Louise Foussat Elementary

Walk Through California

2009-03-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

The PTA brought a wonderful program to the 4th graders this year called Walk Through California put together through California Weekly Explorer. It is an interactive program where the kids become the experts on California history. It was a lot of fun and very informative. The programs and field trips that the PTA are able to bring to the school couldn't happen without the support of parents and teachers. Whatever you can do to support the school is

greatly appreciated.

Federal Economic Stimulus Package

2009-02-16T16:44:00.000-08:00

“The massive federal economic stimulus package hammered out by Congress this week contains about $106 billion earmarked for education, an unprecedented expansion of federal spending into the nation's schools. District officials throughout California, bracing for another round of painful state budget cuts, were grateful for a new infusion of funds.”

(http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-schools13-2009feb13,0,3775946.story)

I read that, even with this package, Californian school districts still suffer budget cuts resulting unfortunate layoffs. Still I believe it’s a good start.

As soon as my son became a school age, I became involved with his school activities and learned about the pitiful financial state of Californian schools. In my opinion, it is incredible that the State is unable to put aside a sufficient funds for education.

I read a complaint about the national funding going to education instead of business. Feeding business is a temporary and short-term solution, but putting funds to education means better future. Educating our future generation is a long-term solution.

Every year, there are budget cuts and layoffs. It is hard for our children and their teachers. The unknown future and insufficient funds make it very hard for teachers to sustain good moral. The constant shuffling of classrooms creates unstable environment for the students.

I read that there are elementary schools that do not have arts & crafts, PE, and/or music programs. Young children need to be exposed to various subjects to encourage their versatility and creativity. Hands-on projects and physical exercises stimulate and expand our children’s brain and enhance their academic skills.

In my opinion, government’s priority should be our children. Governments (Federal and States) need to provide sufficient funds to education for our children to be happy learners who will grow up to be happy and productive citizens.

Whether they are yours or mine, these children are the ones who shall carry on our society, our countries, and our future. It is essential to provide the best education we can afford to these children. By “education” I don’t mean “feeding them just numbers and words” but “nurturing and encouraging their minds to go beyond the limitation of our generation”. They are the ones who will lead our society. We adults should make earnest efforts to make it possible.

Midori S.

The Parent Institute is coming to Foussat

2009-02-12T01:04:00.000-08:00

This is a great opportunity to learn and better your parenting skills as well as to promise a collage enrollment for your child(ren). Please check the announcement of our home page.

Additional photos and photo albums added

2009-02-11T22:48:00.000-08:00

We have added a few photos to our Student Election Day and a few photos of our 1st year string to our Winter Concert 2009. We also added Pajama Day 2008 album.

Thank you for Elizabeth Mumma for the contribution.

New photo albums are added!

2009-02-11T13:05:00.000-08:00

New photo albums are added to Foussat PTA web site. Click on the link to Foussat PTA Home Page on your left and go to Photo Albums page.

Newly added albums:

Winter Concert 2009 (2nd Year String and 1st Year Band)

Mix Match Dress-Up Day (5th Grade Mr. Montgomery's class)

1st Annual Boys Night Out (at El Camino High - baseball games)

If you happen to have some photos of other events and other class activities, please send them via email to foussatpta@gmail.com, and if you are unable to send the images via email, the please burn a CD and give it to Mr. Montgomery (E-2) so that he can give it to me. Both PC and Mac formatted CDs are OK.

Thank you.

Mrs. Simovich

Program Coordinator, Foussat PTA

PTA February Meeting on 2/11!

2009-02-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

PTA meeting will be held this Wednesday, 11th, at 6PM at Teachers' Lounge.

We will discuss about more fund raising events, and also possibility of inviting "Tales Alive!" performers to our school.

We still need more parent and teacher participation. In the time of financial difficulties, it is even more crucial that teachers and parents are united and participate to better our educational environment.

Please get involved!

Alert! Klinex Tissue at Costco no longer has BoxTops

2009-01-10T23:05:00.000-08:00

The other day, I went to buy a dozen of small Klinex Tissue boxes at Costco. They used to have BoxTops on each boxes, but now it's gone. This was a big disappointment for me. So, I alert all the parents who have been buying small Klinex Tissue boxes at Costco. I don't know if the BoxTops disappeared from the large boxes at Costco yet. Please let me know if any of you know about it.

Ralphs Communiy Program FAQ

2009-01-10T22:58:00.000-08:00

If you happen to own Ralphs Club card, Ralphs Rewards card replaces the Ralphs Club card. You will continue to receive the same benefits you were receiving with Ralphs Club card and now you can help raise funds for your children's school activities.

Please go get Ralphs Club card yourself and ask your extended family members and friends to do the same. Everyone gains with this program!

Ralphs Communiy Program

2009-01-08T22:18:00.000-08:00

I finally went to the Ralphs and got a Reward Card and registered my Reward Card number on www.ralphs.com! It's easy. Here are the steps to create an account online:

go to www.ralphs.com
click on "sign in/register"
click on "Sign up today!" and follow the instruction
once you've confirmed your email and account information, click on "My Ralphs"
click on "Community Contribution"
click on "enroll" under "Participant" and follow the instruction - *for the organization name, type Louise Foussat Elementary PTA.

All you need to do is to go get a Reward Card before you "enroll" and have the card number ready. You will start contributing to PTA funds every time you shop groceries at your local Ralphs.

Many thanks to the family Kubitz, family Lemauga, and family Wilson for being the first participants of the Community Program!

PTA December Meeting

2008-12-09T00:02:00.001-08:00

PTA is meeting on December 10th, Wednesday.

This is the last meeting of 2008. Please come join us and participate in our effort to better your children's school life.

Foussat Falcons' T-shirts will be sold at the meeting as well.

Revolutionary War Camp at Riley's Farm 2008

2008-10-06T15:13:00.000-07:00

After about 2 and half hours of bus ride, we arrived at the Riley's Farm

We were received by 2 sergeants, divided into 4 groups for our lodging accommodation.

Later, we were divided into 2 companies for military drills. Later 2 companies were put to a skill contest, then we made candles.

Dinner included roast beef, candied carrots, mushed potatoes, freshly baked whole wheat bread, and apple crumbles along with lemonade. After listening to Patrick Henry's passionate speech, we had a dance contest.

On the following morning, soldiers went on hiking before breakfast and each received a cup of hot chocolate.

Breakfast included some eggs, bacon strips, a slice of meat pie (?), and orange juice.

After the breakfast, we were divided into 2 companies again for further mock drill, experiencing the Stamp Act, and a mock trial of smugglers. We also had some lessons on etiquette, weaving, making cookies, churning butter, and each soldiers signed their initial for independence.

At lunch time, soldiers received their ration of a sliced cheese, a sliver of beef jerky, a corn bread, and an apple.

After the lunch, one company was assigned to be the British military and the other as the American military who defended the Tavern. The mock fight ended in the British soldiers being shot down to the ground.

We had a little extra time before our bus ride back to our school, and we did a hay ride through the Riley's Farm and experienced apple cider making.

Falcons' Album 2007~2008

2008-10-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

Parent Meeting, Open House, and Some Observation

2008-09-10T21:58:00.000-07:00

We had the Parent Meeting and Open House this evening at Foussat.

I personally felt that we had a great turn out for the parent meeting. The principal and his assistant began the meeting and our PTA president introduced the 2nd-year board members to the crowd.

Some of the recurring subjects were the cooperation and teamwork between the school and the home, respecting oneself and others, and high expectation for disciplined behavior.

I enjoyed the visit to my son's class and listening to Mr. Montgomery's highly positive presentation of the 5th-grade curriculum. What stands out in my mind is one of his words: "it is not about focusing on one's weakness but finding and expanding one's strength." I may have used different vocabularies as my old brain is shrinking and no longer retain the details of what I hear or observe. Anyways, I observed that Mr. Montgomery loves teaching and loves children. And with some mixed feeling, I realized and accepted that he will be further encouraging my son's autonomy and argumentative personality which already has been encouraged by my husband who is also a teacher (only at a high school in different county).

This reminds me about the first or second day into this academic year. My son came back from the school and passed on the story Mr. Montgomery told the class. It's about a babble which all the adults considered and treated as though it were a trouble. Consequently, the babble became their trouble. Then there was a girl who saw it as what it was, a babble. Then it acted as it should be, a babble.

I thought it was a great tale for all the parents to contemplate. Do we treat our children as children or as troubles?

Midori
PTA Officer

Spellman Magic Spectacular Night

2008-09-03T02:48:00.000-07:00

The first event at the Foussat is the Spellman Magic show on September 26th.

We expect a great number of guests this year again. 5th graders and their parents host this family event to begin raising funds for camp in May. Steve Spellman amazes the crowd while we serve dinner and snacks. PTA needs lots of volunteers to help organize this event. Detailed information is to be distributed soon