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Aztec News

Volume XX, Issue IV   Oct. 7, 2011

a PTA sponsored newsletter for    

Adobe Bluffs Elementary

Mark Atkins, Principal (858) 538-8403
8707 Adobe Bluffs Dr. San Diego, CA 92129

Krissa Jensen, Adobe Bluffs PTA President
Palomar Council, Ninth District, Inc. CCPTS
Jennifer Good, Aztec News Editor


In this issue:

Principal's Message 

AB Student Council Elections  

PTA Reflections “Diversity Means…”  

October Boxtop Contest 

Red Ribbon Week   

Scholastic Book Fair 

AB Educational Foundation Rubio’s Night 

Parent Education Class 

2011-2012 GATE Testing Information 

The Power of One assembly 

Annual “Welcome Back” Picnic

Ballroom 

Mileage Club

Birthday Book Club

Fresh & Easy Shop for Schools

Cub Scout Corner

A Healthy Tip to Grow on…  

Adobe Bluffs Principal’s Message

 

This is a great time to be an Adobe Bluffs Aztec!  In October we will be starting three student-centered programs.  The first, the after school Compass Learning lab, will begin on October 12th and run each Thursday from 12:30-1:30pm.  Since seats are limited, we will have students sign up and get parent permission.  If you haven’t already done so, please return the permission forms immediately so your child can get into the lab.  The goal is to rotate a different group of students through each trimester.  As you may know, the Compass Learning program utilizes MAP scores to create individualized lessons that address the student’s specific needs.  For those who are not able to attend the lab, Compass Learning is still available for your use, and can be accessed from any computer. 

 

Second, we are proud to announce that Mentors are returning to Adobe Bluffs! This was a truly beneficial program we started here a few years ago, but was lost due to budget cuts.  This year we have trained high school mentors to work with our students to build positive relationships, boost self-esteem, encourage success, and continued education.  Our students also benefit by getting a new friend, and a fantastic role model.  The mentors will be supervised by a staff member and meet their mentee each Wednesday after school.  If you are interested in having your child work with a mentor, please call the office for a permission slip. 

 

And finally, Fourth grade students have begun to receive music instruction once a week and will form a grade level choir.  Jody Johnson is an AB parent and a music teacher will be the choir director. They will learn music and songs that match fourth grade standards and perform at school events.  By providing these opportunities for kids, we hope to positively impact our student’s social and academic growth. 

 

With Aztec Pride,

Mark Atkins

 

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AB Student Council Elections

campaign days – Mon-Wed, Oct 10-12

speeches and voting – Wednesday, October 12

 

Student Council will be having their Campaign Days at Adobe Bluffs, from Monday, October 10th, to Wednesday, October 12th. Candidates may bring a poster to display at school during these days.

 

On Wednesday, October 12th, candidates will be giving their speeches to third, fourth, and fifth grade students at 12:30 in the MPR. Voting will take place in individual classrooms immediately following the assembly.

 

Newly elected officers will be announced on Thursday, October 13th, at 12:20.

  

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PTA Reflections “Diversity Means…”

Entry deadline - Friday, October 14, 2011

 

Got your ART on? The PTA Reflections Deadline is coming up sooner than you think!!. Don't mean to rush the artistic process but entries are DUE in the ABES Office Friday, Oct. 14th. Remember all entries require a signed entry form, signed consent form, title and artistic statement. How can you express the theme "Diversity Means..." in one or more of the following art categories- visual arts, photography, literature, musical composition, dance choreography or film/video production?

 

Complete rules and Entry forms can be downloaded from the following links: 

entry form - rules - previous winners

 

Questions? email Reflections Chair Jennifer Wright, wrijensd@yahoo.com

   

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October Boxtop Contest - Win a free ticket to the movies!!

Deadline - Tuesday, October 25, 2011

 

The student who brings in the most boxtops wins a free movie ticket!  Make sure your student’s name is included with your boxtops.  Turn in your bagged boxtops to the collection boxed in your classroom. 

