THE PINK PANTHER
KAISER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2003
CHECK OUT
THE DATES school. We will always strive to be
“great”.
OCTOBER A MESSAGE FROM
1 Minimum Day In the August 17th edition of the
3 Bake Sale/Stenger MS. MCLANE Tribune’s “Bay Area Living” section,
3 African Dance
6 Brownie Meeting People often ask me why I think there were ten tips for parents to
6 Dad's Club Meeting 6:30pm help make this a great school year.
8 Minimum Day Kaiser is such a special school and
10 Bake Sale/Staples I believe that there are at least The job of being a parent is a
10 African Dance seven areas in which we continually tough one and one which many of
13 PTA Board Meeting us can still use some helpful
14 Staff Development Day/ strive to raise the bar:
School Closed 1) We truly believe in and commit reminders. We appreciate all that
15 Staff Development Day/ to success for all students. We our families do to support our
School Closed
measure this by monitoring each children and hope that these
17 Bake Sale/Reese
17 African Dance student’s academic and social reminders might serve to help us
17 Latino Heritage Potluck
growth and providing challenges all focus on the toughest, yet most
6:00pm Multi-Purpose Room
20 PTA Board Meeting and interventions when rewarding job of all, that of being
20 Brownie Meeting appropriate. a parent. To paraphrase:
22 Minimum Day 1) Set down rules and routines
24 Bake Sale/Neat 2) We encourage each other to
24 African Dance deliver responsive, challenging and that will save the hassle of
25 WALK-A-THON exciting instruction. changing bad habits mid-year.
28 Picture Day 2) Keep a separate calendar for
29 Minimum Day 3) We strive to deliver a high
31 Halloween Festivities quality instructional curriculum. homework and project due dates so
31 African Dance 4) We try to meet the creative and that planning family activities can
NOVEMBER take these dates into account.
3-7 Parent- Teacher Conferences
artistic needs of students.
MINIMUM DAYS 5) Our staff collaborates with 3) Give your child a distraction-
3 Brownie Meeting each other and practices a culture free workspace with necessary
5 Minimum Day tools. Some children do better if
7 African Dance of continuous learning. Our staff
7 Bake Sale/ development meetings are filled they are near a parent when
11 VETERAN'S DAY HOLIDAY with questions, analysis of practice working on school projects.
12 Minimum Day
and sharing of current literature 4) Ask your children what they are
14 African Dance
14 Bake Sale/ or training which we have received. doing instead of how well they are
17 Brownie Meeting
6) We value diversity and practice doing. This encourages them to
19 Minimum Day
21 African Dance cultural togetherness. value learning.
21 Bake Sale/ 7) We welcome, care for, and 5) Take time to participate in your
27-28 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS child’s school by talking to the
connect with our staff, students,
families and community. teacher, supporting classroom and
HENRY J. KAISER, JR.
PTA projects.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL We are always seeking our families’
25 SOUTH HILL COURT 6) Encourage children to get
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94618 input as to how we can improve in involved in the day-to-day lives of
(510) 879-1710 each of the above areas and feel their parents. Cook, run errands
confident that Kaiser will never and shop for groceries together.
settle for being just a “good” Kids can develop math and reading
continued on page 2
SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 KAISER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
Ms. McLane continued… The Clock is Ticking Down Membership/Pledge
skills by measuring, counting skills for Walk-A-Thon Drive 2003-2004
by measuring, counting change or The kick-off assembly for the Lesley Clark/Cynthia Thompson
reading recipes and ingredients on Walk-a-Thon was a huge success
packages. thanks to our emcee, Trish
The Membership/Pledge Drive is now
7) Make sure your child eats a Wittmer, who happened to dressed at $12.953 of our $35,000 goal.
nutritious diet. Children should in a poodle skirt (along with Special kudos and congratulations to
start the day with a healthy Mrs.McLane and Robin). The the following leaders who are still
breakfast and eat five servings of children were excited and holding on to their impressive leads
fruits and vegetables a day. Cut enthusiastic with the kick-off and are on their way to pizza parties
down on foods that are high in presentation, 50's music and by getting 100% participation: Ms.
sugar and fats such as soda and Apaydin's class, now in the lead at
dancing by our teachers.
