|
Wildcat Weekly
Newsletter of the Stanley PTA
February 28, 2016
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events & Important Dates:
| |
|
February 29
7:00 PM - Parent Ed, Prescription Drug Abuse:What EVERY Family Needs to Know, at St. Perpetua
March 4
End of 2nd Trimester
March 10
7:00 PM - Parent Ed, Matt Richtell: Technology, Our Brains & Society, in Acalanes Performing Arts Center
March 11
Report Cards mailed home
March 18
NO SCHOOL- Staff Development Day
March 24
6:30 PM - PTA General Meeting
March 25
8th Grade Panoramic Picture
7:00 PM -7th & 8th Grade Dance
March 29
3:30 PM - Parent Ed, A Focus on Mathematics, in library
March 30
7:00 PM - Rube Goldberg Machine Contest
View full School Calendar here For sports tryout and competition dates, see the Stanley Athletic Department section below
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hello Stanley Families-
Great news on the Stanley technology front! In January, the last of the Chromebooks were delivered and a device is now in every English and History classroom and we could not be more excited and grateful that our students have more consistent access to technology. Our teachers are thrilled to be integrating technology into their curriculum and are collaborating to learn how best to use these new devices to challenge and support students. This advance would not have been possible without support and funding from LPIE. Please look to future issues of LPIE's "The Slice" for more information about this exciting new development at Stanley Middle School.
We have compiled the data from the student survey regarding Stanley's modified block schedule. We had more than 1,100 students respond, and the results were very encouraging! Here are a few of the highlights:
A more complete list of the survey will be posted on the Stanley Website Homepage next week. We will also be sharing the results of our parent survey once those results are collected. Our leadership team is still looking at ways to ensure that the block schedule is best meeting the needs of students, teachers and parents.
Also, some exciting news coming from the world of college admissions. Through the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a coalition of many college admissions officers from across the country have begun something called the Making Caring Common Project, and have made recommendations for colleges in an effort to decrease the unhealthy effects of students "resume building" in their years leading up to college. Turning the Tide: Inspiring Concern for Others and the Common Good through College Admissions marks the first time in history that a broad coalition of college admissions offices have joined forces to collectively encourage high school students to focus on meaningful ethical and intellectual engagement. Currently it is only recommendations, but it marks a significant and widespread effort to make the process of college admissions healthier for students and their families. As a Challenge Success school, we are pleased to see the efforts in this area! Please take a minute to look at the link for the Making Caring Common Project which can be found at http://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/.
Thanks for your continued support! David Schrag Principal, Stanley Middle School |
PTA Announcements and Events
|
|
PTA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
| |
|
Dear Fellow Parents,
Spring has sprung and it's hard to believe that the 2nd trimester is almost over already!
Thank you to the Nominating Committee (Caren Kline, Helen Bequette, Sarah Cusumano, Catherine Burns, Allison Curletto) for their countless hours, emails and phone calls over the past month or more to put together the slate for the 2016-17 PTA Executive Board and Chairpersons. Please see the slate for the PTA Executive Board below. If you are interested in a role on the board or as a chairperson, please contact our Executive Vice President and Nominating Committee Chair, Caren Kline, at evp@stanleypta.org. Proposed Slate for 2016-17 Stanley PTA Executive Board
Kelly Daggs, President
OPEN, Exec Vice-President
Julie Koo, Treasurer
Catherine Burns, Financial Secretary
OPEN, Vice-President, Fundraising
Linda Choi, Director of Communications
Helen Bequette, VP, Legislation
Nina Ruebner, Recording Secretary
Kendra Uffelman, Director of Parent Volunteers
Melanie Brinkman, Auditor
Kelly Mains, Parliamentarian
Principal appoints, Teacher Rep
David Schrag, Principal
Please plan to attend our next PTA General Meeting on Thursday, March 24 at 6:30 PM in the Stanley library for our annual election meeting where we will vote in this proposed slate. Please see the agenda here. Also, at the end of our meeting, we will have a program with a Stanley-specific topic that will be announced soon. In addition to the behind-the-scenes work of the Nominating Committee, the PTA has been busy managing the budget and paying bills (thank you Ali Minden, PTA Treasurer), concluding the mid-year audit (thank you Laura White, PTA Auditor), keeping in touch with chairpersons (thank you Cynthia Curcuro, PTA Director of Parent Volunteers), and meeting and planning for next year's Wildcat Day...among many other things.
