Your Monday Morning Roadrunner from Strandwood Elementary

A Strandwood PTA Publication

MAY 16, 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.

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In This Issue

Message From The PTA President

PTA "Measure S" Campaign

Back Forty and Outdoor Educaton

Honorary Service Awards

Spirit Day - Sports Day

Chorus and Bell Choir Field Trip

Cafeteria Lunch Credit Ends Friday

Student Information Forms

Bike to School Day is May 25th

Parenting Tip of the Week

Education News and Information

FPHE Restaurant Walk

Flyers Available in the Office

Dates, Times and Places

A Message From The PTA President

I can hardly believe we are already at the end of the school year. As I reflect on the past year, I think of all the people who work so hard to make Strandwood such a warm, caring and nurturing community. We have the opportunity to show our appreciation for some of these dedicated community members at Open House on May 25, 2011. As you know, Open House, is a time for your child(ren) to shine for YOU in the classroom. Your student and his/her teacher have been working very hard to prepare for Open House. Everyone looks forward to the evening.

That evening is also an evening to celebrate those who are leaving Strandwood. First grade teacher, Mrs. Siloo Tarapore, Third grade teacher Ms. Debbie Culbertson, Special Education Instructional Assistant Mrs. Vicki Martin and custodian Mr. Manny Rivera will be retiring at the end of this school year. Each one of these people have touched our lives and the lives of our children over the years. Their dedication, love and nurturing of our children and our school has made a tremendous difference to our community. We will miss each of them, but wish them well in the Happy Land of Retirement. In celebration of the retirements, the PTA will be hosting a Staff Retirement Party on May 25, 2011, from 5:30 to 6:00 in the Strandwood Courtyard (outside the office).

Immediately following the Staff Retirement Party, will be the presentation of the Honorary Service Awards. These awards given every year upon nomination BY YOU. Please look for the Nomination Form in your child's communication folder, in the office or online by clicking here. If you know someone (staff, parent, etc.) that you think should be recognized please take the time to submit the form before Tuesday's deadline. It really is a very special time of recognition for those who work so hard to support our children.

The end of the year is a time of reflection and celebration. I hope that you will join us for our celebration on May 25, 2011 for the Staff Retirement Party from 5:30p.m. to 6:00p.m, Honorary Service Award Ceremony from 6:00p.m. to 6:30, and Open House from 6:30-8:30.

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?

Slinky

Find the answer in the Dates, Times and Places section at the bottom of the newsletter.

PTA Continues "Measure S" Campaign

For Lower Grade Instructional Assistants

In 2009, the state budget crisis directly affected Strandwood. Classroom sizes ballooned. In order to reduce the impact of those changes, the Strandwood PTA conducted a fundraiser called "Measure S". The funds raised enabled Strandwood PTA to hire Instructional Assistants for the first and second grade classrooms.

Unfortunately, we have exhausted the funds from that campaign. In order for the PTA to continue delivering on its exemplary programs and assist the school in staffing the IA resources, we again need your help. The PTA does not have budgeted funds to re-hire these positions. At this time the PTA has approved the funding of the following staffing positions: Science Instructor, Site Tech 1 (computer room and technology support) and 1 Primary Reading Assistant for the 2011-2012 school year.

With Measure S monies, we are hoping to fund the Instructional Classroom Assistants in Grades 1 and 2. Your children will receive a direct benefit from keeping these positions filled. We are asking that every family donate between $50.00 and $100.00, but will of course accept any amount. The more donations we receive the more assistants we will be able to provide.

All donations should be made payable to Strandwood PTA and are tax deductible. Please make a notation that the donation is for Measure S. Donations can be dropped in the PTA box in the school office.

Thank You

Dine Out Tomorrow for Outdoor Education

On Tuesday, May 17, plan on bringing your friends and family to Back Forty for your special treat and 15% of your tab will help support Strandwood's next fifth grade Outdoor Environmental Education experience! Click here for the flyer.

Enjoy old-fashioned Texas barbeque made from the freshest ingredients between 11AM and 9:30PM that day in their patio, dining room or Carry Out at home. For more information, please contact Belinda at brcsullivan@yahoo.com. Don't forget the flyer!

Honorary Service Awards Nominations Due Tomorrow

As part of a time-honored tradition, Strandwood celebrates the founding of the National PTA more than 100 years ago by presenting its own Honorary Service Awards to individuals who have made outstanding contributions, both on and off campus, to the youth of our community. We all know people who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of our families...here's your chance to give them some recognition for all they do!

