| Weekly Newsletter of the Burton Valley PTA |
| | | | President's Message We have a new website under works. A parent new to the Burton Valley Community, Michael Dawson, is gearing us up for a more user-friendly and information-packed website. Michael is sharing his high-tech background to create the BV PTA website through Google sites Wiki online program and it's a FREE service. Michael has thought of many useful links and services to connect to our site, for example a downloadable school calendar. Using Google calendars, you can download the school activities to your personal calendar. Not every program is compatible, but it's a start. And there's more. We are going to add a link to Groliers Online or Ed1Stop, the research tool that becomes increasingly more important with every school project. If you want to add money to your hot lunch account but can't remember the name of the site, go to the BV PTA site and find it easily. Need to update your eScrip account, you can connect through the new site too. And there can be even more; it's up to you. If you have a school-related idea for our website, email Michael Dawson ( mdawson@gmail.com) and he'll look into it with help from the PTA Executive Board. Thanks Michael for keeping us current and making our lives easier. Lastly, thank you to all the volunteers that answered the want-ads for committee head positions. We are all full! Now, look out for requests for the 1-2 hour volunteer event workers. The first one starts on Bobcat Day. Details will follow.
Francie Low |
| Appreciation Library inventory is complete! Thanks to all who helped scan the books and other materials. It took 3 full days of scanning. I'm sure many of you were hearing the "beep" in your sleep. Thanks to everyone who helped make the last TASA lunch of the year a great success!! Our wonderful committee served up a delicious lunch of steak, chicken, and mixed vegetable fajitas to our terrific teachers and staff. Thanks to everyone for helping to show how much we appreciate our fabulous teachers and staff! Contributors: Stephanie Reilly, Michelle Yeager, Maureen Nuti, Pam Lewerenz, Leslee Baldwin, TJ Kirke, Gwen Lennox, Isy Milosevitch, Molly Ogro, Stacy Bauer, Becky Bassak, Cathy VandenBerghe, Shannon Stanley, Patty Gonser, Bonnie Griebstein, Linda Murphy, Julie Bishop, Meg Fellner, Amanda Somberg, Laura Levandowski, Lynda Hanson, Julie Bishop, Valeria Hathaway, Jill Murray, Julie Bishop, Tina Tankka, Kim Figone and Lori Langley. Thanks again! - Sharon Nagle, Casey Sasner, and Lea Plummer. Bravo LASF Art Fair 2009! Congratulations to all students, LASF instructors and LASF volunteers who contributed to another inspiring and enjoyable LASF Art Fair. A special THANK YOU to the LASF Art Fair Co-Chairs Caitlin Benazra and Angela Ketcham who pulled it all together. Students are so proud when they see their pieces displayed - they all work on the same projects yet each interpretation is unique and personal. Talented instructors, many accomplished artists themselves, also deserve great credit. And of course, the LASF class reps and parent volunteers who make the Fair happen, can't be thanked enough. Bravo! |
Calendar June3rd 1st Grade Field Day 5th Kindergarten Circus Band/Strings/Chorus End of Year Concert 1pm 10th 2nd grade olympics 4th & 5th grade parties 11th Last day of school - Noon Dismissal |
Hot Lunch I have a whole group of people to thank this year. Maureen Wickline for doing the deposits & emails every week...yeah Maureen! Jamie Smith & Laura Levandowski for taking, washing & folding the aprons every week...a big job! Mary Burrill for being our computer person...you made my life a lot easier! Donna Kendall our 'try it' gal -thank you so much for your ideas and being my volunteer buddy. Everyone who volunteered you guys & gals are the backbone & soul of hot lunch. Sandy & Mary our two amazing Sodexho employee's and beyond that...my hero's everyday. Thank you all so much! June 1st-5th: Monday: 11:00 H. Davis & C. Spiering, 11:30 J. D'Amante, M. Wickline & L. Mueller Tuesday: 11:00 G. Palau & L. Levante, 11:30 M. Kobashigawa, B. Price & A. Somberg Wednesday: 11:00 H.Flaherty & N. Hemerling, 11:30 M. Burrill, P. McGregor Schultz & A. Theodoropoulos Thursday: 11:00 C. Goddard & L. Levante, 11:30 G. Lennox, M. Meyer & D. Harley Friday: 11:00 J. Williams & J. Fitzmeyers, 11:30 S. Barnes, R. Hober & A. Somberg
|
Legislative Advocacy Update: Propositions fail (except 1F) and deficit up to $21.5 billion by 2010
The election polls were right as it turned out. All failed except for the one which will keep Legislators from receiving pay raises while the state is running a deficit. I guess the news isn't so bad! Actually, the news is grim for education. The Governor has proposed to fix the proposed budget shortfall for 2010 with a projected deficit of $21.3 billion by:
