Hello Stanley Families-
Thanks to everyone who came out for our PTA meeting and parent information night about Stanley's move to a modified block schedule for the upcoming school year. For those who could not make it, I will be presenting again all the details about our move to the block schedule, the rationale behind it, and our next steps at an upcoming LAFSD Governing Board Meeting. Stay tuned for details.
Thanks for your continued support-
David Schrag Principal, Stanley Middle School dschrag@lafsd.k12.ca.us |
PTA Announcements and Events
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The WEDNESDAY STANLEY CAFÉ is a huge success
for kids (good food), school (keeps kids on campus), and the PTA ($$$).
But, we only have 11 weeks left and our roster of volunteers is SPARSE which makes it really hard to get everyone served.
BENEFITS of volunteering:
- See how polite and well behaved the kids are.
- All helpers get free food.
- Fun to socialize with other fun parents.
- Even though the jobs are simple and easy, participation feels really good!
Please sign up today!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0e48a8ad2e5-stanley/1850578
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Step up to the Plate for Education
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Oakland A's Step Up to the Plate for Education
with Stanley Middle School! 
Stanley Middle School is excited to once again participate in the Oakland A's Step Up to the Plate for Education program for the 2014 season! Students, parents, and friends & family have the unique opportunity to purchase special fundraising tickets for select A's games.
A portion of each ticket sold goes directly back to Stanley! So come on out for a great day of baseball AND help raise funds for our wonderful school! To purchase tickets and view the available games, please visit our school's personalized link:
Tickets for these select games are limited and this great fundraising event is only available to the Stanley community through April 30th so purchase tickets NOW to reserve the best seats!
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 Friday, April 17, 2015, 9:00 AM to 2:30PM
at the San Ramon Community Center, Fountain Room
Join parents, local education experts, elected officials, and community members for a conversation about how we will
adequately fund quality public education.
Speakers include:
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Assemblymember Catharine Baker;
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Assemblymember Susan Bonilla;
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Senator or Run-Off Candidates from Special Election;
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Kevin Gordon, Capitol Advisors;
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Representatives from California Forward; Educate Our State; and Evolve California;
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Craig Cheslog, former Chief-of-staff to State Superintendent Tom Torlakson.
Panels moderated by John Fensterwald, Editor, EdSource
April 17, 9:00am to 2:30pm (Check-in at 8:30am; $40/person, includes lunch). Click here to register.
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Stanley and Lafayette School District
Announcements & Events
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Stanley Athletics
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Announcements:
Stanley track and field is beginning on Monday, April 6th. Any interested 6th, 7th or 8th girls and boys,meet at the far end of the blacktop after school, ready to go. Any questions, see Mrs. Anke.
Stanley Mountain Biking is having its first session starting on Tuesday, April 14th. Any interested 6th,7th and 8th grade girls and boys, meet at Briones parking lot by Springhill Elementary after school by 3:45pm. Any questions, see Mrs. Anke.
Need to de-stress? Then Stanley Yoga is for you. Open to all 6th, 7th and 8th girls and boys are invited to participate. The first session will be on Tuesday, April 21st after school in room 206. Any questions, see Mrs. Anke.
Stanley tennis is holding two clinics for interested 6th, 7th and 8th grade boys and girls. The beginner session will be held on Tuesdays starting in April 21st. The intermediate/advanced session will be held on Wednesdays starting April 22nd. Questions see, Mrs. Anke.
Visit the Athletic Dept. page on the Stanley website for more information about all after-school sports programs.
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Lafayette Choral Festival
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March 24, 6:30 PM in the Stanley Gym
Please come enjoy music from the 5th grade choruses of all the Lafayette elementary schools, the Stanley Chorus, and select high school ensembles.
The concert will close with all schools singing together as one mass chorus. We hope you'll join us for this exciting tradition!
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Opportunity Knocks
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Please visit our OppKnocks webpage if you are interested in helping in the community. Students can currently signup for the following events:
- Wed 3/25 (5 - 9pm): Lafayette Elementary Science Fair. Shifts are 5 - 7pm and 7 - 9pm (10 students each shift). Volunteers will be helping with set up and clean up, awarding participation certificates and helping vendors when needed.
- Sat 4/4 (8:30am - 1pm): Bunny Brunch (Lafayette Community Center, 480 St. Mary's Rd). Volunteers will be helping with the event. Only one volunteer per shift will be wearing a bunny suit and pose with the kids for photos.
- Sat 4/11 (9am - 1:30pm): Lafayette Dogtown Downtown 2015 (Lafayette Library and Learning Center and Lafayette Plaza). Volunteers will be helping with set up, cleanup and with different events as needed.
- Sat 4/26 (9am - 5pm): Lafayette Earth Day (Lafayette Library). Volunteers will be helping with set up, cleanup and any task (greeting vestival guests, directing foot traffic, etc. - see the signup sheet for more details).
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Stanley Jazz
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Playing Music and Executive Function
What is Executive function?
Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child describes it this way: the mental process that enables us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. Just as an air traffic control system at a busy airport safely manages the arrivals and departures of many aircraft on multiple runways, the brain needs this skill set to filter distractions, prioritize tasks, set and achieve goals, and control impulses. These skills are essential for school achievement, success in work, and healthy lives.
When children have opportunities to develop executive function and self-regulation skills, individuals and society experien ce lifelong benefits.
A 2014 study from Boston Children's Hospital found a correlation between musical training and improved executive function in both children and adults.
So does playing an instrument make you smarter?
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201406/does-playing-musical-instrument-make-you-smarter
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Prescription Drug Awareness Month
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You are invited to a special screening of "Out of Reach", a short documentary about a rising high school senior who sets out to uncover the growing problem of teens abusing prescription medicine in his hometown. 
March 25, 2015, 6:30-8:30 PM
at the Orinda Theater, 4 Orinda Square
Followed by a panel discussion: Moderator: Jaime Rich, Program Director, Center for Human Development
Panelists:- April Rovero, Founder/CEO, National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse,
- Jason Lechner, Program Director, Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services
- Tom Gilmore, Local parent advocate
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GET READY FOR THE STANLEY SCIENCE EXPO!
Is there enough yeast in the air to get a starter going to make bread? Can fruit be dried in a hot car? Does newsprint break down as readily as organic matter in a compost bin? Does draining water always spiral in the same direction? Is a tubular plant stem really stronger than a regular stem?
The answers to questions like these and more await you at the Stanley Middle School 2015 LPIE Science Expo! Mark your calendars - the Expo takes place on Thursday, March 26th from 6:30-8:30PM in the Stanley Middle School Gym.
The Expo will feature hands-on interactive exhibits and demonstrations in life science, engineering, robotics, renewable energy, chemistry, animal science, physical science, animation, technology, and several other fields. It's a free event for family and friends of all ages. And it only happens every two years, so you won't want to miss it!
Any questions? Please contact us at susanwdelacruz@gmail.com.
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 POWER PARTY RECAP
On Saturday, March 14th parents and supporters from all over the community came together to help "power" LPIE's fundraising efforts, and the result was an overwhelming success. The party itself was fantastic: excellent food and drinks, decorations that transformed the venue, and top-notch socializing! And the best news? With the amazing donations of auction items, services, vacation homes, pay-to-play parties and more, we were able to exceed our fundraising goals for the event! (More complete numbers to come soon...)
A powerful thank you goes out to everyone who helped make this event such a triumph: Event Chairs Kelli Shrader and Sharon Treter, LPIE President Meredith Meade, Myrna Kimmelman,Maureen Wickline, Corrine Christensen, Jamie Whelehan, Eve Notas, Gabrielle Ohleyer, Susan Candell, Nicole Murgia, Shilpa Thomas, Debra Szidon, Laura Bergman, Danielle Gallagher, Ruth Donner, Ann Huchingson, Lily Dong, Amy Hollyfield, Jane Smith, the LPIE Board, and the LPIE Fundraising committee. And we'd also like to extend a hearty thank you to all of the generous businesses and donors who supported the event, as well as to all of the attendees. Thank you for "powering" superior education in our Lafayette schools!
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HAVE QUESTIONS? NEED INFORMATION?
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UC Berkeley Girls in Engineering
Stanley is a one of a pilot group of East Bay middle schools participating in this program with Berkeley's College of Engineering. Girls in Engineering is a week-long, non-residential summer camp for girls currently in 5th, 6th, and 7th grades to explore different aspects of what it means to be an engineer in a fun, hands-on environment. Students will learn leadership skills such as goal setting and effective communication, and engage in activities that showcase different engineering disciplines--from computer coding to building robots. Participants will design and create engineering projects under the guidance of Berkeley faculty and students, tour engineering labs to see demonstrations of research in action, and visit technology companies that are putting engineering into practice. Two sessions are offered: June 22-26 and July 6-10 and applications are due April 20. More information on the program is at http://gie.berkeley.edu. Girls in Engineering - Make. Connect. Discover.
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Upcoming California State Assessment Dates
Here are the dates for the upcoming California State Assessments. Please try to avoid appointments during the scheduled testing times.
6th Grade-
4/28-5/1: ELA Testing in Core class
5/19-5/22: Math Testing in Core class
7th Grade-
4/22-4/27: ELA Testing in Core class
5/13-5/18: Math Testing in Core class
8th Grade-
4/13-4/21: ELA Testing in English class
5/4-5/11: Math Testing in Math class
5/12: Science Testing during extended 1st period
Please take some time to look at the practice and training tests:
Click on this link to the practice tests and follow the instructions to get to different tests. Make sure you choose the appropriate grade from the drop down menu.
The sign in is:
guest/guest/guest session, choose your grade from the pull-down menu.
This new assessment test will be taken on a computer. These practice tests are meant to help students feel comfortable with the type of content questions that they will be asked as well as practicing their computer based test-taking skills.
If there are any questions, please contact the Stanley office at 927-3530.
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WILDCATS OF THE WEEK
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This Week's Wildcats:
6th ~ Morgan Coolbaugh
7th ~ Jacqueline Caulfield
8th ~ Blake Broumand
What is "Wildcat of the Week"?
