September / October 2017 Edition
Las Animas Home & School Club
(HSC) Newsletter
Sept/Oct. 2017 Edition
Las Animas Families,
Welcome Back to School! We hope you enjoyed your summer vacation and are getting in the swing of things with school now in session. This newsletter is meant to provide you with a unified view of activities and information you may find helpful over the next 60 days. You should expect to see an updated newsletter every other month. If you have general feedback, or additional information you would like to see in future newsletters, please contact b.j.dewitt@sbcglobal.net.
Also, please be sure to look over the HSC Welcome Packet (included in this newsletter). This provides introductions to this year’s HSC Board, information on what we do, as well as a full description of all the amazing programs the HSC offers.
Highlights of upcoming events/activities for September & October:
*All dates are subject to change
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September 2017
Sept. 1 (8:15-9:00am) – Science Alive Info Session #2 @ School Library Sept. 1 (9:00-10:00am) – Library Volunteer Info Session @ School Library Sept. 5 Fall Picture Day Sept. 6 (6:00-7:30pm) – Project Cornerstone Training (new readers only) @ Multi-purpose Room Sept. 6 – Walking School Bus – meet at Oak Brook Way and Blackberry Ct. at 7:40am Sept. 6 – Apples & Meat Sticks Fundraiser Begins (look for flyers) Sept. 7 (8:30-9:30am) – Art Program Training @ School Library Sept. 11-15 (7:45am-3pm daily) – Scholastic Book Fair @ School Library Sept. 12 (9:30-11am) – Los Dichos Training @ GUSD Office, 7810 Arroyo Circle, Gilroy, Room GR Sept. 15 (8:30-10:00am) – ELAC meeting @ Staff Room Sept. 20– Walking School Bus – meet at Oak Brook Way and Blackberry Ct. at 7:40am Sept. 21 (7:00-8:00pm) – HSC Meeting @ School Library Sept. 21 (8:15-9:00am) – Project Cornerstone Training (ALL readers) @ School Library Sept. 21 (after dismissals) Kona Ice @ Quad blacktop near 1st-4th bldgs ($5 pp/cash only) Sept.29 – Apples & Meat Sticks Orders Due |
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October 2017
Oct. 2-13 – Apex Fun Run Oct. 4 – Walking School Bus – meet at Oak Brook Way and Blackberry Ct. at 7:40am Oct. 12 - (after dismissals) Kona Ice @ Quad blacktop near 1st-4th bldgs ($5 pp/cash only) Oct. 13 (8:30-10:00am) – ELAC meeting @ Staff Room Week of Oct. 16 – Fall Theater Auditions (details TBD) Oct. 18 - – Walking School Bus – meet at Oak Brook Way and Blackberry Ct. at 7:40am Oct. 19 (8:15-9:15am) HSC Meeting @ School Library Oct. 20 – (5:00-8:00pm) Restaurant Night at Pieology Oct. 25 (9:30-11am) – Los Dichos Training @ GUSD Office, 7810 Arroyo Circle, Gilroy, Room GR |
Detailed information related to upcoming events/activities for September & October:
Home & School Club Meeting (Sept. 21, 7:00-8:00pm @ School Library)
Curious about what the Home & School Club does? Join us for the first meeting of this school year!
We are going to have lots of information about upcoming events, as well as how you can stay up to date, and get involved. Hope to see you there!
School Library (Volunteer Training)
Like most of our programs here at Las Animas, the school library is run by 100% parent volunteers. In order for the library to run and for students to check out books on a weekly basis, we need lots of help! Shifts can be as short as 30 minutes, or up to a couple of hours each week. The job is fun and easy, and no experience is necessary. While helping out our school, you also get to meet other parents. Please consider volunteering some time to help us get the library off to a strong start. If you are interested in learning more and/or becoming a volunteer, an information session will be held on Sept. 1, 9:00-10:00am in the school library. For information, please contact Kim Kaplan at kskaplan25@yahoo.com.
