August 14, 2008
Interim Director Announcement
August 13, 2008
Dear PHS Community Members,
I am so pleased to send this letter on behalf of the Board of Trustees announcing the appointment of Susan Andrews as Interim Director for the upcoming academic year. Susan knows our school well, having served as Director of the school for sixteen years and a Board member for the past eight years. As you will glean from her letter, Susan is a forward-looking individual who will lead the school with grace, maturity, and a deep knowledge of schools in general and ours in particular.
The Board acted quickly this summer to convene an interim director search committee and to hire a search consultant. The interim director search committee, with the input of the search consultant, developed criteria for the interim director and the priorities for the school in the coming year. Susan Andrews emerged as a possible candidate, and in evaluating her it became clear that she was the most qualified candidate we could hope for. We, on the Board, feel extremely fortunate that Susan has agreed to take a leave from her otherwise demanding work schedule in order to assume the Interim Director position.
I first met Susan, over five years ago when I traveled to pick up my then 2nd grader, Jacob, from the Camp Valley of the Moon overnight (he is now entering 8th grade). I was struck by her wisdom, thoughtfulness, patience, insight, humor, and her deep love of children and our school (why else would she choose to spend a night on a thin mattress on a bunk bed). My positive first impression has been enhanced by the dedication, strategic thinking and intellect she has demonstrated as a board member. Welcome, Susan! We are thrilled to have you assume this leadership role!
The Board is also pleased to inform you that we have retained Clay Stites, a consultant with the nationally known search firm Resource Group 175. Clay will be working to help the school recruit and hire a long term Director to begin in the 2009–2010 academic year. He will also provide counsel to the Board and Susan during this transition year. In addition, he will work into the next academic year to support a smooth and successful transition with a new Director.
Clay was a school Head for twenty years and has been a search consultant for the past eleven years. He comes highly recommended and knows Bay Area schools well, having done numerous successful head searches for schools in Northern California.
We, on the Board, recognize that the community may have questions about this transition year and the process the school will follow to hire a new permanent Director. For that reason, we are planning a coffee talk from 5:00–5:45pm on September 16th and from 8:00–8:45am on September 17th at which Board members and Clay will be available to answer questions as we look ahead. We look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Sincerely,
Anne Regenstein
Chair, Board of Trustees
August 13, 2008
Dear Presidio Hill School Community,
The PHS Board of Directors has asked me, and I have agreed, to take on the Interim Head position during the 2008–2009 school year, as we conduct a guided head search and, most importantly, continue our esteemed program under the seasoned management of our administrative team and highly qualified and diverse faculty. Honored to step into this role for one year, I greet you with an understanding of the school’s past as well as an investment in its future.
Some of you may know me; many don’t. Currently an eight-year community member of the Presidio Hill School Board, I was the PHS director from 1980 until 1996. I retired to give my full attention to a diagnosis of advanced non-Hodgkins lymphoma. After some pretty amazing attention from modern medicine, I have survived cancer-free.
During the period since my retirement and cancer treatments, I served as interim director of Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley, helped start Oak Hill School for students with autism and other developmental differences, and taken on partnership in the family business, Buddy Rhodes Artisan Concrete, as Vice President of Marketing. I have served on the Board of Trustees of San Francisco School, as well as Oak Hill School, and I remain on the Board of the Eva Gunther Foundation, Chez Panisse Foundation and, though my role will be changing, Presidio Hill School. While I am no magician, I do have experience relevant to our community, and the will to put it to good use.
I view my assignment this year as an opportunity to help move the school forward in preparation for new leadership, as well as to support current operations while providing loving care and guidance to a school community that has undergone many transitions in the last 12 years. Despite our disruptions in leadership, many of those transitions have been very positive: the new building, the growth of the middle school, development of a strong administrative structure, extensive technology enhancement, and the development of a cadre of youthful new teachers to partner with the core of wise veterans.
I believe that we can look forward to this newest transition together with the support of a strong Board, the aforementioned excellent teachers and administrators, and the guidance of Clay Stites, our expert independent school search consultant. The parents and students that make up the current Presidio Hill community are as active and inspired as ever, and I come back to full-time immersion in the PHS family confident in our powers. Presidio Hill School is in its 90th year; crises have come and gone, and we have survived and prospered throughout the continuum. Our history buoys us. We are charged with both respecting it and learning from it as we move forward. We are participants in an amazing educational practice. I look forward to this exciting and remarkable time to work together.
Best wishes,
Susan Andrews
Interim Director
June 23, 2008
PHS Cookbooks for Sale!
This collection of over 80 recipes demonstrates the breadth of the diversity of San Francisco, and of the families and staff of the Presidio Hill School. Recipes range from Posole and Carnitas, to Lamb Tagine and Sunomono, to Chicken Matzo-ball Soup and Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie. All profits benefit the Presidio Hill School. Founded in 1918, Presidio Hill School is a K-8 co-educational independent school with an enrollment of about 190 students the oldest continuously operating progressive school in California. Presidio Hill provides its students with an academically challenging, inclusive, multicultural education. Its mission is to encourage students to question, evaluate and think creatively and independently.
Presidio Hill cookbooks are available for purchase from Alibris.com or you can purchase them at the PHS front desk: $30 a copy, or 4 for $100!
