Hidden Valley Hawk Talk Newsletter, Issue #13
Monday, December 11, 2023
Dec 12
Winter sing-a-long 11-11:45 am in the MPR
Dec 15
Last day to deliver wrapped Adopt-A-Family gifts in the classroom
Dec 16
C4C Change for Good Day at Wade Thomas
Dec 25 - Jan 5
No school - Winter Break
January 8
No school - teacher work day
January 15
No school - MLK Jr. Day
January 22
Next Children for Change Family Orientation at 6 pm
February 19-23
No school - Mid-winter break
Hello Hawk Families,
We have some exciting events happening this week!
Winter Music Sing-a-Long Tuesday 12/12 11:00 am -11:45 am
In the Ross Valley School District, participation in the performing arts leads to a deeper appreciation of beauty and diverse points of view; while growing our students into curious and caring citizens with both a strong sense of self and empathy for others. Join us in singing songs from around the world this Tuesday at 11:00.
Give Voice to Potential 5th Grade Opera Performance Friday 12/15 at 9:00 am
Music is often used as a conveyor of ideals, opinion, rebellion, and affirmation. In our 5th grade Voices for Social Justice program, students have looked closely at how art and song have contributed to shaping and encouraging social change. Students identified social and political conflicts in our community and put the power of songwriting into practice as they created their own opera. Our 5th graders are experiencing their authentic voices as they emerge through the practice of music and storytelling, further developing their world view and leadership potential.
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The program has consisted of 10 weekly class sessions of 90 minutes, a performance, and then a follow up reflection. San Francisco Opera Guild engages with our student community, recognizing authentic voices as they emerge through the practice of music and storytelling, and supporting our students in their development of world view and leadership potential. Thank you for your generous contributions to HV PTO, which allow for programs like these!
Adopt-A-Family
In the spirit of giving and gratitude, consider providing a warm holiday gift for families in need. As a school, we are adopting 7 families (one per grade) and hope to give them as many of their wish list items as possible!
Click on the link to go to the family’s wish list, sign up and spread some joy! Gifts due to school Thursday, December 14th.
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1st - The Zebra Family
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2nd - The Toy Family
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3rd - The Tiger Family
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4th - The Brave Family
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5th - The Shooting Star Family
In Community,
Kristi
Hello Hidden Valley Families!
Thank you to those of you that joined us last week for our casual coffee discussion with Mrs. Fish. It is always nice to see new faces at our PTO meetings. Look for more in 2024!
Things are quiet with the PTO, but will ramp up after the first of the year. We can’t believe that 2023 is almost over! Don’t forget to join your students for the Winter Sing-a-Long on Tuesday at 11 am! This is always a fun event that the kids and families love.
As crazy as it sounds, in early 2024, the PTO board will start working to fill volunteer roles for the 2024-2025 school year. It is particularly important to get this information out early because many of our consistent volunteers have children that will be moving on to middle school, or they have held their roles for several years and want to do something different. We need new volunteers, particularly in the younger grades. The reality is that if we can’t fill volunteer roles, those activities/events/programs simply won’t go forward. We would hate to see that happen! We promise that volunteering with the PTO is fun and rewarding- we have roles that can accommodate all sorts of schedules. Keep an eye out here and on the website for more information soon!
Have a great week!
Team PTO
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THANK YOU COMMUNITY!
That was a very successful YES participation month. We had 43% of the RVSD community donate to YES to help arts education thrive at our schools for ALL of our children. Thank you to everyone who donated at any level this year.
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We still have $400,000 more to raise this year to reach our goal of $1,000,000 for the 2023 - 2024 school year.
Donations are welcome at any time throughout the year. Don’t forget you can break your donation into monthly payments or have your workplace match your donation. www.yestokids.org/donate
THE YES DRAWING CONTEST RESULTS ARE IN!
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Thank you to everyone who submitted your drawings. We had so many creative, amazing monsters to choose from. It was so hard to choose just one winner. Below are the winners with drawings being displayed at SWIRL during the month of December. Winners will receive their Swirl gift certificate through their teacher.
Thank you Swirl, for being such a supportive Business Partner of the YES Foundation. All drawings will be returned to the front office.
Kinder - Leo Gozzie
1st - Iola Wallerich
1st - Nora Shorrock
2nd- Sibby Farnum
2nd- Calvin Beuauchamp
3rd -Damian Crotti
3rd- Stella Matson
4th- Chloe Zaffran
4th- Ella Morris
5th - Cole Heier
5th - Mia Bablitch
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We need your help with yard duty!
We need help everyday with our kindergartners, from 11:45-12:30. We have created a sign up sheet for daily help. Sign up at your convenience for any day of the school year here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F48AAAF23A0F49-45982198-hidden
We can also use additional substitutes for kindergarten and the grades. Fill out this form to be contacted when we have a specific need for somebody to fill in for one of our regular volunteers: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hDXfRHHes94xHPk3C_7IIyhQUi9OVgWsd-uBQPj_Wuw/edit
Children for Change Update!
Check out what these Hidden Valley Changemakers have been up to in C4C Class!
TK students had guest visitors from Marin Community Fridges to discuss ways we can care for one another by sharing resources. Look out for a class invitation to bring food to our local Community Fridge!
Kindergartners met Jolly from Marin Humane. Now they will work on projects for shelter dogs!
1st graders had the joy of meeting a resident from Cedars as they continue to learn about inclusive communities and people with disabilities.
2nd graders learned all about native plants and pollinators from our friends at Home Ground Habitats. Soon they will be adding pollinator plants to the garden on campus!
C4C Lunch Club: 3rd - 5th graders took responsibility for their campus and did a trash scavenger hunt. Don’t miss out on future fun - Mr. Brandt’s room #17 on Thursdays!
Save the dates!
Join us 12/16 at Wade Thomas for a Change for Good day including sustainable gift wrapping, projects for shelter animals at Marin Humane, and more! Register here.
Our next Family Orientation will be 1/22 at 5:30. Come for a joyful evening to learn more about Children for Change and meet like-minded families. We hope to see you there! (Register now)
Family-friendly Volunteering: You have access to family-friendly volunteer opportunities (with over 30 local nonprofits!) through Children for Change. Go to our website (www.children4change.org) and click “Volunteer” in the top right corner!
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