Pawprints - January 18, 2011
Details:
.png)
Dear Pacific Parents and Guardians,It is difficult to avoid hearing and reading unpleasant news; the State economy, unemployment and profound educational budget deficits. This information is everywhere. It’s the good things, however, that we don’t hear about often enough. I want to take a moment to share what is fabulous about Pacific School!
Pacific students are the heart of our school and prior to the winter vacation their compassion and kindness was in full swing. Students (and parents) donated holiday gifts for dozens of local South Bay families through the Richstone Adopt-a-Family Drive and we also donated dozens of new toys for the Ronald McDonald House. Thank you for sharing your Panther generosity with so many other people during the Holiday season.
In just a few weeks, Pacific’s elected Student Council leaders will execute a wonderful service learning project. They plan to sell Valentine grams and donate the funds to Heifer International. Their goal is to raise $200.00 and donate three rabbits, one flock of chickens, and one goat to a deserving family living in poverty. In the near future, look for specific information on the Pacific website and in future emails blasts. Thank you in advance for supporting our school leaders.
We have a wonderful school community for many reasons. Pacific classroom teachers are amazing and their ability to ignite learning is second to none. Students have been working hard to master grade level skills and they are showing significant gains in confidence and progress toward the end of year grade level standards. Our excellent specialists in science, computer and the library have been supporting students in their progress. The opportunity for students to participate in hands-on learning is invaluable. Thank you MBEF for funding these positions.
Pacific parents and guardians are committed partners in their child’s education. We just enjoyed an amazing musical assembly last week on the history of theatre funded with love by PTA. Many students were active participants in this assembly and we certainly have Panthers with dramatic flair! Also, last week Pacific School received new swings on all playgrounds thanks to the combined funding partnership of the Tanner family and PTA.
The next time your ears and eyes are flooded with unpleasant late-breaking news, close your eyes and picture your child. You will then recall the joy that he or she brings to the world each day.
With appreciation,
Debbie Mabry
Principal
VITALITY CITY COMES TO MANHATTAN BEACH!!
by Sabrina S., 4th Grade
What is Vitality City?
Vitality City is a place where people live healthy, happy, productive lives well into their hundreds. These communities are called “Blue Zones,” and these communities share nine traits that help them to live longer, better, lives. Here are the “Power 9”:
1. 1. Move Naturally (find ways to move mindlessly, making moving unavoidable
2. 2. Plan de Vida (know your purpose in life)
3. 3. Down Shift (work less, slow down, rest, take vacations)
4. 4. 80% Rule (stop eating when you’re 80% full)
5. 5. Plant-power (more veggies, less protein and processed foods)
6. 6. Red Wine* (consistency and in moderation) – only if you are legal age
7. 7. Belong (create a healthy social network)
8. 8. Beliefs (spiritual or religious participation)
9. 9. Your Tribe (make family a priority)
What does this have to do with Manhattan Beach?
In May of 2010, the Beach Cities Health District (“BCHD”) applied to participate in the Vitality City initiative. In October 2010, after official selection of the Beach Cities as the next Vitality City, the Manhattan Beach City Council formally approved our City’s participation in the program to be rolled out over the next three years.
How Can You Get Involved?
To get the most out of this experience, experts from around the nation will be working with the Beach Cities residents and civic leaders to evaluate our lifestyle and community and to help foster changes to make our Beach Cities a Blue Zone. Your involvement will really help. Please check out http://bchd.org/vitality/ to sign up to participate in a Focus Group on many topics, including School Health, Kids Walking To School, Bike/Walk Master Plans, Community Gardens, Cooking Classes, Restaurants, Purpose, Volunteering, among others.
Annual Appeal Ends Jan 31st
Only 2 weeks left!
The MBEF Annual Appeal ends Jan. 31st. Please donate today to keep our class sizes small. Help keep valuable programs such as computer lab, science lab, music, the librarian and reading specialist.
5 classes have reached the 100% bonus! Thank you to the families of Okumura, Sanders, Cooley, Cameron, and Ahrens & Jordan. Than you for giving our schools a hand! Click here to see where your classes stand.
80% of Pacific families have donated to MBEG so far - Thank you! We still need to raise $600,000 to meet last year's donations and maintain the programs we have today.
Give today at www.mbef.org
GETTING TO KNOW OUR STRINGS TEACHER, Ms. Katie Cavallaroby, Vicky M., Bella N. and Natalia U.-T., 5th Grade
On a chilly winter day at the start of the new year, we set off to interview Miss Cavallaro. We were all very excited to learn more about Pacific’s strings teacher and discover the answers to questions we were longing to ask!
Bella: How many instruments do you know how to play and what are they?
Miss Cavallaro: I first learned how to play violin, then viola, cello, bass and then even band instruments.
Vicky: What do you like best about playing violin or any strings instrument?
Miss Cavallaro: I really like the way the violin sounds.
