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Sun School Notes --Jan 08, 2009 (Contra Costa Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Parent event on kids' technology use Social Worker Jason Brand will speak about parenting in a digital world and how to handle concerns about internet and cell phone usage. The free event will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School. The session will include tips on social isolation, lack of physical activity, setting limits on cell phone and Internet use and cyberbullying. Participants can register at the event or online at adulted.acalanes.k12.ca.us/onlinereg/. For more information, contact Vera Babor at [email protected]. -- Paul Thissen Zimbabwean band performed at Stanley The award-winning band Liyana, made of students from a Zimbabwean school for the handicapped, performed at Stanley Middle School Wednesday. With a vocalist, three marimbas, percussion and a keyboard, the band played its own songs. For more information on the band, visit www.liyanatour.com. -- Paul Thissen Kindergarten registration to open The Lafayette School District will enroll new kindergarteners in January and February. Parents should go to their local school at the following times: --Lafayette Elementary: Jan. 27 or 28 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2:30 p.m. --Burton Valley Elementary: Jan. 27 or 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m. --Happy Valley Elementary: Jan. 27 or 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m. --Springhill Elementary: Feb. 3 or Feb. 4 from 9 to 11 a.m. Parents must bring proof of residence, the child's birth certificate, emergency contact information and the child's immunization record. Proof of residence requires all of the following: --A passport, California drivers' license with vehicle registration, California ID or military ID. --A rental or lease agreement with the parent's and student's names, manager's or owner's name and phone number and written verification of current status, or a current renter's insurance policy; a current property tax bill or current homeowner's insurance policy; or an escrow document showing the closing date scheduled within 30 days of enrolling. --Current state or federal tax returns with W-2 or 1099 attached, current payroll/check stub with name and address, or current correspondence from a government agency. -- Paul Thissen Orinda kindergarten registration open Orinda Union School District kindergarten registration for the 2009-2010 school year will begin in February. Parents registering children entering public school in August should attend registrations on Feb. 2 through Feb. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at each of the four elementary schools. Registrants should have age, residency and immunization verification, as well as completed student information and health forms. A completed home language survey is also required for registration. Parents who need help in determining which school their child should attend can check the OUSD Web site at www.orindaschools.org., under "Attendance Area," or call the district office at 925-258-6214. -- Aaron Morrison Native oaks and buckeyes for schools Mountain Mama's Nursery has watershed-appropriate native oaks and buckeyes in 1-, 2- and 5- gallon cans looking for good homes. These young trees are free to schools for planting projects or for use elsewhere in the watershed where schoolchildren have the right to plant, such as at their homes. A phone call to the Walnut Creek-based nursery and farm is all it takes to reserve one or more of these "lovingly" nurtured trees. The young trees were propagated from seeds collected from mature native trees that had unfortunately fallen on paved surfaces and were thus doomed to be crushed by car tires or washed into storm drains, according to a newsletter from the nursery. Rescued seeds come from several locations in the Walnut Creek Watershed. Flats, pots and wood chips are also available free of charge to teachers for garden projects. For more information, contact Mountain Mama's Nursery at [email protected]. -- Elisabeth Nardi Fellowship for new teachers available The deadline to enter a fellowship for new teachers is approaching. Completed applications for the 2009 Knowles Science Teaching Foundation Fellowships must be received by 5 p.m. Jan. 14. Applications are posted online at www.kstf.org., along with the eligibility and selection criteria. Only online submissions will be considered. A signature program of the foundation, the KSTF Teaching Fellowships are awarded annually in the areas of mathematics, physical sciences and biological sciences to talented, dedicated young men and women committed to teaching science and/or mathematics in America's high schools. The fellowships are renewable for up to five years and valued at $150,000 in total. The program is explicitly designed to meet the needs of teachers from the time they begin working on a teaching credential through the early years of their career. Benefits include tuition assistance, monthly stipends and support for summer professional development. In 2008, the foundation awarded 33 fellowships, bringing the total number of current teaching fellows to 101. -- Elisabeth Nardi Open enrollment in Acalanes district Students in the Acalanes high school district who wish to transfer from the school of their residence to another within the district may apply between Jan. 2 and Feb. 27 to transfer. Acalanes, Campolindo and Miramonte high schools will accept transfers from within the district on a space-available basis. For more information visit www.acalanes.k12.ca.us. -- Paul Thissen Rummage sale at Las Lomas The Las Lomas Rummage Sale is coming and organizers are trying to collect as much stuff as possible for the ninth annual school sale. From old televisions to computers, mismatched dishes to old furniture, Las Lomas wants it all. Collection of gently-used items will begin at Las Lomas after the winter break. If you have a large item of value that you can't store until January, contact Mary Jean Besecker at [email protected]. The rummage sale will be held March 14, with proceeds going to the school's Class of 2011. -- Elisabeth Nardi To submit an item for School Notes, reach Paul Thissen at 925-943-8163 or [email protected]. Enrollment open at Parkmead Parkmead Active Learning School announces informational meetings for parents interested in enrolling children for the 2009-2010 school year. PALS is a public alternative elementary school program of the Walnut Creek School District. PALS is tuition-free and the enrollment policy is open and non-discriminatory. PALS shares a campus with the Parkmead Community School. The PALS program's guiding philosophy is that children possess an innate desire to learn, and that teachers and parents can work together to stimulate that desire, developing a lifelong love of learning, according to a press release from the school. A multi-age classroom format fosters the sharing of ideas and skills, and promotes the development of respectful social relationships. Each child is encouraged to learn at his or her own pace in a supportive environment that invites exploration and experimentation. Creative problem solving and self-motivation are promoted in a noncompetitive setting. Teachers work together to apply the PALS model consistently across all student levels, while incorporating the curriculum in use throughout the district. PALS emphasizes academic excellence and family involvement in the educational process. Parents of PALS students sign a commitment to volunteer a set number of hours per year. Volunteer hours can be spent both in and outside the classroom. Parents interested in learning more about PALS are invited to attend an Informational Meeting, on Jan. 21 or Jan. 27, at 7 p.m. each night. An informational meeting must be attended prior to applying to the school. Applications will be distributed only at the conclusion of each meeting. Meetings will be held in the Library at Parkmead Elementary School, 1920 Magnolia Way, Walnut Creek. For more information, go to www.parkmeadpals.org. or contact the Membership Co-Chairs: Kevin Wong: [email protected] or June Bashant: [email protected] -- Elisabeth Nardi To see more of the Contra Costa Times, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.contracostatimes.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |