March 2011 - San Rafael Elementary School

(Logo/Fr
ont
Façade
of
school)
Volume 1 Issue 5 March 2011
Dates to Remember
March
3 6 pm PTA Meeting
18 8 am ELAC Meeting
22 2:45 SSC Meeting
23 Domenico's Restaurant Night
26 Math Field Day
April
7 2:30 PTA Meeting
11-15 Spring Recess
21 8 am ELAC meeting
27 Robin's Woodfire BBQ Restaurant Night
30 Spring Yard Sale
May
2-13 California Standards Testing
5 6 pm PTA Meeting
20 8 am ELAC Meeting
24 2:45 SSC Meeting
25 Big Mama's Rib Shack Restaurant Night
30 Memorial Day No School
Dates and times may change,
please see our website for
current up to date information
http://sanrafael.pasadenausd.org
Please go to our website at
http://sanrafael.pasadenausd.org and click the
upper left RSS icon to receive continuously
updated articles from our website.
San Rafael
Elementary School
Pre K thru Fifth Grade
1090 Nithsdale Road
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 396-5790
Alyson Beecher, Principal
http://sanrafael.pasadenausd.org
Newsletter Contact
Mirna Chain
mcp@perfumemart.com
Irene Wong
irene@blackseaink.com
SAN RAFAEL NEWS
A newsletter for students, parents, and teachers
San Rafael’s Library is now
OPEN!!!
Our San Rafael Library will be open on Tuesdays and
Thursdays from 8 am to 2:30 pm.
Classrooms will be able to visit the library every other week. Teachers are
encouraged to sign their classrooms up on the schedule in the office for 30-40
minute sessions in the library. The library will also be open during lunch for
students and there is talk that we will soon have a book club meeting during
lunch as well. Parents and students are welcome to visit the library during the
hours Ms. Vonnie is in the library, just “look-in” and make sure there is no
classroom visiting. Parents can also check out books.
When you get some time, please take a moment to stop by our library and
meet our new Library Coordinator, Mavonwe Banerdt, “Ms. Vonnie.” Ms.
Vonnie hopes to create a “kid friendly” library, while teaching students how a
library works so that they may begin their journey into the world of books,
reading and using their imaginations. “Reading is the single most important
thing you can do to prepare for college,” says Ms. Vonnie.
Ms. Vonnie is looking forward to resurrecting the San Rafael Elementary
Library Birthday Book Club. This is your opportunity to give a book to the San
Rafael Elementary Library in honor of your child’s special day!! A label will be
placed in the book with your child’s name and (s)he will be the first to be able to
“check the book out.”
This is a fun way to help our school library and it will give your child a sense of
pride and ownership in our library. If you would like to participate, please see
Ms. Vonnie in the Library.
C E N T E R S T A G E
Love
By: Ixchel Gonzalez
Ixchel Gonzalez is a fifth grader in Ms. Bemiller's class. She
wrote this poem in Ms. Joanna's Poetry Class.
Love is one of the most beautiful things a person can want
Love is what life is meant for
Love can warm anyone’s heart when they’re cold
Love never melts, never cracks, it’s just bold, like steel
and it comes and goes like a train
Love is the gold and treasure everyone is looking for
Love shows what the person really is
Love is something not to be ashamed of, but to be proud of
True love will never let you down,
you just keep in believing
Love is the reason of living
Love will be your best memories

Dear San Rafael Friends and Families:
January has come and gone and I can’t even blame piles of snow for making the month
disappear. I do hope that everyone had a fantastic New Year (and holiday season) and that
your New Year resolutions are still intact. The trick to resolutions – don’t try to focus on too
many things – and definitely come up with a plan for how you are going to reach your goal.
Speaking of goals, at the beginning of the school year, I had a goal of seeing San Rafael develop into a vibrant reading
community. Books have this amazing way of changing the lives of readers and I wanted that for all of our children at the
school. In looking back at the first half of the year (yes, we really are finished with the first semester), I am thrilled with
how we are doing.
Here are some of the things that we have already accomplished:
- Every student and teacher are engaging in reading every day in the classroom – through silent reading, read alouds, and
curriculum oriented reading.
