Roadrunner Masthead
A Strandwood PTA Publication
MARCH 31, 2014
Good Morning 
Every Monday morning Email Club members receive important information regarding upcoming events and communications from The PTA and Strandwood staff via the Roadrunner. The Roadrunner also provides links to important fliers and new items on the PTA and school websites. Do you have any comments about this Roadrunner or suggestions for future Roadrunner articles or features? Drop us a line at roadrunner@strandwood.org.

If you no longer wish to receive these electronic communications please use the "Safe Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the newsletter.
In This Issue
Book Fair Update
Important News from Superintendent
Dyslexia Parent Support Group
Free Family Movie Night
5th Grade Yearbooks
Sign up for Spring After School Programs
General PTA Meeting Moved to April 10
Mad Science Begins This Week!
Save the Date 5th Grade Families!
Dates, Times and Places

Just a Few More Book Fair Volunteers Needed

 

Thank you to everyone who signed up to help at our Scholastic Book Fair! We just need a few more helpers! This is an event that brings a wonderful selection of fun, engaging, and affordable books kids want to read. The more kids practice reading, the better they'll get. We hope you will join us in the library! Please Click Here to sign up as a volunteer. Shifts are only 1-2 hours long! Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Book Fair Hours

 

Friday, April 4th 

2:50pm-8:00pm

 

Monday, April 7th 

2:50pm-6:00pm

 

Tuesday, April 8th 

2:50pm-8:00pm  (Book Fair Hours)

5:30pm-6:30pm  (Ice Cream Sundaes)

6:00pm-7:00pm (Story Time with your favorite Strandwood storytellers!!!)

 

Wednesday, April 9th 

11:00am - 2:00pm              

 

**Questions about Book Fair? Please contact Emily Ludlow or Lizzy Peters at ludlowemily@gmail.com or lizzy.peters@sbcglobal.net **

 

*Special Note: Wednesday's Book Fair will be open during school hours to provide kindergarteners, parents, grandparents and community a chance to shop. This is a perfect opportunity to fill those Easter baskets a little early!

 


Important News from the Superintendent
Save the date! LCAP parent input meeting moved to Apr. 3!!
 

Dear Parents:

  • What: LCAP meeting with MDUSD Superintendent Meyer
  • Where: College Park High School, Library
  • When: Thurs., Apr. 3 at 6:30pm
Description: In 2013, California passed landmark legislation to change the way that it funds public education. This funding change, known as the Local Control Funding Formula, or LCFF, will be implemented beginning with next school year's budget.  
 
What the change means to MDUSD: 
The past For nearly 40 years, California has relied on a system that included general funding and more than 50 tightly-defined categorical programs that school districts needed to follow in order to obtain state funds. The change Most state categorical programs have been eliminated; districts have much greater control in how they spend their monies.
 
What the change means to parents:  
As part of the LCFF, school districts are required to develop a plan, known as the Local Control Accountability Plan or LCAP, by July 1, 2014 to show how they intend to spend their monies and are required to seek parent input to help them make their LCAP.
 
MDUSD is in the process of seeking parent input for its LCAP by holding parent meetings by feeder pattern. For College Park, our meeting date has been moved from May 20 to April 3, 2014!  

Our meeting with Dr. Meyer will be most productive if our parents come to the meeting educated on the issue and prepared to give our input. To learn about the issue, please visit a few key sites:
Dyslexia Parent Support Group Meeting
by Amanda Szakats

 

The support group for parents of kids with dyslexia continues to meet the first Monday of the month. Our next meeting will be April 7th at 8:30am in the Plaza Room of Church of the Resurrection, 399 Gregory Lane. Carol Watkins, a dyslexia tutor, will speak to us about tools and resources, especially those related to technology. All parents of children with language-learning difficulties and interested educators are invited. Contact Amanda Szakats for more information.
 
 

Free Family Movie Night  

 

Strandwood families are invited to watch Frozen, rated PG, on Friday, April 4th at 6:30pm in the multi-use room. This is open to the first 200 people to sign up by sending an email to movienight@strandwood.org with your
oldest child's name, grade and the total number of people attending. 
 
Please note that this is not a Parent Night's Out event and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Feel free to bring blankets, pillows or low chairs to sit on.
 
Popcorn, water and candy will be sold by the 4th grade Outdoor Ed fundraising group.

