For an easier to read version of the LINK go to:
http://graystone.ca.campusgrid.net/

I would like to take a moment and brag about our beautiful library. Last week, Michele Taylor and Melissa Powell, our Library Event Coordinators, with the help of number of parents, put on “March Madness Comes to Graystone”. The event included a book swap, guest readers, build a book activities and a number of other activities that began at 7:30 am and well into the evening. One of the guest readers was Don Iglesias, Superintendent of Schools for San Jose Unified. Mr. Iglesias was very impressed with the event and marveled at the energy and variety of activities planned for the day. I of course agreed with him. He commented on how nice the library looked and that it had a “wonderful feel” to it. The “feel” comes from the efforts of Michele, Melissa, Diana and the 140+ parent volunteers that contribute their time to work in the library. It is a pleasure to see how the efforts of this great team of people can result in the overall success and climate of our library.

Spring Break is from April 14th to April 21st. The school will be closed during this time. Also, we have not received the calendar for the upcoming 2006-2007 school year. We have been assured by the district that the calendar is forth coming. As soon as we receive the Board approved calendar we will make copies available in the office and also put the calendar on the school’s web page.

Thank you for your support of Graystone School and I hope to see you soon.

Dave Beymer

WOW! What a great time March Madness turned out to be! The entire day found our library filled with students being read to, parents and students getting some great deals on 1/2 price books and adults swapping books for their own free time reading ( and setting a GREAT example!!) . As the evening came, we added the building of books and ice cream sundaes, the creation of origami Golden Snitches and the melodic tunes of a terrific folksinging duo. Melissa and I send our thanks to all who volunteered to help out during this busy day and to Debbie Stanley and the Harry Potter Club from Bret Harte. Every student at Graystone received a wrist band pronouncing that “Reading Rocks” or “Reading Stretches my Mind”. We sold an amazing $3700 worth of books in the one day and I know that you all went home with some terrific buys. This was a first time event here at Graystone and one that we will certainly repeat again next year. A library that is buzzing with such energy and activity is truly an incredible place to be.

So, now we enter a bit of a calm period --- time for some housekeeping in the library. We still have some ongoing projects -- please stop by if you have some free time. If you have the time, we have the coffee and the chocolate!!

“Libraries - where they keep the truth serum and the magic carpets ...”

Michele Taylor
Literacy Events Coordinator

Volunteers are needed for Fourth Grade Gold Rush Day- May 12th. Sign-up sheets are on the outside of all Fourth Grade doors…please sign up! The success of this day is TOTALLY dependent upon the number of parent volunteers we have. Third grade parents, this is a great way for you to see what your child will be doing next year…

SPRING BREAK
Apr. 14th - 21st

As you know Star testing is right around the corner, May 1st - 12th. Listed below are some ways to help you prepare for the testing...

PREPARE YOUR BODY
Get plenty of rest.
Go to bed early the night before a test.
Eat a healthy, well-balanced breakfast before school on the day of the test.

PREPARE YOUR MIND
Be a good student.
Do your school work every day.
Finish all homework assignments on time.

PRACTICE HOW TO TAKE A TEST
Become a good test taker.
Use test-taking tips in your everyday school work.
Think positively.
Plan to do your best.

