November 7, 2007

IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES

If you have items to add to the calendar, please e-mail the date and time along with a description to calendar@pacificaschool.org  

EARLY RELEASE DAY THIS FRIDAY

Please don’t forget that this Friday, November 9th is an Early Release Day – be sure to pick up your kid(s) by 12:45. If you need aftercare, please sign up in advance in the office. 

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP: BRAIN GYM®

Our next Pacifica sponsored (in association with the Palms Neighborhood Council) workshop is coming up this Saturday, November 10th from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm: Brain Gym, presented by Denise Hornbeak, licensed consultant. Brain Gym is an innovative system of simple and powerful physical activities that facilitate mind/body integration. The Brain Gym activities have been shown in clinical experience, in field studies and in published research reports to prepare people with the physical skills they need in order to learn and to function effectively in their Life.  This workshop is FREE and open to the entire community, not just Pacifica families, so please invite friends and neighbors!  

TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY

This Friday, November 9th is Teacher Appreciation Day! We want to show our appreciation for our hardworking teachers and staff. Please bring your choice of breakfast, juice, snacks or lunch, paper plates, paper cups and utensils to the office at drop-off or pick-up time. 

VOLUNTEER NEEDED FOR VISITORS DAY

The Enrollment Committee is looking for a parent to greet and escort visitors for this Thursday's Information Meeting and Tour.  If you can spare a half an hour from 10:00 - 10:30 a.m., it would be a great help.  Please e-mail heidi@pacificaschool.org if you can help. Many thanks. 

MENTOR THE STUDENT COUNCIL!

We need a volunteer parent to help mentor the Student Council. If you are interested in this rewarding and educational volunteer opportunity, please contact janin@pacificaschool.org.

PARENT PARTICIPATION REMINDERS

• The Parent Participation Committee is looking for Parent Participation Liaisons for the following classes: K-1, 2-3, and 6-7.  If you have a child in any of these groups and would like to get involved, please contact Heather Schwartz at hjs9x@sbcglobal.net or Sahira Traband at sahira@pacificaschool.org.
• Please sign up on the bulletin board in the entrance hallway for the next Parent Workshop: “Pacifica Speak for Parent Volunteers” with Chrys Massey-Rhodes on Thursday, November 8th from 6:00pm-7:00pm.

SITE COMMITTEE UPDATES

• Gardeners- We have a new lock on the Garden shed (the plastic grey shed in the kitchenette area), so all people interested in working in the garden or watering please feel free to get a key from Carmen at the front desk. Please remember to keep it locked while you are working so equipment (and the lock!) doesn’t migrate.
• Recycling- The Tollentino family has moved and we are missing Renato Tollentino, who for years took our recycling and green containers out to the street on Thursday and back in on Friday,  We need a new recycling helper.  Please volunteer yourself!  Darby and Robin at site@pacificaschool.org or the Bronson or Hagerty Box.
• Another Fun Workday is Scheduled for Saturday November 17th, from 9:30 am till 3:00 pm – Lots to fix and spiff up. (Just imagine if you had 170 kids in your house for 8 hours a day, there would probably be a bit of repair work to be done).  There are lots of things to do for the handy (like fix one of our water fountains) and not so handy (like box and label books in the Ladies Auxiliary). Robin and Darby, Site Coordinators.  

ENROLLMENT COMMITTEE MEETING NEXT TUESDAY

Everyone is welcome to the Enrollment Committee Meeting next Tuesday, November 13th at 3:15p.m.  

Our Agenda: Review of Class List, Brochures Distribution, Visitor Dates Agenda and Packet Update, Leave of Absence. If you can not make this meeting, but would like to be apart of this engaging committee, please send Heidi an e-mail (heidi@pacificaschool.org) and she'll get you involved. See you there! 

CLASSROOM UPDATES 

4/5 Group:

Students have been exploring United States geography through mapmaking. They have also been studying how animals and people adapt to their environment. Teepees have been constructed and painted as part of our study of Native Americans. Students are working toward achieving self-directed goals in Mathematics. In Science, we have been studying how to treat animals with care, which ties into our theatre class. We are so grateful to Lee, our drama instructor, who came several times to work with the students. This workshop will culminate in a trip to the Theater on Friday to see the performance of Animal Logic. Please remember to have trip slips turned in by Thursday. We will walk to the theater on Friday, and will be back in time for early dismissal.  

If you're looking for things to donate, please check out our wish list on the class bulletin board. We want to send a big thank you to all of our parent volunteers who come consistently and help immensely in the classroom. We are able to do so much more because of you!