Dragon Tales 4.21.08

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 April 21, 2008

Calendar: April
April 21-28 National Turn Off the TV Week
April 22-May 2 STAR Testing window
April 24 State PTA “Flunk the Budget” Rally, 11 a.m., north steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento
April 26 DSF Rummage Sale, Birch Lane, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
April 30 Elementary String Concert, 7 p.m., Harper Junior High School Gym

STAR Testing Begins this Week!
STAR testing for students in grades 2 through 6 will be April 22 through May 2. Parents often ask what they can do to help their child during this testing period. Below are some ideas:
--Do not schedule appointments or trips during this time. Students do best when testing with their own class and teacher. Make up tests will be in mixed classes.
--Get a good night's rest, eat a healthy breakfast and arrive to school on time.
--Dress your child comfortably.
--Send your child to school with words of praise and support.
--Read with your child. Ask comprehension questions to help them understand what they are reading.
--Tell your child to follow directions and ask questions if something is not clear.
--Encourage the desire to do well, but stress that one test cannot measure all the things your child can do successfully.

eBay the Way for Music to Stay
The Davis Schools Orchestral Music Association has officially launched the “Save our Music” campaign to help preserve elementary school orchestra and band programs in Davis. Their goal is to raise $200,000, and there is a fun and easy way you can help. Simply look around your house for items you no longer need that have a minimum value of $25, and take them to TWRF Creative in Mansion Square in downtown Davis. (Be sure to mention the DSOM campaign.)
A portion of the eBay sale price of all donations will directly benefit DSOMA’s efforts to keep our music program intact despite imminent budget cuts. You can get rid of clutter and feel good about helping a program that has enriched the lives of thousands of Davis children.
For specific directions and to download a donation form, please visit http://groups.dcn.org/dsoma/ebay-auction-donation-instructions. For more information about DSOMA, to make a direct donation, or to subscribe to the DSOMA listserv, please visit http://groups.dcn.org/dsoma.

Birch Lane Spring Fling
Birch Lane is having a party and Valley Oak families are invited! Save the date for Saturday, May 17 for the Birch Lane Spring Fling. The event will include a carnival, a silent auction, a raffle and classroom booths. Look for more information soon.

Spring String Concerts
There are two more string concerts this year. The first is April 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Harper Junior High School gym. String students should arrive at 7 p.m. dressed in nice school clothes. Participants are all elementary string students from Valley Oak, Patwin, Pioneer, North Davis and Cesar Chavez elementary schools.
The final concert of the year is May 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Harper Junior High School gym. Students should arrive at 6:45 p.m. dressed in nice school clothes. Participants are intermediate and advanced students only.
The May 7 concert will require two morning rehearsals on May 5 and 6. Please have your son/daughter at Harper (continuing students only) at 7:15 a.m. on each of those days. They will need to be dropped off and picked up on each of those days, so please make arrangements for transportation. Elementary school teachers will be notified that students will be late. The rehearsal will last until 9 a.m.
Please bring a music stand if you have one and be sure all parts are labeled with your child’s name.
For more information call Kimberly Cole at 757-5300, ext. 271.

National Turn Off the TV Week
Join millions of Americans in rediscovering the gift of time! Pledge to turn off your TV April 21-28 and find new and fun things to do with your time!
Look for information coming home soon to sign up. Turn your forms in to your teachers ASAP to make your pledge.

Reunite with Your Belongings
A large collection of coats, sweaters and more are growing in the Lost and Found in the MPR and on the outdoor stage. Please take a look and see if you’ve left anything behind.

Rummage Sale/Photos for DSF
On Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Birch Lane Elementary School PTA is sponsoring a rummage sale to raise funds for the Davis Schools Foundation.
Find some treasures, make some deals and support our schools! Birch Lane is located at 1600 Birch Lane in East Davis.
In conjunction with the rummage sale, Holly Istas Photography will be offering on-site Family Portrait Sessions that morning only.
For a minimum donation of $50 to the Davis Schools Foundation, each participating family will receive one 8 x 10 print. (This offer is in addition to any prior donation made).
Get that long overdue family portrait taken and benefit the Davis Schools at the same time!
All proceeds will benefit Davis Schools Foundation.

Staff Appreciation Donations Needed
The end of the year is quickly approaching and the Statewide Staff Appreciation Week is May 5-10. Wednesday, May 7 is our luncheon for teachers and staff. We need help with:
Gift Baskets!
The lunch includes a raffle of gift baskets. Some suggestions or themes would be: a movie basket, relaxation, food, wine, gardening, etc.
Set up! Clean up!
We need help with set up and clean up that day. We will begin getting the MPR ready at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning. The luncheon is over by 1 p.m. and if you can come early for pick-up that day to help us get cleaned up that would be great! We are really looking forward to this special event. So, if you can help out in anyway please contact Denise Costa at domzden@sbcglobal.net or 757-6391. Looking forward to working with you!