This week Westin Lightfoot has been Caught Being Good!
Please come to the office to pick up your prize. Will you be caught next?
From the Principal:
On Wednesday I received a call from State Superintendent of Education, Jack O'Connell, informing me that Los Cerros Middle School has been selected as a California Distinguished School. This is a great honor for us and recognizes our commitment to educating your student. Our partnership with you contributes greatly to our success and so this honor is shared with all of the Los Cerros community.
Next week will be a much needed break from the demands of the school day schedule and I hope all of you will take time to enjoy it. Once we return it is a hectic rush to the end of the school year. STAR testing, the spring dance, academics, and many, many other activities will be part of your student's life until June. Spring can be a stressful or joyful time for your student and we will do all we can to make the move toward summer seamless.
In April and May we also begin our focus on the students who are transitioning to middle school and high school. Along with counselor Nancy Schubb I'll be speaking to all Green Valley and Vista Grande fifth grades and also to their PTA parent communities. Monte Vista Principal, Becky Smith, will also be here in April to speak to PTA and parents about the realities of high school.
Have a wonderful break and we'll see you on April 13th. To all students participating in the Washington, DC trip enjoy our nation's capital.
Phyllis Roach
Principal
PAW PRINTS COOKIE CONTEST
Paw Prints Magazine is announcing the last contest of the year! What is your favorite cookie recipe? Prove to the Paw Prints Editorial Board your cookie baking abilities and the extraordinary lusciousness of your recipe by providing a copy of the recipe and one dozen cookies on Wednesday, April 15. Bring them to Room 12 when you arrive at school that morning!
The winning recipe will be published in the magazine and there is a special prize for the baker!
CJSF Meeting — Tuesday April 14th 2:35 MPR -
Information regarding Field Trip and Towel Collection for Humane Shelter
LIBRARY NEWS
Our library works with students to help them find quality resources that have gone through some type of editorial process. Therefore, one example of a source that we encourage students to use is WebPath Express. This service is available through our OPAC - Online Public Access Catalog or for us pre-computer people "the card catalog".
Webpath contains websites that have been reviewed by the service provider "Follett" for content. Unlike searching the web using Google, Yahoo, or some other search engine, these sites are included if they contain information that could be helpful to students. They are also put into subjects for students. So when a student is looking for websites and/or books on Ancient Egypt, they will get both books and website in their results. These websites are also leveled by content and readability. Take a peek at http://library.lcms.srvusd.k12.ca.us.
One more thing...New topics are added often by WebPath - below is a copy of an article regarding recent additions to WebPath.
"Current Events” in WebPath Express™ Monthly Themes Sample Sites Highlight Topical Issues “Current Events” websites now have a permanent spot in the Monthly Themes section of WebPath Express. Highlighting the newest scientific innovations, environmental issues, space discoveries, politics, art and more, these sites provide students with the most up-to-date, newsworthy information on the web.
Here’s why more libraries are choosing WebPath Express:
• All sites are educator-reviewed and verified for factual accuracy, currency, authority, educational value, coverage and objectivity.
• Continual monitoring and updates assure that content is current and remains appropriate.
• Website content is differentiated by grade level.
• Encourages information literacy by supporting students’ self-directed research.
• WebPath Express is available as an annual subscription for users of Destiny Library Manager™ and Circulation Plus®/Catalog Plus®.
Here is just a sampling of some recently added websites:
For Elementary and Middle Schools
CBBC Newsround: World
Keep up with current events from around the world with CBBC Newsround. The home page lets you select the particular story you would like to read or the video clips you would like to watch. If you would like to find news stories related to health, politics, sports or entertainment, you can use the convenient toolbar. In addition to all types of news stories, there are plenty of fun games and interactive quizzes provided.
Topic: Current events
URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/world/default.stm
ESA Kids: News
Current news from space, what it is like to live in space, information about our universe and the experiments that are taking place from all over the world regarding space missions are great topics to read about on this site from the European Space Agency (ESA). Take time to participate in interactive “fun activities” that are available and check your knowledge after visiting this site to see how much you learned about our world in space. In the “lab” you are able to learn how to build your own models, try experiments with adult help and check out special “eye openers.”
Topic: Current events
URL: http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/index_gix.html
National Geographic Kids: News Bites
Take a few minutes to look at all the “News Bites” that National Geographic Kids have made available on this site. Check out pictures, videos and articles about a variety of topics including space, animals, endangered species and people. You can connect to the archives of earlier News Bites or connect to the stories, games or people and places that National Geographic has available from the links at the top of the page. This is a fun, interactive site to learn tidbits of information about a variety of current topics.
Topic: Current events
URL: http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/kidsnews/
For Middle and High School Levels
Channelone.com
Channel One News provides you with all of the current events from around the world. You will find headlines and captions for current news stories, special features and stories that are for pure entertainment. There is also a video gallery that allows you to watch current news stories and search through the archives. You will even find an area that is filled with interactive quizzes, an area just for students and an area designed especially for teachers.
Topic: Current events
URL: http://www.channelone.com/
News Hour Extra
Do you like to keep up with current events? If so, this website is just for you. News Hour Extra for Students is brought to you by PBS and contains the most up-to-date news stories from around the world. Since this site is updated every day, you will always find a great idea for your current events discussion or project. In addition to today's top news stories, you can also view video clips of breaking news or search the science, health or arts sections for current topics in specific fields.
Topic: Current events
URL: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/
The New York Times: News Summaries
Find out today’s headlines from all over the world at the LearningNetwork, sponsored by the New York Times. Each day the news from Washington, D.C. to Pakistan, Peru or perhaps Russia will be available in a brief summary with the headline as the link to the article in depth. All newspaper sections are included from economic details, to sports and technology. Links are also available to the New York Times online segments. From the “News Summaries” you can choose to learn the word of the day, ask the editor questions or ask a reporter if you would like more information.
Topic: Current events
URL: http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/index.html"
8th GRADE NEWS:
Forms, Flyers and permissions slips were sent home last Friday with all 8th graders. The returned slips and payment is due back on the LC counter boxes by Thursday May 14th.
Promotion Names: Confirm or change the name on promotion program and certificates.
Promotion Practice: Wednesday, June 10th from 9-11 and then dismissed. Participation is mandatory if participating in the ceremony.
Promotion Ceremony: Wednesday, June 10th 5 to 6pm on the LC field. Students arrive at 4:30pm.
Great America: June 11th 8:30am departure from LC and return at 5pm. Students come to the MPR at 8am, travel on the bus with chaperones and return on the same bus.
8th GRADE PROMOTION PARTY – Saturday, June 6th, 2009
• Parent volunteers needed to be Blackjack Dealers on June 6th!! Please e-mail Robin Greenblatt at rgreenblatt@sbcglobal.net or Elaine Davis at elaine.davis@lfg.com.
• Don’t forget to find a photo for the Photo Wall – one recent shot of your 8th grader, about 5 x 7”. Please write your child’s name on the reverse and drop it in the box on the office counter.
• Please help us with props for the Photo Booth ~ hats, scarves, feather boas, glasses, capes, jackets... the crazier the colors, the better! These items can also be taken to the office and will be returned to you after the party if you put your name on them. Contact Shelby Fautt at 640-4805 or sfautt@fautthomes.com with questions.
Thank you and have a great spring break!
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS COLLECTED
Musical instruments are needed for needy students at Grant Elementary School in Richmond. Instruments are being collected for a Girl Scout Gold Award Project. ALL new or used instruments are accepted! ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Please contact SRVHS student Lindsey Garnick for information on donation pick up at 925-831-8699. The deadline is April 30th.
