Ross Valley School District

Wildcat Wrap 10.19.2018

cadriatico@rossvalleyschools.org (Cary Adriatico) — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 20:16:27 +0000

Weekend Wildcat Wrap

October

Thur., 10/18 Family Art Night 6:00pm-8:00pm

Tues., 10/23 Site Council 3:45pm

Iron Springs Night

Fri., 10/26 Masquerade Concert 7:00pm

End of Quarter 1

Fri., 11/2 7th Grade Dance

News and Reminders

Buzz on campus from Ms Mac

We have been busy at White Hill!

It is somewhat amazing that our first quarter has come and gone already. It has been a blast getting to watch all of the fun and engaging learning opportunities that our students are participating in each and every day.

To name just a bit of what is happening today- many of our 6th grade students have been designing insulated lunch boxes that will keep a middle schooler’s lunch cold or hot, focusing on the scientific principles of radiation, conduction and/or convection, and keeping in mind the middle school consumer’s needs for both functionality and design.

7th grade students are taking a close look at how chemical reactions play out in our everyday lives. If you have a clogged drain, they are ready with vinegar and baking soda!

If you have an 8th grade student, you may not want to be using a tablecloth at dinner for a bit.

Our 8th graders are beginning to discover Newton’s 1st Law of Inertia. What better way to figure this out than the classic tablecloth removal experiment. Keep that fine china tucked away…..

And beyond our core academic classrooms, our AVID students were able to take a field trip to Drake last week where they worked hand in hand with high school AVID students developing an organizational plan for note-taking and binders.

I look forward to sharing more of our day to day activities at White Hill in upcoming Wildcat Wraps.

Have a great weekend- Ms Mac

Art Department

The Art Rooms are Desperate for Newspaper! When we say desperate, we're not exaggerating! Please send in your recycled newspapers as often as you can. We will be so grateful. Newspapers can be left in the office or outside rooms 501 & 502. Thank you!

Yearbook

Reminder:

The window for ordering your child's 2019 White Hill yearbook is NOW. Please don't delay. Every year we have families reaching out to us in January shocked and disappointed that they've missed the order window. They are on sale NOW and only until Dec 21st. Yearbooks cannot be ordered after that date. Order yours online today! Online price is $40.00 http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A00597768?

The Yearbook & Graphic Arts elective class has been out and about capturing events on campus and they're designing a book that your student will look forward to receiving on Yearbook Distribution Day in early June. Yearbooks are hard-cover, all full color photographs, and include pages for autographs.

Forgotten if you've already ordered? Check your email for a confirmation from Jostens. Students can also check the order list posted on a bulletin board outside room 201 in the main quad.

Prefer to order by check? There is a $5 processing fee for check purchases which brings to cost to $45.00. Save this fee and order online! If writing a check, use the attached order form and return to the WH office. Forms are also available in the WH office.

Financial assistance (partial scholarships and a limited number of full scholarships) are available for families in need. For financial assistance information, please see the attached form and return to the WH office.

Attention: New info from our portrait photographer MugsyClicks:

White Hill Middle School

Due Date for choosing your child's "yearbook portrait pose" is 10/20/2018

FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS:

1) Log in/Create a MugsyClicks.com account.

2) Choose your favorite image from this year’s portraits*

3) Click on Yearbook Indicator on this image (small blue circle).

Need access code for this year’s portrait gallery? Click Here!

(We will email back to you within 24 hours, M-F)

*if your child had a reshoot you are responsible for letting our Yearbook and Graphic Arts teacher know your image selection from the two galleries (original photo or retake). Send an email about this to Emma Beauchamp. Any other questions about MugsyClicks photos and gallery need to be directed to them through their website.

Questions about ordering yearbooks? Contact Yearbook & Graphic Arts teacher, Emma Beauchamp. emmab@rossvalleyschools.org

White Hill TV Episode 1

7th and 8th grade students from Miss Skinner's 2nd period Design Lab class have been creating video reports to share with White Hill students and parents. They spent several weeks analyzing what makes a good video and how they can make educational content entertaining, as well as writing, recording and editing short video reports. In addition, they got experience running a live TV studio thanks to the folks in the education department of Marin TV. White Hill TV was recorded live in studio with the students running the show - both behind the scenes and in front of the camera!

