The Alderwood PTA Pinnacle Parents and Teachers Working Together to Achieve the Heights of Success for Our Children! Issue #4, February 2, 2015 Upcoming Events! February 4 February 10 Running Club Info Night, 6pm, MPR Coffee Chat with Mrs. Rydman and Mrs. Cheshire 8:30a, MPR The Irvine Junior Games are a district-wide event for
grades 4-8 that is being held on Sunday, May 17 at
Irvine High Stadium. The entire games will run from
check-in at 8:30 until the final events are completed by
6 pm. Some of the events that are featured include:
•
•
•
•
50 or 100 meter sprint 400 or 800 meter run Soccer Kick Basketball Shot February 13 Team Kids Carnival February 16 NO SCHOOL! President’s There are other events as well. Each elementary and middle school in
Day! February 17 PTA Meeting, 830a Internet Safety Parent Night, 6pm, MPR February 24 Join the Irvine Junior Games! Mother-‐ Daughter Tea 630p, MPR Irvine will be represented at these games. I want to make sure that we
achieve maximum participation and represent Alderwood to the max!!
You can only sign up online. The registration website
iswww.IrvineJuniorGames.com Entry fee is $30 per athlete and
includes t-shirt, track clinic, and free day at Camp James.
The final day to register is Friday, February 13.
Please do not miss out on this fabulous opportunity to be part of our school
and our community. Please see me with any questions. I will be the
Alderwood school representative that will be managing the Alderwood
participants throughout this great event. My email
is [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns. Thank
you in advance for your support.
– Coach Todisco
The PTA Pinnacle Issue No. 4, February 2, 2015 Parent Spotlight Meet your PTA Financial Secretary – Dawn Mortazavi and our new Treasurer – Shaveen Nanda!!! HI Everyone. My name is Dawn Mortazavi and I am the Financial Secretary for the Alderwood PTA. This year is my first year serving on the executive board. I was born in Dallas Texas and grew up in a small college town of Arcata, California in Northern California (yes, California extends well past San Francisco … its a little known geography secret). I moved to Southern California to attend UCLA and UCLA Law (Go Bruins!!) and moved to Irvine in 2008 and Quail Hill in 2011. My husband, Neema, and I have two sons, Alderwood kindergartner Keyon Aghamohammadi and Alderwood second grader Parsa Aghamohammadi, who love the school and the friends they have made. Being involved with the Alderwood PTA has been a great experience. I have met so many wonderful parents while volunteering for the PTA these last two years and have learned so much about the school my kids attend. I highly encourage everyone to get involved in any capacity because it is so rewarding! The Aghamohammadi Family Keyon, Neema, Dawn, and Parsa The Nanda Family Kiran, Shaveen, Karina, Deepak, and Neil My name is Shaveen Nanda and I was raised in Southern California. I worked in the Pharmaceutical Industry for over 10 years before becoming a stay-‐at-‐home mom. My husband, Deepak, and I have three wonderful children. Our oldest daughter, Karina, is in fourth grade. Kiran, our youngest daughter, is in first grade, and our son, Neil, is in preschool. We moved to Quail Hill about two years ago. Prior to living here, we lived in both Brentwood (Los Angeles) and Woodbury (Irvine). We love our new neighborhood and feel it is important to take part in helping both our community and school. In the past, I have been involved as a Room Parent and as a class parent volunteer. Last year at Alderwood, I also volunteered as a Duplicator. As the newest member of the PTA Board, I look forward to being more involved in Alderwood and in school-‐community relations. I also look forward to getting to know all of the wonderful Alderwood students and their families. Most importantly, I hope to make a difference in the education and well-‐being of our children. 2 The PTA Pinnacle Issue No. 4, February 2, 2015 Teacher Spotlight Spectacular Second! Meet our awesome Second Grade Teachers! From L to R, Mrs. Lynnette Bain (1/2 combo), Mrs. Lauren Taylor, Mrs. Tracy Sinclair, Mrs. Deanna Kimmich and Mr. Michael Hernandez! Mrs. Bain started teaching in 1986 and has taught every elementary grade except kindergarten. She started teaching at Alderwood in 2003 and loves teaching her first and second grade Combo Class! Mrs. Bain has been married for 27 years and has two children, Andrew and Matthew. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, cooking, going to the movies, and playing with her dog named Sam. She especially loves traveling with her family. This is Mrs. Taylor’s second year here at Alderwood and she is thrilled to be back teaching 2nd grade! She loves coming to work each day and finding new ways to make learning fun for her students. Prior to joining the Alderwood team, Lauren attended California State University, Fullerton for her Bachelor’s degree and Teaching Credential. Additionally, she is currently in the last semester of her Master’s degree program. This past summer, Lauren married husband Josh and they are happily enjoying their first year as newlyweds! They love spending time at the beach, going to the movies, and spending quality time with friends and family. Mrs. Kimmich has b een teaching second grade at Alderwood since the Quail Hill site opened in 2005. She absolutely loves second graders as they are all so eager to learn! Mrs. Kimmich grew up in Irvine and now lives in Foothill Ranch with her husband, Chip, and their two daughters, Chayse (3 ½) and Carsyn (13 months). On the weekends, the Kimmichs try to enjoy as m uch family time as possible. Mrs. Kimmich’s favorite thing to do with her students and her own children is to read to them! Mr. Hernandez is enjoying his fourth year here at Alderwood and his eighth year teaching. Before coming to Alderwood, he spent three years teaching 1st grade in the Centralia School District and one year with the Magnolia School District. He is thrilled to have found his home here in 2nd grade. Mr. Hernandez graduated from Cal State Fullerton and now lives in La Palma with his wife Frances, and two children, Abigail (3) and Evan (9 months). On the weekends, he can be found at the Happiest Place on Earth, where he works as an Entertainment Leader for the Disneyland Resort. When he’s not working, Mr. Hernandez enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and going to the movies. Who is Mrs. Sinclair? Miss Corthell is Mrs. Sinclair! Mrs. Sinclair was recently married on the beautiful island of Oahu. She currently lives in a coastal town with her husband Joe and their two crazy dogs. However, their family is growing; they are expecting their first child in April! Mrs. Sinclair grew up in Southern California and attended the University of California Irvine for her undergraduate degree and her Masters in the Art of Teaching. This is Mrs. Sinclair’s second year of teaching second grade with the Alderwood family. Mrs. Sinclair is a lifelong learner who not only loves teaching her students but learning from them daily. Mrs. Sinclair loves to travel, read books, learn, and laugh. 3 The PTA Pinnacle Issue No. 4, February 2, 2015 Alderwood PTA Meeting Recap The Alderwood PTA held its fourth member meeting on Tuesday January 13 at 6pm, in the MPR in conjunction with the Here is a brief recap of the highlights of our meeting! Our next meeting is scheduled for February 17th at 830am. Please come by and join us! All are welcome! Principal’s Report -‐ Mrs. Cheshire and Mrs. Rydman attended. The issues they highlighted were… •
•
•
•
•
Emergency Committee – had their semi full scale simulation practice drill in November, including simulation of release of kids to parents in the case of an emergency. Emergency Supplies were also purchased, water for a day and nutrition bars, with first aid supplies PBIS – Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports – the program is having PBIS ‘booster’ lessons to reteach behaviors and reflect on what they have learned Common Core Committee is focusing on Alderwood’s writing program. They have worked together to dissect the standards and plan further professional development. The Instructional Technology Group worked with the district office to move our Ipads to a new, more efficient server and app management program. Walk to School Wednesdays – Alderwood won the district wide award again for the most participation! Committee Chair Reports– •
•
•