$9.8 billion in spending cuts $7.5 billion in new borrowing (possibly) $2.8 billion in revenues from accelerated tax collections, fees and funding shifts $1 billion from sale of State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF) and $200 million in other solutions. Confusing - you bet. Out of that list the cuts are what effect education. The Governor proposes $5.3 billion in cuts to K-14 education. In the aftermath of the Special Election, the Governor has proposed to cut: $2.7 billion from K-12 education funding $700 million from Community Colleges Defer $1.8 billion in funding for K-12 and Community Colleges. The rest of the $9.8 billion dollars in cuts will be to health and human services, corrections, and $12. billion to UC's and CSU's. The Governor is proposing no new general tax increases and has dropped plans for $5.5 billion in short-term borrowing. The next two months will be critical to education funding in the next school year.
The Legislative Analysts Office had a full report on the May revision and the link is:
I hope the silver lining to all this is that major reforms are passed soon. The ground that supports our education funding is not stable right now, so I'll keep you apprised of the ever-changing flow of information from Sacramento.
Check out these great websites and links: |
| LASF
Fireflies, Alligators and a "Night on the Bayou": Saturday, June 13th, 7-11pmCome on down to Cajun country for the LASF "Night on the Bayou" dinner party! We still have seats for this zesty night of Zydeco music and authentic Southern Louisiana cuisine. Make it a date night or grab your own table for eight. $50 per ticket. To RSVP email rosenthals@comcast.net or go to: As they say in Lafayette (Louisiana that is), "Let the good times roll!"
|
Burton Valley Events
Congratulations to kindergartner and pianist Marcello Severo for receiving an Award of Merit in Musical Composition at the PTA State Level Reflections Competition!! Marcello was the only individual from all of the Las Trampas Creek Council of PTAs to advance to the state level. We are awed by his talent. The PTA Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme, while also increasing community awareness of the importance of the arts in education. The theme for 2009-2010 is "Beauty is . . ." We encourage all students to explore this theme this summer on a creative project in literature, musical composition, photography, visual arts, dance choreography, or film/video production. Next year's fine arts competition will be held in September and October. (in the science lab) needs a loving home for the summer. Simon eats king meal worms, lettuce, grated carrots, bananas and strawberries. He is very easy to care for and requires no cleaning but, his water dish needs to be emptied and filled when necessary. He can be left for 3 - 4 days without care. Please contact Mrs. Peirce in the science lab mpeirce@lafsd.k12.ca.us. To parents with incoming Stanley 6th graders: Stanley School's fall fundraiser is a magazine drive. Please hold onto any subscription renewals until September and encourage your friends and family to do the same. If anyone is interested in a magazine sale co-chair position, please contact Amy Goodheart at heart39@comcast.net. All Music Core classes (Band/Chorus/Strings) at each school site will present an End of the Year Assembly Concert for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students on Friday, June 5th from 1:00-2:00pm. The Assembly Concerts will be the final meeting for all Music Core classes. School Bus Sign Ups: It's all good news from the Lamorinda School Bus Program! Early Registration is here. Sign up by June 15th and save $20 per student. Annual Pass prices are the same. School Buses will be brand new and equipped with seat belts starting Fall 2009. "Clean diesel" buses will meet the latest and strictest emissions requirements. Sign up at www.lamorindaschoolbus.org. Spring Cleaning For Afghanistan Clothing Drive: Burton Valley will hold its annual clothing, bedding, school supplies and stuffed animal drive for families in Afghanistan until today, Friday, May 29th. All donations should be dropped off at Room 40. Make sure all items are in GOOD CONDITION and that they are CLEAN and FOLDED. Recommended donations: Clothing & Shoes for Women, men, girls, boys, & infants *** Winter coats, gloves, hats and scarves. Socks, shirts (including T- shirts & sweatshirts) *** Blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, hot water bottles, comforters, stuffed animals (Clean), all types of shoes. School supplies: pencils, colored pencils, pencil sharpeners, crayons, paper (lined, plain and art) back packs, pens, markers, note books, rulers, protractors & calculators (not electric). Plastic boxes to hold/store school supplies.