Please follow this link to enjoy the very first episode of White Hill TV and stay tuned at the end of October for episode 2!

White Hill Binder Hospital

Binder Hospital is a special support program on campus where kids can access help year round with organization and staying on top of their middle school assignments and experience. We welcome ALL kids and work as an extra “intervention” as kids navigate adolescence and the structure of Middle School. We recognize that middle school and staying on top of work can present challenges for some kids and being there for them during this time is critical. We look forward to working with your student. To give you a better understanding of our program, here’s the who, what, when, why and where of Binder Hospital:

•❏ Binder Hospital is made up of 5+ parent volunteers who work Tuesdays and Thursdays during Lunch and Advisory Period with students.

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•❏ Kids can self refer, be referred by parents, or referred by their teacher, school administrator or academic counselor. We work closely with the teachers and school counselors who identify kids who are struggling at grade reporting periods, report card time, through parent conferences and throughout the year. Our goal is to meet with any student needing our help and especially those scoring below C grades at White Hill. We feel this proactive intervention check in helps.

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•❏ Kids who come to Binder Hospital sometimes struggle with organization, not getting HW in on time or in at all, feel overwhelmed in their learning environment, need extra support outside of the classroom or want a safe and welcoming place to go and do work during lunch and advisory period.

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•❏ We provide complimentary pencils and a piece of candy to ANY student who comes to visit us and for kids who are in need of supplies, we can provide those as well.

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•❏ Because we rely solely on a grant from the White Hill Parent Club to pay for our supplies, we have to limit the amount of supplies we are able to provide. So if you are able to provide for your own child’s supplies....we greatly appreciate that.

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•❏ You can find us during the week either in the White Hill Learning Center or in the school Library.

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•❏ Since we started the program 6 years ago, we average seeing over 150+ kids annually. Some kids come in for a visit or two and some see us all year round.

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•❏ We are 100% volunteer .... Nobody gets paid. We do this AND continue to do this because we value what this program does for kids AND we love working with and seeing all kids thrive at WH.

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•❏ All kids learn about Binder Hospital through an in-class presentation their first month of 6th grade. We work closely with staff to determine who needs our help most all year round.

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•Ask your child if they are familiar with Binder Hospital and if he/she needs to come in and see us.....please have them drop in or make an appointment with WH School Counselor, Michele Pelton at mpelton@rossvalleyschools.org. . For additional information, feel free to email Lisa Graham at birdygraham@yahoo.com Susan Lund @susan.lund@mac.com

Parent Club Update

??? 7TH GRADE DANCE - 11/2

We’re looking for 2 volunteers to co-chair the 7th Grade Dance on November 2nd. **

Do you embarrass your kids singing too loud in the car? Do they know your name at karaoke bars? Do people catch you dancing at Safeway? This is a fun event to chair! And the perk this year? There are NO tickets to sell. Woohoo! Your donation to Parent Club made school events like this happen.

A Sign-Up Genius has been created for volunteers to bake goodies.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EA9A92BA2FB6-white

** We are encouraging 6TH & 8TH GRADE parents to volunteer. 7th Grade parents can repay the favor for another dance. Let’s face it, your kids don’t want to see their parents at THEIR dance.

Bus Safety from Marin Transit

October 22 – 26 is National School Bus Safety Week! Here are a few school bus safety reminders for student riders and parent drivers in the Ross Valley area.

Parent Drivers:

• Be alert when out on the road and look for students and buses

• Stop when the school bus flashes its red lights (except when on the other side of a divided or multi lane road)

Student Riders:

• Be at the bus stop 5 minutes early

• When waiting at the bus stop stay away from the road and traffic

• Stay seated when the bus is in motion

• Buses stop on the East and West side of Butterfield to eliminate students needing to cross this busy road.

Use the stop on the same side of the street as your origin/destination.

Parent Education Opportunities

Another Parent Education Opportunity

Join us for this upcoming parent education program, sponsored by Redwood, Tam, Drake, Fusion Academy and Mill Valley Aware on 10/30!

Dr. Christine Carter - “Skills teens need for happiness, productivity, and elite performance—and how parents can help”

DINE & DONATE! WHITE HILL NIGHT IS NEXT TUESDAY, OCT. 23RD! WHO ARE OUR CELEBRITY WAITERS?!?

