Stoneybrooke Christian Schools has a ‘real live’ author on our staff!! Kathryn O’Brien, a second grade teacher at the Ladera Ranch campus, has written and had two children’s books published over the last few years. After feeling the Lord’s calling to write her first book, she began the process while at home raising her children. She felt as though this was one of the ways she could fulfill her creative side. With no outside assistance, Mrs. O’Brien had to learn how to publish her first story on her own. It was a tough process and she had a few setbacks, but then the Lord began to open a few doors and through a lot of prayer and hard work she soon had her first book out, “I’d Be Your Princess”. This book is about a little girl being loved and cherished by her daddy.
Mrs. O’ Brien’s publisher soon asked her to author another book which produced her second book, “I’d Be Your Hero”, a story about the relationship between a boy and his mom. Both books have scripture throughout the story as Mrs. O’Brien teaches about godly relationships between fathers and daughters, and also mothers and sons. She has really enjoyed creating these books and hopes to start work on another book this summer. Stoneybrooke is blessed to have such a talented author and teacher on staff!!

DON JUAN AVILA MIDDLE SCHOOL
DJAMS NEWS
Principal: Chris Carter
December 2008
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Dear Parents,

I hope this message finds our DJAMS’ families in good spirits. Our students, led by our PAL class, have done a tremendous job this holiday season supporting our community and those families who are less fortunate. It is wonderful to see how giving our students are when it comes to supporting their fellow citizens. Starting in November, our school collected over 2,500 food items for the South County Outreach. In December, we teamed up with the United States Marine Corps for our Annual Toys for Tots Drive. Thank you to everyone who participated in both of these efforts. Great job PAL and Mrs. Berndt! I would like to wish everyone a restful and safe winter break and a Happy New Year. Please remember that students return to school on Monday, January 5, 2009.

TRAFFIC SITUATION

Beginning Monday, January 5, when we return from Winter Break, our south end exit side will be coned off in the mornings only. This is being done to prevent cars from making an illegal turn into the lot by going around cars waiting in line to drop off their students. Please be aware of this situation as we return to school after the holidays. Thank you.

STUDENT PHOTOS WANTED FOR YEARBOOK

Yearbook is looking for some fun photos of our DJAMS students to use in this year’s yearbook. If you have any special pictures of your child that have been taken over weekends and summertime, please submit them to our Yearbook Advisor, Mrs. Stacy Olson, by Wednesday, January 14. Thank you.

Orchestra and Band students who are trying out for the CUSD Honor groups should practice your audition sheets over the break! Auditions are held in mid-January.

BRONCO PRIDE AWARDS

Don Juan Avila is pleased to announce it will be distributing “Bronco Pride” awards to outstanding students at DJAMS. The awards will recognize both academic accomplishments as well as school and community service efforts. This is an excellent opportunity for your sons and daughters’ achievements to be recognized. We would hope that all parents encourage their sons/daughters to get involved in the “Bronco Pride” awards. Please read through the packet explaining the process and deadline. Details and forms are available in the School Information folder. The awards will be distributed during the 4th quarter. If you have any questions or comments about the awards, please contact Mrs. Burdette, the Assistant Principal at Don Juan Avila Middle School or Mrs.Balogh. Winter Break would be a great time to build points towards Bronco Pride.

AMERICAN MATH COMPETION RESULTS

Don Juan Avila Middle School participates in an annual math worldwide competition every fall. We invite our top students to practice and take a test of 25 challenging word and critical thinking problems. After hard work, time and making the commitment to practice for the contest, our preliminary results gave Don Juan Avila the great honor of being in the top 5% in the world of schools participating in the American Math Competition this past November. Congratulations to all the students who helped our school score so high. Individual results of students will be released early next year.

NEXT WEIGHT TRAINING SESSION STARTS JANUARY 5

Mr. Binley’s next weight training session starts Monday, January 5. Classes will be held from 3:40 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, in our DJAMS Weight Room. This class is designed for all 7th and 8th graders interested in beginning weight training. To register for this class or other classes offered through Capistrano Community Education, please log on to www.capousd.org/adult or call 489-7202. Feel free to contact Mr. Binley if you have any questions regarding the class.

