PTA, Novartis Vaccines, and Flu Busters have joined together to fight the spread of influenza through a program designed to educate, motivate, and vaccinate children, families, school staff, and other members of the community—Let’s Fight Flu Together!

What?
Influenza season is fast approaching, and receiving an annual vaccination is the best defense in preventing this serious and potentially deadly disease. Our PTA is working with Flu Busters, a leading provider of on-site vaccinations, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and Novartis Vaccines to help children, their families and members of the community get vaccinated against influenza.

Why?
Many people underestimate the seriousness of this contagious illness. Families should consider receiving an annual vaccination because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommend that all children from six months to 18 years of age should be vaccinated against influenza.

Where?
Stevenson Elementary, 3333 Oak St, Burbank 91505

When?
October 10th, 9.00 am.

How Much?
For the 2009-2010 flu vaccination season, the cost of injectable vaccine for those who pre-register is $25 each, and a “walk-in” will pay $27. For pre-registered nasal spray vaccine, the cost is $30. Anyone wishing to receive the nasal spray MUST pre-register.

Wendy and Colleen

It’s hard to believe that we are at the end of another school year and have concluded our lunchtime sports program at Stevenson for the 2008/09 season. We played a lot of football and softball and had a lot of fun while we embraced the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship. Thanks to the parent volunteers who took time out of their busy schedules to come out and play with the kids while teaching some valuable sport skills along the way. I am particularly indebted to Jena Van Loo and Jason Burks who were there on a weekly basis and shared their exceptional athletic talents with the kids. Jena and Jason are both excellent coaches in the Burbank Parks & Rec system and our Stevenson kids were truly fortunate to have had access to their talents over the entire year. I would also like to thank Stevenson Dads Earl Brown and Mike Malone for coming out to help when their schedules allowed and for being such positive role models on the field. Special thanks to Wendy Pennings for keeping the dugout running smoothly and for jumping in for catching duty from time to time!

Coach Mike

While it will be sad to leave the Wellness Committee at the end of the school year, I have every confidence that new parents will step in and keep this program running smoothly for years to come. I strongly encourage any returning parents interested in health and fitness to attend PTA meetings in the fall when a new chairman will be selected. At a time when shoestring budgets are stripping away programs that keep our kids physically active, it is more important than ever for parents to step in and fill the gaps. The health and happiness of our kids depends upon it. You just might make yourself a little healthier too! Have a wonderful summer break.

Be Well.

Paul Bond           (The Wellness Committee…..since 2006)

The Wellness Committee launched its second lunchtime softball season with an Opening Day game on April 10. Principal Ginnetti was on hand to throw out the first pitch and offer coaching to the many students who showed up ready to play! Other VIP appearances included Ms. Goulding, Ms. Flores and even Mr. Blank who foiled the defense with a well-executed bunt down the third base line. (Rumor has it he turned down an invitation to the Dodgers spring training camp in 2003 because it conflicted with his previous commitment to Outdoor Science School.

Special thanks to our newest coach, Wendy Pennings, for keeping the dugout running smoothly and to ace pitcher Jena Van Loo for relieving Miss Ginnetti and going the distance until the final bell. Coach Jason rested this game but came back and pitched solidly in game 2. We are always grateful to have two such talented pitchers on our roster! While you all know that I am more than capable of writing a thousand words, I thought it best to let these pictures tell the story of this great day!

Paul Bond
Chairman
Wellness Committee…. since 2006

Spring has sprung and the Wellness Committee is hard at work playing softball with your kids. This is by far my favorite event as it so simply combines teamwork, fun and exercise in a safe and supervised manner. During each rotation of our pick-up game, the children get the opportunity to play every position and even have a turn at bat while cheering on their fellow players. The only thing that would make it more perfect would be having John Fogerty (or at least a really good cover band) singing “Centerfield” behind the backstop! During a time when our children are obsessed with cell phones, I-Pods and video gaming, this might be the only opportunity for some of these kids to actually step up to the plate and face the challenge of hitting a well pitched ball. Even Ms. Goulding has stopped by twice to face off against our wonderful pitchers, coaches Jena and Jason!

As I drove along Oxnard Street recently, I saw something that really warmed my heart. In a vacant, triangular shaped piece of property between two apartment buildings, a man was pitching balls to a number of young children who were patiently waiting in line for their turn. No bells, no whistles, just a simple bat and a few balls and I guarantee that these kids were having more fun than they would have on the Wii or Play Station. While the current recession might make it challenging to equip our kids with all of the latest video gaming updates, nothing prevents most of us from throwing on a pair of sneakers and playing whiffle ball with our kids in the back yard or hitting fly balls to them in a local park. When I last checked, a whiffle ball and bat cost about five bucks compared to the thirty or forty dollars that might be spent on the video game, “Backyard Baseball.” Even Oprah concurs that what our kids really want is to spend time with their parents, not all of the latest toys or gadgets.

