NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2016
Serrania Charter for Enriched Studies inspiration
imagination
E
innovation
him at the Soak N’ Wet booth! Better yet, come see our fabulous staff, Ms. Arnesen, Ms. Tenzer, Coach Danni, and Coach Justin and Mr. Paul as they take turns at the Soak N’ Wet!
njoy fabulous friends, fresh new food and fun carnival games, all while you dance to the funky beats of DJ Keithallen of Time 2 Dance! Join us as we have some fun in the sun at this year’s Fun Fair!
The Fun Fair is a day dedicated to having fun and we’re blowing it up with over 20 sensational inflatable game booths! Want to see if you’re better than Lebron? Come
April 16, 2016 from 11am-4pm here at Serrania! Thanks to our generous sponsors, Camp Keystone, Ameci pizza, Rumack and
Harmer Pediatric Dentistry, The Learning Behavioral Center, Sylvan, Tutor Doctor, Councilman Bob Blumenfield and Gwyn Petrick this year the fair will be bigger and grander than ever before. With over 40 fun carnival booths and inflatable games, you’re sure to have a blast with your family and friends!
Are you ready for a cool time?! Come and play a game of water tag in a fun gigantic inflatable maze with your friends! The winner gets to see their friends drenched! You’ve seen Principal Alvarado in a tutu, get silly stringed and some have even seen him resembling the Cat in the Hat, but now everyone will get the opportunity to soak
Serrania Charter for Enriched Studies • 5014 Serrania Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91364 • (818) 340-6700 • www.SerraniaCharter.org
challenge yourself at the sport of basketball while mastering the slam dunk technique. Can you bend it better than Beckham? Come test your soccer skills at the soccer kick! Or do you just want to jump and do flips while earning a homework pass? That’s right! Come have fun for an hour at the Fun Fair and you’ll be able to earn yourself a homework pass! Just make sure to check in and check out with the Fun Fair chair at the volunteer booth, and you’ll get one! It’s our way of giving back to our fabulous and supportive families! For those of you who love to win prizes, we have an amazing array of toys and goodies for you to choose from! You can play the classic game of Tic Tac Toe or try your luck at the Lucky Key. Or what about the Ring Toss and the Boat Races? Think you can win? Once again, the infamous Nickelodeon slime is back with a vengeance! Think you can pick from the right side
of the nose picker? Come give it your best! Are you feeling artistic? Thanks to Tarzana Kid’s Art, Art Academy, Wax Creations and many more, you’ll be able to treat yourself and your family to some fun arts and crafts treats! Still haven’t had a chance to sign up for summer camp? Then make sure to stop by and chat with Camp Keystone, Primetime Sports, Art Academy, Tutor Docs, The Learning Behavioral Center, Sports Plus Camp and Time 2 Dance to get all the information you’ll need! Want to look like your favorite Disney princess or scary monster? What about a superhero? Then allow Eder Bean Face Art to turn your face into a masterpiece. You’ll also have the opportunity to get airbrush tattoos with Universal Airbrushing! For all you foodies out there, our infamous BBQ is back again this year with Persian beef kabobs
along with a variety of choices that everyone will surely enjoy. Cool down with Menchie’s frozen yogurt, Hawaiian shaved ice and don’t forget the ever popular Snack Shack run by our very own Mrs. Sanchez and Mrs. Ellis! As always, we’ll have plenty of popcorn and cotton candy for all to enjoy! Back with popular demand is our Fun Fair Auction! Come place your bids on items ranging from a massage and facial all the way to a fabulous trip to Cancun! Highest bidder wins and all proceeds go to Friends of Serrania! Don’t forget the classroom dances and Serrania cheerleaders will be there to perform!
With all these fun and amazing activities, Serrania’s 2016 Fun Fair promises to be a one of a kind event!
Please check out www.serraniacharter.org for the full list of participating vendors and activities or email us at serraniafunfair@gmail.com
PRINCIPAL’S CORNER
Time Flies!
I
t is amazing how times flies, and how things fall into place as you move along accompanied by a great team of educators and parents who truly care about the well being of everyone in our community. I still have a hard time believing that it has been a little over five months since I arrived at Serrania for the first time. Great things have happened, and so many new wonderful memories have been created along the way. One thing is for sure, every time I set foot on our campus, I am always overwhelmed with amazement by the beautiful scenery our wondrous campus has to offer. In the five months I have been here, I have come to know many of you, and I have learned to admire the dedication you put in everything you do at our school. The level of passion staff members, students, and parents carry themselves with at this school is quite admirable. As we continue our journey together, which I hope to be for many years, I am sure that our dedication and love for this school will only grow bigger. We must all aspire to inspire those who follow our steps, and we must always strive to leave a better place to live and learn for the younger generation that follows.
