Newsletter – February 4, 2010

Happy Groundhog Day

Happy groundhog day to y’all.  I guess it doesn’t really mean too much here, but the folks back east are disappointed that Punksatony Phil saw his shadow, meaning that they have another 6 more weeks of winter to look forward to.  I suppose that for us that means that we can likely look forward to a few more rainy days, and that is not all that bad.

Auction News

Our 20th Anniversary Spring Auction will be here in just two months!  Please remember that we need donations in order to raise as much money as possible for our school.  You can donate items yourself, and you can also ask local businesses if they would like to contribute items to help us with our fundraising.  Donation forms were sent home, and there are more in the office.
In addition to donating items, you can help the auction by hosting one of the theme parties that are traditionally some of the best-selling items, or you could make a donation to help with the cost of teachers’ tickets, food, music, and decorations.
The auction is always one of the highlights of the year, but we can’t make it a success without your help!
Don’t forget to enter the raffle to win tickets to the event.  The drawing will take place the day before spring break during a new Mardi Gras event!!  Look for more details in the near future about our very own Mardi Gras parade.   You can direct any questions to your 2010 Auction Chairs, Kari Hanson (karihanson@verizon.net) and Christine Stern (christine.stern@yahoo.com).

Sticky Situation

As I’m sure you’ve heard, Toyota has recalled a significant portion of its cars to correct possible accelerator and floor mat issues.  If you have one of the cars on the recall list please know that as a precaution I am mandating that you NOT drive on any upcoming field trips, since the students’ safety is our number one priority at Marquez.  Please let your child’s teacher know immediately that you will not be able to chaperone any field trips if this recall affects you.

The affected models and years are as follows:

• Prius 2004-2009
• Avalon 2005-2010
• Camry 2007-2010
• Corolla 2009-2010
• Highlander 2008-2010
• Matrix 2009-2010
• Rav4 2009-2010
• Sequoia 2008-2010
• Tundra 2007-2010
• Tacoma 2005-2010
• Lexus ES 350 2007-2010
• Lexus IS 250 2006-2010
• Lexus IS 350 2006-2010

Our Annual Science Fair is Approaching!

The Science Fair will take place in the auditorium on Wednesday, March 24 from 6:00-8:00 pm.  Participation is voluntary, and any students who would like to participate may pick up a registration packet in the office.  This is always a fantastic event, so we encourage students to stretch their science muscles and join the fun!

Jump Rope for Heart

Heart disease continues to be a number one cause of death in America.  And now it is once again time for our students to Jump Rope for Heart!  This week, our campaign began to raise awareness and money for the American Heart Association, and this year it’s easier than ever because you can do it online.  Your child can create his/her own page, send e-mails to friends and family, and gather donations HERE (download pdf). Our top earner for the last two years brought in over $700 just by sending the envelope to work with his parents and collecting one-dollar and five-dollar donations.  Every little bit helps.  Remember to turn in your envelopes on February 24, the day that children will be jumping rope.

Read-A-Thon

Our Read-a-Thon has ended, but there is still work to be done!  Please turn in all reading logs and Read-a-Thon forms to your children’s teachers so we can tally up our totals and see just how many books our students devoured!  Don’t forget to bring in your gently used books and drop them off in the boxes by the auditorium.  These books will be donated to an inner city school where children will be able to take them home as their very own.

Parent Ed Program

Our very popular PARENT ED program kicks off for 2010 with noted child psychologist, Charlotte Reznick PhD speaking on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 8:30 am in the Teacher’s Lounge.  Here’s the program she’s prepared for the parents of Marquez:

The Power of Your Child’s Imagination: How to Transform Stress and Anxiety
into Joy and Success

Imagine your frustrated kindergartner calming anger with a special “Balloon Breath.” What if your seven-year-old’s conversation with her heart could teach her to be proud of herself? Picture your fourth grader visualizing an ice-blue pillow to cool his hot headache. Or your fretful 11-year-old getting homework help from a Personal Wizard.

It has long been known that positive visualization can relieve stress, reduce illness, lessen pain, improve school and sports performance, and alleviate anxiety and sleep disorders. Dr. Charlotte Reznick presents nine imagination techniques that become tools children can access whenever they need help.

Learn how to use these tools to help your child:

• Love, accept, and appreciate himself
• Reduce pain and heal other physical ailments
• Overcome fears, such as fear of the unknown, abandonment, doctors, and disasters
• Deal with bedtime issues such as insomnia and bedwetting
• Cope with death, divorce, and other losses
• Handle anger, hurt, and frustration
• Achieve success at school and in sports
• Live peacefully with siblings and parents

CHARLOTTE REZNICK, PhD, is a nationally recognized child educational psychologist, an associate clinical professor of psychology at UCLA, and a compelling speaker and media personality who has inspired parents, professionals, educators, and psychologists throughout the world with her original therapeutic approach to helping children and adolescents heal themselves. She is author of The LA Times best selling book, The Power of Your Child’s Imagination: How to Transform Stress and Anxiety into Joy and Success (Perigee/Penguin 2009) For more info, go to www.ImageryForKids.com.

STAR News

THANK YOU to everyone that participated in the STAR H.Y.P.E. shoe drive for the people of Haiti.  The students delivered over 600 pairs of shoes to Sports Chalet last weekend.  Sports Chalet was working with Soles for Souls to see that the shoes will be delivered directly to Haiti.  Again a big THANK YOU to everyone that donated.

STAR Play – The Yellow Submarine

Please join us Wednesday, February 10 at 6:00 in the school auditorium for a performance by the STAR Theater group of The Yellow Submarine.  Come out to watch all your friends perform and sign along with all your favorite Beatle’s tunes.  It should be a rocking fun evening.

Upcoming Holiday

Monday, February 15 is Presidents’ Day, which is a school holiday.  Enjoy your three-day Valentine’s-Presidents’ Weekend!