This week Chanelle Obata was Caught Being Good! 
Please stop by the office to pick up your prize.  Who will be next? 

 From the Principal:

Last Friday Los Cerros was visited by the California Distinguished Schools validation team. We were granted Distinguished School consideration based on our December application to the state. Stage two of this honor is the teams visit to assure that we are a stellar school. The team interviewed parents, students, and staff and observed many classrooms to gain an accurate picture of how Los Cerros succeeds in educating your student. They were very impressed with our school and as a result Los Cerros has been recommended for 2009 Distinguished School distinction. Thank you to the many participants who made the day a success.

I know that many of you are concerned about the impact of the state education budget cuts that were approved on February 19th. On Tuesday evening many of us attended the Special Board Meeting at San Ramon Valley High School to hear the district present its budget containing $8 million in proposed cuts. That budget is posted on the district webpage at www.srvusd.net, click on the Budget link in the upper left corner and scroll to the bottom of the page for the latest budget edition.

We are fortunate that through careful budget analysis the SRVUSD deficit was reduced from an anticipated $21 million. The remaining cuts in staffing, class size increases, and service reductions will mean that all district schools will be operating on very lean budgets. Considering how few discretionary dollars Los Cerros receives, the service reductions will also impact our library, technology, and counseling staffing. District counselors were given a one year reprieve but will be on the block again in 2010-2011 while the AB1802 counselors were cut for next year. Several staff members at Los Cerros have already received Release Notices and on March 13th final notices will be distributed. We are supporting each other as a community but these times are extremely stressful on all staff members.

In order for the district, and subsequently Los Cerros, to avoid further operating impact we'll need to survive upcoming budget challenges. First, the state of California annually completes a budget revision each May. It is expected that SRVUSD may find its deficit increased after the revision resulting in deeper program cuts.  Secondly, on May 5th there will be a mail-in Parcel Tax vote that would provide $7 million annually to the district to go directly to student services. If this tax is not approved there will have to be a 100% implementation of all proposed cuts and reductions.

Finally, crucial to Los Cerros specifically, is our annual Education Fund drive which supports the addition of twelve class sections. Given current economic realities there is real concern Boosters may not be able to meet this annual goal. With the increase in middle school class sizes for next year these sections are needed more than ever to avoid packed classrooms.  During planning for this fund drive Boosters considered many ways to increase our 54% family participation rate and also debated whether to maintain our current donation amount versus an increased amount. The Boosters decided to maintain last year's donation level with the hopes of increasing our participating family's percentage. When you receive the Education Fund letter please consider donating to the best of your ability.

I thank you for the many things you do for Los Cerros and appreciate the time and energy you give to us. Your support is crucial to our service to our students.
 
Phyllis Roach
Principal

LEADERSHIP CORNER

WORDS OF WISDOM: ”All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” -Walt Disney ~

BRAINQUEST:  In which state is Nike headquarters located?
A. California  B. New York  C. Oregon  D. Texas

AMERICAN HERITAGE- WASHINGTON DC TRIP
Important final meeting:  Wednesday, March 11th at 7pm.  All students and parents should attend the meeting as we will be going over important preparation and travel details.  Thank you, Mr. Simonds

CJSF MEETING-
Tuesday, March 10  2:35 ­ 2:55 in the MPR
Congratulations to the 180 CJSF members!  Your names will be posted in the library and outside of Room 1.  Membership cards and volunteer sheets will be distributed at the March meeting.  Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, and each member should plan to attend.  Those who go to MV for math during 7th period are excused.  Dates and deadlines will be given at each meeting. Once again, we are so proud of those of you who are not only maintaining high academic achievement but who are also actively volunteering in the school and the community.

Special Olympics at Los Cerros
The olympics are coming to LC on Friday, March 13th from 9 am - 2pm.  Athletes from our area are practicing for the Special Olympics basketball event to be held in the Los Cerros gym.   Students will see highlights and interviews of the participants and coordinators on our LCNN news network, and some PE classes will be helping with the Special Olympics events. 

CONFERENCE BELL SCHEDULE: 
Monday and Tuesday are regular days but Wednesday to Friday 3/18-3/20 are early dismissal.  

                       Wed   Thurs        Friday
  8:00-8:45         1       1         8:00  -   8:35     2 
  8:50-9:35         2       5         8:40  -   9:07     3
  9:40-10:25       3       6         9:12  -   9:39     4
10:30–11:15      4       7         9:44  - 10:11     5
                                            10:16  - 10:43     6
                                            10:48  - 11:15     7

 

STREET SMARTS "BE REEL!" VIDEO CONTEST
Make your own video about walking safely to school.  You have the chance to be on tv and win great prizes.  First prize for each member of the video production team is an ipod nano with digital docking station.  Second prize is an ipod shuffle and each student that enters a video gets a $5 giftcard.  The theme this year is "using crosswalks and walking safely to school".  The video is due by 3/31/09.  Forms and entry info is available on:  www.streetsmarts-srv.com or by calling 314-3382.

 

TRAFFIC SAFETY ALERT
During the hours when students are walking and riding bikes to and from school please be patient and alert at the crosswalks.  Cars driving south on Green Valley and turning right at Blemer must give pedestrians the right of way.  Students have reported their concerns to the school as they are worried about their safety. The Danville Police Department is monitoring the traffic patterns.  Our students safety is our primary concern, please drive appropriately.