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Aztec News

Volume XX, Issue VI  Nov. 4, 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

Adopt-a-Family "Giving Tree"       

Abilitly Awarenss T-shirt      

PTA Reflections Reception Celebration 

PTA Association Meeting 

Scholastic Book Fair  

Parent Education Class     

2011-2012 GATE Testing Information 

Health Corner   

AB Art Fair

PQ Little League   

PQ Girls Softball        

October Boxtop Contest      

Healthy Tip - Hopscotch Sight Words   

Flu Season       

Adobe Bluffs Principal’s Message

  

Is your student having difficulty completing homework?  Do they need help with organizational skills?  The new Homework/ Tutoring club may be just what they need.  It will meet each Monday from 2:05–3:00 pm in room 21 with Mrs. Cline.  The goal of this club is to help each child have more academic success now and in the future.  If students finish their homework early they can log into Compass Learning.  The space is limited, so ask your teacher for a permission slip or call the office. 

 

Safety First

Help keep Adobe Bluffs safe by having an orderly drop off and pick up each day.  We have had problems with cars speeding down the neighborhood streets to drop children off.  It has also been reported that some parents are parking in city-designated red zones.  This is particularly problematic since it causes congestion for all the other drivers and blocks the driveways of those living at the end of the street.  The best way to help us have a safe drop off is to use the traffic circle.  We ask that only preschool, kindergarten and special needs families enter the parking lot to park and walk students onto campus. 

 

For those families who have children who walk to school, please remind your children of the following:

  • It is best to be with friends when walking, bicycle riding, or playing outside.
  •  Be alert to strangers. The best thing to do is to run away if a stranger approaches.
  • Let parents and/or the school know what has happened.

     

    For additional safety tips, visit the PUSD school safety page. 

 

Recognizing Flu symptoms

Because all flu viruses can spread easily from person to person, Poway Unified School District is asking for your help in reducing the spread of the flu in our school.

Parents can do to help by recognizing the symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include: fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired.

 

Do not send your children to school if they have any signs of illness

Children who are determined to be sick while at school will be sent home. Students cannot return to school after illness until they have been fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. 

Make plans now for children who need to stay at home. Plan for how children will be cared for if they become ill.  Click here to see the PUSD Flu Tips for the 2011-2012 Influenza Season.

 

Parent Conferences

Parent conferences will be held the week of November 14-18. School will be dismissed at noon each day.  ESS will be available for those who need childcare. Go to the school website for more information.

 

With Aztec Pride,

Mark Atkins

 

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Adopt-a-Family “Giving Tree” - donations accepted through Nov 30, 2011

 

The Adobe Bluffs PTA will again be participating in the district-wide Adopt-a-Family program sponsored by Palomar Council PTA this year. We will be collecting new, unwrapped items (shoes, clothes, toys, gift and gas cards, etc.) for approximately 30 members (parents and children) of PUSD families in need (approximately 6 families). Most of us have a lot to be thankful for — this is a great way for us to help families in our community who are not so fortunate.  Last year, district-wide, this program supported over 500 needy PUSD families!  This year the need could be even greater. 

 

Our “Giving Trees will be posted at various locations around school for the next two weeks, Nov. 7th – 18th, stocked with apples labeled with needed items. The trees are accessible before, during, and after school, including the noon-release week of Parent-Teacher Conferences. All you need to do to make a tangible difference in the life of a local family is pick an apple, purchase the specified item, and return the unwrapped item to any collection box on campus by November 30th. All items will be delivered to the families before winter break.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer for this heart-warming cause, please contact Heather Robert, hrobert@san.rr.com or Kelly Logan, klogan2@san.rr.com . If your family, business, sports team or other community organization is interested in adopting a family on your own, please contact Kim Chevalier, Palomar Council PTA Adopt-A-Family Chair through the Palomar Council website Adopt-a-Family page.

 

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Wear Your Ability Awareness T-shirt - November 9, 2011

 

As part of Ability Awareness, on every second Wednesday of the month the students and staff of Adobe Bluffs will wear their specially made T-shirts to support the promotion of respectful language in everyday speech and promote acceptance and inclusion of all people.

 

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Reflections Celebration Reception

5:30-6:30pm, Thursday, November 10, 2011

 

The PTA Reflections Celebration Reception will take place Thursday, November 10, 5:30-6:30pm before the November ABES PTA meeting. Come join this celebration, all are welcome. All Reflections participants will be recognized with a certificate and ribbon at the end of the reception. Artwork will be displayed for all to enjoy. The top Adobe Bluffs Reflections finalists will be announced at the reception. These entries will go on to compete at the Palomar Council level against other PUSD schools. Finalists at the council level go on to compete at the county district level and then on to state and/or national levels. Good luck Aztec artists! Come celebrate Aztec artists and then stay for the PTA meeting to follow.