Natallia: What inspired you to be a music teacher?
Miss Cavallaro: I decided in 8th grade because I couldn't imagine that I would graduate without being involved with music again.
Bella: What is your favorite instrument to play?
Miss Cavallaro: I have to say I love all string instruments, but if I have to pick a favorite it would be violin because it was my first instrument.
Vicky: When did you first play violin in your whole life?
Miss Cavallaro: When I was in 3rd grade in Onondaga Road Elementary School in New York.
Natalia: What was your favorite subject in school as a little girl?
Miss Cavallaro: Science.
Bella: Where did you go to school to learn about music?
Miss Cavallaro: I went to Ithaca College in New York.
Vicky: What do you like best about teaching music?
Miss Cavallaro: I like the kids because they have many ways to surprise me- in a good way!
Natalia: If you could not have been a music teacher, what would you have chosen to do for a career?
Miss Cavallaro: A science teacher.
Bella: What is your most memorable experience as a music teacher?
Miss Cavallaro: I’ve had a lot of memorable experiences as a music teacher. I have to say that going to Knott’s Berry Farm with the honor strings students was very memorable.
Vicky: Did you have other music teaching jobs and where?
Miss Cavallaro: Yes- in the elementary schools in Santa Monica.
Natalia: Where did you grow up?
Miss Cavallaro: Syracuse, New York.
Bella: What do you like to do in your free time?
Miss Cavallaro: I really like to go running and I like to cook.
Vicky: What do you like best about about Pacific?
Miss Cavallaro: I like how Pacific students think. They are very smart! I also love to work with the classroom teachers here at Pacific and need to give them credit for their work with the students.
Natalia: Why did you come to teach at Pacific and other schools in Manhattan Beach?
Miss Cavallaro: I was ready for a change and wanted to teach 3rd graders also. I only taught 4th and 5th graders in Santa Monica.
Bella: What style of music do you like?
Miss Cavallaro: I like a variety of music but at a concert I like to listen to classical music.
Natalia: What’s your favorite food?
Miss Cavallaro: Veggies from the Farmer’s Market! (She is a vegetarian.)
Bella: What is your favorite ride at Knott’s Berry Farm?
Miss Cavallaro: The Xcelerator! (a fast roller coaster!)
We had a spectacular time interviewing Ms. Cavallaro, and encourage any 2nd grader to pick up a string instrument when they enter 3rd grade!
Getting To Know Our Band Teacher, Ms. Amy Johnsonby Jack W. & Joseph C., 5th Grade, and London F. & Sofie K., 4th Grade
It was the sixth of January, we woke up as the sun touched the sky. We knew today was the day that we got to interview Ms. Johnson, our well-known band teacher. She gave us the inside scoop of her journey to becoming our wonderful band teacher.
Jack: How does it feel to see your students go from clueless musicians to being the best in their school?
Ms. Johnson: It's a really great feeling. I'm super proud of students who accomplish great things.
Joseph: What's your most memorable moment related to music?
Ms. Johnson: I think it was when I was a kid, when I performed my first concert in elementary school.
London: How old were you when you decided to become a music teacher?
Ms. Johnson: I was 17 years old when I decided to become a music teacher.
Sofie: What's your favorite instrument?
Ms. Johnson: I love all the band instruments, but I like the sound of the euphonium best and my favorite to play is the the flute.
Jack: Have you ever considered a career in professional music?
Ms. Johnson: I did consider teaching professional music. And yes, I did consider a professional career, but I decided that I love teaching more.
Joseph: What inspired you to be a band teacher?
Ms. Johnson: I loved music. There were many other things I could’ve done, but I loved sharing music with others.
London: Where did you go to college to learn about music?
Ms. Johnson: I went to the University of Illinois and Illinois State University.
Sofie: Which instrument did you learn first?
Ms. Johnson: I learned to play the recorder first, then flute.
Jack: Do you believe there is such thing as professional music?
Ms. Johnson: Yes, there are people that reach a level that is amazing. However, one of the best things about music is that it's an activity that everyone can participate in.
Joseph: Any advice to kids who want to be in or are already in band?
Ms. Johnson: Practice, practice, practice, and stick to it!
London: Did you ever do any other job besides a music teacher?
Ms. Johnson: I had a part-time job when I was in school.
Sofie: How old were you when you learned your first instrument?
Ms. Johnson: I learned recorder when I was 8 years old and the flute when I was 9 years old.
Jack: Who is your favorite composer and why?
Ms. Johnson: It changes a lot. Currently, my favorite composer is Berlioz, because he was really creative and innovating in his time.
Joseph: Who is your favorite musician?
Ms. Johnson: Probably Dave Brubeck. He’s a jazz musician
London: Do you have a particular type of music you like to listen to best?
Ms. Johnson: Almost all music is my favorite but in particular I like jazz, rock and classical.