I look forward to seeing you at our next PTA General Meeting on March 24th!
|
|
|
Stanley and Lafayette School District
Announcements & Events
|
|
STANLEY ENGINEERING
| |
|
Lego and K'nex Pieces Needed
If you have any Lego or K'nex pieces that are no longer being used by your children, Stanley's 7th and 8th grade engineering students would be able to make very good use of them.
In particular, K'nex Gears, Wheels, Axles, and Gear locks are needed. Any Legos, particularly the Technic or Mindstorms pieces, are also helpful. Please contact mmeneghe@lafsd.k12.ca.us |
|
|
|
STANLEY ATHLETICS
| |
|
Stanley Golf Club Meeting
There will be an informational meeting for those students interested in playing golf at Stanley. The meeting will be held at lunch on March 11th in the gym. Any questions, see Mr Perry.
7th & 8th Grade Boys Basketball
March 2
7A AWAY vs KING 4PM 7B HOME vs KING 4PM 8A HOME vs QUARRY LANE 4PM 8B HOME vs KING 5PM
March 3
7A AWAY vs ALBANY 5PM
7B HOME vs QUARRY LANE 4PM
8A AWAY vs ALBANY 6PM
8B HOME vs QUARRY LANE 5PM
|
|
|
|
PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
| |
|
Stanley PAC (Parent Advisory Committee)
Did you know that Stanley has a Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) comprised of parent representatives from all four feeder elementary schools and 6th, 7th, and 8th grade parent representatives
from Stanley?
The PAC meets monthly with Principal David Schrag to discuss school-related issues, to provide input from a variety of parent perspectives, and to share information with the parent community.
Our PAC reps from Stanley for this year are as follows:
We welcome your input and invite you to contact your grade level representative, if you have questions, concerns and/or feedback about issues related to Stanley Middle School.
|
|
|
|
LAFAYETTE SCHOOL DISTRICT PARENT ED
| |
|
A Focus on Mathematics
Tuesday, March 29, 3:30 PM Stanley Library
Michelle Giles, Lafayette School District Math Coach, will present "A Focus on Mathematics" on Tuesday, March 29th at 3:30 in the Stanley library. In collaboration with district math teachers, Michelle will discuss strategies to help your student at home, and present a grade specific demo-lesson. Click here for more information.
|
|
|
|
INTERFAITH COMMUNITY PRESENTS
| |
| |
Prescription Drug Abuse:
What EVERY Family Needs to Know
Monday, February 29, 7:00-8:30 PM
St. Perpetua Parish Hall - 3445 Hamlin Road, Lafayette
Prescription drug abuse/misuse has become a national epidemic and our local communities have been heavily impacted by this public health crisis. At least seven young men from Lafayette have been lost to an overdose over the past 3 years. ... a catastrophe in such a small town.
Join us for an evening of education and frank discussion about what can be done to help prevent the devastating downstream impacts prescription medications such as painkillers, sedatives and stimulants can have on youth and adults of all ages.
This presentation is appropriate for adults and youth who are 13 years and older.
See flyer for more information.
Free, but please click here to register.
|
|
|
|
PARENT EDUCATION
| |
| |
MATT RICHTEL: Technology, Our Brains & Society
March 10, 7:00 PM
Acalanes Performing Arts Center
Matt Richtel, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter and author of the bestselling book, A Deadly Wandering, explores the science of the human brain, the impact of technology on attention, impulse-control, and decision-making, and the fallacy of multi-tasking. He will discuss how technology impacts the ways in which we work, play and relate to one another and how constant use of devices changes our thought processes and even our neurology. Richtel is the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for a series of articles in the NY Times on the hazardous use of cell phones, computers and other devices.
