"Thanks!" to all the parents who have volunteered for the Oct. 28th restoration field trip. I'm not sure we have all the help we need yet, but we are well on our way. If you are interested in helping out (as a driver/supervisor of a work group or as a driver only or as a supervisor of a work group only) please let Marianne Hill or me know. It will be a great day! Unless it rains. Rain cancels the field trip, which would then be rescheduled.

The folks from S.T.R.A.W. (Students and teachers restoring a watershed) will be coming on Tuesday, Oct. 14, to give a presentation to the class about the project. They'll hear more about why people work to restore various parts of the watershed, and specifically about the kinds of things they will be doing on their day. Our class will be working with Mrs. Stanek's fourth graders out at Point Reyes. Not only is it fun to spend the entire school day off campus, this field trip gives students a real sense of helping their community in a meaningful way.

Students worked with their kindergarten buddies (Mrs. Lovi's class) on Tuesday for the first time, and it was a wonderful thing to see. They worked together to write and illustrate a letter to a serviceman or woman serving in Iraq. One of our favorite Rancho substitute teachers, Mrs. Barry, brought this project to Rancho, and the students loved it. Our goal was to create letters that would brighten the day of those serving our country far from home, and they did a great job. We'll be working with our kindergarten buddies once a month.

OPEN HOUSE AT WALKER CREEK RANCH, Wed., Oct. 15, 11:15 A.M.-12:15 P.M., with an optional hike from 10-11 A.M. This is the Annual Fall Open House and Tour for Parents, giving parents an opportunity to check out the facilities and the program at Walker Creek. There will be a second tour after the first of the year. Fifth graders will be going to Walker Creek in late May. For directions, go to www.walkercreekranch.org. If you plan to go on Oct. 15, RSVP 415-491-6602 by Monday, Oct. 13.

Parent-Teacher (Student) Conferences are scheduled for the week of Nov. 17-Nov. 21. I invite parents to bring students to the conference. They are old enough and mature enough to participate, and it can be very helpful to have them do so. I leave it completely up to each family to decide. Think about what will work best for your family and fill out the conference slip accordingly.

It has come to my attention that a few students are failing to keep track of the schedule of upcoming tests. Dates for tests are always written in the weekly chart on the righthand side of the whiteboard. Students know well in advance about all tests. The variation to that rule is math chapter tests, because students know as we go through the chapter that the test will follow the last lesson AND the practice test. Math chapter tests happen about once a week. We talk in class about why I give them a week's notice (or more) before a test--so they can study some every day before the test! While cramming for a test can give a student a good score on that one test, it is far less likely that they will retain that information or be able to successfully build on that information for later tests. Anyhow...make sure your student uses the full page calendar for each month in their homework organizer to write down the dates of upcoming tests and assignments AND remind them to check the weekly chart on the whiteboard. That said (and I do think it is important for students to take personal responsibility for their own work and assignments), we will be having the next language test on Tuesday, Oct. 21, the next geography test on Wednesday, Oct. 22, and a science test on Thursday, Oct. 23. Tests on states (next up: Midwest-Part 2) are every Tuesday (EXCEPT the day of our restoration--we'll take Western states-Part 1 on Wed., Oct. 29 instead).

Finally, a hearty congratulations to all the students in class (there were many) who had the courage and commitment to run for student council. The speeches were well written and well delivered. One student (who wasn't running) said it best, when we came back into our classroom to vote after hearing speeches, "Ms. Spry, do we have to vote? I can't choose!" How lucky we are to have so many students with leadership qualities at Rancho School! There will be many opportunities to participate, for those not elected, and they'll have a chance to sign up in the near future. Congratulations to those who were elected: Paris Monroy-President, Matt LoVetri-Vice President, Brandon Levy-Treasurer, and Ricky Clary-Secretary.

As always, if you have any questions, please let me know!