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

September 10, 2009


Welcome to the Panther Press!

Dates to Remember
  • 11 September:  Meet the author M.T. Anderson in the library
  • 11 September:  Yearbook dedications due
  • 15 September:  CJSF Applications due in room 1
  • 16 September @9:00:  Magazine Sales Final Turn-In
  • 18 September:  Yearbook orders due
  • 24 September @9am:  PTA Meeting in Staff Lounge
  • 24 September @2:30pm:  Math Olympiad starts in Room 10

IMPORTANT DATE CHANGE FOR ALOHA DANCE!!!
**16 October Aloha Dance 7 - 9pm** (formerly scheduled for Sept 18th)

21 October 9am to 2:35pm:  Picture Retake Day in Gym during PE classes
Los Cerros News


This week Ian Huber was Caught Being Good! 
Please come to office to pick up your prize.  Who will be caught next? 

From the Principal:
I hope you and your family had a relaxing three day weekend. We're now in week three of school and life is settling into the familiar school routine.

Recently you received two School Loop communications from me. The first concerned a recent increase in students with high temperatures and the second was about a student safety incident. If you are not receiving School Loop because we do not have your correct email, contact the school right away. We rely heavily on School Loop for keeping you current with our news.

Wednesday was our first magazine drive turn-in and we're very excited by the $13,000 in subscriptions ordered. This beats last year's $7000 and gives us hope for a successful drive. Just as a reminder, this is our only fund-raiser of the year.

I've been very thankful to see the many parent volunteers at lunch, in the office, and attending PTA, School Site Council, and Boosters meetings. Your time and talent make our school successful and we couldn't do it without you!
Phyllis Roach
Principal

LIBRARY NEWS
On 11 September 2009, Rakestraw Books in Danville is sponsoring an opportunity to meet award-winning author of books for middle school students M. T. Anderson in the Los Cerros Library.  Mr. Anderson will present his new book – Jasper Dash and the Flame Pits of Delaware, and will personalize and sign books. Mr. Anderson’s presentation will be educational, fun and memorable.  Teachers will be signing up to bring classes to the morning event.  Due to space limitations not all classes will be able to attend but arrangements can be made for students who would like to purchase a book and hear Mr. Anderson. Event fliers and book order forms are available on School Loop News.
   

CJSF NEWS
CJSF Applications may be picked up in Room 1 next to the green treasure box.

Applications are due on or before Tuesday, 9/15/09 with a copy of the June 2009 transcript and a check for the $5.00 membership fee. Scholarships are available if needed by writing a letter to the advisor.  There will be a $5.00 late fee charged if the application is received between 9/16/09 and 9/20/09.  No applications will be accepted after 9/20/09.

A Youth Leadership Initiative will be held on September 30, 2009 from 2:35 to 3:45 at Los Cerros (the place will be determined and announced depending on the number of particpants).    Students may receive the hand out which explains the goal, strategies, and expected outcomes in room 1. If interested, please return the form with a parent¹s signature to Room 1 on or before September 24.  This time may be used as community service hours.

The CJSF membership cards will be distributed to new members before September 4, 2009 during lunch.

Next CJSF 8th grade meeting will be on Tuesday, 10/13/09 in the library at 12:30. 

Magazine Drive
The magazine drive has a final turn in day on the morning of Wednesday, September 16th in the MPR.   The hamster races were great fun in the MPR, and homerooms still have a pig race to do against the other grade levels.  Thanks again for all of your support with the magazine drive.  Donations can be made in the office to Los Cerros if you would like to contribute to this fundraiser in an alternative way. 

MATH OLYMPIAD
Math Olympiad is starting for this season on Thursday September 24th.  The group will meet Thursdays from 2:30 to 4pm in Room 10 and and expect to participate in some competitions and possibly a regional competition at the end of the school year.  Any students interested in Math Olympiad please contact Janet Orgill at jmorgill@sbcglobal.net. 

NOTE FROM THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE
If your child is going to miss school (all day or partial day) please call the attendance line; 552-5626. Please leave the student's name, date of absence, reason for absence and person calling. Check schoolloop for homework assignments and on the third day of absence you may request homework on the attendance line.  You do not need to call or email the teachers. All absences are cleared through the attendance office.

BENEFIT BREAKFAST
You are invited to a gourmet breakfast at Alamo Women's Club to Miss Julie Hawkins on Sunday, September 20th from 8am to noon.  Julie and her siblings have all gone through San Ramon Valley schools.  The breakfast is a benefit for Julie who is recovering from her recent liver transplant.  Organ donor forms and information will be available.  $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.  Alamo Women's Club, 1401 Danville Blvd, Alamo.  If you have any questions please contact Vicki Koc bjkoc1@comcast.net. 