Sponsored by Acalanes High School Parent Education
|
|
|
Power Party Pay-to-Plays Still Available
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's Power Party at the Lafayette Community Center a success! There is still space to attend some of our great pay-to-play parties taking place now through early fall. * Play! Click here to buy your spot.
Don't delay! The remaining party spots will be going fast.
Stroke of Luck Art Exhibit
at Chow Restaurant
LPIE's Stroke of Luck artwork is now on display at Chow restaurant in La Fiesta Square. The Stroke of Luck pieces are works of art created by 24 randomly selected students (one child from each grade level at the four elementary schools), which are expertly framed by P&L Framing in Lafayette.
The Rube Goldberg Contest is coming to Stanley
"Open the Umbrella"
7:00-9:00 PM, Wednesday, March 30
Important dates for participants:Thursday, March 17th Preliminary Round Interviews/meetings in room 804. 5 minute time slots starting at 3:00 pm. We will expect machines to be completed or very nearly completed by this date. See Preliminary Round Information Sheet Monday, March 28th
Meeting for all teams in room 804 at lunch. Evening contest procedures will be discussed and questions will be answered. Rube Goldberg Contest Directions
We hope to see you at the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest!
********************************************************
HAVE QUESTIONS? NEED INFORMATION?
|
|
WILDCATS OF THE WEEK
| |
|
7th ~ Elizabeth Paul
8th ~ Emme Jarvis-BuenRostro
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.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
CONGRATULATIONS TO MARCELLO SEVERO!!!
Marcello has advanced to the State level of the National Geographic Bee for the 3rd year in a row!
|
|
|
|
MATH HELP
| |
|
Stanley Middle School
Math Help!
Get extra help in math (any level) at these locations!
LUNCH:
Monday, Room 304, Ms. Howard
Wednesday, Room 208, Ms. Mara
Friday, Room 209, Mr. Ratto
AFTER SCHOOL (3:00-4:00 PM):
Tuesday, Room 303, Ms. McGlothlen & Ms. Swerling Thursday, Room 306, Mr. Huntoon & Ms. Mara
Please note that all math teachers are also available
by appointment!
|
|
|
|
INDEPENDENT STUDY/ABSENCES
| |
| Each time your child misses school for any reason (sick, vacation, others) the Lafayette School District loses $51 per day in revenues from the state. Attendance in school is best for your child's education. If your child is ill, keep him/her home until well enough to return to school. If you must take your child on a trip for 5 days or more, please notify the office so that they may provide you with an Independent Study packet (please give the school at least 2 weeks notice for an Independent Study request) to help him/her keep up with schoolwork while away. Doing so is a WIN-WIN scenario. Your child keeps pace with the class and is considered PRESENT on those days (NOT ABSENT) for State funding purposes. However, for absences less than five days or absences greater than 5 days without a completed Independent Study, your child misses invaluable instruction time and the state withholds funding from the District at $51/day. The District strongly recommends that trips and vacations be scheduled during non-school days. Thank you!
|
|
|
|
Be Informed About Stanley Policies and Programs
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
Twitter @stanleywildcats
| |
|
Take a peek inside the classrooms at Stanley to see education in action,  |
|
|
ACALANES PERFORMING ARTS PROUDLY PRESENTS
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison is a farcical play within a comedy. The "Man in the Chair" is your guide as you navigate his favorite musical from the 20's, The Drowsy Chaperone. The tale is one of slapstick comedy, improbable situations, a wedding that may or not may not happen, all strung together with snappy, upbeat 20's influenced song and dance.
