Newsletter – October 23, 2008

Walking Wednesday

Tuesday’s carpool lane was probably the most congested yet! I don’t know where everyone was coming from and it seemed as though everyone was running late.  There were far too many of us traveling on Marquez. Then on Wednesday we really made a huge dent by encouraging our “Walking Wednesday.” If you were in the carpool lane, I’m sure you noticed the difference. You were able to pull up and drop off very easily. I’m also pretty sure that you saw how many of us actually walked to school.  It was great to see.  For those of you that did not know, I met a group at Lachman and Akron, Mr. Josh met a group at Bienveneda and Sunset and Jody Norris met a group at Livorno and Ida. We met our groups at 7:55 a.m. Although many children participated with our “special guests,” many more of you walked to school on your own. This week, the Bienveneda and Sunset group was the largest at 17 students. Next week will do the same routine and see which group increases in size the most.  Both the Lachman group and Ida group were at 14. If you live in the Highlands, we realize that you might not be able to participate in the walk, but you can definitely participate by making sure you carpool on Wednesday. 

Student Council

Last week student council held its first meeting. During this meeting the rules regarding the student council elections were discussed. The offices of President and Vice President will be elected from the 5th grade class, while the historian and secretary can be elected from either the 4th or 5th grade class. Individual classes have already held elections for their individual representatives.  From these representatives, the officers will be elected. Students running for office will prepare a speech to be given to the student body on Nov. 7 and the general election will be on Nov. 12.

Governing Board

The Marquez Governing Board is in full gear. The MGB Teacher of the respective committees will schedule committee meetings and meetings will be advertised in the newsletter. Every committee meeting is open to anyone that wishes to attend. The following parents are your parent representatives for each of the individual committees:  Facilities/Safety—Sam Rubin (sam.rubin@verizon.net; Finance—Anne Van Middlesworth (anne@mac.com);  Curriculum/Instruction—Helene Dameris (hdameris@swbell.net); Legal and Compliance—Carmel Kadrnka  (thezaidfamily@yahoo.com); Technology—Anne Van Middlesworth (anne@mac.com); and Standards and Conduct—Helene Dameris (hdameris@swbell.net). Parents can contact their representative for any questions that may arise. If you have an item you want the Governing Board to discuss, please email me your request.

We Need Mentors!

Parents, do you know anyone that has an hour or two per week to sit and work on reading or math with a 3rd, 4th or 5th grader?  We are in desperate need of additional mentors for our CATCH (Caring Adults Teaching Children How) program.  It is a very easy program where a caring adult is matched with a child to work one on one in an identified area of need. All materials and training necessary to make sure your experience is a success are provided. Grandparents, friends, retired people all make great mentors. If you know anyone, please let me know as soon as possible. We want to start this program right away.

Extra Clothes

The Marquez office always likes to keep a supply of clean clothes in the nurse’s office just in case of those little emergencies that might arise. We are in need of boys and girls sweat pants in all sizes, undergarments in sizes 7-10, socks, as well as assorted sizes of t-shirts. 

Halloween Festival

The Marquez Halloween festival is this Sunday, October 25. There will be food, fun, music, the haunted house and simply great fun for the entire family. Tickets are being sold everyday at drop off and pickup in front of the auditorium. Friday, along with tickets, fabulous new Halloween tote bags will be available. Remember this is the time to have your child dress up for Halloween at Marquez. Marquez policy does not permit costumes to be worn at school on Halloween Day. Thanks go out to Kurt Bierschenk for heading up this year’s carnival. 

Safety

In November 2008, specially trained personnel will return to our school to check on the condition of any asbestos-containing building material. A copy of the inspector’s written report will be included in our asbestos management plan, which is available in the main office. If you would like additional information, please contact Rick Henry, Asbestos Technical Unit at (213) 241-1450.

Healthy Choices for Children

Marquez will be recognizing National Red Ribbon Week next week, October 2-October 31.  This is a week set aside for age appropriate activities involving goal-setting and healthy choices for children, which includes saying no to drugs. You will be able to look for some great football helmets around school that will display many of the students’ goals. On Tuesday, October 28, we are asking everyone to wear red in recognition of Red Ribbon Week. On Wednesday, we will have a school assembly at 2:30 to showcase some important drug free/alcohol free messages. Thanks to Lily Reeves, 3rd grade teacher and Health Coordinator for Marquez.

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