Sumac Voyager Newsletter / Vol. 45 / November 7, 2017
November 2017
In This Issue:

  • Principal Logan's Monthly Student Focus

  • PFA Open Positions

  • Santa Comes to Agoura Annual Food Drive

  • Día de los Muertos Activities

  • Order your Sumac winter gear

  • Earn for Sumac and Save

  • Box Tops Update

  • PumpkinPalooza Report

  • Lice Clinics of America Fundraiser

  • Sumac Winter Book Fair

  • Volunteers needed

  • November Lunch Menu
Important Dates

Fri., Nov. 10
No School - Veteran's Day

Mon.-Fri., Nov. 13-17
Teacher/Parent Conferences
Short days all week

Wed., Nov. 15
Dia De Los Muertos Celebration

Mon.-Fri., Nov. 20-24
No School - Thanksgiving Break

Fri. Dec. 1 / 6-8 p.m.
Sumac Winter Book Fair

Wed. Dec. 6 / 7-8:30 p.m.
PFA Monthly Meeting
Open to all parents; in Faculty Lounge

Fri. Dec. 8 / 8:30-9:15 a.m.
Coffee & Conversations
Casual discussion with Mrs. Logan and parent leaders; in the Sumac library

Dec. 16-Jan. 1
No School - Winter Break
 View the complete 2017-2018 Sumac school calendar
Principal Logan's Monthly Student Focus
Read Every Day
We know that reading is fun. Reading also directly impacts student achievement. One of our goals is to increase the quality and quantity of books students read.

Please read with your child every day. Pick a book he or she loves or a topic of high interest. Need a book? Please use the self-checkout station in our Library Media Center. Also, through our school website you can  library link to a ccess thousands of online books through the local library systems. 
How Reading Impacts Student Performance
student reading chart
Sumac's Incorporation of Student 360
The Las Virgenes Unified School District launched the  Student 360 Initiative in the 2017-2018 School Year in an effort to support the dispositions that develop a whole, complete, life-ready child. Sumac supports and focuses this initiative on our campus.

In every classroom we value student participation, set goals, talk about each other's thinking, use our academic language, employ growth mindset, thoughtfully connect with one another, and celebrate perseverance. We honor mistakes as a valuable part of the learning process. An easy way to use growth mindset statements with your child is to focus on the process, not the person.

Think about these examples:

When they succeed with strong effort

  • I am so proud you put forth to/in/with ___________.

  • I am very proud of you for not giving up, and look what you have to show for it!

  • Congratulations — you really used great strategies for studying, managing your time (behavior, etc.).

  • I want you to remember for a moment how challenging this was when you began. Look at how far you have come!

  • All that hard work and effort paid off!

  • The next time you have a challenge like this, what will you do?

  • What choices did you make that you think contributed to your success?

  • It’s exciting to see the difference in your work now when I compare it to your earlier work.

  • I can see you really enjoyed learning ____________.


When they succeed easily without effort

  • It’s great that you have that down. Now we need to find something a bit more challenging so you can grow.

  • It looks like your skills weren’t really challenged by this assignment. Sorry for wasting your time!

  • I don’t want you to be bored because you’re not challenging yourself.

  • We need to raise the bar for you now.

  • You’re ready for something more difficult

  • What skill would you like to work on next?

  • What topic would you like to learn more about next?
Apps Worth Checking Out
Headspace
Another great focus of Student 360 is mindfulness. Check out Headspace which helps with focus, attention, calm, and personal happiness
Bedtime Math
Research-proven Bedtime Math is another excellent resource ​Their mission is to  serve up five minutes of fun, wacky math every day.
Join our PFA!
We have two open spots on our PFA executive board, VP of Fundraising and Member at Large

On our PFA (Parent Faculty Association), you will have a voice to represent the students, parents, and teachers at Sumac and help make decisions on how we fundraise and supplement our children's exceptional experience at Sumac. We host monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at Sumac and even host a parent recap each Friday after our PFA meeting.

Want to be involved, but have little time to commit to monthly meetings? Consider chairing an upcoming community event or fundraiser! Check out the following committee chair openings:

  • Movie Nights
  • Full Moon Family Hike
  • NEW Sumac Family Cooking Club (Looking for a co-chair with Kristin Luebke)
  • Family Weekend (Family evening dance and family sports day)
  • Talent Show
  • Silent Auction
  • Jog-a-thon 

Have a great eye and good with a camera?  
We need several photographers to help take pictures for our yearbook.

