Sherman PTA Weekly Update – February 4th, 2010

This Week’s Events

• Family Science and Movie Night, featuring the movie “Up” and Science fun!
  • Science Fun from 5-6 pm in the Cafeteria with real-life scientist explorers, amazing living creatures from the rainforest and fun with Helium
  • Movie “Up” from 6-8 pm
  • Bring a blanket, a pillow, a picnic dinner! PJ’s optional!
  • Science Night will feature:
    • Movie theme: Real life visiting volunteer
    • Rainforest life: Randall Museum (bugs and snakes) http://www.randallmuseum.org/
    • Flying house: A party company doing helium balloons and experiments
    • Visiting/exploring the rainforest:  ekoVenture http://www.ekoventure.com/
    • Talking dogs: Animal Conversation (yes really!) http://animalconversation.net/AnimalConversation.html
    • General cool stuff:  Dan the Science Man

Next Week’s Events

• NO SCHOOL, Monday February 15th President’s Day and Lunar New Year Observance
• PTA Meeting, Tuesday, February 16th 6:15 pm to 7:30 pm
• School Site Council Meeting, Thursday, February 18th, 6:15 pm to 8 p

Let’s Play In Spanish at Sherman!

• We need more kids enrolled in afterschool Spanish to be able to offer it afterschool – Only need a few more kids to enroll to be able to offer this great class at Sherman. This is truly one of the best providers in San Francisco! (We need 10 kids per class.)
• Kinder-1st grade: Fridays, February 12-May 28th, 1:50 pm – 3 pm
• 2-5th Grade: Wednesdays, February 10-May26th , 1:50 pm – 3 pm
• Cost: $250 for GLO families/ $260 Non-GLO families
• Need a minimum of 10 kids in each class to offer
• Note that both classes run through MAY
• For more information on Let’s Play in Spanish, go to www.letsplayinspanish.com
• Please contact Beth Guy today to let her know you plan to enroll.  (Beth Guy, GLO at Sherman Site Director at shermand@gloinc.org)

Don’t Get Lost, Get Mabels Labels!

• Get organized and support the 4th/5th grade field trips with a purchase from Mabels Labels!
• www.sherman.mabel.ca – Go online now until March 15th.
• All kinds of labels to support your organizing and keep-from-getting-lost needs! (sticky, iron-on, metal, you name it!)
• All proceeds benefit 4/5 field trip funds.  Our 5th grade is still significantly short for buses for the end-of-year trip and yearbook funds; 4th grade needs support for its Sacramento field trip. 

Coming Up

• Town Hall — Public Education: Funding our Future. February 25th 6:30 pm. RSVP today at www.fundingourfuturesf.com. We need your help to show the strength of parent voices! Join our Sherman parent organizers for this city-wide event!
• Sherman Community Auction – Save the Date, Spread the Word, and Help us get MORE donations!
  • Donation forms for items available in the front office – drop one by your favorite business today or offer up one of your great hidden talents! We need help from the whole community to donate!  Donations must be received by March 1st to ensure catalog inclusion.
  • Tickets available online at www.shermanschool.org

Five Teachers and a Fund for Teachers Grant Fuel School-Wide Reading Revival

The Cat in the Hat, the Lorax, Horton and the National Education Association celebrate Dr. Seuss’ 106^th birthday on March 2 with the NEA’s “Read Across America Day.” For a team of teachers from San Francisco’s Sherman Elementary, however, the celebration lasts all year long. A Fund for Teachers grant sent five Sherman teachers to the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University last summer and the Power Readers teamreturned to engineer a reading revolution at their school.

“I’ve taught for more than 12 years and have attended many literacy workshops, but never has a workshop inspired or transformed my thinking or teaching more than this institute,”said Jennie Chen, Sherman’s fourth grade teacher.  “It introduced me to a new way of teaching reading that is balanced and produces well-rounded readers who decode words proficiently, comprehend texts deeply, and pursue reading joyfully in their lives inside and outside of the classroom. The enthusiasm brought back from New York has been contagious and the entire school community has gotten on board.”

