Project Linus

Dear parents,

We are just starting to organize for the Winter Fun Fest class party on Dec.20. As an opportunity to give to others in need, we are going to make fleece blankets  and donate them to Project Linus.

If any of you have clean fleece you would like to donate, please let Rona Brodrick know.  Minimum size is about 45" x 60".

 Your help is greatly appreciated. ;)

Wanna Ski for Free....Read on!

Fifth graders can now ski free every weekend at Bear Valley. This special pass gives access to all lifts every weekend for skiing and snowboarding beginning January 4, 2014. That adds up to 28 days of pure mountain fun—all for free. All 5th grade students maintaining a “C” average or above are eligible to apply; some restrictions apply, documentation is required (see rules below).
Download Application
Download Liability Release
The deadline to apply for a 2013-2014 5^th Grade Season Pass is January 31st, 2014. Please make sure you are signed up by this time so don’t you will miss out!
5^th Grade Season Pass Rules
The 2014 BearValleyMountain 5th GradeSeasonPass entitles the pass holder to complimentary lift access at BearValleyMountain during the 2013/14 season. These passes are subject to the terms and conditions as set forth below.
The pass is valid for lift access at BearValleyMountain only. Pass is valid on Saturday’s and Sunday’s only beginning Jan 4, 2014 and ending April 13, 2014 or when the ski area closes for the season, whichever occurs first. Pass is not valid on any weekday (Monday-Friday).
All 5^th grade students maintaining a “C” average or better are eligible to apply. Proper documentation required, including a copy of current first term report card and proof of age (passport or birth certificate).
The Pass or use of the Pass may not be transferred or re-sold to any other person, including family members or relatives.
Pass MUST BE presented to gain lift access. Replacement tickets WILL NOT BE ISSUED for forgotten pass........................................

Go to the following site for more info...
http://www.bearvalley.com/bear-blog/5th-graders-ski-free/

TRAVEL EXtravaganza-Get Me Out of San Jose

Please join us this Friday at 10:30 a.m. in your child's room for their travel presentations. They have worked so hard researching their state, flights, travel, lodging, food and activities. Come by and help support their great achievements!!

Message From Project Cornerstone.......

Message From Project Cornerstone:

We will be discussing BIG by Coleen Paratore. It's a new book...BIG goes beyond the basics to show that size is more than a matter of height. Touching on ideas such as health, citizenship, and imagination, this book can be the key to heartfelt dialogue between children and caregivers about the importance of values over valuables.

As part of this book, we, as a school, are going to collect leftover/surplus Halloween candy. We will be sending the candy to  military overseas.

Thanks for your support! :)

Message about Attendance

A Message from the Office Regarding Attendance

 

If you are planning a trip and your child will be absent for more than 4 school days, you MUST contact the school office at least 10 school days in advance to make arrangements for an Independent Study. Without an Independent Study, students who are absent for an unexcused reason for more than 4 days will be dis-enrolled from Country Lane. Don't let this happen to your child! Contact the office at 408-874-3400 as soon as you know your child will be missing school. Thank you!

District Speech Contest is HERE!

The District Speech Contest is here! The theme this year is "Speak Out: A Time When One Person's Voice Had a Lasting Impact." We are holding our school-wide contest on Monday, November 18th. We will need one girl and one boy from each classroom to take part in this. We are looking for volunteers to represent our class! Our classroom contest will be on Wednesday, November 13th. Sign up with your teacher if you are interested in participating.

*Students identified as GATE are strongly encouraged to give this a try :)

School Site Council

Country Lane
School Site Council The purpose of a School Site Council (SSC) is to develop a proposed Single Plan for Student Achievement and thereafter submit the plan to the School Board, for approval. Upon approval, the SSC monitors the implementation of the Single Plan. The Education Code requires that each year Country Lane’s parents vote-in parent members. The Council meets four times a year (usually) Tuesdays, from 3-4:15pm, at the media center. This year the Country Lane SSC is looking for two parent-members to serve for a period of two years. If interested please send your name and contact information to Denise Roue at denise@theroues.com by Sept 20, 2013.

Wanna be a Science Camp Chaperone?

 

Call Out for Science Camp Chaperones

September is our recruiting month for Science Camp!  If you would like a week away from your usual schedule, no cooking, no carpooling,.... then I have an offer for you.  Enjoy a beautiful week along the Marin Coast with 120 kids and 5 lovely teachers! For details of parent responsibilities, go to www.naturebridge.org.  I am happy to answer any questions you may have. The cost is $160 (and you get a cool t-shirt!). We will have a lottery in October for our lucky volunteers.  We need 2 moms and 2 dads for each classroom.