SUPERINTENDENT’S MONTHLY UPDATE LINK

To view the Superintendent’s Monthly Update, please use the following link:

http://www.capousd.org/swu.htm

CUSD COMMUNITY EDUCATION

CUSD Community Education Spring 2009 schedule of classes is now on line at capousd.org/adult. Sign up today for classes for children and adults. Many new classes for Parent and Me and children: Boogie Woogie Baby Music, Parent and Me Yoga, Abrakadoodle Art. New classes for adults include Growing Roses, Writing your Memoirs and a series of Digital Photography classes. Past favorites like Fiona’s Cooking Series, Spanish, German, and French plus a wide variety of art and craft classes will be returning. Sign up for 5 or more classes and receive a 10% discount on the total. Call for the discount. Find comfort in 2009 by learning something new. Register today as classes will fill quickly.

Brooke Beahm

CUSD Community Education

949-489-7202

capousd.org/adult

PREVIOUS NEWS

SHOP ONLINE AND SUPPORT THE DJAMS PTSA

Do you still have a few gifts left on your holiday shopping list? Enter www.escrip.com then click on At the Online Mall in the upper left corner of the site and shop! Your favorite online vendors will make a donation to the DJAMS PTSA with each and every purchase! It’s easy and it’s free to you, the store makes the donation. Hundreds of your favorite stores are accessible from the site — Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Nordstrom, Toys R Us, and many, many more! Remember: www.escrip.com, then At the Online Mall.

Thank you for your support,

DJAMS PTSA

YMCA TEEN CLUB NEWS

Did you know we are located right on campus for before and after school care for your middle school student? Did you also know that we are now currently open for enrollment?

The YMCA is dedicated to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities and we are doing it every day at your child’s school! We encourage you to come join in the fun! We have affordable rates that are structured to remain consistent throughout the year. We offer full and part time rates, which include: 5 day, 3 day, 2 day, and before school only options. We also have a diverse membership program that includes: Y Guides, Y Arts, Sports, Aquatics, and YMCA Fitness Facility. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Parker at (949) 360-9517, mparker@ymcaoc.net; or Chris Spitler at (949) 360-9517, cspitler@ymcaoc.net .

* As we approach Winter break, the YMCA will be offering Daily Drop In Rates.

*The YMCA will be open Mon-Fri, December 22nd – Jan 2nd from 7:00 am – 6pm

*The YMCA will be open 1/2 day on Wednesday, December 24 and 31 from 7:00am- 1pm.
fall.

The fee-based OLSAT will be offered on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at George White Elementary School, in Laguna Niguel (Grades 2-8) and on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at Capistrano Valley High School, in Mission Viejo (Grades 9-10). The cost for taking the OLSAT is $65.00. OLSAT registration forms will be available in all CUSD school administration buildings in December. Parents may also download the “Fee-Based AAA/GATE Test Application” from the CUSD AAA/GATE Website at www.capousd.org/aaa. Checks and registration forms must be postmarked by January 21, 2009 or delivered to the AAA/GATE Office before 4:30 pm on January 22, 2009, so that the appropriate number of tests can be ordered. No late registrations will be accepted.

Please Note: Kindergarten, first grade students, and students who have taken the OLSAT/NNAT in January 2009 at their school site are not eligible to take the Fee-Based OLSAT in February.

DJAMS SCIENCE

DJAMS Science Department is continuing its Ecophones fundraiser. Please help support the science department by donating old, working or not, cell phones, ink jet printer cartridges, digital cameras, laptop computers and ipods. Have your student bring these items to their science teacher for recycling. DJAMS science is compensated for each item donated. Thanks for your support in DJAMS and our environment.

DATES TO REMEMBER

December 22-Jan. 2 Winter Recess – No School
January 8 PTSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., Library
January 19 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Legal Holiday

January 30 Student Holiday/No School – First Semester Wrap-up Activities

February 11 College Prep Night @ AVMS, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. (Focus on High School Requirements A-G)
February 13 Lincoln Day, Legal Holiday
February 16 Washington Day, Legal Holiday
February 16 SRLA Team Runs the L.A. Marathon
March 12 PTSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., Library
April 6-10 Spring Recess – No School
May 14 PTSA Meeting, 2:30 p.m., Library
May 20 Open House, 6:30 p.m.
May 25 Memorial Day, Legal Holiday
June 18 Last Day of School