Upcoming Events

Adopt-a-Family

Giving Tree

 

Donations accepted through Nov. 30

this week

November 5-11

Saturday-Sunday, 

November 5 & 6

Monday, Nov. 7

Tuesday, Nov. 8

Wed., Nov. 9 

 Wear your Ability Awareness T-shirt

Thurs, Nov. 1012:25 pm

early release

 Reflections Celebration Reception

5:30 pm @ MPR

  PTA Association Mtg 6:30 pm @ MPR 

Friday, Nov. 11

 Veterans Day

no school 

  Online Book Fair last day to order, Click here 

 next week

November 12-18

Parent/Teacher Conferences early release

12 noon everyday

Saturday-Sunday, 

November 12 & 13

Monday, Nov. 14noon early release

Tuesday, Nov. 15noon early release

Wed, Nov. 16

noon early release

Thursday, Nov. 17noon early release

Friday, Nov. 18

noon early release

Nov. 21-25

Thanksgiving 

Break

 school closed

For future events

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PTA Association Meeting and Election of Nominating Committee – 6:30pm, Thursday, November 10, 2011

 

All parents are warmly invited and encouraged to attend our next Adobe Bluffs PTA Association Meeting on Thursday, November 10th at 6:30pm in the Multipurpose Room.  This is your opportunity to come and learn about the many different ways the PTA works together with the Adobe Bluffs staff and community to further enrich your children’s educational experience.  This is also your chance to ask questions and give us constructive feedback regarding any aspect of the PTA.    

 

In addition, at this meeting we will be electing the Nominating Committee.  This important group will be responsible for finding qualified candidates for the 2012-13 PTA Board.  For more information about PTA Board Member job descriptions visit the AB PTA website or the CA PTA website.  If you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee or would like more information on PTA Board positions, please feel free to contact me.        

 

I hope you can make it! 

 

Krissa Jensen, PTA President 2011-2012

 

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Scholastic Book Fair Still Open Online – through November 11, 2011  

 

 

Thank you to all the families for supporting literacy at Adobe Bluffs and making our Fall Book Fair out of this world!  We had a great time sharing books and having our Library Open House!  Thank you also to all of the wonderful volunteers...we couldn't have done it without you!            

 

If you didn't have a chance to get books you wanted or if you wanted to shop some more, our Online Fair will run until November 11.  There is still time to check it out!  Click here to go to the online book fair.

  

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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. 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

request submission deadline - November 30, 2011

 

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.

 

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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Health Corner:

 

Parents: First Grade Physicals must be completed and handed into the Health Office by early December.  If you are not sure if your child has had their physical, please call Karen Serafin in the office to check the status of your child. If you need financial assistance please call Family Health Services @ 1-800-675-2229.

 

 

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AB First Annual Art Fair – 2:05-6:00 pm, Wednesday, December 7, 2011 

 

During the months of October and November our Arts Attack classroom docents will be teaching some special art projects with all the classes. These projects will be framed for the Art Fair and available to purchase, perfect for holiday giving.  From each frame sold, $3 will go directly to AB PTA. 

 

Please make sure to mark your calendars for this fun event; your child will love to see their very own artwork in these beautiful frames.

 

DarleneHart and Jennifer Wright Arts Attack Chairs and Art Fair Chairs

 

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Rancho Penasquitos Little League

Early Registration For all Divisions starts Nov. 1st  ($20.00 off)

 

Ages 5-15 T-ball through Juniors

Challengers (ages 5-22 Baseball for Special Needs)

3 easy payments available Nov. 1st – Dec. 5th

For more information go to the Rancho Penasquitos Little League website.

 

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PLAY BALL! – Penasquitos Girls Softball Association

registration November 1 – Dec 15, 2011 (late fee after this date)

 

Come join one of the best girls softball leagues in San Diego!  All girls from the age of 5 (must be in Kindergarten) to 14 are invited to join the fun and excitement.  Bring your friends!

 

New for 2012 – Only $25 to play T-ball!

 

Get more details and register for the Spring Recreational Season online beginning November 1st by visiting us at www.pqsoftball.org.

 

PQGSA – Dedicated to introducing and developing the game of softball in the Rancho Penasquitos Community.

 

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Box Tops

 

Great job by all...we brought in a total of 7,598!!  That results in $760 for Adobe Bluffs.  The class that brought in the most and won the otter pop party is Mrs. Bollish's kindergarten class with a whopping 1,031.  The student who brought in the most and won the movie ticket is Macey N. in Mrs. Bollish's kindergarten class.  Way to go Macey!

 

Keep on saving because we'll have more contests to come!  And more $$$ to earn for Adobe Bluffs.

 

Thanks to all the families for doing such a great job of saving box tops!

 

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Healthy Tip - Hopscotch Sight Words
 
Who says you have to sit down to do homework? Maximize homework time by exercising your brain and body with Hopscotch Sight Words.  Write the words your child is learning in each box.  Say a word and have your child hop to that word.  Take turns and let them give you a word.
Find more fun fitness games like this at BIGG Education 

 

 

 

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The Flu Season Is Soon Upon Us

 

For businesses and schools the Flu Season takes a tremendous toll.  It is important to take whatever steps necessary to protect ourselves and our students from the Flu Virus. We all know the symptoms characterized by fever, headache, fatigue, chills, cough, sore throat, and aching muscles; vomiting and diarrhea may occur but are not as common. The Flu Virus is spread from person-to-person by airborne droplets most likely during the first 1-3 days from when the symptoms first appear.  However, sometimes people can be contagious even before their symptoms appear.  There are several generally accepted ways to decrease the chances of exposure and catching the Flu.

 

Tips for Students

Ü   Encourage parents and students to take flu symptoms seriously.  If students are experiencing flu symptoms, they should be kept at home.

Ü   Encourage students to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  A little “reminder” and perhaps instruction on how to “catch your cold in your elbow” would be timely. Have students immediately and properly dispose of each soiled tissue.

Ü   Instruct students not to share items that may be contaminated with saliva such as beverage containers. 

Ü   Encourage students to also wash their hands regularly with soap and water.

 

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