2241 Russell St.
The
Berkeley, CA 94705
www.leconteonline.org
(510) 644-6290
February 1, 2011
Cheryl Wilson– Principal
Jill Wang – PTA President
Important dates
WED., Feb. 9
School Governance Council
Meeting, 6:30PM, Library
TUES., Feb. 15
PTA Meeting
5:45 – Dinner, 6:00 Meeting
Cafeteria
THURS., Feb. 17
English Language Advisory
Committee Meeting,
5:00PM, Room 106
FRI. & MON., Feb. 18 & 21
SCHOOL CLOSED
Presidents’ Holidays
THURS., Feb. 24
Coalition of Families for
A-American Students Meeting
6:00PM, Library
THURS., Feb. 24
Hearing Screening Exams
Kindergarten, 2nd and 5th
grades
FRI., Feb. 25
Celebrate LeConte Assembly
8:15AM
FRI., Feb. 25
African-American Heritage
Event and Quilt Raffle
Celebration, 6:00PM
SAT., Feb. 26
Volunteer Day
9:00AM – 12:00PM
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Lamppost
HELP US CELEBRATE
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE
Friday, February 25
I was successful because you believed in me. –U.S. Grant to A. Lincoln
On February 25, you will have a chance to experience various forms
of African American history through song, presentations of biographies,
African drumming, visual arts, jazz, and of course traditional “soul” food.
The performances will feature our fourth and fifth grade students and the
Willard Middle School Jazz Band so please do not miss this event! The
evening also includes our annual quilt raffle. Every year, LeConte families
design and sew a colorful quilt that is over nine feet tall! In addition to the
quilt, an iPad and iPod are just some of the other prizes. This is one of our
school’s major fundraisers so please help your child sell tickets to friends,
relatives, and neighbors.
Onward, every year I ask families to use the attached Valentine form
to make and write a Valentine message to her/his child. All Valentines are
posted on a bulletin board in the main hallway and returned to the child by
the end of the month. Several students also bring Valentines for their
classmates and have a small party in their classroom. While I hope you will
take the time to make a Valentine for your child, some of you may not be
able to purchase or provide Valentines for all the students in your child’s
class. If this is your situation, please let me or your child’s teacher know
today and I will make sure I have valentines available for your child to give
to her/his classmates. I don’t want any of my students to feel left out, made
to feel like they do not belong or to be negatively judged by their peers.
This is especially important to me because I’ve been hearing
concerns from a few parents and students about putdowns, name calling, and
other forms of emotional abuse and exclusion. Though students are being
taught how to be respectful and how to defend themselves against verbal
abuse, they need our help and support. If your child ever makes a comment
about being left out or feeling like he/she does not want to come to school,
you must notify me and your child’s teacher. Your child must always feel
safe, appreciated, and respected by others at school. Please note, I’m open to
your ideas about building community across all grade levels. One parent has
proposed a “buddy system” of pairing primary and upper grade students. Our
teachers will be working on this proposal as they try to find times when both
age groups can meet and spend some time together.
Finally, in order to improve student achievement and collaboration,
I’ve hired substitutes so that our teachers can meet, develop long-term goals,
and observe one another teach. Please note that we try hard to hire the best
possible substitutes while taking the time to improve our practice.
------Principal Wilson
NOTICES: SCHOOL CLOSED: Friday, Feb. 18 and Monday, Feb. 21
SCHOOL WIDE EVENTS
Valentine Bulletin Board
Please use the attached form to decorate and write a Valentine for your child. Return your completed
Valentine to school so that it can be displayed in the main hallway throughout the month. Students really
enjoy seeing and reading the Valentines. They will be on display throughout the month and returned to
your child by the first of March. Please be sure to write your child’s room number on the card. Thanks for
participating in our effort to appreciate and spread words of love!