In one of the latest All State commercials, spokesman Dennis Haysbert reminds us that one positive aspect about a recession is that it leads people back to life’s simple pleasures. Out of economic necessity, we are often forced to stop keeping up with the Joneses and required to start appreciating the things we already have. So if the cost of Little League is keeping your kids out of the game this season, why not take them down to any one of our wonderful Burbank Parks and organize a game with family and friends? If the cost of a Dodgers game is too much for your monthly budget right now, why not take in an exciting Varsity baseball game at Burroughs for free? The Indians play a number of home games this year and would be delighted to have extra fans to cheer them on. Check out burroughsbaseball.org for their 2009 home schedule starting immediately.

Right now, the Wellness Committee is actively recruiting new parents to get involved with our lunch hour softball program every Thursday at 12 noon. Please contact me ASAP at 818-331-8945. It’s time to step up to the plate!

Paul Bond  (The Wellness Committee)

As the lunchtime football program comes to an end for another year, the Wellness Committee is preparing to re-introduce the highly successful lunchtime softball game. As with all Wellness committee activities, this is an open game for senior students (grades 3 through 6) that emphasizes learning, fun and sportsmanship. We are particularly excited to have Jason Burks on board as a coach for the lunchtime softball program. Many of you may know Jason from his years of service as a coach for the Burbank Parks & Rec girls’ softball program. We are also thrilled to have pitcher extraordinaire Jena Van Loo back on the mound. Rounding out the parent coaching staff will be Rick Wilson, Earl Brown and yours truly.

For any of you who have read my newsletter articles in the past, you know that I am committed to keeping kids interested in our national pastime. Research continues to suggest that interest is waning in youth baseball due to the slower pace of the game when compared to other recreational activities. Many kids would rather play a simulated baseball game on Play Station or the Wii than don their cleats and head down to their local Sandlot. At a time when technology is rapidly speeding up every aspect of our lives, I feel it is especially important to preserve the tradition of wiling away a few hours at the ballpark, either as a player or spectator.

As a youngster, I spent many summers at my uncle’s farm during the haying season. As busy as it got, we never failed to play an hour of softball on the back lawn after lunch before returning to the tractors and hay wagons. It is with this spirit that we invite the students to take a brief respite from their studies and join us on the back field every Thursday after lunch for a spirited game of work-ups. If you join us on the right day, you just might catch Principal Ginnetti on the mound or stepping up to the plate! On that note, we encourage all teachers and staff members to jump into the rotation as well.

Paul Bond
Chairman

UCLA/USC play to a draw in classic R.L. Stevenson lunchtime football match-up!

The fall lunchtime football season came to an exciting conclusion during the first week of December. Two days before USC traveled to Pasadena to play UCLA at the Rose Bowl, our fifth grade Stevenson students donned the colors of their favorite school and played a competitive rivalry game on the big field. With numerous students and faculty members watching, the Bruin team quarterbacked by Jason Burks fought off a late comeback bid by the Trojans led by Jena Van Loo. The game ended in a 7-7 tie and really showcased the exceptional talents of our Stevenson athletes.

More importantly, it was a testament to the great sportsmanship that has characterized our friendly lunchtime games throughout the fall. As we all know, the USC/UCLA rivalry can get pretty intense at times but our Stevenson students played the game with dignity and respect for their opponents. This is a goal that we have attempted to achieve since the Wellness Committee started the program last fall. While our students vary greatly with respect to size, athletic ability and temperament, there is no reason that they can’t play a game cooperatively on the playground. This is a lesson that will serve them well as they play recreational sports throughout their lives and as adults when they attempt to teach basic sports skills to children. While there are plenty of options to play competitive football as our kids get older, there is something truly special about a pick-up football game, whether with friends at school or with our friends and relatives on Thanksgiving Day. It is with this spirit that we have initiated the lunchtime game at RLS.

The Wellness Committee would like to salute all of the boys and girls who showed up each Thursday and played the game with enthusiasm and respect for the rules we established. We would also like to thank Jena Van Loo, Rick Wilson, Jason Burks and Earl Brown for sharing their time and knowledge with the students. Special thanks to coaches Powell and Briones for their support as well. Stay tuned for new lunchtime sports opportunities coming in 2009 from the Wellness Committee.

Paul Bond, Chairman