THE CHARACTER THEME FOR JANUARY IS RESPONSIBILITY

 

"It's a question of discipline," the little prince told me later on.  "When you've finished washing and dressing each morning, you must tend your planet."~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince, 1943, translated from French by Richard Howard 

 

RESPONSIBILITY 

* Persevere: keep on trying!

* Always do your best

* Use self-control

* Be self-disciplined

* Think before you act - consider the consequences

* Be accountable for your choices

 

COLOR: Green - as in being responsible for a garden or finances; or as in being solid and reliable like an oak.

I hope you all had a wonderful break. Happy New Year! Here are some important upcoming events:

 

PARKMEAD WINTER FORUM is on Wednesday, January 22 from 6:30-8:00. The purpose of the forum is to get feedback and input from parents that will help in our planning for next year. The forum will be followed by an online parent survey that will help us gather more information about planning for next year. We want to hear your voice...please try and attend.

 

ROPES 

At 7:00 p.m. on the Thursday, January 16, in the WCI library, parents and their fifth, seventh and/or eighth graders will be invited to hear about the wonderful WCSD ROPES program brought to us by our superintendent, Dr. Patty Wool.  Flyers should have come home with fifth graders this week. Information packets will be given out at the January 16th meeting.

 

FRIDAY FLICKS - DESPICABLE ME 2

On Friday the Student Council will hold a Friday Flick. This is when we show a movie in the MPR from 2:30-4:00. There is no admission. However, there is a suggested donation of $2 at the door, plus snacks will be sold. The money raised will go to help hurricane victims in the Philippines. There are staff members supervising so your child can go right to the MPR after school. Please arrive for pick-up promptly at 4:00. RSVP to eloney@wcsd.k12.ca.us

 

Our annual Science Fest commences in the Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) on

Friday January 31, 2014 with Science Night. Parent volunteers will organize hands-on activities, exhibits demonstrations and games! (This is a prelude to "Science Fair" which happens later, in February).

John James Audubon meets Georgia O'Keeffe, a close-up, colorful array of pastel birds! PCS fifth graders and PALS level 3 students created our January art display located in the multi-use room and its adjacent hallway. After selecting a bird picture, we framed in the bird using a small window focusing on composition and a close-up view. A grid was placed on top, dividing the bird into quarters. With larger paper carefully portioned into fourths, the bird was drawn section by section. Once the bird drawing was complete, the students filled it in with layers of soft pastel for color and depth.

 

Thank you to our parent volunteer Tamaki Friess for working with the display. Thank you also for WCEF donations, which make this art program possible.

 

Elaine Barnum and Aissa Markey

Art Specialists

 

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

Check out our January First Friday and the businesses supporting our schools and students. These businesses have invested in our students' education and are offering special discounts throughout the month of January - just be sure to mention WCEF!

 

10% off all purchases! Heading to the slopes this winter?

Check out all the deals at Sports Basement. Ski gear and rentals. Team sports. You name it. They've got it. 10% off your purchases and 5% back to our student's every day of the year. Just mention WCEF at checkout! 

The winner of the Box Top$ Panther for December is Mr. Moore's class in Room 7!

 

Did you collect Box Tops while you were cooking and shopping over the holidays? Whichever class brings in the most Box Tops in January will get to keep Midnight the Panther in their room next month. Keep them coming!

 

Please contact sallyyousif@hotmail.com or mianoski@yahoo.com with any questions.

Due to popular demand, Camp Panther is returning to Parkmead Friday, January 24th.  Feedback from last year indicated that parents and students wanted a longer event and we are planning to deliver!  Plan a parent's night out--Drop off will be at 4:30 and pick up at 8:30. Cost of tickets will stay the same at $35, to include 2 activities, dinner, DJ/dance party and a movie. More information will be coming home in your children's backpacks this week and sign-ups will begin Monday, January 13th.  Space is limited and activities will be first come first serve--so talk to friends and don't miss your opportunity to participate.  Thank you to all of the teachers who donate their time to make this such a fun event.  You will be able to sign up at http://www.parkmeadauction.com. All proceeds will go to PERC to support services at our school.  Thanks for supporting Parkmead!!!

 

If you have questions, please contact Leslie Shafton at leslieshafton@yahoo.com

Auction donations due by January 31 - Volunteers needed for short and flexible job: We need about 15 volunteers to each follow up with 10 businesses who have received a letter requesting they make an auction donation but have not done so yet. Often a simple email or phone call will do the trick - the business often wants to make a donation but needs a gentle reminder. No meetings and you can do this when it is convenient for you! We promise not to ask you to do more than 10! Sign up using this Signup Genius link http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4AA5A82BA02-auction or email kathi@thekibbes.com.  

 

The auction is PERCs biggest fundraiser. Your time and donations to PERC fund science and technology labs/equipment as well as other educational and fun programs at Parkmead! 

Interested in hearing about the PALS program and enrollment procedures?  Then come join us on the evening of Thursday, Jan 9th or Tuesday, Jan 14th at 7 pm in the MPR (multi-purpose room) to learn about Parkmead's Active Learning School and to receive an application for the upcoming school year. Incoming families must attend one of these informational meetings as part of the application process.  For more information, please contact membership@parkmeadpals.org.