Tuesdays in October - dine at Iron Springs in Fairfax and 10% of your bill goes to YES! This month YES Poetry is highlighted!

OCT 23 - White Hill Night - look for celebrity waiters!

OCT 30 - Wear your Halloween costume

PARTIES WITH PURPOSE

NOV 3 - Pub Trivia Night at the Log Cabin

NOV 29 - Totally 80s Barre & Bubbly at The Dailey Method

DEC 7 - Family Dance Party at Marin Power Yoga

Do you want to host a party? Click here to get started!

FAMILY GIVING

Our fall fundraising challenge is coming soon! Get a head start… donate now!

Learn more about YES at www.yestokids.org.

YES! SPORTS

There is a mandatory parent meeting on Tuesday, October 30 at 6:00pm at the White Hill library if your student is interested in trying out for the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade girls or boys basketball teams. You will have the chance to learn about White Hill’s athletic philosophy and expectations. Practice and game schedule will be discussed and you will be able to meet the basketball coaches.

If you have questions, please contact Athletic Director, Mark Parnow at markparnow@gmail.com.

Change for Good Weekend is almost here! Join Children for Change on October 27 & 28 for a weekend of doing good and helping those in need! Make a difference with your actions by volunteering for any of the many events Children for Change has planned including bake sales for the hungry, making sandwiches and shower kits for the homeless, restoring the grasslands at Ring Mountain and more! Join your community as we collectively make a difference in the lives of many with just a few hours of action. Let’s create some change for good together!

Many events are full...consider one of the following fun activities and sign up today before they’re all sold out! Interested? Sign up here! Learn more about C4C at www.children4change.org.

•Oct 27: Ring Mountain Restoration with Marin County Parks

•Oct 27: Ideas to Action (Help students bring ideas to life)

•Oct 27: Bake Sale for Hunger at United Market in San Anselmo (Bakers needed!)

•Oct 28: Back Sale for Hunger at United Market in San Rafael (Bakers needed!!)

•Oct 28: Make Shower Kits (Donate Supplies!) & Sack Lunches (Donate Supplies!) for the Homeless

Matt Catanzarite

Principal

White Hill Middle School

Wildcat Wrap 9.7.2018

cadriatico@rossvalleyschools.org (Cary Adriatico) — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 02:47:37 +0000

September

Tues., 9/18 Site Council Meeting (Library)3:45pm

Thurs., 9/20 Taco and Bingo Night for 6th Grade (Gym)6:00pm

Fri., 9/21 Coffee Chat with the Principal (Library)9:00am

Mon., 9/24 Spirit Day-Peace and Love (Hippie) Day

Fri., 9/28 Spirit Day-Crazy Hair and Sock Day

Fun Run Day

Quarter 1 Progress Reports

News and Reminders

Thank You

Thank you to all that attended yesterday’s Back to School Night. A special thank you to the many parents for the wonderful dinner that was provided for the faculty.

Coffee Chat

The first coffee chat with the principal for the 2018-2019 school year will take place at 9:00am on Friday, September 21. The day and time of the monthly chat will vary throughout the year. If you have a schoolwide concern or conversation point, please feel free to attend.

Site Council

Thank you to all that showed interest in representing the 6th grade on Site Council. 6th grade parents will receive an email in the near future to vote for the 6th grade representatives. The first Site Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 18 at 3:45pm in the WH Library. All parents are welcome to attend.

Lost and Found

Our lost and found is located around the corner from the main office. Students can check there for lost items. We are accumulating quite a stash already and all unclaimed lost and found will be donated at the end of each month.

Did Your Student Forget Something at Home?

In an effort to minimize classroom interruptions with forgotten items such as; lunches, PE clothes, Chromebooks, homework, etc., students should check the office in between class and breaks for their forgotten items. This will also be communicated to the students in the daily bulletin.

Yearbook

For your convenience, White Hill 2019 yearbooks are on sale NOW at the start of the school year. Order your child's yearbook from home today using the online link below. 45% of our students have already ordered.

Order yours today! The special price is $40.00 using this online link:

http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A00597768?