 

This is the first of only two submission for the year...last year, we earned over $600 during this time frame.

 

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Upcoming Events

this week

October 8-14

Saturday-Sunday, 

October 8-9

Monday, Oct. 10

Tuesday, Oct. 11

Wed., Oct. 12 

Thurs, Oct 13

12:25 pm

early release  

Friday, Oct. 14

 Reflections entry deadline

 next week October 15 - 21

Red Ribbon/

Character Counts Week

Saturday-Sunday, 

October 15-16

Monday, Oct. 17

Red Ribbons passed out in class - wear them all week

Tuesday, Oct. 18

Show good citizenship by writing a letter to the military.

Wed, Oct. 19

Wear red and run for Red Ribbon tokens at Mileage Club

Thursday, Oct. 20

Pledge to be drug free

12:25 pm

early release

Friday, Oct. 21

Wear your grade color

  PreK, PEPP & K 

  1st Grade 

  2nd Grade 

  3rd Grade 

  4th Grade   

  5th Grade  

Saturday, Oct. 29

Rubio's Night

get a flyer

 

 sponsored by

AB Educational Foundation

For future events

Red Ribbon Week October 17-21, 2011

"Show Good Character by Being Drug Free"

 

“Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life and pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena.”

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

 

·         Monday: Red ribbons will be passed out in the classroom.

·         Tuesday: Show good citizenship by writing a letter to the military.

·         Wednesday: Run for a red ribbon token.

·         Thursday:  Pledge to be drug free.

·         Friday:  Every grade level will wear a color of the six Pillars of Character.

 

PreK, PEPP & K: Purple               3rd Grade: Green   

1st Grade: Yellow                     4th Grade: Blue  

2nd Grade: Orange                    5th Grade: Red

 

PARENTS:  Please take a moment to speak with your child about the dangers of drug abuse and give him/her options instead; such as sports, volunteering in the community and a whole host of other healthy choices. For more information about Red Ribbon Week visit the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration website.

 

STUDENTS: It is almost here!!  This is your chance to make the choice to stay DRUG-FREE!  Make a pact with your friends to say NO to drugs!  Choose to participate in fun, healthy activities instead.  Talk to your parents and learn the consequences of using drugs and ask questions if you have them.

 

 

Have a marvelous and FUN week and remember….”JUST SAY NO!”

 

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To The Book Fair and Beyond...Reading is Out of This World!

 

 

On Site Scholastic Book Fair

 

 

Monday – Wednesday

Oct 31 – Nov 2

7:30am – 3pm

 

Thursday, Nov 3

7:30am – 1:30pm

 

Friday

November 4

7:30am – 3pm

Library

Open House

5-7pm

Night time Book Fair

5-8pm

 

 

Online Scholastic Book Fair - October 21-November 11 (website coming soon)

 

It’s time to blast off and celebrate books and reading with our Fall Scholastic Book Fair. New this year to Adobe Bluffs is the launch of the Online Fair!  You will find expanded book collections and more selections to choose from to help your reader take off.

 

All students will visit the fair with their class during school. They may bring money to purchase books or fill out a wish list to bring home. We will also have a teacher wish list board at the fair for parents who are interested in giving a book to their child's class.

Parents are welcome at the fair anytime.  Feel free to visit with your child before or after school, or come on your own after drop off or before pick up time. You must sign-in at the office and wear a visitor sticker if you come to the fair during school hours.  

 

We will also host a Library Open House with our Adobe Bluffs Librarian, Susan Linger.  Please come by to say "hi" and check out the grand re-opening of our expanded library. Your children will LOVE to show you around THEIR library!

 

We can't lift off without our flight and ground crews.  If you would like to volunteer your time during Fair hours, or donate refreshments for either our Teacher Preview Reception or Library Open House, please contact Emmie Palacios, emspalacios@sbcglobal.net
or Christina Riza, criza@att.net
.

 

More information will make a landing in red folders prior to the fair.

 

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AB Educational Foundation Rubio’s Night - click here for a flyer

Saturday, October 29, 2011

3 locations: Torrey Highlands, Carmel Mtn Ranch and UTC

 

We had a great level of participation in our restaurant fundraisers last year, earning over $1,200 total, which was put to good use to help pay for salaries of Teacher Aides who do so much for our students.  This year, we are holding a series of Rubio's Fundraisers. Thanks to Rubio's, we hope to help pay for the annual licensing cost of Compass Learning.

 

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Ahh... the joys of parenting!

 

Have you ever wondered how to:

q       have cooperation without nagging?

q       find alternatives to punishment?

q       help your child have a positive self-image?

 

Join Laurie Wong, our wildly popular “Active Parenting of Teens” presenter on a journey to a happier home with...

How to Talk

So Kids Will Listen and

Listen So Kids Will Talk

Each series of four sessions will be limited to 25 people.

All sessions are from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Park Village - November 9, 16, 30, and Dec. 7

Pomerado - February 1, 8, 15, and 29

Morning Creek - April 12, 19, 26, and May 3

 

Prior registration is required as classes do fill. Click here for a registration form. UPLOAD PDF   The cost is $39/ individual and $69/couple plus $15/How to Talk So Kids Will Listen book. Checks should be made to PUSD. Sorry, no refunds. Call for more information: 858-668-4084

 

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2011-2012 GATE Testing Information

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) involves services for students whose cognitive needs may require modified classroom curriculum and instruction to accommodate their learning differences and ensure their achievement. Parents may request GATE testing for students in grades 2-7. 

2011– 2012 GATE Testing Information

 

Test Date (only 1 test opportunity)

Request Submission Window

SCHOOL SITE /SCHOOL DAY TESTING

Monday, January 9 – Friday January 13

@ each school site during the school day.

*Each school will determine their testing date(s) within this 5 day window. 

Monday, October 3  through Wednesday, November 30, 2011

 

To request GATE testing for your child, complete a GATE Parent Questionnaire/Test Consent form online through the PUSD GATE webpage https://learning.powayusd.com/GateSurvey/

 

NOTE: Requests for GATE Testing will only be taken during the request submission window dates.

 

If you have questions, please contact your child’s school office.

 

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On October 5th Adobe Bluffs PTA presented The Power of One

A bullying-proofing performance for elementary school children.

 

The Power of One is a series of skits presented by actors who use boxes, colors, and masks to vividly portray what bullying is, what can be done about it, and how every child has the power of one, the power to report bullying when they see it.

 

The Power of One:

      Explains the roles in bullying: Bully, Target, and Bystander

      Shows vivid examples of different types of bullying: Physical, Verbal, Exclusion, and Cyber bullying

      Alerts children that Targets need help and intervention

      Encourages students not to be bystanders

      Emphasizes the need for individual action to make the community a safer, better place

      Refers children to parents, adults, and teachers for further assistance and instruction

 

The highlight of the performance is when a volunteer from the audience looks into the Power of One box (which contains a mirror) and sees himself/herself! This leads to the audience taking the Power of One anti-bullying oath.

 

The Power of One Oath:

 

Learn more at Soren Bennick's The Power of One™ website

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Annual “Welcome Back” Picnic

 

Well, the massive San Diego County black out on September 8th and ensuing school closure on the 9th, forced us to reschedule our “Welcome Back” Picnic to September 30th making it not quite so much a “Welcome Back” Picnic.   Nonetheless, we all made the best of it and as usual this annual event made for a very pleasant, fun and enjoyable Adobe Bluffs community-building event.

 

We had a terrific evening weather wise and a terrific turn out of Adobe Bluffs families and teachers.  Many thanks to the Webelos from Cub Scout Pack 648 who did a terrific job serving up the cold organic milk, our teachers who built up their biceps serving up the ice cream and mingling with families and to BIGG Education for setting up some really fun fitness stations for the kids.  And last but not least, a big thank you to our parent volunteers and our Principal, Mr. Atkins, who helped with set up and clean up.

