Dragon Tales November 2007

Valley Oak Elementary
Davis Joint Unified School District
Web: www.dcn.davis.ca.us/go/voak
E-mail: valleyoak@djusd.k12.ca.us
PTA website: http://www2.dcn.org/orgs/vopta/
PTA email: valleyoakpta@yahoo.com
(530) 757-5470

Week of November 5, 2007

Calendar: November
Nov. 5 PTA Meeting, 7 p.m. in the MPR
Nov. 6 Shakespeare Assembly, Grades 4-6
Nov. 8 Attendance Boundary Community Input Meeting, 7 p.m. Holmes Jr. High MPR
Nov. 9 First Trimester Awards assemblies
Nov. 12 Veteran’s Day – NO SCHOOL
Nov. 13 Attendance Boundary Community Input Meeting, 7 p.m., Emerson MPR
Nov. 16 DELAC Meeting, 9 to 11 a.m. at the District Office
Nov. 19-23 Thanksgiving Break- NO SCHOOL

PTA Meeting
Tonight! This month’s PTA Meeting will be Monday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in the MPR.

Thank You to Parents!
Parent volunteers were in full force this past week at Valley Oak! A huge Dragon thank you to all of you that helped out with the Fall Book Fair, Harvest Knowledge Bowl and conference week goodies for our teachers and staff. Special thanks to the coordinators of these Fall activities for all of your extra time and energy this past week. The Valley Oak community was able to enjoy a wonderful conference week thanks to all of our terrific parents!

Shakespeare at Valley Oak
A pair of actors from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival will perform excerpts from Shakespeare and other classical and contemporary literature in an assembly Tuesday, Nov. 6 for grades 4-6.

Parents Night out at the Cabaret!
Come to the Cabaret! The Davis High School Drama Department and DaVinci High School present the musical “Cabaret” Thursday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. All performances will be held at the DHS Performing Arts Theatre.
A special invitation is extended to Davis parents for the Friday night performance. Child care will be provided FREE with the purchase of at least one ticket ($15 general/$12 students and seniors). Child care will be provided just a few doors away from the theatre, staffed by a credentialed teacher and eager Drama Department students. There will be games, videos, crafts and lots of fun! For questions, please call the DHS Box Office at 757-5400, ext. 155 for Gwyneth Bruch, Drama teacher and Department Chair.

Special Invitation to DELAC
Please come and join us at our next District English Learners Advisory Committee Meeting on Friday, Nov.16, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the District Office (East Room) 526 B Street. The purpose of this committee is to advise the district’s governing board on programs and services for English learners. Come and help us plan for the “International Parent Fair.” All parents and staff are welcomed.

Safe Routes to School
The safety of children as they travel to and from school is vital to parents and an important community consideration.
The Best Uses of Schools Task Force previously raised concerns about the railroad tracks adjacent to the Davis Train Station. These tracks present a serious hazard and a significant barrier to a safe route to school for many students living on Olive Drive, one of Davis’ lowest income neighborhoods.
The solution is a formal railroad crossing that facilitates pedestrian and bicycle access from Olive Drive to the core area of town. In recent months, representatives from DJUSD, the City, and Union Pacific have met to explore options. These will not be easy. A grade-separated crossing (like a bridge or a tunnel), which Union Pacific prefers, will cost millions of dollars. An at-grade crossing, with signals and crossing guards, could cost less than a million dollars, but Railroad and Public Utilities Commission approval will be a challenge.
Although an immediate solution is not at hand, there is hope. The State recently announced about $25 million in funding for safe routes to schools. Individual projects may receive up to $900,000. The City is preparing this grant application. Competition for these funds is intense and community support is critical.
Please express your support for the City’s application for a railroad crossing near Olive Drive. Letters should be sent to the attention of Robert Clarke, City Engineer, City of Davis, 1717 Fifth Street, Davis, CA 95616 or BClarke@cityofdavis.org and must be received by Nov. 14, 2007.
For more information, contact Mike Adell, DJUSD Facilities Director, at 757-5300 or madell@djusd.k12.ca.us.

