From the Principal:
It's fall as evidenced by the chill in the air and the sudden appearance of sweatshirts and coats on students and staff. Los Cerros has many events coming up this month that I hope you will support.

Our Los Cerros Book Fair - Read Around the World is October 12 -16 and for the first time we're hosting an evening family event. On Wednesday, Oct. 14th, 6 - 7:30 pm, the Los Cerros Jazz Band will serenade you as you puruse our wonderful selection of books for sale. This event goes directly to library support so we hope you'll attend and show your appreciation for both our wonderful jazz band and our tremendous library.

National Red Ribbon Week is October 19 - 23 and focuses on educating students regarding sound decision making particularly regarding substance use. On Monday, Oct 19th, we'll kick the week off with an assembly featuring Mr. George Papageorge. He is well known to many in our community as he is an in demand public speaker known for his ability to reach students. PTA sponsors this week and we thank them in advance for their many efforts to support the students of Los Cerros.

Our Leadership students have organized our first dance for Friday, October 16th at 7:00. We hope you'll encourage your student to attend as it's a fun, well chaperoned, event for 7th and 8th graders.

Our conference week has provided a chance to connect with families and students. We use this time to discuss student success with parents, students, and teachers, with the hope it'll lead to greater overall success. Thank you to all who participated.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Phyllis Roach

Leadership Corner:
--Please continue bringing in pennies and spare change for our Coins for a Cure drive. You are raising money for people that are affected by Juvenile Diabetes.  Earn points for your homeroom by donating to this cause. It ends Monday October 12

--The first dance of the year is a neon dance on Friday October 16th for 7th and 8th graders only. Tickets will be on sale next Thursday and Friday.  They are $5 and you must have a signed permission slip.  Please remember that the school dress code will be enforced at the dance.

-We will be participating in “The Great California Shake Out” on Thursday Oct. 15th at 10:15 am.  More than 5 1/2 million Californians are registered to participate. This event is to help raise awareness of earthquake preparedness.

--The Reflections program is here again at Los Cerros.  During the month of October anyone interested can submit an entry.  Dance Choreography, film production, writing, musical composition, photography or visual arts are the areas you can include.  This year’s theme is “Beauty is...” The deadline for entries is Oct. 30. For information on the reflections program contact Jane V. at jane.vanderwerf@sbcglobal.net.


PTA NEWS
Thank you to the many parents and staff members that have joined the PTA this year.  Joining the PTA is a simple and inexpensive way to support programs here at Los Cerros that directly benefit our children and the school as a whole.  For example, the PTA provides parent and student education opportunities like the upcoming Red Ribbon Week assembly and parent education evening with George Papageorge.  The PTA is also involved in many of the student activities at Los Cerros and coordinates volunteer activities throughout the school.  Being a PTA member makes you part of a nationwide organization that positively impacts all children.
 
It’s not too late to join!.  To join, either contact Juli Carey at julicarey@pacbell.net or simply drop your dues in the office ($15 single parent membership, $25 for two parents, check payable to Los Cerros PTA).  If you joined the PTA and have not received a membership card, but would like one, please contact Juli Carey at julicarey@pacbell.net.
 
Thank you for supporting the Los Cerros PTA!

6th Grade Flag Football
Monday at Home vs Charlotte Wood
Tuesday away at Charlotte Wood

7th Grade Flag Football
Monday away at Charlotte Wood
Thursday at Home vs Charlotte Wood

8th Grade Flag Football
Tuesday at Home vs Charlotte Wood
Thursday away at Charlotte Wood

Games generally begin around 3:30 and generally end around 4:30

These are the final games of the Flag Football and Cross Country season.
Thank you for your support!


2009 CROSS COUNTRY

The last cross-country meet is October 14th at Oak Hill Park from 3:45 to 4:30.   Students meet Mr. Abers at 3:00 on the blacktop near the corner of the gym by the basketball courts.  We will walk over to the meet together.  The meet starts in Oak Hill Park near the volleyball court at about 3:45 and takes about half an hour.  Parents need to pick up their son or daughter at the park – please arrive by 4:15.  They will have brought their backpacks and other belongings with them to the meet.

Congratulations to the top finishers from:
September 22:Girls:  Brooke Starn (1st), Heidi Fuhriman (3rd)  Boys:  John Hooper (2nd), Jake Auby (3rd)

September 29: Girls:  Brooke Starn (1st), Alexandra Weltz (3rd), Heidi Fuhriman (4th)Boys:  John Hooper (1st), Jake Auby (2nd)

And a great job by many other students – almost everyone improved their time compared to the first meet.  Way to go!

