Dear Dragon Families:

As we begin to come out of the days of winter, and spring is just around the corner, I hope this newsletter finds your family well. With the cold and wet weather, there are a few simple suggestions we have to minimize your child’s risk of getting sick.

• Wash hands regularly, especially after waking up, before meals, and before going to bed.
• Dress in appropriate warm clothes. If it isn’t raining, students will go out for outside recess. Please dress students appropriately for outside recess.
• If your child does become sick and has a fever, please keep your child at home until he/she is fever free for at least 24 hours.

State STAR testing for grades 2 through 5 is scheduled to start the week of  April 26.  The exact testing schedule varies between grade levels. Please do not plan to take your child out of school during this period.  Since we test in the morning, dentist and doctor appointments should be scheduled in the afternoon.  Your cooperation is critical in our effort to test all students and meet the participation rate for STAR testing as required by No Child Left Behind (NCLB).  We would like to test 100% of our students this year in Grades 2-5. Equally important is the fact that STAR test results are used as one of our multiple-measures to determine whether or not a student has learned what he or she was suppose to learn this past school year.  STAR results are also used by our teachers to inform their instructional practices.  Although the STAR test tells only one part of a student/school’s achievement, it is important as it reflects the hard work of our students, teachers and parents. Students will be encouraged by their teachers to use the STAR test as their opportunity to “show what you know.”

If you have specific questions about STAR testing, please ask your child’s teacher. I will also give a STAR presentation at the April PTA meeting on April 15.

Spring Conferences Begin March 15

Second trimester report cards will be distributed to parents at our upcoming spring parent/teacher conferences the week of March 15 – 19. This is the second “checkpoint” for student learning. Please take a moment to sit down and praise your child for his or her accomplishments this second trimester.

At your conference, teachers will distribute information about our new format for summer school. The district will not offer an academic summer school program this year. However, an enrichment summer school program will be offered with many classes that offer students with many “academic” or skill based instruction within a engaging and fun environment. Summer school for elementary students (incoming K through 5) will be offered at the 3 following sites – Quail Run Elementary, Greenbrook Elementary, and Country Club Elementary.

DESEF Auction Events a Huge Success

Our Disney Education Foundation (DESEF) held their annual online and live auction events in February, and it was a rousing success. This year’s auction culminated in an “Alice in Wonderland” celebration complete with a live auction, gaming, dancing, and great food.

With the news of reduced budgets from schools and school districts throughout the state, local fundraising efforts such as these provide our school with critical funds to be able to provide the programs, materials, and equipment that our students deserve at Disney Elementary. At the time of my writing this article, the exact proceeds from the auction events were not finalized, however, we do know that the earnings were an all-time Disney high. The proceeds included over $13,000 in donations towards the acquisition of a 32 unit Macbook cart which will serve our students and teachers incredibly as a “mobile computer lab.” The result is an incredible testimony about the resolve of our school community, even in the face of our current economy. I’d like to personally thank every parent, staff member, and community member for their participation and support of the auction event.

Sincerely,

Joe Nguyen

Principal

Welcome to Walt Disney Elementary School’s Kindergarten Enrollment for the 2010-11 school year!  All enrollment forms are now available online for you to begin the enrollment process for your upcoming kindergartner. 

            Go to the district website:  http://www.srvusd.net

            Click on:            Enroll your Child

            Click on:            2010-2011 Kindergarten Enrollment

            Click on:            2010-2011 Kindergarten Forms (download, read, complete, print)

Please make note of the dates below to turn the completed forms into our Walt Disney Office, along with providing ALL required forms of Proof of Residency, original Birth Certificate or Passport (we will make a copy), and Immunizations to date.

January 26 – February 5 for SIBLINGS:  Current resident parents of entering kindergartners who have a sibling currently in grades K-5 at Walt Disney.  Sibling priority is only given during this time period.

February 8 – 19 for NO SIBLINGS:  Current resident parents of entering kindergartners without an attending sibling at Walt Disney.

After February 19:  Students will be placed on a wait list.

Required Proof of Residency (1 item from each category):

1.      Current picture of parent/guardian: Driver’s License, CA issued ID, passport, military ID.

2.     Current mortgage statement, Escrow papers that show close of sale no later than 7 calendar days after student’s first day of school, grant deed, property tax bill, lease/rental agreement including property address, names of occupants, signatures of both parties with 2 months of canceled checks or bank transfer records within the school year.

3.     Current PGE or water bill with name and address listed (within last 45 days for new home purchases/rentals).

KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION NIGHT

KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT 2010-2011

• If your child must leave school earlier than 10 school days (May 26)  before the last day of school  and does not return before the end of the school year, your child will be unenrolled and placed at the bottom of the 2010-11 waitlist.

• All independent study contract work must be submitted by May 27, 2010 in order for work to be graded and attendance to be recorded.

• As in the past, if your child does not attend the first three days of school, your student will be dropped from the school on Thursday, August 26^th. 

Office hours: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

(925) 479-3900 - Office

(925) 828-3144 - Absences

(925) 829-8957- Fax

(925) 552-4489 - Kids' Country

Absence E-mail

Week of March 8th:

Mon. Mar 8:  

• Soul Shoppe – “Caring” (see schedule)

Tues. Mar 9:

•  All Staff Mtg, 3:20 pm, Library

Wed. Mar 10:

• Fagerbourg Field Trip to Whole Foods, 8:45-10:15
• Frank/Blair Field Trip to Tech Museum, 8:40-1:00
• Grade level Collaboration: 2:10-3:10

Thur. Mar 11:

• Talent Show Assembly 9:45-10:45
• Talent Show Night Performance, 6:00-8:00 pm

Fri, Mar 12:   

• Rodriguez/Macias Field Trip to Macedo Ranch, 8:45-12:30