Science Advisory Committee
A Science Instructional Materials Advisory Committee is being formed with the task of advising the District and the Superintendent in the identification of instructional materials for science in grades K – 8 based on the California Science Standards. As part of our process, we want to make sure parents are involved in this important aspect of our instructional program.
If you are interested in serving on this committee, please call the office of your child’s school or contact Nicole Tillman in the department of Curriculum and Instruction to request an application.
The application must be returned to your school office or Curriculum and Instruction by Wednesday, Nov. 14 for consideration. One representative from each elementary site and two representatives from each junior high school will be selected by the site principal. Selected members should plan on attending 1 – 2 meetings per month through April 2008. For more information, please contact Nicole Tillman, Curriculum and Instruction Department Secretary (757-5300 ext 150) or by e-mail at ntillman@djusd.k12.ca.us.

Don’t forget to vote!
There are several items on the ballot that will have an impact on the future of Davis students. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Every vote counts!

Lost and Found
Something missing? The pile of lost coats, sweaters and more is piling up. Check out the Lost and Found collection in the MPR to see if we’ve found what you’re looking for.

Week of November 12, 2007

Calendar: November
11/13 Attendance Boundary Community Input Meeting, Emerson MPR, 7pm
11/15 DJUSD School Board meeting, 7pm, Community Chambers and cable education channel 17
11/16 DELAC Meeting, 9-11am @ District Office
11/19-23 Thanksgiving Break
11/26-30 6th graders at Walker Creek
11/26 GATE Advisory, 4pm @ District Office
11/27 Special DJUSD School Board meeting, Valley Oak MPR, time TBA
12/6 Picture re-take day
12/24-1/4 Winter Break

Valley Oak Charter School Hearing
A public hearing on the Valley Oak Charter School proposal is scheduled during the School Board meeting this Thursday, November 15th, 7:00pm at the Community Chambers. Anyone interested in this issue regarding Valley Oak is encouraged to attend so the School Board can receive input from the Valley Oak community. The School Board meeting will also be broadcast on cable television on DJUSD Education channel 17.

Street Safety in front of Valley Oak
Valley Oak students (& parents!) have recently been seen making some very unsafe choices in front of school. Some examples include: Crossing E. 8th Street in the middle of the road instead of using the safety of the crosswalks; Double parking making it dangerous for bicyclists; Making illegal u-turns in the middle of the street. Parents: please model and teach smart street safety habits for our students! E. 8th Street is a very busy road and we are concerned for the well being of our students. Thank you!

RISE (Recycling is Simply Elementary)
The Annual Recycled Art Faire and Silent Auction will be held Saturday, November 17th from 9:00-1:00 in Central Park as part of the Davis Farmers Market. The Recycled Art Faire is a juried exhibit and sale of art, practical items and fashion accessories created from used, surplus or found materials. The event is sponsored by Davis Farm to School Connection of the Davis Farmers Market Foundation. Recycled-art crafts made by elementary students will be sold. Proceeds will benefit the students’ classes and programs that made the crafts.

Walker Creek Update
Reminder for 6th grade parents: your student’s registration forms and payments for the Walker Creek outdoor education trip are due. THANK YOU to the families who have already turned in their information and payments. Thank you also to those families who have made additional donations which will aid in providing scholarships so that all 6th grade students can attend camp. The students are eagerly awaiting their trip to Walker Creek Ranch the week after Thanksgiving. Also excited are the high school students who will be attending as cabin leaders. 12 of the 14 are Valley Oak alumni!

Check the Lost & Found before Thanksgiving Break!
Fall is here and the students’ sweatshirts are dropping like the leaves! The Lost & Found fairy came and hung up all the sweatshirts neatly so it will be easy to find your missing items! Check the Lost & Found by the stage in the MPR.

