Free OC Health Expo on May 8th, 2010

 

May Lunch Menu

The May Lunch Menu is now available online HERE at the McGaugh school website.

Information about Next Year's Budget and Class Sizes

 

Dear Parents!

Next week you'll receive a letter in the mail from the district's Class Size Reduction Committee, asking you to donate $225.00 per child within your household to help us reduce and maintain class sizes throughout our district.

            This Committee was formed by parents from the schools within our district after the California state budget cuts cut a staggering $18.5 million from our LAUSD operating budget.  This threatened our ability to keep LAUSD class sizes within a range we found acceptable to maintain our high levels of academic standards. The Committee wrote a letter to parents last summer in an effort to raise funds to go to each of our District schools to maintain or reduce class sizes. With the generosity of parents like you, we were able to disburse the money to our schools and reduce class sizes last year.

            This year, with further budget cuts, we are again asking for your help. The Class Size Reduction Committee is requesting a donation of $225.00 per student (just $18.75 per month) so that class sizes district-wide can be reduced back to 20 to 1 in grades K-3 and class averages can be lowered in grades 4-12 to a maximum of 35. In the letter you'll receive next week there is more detail about exactly how the money was used from last year's campaign.

            As your Principal, I am encouraging every family that is able to contribute to this Campaign… it will take everyone's participation to reach the levels we need. Thank you!

 

Daryle Palmer

 

Fundraising, the Flavory Yogurt Way

 

 During the month of May, Flavory Yogurt at 347 Main St #B (corner of Main and PCH) will donate 20% of their sales to McGaugh PTA!  Go in as often as you would like for some delicious treats, and don't forget to mention McGaugh to the cashier.

No flier needed!

 

STAR Testing Starts Tuesday

Dear Parents, 

We begin with the STAR testing on Tuesday, April 27, 2010. We will not test on Fridays, but all other mornings during the two weeks of April 27, through May 6^th, are scheduled for testing. Testing begins at 8:15 each morning and it is more important than ever to have students at school on time. When students arrive late they often miss the opportunity to share in the opening of the day with some comforting words and activities to bring the stress level down.  Please, set those alarm clocks a few minutes' early on testing days to avoid any rush to school. During the testing time no calls will be put through to classes to avoid interrupting the testing. Students who arrive after 8:15 will be asked to wait in the office and take that portion of the test on a make-up day.

            This is also a time when it is important for students to have a good night's sleep and a nutritious breakfast. Research shows that protein in the morning helps the brain function at a high level for a longer period of time. Students, who are tired, do not perform up to their ability. This is especially true with any additional stress. If your child is not feeling well or has a fever, keep them home. We have scheduled a time for make-up testing for any child who misses a test section during the week of May 10^th. Students perform much better if they are feeling well, even in a make-up testing situation. Remind your children that while we want them to do their best, this test is just one snapshot of their ability. Children who approach the test as "part of school" do much better than those who react with great anxiety. So, a little earlier to bed, a healthy breakfast, a big hug, and "I love you" from Mom and Dad will provide your child exactly what he/she needs for STAR testing.

            Although testing is only being done in grades 2 through 5, in order to create the optimal testing environment we will have the campus in "Testing Mode" from 8:15 until 10:15 or when all tests have been returned to the office. Therefore NO classrooms will be disturbed to deliver lunches, messages, or homework during this period.

Sincerely,

Daryle Palmer

Fun Run Shirts Available!

The Seal Beach Fun Run has extra Fun Run t-shirts available for a limited time for $5.00 each. The shirts will be sold at 2:15pm on Thursday, 4/22, at the West Gate and Friday, 4/23, at the flag pole. All monies will be donated back to McGaugh School!

* The only size available are Youth Mediums *

H.U.G.S. Abound

The April H.U.G.S. Newsletter is now available online HERE and contains information for and about the McGaugh Elementary School special needs students and programs.

HELP * UNDERSTANDING * GROWTH * SUPPORT

Ice Cream FUNdraiser at OC Fairgrounds

Bob's Old Fashioned Ice Cream FUNdraiser!!!

Attention all McGaugh Families!