African-American Heritage Celebration and Quilt Raffle, Friday, Feb. 25th

Our next major student performance and school-wide fundraiser will be held Friday, February 25th so
please put this date of your calendar and plan to support this event. Please help sell those raffle tickets! ---
See small photo of the quilt attached.

Cancellation of our participation in the Mosaic Project

To insure that all fifth grade students have the opportunity to attend the annual overnight trip, we are
seeking a different site next year. The Mosaic Project/Outdoor School is unable to accept more than 35
students. Unfortunately, we discovered this restriction last October after we submitted applications for 39
of our fifth grade students. Two days prior to their departure, we were told by the Mosaic staff that we
could only send 35 students. Therefore, we had to tell the last four students who turned in their
applications that they could no longer attend. We never want to deny any students of the opportunity to
participate in a field trip because of contract restrictions so we are going to seek another camp that
provides a similar community building experience in a natural environment.

Third grade field trip, Thursday, February 17th

On the southern San Mateo County coast, Año Nuevo is the site of the largest mainland breeding colony
of the northern elephant seal.

Fifth grade field trip, Ms. Blanchard’s Class, Tuesday, February 22th
Science field trip, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Fourth grade field trip, Sierra Outdoor School, Sonora, May 18th – May 20th
Four the past four years, our fourth grade students have gone to the Sierra Outdoor School to experience
aspects of California History. The cost for each student is $162 for the two nights. Parents/guardians will
receive more information about this trip next month. At this time, we must ask that all fourth grade
parents/guardians plan to help pay what they can afford toward the cost of the trip because we need to
reserve as much of our school funds as possible to improve achievement. However, all fourth grade
students will be allowed to participate regardless of their families’ financial situation.

Celebrate LeConte Assembly, Friday, Feb. 25th

The assembly will begin at 8:15AM and last about 20 to 30 minutes. Thanks to our PTA, coffee
and light refreshments will be provided so that families can relax and enjoy seeing our children
shine.

LECONTE LEADERSHIP COMMITTEES

School Governance Council (SGC) next meeting: Wednesday, February 9, 6:30PM

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SGC members reviewed and made changes to last year’s LeConte Parent Survey. The final draft,
in English and Spanish, will be distributed this month. All results are tabulated and sent out
to our families.

Funds were approved to pay staff registration costs for two upcoming conferences.
Principal Wilson and three LeConte staff members will be attending a conference on February 22nd to
learn how we might implement our Response to Intervention (RtI) program given our
available resources. All schools are required to develop a RtI program designed to provide
academic and behavioral help for all students who struggle with learning and have difficulty
managing their behavior. Julie Venuto, our Full Inclusion teacher, will also attending an annual
Special Education and Inclusion conference to obtain information about changes in special
education laws and practices and to learn about the latest technological advances available for
students who need communication and other devices for learning. The group briefly reviewed and
discussed the progress of our current School Plan for Student Achievement. This is a plan that all
SGC’s must help to develop and monitor. Changes and recommendations for next
year’s plan will be discussed at the next SGC meeting on February 9th.

PTA General Meeting, next meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 22nd, 5:45PM-dinner, 6:00PM-meeting
Highlights from the January 18th PTA meeting:
1) LeConte’s three programs (Positive Behavior Support, Kidpower, and Welcoming Schools
curriculum) to support a positive school environment were reviewed. For more information about
these programs, see the detailed PTA minutes on our school’s website. Also, the PTA will host a
“Parent Information Night” to further discuss the programs and answer any questions.
2) A unanimous decision was made regarding naming the LeConte grass soccer field in honor of Malik
Grayson, a former LeConte student who was the victim of a shooting in Berkeley last November. A
memorial for Malik will be held this Spring.
3) Our English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) reported a profit of $1000 from the Latino
Heritage Event with another $500 raised from the Barefoot Books fundraiser.
4) Our two BIGGEST FUNDRAISERS are coming up! The African-American Heritage Celebration and
Quilt Raffle on February 25th and the Spring Auction in May. Students will be bringing home raffle
tickets near the end of January to sell to raise money for our school. The quilt, an iPad and iPod, and
various other great prizes will be raffle prizes. We also need donations of goods and services for our
Spring Auction.
5) Please complete the LeConte Family Survey, your input is needed to help make our school the best
place possible for our students, families, and staff members. Stay tuned for more details!