78.26%, Mr. Aurelio's class at 71.43%
chips. Get them to drink plenty of
and Mr. Rust at 58.00%. Outstanding
water and get plenty of exercise. You child should have brought
performances!! It should also be noted
8) Talk to your children and get to home their Walk-a-Thon packets that Mr. Wade's class has moved up
know what they care about. Spend on Wednesday and hopefully have well this week, trailing Mr. Rust's class
at least ten minutes a day sitting begun collecting pledges. As only slightly at 56.00%. Please check
down and showing your child how always, especially with our younger the bulletin board in the main hallway
the world is manageable. children, please be sure they have and the great charts in your children's
9) Prepare your child for new a grown-up with them if they go classrooms for updates. Remember
situations by visiting a new school, that our first goal is 100%
door-to-door collecting pledges. If
participation on the part of all Kaiser
setting up a play date with new your child didn't get his/her
families and $35,000 to help make the
classmates, etc. packet, check his/her backpack
money we need to install and provide
10) Spend time reading with your and if it's still missing, we do have matting for our new play structure for
children. Take your children to the some extras in the office. all Kaiser students!
library, the zoo and educational
The T-shirt contest is up and If you need another Membership/
places where both children and
running, so bring your designs, done Pledge brochure, they are available on
parents can connect, learn and
on 8 1/2 x 11 paper and in black and the counter in the Main Office and at
enjoy things together. Celebrate all school and PTA events. It's never
white, to the office. The deadline
the magical moments! too late to join and ensure that your
for entries is October 6th.
child's class makes their goal of 100%
Our staff is looking forward to
We still need volunteers to lead a participation. We want all Kaiser
meeting with each of our families
couple of committees. Please see classrooms eating Pizza for the great
during the first week of job that they have done!
Robin in the office if you would like
rd
November, the 3 through the 7th.
to help out. Sign-ups for volun- Thanks to the following Kaiser students
We will have minimum days all week
teering on the day of are on the who have joined this week:
that week, so plan ahead for
rolling bulletin board in the
coverage. Also, know that if you Jacquelie Christie
hallway. Please indicate where you
have questions or concerns, our Marina and Sierra Donaldson
would like to work and desired Alistair and Annelise Eeckman
staff is ready to help work with
hours. For of all our families, this Jonathan and Benjamin Fratti
you to resolve the situations.
is a wonderful way to spend some Imani James
time meeting Kaiser families and Billy Johnson II
getting to know each other. The Alyssa Kunesh
Walk-a-Thon is a wonderful Jill Reese
Tori Thomas
community building event.
Savannah Whaley
VISIT KAISER'S Thank you, Lily Viek
Robin Sasada and Kristin Alvarez
WEBSITE:
www.kaiserelementaryschool.com
SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 KAISER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
Please remember that we raise
Kaiser's Family money for the upcoming year,
Directory: meaning that the programs that your
Please Help Us student will enjoy this year, including
Out! the play structure, come from money
PTA General PTA meeting took
Our first raised last year and in prior years.
CORNER
place last Wednesday. Thank you to Therefore, it is very important that we
Linda Pulido-Esquivel
all that joined us and we look forward raise the money required
As we prepare our PTA directory, we President more of our members at
to seeing (approximately $60,000), to continue
th
want to have as much information as the next meeting on November 12 . to offer these programs to our
you wish us to print. We received updates from our students next year. Your participation
committee chairs and reviewed and in the Membership and Pledge Drive
If you do not wish to have either your is one way of raising this money. The
adopted the 2003-04 budget at the
address or your phone number listed auction and walkathon are the two
meeting. The budget was include-ed
in the PTA directory, please call the other major fundraisers sponsored
in the last issue of the Pink Panther
school or drop us a note as to by the PTA.
for your review. If you have any
what
questions please feel free to contact
information you wish to delete. Walk-a-thon is a way that your
me or any of the other PTA officers.
If you wish us to print information You will notice that this year we are student can participate in raising
from both households (in the case of spending quite a bit more than in the funds for their programs. This year,
joint custody), please past, due primarily to the budgeted Kaiser's 27th Annual Walk-a-thon,
notify us as well. play structure project. We are "Walk Around the Clock" will take
th
currently looking at the next steps in place on Saturday, October 25 .
order to get the play structure project Students received their information
Latino kicked off. packets and sponsor sheets in last
week's wild assembly. Please read
Herit age Our Membership and Pledge Drive is more about the Walk-a-Thon in every
Pot luck
The date for the Latino Heritage potluck underway. If you haven't already edition of the Pink Panther.
th
has changed to Friday, October 17 at become a member, I encourage you
6:30pm in the Multi-Purpose Room. If to join the PTA today. As you have We appreciate your continued
you are interested in planning this fun- heard, the support. It is families, working
filled cultural evening or are interested PTA is responsible for funding Orff together thatallow us to provide our
in helping the night of the event, please Music for our students, providing students with an exceptional
contact Ana Patterson at 251-1177 or educational experience and also
Linda Pulido-Esquivel at 569-2048.