*** The Winters are long and harsh, these are the most sought after items. School Site Council Needs 2 New Parent Members: The BV School Site Council (SSC) meets 5-6 times a year. The SSC oversees and implements state and federal categorical programs, develops and approves the Single Plan for Pupil Achievement based upon verifiable state data and district multiple measures, and approves relevant budget expenditures. Half of the membership of the SSC is school staff; the other half consists of parents. Members commit to a two year term. Meetings are held from 3:00-4:00pm in the school library, typically on Tuesdays. We are looking for 2 new parent members to serve on the SSC. If you are interested,contact Rowena Baginski ( rowebags@yahoo.com) or Nancy Sanders ( sanders504@comcast.net) for more information. New! Parent/Staff Resource Library at BV: A Recommended Reading List for parents of children with special needs and/or learning differences. You can find the Recommended Reading List posted next to a cart of books on special needs that Librarian Linda Bochte has set aside in the back room of the library. Or visit the Lafayette Special Parents for Special Kids website at www.ufp.com/lafspeced to see the list and also find out how you can get a discount on these books through the Lafayette Book Store. Special Education News: If you have a child with special needs or learning differences, please visit the Lafayette Special Parents for Special Kids website at www.ufp.com/lafspeced. You'll find great local information on summer activities for kids, support, resources, parent recommendations and more. Plus we have some exciting new tools available on the website to help you and your child prepare for the new school year, including a back-to-school social story you can customize with photos of BV. Visit the website and click on "what's New" to find out more! Camp Read-A-Lot: Please sign up for Camp Read-a-Lot, Lafayette School District's summer reading club. Look for the sign-up sheets in your child's Friday Folder! This is a recreational reading program designed to encourage a love of reading. A book list is available for downloading from the school web site www.lafsd.k12.ca.us/burton_valley/read. Students who sign up will receive a copy of the requirements and a recording sheet. A prize will be given to all students who meet the requirements and turn in their recording sheet to their new teachers in the Fall. If you have any questions, please contact Mette Thallaug or Katie Roberts in the Reading Lab. 925-3550 ext 5330. Check out the Lost and Found: The Lost and Found is overflowing with jackets, clothes and lunch boxes that are missing their owners! Please check to see if any of your child's items may be waiting for you. Carts are located outside the BV office and in the hallway leading to the first grade classrooms. All unclaimed items will be donated to charity on the last day of school. |
Sports Summer Swim Lessons: The Acalanes Union High School District is pleased to offer American Red Cross swim lessons at three locations this summer: Acalanes, Miramonte and Campolindo High Schools. Weekday and weekend lessons are offered in both the morning and the afternoon. Small classes enable us to place a large emphasis on building strong fundamental skills necessary for proper swimming technique. We work to educate students about swimming so that they may make it a life long enjoyment. Program specifics can be found by logging onto the AUHSD Aquatics webpage at Free Tennis Clinics: Come out and play tennis for the health of it! There will be two free tennis clinics for all students, their siblings, and friends at Bentley School in Lafayette. We want kids to get into the game of tennis! It is a sport for life! So come out and have a fun and fantastic time playing games, winning prizes, getting exercise, and learning the wonderful game of tennis! Students of all ages, and all levels are invited! Bentley School, Lafayette at 1000 Upper Happy Valley Road on Wednesday, June 3rd from 3-5pm & Saturday, June 6th from 3-5 p.m. Sign Up Info: njackmon@bentleyschool.net. |