PTA fundraising opportunities to help our school include:

 Great America fundraiser: 50% of purchase goes to support LeConte
 Chinook Books - $20 book of coupons to use around the East Bay at green businesses with $10
per book sold going to LeConte. Chinook Books may be purchased at the LeConte office (check
or cash).
 Berkeley Bowl (BB) Scrip (Gift Certificates). LeConte PTA earns 4% of every sale! They are
available in $20 denominations. LeConte PTA earns over $2000 a year from these sales. You can
buy BB scrip from Gloria Park (wearing jester hat) on Friday mornings or leave a check (made
payable to LeConte PTA) or cash for her with our school secretary Marie, anytime. You can also
reach Gloria at 510-517-7133 or gloriapark@post.harvard.edu.
 Escrip.com. You can sign up with Escrip.com and earn money for LeConte whenever you use
your registered credit or debit cards at participating vendors. You can also register your Macy’s
and Safeway cards on Escrip to earn money every time you use these cards. Get your friends and

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 family anywhere to register on Escrip.com! LeConte ID # is 137116693. If you need help, call or
email Gloria Park at 510-517-7133 or gloriapark@post.harvard.edu.
 Whole Foods Gift Card program. For each $100 gift card purchased through the PTA, the PTA
earns $4.00. If you regularly shop at Whole Foods, this seemly small contribution can add up to a
significant amount for LeConte. Please purchase your cards (in $100 denominations) from Peter
Shelton at morning line-up. Peter will wear his black and white checkered hat. Cash or checks
made out to LeConte PTA, please. Any questions, please contact Peter at
Peter@PeterSheltonLaw.com or at 510-529-5483.

The PTA is also requesting volunteers with novice sewing abilities to help sew the quilt for our annual
quilt raffle that happens in February. (No quilting experience necessary.)

English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) next meeting: Thursday, Feb. 17th, 5:00PM
After experiencing a very energetic and exciting Zumba workout facilitated by LeConte parent,
Graciela Hernandez Zaldivar, the group met and continued their discussion about the strengths of
the Latino Heritage Celebration and proposed ideas and changes for next year. ELAC
President, Gazel Valdez, recorded all considerations and suggestions. After some discussion
about various methods for raising funds, they are considering selling coffee and pastries to
families and staff. The arrangements are yet to be confirmed. By now, all families of students
whose first language is not English should have received a report that shows their child’s level of
proficiency in English. Unfortunately, the report titled the California English Language
Development Test (CELDT) is only in English. During the next ELAC meeting in February, staff
members will explain the CELDT so that families can better understand the contents and how
they can help their children. Principal Wilson will also be discussing the budget and asking for
input from the group about how funds should be used to support student achievement.

Coalition of Families for African American Students next meeting: Thursday, Feb. 24th, 6:00
Committee members discussed ideas to bring our community together as we celebrate African American
Heritage Month. One of the ideas was to have all students interview their families, specifically noting
how much we have in common as a community, the numerous languages that are spoken by our families,
and the various countries that represent the heritage of our ancestors. One of the goals is for students to
begin to develop a wider perspective of the backgrounds of their peers. Members also signed up to take
on responsibilities, such as clean up, set up, decorations, etc. for our Annual African American Heritage
Celebration scheduled for February 25th. More assistance will be need by all families. Requests for help
and items for the menu will be sent home to families on or before February 14. The meeting closed with
discussion about the new Welcoming Schools Curriculum. This curriculum is designed to teach students
to understand and learn to be more accepting and inclusive when it comes to differences whether the
differences are based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, culture, etc. Since students are taught
about gender and family differences (children can be raised within a family of two mothers, two fathers, a
grandmother, a mother and a father, etc.) members of the group felt that parents should have more
information about the curriculum before and when it is taught.