Please nominate a deserving parent, teacher, school employee, community member, or organization by completing the Honorary Service Award nomination form is located in the office or by clicking here. Forms are due in the office by Tuesday, May 17, and the awards will be presented at a special ceremony before the Open House on May 25. Thank you for helping make a difference at Strandwood!
If you have any questions, please contact melaniejurow@gmail.com

Wednesday's Spirit Day is Sports Day

The Strandwood Student Council has set this Wednesday as Sports Day. Come dressed as your favorite sports hero or wear your team jersey from any sport. This is the next to last Spirit Day so let's all participate.

Strandwood Chorus and Bell Choir Field Trip

Permission Slips Due Friday

All students who participate in the Strandwood Chorus and /or Strandwood Bell Choir should have received a permission slip for a field trip to Diablo Lanes Bowling Alley on Wednesday, June 8th, from 3:00-5:00. Permission slips and money are due to Mr. Wright by Friday, May 20th. If you need a copy of the permission slip, please see Mr. Wright. Thank you!

Cafeteria Lunch Credit Ends This Friday

Thank you to all who supported the lunch program this year. Due to the end of the school year approaching, there will be no more credit issued for lunches as of Friday, May 20th. Please make sure your child has money on their account or please pack them a lunch. Any funds remaining on your account will be carried over to next year. 5th graders will have the excess monies refunded.

For questions on refunds or carry over balances please feel free to email me.

Thank you,
Sandy Reeder, Cafeteria Manager Email - StrandwoodCafe@mdusd.k12.ca.us

Student Information Forms

From strandwood.mdusd.org

Providing all our students with the most appropriate classroom placement in order to maximize learning opportunities is valued at Strandwood. Parents are an important source of information and can be a part of the process by providing us with information about their child.

Student Information forms are available in our school office now. Please return the form to the office on or before June 9th. On August 26th our PTA will host Jump Start day with lots of fun activities, opportunities to mix and mingle with friends and class lists will be posted that day.

Our goal is to provide balanced classes and maximize everyone's potential to have a successful 2011-12 school year.

Bike to School Day is May 25th

WHAT: Strandwood Bike to School Day
WHEN: Wednesday, May 25th from 7:45am-8:15am
Ride your bike to school and come join us for this fun and popular event.

Strandwood water bottles and snacks available to riders, while supplies last.

Questions? Please email Noga at nogakessler@yahoo.com

Hope to see you bright and early at the bike rack!

Parenting Tip of the Week
From www.parents.com

Easy Ways To Cut Costs

Enjoy a family vacation without completely breaking the bank. Fly on Wednesdays for the lowest fares, eat at local restaurants instead of touristy spots, and don't be afraid to negotiate for a better deal. Asking your hotel, "Do you have a lower rate available?" may save you money!

Click here for the article. Remember to click through all the pages of information by clicking Next.

Education News and Information

PRESS RELEASE

PTA TO HOLD PROGRAM MONDAY EVENING ON HOW SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2011

CONTACT Nancy Vandell, vice president for education and legislation

Phone: 925-785-3643, Email: nmvandell@comcast.net

With Schools in financial crisis, PTA program explains how we got to this point and what can be done.An explanation of how California's schools are funded, along with specific impacts of looming budget cuts to Contra Costa County schools will be the subject of "School Finance 101", a program organized by the County-wide 32^nd District PTA on Monday, May 16, at 7:00 pm. The program, to be held at the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), 77 Santa Barbara Road in Pleasant Hill, will feature local Senator Mark DeSaulnier.

Bill Clark, CCCOE associate superintendent for business and administrative services, will provide information on the bleak budget outlook for school districts in the county and will cover the impacts of the Governor's May budget revision, which is to be announced that day.

Nancy Vandell, 32^nd District PTA's vice president for education and legislation, will outline the unique way schools are funded in California, and PTA's efforts to advocate for adequate funding for education.

California's schools have lost over $20 billion over the past three years, about 15% of their budget. Already, arts and music programs, athletics, academic counselors and libraries have been cut or reduced.

Without extensions of current temporary revenues, California's schools are likely to lose another $4 - 5 billion in the 2011-12 school year. This could result in:

· Shortening of the school year by up to six weeks

· Increased class sizes

· Fewer electives and specialty courses

· Outdated instructional materials

· School closures

· Bankruptcy of some school districts

PTA believes that the temporary revenues must be extended to stop additional deep cuts to schools and that investing in education is essential for an effective workforce and a strong economy.

FPHE Oak Park Restaurant Walk

Attend the Third Annual FPHE

Oak Park Restaurant Walk!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

2:00 - 4:00 PM

Oak Park Center

1908 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill

At this wonderful community event you'll find: