Pacific Pawprints - March 29, 2011

Details:

Dear Pacific Parents and Guardians,

As we prepare to enjoy spring vacation next week, my wish is that all families enjoy the longer days of sunshine and anticipated warmer temperatures. So, explore…create…giggle…and take the time to celebrate your family. The months and years pass quickly and in a blink your darling children will be spreading their wings and soaring to middle school. The Panther years are priceless and we have much to celebrate!

Last week, we honored the efforts of the fall Student Council officers and representatives and welcomed the newly elected spring members. The fall and spring leaders supported the delivery of the donated books from the Access Books Drive on Saturday. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of students in other local communities. Each week Mrs. Liu or Miss Glassman meet with our leaders to explore ways that our students can make a difference. Helping others and finding opportunities to make our community and world a better place have been the cornerstone of the student council program. Thank you for supporting their projects and sharing in Pacific’s mission of service learning.

This past weekend, Pacific’s 5^th grade Odyssey of the Mind team competed in a State level competition. They completed against 26 teams in their division and they were spectacular. The team did not advance to the World level competition but their performance exceeded our expectations and set a new Pacific record! Thousands of teams throughout the U.S. and from 25 other countries participate in the Odyssey of the Mind program. Way to go 5^th grade Panthers!

Don’t forget to participate in the following Panther events this week:

~School Site Council Survey – please send in the last page of the survey with your Panther (Monday to Friday).

~Return your “Intent to Return to Pacific” form(s). Student enrollment data is critical, as we must carefully monitor our projected attendance, at every grade level, for the 2011-2012 school year.

~Kindergarten registration for next year is continuous. If you know anyone with a child who is planning to attend Pacific School in the fall, please send them to the school office.

~Lemonade and Bake Sale on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. (after school); proceeds to be donated to Red Cross for Japan efforts (refer to website for specific information).

-Instrumental Mini Concerts in the cafeteria (refer to classroom teacher for specific information).

~Kubuki Theatre on Friday (1^st grade); various times and locations (refer to classroom teacher for specific information). We encourage parents to videotape performances for a family movie at home and to also allow older siblings to remain in their classrooms.

Have a wonderful week and please enjoy next week with your wonderful children!

Warm regards,

Debbie Mabry

Principal

Parent Party

A big biker THANKS to our phenomenal parent party chairs, Denise Root and Donnelle Weaver, as well as their committee. On April 19th, they transformed Velocity Sports Performance into a roaring Saturday night escape for our parents! The auction was incredible, the band was awesome, the food was delicious, the venue was perfect and the costumes were...well, let's just say there are photos as evidence! What a great night!!! Thank you ladies for all your hard work and dedication to the event and to Pacific. You are both incredible. We are going to miss your creativity and enthusiasm, as you both move on to the middle school next year! Thank you to all the Pacific parents for supporting our largest school fundraising event of the year!

There are still a number of wonderful auction items at a great value that are available. Go to www.parentparty.pacificschool.com to bid on or buy your next favorite thing now!!! On-line bidding will close on Wednesday, April 13 at 11:59pm.

Event Photos can be viewed and obtained by clicking on this link for The Green Screen Event.

Book Drive

Thank you so much to our wonderful Book Drive Committee, Cambria McCulloch, Carla Fritsch, Jill Hansen and Jessica Pickard...The book drive was an amazing success thanks to your hard work. The staff and children at Lincoln Elementary were so happy to see our vans drive up to deliver our donated books. So many of them had huge smiles on their faces! Over 2,000 books were donated. A big thank you also to all of our Pacific Panthers for bringing in your used books and helping other people. What an amazing lesson for us to teach our children!!!

Way to go PANTHERS!!!

Jog-a-Thon

Pacific Panthers save the date!!! On April 22nd, Pacific School, will be hosting the Jog-A-thon!!! Students K through 5th grade will participate in this healthy, fun activity. Stay tuned for more information!!!

Parent Party Chairs Thanks YOU!

