Dear White Hill Families,
 
Wow – four weeks in and we have completely hit our groove.  The kids continue to (mostly) impress and are doing a nice job on the yard and in the classroom.  If you hear or know differently, please let Ms. Hoyt or I know so we can address any challenges on the way to school, at school, or on the way home from school.  You can reach me at this email address and Ms. Hoyt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  We want your input and any information you can provide us that will help to improve our kids’ experience at White Hill.    On a related note, if you have any concerns about your child’s experience in the classroom, please contact his/her teacher and let’s get it straightened out right away.  Thank you!

RVSD Board Briefs

Regular Board of Trustees Meeting, September 10, 2013
Policy Review
As part of our ongoing commitment to reviewing, revising, and updating the District policies, the Board and staff devoted the entire open-session portion of the meeting to policy review. Portions of the following policy series were discussed.
Series 3000: Business and Non-Instructional Operations
Series 4000: Personnel
Series 5000: Students
Series 6000: Instruction
 
Special Board of Trustees Community Meeting, September 12, 2013
Bond Sales
The Board, staff, and RVSD financial and bond sales advisors met with members of the community at a special public meeting on September 12th to provide information and gather input on our upcoming bond issuance.
RVSD business manager Jim Cerreta presented a brief history of the District’s decision to increase classroom capacity to meet the needs of our growing enrollment, and explained the various bond configuration options that remain available to us to fund the next stages of the project. Some of these options will provide funds much sooner and in greater amounts, but carry greater interest cost. Others are less expensive but will result in a delay of our building projects.
 
In a nutshell, because home prices are now recovering while interest rates still remain relatively low, the outlook has improved dramatically since the previous estimates from the county were released earlier this year. Given the revised estimates, RVSD ought to be able to realize between $8.5 and $11 million dollars with a December, 2013 bond sale, which is projected to be sufficient to complete classroom construction at all four elementary sites.
Whether we decide to opt for the $8.5 million option or the $11 million option has not yet been decided. The Board requested additional information on the potential future effects of various home price valuation and interest rate fluctuations from our financial advisors before a final decision is made. We want to be sure we are maximizing our ability to serve our students and community while minimizing undue expense and/or risk to our general fund – and getting it done as quickly and prudently as possible.
 
We want to thank the community who came out to participate. A lot of good thinking and advocacy went on, and it was extremely useful to gain insight into the preferences of some of our community members.

Being Neighborly

Please, please, please do not park in our neighbor’s reserved spots along Glen Drive or use their driveways as temporary waiting zones.  Our neighbors have immense patience but when they come home and can’t park in their spots it’s especially frustrating and does not shine a positive light on our parents or our school.  Thank you for your consideration.

Aeries Student/Parent Portal Log-In Information

Please go to this link today if you have not already and get yourself and your child signed up for the portal:
parent.marinschools.org/rossvalley/LoginParent.aspx?page=default.aspx
If the portal does not seem to be working for you, please email me here with a explanation of exactly what the problem is and I will make sure our I.T. department addresses it immediately.  Every family should be viewing the Portal by now if at all possible.

Edmodo for Parents!  

Need some tips? Go to this link for a TechTip from our very own White Hill technology teacher, Kaki McLachlan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H06GhhjXshA&feature=youtu.be

Full Color White Hill Yearbooks For Sale Now

White Hill Yearbooks Are On Sale For $36.50.  Get your yearbook today by ordering online!
 
Financial assistance is available for families in need. Use these forms make payment with a check or request financial assistance. For more information contact Yearbook Teacher Emma Beauchamp at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Forms are also available in the main office.  All yearbooks must be ordered on or before Dec. 20, 2013.  Sorry, yearbooks are not available after Winter Break.  Please order your copy today!

White Hill Late Work Policy – Please Read Carefully!

The White Hill Late Work Policy is intended to support students staying on top of their work and meeting expected deadlines for assignments.  The goal is to help students become responsible for their school work and successfully participate in the learning culture of their classroom.  When students consistently turn their work in on time, they will learn more, feel better about their classroom experience and develop the confidence and executive functioning skills necessary to be successful in the future.
 
Generally:
1.      All assignments (including long-term assignments) are due on the due date.
2.      Late assignments turned in within a week will result in a reduction in grade (percentage reduction determined by departments and/or grade level teams.)
3.      After one week, if the missing assignment is not turned in, the student will earn a “0” for the assignment and the assignment will not be able to be turned in at a later date.
 
Absences:
In the case of student absence, work will be accepted for full credit up to the number of days the student was absent.
 
Special circumstances may allow for this policy to be adjusted with teacher/administrative approval. Students with an IEP may also have this policy amended per teacher recommendation.

6th Grade BBQ and Bingo Night – Get Those Forms In!

Please fill out the RSVP form today!  Send in with your child or email me back a scanned form.   Thank you!

Staff Appreciation Day is Coming Thursday, September 19th

We our hosting our next Staff Appreciation event on Thursday, September 19th.  It made a big difference last year, the staff loved all the wonderful food and have felt very appreciated. So, we're going to do it again!
 
Parents - please bring in your extra garden bounty as we are planning a “Harvest Market” for our much-appreciated staff to take home and enjoy.  We need your fruit, vegetables (those extra zucchinis), and any herbs and flowers you may have growing and would like to share.   If you are not a gardener and would like to contribute -one option is the Fairfax Farmers Market, Wednesday evening from 4-8pm. You can pick up dinner there too!
 
Please sign up at http://www.timetosignup.com/whitehill/signupsheet/19044 (no password or login needed) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
 
You can also call Robin at 456-0276 to let her know what you would like to bring in, or if you can help with set-up after 1:30pm.  The fruits and vegetables may be delivered to the front office on Wednesday, September 18th all day and on Thursday, September 19th before 11am. 
 
It is most helpful if you bring your items in non-returnable containers.  Thank you!
 
Robin Goebel, White Hill Parent Club Staff Appreciation Coordinator

Art Room Needs

Cleaning out your sock drawer this weekend?  Please collect your gently used children’s colorful socks (or yours) and send them to the art teachers!  We are looking for stripy, patterned, and colorful knee socks. We do not need any boring old plain black or white socks, or any sports socks-thanks anyway.  We will take them all year, so please file this bizarre request away for later if you don't have any that are outgrown right now.
Socks can be dropped at the office or left in front of Room 302.  Thank you!  Questions? send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Important Notes From Our Librarian

Hi Parents, two quick things:
 
The library is trying something new this year. We are asking students to keep their paperback core literature books in a sturdy gallon-size plastic zipped baggie. The baggie should have their name written on it and one baggie can be used for the whole year.  We are hoping this added measure helps keep the paperbacks from damage by food, drink and dirt commonly found in backpacks.  Our aim is to minimize student fees and fines associated with damaged and lost books. Please help us help your students by supplying them with a baggie.  If you have questions or concerns, please contact Tina or Grisel in the library.
 
September is library card month at the Marin County Free Library.  All students are invited to get a free library card if they don't already have one, or if they had one and lost it. Just as in school, students can check out materials and have access to online databases - all from reliable sources.  And, for those students who want a FREE online tutor to work with them on a complicated math problem, or who need help editing a paper, Brainfuse HelpNow!  is available through our website in both English and Spanish. (San Anselmo residents will have access to tutor.com).
 
Students can go to www.marinreads.org for an application.
 
And, through September 30th, students can try their hand at the Digital Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win a $25 Visa gift card!  The Hunt is accessible at http://goo.gl/NKG7tJ.
 
Happy Reading! Tina and Grisel

Dress Code Updates

Thanks to all of you for your efforts in support of our new dress code policy.  We are aware that there are some parents that don’t fully agree with this direction and we appreciate your input as we have moved forward. This is clearly a topic where we have no chance to find complete consensus amongst our parent population and therefore need to land on a policy that we think is reasonable and conducive to a healthy school culture.  We think this policy fits the bill on both accounts and intend to continue with the policy as is for the foreseeable future. This is not to suggest we won’t consider some adjustments down the road but the policy as advertised is what we plan to continue with for now. With this in mind – here are a few friendly updates: 

--Spaghetti straps underneath a see-through blouse is not dress code compliant. 
--Any sort of strap or undergarment or otherwise should be concealed while at school. We get that from time to time an undergarment will be shown and that is perfectly normal and understandable.  What’s not acceptable is if a child’s wardrobe intentionally displays an undergarment or a shirt with straps that are not dress code compliant. 
--Reminder re: boys and tank tops – two inches thick on the width of the straps (same as the girls) and the tank should not hang well below the arm pits – it should hang just around the arm pit area. 

Thank you again for your assistance in this area.

White Hill School Site Council Meeting Recap

Our official minutes will follow but we had a very productive meeting last Tuesday.  Please consider joining us for our meetings if you are able.  We will meet this year from 3:45-5:15 in the White Hill Library on the following dates.  Upcoming topics will include awards assemblies, dress code update, student surveys and much more!
 
September 24
October 8
October 29
December 3
January 14
February 11
March 18
May 6

Parent Club Meeting Dates!

Please join us for our parent club meetings this year.  We want your input and need your help!  We have lots to do and would love to capture the energy of our entire parent community.
October 17th  7-8 pm  WH Library – Agenda – 2013-2014 Draft Budget Review/Fundraising Plans/Volunteer Needs
January 29th  7-8 pm  WH Library – Agenda TBD
Spring Date – TBD

White Hill Sports and Activities are all sponsored by the YES Foundation! Go YES!

Your generous contributions to the YES Foundation support all of our awesome activities and sports at White Hill!
 
Go Wildcats!! White Hill Girls Volleyball Is Here! - We have some fantastic parents and Drake High School students who have stepped up to coach our 2013 volleyball season!  Our volleyball clinics are still open to all girls to learn skills and positions and play round robins.  At the end of September, the coaches will hold assessments for those interested and select a smaller travel team of about 10 to 12 girls per grade that will continue practicing through early November and travel to weekly games against other Marin County schools. If your daughter is interested in playing volleyball for White Hill, please fill out the attached permission slip and have her bring it on the first day of practice. Please remember that permission slips are MANDATORY to play sports at White Hill.

New Schedule Information Our White Hill travel volleyball teams will start games the week of September 30th: 6th grade games will be on Mondays, 7th grade on Tuesdays, and 8th grade on Wednesdays. All games will be held at Davidson Middle School in San Rafael; game times will be at 3:45 pm.
 
Questions or comments, please contact Amy Forrest, White Hill YES Activities Coordinator, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 485-9255.
 
Fall Volleyball Practice Schedule
 
Monday        
4-5:30        6th grade                                          
6-7:30        7th grade       
 
Tuesday        
3:15-5        8th grade       
 
Wednesday  
2:30-4        8th grade       
4-5:30        6th grade       
 
Thursday       
6-7:30       7th grade       

Calling All White Hill Students! Our Club Sign Up Day was today!

We encourage students to come check out clubs whether they signed up or not. Parents, please note that Mountain Biking and Hiking require permission slips. Please make sure your child brings the permission slip to school either before the club starts or the day of the club. Most Clubs start next week, the week of September 16th, but some start in October, please check the fine print! Here are the clubs that White Hill has to offer this Fall
 
Lunchtime Clubs
 
Art with Miss Emma
Mondays at 6th Grade Lunch, starting on October 21, Room 302
(10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/12 [Tues that week], 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16)
6th graders, this club is just for you! Gather with your old friends and new in Ms. Emma's art room. We will draw for fun andmake some art that you can use for gifts.  Club time is your time so if you want a place and space to tap into your creative side-this is it! Materials will be provided. For those that like to follow a project we will be creating pinwheels, greeting cards, pop-ups, bookmarks, and doing rubber stamping, and spirograph.
 
