Wednesday, September 17th- 9am PTA Meeting in the Staff Lounge

Monday, September 29th- 2:35 to 4:30pm Drama Rehearsals start in MPR

Congratulations Brooke Rosenberg who was "caught being good" this week!
Please stop by the office for your prize. This program awards students each week by drawing names submitted by staff as they catch students being good around campus.

From the Principal:
I'm sure many of you felt the local earthquake on Friday evening. After such an event it is always a good time to review safety plans and to assess readiness. At Los Cerros we are compliant with all California Office of Emergency Planning recommendations for schools. In the case of a long-term evacuation such as a Loma Prieta magnitude quake we have food and water for up to 72 hours and also medical supplies. Be assured we would take good care of your children until you are able to reunite with them. If you are interested in information for home preparation go to http://www.ready.gov/america/npm08/index.html

Our magazine drive continues until next Wednesday. Many students and homerooms have won prizes and money. Our latest cash winner 7th grader, Jenna Lee and the homerooms of Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Hintz, Mr. Nelson, and Mrs. Batesole were awarded racing pigs for our annual pig race and a chance at a homeroom Jamba Juice Party. Thanks as always for your contributions for our extra-curricular programs. Our last magazine turn in will be Wednesday, September 17th.

Our Back To School Night was a huge success with a large turnout of parents. We hope you enjoyed your evening with us visiting our classrooms. I appreciate all of you who took the time to introduce yourselves to me and your kind words about Los Cerros meant so much to all of us here.
Phyllis Roach

Reflections Volunteer:
Los Cerros is in need of a Reflections representative. Reflections is a national PTA art recognition and achievement program for grade school through high school. Students may submit entries in various categories. As the Los Cerros rep, you would be responsible for collecting entries by Oct. 30 and setting them up the district showcase at a local school in November. The time needed to do this job is minimal, and is over after the showcase. So if you or your kids have an interest in art, this could be a great way to be involved this year. For information or to volunteer: jenniferwalsh@comcast.net

PTA Membership
It is not too late to join PTA this year! If you did not jioin the Los Cerros PTA at registration and would like to do so, we would welcome your membership. PTA is a volunteer group of parents and teachers who work together throughtout the year to provide needed services and programs to our school community. Just a few of the programs PTA supports at Los Cerros include the Reflectiosn program, Red Ribbon Week, Technology, Staff Appreciation and Parent Education. Membership contribution levels are as follows: $15 for single parent, $25 for two parents or $50-$100 for family. If you would like to join, or just have a question about PTA, pleas contact Carol Meyer at meyergckj@aol.com

SUPPORT LOS CERROS Register for the Primo's Run for Education taking place on Sunday October 19 at http://www.primosrun.com Primo's Run for Education, the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation's largest fundraiser, is a 25-year-old tradition bringing together athletes, educators, local businesses and our community of parents and children for a fun heathful event--- all while raising money for our schools! Register to walk/run and/or volunteer to help: both help our PTA earn extra dollars from registrants and volunteers. You can choose to register for the 5K run/walk, 5K timed run or Marathon timed run. Remember: Our school recievies credit only if you register online! Register today! Your child will recieve a FREE RUN DAY if they enter and run in the Primos's race.

CJSF News
8th Graders were given applications with the CJSF Purpose statement on the back side. Applications are due in Room 1 in the Green Box by 2:30 pm Sept. 16. Students must include:

$5.00 membership fee to CJSF
copy of June 2008
transcript of grades
parent signature

10 points are required with Spanish or French 3 points for an A 1 point for a B
8 points are required without Spanish or French.
Points are earned for English, History, Science, Math and/or French/Spanish. Applications are due in Room 1 on or before Tuesday, Sept. 16 in the Green Box.

Flag Football and cross country practices continue, and games begin the week of September 22nd.

Ms. Schubb will be visiting all core classes in the next two weeks to remind students of the services available through the counseling department. 6th grade students will be bringing home a purple brochure describing how teachers, parents and counselors can work together to make a successful school year.

9/17/08 National Backpack Awareness Day- National School Backpack Awareness Day is September 17, and occupational therapy practitioners across the United States are gearing up to help students Pack It Light, Wear It Right! Be sure and set aside a special time each week to go through your studentís backpack with her or him. Graded papers and projects should be filed in a separate location at home. For more information http://www.aota.org/News/Consumer/Backpack08.aspx

The Impact of Nutrition on Body and Brain Functioning
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 from 7-9 PM at Iron Horse Middle School.
Have you ever wondered if your childís behavior is affected by what (s)he eats? Pam McDonald, board certified Nurse Practitioner, will discuss nutrition and how it may impact your childís behavior and well-being.Topics covered include food coloring, artificial preservatives and additives, and the gluten-free/casein-free (GFCF) diet.

AD/HD Awareness Week (September 14- September 20) From First Years to Golden Years: AD/HD and Life's Relationships http://www.add.org/awareness for more information

Academic interventions
Starting October 13th, we will begin our homework club, math help and peer tutoring. A complete list is available in the counseling office. If you would like a peer tutor for your student, please email Ms. Schubb nschubb@srvusd.net

Organization Bootcamp will be offered beginning 10/21/08. Class size is limited and students will be placed based on teacher recommendation. If you would like to submit your students name, please email Ms. Schubb, being sure to indicate bootcamp in the subject heading. nschubb@srvusd.net

8th grade parents
If you would like a parent mentor to support you and your studentís 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.

If your 8th grade student would like to be a peer tutor, please have him/her come in the counseling office and pick up an application.

Personal/Social-

If your student would benefit from additional support in the form of one on one counseling, our Discovery Center counseling intern will be available Fridays, starting September 12th. Please email Ms. Schubb to reserve a space. nschubb@srvusd.net

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 Discovery Center. 925-837-0505 x. 305

Safe School Ambassadors
Los Cerros will be beginning our 5th year of the Safe School Ambassadors (SSA) program. We will begin our selection process of approximately 6-8 students from each grade level to receive intensive training on conflict resolution skills. The SSA Program model allows Ambassadors to be safe, cool, and effective. Ambassadors first intervene with their close friends and others they know well; this familiarity increases their effectiveness and reduces the risk of retaliation. Ambassadors also act in the moment, as cruelty is happening, so their impact is immediate; they don't need to wait for an appointment with a counselor or mediator. The selection process will begin in September. Students are selected through a combination of peer recommendation; teacher recommendation; and self selection. Training will be the week of conferences in October. For more information on this program, please see http://www.safeschoolambassadors.org.

Career Day
Our fourth annual Career Day will be Friday, November 7th from 10:35am to 12:50pm in the multi-purpose room. If you would like to share your career with our students and/or volunteer your time, please contact Jean Lindberg j.lindberg@sbcglobal.net.

Library Hours have changed this year due to funding for additional hours and staffing availability.
Library hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 7:45 a.m. till 3:30 p.m., Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. and Friday from 7:45 a.m. till 2:45 p.m. Students may ask for a pass to use the library at lunchtime, before school or during passing periods.

Events:
National Constitution Day September 17
Scholastic Book Fair October 13-17
Teen Read Week October 12-18