Despite the record-breaking number of rainy days (this was the rainiest March in the last hundred years!), the Graystone Peace Patrol gave out 73 Playground Praise Notes! These were awarded to students in recognition of their positive peace-building behavior on the playground. We would like to honor the following students for helping to increase the peace at Graystone: Eric Beauchamp, Samantha Blodgett, Gianna Calvert, Danielle Causey, Jennie Chang, Vincent Chiu, Aimee Choi, Anandita Choudhary, Katie Cihla (2 praise notes), Alexis Cryan, Kennedy Davis, Danielle DeManty (3 praise notes), Gabby Diamond, Romello Farrow, Jayna Feldman, Joel Gallay, Chris Gao, Ian Glusker, Alison Griffeth (2 praise notes), Lillian Hernandez, Michelle Hirano (2 praise notes), Truman Ho, Amanda Hotchkiss, Joyce Jang, Jimmy Jojo, Ashling Jonaidi, Kristin Jones, Shahrzad Kamali, Meghana Kandlur, Susan Kang, Gabrielle Kassatly, Dina Kawar, Chris Kenoyer, Haley Kepp, Katie Kohler, Katie Kupec (3 praise notes), Leslie Lee, Grace Lee, Lucia Lin (2 praise notes), Theresa Loumena, Nick Martin, Matthew McMahon, Donya Moazeni, Amanda Naraghi, Shaina Navi (2 praise notes), Olivia Neumann, Maddie Newton, Dorothy Ng, Jamie Nolan, Megan Pulling, Amanda Rockwell, Ariana Salah, Nicole Sanchez, Sabrina Sherrin, Savannah Smith, Trevor Sochocki, Rachel Sze, Ramsey Tisan, Anja Van Der Watt (2 praise notes), Renee Wesson (2 praise notes), Kristina Windham and Noelle Wingo. Thank you for being positive role-models!!

In the previous edition of the e-LINK, we focused on Asset #21, “Achievement expectation and motivation”.  This week, we will look at the second Commitment to Learning Asset, Asset #22, “Children are engaged in learning”.  Search Institute defines this as “children are responsive, attentive, and actively engaged in learning.”  School engagement means that students as well as their families are actively involved in learning at school.  Research conducted by Search Institute and others finds that “family or parent
involvement has a significant impact on students' well-being and success in school”.  As parental and family involvement increases, students tend to be more committed to their own education, experience less academic problems at school, are less likely to get involved in high-risk behaviors, and are more likely to get involved in positive after-school activities.  One of my favorite books on asset building is “Helping Kids Succeed-Alaskan Style” developed by the Association of Alaska School Boards and the State of Alaska, Dept. of Health & Social Services.   It offers the following practical advice for all parents and extended families for building Asset #22:

·    Guide your child with the basics for being
engaged:  getting to school on time, eating well,
getting enough sleep, having a good place to study,
etc.
·    Attend your child’s school performances –
whether they are on the gym court, on the stage, an
awards assembly, or anything.  If your child is out
in front of people, be there.
·    Have your kids read to you.  Have your kids
regularly teach what they have learned to you or
other members of the family.
·    Ask questions about your child’s school day every
day.  Show your genuine interest and enthusiasm.
·     Restrict TV!  Research shows TV makes kids
become passive and lowers their ability to engage
in mental or physical activities.
·     Avoid comparing one child’s achievement with
another’s.  Make sure each of your children know
you believe in them and expect them each to do
their best.

·        Tell your children they are both smart and
hard-working.  Don’t expect perfection, but
expect hard work and notice it when given.   
  
In the next e-LINK, we will continue to look at the next “Commitment to Learning Assets”, Asset #23,
“Stimulating activity and homework”.  Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about the Asset Framework.  I also invite you to share your asset building stories and ideas with the rest of the Graystone community by contacting me at my email address. kthaley@yahoo.com 

Thank you, Karen Haley
 

Permission slips and Fee ($8.00) are due now for Gold Rush. Extra copies of form are in office.
.

April

Apr.. 7th - Heritage
Day 4 pm - 8 pm

Apr. 13th - Pajama
Day

SPRING BREAK
April
14th - 21st


May

May 1st - 12th
STAR Testing

May 5th - Recycling
Day

May 13th - Open
House

May 19th - Spring
Celebration

May 29th - No
School


June

June 2nd - Movie
Night

March Attendance Winners are...
Mrs. Green
Mrs. Ghani

March zero tardy Winners are...
Miss Brewton
Miss Menendez

The Fourth Grade Gold Rush Day is coming up on May 12th. The entire fourth grade class will be making lemonade that day. If you or someone you know has a lemon tree, please help us by donating lemons. They may be dropped off in the office as early as May 1st.