Cartooning and Comics Club with Stephen Ezell from Golden Gate Tutoring
Fridays at 6th Lunch, Room 107 and 7th/8th Grade Lunch, Bungalow 12
This club will be a fun time for students to learn about Comic Book history, writing, art, and much more. Sixth grade students will have the opportunity to place an order for Larry Marder's Beanworld. Seventh and eighth grade students will have an opportunity to orderAsterix the Gaul, which is the first volume of the widely popular French comic Asterix by Goscinny and Uderzo. These are all age comics that will enthrall all readers. We will analyze and discuss these books during the latter weeks of the club. Each book is $20 for the collected edition. Students will design their own character and give him traits and will have the opportunity to present their creation to the rest of the club. This club is centered around Comic Books, but will also be a nice gateway to creative endeavors for students to do together. The goal is to have the club members create and learn while having a lot of fun!
 
New!  Flying Pigs Club
Tuesdays at 6th Grade Lunch, Room 101
Ever seen a stuffed pig fly? Join Ms. Marrero and 6th graders to build catapults to make stuffed pigs fly, create tools to track their flights, advertise your findings and have lots of fun!!
 
Geography Club with Mr. Krause
Fridays at 7th/8th Grade Lunch, Room 303
Do you know where Mongolia and Marrakesh are? Curious about how many mountain ranges we have in North America? Join other students to learn about different parts of the world and prepare for the White Hill Geography Bee! There will be theme days to celebrate different countries, and some quizzes and competitions.
 
New!  Knitting Club with Ms. Ruzzier
Tuesdays at 7th/8th grade Lunch, Room 301
Learn how to knit or sharpen your skills with Ms. Ruzzier!
 
Myth Club with Ms. Politzer                                               
Mondays at 6th and 7th/8th Grade Lunches, Room 97
If you love Mythology, Holidays and Urban Legends, if you suspect that one of your relatives may be a werewolf, or if you are a regular kid with an inquiring mind, MYTH CLUB is the club for you!  Club Mentor Ann Politzer returns to lead this fun club.
 
Mathletes with Mr. Pommier
Tuesdays at 7th/8th grade lunch in Room 4, plus 4 Tuesdays after school for competition
Mathletes is a great activity designed to challenge students at all levels to USE their math skills to solve interesting and unusual problems.  The topics we cover are very different from topics you are learning in Math 7A, Math 8A, or Geometry.  We focus on unusual topics, which include changing bases, geometry, probability, word problems and math riddles.  Join Mathletes’ mentor, Juan Pommier, and exercise your brain with critical thinking and problem-solving while having fun as we compete against teams from other schools throughout the county.  Go Wildcats!
 
Minecraft with Mr. Pommier
Thursdays at 7th/8th grade Lunches in Room 4
Join Mr. Pommier and explore the online world of Minecraft!
 
Ping Pong Club with Ms. Vidal or Ms. Krick
Thursdays at 6th and 7th/8th Grade Lunch near Room 100
Do you like to play ping pong? Join Ms. Vidal, Ms. Krick and some friends and play some ping pong each Thursday at lunch.
 
New!  Sewing Club with Miss Emma
Wednesdays at 7th/8th Grade Lunch, starting on October 23, Room 302, (10/23, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18)
Join Miss Emma and your friends and learn how to sew or work on your budding skills!!
 
New!  Volunteer Club with Ms. Hickman
Fridays at 6th grade Lunch in Room 105
Come find out what this club is all about!
 
Strategic Games with Mr. Dines                 
Tuesdays at 7th/8th Grade Lunch, and Fridays at 6th Grade Lunch, Bungalow 7
The Strategic Games Club is a safe and relaxing place for students to make friends and interact in an environment where they have common interests with their peers.  The room is stocked with card games to board games and we encourage students to bring in their own as well.  Over a dozen students take part in the Strategic Games Club every week and get to eat lunch and hang out in a positive social environment.
 

