best Buy, Gap, Expedia, iTunes and more. Check it out today! |
|
Staff Appreciation Week
| | This week we will be showing our appreciation for the fantastic staff we have at Strandwood. All week the teachers and staff will be treated to special activities. Please take the time to thank the staff members for the job they do with our children.
|
|
Book Fair
| Book Fair continues this week! Please come by the library during the hours below to see 1000's of books available for purchase. This event helps raise money to buy and replace books in our own Strandwood Library. Hope to see you there!
Monday April 4th - 2:50-8:00pm (6:00-7:30pm Ice Cream Sundaes and Student Raffle)
Tuesday April 5th - 2:50-8:00pm (2:00-2:50pm Shop without students) 6:15-7:15pm (Story Time) Mrs. Kim,Mrs.Burn,Mr. Brown
Wednesday April 6th - 8:00am-9:00am (shop before or after drop off) Last Day - 11:00am-2:00pm |
|
Auction News!!
| |
This is it!!! The LAST week to bid. Please note that www.biddingforgood.com/strandwood will close on TWO nights: Wednesday the 6th and Thursday the 7th. Teachers, class projects, and Strandwood only close on Wednesday and everything else on Thursday. Please make sure to check items in your "My Items" tab to make sure you are still the leading bidder. We get the most bids the hour before the category closes, so make sure you are close to your computer or smart phone!!!!
Check out the sign up parties available on the website: "Books and Bellinis", "Mother/Son Bowling", the "San Francisco Pub Crawl" and the ever popular "Rock-Out Under the Stars!" These parties will also be available for sign up at the event, but if you can't make the auction, this is a great way for you to get in on the action!!
Special thanks to our latest sponsors: the Peng Family and the Eide Family. Your support is most appreciated!!!
For those of you who will be joining us on Saturday Evening, you should have received your catalog on your doorstep. If you did NOT get one, please contact Lea Harrington harringtonlea@yahoo.com. This will act as your ticket into the event and will be your guide throughout the evening. You will want it handy for closing times, item descriptions, and the general agenda for the evening!
Thanks to everyone for all of their hard work in making this such a fun and successful event! We can't wait to see you at 5:30 on Saturday at the Pleasant Hill Community Center!
|
|
|
|
PTA General Membership Meeting
5th Grade Teachers to Talk
| | The next PTA General Membership Meeting will be this Thursday, April 7th. The meetings are held in the library from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Do you have a 4th grade student? Come listen to our fabulous 5th grade teachers discuss their grade level and give you an idea of what to expect next year. Free babysitting is provided. |
|
Talking to Your Kids About Japan
| |
The devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan has received intensive media coverage; however, most information out there is directed at adults. Kids--and that includes middle schoolers--process information differently than adults, and are much more apt to hear and believe unfounded rumors about the situation.
It's important to talk to your kids about situation like the one in Japan, but it isn't always easy. Click here to view a document distributed by the California State PTA that offers tips on how to discuss the topic with kids. While some of the information is directed at younger children, much of it is relevant to older children as well.
The document was created using information from the U.S. Department of Education, the Federal Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, and the Center for School Preparedness.
|
Parenting Tip of the Week
From www.parents.com | |
Do You Compliment Your Kids Too Much?
When it comes to praising your child, less can be best. Gushing over everyday achievements ("You finished your carrots, yay!") can teach him to expect applause for everything he does. Instead, reserve celebrations for big accomplishments, like when your toddler dresses himself for the first time.
Click here for the article. Remember to click through all the pages of information by clicking Next.
|
Strategic Planning in MDUSD takes a leap toward reality From MDUSD Parents Blog
| In some good news coming out of the MDUSD, the "plan" for strategic planning is starting to take shape. In case you missed item 14.11 at the last board meeting, it was all about strategic planning. First, on the agenda was posted an Input Session plan, and a draft of a 2010-2015 strategic plan itself. The timelines for public input on the document shows public input will begin with meetings at the various feeder pattern high schools starting in May, and continue at a middle school, then with the various district committees, community groups, foundations, seniors and staff.
