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March 21, 2008
Printable version
If you want to print today's Friday Letter, click here for a printable version.
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Art for Kid's Sake in the SF Chronicle!
Click the image on the right to see a bigger version!
Auction item: Kindergarten
Upcoming events 3-21-2008
ALL SCHOOL EVENTS:
• March 24–Parent education meeting with Rush Sabiston and Janice Tobin from The Nueva School, 6:30-8:00 PM
• March 29–Art for Kids' Sake
• March 31–Cesar Chavez Day (Day of service - students do service projects - School in session)
• April 10–MS Parent Conferences, 12:15 PM MS dismissal
• April 11–MS Parent Conferences, No MS Classes
• April 14–18–Spring Break - No classes - Spring Camp by reservation
Click here for a downloadable calendar of events for March 2008
Click here for a downloadable calendar of events for April 2008
Click here for a downloadable 2007-2008 School Year Calendar
Please click below for a copy of the DRAFT 2008-2009 School Year Calendar. Please note, the later start date is due to construction on the second floor (installing new flooring) which predicates a three-day later start to the school year.
Click here for a downloadable DRAFT 2008-2009 School Year Calendar
Announcements 3-21-2008
WE CAN’T WAIT!!
PLEASE RSVP FOR ART FOR KIDS’ SAKE
We have heard from a number of you already, but not all of you. Please RSVP to the auction by Monday, March 24th (or before) with your credit card information to help facilitate a smooth check-in and check-out. Also, look out for the AFKS catalog, coming home TODAY! Start shopping now! You can download the invitation (with reply card) AND the auction catalog by going to the AFKS webpage: http://www.presidiohill.org/afks/
ART FOR KIDS' SAKE BOOKS!
It is time once again for the Art For Kids' Sake Book!!! Gigi Obrecht and Nicole Leong have worked their magic to bring the art and poetry of our kids to us in these amazing books. With special thanks too to Adra Valentine, Rebecca Magill, and our wonderful teachers who help guide the projects featured below. Click on the following links to have a special
sneak preview of the fun:
Kindergarten Book - http://www.posttool.com/gigi/k.pdf
First Grade Book - http://www.posttool.com/gigi/1stGrade.pdf
Emily's Second Grade - http://www.posttool.com/gigi/2ndGrade_E.pdf
Patty's Second Grade - http://www.posttool.com/gigi/2ndGrade_P.pdf
Third Grade Book - http://www.posttool.com/gigi/3rdGrade.pdf
Forth Grade Book - http://www.posttool.com/gigi/4thGrade.pdf
Fifth Grade Book - http://www.posttool.com/gigi/5thGrade.pdf
Sixth Grade Book - http://www.posttool.com/gigi/6thGrade.pdf
Seventh Grade - http://www.posttool.com/gigi/7thGrade.pdf
Eighth Grade Book - http://www.posttool.com/gigi/8thGrade.pdf
These books are available now (through the order form listed below) http://www.posttool.com/gigi/Book_Order_Form.pdf
You will be able to see the printer's proofs of the books on Saturday evening, March 29 - join us then for an Art Rageous time! [please note that any corrections to the books should be sent to Mary Austin at mka@archive.org - thank you]
From the PHS Parents Association:
"Keeping You Informed" - You can check out the Minutes from the March 13, 2008 Parents Association Meeting by clicking here.
Also, click here to view the latest newsletter from the Parents Education Network (PEN)
Don't forget to check often on the library blog for updates, new pictures, great links, etc. This week, check out the pictures of the 8th grade students using the new laptop cart.
http://www.presidiohill.org/books/
From the AFKS Committee:Period pieces/replicas of Lamps of the Twenties. The Decoration Committe needs your help with the loan of floor and table lamps of the twenties-ish period. This would mean pieces that one may have found in the flea markets ( just becoming the vogue... ) of the era from the early 1900's "Victorian style, with hanging beads and crystals or Art Deco stuff (new from the store!) coming into fashion (for those who could afford the pieces) in the mid-late twenties. Please contact amy sparrow: asparrowm@surfree.com
NEEDED: BOOM BOXES and many, many little/small AUDIO SPEAKERS to be used Auction night. Please let Amy Sparrow know when she may pick up a boom box and/or those little speakers hanging out in your garage, or in good use attached to your computer, to borrow by auction weekend, Friday the 28th. Thanks! asparrowm@surfree.com
From Ann Meissner:
Parent Workshop: Presidio Hill is sponsoring an evening meeting for parents on Monday, March 24 from 6:30-8:00. The evening will be facilitated by Rush Sabiston and Janice Tobin from The Nueva School. We will focus on adolescent development, discussing the many changes students’ this age are going through and some parenting strategies. RSVP to Ann at ann_meissner@presidiohill.org or 415-751-9318x126.
Follies DVDs are here!
"The Secret of Sparkly Shine" is now available on DVD!Much thanks to Carla Leshne, David Donnefield and crew, who shot and edited the video. Each DVD is $9.; You can pick up your Follies 2007 DVD from Martin at the front desk. (There are plenty to go around).In case you did not get a copy of the 2006 Follies show (Follywood), we also have some available for $6.
