Message from the president: Last quarter to prove exciting, Staff Appreciation Week coming in April, and more
Our last quarter of school will prove to be as exciting as our first, with lots of fun events still to come. Our Talent Show will be Tuesday, April 21, and plans are underway. The annual Art Show was a colorful event with great food, gorgeous batik flags and all the spectacular pieces submitted by our talented students. Thanks goes to Lori Coffee and her committee. Our track team is practicing and will represent Fruchthendler at the regional track meet… Go Firebirds!!! Thanks for participating in our Walk & Roll to School Day and Fun Fair. Our next PTA Meeting will be to vote on our new slate of officers, so we hope you’ll show up and make your vote count. And finally it’s lights, camera, action as our Book Fair takes off on Monday, April 27.
Staff Appreciation is right around the corner, April 20 - 24, and Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4 - 8. Please continue to support KidzArt and Yogarrific as they rebate 10% back to the PTA so that we can continue to fund programs for our children. Check out our website and the TUSD website for the latest in budgetary information, and remember CHANGE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR VISION.
Marcy Briggs, PTA President 2008-09
Important dates to remember:
April 3 Spring Picture order forms due
April 21 PTA Meeting/vote on new board
April 9-13 Spring Recess
April 14 Track Meet, Drachman Stadium, 9am
April 15 Positive Parenting Workshop, 6:30pm
April 20-24 Staff Appreciation Week
April 24 Deadline for footnote articles
April 27 Spring Book Fair
April 29 Firebird Folders go home
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Letter from Principal John Heidel
Dear Fruchthendler Families,
March was an exciting month for Fruchthendler. Besides the many exciting activities in the classrooms, I have enjoyed attending the many spectacular events this month. The OMA assembly was a perfect way to showcase our young singers. Many of our young athletes and parents attended our Fun Run. SARSEF (Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair) not only provided awards to several of our young scientists, but awarded Fruchthendler the Top Science School Award for elementary schools in Southern Arizona. An evening at the Art Gallery was so very enriching, with the many fine examples of our students’ artistic work. The front of the school, and now the cafeteria, also displayed individual flags created by our young artists. What a beautiful array of color and creativity! “Rock and Roll to School” involved many of our families as they went green on their way to school that Friday. A week of spirited SAVE activities emphasized the true meaning of “Students Against Violence Everywhere”, concluding with an assembly and an award for its sponsor and the Fun Fair. Finally, Fruchthendler was represented at the Festival of Schools held by TUSD as we showcased our school and its programs. THANK YOU to all the students, parents, and teachers for a “MONTH TO REMEMBER”!!!
Reminder: The AIMS test will be administered on March 31 through April 3 for grades 3, 4, and 5. A Math Field test may be administered on March 30 for grades 3-5. Second grade will be taking the Terra Nova on April 1 and 2. The fourth graders will also be taking a Science Test on April 7. To help your child excel, please have them get a good night’s rest. A good breakfast will also help them start the day right. Arriving to school on time is most important, so your child will be in class and ready to start the test. Students arriving after the tests have started will not be able to enter the classroom, and will have to make up the test at a later date.
We have already begun work on planning the 2009-2010 school year. The most critical issue this year is BUDGET. As you are no doubt aware, there are serious deficits and budget issues across the country. The State budget cuts will hit Tucson Unified School District and may range from $20 to $60 million. Since the State will not finalize its budget until June, the District must plan for the worst case scenarios in its budget. We here at Fruchthendler are looking at several scenarios. I want to assure you, we are trying to focus on our students, class size, teachers and programs. With major cuts looming we will need to be creative in finding ways to retain existing programs. I encourage you to contact state legislators and encourage them to minimize any educational budget cuts. We are all in this together, and Fruchthendler is dedicated to continuing to provide an excelling education to all students, even during these difficult times.
On a lighter note, April 14 is the date for our area Track Meet. Mrs. Spitzer has done a wonderful job of working with our young athletes, getting them prepared for this competition. I have enjoyed watching the students gain confidence and focus their energy toward the different events. If you have a chance to cheer them on, please try to join us at Drachman Stadium located at Plumer Avenue and 15th Street. It will start at 9 a.m.