The yearbook is a long time tradition here at White Hill and it is entirely student-designed by 7th & 8th graders in the Yearbook & Graphic Arts elective class. Our goal is to feature photographs of all White Hill students (6th, 7th, and 8th), and to capture images of the fun events on our campus throughout the year. Yearbooks are hard-cover, all full color photographs, and include pages for autographs. They are a fabulous keepsake and make a great gift for your student.

Our Wildcats look forward to Yearbook Signing Day in early June and close to 100% of our students participate with a book that has been pre-ordered for them. The order window is open from Aug 17 until Dec 21 (the last school day before Winter Break). Sorry, yearbooks cannot be ordered after that date. Please order your copy today! Check out the attached form for full instructions.

White Hill Yearbook Financial Assistance Request Form

Instructions on how to order a yearbook

Any questions please contact Yearbook & Graphic Arts teacher- Emma Beauchamp at: emmab@rossvalleyschools.org

Updates from YES at White Hill

The YES Foundation raises money to fund award-winning enrichment programs in the Ross Valley School District - art, music, poetry, STEAM, theater and more - all kids in RVSD benefit from YES!

GIVE TO YES!

Visit yestokids.org/donate to make your family’s annual YES donation! Donate now or schedule automatic monthly payments - the $900 suggested annual contribution is just $90 a month through June! Please donate - Family Giving raises 80% of the funding for YES!

YES! CADDYSHACK

Join us October 6th for an adults-only Caddyshack-inspired golf tournament and afterparty! Don't miss out on the biggest YES fundraising event of the year* - mark your calendars, schedule your babysitter, and get your tickets now at yescaddyshack.bpt.me.

Not a golfer? Not a problem! This is a fun, 9 hole scramble format tournament with many advantages available, anyone can play. Still not interested in golf? Then join us to welcome the golfers back to the club house, for cocktails, dinner and dancing.

YES! THEATER

Calling all thespians and techies: YES theater registration is open! Click here to check out the the 18-19 YES Theater season lineup and register your child to act (grades 3-8) or provide tech (grades 4-8).

YES! SPORTS AND CLUBS

Middle school clubs start next week, September 10th! Parents/Guardians received an email earlier this week with the listing. It is also attached to this newsletter. Please review with your student to see what they are interested in attending. Students may attend as many clubs as they like. There are many new offerings! Thanks to all the teachers who lead these amazing clubs.

Sports

Permission slips are needed for all sports! Please bring one to the first practice. If you do not bring a permission slip, you will not be able to practice, participate in meets/games, or receive a jersey. Forms are available in the office.

Boys Volleyball Club will start on Monday September 10th. It will be held in the gym every Monday from 3:40-5:40pm and led by Michele Pelton. Boys from all grades and any experience level can participate. The club will run until the end of October.

Mountain Biking Club will start on Thursday, September 13th from 3:30-5:30pm. You must have a permission slip to ride! Meet our parent leaders, Matt Adams, Justin Sobieraj, and Markham Connolly by the PE lockers.

Girls Volleyball

Information on the game schedule will be forthcoming in the week or so. 8th grade will start next week on Sept. 11th (5:00-6:30).

The regular practice schedule is:

6th grade: Coach Brandon Carr.

Tuesday's's from 3:30-5:00pm and Wednesday's from 2:30-4:00pm.

7th grade: Coach Shannon Powers.

Monday's from 6:15pm-7:45pm and Wednesday's from 4:00pm-5:30pm.

8th grade: Coach Pete Gubbins. Tuesday's and Thursday's from 5:00-6:30pm. Please note the time change from last weeks newsletter.

Cross Country has started. Coaches John Richard and James Spielman practice on Monday's from 3:30-5:00pm starting at the White Hill Field.

After School Sport Permission Slip

Yes sponsored White Hill Fall Clubs

C4C Meetings Start 9/11/18! Join us!

C4C is super excited to start up meetings again on Tuesday, September 11th in Room 412 at lunchtime! Students from all grades welcome ( parents too!!) We have an amazing year of FUN, inspiration and GOOD ahead! C4C’ers will learn about others in their world who could use a helping hand, how to use their skills and heart to create change and become confident and empathetic leaders empowered to go out and make a difference! Get a taste of C4CHERE!

