Volume 10
February 9, 2010
Inside This Issue:
Principal’s Message Did you know the 100th day of school was last week? We are already 5/9 of the way through the year, and that means we need to review and announce a few odds and ends. Please bear with me because they are important. Traffic I wanted to start off with traffic. I know from first-hand experience how tough it can be to get kids to school in the morning. However, we have noticed that many families are not following the guidelines for morning drop-off. If you look in the School Family Guide and Calendar under Safety, we have established some clear policies. Let me start by pointing out that we didn't choose these guidelines because we enjoy making rules. Remember that over 400 students make their way to McNear every morning, and these guidelines help ensure that they are as safe as possible. Please review these policies in the Family Guide on your own, but there are two items we are struggling with which I wanted to review. First, if you are dropping off on Sunnyslope by the orange cones, the curbside is the wrong place to put on jackets, comb hair, or tie shoes. Your pre-car preparation will ensure everyone has a timely and safe arrival at school. Secondly, the G Street parking lot is NOT for drop off. We have children walking in this way and want to ensure their safety by limiting that lot to volunteers and staff. Finally, the red curb at the end of the lot is not for parking when picking up a child. We have even had some staff ignored when asking parents to move from red curb parking. This is a safety issue, and we ask for your help in following it. Swings Many people have wondered what is up with our swings. We had the district come dig up the footings to determine what was wrong. We found that the set was installed incorrectly. We are still in discussion, but I expect the manufacturer to reset the swings in the near-ish future. Lunchtime As you have probably noticed, it has been quite cold lately. As a result we are having lunch in the multi-use room until the weather gets better. I expect we will be there until spring break. Morning Round Table The Morning Roundtable Meeting was held last Monday. About 18 parents attended to discuss math and how we can support our students at school and at home. Those who attended reported enjoying the open format and the information on the math curriculum and resources available. I will write a more detailed account and post it on the listserve and the school website. We hope to see more people at the next meeting. I continue to marvel at the spirit of community shared at McNear between the families, staff, and students. I hope to see everyone at the upcoming Family Movie Night on February 19, 2010. It promises to be a great evening. Onward, Jason
Falcon Feathers - January The following students have earned Falcon Feathers in January. Great job! Tania Arango Rodriguez, Sarina Barter, Lizzy Bies, Luca Binsfeld-Debus, Jada Byrne, Gabe Carhart, Jordan Christian-Prior, Violet Deardorff, Arianna DeLucca, Bailey Dyson, Savannah Engler, Zach Engler, Dillon Ewing, Jackson Garner, Jacob Graf, Riley Hammack, Madison Johnson, Andrew Kirby, Paul Leoni, Portia Lipsie, Brittany Lovio, Victor Membrila, Patricia Morris, Madison Parratt, Casey Pectol, Mikah Reeder, Paola Salgado Bernal, Alex Sanchez, Alexis Singh, Will Tucker, Lia Vann Gardner, Angelo Ventura, Isabella Villareal, Boss Wannasari, Emma Weiand. Be Safe Be Respectful Be Responsible Thank you for helping to make our school a happy and safe place
Singing Shoes If you have them, please leave them at home and enjoy them there! These may be the newest invention, but they are WAY too distracting to have at school. Please, no singing shoes at school!
Box Top Winner Congratulations to Sheriene Arikat, who is the Box Top Super Bowl winner!
Rainy Days With the recent rainy weather that we’ve had, you may have noticed that you child came home in different clothes from when he/she went to school. There have been a lot of children who have ended up getting wet or muddy and the office has provided them with dry clothes. If you have any of those clothes at home, please wash them and return them to the office….where they will probably be used again for another slip in a rain puddle. On that note, if you have extra sweat pants (please, no jeans - only elastic waist pants) that are in good shape, we could use more in the office. Thanks!
Spelling Bee It was an EXCITING Spelling Bee that was held on Monday, January 25th AND Tuesday, January 26th (yes, it took two days!). Congratulations to all the participants in this year’s Spelling Bee, and especially to our winners, Juliet Emerson-Colvin and Lilly Reinstein, who will represent McNear at the Regional Spelling Bee to be held at the Sonoma County Office of Education on March 3, 2010, at Corona Creek School at 4:00 p.m.
Parent Education Night: Co-Parenting
*Please Join Us*
Charles Wattenberg, MFT will be coming to Grant Elementary to present on the topic of co-parenting. Parents from McNear and Grant who would like to learn more about communication between spouses, partners, and ex-spouses in regards to effective parenting are invited to attend this free presentation. Please come with questions, as Mr. Wattenberg will be prepared to respond to specific audience concerns. Charles Wattenberg, MFT is the founder of Petaluma Learning & Guidance Center. When: Tuesday, February 16th Time: 6 – 7 PM Where: Grant Elementary School Multi Please RSVP by Thursday, February 11th
You may RSVP by e-mailing Nicole Renae at nrenae@pet.k12.ca.us
or you may return to form below to the McNear School office
Please return this form to Nicole Renae, McNear School Counselor by Thursday, February 11th. I will be attending the presentation at Grant school on Feb 16th. NAME(S):_______________________________PHONE:_______________
Special Education Parent Support McNear Elementary School will be offering the following meeting times for parents whose children are currently receiving special educational services from RSP, Speech & Language, Behavioral Aides, or Special Day Class. School staff will provide expertise and time will be given to supportive conversation.
All meetings will be from 5-6 in Room 1.
NEXT MEETING FEB 22 (you do not have to have attended prior meetings) - February 22
- March 15
- April 12
- May 10
Topics for discussion will include:
- Homework & academic support
- Building confidence & self esteem
- Encouraging friendships & social learning
- Positive discipline
- And more!
Childcare may be available, depending on numbers. Please call Nicole Renae at (707) 249-3134 asap if you plan on attending and will require child care to attend.
For more information contact Nicole Renae, Guidance Counselor. Phone: (707) 249-3134.
Upcoming Dates: - Kindergarten Registration for the 2010-2011 school year continues
- Feb. 9, 6:00 pm - Board of Education Meeting., 200 Douglas Street
- Feb. 10, 6:00-7:00 pm - GATE Meeting, McNear Library
- Feb. 14 - Valentine’s Day
- Feb. 15 - Washington’s Holiday - NO SCHOOL
- Feb. 16, 6:00-7:00 pm, Parent Education Night, Grant Elementary School
- Feb. 17, 2:30-3:30 pm - TB Test Redwood Room, District Office
- Feb. 19, 2:30-3:30 pm - TB Test Reading, Redwood Room, District Office
- Feb. 19, 6:00-8:00 pm - Family Movie Night, McNear Multi-Use Room
- Feb. 22, 5:00-6:00 pm - Special Education Parent Meeting, Room 1
- Feb. 22, 6:00 pm - ELAC Meeting
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