May 2009
Message from the President:
Teacher Appreciation Week this month and thanks to the hundreds of parents who gave their time
Hard to believe that another year has passed… and as we head into summer, once again Fruchthendler has made great strides in the education of our children. The commitment of our teachers and staff makes our school a remarkable place for learning.
Steve Delgado has agreed to continue to design our Firebird Footnotes and we thank him for all the work he did this year and his expertise for next year. Teacher Appreciation week is May 4 - 8, and this really gives the kids a chance to participate in and make a memorable week for their teacher. We logged 3,822.25 hours so far this year, exceeding our hours from last year. Three hundred ninety four parents gave their time and we thank each and everyone for dedicating hours to our children.
Congratulations to our new PTA Board… next year will bring some changes, but in spite of the budget challenges, it is important that the Fruchthendler community sticks together to ensure that our children will have a positive environment in which they can continue to thrive and stretch their minds.
Just a small thank you to our PTA board, Staff, teachers, and Fruchthendler Parents for making my job as PTA President a very rewarding one. Our kids are really amazing.
Marcy Briggs, PTA President 2008-2009
TOP
Letter to Families from the Principal
Dear Fruchthendler Families
I can’t believe the year is almost over. We still continue to have many activities, so be sure to read the newsletter and keep the calendar handy to refer to upcoming dates and events.
I want to thank all parents for getting their students here on time during the AIMS testing. This allowed for a very smooth week of testing with very few make-ups. Thanks also to all the parents who provided snacks during the testing week. Those snacks gave our students extra energy to complete the tests.
We are very proud of all the students who represented Fruchthendler at the City Track and Field Day April 25. Over fifty students represented Fruchthendler. A BIG THANK YOU to Mrs. Spitzer for coaching our students and the parent volunteers for assisting and providing transportation.
I hope everyone had an opportunity to attend Fruchthendler’s Talent Show. It was an evening of talented artists performing at their best. I want to thank Mrs. Winkle and Mrs. Buick for planning and organizing this special event and former alumni Ms. Saucedo and Mr. Briggs for emceeing the evening. Look out “American Idol”!
Our lunch payments continue to become delinquent for many of our students. With the large number of overdue balances, students with outstanding balances will receive a cheese sandwich until their account is paid up. Again, 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. Thank you for your support.
As always, I have many, many people to thank for helping to make Fruchthendler Elementary School the excelling A+ School it is. First, I want to thank all the parents who have graciously volunteered throughout the year. Whether it was in the classroom, on field trips, in the library, computer lab, in the cafeteria, on the playground, track and field days, Art Enrichment Parents, Safety Net volunteers, room parents – YOUR TIME AND SUPPORT HAS BEEN GREATLY APPRECIATED. You put our students’ education and safety first. I also want to thank those parents who served on the PTA and School Site Council. These groups work behind the scenes providing the school, classrooms, teachers and students with support to achieve to their fullest. Finally, I want to thank Mr. Steve Delgado for being the editor for the Firebird Footnotes. (He has graciously volunteered to continue as editor for next year. Thanks Steve!!)
Fruchthendler Elementary School is also very privileged to have such a hard working dedicated faculty and staff. They all place your children as their top priority, and provide the very best educational opportunities each and every day. With large budget cuts anticipated next year, Fruchthendler will face several changes. Our school is focusing on keeping all day kindergarten and minimizing class size for the 2009-2010 school year, but the impacts of the reduced budget will be evident. Information changes daily. We will be asking for volunteers to help fill in the gaps. The Site Council is making sure many of our support programs will remain in place for our students with the use of tax credit money. We, as a family, will work together to continue to provide an excelling, A+ education for our students.
THANK YOU EVERYONE for making Fruchthendler the Excelling A+ School it is!
Cordially,
John Heidel, Principal
TOP
Spanish Language Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who returned a completed Spanish survey form. The results have been tabulated and following is a brief summary.
A total of 103 completed surveys were returned. Overall the results of the survey indicated a strong level of interest and support for Spanish instruction at Fruchthendler. Parents rated high the desire for more emphasis on Spanish language learning and indicated they would like to see more time spent on Spanish instruction during the school day. Scores also indicated moderately high support for a Spanish learning after-school program.
Written comments were representative of many views. Many comments supported Spanish instruction while a few were mixed in terms of Spanish vs. other course time and curriculum focus. A small number of comments were strongly against Spanish instruction at this level of education (elementary) and did not want funding diverted away from other programs to support a Spanish program.