Click below to view the Student Handbook.

White Hill Student Handbook

Wildcat Wrap 6.1.2018

cadriatico@rossvalleyschools.org (Cary Adriatico) — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 02:40:23 +0000

June

Mon., 6/4 5th Grade Moving up Day at WH 11:00 - 12:15

Tues., 6/5 Teacher Appreciation Day (see below)

Mon., 6/11 Yearbook Distribution and Activities

Tues., 6/12 Grade level field trips

Wed., 6/13 Graduation rehearsal 9:00 - noon

Tentative meet/greet the new principal 5:00 pm

Thurs., 6/14 Graduation rehearsal (if necessary)

Graduation ceremony 5:00 - 6:30 pm

Fri., 6/15 Teacher work day

August

Mon., Aug. 20 7th and 8th grade orientation activities

Tues., Aug. 21 6th grade orientation activities

Wed., Aug. 22 First day of classes

News

Matt Catanzarite - White Hill’s New Principal

Matt Catanzarite, White Hill’s new principal will be in town from June 12-15. His schedule is being finalized. Matt will be visiting White Hill, attending several activities during the week, and will meet with staff, students, and parents. We are planning a formal meet and greet with our parent community, tentatively scheduled on Wed., June 13 at 5:00 pm.

August Back to School Activities

We are finalizing the orientation activities for 6th, 7th and 8th grade families scheduled on Monday, August 20 and Tuesday, August 21. This is what to expect.

7th and 8th grade familiesAppointments on Monday, August 20

6th grade families Appointments on Tuesday, August 21

All families will be scheduled to go through a series of stations including: PE Uniform, Bus Pass, School Photo, YES Foundation, and Parent Club fundraising. At the final station, the student schedule will be available for pick up. It is our expectation that students are accompanied by a parent/guardian to complete this process.

An important feature of this new activity will be the fundraising station. It is our goal that fundraising requests be straightforward and transparent. There will be only one “ask” at the beginning of the year. It will include the request from the Parent Club, for field trips, and the Yearbook. The ask for 8th grade will also include the costs associated with the graduation. In other words, we will not ask for more money during the school year. Rather, this will be a one time request to support school activities. In two weeks, we will announce the specific amount to be requested. Please note that this one time “ask” will not include elective items such as: the PE uniform, music festivals, Washington DC trip, World Languages trips, and Bus Pass.

Seventh Grade Families - McNears Beach Field Trip Help Needed

The time has come to celebrate this year's hard work. Seventh grade teachers have planned an end-of-the-year trip to McNears Beach in San Rafael on Tuesday, June 12 for all 7th grade students. This is an opportunity for students to kick-back, socialize with friends, and swim at the pool, and a great way to wrap up the school year!

We will be providing a grilled lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers, and are requesting families to volunteer to bring sides including salads, desserts, drinks, and other supplies. If your family is able to provide any of these items, please sign up on Sign-Up Genius: https://bit.ly/2xszPMu If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Miss Vidal (bvidal@rossvalleyschools.org).

Parent Club/Sports Basement Fundraising Collaboration - June 18

The soon-to-be-open Novato Sports Basement is ahead of schedule and looking at a "soft opening" date of June 1st. They anticipate having 80% - 85% of their total inventory on hand at that time. The Sports Basement is also inviting White Hill families, staff, and supporters for a "sneak peek" shopping party on June 18 and will be offering 20% off on in-store purchases.

In addition to the above perk, by signing up for the Sports Basement Loyalty Program and choosing White Hill as your profit-sharing beneficiary, our Parent Club will be able to generate more funds for important school programs such as: 1-1 Chromebook program, teacher grants, staff appreciation, and more. Please check out the flyer below for more information related to this great opportunity for our school.