- Thanks to the hard work of Angie Arzili and a team of volunteers, we have had been able to offer nearly every class at
least one Literacy Café experience tied in with a book and/or a special event. And there are even more planned (every
class will receive at least one Café experience).
- Thanks to the hard work of Noeleen Acosta and the PTA, we had our best Book Fair in years. We sold over $6,000 in
books (the school receives 25% of book sales pre-tax).
- Thanks to the help of Noeleen, the PTA, teachers and parents, we held our first Read-A-Thon. Not only was there a
whole lot of reading going on, but we raised nearly $3,000 for the school.
- The school has hosted 3 author events at the school and we have plans for more.
- Our November school-wide Literacy Day (Pajamas and stories on the lawn) was a huge success.
- Thanks to some special monies from the Pasadena Educational Foundation, we now have a part-time Library
Coordinator 2 days per week.
But wait, that’s not all…
- On Friday, March 18, 2011, we are holding another
school-wide Literacy Day. This time we will be focused
on the book, CHALK. (More details to follow).
- March is also Read Across America Day
(Dr. Seuss’ Birthday) and World Read Aloud Day.
Look for information about both of these events.
- We are hoping to host at least 3 more author events.
- And of course more Literacy Cafés.
Despite all of the events and special activities, I am most excited when I see a child with his/her head buried in a book
or when I ask a group of students what they are reading, dozens of hands shoot up eager to share a book title. Of course,
now that we have all this interest and excitement, we need to make sure that we are challenging children to think about
what they are reading and to apply it to various aspects of their life. Remember to ask your children to tell you about
what they are reading and why they like it. Share with them books you loved as a child. Together we will change a little
piece of the world of learning.
Grab a book and read,
Alyson Beecher, Principal
Dodgers win one for San Rafael!
Our Annual Fund committee is very excited to report that the recent Dodgers Dream Game Package was a huge success!
Thanks to all of your hard work selling tickets, we raised over $1,800! Thank you to everyone who bought and/or sold tickets. It
just goes to show you that every $2 counts!
And we’d especially like to thank the Sindici family (daughter Ava is in Kindergarten) for their generous donation of the
Dodgers premium box tickets and Dodgers merchandise.
The cousin of San Rafael parent Jon Acosta (son Amory is in 1 st grade) is the lucky winner of the Dodgers Dream Game
Package.
All proceeds from the sale of the tickets will go to support our wonderful PE program with Coach Clayton.
Look for other exciting raffles coming soon. If you have any ideas to raise money for our Annual Fund, or if you’d like to join
the committee, please contact Emily Mencken (emilymencken@gmail.com).

Restaurant Night Fundraiser
Wed., March 23 at Domenico's
2411 E. Washington Blvd.
Pasadena. Eat-in or Take-out.
Domenico's will donate 20% of your
transaction to our School. You must
have a San Rafael flyer in order for
San Rafael to receive credit for your
purchase. Flyers will be distributed in
your child's Wednesday folder, or
you can print one from our website
at http://sanrafael.pasadenausd.org
ELAC at this months ELAC
meeting, on Friday, March 18,
there will be a speaker from
the district discussing the
different levels our English
Learners go through in order
to become English proficient.
This is a great opportunity to
learn the
O U T A N D A B O U T
Sunny Tales from Around the World:
Children's Storytime with Sunny
Stevenson
Wednesday, March 9, 10:30 am at
San Rafael Branch of the Pasadena
Public Library, 1240 Nithsdale Rd.,
Pasadena 91105 The Pasadena
Museum of History presents a
storytelling series in collaboration
with the Pasadena Public Library, San
Rafael branch. The Museum’s
beloved storyteller Sunny Stevenson
will enthrall her
V O L U N T E E R H A P P E N I N G S
challenges faced by our English
learning students and possibly find
ways you can help with tutoring or
classroom projects.
Some of our Dual Language families
are talking of creating a Dual
Language Advisory committee. If you
are interested please contact Ms.
Sylvia.