 

YEARBOOK NEWS:  Deadline to pay for 8th grade yearbook dedications and submit message & picture: Friday, Sept. 11th.  Questions can be directed to new Yearbook Adviser Tara Charley at tcharley@srvusd.net

8th GRADE DEDICATIONS:  Congratulate your 8th grade student and express your pride and love with an ad in the 2010 yearbook!  All ads are 1/8 of a page and cost $30. DEADLINE to pay for and submit message & picture: Friday, Sept. 11th.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:  IF YOU BOUGHT YOUR AD AT REGISTRATION... Thank you! If not, please make a check for $30 to LOS CERROS and bring to the front office or order online at the LC Web Store.  Write the student’s name in the memo section of check.

PHOTO SUBMISSION: Please submit your selected photo and message online.  This would bring the best photo results.  The detailed instructions and examples can be found on school loop under "news" and on the LC Website.  If you are having trouble then put your message & picture in an envelope and bring it to the office.

BUY YOUR LC YEARBOOK BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!   Don’t miss LC’s FIRST FULL COLOR Yearbook at $47.  After September 18th, the price will increase to $55 so reserve your book now! After November 1st the price will increase to $67. 

PAYMENT OPTIONS: During registration If you paid $30 ad or $47 yearbook  - thank you!   If not, you may order online at the LC webstore  or bring a check to the office.  Make a check out to LOS CERROS and write the student¹s name in the memo section of check.  To reach the webstore you can touch the hotlink above (LC webstore) or find it from the LCMS website. 

Sports at Los Cerros

After School Sports
All practices for flag football continue this week (please look at your information letter for days and times of your student’s practice).  Students should have picked up information with times of practices and games last week in the MPR.  Please make sure your coach has all forms and your driving information is turned in if you plan to be a parent driver.

Cross Country practice will begin on Tuesday, September 15th after school.  Students can still pick up forms in the MPR at lunch if they are interested.

Participation in the LC after school sports program is funded by your donations to the ACA Fun.  You may make these donations at the webstore or by check to the front office.  For any questions about the sports program, please contact Mike Cannon at mcannon@srvusd.net or 552-3464.
Counselor’s Corner

6th grade parents- beginning Monday 9/21 leadership students will be conducting monthly backpack/ planner inspections based on a standard checklist.  Following the study skills training in the wheel, 6th graders will be familiar with the requirements. Should your student require additional organizational assistance, Ms. Schubb will notify you.  Please continue to support this at home by implementing a “backpack cleanout” at least once a week.

Los Cerros Planners or Binder Reminders were sold during registration by the PTA.  If you would like to get one for your student you may come by the office with $10 check to PTA.  We have the calendar and planner available in the office. 

 6th/7th polls- “Everything you need to know about 6th grade, but were afraid to ask” – coming October 1, at 7pm in the library. Learn what it’s REALLY like to be a middle schooler (and make your life easier too!).  rsvp to nschubb@srvusd.net

Ms. Schubb has visited all 6th & 7th grade core classes and will be finishing 8th grade this week.  Encourage your student to stop by and say hi to me anytime. And remember the parent information board located in the counseling waiting area.

Academic
On September 21st leadership students will be starting “backpack 101”. Each leadership student will be assigned 5-6, 6th gr students and will check their backpack/planner once a month for completeness and organization.  You can support this by checking your student’s planner (against school loop) nightly and setting aside one night a week to “dump” the backpack.

GATE testing deadline is 9/30/09 and 12/12/09  www.srvusd.net/district/other_programs/gate/


All after school academic supports will begin mid October, including peer tutoring, math help and homework club.

Personal/Social
Lunch group – Would your student like some place fun to go at lunch and maybe make new friends?  Our “lunch bunch” will start Thursday 9/10/09.   Please email Ms. Schubb if you would like your student to receive a special invitation.  nschubb@srvusd.net

Our Discovery Center intern will be here on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting 9/9/09. If you think your student could use the extra support of a weekly “check in”, please email Ms. Schubb nschubb@srvusd.net

Creating Lasting Family Connections- The Discovery Center is offering an after school group to support students in their transition to middle school. The group starts 9/16/09 here at Los Cerros from 2:30-4pm. Students will learn tools for stress management, communication skills and navigating middle school. For more information, please contact Michelle Cummings at 925.837.0505 x. 305 or michelle@discoveryctr.net
 
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 - Relieve back to school stress

Your student may feel a combination of excitement, sadness, happiness and anxiety. What can you do?

1.       Schedule one on one time with your child. Share stories from your middle school experience

2.       Know your child’s stressors. If your family is going through changes let the teacher or school counselor know.

3.       Be positive. If your child struggled last year, it doesn’t mean he’s going to have the same year this year.
Library News
LIBRARY THANKS
Thanks from the library for all the generous donations made to support our program.  Your donations go to help pay for our databases, on-line access catalog, materials for class programs in the library, books (of course), and book clubs.


Still needed are Lunch Volunteers to help keep things running during all lunches.  We need one parent each day Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:30 till 12:45 and Wednesdays 11:20 till 1:20.  Volunteer jobs will include: checking out material, shelving books, processing new items, helping create new displays, and general office work.  Good candidates should have previous library volunteer experience, but training will be provided.  Please contact either Mrs. Davis at ddavis@srvusd.net or Mary Nash at mary.nash@comcast.net.
 
Parent Education