Arroyo Vista Gram November, 2008

Arroyo Vista Gram

www.ptav.org

AV Talent Show!

Mark Your Calendars for November 14

Come watch our AV stars shine at our 2nd Annual Talent Show on Friday November 14th at 6:30 PM in the South Pasadena Middle School auditorium. Admission is free! The AV Student Council will be selling refreshments as one of their fundraisers.

Dear Parents,

November is here! I can’t believe that Halloween has come and gone. The students had so much fun dressing up in their costumes and parading around on the blacktop. Red Ribbon Week was a huge success thanks to Beth Eisen! The students learned about making healthy choices by experiencing an exciting Animal Magic assembly, with guest speakers in their classrooms, lunch-time games, an art contest, family walks, and finally the Jog-a-thon.

With about 50% of the money that was raised already accounted for we have approximately $7,000. This is exciting as we raised about $9,000 last year. Please make sure you help your child turn in the rest of the donations to his/her teacher. All of our PTA fundraisers help fund many great programs on campus: our dynamic computer lab assistant Mr. Smith, our phenomenal librarian Mrs. Moore, who is able to go from 19.75 hours to 30 hours with the help of these funds, copier leases maintenance, disaster supplies, assemblies, and much more. E-Scrip is also a great and EASY way to support AV! Buying gift cards through our Scrip Chicks for your family during the holidays or even for things you are planning to buy is also an easy way to raise money for the school! We truly appreciate all you have done and are doing and ask you to please continue to help support all these great programs at AV.

There are so many exciting events happening at AV this month and into December: State Float Parade, Great SoCal Shake Out, Talent Show, New Shoe and Sock Collection for our community partnership with the 9th Street School in Los Angeles, Thanksgiving Feasts, a new Thanksgiving Break, Fall Book Fair, parent conference week, and Outdoor Science School. In other words, we are Busy, Busy, Busy! With all of these events come great connections with real-life experiences for the students to learn about the world around them and how they can make a positive impact. It is really exciting!

I am excited to be attending the System’s Thinking Conference in Boston November 16-19 with the other SPUSD Principals and the Cabinet. We will be looking at rebuilding district systems and creating more effective and efficient ways to support the different departments and schools in order to increase student achievement. Ms. Martinez and Mrs. Yee, who serve as my Administrative Designees, will be assisting the front office and working with parents, teachers, and students during this time.

Our core value for the month of November is Diversity. The past few weeks have been very interesting at AV due to the election. Students were excited about both candidates. The students were very respectful of each other. AV is very diverse and that is what makes it so unique and exciting! It was great to see the students interested in “voting”. They registered, received their ballot, voted in a private booth, and received their “I VOTED” sticker. What a great way to expose the students to the voting process and democracy.

Please remember that Monday (11/10) and Tuesday (11/11) there is NO SCHOOL! Monday is a teacher work day and Tuesday is Veteran’s Day. Parents if you are interested in helping Ms. Linda Poore clean out our Science room to make it more accessible to our teachers on Monday (11/10) please contact Mrs. Wong. (swong@fc.spusd.net) Please no children. Even if you can help out for one hour we would appreciate it.

Also, don’t forget that for the first time ever SPUSD has a Thanksgiving Break November 24-28 where there will be NO SCHOOL. This was decided by the district calendar committee last year consisting of teachers, parents, and school/district administrators in order to increase attendance and not lose funding on those days which have a high percentage of absences. Please remember that the school does lose funding for each day your child is absent. If your family will be going out of town for five days or more, please contact Mrs. Wong in the front office to arrange an Independent Study. This way your student will continue to work on school assignments he/she will miss and the school will receive funding for those days. Also, three tardies add up to one absence according to the state. Please make sure your child is in his/her line by 8:10 a.m. Thank you!

Have a great November!

Rebecca Speh

Principal

Important Dates

For More Information About PTA Programs, Events, Assemblies, PTA Meetings and Agendas, Budgets and Balances and Volunteer Opportunities, Please Click Here

If you have any questions or comments, or would like a copy of an old AV Gram, please feel free to e-mail Deb McCurdy at mcdez@mac.com or Lori Calvin at calvinsmith123@sbcglobal.net

From Our PTA President

Rebecca Speh

Thank you to everyone who has brought in money, new children’s shoes and socks, and used adult shoes! We will be collecting money, socks and shoes until Friday, November 14th.

OUR GREATEST NEED IS FOR NEW CHILDREN’S SHOES!

You can bring spare change or dollars to put in the donation “shoe box” in your classroom. We will use the money that is collected to buy new shoes. You can buy an inexpensive pair of children’s walking shoes to put in the collection bin in the office.