With the warm weather, our lost and found continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Please check the rack located in the cafeteria for any misplaced sweaters, jackets, etc. There are a few lunch boxes, too.
Lunch payments have become delinquent for many of our students. I have a fund set up for occasional forgetfulness, but it cannot accommodate the large number of overdue balances. Students with more than one overdue will receive a cheese sandwich until their account is paid up. I don’t want a child to go without lunch, but I am unable to carry the large number of overdue payments on the books.
SOME EXTRA BIG THANK YOUS:
To Mr. Delgado for his commitment as Editor of the Firebird Footnotes.
To our OUTSTANDING PTA Officers and Committees – for their commitment to our students.
To Mrs. Keith for her work in creating our Fruchthendler Video shown at kindergarten round-up and the Festival of Schools.
To our Art Enrichment Parents for helping our students create beautiful art.
To Mrs. Coffee and her committee for the Art Show.
To Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Metzler, and Mrs. Sauer and their committee for the beautiful student created flags.
The Mrs. McWhirter and her committees for their work with the Fun Run, Rock and Roll to School, and Fun Fair.
To all the parents who assisted with the work of SAVE activities.
And, finally, to all the volunteers who give their time and expertise to support our students’ success.
Thank you all for your support of our students!
Cordially,
John Heidel, Principal
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State Capitol Trip Thanks
The fifth grade would like to take this opportunity to thank those who helped make our trip to the State Capitol a success. We would first like to thank Mrs. Tinsley and Mrs. Saucedo for the donation of their bus money. We would also like to than the Hazboun family for their generosity in helping to pay for our busses. Finally, we would like to thank Target for giving us an $800 grant for the trip. We got to see our government in action, which was exciting. From seeing the Senate and House in session, to seeing protestors outside, we saw first hand how we can affect our community through action. We learned a lot and couldn't have gone without the support of everyone mentioned. Thank You Again!
Mr. Dye
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THE ART SHOW SAYS THANK YOU
This year’s art show was a wonderland of art and we have all of our incredible parent volunteers to thank for that. From prep work to set up to tear down and tall dads who got roped in at the last minute, each of you made the evening a success.
It’s a Fruchthendler tradition to have a spring art show and I want to thank Victoria Metzler and Renee Hartd for donating their time and talent to create an art show flag we can use year after year. It’s just what we always wanted girls!
It’s also tradition to have a dessert buffet at every show and so many thanks goes to Avril Buick for catering such delectable desserts for all of us. You are hired year after year too!
Thank you students for sending in such beautiful, creative art work. We hope every one enjoyed the evening.
Art Show Committee
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Donations for Clothing Bank Still Welcome!
This year, the TUSD Clothing Bank is experiencing a shortage in donations. Clothes and shoes of all sizes will be welcomed by needy TUSD families. Please leave your donations in or by the red clothing bank donations box, which is located in the Fruchthendler entry hall, outside the office. There is no deadline. Used clothing is always welcome in the Fruchthendler health office as well. Thank you!
Jeanne Dunbar, Health Assistant
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Yogarrific Classes signup deadline April 15
Yogarrific classes will be starting again at FRUCHTHENDLER on April 20 – May 11th. The deadline for registration is April 15th. Registration forms are available in the school office or go online to print a copy at Yogarrific.org by clicking on Fruchthendler. For more information contact Heidi at 360-2887.
Heidi Kirkland
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Library Lines
Strong Book Circulation
I hope you are enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of Spring! It is such an enjoyable time of year.
The goal of our library is to support the faculty, the curriculum, and our students. We attempt to introduce our children to lots of different types of literature covering many subjects. We also teach them about the arrangement and practical use of our library and how to use the database to find the books that they like and need. We have serious times and fun times and I am learning a lot.
Stephen Covey suggests that as adults we should deal with four parts of life, mind, body, heart, and spirit. I like to think that we are working on that.
Our circulation numbers show that we have checked out over 19,000 items so far this year. These are mostly books your children have checked out.
Thank you for your support in helping students return their library books.
Thank you parents for all you do. YOU ARE THE BEST!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Liverman, Librarian
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Positive Parenting Workshop for New Ideas on April 15
Parents: Tired of pleading, threat, time outs and screaming? Have you tried "everything" but you still can't get your child's cooperation without getting to tears first - theirs or yours? Your counselor, Lianda Ludwig will be presenting a workshop designed to help you change that ineffective relationship with child, and get to positive parenting using a combination of Love and Logic, and a bit of “The Nurtured Heart Approach” by Howard Glasser, MA.