Please see below for cookbook corrections:
Brownie Torte, Page 127
6 ounces high quality semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
Miriam’s Butternut Squash and Pear Soup, Page 41
Vegetarian Stock amount is incorrect—should read:
2 to 3 quarts vegetarian bouillon or stock
June 06, 2008
Printable version
If you want to print today's Friday Letter, click here for a printable version.
If you want a printable version of a past Friday letter, select the Archive date of the letter you want to print.
Upcoming Events 6-6-2008
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS:
• June 11–Step Up Day
• June 12–Last Day of School for LS Students
• June 13–Graduation! Grades 6–8 required to attend.
• June 18–Board of Trustees, 5:45-8:00 PM
Please check the announcements below for more information about many of these events.
Click here for a downloadable calendar of events for June 2008
Click here for a downloadable 2007-2008 School Year Calendar
Please click below for a copy of the DRAFT 2008-2009 School Year Calendar. Please note, the later start date is due to construction on the second floor (installing new flooring) which predicates a three-day later start to the school year.
Click here for a downloadable DRAFT 2008-2009 School Year Calendar
Announcements 6-6-2008
Final Curbside Coffee of the Year next THURSDAY
Since the last day of classes for the Lower School is next Thursday, there will be a special end-of-year version of Curbside Coffee that morning. Please make plans to stop by to nosh on special treats, visit, celebrate and yak.
From the Parents Association
Check out PEN's (Parents Education Network) last newletter!
http://parentseducationnetwork.org/DocumentHandler.ashx?DocId=11304
AFTER-SCHOOL NEWS
******************
PHS TALENT SHOW
SAVE THE DATE!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Potluck Snacks @ 3:15
Show Starts @ 3:30
ALL performers welcome!
Drama and Guitar enrichment class students will also showcase their talents.
Limited space is available, so sign up today.
Sign-ups will end on Monday, June 9.
*Families please join us and bring a snack for the potluck that starts at 3:15 p.m.
For more information and to sign-up contact Raymi at raymi_orozco@presidiohill.org or 415-751-9318.
The 38th Annual LGBT Pride Parade is Coming Sunday, June 29th. Presidio Hill School is proud to be a participant in this yearly event.
This year's theme is: United by Pride, Bound by Equality
Please come out and show your school and community pride by walking, riding , or skating in the parade. Bring your friends and family. The parade route runs along Market, and we will be meeting at 9:30 to start the celebration. Bagels, fruit, coffee and juice will be provided. Please RSVP to Jaime Thomas @ momjbt@aol.com We also need 2 volunteers prior to the parade to take a 1-time contingent monitor training. Please let me know if you are available
Thanks,
Jaime Thomas
PENNY WARS: THE RESULTS
The 4th graders are the winners for the lower school, and the 5th graders are the winners for the upper school. CONGRATULATIONS!
We will have raised over $400 by the time the counting is complete.
From the Director 6-6-2008
Staffing update
June 6, 2008
More good news on the hiring front. ROBYN MOSS will be joining us as the First Grade Teacher beginning in the 2008 - 2009 school year. Robyn is currently teaching at Children's Day School where she has been a lead teacher in first grade. She has also taught second grade at Children's Day and was a teaching intern at the Town School in San Francisco before that time. Robyn received her Bachelor's Degree from Boston University, has her teaching credential from San Francisco State, and is trained in Responsive Classroom I & II. Robyn has been a member for the last nine years of the Leukemia Society's Marathon, Century Ride, and Triathlon Training Team. Robyn and her husband (who works for the Guide Dogs of the Blind in San Rafael) live in Fairfax with their dogs. Please join me in welcoming Robyn Moss into the community.
Thanks, as always, for all of your help and support during the hiring process.
Sincerely,
Brian
From the Parents Association 6-6-2008
Parents Association Co-chair Thank You!
As the 2007-2008 school year draws to a close, we would like to thank all of you who have given your time, talent, and resources on behalf of the Parents Association, administration, faculty and children of Presidio Hill School. Because of you, the Parents Association has successfully sponsored many fun and community building events throughout the year, and thereby created a positive spirit and supportive environment that we can all be a part of. From the Fall Gathering and the Walkathon to Mayfest and the Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon, the Parents Association offers a full line-up of social events for the PHS community from September to June.
Special thanks to all of the Parents Association Room Parents, Event Chairs and Ongoing Activities Chairs for their tireless work in chairing and assisting with Parents Association events this year. Thank you to the following parents who served as Room Parents, keeping everyone informed and involved throughout the year: Irene Merry, Christina Murphy, Stace Remy, Jill Chase, Audrey Yee, Amy Sparrow, Laura Roe, Laura Rattay-Maloney, Louise Gregory, Claire Barnum, Jaime Thomas, Janey Colosimo, Erin Roach, Nicole Leong, Rita Fahrner, Michial Arnold, Louise Bonham and Tracy Schafer. Thank you Laura Rattay-Maloney, Tineke Triggs, Jo Cummins, Kathie Albayrak, Jill Chase, Ronice Lee, Darlene Fong, Noel Kaufman, Kate Moses, Liz Ranieri Kuth, Leslie Roberts and Ed Barosky for the wonderful job you did working with Amy Pearson in Admissions. Jaime Thomas and Dorte Lindhardt, thanks so much for organizing a wonderful Fall Gathering. Thanks to Minette Kwok, Jaime Thomas, Biz Morris and Julie Marcus for well executed and high spirited Walkathon. The Book Fair was not only fun, but keeps us all reading, thanks to Leslie Roberts. Jaime Thomas provided Grandparents and Special Friends with a very special day here at PHS with their host students. Thank you to Audrey Sadler and Nicole Grindle for this spring’s fabulous Mayfest celebration. Jaime Thomas and Kathy McBride will be presenting a beautiful luncheon to faculty and staff in June. Heartfelt thanks to the chairs of the many ongoing events here at PHS. Irene Merry made sure that there were always curbside greeters welcoming the children each and every school day. John Musgrove gave the community a place to gather each Friday with Curbside Coffee. The faculty and staff loved the Soup days that warmed the rainy winter days and look forward to next year’s menu.
Thank you to the volunteers who support all the Chairs and Room Parents throughout the year. So many of you parents out there volunteer in innumerable ways—large and small—that keep our school and classrooms running smoothly. Without you there would be no Parents Association. Although we can’t name you all here, your hard work and dedication are felt each and every day.
Lastly, we would like to thank Brian Thomas, Namrata Gupta, Ann Meissner and Lisa Jeli for your input and ongoing support. Thank you to Tania Hurter and Martin Gross for helping us learn the ropes and supporting our efforts.
We’ll be back as Parents Association Co-Chairs next year and we look forward to working with PHS parents whose spirit, energy and enthusiasm make our jobs easy. Thank you everyone for making this a great year. Wishing you a relaxing, restful, and restorative summer vacation.
Kimberley Spears
Regina Casciato
From the Director 6-6-2008
RECOMMENDED SUMMER READING:
A BOOK IN COMMON
THE COLOR OF WATER
ARTEMIS FOWL
Looking back on last year’s summer reading selections, the theme of parenting in the 21st Century comes to mind. As you recall, we recommended a raft of books for adults including A Whole New Mind, Blessings of a Skinned Knee, and The Price of Privilege. We also recommended that the children read The Golden Compass, which definitely speaks to the opaqueness and the resiliency of children and the pitfalls of absentee parenting.
This year’s adult selection is topical for our current time in history because it involves race and being “the other” in society. Have we as a country changed (when it comes to race)? Absolutely! Do we still have a way to go before there is true equity and justice in this country? Also, a resounding, 'Yes!'
The Tenth Anniversary Edition of The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother is out, and it could not be more timely in our nation's history. The Color of Water resonates even more deeply today due to Barack Obama’s political rise as well as his own racial excavation and biographical narrative about his (Barack’s) mother’s trials and triumphs in raising a family that doesn’t fit into the “myth of normalcy.” Color also speaks to a generation of children and adults, in and out of our school, who are looking at identity in an exciting way. Indeed, children living in multi-racial and transracial households hold a particular resonance in society at this time not because of the presumptive nominee of the Democrat Party but because many of these people exist in a world that is beginning to understand the complexities of the concept of race and family origin. The questions of identity are not just about “the other,” but are about all of us.
Continue reading "From the Director 6-6-2008"
From the Associate Director and Middle School Dean 6-6-2008
Friday Letter
June 6, 2008
Thank you to everyone for your support in helping make 2007-2008 a very successful year in the middle school. It is a team effort and everyone’s engagement is critical to our success. While there are several staffing changes in the middle school for next year I am confident we will be able to build on the strength of our program and continue to provide a terrific middle school experience. One of the candidates for a teaching position asked the class during the demonstration lesson what they like about Presidio Hill School. I was impressed with the qualities that emerged as important and evident to the kids. These are certainly qualities that I value as well.
• Sense of community
• Friends
• Learning as fun
• Teachers are open and relationships with students are strong
• Classroom activities work well for all different kinds of learning styles
Enjoy your summer and the change in routine this brings. See you September 8th!
Ann Meissner
From the Lower School Dean and Librarian 6-6-2008
Friday Letter
June 6, 2008
Lisa Jeli
I know the year is really coming to a close when I’m filling in dates on my 08-09 school year calendar and starting to picture and plan for the upcoming school year more than this one. But the last few days of school always pack quite a punch. There is only about a week left of school, and as I write this, it is the night before the annual trip to Valley of the Moon in Sonoma County. I will be accompanying the second and third grade classes to sunny Glen Ellen for this wonderful overnight excursion. (I still have to pack!) When I first came to Presidio Hill School back in 1990, the whole school went to this tiny little camp together, first graders through eighth graders, for multiple nights … and the kindergarteners came up for a little peek on one of the afternoons. We wouldn’t all fit there, now, that’s for sure! Last year, as a parent picking my own child up, I went back to Valley of the Moon for the first time in many, many years. The memories were strong and wonderful, and I look forward to being there again and spending time with the students in this way. It’s a great way to kick off the summer break. Have a wonderful and relaxing summer with your families, best wishes to the terrific class of 2008, and I’ll see most of you again in September – when I hope you’ll all share with me all the favorite new books and authors you discover!
Curriculum Spotlight: Middle School Math and Science
Friday Letter
June 6, 2008
Todd Ditto
It has been a wonderful adventure being new to the Presidio Hill community! I have been thrilled to be witness to our students eagerly building and strengthening community, developing and honing skills, and solidifying their personal characters.
I had the pleasure of accompanying each grade on unique journeys, each journey resulting in significantly greater trust and connection within the student body. Each journey afforded students opportunities to develop enduring friendships, to meet and learn about new people, and to work on the skills required to work/succeed as a team.
