Enews- October 23, 2018

2018 Parent Survey- Make Your Voice CountPlease take a few minutes to complete the Walnut Acres Parent Survey. Your input is greatly appreciated. The survey will close on 10/31/18.

Teachers and students are completing the survey now and your input is crucial, so that we have data from across our community as we assess our progress. To encourage parent participation, we will provide extra recess time to every class that earns a response rate of 75% or higher and a treat from Dr. Dowd for any class that has a response rate of at least 90%. So, share your insights, support our growth, and make your child happy! The results of the teacher, student, and parent surveys will be analyzed and shared at a future staff meeting and with various school/community teams to inform our work. Results will also be posted on the school website for you to review.

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International Math Kangaroo Contest Informational Meeting -

Wedne

sday, October 24^th

We are participating again in the International Math Kangaroo Contest thanks to the leadership of parent, Chao Yang.The competition will be held on Thursday 3/21/19. Children can participate n a 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. test session. Registration is open now and will close on

12/15/18. The invitation codes for Walnut Acres are CAWALNU0003518@19MK (for the 3 pm session) and CAWAKNU0003528@19MK (for the 7 p.m. session). You will need one of these codes to register your child. Here is the link for more details: http://www.mathkangaroo.us/mk/default.html

There will also be an information meeting for all interested parents on Wednesday evening, 10/24/18, at 7:00 p.m. in our library. Come hear about the engaging, collaborative Saturday math practice sessions that will be held to prepare students for the 3/21/1 Math Kangaroo Contest.

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Buy Your Yearbook before Wednesday, October 31st

Save $10!

Prices Go Up for the 2018-19 Walnut Acres Yearbook! Buy it now for $25, or for $35 after October 31st. Go to: www.yearbookordercenter.com and enter school code 10053 to purchase with credit or debit card.

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Halloween Sing Out and Parade Details

On Wednesday October 31, Walnut Acres will have our monthly Sing-Out to celebrate the life skill of Responsibility. The Sing-Out begins as usual at 8:00 a.m. with our 3^rd-5^th grade students in the MUR. As the older grades Sing-Out ends, we will call all students to the playground for the Halloween parade. After the parade, the TK-2^nd grade students will head to the MUR for their Sing-Out. Parents and younger siblings are welcome to attend these events!

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The Walnut Acres Book Fair is coming! All your favorite books will be available for purchase in the MUR from November 5-9. It’s the perfect time to stock up - right before the Read-A-Thon starts - and you'll be raising money for our school at the same time! We need volunteers to staff open hours and help with the set up and break down of the Fair. Please check available times on Konstella and sign up for a few shifts, or email bookfair@walnutacrespfc.net for more information.

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CUYT Winter Production of Aladdin

5^th/4^th Graders Register Before November 9^th!

CUYT’s winter production of Aladdin is open to current Walnut Acres 5th graders and 4th graders (as ensemble members). Online registration is currently open and closes November 9th. For more information, go to: Curtains Up Youth Theatre on the Walnut Acres PFC website. Questions? email CurtainsUpYouthTheatre@gmail.com.

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Science Fair Ideas Workshop In celebration of our future scientists, parents are welcome to pop in to the Science Lab to look at resources and get ideas for age appropriate Science Fair projects. The workshop will be held at 6:30pm on November 13th in the Science Lab, B-5 (prior to the November PFC meeting). Questions, contact Faye Mettler mettlerf@mdusd.org.

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Walk and Bike to School Day Results!

We had 225 students who registered the morning of Walk and Bike to School day. Several parents reported how quiet the drive thru area was. Thanks to everyone who participated!

-Our best decorated bike winner was the owner of a very cute Day of the Dead themed bike. They won a pack of LED spoke lights.

-Winner of the raffle for a $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble is Nate Tyson in Mrs. David's class.

-The Golden Sneaker Award goes to Mr. Aring's class with 70% participation. 2nd place was Ms. Carella's class with 58%, and 3^rd place was Mrs. Ng's class with 54%.

Thanks to everyone who helped out as a volunteer or by encouraging your child to walk/bike to school! Kristin Shopp

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4^th Grade Parents! Sign up to Volunteer at Drive Thru in October!

For the month of October, please help us in the Drive Thru line as we open doors and greet students while they are arriving at school. It's a fun way to start the school day! Just like last year, each month a different grade will be asked to help out at the Drive Thru.

We need 4 helpers each day, dads encouraged to join us on Father Fridays!

Can you help for 20 minutes in the morning? 7:40 - 8:00 a.m. If you've never helped, one of the Drive Thru coordinators (Cathy or Sarah) will be available to provide guidance. Thank you! CLICK HERE to sign up!

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Northgate Area Choral Music Festival

Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 7 pm

Northgate High School Gym

Please join us for a fun evening of joyful singing featuring choirs from Bancroft, Highlands, Valle Verde and Walnut Acres Elementary Schools, Foothill Middle School and Northgate High School.

Doors open at 6:45 pm; Concert starts at 7:00 pm

The concert will conclude by 7:45 pm

Walnut Acres students in third, fourth, and fifth grade are invited to participate in this event.

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Calling all 1st Graders!

Are you interested in joining Cub Scouts? Our local Pack 210 is recruiting 1st graders to join and form a "Tiger Den." You will get to participate with Dens from other grades in camping, service projects, overnights, and the annual Pinewood Derby. So grab a friend and join the fun!

Our Pack accepts all children in grades K-5 into Cub Scouting. If interested, contact our Membership Chair, Sarah Waters, at sarahsin70@hotmail.com.

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The 26th Annual Forma Turkey Trot, will be here before you know it and registration is open! Register early for best pricing. This family fun event, brought to you by Forma Gym, is a great way to start your Thanksgiving holiday and show support for your schools! There are several races to choose from including Kids Fun Runs, 10K Run* and 5K run or walk, and festival areas with costume contest!

The race takes place Thanksgiving Morning, Thursday, Nov. 22, 8:00 am at Civic Park.

Last year, the Turkey Trot raised over $15,000 for PEAK Education Foundation schools, (Northgate, Foothill, Valle Verde, Bancroft and Walnut Acres) and this year we hope to raise even more by having lots of students and parents participate.

For more information and to register click here.

Volunteers are also needed to help on race day and a few days beforehand. If you are available to help, please email peakoffice@yahoo.com and put "Turkey Trot Volunteer" in the subject line.

Fast & Sweet - you're home in time for football, turkey and pumpkin pie!