March Newsletter

La Vida News Issue # 5 March 21, 2014 www.lavidaschool.org Happy Spring! Now Enrolling Sign up for the 2014-2015 school year! Anyone wishing to return should add their  name to the list in the office by April 30th.  La Vida's Enrollment Lottery will be on May 1st  this year.  Your spot is guaranteed if you sign up before the lottery. March - May  2014 Calender March 27 Read-A-Thon Nacho Party March 10 Spring Trimester begins March 31- April 4 Spring Break April 14-17 Physical Fitness Test for Grades 5,7,9 April 14- May 16 Smarter Balanced Field Test April 27 STAR Science Test 10th grade May 8 STAR Science Test 5th & 8th grade April 27 Open House & Variety Show 2-3 pm May 27 Memorial Day Holiday, No School  Variety Show Auditions Our school wide Open House and Talent Show will be Sunday, April 27th. We are excited to see all the talented La Vida students showcase their interests! We will have a Variety Show Talent round up with auditions on April 10th at 1:30. The Children of Uganda's Tour of Light at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.  Support Local, Live Theater:  We have La Vida Students who are very active in Ukiah Players Theater and Mendocino College Theatrical Performances. Currently running: Evil Dead: the Musical, which is running Mar. 14-Apr. 5, 2014 at Ukiah Players Theater. It is hilarious and campy, but not for children. Also Shakespeare's Measure For Measure is opening at Mendocino College and running through March 30. This dark comedy explores the layers of corruption and hypocrisy that may lurk beneath public righteousness (14 years and older). La Vida is proud that serious theater and dance students can pursue what is meaningful for them through our independent study program. Waldorf Education CDs Available in Math & Science La Vida's teachers have been enjoying their in-services studying more about Waldorf education. Eugene Schwartz, an experienced Waldorf educator (K-12) and consultant to teachers worldwide, has recorded CD's to share his experiences and knowledge about Waldorf Education. We would like to make those available to parents, so have begun by purchasing Eugene's courses on Math and Science for middle grades and Jr High. These will be available for check out in the office. The High School students on TR Tuesday making food sculptures for centerpieces: penguins out of eggplants and palm trees out of carrots, green peppers and cherry tomatoes. Share Your Ideas To Empower Your Student!                          Before we go on Spring Break, La Vida will need all parents and high school students to answer a short survey. It is for the LCAP process, Local Control Accountability Plan,  and greatly helps our school to be accountable to the state.  Tell us what added supports will help you and/or your child achieve for a chance to win an android tablet. Use the link below:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JRHCVTJ Or... take the survey in-person at La Vida in the main hall. Be sure to include your name before you submit the survey in the envelope taped to the window. Ceramics Guest Teacher John Rule of Galaxy Raku, Willits, will treat students to two days of ceramics.  Working with clay the last week of March followed by glazing the week of April 14th.  John will work with the High School students on Mondays and Grades 4-8 on Wednesdays.  Mr Rule is generously donating his time and materials for which La Vida is thoroughly grateful. John Rule demonstrating Raku at the Mini Maker Faire last May at the Mendocino County Museum.  First the firing, then the red hot ceramics, then cooling off. Successful Reading Engagement! Students celebrating Reading Month! Top Left: Second Grader dressed up as her favorite storybook fairy. Top Right and Bottom Left: High School students reading to elders and children as part of community outreach. Bottom Left: The Teachers reading to the students at the Reading Assembly on February 27th. Read-A-Thon News Our focus on reading during the month of February was very fun and enjoyable. The students showed much enthusiasm and made great progress! We wish that you continue the focus on reading in your homes, as there are so many benefits. Here is a list of ten benefits from reading: 1. Mental Stimulation 2. Stress Reduction 3. Knowledge 4. Vocabulary Expansion 5. Memory Improvement 6. Stronger Analytical Thinking Skills 7. Improved Focus and Concentration 8. Better Writing Skills 9. Tranquility 10. Free Entertainment Testing News We are cruising through the MAP testing season and are very proud of the students for their focus and attention they are giving the test. As you know, we have state testing to accomplish in late April and early May. The STAR testing schedule and Smarter Balanced schedule will be out after break. (see side bar for some dates) Building Vocabulary This month we are focusing on Vocabulary. Please take a look at our display in the kitchen. There are some excellent resources there. Vocabulary is important because it helps you understand other people. Not only does it help you build rapport with people, but it can help you to be pro-active as you deal with lawyers, mechanics, doctors in your lifetime. It allows you to communicate effectively to express yourself, and helps you to comprehend books and articles you read. Vocabulary assists you in becoming a more informed and involved citizen. The more you increase your vocabulary in general, and also specifically in areas like geography, politics, etc... the better able you become to understand currents events, and the more widely varied the conversations and discussions you can jump into. There are easy ways to increase your vocabulary. READ. Reading is the single biggest thing you can do to increase your vocabulary. You encounter lots of new words through reading, and the more diverse your reading selections are, the bigger your vocabulary will be. LISTEN. You can learn new words from the people you talk with and listen to. After all, this is exactly how you learned words back when you were a toddler. WRITE. Writing down new words in a notebook will help you remember them. EXPLORE. Use the dictionary to find those new words from your notebook, and others that you hear or read during your day. A word can have many meanings, so it is advantageous to explore the words to understand all about it. You can use your notebook to write down definitions, as well. SPEAK. Say your new words several times and challenge yourself to use them in sentences (writing or speaking) many times throughout the day. This will help the word stay in your mind. Visit www.vocabulary.com everyday for a daily vocabulary builder or create your own list and a whole lot more!   Copyright © 2014 La Vida Charter School, All rights reserved.

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