Lower School E-News Blog

Dear Parents:

Ordinarily I wouldn't "lecture" in this part of the newsletter, but I think this particular topic is important enough to break that pattern.  Our neighbors are generally very tolerant of the twice daily inflow and outflow of Parker traffic, but lately I've heard from many of them who are sincerely concerned about the speed and traffic violations they're witnessing. 

We've been fortunate that we haven't had any injuries over the years, but there have been many close calls. Additionally, it's my observation that this year we have many more families walking their children to our school and other neighborhood schools, increasing the chances that someone could be injured or killed.

Another problem is created by drivers not observing traffic regulations and/or our established pick-up and drop-off procedures.  Double parking, asking students to exit the school through unsupervised areas, and temporary parking in red zones and crosswalks not only send the wrong message to our students, they also create unnecessary tension in the neighborhood.

I know personally how challenging it can be to move young children from place to place while juggling schedules and commitments, and it always seems that your late for something.  Nevertheless, any one of us would be devastated if we were to hit anyone while trying to save a little time.

Please slow down, observe all traffic and parking laws, and help us to protect everyone in the neighborhood.

Sincerely,

Bob Gillingham

Pet Day

 Pet Day is Thursday, October 6 at 8:15 am on the Lower School Playground.To sign your pet up for participation, look for flyers in the office.

Pet Day is one of our longest standing annual events. It offers first through fifth graders a chance to share their beloved pets with their teachers and classmates. The JK and SK students will visit all of the pets and can bring their favorite stuffed animal to share. Dogs and their owners line up along the playground while lizards, cats and other pets in cages and carriers head to the Szekely Auditorium for display. Students will have a chance to visit all the pets. The event culminates with a canine parade.  In the afternoon students will have a special animal presentation given by fellow Parker parent Dr. Petra Mertens from the San Diego Humane Society.

Halloween News

 BOO!  The Haloween Carnival is just around the corner!  All Lower School students anda families are invited to the 2011 halloween Carnival, Friday, October 28:

 1:00 p.m.          Costume Parade in the Courtyard

1:15 p.m.          JK and SK proceed to the Carnival

1:30-1:45 p.m.  Grades 1-5 proceed to the Carnival

4:00 p.m.          Carnival ends

All of your favorite booths, like Close the Coffin, Rat-a-Pult, Madame Zora and the Cake Walk are back, and are even more exciting!  Remember, "It takes a village," and we need your support by either volunteering or donating supplies!

If you have not already volunteered or wish to donate a pop-up tent, check your child's Monday Envelope for a volunteer flier or email pa-halloweenchair@pa-francisparker.org and let us know how you can help make this Halloween Carnival a "spooktacularly" great time.

 WeCare Presents:

This Monday, Oct. 3, at 8:30 a.m. in J. Crivello Hall, and again that evening at 6:30 p.m. at Warren Walker School (Linder Hall),  Dr. Michael Ginsburg will be addressing the topic: "Resilience in Action: Raising Children and Adolescents Who Are Prepared to Thrive."  The sessions are free to the public.  For more information, see the flyer for the event.

Lower School Menu October 3-7, 2011

 Mon.                Spaghetti W/Meat Sauce Or Marinara

                        Gluten –Free Pasta

                        Garlic Bread

                        Pb & j, Tuna Sandwich On Wheat Bread

                        Garden Salad & Caesar Salad

                        Vegetarian Basil Rice Soup

                        Fresh Fruit & Yogurt Bar

                        Grape Juice

 Tues.                Fish Sticks

                        Steamed Rice

                        Vegetable Medley

                        Pb & j

                        Garden Salad

                        Vegetarian Vegetable Chowder

                        Fresh Fruit & Yogurt Bar

                        Grape Juice

 Wed.                Lemon Chicken

                        Mashed Potatoes

                        French Beans

                        Pb & j, Egg Salad Sandwich On Wheat Bread

                        Garden Salad

                        Vegetarian Zucchini Soup

                        Fresh Fruit & Yogurt Bar

                        Grape Juice

 Thurs.              Turkey Or Vegetarian Dogs

                        Potato Wedges

                        Pb & j

                        Garden Salad

                        Bacon & Potato Soup

                        Fresh Fruit & Yogurt Bar

                        Grape Juice      

 Emergency Preparedness

 Each year we review and update our disaster preparedness plans. The plan for the Lower School campus is on file in the office and you are welcome to review these plans in order to familiarize yourself with the procedures we will be following should a major earthquake or other disaster occur.

In the event of a major earthquake or other disaster during school hours:

• Students will be taken care of at their respective campuses (Lower School, Middle School, Upper School).

• We are prepared to care for your children in times of critical need.   Emergency medical and food supplies are maintained at the Lower School.

• The students will be evacuated to the playground. If the playground area is deemed unsafe, the students will be escorted to Pioneer Park located at the intersection of Randolph Street and Washington Street.

• A Student Release Station will be set up on the playground. Only parents or other individuals who are designated on the student emergency cards may sign out children.   If your child’s card is not up to date, please contact the office.

• If your child is enroute to or from school on one of our buses, all buses will return immediately to the Lower School campus. Your child, no matter what age, will be held at the Lower School campus until you arrive.

• In the event of a major injury to a child on one of our buses, the driver will first obtain emergency aid for the child and then proceed to the Lower School campus.

• Parents will be notified by phone through our mass-communication system via e-mail, cell phone and land-line contacts. To reach the Lower School, please use the main number 1-619-298-9110. If this number is not in working order, you can reach Bob Gillingham at 619-318-9978.

Thoughts to Ponder...

Following are some interesting thoughts about coming changes that will require a much different kind of eduational preparation.