Camps Fashion Sewing Summer Camp: Learn fashion design and sewing at sewnow! fashion studio. One-week camps for kids entering 2nd grade to teens - beginner to advanced - mornings or afternoons. Have a fun week learning new skills and walk away with two unique personalized fashion items. For details: www.sewnow.com or call (925) 283-7396. Summer Film Camp: Are you interested in movie making? Calling all students 10 years old and older on the Autism Spectrum along with other students interested in acting, directing, and creating a short film with Joey Travolta and his professional film crew. June 29th-July 10th from 10am-3pm at St. Mary's College. For more information and an application visit or ASD Film Camp link: www.futures-explored.org. Roughing It Day Camp & Horse Camp: Lafayette;s home Town camp for 37 years! An All-Outdoor Day Camp at the Lafayette Reservoir for ages 4-16. Instruction in horseback riding, swimming, sports, fishing and more.Transportation and Extended Care provided. Join us for a Camp Show and Open House. Learn more at www.roughingit.com / 283.3795. Acteeva Day Camps - Lafayette 's local Day Camp at Springhill School . Acteeva offers: sports, crafts, games, outdoor and nature - plus specialty instruction in Basketball, Soccer and Softball. Customizable 1 week sessions throughout the summer - for children entering 1st-5th grades. Extended care. Owned and Operated by Roughing It Day Camp. www.acteeva.com or 925-283-5845. *The above communications, activities or events are not school or district-sponsored nor are they endorsed by the Lafayette School District. |
Community Events Inspiring Family Concert right here in our own backyard for the entire community : Lamorinda 8th grader, cellist Clark Pang, performs the first movement from Dvorak's warhorse Cello Concerto in Lafayette with the Pacific Chamber Symphony: Friday, May 29th at 8:00pm at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church. Tickets: Student: $7 Call: (925) 798-1300. On-line: www.willowstickets.org. On Sunday, May 31st come watch the semi-pro local men's team, Norcal Lamorinda United, take on the Salinas Samba, for 1st place in the National Premier Soccer League! The game will be at Miramonte High School from 3-5pm, and there will be live music, autograph signings, and half time on field activities for the kids in attendance. Tickets are $5 and $7. Don't miss this great opportunity for a fun afternoon watching high caliber soccer in your own back yard! For more information, please visit the website at www.lamorindamensc.com. Still Looking for a summer "Staycation" spot?? Come spend the rest of your summer with us - Sun Valley Pool. We're offering discounted partial year memberships starting July 1st for those of you who have been sitting on the fence, instead of swimming in the pool! It's hot out there, and the water is fine - so beat that summer heat, and come join us! For information, contact www.swimsunvalley.com.
Hometown Heroes Needed: Help raise awareness and funds for your New Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Until August 24th, 2009 all ages are invited to pitch in and be part of the success of your hometown library. You can get creative and come up with your own heroic idea.... but here are a few ideas to get you started: bake sales, dog walking/washing, birthday donations instead of gifts, tutoring. From your earnings, donate $15 or more and received a celebratory library card plus your name honored in a memorial book at the library and a specially designed T-shirt. Raise $1000 or more and your name (or group name) will be permanently honored on the donor wall at the new library!! For details & more ideas go to www.lafayettelib.com and click on "POWER OF YOUth." Mark your calendars - Stanley Middle School will be holding it's annual Jazz Café, Friday, June 5th at 6:00pm in the Stanley Middle School Auditorium. General Admission is available at the door for $8.00 per person, children under 6 are free. This is a great opportunity to listen and watch the Stanley and Acalanes Jazz Musicians. Chef's Touch will be selling food from 5:30 - 7:30pm , and there will be dessert, coffee and beverages available for purchase all evening. Don't miss out on this once a year show! Potluck Celebrating All Kinds of Families! Lesbian, Gay, and Straight Families come together with our kids to share a meal and make connections within the BV community. Potluck on Saturday, June 6th from 4-7pm at the home of a long time Burton Valley family. Please call Rachel Fields asap to RSVP at 330-3237. This will be a great end of the year event! Sweet Thursday on June 12th at 2pm: Lisa See, author of Snowflower and theSecret Fan and Peony in Love will join us for the launch of her latest and eagerly-awaited novel. Shanghai Girls tells the story of two sisters who leave Shanghai to find new lives in 1930's Los Angeles. As with her earlier books, Lisa See