The Ribbet Review

Thoreau is a special place. When talking about Thoreau, people that used to work here, substitute teachers, visitors, and new families always say how much they like it here. When asked what it is that makes Thoreau so special they all say the same thing. “I just like the people”. Our students get more than a great education; they benefit from a community of caring adults.

We have a principal with vision and great leadership skills, a support staff that is kind and helpful, teachers that give 110% to every student; and parents that take time to participate. There are so many parents, teachers, and staff that make a difference at Thoreau by their commitment and dedication. We believe in the theory that it takes a village to raise a child. So we invite you to be one of the “village people” (pun intended). Thank you very much for putting children first!

Sincerely,

Polly Blanchard

Contact Polly at: 820.8909 or polly@mccarthygmac.com

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Teacher Spotlight

Interview with the Editor

Ms. Lesley Paige, Music and Choir Instructor

Mrs. Paige, we are so lucky to have you as our music and choir teacher! You have been with Thoreau for quite a while. Will you share a little bit about yourself with us?

I am starting my 31^st year of teaching. This is my 21^st year at Thoreau Elementary. I love being at Thoreau. I went to Norkirk El., Kirkland Jr High, and I graduated from the Lake Washington High. I attended Washington State University where I earned my B.A. in Music and I attended the University of Washington where I earned my Master's in Music. I grew up near A.G. Bell El. I am raising my children one hill over from where I grew up. I have a 28 yr old daughter, Mariko who is working on her Master's in International Political Science. She maintains a 3.98 G.P.A. My 20 yr old daughter, Mika, graduated from the Lake Wa. High and she is starting her 3^rd year of college. She is working on a B.A. in Journalism. She maintains high grades and is on the Dean's List. I have a 12 yr old son, Robert and a 10 yr old son, Matthew. Both of my sons attend John Muir El. Robert plays the violin and Matthew plays the cello. I have an 11 yr old grandson named Reece and a 4 yr old grandson named Gavin and they live in Memphis, Tennessee.

My first teaching position was in Virginia where I taught high school choir and music theory classes. I next taught for 3 years in Killeen, Texas at Sugar Loaf El. Most of the childrens’ fathers were military from the Fort Hood Army Post.

I taught Jr High music and El. music in Federal Way for four years. I have taught music in the Lake Wa. School District at Ben Franklin, Lakeview, A.G. Bell, Sandburg El., Keller El., Juanita El., Ben Rush El., Rose Hill Jr High, and Finn Hill Jr High. Thoreau is my home! I love the community and parental support at Thoreau!

I am the director of music for my church, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church where I have an adult choir, a youth a choir, and a children's choir. I love teaching music to our students at Thoreau. Teaching choir is a special love of mine. I appreciate our wonderful parental, teacher, and PTA support. Thoreau El. is a great place to be!

In my spare time I love to spend time with my family, read, garden, cook, bake, take cooking classes, attend the ballet, opera, and musicals. My sons and I are planning to go on a dinosaur dig next summer in Vernal, Utah where they have the largest amount of Jurassic Age dinosaur bones. I was born in Salt Lake City, so I still have six different families there. I did part of my growing up in Buffalo, New York.

What is it that made you decide you wanted to teach music and choir?

I played the organ and started conducting the adult choir at my church in Kirkland when I was in the 8^th grade. When I saw the movie, "The Sound of Music" and I heard Julie Andrews sing the song "Do, Re, Mi" I decided I wanted to be a music teacher. I had a great choir director at Lake Wa. High named, Jack Kunz. He was my inspiration to become the best music teacher I could become. I sang in the Lake Wa. High, Concertones and I took music theory classes from Mr. Kunz. I had a chance a few years ago to talk to Mr. Kunz and to tell him that he was the teacher that inspired me to go into education. I started playing the piano when I was eight years old.

Will you tell us something about you that no one would be able to guess?

In growing up, I was basically a girly girl so in college at Washington State University, I joined the Army Sponsors to make myself learn how to do something different, where I learned to repel off the field house, I was the lead drill team captain in our Army Sponsors for marching in the Lilac Parade in Spokane, I went to spring camp with the R.O.T.C. and went through the confidence course at Fort Lewis, and I was able to ride in a Huey helicopter.

