Ocean Institute to Welcome 2,500
5th Grade Scientists in Training for
January “Kids’ Conferences on Watersheds”

Dana Point, CALIF., January 8, 2009 – Teaching America’s next generation of young people about our oceans and the importance of protecting them and their inhabitants is at the heart of the Ocean Institute’s mission. Therefore, the Institute launched its annual watershed program in 2003 to teach 5th grade students from the Southland about the science of the watersheds, an area of land which drains water to a river, lake, wetland or the ocean. Often, residents of a watershed are careless in such everyday choices as how to wash the car or fertilize the lawn, which ultimately contribute to pollution on our beaches and harm the wildlife that lives along our coastlines.
Over 2,500 students from 29 schools who are participating in the Ocean Institute’s 2008-09 Watershed program will visit the Institute January 12 – 29, 2009 for the Kids’ Conferences on Watersheds. The conference provides these young people with the opportunity to present the findings of their studies in the program to their peers, with local elected officials and professionals in the field listening in.
The program began in September and October, when 5th grade students visited the Institute to learn about watersheds and ways to reduce pollution in our oceans. Topics studied include meteorology, internal systems, water chemistry, water cycle, biological assessments, ocean productivity and research techniques. They then returned to their individual schools to continue their studies, collect data and prepare their information for public presentations. The Kids’ Conferences in January is the highlight of the program, when the children return to share what they learned with each other. Some students present their findings to local businesses and public officials, in hopes of encouraging them to be better stewards of our ocean environment.
“We’ve been pleased with the results of the Watershed program,” observed Jonathan Witt, Watershed Education Program Coordinator. “It’s an ideal fit with our mission at the Institute, ocean preservation through education.”
Eighty classes of 5th grade students participated from 19 cities. They were taught in Ocean Institute laboratories, as well as on-board the Institute’s R/V Sea Explorer. Teachers from the classes participating were trained in inservice classes at the Institute last summer, and returned to their classrooms to prepare their students for their visit to the Institute.
Guests from various community organizations, including city councils, school boards, non-profits and county officials, will be invited to attend the Kids’ Conferences to discuss the research projects and current watershed issues with the students during roundtable discussions.
The Watershed program is made possible through the generous support of Miocean, SIMA, Orange County Community Foundation, and the Kenneth and Eileen Norris Foundation.
Information: Jonathan Witt, (949) 496-2274, ext. 330. Website: www.ocean-institute.org.

Founded in 1977, the Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean preservation through education, setting the standard for educational excellence and serving as a leading resource for universities, museums, teachers and all others seeking to increase their knowledge of the ocean. The Ocean Institute is open to the general public on weekends, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cost: $6.50 adults, $4.50 children (ages 4-12), Ocean Institute members free. Unique maritime and ocean-themed items are available in the Chambers Gallery everyday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Institute address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point. Website: www.ocean-institute.org.

2008 Business of the Year – The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce has selected the Ocean Institute as Dana Point’s “Business of the Year.” The award recognizes the positive contribution the Ocean Institute has made to the Dana Point community.
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Bergeson Bulldog BARK

Friday’s Weekly Newsletter

January 9, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We’ve had a great first week of school in 2009 and we’re hoping that your New Year brings you many blessings, health and happiness!

Attendance Congratulations!

During the months of November and December, the following classes received the award for best attendance. Congratulations! They will keep the roving trophy in their room for the month of January.

Kindergarten – Mrs. Garner’s class

1st Grade – Mrs. Terheggen’s class

2nd Grade – Mrs. Bell’s class

3rd Grade – Mrs. H. Thomas’ class

4th grade – (tie) Mrs. Duff and Mrs. W. Thomas’ class

5th grade – Mrs. Wiseman’s class

Claim Jumper Fundraiser

HEY PARTNER, SEE YA AT THE CLAIM JUMPER FOR GOOD GRUB! Come join us for our Family Dine Out at the Claim Jumper Restaurant off La Paz. Fun for kids and parents alike, and 10% of your bill will be donated to our school’s foundation. Thursday, January 15th from 5 PM to 10 PM. Flyers will come home Monday, Jan. 12th, or visit the Bergeson website to print out a copy http://bgnes.capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/ . See you there!