Organization bootcamp will start 11/3. 6 1/2 hour after school sessions designed to improve organization, time management and breaking down large projects. Class size is limited to 6 students and will be determined by student need and teacher recommendation(s).  Parents must attend a mandatory evening introduction on Tuesday 10/26 7-8pm. email nschubb@srvusd.net to be placed on the list.

Parents- did you know you have a SPECIAL shelf in the library filled with amazing resources?  Next week during the book fair, come in and check it out. If you have a book you'd like to donate and/or recommend, please email our librarian, Donnine Davis (ddavis@srvusd.net).

Academic

Students who were recommended at conferences for any of our after school interventions (i.e. math help, homework support) will be receiving “reminder notices” the next few weeks. If you do not want your child to participate, please let Ms. Schubb know.  nschubb@srvusd.net

Peer tutees- if your student would like weekly (Wednesdays) tutoring from an 8th grader from 2:35-3:30pm, please have them come in and see Ms. Schubb for an application.

College night at Monte Vista October 15, 6:30-8:30pm is designed to educate you on the many higher education opportunities available to your student. Representatives from over 125 colleges, universities, vocational schools and military academies will be on hand to answer questions and distribute literature. All students and parents are invited to attend. We have two special parent presentations this year!  6:45 - Theatre FINANCIAL AID BASICS Virginia Hagins, Training Officer, U.S. Dept. of Education - Federal Student Aid 7:30 - Commons ADVICE FOR STUDENT ATHLETES Debby DeAngelis, Director of Athletics, Cal State East Bay The 23rd Annual College and Vocational School Night is brought to you through the combined efforts of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and the Academic Boosters of California, Dougherty Valley, Monte Vista and San Ramon Valley High Schools. No RSVP required.

The list of academic interventions is now posted on the counseling web page. All supports will start the week of 10/12/09.

Personal/Social
STRESSBUSTERS- As a support to our students, the counseling department is offering a group for 6th-8th on stress management. The group will last approximately 5 sessions and will run on FRIDAYS during sixth, seventh and eighth lunches.  They may bring their lunch with them. The groups will begin on Wednesday October 21, 2008.  This group will be focused on the use of music and visualization as a stress reducer, to improve social interactions, promote positive peer relationships, and enhance social understanding by others.  We will be using “Ready, Set, Relax, a research based program of relaxation, learning and self esteem for children” Your student will have the opportunity to increase self-understanding, as well as learn new skills and behaviors that may help her personal development.  If you think your student could benefit from this, please email Ms. Schubb at nschubb@srvusd.
 
Career
Parents - if you would like to volunteer to help with career day or have a career you would like to share with the students, please let us know. Career Day is April 23rd from 8-10am.  nschubb@srvusd.net

Parenting tip

Is homework a constant battle? Jamie Woolf, author of "Mom-in-Chief: How Wisdom from the Workplace Can Save Your Family From Chaos" recommends the following strategies.
1.  Set big picture goals together. i.e. "I will not turn on the computer until all my homework is finished"  etc.
2.  Assess your child. Is homework a struggle because of motivation, or not understanding the material?
3.  Make room - encourage neatness and organization by providing your student a neat, organized, regular study area 4.  Teach accountability- don't blame the teacher, but teach your child how to get the answers.  i.e. asking the teacher for an explanation etc.
5.  Don't give up if bad habits return- remind your child about the goal(s) they set and the importance of commitment.
6.  Connect success with effort- make sure and point out when your child has success because of something THEY did.

YOU ARE INVITED.....

FIVE WAYS PARENTS DISCONNECT FROM KIDS,
AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
First night of a three part series with George Papageorge

Tuesday, October 20th
7-8:30pm
Los Cerros MPR

George offers principles and tools for raising healthy kids without resorting to quick-fix parenting fads or unrealistic expectations.  He takes on the big and small issues including:  pushing limits, values, the internet world, MTV, the wrong crowd, music, sex, curfews, drugs, house rules and more.  George's stories, ideas and suggestions stick in our minds because they connect to the real life experiences that parents and kids live in each day. 

This event is sponsored by the Los Cerros PTA.  If you have any questions please contact Kari Doolittle kdoolit@srvusd.net