Teacher Appreciation

The end of the year is approaching and so is our final teacher appreciation day. It’s next Tuesday, June 5^th which is also LOCAL MERCHANT GIFT CARD/PARENT CHOICE day so really anything goes. Some of you signed up a while ago. Please check the SignUp Genius below to confirm your commitments. We still have some teachers with no sign ups. If your child has any of the following teachers, please help: McConneloug, Wilson, Wagner, Newcomb, Noyer, Barde, Desmond, O’Reilly http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4bacad2f4-white

Finally, we’ve attached our ‘teacher favorites’ list to inspire gift ideas. Some teachers are missing as we did not receive responses from all. Feel free to send gifts to school with your child, drop off in the office, or email gift cards directly to teachers. Thanks for all your support this year! We’ve heard that this program really has made a real difference and that the teachers are feeling the love. We’ll be back next year with a modified program – quarterly appreciation days spread throughout the year. Thanks for your support. Paula Connelly & Susan Lund

Reminders

School Supplies 2018-19

Next year's school supply kits are available for purchase online at www.shopttkits.com. Use account# 82500. Please note that families requesting scholarship supplies from the school will be provided these items at no cost. Please contact cadriatico@rossvalleyschools.org for a school supply scholarship. Happy shopping! The deadline to order kits is June 1st. The kits will be mailed home by August 3^rd.

Library News

With 6 weeks left of school and lots of books circulating, please be reminded that all library books are due back the day after Memorial Day - May 29th. All paperback and reading partner books that were required reading for a class assignment are due back no later than the Friday of the same week - June 1. All textbooks will be collected and accounted for by June 1 or earlier by teachers. Students who have overdue books or outstanding fines risk Loss of Privileges such as not receiving a yearbook for the signing activity, or being unable to attend grade level field trips. The Library will be sending several emails to students, at their Ross Valley student email addresses, reminding them about due dates and fines outstanding. Parents may check what students have outstanding by this method.

Yes! Clubs and Sports Programs

All after school sports and lunchtime club programs are ended for the year! See you in the fall.

Basketball, Cross Country, Track & Volleyball Jerseys

We have several players who still need to turn in their jerseys. Please turn them into the office with your named attached as soon as possible. If your jersey is lost, please submit cash or a check for $35 made out to Yes! Students will not receive their yearbook or be able to participate in year-end field trips until their jersey is submitted. Any questions, please contact Margo James: margomacjames@gmail.com.

YES! Fundraising Campaign

YESSSSS! We have moved the needle to 51% participation in our All in for YES campaign. Good work White Hill. We are still hoping you will help us reach 60% in our final push.

Check our list of Family Giving donors for this school year to make sure you're counted. Check with llangston@yestokids.org i f you think there's an error. Donate today if you haven't yet.

More YES Fundraising Events

Boon Partnership & Fundraiser: YES will receive 50% from purchases made between May 10 - June 10. Shop atboonsupply.com 10% give back at Iron Springs: Every Tuesday in May

https://yestokids.org/donate/

http://boonsupply.com/collections/all?fundraiser=87000

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/341482

Rick van Adelsberg

Principal

White Hill Middle School

Wildcat Wrap 3.2.2018

cadriatico@rossvalleyschools.org (Cary Adriatico) — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 22:53:32 +0000

March

Thurs., 3/8 Angst Movie and Panel Discussion 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Fri., 3/9 Parent Coffee Chat 9:00 am

Mon. 3/12 Teacher work day - No students

Wed., 3/14 White Hill Student Action Day

. I Am Remarkable Google Visit 5:00 - 7:30 pm

Fri-Sat., 3/16-17 Spring Play

Wed., Mar. 21 Open House 6:30 - 8:00 pm

News

Parent Movie Screening and Panel Discussion: Angst - Thursday, March 8

We are screening the movie Angst with a panel discussion for parents on Thursday, March 8 beginning at 7:00 pm in the White Hill Library. Click on this link for more information: Angst: Raising Awareness About Anxiety.

Parent Chat - Friday, March 9 at 9:00 am

Our next Parent Chat is scheduled for March 9 at 9:00 am in the Library. There is no formal agenda. However, several things we may want to discuss include: emergency preparedness, principal recruitment, Social Emotional Learning, and vaping. Looking forward to having you join us at our next informal gathering. Coffee and treats provided.

6th and 7th Grade Parents/Guardians - Elective Choice Forms Due Fri., March 9

A letter informing students and parents about elective choices available for the 2018-19 school year was distributed today (3/2) in 6th grade homerooms and though 7th grade history classes. Attached to the letter is a form to complete and elective course descriptions. Please review these with your child, make the selections, sign the form, and return it to the appropriate teacher no later than March 9.

White Hill Student Action Day - Wednesday, March 14

Today, a group of White Hill students began planning activities in solidarity with students across the nation, in support of the movement created by the survivors of the recent Florida mass shooting. Our Day of Action is taking place on March 14. A student committee is working with staff to create a program of activities designed to provide students with options to express feelings about Congressional inaction regarding safety on campuses. This event is not a "walkout". No students will be leaving campus, nor are the activities required of students.

I Am Remarkable - Wednesday, March 14

For the second year, the Women@Google Organization has invited our girls to attend an event entitled, I Am Remarkable, at the San Francisco Google Office on March 14, 2018. #IamRemarkable strives to empower girls and young women to speak openly about their accomplishments at school, in the workplace, and beyond. The initiative motivates participants to promote themselves in front of peers to break gender related norms and glass ceilings. The worship will be broken into: introduction to Googlers, data, and research regarding self promotion and unconscious biases; main exercises to help participants articulate their achievements and practice self promotion; and discussion and take home exercises. A summary video is available to review video. This opportunity was limited to the first 200 registrants and is now full.

Good Eggs Shopping

This spring, White Hill is running a fundraiser through Good Eggs, the online grocery market in the Bay Area bringing absurdly fresh groceries to your door. Some parents at our school already use Good Eggs and swear by it. During March and April, anytime our school community shops on Good Eggs, they will donate 10% back to our school. All you need to do to enroll is:

1. Visit schools.goodeggs.com on your laptop.

2. Enter the code wh2018 and click “Join fundraiser!”

3. Shop and 10% goes back to the school! Next time you order from Good

Eggs, you

do not need to enter the code again.

Enroll in the fundraiser by March 15th and you will be entered to win a week of free Good Eggs dinners!

Emergency Preparedness

Last Tuesday’s lockdown/classroom evacuation drill was very successful. The kids were well prepared and demonstrated a maturity about a serious practice that was as good as we have had all year. Each time we ramp up the complexity of our drills, we made mistakes and learn from them. This time we asked Fairfax Police and Fire personnel to observe and give us feedback. They want to continue this collaboration in our upcoming drills. The following are recommendations they made:

Paint large visual markings that identify our individual buildings to assist the police should they be called for an emergency at our school. It would make it easier for them to quickly identify the location of an intruder.
Put window tint on classrooms, offices, etc., to make it impossible to see inside.
Have a distinct bell tone that everyone recognizes indicates an intruder on campus and signals an immediate lockdown, whether during class time, break, or lunch. Add an additional alarm switch in the outer office for immediate response.
Use vests to identify the different roles staff plays in emergencies (i. e., incident command, search and rescue, first aid, student release, etc.,)
Have master keys available for police use when an intruder threat has been neutralized and the classrooms must be cleared for evacuation to the field assembly area.
Invest in walkie talkies for all classrooms to guarantee communication with all staff.
In the event of a fire emergency coming out of the hills, the Fire Department is recommending the large field as the best assembly area. In the event of almost any emergency, the police will close Sir Francis Drake Blvd. This will give us the time we need to account for everyone, prior to the onslaught of nervous parents.

There is still more work to be done with regard to what steps to take if an intruder were to appear during a passing period, break, or lunch. The general consensus is to lockdown classrooms if teachers are in them. However, if students and staff are outside, the plan is to run and hide. Next steps will be to identify where to run and practice this type of evasive action. We understand this is a difficult subject to consider, let alone prepare for. However, it is our hope that knowing we are doing everything we can to prepare for the unthinkable will be of some comfort.

Cascade Canyon Village Parking

The residents have requested that we not use this area to park and pick up students after school. Please help us be good be neighbors and respect this area near our school. Thank you.

Reminders

Dealing with Teasing, Bullying, and Harassment

We continue to be encouraged that more and more students and parents are coming forward and reporting incidents of unwelcome and unwanted conduct on and off campus. This information makes it possible for us to ensure that students are feeling safe and supported at White Hill. Without the collaboration and trust of parents, we might not know about something happening to a student(s). We encourage you to let us know immediately when your child has experienced unwelcome conduct in the form of teasing, bullying, or harassment. It’s our commitment and responsibility to extinguish the unwanted behavior and provide ongoing social and emotional learning to eliminate these behaviors from our campus. With your help this can become a reality.