Can you speak Chinese, Japanese, Spanish or Korean?

Join the AV Translation Team and be a bridge to our families with limited English. If you are a bilingual parent and are willing to provide written or spoken translation in order to assist other AV families, please contact Karin Primuth at kprimuth@pobox.com. Use your ability to speak two languages to help others at AV have a voice!

Hey, Wildcats,

It’s been an exciting time here at AV. On November 4th our students participated in a nationwide PTA Mock Election. Students had a chance to cast a vote for their favorite presidential candidate and, as an added twist at AV, they were also able to vote for their favorite lunch! It was inspiring to hear the kids talking about their views on the candidates. It reminded me how tuned in our kids are to what they see and hear on t.v., the radio, the internet and pick up from the conversations around them. But what was even more impressive was the fact that the kids weren’t merely echoing things they had heard, they were seeing how what they heard fit with their own likes and dislikes. There were some very healthy discussions happening these past few weeks and it wasn’t all about pizza and tater tots!

It also reminded me that, in many ways, our school is a microcosm of the larger community. We function within a framework and try our best to make improvements by sharing ideas, listening, agreeing, disagreeing, agreeing to disagree, cooperating and moving forward.

The operative word, for me -- from the our student Mock Election to our own PTA meetings -- is “participation”. A single vote may not have seemed like much to our kids a few weeks ago, but after participating in the Mock Election I have a feeling they have a slightly different view. I think our students were able to see how significant and powerful one vote, one voice, can be when joined together with other votes and other voices.

And so, fellow AV Community members, we welcome and invite you to participate in and with the PTA and the within larger the system and framework. There really is strength in numbers and there are countless possibilities when we all participate together!

Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

Deb McCurdy

Thank You for All of Your Entries to the National PTA Reflections Art Program!

Stay Tuned for Results.

Thank you for sending in your photos taken in honor of Walk and Ride to School Day! Click on the camera to go to our slideshow.

On October 8th, Detective Lou Cetro of the South Pasadena Police Department spoke to our students about pedestrian and bike safety.

Click Here to Return to PTA Website

THANK YOU, CLASS OF 2008!

Have you seen the beautiful custom made bench outside of the Counseling, RSP, and Speech Rooms? This was a gift from the 5th grade class of 2008. This isn't just any old bench. It was hand made by one of our very own AV dads. Mr. Larry Lee, father of Robert (former AV student), Kaitlin (4th grade), and Allison Lee (1st grade), and husband to Gail Lee. Mr. Lee owns Mission Mill Works here in South Pasadena. The fifth grade class wanted an extra special bench, so they called upon the best! Thanks, Mr. Lee!!! Thanks, Class of 2008!! The bench brings much enjoyment and beauty to our school.

South Pasadena Families Donate Generously to SPEF this Fall!

The South Pasadena Educational Foundation raised donations and pledges of $50,000 in just two weeks of calling during its Fall Fund Drive. “Given the state of the economy and California’s school budget issues, this is music to our District’s ears” said Julie Giulioni, SPEF’s President. “That brings our year-to-date donation total to an impressive $130K as a result of this remarkable community.”

In addition to its fundraising role, SPEF also provides enrichment opportunities directly to students. Beyond co-administering SPUSD’s Summer School Program for elementary, intermediate and high school students, SPEF has added an elementary level after school enrichment program with a diverse slate of classes including everything from Chinese language instruction to Science. The 5th Grade Musical, which traditionally had received a donation from SPEF, is now managed and funded entirely by the non-profit organization. Seventy-three children representing all three elementary schools will perform “Willie Wonka, Jr.” this February under the masterful direction of SPUSD’s Elementary Drama teacher, Lynne Olson.

Other new ventures for SPEF include an intern program that allows South Pasadena High School business students a chance to work in the non-profit arena. This year interns will support and provide direction for the annual Parti Gras auction. There is also a SPEF board member reunion planned for February to bring together and celebrate generations of South Pasadenans who helped create and have contributed to the success of the District’s fundraising arm. For more information about SPEF, visit www.spef4kids.com or call 626-441-5810 x1164.

NEW SHOES AND SOCKS FOR HOMELESS KIDS!

Calling All Boy Scouts

If your son is interested in joining the Cub Scouts, we have limited spots for the older grades and first grade dens are now just forming.

Cub Scouting is for boys in grades 1 through 5 and includes indoor/outdoor activities such as Broomball, Bowling, Pinewood Derby, Hiking, Knot Tying, Flag Ceremony, Camping (optional), Campfire Skits/ Songs, Compass Reading and Community Service Projects.

For further information on Cub Scouts, please check out our website: www.packseven.org or Knsonner@aol.com

AV Family Fun Photo Booth! Saturday, November 8th!