of the safest schools in the district, and this can only be achieved by working together. I want to thank you from the very bottom of my heart for everything you do and for helping Serrania be the place to be! I would now like to leave you with one of my favorite quotes about leadership by Alexander the Great, which talks about how we can be leaders inspiring others to be leaders: “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” –Alexander the Great Sincerely,
Principal, Serrania Charter for Enriched Studies
With the thought in mind of leaving a better place for those who follow, I hope to have you all join me in the conception that having a safe campus for all students is of top priority. It is rather unfortunate to watch the news and witness the horrible things happening around the world, but it is ultimately our job to decide how we can protect our most precious treasure in this world, our kids. I have said this many times before, and I will continue to say it over and over, I see your children as my children; and I will do everything it takes to ensure their safety at all times. I need your help and support in making this school one
Student Corner Hey kids! Do you have a poem, art piece, cartoon, etc. that you want to submit to the newsletter? If so, please see Debby Dustin or, place it in the suggestion box, in the office along with your name and room number with a note stating it’s for “Kids Corner!”
Cole Spencer Room 18
3
Birthday Parties and Boundaries With Other Parents
Y
By Ryan Rosen, Director, Camp Kinneret Summer Day Camp and Volunteer Parent Seminar Series Facilitator
our child has been invited to a classmate’s birthday party and he really wants to attend, but you don’t know the family and you aren’t sure what to do. Will other parent’s be attending or will you be the only one? If you don’t attend, what supervision will there be for your child? Will someone notice if your child isn’t there for cake and hiding elsewhere? There are just as many questions when throwing a birthday party: Do you invite the other parents? Until what age is it appropriate for parents to attend with their child? Are you expected to provide food for the parents if they do attend? How do you know the health needs of the other children? Do you have to invite the whole class or just the kids your child wants to? For years, Birthday parties have been a source of frustration and confusion for families. Communication is key, whether you are throwing the party or attending the party, to understand the expectations of the other family. Consider discussing with your child’s class at the start of the year that everyone will be invited to parties if invitations are handed out at school. Here are some simple guidelines to follow when throwing a birthday party, to make it clear for guests what your expectations are. Include on the invitation:
What are the times of the party - pickup / drop-off vs. start /end (using different language can clarify if you expect parents to attend) Who is being invited (child & parents? siblings?) Consider a phrase like “parents welcome” on the invitation
With RSVP’s ask “How many will be attending” letting families know that siblings and parents are invited Describe the event so other parent’s
know if supervision is being provided (consider hiring staff to supervise the children, while you are busy with the logistics!)
4
YEAR BOOK
$27
FREE AND Open to ALL Location: PARENT CENTER, Room 29
soft cover
Academic Parent Workshops These workshops are presented every Wednesday from 8:15-9:15 am. Topics will vary but will focus on educating Parents on our curriculum program at Serrania. Parents can learn about Common Core, Smarter Balance testing, and methods that can use at home to help their kids.
Paren t i n g S er i es Self-Validation vs. The Need MAY 3
8 am, Tue.
JUNE 7
for Approval Ryan Rosen, executive director of Camp Kinneret
8 am, Tue.
Media Use/App Watch
$32
hard cover
Last chance
to pre-order your yearbook.
Mr. Paquini
Encourage families to call with
questions about the structure, supervision, food of the party or to share health needs for their child attending
Order by April 11th to guarantee your copy. Quantities will be limited once they are delivered in late May.
• If you are unsure of the expectations for a party, call and talk to the family • Get to know them and their parenting style • Ask questions to help you build a relationship with them Take the guesswork out of the party for your guests by communicating your expectations to them in a clear way up front. It will make it easier for you to plan, and easier for your guests to know what you are thinking. Throwing a birthday party for your child should be fun, and by letting others know the details, you can help everyone enjoy the experience! Ryan is the owner/director of Camp Kinneret and is an active member in the ACA and the local community. For more information: ryan@campkinneret.com and @campk_ry
Serrania’s annual BOOK FAIR
April 4–April 8 at School Library
Open at recess, lunch, for half an hour after school, and on Open House Night April 5th
T a l e n t S h ow Our Second Annual Serrania’s Got Talent was a huge hit this year! Our MC’s were 4th graders Mischa Bolotnick and Pierce Peterson. Their energy and enthusiasm was priceless! The array of talent was endless. Who knew Serrania had so much talent? Our singers, dancers, and gymnasts were amazing! On the instruments, we had many very talented piano and guitar players. There were also some very funny comedians. The show capped with 68 different acts, and the auditorium was packed with standing room only. It was a fun night for everyone!
Read Across
America Week
5
Our brave 5th graders experienced that annual rite of passage known as...
