Reading is Healthy for Kids

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of having the Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Group come back to Victoria yesterday. This time a cast of actors performed the play "Jay and E and the Zig Zag Sea." Kaiser believes that reading helps keep kids healthy, so they are reaching out to students in grades K-2 with this message with this assembly.

Victoria K-2 students listened and watched attentively as Jay, her dog Libro, Bookie Book, and Ignoramus- the pirate took a journey from the local library to the Island of Palabras and back. On this journey they have fun with letters and words while learning the importance of reading.

Students enjoyed this program complete with puppets and music. The laughter of children was heard throughout this program. Thank you Kaiser for bringing this program and its message to our school!

Sixth Grade Science Camp

I just returned from spending the past several days at Pathfinder Ranch with our sixth graders. What an awesome opportunity for these kids! They are having a wonderful experience and building great memories... but boy are they tired come bedtime!

Everyday students rise and shine at about 6:00 am, eat a wonderful breakfast and then attend 2 classes before lunch and two classes after lunch. Classes included: water ecology, forest ecology, geology, ethnobotany, archeology, herbetology, rock climbing, horseback riding, team challenges, archery, canoeing and fresh water ecology. After dinner and a short free time, the groups come together for an evening event, such as: Night Hike, Mad Science Fair, Lorax and Town Meeting, and Campfire.

This morning, the group took a three-hour hike. Here they are in this picture... can you find them? They are on the very top!!!

This afternoon students got to choose an elective. Many of our courageous kids chose the high ropes course which included a zipline and rock wall. They proved to themselves that they can accomplish amazing feats!

I don't think I'd ever be brave enough for this! How about you?

Stop, Feel, Think, Choose, Act

Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theater Programs performed "Drummin' Up Peace" for Victoria's third-fifth grade students on Monday. Their play was about four students who received detention for a food fight in the cafeteria. Sadly, this food fight started because a student accidentally tripped another student. While the students were in detention,their principal, Mr. Whistle, assigned the group a project. They were to create a way that they could present the five conflict resolution steps of "Stop, Feel, Think, Choose, Act" to the other students at the school. Although these four students had very different personalities, they were able to build on each other's strengths to create a rap about their assigned topic... and in the meantime, they became good friends.

Tuesday and Wednesday each class participated in a one-hour follow-up activity with the actors. They continued to discuss "Stop, Feel, Think, Act, and Choose." Student groups worked together to write a rap about resolving conflicts. They then stood around a special microphone and recorded their raps on a CD that will be given to their teacher. All students were also given a dog tag necklace with the Drummin' Up Peace logo and the five conflict resolution steps.

On Thursday evening, May 13th, the actors returned for a family night at Victoria. All students and parents were invited to attend. The theater group shared parts of their play, as well as played Victoria's Rap CD. At the conclusion of the evening, students were invited to participate in a drum circle. Parents joined along in the chorus singing, "We stop and think. Go zoom, zoom, zoom. Spreading peace like boom, boom, boom." Students received a "Drummin' Up Peace" gel bracelet for participating.

Thank you to Kaiser for this wonderful education opportunity for our Victoria students!

Drummin' Up Peace

Next week, Victoria students in grades 3-5 will have a wonderful treat - the "Drummin' Up Peace" program offered through the Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Program.

Drummin' Up Peace is geared especially towards students in grades 3-5 and teaches them the five steps to resolving conflict: Stop, Feel, Think, Choose, and Act. Students will learn empathy, cooperation, and communication.

Students in grades 3-5 will attend a special assembly Monday afternoon (5-10-10), where through the power of drama, comedy, audience interaction, music and drumming students learn ways to "increase the peace". The play is followed by workshops on Tuesday and Wednesday in which the students talk about how they work out conflicts. Then they will create raps about what they've learned. The raps will be be recorded and each class will receive a copy of the CD.

Mark your calendars now to attend the Family Night on Thursday (5-13-10) at 6:00 pm. This night will include actors performing part of the play and leading a drum circle, and the students showing their parents what they've learned.

For more information visit: http://xnet.kp.org/etp/scal/drum.html

Victoria PTA Honors Victoria Staff

Victoria has the world's greatest P.T.A. Every year (at least since I've been at Victoria- 4yrs), the P.T.A. pampers all staff members for the entire week of Teacher Appreciation. This week is the annual, big event!

With Mrs. Racobs as the committee chairperson, our week began with a wonderful breakfast -complete with bagels, croissants, fresh fruit, and beverages. Tuesday, the P.T.A. washed the cars of staff members. (Yes! You read that correctly!) Wednesday, began with the delivery of beautiful flowers to each staff. Students brought in flowers from their gardens or local flower shop. They were divided up and arranged in vases by the P.T.A. Our pampering continued through lunch with a "Cinco de Mayo" celebration/fiesta. Tomorrow , Thursday, is promised to be a "surprise!" Our week-long pampering will conclude on Friday with a BBQ lunch prepared and grilled by our wonderful P.T.A.

Thank you to all of our P.T.A. members and students for your efforts to show us your love and support. We love you, too!