Pacific Pawprints - January 4, 2011

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Dear Pacific Parents and Guardians,
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing Winter Break with family and friends. We started the week with some sleepy faces but now our students are right back into the swing of things.
 
The Pacific Office Staff sends bundles of thanks to the many kind and thoughtful families for their generous gift card donations. We feel appreciated and loved ~ Mrs. Mabry, Mrs. Howat and Mrs. Rickard.
 
As 2011 begins, the Pacific Staff renew their promise to continue to value our wonderful school community and to also continue to lead all Panthers down a path of growth. Thank you for your ongoing support, your contributions of time, resources and energy, and for the wonderful children you entrust to us each day. 
 
As we enter into the first week of January, I have three important requests:  
    
1) Please make punctuality and consistent attendance a priority. I appreciate your commitment to your child. Being on time and allowing your child to participate in the morning classroom routine helps your child feel secure and ready to learn. We receive ADA (Average Daily Attendance) funding only when your child attends school. Every dollar counts, especially during these challenging economic times. Try to schedule doctor appointments after school hours or later in the day so that your child can attend as much of the school day as possible.
 
2) Please consider a donation to MBEF – the annual appeal ends on January 31st. MBEF will have only one appeal this year and we need the support of all Pacific families. The number one reason to donate is your child. Please give today at www.mbef.org. If you have already donated, thank you for your support. 
 
3) Please continue to be an active member of our community. We welcome your support and we have volunteer opportunities for everyone. Collectively, we ensure that each and every student receives a well-rounded education and becomes a confident, life-long learner.
As always, thank you for being a part of the Pacific community and for making Pacific a great place to learn and grow.
Happy New Year!
 
Debbie Mabry
Principal

  

MBEF Annual Appeal ends January 31st.  

 

74% of Pacific families have contributed to keeping our schools strong - Thank You!

3 classes have earned the 100% participation bonus! Thank you to the families of Mrs. Okumura's, Mrs. Sanders, and Mrs. Cooley's classes for supporting our schools! Click here to view class participation levels.

Please make your tax-deductible donation today at www.mbef.org. It's an investment in your child's education. MBEF asks $1250 per child for this Annual Appeal. Please give more if you can, less if you can't.

Does your company match? Easily increase your donation by company matching.

Thank you for continuing to support MBEF! Pledge or donate today!

 

 

Thank you to Ellen Chao, for her tireless efforts in spearheading and supporting a ban on the parking of Oversized Vehicles around school campuses in Manhattan Beach.  At the December 21st, 2010 City Council Meeting, Council adopted a complaint-based RV plan.  The ordinance will still need to be put to a final vote, but as reported by Carley Dryden in the December 23rd, 2010 edition of the Beach Reporter "...parking an oversized vehicle near schools, community centers or parks will be banned."   Way to go, Ellen!
 
For more details, see the attached Beach Reporter online article:
http://www.tbrnews.com/articles/2010/12/24/manhattan_beach_news/news05.txt

 

 

Interview with Parris M., "Stink", 3rd Grade

by Röyce C. S., 3rd grade, Mrs. Brown/Mrs. Diamond
 
On top of every 3rd grader’s list for the New Year, and everyone else, should be to see the movie, “Judy Moody”! Pacific 3rd grader, Parris M., has just completed the role of “Stink” in this film.
 
On a chilly day, I spoke with Parris while sitting on the rocks outside the P.E. shed. He was wearing jeans and a tan sweatshirt. He smiles a lot.
 
How long have you been acting? “Since I was 4 years old”.
 
How did you get your first role? “I went with my brother, Ty, on his call back. (A call back is when they like you and want to see you again and maybe get the part). The director liked what I did. I pretended to eat macaroni and cheese, cry, got a band aid and cheered up”. It turned out to be a Mac-N-Cheese TV commercial!
 
Have you been in any other movies or commercials? “Yes, the T.V. program “Male Idiot”, the movie, “Worst Week”, a Rice Crispy commercial and some others”.
 
How do you get your schoolwork done while on the set?  “I have a tutor. I really like the teacher; he gives me lots of popsicles!”
 
How did you get the role of “Stink”? “I had to audition many times”.   Just then, his mother came by and added, “He had to say his lines for the part without messing up”. Parris said, “I had to memorize lines and this is really hard”!
 
In the role you had to cut your hair, did that bother you? “No, not at all. I like it so much I am keeping it this way. No curls”.
 
Did you like it when the movie was finished? “No. Not at all. I miss the popsicles and really liked playing the part of “Stink”.
 
Are you going to the premier of this movie? “Yes, of course!”
 
Would you recommend acting to other kids our age? “Yes.” Why? “Because it’s fun to do things with other people”.
 
Do you have any other family members who act? “Yes, my brothers, Ty (11 years old) and Sawyer (6 years old).
 
Who is your favorite actor? “Justin Bieber, because I also like dancing and singing”.

 

I enjoyed talking to Parris. I’m looking forward to a play date with him, soon.