Overall the results seem to support revamping our current approach to Spanish instruction. Along those lines it is not surprising that a majority of respondents would like to see more emphasis on Spanish at our school.
The survey results have provided great feedback from which we can build our action plan. Next steps are being defined and will be discussed further once District budget decisions are communicated. Thank you for helping us with decisions that shape the future of our children’s education at Fruchthendler.
(For a more comprehensive review of the survey results please visit our school website and look for Spanish Survey Results.)
Sandra Lueders
Fruchthendler Site Council
TOP
Our Field Trip to Old Pueblo Archaeology Site
By Mrs. B’s fourth grade class
On March 27th the Beehive took a field trip to the Old Pueblo Archaeology site. Here are comments made by the students: “I thought it was a blast,” “We found all sorts of objects from the Hohokam,” “Our group dug up a deer skull—cool!” “It is hard work, especially shifting the dirt,” and “We found out how to work a matate and mano.”
All of the students had an opportunity to dig, shift dirt and make pottery during their visit to this mock Hohokam archaeology site. They learned about the culture of the Hohokam people, and found out about how archaeology can teach us about people from the past. For any of you that might be interested in learning more, or maybe going to the Old Pueblo site, check out their web site: www.oldpueblo.org
Karen Bettenhausen, Teacher
Fruchthendler Elementary
TOP
Counselor’s Corner:
End of the School Year
From the beginning of the school year, your children have made so many changes! They have grown and matured; and they have learned so much as well. Make sure that they don’t lose ground in what they have learned during the school year. Setting aside time to have your child read to or with you is a great activity that strengthens family relationships. It also maintains and even improves your child’s skill level from the time that they were in school. A fun activity can be “acting out” the story by reading with emotional expression. This will also help your children to understand more than just word recognition, but the meaning of the story. Ask your child questions about the story: what did it mean, how did it start; what happened during the story, how did it end? Asking “open-ended” questions (that cannot be answered by “yes” or “no”) helps your child’s comprehension skills as well. Make sure to tell your children how proud they should be of themselves. That too, is so important to build their self-esteem, by realizing their accomplishments!
Have a wonderful, fun, safe summer vacation. I’ll miss our 5th graders moving on to new schools. The Fruchthendler staff has worked hard to help prepare your children to move ahead in this next important step in their lives. We wish them luck and success in the years ahead. Do come back and share stories of their success!
Lianda Ludwig, M.S.
Counselor
TOP
Don’t forget Box Tops this Summer!
Okay—we are finishing up another year of supplemental income for Fruchthendler with Box Tops for Education and Campbell’s Labels for Education. But, throughout the summer you can still make money for the school. Have you looked at MarketPlace yet? When you go shopping online, and enter through the Marketplace web site, 1-5 % of your purchase will be given to Fruchthendler, depending on the company. You just have to register to let them know what school to send the donations to. The website is: http://www.boxtops4education.com/marketplace. Happy shopping!
Moira Richards, neomom@comcast.net, 401-4734
TOP
Hawaiian Luau May 15!!!
F.C.C. is having an end of the year dance May 15! This year’s theme is a Hawaiian Luau. Admission is two cans of food per person (at least) for the food bank. There will be food, drinks, and of course, entertainment! It will be hosted in the cafeteria/multi-purpose room from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dress your Luau best! We are taking song requests, (that are school appropriate), so either talk to the F.C.C. members that present to your class, or talk to Mrs. Tinsley, Mrs. Denise or Mr. Henry. There will also be a list on our link on the Fruchthendler Firebirds homepage. We hope to see you there!
TOP
Library Lines:
Where did the time go?
Where oh where did the time go? It seems like yesterday since we opened up our library and now it is time to consider closing!
It has been a very, very, busy year. Our circulation has been good. Our children have been exposed to different genres of literature. We have explored, invented, traveled and increased our vocabulary. We have learned about other cultures and also learned a lot about ourselves.
Hopefully, we have grown in the best of ways.
Thank you for helping students return their overdue books. Books that are missing will stay on records permanently until returned, or paid for.
Remember we have wonderful public libraries. I hope you will take advantage of them during the summer vacation. Perhaps I will see you there!
Have a safe and happy summer. Thank you for all you do. YOU ARE THE BEST!
