Mrs. Miller, Principal

     Congratulations to the 5^th grade students!  They’ve worked hard and are now preparing for their transition to Joan MacQueen Middle School.  I have known most all of them since Kindergarten and have enjoyed watching them grow and learn.  They are a great bunch of kids with wonderful parents. And, I would like to congratulate the 1^st through 4^th grade students for working equally as hard – it will all pay off next year as you begin your new grade level.  It will be an exciting school year!

     Thank you to the PTA and parents for the countless hours of volunteerism you donate to our school; we excel because of your support!  

     I would like to wish Superintendent, Greg Ryan the very best of times in his retirement and I also would like to welcome Superintendent, Tom Pellegrino.  For the past three years, Mr. Pellegrino has been Superintendent of the Cardiff School District.  We’re looking forward to having Mr. Pellegrino in the Alpine School District as our new Superintendent.   

Speaking of retirements:

                             Cindy Unden, Health Aide

Cindy is retiring after 26 years of putting on over 75,000 band-aids and taking over 60,000 temperatures.  Cindy will miss her interactions with students, parents and staff.  She is looking forward to traveling with her husband and spending time with her family.

                        Julie Abrams, RSP Teacher

Julie has been a teacher for over 30 years.  For the last 10 years she has been a special ed teacher in AUSD.  Julie and her family are moving to Israel this summer.  Julie will be working as a writer and educational consultant. Julie and her family are looking forward to beginning their new adventure together.

The Boulder Oaks staff expresses their heartfelt gratitude to all of the retirees for their years of service in our district and wishes them the very best!

End of the Year Reminders

Lost and Found – There are a number of items in the lost and found.  Please stop by and take a look.  All items not retrieved will be donated to a local charity on June 16^th at 3:00.

Yearbooks – Friday, June 11^th, the 2009-2010 yearbooks will be distributed by the classroom teacher. 

5^th grade Celebration of Success – We’re excited to announce that this event will take place at Viejas Tuesday, June 15th at 1:30 p.m.   Viejas has graciously offered their site as a venue for our event allowing the PTA to have the day off and enjoy the event. Students must be at school for attendance that morning. Thursday, June 16^th, School will be in session on a minimum day schedule; student release time is 12:40.

Report Cards – Report Cards go home on Wednesday, June 16^th.  If your child has a book that has not been returned to the library, or has an outstanding cafeteria or ESS bill your child’s report card will be on hold in the office for pick-up after these issues are resolved.

First Day of School – Wednesday, August 25^th @ 8:45 a.m.  Class lists will be posted Friday, August 20^th at 4p.m. in the auditorium windows.

Spring Break

Can you believe it?  Spring Break is just around the corner!  There will be no school 3/29 – 4/09.  Students will return to their regular school schedule on Monday, April 12^th at 8:45.

Lost and Found

There are many items on the rack.  Please remind your child to check the rack for lost sweaters, jackets and lunch boxes.  If you have the time, please stop by and take a look.  The last day to claim items is Friday, March 26^th by 3:00 p.m.  Afterward, all unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity.

Kindergarten Registration

Monday, April 12^th -Kindergarten registration packets will be available at Creekside Early Learning Center, 8818 Harbison Canyon Rd. - 659-8250. 

5^th Grade “PARENT” Orientation

Thursday, April 15th @ 6p.m. – 5^th Grade Parent Orientation will be held in the Joan MacQueen gymnasium, 2001 Tavern Road – 445-3245.

Yearbook

The yearbook is full of so many 1^st – 5^th grade school memories.  Your child will have the opportunity, years from now, to look back and recall the fun times they had at Boulder Oaks.  Time is running out!  Stop by the office and order your child’s yearbook.  If you want to include a “Love Line” for your child, the deadline is Thursday, March 25^th.

Teacher of the Year

Ms. Karen Jensen is the Boulder Oaks 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year.  Karen has been a teacher in the Alpine Union School District for 13 years.  She has taught grades K, 2^nd, 3^rd and 5^th.  Karen has demonstrated her dedication to education by furthering her own.  She has earned a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and is currently working on completing her Masters in Educational Technology.  Ms. Jensen is an integral part of the Boulder Oaks staff and the fifth grade team.  Her sincere concern for each student’s success is evidenced by the time and support she offers every child in her classroom.

Classified Employee of the Year

Janny DeLaTorre works with students in the ExCEL reading program.  She is passionate about her job and committed to helping students.  Janny is also a student supervisor and works in the mornings before the start of school.  Her attention to student success and safety is remarkable.  Janny participates in school activities and volunteers her time to help organize and set-up when extra help is needed.  She is an asset to the Boulder Oaks staff.

Word of the Month: Self -Control

R.E.A.D

Reading Enriches All Dreams

We’ve started our reading incentive program and we’re very excited about it! We have the opportunity to find new books to read or reread some of our old favorites and at the same time donate a book or two to children at the San Diego Rescue Mission.  As our students read daily at home and log their minutes, you have an opportunity to participate by finding a book that you can read with your child.  Together, as you progress through the book, you can discuss the characters, setting and plot.  The reading program lasts through February 26^th.