SCHOOL-WIDE & DISTRICT NEWS

IMPORTANT!!! Fifth Grade TWI Parents and Guardians
This is a reminder -- current 5th grade students in the TWI program who wish to continue in the program
in middle school must apply to the TWI program at Longfellow for the 2011-2012 school year.
Parents/guardians must submit a parent preference form to the Admissions office by February 4th in order
to be placed in the TWI program at Longfellow. The forms are available on the BUSD website and at the
Admissions Office.

Berkeley School Enrollment for 2011-12 starts: January 4, 2011

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Check out www.berkeley.net for information on application and procedures. School visitation schedules
are also posted.
Black Youth In Crisis, Saturday, Feb, 5th, 9:00AM, Berkeley High , 2nd floor
A group of BUSD parents and students will be discussing issues affecting Black youth, such as education
and violence. The goal of this event it so address these issues and for parents to learn and discuss how
they can intervene and be more involved with their children. See attached flyer; for more information call
(510) 644-8524 or (510) 883-5222.

Pat Wolfe, Brain Research Presenter, Wednesday, Feb. 9th

On February 9 from 6:30 to 8:00PM, you will have a chance to hear from Pat Wolfe who will be
explaining the benefits of second language acquisition in early childhood. Please note that this
presentation will be held at Washington School in Richmond, 565 Wine Street. Please call (510) 231-
1417 for more information; see flyer attached.
Positive Discipline Parenting, Sunday, Feb. 13
The Downtown Berkeley YMCA is sponsoring this one day intensive workshop from 10:00AM to
4:00PM.The cost is $60 per member or $80 member couple, $100 for non-member or $130 for non-
member couple. To goal is to learn how to develop positive strategies for becoming a more kind and firm
parent.. You can visit www.positivediscipline.org for more information. See the attached flyer for more
information and how to register.

Child Life and Attention Skills Program

See attached letter about a research study conducted at the University of California. The study involves
behavioral interventions designed to address difficulties related to Attention Disorders. Participation is
free, students aged 7 to 11 are eligible. You can call (510) 643-3437 if you are interested.

Free Cooking Classes, Fall/Winter Sessions

FREE!!! Five-week cooking and nutrition classes for BUSD parents and children are being offered as
follows at Willard Middle School’s Cooking Room, 2425 Stuart Street.
Session 4: Tuesdays, Jan. 11 – Feb. 8, 5:30 - 7:30PM
Session 5: Thursdays, Jan. 13 – Feb. 10, 5:30 – 7:30PM
Session 6: Tuesdays, March 1 – March 29, 5:30 – 7:00PM
Session 7: Thursdays, March 3 – March 31, 5:30 – 7:00PM
Classes are free, but space is limited. Call 644-6710 to sign up today! Children ages 4 and up are
welcome to attend the Kids Nutrition Club that’s available during the cooking class hours.

Support Tamales los Mayas

If you’ve ever eaten some of the tasty tamales provided during the PTA meetings, then you will
understand why we are supporting Alicia Villanueva. Alicia is not only the wonderful mother of two
LeConte students but also a new entrepreneur. She has realized her dream to launch Tamales Los Mayas,
a mobile tamale cart. Though she just got approved to sell her delicious tamales at Justin Herman Plaza in
San Francisco, she welcomes your business too. Please contact Alicia at (510) 981-1493 to place an order
and to learn more about Alicia, visit Kickstarter at http://kick.st/fgymAN. See her flyer attached.

Zumba Classes!!! Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at LeConte

One of our LeConte parents, Graciela Hernandez Zaldivar, has started leading Zumba classes every
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00PM in our auditorium. The cost is only $2.00 per
person. With Graciela’s enthusiasm and energy and the upbeat music you definitely will have a good time
dancing and losing weight. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enjoy yourself! See photos attached.