Science Fair Survey

Dear Parents,

Please take a moment to complete this survey about the Science Fair. We are collecting data of how best to plan for January 29th. This link will be available until September 20th :)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lL2mBdnIFAmEx6MJprJ0Aa7ykI-oTbygkHThrUM5UxM/viewform

AR Info. Continued

A Parent's Guide to Renaissance Home Connect http://doc.renlearn.com/kmnet/Roo4122911GhD622.pdf. Use www.arbookfind.com to search for AR quizzes and levels.

AR Info.

Hi 5th Grade Families - As you may have read in the Colt or heard from your 5th grader, you now have access to AR information at home. Although students will continue taking quizzes only on Country Lane computers, parents and students can now monitor progress at home using the following link: Http://hosted83.renlearn.com/284036/HomeConnect Thank you to the Home and School Club for purchasing this new web-based version of Accelerated Reader!

Pool Party Info.

What to bring:
*Towel
*Sunscreen
*Extra Clothes to change into
*Goggles (optional)
*Hat and sunglasses (optional)

What NOT to bring:
*Pool Toys
*Electronic devices

**Please wear your bathing suit tomorrow to school. Wear an outfit over it.
Come prepared to have a wonderful time with your 5th grade fellow students... ;)

Helpful Sites for State Report

*www.50states.com
           *bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/state
           *kids.usa.gov/learn-about-the-states
           *enchantedlearning.com/usa/states
           *primarygames.com/states/start.htm
           *

Fun Activities Coming YOUR Way....

Saturday, May 4 at 1:00, is CL Day at the Earthquakes

For each ticket sold, CL receives $5.  Tickets are $20 each and orders must be received by this Thursday, April 25.  Order forms are available in the office.

Saturday, April 27, at Santa Clara High School Theatre, come enjoy CL students performing School House Rock.  Showtimes are 4:00 and 7:00 and tickets are available at the Scrip table in the morning or in the school office all day.  $10 for adults and $5 for children up to age 12.

Clothing Drive for Local Shelter

Cornerstone is holding a clothing drive for a local shelter (some of you have probably seen posters around the school) all the way until the end of April!


DETAILS:

*All donations should be bagged up and placed in the office.

*Donations include: used clothing (we ALL have some of that), small household items, and toiletries (new please!!Need I remind you)

*Even one pair of socks would help. Remember, anything helps....... 

What to Bring on the 1st Day.....

Back Pack should have the following:
*water bottle
*sunscreen
*lip balm
*tissues
*wipes
*large plastic baggie
*small plastic baggie
(put small plastic baggie inside large one with babywipes, tp, and small hand sanitizer)
*rain gear ONLY IF RAIN IS PREDICTED ON MONDAY
*journal in plastic baggie (the one you left on your desk)
*bandana
*bag lunch- completely disposable

Wear the following:
*hiking boots
*dry socks
*long pants
*long sleeve shirt
*5th grade t-shirt (the green one)over the long-sleeve shirt
*warm jacket
*hat (beanie for cold/cap)


If you get car sick "sea bands" can be purchased at Target for $10

REMEMBER TO BRING A BOOK on MONDAY......

Science Camp Packing List......

Required Clothing and Equipment

This list is for all HI participants.  While going through the list, keep in mind the number of days you will be at our campus.  Check off item once it’s packed.  Great places to find these items:  REI, Any Mountain, The Sports Basement (on Stevens Creek), Mel Cottons, Sports Authority, The Mountain View Army Supply (on Bascom) 

PLEASE LABEL EVERY SINGLE ITEM WITH YOUR CHILD’S NAME ON IT!

WATERPROOF EVERYTHING!

Required for Hiking Day

__        Lunch from home on the first day only.

__        Day pack – large enough for lunch, jacket, rain gear, journal and water bottle

__        Water Bottle – unbreakable, leak-proof one quart (or more) plastic bottle without a straw -  Drinking water bottles (e.g. Calistoga, Evian, etc) are fine.

__        Rain gear – complete rain jacket and pants (coated nylon is best)

__        Sunscreen – SPF 30 or higher

__        Lip balm with SPF (avoid “Chapstick” brand)

__        Hats – (1) for sun protection, (1) for warmth

__        Gloves

__        Foot gear – sturdy, ankle supporting and waterproofed for hiking.  Break in at least one month prior to your trip and make sure students have practiced tying them.