resources for art instruction, paying
Please plan to bring your favorite Latin for Ms. Pearl's salary, supporting our what makes Kaiser such a wonderful
dish to the first Kaiser Family Potluck of family events, and paying for multi- school.
the new schoolyear. Gracias! cultural assemblies, and more. Our
goal is to attain 100% participation of DAD'S CLUB MEETING TIME
ADHD STUDY all Kaiser families. Help us reach our CHANGED!!
goal by participating at whatever
ADHD STUDY and information is membership/pledge level that you Kaiser's new Dad's Club, led be
can. Basic membership starts at Michael Campbell will be meeting
available at Attention-
$25 with additional levels to $360. tomorrow, Wednesday, October 1st
Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder at at 6:30pm in the Library. Come
There is also an installment plan
866-587-2575 or www.chadd.org join this group that plans to work
available for your convenience.
on projects to upgrade and beautify
SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 KAISER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
our school!! PAGE 4
PLEASE COMPLETE have the forms in the packets
LIBRARY HAS returned ASAP. If there were to be
BOOKS TO an emergency, we need to be able to
DISTRIBUTE reach you.
If your child’s name appears on this
list and you know that you completed Ian Alexander
and sent back the emergency Vivian Allen
Colin Babich
EMERGENCY PACKETS, packet, please check the backpack, Alexis Carney
INCLUDING CARDS contact your child’s teacher, check Ishaq Cash-Jauregui
the desk and look under the seat of Ashiian Castillo
your car. Sometimes the best laid Jacquez Clifton
plans do not pan out! We MUST
Briya Daniels the library. We would love it if those
Caleb Davis Parents who have extra time and parents who enjoy gardening would
Kira Debro would be willing to help enter the plan to bring gardening gloves that day
Amya Deslierres books into our computerized system so that we could plant the hundreds of
Gracie Feferman-Perez bulbs that have been donated, as well
Ayren Griffin should sign up and receive training
as help weed the gardens. We will be
Amari Harmon from either Joy Marcelle, Nicol PTA
Asia Howard Blakely or other trained parents. LEADERSHIP
Alina Hubbard-Riley
Jennifer Hyde TEAM
Emahni Jackson
Kyle Lamberson
part of the national effort which was
Maya Lopez begun ten years ago as part of the
“Points of Light.” Thank you in
Alexandria Manouphath Thanks to all of you!! advance!!
Bryn Matthiasson
Katharine Mayer POODLE SKIRTS AND SWING
Bryan Morris DANCING KICKED OFF THE “WALK
Olu Nalls-Agbeti AROUND THE CLOCK”
Angela Nam
Dakota Plunkett Thanks to Robin Sasada, Kristen
Jonathan Rice Alvarez and Trish Wittmer for their
Aaryn Cammri Smith enthusiastic approach to the Walk-a-
Erica Smith thon kick-off assembly. The children PRESIDENT LINDA PULIDO-
Kyra Smith couldn’t believe their eyes when the ESQUIVEL
lindape@jps.net 569-2048
Nicholas Smith staff got up and danced with each
Arther and Yoichi Suruiki other! What fun! If you didn’t receive EXECUTIVE VICE PRES. ROBIN
Dashiell Tavernit SASADA
the packet, please contact the office robsada@aol.com 632-6062
Marquis Taylor and we will see that you get another
Christopher Thaxton TREASURER CYNDY
one. SPEERS
Ch’Kia Tucker
speersmc@pacbell.net 534-7134
Kevin Walker DRAMA CLUB IS SECRETARY BETSY PORTS
Yasmine Wilson
PLANNING TO bottomfeeder@batnet.com 530-8849
Skyla Wincher Students interested in joining the
Reginald Woodard ADAPT "THE LION,
Wednesday after-school drama club
CORRESPONDING SECT'Y Cathy
McKay
THE WITCH by Carmen Campanioni
which is led AND
Alicia Zahn
336-9103
THE WARDROBE" at her cell phone
should contact her FINANCIAL SECT'Y KRISTEN
Parents who are teachers or work in #332-7563. An eight week session
CASHMORE
the education field may select books is $50.00 and can be paid in two VP/PROGRAMS DEBRA KAY
from our library that are boxed or payments of $25.00 each. The first debraannek@aol.com 531-3654
are stacked horizontally on the session will begin Wednesday, October VP/MEMBERSHIP CYNTHIA
shelves. We are hoping to have all 1st and end November 19th. THOMPSON
cynthomson@mac.com 268-1478
the “overflow” books recycled by "MAKE A DIFFERENCE” VP/MEMBERSHIP LESLEY CLARK
the end of the week, October 3rd. DAY lesleyrc@aol.com 531-0114
We will then put the fabulous books ON SAT., OCT. 25TH VP/FUNDRAISING KRISTIN
CASHMORE
from the Arts School on our shelves morecash@earthlink,net 530-0378
and be ready to open the Library to Our Walk-a-thon is scheduled for the
COMMUNICATIONS NICOL
25th and we also have volunteers from
our children to check out books. BLAKELY
Community Impact coming to help in nicol@theblakelygroup.com 451-8445
SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 KAISER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
ROOM PARENT COORD. PAGE
CHAD 5
KELLER
keller_c@sbcglobal.net. 562-9727
sionate with his students. What Friar for four years. He is still a
OUR MEL Mr. Stenger enjoys most about his practicing Catholic today, and
IS SWELL!! students is that there is always works with incoming Christians at
something changing and shifting his church, Our Lady of Lourdes.