After School Clubs
 
Advanced Mountain Biking Club with Coach Desmond
Thursdays after school, starting in October
Join Coach Kirk Desmond and have fun exploring the back trails in Marin.  Coach Kirk will lead mountain bikers with advanced experience, weather permitting.  Days may change and there may be some opportunities for weekend rides.  Bike handling skills and safety will be discussed.  Parents are welcome and encouraged to ride along.  Contact Kirk to volunteer or if you have questions:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
New!! Guitar Club with Joe Marquez from the Marin Community Music School
Wednesdays after school, in Room 97
Join guitar teacher and Manor School parent Joe Marquez and play guitar! Beginning and intermediate levels welcome.
 
Hiking Club with Ms. Bodle and Ms. Krick         
Some Thursdays after school (Sept 19, Oct 10, Oct 17, Nov 14, Nov 21), 3:30-4:30pm
& one weekend hike (2-3 hours), date to be determined
Join Club Leaders, Natasha Krick and Liz Bodle, and enjoy hiking in the beautiful Open Space near White Hill.  All levels of experience welcome.
 
New!  Photography Club with Reid Thaler
Wednesdays after school, classroom to be determined
Local, professional photographer Reid Thaler offers students a photography course that teaches a variety of skills, ranging from learning to use an adjustable camera, optimizing images using image editing software, and taking photowalks, along with other exercises. For more information on Mr. Thaler, please go to: lumiograph.com.
 
New!  Boys’ Volleyball with Ms. Pelton
Thursdays after school, 3:15-4:30, White Hill Gym
Join your White Hill friends and play some volleyball! We will have practices and games at White Hill, and scrimmage with other Marin County boys’ volleyball teams.

Allergic Kids at White Hill – Important Information!

Please be mindful of the fact that we have several highly allergic kids at White Hill – kids that have life threatening allergies to food items (fish, nuts, etc.) and bee stings.  Please remind your kids of this fact and encourage them to clean up after themselves, throw away their trash, and help keep our campus, and our kids, safe.   The teachers who have our most highly allergic kids have reached out to their families when appropriate but we’d like to ask that everyone in our school community do their part to keep these kids safe.  Thank you.

Important!  Messages for Kids Should be for Emergencies Only

Please refrain from calling in messages to kids during the school day that pertain to play dates, who is going on what bus, change in soccer practice times, etc. unless it is absolutely essential that your child has this information and you were not able to get it to them before they left for school.  We could hire a full time person to simply run messages around campus all day and we’d still not get to everyone!  Please do your very best to give your kids the information they need for the day before they go to school.  We completely understand that things come up and we are happy to help but it should be a last resort.   Thank you for your understanding.

Greenbrae Mini Maker Faire – Tomorrow! - Saturday, September 14, 2013 from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M.  Bon Air Center, Greenbrae, CA

Greenbrae Mini Maker Faire will be Marin’s largest ‘Do-It-Yourself’ festival, showcasing local makers with activities, show-and-tell, and exhibits on arts, crafts, science, robotics, music, technology, sustainability, education, food, and creativity.  White Hill Engineering classes will have four tables teaching people how to make Blinky Bugs, EV3 Robots, and explaining 3D printing.  Come Make with us! http://makerfairegreenbrae.com/

TLC Homework Club at White Hill – Starts Next Week!

Directors:  Bonnie and Mike Zaleski
Homework Help and Foundation Review, Improve Study Skills and Organizational Skills, Prioritize Workload, Learn How to Keep up with your Planner, Supervised Tutoring Instruction
 
Tutors:       Excellent, Responsible, Knowledgeable, Accessible
 
Hours:        1.5 hrs after school Mon-Th
                   Mon/Tu/Th’s:       3:15-4:45pm
                   Wed’s:                 2:15-3:45pm    
                   
Where:       White Hill Room 103
 
Fee:            $30 per hour (1 time per week minimum participation)
 
Register:   Contact TLC Tutoring directly at 415-453-1852 or email us at:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit our website:  www.tlctutoring.org

Community News – See the attached document for important info. from around our towns as well as information on how to use Agenda Online – our School Board’s online access point for board meeting agendas and minutes.

I know, you can’t wait for the prediction.  Here it is:  Wisconsin 31 – ASU 30 in a back and forth contest for the ages.  Bucky prevails!
 
Go Wildcats!
 
 
David