Sofie: What is your favorite song to play on any instrument?
Ms. Johnson: I like to just improvise in jazz style.
Jack: How does it feel to have to select some kids for Honor Band and not others?
Ms. Johnson: That is one of the hardest things I do, because I know everyone works so hard for it.
Joseph: What's makes you love music so much?
Ms. Johnson: I like that on one hand, you have to work hard on it, and on the other hand, you get to be very fun and creative.
London: What's one fact about you that most people would not know?
Ms. Johnson: One fact would be that I went to 9 different schools before high school because my dad was in the Air Force.
Sofie: What do you like to do in your free time, not including playing an instrument?
Ms. Johnson: I like to go camping and hiking.
Now you know a little more about our exceptional band teacher, Ms. Johnson, too!
Winter Memoriesby Bella N., 5th Grade
Snowflakes dancing by the firelight
Reindeer prancing in the snow
Icy mountains in the moonlight
Ice-skaters putting on a show
Pine trees sprinkled with snowy dust
Sledding down a giant hill of ice
Drinking hot cocoa is a must
Skiing the same slope once, twice, thrice!
Frozen toes and many smiles
Sitting by a warm and cozy fire
Bundling up in snow-clothes by the piles
Throwing snowballs ‘till you’re more than tired
So many memories of winter fun
To last until time ends
From snowball fights to skiing under a wintery sun
Winter memories are your friends!
Martin Luther King, Jr. DayBy Katie A., 4th Grade
On January 17th we celebrated the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was born with the name Michael but later changed it to Martin. After graduating from high school at the age of 15 he went on to study at Morehouse College. After graduating from Morehouse College in 1948 he considered a career in medicine or law but chose ministry instead. He studied at Crozer Theological Seminary where he listened to a lecture by Mahatma Gandhi about the way that India was treated back then. That night Dr. King thought about what Mahatma Gandhi said. On December 1,1955 Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat on a bus for a white passenger, and in protest Dr. King and a few friends started making African Americans walk wherever they went. They called this the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The boycott finally ended when the Supreme Court forced the Montgomery Bus Company to accept racial integration. From then on Dr. King went to many meetings and protests to stop discrimination against African Americans. August 28, 1963 was a great mark in history. This was the day that Martin Luther King gave his “I have a dream…” speech for the first time. In 1964, Dr. King was very fortunate to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Unfortunately, Dr. King was shot and killed in 1968 by James Earl Ray. In memory of this remarkable man a memorial has been erected close to his small Atlanta cottage. Many people, including Presidents, visit the memorial every day. Soon I wish I can go to the memorial and change the world forever like he did.
Velocity!by Brendan R., 5th Grade
Velocity Sports Performance is a fun place to train. I have been working out at Velocity for a year and Jack S. has trained there both in small groups and with his soccer team.
I like all the coaches at Velocity but both Jack S. and I think that Tony is our favorite.
My favorite game is Cross the River because it's a strategy game. Jack S. has always wanted to play Cross the River since hearing about it from me.
My speed has improved the most because of the techniques they teach plus the strengthening activities.
Jack Johnson from the LA Kings works out there sometimes when I'm there.
I just found out that one of the Pacific's families owns Velocity Sports Performance. They have donated their building so our parents can have a party to raise money for our school. That is so cool that they are supporting our school this way. I think we should show our support to them by all joining Velocity!
Check out their website http://www.velocitysp.com/southbay
WHY 5TH GRADE IS SO GREATby Trever V., 5th grade
Have you ever been sick and had to stay home from school more than a day or two? I have and let me tell you … it is NOT fun! At first, oh yeah, dog by your side, all the ice cream and Gatorade you can eat and drink, sports channel, reruns of CSI Miami, Josh and Drake, Disney Channel, and an occasional bout on Xbox when my babysitter is in the garage doing laundry. However, I miss hanging out with my friends at recess, laughing and being silly, doing all the fun activities like writing, math, science, going to Student Council and Young at Art. I miss all of the experiences we share each day in class, on the playground at recess, in the science lab and in the reading center. Together we all create these memories each day. Everyday is fun!
The moral of the story is always make sure we wash our hands all the time. Sneeze into our arm when we sneeze. Eat the right foods to keep our bodies strong. Get lots of rest so we can go to school every day and have the most fun we can with all our friends and teachers in the 5th grade.
Why is 5th grade so great? Because my friends, my teachers, and all the fun things we are so fortunate to do at Pacific in 5th grade. I love 5th grade at Pacific and I can’t wait to get better and go to school to see my friends again, continue to learn fun things, and be silly too!
PawPollWhat is the favorite winter activity of our Pacific Panthers? Given the choice of skiing, snowboarding or sledding, this is what we found out: Skiing is the overall favorite, followed by snowboarding and then sledding!
User login
Mailing list
| Join Our Mailing List |
Order Scrip
