Wednesday, September 3rd – Drama club meeting in the drama room at 2:35pm
Thursday, September 4th – Back to school night

Tuesday, September 9th – CJSF Meeting in the MPR at 2:35pm

From the Principal
Welcome back for another dynamic year as part of the LosCerrosMiddle School community. Our opening of school on Monday was smooth and certainly highlighted by the smiling, excited faces of our new 6th graders. I know that it’s difficult to accept the speed at which your children are growing up. This transition to middle school is another step in their move away from childhood and I promise we take great care of all of our students here.

I enjoyed meeting all of you at registration and orientation and am particularly appreciative of your many words of support and encouragement. Its evident our school is held in high esteem by this community. We are dedicated to educating the whole child and could not do it without support at home.

Last academic year, Los Cerros piloted the School Loop grading and communication program. The program has now been adopted by our district and will be used by all middle schools. Our aim is to effectively keep you informed regarding your student’s progress. Your School Loop donation at registration goes directly to our costs for the program.

Our Back to School Night is Thursday, September 4, at 7pm. Early next week your student will bring home the evenings schedule with their teacher’s names and classrooms filled out for you. This is an evening to meet your student’s teachers and learn about our curricular programs. I look forward to meeting all of you and in particular anyone I missed at registration.

I want to thank the many parent volunteers and the many hours they put in organizing our Registration and working in our office this week. We put out the call for help and you responded. We could not do it without you!

I will continue to use Panther Press this year to communicate the great things that are happening at Los Cerros. I look forward to our time together and as always appreciate the gift of your trust in educating our students.

Phyllis Roach

Drama Club Meeting, Wednesday, September 3, after school in the Drama Room.

Attention all students interested in the fall play, which will start rehearsals on September 29. If you would like to help choose a play, join Mrs. Kaplan in the drama room on Wednesday, after school. All grades, 6th-8th are welcome. We need actors, lighting and sound tech crews, and students to work on set, costumes, and publicity.

Safety and Visitors on Campus

Parents and students, please be aware Los Cerros is a closed campus. Any visitors must check into the front office, sign in, and wear a visitor pass. If anything needs to get to a student, it must come into the office and it will be delivered. Please do not pull into the gym parking lot or anywhere on campus to drop something off to a student. The office will be happy to make any deliveries so we can maintain a safe campus for all students.

Voluntary Spanish Study Sessions - Senora Batesole Room 1

th Grade Spanish B - Tuesdays at 7:15 am in Room 1

7th Grade Spanish A - Thursdays at 7:15 am in Room 1

Students will review the lessons of the week and go over material for tests.
8th grade tests will be on Tuesday & 7th grade tests will be on Thursday

Los Cerros After School Sports

Welcome to the 2008-2009 year and to the Los Cerros Panther after school sports program. Our programs encourage all students to participate and have fun in sports. Everyone is welcome to play and there are no cuts. Students will sign up for sports at lunch time when the sports seasons come around. At this time they will receive all of the appropriate paperwork and forms to turn in.

Our first two seasons are flag football and cross country. Flag football has one team per grade level and is co-ed. Cross country has one large team and meets take place at Oak Hill Park. Games for both seasons begin the week of September 22nd. Please contact Mike Cannon at mcannon@srvusd.net or 552-3464 if you have any questions about sports throughout the school year. We are looking forward to great Panther seasons.

Welcome to the Counselor’s Corner. Each week you will find helpful information on academic support, social support, Career Fair updates, spring scheduling dates and more! Our goal in the counseling department is to help your student become an independent learner and feel confident in advocating for themselves by the time they leave Los Cerros. Please encourage your son/daughter to come in and see Ms. Schubb.

I am pleased to introduce Jamie White. Jamie comes to us from the FremontSchool District, and is funded by AB1802 to work with 7th and 8th graders. Ms. White and Ms. Schubb will be conducting the “blue folder” meetings beginning in January. Students will be reviewing their academic records and beginning conversations about post secondary options.

Don’t forget there is a “parent resource” bulletin board in the counseling office. You will find a reading list, along with a counseling calendar and other sources of support to help make it through the middle school years.

Please take some time and visit our parent section in the library. If you have suggestions for additions, please let our librarian Donnine Davis know at ddavis@srvusd.net

Academic interventions

Starting in October, we will begin our homework club, math help, organizational bootcamp and peer tutoring. Please watch for more information.

8th grade parents- If you would like a “mentor” to support you and your student’s transition from 8th to 9th grade, please email Ms. Schubb nschubb@srvusd.net. Mentors are last year’s 8th grade parents who are willing to offer words of wisdom and support as your student moves from middle school to high school.

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder – CHADD, 20th Annual International Conference on AD/HD, Nov. 13-15, 2008. Anaheim, CA www.chadd.org

Creating Lasting Family Connections- The Discovery Center will be starting an after school discussion group on Wednesday, September 24, 2008. The group runs from 2:30-4:30pm until December 17th, 2008 and there is also a parent component. This is particularly helpful for your student to improve communication skills, learn stress management and assist in the overall positive transition in to middle school. For more information, please contact Michelle Cummings at the

DiscoveryCenter. 925-837-0505 x. 305