Want to learn more?
Please join our PFA president, Kristin Luebke tomorrow (Wed., Nov. 8th) in the atrium for coffee/tea and brainstorming from 8:15-9:15 a.m.

If you can't make it tomorrow, please reach out to our PFA members and we can schedule time to share more of the exciting opportunities to get involved at Sumac!!!
Santa Comes to Agoura Food Drive
Sumac Elementary is proud to help in the effort to feed our community this holiday season.

On Friday, November 17, all food will be collected and transported to the DIY Center on  Agoura Road ( 28750 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 ) between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Student volunteers are also welcome to join in the food sorting that will take place that night. All of the donated food will be sorted by type and the expiration dates will be checked on all of the food after it is delivered to the DIY Center at the food sorting.

We will send more information via ParentSquare or with your child in the next few days.
Día de los Muertos Activities
Dia de los muertos
All classes will be participating in the Day of the Dead (Día de los muertos) activities on Wednesday, November 15, a minimum day.

Soon you'll be getting more information from your student's teacher with the instructions to make the optional personal altars.

Meanwhile, please look on ParentSquare for the list of volunteers needed; we'd love for you to join us and make this day extra especial!
Order your Sumac Winter Gear
As the weather cools, don't forget to order a new Sumac sweatshirt! Another apparel order is going in to the vendor next WEDNESDAY, so please get your orders in by then to be included. You can order online  http://sumacpfa.org/apparel  or pick up an order form in the office. Email  kme1327@gmail.com  with questions. 
Earn for Sumac and Save This Holiday Season
Use this link before you start shopping online at Shutterfly

Save 25% on any Shutterfly Order (use code:  SFLY25OFF)

Box Tops for Education Fundraiser Update
Box Tops
Our Box Tops for Education fundraiser raised $358.10 for Sumac to date!

Our next collection date will be in February, so please continue clipping Box Tops to help us reach our goal of $1000! 

PumpkinPalooza Report
A Recap of PumpkinPalooza, our Fall Fundraising Event
Nearly 900 people came out for a fun-filled afternoon on Saturday, October 7!  

Three Goals //

  1. Raise money for Sumac
  2. Engage the broader community in support of Sumac
  3. Have FUN!

While we hit most of our goals, the Board is disappointed to report the event lost nearly $6,000. We have attached our event recap report as well as the event budget for anyone interested in diving more deeply into the event. 

Here are the big takeaways:
Successes //

  • Silent DJ Party was a HUGE success
  • STEM activities attracted big crowds
  • The event drew families and volunteers from a number of schools throughout our community
Lessons Learned // 

  • Event schedule should be more clearly defined, with Pumpkin Park being open until the end
  • Ticket prices could be adjusted if the event is hosted next year to increase the number of people in attendance
Biggest Takeaway //
Sumac Elementary had a surplus in fundraising last year, so  no student programs will be affected by the loss incurred with this event

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Megan Glynn at  megan6glynn@yahoo.com  
Lice Clinics of America Fundraiser
Lice Clinics of America
Lice are getting stronger and more resilient than ever before. Did you know that over the counter lice treatments are less than 50% effective now? Stop lice from spreading throughout your house and our school. Get it professionally treated today and you you will have nothing to worry about tomorrow!  Read More >

Lice Clinics of America in Thousand Oaks is a Sumac family-owned business and they have graciously agreed to give 10% back to Sumac for anyone that mentions this ad or brings in their flyer. To schedule your appointment call 805.807.3606 or visit liceclinicsthousandoaks.com
Save the Date: Sumac Winter Book Fair
Sumac Book Fair
Volunteer Needed
We are looking for a volunteer to change the big bulletin board outside the office every month. Please contact the office at 818-991-4940 for more information or to sign up. Thanks!
November Lunch Menu
Wondering what's for lunch this month? Download the most current menu and newsletter (Learn all about broccoli!) or visit the LVUSD website for more information.

Also, don't forget to pack extra snacks with your child each day to keep young minds sharp and engaged in learning!
ParentSquare  has the most up-to-date school and classroom calendar, news, volunteer signups, wishlists, discussions and more.

Download the App from your App Store or Google Play, click the link in your email invite or visit  the signup page .
reminder
A Friendly Reminder From the Office Staff
Don't forget to call the office if your child is absent.

The attendance line is  818-991-4940
The Voyager newsletter is prepared by the Sumac L-STEM Parent/Faculty Association and delivered by email on the first Tuesday of each month. As long as we have your current email address on file, you will receive The Voyager throughout the 2017-2018 school year . Subscribe to The Voyager