continues to explore the big issues of friendship and love, loyalty and betrayal. This event will take place at Stanley Intermediate School. There will be a $10 suggested donation to benefit the new Library. To read more about Lisa See and her newest book, visit June 18 at 7:30pm Sweet Thursday: will feature the writer Sophia Raday who will discuss her new book, Love in Condition Yellow. A resident of Berkeley, Raday has written a funny and moving memoir on an unlikely marriage. Her husband is a soldier/police officer and she's a self-proclaimed peace-loving activist. Sophia is a graduate of Stanford and UC Berkeley's School of Public Policy. Her work has appeared in various anthologies, on-line magazines and the New York Times. For more information, go to www.sophiaraday.com. *The above communications, activities or events are not school or district-sponsored nor are they endorsed by the Lafayette School District. |
Advertisements Have concerns about your insurance or the company you are with? Work with someone local. Call a BV dad serving families in our area. Steve Bauer - State Farm Agent, 925-866-2929 or Steve@SteveBauer.net. License #0C62738 Elementary School Tutor with 14 years teaching experience has summer openings, K-6, in reading, math, spelling and writing. With kindness and patience, I engage children by learning their strengths and building upon them. Available to tutor in the student's home. Contact Carson Beckemeyer: home (925)944-9115, cell (415)994-4286, cbeckemeyer@pacbell.net. I recommend my dog walker/pet sitter if you are looking for at home care for your pets during vacation or on a regular basis. Julia is reliable and great with dogs. Her phone is 925-946-1031. You may contact me: nicola.hemerling@gmail.com. BV Grad, College Junior is home for the summer and available to babysit/house sit/pet sit. Julia is experienced in working with children of all ages, local references are available.Can help your kids develop soccer, swim, basketball skills. Has a reliable car, perfect driving record. Contact Julia by phone at 925-360-4406 or email: juliadeee@gmail.com. Frozen Yogurt In Lafayette? Yes! MYO pure frozen yogurt, a self-serve treat now being served inside Flippers! Come and check out our flavors and over 40 toppings. We have something for everyone. Mention this add and BV families will receive 25% off your purchase now till June 30. MYO pure froyo!! Pet Sitting Service: I'll walk your dog, feed and take care of your pets. $5.00 a day for 2 pets. Call Liam McGuire 256-8349. Viola Instructor/Babysitter for young kids during the summer. My name is Delaney McGuire. I am entering 9th grade and have been playing viola since age 4. Lessons are $7.00/half hour, babysitting is $5.00/hour. Call 256-8349 or email seahorse112@gmail.com. Personal Shopper: Throughout my 20+ year career in retail and customer service, I have learned that there are people who would rather do anything than go shopping. From discount discoveries to high-end goodies, my clients are based in the Lafayette/Burton Valley area. Margo Hutchinson at hutch007@earthlink.net. Referrals available on request. Pet Sitting/Baby Sitting/Party and Arts & Crafts Helper: My name is Alexandra Tankka and I will be going to Acalanes as a freshman this coming fall. Please give me a call if you find yourself needing a little extra time or if the little ones need to be occupied for your big summer bash. Burton Valley resident 962.9946. Music Instruction! Robbie Dunbar. Piano, guitar, other. All ages and levels. I travel to you. Also piano tuning. 323-9706. dunbars4@comcast.net. *The inclusion of advertisements in the Broadcast does not reflect any endorsement or recommendation by the BV PTA for the goods and services advertised.
|
| Please email your announcements worded exactly as you wish them to appear to: MaryJane Levy, Broadcast Editor, at bvebroadcast@yahoo.com. PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for submitting items for next week's publication is Wednesday at 8:30am. Announcements should not be more than 10 lines long. Occasional exceptions may be made. Subscription: For subscription questions or to add your email address to the Broadcast distribution list, contact Stacey Bauer, Subscription Manager, at broadcastsubscription@comcast.net. To update or remove email addresses on the newsletter's distribution, click below on "Update Profile/Email Address" or "SafeUnsubscribe". To forward this newsletter to a friend or family member click on "Forward email". |
|
|
