Well, the news we’d love to share with you is that our wonderful Garden is alive and well and…  most definitely a work-in-progress!

With the blessings of Miss Ginnetti and “Miss Green Thumb” herself, Yvonne Seta, the Stevenson PTA has now taken on the role of caretaker for this beautiful, soon-to-be bountiful garden in the northeast corner of the school campus.

Our garden seems to bring out some real enthusiasts. Over the last six weeks, we have been clearing the weeds, pruning the roses, tilling the soil, mending the sprinklers and… growing some pumpkins! Soon we will have all of the Garden in fine shape for planting!

Our Garden Project will be here to serve a few purposes – teachers can bring their classes here to discover the plants, herbs and flowers; those kids that choose to can work here through the Stevenson Garden Club; we will have age-appropriate garden lectures and life science demonstrations for the kids. Plus it will be a nice quiet place to just hang out.

In additon, there will be three other adjunct garden projects. First up, next to our existing Garden is a new grassy area with three tall shade trees. The plan is to turn this space into an outdoor classroom.  We will build two large tables, big enough to accommodate thirty or so kids for science and art projects.  Secondly, we will be sprucing up the campus by redoing the flower boxes outside of Rooms 1, 2 & 3 with drought resistant plants. Thirdly, Yvonne Seta will be back with us some time soon and hopes to revive the Kindergarten Garden.

We wanted to let you know, the PTA will coordinate the care of the Gardens through a new PTA program called The Green Team. Now you might be wondering, “what the heck is the Green Team?” Good question! A short overview is this – our PTA felt the need to focus our school on becoming more “green” – a rather essential aspect or element to how we feel we should be living our lives. We want to emphasize recycling, energy conservation and of course our Garden!

Don’t worry – we will be sharing more information about the Green Team soon enough! In the meantime, if you are inclined to lend a hand in tending the Garden or in supervising during school hours, please send us an e-mail.

Felix Chamberlain
Tiffany Bakas
Stevenson PTA

Joyce Brinkerhoff is our office manager. In other words if you need something done, see Joyce! 26 years ago, she started here at Stevenson as a volunteer coordinator. While in that position, the school realized how invaluable she really was and she was hired on as the office manager. She’s lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, saw her children attend Stevenson and is now seeing children of previous students attend! Joyce is always helpful and friendly.

Diedre Deboer is starting her 27th year here at Stevenson! She’s the office assistant, so if Joyce is busy, find Diedre and chances are good that she can take care of it! She’s seen eight principals and thousands of students walk through these doors. Diedre is always ready to greet you with a big smile and a good laugh.

Beverly Boussard is the curriculum specialist assistant and Stevenson’s librarian. She supports our staff in any way that’s needed and she’s basically a “Jane of all trades” around the school. This is her 12th year here at Stevenson and we couldn’t be happier to have her!

Dear Parents,

The Wellness committee is getting ready to launch our lunchtime football program. We need a small crew of parent volunteers on hand to coach what will be a very large group of senior students. Our goal over the past two years has been to get more kids active during the lunch hour. We would love to have some new coaches so that we can give each child the attention that he or she deserves and keep the games running smoothly.

If you would like to help out and are free Thursdays at lunch, you can pick up a volunteer sign-up kit at the office. It usually takes about two weeks for parent volunteers to be cleared so please file the paperwork as soon as possible. You do not need to be a sports expert to come and help out. The only prerequisite is patience, a sense of humor and a love of children. Everything else can be learned on the job!

It is especially important that we get new parents involved now with the Wellness Program so that it will continue to run smoothly next year when a number of our committee members will be leaving the Stevenson community. While we have traditionally run touch football and softball as our main sports, new ideas are always welcome and probably necessary at this point.

If you have any questions, you can contact  LeeAnne Matusek : (213) 247-5893

Welcome Back Tea

School Starts on August 17th at 8:30 AM – Parents feel free to stop by the playground to meet your new teacher on Monday morning then swing by the cafeteria for the Welcome Back Tea with Miss Ginnetti and your PTA & FFS (Families for Stevenson Booster Association) leaders.

Back to School Picnic – Set Sail With Us!