Each week, one student from each grade level is chosen by a faculty committee and is selected as a Wildcat of the Week based on his/her academic efforts and demonstration of character as it relates to our Six Pillars - Trustworthiness, Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. These student role models will be further honored by participating in a special event at the end of the year. It is the intent of this award to encourage all students to demonstrate Stanley Spirit through positive character.
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Be Informed About Stanley Policies and Programs
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Challenge Success presents:
The Well Balanced Student
Date: April 16, 2015
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Acalanes High School, Performing Arts Center
Sponsored by Acalanes High School Parent Education
The Well-Balanced Student workshop examines the tensions that can occur between students, parents, and educators over issues such as homework, grades, and the culture of competition. Margaret Dunlap will offer parents research-based strategies to create healthier home and school environments.
Margaret Dunlap, M.A., is the Schools Program Director for Challenge Success.
Tickets are available at: https://eventbrite.com/event/16195113019/
What is Challenge Success? Challenge Success is a research-based organization that works with schools, parents, and families to develop alternative success models that align with research on healthy child development. Madeline Levine, Ph.D., Jim Lobdell, M.A., and Denise Pope, Ph.D. founded Challenge Success, an expansion of the highly successful SOS (Stressed-Out Students) Project at Stanford University. Challenge Success has become a trusted "voice of reason" for parents, schools, and kids looking for a more effective path to success in the 21st century.
Contact Gwen Helvey, gwenhelvey@sbcglobal.net, or Holly Nolan, hollynolan@comcast.net, with questions.
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Community Announcements & Events
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The following Community Announcements & Events are not school or district-sponsored
or endorsed by the Lafayette School District.
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Would you like to keep our kids safe? Consider being a Crossing Guard. Morning and Afternoons positions are available in Lafayette and Moraga. For more information, please contact Robert Mueller,
robert@thecrossingguardcompany.com
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Lamorinda Idol 2015 Auditions, May 14
Start warming up your voices now and making your song selections!
Lamorinda Idol (formerly Orinda Idol) is back with a new name! We'd like to invite all K-12 students living or attending school in the Lamorinda area to audition for a chance to be a Lamorinda Idol finalist.
Auditions will be held at Orinda Intermediate School on Thursday, May 14 from 4-6pm for middle school soloists and 6-7pm for middle school groups.
Audition sign-ups will go live on April 1 on the Orinda Arts Council's website at http://www.orindaartscouncil.org and will close on April 30, 2015. Registrants will be added on a first-come, first-served basis and audition slots are limited--so register early!
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Summer Rock 'N' Roll Music Camps
Soundwall Rock 'N' Roll Music Camps invites students to join us this summer at UC Santa Cruz for two week-long sessions of Rock in the Redwoods . Soundwall Music camps offer a unique music education program for young musicians ages 12-17 that is not typically found in private lessons or school music programs. Under the guidance of seasoned instructors, students will learn: instrumental technique, rock music history, music theory, vocal performance techniques, band dynamics, song writing, song form structure, recording techniques and learn how to develop teamwork in a band setting as they prepare for their week end concert performance.Session 1: July 12th - July 17th, 2015
Session 2: July 19th - July 24th, 2015
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Author Event: The Terrible Two
 Come hear the hilarious Mac Barnett and Jory John present their New York Best-Selling new book, The Terrible Two. You will be taken into a new world of pranking. Explore the fun and crazy world of rubber chickens, cows and a face full of whipped cream.
See you at the Lafayette Library
in the Community Hall on
Thursday, March 26th, at 3:30pm.
Register at: tinyurl.com/TheTerribleTwo
If you have any questions regarding this event, please feel free to contact Megan Wong at meganwong238@gmail.com.
Lafayette Library and Learning Center,
3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
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Friends of the Lafayette Library Bookmark Contest
ARTISTS WANTED!
Calling all K-8th Graders . . . the Friends of the Lafayette Library Bookmark Contest is about to begin! Entry forms will be made available by your school librarian and at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center beginning Monday, March 2nd. Return your completed entry form by Friday, March 27th to your school library or the Lafayette Library. The winning bookmarks will be announced soon after Spring Break! An Award Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, April 29th at 6:30pm in the Homework Center at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center. Create a winning 2015 bookmark for us!
For more information, contact Mary Ransdell at mbransdell@comcast.net
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Upcoming Teen Events
at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center
March:
Luck of the Irish Raffle - All March long! Grades 6-12 only.
See if you can win a mystery prize. Simply fill out a submission form at the Information Desk. Winners announced in April.
DIY: Make a Terrarium, Wed, Mar 25, 4pm-5pm Arts & Science
Celebrate the arrival of spring by making a terrarium!
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Donate to Stanley & save some money
whenever you shop at Sports Basement
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Whenever you shop at Sports Basement, just say Stanley School at the register and you'll get 10% off AND 5% back to Stanley PTA! All day, every day, at any Sports Basement location!
Remember, just say Stanley School at the register.
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Newsletter Info
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Christina Engelbrecht, Editor
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