Student Volunteers from
Loyola High School
As a part of Loyola High School's Immersion Projects, we had two
high school student volunteers on our campus In January. Every
student at Loyola is required to complete 85 hours of community
service each year. This year, our volunteers spent most of their time in
Mr. Beam's third and fourth grade classroom and Mr. Trejo's class of
"Mr. Jack" is Student Body
President and is considering
teaching as a career. His experience
has shown him that he had taken
teachers for granted and recognizes
the challenges of keeping students
"on target."
listeners with Southern stories
celebrating the region's colorful
history and way of life suitable
for all ages.
37TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE
KITE PRESENTED BY THE
REDONDO PIER ASSOCIATION
AND SUNSHINE KITE CO.
Sun., March 13
100 Fisherman's Wharf, Redondo
Beach, CA 90277
310) 372-0308 (Sunshine Kite Co.)
www.redondopier.com
Our PTA is looking to possibly
create a Programming Chair.
Someone who will help
coordinate the PTA's programs,
such as school spirit days, events
and teacher related programs. If
you are interested, please contact
irene at irene@blackseaink.com
or 626 - 375-6398
"Mr. Patrick" found his time at San
Rafael "interesting". He understands
how difficult teaching can be and
really learned what kids go through.
Volunteer Pass
We are currently making personalized Volunteer Passes for our San Rafael Volunteers as a
fundraiser for the newsletter for $5.00 each. If you would like to place an order, please fill out
the order form in the PTA box in the office or send Irene an e-mail at irene@blackseaink.com.
Parents can also sponsor an Identification card for your child's Teacher. Thank you for your
continued support of the San Rafael News.
There is a sample of the Volunteer Pass in the Office.
Photo By: Brycson

Thanks to All the San Rafael Students, Families, Teachers,
and Staff, our Read-A-Thon was a Huge Success!!!
With over 54,300 pages read and 480 picture books, our students helped to raise over $3,000.
Ms. Maloney's third graders won for most pages read with a total of 16,262 pages. Classrooms received an "I'm a
Star Achiever" certificate and coupon from Souplantation and those who helped raise over $50.00 received Borders
gift certificates.
Our TOP FOUR Readers who
will have lunch with the
author of "Gabby Gator,"
James Burks are: Rachel
Carruthers, Audrey
Bluestone, Zoe Ladeiro and
Emily Marquez.
Our top earners and honorable mention students are: Sam Igler, Anna Bluestone, Judson Pitre, Josie Calva-Despard,
Sophia Tarampi, Penelope Burian, Owen Blanchard, Mena Fagot, Sophia Marshall-Pelayo, Lily Arzili, Natalia Urrutia
Shawver, Evan Zesati, Ben Griffith, Rhea Calva-Despard, Sara Ruiz, Amy Wong, Tristen Upp, Abby Griffith, Ethan
Patterson, Esmerelda Bello, Maia Bowman, Jazmyn Lageman, Chanler Saucier, Greg Krohn, Estaban Navarro, Miriam
Martinez, Jacqueline Gallo, Kelcey Velazquez, Maxine Morales, Lara Ibrahim.
(Commentary)
Fundraising at San Rafael
I had the opportunity of helping out Noeleen, San Rafael’s Fundraising Chair, during the Pumpkin Patch. As we
were setting up and getting ready for our “customers,” I was really impressed with the way she kept deferring any
little hiccup or idea (that was too late to put into action) towards her plans for “next year.”
In the midst of setting up for the Fall Festival, dealing with the logistics of booth placement, power cords, ticket
sales, and the many questions on game and food booth operations, Noeleen kept her cool, poised with a smile on
her face and understanding in her eyes. She tackled each question, issue and crisis, all the while thinking about what
to do differently to make “next year” even better.
Each time I run into Noeleen working on one of San Rafael’s fundraising activities, I am impressed with the way
she paces herself in dealing with each task at hand, all the while with Maelee Rose by her side. What she had time to
do, she did, what was just out of reach, she would add to her list of “next year,” never allowing herself to just
abandon the idea all together.
As we move into Spring, I am looking forward to Noeleen’s enthusiasm and commitment. And as for “next year,”
my only hope is that Noeleen will have a committee of volunteers and maybe some teachers to help and more
importantly to be a part of some really successful and fun activities at San Rafael.