__        Jacket – stuffable nylon or thick fleece is a good choice

__        Inhaler if you need it while hiking

__        Emergency “I have to go the bathroom out in the wilderness” Kit: (2) Gallon-sized Ziplock baggies, (4-5) One quart baggies, handsanitizer, travel-sized bathroom wipes, travel-sized tissue

__        (Pencil and journal to be provided by your teacher)

__        Bandana scarf (lunch placemat on our daily hikes)

Required for Overnight (after 4 p.m.)

__        Foot gear – in addition to the hiking pair, bring a pair of rubber-soled tennis shoes to wear on campus

__        Warm sleeping bag and pillow (sheet and thick blankets are fine) – pack in a large garbage bag –practice rolling it up!

__        Long pants – bring at least (3) extra pair

__        Shirts – (4-5) are needed, long sleeve are best to accommodate the changes in weather.

__        Warm layers- (2-3) sweat shirts (in case of rain)

__        Socks and underwear – one pair per day plus one extra (a few thick hiking socks if possible)

__        Pajamas or equivalent (sweats, etc.)

__        Toiletries – comb or brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc. (travel bottles best – label w/name)

__        Bath towel and washcloth

__        Sandals to wear in the shower

__        Personal medications, as needed (please fill out the medication form provided, place in a Ziplock baggie with your child’s name labeled clearly – give to child’s teacher the morning of departure)

__        (2 -3) extra large plastic garbage bags – 1 for sitting on in case of rain, 1 for repacking sleeping bag and pillow/dirty clothes

__        Rolling suitcase suggested– students will need to carry all of their own gear

Optional

__        One twin-sized fitted sheet (highly recommended)

__        Sunglasses

__        Camera (disposable is best in case of rain)

__        Stuffed animal/picture from home

__        Alarm clock (adults only)

__        Flash light (adults only)

DO NOT BRING

·         CANDY, SODAS, OR EXTRA FOOD OF ANY KIND (except for lunch on the first day) If you have special dietary needs, please contact your child’s teacher

·         Electrical or batter powered equipment:  cell phones, video games, CD players, iPods, etc.  (adult chaperons may bring lap tops and cell phones)

Incoming Parent Night for Moreland Middle School

Don't miss this informational night about Moreland Middle School
 When:  Jan. 23
 Where:  MMS M.U. Room
 Time:  6:00 p.m.

Tour Dates:  Feb 5 or Feb. 12  (Please RSVP at least 2 days in advance)
Please call 874-3301 to sign up for the info night and/or tour

*5th Grade Showcase visit has been planned for March 15 (we will take a bus over for the visit)

********************************************************************************
EDS Tours:  Please call 874-3501 to schedule the informational coffe and classroom tours

T.Y.

Welcome Back!
Just wanted to Thank room 30 for the wonderful classroom gift. I definitely love shopping at Macy's and REI. Thank You for your thoughtfulness. Hope each and everyone of you had a wonderful winter break. Happy 2013! ~~ Miss B. ;}

Registration for Science Camp

Dear 5th Grade Parents,

  Before you know it, Science Camp will be here. We would like to thank you for completing your child’s registration form and sending in camp fees.
  Winter break was an excellent opportunity to start breaking in hiking boots. Students need time to break them in before our camp week. You should have received the packing list with the registration form. You may also view this list on our class blog sites. We have attached the Headlands Institute Retail Items which you can purchase via fax form or email.

  Over winter break was an ideal time to have your child participate in sleepovers. Some students have never experienced sleeping away from home. Your child will also benefit from you teaching them how to roll up a sleeping bag and packing their own bag. Hopefully your child had a chance to practice rolling up their sleeping bag over the holiday break which will certainly relieve anxiety during Science Camp week.

  Mark your calendars for a mandatory parent meeting that will be held on January 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Multi-Use Room at Country Lane. The following information will be covered:
*A slide show from last year’s camp experience
*Discuss our daily agenda and activities
*Safety precautions
*Previous parent chaperones and 5th graders will share their experiences
*Answer questions from the audience Science Camp is truly the highlight of your child’s elementary experience.

  This is our 17th year participating at the Marin Headlands Institute camp. You can check out their website at www.naturebridge.org. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Kim Grove
Nicole Bustillos
Linda Levitz
Kelly Enrico