Join us on Friday, August 21st from 5:30-7:30pm for our Back to School Picnic. Pick up your Pirate Passport at the gate and visit each information table to find out about:

1) PTA Membership (Meet Felica)
2) FFS (Meet Jennifer)
3) Made in the Shade – Sun Protection (Meet Melissa & Michelle)
4) Garden ( Explore Stevenson’s best kept secret! )
5) Volunteers Needed! (Meet Danielle & Reneé)
6) Pirate Gear/Green Bags (Meet De & Tiffany)
7) Original Works/Science Fair/Reflections (Meet Kym & Jessica)
Fund Raisers (Meet Nancy and our QSP representative)

Get your Pirate Passport stamped at each table for a chance to win a prize!

Bring a picnic dinner for the family or buy food, snacks and drinks at Stevenson. Don’t forget a blanket or lawn chairs to sit on the grass.

We will have Pirate Gear for sale. Buy a new “Pirate on Board” T-shirt or hoodie!

Please bring a ream of recycled paper to donate to the school.

What is Families For Stevenson?
FFS is a group of parents, their families, and members of the community who want to make Stevenson the best it can possibly be by enriching our children’s education. FFS is the group who brings music, art, and dance to your children. We also renovated our school library and help them out when needed.

How does FFS work?
We raise money throughout the year through various events and donations. Our biggest event, Stevenson Rocks!, takes place in early May.

FFS & PTA Work Together
You can support both PTA and FFS. We work hand in hand to help make Stevenson the great school that it is. Both groups need you and your help! With the economy the way it is, the support of our parents is more important now than it ever has been. The California schools are in big trouble. But we can help.

Why are The Arts so important in my child’s education?
• Children who are given the opportunity to learn about The Arts have higher academic performance and test scores than kids with little or no involvement.
• The Arts teaches children to be more tolerant and open.
• The Arts allows children to express themselves creatively and bolster their self-confidence.
• Children who study The Arts are more likely to be involved and engaged in school and less likely to drop out.

“When you support FFS, you are truly making a difference in your child’s education. Every dollar raised is used to support programs at our school that need additional funding, like arts instruction, music, and more. I’m so grateful that we have a group of concerned parents in FFS and PTA who want to make our children’s education the best that it can be.”
~Miss Ginnetti, Principal

Meet our 2009-2010 Board Members and find out more about FFS!

CONTACT FFS:

Jennifer Jesperson: 818-752-3133
De Eldridge: 818-415-8487

Or send us a message!

1. Donate your time! Attend a meeting or volunteer at an event or in the classroom.

• FFS & PTA meet monthly. We meet in the evening every other month so we can accommodate everyone. We welcome new faces and ideas. Don’t be shy!
• Sign up to work at an event, or to make phone calls, flyers or posters.
• Whatever you can do is appreciated!

2. Join eScrip or RENEW your eScrip registration and make easy money!

• Join online at www.escrip.com (a secure website) and register your Von’s, Pavillions, Macy’s, MasterCard, Visa and Debit cards. eScrip donates money to Stevenson every time you make a purchase! Tell your friends and families to do it too! It’s so easy!
• Stevenson’s eScrip school ID is: 141523068

3. Recycle! Bring in empty printer cartridges, batteries and old cell phones.

• Look for the recycle box in the office!

4. Join the Target Rewards Program

• Register your Target card or your Target Visa card at Target.com
• Go to the Community Link at www.target.com and use Stevenson’s code: 29989

5. Donate, donate, donate! And it doesn’t just have to be money!

• All donations are tax-deductible. Look for our donation drive letter later in the year.
• You can donate your services for auction at Stevenson Rocks! – massage, cooking, decorating…
• If you have items that you’d like to “re-gift,” we’ll take them – happily!
• Donate unused gift cards or gift certificates.
• Ask your company, friends or family members if they can donate anything.
• FFS Taxpayer ID# 56-2284271

6. Dine-out and Pick-up Dinner events.

• The last Tuesday of every month, FFS sponsors a pizza night. A portion of the proceeds comes back to Stevenson and you don’t have to make dinner that night!

7. Spread the word!

• The more that people know about FFS, the more likely they’ll be willing to help!
• Share your thoughts with us!
• Get involved! You CAN make a difference!

8. Enjoy the arts together at home.

• Sing, play music, read a book with your child (even if they’re ‘too old’), dance, draw…
• Encourage your child to participate in Stevenson’s annual talent show.
• Check the local newspaper or www.gocitykids.parentsconnect.com for activities around town that support The Arts.
• Explore your child’s dream and encourage them to become the best they can be through The Arts.