Scholastic Book Fair (Sept. 11- Sept.15)
The fall Scholastic book fair runs Monday, September 11th through Friday, September 15th in the library (7:45am-3:00pm daily). Please come and purchase great books at wonderful prices! We keep our library and classroom libraries fully stocked with the money we earn from the book fairs. Please contact Jeanna North, Jeanna.north@icloud.com with questions.
Wendy’s HeART (formerly Arts Alive)
This is a school-wide art program, utilizing hands-on application in the classrooms on a monthly basis, implemented and taught by parent volunteers and in partnership with the teachers. If you are interested in learning more and/or becoming a volunteer, an information session will be held on Sept.7, 8:30-9:30am in the school library. Please contact Kari Bertrand, kariannebertrand@yahoo.com with questions.
G.A.T.E. Enrichment (Begins August 31)
The coordinators of the Las Animas After School G.A.T.E. program would like to invite G.A.T.E. qualified students to participate in the enrichment program for the 2017-2018 school year. This program begins on Thursday, August 31, 2:45-3:45pm in the computer lab. The After School G.A.T.E. Program’s goal is to provide enrichment activities to the G.A.T.E. certified students at Las Animas Elementary. Activity blocks are approximately 6 weeks with instruction by various teachers and supported by parent volunteers. Please contact Desiree Chung, desluu@yahoo.com or Kim DeWitt, b.j.dewitt@sbcglobal.net with questions.
Project Cornerstone (September kick-off/Volunteer training)
Project Cornerstone promotes good feelings, student-to-student respect, and helps make our school a place all students can feel safe. This YMCA-sponsored program involves parent volunteers reading in an assigned classroom once a month (Sept - May) and leading a discussion/activity to reinforce the strategy/lesson highlighted in the book. There is training required to become a reader. If you are interested in becoming a parent volunteer, a training session will be held on Sept 6th, 6:00-7:30pm in the Multi-purpose room for new volunteers only; returning readers do not need to attend. There is also a training session for ALL readers (new and returning), Friday, Sept. 21st at 8:15am (meet in School Library). Please contact Tiffany Oetinger, tiffany@fernwoodcellars.com or Kim DeWitt, b.j.dewitt@sbcglobal.net with questions.
Los Dichos (Volunteer training)
Los Dichos helps Spanish-speaking parents become involved in their children’s education and instill a positive cultural identity in their children. Los Dichos volunteers are trained in Spanish in the principles of positive youth development, including the importance of parent involvement in education. Each month, Los Dichos volunteers read specially selected bilingual books in the classroom and lead activities and discussions about topics including tolerance, family pride, peaceful conflict resolution and other important values. If you are interested in becoming a parent volunteer, training will be held at the GUSD Office, 7810 Arroyo Circle, Gilroy, Room GR on September 12th and on October 25th from 9:30am-11:00am. Please contact Adriana Torres, addy_2101@yahoo.com with questions.
Science Alive (September kick-off/Volunteer training)
The purpose of Science Alive is to introduce science to our students as early as possible to prevent them from getting intimidated. Through the step by step FOSS study guides, parent volunteers lead lessons that allow students to handle and study objects that exist all around us, understand basic theories of cause and effect and the how’s and why’s. Students have so much fun learning at each (monthly) session that they eagerly await the next one. Science Alive is a great way to get involved with the students in the classroom! To learn more about becoming a volunteer, please attend the second Science Alive Info Session on Sept. 1 (8:15-9:00a) in the School Library. Please contact Desiree Chung, desluu@yahoo.com with questions.
Theatre Arts (Auditions begin the week of October 16th)
Our first THEATER arts play begins the week of October 16th! The Three Musketeers Travel Through Time . . . Watch for Audition Permission slips coming home the end of September. Everyone in third to fifth grade may participate with parent and teacher consent!
Kona Ice (Sept. 21 & Oct. 12)
Love shaved ice? Looking for an easy after-school treat, while contributing toward our school? Look no further! Kona ice will be on campus once per month due to their limited availability, so be sure to grab one while you can! For the month of September, the date is Sept. 21 and for October, the date is Oct. 12 (after school dismissal, in Quad area near the 1st-4th grade entrance gate). Cost is $5 per person, cash only.
Apples & Meat Sticks - Fall Fundraiser (Kicks off Sept. 6)
Fundraising is such an important part of supporting our Home and School Club. It allows us to be able to offer so many programs to enrich all of our children's education. Our fall fundraiser will be selling meat sticks from Country Meats and gourmet apples from Apple of my Eye. This will begin on September 6th. An information packet will be sent home in an upcoming Wednesday folder. Please contact Elie Rose, pink_queen_408@yahoo.com with questions.
Apex Fun Run (Oct. 2-Oct.13)
The Apex Fun Run is our MAJOR fundraiser for the year. It is a 2 week fundraiser that promotes leadership and fitness. The theme this year is “Together We Are United.” This year’s theme focuses on being UNITED as a group and valuing each others differences. Funds raised will go towards Academic Enrichment, STEAM, Field Trips and supporting our students and teachers.
Box Tops (Yearlong)
Did you know clipping Box Tops is an easy way to help earn cash for our school? Each one is worth 10¢! Just look for the pink Box Tops on hundreds of products you already purchase. All you have to do is clip them and send them in to school. Our goal this year is to earn $ 1,000.00. For more information on Box Tops, including a list of participating products, go to http://BTFE.com. Be sure to sign up as a member and check out our school’s earnings details, as well as get access to coupons and bonus offers. Please contact Christine Wanish, cwanish1@gmail.com with questions.
Cash (Gift) Cards (Yearlong)
Do you want to help out at school but don’t have the time? Here is an incredibly easy, quick option for you! Purchase cash cards as a gift, for personal shopping or for your child’s school supplies. Visit https://www.shopwithscrip.com/and click on “Shop” to view the list of participating stores. Some cards are stocked and available immediately. The percentage back to our school ranges from 2% -16% and there is NO additional fee for your purchase. Please contact Desiree Chung, desluu@yahoo.com with questions.
Birthday Marquee (Yearlong)
If you'd like to have your child's name on the birthday marquee in front of school, please obtain a form from the office or from the files folder on our Facebook page and put the form along with payment ($20) in birthday marquee slot in the HSC box in the office. Please submit forms at least two weeks before your child's birthday. Please contact Jody Pulford, thepulfords@yahoo.com with questions.
Finally, to stay up to date on current events, be sure to use our communication tools!
- Find us on Facebook “Las Animas Home and School Club”
- Subscribe to Text Reminders
- Simply send the text “@lasanima” (note: there is no “s” at the end) to 81010. Your phone number remains private and is not shared with anyone, nor will you be enrolled in any group texts. This is solely for outgoing notifications to parents from HSC.
- For general questions, email the HSC: hsclasanimas@gmail.com
The Las Animas Home and School Club would like to thank and recognize our sponsors for the 2017-2108 school year. Their generous support allows us to continue to provide the many different academic enrichment programs at Las Animas!
5th Street Coffee 7680 Monterey Street Condos Dr. Antrim, DDS
Bertao Real Estate Group Bounce Squad Cafe Thyme
Cal Bay Property Management C&H Iron Works Chad's Roofing
Dry Eye Guys Emilia Horta Designs and Photography Ernie’s Plumbing
Jernell Escobar DDS, INC Fernwood Cellars Gaetas
Dr. Gallager -Orthodontist Gilroy Chevrolet Cadillac Gina Lopez-State Farm
Glen Loma Ranch Granite Construction Hawk Photography
Hi 5 Produce Hogue Brothers Collision Center Hunter Properties
Jimmy Shrull Roofing Kent Construction Leticia Panuco-Intero Realtor
Lice Clinics of America LP Electric Luxury Day Spa
Mr. Falafel Dr. Eric Nagareda, DDS New Hope Church
Next Generation Electric One Life Prints Recology
Reid Lerner Architects Reynisson Family Rosso’s Furniture
Simmitri Storm Land (Edward Storm) Dr. Van, DDS
Dr. Vemuri, MD Vix Seafood and Sushi
Wafelbakker Anderson Orthodontics
Sheila Zart