The Class of 2008 ventured to Lands End to take on low ropes and high ropes initiatives and returned to PHS to lead the entire middle school in low ropes initiatives demonstrating real leadership and powerfully sharing their learning and experiences with the entire middle school.
The Class of 2009 journeyed to Yosemite for 3 days packed full of outdoor challenges. All students took on leadership roles as well faced the risk of completely trusting their teammates. Trust was always the key to safely achieving their goals. The Class of 2010 traveled to Pt Reyes to get to know all the new faces, to challenge their creativity, to fully connect to their biology, and to become conscientious stewards of our precious planet.
Continue reading "Curriculum Spotlight: Middle School Math and Science"
May 30, 2008
Printable version
If you want to print today's Friday Letter, click here for a printable version.
If you want a printable version of a past Friday letter, select the Archive date of the letter you want to print.
Upcoming events 5-30-2008
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS:
• June 3–2nd to 3rd Step Up Day
• June 11–Step Up Day
• June 12–Last Day of School for LS Students
• June 13–Graduation! Grades 6–8 required to attend.
Please check the announcements below for more information about many of these events.
Click here for a downloadable calendar of events for June 2008
Click here for a downloadable 2007-2008 School Year Calendar
Please click below for a copy of the DRAFT 2008-2009 School Year Calendar. Please note, the later start date is due to construction on the second floor (installing new flooring) which predicates a three-day later start to the school year.
Click here for a downloadable DRAFT 2008-2009 School Year Calendar
Announcements 5-30-2008
AFTER-SCHOOL NEWS
******************
PHS TALENT SHOW
SAVE THE DATE!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Potluck Snacks @ 3:15
Show Starts @ 3:30
ALL performers welcome!
Drama and Guitar enrichment class students will also showcase their talents.
Limited space is available, so sign up today.
Sign-ups will end on Monday, June 6.
*Families please join us and bring a snack for the potluck that starts at 3:15 p.m.
For more information and to sign-up contact Raymi at raymi_orozco@presidiohill.org or 415-751-9318.
******************
AFTER-SCHOOL SURVEY
Please take a moment to complete a short survey about after-school.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=b5KPXgvcuGKWbCAJX5rJwA_3d_3d
Your feedback helps us to continually improve our program. The survey deadline has been extended through Sunday, June 1.
PHS School Store Summer Sale
Last chance to get your PHS swag at the end of the year blow-out sale!
Monday, June 2nd from 3:00 to 4:00
Hope to see you there!
The 38th Annual LGBT Pride Parade is Coming Sunday, June 29th.
Presidio Hill School is proud to be a participant in this yearly event.
This year's theme is: United by Pride, Bound by Equality
Please come out and show your school and community pride by walking, riding , or skating in the parade. Bring your friends and family. The parade route runs along Market, and we will be meeting at 9:30 to start the celebration. Bagels, fruit, coffee and juice will be provided. Please RSVP to Jaime Thomas @ momjbt@aol.com We also need 2 volunteers prior to the parade to take a 1-time contingent monitor training. Please let me know if you are available
Thanks,
Jaime Thomas
Penny WarsThe PHS student body declares war on poverty and suffering by pledging support to Kiva a nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurs in developing countries by lending them money to start up sustainable businesses in their communities.
Students raise money to give by starting a "Penny War" here at school where lower school classes and middle school advisories battle it out, each trying to earn the most points. The class or advisory earning the most points wins the "Penny War!" Points are earned by collecting pennies with each penny collected by a class/advisory being a point* earned for that class/advisory.
Pennies should be deposited in the class/advisory collection bottles each day. Running point totals will be reported regularly over the course of the next two weeks.
All the money collected by 06/06/08 is then donated to Kiva who directs all funds to an aspiring businessperson in a developing country. The winning group gets treated to pizza from Arizmendi Coop Bakery a locally operated sustainable business!
Visit www.kiva.org for more information or to give on your own!
Contact Todd's advisory with any questions or concerns through todd_ditto@presidiohill.org.
* The point calculation is somewhat different in the middle school to foster more engagement and lively competition. Pennies still earn one point however any non-penny denomination donated to an advisory has the negative penny value for example one-dollar bill donated has the effect of taking away 100 previously earned points.
From the Director 5-30-2008
Hello, Families and Community Members:
We have more very good news to report on the hiring front. Although we are still in process in hiring a First Grade Teacher and a 7/8 Grade Math Teacher, we hope to wrap up both searches before the end of the school year; however, we intend to keep them open until we find the right people for the positions.
Over the last several weeks, we have seen a variety of great candidates for our open positions. We are pleased to announce a number of new hires we have made:
TEGWYN LEWIS-PINE has accepted our offer to become the PE Teacher and Athletic Director, working with Kiah Jeffries. Coming to us with great experience working with kids in physical education and in outdoor education, Tegwyn is currently the site coordinator at Cleveland Elementary School where she works for the organization, Sports4Kids. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz last June, Tegwyn also completed the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in the Pacific Northwest.
ANDREW GLASSCO will be the Spanish Teacher, grade 3-8, filling in for Paola Nou while she is on maternity leave. Andrew has a BA in English and aa MA in Spanish Education from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Currently, Andrew is a Spanish Teacher at Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa (where they are very sad to see him go). After working as a Spanish teacher in Cordoba, Argentina, and at colleges and universities in Colorado and South Carolina, Andrew is looking forward to being at Presidio Hill School and in San Francisco. Josefina Jacquin, who returns from sabbatical leave, and Andrew will be the two Spanish teachers next fall.
This summer while Tania Hurter is away on a short leave and Martin Gross takes vacation, ROBERT OWENS will be handling some of the administrative duties and managing the summer camp for the school. Robert received a BA from California State University, Stanislaus. He has worked in an administrative capacity for the Positive Resource Center and for the HIV Health Service Planning Council, as well as a pre-school teacher at La Petite Academy.
CELESTE MACAPIA will be the new Art Teacher next year, taking over the position Adra is leaving. Celeste has a BA in Public Policy with a focus on Education from Brown University where she also spent a semester in a special program at the Bank Street Graduate Program. She also has a MA in Art Education with Honors from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. Currently, Celeste is toggling back and forth between two art positions, one at The Nueva School in Hillsborough and the other at the Community School for Music and Arts in Mountain View. Celeste has also taught art and architecture at Jefferson Middle School and Albuquerque Academy in New Mexico. Celeste's references, all of whom wished they could create jobs to keep her near, commented on her tremendous rapport with children, parents, and colleagues. Celeste and Rebecca Magill will be the two art teachers next fall.
Please join me in welcoming Tegwyn, Andrew, Robert, and Celeste when you see them.
Namasté,
Brian
Curriculum Spotlight: Kindergarten 5-30-2008
The Drama of Kindergarten
Shericka Hodges
I am sure we all agree that the Kindergarteners never fail to amaze and surprise us. It has been a joy to work with such a dynamic group of kids. It is so wonderful to sit in the front row and watch them grow in confidence as learners. The social atmosphere in our kindergarten classroom promotes risk- taking and the ability express all kinds of ideas. As a former theatre major, I know that the opportunity for children to creatively express what they learn is key to their emotional, social and academic maturity.
Since we are studying a unit on prehistoric animals, specifically dinosaurs, the children were given the opportunity to show what they have learned!
Without warning, we decided to discuss with them several theatre terms: cast, plot, theme, and setting. After 10 minutes of conversation we randomly split our class of 24 students into 4 groups. Each group was given exactly 10 minutes to come up with a short play, and 2 minutes to perform it in front of their peers. They had to listen to each other’s ideas, assign characters, decide a plot, setting, and finally come up with a title. Yes, 10 minutes to create and 2 minutes to perform! 
Continue reading "Curriculum Spotlight: Kindergarten 5-30-2008"
May 23, 2008
Printable version
If you want to print today's Friday Letter, click here for a printable version.
If you want a printable version of a past Friday letter, select the Archive date of the letter you want to print.
Upcoming Events 5-23-2008
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS:
• May 24–31–8th Grade Trip to 4 Corners
• May 26–Memorial Day (School Closed), no childcare
• May 27–30–ERB Testing, Grades 6–7
• June 3–2nd to 3rd Step Up Day
• June 11–Step Up Day
• June 12–Last Day of School for LS Students
• June 13–Graduation! Grades 6–8 required to attend.
Please check the announcements below for more information about many of these events.
Click here for a downloadable calendar of events for May 2008
Click here for a downloadable calendar of events for June 2008
Click here for a downloadable 2007-2008 School Year Calendar
Please click below for a copy of the DRAFT 2008-2009 School Year Calendar. Please note, the later start date is due to construction on the second floor (installing new flooring) which predicates a three-day later start to the school year.
Click here for a downloadable DRAFT 2008-2009 School Year Calendar
Announcements 5-23-2008
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR AFKS CLASS BOOKS!
They are being sent home with students today!
AFTER-SCHOOL NEWS
******************
PHS TALENT SHOW
SAVE THE DATE!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Potluck Snacks @ 3:15
Show Starts @ 3:30
ALL performers welcome!
Drama and Guitar enrichment class students will also showcase their talents.
Limited space is available, so sign up today.
Sign-ups will end on Monday, June 6.
*Families please join us and bring a snack for the potluck that starts at 3:15 p.m.
For more information and to sign-up contact Raymi at raymi_orozco@presidiohill.org or 415-751-9318.
******************
AFTER-SCHOOL SURVEY
Please take a moment to complete a short survey about after-school.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=b5KPXgvcuGKWbCAJX5rJwA_3d_3d
Your feedback helps us to continually improve our program. Please complete the survey by Friday, May 30. Thank you so much.
PHS School Store Summer Sale
Last chance to get your PHS swag at the end of the year blow-out sale!
Monday, June 2nd from 3:00 to 4:00
Hope to see you there!
The 38th Annual LGBT Pride Parade is Coming Sunday, June 29th.
Presidio Hill School is proud to be a participant in this yearly event.
This year's theme is: United by Pride, Bound by Equality
Please come out and show your school and community pride by walking, riding , or skating in the parade. Bring your friends and family. The parade route runs along Market, and we will be meeting at 9:30 to start the celebration. Bagels, fruit, coffee and juice will be provided. Please RSVP to Jaime Thomas @ momjbt@aol.com We also need 2 volunteers prior to the parade to take a 1-time contingent monitor training. Please let me know if you are available
Thanks,
Jaime Thomas
Library Announcements:
~8TH GRADERS AND STUDENTS NOT RETURNING IN FALL MUST RETURN OR REPLACE ALL BOOKS BY FRIDAY, MAY 23RD.