Math and Reading Intervention Classes

The classes started this week for students who qualify to receive the reading or math after-school intervention classes. Hooray! Free tutoring! The qualification is decided with some of our assessments such as: STAR, CORE, PMAS and others. The schedule is as follows and our Bergeson teachers will be teaching the classes:

Reading, Grades 1 and 2 – Monday and Wednesday (Library)

Math, Grades 2 and 3 –Tuesday and Friday (P-28) (Please NOTE: This is a change!)

Reading, Grade 3 – Monday and Wednesday (F-16)

Math, Grade 4 and 5 – Tuesday and Wednesday (G-18)

Reading, Grade 4 and 5 – Monday and Thursday (G-17)

5th Grade Yearbook Dedications

A form went out this week for parents/relatives of 5th grade students who might want to put a dedication into our 2008-2009 Bergeson Yearbook as a fun way to reflect on the child’s experience and growth in elementary school and to tell them that you are proud of them and love them. Thank you to Mary Brown (busybrowns@cox.net) and Kathy Brevoort (DKBREV@aol.com) for volunteering to run this project.

5th Annual Marian Bergeson Foundation Golf Tournament

Flyers went home today for this wonderful community golf tournament and dinner party benefiting Bergeson Elementary School through our school Foundation on Monday, March 9 at the El Niguel Country Club. Shotgun start is at 12 noon within a first class, private golf course, with unique silent auction items, live entertainment and much more. $195 per person includes green fees, cart, range balls, lunch, refreshments, dinner, silent auction and prizes. The dinner is $50 per person from 4:30 – 9 PM. Raffle tickets for the Diamond Necklace valued at $7200 are $75 per ticket. Thank you to Tori DeGroote (481-4264) and Rob Gibson (285-7044) for chairing the tournament.

Thursday After-School Games

Parents of third through fifth grade students can now enroll their kiddos in Early Out Thursday after school games, taught by Ed Neely, former CUSD principal and teacher. Kickball, Dodge Ball, Capture the Flag and many more fun games are just some of the excitement (activities also planned for rainy days). Session two of this popular program begins February 5 and extends to April 2, from 12:55 to 2:00 PM each Thursday. Parents may enroll their children on-line at http://www.capousd.org/adult/ [Click on REGISTER HERE below arrow on left side of screen; Click on CHILDREN ATHELETIC ACTIVITIES, click on AFTER SCHOOL GAMES; Find course number 9233981]. Flyers will be sent home week of January 12 and will be available in the office.

Variety Show

The famous Bergeson Variety Show will be held on February 20 at Wood Canyon Elementary School. The forms went out for auditions and are currently comin’ back in. You can do it! You are a super-star performer!

Head Lice

We’ve had a few cases of head lice this week so I’d like to give a few reminders about what to look for. Lice are about the size of a sesame seed; they don’t like sunlight, and like to reside in hair. If your child has them, there is shampoo and a kit which will give instructions on treatment from our local drug store. In addition, here are some other things to think about:

Lice cannot live past 16 hours without feeding on blood.
Bag up all stuffed animals and put them away from humans/animals for about 2 weeks.
Wash all bed linens in hot water/dryer.
Vacuum furniture, carpeting and flooring.
Remove all nits (eggs in hair) with a special comb (sold in kits) or by hand.
The best way to check for lice is in the sunlight. Use a pencil or small stick to look through all of the hair.

January Birthdays

1/14, Evangelina Gonzalez (special education aide)

1/19, Stephanie Manneart (special education aide

1/24, Sue Jensen (special education aide)

The Marian Bergeson Elementary School staff and I look forward to working with you toward continuous academic and social growth of our amazing young people!

Barbara Scholl

Principal, Marian Bergeson Elementary School

25302 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel CA 92677

bscholl@capousd.org

949.643.1540

Community Education Classes held at Bergeson Elementary School

Enroll at www.capousd.org/adult

All Classes one hour unless otherwise noted.