Performance dates and times: MARCH 3RD, 7:00 PMMARCH 4TH, 7:00 PM MARCH 5TH, 7:30 PM
Acalanes Performing Arts Center
1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette
Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for Seniors (60 and older) and Students. Ticket information can be found at www.ahsperformingarts.org.
|
|
Community Announcements & Events
|
|
The following Community Announcements & Events are not school or district sponsored or endorsed by the Lafayette School District.
|
|
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, Lafayette Library and Learning Center and the Friends Corner Book Shop beginning
Monday, February 29.
Return your completed entry form by FRIDAY, MARCH 18 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 Thursday, April 28 at 6:30 PM in the Arts and Science room at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center.
Create a winning 2016 bookmark for us! |
 Experience A Learning Disability
SEED, Lafayette's Special Education Foundation, is hosting an interactive Learning Disability/Attention Deficit Disorder Simulation workshop. Parents will experience what students with learning disabilities encounter each day. You can't walk away from this event unchanged. This event will be held Tuesday, March 29, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center, Community Hall. Light refreshments served from 5:30-6:00 p.m. Space is limited for this free event, so register now. Email seedlaf@seedlafayette.org or go to seedlafayette.org and click on this event. |
|
JOIN LAMORINDA WATER POLO SPRING 2016
WWW.LAMORINDAWATERPOLO.ORG/REGISTER
Lamori  nda Water Polo is a year-round, competitive USA Water Polo club with a developmental program. Registration is open to any individual who wants to learn about the sport of water polo, develop new skills, and enhance their attained skill level. Our premier coaching staff includes local high school and college coaches, water polo Hall of Fame member, Bill Brown, and past and present Division 1 collegiate players. We foster a fun, supportive, and positive environment; where players at all levels can strengthen their skills and enjoy competition on a local, regional, national or international basis. |
Teen stress: nine tools your student can use to reduce stress and improve performance in high school
Independent counselors Christy Higgins, Gina Ney, and Melissa Masland, invite Lamorinda parents of teens to attend a free, informative talk by Ben Bernstein, PhD: "Teen stress: nine tools your student can use to reduce stress and improve performance in high school".
Tuesday, March 8, 2016, 7:00-8:00 PM, Orinda Country Club, 315 Camino Sobrante, Orinda, CA 94563
 |
|
California Shakespeare Theater Summer Conservatory
Dates: two- and four-week programs run between June 20 and Aug. 5, at locations in Oakland and Lafayette. See website for details.
Programs offered: acting, voice, movement, physical comedy, stage combat, improv, Shakespearean history.
Faculty: theatre professionals, guest artists, Cal Shakes associate artists.
Costs: tuition, $700-$1,400, depending on length of program; financial aid and scholarships available.
Age range: 8-18.
Admission requirements and deadlines: see website for registration details.
Students spend mornings in skills classes and afternoons in rehearsals, where all the disciplines come together to create a fully realized, specially adapted public performance of a Shakespeare play on the final day of the session.
|
|
CYO TRACK
CYO Track is off and running! 2nd through 8th grade athletes in Lamorinda are invited to compete. No experience necessary. The team combines boys and girls living in Lamorinda into St. Perpetua, Saint Monica and Santa Maria parishes to compete in the Diablo Valley Catholic League, Section One of the Oakland Diocese.
Practices are Monday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM at Saint Perpetua Church and Sundays 3:30-4:30 PM first at the Lafayette Reservoir and then Miramonte High School later in the season. Not necessary to attend all three per week. The meets are on Saturdays and start in the middle of March and continue through the second weekend in May. A typical meet includes individual running events, relays and field events (softball throw, long jump, shot put and high jump for grades 5 and older).
Stanley athletes can participate in both CYO Track and the Stanley track team, with the option of attending CYO meets without attending the practices.
|
Lafayette Library Teen Events
|
 East Bay Eclipse Soccer Club Tryouts
After five successful seasons, Eclipse is holding tryouts for its U6-U8 and U15-U19 teams at
Campolindo High School on March 5 and 6.