The 2011 Parent Party and Silent/Live Auction (aka: Biker Ball) was a HUGE success. We have heard so many compliments from so many, thank you, it really makes the hard work worth while to know that everyone had a terrific night. Of course an event like that doesn't happen without the support of so many...we could not have pulled it off without first and foremost, Velocity Sports Performance for providing us with the best venue ever! Thank you to Wayward Sons for the rockin' performance, you guys really stole the night! Thanks to Memphis Catering for the mouthwatering southern fare, to Nothing Bundt Cakes for the decadent desserts and Candy Warehouse for the sweet buffet, to VOX DJ's for providing us with the tunes and the yummy cookies in the VIP bags, to Minuteman Parking Co. for the safe rides, to Classic Party Rentals for setting us up right, to Sport Court of Southern CA for protecting the turf and thank you to all our beverage sponsors and to all those that provided the goodies for the VIP bags. For a complete list of our donors and sponsors, please click here and show our appreciation by supporting their businesses. Most importantly, thank you to all the Pacific Families that donated auction items, volunteered their time and came out to support the Pacific PTA last week, our school is truly amazing and blessed because of you! Thank you to all the classroom coordinators who pulled together the most incredible classroom donations this year, really above and beyond - and to Kim Noonen who helped make that all possible. Thank you one and all for your multitude of contributions in so many ways and a special THANKS to our amazing committee and to each and every one of you that jumped in and lent a hand (or two) and volunteered your time to help us- too many to name, but we must mention a few who really gave 150% - Sarah Mullen, Denise Loversky, Kim Noonen, Nicole Sevier, Keri Castronuovo, Colleen Soulis Pachler, Jody Williams, Regina Schroeder, Nicole Hirshberg and Staci Trief - thank you, thank you! A big Panther THANK YOU to Lawaii and her husband Jerry for going above and beyond the call of duty!

Sadly, this is our last year here at Pacific, as our youngest are promoting and off to MBMS next year. We truly wanted to go out with a bang and throw a great party and raise a lot of money for Pacific and looks like we succeeded at both. Thank you Pacific PTA for the opportunity to be a part of such a great community of people.

Denise Root & Donnelle Weaver

p.s. There are still some great auction items left, new ones getting added and some fun Buy It Now Experience left. So check out the online auction at www.ParentParty.PacificSchool.com

Hey Biker people, you can still check out the photos from the event at The Green Screen Exposure

5th Grade Breakfast Roundtable

Please click here for a list of 5th Grade Transition Activities.

Also, don't miss the 5th Grade Breakfast Roundtable on April 27th at 7:30 - 8:05 am in the Pacific Cafeteria. It's a great time for your child to ask Pacific alumni their questions about MBMS. Please click here for the details.

CSA, all the way!

by Green Pacific Parent, Janet Anderson

If you’re not already participating in this eco-trend, you may have heard the acronym CSA and wondered what it means. Community Supported Agriculture allows consumers to “subscribe” directly to local farms to receive boxes of seasonal, fresh, often organically-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs. Many CSA farms will drop your order off at a local farmers’ market, including the Tuesday market in Manhattan Beach. Prices and produce range greatly, so do your research at http://www.localharvest.org before choosing the CSA that is right for you. In addition to supporting local farmers, you will most likely be introduced to produce you haven’t purchased before. Not sure what to do with kohlrabi? CSA websites offer cooking tips and recipes for the items they provide each week. Produce boxes can be generous, so bi-weekly orders may suffice. Better yet, ask a friend or neighbor to share in the bounty, expense and adventure!

We Want Your Feedback! - School Site Council (Survey) - Complete Week of March 28th

YES, ANOTHER SURVEY!!! Our annual SSC Survey is ready. Pacific School needs to know what you're thinking, whether it's to voice your concerns or give positive feedback. It takes only 5-8 minutes. Please click here to access the online survey.

We appreciate your thoughtful participation. And to show our appreciation for completing this survey, the School Site Council will be treating each classroom to reach over 60% participation to ice cream treats.

TO GET CREDIT FOR COMPLETING THE SURVEY, PLEASE PRINT THE COMPLETION PAGE FROM THE ONLINE SURVEY, SIGN IT AND BRING IT TO YOUR CLASSROOM TEACHER, OR EMAIL A COPY OF THE COMPLETION PAGE TO TERRI WARREN.