ART FOR KIDS' SAKE
Dear PHS Families and Friends,
Countdown till Auction night! 1 more week!
Please RSVP and pre register!
Buy your auction tickets in advance and pre register with your credit card now! Pre Register at PHS Curbside registration or download reply card (from AFKS webpage) and drop off with Martin. Get your Auction catalogue and Auction Bidder Number! Pre Registration is your key to Express Check in. No Waiting, Just walk in and Start bidding.
Dress Up and Enjoy yourself!
Its the roaring 20's so get your 'Glad Rags' on.
Preview the Auction Catalogue!
Its available to download in the AFKS webpage section of PHS website: www.presidiohill.org/afks/ Circle your favorite things and start bidding!
Buy Keys to open the Prohition Wine Cellar Door!
Limited amount of keys will be sold Auction night. We've stockpiled the best wine cellar this side of Prohibition. Open the door with your key and take home the whole kit and kaboodle!
Book your sitter now!
Its going to be a late night so grab some moonshine and hurry over to the swankiest joint with hip to jive tunes for all!
Join us on Auction night March 29th, Saturday at 6:30pm until they turn down the lights!
Cheers,
Grace Angel
AFKS Chair
Artrageous 1920's
Curriculum Spotlight: 3rd Grade 3-21-2008
March 21, 2008
Tanya Finley
Last Thursday the third and fourth graders participated in the culmination of a project they’d been working on for months. This project was People In Profile, better known as PIP, and Thursday was the performance. But I’m jumping ahead. Let me go back to the beginning.
The third and fourth graders begin this process in December when they choose a figure from history to research. In third grade the only requirement is that 
the person they choose must be deceased. In fourth grade that same requirement is in place, but since fourth graders study California history, the figure that they choose must also have something to do with California.
Over winter break the kids gather resources. When they return in January, PIP research begins in earnest. They read and take notes. They put those notes into an outline and, in fourth grade, they write a biography. They build “Biography Altars” that represent their historical figure. They create timelines that include major events. They are busy, busy, busy with PIP in January, February, and March.
Once the kids have gathered as much interesting and important information as they can, they write interviews for their characters. These are the interviews that the kids perform in costume and on-stage in front of all of their parents and each other as the culmination of their projects. It is so amazing to watch them become their characters. I always feel a little bit nervous for them, and they always do an amazing job and make me so proud.
This is a project that PHS kids look forward to from Kindergarten. I look forward to it too, and I can’t wait to come and see the performances next year.
Auction item: 8th Grade
From the Director 3-21-2008
A HARD COPY OF THIS LETTER HAS BEEN SENT HOME AS WELL - CLICK BELOW FOR A WAY TO COMPLETE YOUR PARENTS ASSOCIATION NOMINATING FORM ONLINE
March 20, 2008
Dear PHS Families:
It’s hard to imagine that nearly three-quarters of the school year has come and gone. In many ways, it feels like we have just begun the year. In fact, the nature of schools and schooling feels like we are always just beginning. Which is why being in schools as educators and parents, particularly at Presidio Hill School, is so transfixing. As many of you know much has been accomplished at the school over the year, and we have many of you to thank for that—Fall Gathering, Grandparents & Special Friends Day, Follies, and the admissions tours and open houses. Also, it feels like much is left to be done at PHS.
One area of the school that deserves a good hard look is how we work with and manage our parent/guardian volunteers. After all, the school would not quite be where we are if we didn’t have a consistent and comprehensive way to tap the expertise and talents of our parent/guardian community.
Over the years, a number of people have done a tremendous job of advancing the Parent Association at Presidio Hill School. In the past three to four years, Susan Byrd (Ethan 5th), Noel Kaufman (Gabe 7th and Stella 4th) , and Rita Fahrner (Kelly 7th) did yeoman’s work in crafting a structure for the current Parent Association that has brought us a consistent well of volunteers from throughout the community. As we look to the future, two parents, Kimberley Spears (Canavan 3rd and Danny N. K) and Regina Casciato (Victoria 6th) have agreed to co-chair the Presidio Hill Parent Association going forward and look at the next evolution of this important group.
Please take a look at the nominating form (click here to download - or click the link below for a way to complete the form online), which asks people within the PHS community to help nominate others or one’s self to work on important community projects, tasks, and events. This is a new process for our school, but we expect it to become an integral part of our parent association. Click here to download a cover letter about the form from the parent association. It is important that each person in our school—families, faculty, and staff—complete this form and return it to PHS by April 11 or complete the form online by going to the Friday Letter and clicking on the link or going to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=a6bPYdYcb1U8E9LYuY7flg_3d_3d. Please make sure you participate and help us initiate this new process.
Please feel free to email Kimberley Spears kimberleyspears@yahoo.com or Regina Casciato at CasciatoReggae@aol.com for specific questions about the Presidio Hill Parents Association. For questions of a general nature, don’t hesitate to email me at Brian_Thomas@presidohill.org or call me at (415) 751-9318 ext. 101.
Take care,
Brian Thomas
Auction item: 7th Grade