Great job, Noeleen!! Your fund raising efforts have not only been successful, but the programming that goes with
them has been very meaningful to our children.
(This commentary was written in lieu of an article on our Fundraising activities. Articles from volunteers and teachers are
welcome and needed in order to let our San Rafael families know what is going on at our school.)

Maestras Ceja and Ibarra
We are currently studying
about sea life. We went on a
field trip to the aquarium, while
learning the names of sea
animals. We also had a field trip
to Kidspace and learned about
the cycle of a butterfly and the
names of different parts of a
tree. In science, students are
learning what and why items
sink or float, as well as the
stages of liquids. In social
studies, we are learning about
George Washington and
Abraham Lincoln. In math we
are discussing cardinal numbers
and comparing numbers and
amounts for 1-20. We
celebrated Black History Month
while learning about Martin
Luther King Jr. and Ezra Jack
Keats.
In kindergarten, we
recommend students learning
high frequency words in spanish
and english, counting in spanish
to thirty and reviewing
homework, which is review of
what they learned in class.
Thank you for all the parents
who have generously donated
their time on field trips, in the
classroom, donations and
support.
Kinder Dual, Rms. 11 & 12
Debbie Ayala's Kindergarten
students in room 9 are eagerly
learning their high frequency
words! They will proudly point
the words out anywhere they
see them, Kidspace or the Long
Beach Aquarium, our students
point and shout "of!" or "on!"
Our read alouds are early
chapter books by Arnold Lobel.
We have recently begun to
take weekly spelling "tests."
Instead of fearing the test, I tell
the students it is the time to
"show what you know." We
review the words in class and
they practice at home.
To prepare your child for
non-standardized tests, let your
C L A S S R O O M N E W S
child administer the test to you.
For example if they are studying
for a multiplication test, have your
child write up four problems for
you (the parent) to complete. As
you take the test, talk through
your thinking and give it to your
child to correct. They get the
example of watching you focus as
you "test" and the practice of
doing the problems as they
correct them.
Mathleates, we are all proud
of you, do your best!
Kinder, Rm. 9
Mrs. Silk Our current unit is about
maps. We are learning about where
we live on a map, what maps are
used for, what symbols stand for on
maps, and how to make maps.
When preparing for taking tests
in Mrs. silk's class, try to answer the
question before looking at the
choices. Use process of elimination.
For newer first graders, on multiple
choice tests you can only choose
one answer! I also teach them that
there are letters that correspond to
different answers. For spelling
tests, practice writing the words,
spelling them out loud, and use
them in sentences to see them in
context.
Parents can also help prepare
their children by making sure your
child(ren) get(s) plenty of sleep. Eat
proteins for breakfast, not sugars.
First Grade Dual, Rm 3
Ms. Cooper Horn We are preparing
for the Read Across America
afternoon and the Fun Family
Fitness Night- BOTH on March 3!!
When preparing for test taking.
Be prepared!! Look over your
homework, classwork and practice
tests.
GET AT LEAST 8 HOURS of SLEEP!
Eat a good breakfast, and
encourage them, and ask how they
are doing. Even if your child is not
testing this year, get them ready for
testing by getting enough sleep and
eating well. Also, it is very
important all
students are at school on time!!
Stay focused.
First Grade, Rm. 2
Maestra León We started learning
about the accomplishments of
great American heroes: Rosa Parks,
Martin Luther King, Jr., Abraham
Lincoln, Ruby Bridges, and now
César Chávez . Our class is also
learning about communities. We
are discovering ways that we can
contribute to our school and
greater community.
When preparing for testing,
relax. Read questions before
reading the story passage.
Eliminate the silly answers to find
the best one. Get lots of sleep the
night before. Do not give up.
Become familiar with the test
format:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/cs
s05rtq.asp This website shows real
test questions. Ensure children
that if they are calm and follow
directions they can do their best
and show what they have learned.
Our class needs egg cartons for
an art project.
First and Second Grade Dual, Rm. 4
Ms. Pink's We are finishing up our
presentations for our African
American History Project. We will
be having our first Spelling Contest
next month. These are all of the
vocabulary words the students
have learned throughout the year
in their Language Arts.