Parent Reminder: Thanksgiving Break is next week. No school November 19th-23rd.

News from the Library
Soon we will start a new curriculum in the library entitled I Safe for 4th, 5th and 6th grade classes. It will consist of 6 - 7 lessons about Internet safety. This curriculum has been adopted district wide. It is our hope to provide students with the skills they need to stay safe on the Internet.
Many of the same subjects are covered at all three grade levels but with different age appropriate lessons.

Fourth grade lessons will be as follows:
--Cyber Community Citizenship
--Cyber Bullying
--Personal Safety
--Cyber Predator Awareness
--Cyber Security
--Intellectual Property Unit

Fifth grade lessons will be as follows:
--Cyber Community Citizenship
--Cyber Bullying
--Personal Safety Unit
--Cyber Predator Awareness
--Cyber Predator Identification
--Cyber Security
--Intellectual Property Unit

Sixth grade lessons will be as follows:
--Cyber Community Citizenship
--Cyber Bullying
--Personal Safety Unit
--Cyber Predator Identification
--Willing Participant
--Cyber Security Unit
--Intellectual Property Unit

Enjoy String Music for the Holidays
Davis High School Symphony String Ensembles and Quartets are available to perform at private, public and company holiday parties, weddings and other special events. The quartets and ensembles will provide wonderful live music for your upcoming occasion. We offer classical chamber music, popular, holiday and world music. The services of our ensembles are available throughout the greater Sacramento area.
Prices are $200+ an hour depending on the type of request. Money supports the DHS orchestra program. Please contact Hiram Jackson at hsjackson@aol.com or 753-4814.

News from the Classrooms
--The 3rd grade classes of Mrs. Sitts and Mrs. Garcia and Mrs. Coker’s 2nd/3rd class have been busy working on clay masks to coincide with their studies of Native Americans. The students made the masks in the style of the Kwakiutl tribe. Special thanks to parent volunteer Sue Rutherford for assisting the classes with this project.
--Ms. Deutsch’s 2nd graders have been busy studying the lifecycles of frogs and monarch butterflies (They actually had these critters in their room to observe!) The study of lifecycles included a wetlands field trip to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area where they observed birds migrating through the Pacific Flyway. The students have also been enjoying cooking in the classroom with the Davis Food Co-op, building a scarecrow and book buddies with Mrs. Olmstead’s 4th grade class. Ms. Deutsch was a recipient of a DSAF grant which will be used for a mini musical "A Bug’s Life" directed by MIndy Manville to be performed in the Spring. This production will also include Mr. Yeaman’s 1st grade class and Mrs. Chan & Mrs. Nelson’s K/1st class.

Students raise money for UNICEF
Congratulations! Valley Oak students and families collected $647 for UNICEF in the Trick-or-Treat fundraising drive this year. Students raised slightly more money than last year, even though we have fewer students this year. So big congratulations to the 50 Valley Oak children who returned UNICEF boxes and raised so much! As we celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, it is good to know we have also helped children in need around the world.
A big thank you to all the teachers and parents who helped keep track of the UNICEF boxes and returned them so promptly to the office. I particularly appreciate the support of Pat Johnson in the office, and the enthusiastic help of former Valley Oak Girl Scouts Laura A., Louise S., Chloe J., Emma K. and Kashmire K., who labeled and bundled the boxes to deliver to each classroom, opened the boxes and sorted the money after Halloween.
Anyone who has not yet returned their UNICEF box may still return it to the office.
Thank you all, Rachel Aptekar

Happy Thanksgiving to the Valley Oak community! Enjoy your time with family and friends!