In correspondence with Brian Lawrence, a Concord father, he has some ideas of what a strategic plan should address and his thoughts. It is worthy of sharing and I hope we can begin an open discussion about what a strategic plan should be for our district. Below are his thoughts and questions. What do you think?
On Feb. 23, the Mt. Diablo School Board voted unanimously to refrain from closing any additional schools at this time. School closure is unfortunate and it has certainly been a painful process here in MDUSD. We do, however, have the opportunity to consider and remedy the cause of school closures- a steady decline in student enrollment. If we don't deal with this problem, we will inevitably be faced with closing even more schools in the future. Please click here for the remainder of this parent's letter. It is a great example of the kinds of questions we need to ask and brings up some very good points. |
|
Education News and Information
|
Mt. Diablo teachers approve tentative agreement calling for three furlough days
By Theresa Harrington
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 03/30/2011 08:34:31 PM PDT
CONCORD -- The Mt. Diablo teachers' union overwhelmingly approved a tentative agreement Wednesday that would require them to take three furlough days in May, due to state budget cuts and declining enrollment.
"The people on the election committee who did all the counting said it was the largest (vote) turnout in their memory," said Mike Langley, president of the Mt. Diablo Education Association.
Teachers voted 1,148 to 136 to approve the contract. Twenty-six ballots were invalidated for various reasons, Langley said.
Union leadership said the vote showed strong support for the bargaining team, which traded furlough days to keep library, vocal music and physical education preparation periods for elementary teachers.
"We feel that this was a massive validation that this was the best thing we could get done," Langley said.
The agreement will not be ratified unless the board approves it next month. If that happens, teachers and students would have no school on May 6, 27 and 31, Langley said.
___________________________________________________
|
Help Save High School Sports - Vegas Night on April 30th.
With MDUSD high school sport collections more than $300,000 behind last year, the United Mt. Diablo Athletic Foundation (UMDAF) is partnering with the six MDUSD athletic booster clubs to host a fun-filled "Vegas Night" fundraiser at the Concord Hilton on April 30th.
This will be a full house casino event run by professional gaming providers. There will be fabulous prizes for all the winners, including a one-year 2011 Camry lease from Toyota of Walnut Creek to the winner of the Texas Hold'em Tournament.
Doors will open at 6:00pm with the games starting at 7:00pm. The $50 cost per person includes dinner and gambling chips. Buy-in to the Texas Hold'em Tournament is an additional $100. There will also be a live band for dancing.
Because participation is limited, sign up now to ensure a spot while directly supporting MDUSD high school sports. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to UMDAF's web site at www.unitedmtdiabloathletics.org.
|
|
|
Dates, Times and Places
| |
April 4-8 - Staff Appreciation Week
April 7 - PTA General Membership Meeting -
April 8 - Field Trip - P4 - DVC Planetarium - 8:45 am
April 8 - Field Trip - P3 - DVC Planetarium - 10:00 am
April 9 - Strandwood Dinner Dance Auction
April 12 - School Site Council - 3"15 pm in the Library
April 13 - Student Council Spirit Day - Hawaiian Day
April 14 - Field Trip - A1 - C5 (2nd graders) - Chabot Space and Science Center
April 15 - Field Trip - B-7 - Chabot Space and Science Center
April 15 - Talent Show - Strandwood Multi-Use Room
April 22 - Field Trip - All 4th Grade - California State Railroad Museum
April 25 - April 29 - SPRING RECESS
View the calendar on the Strandwood PTA website by clicking here.
Visit the Strandwood Elementary School website by clicking here. 
|
In the Office or On-Line
Flyers regarding the following items are available in the office this month. You can also click on the link, underlined if there is one, to go directly to that site.
| |
|
|
|