Get your holiday photos taken by professional photographers! You’ll receive a CD so you can print out as many photos as you like! There’s still some room for “walk ins” more . . .

Click Here for Our Jog-a-thon Slideshow!

Thank You for Participating in Our Jog-a-thon!

A little over half of the sponsor sheets and donations are in and we’re almost halfway to our goal. If you haven’t turned in your sheets and donations please do so!

The Deadline for Handing in Sponsor Sheets and Donations is Thursday, November 20th!!

** Click here to see what your generous donations support!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING IS HERE AT ARROYO VISTA

The holidays will soon be upon us. Why not let us help you take the stress out of your holiday shopping? The Scrip Chicks can make your shopping easy and convenient and you help the AV PTA fund programs for our children at the same time.

To guarantee you get the gift cards that you want, please place an order no later than FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14th. Otherwise, your choices will be limited to stock on hand. The Scrip Chicks will fill your order and your cards will be available after Wednesday, December 3rd.

Teacher and AV staff holiday wish lists are available in the office, should you choose to purchase a gift card for someone in our AV community.

The Scrip Chicks will also be in the Library from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. everyday beginning December 8th. We will have gift cards in our inventory, so if you need a last minute gift or just want to see what we have on hand, please stop by.

AND PLEASE DON’T FORGET: Buying gift cards for items you are planning to buy for yourselves is also an easy way to raise money for the school. For example, if you are planning to make a purchase at a local home improvement store or if you are planning to buy furniture from the Pottery Barn, all you need to do is find out the amount of the item, purchase a gift card from our Scrip Chicks for that amount and then purchase the item with the gift card. This way, AV gets a percentage of that cost donated directly to the school. If you’d like to know what Gift Cards we keep on hand, please click here.

For your convenience, you can also e-mail us at Avscripchicks@aol.com to check if the gift cards you want are in stock. The AV PTA and the Scrip Chicks thank you for your generous support!

Red Ribbon Poster Contest Winners

On Wednesday, October 15 Student Council had the very difficult job of judging the Annual Red Ribbon Poster Contest. AV students drew, painted and colored their interpretation of “Making Healthly Choices.” The following were selected from many outstanding entries to receive a Dinosaur Farm gift certificate:

Kindergarten: Ella Hoadley-Brill (Caskey), Hana Odawara (Hevle), Lauren Xo (Hevle)

First Grade: Parker Douglas (Ishibashi), Sarah Zenas (Steben), Bridget Hudson (Steben),

Second Grade: Erin Braden (Farmarco), Skylar Echard (Jehue), Esther Oh (Farmarco)

Third Grade: Mary Harmon (Ebbert), Joshua Kim (Cabot), Tommy Macumber (Cabot)

Fourth Grade: Anthony Chen (Richert), Sarah Ohta (Yeager), Danielle Osorio (Richert)

Fifth Grade: Samina Forbath (Nielsen), Sophia Williamson (Nielsen), Christina Valdevia (Nielsen).

Be sure to stop by the bulletin board in the office and glass display cases around campus where all the entries are on display.

Support Student Council's Fall Fundraiser at our Refreshment Stand at the Arroyo Vista Talent Show. Enjoy coffee, lemonade and lots of bakery goodies during intermission. Thank you!!!

The dates of the Fair coincide with parent/teacher conference week so you can plan to stop by before or after your child's conference.

This is one of AV's greatest fundraisers and a easy way to support our school. The kids love this event and we will be making decorations in some of the classrooms - be sure to come in and see their great works of art! You can also get your holiday shopping done while supporting our school.

We will also be hosting a Family Night on Tuesday, December 2nd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m, featuring story time with AV librarian Mrs. Moore. For parents who are unable to shop during the day, this evening event is a great option. And to make this event a true success, we need parent volunteers to work 2 hour shifts during the Fair. For more information and sign up, please contact Cindi Knight at cindi.knight@att.net.

The Fall Book Fair is Coming!

December 1st - 5th, AV Auditorium

8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Friday until 1:30 p.m.)

News From Student Council

If we do not have a Chairperson in place by the end of November, our school will not share in the event or the profits. We are looking an estimated $15,000 loss -- an amount that substantially cuts into our ability to provide such things as: Assemblies, Art Docents, Media Lab, library, Sports Day, Homework Helpers, the copy machines and more. Please consider taking on this particular job. If you would like to learn more about what the responsibilities include, please click here. If you’d like to be our Fun Fair Chair (or a Co-Chair), please e-mail Deb McCurdy at mcdez@mac.com. THANK YOU!

Urgent!

AV’s Participation in Fun Fair is on the Line