Happy New Year Everyone -- January 11, 2010

New Announcements:

 

·         WOW Winners:  Congratulations to this week’s WOW winners! All winners were showing our Disney “Mega-skills” and were given a WOW slip. These winners had their slips drawn by their teacher and had lunch with me. Wow winners are also given a prize – a $1 gift certificate to our student council’s student store.

 

Kevin V. from Mr. Blair’s class

Christian A. from Ms. Faber’s class

Christa F. from Ms. Koby’s class

Andrew M. from Ms. Fagerbourg’s class

Miriam M. from Ms. Garrahan’s class

Edwin V. from Ms. Costa’s class

Halley M. from Ms. Schaeffer’s class

Marie J. from Ms. Hughes’ class

Aaron C. from Ms. Siskind/ Ms. Vanasupa’s class

Katarina B. from Ms. Tayeb’s class

Reide D. from Ms. Drain/Fissore’s class

Haley C. from Ms. Rodriguez’s class

Karen S. from Ms. Macias’ class

Sofia G. from Ms. Frank/Windham’s class

Christian F. from Ms. Parkhurst’s class

 

·         Thank you for the 21^st century tools:  Over the winter break, little “elves” came onto our campus and installed LCD projectors and document cameras into all K-5 classrooms. We also had installed new iMac computers in our computer lab. Our staff and students came back this week to these new teaching and learning tools. We would like to thank our three major parent groups—DESEF, PTA, and Site Council for their roles in providing the funds to acquire these tools that will greatly impact teaching and learning. Here are some quotes from staff and students that I’d like to share with you.

 

I just used the doc camera... AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  -- Mr. Blair (1st grade)

I used the visual presenter this afternoon and it was fantastic. It is so nice to be able to place any document under it and have it up on the screen. Thank you, thank you for pursuing this. I think it will save time and some money on supplies (such as transparencies) – Mrs. Parkhurst (3rd grade)

Thank you for buying the projectors for us! We like it a lot — 1st grade student

 

When I was in yesterday, Julie showed me how to use the doc camera and lcd.  Oh my goodness!  My face lit up through the entire math lesson today.  I LOVE IT!  It is amazing how two technological components can entirely change how I teach math and even more importantly, improves how students understand and visually see what is being taught.  I am floored by how much I love it!!! – Mrs. Frank (1^st grade)

 

The projector came at a perfect time. While studying about the explorers, students learned that in 1565 Spain founded St Augustine (in present-day Florida), the first European settlement in what is now the United States. I had just read an article in Coastal Living on St. Augustine that had pictures of the way the town is today. It was wonderful that the students could compare the “then and now.” – Mrs. Hughes (5^th grade)

 

I, too, used the doc camera today (thanks to Marianne)!! Way cool!  Looking forward to increasing my tech fluency. :)  -- Ms. Koby (2^nd grade)

 

My teacher was teaching writing with it today and she was showing different students’ papers. Then, I was able to go up and use the document camera because she asked me to show how I wrote my paragraph to my class. – 4^th grade student

 

·         Attention all artists: The 6th Annual Street Smarts Storybook Poster Contest presented by Sunset Development Company is here!  Elementary school children from throughout the San Ramon Valley are encouraged to draw illustrations for Street Smarts’ third traffic safety storybook, “The Giant’s Party” by local author Dana Mentink.  In the story, Jack climbs the beanstalk up to the giant’s castle and receives instructions to deliver party invitations to other storybook characters.  Jack learns about bicycle, scooter, skateboard, and rollerblade safety along the way.

 

The winning illustrations will be featured in the final ten-page storybook and will be distributed to thousands of children in the San Ramon Valley at libraries and community centers.  The ten winners will get their own treasure: a Flip Video Camcorder and art kit.  The winning artwork and final storybook will be unveiled at the Storybook Poster Contest Awards Ceremony on March 11, 2010 at the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center.

 

Students in grades K-5 of all artistic abilities are encouraged to participate.  The contest ends February 8, 2010.  Entry forms and contest information can be picked up at the main office or by visiting www.streetsmarts-srv.com.

 

·         Loading/Unloading Zone on Pine Valley Blvd:  As a reminder, San Ramon Transportation has designated an approximate 90 ft. section of the street curb in front of our school to function as a loading/unloading area during our morning drop off and afternoon pick-up times. There is no parking along this section of curb during drop-off and pick-up times. Violations are citable by SRPD.

 

Recurring Announcements:
         

·         Escrip – Did you know you can sign up for E-Scrip, register your Safeway card and/or your credit cards to the secure service, and earn money for Disney Elementary by just doing your normal and holiday shopping? This is the simplest thing to do. We would love to see 100% participation in this program. It is  quick and painless and as a result each time you shop you  know you are supporting our school. The link is http://www.escrip.comand I promise it only takes a few minutes but can yields thousands of dollars for us.  You can link to your Safeway Card as well as several different credit cards. Take your pick ..all will help out our school.