Jogathon -‐ Chair Rachel Swardstrom mentioned that our biggest fundraiser is fast approaching! Our theme this year is THE AMAZING RACE!. Save the date March 18th! Volunteers needed! Please email Rachel at [email protected] if interested or for more info. Running Club – Chair Noelle Dardan came by to tell us about Running Club, Alderwood’s branch of the Kids Run OC program. The Running Club will start Feb. 9… volunteers needed! Please email [email protected] for more info Winter Indoor Street Fair – raised 10K for our school! Thank you to all for your support! Then there was a special presentation on Common Core Math by Eric Shullman, the IUSD Math/Science K-‐12 Teacher on Special Assignment. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday Feb 17th at 830am in the PTA room. 4 The PTA Pinnacle Issue No. 4, February 2, 2015 PTA PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT… Meet the Masters! Next Meeting’s Agenda February 17th at 830am, PTA room I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
•
•
•
•
•
Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance Welcome & Introductions Principal and TOSA’s Update Kara Rydman and Kelli Cheshire -‐ TOSA Reading & Approval of Minutes -‐ Melanie Loo President’s Report – Kami Collver Reports of Committee Chairs Nominating Committee Running Club Drama Club Mother Daughter Tea Jogathon VII. Financial Reports -‐ Shaveen Nanda, Treasurer and Dawn Mortazavi, Financial Secretary IX. New Business X. Adjournment Fun Facts about The Meet The Masters Art Program By Committee Chair Kristina Lee •
•
•
•
•
•
The program is fully funded by the PTA when art was eliminated by IUSD in 2010 due to budget cuts. We are currently in our 5th year. Art assemblies and art classes are provided to about 500 kids in kindergarten through third grade classes. • The kids are exposed to six master artists each year on a rotation schedule so they learn a total of 24 artists during these four primary years. • Artists over the years included: Leonardi da Vinci, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Frida Kahlo, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt van Rijn, George Seurat and Vincent van Gogh. This wonderful program costs about $13 per student for the entire school year! Our primary art teacher is Tricia Collins. She teaches art with so much joy and heart. We are so grateful to have her. I’ve been the PTA Coordinator for Meet The Masters for the past five years. I schedule assemblies and art lessons for 16 classes. I am also responsible for buying supplies and along with other volunteers, we prep the supplies for each class. Although it's a lot of work, my biggest reward is to see a diversity of self-‐expression from the beautiful art work created by each student. We are grateful to the parents and the PTA for funding art because many elementary schools in Irvine do not have art classes until the fourth grade. Most teachers will include all the art works in a folder to be shared with parents at Open House in May. I hope, as parents, you will be delighted to see what your child has created! 5 The PTA Pinnacle Issue No. 4, February 2, 2015 The Alderwood PTA is proud to announce the formation of the Alderwood Drama Club and its first theatrical production… Seussical the Musical is coming to Alderwood!!!
Get Ready to see Seussian characters on stage
At Alderwood:
from the Lorax, the Grinch, and Cindy Lou-Who,
to the Cat and the Hat, with Thing 1 and Thing 2!
We are sure you’re all curious why this festive occasion
should take place in our school and cause such elation;
We’re proud to announce our spring musical
is none other than the one and the only SEUSSICAL!!!
In March, we will have a parent information meeting
ALDERWOOD PTA/ IPSF
we will explain the dance, speak, and sing
presents
with the Grinch, Jojo, and the tiniest of Whos,
“Seussical the Musical”
with Yertle the Turtle, and Sour Kangaroo,
Gertrude McFuzz, Horton, and Mayzie la Bird–
Featuring Alderwood Students in Grades 1-6
Directed by INGRID GREEN
to leave out the Cat in the Hat would be so absurd.
Thanks to Principal Rydman for her support!
Auditions will come at end of March right before spring
break with your scripts in hand
and more information will be given in rhyme.
So spread the word, tell Thing 1 and Thing 2, and
grandparents too
Because you may need them to applaud you
when Seussical come this June!
DATES: TBA
Auditions TBA: March for Main Cast (Grades 1-6)
For more information contact Yvonne Mansouri
[email protected]