Jennie’s principal shares her enthusiasm. “The grant that my teachers received from Fund for Teachers created a reading revolution at our school,” said Sara Shenkan-Rich, principal. “We are now all focused on building life-long readers and making sure that students are thinking as they read. And the kids can’t stop reading. They keep asking for more and more books. What more could a principal ask for — energized and excited literacy teachers and students who love to read!”

The Teachers College Reading and Writing Project’s weeklong Summer Institutes serve as annual clarion calls to more than 3,500 teachers, coaches, and administrators dedicated to creating a school community of life-long reading and writing enthusiasts. Each day delivers a new keynote address, followed by small and large group sessions that provide opportunities to practice the Reading Workshop structure and learn the theories behind the balanced literacy framework. Collaborating with staff developers and fellow teachers also inspires ideas for implementation.

That collaboration continued in December and January, when a staff developer from Columbia’s Teachers College came to Sherman for on-site teacher training. “It’s not an off-the-shelf, scripted program requiring little thought on the part on the teacher,” explained Teacher Librarian Clare Watsky, member of the Power Readers team. “Implementing this new approach requires an intense, ongoing commitment from teachers to keep learning. We have that commitment from teachers at every grade level. Seeing our workshop method implemented in our classrooms has been an exhausting, exciting experience.”

Introducing the balanced literacy framework taught at the Institute is already producing positive outcomes. “I see students becoming more excited about reading,” explained Winnie Leung, member of the team that also included colleagues Clarissa Chiu and Michelle Kishimoto. “Students are more willing to read because they have access to books at their independent reading levels. Low readers and high readers are challenged and given appropriate guidance to move their reading along. We are helping students read, think, and talk–things that proficient readers do throughout their lives.”

“The most powerful idea I took away from Columbia is that young students have the same drive as adults to find meaning in stories and talk with others about what matters to them,” said Watsky. “I feel empowered to share my deepest self as a reader to inspire my students.”

Fund for Teachers is a national, donor-supported organization celebrating its tenth year of awarding fellowships for self-designed professional growth to teachers who recognize the value of inquiry, the power of knowledge and their ability to make a difference. For more information about Fund for Teachers, visit www.fundforteachers.org.

Jennie Chen implementing the new techniques at Sherman Elementary.

Left to Right: Clare Watsky, Clarissa Chiu, Winnie Leung, Jennie Chen and Michelle Kishimoto

This Week’s Events

• NO SCHOOL Friday, Jan 29th Professional Development Day

• Green schoolyard meeting, Thurs Feb 4th, 8 am
• Town Hall Information and Volunteer Meeting, McKinley Elementary School, Thurs Feb 4th 6:30pm (1025 14th Street at Castro). Info and RSVP at www.fundingourfuturesf.com. Join schools across the city in solving the educational funding crisis.
• Family Science and Movie Night, Friday February 5th featuring the movie “Up” and Science fun!
• • Science Fun from 5-6 pm in the Cafeteria with real-life scientist explorers, amazing living creatures from the rainforest and fun with Helium
  • Movie “Up” from 6-8 pm
  • Bring a blanket, a pillow, a picnic dinner! PJ’s optional!
  • Looking for tech assistance in getting the movie set up, contact Anita at amwsanfran@yahoo.com

•  Get organized and support the 4th/5th grade field trips with a purchase from Mabels Labels!
• www.sherman.mabel.ca – Go online now until March 15th
• Labels to support your organizing and keeping-from-getting-lost needs! (sticky, iron-on, metal, you name it!)
• All proceeds benefit 4/5 field trip funds – Our 5th grade is still significantly short for buses for the end-of-year trip and yearbook funds; 4th grade needs support for its Sacramento field trip. 