Board Member assigned to LeConte

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For your information, each board member has taken responsibility for four to five schools. The member
assigned to LeConte is Director Karen Hemphill. Let’s all take an active role toward inviting and
welcoming Director Hemphill to school wide events.

Outstanding Balances for the Cost of Lunch

If you received a letter or phone call stating that you owe for lunches your child received, please pay the
balance as soon as possible. Our food service workers have been instructed to deny a hot lunch to all
students who have outstanding balances. However, all students can have fruit and items from the salad bar
free of charge. If your financial circumstances have changed and you think you may qualify for free or
reduced lunch, please obtain and complete a meal application. Applications are available in our office.

Online Payments for School Meals

BUSD is pleased to announce “mySchoolBucks.com” a new online Payment Center for families. You can
now make payments to your child’s school lunch account any time of day throughout the year. You will
be able to pay for meals, view cafeteria purchases, track meal account balances, schedule recurring
payments, etc. Visit www.mySchoolBuck.com to create your account. You can call Marni Posey or Sara
Leon at (510) 644-6200 if you have any questions.

School Visitation Hours, Jan. 4 through Feb. 3, every Tues. and Thurs., 8:30-10:00AM
Parent volunteers are also needed to provide tours to incoming kindergarten families and families new to
BUSD. The tours are held every Tuesday and Thursday, January 4 through February 3 between 8:30AM
and 10:00AM. Please contact our PTA President, Jill Wang at (510) 647-5012 to volunteer to lead a tour.
Principal Wilson often helps with the tours so you will not be alone. Thanks, in advance, for supporting
this effort!

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 LeConte Calendar

GENERAL INFORMATION

Attendance—REMINDER!!!
As you may know, schools receive funding based on the number of students who attend each day. The
amount per child is between $32 and $35 dollars. Though the amount may appear small, it adds up when
several students are absent throughout the school. Within the guidelines of the State, students must arrive
at school on time to be counted as present. Therefore, it is not only important that your child come to
school but also that your child be on time. When you make doctor or dentist appointments for your child,
please try to make the appointment after 9:30AM, so that your child can be counted as attending school.
Also, please write a note or contact your child’s teacher to explain all absences. Our school secretary is
required to maintain and turn in notices of all excused absences. Finally, please note that you will
automatically receive a “truancy” letter if your child is chronically 30 minutes late to school meaning s/he
arrived at 8:41AM or later. If the pattern continues, three letters will be sent home and then the parent or
guardian will be required to attend a Student Attendance Review Meeting at the site and then district
level.

Communication
Our school bulletin, the Lamppost, will be sent home on or near the first Monday of every month along
with other school and classroom announcements. You can obtain weekly updates on email by going
online, www.leconteonline.org, and signing up. We have two moderated email groups – one for
announcements only, and one for “announcements plus discussion.” To join either group, please visit our
website, www.leconteonline.org, and follow the links on the right side of the home page. We also have an
“all-call” system to notify you by telephone of any emergencies, special requests, and reminders. You can
reach your child’s teacher by telephone or email. Teachers should be sending home written information at
least once a month or contacting you by telephone.

LeConte Students Enhance Learning with Free Educational Software

Our district is going to continue funding our subscription to the Compass Learning educational software
program. All students enrolled in LeConte are able to access the program from home or school. This
software is aligned with state and national standards and provides a stimulating (and fun!), customized
learning environment for each child. Compass Learning is at www.childu.com. To get your child started,
you will need your child’s user name and password. Most user names and passwords follow the following
standard format: User Name: LeCFirstNameLastInitial. Password: FirstInitialLastInitial School: BUSD.
For example, John Smith has a user name of LeCJohnS and a password of js. Contact August Fern at
august.fern@gmail.com if you are having difficulties logging in or would like to set up a parent account
to monitor your student's progress.