2009 Teacher Appreciation Days:
Free Admission for Teachers on
2nd Saturday of the Month

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif., December 18, 2008 – Mission San Juan Capistrano will extend its appreciation to California classroom educators for their dedication to their students throughout 2009. Beginning Saturday, January 10, 2009, and continuing on 2nd Saturdays through December 12, 2009, teachers with valid ID can enjoy free admission with each paid admission. Teacher Appreciation Days offer elementary and secondary teachers both an enjoyable experience, and provides them with useful information for their classrooms.
“Teacher Appreciation Days are a gift we offer teachers to thank them for their service,” remarked Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, the Mission’s Executive Director. “We also want to introduce them to or remind them of all the Mission has to offer, in hopes that they’ll return with their students.”
Audio Tour – Teachers can experience the new, self-guided digital “Voices of the Mission” audio tour, available in English, Spanish, French and German. A hand-held audio player is given to each visitor, and offers a 45-minute tour with history, interviews, music, and sound effects interpreting Mission San Juan Capistrano. The audio tour may also be downloaded for free at www.missionsjc.com.
The Mission also offers Saved by the Mission Bell: A Child’s Journey through California History, an audio tour designed for students. It features the story of Mission bell ringer Acu, a misplaced man in California’s history, who seeks the help of two modern-day 4th graders, Megan and Tommy, to return to his time in 1915. Along the way, the trio meets characters from the Mission’s past who open the children’s eyes to the change and challenges of the Mission.
Living History Days – Second Saturdays are also Living History Days at the Mission. Visitors have the opportunity to meet people from the Mission’s history portrayed by members of the Living History Society. Each member carefully studies the background of his/her character and creates an authentic costume.
Additionally, visitors may receive a free trading card featuring a Living History character. Characters featured on the cards include Fr. Junipero Serra, Don Juan Bandini, Jessie Benton Fremont, Christopher “Kit” Carson and many more.
“It’s our goal to provide our young people with an authentic place for inspired learning about California history,” continued Lawrence-Adams. “We hope that a visit to the Mission will help teachers see all of the ways in which Orange County’s only mission provides an inspired learning experience.”
Proof of being a current California teacher required; additional members of the teacher’s party must pay the regular admission rate. For additional information about the Mission, visit www.missionsjc.com or call (949) 234-1300.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is open 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. The Mission operations are funded by gate admissions – preservation work is funded by grants and fundraising efforts. To reach the Mission, take I-5 to the Ortega Highway exit to San Juan Capistrano. Admission: $9 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children ages 3-11, and under 3 free. Price includes self-guided, digital audio tour for adults and seniors. Information: (949) 234-1300. Mission address: 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano. Website: www.missionsjc.com.
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Elementary Principal: Ms. Cari L. Caris
Preschool Director: Mrs. Cheryl Cragun
Contact: Adrienne Steenblock
(949) 495-5162
December 17, 2008

McDowell Elementary & Children’s Choice Preschool

Open Enrollment begins January 31
Personal tours and information for the 2009-2010 school year can be arranged by calling the front office at (949) 495-5162. This is a great chance to see the spectacular classrooms and meet the hard working teachers and staff behind this award-winning private school. Mark your calendar for McDowell’s annual preview open house Saturday, January 31 from 9am-12pm. This event is open to the public. We look forward to seeing you!

McDowell will be opening their doors for middle school in 2009-2010, starting with a sixth grade class. The middle school will be a laptop immersion, rigorous academic curriculum, complemented with cotillion, physical education, art, Spanish and music. Enrollment forms will be available mid-January with student evaluations done on a one- on one basis by appointment.

McDowell is a traditional secular private school appealing to parents who are seeking a proven curriculum and a safe, nurturing environment with small class sizes. For 33 years, McDowell Elementary has served the community in grades preschool through the fifth grade, and is accredited by NIPSA and NAEYC.
The U.S. Department of Education bestowed its highest honor upon McDowell when it awarded the school the 2005-2006 “Blue Ribbon” award. The “Blue Ribbon”, the Nation’s most prestigious education award, distinguishes McDowell Elementary for its excellence in leadership, teaching, curriculum, student achievement, parent involvement, and community support.
The 2008 Winter Holiday Program was a huge success! The elementary students performed December Holidays Around the World. There were songs representing Hannukah, Christmas, Las Posadas, Kwanzaa and Kalikimaka. The Preschool sing-a-long was as always adorable. The little cherubs sang their hearts out to the tunes of “We Wish you a Happy Holidays”, “Jingle Bells”, “The Rudolph Hokey Pokey” “Oh Dreidel, Dreidel Dreidel” and “Falling Snowflakes”.
McDowell & Children’s Choice would like to extend warm holiday wishes to all and a Happy New Year!