PTA Legislative Alert!

Congress to Decide This Week Whether Health and Education Are Among America’s Priorities in an Economic Stimulus Package

CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE TODAY!

Tomorrow, both the United States Senate and House of Representatives will be acting on a wide-ranging economic stimulus package. This legislation will provide much needed investment in the American economy through a variety of avenues. It is essential that the education and health initiatives that are currently major priorities in this legislation remain so. Congress is in the midst of deciding our nation’s future. Tell them that any future must depend on the health and education of our children. Call your Representative and both Senators in Congress and let them know that you believe education and health must remain top priorities in the economic stimulus package.
Since Congress will be acting on this legislation as early as tomorrow, we encourage you to call your members of Congress.
For information to help you make this phone call, Please visit PTA Takes Action Center: Call-in Alert
To email your Members of Congress, please visit PTA Takes Action Center: Email Alert.

News from the City of Santa Clarita about "Hit the Trail" Bike Ride

"HIT THE TRAIL" COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE AND RALLY KICKS OFF COUNTDOWN TO AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA

Mayor Frank Ferry, City officials and Hometown Station KHTS A.M. 1220 invite local residents to Hit the Trail on Saturday, January 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free of charge and includes a community bike ride and rally set to kick off the countdown to the Amgen Tour of California which is returning to Santa Clarita in February. Santa Clarita is hosting a stage start and will welcome Lance Armstrong and the world's top cyclists on Saturday, February 21.
Local residents are invited to enjoy a leisurely bike ride along the City's off-street bike trails en route to Bridgeport Park, where participants of all ages will enjoy food, fun and giveaways. Once at the Park, participants will have the opportunity to challenge each other to a stationary bicycle race called "Cycle Showdown." Attendees will also enjoy several community booths, with giveaways including non-profit groups raising awareness for cancer. Santa Clarita's Hometown Station KHTS AM 1220 will be on-hand emceeing all of the activities.

Participants can also sign in at the City booth at the park event for Amgen Tour of California "Spirit Points" for participating schools. In addition to getting residents in the spirit to host the Amgen Tour of California, Hit the Trail also celebrates Santa Clarita's healthy lifestyle and more than 30 miles of off-street bike trails that residents of all ages are free to enjoy.

To participate in this free community event, arrive at one of the designated starting points before 10 a.m. All bicycle routes finish at Bridgeport Park, but residents not planning to ride are encouraged to enjoy the Rally at the Park by other means of transportation. Route 1 starts at Valencia High School, Route 2 begins from Placerita Jr. High School and Route 3 starts in Canyon Country at the corner of Soledad Canyon Road and Camp Plenty Road.

Sponsors for this year's Hit the Trail event include KHTS AM 1220, Jamba Juice, Glen Ivy Day Spa, Spectrum Athletic Club and the Castaic Lake Water Agency (CLWA), which will provide water for thirsty riders.

Read more about Hit the Trail, including a map of the three starting points. For information regarding the Amgen Tour of California, please visit santa-clarita.com/tourofca.

Hart District Shares, "What's Good in Education"

Recently I learned of a terrific source of news and information about the Hart School District. It is called, "What's Good in Education." It's written by Pat Willet. She does a terrific job of highlighting the good things happening on the various Hart campuses. Please take a moment and check it out. You can find it by clicking on "What's Good in Education" on the Hart home page (www.hartdistrict.org) or click here to read the Dec. 10th issue: http://www.hartdistrict.org/news/WGIE/121008.pdf

Please check in on this wonderful site...it's a good thing.

FREE Admission to Local Museums

Free Admission to Local Museums

Stacy Kupfer uncovered this hot tip. Due to a generous donation by Target, local museums are offering free admission on certain days. Pass along this good news to your school’s parents and teachers. What a great opportunity!

Bowers Museum, Orange County
Free admission the first Sunday of every month, 10am-4pm
Bowers.org

California African American Museum
Free admission the first Sunday of every month, 11am-5pm
Caamuseum.org

Children’s Museum at La Habra
Free admission the first Saturday of the month, 10am-5pm
Lhcm.org

Japanese American National Museum
Free admission and programming the second Saturday of the month, 11am-4pm, beginning February
Janm.org

Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Free admission on federal holiday Mondays, 12-8pm
Lacma.org

Museum of Latin American Art
Free admission every Sunday, 11am-6pm
Molaa.org

Orange County Museum of Art
Free admission and family-friendly activities on the second Sunday of each month
Ocma.net

Orange County Pacific Symphony
Free outdoor concerts in Orange County city parks in August
Pso.org

How to Add Your Voice to a Word Document

WOW!

Here's a really practical tip from the www.schoolcounselor.com newsletter. Try it yourself and show it to your older kids who are beginning to create special reports using MS Word. Or, how fun would it be to email a letter to a relative with your child's voice!

You will need a computer microphone for this.

"1. Open a New Word document

2. Pull down the Insert Menu

3. Click on: Object...

4. From the Object window scroll down to: Wave Sound

5. Highlight: Wave Sound

6. Click on: Okay

7. You will now see the Sound Object window (looks like a tape recorder)

8. Click on the red dot button to record. Default time is set for 60 seconds maximum. You can record longer by stopping and starting at the end of the first 60 seconds recorded.

9. Click on the black square button to stop.

10. A speaker icon will appear in your Word document.

11. To play back the sound file, simply double-click on the speaker icon. You may have to tell the recipient of the document to turn their speakers on and to double click the speaker icon to hear you.

By the way, if you are using an e-mail software program such as Microsoft Outlook (and not a web based e-mail program), you can send the document more quickly by going up to File >>> Send To >>> Mail Recipient (as Attachment). Of course, in the To and Cc boxes, enter recipient names, and add any additional information or select any additional options you want."

Message from Anna Rast, Special Needs Chairperson

Hello, beloved Special Needs PTA School Representatives!

This is just a quick note to congratulate you all on the amazing activities I keep hearing about you all doing so far in this 2008-9 school year. You guys are amazing! Also, it's beyond time that we all get together and party at my house!

This year, Renee Bowen is helping me on the Council level, and she and I would love to
invite you all to a fun, entertaining, festive meeting/training/breakfast-fest
at my home on Friday, January 30th,
at 9:00am (or after kid drop-off)

Of course, YOUNGER KIDS & SIBLINGS ARE WELCOME!!!

Please take a moment to RSVP (specialneeds@scvpta.org) and I will provide you with the address and directions.

(If you can't make it, we can forward you notes, hand outs, etc.)

I am thrilled at the prospect of us all meeting together on the 30th, and, in the meantime, if you have any question, suggestion, or comment at all, please don't HESITATE to contact me at ANY TIME (specialneeds@scvpta.org ). I always look forward to hearing from you all!

Take care, keep me posted, and come one, come all on Friday the 30th!

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King

Take time to honor one of the most respected men in the history of our country, Dr. Martin Luther King. Your child may hear about Dr. King at school this week. Brush up on your history so you can answer questions. We found this comprehensive webpage with several ideas to celebrate the man and his vision. Check out this page from familyeducation.com to learn more about this American hero who advocated for civil rights and strove to instill peace during a very turbulent time.

http://fun.familyeducation.com/martin-luther-king-jr/black-history-month/35249.html

Simple Science Activities for Elementary School Children

Science activities can be fun, easy, and inexpensive. Here are three simple activites that are appropriate for children ages 5-10 with adult assistance. Why take time to conduct science experiments? These activities increase your child's observation, analytical, and creative skills. If you conduct the experiments with a group of children, they also learn to share ideas and cooperate with others. You can find many more experiments through Internet research or a trip to your local library.

Lifting an Ice Cube with a String

1.) Gather a salt shaker, kite string, and ice cubes.

2.) Ask your children if they think an ice cube can be lifted with a string.

3.) Sprinkle salt on one side of the cube and lay the string over the salted area. The salt with “glue” the string to the ice cube.

4.) Pick up the cube using the string.

Making Old-Fashioned Earphones

1.) Gather 2 empty yoghurt cups or plastic cups, 3 yards of string, and 2 paper clips per pair of children

2.) Poke a small hole carefully in the bottom of the cups. (Adults can do this in advance)

3.) Thread one end of the string through the hole of one of the cups from the bottom up so that the string end comes up in the cup. Tie the end of the string to a paper clip to prevent the string slipping through the hole. Repeat with other cup.

4.) Ask the children to hold onto their cup and walk away from each other until the string is taut.

5.) Take it in turns to speak quietly into the cup and listen with the pot/cup held against the ear. What happens if the string is not taut? Explain how the cup vibrates when you speak into it which makes the string vibrate and then the cup next to the ear which all makes the sound travel.

Which Way Does the Wind Blow?

1.) Gather doweling sticks, thin cotton fabric, and fabric (sometimes called tacky glue) glue

2.) Adults, cut the fabric into rectangles and long triangles.

3.) Glue the material onto one end of the stick, rolling it so that there is a complete turn of material, leave until dry.

4.) Take the flags outside to see if there is enough wind to make the flags fly. If the flags fly look at which material flew the easiest. Hold the flags low down to the ground and then up high to see if there is any change. Leave the flags outside in the ground and record each day if the flags are flying and in which direction they are flying. This opens discussions about wind and weather.

Back to School!

Winter break is coming to an end. After all the excitement of the holidays it may be difficult for your children to get back into the school routine. No matter the age, returning after a two or three-week break can be a challenge. It’s just as difficult for adults to return to the faster-paced routine of school, homework, and after-school activities. Rather than a stressful return, you can take a few steps to facilitate a smooth transition.

Prepare in advance. Depending on the age of your child, you can determine the tasks your child can complete independently. You know your child’s habits, so you know best if you need to verify that everything is in ship-shape the day before.

1.) Pack the back pack the day before.
2.) Select and lay out her clothes the day before.
3.) Fuel your car the day before. Get into the habit of fueling your car at times other than before school or work to reduce stress.
4.) If your child brings a lunch, make it the night before and put it in the refrigerator. Place a “Post-it” style note on your child’s back pack reminding her to grab the lunch in the morning.
5.) Check your pantry and refrigerator. Make sure you have ingredients for a healthy breakfast.
6.) Before bedtime set the table for breakfast so your family can serve themselves simple things like fruit and cereal.

Organize your home for school morning success.

1.) Place all your non-refrigerated breakfast foods in one area of your pantry. This will make it easier to track inventory of your breakfast foods and easier for your older children to access.
2.) Make a grooming checklist for your younger kids. Attach it to their bathroom mirror or inside of the door. It will help them remember all the grooming tasks they must do each morning.
3.) Establish an area and bin where each child can store her school things. Create a separate place for items needed for sports and special activities. Train your child to always return her items to the proper storage area for easy retrieval later. Label the areas with words for older kids and label with pictures for your very young children.
4.) Create a weekly planning calendar. Note activities as well as what special items are needed for those activities.

Making sure all the work is done. Nothing is worse than hearing at 7:30 am that your child needs to finish her math homework or that a note needs to be signed.

1.) Help avoid that stress by creating a homework station. Make sure that homework is put back into backpacks as soon as it is completed so it is not forgotten.
2.) Sign all school notes and forms immediately. Place it in the proper folder after signing.
3.) Record important reminders on your planner as soon as you receive the notice.
4.) Set the alarm allowing an additional 15 minutes for the unexpected.

You’ll be amazed at how these simple steps can make such a big difference. Careful, you may even find yourself humming a happy tune in the morning rather than scolding your children to “hurry up!” Children and adults will appreciate the peaceful routine.

New Year - New Start

The new year is an excellent time for a new start for adults and children too. If your child is disappointed in his/her grades from the first half of the year, you can help your child make a fresh start. If your student did not perform well in a class, it can be a great lesson. Talk with your child and the teacher to determine what went wrong. Help your child avoid those mistakes. Create a strategy for the new semester that includes time for family, study, play, sports, and relaxation.

* Schedule meetings with your child’s homeroom teacher or counselor. If you are having communication issues with a teacher (it happens occasionally) talk to a counselor or school administrator. Build a collaborative relationship with teachers and avoid the blame game.

* Encourage your child to ask the teacher questions when he/she does not understand a new lesson. Let your child know that the teachers are there to support students. Don't wait until a grade has slipped to talk to the teacher.

* Consider tutoring for your child. Ask your school counselor or teacher about the options offered by the school district. If the school cannot provide the tutoring, they may have a list of recommended tutors.

* Help your child understand how lifestyle choices affect schoolwork. Things like excessive television/video games, unhealthy food choices, lack of sleep, and skipping breakfast can affect your child’s performance.

* Don’t let your child become overloaded with too many after-school activities or commitments. Remember, your kids need downtime too!

* Lastly, children of all ages need an appropriate place to complete homework assignments. Set up a table or desk with plenty of space. Ensure your child has adequate lighting and necessary school supplies.

Let your child relax during the last days of break so they will return to school rejuvenated and ready for success in the new semester!