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Last Month’s Events

Ice Cream Social & Info Night – Sept 9^th
We kicked off the year with another terrific ice cream social and information night Friday, September 9th in the school gym. The event was a success, as many students and families attended and we served approximately 385 bowls of ice cream! Students and parents also had a chance to peruse the information tables and sign up for some of the wonderful before and after school programs Thoreau is able to offer. Some of the programs even filled up, such as the art classes offered on Wednesdays taught by Mrs. Freese. We got many guesses as to how many jelly bellies were in the jar at the chess table, but the two expert estimators turned out to be Gabe M and Brianna S, both of Mr. Turnbull's class. The jar contained 510 jelly bellies and both Gabe and Brianna won a new chess set! The evening also included some entertainers from Fun Rents, one balloon artist and two face painters that all turned out to be a big attraction for the kids! Many kids were seen toting around balloon swords or animals with their faces expertly adorned with paint. In addition, our own Thoreau parent, Reuben Barron, worked the crowd creating some of his own balloon art and making magic. He stumped kids and adults alike as he displayed a deft hand at doing magic tricks. Overall, it was a great family event. Thanks to all who attended and volunteered to make this evening possible. *- Denice Loken* *VP PTA-Specific/Safety*
New school year and activities are off to a great start!
Wow! Does everyone feel as busy as we’re feeling? The new school year has begun and routines are falling into place again. This past month, 5^th and 6^th graders who signed up for band have already gotten started. Band is held in the mornings before school. The 4^th – 6^th graders who have signed up for orchestra began the week of September 19. They also have an early start to their day! If you have any questions about band, please contact instructors Paul Robinson or Ron Maier at 821-6544. For questions about orchestra, contact instructors Kim Merkley or Erika Pierson at 823-7600 x4516.
	Safety Patrol squads were also assembled during September. We have a great squad this year! There is still room if you are a 5^th or 6^th grader and have not had a chance to sign up yet. Please get in touch with Ms. Vunak in room 220 if you’re interested. For 4^th graders who just can’t wait to start patrol until next year, you’ll have your chance
to try it out at the end of this school year! As the 6^th graders get busy near the end of the year with all of their activities, we will need the help of a few 4^th graders to round out the squad for a couple of weeks. Also, safety patrol has an end-of-year party and we need help from patrol parents. Denice Loken will be helping to coordinate this. If you would like to help out, please contact Denice at 814-9726 or Jan Vunak at 823-4350. Thank you! *- Sarah Cuplin Wilson* *VP Communications*

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This Month’s Highlights

PTA Board and Committee Chairs

Ribbet Run on Friday, May 20^th

Do it for the slime!

Principal R has challenged our school to raise $18,000 during our Ribbet Run Fundraiser this year (last year we made $19,000). When we succeed he will be SLIMED at an all school assembly. The Ribbet Run is the most important fundraiser for our school. Every child at our school benefits from this one!! This money provides classroom teachers and specialty teachers with money to supplement classrooms with their individual needs. It rents buses for field trips for every grade. It pays for enrichment Math, Science, Reading and Art Programs for all grades… and more!!

We have the Slime machine, we have the Slime, all we need are the funds. If nothing else…do it for the slime. J

PTA General Meeting & Parent Education Class on Thursday, October 20^th, 7:00pm

Whose Homework Is It, Anyway?

Thoreau PTA has paid for the Parent Education Group to host educational classes for Thoreau parents at school this year. They are free of charge to Thoreau families, so please make use of this opportunity! This first class will be presented by Pat Timmons, a certified teacher and educator. The Parent Education Group was formed by Thoreau parent Laura Doerflinger. Learn more about them online at www.parenteducationgroup.com or contact Laura at laura@parenteducationgroup.com.

The class is held immediately following the PTA General Meeting. Childcare is provided! Please come to the PTA Meeting at 7pm and stay for the class, which begins at 7:30.

Class synopsis

In order to help children be effective students and life-long learners, it is important to step back and evaluate how parents’ roles play into their children’s school years. This presentation helps parents develop strategies for effective parent involvement in homework and school, with a goal of developing independent and healthy children in the home and school setting.

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Parenting Tips

By Laura Doerflinger

Back to School Routine

Transitions are always a challenge. For children, transitioning from summer to back to school is one of
the biggest. Establishing routines and patterns of behavior aid a successful transition. After almost a
month in school, our children should be well adjusted into their new patterns, however, many parents have called me very concerned about the anxiety and moodiness that their children express. If your child
is challenged by this transition then read on. If it takes 30-days to change a behavior, we should
expect a back to school pattern to be smooth in about 30-days. Thus, if this is not happening for your
child, you may need to look into your training program. As a parent it is our job to train our children to
become successful adults. As they go through transitions, we must train them on new routines with
the patience and encouragement of a professional. Although so much of what we ask may seem simple, to a child who must re-establish so many behaviors, it is not. There are four main routines children must establish at the beginning of school.

1. Morning Routine: This pattern includes getting up and getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth, washing up, packing lunch and getting the backpack ready.

2. School Routine: the teacher and the school establish this pattern but it can be a very complicated set of behaviors and thought patterns.

3. After School Routine: Transitioning from school to home or activity is a pattern in and of itself. This might include snack time, break time, or homework.

4. Nighttime Routine: This pattern might include dinner, homework, snack/dessert, free time, brushing teeth, washing up, and settling into bed.

