Dear Families,

This month at Ormondale we have been focusing on the life skill problem solving.  Problem solving allows us to take a step back and look at the big picture.  It helps us to dissect and analyze our challenges.  In short, it helps us to make choices based on knowledge not emotion.   Albert Einstein once said, "We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them".   When we allow ourselves to look at the big picture we tend to make more rational choices.        

A large cosmetics company had a problem that some of the soap boxes coming off the production lines were empty. The problem was quickly isolated to the assembly line, which transported the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. The management asked its engineers to solve the problem. They spent much time and money in devising an x-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by staff to watch all the boxes on the line to make sure they weren't empty. A workman hearing about this came up with another solution. He got a powerful industrial fan and pointed it at the assembly line. As each soap box passed the fan, the empty boxes were blown off the line.  It's important to think of multiple solutions for our problems.  Sometimes the simplest idea works the best.  

Here are some ways in which you can help your children problem solve:  

1.  To help deal with problems around the house and within the family, make a "Problem Solving Box".  Family members may write their problems down and put them into the box.  One day/night a week, meet as a family and read the problems.  Collaboratively come up with solutions as a family allowing every person to share their ideas and thoughts.  

2.  When a problem arises, ask your child for solutions.  Try and brainstorm many ways to solve the problem.  

3.  Read a book or watch a television show as a family.  Identify characters who are problem solving.  Identify and discuss what the problem is and what the possible solutions are.  Discuss the consequences of each solution suggested.  

4.  When faced with a decision, help your child weigh the options by making a pro/con list.

Mr. Patterson, Ormondale Counselor

Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Registration

It's hard to believe but Ormondale is ready to kick-off kindergarten registration for the 2014-2015 school year! On Thursday, January 30th at 8:30 am, there will be a Parent Visitation Day for parents whose children will be attending either Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten at Ormondale School in the fall of 2014.   It will begin in the Library with a short orientation and include the opportunity to briefly visit the kindergarten classrooms. Registration forms will be available in the school office following the classroom visits. Please review the following information if you have questions about birthdates and eligibility to start school in the fall:

• Incoming kindergartners must be five years old on or before September 1, 2014 in order to be registered for Kindergarten.
• In accordance with the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010, Ormondale will offer a Transitional Kindergarten in the 2014-2015 school year for those children with fifth birthdays that fall between September 2, 2014 and December 2, 2014.

Parent Conferences

We are nearing the end of our first semester and looking toward the second half of the school year already. Please mark your calendars for the upcoming Parent Conferences, which will be the week of February 10th-13th.

Upcoming Events

Parent Teacher Conferences

February 10th to February 13th

Our students have come back from the vacation ready to learn. They are working hard and having fun doing it. I am looking forward to a great second half of the year. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact me at kkeegan@pvsd.net or 650-851-1777.

Sincerely,

Kevin F. Keegan

This week, at our all school assembly, we honored Corte Madera students who earned the 2nd Quarter Character Award.  These awards were given to students who exemplified exceptional character throughout the entire 2nd quarter in all classes and at all times on campus. In order to receive this award, a student must have been first nominated by a CMS staff member and then there had to be unanimous vote of approval by the entire staff.

Students have the opportunity to receive the CMS Character Award at the end of each quarter. Winners are recognized at an all school assembly and also have their names highlighted in our display case. At the very end of the year, students can also nominate their peers for a Character Award by filling out a brief survey, and these students are awarded Peer Character Awards in June.

Last quarter, in November, we honored 29 students, and this quarter we honored 45 students in grades 4-8.

In addition, we also nominate a staff member each quarter that we feel is a great model of exceptional character. Last quarter we honored Ms. Juliet Green, and this quarter the Character Award went to our Speech and Language Specialist, Ms. Mary Ann Chwalek.

At our CMS School Climate Committee meeting last week, staff and students discussed ways to fold in the "Portola Valley Way" of Collaboration, Integrity, and Respect, into our existing criteria and then communicate these expectations out to students and staff. In addition, students on the committee had some great ideas for possibly adding in further recognition for these winners- such as front of the line passes to the hot lunch line, first choice in checking out balls during recess, invitations to the 6-8 BBQ Lunch (if the winner is in 4/5) or invitations to the 4/5 Hot Cocoa Breakfast (if the winner is in 6-8). We are working on developing posters and making morning announcements reminding our students of the Character Award criteria and also of additional recognition opportunities.

The School Climate Committee is also in the process of finalizing a Mid-Year School Climate Survey that will be sent to all students in the next few weeks. We will collect and analyze this data to determine if there are pressing concerns on campus and come up with possible solutions.

I would like to close this article by saying that over the past few months, I have been continually impressed with the level of kindness, friendliness, and respect that I have witnessed from our CMS students. As I walk around at recess, I see many examples of this: 8th graders combining with 4th/5th graders in a 4-Square game together, boys and girls playing a soccer match, a small group of students laughing and engaged in a friendly card game, kids helping each other with their school work, and students simply looking up, smiling, and saying hi as they pass by. The kids seem calm, relaxed and genuinely happy.

A parent who volunteers serving lunch passed along a sweet encounter she had with one of our students this week and I really feel it summarizes what I have been seeing on campus- so I thought it worth sharing. She writes:

I was by myself setting up hot lunch, and a 4th grader walked by heading to her classroom. She smiled and walked on, but then paused, came back and said to me,

"I just wanted to thank you for taking time out of your day to help serve us lunch."

It literally brought tears to my eyes. No one else was around and she didn't seem to be saying it to impress anyone- she just genuinely wanted to thank me. While I think most of the kids at CMS are very polite (almost every single one thanks me every time I hand them their food), I have never had a child take the initiative to just thank me for helping without any prompting by an adult.

Go Panthers.

Kristen Shima

Dean of Students