When taking tests, read the
directions. Underline the
important facts. Underline the
questions. Reread.
Have your child(ren) pretend their
homework is their test. Check if
they are reading the directions.
Check to see if they are going back
and checking each questions. Ask
what your child(ren) is(are) doing
in class. Have your student
become the teacher.
I truly appreciate all of the
support given. It means a lot!
Second Grade, Rm. 8
Continued on next page.

Mrs. Maloney We named our
in class city, "Dreamland." This
is part of our Social Studies unit
on economics.
When preparing for testing,
eat well, sleep well, and trust
your judgment.
Maintain a positive attitude.
Third Grade, Rm. 15
Ms. Bishop 4th Grade Star
Writing preparation is going
very well, students are giving
positive feedback and asking key
questions as they read and edit
each other's work.
When preparing for teasting,
read every prompt or question
twice, highlight key words and
phrases, reread/check your
answers.
In preparing your child(ren)
for testing be sure to provide a
good night's sleep, a healthy
Math Field Day
Sat. March 26 7:30 am - 2 pm.
At Eliot Middle School,
2184 N. Lake Ave., Altadena, CA
91001. Good Luck to our 4th and
5th Graders!!
If you would like to show your
support, we are collecting
donations of bottled water, bagels,
and juice for our San Rafael
students. Please contact Ms. Sylvia
or the office to make arrangements.
Congratulations to Daniel
Ardon on becoming a big
brother to Diego, DOB 10-27-10
weighing in at 7 pounds, 10
ounces and measuring 20 3/4
inches.
A special thanks to
Mrs. Cooper Horn and Mrs.
Silk we had a great time at
Family Fitness Fun Night!!
important all
CLASSROOM NEWS
breakfast, and a big hug before
they come to school.
In preparation for Math Field
Day, my class has been working
with Miss Emily for the past 2
weeks. They are very excited, and
their knowledge is also reflected in
their classroom work. YAY for
Miss Emily!
Fourth Grade, Rm. 17
Ms. Bemiller The fifth graders
are getting ready to take their
Physical Fitness Exam, learning
about figurative language and U. S.
history.
When preparing for testing,
read all of the directions, read all
of the choices, use all of your
strategies and do not rush.
Have your student explain what
they are learning to you. Have
them teach you the test taking
strategies-it helps them to explain
CLASSROOM ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fifth Grade Physical
Fitness Test
All 5th graders must take
their physical fitness test.
Testing will take place
throughout March.
California Standards
Test, CST's will take
place, May 2 - 13 for all 2nd,
3rd, 4th and 5th graders.
STUDENT SHOUT OUTS
A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! to all the
March birthdays. Parents, don't
forget we have our Birthday
Book Club in the San Rafael
Library. You can now purchase
personalized books for your
child and their book will become
a part of our permanent
collection. This is a great
reminder and keepsake of their
special day as they become a
part of our library.
what they know.
We have some really great
math students who are working
with Aram to get ready for
Math Field Day. They really know
their math and they will do a great
job representing San Rafael!
Fifth Grade, Rm. 14
Ms. Warburton Supporting 4th
grade teachers as they prepare for
the March CST writing exam!
Plan your time; organize how you
will answer the question using a
thinking map
Get a good night's sleep; eat a
good breakfast; lots of
conversation and reading with
your children on a wide variety of
topics.
RSP/Inclusion, Rm. B-5
Science Fair Volunteers are needed to
make this year's Science Fair a
success!! Please contact Alyson
Beecher if you would like to help out
with set-up, judging, etc.
Car Line Please be sure not to park in
the car line, this area is set up for the
safety of our children so that they
may be dropped off and safely exit
their vehicles. Parked cars in this area
jeopardizes the safety of our children.
A super huge SHOUT OUT to ALL
OUR SAN RAFAEL STUDENTS!!!
Testing is coming up and I am
hoping everyone comes to
school prepared and ready to
show us what you have learned.
Please be sure to get lots of rest
and eat a well-balanced
breakfast. Try to jog to class from
your car or the bus and on your
way from the cafeteria. Have fun
doing your best!!!