 

 
Getting to Know Pacific’s PLC Teacher - Mr. Nick Fedrow
by Olivia D., Lauren M. and Christina L., 5th Grade
 
It was a warm, sunny Wednesday when we had the opportunity to interview Mr. Fedrow, the new PLC teacher. We all were feeling nervous. He approached the fifth grade tables with a big smile on his face. We were relieved that he was ecstatic about the interview and set to work immediately. All of us uncovered details that you might not know about this amazing man…
 
Lauren: Mr. Fedrow, what does PLC stand for?
Mr. Fedrow: PLC stands for Primary Learning Center.
 
Olivia: Why did you become a PLC teacher?
Mr. Fedrow: Because I believe in providing an equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
 
Christina: What do you like about Pacific school and why?
Mr. Fedrow: I like all the kids, they're very accepting and friendly.
 
Lauren: How long have you been working at Pacific’s PLC?
Mr. Fedrow: I have been working at this position for six months. It doesn’t seem like a long time, but I am very dedicated to my job.
 
Olivia: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Mr. Fedrow: It’s fun!
 
Christina: What were you before you came to Pacific?
Mr. Fedrow:  I was a resource specialist.
 
Lauren: Did you require any special training to do this job?
Mr. Fedrow: Yes. I have a Master’s degree and I had to have a Special Education credential in order to be qualified for this job.
 
Olivia: Does your job make you feel like a better person?
Mr. Fedrow: Always!
 
Christina: What's your biggest challenge while teaching?
Mr. Fedrow: Finding a way to communicate to my students.
 
Lauren: Before this job, did you do anything else?
Mr. Fedrow: I was a water polo coach and taught swim lessons.
 
Olivia: Have you had a job at a different school?
Mr. Fedrow: Yes, I was a research specialist at Meadows.
 
Christina: If you could make a change to Pacific what would it be?
Mr. Fedrow: It would be to make it closer to my house.
 
Lauren: How far away do you live?
Mr. Fedrow: I live one hour and 30 minutes away from Pacific School.
 
Olivia: What are some of your hobbies?
Mr. Fedrow: I enjoy surfing, watching movies, art, and music.
 
Lauren: If you had a different job, what would it be?
Mr. Fedrow: If I could do another job, I would be a novelist.
 
We'd like to thank Mr. Fedrow for giving up his time to be with us and let us interview him and for making this school welcoming to all kids, including kids with disabilities. Thank you Mr. Fedrow!

 

Happy New Year
by Em-J K., 3rd Grade, Mrs. Stern
 
Have a happy New Year
Stand up and have some New Year's cheer
Come on over, the party is over here
Happy New Year

 

 

Surpaws!  The Fourth Grade Flash Mob
by Olivia W., 4th Grade

The fourth grade did a flash mob (which is a sudden mass gathering, unanticipated except by participants) at lunchtime by the cafeteria during the last week of school before winter break!  We practiced for about two weeks and the dance was the Irish Jig!!!  We had so much FUN!!  Everyone at lunch was so surprised to see the fourth graders dance!  We all gave a big thanks to Mrs. Jackson, one of Pacific's fourth grade teachers, who made all of it happen!  We want to thank the other fourth grade teachers for helping, too!  The fourth graders were so excited and happy to dance for all of you!  We loved all of the cheering and support you gave us!  We were so glad you could be there to see us!  We hope we can surprise you with more dancing again very soon! 

 

Celebrating the New Year
by Katie P., 5th Grade

 

 
Have you ever wondered how people celebrate New Year’s around the world? In China, they celebrate Chinese New Year in the middle of January and they have a parade. People in Israel celebrate Rosh Hashanah. The Japanese keep away evil spirits by hanging a rope on their doors. They also begin to laugh when New Year begins which is supposed to bring them good luck in the incoming year. In India, they have a festival called the “Diwali” ceremonies where they light oil lamps. People burn Christmas trees in street bonfires and have fireworks in the Netherlands. Portuguese people pick and eat twelve grapes as the clock strikes twelve on New Year’s Eve. In Russia, “Grandfather Frost,” who wears a blue suit, arrives and brings gifts for all the children. In New York, they watch the ball drop at midnight and it drops 77 feet. Every country celebrates the New Year, but they have different traditions that are special to them. Happy New Year!

 

Paw Poll

What were the most popular New Year's resolutions made by Pacific students?  Our staff asked and here's a list of the top ten:

1.   Study more
2.   Do better in soccer/sports
3.   Be nicer to siblings
4.   Do better in math
5.   Exercise more often
6.   Eat better food
7.   Keep room clean/do more chores
8.   Volunteer more often
9.   Keep teeth/toothbrush/toothpaste container lid clean
10. Be more awesome!

 

Congratulations to Ashley Kase for winning third place in her age category (K-2) in the 2010 Bookmark Contest sponsored by the Manhattan Beach Public Library. Ashley was chosen out of a pool of 443 entries and she was honored at a City Council Meeting with the 14 other winners. Her bookmark will be available at the library throughout the year.