~ALL OTHER STUDENTS AND PARENTS MUST RETURN ALL BOOKS BY FRIDAY, MAY 30TH.
The PHS student body declares war on poverty and suffering by pledging support to Kiva a nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurs in developing countries by lending them money to start up sustainable businesses in their communities.
Students raise money to give by starting a "Penny War" here at school where lower school classes and middle school advisories battle it out, each trying to earn the most points. The class or advisory earning the most points wins the "Penny War!" Points are earned by collecting pennies with each penny collected by a class/advisory being a point* earned for that class/advisory.
Pennies should be deposited in the class/advisory collection bottles each day. Running point totals will be reported regularly over the course of the next two weeks.
All the money collected by 06/06/08 is then donated to Kiva who directs all funds to an aspiring businessperson in a developing country. The winning group gets treated to pizza from Arizmendi Coop Bakery a locally operated sustainable business!
Visit www.kiva.org for more information or to give on your own!
Contact Todd's advisory with any questions or concerns through todd_ditto@presidiohill.org.
* The point calculation is somewhat different in the middle school to foster more engagement and lively competition. Pennies still earn one point however any non-penny denomination donated to an advisory has the negative penny value for example one-dollar bill donated has the effect of taking away 100 previously earned points.
As Trevor mentioned in a recent Friday letter, the class of 2008 is addressing various social justice problems and have planned various actions. Here is one way to support this work:
Donate used books: There will be a book drive from 5/14–5/30, supporting the I Am Foundation. Please help by bringing new or slightly used books to school and putting them in the collection bag in the lobby. Or put money in the collection box to help pay for shipping costs.
From the Director 5-23-2008
STAFFING UPDATE MAY 23, 2008
To the PHS Community:
I wanted to let you know some news that is bitter-sweet. After five years, Kelly McDonough will be leaving PHS to pursue a very exciting opportunity (please read her letter below). We will miss Kelly dearly and wish her well as she begins her teaching career closer to her home in the East Bay.
Please know that we will be interviewing 2-3 candidates beginning next week for demonstration lessons and interviews in the First Grade.
If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please call or email me or Lisa Jeli, the lower school dean.
Take care, Brian
Dear Families,
After five amazing and inspiring years I will be leaving PHS. I will miss the school very much. I deeply appreciate the friends that I’ve made here and the opportunities I’ve had to learn and grow as a teacher, a colleague, a presenter and most importantly a human being. I know for sure that I was meant to be at PHS for the last five years. It’s with the same certainty that I know that it’s time for me to make a change. I will be going to teach at the Mills College Lab School. I will teach a combined k/1 class and I will be responsible for mentoring and training student teachers. This is a step in my teaching development that’s really calling to me. I also plan to pursue an advanced degree there (maybe even a Doctorate!) and the Mills campus is just a ten minute bike ride away from my home. I am committed to helping Lisa and Brian find an excellent teacher and making this transition as smooth as possible for everyone.
-- Kelly McDonough
From the Director: "Yesterday and Today" 5-23-2008
FRIDAY LETTER MAY 23, 2008
YESTERDAY AND TODAY: THE AIMS OF OUR SCHOOL
Thank you all for a fabulous Corporation Meeting, which begins to wrap up our 89th year. The entire staff appreciates the great care that parents take in looking at their children's education not just on nights like last night but throughout the year.
Last night at the Corporation Meeting, we learned a great deal about the "old school," and we looked ahead at what the coming year and years may have in store for us. Towards the end of the business meeting, I read a selection from a pamphlet that the school published called "Presidio Hill Open Air School" that came from the 1930 - 31 school year. Clearly, the staff and Board were marketing the school to prospective parents as well as to the internal community. As you read through the materials, please ask yourself what parts of the school from the early 1930s are still relevant and in evidence today? To whom was the school attempting to appeal? Also, pay especial attention to the sections entitled "AIMS" and "CURRICULUM."
Please enjoy the reading from our impressive history. Click here to download a pdf version of this historical publication.
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!
Namaste,
Brian
Curriculum Spotlight: Spanish 5-23-2008
Hands on “en Español
Hello dear community!
I thought that since it is almost the end of the year and as a teacher I start to think about the entire year and reflect on what the students in the different levels have achieved at PHS.
I have a big spectrum of classes so I will go ahead and start with the little ones. Third grade is working very well on questions and answers about family, body parts, etc. As a group we decided to make something to remember and to have forever so each and every students is making “libro de español”, a full color artistic version of all the things we learned the first year of Spanish. Parents will have the opportunity to see and keep this book at the end of the year.
The second year of Spanish at PHS in 4th grade we visited a “taqueria” and students had the chance to use the language in full expression when ordering their meal. It was hard and intimidating to do it but the whole class did a wonderful job and every single student got the order that they really wanted and some of them even ordered dessert “churros”. Great and fun job!
Continue reading "Curriculum Spotlight: Spanish 5-23-2008"
May 16, 2008
Printable version
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If you want a printable version of a past Friday letter, select the Archive date of the letter you want to print.
