Newsletter – January 14, 2010!

Happy New Year Everyone

It is great to be back to school.  I hope you all feel that way too.  I had an excellent vacation visiting family in Edmonton, Canada and managed to stay warm enough even though the average temperature hovered around -13F.  The highlight of the weather had to be the day we got to 23F and so everyone decided it was time for a BBQ.  You gotta love those Canadians!!

Great School News!

When I returned to LA, I received some great news.  Once again Marquez rises to the top of the class.  For four years now, Marquez has fundamentally changed the way teachers teach and students learn by incorporating the Apple laptop program.  Over these years we have grown by leaps and bounds and even been on stage with tours for other schools that are trying to replicate a program such as ours.  Well, last November, I submitted an application for Apple to review.  The application was for the “Apple Distinguished School Award”.  I was pleased to open my mail and read that Marquez has been awarded this distinction and will join only 54 other schools in the entire United States that can boast that our technology program, professional development, administrative and parent support are at such a level that we can be recognized as an Apple Distinguished School.  This is a great honor and we should all be extremely proud!!  Not only do we receive the bragging rights that go with this distinction, but Apple will assist us with professional development and more in the future directly impacting teaching and learning at Marquez.  Without the parent support, this award winning program would not be possible.  We are anxiously looking ahead and planning to maintain this program and even to expand the use of technology in the future.  Thank you parents!!  Thank you teachers!! Thank you students!!

Just Keep Reading

How many books has your child read since the beginning of December?  Even if they are not formally participating in the read a thon, please make a list of the books they have read to bring in at the end of January when read a thon is over.  I have personally challenged everyone to read 10 books.  Special recognition will be made for those that read during the read a thon.  So there is still a little over 2 weeks left, keep reading!!

New Art Fair

New to Marquez this year is an Art Fair.  The Art Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3 at 6pm- 8pm.  This is voluntary fair for the kids.  Special arrangements have been made for everyone to participate at school if they choose.  Thanks to the Friends of Marquez, we do have an art teacher on campus again.  Currently 1^st and 5^th are being enriched with this experience on a regular basis.  Now, each child in 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th has the opportunity to receive art instruction and to participate in the art fair.  Classes are held during the lunch recess times.  Over half of the students in 2^nd grade have elected to participate in the art class and will have artwork to display at the art fair.  This is a new experience we are trying where a private company will be coming in to frame the student work and to present it in a professional manner.  We encourage you to come and see the works of art and even purchase it if you so choose.  (really you are paying for the framing).  Please note that only a family member can purchase the artwork of the student unless express written permission for a third party is granted by the parent.  All artwork will be returned to the child if not purchased, but of course without the frame.  30% of the proceeds of the sale with go to Marquez.

Upcoming Holiday – Next Monday

Don’t forget that Monday, January 18^th is a school holiday in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr Day.  Many of you are aware of our annual Cultural Celebrations that began a couple years ago with our spectacular  Asian New Year and last year with our Cinco de Mayo celebration.  This year we will be focusing on the African American community with a cultural event planned for Friday, February 26, 2010.  Teachers will be completing interesting projects and discussion during the month of February and we will not only have professional performers on this day, but many Marquez children will be participating in culturally relevant song and dance.  Mark your calendars and plan to attend this event.  It promises to be inspirational.

Budget Cuts News

We did receive a gift from the LAUSD over the break.  Someone made a great decision not to renorm the elementary schools.  What that means essentially is that your child will not have to change classes or teachers.  There was a danger that we might have had to go through that ordeal, but now we are safe from that impending crisis.  Thank goodness.  There is still much discussion going on for next year’s budget at the State level.  So far, it sounds as though the Governor is telling us that he doesn’t want to reduce education anymore, but that awaits to be seen.  I will keep you up to date on the facts as they reveal themselves.  It does appear that this year’s budget with LAUSD is now balanced and no new reductions appear to be needed.  We can finish the year as we are now and will be working with the budget committee as things progress for planning for the 2010-2011 school year.

Live from Bienveneda:  It’s the Saturday Night 5th Grade Mixer!

Your 5th grade boy or girl will have a lbast with a night of Rock Band, Karaoke and more!  Dinner and dessert will be served.

Saturday January 30, 2010  5-8 p.m.

$30 per child

Please RSVP to Julie Zeiden at JCGraham96@aol.com

Hosted by the Longstreet and Zeiden Families.

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