Mrs. Liverman, Librarian
2009 Track Team takes 2nd at City Finals
TOP
Track Team
Congratulations to the 2009 Track Team for taking 2nd place at the TUSD Elementary School Track and Field City Finals.
It was an awesome track meet with 23 TUSD elementary schools competing against each other. Everyone did such a great job and our relay teams were just amazing. Way To Go Firebirds!!! Thank you for all of your hard work.
Mrs. Spitzer
TOP
Track Team Pizza Party
The track team will be having our end of the year pizza party on Thursday, May 14th from 12:15 - 1:15pm. This party is for ALL 2009 track team members from both regionals and city finals. Awards and certificates given to all members. Come join us to celebrate the year.
TOP
Fall Carnival Planning Underway!
The Fall Carnival 2009 is already in the planning stages and we need your help!
Mark your calendar! Fruchthendler's annual Fall Carnival and Silent Auction is set for Friday, October 23 from 5 - 9 p.m.
Last year's event was a huge success and we know you won't want to miss this exciting event!
We would like to begin planning from the first week of school. In order to do that, we are in need of 6 -8 individuals to serve on the core carnival committee. Also, our Prize Committee is in need of the following items:
Glitter (All colors)
Watch the Fruchthendler website for ways you can help and items we need to make this a success!
Contact Andrea Winkle at 404-1451 or awinkleaz@aol.com for more information or to join us!
TOP
Fruchthendler Chess Club
Fruchthendler Team Competes in Arizona State Chess Championship in Flagstaff
Fruchthendler will send a team to the State Chess Championships in Flagstaff April 24 – 26. Players must qualify in a regional tournament in order to be eligible to play in the State Championships. We wish them good luck.
The Chess Club Awards Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, May 6, during the regular chess club meeting. Please plan to attend and see all the players receive their awards.
The chess club parents for school year 2009 – 2010 will be Bud Richardson and Trudy Walsh. The chess club would like to thank Pam Basila for serving as the chess club parent for the past several years!
The last Chess Club meeting will be May 6.
Trudy Walsh
TOP
Briefs
A Thank You to all Art Enrichment Parents
Our hallway walls have been filled with amazing art work this year. It often feels like you're walking through an art gallery! We wanted to thank each and every one of you who helped make this a great year. Our children are so lucky to have such caring parents. Without you we would not have the art program that we have! SO...THANK YOU!
The Art Enrichment Committee
Please welcome your new PTA Board 2009-2010!
President Jen Peebles
Vice President Lori Coffee
Secretary Avril Buick
Treasurer Janelle Perry
Fundraising Co
Chairs Caroline Lambert
Becca Keables
Membership
Coordinator Brenda Moore
Volunteer
Coordinator Keli Ann Lawton
Town Hall Meeting Notice
Legislative District 30 Town Hall Meeting
DATE: Thursday, May 7th
TIME: 6 - 7:30pm
LOCATION: Bear Canyon Library
Please plan on attending a Town Hall meeting sponsored by Voices for Education and attended by our LD30 State Representatives. This meeting will be focused at the stage budget, education funding and support, and some specific legislature. Representative Antenori will make some remarks and then open the floor for questions and answers.
TOP
Newsletter Contributors
Thanks to newsletter contributors and we will see you next year
A quick thanks to all the contributors to this year’s Firebird Footnotes… you have helped make this publication a one-stop shop for parents like myself who would like to know about all the important happenings at the school but have limited time during the week to keep up.
Some changes to the newsletter are in development now to keep it fresh and relevant to you readers, so if you have any suggestions, feel free to send this way for review. Also, if you would like to be added or removed from the monthly email notification list, please email your request to Firebird.Footnotes@gmail.com Your email address will of course be protected.
Again, thank you contributors and have a productive summer.
Steve Delgado, Editor
TOP
Writing Buddies Stories
Editor’s Note: This issue, the 2nd and 5th grade Writing Buddies were asked to emulate a story told by the Bushmen of Africa. They heard about how zebra got his stripes by running through baboon's fire, and how baboon's backside was bare due to zebra kicking him into the mountains. The kids then wrote myths about how an animal got some of its characteristics. We hope that you enjoy these last stories of the year!
TOP
Spots
By: Emma and Gregory
One sunny day a girl named Emma wondered why Dalmatians were only white. She wanted the Dalmatians to have more details on their skin. She had an idea to put black spots on all Dalmatians. But how would she do it? So a couple of days later she decided to paint Dalmatians but the spots would feel funny. Then she decided to put fire on the Dalmatians bit it would burn them. I don’t want to hurt doggies.
Emma’s parents did not want her to put spots on the Dalmatians since they had a white dog. So Emma’s parents didn’t want the dog to have Spots, but they did change their mind. That night, Emma’s parents were going out to dinner and Emma had a baby sitter.
While Emma’s mom was putting on black lipstick, she did not see the dog by her and so Emma’s mom put the lipstick down by her side. Then the lipstick got on the dog.
She liked it, so she put some more and she did not wash it off. Then she went to Emma and said that there are spots on the dog. Emma said “How did you do it?” She said, “I put black make up on, and we won’t wash him till a long time and the makeup will stay! Thank you a lot. I love this day so much.
TOP
The Cheetah
By: Maezy, Collin, and Brandon
Did you ever wonder how a cheetah got its polka dots? Well, here’s your chance. One day there was a cheetah named Alisha. In that time all cheetahs didn’t have polka dots.
On Alisha’s birthday she saw a pile of paint; she dove into it and got all polka dotty! Then all the other cheetahs thought she looked cute, so they all did it too!
But there was one cheetah that did not like the dots. She thought they were weird looking until she saw a bubble blower. She saw the black paint and she blew and blew. Then all of the black bubbles got on her. For the rest of the day and the next day all of the cheetahs that came to Alisha’s birthday party got polka dots.
TOP
A Lion’s Mane
By Brianna and Rhiannen
Once upon a time a lion and an elephant were walking through the forest. The lion’s name was Leo and the elephant’s name was Ella. They were just hanging out. Then Leo smelled himself. He smelled terrible. Ella then needed a drink. They stopped at the watering hole. She took a little drink through her truck. Once she had the water in her trunk she couldn’t swallow it; it hurt. “Can you spray that water on me?” asked Leo. “Sure,” Ella said. Nice cool water poured on his neck and face.
Then all of a sudden 2 inches of hair grew on Leo’s face and neck. He didn’t realize it. Ella did though. She didn’t want to embarrass him, so she didn’t tell him. “That’s better” said Leo, and he shook himself.
His head felt heavier than usual. So he asked Ella to dip her ear in the water so that he could see his reflection. He had a dramatic pause. Then he screamed like a little girl. “Geeze man that was really loud,” said Ella. Then they started to walk again.
The next day he needed another shower, so Ella gave him another shower. This time it grew 1 inch, but that seemed like a lot to Leo. This time Leo could see it, so he knew it had grown. “Your hair is freaking me out,” said Ella. “How long is it?” Leo asked. “About 3 inches, “Ella said. “This is getting really long; I can barely see,” he said.
“I have an idea,” said Leo. “Crush some leaves Ella.” Ella began to stomp on some leaves. “Now put them in the water,” so Ella did. Then Leo dipped his head into the water and flipped his hair. “How does it look?” asked Leo. I” hear that there’s this thing called gel. Humans use it to make their hair stay and look shiny. That’s what it looks like” said Ella.
The next day Ella gave Leo another shower. His hair didn’t grow or shrink. I guess my hair will stay like this forever.
TOP
How the GIRAFFE got a Long Neck
By: Matthew and Steven G.
Giraffe ran through the wet green rainforest as fast as his tiny orange legs could. Cheetah chased his pray with his long, speedy legs. Giraffe panted. Giraffe was never fast. Giraffe was actually one of the slowest animals in the rainforest. As for cheetah, he was the fastest animal in the forest. Many animals tried to race him, but they all lost. Nobody would ever be as fast as cheetah. Plus, cheetah was the most ferocious and bold creature ever. He wasn’t scared of anybody… as most animals will say.
Giraffe’s hopes were low; he was too slow. Giraffe turned around to look at cheetah. Cheetah was only a few yards away from killing giraffe… and destroying his live.
Cheetah’s feet patted against the yellow grass. Giraffe turned forward. BAM! Giraffe collided into a tree hole. Giraffe was stuck in a hole in a tree. Giraffe urgently took his head out. He pulled with all his might. Plop stretch! His head came out, but he stretched his neck so it was 8 feet long! Giraffe stood up. His head was higher than the forest. Cheetah shrieked and ran away.
From then on Giraffes had long necks. In result, Giraffes were more feared and lived on plains, so their heads wouldn’t hit trees. And cheetahs never walked near giraffes again.
TOP