For the full schedule and details and/or to register,
visit http://www.eastbayeclipse.com
or email Director Shane Carney at
director@eastbayeclipsesoccer.com with any questions.
|
 LMYA SWIM
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE 2016 SEASON!
Sunday Stroke Clinics - begin March 6 (stroke specific sessions)
April Swim Conditioning - begins April 12 (get in swim shape!)
Summer Swim Team - begins May 3 (early registration discount)
Parent informational meeting will be held
Wednesday, March 16th @ 6:30pm in the
Acalanes High School Cafeteria. All are welcome!
if you have any questions.
|
Parking on Golden Gate Way
after Stanley Dismissal
Please be respectful of local businesses
Lamorinda Academy of Music and Arts on Golden Gate Way pays for parking for staff and students/parents in the parking lot down the ramp in front of our building. Recently several of our instructors have complained that when they start work between 3:00 and 3:30 PM, our assigned parking (the letter "M" in front of the parking space) has been taken by parents waiting for their children after school.
Parents, those spaces marked with any letter are paid for by local businesses across the street and you should only park in spaces not marked with a letter, or "unassigned" spaces. This will help us greatly as instructors need to get to their classes on time.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
-Linda Olson
Office Manager for Lamorinda Academy of Music and Arts
|
 Lights, Camera, Action...
Grab your camera and get ready for the Lamorinda ShortDocs Film Fest!
Lamorinda Arts Council will accept submissions of documentary films,
6 minutes or less, from filmmakers of all ages
(Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and Adult) from
March 1st through April 24th.
Even if you've never made a movie before, visit http://www.lamorindaarts.org/shortdocs for on-line resources
to get you started.
Judges will select finalists in each of four categories by age. Finalists' films will be screened and winners announced live at the festival event on May 15th! Don't wait.
Register today!
|
|
Boys Team Charity
Calling all 6th Grade Boys!
The Lamorinda Chapter of Boys Team Charity is now accepting applications for the 2016-2017 year. Boys Team Charity is dedicated to developing the altruistic spirit in young men by fostering their desire to give through the participation in charitable activities that cultivate social, personal and community responsibilities. We currently support such organizations as Contra Costa Food Bank, Trust in Education, Monument Crisis Center and many more. To find out more about our organization or to complete an application, please visit our website at http://btclamorinda.chapterweb.net/. Applications due no later than March 15th, 2016. |
|
Stanley families can continuously raise funds for our school simply by participating in any of these ongoing fundraising opportunities throughout the school year. It's a simple way for each of us to give back effortlessly.
|
Sign Up for eScrip
eScrip is an important fundraising tool to support
Stanley Middle School. Contributions last year to Stanley totaled more than $10,000!
Safeway - Special Note!
Safeway NO LONGER participates in eScrip!! This is significant as Safeway was our largest source of income from eScrip by far.NEW to eScrip? There is no cost to you for signing up. Simply register your credit cards, and debit/ATM cards with eScrip.
Participating merchants contribute a percentage of your purchases to Stanley whenever you shop with them using your registered cards.
The more you spend, the more we earn. Local merchants include Diablo Foods, Lunardi's and Big O Tires. There are hundreds of online participating merchants including Amazon, J.Crew, Gap and Nordstrom.
Sign Up for eScrip Now, It's Easy-
ALREADY an eScrip Subscriber?
Please take a moment to update your contact information, including the school you want your contributions to go to, and expired credit cards at eScrip.com.
Need help? Have questions?
|
 |
|
|
RAISE FUNDS FOR STANLEY
BY RENEWING MAGAZINE ORDERS
|
SAVE 10% & GIVE BACK TO STANLEY
Every time you shop at SPORTS BASEMENT
Every day, all year long!
Just mention STANLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL at check out
to receive 10% off your total purchase
(Sports Basement will also give 5% back to Stanley PTA)
|
|
Newsletter Info
| |
|
Christina Engelbrecht, Editor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