 

 


5th Grade Yearbooks
 
Don't forget to submit photos of your students from their K-5 years here at Strandwood. Please put photos onto a CD/flash drive (marked with your name so we know who to return it to) and place it in the Yearbook basket in the office or hand it to Kristy Safarians. You may submit photos now through April 18th.  
 
The yearbook will contain a Dedication section and student surveys. Dedications are optional but are also a nice way to send a special message to your 5th grader or their 5th grade teacher. A $5 cash donation can be given in the office along with your dedication form. The student surveys were handed out in the yearbook packet. Our goal is to have every 5th grader complete this survey. The dedications, dedication donations, and student surveys are due in the Yearbook basket by April 18th. 

Each year the yearbook cover is designed by one of our talented 5th graders. Please encourage your artists to submit artwork for consideration for this year's cover. Instructions for the artwork were provided in your yearbook packet this week, titled "Cover Contest".  
 
The deadline for submitting Cover artwork is FRIDAY APRIL 11th, 2014!  Please encourage your 5th grade artist to submit their cover art work to the basket in the office by that date. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Amy Leimpeter or Amy Farajian.
 
Lastly, we are also accepting donations ($15 cash) to defray the cost of the yearbook. If you choose to donate, this can be turned into the Yearbook basket in the office. Donations will be accepted through April 18th.
 
Thank you for your support in helping to create this special keepsake to commemorate our years at Strandwood.
Sign Up for Spring After School Programs
Flag Football and Basketball are Coming!
Does your child need to burn off a little energy at the end of the day? Want to introduce him/her to some fun after-school sports!? Spring sessions of after-school Flag Football and Basketball are coming, so sign up now! Please see this flyer for more information! 
 
General PTA Meeting Moved to April 10th

Our General PTA Meeting has been moved to Thursday, April 10th at 7pm in the Library. There is NO meeting this Thursday, the 3rd. Thank you! 

Mad Science Begins This Week!

Attention Mad Science Explorers! If you are enrolled in the program, classes will begin tomorrow, April 1st, from 3:00-4:00 in room C-7. Kids going to the Y afterward will be walked over by a parent volunteer. All other kids are to be picked up in front of the classroom.
Save the Date 5th Grade Families

Attention all 5th grade families!

Please save the date...Friday, June 6th

7:00pm-9:00pm

 

Thanks to the idea of a group of parents, the support of our incredible principal, Liz Kim, and wonderful teachers & staff, we are excited to announce the 5th Grade Social! 

 

WHAT: 5th Grade Social

WHEN: Friday, June 6th, 7:00pm - 9:00pm

WHERE: Strandwood MUR

WHY: It's time for our 5th graders and their parents to come together as a community to celebrate before they move on to middle school.

All 5th graders are invited and at least one parent is required to attend (although both are encouraged to come!). No siblings please - this celebration is for 5th graders and their parents only. The evening will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our years at Strandwood...yearbooks will be handed out, yummy desserts will be shared, and more! Additional details will follow as we get closer to the event. In the meantime, please save the date! Questions? Contact Kelly Gallagher at kelgallagher@gmail.com.

 
Stock Up on Easter Candy and Support Outdoor Ed!

 

Treat yourself to the yummiest candy on earth, AND support our Fall Outdoor Education Trip at the same time!   

Please go to Browse shop and to help us reach our fundraising goals. 

Here's to achieving sweet success!

 

Orders will be available for pick up at 2000 Helen Road on April 17 between 3 and 6pm.  

Contact gallaugher.eileen@gmail.com with any questions or if you need another pickup time.

Thank you for all your support and all you do for our school.

 










 

Help earn Strandwood money by clicking on the image below to do your online shopping!

Amazon








null
Collect Box Tops for our school! Click here to find out how.




null
Click here to sign up for eScrip. Earn money for Strandwood just by shopping at the stores you already patronize! 
 
Dates, Times and Places


April 1 - Mad Science begins 
April 2 - NO Chess after school
April 3 - Superintendent meeting at College Park Library, 6:30 pm
April 4 - Book Fair begins
April 4 - Family Movie Night, 6:30 pm in MUR
April 9 - Spring Chess begins
April 10 - General PTA Meeting in Library, 7 pm
April 11 - Last day to submit cover art for the cover of 5th grade yearbook
April 18 - Last day for photos, dedications, student surveys & donations for 5th grade yearbook
April 21-25 - Spring Recess, NO SCHOOL


 




 
View the calendar on the Strandwood PTA website by clicking here.  
Visit the Strandwood Elementary School website by clicking here.  
dates