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Dates to Remember
Los Cerros News
Sports at Los Cerros
Counselor’s Corner
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Parent Education

March 12 , 2009


Welcome to the Panther Press!

Dates to Remember
  • 19-20 March Conferences- 11:15 Early Dismissal Wed., Thursday, Friday
  • 25 March- 7pm Spring Play in MPR
  • 26 March- 9am PTA Meeting in Staff Lounge
  • 27 March- End of Third Quarter
Los Cerros News

This week Jessica Kuelz was Caught Being Good! 
Please come by the office to pick up your prize.  Who will be next? 


From the Principal:

It's a very busy time of year at Los Cerros. Students are preparing for our Band's trip to Disneyland, GATE trip to UC Berkeley, area music festivals, school drama production, and spring trip to Washington, DC. What an amazing array of opportunities students have at Los Cerros. None of these experiences would be possible if parents didn't donate their time chaperoning and planning so we are thankful for your support.

Next week is our Conference Week and a time for parents, students, and teachers to dialogue about student achievement. The experience of discussing their strengths and areas for growth with adults is crucial in teaching students to advocate for themselves. Our teachers are dedicated to helping your child and this is another way of assuring all students are cared for and are successful.

I am currently planning my spring visits to our feeder elementary schools where I'll meet with both students and parents to talk about their exciting transition from elementary to middle school. I know that many of you have younger students and I look forward to seeing you at these meetings.

Thanks for all you do,
Phyllis Roach
Principal

LEADERSHIP CORNER

  • St. Patrick's Day Door Decorating Contest starts March 10th and ends Tuesday, March 17th.
  • Election candidates meet in room 4 after school Thursday
  • Remember to wear green on Tuesday March 17th :)

WORDS OF WISDOM
"Happiness gives us the energy which is the basis of health."  by: Henri-Frédéric Amiel

BRAINQUEST- In which state was the first Coldstone Creamery located?
A) Arizona
B) Oregon
C) New York
D) California


PI WEEK AT LOS CERROS
In recognition of National Pi Day (Saturday 3.14) Los Cerros will celebrate its third annual Pi week during conference week.  In their math classes, students will be working working with circles, learning new vocabulary and investigating geometric concepts.  We will cap it all off with pi(e) at the end of the week.  Ask your students about what they do in math next week.

LOST AND FOUND ON DISPLAY
Students and parents, lost and found items in the MPR will be donated on March 19th.  Items will be out during lunches and anyone can come by to look in the lost and found bin before or after school.  Remember if you have lost jewelry, cell phone, keys or valuables we hold those until claimed in a drawer in the front office. 

MONTE VISTA FROSH FOOTBALL
There will be a meeting at lunch for all 8th graders interested in Freshman Football at Monte Vista on Wednesday, March 25th.  The head football coach, Mr. Bergman, will be here at lunch to discuss the program.  Go Mustangs!

8th Grade Promotion Party - Saturday, June 6th, 2009

A quick reminder!

 

  •  We need props for the Photo Booth  - a selection of hats, scarves, feather boas, glasses, capes, jackets and party items; the crazier the colors, the better!  These items can be returned to you after the party, but please be sure to put your name on them if you want them back.
  • Send in ONE photo of your child for the Photo Wall  - a current shot (not a baby picture!) that reflects something about who they are as they prepare to move on to the next stage of school life!  It could be a photo of your child doing their favorite activity or sport, or on a favorite trip, at a favorite place... something showing them at their best!  Please put your child's name on the back of the photo so it can be returned.
  • Please leave photos and Photo Booth props in the office.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Shelby Fautt at 640-4805 of sfautt@fautthomes.com.  Thank you so much.


Don't forget, it doesn't matter which grade your student is in, if you'd like to get involved, we'd love to have you!  Just contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Benita Smiley, at bhsmiley@comcast.net and let her know what you'd like to do.

Many thanks to you all.

SAN RAMON SOCCER CLUB
San Ramon Soccer Club has an inclusive philosophy.and is proud to sponsor additional free training and supplemental team placement days for players who may have missed the last play days, feel like they may have been overlooked by any club, new to town or any other reason. It is our goal to provide more opportunities to place players at their appropriate playing level.  We understand  the one or two tryouts sessions method of placement has many flaws. Please go to the San Ramon Soccer Club website for registration and other details (www.sanramonsoccer.org)

Location: Tiffany Roberts Field at the San Ramon Sports Park
Time: 4 - 6pm on all days.
Dates: 3/17/09 (Tues)     3/18/09 (Weds)    3/25/09 (Weds)
Placement Play day  3/26/09 (Thurs)
Sports at Los Cerros
No sports March 16th-20th due to conference week. 
Counselor’s Corner

MySpace is So Yesterday!
4/16  7pm-8pm at Los Cerros

Most students know if they still have a MySpace account, it's so yesterday!  Facebook has grown 40% year-over-year causing many concerns for parents.  It's not only Facebook but a whole new way of mixing and mashing social networking sites over the last few years that have added to the cyber safety woes we face.  Come join us as we discuss the latest in being an informed parent and keeping your kids safe. Come and hear Linda Uhrenholt from AT&T Regional Director of Education share what you need to know now, and answer your questions.  In the meantime, facebook does have a "safety" page http://www.facebook.com/safety/ and here is a current article on keeping kids safe  http://www.enewsbuilder.net/bbbsiliconvalley/e_article000840251.cfm?x=b11,0,w
RSVP   nschubb@srvusd.net
 
Academic

Spring conferences will be Wednesday 3/18- Friday 3/20 this year.  Your child may be scheduled for a conference for a variety of reasons:  1st semester or 3rd quarter D or F; behavior; in danger of failing; teacher concerns etc.  If you are not contacted, and you would like to request a conference, please contact Cheryl Williamson at 925-552-5620.