Project SEEK will be holding a fundraiser at Bob's Old Fashioned Ice Cream booth at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

We will be selling Bob's famous ice cream bars on Saturday, April 24^th & Sunday, April 25^th. All proceeds go directly to Project SEEK which supports enrichment programs at McGaugh.

It's a great opportunity to browse a fantastic selection of home decorations, plants, beauty products, specialty food items AND also support our school at the same time.

When:       Saturday, April 24^th & Sunday. April 25^th

10am-4pm

Where:     Orange County Swap Meet at the OC Fairgrounds in

                Costa Mesa

Look for "Bob's Ice Cream" on Row E Aisle #3

Looking forward to seeing you there!

For more information, or to volunteer to help sell ice cream please contact Jen Haynie

Ohana Day 2010

Looking for some good clean fun? Check out Surfrider's Ohana Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday April 18 at the Seal Beach Pier!

Ohana Day, hosted by the Huntington and Seal Beach chapters,  is a great opportunity for families to come out for an enjoyable and educational day at the beach while celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

 

This is a free event, and families can take advantage of free surf lessons courtesy of M&M Surf School, interactive information on ocean pollution courtesy of Science 2 U, a recycling demonstration turning milk cartons into treasures, a bodyboarding clinic courtesy of Alternative Surf Bodyboards, skateboard lessons courtesy of Skatedogs, a rescue demonstration by the Seal Beach Lifeguards, live music, a raffle featuring merchandise from a variety of supporting vendors in the beach communities, and more!

 

Friends and families are encouraged to bring their boards, beach chairs and a picnic lunch to enjoy a fun day at the beach! Kids ages 6-12 years are welcome to participate in the Skatedogs skateboard lesson, needing only a skateboard, helmet and knee/elbow pads along with their parent to sign a release waiver for one of the two sessions (9:30 & 10:15).

 

Surfrider Foundation H/SB will have plenty of volunteers on hand to talk about simple things we can all do in our own homes to improve water quality at our beaches. Information will be available detailing monthly beach cleanups, ways to reduce single-use plastics consumption, how to make your landscape more "ocean friendly", elementary education opportunities, and opportunities for volunteers to get involved.

 

For more information about your local Surfrider Chapter, go to www.hsbsurfrider.org

See you at the beach!

 

K-5 Parent Survey

 

Dear McGaugh Parents,

 

It's time to fill out the K-5 Parent Survey! Once again the survey is online and can be completed from the convenience of your home or workplace. Please fill it out as soon as possible; however, it will remain active until June 15th.  A link has been provided on McGaugh's website for your convenience as well.

Thank you!

K-5 Parent Survey

 

What can one PTA unit do to protect education?

A lot -- when its members produce a video that goes viral

 

 

 

The community of Wonderland Avenue Elementary school in the Los Angeles area has been feeling battered by budget cuts to education. So PTA parents at the school gave their concerns the Hollywood treatment, by producing a video that has gone viral...

[Continue reading from the California PTA website or watch the video HERE]

 

But we're 'just' McGaugh, what can we do?  The California PTA has organized a letter writing campaign to the Governor and State Legislators, and has provided sample letters to help you express your concerns.  Or perhaps you have the next great idea for an internet video or some other wonderful way to spread the word.  Your PTA Board and the rest of the membership would love to hear it.  PTA General Meetings are held the first Thursday of each month (our next is scheduled for May 6th, 8:15 am) and is open to everyone connected to the school.  With only two more meetings this year, get your ideas in now!

Pageant of the Arts Tickets

Yes, seats are still available for both shows, but they'll go fast !!!!!!!
Don't wait
Get your tickets NOW and come see this amazing performance !!!!!!!

Simply fill out and return the THIS order form to the front office this week and your tickets will be waiting for you at Will Call.

For those who've already pre-ordered tickets, your tickets will be sent home with your child TOMORROW, Monday April 12th.  So make sure you check his/her backpack!

Questions?  Contact: Cindy Duncan

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
McGaugh Elementary School and Splash are proud to present...

The 2010
Pageant of the Arts

featuring

The Starry Night
By
Vincent Van Gogh

Performances
April 16 and 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Ticket price is $5.00 each for Adults and Children