 

On a personal note, I enjoyed having the opportunity to check in with veteran Aztec families as well as meeting many of our new Aztec families.  So glad you were all able to make it out! 

 

Krissa Jensen

ABES PTA President, 2011-12

 

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Ballroom - Volunteers and Supplies Needed!

 

Every Tuesday and Thursday parent volunteers put out balls, hula hoops, jump ropes and games for our kids to use during lunch recess from 11:30 - 12:30.  We are looking for more volunteers.  Even one day per month would be a huge help!  If you are interested in volunteering please send an email to ami_lau@yahoo.com.  If you can't volunteer but would like to donate new or gently used board games, jump ropes, hula hoops or balls please mark them “Ballroom” and drop them off at the office.

 

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Mileage Club is Running Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday

 

Mileage Club is starting and we are bound for a great year!  We’ve made some new and fun changes this year making it fun for everyone to hit the track.  Mileage Club, held at lunch recess on Mon/Wed/Fri, has a number of great benefits and we are looking for 100% participation from our students.  Running is not mandatory.  Kids can walk, skip, hop or jump! It’s not required EVERYDAY.  Just pick one or two or three days a week and kids, teachers and parents will reap the rewards!  Walking/Running helps develop fitness while building muscles, burning calories, reducing stress and creating good lifelong habits.  Go to the Mileage Club page on the AB PTA website to learn more.

 

Family volunteers help keep this program going effectively. This opportunity is a quick and fun way for you to see your kids in action during recess.  You don't have to come every day, or even every week.  If you have some availability in your schedule and would like to help keep this program running, please email Kristine Brownlee at kristinebrownlee@hotmail.com.

 

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Birthday Book Club

 

Birthdays are always special to a child. Turn the focus of your child's birthday from sugar-filled cupcakes and goodie bags to honoring your child though the Birthday Book Program. This new program at Adobe Bluffs allows you to make a lasting gift to the school library in your child's name.

Books can be purchased from any bookstore, but hardcover books are preferred as they do last longer. A bookplate commemorating the child’s birthday and acknowledging the donor will be placed inside the book.  In addition the birthday boy/girl will be recognized during their scheduled library time and given the opportunity to be the first to borrow the book.

 

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fresh & easy Shop for Schools is now in Session!

 

Did you know Adobe Bluffs can earn $1 for every $20 fresh & easy receipt collected now through December 31?  The more receipts you turn in the more money Adobe Bluffs earns!  So if you happen to shop at fresh & easy please turn in your receipts to your teacher or drop them in the fresh & easy drop box in the office and help Adobe Bluffs earn.  Last year, Arizona, California and Nevada schools raised over $1.3 million.  It’s time to grab our share of that, Aztecs!

 

Click here to learn more about the fresh and easy Shop for Schools program.

 

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Cub Scout Corner

 

So far this school year has been very exciting and busy for Adobe Bluff’s Pack 648.

Den meetings have been running all September and the first pack meeting of the year saw new Tigers and new Bears increasing our ranks.  Then we all went camping at Indian Hills in Jamul, where we played hard, shot arrows, flew on zip lines, rode dirt bikes, enjoyed skits and ate s’mores.  The almost 60 kids and parents who showed up had a blast and there’s more to come in October.  If this sounds like fun, then come check out our next Pack Meeting on Friday, October 7th at 6:30pm in the Adobe Bluffs MPR or visit our Pack 4648 website. 

 

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A Healthy Tip to Grow on…  

 

“Whether you think you can or you can’t, you are absolutely right.”(Henry Ford)  How many times have you heard a voice in your house or classroom say…it’s too hard, I’m not good at that, I am not smart enough, or I don’t know how to that?  A belief is a feeling of certainty that we can have about ourselves or anything in our lives. Those negative beliefs drain your energy and make you feel bad. Empowering beliefs (such as I am smart, I have creative ideas, I like me, etc.) give you confidence, energy and make you feel great.

Read more at the Bigg Education blog and find out how you can help your child build beliefs that will motivate and inspire.

 

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