Newsletter – January 28, 2010

Read-a-Thon Log Forms Due Friday

Hello again to everyone.  Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months so fast.  Here it is on the threshold of February already.  Read a thon is winding down and everybody should turn in their reading log and collections to their classroom teacher on Friday.  If you need any forms, please know that they are available on the school website.  Our goal to read 10,000 books looks like it will be reached, but we won’t know until everyone turns in their reading logs.  Thanks to all the room liaisons that now have a big job ahead of them by counting and calculating the pledges that each child will turn in.   Please remember that we will be collecting gently used books next week to donate to a charitable organization.

Shoes for Haiti

Marquez STAR (especially the students in the HYPE program) and the Marquez student body invites everyone to lend a hand, or foot as the case may be, to support the needs of the people of Haiti.   We have been collecting gently used or new shoes in all sizes to donate to the relief efforts.  Friday, January 28 is the last day to bring a pair of shoes.  Thank you to everyone that has contributed already.  I personally encourages parents to talk to their children about the importance of giving back and helping those in need by supporting and donating to the Red Cross relief effort.

Car Pool Reminder!

Now, being that it is a new year and all, I suppose that some of us need reminders again with regards to the car pool line.  There are some mornings that still baffle my mind as to how abusive we and how courtesy and common sense don’t seem to matter.  The easiest fix to calm everyone would be to allow yourself enough time to navigate the carpool line and arrive to school prior to 8:05 when things seem to go from bad to worse.  I hate to say it, but fathers seem to be the ones that don’t follow the rules.  Please know that all the rules, even if they seem a bit trite, are all in place for one reason and one reason only.  To make the drop off of children safe.  Please get in the line above Jacon Way, merge with the traffic on Jacon, stay on the curb, and DON’T LET YOUR CHILD OUT OF THE CAR ABOVE THE TEACHER PARKING LOT.   I ask this in order to avoid the grid lock that happens when you continue to travel down Marquez.  It makes it impossible for those people abiding by the rules to pull out and make the carpool drop off work in the most efficient manner.  Stay against the curb as long as you can, allowing the drop off attendants, myself and Mr. Josh, to open the car door and allow your child to exit.  From time to time, I am sure that you have seen me standing in the middle of the road holding up the through traffic in order to relieve the curbside drop off zone.  When I am out there, please don’t run me over.  I like my job and want to be here a long time!

Don’t Get a Ticket

Equally important, especially for kinder parents – The parking enforcement has been out in force. If it is not school police, or LAPD, then it is the City of LA after your money.  In the afternoon most of the agencies will not ticket you if you have a door open and you are standing with your vehicle waiting to load your child.  Do not leave your car if the ticketing agencies are around.  Make eye contact with your child’s teacher and have your child walk to you where you are waiting along the school side of the street.  Never allow or encourage your child to walk across the street unless at a crosswalk.

Spring Auction News

By now we hope the Auction packets have made it out of the backpacks and into the hands of the parents. If not please check your child’s backpack for the envelope. Don’t miss the new ticket Raffle this year! We are 3 months from the big event and are in full swing with the preparations.
Here’s how you can help

• DONATIONS, DONATIONS, DONATIONS

• VOLUNTEERS - This is a great way to get involved at any level you are able to ~ at home, at school, a little, a lot ~ with decorations, solicitations, merchandising, and much more! We will be with you helping the entire way.

• SPONSORS - Please consider sponsoring the Auction to offset our expenses. Any amount will help us with the Food, Music, Teachers Tickets & More. Thank you to the Bierschenk family for being our first family sponsor for Decorations!

• BASKETS – Do you have any nice empty gift baskets left over from the holidays for our packaging/merchandising of auction items. We will be collecting them from in front of the auditorium.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!
Any Questions Please Contact ~ Your 2010 Auction Chairs
Kari Hanson (karihanson@verizon.net) & Christine Stern (christine.stern@yahoo.com)

Jb4K application deadline February 19

STAR is currently accepting applications for the 2010  2011 Jb4K program. Jb4K (just before kindergarten) is a stepping-stone for kids in transition between pre-school and kindergarten. Jb4K gives students the opportunity to grow socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually in a safe educational environment here at Marquez. We focus on boosting self-esteem and building character, while introducing the necessary kindergarten readiness skills to be successful in kindergarten.
For more information or tours please contact Heather at (310) 459-4839.

Report Cards

You should now have received the School Report Card directly via your child and their classroom teacher.  The report is intended to act as an indicator on the performance of Marquez as a whole in relation to the rest of the District.  There is much useful information contained in the report card.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, your child’s teacher, or even your governing board parent representatives.

New Librarian

Finally I have some news that will come with mixed emotions.  Next week we will undergo a change in our library.  As many of you know, with budget cuts last year Mr. Josh was technically laid off as a library aid in November.  He graciously stayed on to preserve the consistency for your children, but now we have a permanent librarian assigned to Marquez.  I would like to introduce to you Cynthia Eghbali.  Ms. Eghbali is coming to us from Brentwood Science Magnet where she has been on staff for numerous years.  She is leaving a beloved assignment and coming to us with anticipation and likely some nerves, as you might imagine joining a new company.  Please welcome her when you see her.  Mr. Josh is not going away.  He will help Ms Eghbali for the first week and make the transition as smooth as possible and then you will see him around school as he will begin the assignment of Instructional Aide.

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