We'll begin with a two hour overview, replete with the concepts, new ideas, hand outs. You'll leave feeling hopeful and motivated. Your little children are growing fast - will you be able to keep up with their behavioral/emotional changes and have a happy life. Come and find the way.
Positive Parenting Workshop
April 15 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Please RSVP to lianda.ludwig@tusd1.org with number to attend.
UPDATE: As a bonus, I’m happy to announce a special lecture by Howard Glasser, M.A., author of “Transforming the Difficult Child; The Nurtured Heart Approach” will be given this Friday, April 3, 2009 at 6:30pm at the Marshall Auditorium, Tucson Medical Center.
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Fruchthendler Awarded Top Science School
We did it in 2003, and like they say, history repeats itself! We did it again in 2009! Fruchthendler was awarded the top science elementary school on the 19th of March at the Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair!! We had 10 projects representing our school and six projects placing or receiving special awards.
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All School Art Project a Success Despite the Wind
The wind blew, but all the flags stayed at Fruchthendler! On the night of the Art Show we had close to 400 batik style flags, representing each child in the school, hanging over our new pollination garden. We hope you were able to see these bright colored flags either at the art show or when you drove by the school. We wanted to thank everyone who helped make this all school art project a success. We also wanted to thank the faculty for their support with this project. We couldn't have done it without you! THANK YOU!
~The Art Enrichment Committee
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National Youth Violence Prevention Week and SAVE Spirit Days
A big thank you to everyone who participated in SAVE's Spirit Days during National Youth Violence Prevention Week. During this week-long national education initiative, various activities demonstrated the positive role young people can have in making their schools and communities safer. These activities included spirit days that expressed different ways to show peace, a poem writing contest with the theme of banning hate, and an all school assembly. At the assembly Sgt. Odgen, Supervisor Special Operations for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, was the main speaker. Also during the assembly SAVE members performed a dance to the SAVE song. Thank you again to everyone who participated in the spirit days and poem contest.
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Congratulations Mrs. Langrehr for Surprise Honor
During the SAVE assembly, Sgt. Ogden gave us a very stunning surprise. He awarded Mrs. Langrehr a plaque saying thank you for all she’s done for the school and the community. All of the students, staff, and parents in the audience gave Mrs. Langrehr a standing ovation. On the plaque it also stated that Mrs. Langrehr was a wonderful person for all of the things she has done for the school. All of it is true, Mrs. Langrehr is wonderful and I think most the school can back me up on that.
Although Mrs. Langrehr says she doesn’t deserve it we all are telling her she does. Without Mrs. Langrehr the students of Fruchthendler wouldn’t have some of the things we do have (and that we are ALL totally thankful for).
So overall, Thank you Mrs. Langrehr for all you have done.
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FIREBIRDS - JUMP FOR THE HEART
During the week of March 2 – 6 our students participated in the American Heart Association – Jump For Heart in PE class. Each student took part in a 2 minute timed test to see how many jumps they could do in that time. Students also had the option of participating in a jump off to see who could jump the longest without stopping. At the end of class, we had free jumping where the students had fun with group long rope jumping, double-dutch and skip-its. Lots of fun was had by all and our students raised over $3500 for the American Heart Association. Our school will receive a check from the AHA for $200 to use towards new PE equipment. Way To Go Firebirds!!!!
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Track and Field Team Update
After 2 months of jumping, throwing and running, we finally have our Track and Field Team put together. Students in 3rd - 5th grade had the opportunity to try-out in 5 individual events for the Track and Field Team: High Jump, Running Long Jump, Softball Throw, 500 Meter Run and the 100 Meter Dash. The top 3 best scores and an alternate were chosen for each event in all 4 divisions. Our team will compete in the regional track meet on Tuesday, April 14 at the Roy Drachman Stadium from 9AM – 1PM. The top 3 winners in each event at the regional meet will advance to the City Finals on Saturday, April 25, also held at the Drachman Stadium. Good Luck Firebirds!!!
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