COURSE #, TITLE, GRADE, DAY, TIME, BEG DATE, END DATE, COST

9211263, Academic Chess, K-5, M, 2:10, 2/2, 3/30, $99

9211286, Academic Chess, K-5, M, 2:10, 4/13, 6/1, $99

9261560, Basic Mandarin, 1-5, T, 2:10, 2/2, 4/20, $135

9212061, ST Math™ Enrichment, 1-5, T, 2:10, 2/3, 3/31, $105

9212076, ST Math™ Enrichment, 1-5, T, 2:10, 4/14, 6/2, $105

9231191, Cheerleading/Pom, K-4, W, 2:10, 2/11, 3/18, $65

9251079, Hip Hop, 1-4, W, 2:10, 4/15, 5/20, $65

9233981, After School Games with Ed Neely, 3-5, Th, 12:55, 2/5, 4/2, $99

9233984, After School Games with Ed Neely, 3-5, Th, 12:55, 4/16, 6/11, $99

9253765, Piano Keyboard with Musical Minds, 1-5, F, 2:10, 2/6, 4/3, $175

9253767, Piano Keyboard with Musical Minds, 1-5, F, 2:10, 4/17, 5/29, $175

2-Way Language Immersion Program Information

for San Juan Elementary School in San Juan Capistrano

CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

(for parents of children who will enter Kindergarten in September, 2009)

Help your child learn to think, read, write and speak naturally in two languages! Our District’s intensive 2-Way Language Immersion Program is designed for students to:

· Achieve proficiency in English and Spanish while developing high level academic skills

· Build strong thinking and reasoning for problem solving in math and science

· Provide them with the cutting edge for admission in colleges and universities that value and promote biliterate, multicultural and global learning

· Perform at or above grade level in academic areas

· Prepare them for a real world with positive opportunities and challenges

Tour Dates for San Juan Elementary School: January 15. and February 19

All tours will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the school’s multipurpose room. This is a very popular program. Space is limited and parents must attend a tour to be on the interest list.

For more information call: 2-Way Language Immersion Program at

(949) 493-4533 at San Juan Elementary School

or visit our website at http://sjes.capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/

Open Enrollment

If you are attending Bergeson and are outside of our attendance boundaries, please make sure to adhere to these timelines so that you can submit your application for attendance during the next school year.

· February 9, 2009 – Open Enrollment Applications and Brochures available

· February 11, 2009, 6:00pm, Board Room – Open Enrollment Parent Information Meeting

· February 11-12, 2009 – School Visitation Days for schools in the Limited Space and One-to-One Categories only

· February 17-20, 2009 – Open Enrollment Application Submission Period

· April 3, 2009 – Parent Notification begins

Celebration Book Club: Looking for a way to recognize your child’s birthday or other special event? Bergeson PTA Book Club is a great way to celebrate your student’s accomplishment while giving to the Bergeson library as well! Your child gets to choose a book from pre-selected “library bound” books. A personalized book label will be filled out with your child’s name and placed inside the front cover. The book is presented to your child at a Friday morning assembly after which they get to enjoy the book for a week. The book then goes into the library shelves to be benefit children for years to come! What a great way to celebrate your child and literacy at the same time! Forms may be picked up at the front office.

Bergeson Elementary School Foundation Fundraiser

ON-LINE SHOPPING AND SUPPORTING THE SCHOOL TOO: You and friends can shop on-line at over 500 stores and a portion of your purchases will be rebated to our Bergeson Elementary School Foundation. Visit http://www.goodshop.com and type in BESF in the box asking, “WHO DO YOU GOODSHOP FOR?”

