HEARST HAPPENINGS

January/February 2010
 

FROM THE PRINCIPAL:

Dear Families,

 I hope you had a wonderful holiday season.  With the weather so beautiful, I hope you got the chance to explore the beautiful city we live in. I actually took advantage of going to the San Diego Zoo. I have not been to the Zoo in a couple of years and was amazed by all the changes they have made. It sure is a beautiful place to visit.

As we head into January I wanted to remind you that the school Enrollment Options (CHOICE) application for the 2010-2011 school year is due by February 15^th. If you are choicing into Hearst AND have an incoming kindergartner or a child from another grade that you would like to move to Hearst, you need to complete an application on-line or pick up one in the office. Siblings are not automatically enrolled. You do not need to reapply for current students who are already approved.

During my holiday reading I came across a short article about starting the New Year off by making some resolutions that are attainable and measureable.   I have a few of my own resolutions that I will be working on too. Enjoy the article!

Frame Goals to Achieve Them

Deciding what you want is an important first step toward success--personal or professional. But it’s not enough to simply know your goal. You’ve got to know how you’re going to achieve it.

Frame your goals in terms of tasks and performance, not just outcomes: What actions do you need to take--today, tomorrow, and in the future--to get closer to your objective?

Assigning specific tasks to yourself, knowing how you’ll measure the outcome of each activity, does more than bring you closer to your goal. It gives you a sense of control over what happens to you. You’re not just wishing for success, but working steadily toward it. Regular accomplishments will keep you motivated and moving forward.

Office News

Kinder parents should have received notices regarding upcoming OHA and CHDP form due dates.

Thank you all for making drop-off and pick-up times safer for our students during rainy days by NOT parking in the 3 minute white zone until you see your child exiting the school.  This ensured a much smoother transition for all parents of Hearst students.

Congratulations to our parents for 100% return of federal survey cards! Yearly completion of these cards brings the district and Hearst hundreds of thousands of dollars in government monies.

A special congratulations to Mrs. Applbaum’s and Mrs. Vasquez’ classes for turning them in the 1^st week and to Mrs. Evins’, Mrs. Lunsford’s, Mrs. McNeil’s, Mrs. Varas’ and Ms. Jander’s classes for turning them in by the end of the 2^nd week.

PTA & Foundation News

Auction Action!

Save the date, March 13, 2010 for the 12th annual Hearst Elementary Auction.  Dinner, drinks and fun are all on tap for the big night as we get together to continue to make Hearst the best place to be for our kids.  The year is passing by quickly, so be on the lookout for your invitations coming soon.  We are going to be rockin' out and raising money to continue to bring more art (Christine Haddaway), music (Cheryl Slavik) and computer skills (that Mr. Rion guy) to our kids.  We can't do it without you... even if we could; it wouldn't be nearly as much fun!

Remember, March 13 is the date for the parent's night of the year.

Jog-A-Thon

The Annual Jog-A-Thon on Nov- ember 18^th raised over$12,286.58 .  The students had a fun and exciting time running laps. Mrs. Jander’s K3 Kindergarten class raised $1,011 by the December 4^thdeadline and received free yogurt coupons to Fiji Yogurt.  The following students raised the most money for their grade level and received Hearst water bottles, lunch bags and Fiji Yogurt coupons:  K – Lauren Schalik $174 , Isaiah Dickinson $162,

1st – Caleb Dickinson $235,

2nd – Daniella Rigby and

Leah Feinberg $100 each,

3rd – Ian Dickinson $318.30,

4th – Samuel Lenett $128.25, and 5^th– Lilly Brooks $118.00.  A special “Thank You and Great Job” to the  Dickinson family who raised a total of $715.30 from friends and family.   We want to acknowledge and say Thank You to  CVS, Keils, Vons, Smart & Final and Rite Aid for their generous donations of water and Windmill Farms for the donation of oranges. 