BOES Community Read-In

A very special thank you to the volunteers that took time from their busy schedule to be role models for our children by reading a book in a classroom to kick-off our R.E.A.D. incentive program:

Mrs. Yoshinaga, CELC Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Montalbano, CELC Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. McLean, BOES Office Clerk

Mrs. Strickland, BOES Librarian

Mrs. Brown, CELC Librarian

Mr. Waterworth, Alpine Historical Society

Mrs. Waterworth, Alpine Historical Society

Mr. Rushing,

Mrs. Unden, BOES Health Aide

Mr. Ring, Albertson’s

Mr. Paskle, Alpine Fire Chief

Mrs. Elias-Oglesby, Alpine Fire Inspector

Mr. Washington, NFL

Mrs. Vecio, Alpine Chamber of Commerce

Mrs. Jeffreys, AUSD Director of Special Education/Pupil Services

Mr. Ryan, AUSD Superintendent

Mark your Calendars

February 12^th – Lincoln’s Day holiday

February 15^th – President’s Day holiday

February 24^th – Spring Pictures

March 29^th - April 9^th Spring Break

BOES Walk-A-Thon

Is Friday, February 5^th

Students may have laps sponsored per lap or as a flat rate donation; all pledges are due by Friday, February 12^th.

Parent Volunteers are needed; please meet on the field at 12:00 if you can help

Grades 1, 2, 3 participate from 12:45 to 1:30

Grades 4 and 5 participate from 1:45 – 2:30

Please, send in your non-perishable food items and a new toy for our Annual Holiday Food and Toy Drive. We have a drop-off box in our front office.

Minimum Day - 11/04 - School is dismissed at 12:40

Veteran's Day Holiday – 11/11 – No School

Parent Conferences - 11/16 - 11/20 - School is dismissed at 12:40. Parent Conference Schedules and Invitations have been distributed.  Please respond in a timely manner to your classroom teacher.  Parent/Teacher Conferences are very important; please honor your meeting by being on time.

Thanksgiving Break – 11/23 – 11/27 – All Alpine Schools and District Departments are closed. All students return, Monday, 11/30, 8:45 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.

Minimum Day – 12/02 – School is dismissed at 12:40

Winter Recess – 12/21/09 – 1/01/10.  All students return, Monday, 1/04/10, 8:45 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.

Minimum Day – 1/06/10 – School is dismissed at 12:40

Parking Lot Protocol

I would sincerely like to thank the parents that cooperate by following the Boulder Oaks parking lot protocol.  The safety patrol on duty is there to help parents cross the crosswalk with their students safely. I have received numerous complaints about parents leaving their car parked behind cars in the inner circle; they are blocking parents from safely parking so that they can walk their child across the crosswalk.  Please consider having your child ride the bus to school if waiting your turn in line to drop your child off curbside is not possible. It is necessary that all parents make a right hand turn only to exit the parking lot; otherwise, cars are backed up out on the road and parents are unable to pull in.

Message from the School Health Aide

Please keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without using fever-reducing drugs.  By doing this, we can reduce the number of new children who may be infected.

Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water.

Teach your children not to share food and drinks at school.

Teach your children to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues or their arm.

Please do not send your child to school in flip flops, platform shoes, or heels. So often, children are in the nurse’s office because their flip flops or sandals have caused them to twist their ankles, fall and scrape their knees and scrape their toes and tear their toe nails. 

Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR)

District wide, students grades 2 – 8 took the 2008-2009 STAR test.  Individual student results were sent home in the 1^st day packet or mailed home to last year’s 5^th grade students. Our 2008 API was 867, and our 2009 API is 892.  The API (Academic Performance Index) is on a scale of 200 – 1000 and summarizes a school’s performance on the Standardized testing and Reporting (STAR). Every single person on our campus, that includes you and your child, has a part in what makes our school successful!  Congratulations!

Parking Lot Protocol

I would sincerely like to thank the parents that cooperate by following the Boulder Oaks parking lot protocol.  The safety patrol on duty is there to help parents cross the crosswalk with their students safely. I have received numerous complaints about parents leaving their car parked behind cars in the inner circle; they are blocking parents from safely parking so that they can walk their child across the crosswalk.  Please consider having your child ride the bus to school if waiting your turn in line to drop your child off curbside is not possible. It is necessary that all parents make a right hand turn only to exit the parking lot; otherwise, cars are backed up out on the road and parents are unable to pull in.

Message from the School Health Aide

Please keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without using fever-reducing drugs.  By doing this, we can reduce the number of new children who may be infected.

Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water.

Teach your children not to share food and drinks at school.

Teach your children to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues or their arm.

Please do not send your child to school in flip flops. So often, children are in the nurse’s office because their flip flops or sandals have caused them to twist their ankles, fall and scrape their knees and scrape their toes and tear their toe nails. 

Message from the School Clerk

If your child is going to be absent please remember to call 445-8676 ext. 260 and leave a message.  If your child is going to be out longer than 5 days, please pick-up an independent study contract in the front office.

Message from the School Secretary

School is dismissed at 2:50.  Children that are left later than 3:15 will be automatically sent to our onsite ESS program.  The cost for this care is $10 per hour. The BOES ESS phone #445-4915.

And, please remember to visit www.alpineschools.net to access the Boulder Oaks website to see teacher newsletters for classroom and school updates.

PTA

Thanks to the efforts of the PTA, last year, to raise funds through membership and fundraisers Boulder Oaks has a new computer lab and keyboard lab.  We are now able to run the Mind Institute program made possible by the generous donation of Viejas. Please continue to support the PTA and our school by sending in your membership envelope.

Mind Institute Spatial Temporal (ST) Math This grade-specific non-verbal math program offers activities at many levels to reinforce and teach math skills to k-5 students. Currently, Boulder Oaks students, 1^st – 3^rd,  work at their own pace in the computer lab while the teacher monitors their work. Once the students are logged in, they begin to work on a very structured set of skills that match their grade level math standards. This program supplements our Boulder Oaks traditional math program. Viejas is working on raising funds to cover the cost of grades 4^th – 5^th to participate in this program next year. The music component (keyboard lab) works with the math software to increase students’ spatial-temporal reasoning ability (the skill to visualize problems in space and time). Experience the math program: http://www.mindinstitute.net