From Brynn Schwartz:

Hi SJHGM families!

The deadline to order the end-of-the-year slideshow DVD is this Friday, June 8th.  If you’re interested in ordering one of these great keepsakes, just send $12 and the order form in a labeled envelope to your child’s teacher before Friday, and I’ll send you a confirmation e-mail to . . . → Read More: Order Your Memory DVD]]> From Brynn Schwartz:

Hi SJHGM families!

The deadline to order the end-of-the-year slideshow DVD is this Friday, June 8th.  If you’re interested in ordering one of these great keepsakes, just send $12 and the order form in a labeled envelope to your child’s teacher before Friday, and I’ll send you a confirmation e-mail to let you know I’ve received it.

This is a DVD of PHOTOS taken throughout the year, of our kids doing all sorts of memorable activities including field trips, enrichment programs and classroom projects.

Thank you and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

~Brynn Schwartz

From Megha:

I have signed up again this year (like last 5 years) to fight against cancer at American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Monrovia this weekend. Please support with donations that will help her raise funds for cancer research, education, advocacy and provide services to cancer patients & their families. You can give . . . → Read More: Support Megha in Relay for Life]]> From Megha:

I have signed up again this year (like last 5 years) to fight against cancer at American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Monrovia this weekend. Please support with donations that will help her raise funds for cancer research, education, advocacy and provide services to cancer patients & their families. You can give me your donation by cash/check, or donate online at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/Megha.

On the day of the Relay (June 2nd), please join my family with our team GLOBAL CANCER FIGHTERS at booth #25 to:
Try yummy Indian food, spiced tea, mango shake; Indian jewelry & dresses, Get Indian organic henna tattoos, facials and massages. Enjoy live entertainment, 24-hour DJ.

Thank you,

Megha
4th grade

We are thrilled to announce our new San Jose Magnet Booster Board for 2012-2013:

And thank our current (outgoing) board for their dedication and hard work throughout this year:

From Heidi Rummel:

ULTRAZONE LASER TAG 14622 Ventura Blvd, 2nd floor Sherman Oaks www.zonehead.com

ANOTHER CHANCE to get your game on and challenge the San Jose Highly Gifted Magnet teachers.

Mrs. Arnold, Ms. Garcia, Mrs. Watson, and Mrs. . . . → Read More: End-Of-Year LASER TAG PARTY]]>

From Heidi Rummel:

END-OF-YEAR LASER TAG PARTY
Tuesday, June 19
6 – 10 PM

ULTRAZONE LASER TAG
14622 Ventura Blvd, 2nd floor
Sherman Oaks
www.zonehead.com

See you at ULTRAZONE!

Our end-of-year calendar is jam-packed with exciting activities and trips.  Please check the online calendar for changes and details. Here is an overview (take a deep breath)…

Fri, May 11 – Science movie and discussion with engineers Laura Husman (former JPL), Sanan Shaibani and Matt Husman (Northrop Grauman), aka Jordan and Glenn’s parents

Thurs, . . . → Read More: End-of-Year FUN Calendar]]> Our end-of-year calendar is jam-packed with exciting activities and trips.  Please check the online calendar for changes and details. Here is an overview (take a deep breath)…

Fri, May 11 – Science movie and discussion with engineers Laura Husman (former JPL), Sanan Shaibani and Matt Husman (Northrop Grauman), aka Jordan and Glenn’s parents

Thurs, May 17 – Last Booster Meeting, including Election of next year’s Booster Club Board

Fri, May 18 – Field trip to LACMA - 4th & 5th grades, thanks to the generosity of the Rummel/Krone family.

Mon, May 21 – Field trip to Star Eco Station. In addition to animal encounter tour, students will do experiments on how climate change affects the atmosphere.

Tues, May 22 – Last Yoga Workshop

Fri, May 25
- Softball game with all 5th grade classes schoolwide
- Ice Cream social, 5th grade schoolwide
- 4th Grade Musical, “And the Band Played On… Or Nacho’s Return,” written and composed by Ms. Garcia!  All are welcome.

Wed, May 30 – Field trip to Skirball Cultural Center, 4th & 5th grade

Mon, June 4 – Pizza and movie party for 5th grade schoolwide

Wed, June 5 – SJHGM Panorama Picture – wear red, white & blue

Thurs, June 6 – Trip to SACRAMENTO – 4th grade

Thurs, June 7
- Assembly: John Zeretzke – World Cultures and Instruments (donated by LA Music Center)
- Orientation for Incoming Parents 6:30 PM (instead of Booster Club meeting)

Mon, June 11 – walk to Bowling Party – all Magnet classes. Please wear/bring socks and white-/green-soled shoes if available

Thurs, June 14 – Field trip to Port of LA – all 5th grade classes.
This is a boat tour. Please make sure children have stable shoes, sun protection, a jacket, and a sack lunch.

Mon, June 18 – 5th grade Magnet Culmination  (sob)

Tue, June 19
- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, dismissal 12:33 PM
- End of Year Laser Tag Party 6 – 10 PM.  Stayed tuned for details from Heidi Rummel.

Whew!  Are you ready for summer?

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.