Campus Volunteer for

December

Nicole Murphy received Campus Volunteer for December.  Nicole can be found in many places on campus performing one of the many tasks she has taken on.  In October she organized our first Halloween costume sales event and earned money for the PTA.  As Chair Person for Art Corps she ensures our classrooms have a coordinator, that they have what they need and that each lesson is covered.  She organized a fun and successful Family Art night that was held on Nov. 4^th.   Nicole has taken on the kinder playground covering project started by kinder parents working with various sunscreen companies to qualify our school for a sunshade grant.  Most recently Nicole co-chaired the Jog-A-Thon, which would have never been such a success without her!  Nicole has a “can do” attitude, is resourceful and a pleasure to come into contact with.  It is parents like Nicole who step out of the normal day-to- day and take on the little extra that makes our PTA successful and our school so amazing. 

Kiwanis Volunteer

Estevan Mendez was honored on Thursday Dec. 10th as the Kiwanis Student of the Month.  Here is what Mrs. Vasquez had to say about Estevan.  “Estevan is a great student and person.  He works so hard to be his best, even asking for extra work because he just loves to excel.  From the first day I met him I could tell he would be outstanding.  Even his peers think highly of him, voting him to be our class representative for Student Council.  He is kind and sensitive to the feelings of others.  Estevan has a great future ahead, because he is going to make it for himself with his own hard work and effort.”

Classroom Volunteer

for December

Karen Connor was nominated by Mrs. Kirkness.  Here’s what she had to say about Karen.  “Karen is our room parent, and she just does a fabulous job.  She organized parent help for our Cow Eyeball Investigation (Oct. 30) which turned out to be a terrific event.  Parents were there to support students by listening and sharing ideas about various eyeball parts, cutting open the eye, taking photographs of students, and yes - cleaning up.  Karen also coordinated treats and auction items for our first fifth grade celebration.  In years past, I would purchase all auction items - but Karen emailed parents and asked for donations and items.  Wow!  What a great help!  In addition to classroom events, Karen Connor also took care of Jog-a-thon materials and set-up for our class. I really appreciate her positive nature and reliable support this school year.

Sunshade Committee

As a new committee on campus we are working to provide the students of Hearst Elementary with shaded outdoor learning, meeting and play areas and assist them in connecting with nature by enhancing the natural beauty of the school. Our co-Chairs Teri Kipnis and Nicole Murphy are rolling out the SAFE Sun Campaign, working with the American Academy of Dermatologists to get a grant for a shade structure. The Campaign will incorporate lesson plans, assemblies, and projects with the students and faculty to educate and promote daily sun protection habits. Contact Teri Kipnis at kipnisfam@cox.net to join or for more information.

Campus Gardens

December was a busy month in our Gardens.  Kids in Garden Club planted lots of vegetables and herbs, learned about vermiculture (worm care), filled compost bins with leaves gathered from around campus, learned about primary and secondary needs of plants, created biodegradable pots, and crafted garden signs.  Now on to mulching, fertilizing, pest control and irrigation!

The Kindergartners have been observing seeds grow in see-through pots. Our youngest gardeners learn about the basics of plant care, weather, growth cycles, and nutrition.

The second graders planted pansies and nasturtiums in their raised planters. The kids can’t wait to find out what these flowers taste like!

Mrs. Evins’ 1^st grade class has adopted one of the large planters in the new garden.  Once a week, parent volunteer Heather Shabestari, will help students learn about gardening.  We can’t wait to see what grows!

There are a couple of spots open in Garden Club and we’re looking for a few more 3^rd - 5^th graders to join.  Please contact Sue Thomas if your child is interested.  Meetings are every other Thursday, 2:30 - 3:30 pm.

Garden fact: The red “petals” of a Poinsettia plant are actually modified leaves called bracts. The small nubby cluster at the center of the bracts, are flowers. 

Thought for the Month

It is not true that we have only one life to live; if we can read we can live as many more lives and as many kinds as we wish. 

S.I. Hayakawa

Until next month from the Hearst Staff