Grab your calendars. There's NO SCHOOL Friday, May 22nd. Take an extra long Memorial Day Weekend with your family. The teachers will be in meetings all day.
 
A few weeks ago, I inadvertently learned something terrific about our librarian, Mrs. Bochte.  It started with my fifth-grader informing me of a book he needed bytomorrow and a report he needed to finish bytomorrow. It was 4:45. Our Internet service was down so we had to get research materials the old-fashioned way: Books.  
 
I'm freaking out as we drive to the Lafayette library and it's not because dinner will be late if it happens at all. I'm thinking, "Ok. It's been a few years since I've done research. Can I remember how to look up call numbers and explain this all to my kids? And wait a minute, don't they have computers to look stuff up and you've got to know how to access the right menu?"
 
Not to fear, Mrs. Bochte prepared our children well. Both boys (my third-grader tagged along to help) marched up to the computers and started typing. They jotted down the call numbers using the library-provided paper and pencils, behaving as if this happens all the time. (I wish this would work with dinner napkins.) Then they hit the corresponding shelves and completed their mission.  
 
Wow! Crisis averted, thanks to Mrs. Bochte. She is teaching our kids more than the joy of reading and storytelling; and it starts young.  It was amazing to see the benefit of her efforts in action.  And I never had to let on about my rusty research skills.  
Your PTA dollars help support our library. Each year PTA budgets a healthy sum so we can fill our school library with wonderful books, carefully selected by Mrs. Bochte. Thanks parents for your generosity. And thanks Mrs. Bochte for teaching our children how to find the books they need. 

Francie Low

Check out the Hot Lunch menu at: www.burtonvalleypta.org/hotlunch

  

 

Want to Know More About LASF? 
Then take the crash course, LASF 101!  Go to www.lasf.org/LASF101.htm for the facts on what we do, what we raise and what we spend it on.

Legislative Advocacy Update: Special Election May 19th
 
The outcome of the upcoming May 19th state-wide election will determine whether the state budget will be another $6 billion in deficit and whether there will be more cuts to state education funding in the '09-10 budget year, in addition to the $8 billion shortfall already announced by the Legislative Analyst on March 13th. The six propositions tied to the budget are important to understand. The passage or failure of Prop 1A, 1B and 1C will affect state education funding. Here is the link to the Legislative Analysts Office which provides information about each proposition: www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/propositions.aspx.

The State PTA has taken the following positions on the May 19th Special Election:

Measure 1A - Support: Creates a rainy day fund, temporarily extends tax increases, and provides a funding mechanism for Proposition 1B, which will repay $9 billion to schools.
Measure 1B - Support: Repays schools approximately $9 billion in Proposition 98 funding, beginning in 2011-12.
Measure 1C - Support: Generates $5 billion in revenues this year by securing and updating the state lottery; school funding would no longer be tied to lottery revenues, with no net change to overall school funding.
Measure 1D - Oppose: Transfers monies away from First 5 programs created by Proposition 10 (1998) for a period of five years, with the intent that the funds be used to protect health and human service programs for children supported by the state's General Fund. The measure makes other changes to how First 5 funds may be spent.
Measure 1E - Support: Transfers monies away from mental health programs funded by Proposition 63 (2004) for a period of two years. The monies would go into the state General Fund to support mental health services.
Measure 1F - No position: Prohibits legislators and the Governor from receiving pay raises when the state budget is running a deficit.

 

Here is a link to the Statewide Voter Info on the CA Secretary of State website:
www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/quick-reference-guide/

Voter registration ends May 4th. The Special Election will be critical to current and ongoing education funding. If you would like more information or have any questions please feel free to email or call me.

 

Thanks again for your attention. Your active participation and voice do make a difference.
 
Check out these great websites and links:
www.lastrampaspta.org
www.capta.org
www.cta.org  
www.edvoice.org 
 
Dana Fillinger Ashburn
Legislative Representative
danafillinger@comcast.net   
284-1922

 

The Garden Classroom needs your help! Please join us this Monday, May 4th between 8:30-11:30 in the garden for the last Garden Tune-Up Party of the year. Come for any amount of time you can spare. Bring your own gloves or any favorite gardening tool. No experience necessary! Coffee and bagels provided. For questions contact Gretchen at joegretchen@comcast.net. 

Camps 

 

Junior Theatre Presents "The Wizard of Oz" featuring local middle school students. Shows on Friday, May 1st at 7pm, and Saturday, May 2nd at 2pm & 7pm at the Del Valle Theater at 1963 Tice Valley Blvd. in Walnut Creek. Contact 943-SHOW for tickets ($15 for children, $17 for adults.)

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