THE CHARACTER THEME FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER IS CARING

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of kindness:

--Kindness in your face

--Kindness in your smile

--Kindness in your eyes"

Mother Teresa

CARING

• Be kind
• Be compassionate and show you care
• Express gratitude
• Help people in need
• Forgive others
• Show generosity

 THANKFUL

During this time of year it is important to be thankful for those who support us. The Parkmead staff is thankful for the amazing support from our parents and parent groups.

• THANK YOU all PARENTS - for volunteering your time in classrooms, on field trips, and for classroom prep. projects
• THANK YOU PTA/PTO PARENTS - for your support of individual classrooms and classroom field trips and enrichment programs
• THANK YOU all PARENTS - for your donations to the Parkmead Educational Resources Committee (PERC) which supports whole school materials and activities such as:
  • Science Specialist
  • Technology Specialist
  • School wide technology
  • Carnival
  • Book Fair
  • Auction
  • Character Education...
• THANK YOU PARENTS for your donations to WCEF which supports our Art, Music, and PE and allows our teachers collaboration time

Thank you so much. We are grateful for this amazing school community.

 

SCHOOL SCHEDULE REMINDERS

• SHORTENED DAYS - Wednesday (11/20) to Friday (11/22)
  • Kindergarten Dismissal = 11:30
  • 1st-5th Dismissal = 12:25
• NO STUDENTS
  • Monday (11/25) and Tuesday (11/26) = Parent Teacher Conferences
  • Wednesday (11/27) to Friday (11/29) = Thanksgiving Break

TRAFFIC

On Monday we had three county traffic safety investigators looking at our drop-off situation. They recommended that I send a reminder to parents:

• Park legally
• Carpool
• Leave earlier
• Drop off students at safe and designated locations

They also gave some logistical suggestions that I will look into at a District level. Thank you for your cooperation and patience.

"In four short years the Turkey Trot has become part of our family Thanksgiving tradition. Some of us volunteer, some run and some do both! We are thankful to be able to participate with our community and support our kids!"

Parkmead kids, join us at the school garden for some gardening fun at recess and lunch!! See attached flyer for times. We also have posted flyers with gardening at recess/lunch times and dates posted next the the classroom for children's reference. Currently we are making scarecrows, planting onions, fava beans and we will soon plant potatoes. 

 

Did you know that what we grow in our school garden will soon be sold to Parkmead parents, with the proceeds going to The Contra Costa Foodbank?

 

The garden committee is always looking for parent volunteer to help lead gardening at recess/lunch. If you like to garden and want to share your knowledge with our kids at Parkmead, please contact

Beth Harris at [email protected]

Science Night will be held from 6:30-8:30PM on Friday, Jan 31, 2014 in the MPR, to raise awareness of science, of its vital importance in almost every aspect of our daily lives, of its total fascination and its extreme coolness!

 

There will be hands-on activities to educate and inspire our students. 10 activity stations are already planned so far. Chabot Space and Science Center will set up and man 4 stations: compressed air rockets, fun with polymer slime, viewing of constellations, and spectroscopy. Microscopy, heart anatomy, aerodynamics with paper planes, electronic circuit building and several more are planned.

 

Call for Volunteers: we need parent volunteers to set up additional stations, and to support and man planned ones. There are certainly many science and technology parents out there - now is your chance to shine!

 

Please sign up at ParkmeadScience.com or contact the organizer, Charles Sun, at [email protected]

 

Science Fair will happen from 6:00-8:00PM on Thursday, Feb 27, 2014 in the MPR. Students will present their own science projects in an open forum to all interested parents, students and teachers.

 

More Volunteers: we need more volunteers to help with general organization at the fair, and specifically to interview students at their poster presentations.  All student presenters will receive awards.

 

Please sign up exactly as indicated above for Science Night.  

 

Note: For clarity, Science Night and Science Fair are two separate events.  

This is our website - http://ParkmeadScience.com

Don't let the name confuse you! First Friday Business Deals Good All Month Long!

Check out our November First Friday and the businesses supporting our schools and students. We are pleased to welcome J Stokes and Harps Etc. as WCEF Business Partners. These and many other businesses have invested in our students' education and are offering special discounts throughout the month of November- just be sure to mention WCEF!

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 Honey Bear Trees & Wreaths: Purchase your Christmas tree or wreath from now until December 23 and Honey Bear will donate 20% of your purchase back to WCEF. Click here to print the coupon.

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING at SPORTS BASEMENT: December 14, 2013

• 10% off and 10% Back to our schools ALL DAY
• Holiday Shopping Boutique from 2-4:00 PM (Student Bands from Red House will be performing as well as students from Harps Etc. Refreshments, gift wrapping and so much more!

Do you have an extra coat in your closet?  Do you have coats that your family has outgrown? Winter is coming, and one warm coat can make a difference to someone in need.  Parkmead Girl Scout troops will be collecting clean, reusable coats as part of the "One Warm Coat" drive,

November 20th - 22nd. Girls will be available with collection bins during drop off and pick time, as well as have drop off bins outside the office, and at Keyspot. Coats should be gently used or new and we need all sizes. 

Parkmead Families! We are still partnering with Doorstep Famers, a local, organic produce delivery service. A portion of the cost of each box of delicious produce that you receive comes back to our school. We have already raised a sizeable amount of funds for the school from our existing subscribing families. 

 

Please join us! The boxes come in various sizes, delivery frequency options and are a great way to introduce your family to new fruits or vegetables. Fall is a great time to begin receiving boxes -- on your doorstep! Call Doorstep Farmers at (925) 349-4568 or go online: www.doorstepfarmers.com. 

 

Be sure to mention PARKMEAD.

GET YOUR PEP ON and GIVE the GIFT of EXPERIENCE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! 

REGISTER NOW!

 

Enrich your children with enlightenment through PEP's amazing winter line-up. Choose from: GUITAR, PIANO, ART APPRECIATION, WORLD HISTORY, HIP HOP, CREATIVE WRITING CLUB, TOYOLOGY, GIRLS ON THE RUN, CRITTERS N CLAY (includes a class for kinders), CHESS and first ever new to the line-up: PUBLIC SPEAKING!  

 

Go to http://pepparkmead.appspot.com for individual flyers and complete details.  Do your part and please register prior to the winter holiday to help this wholly volunteer-run program enjoy a winter break!  Most classes begin the week of Jan 13, 2014 with a few beginning in February.  Register NOW as class sizes are limited.

 

There are a limited number of SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. If you are interested, please send an email to [email protected] to request an application.