Upcoming Events 5-16-2008
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS:
• May 19–23–ERB Testing, Grades 3–5, and 8th Grade
• May 22–Corporation Night, 6:30 PM, childcare by reservation only
• May 24–31–8th Grade Trip to 4 Corners
• May 26–Memorial Day (School Closed), no childcare
• May 27–30–ERB Testing, Grades 6–7
• June 3–2nd to 3rd Step Up Day
• June 11–Step Up Day
• June 12–Last Day of School for LS Students
• June 13–Graduation! Grades 6–8 required to attend.
Please check the announcements below for more information about many of these events.
Click here for a downloadable calendar of events for May 2008
Click here for a downloadable calendar of events for June 2008
Click here for a downloadable 2007-2008 School Year Calendar
Please click below for a copy of the DRAFT 2008-2009 School Year Calendar. Please note, the later start date is due to construction on the second floor (installing new flooring) which predicates a three-day later start to the school year.
Click here for a downloadable DRAFT 2008-2009 School Year Calendar
Announcements 5-16-2008
May 22~Spring Corporation Meeting
6:30 – 8:30 P.M.
Presidio Hill School bylaws require that members of the Corporation meet twice a year to review the school’s business. You are part of the Corporation, so please plan to attend. Among other things, we will be hearing from the Director, the Board and the Parents Association, presenting the slate of board trustees and giving out the Dan Duven Volunteer of the Year Award.
The second half of the evening is spent with your child’s teachers for next year, learning about important activities for 2008–2009.
PLEASE CAST YOUR BALLOT FOR THE BOARD SLATE
Click here to download information about voting for next year’s board slate. You can cast your vote by placing your ballot in the box in the PHS lobby or by voting online anytime before May 22. You can go online to vote at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=lnFsesfjVYda6RP9w3VR5g_3d_3d
Evening Schedule
6:30 BUSINESS MEETING/FULL GROUP MEETING
• Director’s report
• Report from Anne Regenstein, Board President
• Report from Parents Association
• Elect board members (if necessary, see enclosed information and bios)/ Election Results
• Dan Duven Volunteer of the Year Award
• Closing
7:30 CLASS MEETINGS – Visit your classroom for next year
8:30 ADJOURNMENT
Childcare available:
Childcare is available by reservation only and at no cost on Thursday, May 22, 2008 during the Corporation Night Meeting from 6:30-8:30pm. A light meal will be provided. Reservations must be made by Monday, May 19. Drop-ins will not be allowed. Contact Raymi at raymi_orozco@presidiohill.org or at 751-9318 x.130.
The 38th Annual LGBT Pride Parade is Coming Sunday, June 29th.
Presidio Hill School is proud to be a participant in this yearly event.
This year's theme is: United by Pride, Bound by Equality
Please come out and show your school and community pride by walking, riding , or skating in the parade. Bring your friends and family. The parade route runs along Market, and we will be meeting at 9:30 to start the celebration. Bagels, fruit, coffee and juice will be provided. Please RSVP to Jaime Thomas @ momjbt@aol.com We also need 2 volunteers prior to the parade to take a 1-time contingent monitor training. Please let me know if you are available
Thanks,
Jaime Thomas
Library Announcements:
The library blog has been updated! Check it out: http://www.presidiohill.org/books/
~LAST DAY TO CHECK BOOKS OUT FROM THE PHS LIBRARY IS MONDAY MAY 19TH.
~8TH GRADERS AND STUDENTS NOT RETURNING IN FALL MUST RETURN OR REPLACE ALL BOOKS BY FRIDAY, MAY 23RD.
~ALL OTHER STUDENTS AND PARENTS MUST RETURN ALL BOOKS BY FRIDAY, MAY 30TH.
The PHS student body declares war on poverty and suffering by pledging support to Kiva a nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurs in developing countries by lending them money to start up sustainable businesses in their communities.
Students raise money to give by starting a "Penny War" here at school where lower school classes and middle school advisories battle it out, each trying to earn the most points. The class or advisory earning the most points wins the "Penny War!" Points are earned by collecting pennies with each penny collected by a class/advisory being a point*earned for that class/advisory.
Pennies should be deposited in the class/advisory collection bottles each day. Running point totals will be reported regularly over the course of the next two weeks.
All the money collected by 05/23/08 is then donated to Kiva who directs all funds to an aspiring businessperson in a developing country. The winning group gets treated to pizza from Arizmendi Coop Bakery a locally operated sustainable business!
Visit www.kiva.org for more information or to give on your own! Contact Todd's advisory with any questions or concerns through todd_ditto@presidiohill.org.
* The point calculation is somewhat different in the middle school to foster more engagement and lively competition. Pennies still earn one point however any non-penny denomination donated to an advisory has
the negative penny value for example one-dollar bill donated has the effect of taking away 100 previously earned points.
Click here to download the minutes from the May 8th Parents Association Meeting.
As Trevor mentioned in last week's Friday letter, the class of 2008 is addressing various social justice problems and have planned various actions. Here are two ways to support this work:
1. Come to the bake sale: There will be a bake sale on Monday, May 19 supporting Glide Foundation. Come and enjoy some treats for a great cause.
2. Donate used books: There will be a book drive from 5/14–5/30, supporting the I Am Foundation. Please help by bringing new or slightly used books to school and putting them in the collection bag in the lobby. Or put money in the collection box to help pay for shipping costs.
WANTED: 4 mini Lego figures that were taken from the third grade room after school on Thursday, May 8th.