8th Grade Parents - Graduation and Permission Forms

Please be reminded of two things:

The Graduation Ceremony, scheduled on Thursday, June 14, will be held at White Hill. The Ceremony will take place on the large grass field at 5:00 pm. In the unlikely event of bad weather, Drake High School has been reserved as a backup location.
Signed permission forms for 8th grade year-end activities were due on February 16. In the event, parents were out of town or unavailable to sign the form please do so this weekend. We will be accepting forms in the office this week. Students may not participate in year-end activities without submitting this form.

Parent Education Opportunities

Building Connection, Compassion, and Community A Conference for Parents, Caregivers and Educators, Co-hosted by Community Institute for Psychotherapy & The Marin County Office of Education. Saturday, March 3, 2018, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Marin County Office of Education,

1111 Las Gallinas Ave, San Rafael, CA 94903

Enough As She Is: How to Help Girls Move Beyond Impossible Standards of Success to Live Healthy, Happy, and Fulfilling Lives: Wed, Mar 21st, 6:30-8:30pm, COM Auditorium

RSVP: Eventbrite

Rachel Simmons will discuss her new book, Enough As She Is: How to Help Girls Move Beyond Impossible Standards of Success to Live Healthy, Happy, and Fulfilling Lives" which gives parents/adults the tools to help girls in high school and college reject “supergirl” pressure, overcome a toxic stress culture, and become resilient adults with healthy, fulfilling lives.

Additional Information about Programs for Students

The C4C Challenge - April 29th

It’s coming! Mark your calendars! This is the best event of the year, but we can’t do it alone.

This year we are really blowin’ it out, but we need your help! Get involved! Join one of our action teams or just give an hour of your time. ALL is appreciated! Learn more and sign up to help by emailing us at info@children4change.org.

Volunteer Opportunities & Fun Events Coming Up!

Feb 28:Farmers Market Style Food Bank
Feb 28 - Cucina Give Back Night
Mar 4 - Protect Endangered Species Fundraiser & Bake Sale; Imagination Park
Mar 7:Gilead House Game Night
Mar 7 - "Putting Rest to Rest" - Youth In Action: Tackling The Homeless Problem In Marin -RSVP!
Mar 9:REST Feeding the Homeless Night
Mar 11: Marin Crop Hunger Walk -RSVP!

Intrigued to get your family more involved in C4C? Don’t be shy! Encourage your child to visit our lunch time meetings in Room 206! And for you, sign up to volunteer or learn more by emailing us at info@children4change.org.

Yes! Sports Programs

A detailed email went out to parents/guardians about the spring sports. A summary is listed below. If you need further information or did not receive the email, please contact the Activities Coordinator, Margo James, at margomacjames@gmail.com.

Mountain Biking Club

Please join our parent volunteers, Matt Adams, Justin Sobieraj, and Markham Connolly on Thursdays from 3:30-5:30pm for Mountain Biking. They will meet by the PE lockers near the gym and bike the hills behind White Hill. This club will start on March 15th! Please come with your bike, a helmet, and a permission slip. A permission slip is required on the first day or the student won't be able to participate. If your student participated in the fall session, they are still covered by that permission slip. Permission slips are attached and available in the office. They should be submitted to the coach or to the office.

Wrestling

Boys and Girls can join Coach Johann starting Monday, March 19th in the gym to learn wrestling. Practices will be on Mondays (3:30-5:00), Wednesdays (2:30-4:00), and Fridays (3:30-5:00). A permission slip is required (attached and available in the office) and should be turned into Coach Johann or the office.

Track & Field

Track & Field will be coached by volunteer parent, John Richards. Practices will be held on Mondays (6:00-7:30pm) and Fridays (3:45-5:15pm) at the Drake High School track. The program starts on Monday, March 19th. A special Track & Field permission slip is required for the FIRST practice. A copy is attached and available in the office. John would like to you to email him your completed permission slip at jjrichard@earthlink.net. If you are unable to do this, please turn it into the office and Margo James will ensure the slip gets to John by the first practice.

Rick van Adelsberg

Principal

White Hill Middle School