YOUR NETTREKKER SUBSCRIPTION CONTINUES: Nettrekker is a wonderful resource for students of all ages; elementary, middle school and high school, and for their parents as well. This is a website which is similar to google.com but is screened to make sure that the content is kid-safe and educationally appropriate.

http://school.nettrekker.com/frontdoor/

username : capobergeson

password: bergeson

COMMENTS: bscholl@capousd.org

INTERNET LINKS:

MARIAN BERGESON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: http://bgnes.capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/

SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS: http://www.capousd.org/campus/

2008 – 09 SCHOOL CALENDAR: http://www.capousd.org/bgnes/08-09_calendar.htm

BERGESON PTA: http://www.bergesonpta.org

BERGESON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOUNDATION: http://www.friendsofbergie.org

YOUR ELECTED FEDERAL, STATE AND COUNTY OFFICIALS: http://www.capousd.org/fiscal/LegislativeList2007.pdf

UPCOMING EVENTS:

1/12, 2nd grade Field Trip, Disneyland Salutes the American Band @ Saddleback Church

1/15, 4th and 5th grade assembly, Meet the Musicians sponsored by the OC Philharmonic Society

1/15, Claim Jumper Family Night (Laguna Hills, La Paz Road)

1/19, Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday

1/27, Variety Show Auditions from 2 – 4 PM

1/30, Mid-Trimester Progress Reports Go Home

February

2/5, Spring Photos

2/11, Kindergarten Round- Up from 1 – 2 PM

2/12, Jump Rope 4 Heart from 8 – 10 AM

2/13 – 16, President’s Holiday

2/18, PTA and Bergeson Foundation Dinner Meeting

2/20, Variety Show @ Wood Canyon Elementary School

2/27, Coffee With the Principal, 8 AM

CUSD BOARD OF TRUSTEES RELEASES PUBLIC STATEMENT REGARDING
SUPERINTENDENT A. WOODROW CARTER

As previously reported, the Board of Trustees of the Capistrano Unified School District, at its meeting on January 6, 2009, took action to place Superintendent, A. Woodrow Carter, on paid administrative leave. The District and several members of the Board of Trustees have received questions as to why this action was taken.
The Board of Trustees is committed to making employment decisions based on the best interests of the students and community that it serves. However, such decisions inevitably involve issues relating to how public employees are performing their responsibilities. While the public’s interest in such matters is well understood, it is also the case that California law establishes a right of privacy in favor of the employee with respect to their job performance, and makes confidential the Board’s deliberations with respect to such matters. The employee’s right of privacy derives from the State Constitution, as well as other statutory provisions and case law. Accordingly, and out of respect for the Superintendent’s privacy rights, as well as the confidentiality associated with the Board’s deliberations, the Board cannot comment on or respond to questions concerning its decision to place the Superintendent on paid leave. The District and the Board will share further information at the appropriate time and in compliance with the law.

Parents,

Listed below is information from Coach Elkins regarding girl’s lacrosse tryouts.

If interested please note the date and times.

If you plan on trying out you must bring your completed athletic clearance packet (physical) to me prior to Jan. 21st.

Have a great weekend.

Mike Middlebrook

——————————————————————————–

Dave Elkins
Assistant Principal

La Paz Intermediate School

(949) 830-1720

elkinsd@svusd.org

——————————————————————————–

Ladies,
The coaches met tonight and we have firmed up our tryout plans and schedules as follows:

Wednesday, January 21st, 5-7:30 pm ANHS Stadium : NEW PLAYERS ONLY
If you were a member of the Lady Wolverines Lacrosse team last year, you DO NOT come to this tryout.

Thursday, January 22nd, 5-7:30 pm ANHS Stadium: ALL POTENTIAL PLAYERS
All new and returning players will attend this day.

Friday, January 23rd, 5-7:30 La Paz Intermediate Lower Field: ALL POTENTIAL PLAYERS
All new and returning players will attend this day. The team lists will be posted online by Saturday, January 24th and the sign up meeting will be on Monday, January 26th, 7:30pm in the Aliso library.

La Paz Intermediate School
25151 Pradera Drive, Mission Viejo, CA
(Park in the lot and then walk towards the back of the school, down the steps, to the lacrosse/football field.)

MAP:
http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/schools/La_Paz/map.html

Please arrive 15 minutes early to warmup properly and bring a girl’s stick, cleats, mouthguard, goggles, and water.

See you there!

Coach Elkins