Newsletter – April 29, 2010 (LATE POSTING)

The Marquez Digital Edge

If you were in the village or at work someday and someone asked you about the Marquez technology program, what would you say? Have you ever hearddirectly from the Marquez teachers regarding the use of technology? Would you be able to tell this person about the applications that are used? Would you be able to tell them how the teachers teach differently? Would you be able to tell them about how it fits into our gifted program? Would you be able to tell them how we got started? Why we got started? Why we choose to go with the Apple platform? How is it funded? Would you be able to tell them about new innovations that we want to pursue? What would you tell them about the future of the program? Could you cite research that supports the use of technology in classrooms? Or would you simply tell them that you get a cute DVD to share at the end of the year?

So far, we have not really had a day set aside for parents to come and see what is going on in our digital edge classrooms, to hear about the program and our plans for the future. Please mark you calendars for the first ever “Marquez Parent Technology Tour” on Thursday, May 27, 8:30-10:30 a.m. I have conducted so many tours for so many people from other schools from across Los Angeles, across California and even other states. I have conducted tours for School Board members, and the State of California, but never for our own parents. It is about time we did. Believe it or not, our technology program is quite famous and makes many other schools jealous. This year again the program is responsible for more accolades and recognition. Marquez will be awarded another 4 Digital Voice Awards on May 22nd: congratulations to Lisa Timmerman’s 1st grade class for receiving 2 of these awards, to Ms. Reeves class for being the recipient of an award, and to a 5th grader, Leah Timmerman, for being the winner of a sole entry!!

So it is about time we opened our doors for a Technology Open House for our parents. I am going to conduct this tour just like any of the other tours so that we can see technology-in-action in the classrooms. Of course in order to do so, I have to plan for the number of people that would like to participate—if you want to come on this tour, you will need to RSVP to the school with a phone call (310) 454-4019 to register. Anyone can come and we will make arrangements to accommodate everyone interested. I hope to have a sell-out crowd. Again, Thursday, May 27, 8:30 a.m – 10:30 a.m.

Testing News

I am having a hard time accepting that next week brings the merry month of May!! With May comes CA Standardized Testing. The testing window begins on May 10 and ends on May 21. It is very important not to miss a day of school, nor to be even 1 minute late during this period. Everyone needs to be at school on time. Many teachers begin testing immediately in the morning. If you are late, you might not be admitted to the classroom and will miss a portion of the test that will have to be made up at a different time, with a different teacher. Studies show that children do best when they are with their own class and teacher and I know that we all want our children to do their best on the test. Please plan accordingly: make time to have a good nutritious breakfast, and plan for plenty of time to get to school. Rushing and running late is not the way to be prepared for a test. Remember this is how many people will judge how the year went for your child—let’s give them every advantage we can. If you have any reservations about your child taking the test, please call me at school. Parent exemptions can be discussed with your school’s principal. All students in grades 2 – 5 are scheduled to be tested.

Share the Love

Teacher appreciation week is next week, May 3-7. Monday, May 3rd—Please have your child bring a flower to school. — Tuesday, May 4th—The kids willreceive blank Teacher Certificates on Thursday, April 29th. Please have your child write or draw something special for his/her teacher and bring it on Tuesday, May 4th. — Wednesday, May 5th—PTA-sponsored Teacher Appreciation Lunch. Calling all bakers and volunteers!!!  Can you bring in a dessert and/or volunteer for an hour or so?  Please let your room parent or Rebecca Aghalarpour know if you can help:  Set up 9-11 a.m., serving 11-1 p.m., clean up 1-3 p.m. — Thursday, May 6th—FOM Coffee Cart (no help required). — Friday, May 7th—Teacher breakfast hosted by our fabulous parent chef Charly! (No help required.) Questions? Contact your room parent, or Rebecca Aghalarpour at mazi_rebecca@yahoo.com or (310) 459-9320.

Great Deal, Great Cause!

Alex’s Lemonade Stand is coming again on Thursday, May 13. This time around Ms. Reeves’ class will be hosting the event. Remember that this is an official Marquez “Kids for Kindness” event. Please help support it.

Marquez Garage Sale

Start you spring cleaning now!!! Friends of Marquez will be hosting a Garage Sale on Saturday, May 15 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the teacher’s parking lot. Neighbors, local businesses, friends and family can donate to this sale. Drop off donations on Friday, May 14 in the Marquez Auditorium form 8:15-2:45. No broken or non-working items will be accepted and all clothes must be washed. This will be a great place to come and see if you can find any treasures that are Antiques Roadshow-worthy!! Or just a great way to spend a Saturday morning browsing—you’ll never know what you’ll find. One thing sure to be a big hit will be the Indian-themed food stall. To reap the culinary benefits of this booth, you’ll have to pre-order your desires. Look for a ordering menu coming soon. Please note that the Green Team will be collecting used batteries and printer cartridges at this event. All proceeds will go directly to Friends of Marquez to help support our programs here at school.

Fall Enrollment

Enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year is now underway. If you have a child already enrolled, you need to do nothing else, but if you have a new childcoming in you need to bring a DWP or gas bill in order to pick up the enrollment packet. We ask that everyone pick up a package as soon as possible so that you can get all the necessary forms and doctor visits completed before school begins.

As always, you can reach me at phollis@lausd.net