Nominate a Teacher for CASH

Nominate a teacher today for the Teacher Appreciate Event, sponsored by Prudential California Realty and Pulte Homes. From Prudential:

• “WE WANT TO GIVE THE BEST SCHOOL TEACHERS CASH! For the past 18 years, Prudential California Realty’s Education Foundation has been recognizing deserving teachers in Northern California by awarding them unrestricted cash grants. To date, we’ve given over $700,000 to more than 1200 special teachers. It’s our way of giving back to the communities in which we do business.
• NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING TEACHER TODAY! We are accepting nominations of outstanding teachers for our 2010 grant program. In May, we will host award ceremonies throughout Northern California to give acknowledgement to the teachers chosen for these grants.
• MORE INFORMATION. For more information and to see our brochure please visit our website, www.prurealty.com/educationfoundation to fill out the electronic form or contact me by email. Please note that the deadline for nominations is March 15.”

Coming Up

 Town Hall — Public Education: Funding our Future. February 25th 6:30 pm

We are excited to announce that we will be offering Spanish classes after school at Sherman! Enrollment forms will be coming home in mailfolders and available in the main office starting tomorrow Tuesday, January 26th.

“Let’s Play in Spanish”

• Kinder-1st grade: Fridays, February 12-May 28th
  • No classes March 26 and April 2
• 2-5th Grade: Wednesdays, February 10-May26th
  • No classes March 24 and March 31
• Cost: $250 for GLO families/ $260 Non-GLO families
• Need a minimum of 10 kids in each class to offer
• Note that both classes run through MAY

For more information on Let’s Play in Spanish, go to www.letsplayinspanish.com. For enrollment or other information, contact Beth Guy, GLO at Sherman Site Director at shermand@gloinc.org.

This Week’s Events

• Town Hall Volunteers Meeting, Wednesday, January 20th, 6pm
  • Come join us as we organize for the Town Hall meeting on February 25th – Public Education: Funding our Future San Francisco. Sherman parents are leading the effort for this city-wide town hall on funding education. Need volunteers of many kinds for this event!
• Auction Planning Meeting, Wednesday, January 20th, 8-9 am
• School Site Council Meeting, Thursday, January 21st 6:15pm
• Principal’s Coffee, Friday January 22nd, 8 am. Principal Shenkan-Rich will walk us through a review of Sherman achievements so far this year.

Next Week’s Events

• January 25-Feb 12th 5th grade fundraiser Valentine’s Day Flowergrams. Send one to your favorite friend or teacher!
• NO SCHOOL, Friday January 29th Professional Development Day

Help Needed

• Help Haiti. We are organizing a donation to Red Cross Relief efforts. If you would like to contribute to our school-wide effort, please return cash or a check made out to the Red Cross in an envelope marked “Help Haiti” through your child’s mailfolder by January 27th.
• More Book Leveling! We need help leveling books for more classrooms. If you can do a google search or stick a sticker, you have the skills we need! Contact Patty Myers at pmyers4@gmail.com. Your kids will thank you!

Congratulations

• Sherman won a $1,500 school garden grant from Western Growers Foundation’s School Garden Program! We will receive $1,500 and a box of resources for your school garden, including a drip-tape irrigation system donated by John Deere Water and educational resources.  Special thanks to Susan Stroman, Regan Mahoney, and Linda Myers for their work on this grant!

Mark your Calendar

• Science Movie Night Returns, Friday February 5th, 2010
• Sherman Community Auction – Save the Date, Spread the Word, and Help us get MORE donations!
  • Saturday, March 20th 2010, 6pm-10pm
  • Tickets available online on our website here, invite your friends and family!
  • Check our website here to see donated items, updated weekly!
  • Donation forms for items available in the front office – drop one by your favorite business today or offer up one of your great hidden talents!
• Save the Date –  Public Education: Funding our Future. February 25th 6:30-8:30 pm
  • RSVP today at www.fundingourfuturesf.com. We need your help to show the strength of parent voices!
  • On February 25th, join a coalition of parents and city organizations in a community discussion moderated by Michael Krasny, host of KQED’s award-winning Forum.
  • Panel includes: Mark Leno, California State Senator; Fiona Ma, California State Assembly;Tom Ammiano, California State Assembly; Carlos Garcia, SFUSD Superintendent of Schools; Debbie Look, California PTA; Jim Lazarus, SF Chamber of Commerce; Leaders from business and education non-profits
  • Let’s look for funding solutions and ways to bring about long-term change together.