with them, and that brings new Mr. Stenger had a short period in
Mel Stenger has been teaching for
learnings for him as well as his his life where he worked in the
over 23 years, 18 of them here at
students. corporate world, in the insurance
Kaiser. He's taught almost all
business, but found that immoral
grade levels from Kindergarten to Mr. Stenger received his BA in
business practices we not for him.
8th grade and still remains ener- Philosophy from Seminary College
He pursued his Teaching Credential
getic, enthusiastic and compas- in Detroit. He was a Franciscan
at Cal State Hayward and possess
a Masters of Education Supervision UC San Diego and Alexandra, 21, a
and Administration. Mel has IT'S by Ms. Reese's class any
Pass A THRILL Communications and Design
served as the Principal of WITH and
morningJILL you will hear the student at UC Davis. She has
Oakland's GATE Summer Program music blaring as she works on somewhat of a zoo at home, and
getting the blood flowing and assures us that there are fewer
for the past several years. He has
waking up her pre-teen fifth animals than she has had in the
certificates from the Bay Area
graders. They have a busy day past; Angel, the yellow Lab, Gimlet
Science Project, Bay Are Math
ahead of them as they prepare for and Goose, the kittens, and Ash,
Project, Bay Area Writing Project the rigors of middle school. Ms. the cockatiel that survived the
and has taken workshop with the Reese believes in making learning Oakland Hills firestorm of 1989.
Arts Project. as fun as possible. She wants her Jill loves roses and is an avid
Mr. Stenger finds that teaching students to enjoy it, to work hard gardener and a member of her local
at it and to develop a love for Garden Club. She does volunteer
Kindergarten is different from
learning. Jill believes that work with several local
other grade levels, in that he feels
knowledge is an accumulation of organizations. As you might have
strongly that he is not only
learnings and an ongoing process. guessed, our Jill is only starting her
teaching his students, but he is It should never stop. day with teaching…she ends it
working with their families and with learning and involvement in
helping them adjust to having kids Ms. Reese is a constant learner, and her community.
in school. He enjoys being is always taking classes after she is
instrumental in this transition for done teaching her class. She has a
Kaiser families. Mel is accessible B.A. from Mills College is Art
to his students and families and History, a Lifetime Elementary
believes that communication is key Teaching Credential from Mills
to making the Kindergarten and a GATE (Gifted and Talented
transition smooth for his students Education) Certificate from Santa
and families. If you have had the Clara University. Ms. Reese has
opportunity to observe Mr.
been a presenter at many
educational conferences, served on
Stenger with students, you will
task forces for educational projects
find him authentic, caring and
and causes, and takes computer
compassionate with our children.
classes whenever she can. She
Mel and his partner, Vince walks the walk when it comes to
Morgante will celebrate their 21st promoting lifelong learning!!
anniversary on Friday. They have
two sons, Ian, 13, a student at
Ms. Reese has been teaching at
Kaiser Elementary School for the
Montera Middle School and Paul, 10
past 16 years and prior to that,
a student in Mr. Neat's class. Mr.
taught in the Piedmont School
Stenger loves to cook…it relaxes
Distirct. She feels that she learns
him, and he has been performing new things everyday when
with the Gay Men's Chorus since observing her kids, and she
1987. Mel feels that Kaiser is a integrates those learnings into her
good fit for him, as our school is curriculum. She loves teaching
about building whole children, and her goals is to expose her
families coming together and a students to as many things, so she
community that is inclusive. He can guide them in finding their
feels welcomed and respected as a passion in life.
gay person, teacher and parent
which is something that he thinks Jill is just as passionate about her
is special about Kaiser. personal life. She and he husband
Chuck, a lawyer are the proud
parents of Clarissa, 31, a
Neuropsycologist who teaches at