These routines are important to establish in the first thirty to sixty days of school in order for the year
to go smoothly. Your child has a need to feel comfortable and safe in his/her patterns. And your
child needs your help in the training process. Here are some helpful hits to aid in his/her success.

1. Establish Your Own Pattern: Expecting your child to follow a routine means that he must have a base to build from. You are the base. Most people are forces to have routines due to their line of work (from lawyer to home manager). But if you live chaotically understand that your children will live chaotically. Establishing a routine for yourself will greatly help in establishing a routine for your child.

2. Establish Expectations and Home Routines: Sit down with your child and discuss what works best for the morning routine, after school routine and night routine. Use your child’s input and make a list. Post the lists in appropriate places. Again, you are training your child to be a responsible adult – don’t forget that! So get her to buy into the plan but focusing on the ease of her life within routines. Next remember that repetition is the only way to train. Gentle reminders and refocus on the established lists aid a child in the training process. If a routine is not working, re-work it! And ultimately consistency yields results. Help your child daily until the behavior patterns solidify. You will be rewarded for your efforts by way of a calm atmosphere.

3. Review School Routines: Most kids feel overwhelmed and anxious by new school routines. No matter how helpful and forgiving the teacher may be, kids feel a need to impress and fit in. Go over the expectations of the school and talk to your child about the best way he can manage within that system.

Remember, it is not too late to establish routines. Look at what has worked so far, what is not working, and what will work. Develop a plan with your children and then understand that you are responsible to train them step by step just like at a job. If you use patience and understanding, your child will gladly participate in finding what works. Nobody likes a chaotic hurried experience. After a good thirty days of intense training, your child will relax into the patterns.

Laura Doerflinger, MS, LMHC is a Child and Family Therapist,

And Executive Director of the Parent Education Group.

Email Laura at: laura@parenteducationgroup.com

Visit Laura online at: www.parenteducationgroup.com

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Legislative Updates

- Sarah Cuplin Wilson, Thoreau Legislative Liaison

2005 Legislative Assembly

This month, our legislative representatives will be convening in Olympia for the annual Legislative Assembly. During the Assembly, legislators create and then adopt the legislative platform for the year – i.e. they decide what their priority issues will be – what they will lobby for during the year on behalf of our students.

Last month, a survey went home to Thoreau families asking for your input on what issues you consider to be most important, so that our legislative representatives can speak on our behalf. Hopefully everyone had a chance to respond! Once the issues have been decided upon they will be published in the Ribbet Review newsletter.

Here are a few of this year’s issues that have been proposed for the year’s priorities:

Þ Review & evaluate tax exemptions: Tax exemptions are WA State’s largest expenditure. PTA proposes to initiate/support legislation to “require transparency, accountability, review and evaluation of Washington State Tax Exemptions”

Þ Children’s health care: PTA proposes to initiate/support legislation and/or policies for health care access “for all children regardless of cost, race, color or circumstance”.

Þ Academic after school programs: “After school programs have been shown to improve the attendance and academic performance of participating children”. PTA proposes to initiate/ support legislation to “address funding options for after school programs”…for “improved access and affordability”.

Þ Achievement gap: “In the last ten years, scores for the nation’s top performing students have increased while scores for the lowest performing students have declined by over twice as much.” The same report concluded that “…all students, regardless of race or family income, can meet high academic standards when they have the right kind of opportunities, resources, and system supports.” PTA proposes to initiate/ support legislation and/or policies that “target closing the achievement gap by providing all students with the opportunity to achieve the state standards.”

(Important note: Thoreau PTA does not place higher priority on any one of these issues alone – please see the complete list online at: http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/Legislation/issues_book2005.pdf or contact Sarah Cuplin Wilson for a written copy at 821-9249)

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Top Frog A.C.E. Awards

Principal Roetcisoender

September 2005

Every month, one student from each class is nominated by their teacher for the Top Frog ACE Award (Academics, Citizenship and Excellence). Winners get to eat lunch at a special table with Mr. R., are awarded a certificate and have their picture taken! These are students who consistently work hard at their schoolwork, follow the rules and strive to do their best. This month’s awards were presented to:

This month there are no top frog awards. These will begin next month!

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Student Contributions

- Editor

Calling all Students!

Students, we need you! We’d like to publish student writing in the Ribbet Review every month. If you are an aspiring author, writer or poet (or maybe just want your 15 minutes of fame), please send an original writing to be published in this newsletter. You choose the topic and the format. You may write a poem or a short story, you may even send in some creative writing that you did in class. It should be no more than 150 words. Turn them in to your teacher or the office labeled: Attn: Sarah Cuplin Wilson, or email them to sarahandjoel@gmail.com.

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What is PTA?

Our Mission:

To support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children;

To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children;

To encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.

Click here for current PTA Board Members and contact information.

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