Many of you have heard about the unprecedented cuts to education funding California is facing, and the resulting cuts for San Francisco Unified School District. We have heard from Superintendent Carlos Garcia that SFUSD must cut 20% from its budget over the next three years. Some of that will impact the district offices and some, our individual school sites. Here are the answers to some of the questions we have been hearing. As you have more questions or comments, please let the PTA know via our mailbox in the office or through the email: shermansfpta@yahoo.com. Some useful links to more information can be found at the bottom of this Q/A list. Please check back for more information as it becomes available.

1. Why are we facing this budget crisis now? The quick answer is that the entire economy is in a slump and our state is feeling it and is passing the pain. The longer answer goes all the way back to 1976. The California Supreme Court in Serrano v Priest found California’s school finance system unconstitutional because it created huge disparities between high wealth areas and low wealth areas. Education funding moved from one based on local property taxes to a state funded system. This was followed by Prop 13 in 1978 that limited property tax rates to 1 per cent of assessed valuaton. California’s education spending was among the highest in the nation and has steadily gone down hill ever since. It doesn’t help that Prop 98 from 1988 hasn’t had the intended effect either. This constitutional amendment guarantees a minimum funding level from state and property taxes for K-14 public schools, and was meant to establish a floor for school funding, but has instead been looked at as a ceiling. In addition, Prop 98 was suspended in bad budget years and there have been disagreements as to what the base level is which the funding formula now works upon. The last major reason we find ourselves in fights for education funding every year, is that our state legislators have a stalemate every summer on passing the budget because it requires a 2/3 vote to pass. California is one of only three states to have this requirement in its constitution.

2. Is this budget problem happening only at some schools? What about middle and high schools? No! This budget cut will affect every school in the city and has already been affecting the rest of the state. It is possible that every school site will see a 10-20% cut. At worst, that means stripping to the bare bones of regular classroom teachers, a principal and a secretary. For others who are not fully enrolled, it will be even worse. Not all the answers are out there yet of exactly what it will look like; there is a big difference between 10% and 20%.

3. What about the stimulus package money? Where is this going? Much of the stimulus package (as a whole, part of the ARRA) is restricted funding, meaning not everything can be used for just anything. Some schools did see some this year from the SFSF (State Fiscal Stabilization Fund) with more Title 1 (for free and reduced lunch students) and Special Education funds. The district will be applying for a part of the Race to the Top funds, if the state gets those funds. This won’t be a significant amount in terms of our overall budget and will be aimed mostly at innovation and creativity in reaching low-performing students. Helpful, but not available for general use.

4. What about Prop H and Prop A? Didn’t we approve mandated spending? Yes, we are still benefiting from both of these measures. The Prop H fund, passed in 2004 (PEEF- or Public Education Enrichment Fund) is still growing and was put in place to provide sports, libraries, arts, music, early childhood programs and other district uses. Prop A (The Quality Teacher and Education Act), passed in 2008, goes primarily to teachers. It is because we have both of these funds, and because of the foresight of San Francisco residents in supporting the Prop G in 2003 (aka the Rainy Day Fund) that San Francisco hasn’t felt the full effects of the budget cuts up until now.

5. How come California appears to spend so little on education vs. say Rhode Island? Because we do. California is currently 47th in the nation for per pupil spending. We spend an average of $7,571 per student, behind states like Mississippi, Florida and Idaho, while the highest spending states (Vermont, $15,139) spend about twice as much per student. California education funding is largely determined at the state level and a 2/3 vote is required to pass the state budget and increase revenue. (In other states, a much higher percentage of school funding comes from local property taxes.) Links to reports that discuss this can be found on this website.

6. Can SFUSD reduce its budget at the administration level vs. the school level? Yes. Superintendent Garcia has already said they will cut as deeply as possible next year of the 3 year cut projections, and plans to have as many of those cuts as possible at the district level, so as to have as little impact on the students as possible. That is why the range given for school site cuts (10-20%) is so large. They are moving line by line to do the best they can to meet student needs.

7. Will we be increasing class sizes next year? What grade levels might be affected? Superintendent Garcia has said that class sizes will likely go up again, but hasn’t given a number. They will know more in January/February. The higher class sizes are likely to affect transitional grades the most: kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades. Past that is still unknown.

8. What can we do about this at our own school sites? Get connected! Sign up for PTA Legislative alerts at http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/legislative-alerts.cfm to find out when there are urgent opportunities to advocate for education and children’s issues. Become a member of the city-wide “A Team”, a group of parents and teachers working together to find solutions and to create an action plan to make our voices heard. Create an advocacy or legislation chair in your PTA or PTO and get connected into the district PTA network for training and ways to help. Get organized at your own school: get parents, teachers and administrators together to talk about the right plans and focus for your community. We must tell our legislators that enough is enough! It is time to invest in children. Provide parents with messages to convey to our legislators (which this district network can help you with), actions to take, and events to attend. Our advocacy is to make sure the state meets its responsibility to pay for teachers and on-going public expenses. Remember, no amount of fundraisers will ever make up for adequate funding in the state budget.

Do you have more questions? Please contact Michelle Parker through the PTA email: legislative@sfpta.org

Where can I go for more information?

• The California State PTA has lots of great resources and information on legislation, advocacy, issues and getting organized at your school www.capta.org. Specific relevant links:
  1. California State PTA Legislation Page http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/current-legislation.cfm
  2. Local PTA Advocacy http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/local-advocacy.cfm
  3. http://www.pta.org/take_action.asp for information on advocacy at the federal level
  4. Online advocacy toolkit http://www.pta.org/3020.asp
• check out www.edsource.org for detailed information on everything you ever wanted to know about California education finance and policy- a fantastic resource! Some of their helpful reports are listed below:
  1. “New Federal Education Policies: California’s Challenge” gives the details surrounding the impact of the American Recovery and Investment Act (ARRA) on California’s schools http://www.edsource.org/pub_new-fed-policies.html
  2. “School Finance 2008-2009: Fiscal Crisis Meets Political Gridlock” explains the major features of the education budget and some of the complex political and economic factors behind it http://www.edsource.org/pub_SchFin08-09_report.html
  3. “Local Revenues for Schools: Limits and Options in California” provides background on schools districts’ current options for raising their own revenues and describes some of the ongoing discussions about ways to allow communities to raise more funds for their schools http://www.edsource.org/pub_new-fed-policies.html
  4. “Proposition 98 Sets a Minimum Funding Guarantee for Education” is a short fact sheet http://www.edsource.org/pub_prop98.html
• The SFUSD budget situation “Demystified for the Average Joe” (presentation given to principals this past fall) http://portal.sfusd.edu/data/budget/BudgetPresentationforPrincipals’Meeting.pdf
• “Students First: Renewing Hope for California” The Official Report from the Governor’s Committee on Education Excellence. You will find the executive summary, the full report, as well as a document with answers to frequently asked questions about the education debate in California. http://www.edsource.org/reform_GCEE.html
• California Teachers Association at www.cta.org and http://www.standupforschools.org/
• California Budget Project does independent analysis to improve the lives of low- and middle-income Californians and has a sections with reports on education in their left hand column www.cbp.org. Some great ones are:
  1. “How California School’s Get Their Money”- provides an introduction to K-12 school district funding http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2009/090202_SFF_HowSchoolsGetTheirMoney.pdf
  2. “How Does California Compare”- a report about how education is funded in California, the trends in funding and how it is different in other states http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2007/070926_how_does_ca_compare.pdf
  3. “How California’s School Districts Spend Their Funds” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2008/080506_HowDistrictsSpendtheirFunds.pdf
  4. “School Finance in California and the Proposition 98 Guarantee” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2006/0604_prop98.pdf
  5. “What Will the Federal Economic Recovery Act Mean for California’s Schools?” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2009/090709_SFF_ARRA.pdf
• The most recent LAO (Legislative Analyst’s Office) Report on California’s Fiscal Outlook for the 2010-2011 Budget http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/PubDetails.aspx?id=2143 The LAO is California’s Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor
• Powerpoint presentation on impacting legislators (scroll down to “Impacting Legislators” under “Archived Brown Bag Lunch Trainings” http://familyvoicesofca.org/?q=node/7
• Tips for legislative advocacy http://www.connectforkids.org/node/2694

This Week’s Events

• “How to Support Your Child as a K-2nd grade Reader” , Thursday, January 7th, 6 pm.
  • Workshop by guest teacher Rachel Rothman, Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Workshop Columbia University. School-age kids welcome for this ‘hands-on’ family workshop
• Green Schoolyard Meeting , Thursday, January 7th, 8 am 
• PTA Social – Saturday, January 9th 6pm
  • At the home of Scott and Kim Wilkinson’s home- 52 Shore View Avenue.
  • RSVP at www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=BFWYXMJDGLGFOQQKERAC
  • Please bring food and drink to share, adults only

Next Week’s Events

• PTA Meeting, Tuesday January 12th 8 am.
  • NOTE morning time. Topic: Continuing review of items at risk with budget cuts:  Computer & Gigi with Mrs. Lujan and Art with Ms. Marissa

Other PTA News

• Save the Date –  Public Education: Funding our Future. February 25th 8:30 pm
  • San Francisco Unified School District is forecasting budget cuts of 10%-20% for the 2010-2011 school year.  It is imperative that we find real short and long-term solutions to this unprecedented budget crisis.
  • On February 25th, join a coalition of parents in a community discussion with Carlos Garcia, SFUSD Superintendent of Schools, state legislators, business and non-profit leaders and educators to effect positive, lasting change for our children’s education.  We are looking for funding solutions and ways to bring about long-term change together
  • This event is being organized by a group of Sherman parents, along with supporters from other San Francisco elementary schools, SFUSD, PPS, SF Ed Fund, and Friends of the Public Library
  • If you are interested in getting involved, email Holly Carver at hollycarver@sbcglobal.net. We have a planning meeting for volunteers on  January 20th, 6 pm at Sherman Elementary School.
  • See www.fundingourfuturesf.com for more information

Fundraising

• Yes, you procrastinators, you can still donate to Annual fund – ring in the New Year with a donation to Sherman: https://co.clickandpledge.com/sp/d1/default.aspx?wid=17993

We are pleased to announce the Session 3 afterschool activities, coordinated by GLO at Sherman. Please note classes start the week of January 11^th, 2010. Details are below. Enrollment forms will be available in the main office, and will be coming home in mailfolders. Questions? Please contact Beth Guy at shermand@gloinc.org or 415-640-4144. We are also planning to add Spanish classes, with more information to follow as soon as we confirm the instructors.

Gymnastics: MON, 1:50-3pm (Grades K-5)

$110  GLO child; $120 non-GLO (7 sessions). Mondays (K-5) 7 sessions, 1:50 to 3:00 pm (Jan 11, Jan 25, Feb 1, Feb 8, Feb 22, Mar 1, Mar 8 ) Min 10 Max 15

Playtime Gymnastics is a membership based program designed to enhance motor function ability for children ages 3 to 10 years. This services provides “children specific” tumbling, gymnastics equipment, and a movement program based on fundamental gymnastics. Equipment such as Jr. swing bars, trapezoids, octagons, tumbling mats, balance beam and more is used to expose children to various skills in this non-competitive gymnastics environment.

Martial Arts: WED (Grades K-1), FRI (Grades 2-5)

Wednesdays (K-1) 9 sessions (Jan 13, Jan 20, Jan 27,  Feb3, Feb 10, Feb 17, Feb 24, Mar 3, Mar 10). $100 per GLO child, $110 per Non-GLO child. Min 10 Max 20

Fridays (2-5) 8 sessions (Jan 15, Jan 22, Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 19, Feb 26, Mar 5, Mar 12) $95 per GLO child, $105 per Non-GLO child. Min 10 Max 20

Kids’ Martial Arts classes are taught using games and exercises emphasizing music and acrobatics—working both physical coordination and mental abilities. Classes cover basic capoeira techniques, rhythms, instruments, and songs in Portuguese. The classes emphasize skill building and leadership, and build strength, flexibility, and endurance. Students will begin learning more complex acrobatics and sequences of movements.

Dragonfly Designs:  TUES, 1:50-3 pm (K-5)

$145 per GLO child, $155 per Non-GLO child. (9 sessions: Jan 12, Jan 19, Jan 26, Feb 2, Feb 9, Feb 16, Feb 23, Mar 2, Mar 9) Min 6 Max 12

Dragonfly Designs teaches fun, age appropriate after school enrichment programs while introducing children to the ancient art of jewelry making. Children are encouraged to explore their creativity and are introduced to interesting colors and textures while improving hand eye coordination, small muscle development and pattern making skills all in a relaxed, joyful environment! We create beautiful jewelry to take home during each class and have special seasonal projects planned throughout the year. We introduce the children to a wide range of age appropriate jewelry making techniques; including the use of tools!

Tree Frog Treks: WED, 1:50-3pm (K-5) 

$115 GLO child; $125 non-GLO (9 sessions) Wednesdays  (9 sessions  Jan 13, Jan 20, Jan 27, Feb 3, Feb 10, Feb 17, Feb 24, Mar 3, Mar 10) Min 8 Max 16

Come and join the amazing animal ambassadors from the deserts of Australia, the rainforests of South America, and the jungles of Southeast Asia. Prepare yourself for the Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, and then transport yourself to the African  Savannah to find out how living things have adapted to these extreme weather conditions. Make some scientific equipment like binoculars, plant presses and specimen jars to take home.

Academic Chess:   THURS, 1:50-3pm (K-5)

$100 per GLO child, $110 per Non-GLO child (9 sessions: Jan 14, Jan 21, Jan 28,Feb 4, Feb 11, Feb 18, Feb 25, Mar 4, Mar 11) Min 15 Max 25

The class is designed for everyone from the beginner to the advanced player.  With our innovative teaching methods, attendees will learn the basic principles behind the opening game, middle  game tactics/objectives, and endgame strategies. Learning this ancient game, participants will develop patience, foster critical thinking skills, and understand that decisions result in consequences.  All participants will receive our exclusive workbooks.

Upcoming Events

• Chinese New Year Parade, Mandatory First Meeting – Friday Dec 11th, 11:15- 12pm (bring your lunch)
  • 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders come help celebrate the Chinese New Year with the Chinese New Year Parade
  • Only 45 spots are available! School Contact Mrs. Lew, Room 304 (415-749-3530); Parade coordinator Erica Hunt (ericahunt@sbcglobal.net) 
• Holiday Musicale, Tues Dec 15th, 6- 7:30 pm, Auditorium
  • RAFFLEMANIA PRIZE Drawing before the show!
• Winter Bazaar, Thurs Dec 17th, Auditorium.
  • Volunteers still needed on Weds for setup and Thurs, school hours. Contact Nancy Hahn at mommieoldest@yahoo.com or 596-5149
• Auction Procurement Meeting, Mon Dec 14th – 8 am Staff Lounge

FREE Money

• Sherman Shopper – start your holiday shopping at our Sherman link and earn FREE money for Sherman!

http://www.shermanschool.org/shopping.php

Fundraising

• Annual fund is STILL going on – one more week! : https://co.clickandpledge.com/sp/d1/default.aspx?wid=17993
• RAFFLEMANIA Results – Week #6 of the Raffle, we have sold a total of 3,983 tickets for a total of $19,915 or 95% of our goal
  • Individual seller results:
    • #1 ticket seller for the week =Miles Hunt, 83 tickets sold
    • #2 ticket seller for the week =Seth Adelman, 50 tickets sold
    • #3 ticket seller for the week =Mick Jordon, 33 tickets sold
    • #1 ticket seller cumulative =Miles Hunt, 272 tickets sold
    • #2 ticket seller cumulative =Seth Adelman, 175 tickets sold
    • #3 ticket seller cumulative =Evan Stangl, 113 tickets sold
  • Class results:
    • #1 class =Ms. Dominguez’s class, 720 tickets sold
    • #2 class =Ms. Leung’s class, 460 tickets sold
    • #3 class =Ms. Spark’s class, 380 tickets sold
  • Grade results:
    • #1 grade =Kindergarten, 1,410 tickets sold
    • #2 grade =1st grade, 1,144 tickets sold
    • #3 grade =2nd grade, 657 tickets sold
• Escrip – Sign up Now! this is a great way to bring in more fundraising dollars to Sherman without having to do a thing!  All you need to do is you register your credit card and Safeway card on-line!  Please take a few moments right now…click on www.escrip.com!!! 

  This Week’s Events

•  School Site Council Meeting, Thursday November 19th,  6:15 pm. First meeting of the new board; childcare provided
• Annual Fund DONATIONS online at:Annual fund donations online
• Note there are NO Afterschool Activities next week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday (eg, HipHop, Martial Arts, Dragonfly Designs, Chess)

 School & PTA News

• Stuff needed for Winter Bazaar
  • Clean out your closets and START BRINGING YOUR GENTLY USED ITEMS to the office
  • Make lugging it easy! Bring a bag or two a week – -there’s no such thing as too much!
  • Remember no clothing, large electronics or TV’s please!
  • Winter Bazaar is on Thurs December 17th 8 am – 1pm in the Sherman Auditorium

Fundraising

Rafflemania get your tickets here: Online Raffle Tickets

• RESULTS Week #3  – 1,808 tickets for a total of $9,040
• Individual seller results:           
  • Tied as #1 ticket sellers for the week = Maia Lefort and Claire Klinger, 50 tickets sold each
  • #3 ticket seller for the week = Manon Lefort, 40 tickets sold
  • #1 ticket seller cumulative =    Evan Stangl, 103 tickets sold       
  • #2 ticket seller cumulative =    Seth Adelman, 97 tickets sold       
  • #3 ticket seller cumulative =    Liam and Owen Deming, 72 tickets sold each       
• Class results:           
  • #1 class =    Ms. Dominguez’s class, 398 tickets sold       
  • Tied as #2 class =    Ms. Lau and Ms. Kishimoto, 193 tickets sold each
  • Grade results:            
  • #1 grade =    Kindergarten, 762 tickets sold       
  • #2 grade =    1st grade, 359 tickets sold       
  • #3 grade =    2nd grade, 311 tickets sold

Escrip – Sign up Now! this is a great way to bring in more fundraising dollars to Sherman without having to do a thing!  All you need to do is you register your credit card and Safeway card on-line!  Please take a few moments right now…click on www.escrip.com!!! 

• Did you know that spending at Safeway, Mollie Stones, Whole Foods, Macy’s, Calmart, Andronico’s, Extreme Pizza and many more can ALL earn money for Sherman – but your Visa, Amex and Safeway cards must be registered!