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Dear Family and Friends of PDMSS,

Thank you so much for attending our Back to School night on Wednesday.  The energy was electric and the focus on our instructional programs was evident throughout all of our classroom presentations.  It was a great thrill to share with you our state academic performance index of 944!  The state’s goal for schools is   800 or above on the API.  PDMSS far surpasses the state goal.  The gain of 35 points last year did not happen by accident.  It was a result of careful analysis of achievement data and review of multiple measures that allowed us to make targeted instructional decisions and set goals for our overall reading and writing programs.  

I will be conducting a parent workshop The Use of Data on Instructional Decision Making on Wednesday, September 30 in the PDMSS library at 8:35 (after the morning assembly).  I am looking forward to sharing our success, but more importantly our strategy of targeted instruction to continually improve our instructional practices with you.

Today was our first official visit into our organic garden.  Our Big and Little Buddies had a wonderful day of exploration and harvest in our life garden.  The bountiful harvest included gigantic zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, and even a couple of gourds!  Students engaged in taste tests of vegetables and began their gardening journals.  It was an exciting day of discovery.  

I know that you are anxiously awaiting to start volunteering in the classrooms to support our students in the acquisition of their grade level standards.  We look forward to your participation.  Just a few reminders:  if you are a returning parent who has a signed confidentiality agreement, all you need to do is have an updated Mantoux skin test.  It is good for four years.  Fourth Grade parents, you are due for your updated test, if you started volunteering when your child started kindergarten here at PDMSS four years ago.  All District Volunteer Forms will be reviewed this week, and we will notify you if we need any other information.  

New Parents to PDMSS – you MUST attend a Mandatory Volunteer Training with the principal before you may start working in the classrooms.  The dates are included in this newsletter.  At the training, you will receive your confidentiality agreement as well as receive general information regarding procedures for signing in and out, etc.

The septic tank is now safely placed underground with pea-rock and dirt.  Students were mesmerized on Thursday as the crane lifted the tank and gingerly placed it underground.  It has been a great visual learning experience.  Work is on schedule – hooray!  Thank you for continuing to remind your children about staying a safe distance from construction fencing.  Your support has been invaluable throughout this construction project.  

Today, Dr. Laura and I conducted one of three triennial head lice checks.  The next lice checks will take place after winter break and after spring break.  In the meantime, please be sure to remind your children NOT to share hats, headbands, helmets brushes, combs, and other items that could potentially spread head lice from child to child.  Thank you for your diligence in doing home checks to keep our school lice / nit free.

I hope to see you at the Annual Heal the Bay Beach Clean Up at Westward Beach in front of the Sunset Restaurant from 9 – 12 tomorrow.  Help PDMSS reach its annual goal of 300 volunteers giving service to our community to help save the environment.  Have a wonderful weekend with your family.  


Warmest regards,

Chi Kim
Principal

Mon. 9/21 New Parent Volunteer Training, 1pm
9/21, 9/22, 9/23 C.I.M.I. Grade 5
Wed. 9/23 8:30am Room Parent Meeting
3pm PTA Association Meeting
Fri. 9/25 College Spirit Day
***** 1pm Dismissal *****
Reflections Workshop, Kindergarten Yard, 1pm
Mon. 9/28 NO SCHOOL
Admissions Day
Tues. 9/28 Volunteers Start in the Classrooms



School News

Mandatory Parent Volunteer Training for New Parents Only:

Monday, September 21st - 1:00p.m.
Tuesday, September 22nd - 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 23rd - 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 24th - 8:30a.m.
September Lunch Menu here >>

The PDMSS PTA Direct Investment Campaign is well underway.  Please help us by joining the Direct Investment Campaign today.  Your tax-deductable donation allows us to ensure a stable, high-quality education for our children.  It will take every family’s involvement in order for the PTA to achieve our aggressive fundraising goal - 100% is our goal.  We are currently at 40% participation. 

Thank you to the following 81 families for their investments:

Aldrich Family, Alexander Family, Anawalt Family, Barish Family, Barton Family, Bode Family, Brosnan Family, Brufsky Family, Burger Family, Carrola-Landry Family, Chartoff Family, Cloete Family, Cohen Family, Cole Family, DeMeritt Family, Dempsey Family, deVarennes Family, Embiricos Family, Farrer Family, Fox Family, Gerber-Crawford Family, Gonzalez Family, Graham Family, Griffin Family, Hack Family, Haines Family, Hamilton Family, Hernandez Family, Herz Family, Holmes Family, Kevin & Samantha Hughes Family, Jenkins Family, Junger Family, Kassoy Family, Kennedy-Bailey Family, King Family, Kline Family, Krawczyk Family, Lamont Family, Lehman Family, Lewis Family, Loftus Family, Mankoff Family, Mark Family, Martin Family, Martinez Family, Mason Family, Mazzarella Family, McDonnell Family, McNulty Family, Ken & Janice Miller Family, Motavasselan Family, Nanula Family, Nathan Family, Nokes Family,  O’Connor Family, Panzer Family, Christian & Sheryn Payne Family, Perey Family, Pernice Family, Peterson Family, Picard Family, Pinkett Family, Putterman Family, Ross Family, Roth Family, Rubenstein Family, Schaar Family, Sheridan Family, Norton & Kim Smith Family, Spiner Family, Stack Family, Stockwell Family, Strickland Family, Szczepanik Family, Tarlow Family, Taylor Family, Thonson Family, Woglom Family, Wolfsdorf Family, Zuckerman Family

Please make your 100% tax-deductable donation today.
Donation forms are available in the PDMSS School Office or to download CLICK HERE >>.



Many thanks to Chris Cortazzo
for his generous support and
sponsorship of the 2009-2010
School Calendar.

SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD
By Lee and Maya S.
Student Reporters
 
The assembly last week was amazing. Actor John McGinley of Scrubs, Are You Done Yet? and Wild Hogs with special guests The Striker All-Stars made an excellent point about not using the R-word. It is so great that the Striker All-Stars are helping the Special Olympics. Their dance group is extraordinary. It is amazing how people with mental handicaps can do so many things. A Special Olympics gold medalist came to our school to talk about Spread the Word to End the Word. The speech was very inspiring. If we stop using the R-word, we will not hurt people’s feelings and will probably feel better inside. This is how you can make a difference.

Community News & Announcements

Heal the Bay Beach Cleanup

Please join the PDMSS Caring Community at our Annual Heal the Bay Beach Cleanup tomorrow at Westward Beach across from the Sunset Restaurant.
Show your school spirit and wear your  PDMSS Green Field Trip T-Shirt! 

To see and print a waiver for coastal cleanup CLICK HERE >>
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CA Wildlife Open House - Sunday October 4, 2009

Free Admission, Noon – 4 p.m.
For more information CLICK HERE >>
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COUNTY OF LA PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOKMARK CONTEST

For contest guidelines CLICK HERE >>
For contest entry form CLICK HERE >>
If you would like to be removed from this list,
click here and type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject.