Enews - December 12, 2017

Post date: Dec 15, 2017 1:6:34 AM

What's Happening at Walnut Acres - December 12, 2017

And, check out the new Community Announcements section at the bottom

The numbers are still rolling in but we can tell you that every ninja reader rocked the Read-A-Thon this year! Thank you for your participation and support of your student, we couldn't have done it without you.

The question on everybody's mind is.... now that the reading and fundraising is complete, when are prizes being distributed? The Read-A-Thon team is planning to hand out prizes to students THIS WEEK once all of the numbers have been logged and totaled. A special announcement with details will follow next week. Thank you again for your support!

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Mark Your CalendarsDec 1-31: Complete the annual Walnut Acres Parent SurveyDec 11-22: Parent/Teacher Conferences - EARLY DISMISSALDec 14: Fourth Grade Performance - December in our Town, 7pm, MURDec 15: Deadline to sign up for Math Kangaroo

Dec 20: December Sing Out, 8 - 9 am, MUR

Dec 25-Jan 5: Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

Jan 8: Back to School

For PFC Key Dates Calendar 2017-18, click here

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Read-A-Thon Wrap Up

Annual Toy and Clothing Drive - DRIVERS NEEDED Friday Dec. 15th

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this year’s Toy and Clothing Drive benefitting Shore Acres Elementary School. It has been a huge success with more than two carloads of donations picked up each day!

We are still looking for volunteers help transport the donations to Shore Acres Elementary School in Bay Point. Donations collected last week are being sorted and will be ready for delivery on Friday, December 15th. Vehicles will load up at 1:30pm and caravan to Shore Acres. Minivans or SUVs are preferred, but any size vehicle is welcome!

If you can help deliver donations, please sign up on Konstella. Bring your children and their friends with you so that they can share in the experience. Students from Shore Acres will be there to help, too. If you have any questions, please email communityservice@walnutacrespfc.net.

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Student Council Fundraising: Purchase a Walnut Acres

BE KIND ORNAMENT

… for friends, family or that someone special. Ornaments are $5 each (silver shatterproof ornament with Walnut Acres jaguar logo). Only 100 available so shop early!

In the recent past, Student Council fundraising helped support the purchase of the electronic marquee. Money raised from these ornaments will go to a future item or project to benefit Walnut Acres.

Sales after school:

Tuesday, December 12 12:15-1:30pm

Wednesday, December 13 12:15-1:00pm

Thursday, December 14 12:15-1:30pm

Questions? Contact Student Council Facilitator, Faye Mettler at mettlerf@mdusd.org.

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Math Kangaroo Competition - Sign up by December 15th

This year, for the first time, Walnut Acres is participating in the 23rd Annual International Math Kangaroo Competitionfor students in 1st-12th grades. Math Kangaroo's goal is to encourage students to learn mathematics by presenting them with problems that are interesting and by rewarding their efforts.

The competition will take place on Thursday, March 15, 2018, but sign ups are happening now. You may register online by December 15, and the fee is $20. All registered participants will be invited to practice their math problem-solving skills with parent volunteer leaders over the next few months, in preparation for this written, strategy-based math contest. For more information check out Math Kangaroo. Questions? Email Walnut Acres parent Chao Yang.

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Drive Thru Sign Ups by Grade Level!

Thank you to the 3rd Grade parents who have stepped up to open doors and greet our students at the Drive Thru during the month of November. December is the 2nd Grade parents' turn! Each month, a different class level is responsible for helping at the Drive Thru.CLICK HERE for 2nd Grade December sign ups.

CLICK HERE for 1st Grade January sign ups.

We need 4 parents per day, Monday - Thursday. Fridays will continue to be Father Fridays with our awesome dads greeting the kids in the morning. Please sign up now - it's a short commitment - just 20 minutes from 7:40 - 8:00 am, but it makes a huge difference in getting our school days off to a good start!

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Please complete the annual Walnut Acres Parent Survey

Each year Mt. Diablo seeks input from parents in order to evaluate relationships among students, parents, and school staff. The data isused at the district level to assess needs, so your input matters! Results will also be reviewed by Walnut Acres staff, School Site Council, and our Safety Committee as we analyze our successes and challenges leading to next year’s goals.

Between now and December 31, go to the California School Parent Survey to complete the anonymous 15-minute survey. You are welcome to request a pencil-paper copy of the survey from the office if you prefer. Or, we will have the Co-Lab (B-6) open during parent conferences so that you may complete the survey before or after your parent conference.

However you choose to participate, we encourage you to complete the survey so that the data we collect will include YOUR PERSPECTIVE!

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Add Auction to Your Holiday List!

Please consider our school during this season of giving – we need:

Wine Walk 2018 Hosts – This fun event sells-out every year, but we need homes to host – please email Riva Bobrowsky to help.

Wine Donations – While picking up wine for the holidays, please consider adding a bottle or two (min value $20 each) to attract bids at our live auction – drop-off at 115 Los Banos Ave or email Marisa Linquist to coordinate.

Other Donations – Your sports tickets or concert tickets or vacation home or tour of Google could raise big funds for our school – please email Courtney Biagi if you can donate.

There are only 35 tickets left to attend this amazing event – treat yourself to the gift of a fun, fancy night out on March 9 before they are all gone!

Remember your contributions to Auction help our kids get what they need at school every season of the year!

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The 2018 Science Fair is coming on Thursday, February 1!

Professor Whizbang visited your child’s classroom on Friday, December 8th to get them excited about science. Ask them about the experiments he performed and encourage them to participate in this year’s fair.

Overheard students reactions to Professor Whizbang’s visit:

“I remember you!”

“Is Professor Whizbang coming in? Yay!”

“Mind – blown.”

Winter break is a great time to brainstorm ideas and get started on your project. Project ideas are unlimited - whatever interests your child! A flyer was sent home with your child with helpful links. All information is also posted on the PFC website at www.walnutacrespfc.org/activities/science-fair.

The deadline for submitting entry forms is Wednesday, January 10. Please submit project entry forms online.

We need volunteers! We especially need help judging 4th grade projects. No experience necessary. We will also be looking for volunteers to help set up the Science Fair on Wednesday, January 31 and break it down on Friday, February 2. Look out for a Konstella sign up.

If you have questions, please contact Science Fair coordinators Marci Cole Ekberg or Vani Rajagopalan at sciencefair@walnutacrespfc.org.

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Fifth Graders! Troop 810 Boy Scouts Bowling Night Tuesday, December 12 at 6:30 pmAre you in the 5th grade and interested in joining the Boy Scouts? Come meet the scouts of Troop 810 and have some fun at the same time. We are hosting a bowling and pizza night on Tuesday, Dec. 12th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm at Diablo Valley Bowl, 1500 G Monument Blvd., Concord. Please RSVP or if you have questions, contact Dorene Soe, Recruitment Chair, (925) 932-0733 or dalouie8@yahoo.com by Friday, Dec. 8, so that we can reserve enough lanes and pizza for everybody.

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Calling all Pack 210 Lions, Tiger Cubs, Wolves, Bears and Webelos! Cub Scouts Pack Meeting Wednesday, December 13th in the MUR6:45 - 8:00pm

All Kindergarten thru 5th grade boys and families are welcome to join – sign-ups are still available! Reach out to Pack Membership Chair Sarah Waters at sarahsin70@hotmail.com for additional details.

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Scottsdale Swim Club Screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Exclusive 3D Screening Event, 6:00 pm Arrival, 7:00 pm Showtime

Walnut Creek Cinemark Theaters Downtown

If you are interested, text Kelley at 925-323-7168

Ticket sale proceeds support the Scottsdale Swim Club, a Northgate

Neighborhood Community Pool and Tennis Club.

Tickets are $25.00/per person, PayPal or checks made to SSC.

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Breakfast with Santa

$15 (Kids $5) Kids 2 and under are free.

Includes a picture with Santa!

December 17, 9am-11am Boundary Oak Golf Course

Support the Northgate High School Athletic Department

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Walnut Creek Little League Registration

Announcing the opening of registration for the 2018 Baseball, Softball and Challenger season for Walnut Creek Little League. Take advantage of the early bird special and register prior to December 18th. Registration fees will increase by $50 on December 18th, and the last day to register is January 3rd.

Go to: http://www.wcbaseball.org/ for more information.

For more Community Service Announcements, Click HERE to visit the PFC website.