The pieces were Harry Potter figures: Ron, Hermione, Harry, and a Death Eater. If you know anything or find these pieces, please contact Tanya, the third grade teacher. tanya_finley@presidiohill.org
From the Associate Director and Middle School Dean 5-16-2008
May 16, 2008
Ann Meissner
Summer is fast approaching, and it is important to plan for some academic activities for your children, in addition to the valuable recreational and relaxing pursuits we think of when we think of summer. As all teachers will tell you, students routinely require review during the first weeks/months of a school year because they have not been engaged in regular activities that continue to stimulate reading, writing, math and reasoning skills. To minimize the amount of necessary review and to encourage more long term retention of academic skills learned this year, a little bit of summer academics can go a long way.
There are a seemingly endless amount of summer camps available, and a simple Internet search will reveal many. There is also a binder with brochures from local summer camps at the front desk in the lobby. Listed below are several opportunities for classes and activities that are free and low cost. Additionally, a family can develop a routine that includes daily reading, journal writing, current event discussions, estimations of grocery bills, etc. to foster academic thinking during the summer months. Enjoy the longer days of summer without the pressure of homework, but make sure to keep your child actively engaged in using their brain!
o San Francisco Unified summer enrichment program – www.summergate.org
o Camp Ed Venture More, located at PHS –http://www.edventuremore.com/summer_camp/location-sf.htm
o Lango Kids for Spanish instruction - www.langokids.com
o Online learning/curriculum – www.k12.com
o Online reading community www.rif.org
o Public Libraries offer summer reading programs and contests.
o Ca. Dept of Ed offers reading lists by age and grade level – www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/readinglist.asp
o Volunteer in the areas of animal care, senior citizen companionship, and food service for low-income people – http://www.californiavolunteers.org/
Curriculum Spotlight, 4th Grade 5-16-2008
AN EXERCISE IN CRITICAL THINKING
Like you, I can remember those great teachers who really allowed me to expand my general knowledge of the world, but more importantly challenged me to think not only about what I thought, but also about how I thought. One such teacher was Dr. Farago at the University of Maryland, who was also a journalist and award-winning author. He taught a lively course on the history of World War II and often lectured dressed in the uniform of an American, or German, or Japanese general, and spoke from their various points of view. His lectures were always packed, and I vied with everyone else to get a front row seat.
Then came the day of the final exam. A group of us had studied for days, and then we walked into the classroom to see on the blackboard only these directions:
“Compose and answer, with good support, two questions which demonstrate what you have learned about World War II during this course.”
During the first excruciating, eternal seconds, I was flummoxed with this request. I had an hour and a half to demonstrate that I fully grasped this extensive information in the format of only two questions! I am not going to tell you the outcome of my final exam, but I did survive and succeed. I learned that the core of critical thinking is not answering the complex questions correctly, but being able to formulate questions that explore and probe and therefore advance cognitive skills. This lesson has stayed with me throughout my long teaching career, and I employ it whenever I create assessments for my young fourth grade class. You will see this in the final California History Exam, which I use with the fourth grade and have printed below:
Continue reading "Curriculum Spotlight, 4th Grade 5-16-2008"
May 09, 2008
Printable version
If you want to print today's Friday Letter, click here for a printable version.
If you want a printable version of a past Friday letter, select the Archive date of the letter you want to print.
From the Parents Association 5-9-2008
On behalf of the Parents Association, we would like to thank:
Nicole Grindle, Audrey Sadler, Jaime Thomas, Iris Krause, Deirdre Kelly, John O'Connell, Julie Lepinard, Martin Gross, Patty Jepson, Mike Orlando and the many parent and faculty volunteers who made Mayfest such a huge success. Despite the early morning lack of sunshine, the sense of community and school spirit was warmly felt by everyone. The poetry and music program, food and games were wonderful and kept everyone entertained and deliciously well fed! This week we continue to enjoy reading the children's poetry in our 2008 Mayfest Book and we’re amazed by the talent of our PHS student body.
We very much appreciate the hours of hard work and preparation that went into putting the Mayfest celebration together. You were all so organized that you made it seem easy and effortless, allowing all of us to really enjoy the day. We hope that the sweep across the field at the end of the event becomes a new PHS tradition, making clean-up, a dreaded job, fun for all who participated.
Thank you for giving the PHS community such a memorable day.
Kimberley Spears & Regina Casciato
Also: Check out the latest edition of the Parents Education Network Newsletter by clicking here.
Upcoming Events 5-9-2008
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS:
• May 19–23–ERB Testing, Grades 3–5, and 8th Grade
• May 22–Corporation Night, 6:30 PM, childcare by reservation only
• May 24–31–8th Grade Trip to 4 Corners
• May 26–Memorial Day (School Closed), no childcare
• May 27–30–ERB Testing, Grades 6–7
• June 3–2nd to 3rd Step Up Day
• June 11–Step Up Day
• June 12–Last Day of School for LS Students
• June 13–Graduation! Grades 6–8 required to attend.
Please check the announcements below for more information about many of these events.
Click here for a downloadable calendar of events for May 2008
Click here for a downloadable calendar of events for June 2008
Click here for a downloadable 2007-2008 School Year Calendar
Please click below for a copy of the DRAFT 2008-2009 School Year Calendar. Please note, the later start date is due to construction on the second floor (installing new flooring) which predicates a three-day later start to the school year.
Click here for a downloadable DRAFT 2008-2009 School Year Calendar