The 2009-2010 SRVUSD Middle School Course Catalog is now online. Current 6th and 7th graders will NOT get a hard copy.  If you are unable to access the catalog, please have your student come in and see me. 

http://www.srvusd.net/ourpages/auto/2009/2/9/53904823/ms_course_catalog.pdf?rn=6650446

SUMMER SCHOOL
6th/7th grade parents - If your student received a D or an F 1st semester, summer school will be at Iron Horse Middle School 6/19-7/17/09 so that you can adjust your summer schedules.

8th grade parents - if your students received an F 1st semester, or finishes the school year with an F, Venture summer school will be required for remediation. Summer school is 6/19-7/31 and only TWO F's can be remediated.  Even IF students are going to re-take their math class, they still have to remediate in summer school.  Applications will be available shortly.

8th grade parents.
8th grade parent night was another HUGE success.  If you missed out, please send me an email for the handouts. nschubb@srvusd.net.

Scheduling dates
Freshman Parent Information/Registration nights: Currently the district is not allowing open enrollment transfers to other high schools unless a sibling is currently enrolled. 

Monte Vista (parents AND students should attend), 7pm in the theatre: Monday – 3/16 (A-G), Tuesday – 3/17 (H-N), Wednesday – 3/18 (O-Z)

MV Special Education - 3/16, 6pm in the library

MV Cheer Tryouts:  April 28th-May 1st at 3:30 p.m. in the Small Gym

MV Sports Night:  April 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the Large Gym

Cal High March 9th, 10th,11th & 12th – 8th Grade Parent Night Registration meetings, 7pm in the commons:  March 9th Initials: A – CHE, March 11th Initials: K – PE, March 10th Initials: CHI – JU,  March 12th Initials: PF– Z

SRVHS 3/10 & 11  7-9pm in the Performing Arts Center and Commons SRVHS 3/12 Mandatory Cheer Meeting@ 7pm in the SRVHS Commons.  Contact Kerri Pike with any questions at kpike@srvhs.org

Incoming 6th- Parent Night 4/23/09, 7pm in the Los Cerros MPR. 6pm for Special Education

Elective Options
Current 6th –  I will explain all elective options on 3/13 during the wheel or band. Course selection sheets with parent signature will be due back to the wheel teacher on 3/20.

Current 7th – I will remind all 7th graders about the elective selection process on 3/18 & 3/19 during science. Course selection sheets with parent signature will be due back to the science teacher on 3/27. 

Students will be asked for 6 choices in order of priority, and 8th graders will be given priority. Please also note that if your student signs up for a yearlong elective, they will be expected to uphold that commitment.  We ask for your support of the counseling department staff in understanding we will do our very best to assure your student is scheduled for their top choice(s), but elective availability is subject to funding, physical space and scheduling complexities.

Personal/social

6th parents of girls
Is your daughter struggling with her group of friends?  Does it seem like the drama is getting in the way of her paying attention in class?  We will be starting a “circle of friends” group during lunch to work on friendship skills. Please let me know if you would like your student to participate.

15TH Annual Youth to Youth Middle School Conference 100% NATURAL.....100% YOU....ADD NOTHING!!!  March 14, 2009 at Gale Ranch Middle School. This is an amazing, really fun day and an opportunity for young teens to spend with high school leaders who believe in the strength of being drug, alcohol and tobacco free.  But this conference is about so much more than drug and alcohol prevention.  It’s about leadership, self-confidence and empowering young people to make positive choices that impact their future. Sponsored by the San Ramon Valley Community Against Substance Abuse  Registration forms can be found in the school office or downloaded at www.srvcasa.org

Career
7th & 8th grade students will be working in the "Life After High School" booklet with Ms. Schubb in May.  Watch for more details soon.

Parent tip 

Avoid energy drinks for your middle school students. According to the Journal of American College Health, "Teenagers who drink large quantities energy drinks such as Red Bull are more likely to engage in risky and violent behavior, researchers have warned. Popular energy drinks with caffeine as the primary active ingredient include Amp, Full Throttle, Monster, Red Bull, Spike Shooter and Wired X344.   The caffeine content of the drinks ranges from 100 to 430 milligrams per 12 ounces, compared with approximately 35 milligrams in 12 ounces of caffeinated cola. According to researchers, popular energy drinks like Red Bull cause the heart rate to race at rates dangerous for people with heart conditions like heart disease.

We will be hosting SBC Global Education Advocates in April to talk about facebook, twitter etc.  In the meantime, facebook does have a "safety" page http://www.facebook.com/safety/ and here is a current article on keeping kids safe http://www.enewsbuilder.net/bbbsiliconvalley/e_article000840251.cfm?x=b11,0,w
Library News

Teen Tech Week:

Check out the videos in Discovery Video in Ed1stop.com on Internet Safety!

User name: lcms_stu Password: Panthers

Parent Education

COMMUNITY FAIR

Sometimes it is hard to know what programs and services are available in your own community. The purpose of the Community Fair is to provide families with a one-stop-shop where they can meet face-to-face with various groups that provide summer and fall programs and activities. The idea of this fair came from community members who wanted “options” for their kids, instead of the kids sitting at home all summer…watching TV or playing on the computer. This event is open to everyone and, if you know anyone who runs a summer program for youth/families, please have them contact me.  We still have room for 10 more booths!  In the past, we have had several teachers and administrators who run sports, music and/or academic camps over the summer, participate in the event.

This year, we have been working with the district's Special Needs Committee to increase the number of vendors that offer programs for youth with special needs.  We are also working with groups that offer post high school programs.

7th Annual SRV Community Fair
4/1/2009, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Iron Horse Middle School
12601 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon