From Alora Herbst:

How do you get 24 children to eat big bowls of salad?  Let them plant, grow, harvest, wash, cut, and dress it themselves. Our first-round salad harvest was a big success!  The students chose one of three tasks to participate in (picking, washing, cutting), as they prepared lettuce, radishes, and . . . → Read More: Salad Garden Success]]>

From Alora Herbst:

How do you get 24 children to eat big bowls of salad?  Let them plant, grow, harvest, wash, cut, and dress it themselves. Our first-round salad harvest was a big success!  The students chose one of three tasks to participate in (picking, washing, cutting), as they prepared lettuce, radishes, and snap peas from the garden.  They spent the morning getting the salad ready, then got a chance to eat it.  They filled their bowls, chose from a variety of crouton flavors and dressings, and ate it up.  At least half the class came back for seconds, and a few even wanted a third helping!  There were many exclamations of,  “This is good!”  A few of the kids said they couldn’t wait until the tomatoes ripen and we harvest again.

Thank you so much to the families who sent in supplies.  Also, a really HUGE thank you to Noriko (Shion’s mom) and Blanca (Alexandra’s grandma) who spent hours helping the children with their various tasks.  We couldn’t have done it without you!

Upcoming:
Starting next week, the children will have CST testing.  Please make sure your kids get enough rest, eat a good breakfast, and are at school *on time*.  If your child seems to be having testing anxiety, you can remind him/her to use the calming techniques they’ve been learning in Yoga Class.

Muffins with Mommy is this coming Friday, May 11th, a San Jose Elementary tradition.  Please note that this is early in the morning, before the regular school day (7:15-8:00).

From Mrs. Arnold:

The Arnold Family is pleased to announce that Evelyn Jess Arnold was born yesterday, May 1, 2012 at 2:02pm (she shares the same birthday as Tess). Evelyn and Mommy are both perfectly healthy. Evelyn weighs 6 pounds, 10 ounces and is 19 inches long.

Thank you all for your support,

Mrs. . . . → Read More: Mrs. Arnold’s Baby!]]> From Mrs. Arnold:

The Arnold Family is pleased to announce that Evelyn Jess Arnold was born yesterday, May 1, 2012 at 2:02pm (she shares the same birthday as Tess). Evelyn and Mommy are both perfectly healthy. Evelyn weighs 6 pounds, 10 ounces and is 19 inches long.

From Alora Herbst:

Hello families,

Room 23′s salad garden is ready to be harvested for the first time this year.  The radishes and lettuce are ready.  The students would like to have a salad.  In order to help them we need the following:

From Coorindator Judy Lyttle:

Here’s some good information and upcoming events that may be of interest to families of gifted students.

Have you heard of LAUSD’s Conservatory of Fine Arts?  The program includes FREE conservatory-quality classes for students who have been officially identified as “Talented” in Visual Arts and/or Performing Arts (singing, drama, or dance).  It’s our school district’s 2nd best kept secret (after Highly Gifted Magnets).

The Conservatory program runs for 2 years on . . . → Read More: Conservatory of Fine Arts (LAUSD’s 2nd Best Kept Secret)]]> Have you heard of LAUSD’s Conservatory of Fine Arts?  The program includes FREE conservatory-quality classes for students who have been officially identified as “Talented” in Visual Arts and/or Performing Arts (singing, drama, or dance).  It’s our school district’s 2nd best kept secret (after Highly Gifted Magnets).

The Conservatory program runs for 2 years on Saturday mornings at Cal State LA college. That’s a long drive, but you can always carpool.  San Jose has a long history of Talented students, often in multiple categories, and they’ve had great experiences at the Conservatory.  Even if you choose not to take the Saturday classes, getting a “Talented” designation (different from Gifted) stays on your child’s LAUSD record permanently and looks great when applying for colleges, scholarships, and arts programs.

You can ask your GATE Coordinator (Mrs. Lyttle at San Jose) for an application packet. It may include a recommendation form for teachers to fill out, so please start as soon as possible.  Applications are due in April. You will then be scheduled for a Performing Arts Audition or Visual Arts Demonstration at CSLA on May 19, 2012.  These assessments are only done twice a year, in May and November, so if you want to start attending classes next year, you need to qualify now.  Once a child is officially identified “talented,” they will still need to apply to enroll in the Conservatory.

There isn’t much info about the program online, but if you’re interested in the Visual Arts category, here’s more from FOVA, the parents’ group.

You may also see what Conservatory students have been learning by attending their end-of-year Showcases on May 5, 2012. Visual Arts in the morning, Performing Arts in the evening.

From Ericka Carter (Lauren’s mom):

San Jose HGM Families,

Come and join us for a free afternoon full of fantastic hands-on family-friendly volunteer activities at the first annual 4Good Family Day.

Families can…. decorate lunch bags for Meals on Wheels, create cards for service men and women with Operation Gratitude, decorate a flower pot . . . → Read More: Meetup: Family Volunteering Day]]> From Ericka Carter (Lauren’s mom):

San Jose HGM Families,

Come and join us for a free afternoon full of fantastic hands-on family-friendly volunteer activities at the first annual 4Good Family Day.

Families can…. decorate lunch bags for Meals on Wheels, create cards for service men and women with Operation Gratitude, decorate a flower pot for a senior citizen, and learn about many volunteering opportunities for families. Please bring canned food and gently used stuffed animals, shoes or blankets to donate. There will be amazing food and entertainment, too!

Let’s show our spirit of giving!  Please RSVP to the evite I sent to all SJHGM families.  If you want more information please visit: www.4goodcommunity.org.

4Good Family Day

Saturday, April 24, 2012
1:30 – 4:30 PM

Location: Bridges Academy
3921 Laurel Canyon
Studio City, CA

Hope to see you there!

Shakespeare Performances are this Friday, Feb 10, in the auditorium.

8:20 MacBeth – 4th grade Students should come already in costume and go straight to the auditorium by 8 AM. Parents, please wait outside the auditorium until showtime.

9:30 The Tempest – 2nd/3rd grade Students should come to school already in costume and . . . → Read More: Shakespeare & Jogathon Friday]]> Shakespeare Performances are this Friday, Feb 10, in the auditorium.

8:20 MacBeth – 4th grade
Students should come already in costume and go straight to the auditorium by 8 AM. Parents, please wait outside the auditorium until showtime.

9:30 The Tempest – 2nd/3rd grade
Students should come to school already in costume and go to class first.

10:45 Julius Caesar – 5th grade – instructions will be given to students.

PTA Jogathon – Magnet classes run 1:40 PM
Students should bring running shoes, clothing, sun protection, and their Jogathon pledge form. Volunteers are needed to check off each lap students complete, and to help set up for the after-school Health Fair.

WREATHS and SPIRITWEAR FOR SALE
In keeping with the Shakespearean theme, we will be offering handmade head wreaths for $5 before and after the performances.  If you would normally get flowers for your thespian, why not choose a more historically accurate gift that will not wilt?  They are available in two styles – white flowers or green ivy – and tied with raffia or your choice of ribbon color (photos below). Proceeds go to the Laptop Fund. These are all handmade by Finn’s mom Brynn!  San Jose HGM spirit wear will also be sold. In addition to our cool new t-shirts ($12), polos ($14) and hoodie sweatshirts ($22), we still have some items with our former logo available for only $5 each.

We need 2 VOLUNTEERS to help sell wreaths and spiritwear 25 minutes before each show. We will save 2 FRONT ROW SEATS for each volunteer for their child’s show. Please RSVP right away if you can help. Thank you!

A huge thanks to everyone who participated in the See’s Computer Fundraiser — the results are in!

Your See’s sales raised $2,325 for new computers!  Combined with the proceeds from Ultrazone, we earned a total of $3654 toward our computer replacement program.  Yea!!!

Charlotte Krone was the top seller with $853.45 — go Charlotte!

Dear Magnet Parents,

We don’t usually do fundraisers. Your generous donations already support enrichment classes, field trips, teacher stipends, and essentials – thank you!  This year, however, we need to start a multi-year campaign to replace all classroom laptops, which have had 5 years of rough usage (just ask your kids).  How many grade . . . → Read More: Candy for Computers]]> Dear Magnet Parents,

We don’t usually do fundraisers. Your generous donations already support enrichment classes, field trips, teacher stipends, and essentials – thank you!  This year, however, we need to start a multi-year campaign to replace all classroom laptops, which have had 5 years of rough usage (just ask your kids).  How many grade schools have student laptops in each class, beyond a Computer Lab for the whole school?  How many teachers challenge students to do group publishing projects, and to write a research report every week?  How many of our kids can now Google and type faster than we can handwrite and find a dictionary?

Laser Tag with Teachers and Candy for Computers are the only 2 Magnet fundraisers we are doing this year, so let’s make them count!  Selling chocolates for school is a classic opportunity for children to practice persuasive speaking, telling their story of why technology is essential to their education. Take them around the neighborhood and help them grow their confidence.

FYI the Jogathon/Fitness Fundraiser that is coincidentally at the same time is a PTA fundraiser for schoolwide programs like Computer Lab, after-school library, and 5th grade culmination.

Magnet See’s Candy order forms and payment are due this Thursday, Jan 26th, in order to get the candy by Valentine’s Day.  All proceeds go to new laptops!  That makes chocolate taste even sweeter, doesn’t it? If you need another form, please download one here.

Also, we need 5-6 volunteers Friday at 8:15 AM to help tally the orders and count money. Heidi will bring bagels and coffee :p  Please RSVP if you can stay to help.

Thank you!
Magnet Booster Club and Teachers

Hi Magnet Parents,

Hope you had an excellent three week break!  Welcome back!

On the horizon are:

DonorsChoose and Starbucks – This Monday, January 23rd, some Starbucks locations will be giving out $10 DonorsChoose.org gift cards with purchase, while supplies last. These cards can be used to fund any of the projects our teachers . . . → Read More: Jan/Feb Newsletter]]>

Hi Magnet Parents,

Hope you had an excellent three week break!  Welcome back!

On the horizon are:

DonorsChoose and Starbucks – This Monday, January 23^rd, some Starbucks locations will be giving out $10 DonorsChoose.org gift cards with purchase, while supplies last. These cards can be used to fund any of the projects our teachers have listed on DonorsChoose.  Here is a list of locations.  If you’re near any of these next week, stop by and pick up a card to help your class.  Then, donate it to a project on San Jose’s page on DonorsChoose: bit.ly/DonorsChooseSanJose

Candy for Computers – We usually don’t do fundraising events, thanks to the generosity of parent donation drive, but in addition to all the enrichment programs, we need to replace the classroom laptops which our children use almost every day. In addition to the funfabulous Laser Tag night, we will be doing a See’s Candy Fundraiser.

Your child received the sales form last week. Each classroom with 100% participation gets a build-it-yourself sundae party. The top selling student in the school will receive an iPod!  The top 2 sellers from each class (excluding the iPod winner) will enjoy a catered lunch with their teacher. If you don’t want to sell but would like to make a donation, please do not hesitate (donations will count towards that 100% participation sundae party). Checks should be made out to San Jose Highly Gifted Center Booster Club. All See’s order forms and checks are due by the end of the school day on January 26, 2012.

Next Booster Club Meeting is Thursday, January 26, 6:30pm in the library.

Shakespeare – Our kids are working hard on their Shakespeare plays.  They clearly worked hard over break to learn their lines.  Please remind them to start gathering and preparing clothing for their costumes.  Also, mark your calendars – final performances will be on February 10 in the auditorium at the following times:

• 4^th grade (Macbeth) at 8:15am
• 2/3^rd grades (The Tempest) at 9:30am
• 5^th grade (Julius Caesar) at 10:45am

Library is reopening after school – Good news!  As of Monday, the library is re-opening for homework help.  Hours will be Mondays through Thursdays, after school through 4:30pm. This is funded by the schoolwide PTA.

Please check the calendar online for more information about upcoming field trips and events:  http://highlygiftedmagnet.com/site/calendar/

We appreciate your help!

Laser Tag was a big success!  Thank you to everyone who attended and for bringing your friends and buying pizza.  Everyone had a great time and we raised $1379 for classroom computers!  Thanks to Heidi Rummel for organizing and to Paula Quarles, Ericka Carter, and Quynh Nguyen for helping. Special thanks go to our wonderful teachers and coordinator – Mrs. Arnold, Ms. Garcia, Mrs. Watson and Mrs. Lyttle, for letting kids shoot at them during their Holiday and making the event really special!

Thanks to Shakespeare volunteers – Alora Herbst, Annemarie Levitt, Susanna Fukumoto, Susan Catt, Monika Jain, Nahid Tavakolian, Quynh Nguyen and Debbie Massey.

We are grateful to Alora Herbst, Annemarie Levitt, Kyong Kim, Quynh Nguyen, Mendandro Domingo, Griselda Hernandez, and Suiying Tu.  Thanks for your help with DonorsChoose – writing and submitting proposals, and entering gift card information.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me or your Room Parent if you have any questions.