The Trip to Catalina
W
hen the students first gathered on the front lawn at Serrania in the very (!) early morning of Wednesday, March 9, there was a special kind of excitement in the air. Some of the students had heard faint rumors from older siblings and friends about what was about to come. But no one really knew what to expect – other than that this was going to be the trip of a lifetime. That initial excitement, and a little Dramamine, carried the children through our morning journey – first on a bus ride to Long Beach, during which we got a close up view of the Goodyear Blimp; and then on an occasionally wavy boat ride to Catalina, where despite the rocking the snack line was never empty. We then arrived at our campsite at the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) at Toyon Bay. Toyon Bay is 2 miles west of the town of Avalon. But you immediately feel like you’re worlds away, seeing only hills, trees, and our friend and
6
Written by Craig Kamins Photos by: Danny Gomez, Dave Severance, Morgan Teele and Ray Shaolian
constant visitor “Mike Bison” (an actual bison). The Serrania group was housed in a large quad area in the middle of campus – with boys bunks on the left, girls bunks on the right, and a large dining area (with surprisingly good food) in the middle. After brief and inevitable arguments over who would get top and bottom bunks, the program began in earnest. Students were divided into six study groups of 15-16 children a piece. Each group took turns, on both Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, going to a series of oceanography and marine biology labs. The labs were led by CIMI instructors, who also served as counselors for the groups. At the labs, the children got to see and touch various see creatures like rays, sharks and sea hares. But they also learned some very important lessons about our world and environment – how some of the smallest life forms on earth are responsible for producing a large percentage of our oxygen; and how algae serves as such an important part of many of the foods we
eat. Everyone was asked to keep a log book to record their learnings and experiences. In between and after the labs, the students had free time, where they could go to the beach, play Gaga, or visit the campus store. There were also night time activities, including a nature hike and squid dissection to enjoy. Of course the highlight of the trip for many of the students was the snorkeling. The groups spent a good part of their time on Thursday morning just learning to put their wet suits on. But by Friday morning, they were masters – and were able to venture out into the bay and see more
of the marine life that they had been hearing about during the week. At around noon on Friday, March 11, it was time to go home – as we ventured through the rain and made our way back to Serrania. The children were still buzzing on the long, slow bus ride up the 405, knowing that they would soon see
their parents out the window. Special thanks to fifth grade teachers Sibyl Sperber, Carol Hakobian and Laurie Rodstein, who organized the trip and guided us every step of the way. Their steady hand through the highs and lows of the week made this an amazing experience for
all. Thanks also to the nine dads who gave up their time to serve as chaperones for the groups – and who in some cases got up very early in the morning to lead teams on hikes or other adventures. The 5th grade Catalina trip is an adventure students will remember for a lifetime!
7
“5, 4, 3, 2, 1…. CUT!!!” And with that,
Serrania’s 3rd annual “Pony Up Serrania Cut-A-Thon” took place on February 26th with 38 students, teachers and parents (including a dad/daughter duo Jeff and Grace Ramadan and mom/daughter duo Aliyah Balbuena and Monique Torres) who cut off their ponytails so they could be made into wigs to help people with cancer. We also had 22 professional hair stylists from our community donating their time and talent to cut the ponytails and give the donors a fresh, new, short hairdo! But they weren’t the only ones showing their pink “Pony Up” spirit! Students, staff, and family who couldn’t participate by cutting their ponytails, showed their spirit by wearing their bright pink “Pony Up Serrania” beanies. One of the most powerful things about the cut-a-thon is how enthusiastically the entire Serrania community
has embraced this opportunity to help others. From the people donating their ponytails, to the people proudly sporting their bright pink beanies, Serrania students are learning that even very young people can still do something very big and important to help other people. It is inspiring to see how empowered and eager they are to be a part of it! Tremendous thanks goes to the entire committee: Co-Chairs Yevette Peterson and Erin Hanson, Lisa Falco, Sadye Davenport, Erin Khorasanizadeh, Monique Torres, and to Andy Weisser for his help with PR.
J o i n t h e “ S erran i a S u ns ” at R elay F or L i fe ! May 21-22, 2016 at Pierce College
ainst g A t h g Fi
r e c n a C
• Opening Ceremony, Celebrating Survivors: 10am Saturday, May 21st • Breakfast for Survivors following the Survivor Lap • Kids Club: 11am – 6pm Saturday, May 21st • Luminaria Ceremony, Remembering Loved Ones: 8pm Saturday, May 21st • Closing “Fight Back” Ceremony: 6:30am Sunday, May 22nd
DREAM BIG • HOPE BIG • RELAY BIG You can register now at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/SerraniaSuns Any questions? Please contact Yevette Peterson at ywpeterson@gmail.com
8
This program, event or activity is not presented, endorsed, recommended, supervised, approved or sponsored by the Los Angeles Unified School District. The district assumes no liability or responsibility for any loss or injury arising out of participation and is merely permitting this material to be disseminated at this facility because of the possible interest of students/faculty.