Week of November 26, 2007

Calendar: November/ early December
Nov. 27 7 p.m., DJUSD School Board Mtg., Valley Oak MPR
Dec. 5 School Site Council Mtg., 7 p.m., MPR
Dec. 6 9 to 11 a.m., Picture Retakes
Dec. 7 Oral Language Fair Entry Forms Due
Dec. 7 Scrip Orders Due
Dec. 10 PTA Meeting, 7 p.m., MPR

Board Meeting at Valley Oak
The Davis Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold a special board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 7 p.m. in the Valley Oak MPR.
This will be the board’s first meeting to discuss district attendance boundaries. For an agenda of the meeting, visit: www.djusd.k12.ca.us.

Oral Health Forms
Kindergarten Parents/Guardians, Oral Health Assessments are due Dec. 31. Please turn these forms in as soon as possible to the front office.

GATE Testing Schedule '07-'08
Other than the dates and times listed below, NO OTHER TESTING using the OLSAT-7 test will occur this school year. We anticipate most families will attend testing closest to home, but it is not required. If a child is sick or has a conflict, they may attend any session.
4th & 6th graders:
--Montgomery, Pioneer, Nov. 28, 2 p.m. at Pioneer Library
--Birch Lane, Valley Oak, North Davis
Dec. 5, 2 p.m. at Valley Oak MPR
--Chavez, Patwin, Willett
Dec. 12, 2 p.m. at Willett MPR
7th & 9th graders:
--Harper Jr. High, Nov. 28, 8 a.m., Room J-57
--Holmes Jr. High, Dec. 5, 8 a.m., Room B-19
--Emerson Jr. High, Dec. 12, 8 a.m., Room A-5
Current 3rd graders:
--East Room, District Office, Jan. 23, 2 p.m.
Current 4th, 6th, 7th & 9th graders:
--East Room, District Office, Jan. 23, 3 p.m.
The GATE Student Nomination Form may be downloaded from the district website (www.djusd.k12.ca.us) and should be completed by the parent and submitted to the GATE Office (526 B St.) prior to testing.
--Deanne Quinn, GATE Coordinator

Oral Language Fair
The Oral Language Fair is an oral language competition for all students at Valley Oak. This year’s theme is “We Shall Overcome: Words of Perseverance.” Student performances will address the issues surrounding the human struggle for equality, freedom and happiness and will be representative of the diverse cultures that make up our community. Students may compete in the following areas: Original Speeches/Poetry, Individual Poetry/Prose and Choral Speaking/Verse Choir.
The Oral Language Fair is a wonderful opportunity for students, school staff members, parents and other family members to get involved. The fair also ties in with many of the California State Standards in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening and social studies/history. In addition, it is a time to celebrate diversity at our school! The performances will take place in February, during Black History Month.
The Oral Language Fair is a fun way to celebrate our wonderful children! One can never tell which school experience will motivate a child to excel in the future. As a child, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. participated in similar events and went on to become one of the most important and influential people in history!
Students interested in participating should talk to their teachers. The deadline for submitting entry forms is Friday, Dec. 7. If you have questions, contact teacher Nikki Smith in Room 11A.

Walker Creek Outdoor Education
The Valley Oak 6th graders are away this week for the Walker Creek outdoor education camp in Marin County. If you get the chance, ask them about their exciting adventure when they return!

Picture Retake Day
Picture Retake Day will be Dec. 6. Students who had pictures taken the first time around and want to have them retaken must bring their original packet of pictures with them and return them to the photographers. Students who were absent and are having their pictures taken for the first time must have an order form completed with money enclosed to give the photographers. Order forms are available in the office.

Give Scrip for the Holidays
Scrip certificates make great holiday gifts for friends, relatives, teachers, newspaper carriers, babysitters and anyone else on your list!
Scrip order forms are available in the front office or at: http://www2.dcn.org/orgs/vopta. December orders are due Friday, Dec. 7 by noon and can be picked up Friday, Dec. 14.

Winter Weather Has Arrived!
Brrr! It’s getting cold. Please check the Lost and Found in the MPR for coats, sweatshirts, hats, gloves, etc.