Next Lamppost: March 1, 2011

To submit information for the Lamppost, please email Principal Wilson at
Cheryl_Wilson@berkeley.k12.ca.us or Cathlene Richmond at cathlene.richmond@gmail.com. The
deadline for our next issue is Friday, February 25th.

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 SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Kindergarten Information Night

Over 35 families visited LeConte on January 18th to hear about our approach to teaching and
learning and to learn about our school. Thanks to the following staff members and two of our
PTA members, the evening and presentations were well received by the families. Thank you
LeConte staff: Laura Anderson, Krista Easton, Mary Lewis, Ashley Trinh, Julie Venuto, Juan
Zuniga, Silvia Torres, Virginia Louie, Sarah Horwitz, Luis Argueta, and Dana Blanchard for
presenting and answering questions and thanks to parents, Jill Wang and Penny Peak, for taking
the time to present and respond to questions from the parent’s perspective. Since some of our
teachers were ill and unable to attend, all of you really made a difference by showing up and
being so positive and welcoming to the families.

Partner’s In Education, $100 Donation

Thanks to Anna Goldstein and Joe and Carson Lamb, our school received a $100 donation from
Berkeley Orthodontics. Dr. Paul Kasrovi and his team are currently donating $100 to the school
of each new patient who begins treatment. Carson was the new patient and so now we have $100
to use toward the cost of much needed school supplies! See attached letter.

KIDS & FAMILY FUN TIPS

In Dulci Jublio Art, Poetry and Essay Contest

Please encourage your fourth or fifth grade child to participate in this annual Art, Poetry and Essay
Contest (AP&E). This year’s theme is “Let’s Move to a Healthy Future!” The Awards Ceremony will be
held on Thursday, April 28th at Rosa Parks. If you have any questions about the contest, call (510) 845-
3499. The entries are due Thursday, March 17th.

Academic Talent Development Program

See attached flyer for more information. This is a summer school program held at UC Berkeley for
students grades K-6, July 11 to July 29. The application deadline is Wednesday, March 16th for returning
students and Wednesday, March 30th for new applicants.

Flyers Attached
 Valentine card to be completed by parents/guardians –
 Zumba Photos
 Black Youth In Crisis, Feb. 5

Pat Wolfe, Brain Research Presenter, Wednesday, Feb. 9th
 Positive Discipline Parenting, Sunday, Feb. 13
 Child Life and Attention Skills Program
 Family Empowerment Project – for Middle School Parents, Feb. 27
 Academic Talent Development Program, Deadline March 2
 Free Community Tax Preparation Service
 Support Tamales los Mayas
 Letter from Berkeley Orthodontics

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LeCONTE CALENDAR
February 1 to March 5, 2011
Updated LeConte News & Calendar: www.leconteonline.org
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5
School Tours School Tours 8:30 K-8 Deadline Black Youth In
8:30 – 10:00, – 10:00, every for first lottery Crisis Forum
every Tues. Tues. and Thurs. (Preference Berkeley High
Thurs.-Feb. 3 until Feb. 3 forms are due) 9:00-2:00
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
School
Governance
Council
Meeting
6:30PM
Library

Pam Wolfe
Brain
Research
Richmond, 6:30
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Positive PTA Meeting English Language SCHOOL
Discipline 5:45 - Dinner Advisory CLOSED
Training 6:00 - Meeting Committee Presidents’
YMCA Meeting Holidays
10:00AM 5:00PM
Room 106

Third Grade
Field Trip
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
SCHOOL Coalition of Celebrate Volunteer Day
CLOSED Families Meeting LeConte 9:00AM – 12:00PM
President 6:00PM, Library Assembly
Holidays 8:15AM
Fifth Grade Field
Trip African-
American
Middle School Heritage
Parent Training Celebration
Longfellow 6:00PM
6:00PM
27 28 March. 1 2 3 4 5
Family
Empower.

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