An Interview with One of Pacific’s Remarkable Kindergarten Teachers, Mrs. Emily Sanders by Katie P. and Christina L., 5th Grade

Finally, it was the day to visit our former kindergarten teacher Mrs. Sanders in our old kindergarten room. We couldn’t wait!

Katie: When did you start teaching kindergarten?

Mrs. Sanders: In 2004.

Christina: When did you decide to become a teacher?

Mrs. Sanders: I’ve been a teacher for 32 years, but I started teaching

kindergarten in 2004.

Katie: How old were you when you started teaching?

Mrs. Sanders: I was 22 when I started teaching. I started by teaching music classes for fourth and fifth graders.

Christina: Is it sometimes hard to work with little kids?

Mrs. Sanders: Yes, because you have to give everybody a lot more attention.

Katie: What is your favorite part of the day in class?

Mrs. Sanders: Opening the door in the morning and seeing the kids smile!

Christina: Do you enjoy working with little kids?

Mrs. Sanders: Yes, I do!

Katie: What is the most funny memory that happened in your kindergarten classes?

Mrs. Sanders: When I was expecting my son, a boy in my class asked me, “Are you becoming fat?” It was funny-- kids are so honest!

Christina: If you could teach any other grade, what would it be?

Mrs. Sanders: I would teach fourth and fifth graders.

Katie: You have the kids sing a lot in class. What kind of musical background do you have?

Mrs. Sanders: I have a degree in music from The California Institute of the Arts.

Christina: If you could change the school in one way, what would you like to change?

Mrs. Sanders: That’s a tough one! But if I had to choose something, I would like to move the school closer to my house.

Katie: In ten years, what do you see yourself doing?

Mrs. Sanders: I would still teach kindergarten.

Christina: Why do kindergarteners get bigger rooms?

Mrs. Sanders: The kindergarteners can’t go to the bathroom unattended, and they do a lot more physical activities inside the classroom.

Katie: Do you have any pets?

Mrs. Sanders: I have a beagle named Cleo, and I love animals!

Now you know more about our exceptional kindergarten teach, Mrs. Sanders.

Interview with Ms. Jennifer Jordan, Pacific’s Fabulous Music and Choir Teacher, by Alexandra S., Olivia W. and Ava V., 4th Grade

Ms. Jordan was full of words when we interviewed her recently. She is a wonderful music teacher who can sing beautifully!

Alexandra: Who is your most admired musician?

Ms. Jordan: Nina Simone who was a pianist and a singer. Also, Sara Bareilles who is a singer.

Olivia: If you were given the chance to become a famous singer would you take it?

Ms. Jordan: If I were given the chance to become a famous singer I would do it without hesitation! But if I weren't, I would still sing!

Ava: What is the song that you sing when you are in the shower and no one can hear?

Ms. Jordan: I don’t really sing any particular song, but I do like to sing OPERA in the shower.

Alexandra: Does music really help to enhance children's ability to learn?

Ms. Jordan: Yes, it does. It helps people get engaged. It has beautiful sounds that make images in your brain.

Olivia: What made you want to start singing?

Ms. Jordan: I started singing when I was very young and heard The Little Mermaid. I liked to sing with my friends at recess.

Ava: What is your biggest accomplishment as a music teacher?

Ms. Jordan: My biggest accomplishment was starting the elementary choir program in Manhattan Beach.

Alexandra: Which instrument do you like the most?

Ms. Jordan: I like piano, and I have been playing since I was six.

Olivia: Who is your inspiration?

Ms. Jordan: I have lots of inspiration, but my grandma is a huge inspiration because she is self-taught and she is amazing.

Ava: If you could change places for a day with any artist or musician who would it be and why?

Ms. Jordan: Let’s see... I would like to be Lady Gaga for a day because she is so interesting!

Alexandra: What was the most memorable advice a music teacher gave you?

Ms. Jordan: Try to be my best!

Olivia: If you could use one adjective to describe yourself, what would it be?

Ms. Jordan: I am light-hearted!

Ava: If you could be an instrument, what instrument would it be and why?

Ms. Jordan: If I could be any instrument, I would choose a trombone because no one really plays that instrument.

Alexandra: With the significant budget cuts, how would you advocate music at our school and to the parents?

Ms. Jordan: Love of music helps people relax. Some children struggle in other subjects at school, but never with music. In fact, students at Pacific school do not want to be absent on Thursdays so that they won't miss music classes.

Olivia: Where were you educated for singing?

Ms. Jordan: I was trained at the University of Arizona. Go Wildcats!!

Ava: If you could describe yourself as an instrument what would it be and why?

Ms. Jordan: If I could describe myself as an instrument, I would be loud so everyone could hear me.

Olivia: Have you ever auditioned for American Idol?

Ms. Jordan: I did audition for Idol, but they said they were looking for something different.

We all enjoyed listening to the responses that Ms. Jordan gave to our questions! We learned so many interesting facts about her. We even were able to hear her sing a little bit. We all hope to interview her again soon!

Spring Poem

by Mia S., Mrs. Cameron's Class - First Grade

I see them around my head.

In Spring they are born.

Chirping here and there!

Spring

Katie K.

First Grade

Mrs. Becker

Little blooms grow through the snow

Little children laugh and sing

While butterflies take wing

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe

by, Catherine W., First Grade, Mrs. Okumura's class:

1 ripe banana

2 cups frozen strawberries

3/4 cup orange juice

1 container of yogurt

Put all the ingredients together in a blender and mix it until it is smooth.

Pour into a glass and drink with a straw. Yum!!

Book Review

Beryl: A Pig’s Tale by Jane Simmons

by, Sabrina S., 4th Grade

The book Beryl: A Pig’s Tale by Jane Simmons is about a pig named Beryl and the adventures she goes on trying after being tagged for the fair. After Beryl is able to escape, she meets new friends that become her new family. Beryl and her new family go on an adventure to find a new settlement where they can all live together in peace no matter what kind of pig or animal they are. Her adventure takes them through an old sett

lement where only wild pigs are allowed. Beryl, who is not a wild pig, isn’t accepted in the old settlement and her and her new friends leave to find a new settlement. In order for them to get to the new settlement they have to go through the Bad Lands. While going through the Bad Lands, they lose an important family member but they get a guardian. Once they make it out of the Bad Lands, they get to the new settlement and they learn that new friends really are family.

Congratulations to Caroline Zisette, Pacific 5th grader, for recieving the Citizenship Award and for leading the Pledge of Allegiance at the March 15th City Council Meeting.

Student Council Election Results

by Molly G., 4th Grade

Wow, what an exciting Student Council election it's been!! Good job to all the Pacific Panthers that ran for office!

Here are your newly elected representatives:

President: Matthew Johnson

Vice President: Ava Van't Hof

Secretary: Eric Shevlet

Historian: Haley Keifer

Treasurer: Kendall Lebbin

GOOD LUCK!

Spring Training

By Joseph C., 5th Grade

A new baseball season lies in the future, and of course, everyone is asking the same question: Who will win the World Series this year? Will it be the Giants, last year’s champions? Or will it be the Yankees, with more money and World Series victories than any other team? Or will it be their rival, the Red Sox? Or the Phillies? Or the Rangers? Or the Mets? Or the Dodgers? Or the Angels? The suspense will build, and finally climax during the October Classic, but spring training will set the course of the season.

Now that the players are done celebrating the holiday season and have had their share of turkey and ham, it’s off to training. They will head to Arizona or Florida, meet their teams there, and train, train, train until they have satisfied themselves. They may have goals, like perfect that curveball, or try stealing home, or rehabilitate from that injury from last season.

In the Cactus League, or training in Arizona, will be the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Anaheim Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers.

Meanwhile, in the Grapefruit League, or training in Florida, will be the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, St Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, and Washington Nationals.

Well, it looks like everyone has a lot to look forward to this season! Records will be broken, as well as bats and bones, titles will be won, and there will be endless fun!

PawPoll:

This issue of Pawprints has a "SPRING" theme, so our staff wanted to know: If you were a caterpillar about to turn into a butterfly, what color and pattern would you want to be? Our Pacific Panthers are so creative, we wanted to share a few of the unique responses that we received:

black, green, pink and blue peace signs