Lietz HSC December Newsletter
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Did anyone else feel like November (and half of December!) went by with a WHOOSH?!
We’ve had a lot of changes – mainly being able to go on campus for pick-up and drop-off, program volunteers back on campus for Project Cornerstone and Art Vistas, and getting back into the classrooms with all of our amazing kids.
I had the privilege of being allowed on campus for the Walk-a-Thon, and I wanted to let you all know that the kids, our kids, had so much fun, and were so kind and honest. They definitely showed their P.A.W.S., and it filled my bucket right to the top. Our parent volunteers included a whole host of parents who hadn’t experienced an in-person Lietz event before, and it was nothing short of a delight to share that with them.
(Speaking of the Walk-a-Thon, I’ll be taking a pie to the face first thing Friday morning (the 17th), thanks to the generosity of our Lietz friends and family.)
We’ve got a couple of weeks off of school to spend time with our loved ones, and it’s also a great time to take time to connect. Family meetings can help make sure all of the voices are heard; but during the holiday season, we use ours to make sure to make a comprehensive list of things we want to do together (there are things like walking through the neighborhood and enjoying decorations, watching a favorite holiday movie together, baking cookies, things like that). Time spent together is always time well spent – even if the activity goes wrong. Most of my favorite memories growing up were not when things went perfectly; rather, quite the opposite.
If you’re looking to make some grown-up friends, volunteering is a phenomenal way to meet new other Lietz parents! We’re still looking for volunteers for events and programs- specifically HSC Vice President, Auction, and the Spring Fling (formerly Sweetheart Dance).
(Seriously, please. My fourth grader has offered to be our next V.P. if there’s still a vacancy in January.)
On a more serious note, it is a great joy (and a broken-heart, simultaneously) to see our amazing principal moving forward to a position where she can take care of all of the kids in Santa Clara County schools the way she has taken care of our kids at Lietz. Sandya’s replacement has a big spot to fill in our hearts.
I look forward to seeing you at our next HSC meeting on January 12th!
Roars truly,
Jasmin C.
She/Her/Hers
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE (DEI)
Loren Romley LAc
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT!
(NEW HSC Program)
Remember to clip OR scan Box Top labels
Each unexpired label equals $0.10 for our school.
For more info, please go to www.BTFE.com
A BIG CONGRATS to Luke B., 4th grade for winning our mystery gift card raffle! Next raffle will be in February! Submit 2 unexpired labels to enter.
WALKATHON UPDATE
Jen Kubisz | Walkathon Co-Lead Jasmin Canty | Walkathon Co-Lead
December marks Project Cornerstone’s second full month back in the classroom for live readings, and our volunteers and students are so excited! This month grades 1-5 read “Say Something” by Peggy Moss. This book explores the difference between being a Bystander and an Upstander. Students discussed strategies to intervene when they see “bucket dipping” behavior. To keep the conversation going at home, parents/caregivers can discuss situations where they were standing up for someone else and how that felt.
This month, our kindergarten volunteers read the book “Talk and Work It Out” by Cheri J. Meiners. What’s the best way to solve problems between people? By talking them over and working them out. It’s never too soon for children to learn the process of peaceful conflict resolution. This book distills it in clear, simple language and supporting illustrations. Students are also taught to accept and respect one another’s position, keep an open mind by being a good listener, and identify their feelings and the feelings of others.
The Project Cornerstone team wishes everyone a joyful (and restful) winter break, especially our hard working teachers! We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year for more reading, more skill building, and more fun!
Sincerely,
Sarah Rizvi and Lisa Valera
Project Cornerstone Leads
CREATE WITH CLAY
I am so pleased that the Clay Program will be starting back on campus after the break. I am working behind the scenes to make sure we have trainings scheduled for the Docents and plenty of clay for making projects. We need a few more volunteers to lead the lessons in some classes, so do consider attending a training. Once you attend a training, you can be a Docent for as long as you are at Lietz.
Last month I suggested building your child’s sculpting skills while rolling out pie crust or sugar cookie dough. This month, you could lead a family craft day by making salt dough and creating ornaments, bowls, and other small projects. Check out this page for a full tutorial https://wholefully.com/make-salt-dough-ornaments/ 1) Mix together 4 cups all-purpose flour and 1 cup table salt in a large mixing bowl. 2) Slowly add in 1 ½ cups warm water while stirring. When the dough gets hard to stir, mix it with your hands until the flour is fully mixed. Keep kneading the dough with your hands a few minutes until it is smooth and pliable. Now you can use your dough like clay, rolling it out to make ornaments or hand prints. Use with a rolling pin and cookie cutters or sculpt by hand. Roll out to ¼” or less to avoid air pockets. Don’t forget to poke a hole in your ornament with a straw. Bake your projects on parchment paper on a baking sheet at 300 degrees until they feel hard or start getting brown. Decorate with acrylic or spray paint. Accent areas with glitter sprinkled into school glue. While the salt preserves the dough, adding a thin layer of sealant like spray poly or Mod Podge makes them last longer. Have fun!
Happy Holidays!
Contact me at aaryn.church@lietzhsc.com or createwithclay@yahoo.com
- Kindergarten – construction paper trains
- 1st – creative rubbings
- 2nd – watercolor seascapes
- 3rd – compositions to show distance
- 4th – pointillistic paintings
- 5th – limner portraits
DRAMA
Mark your calendars! Drama Club’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid will be performing in March! Our cast members of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders have been hard at work to create a show sure to entertain children and adults alike. We hope that you will plan to come out and support our talented students! Keep an eye out in February for ticket sales information!
Nancy Grochowski and Sue Malloy | Lietz Drama Club Co-Directors
HSC EXECUTIVE BOARD OPENINGS
We have one Executive Board opening for the 2021-23 term: Vice-President. Please complete the form or email board@lietzhsc.com if you are interested or if you just want to start a discussion around it. We looking forward to hearing from you!!
DID YOU KNOW ?
HSC Newsletter (and the website) can be read in multiple languages. You can look for a drop down menu near the top left corner. Please choose the language option. If you find that your language is missing, please let us know by adding a comment to the newsletter or emailing us at board@lietzhsc.com. We will add it!
DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR
A NEW PROGRAM?
Are you thinking of starting a new program that would benefit the Lietz community , may be in the next school year ? If so, please head to our website to complete and submit a simple Program Proposal Form.
We will work with you to make it a reality!
DONATIONS TO HSC
If your company is giving you money to give it to your favorite organization, please consider giving it to HSC either for General Donation or for Staff Appreciation. Or if you are planning to donate money, please check if your company matches the contribution. Please visit the Donate! page for making donation.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, December 17th – Holiday Faire
Wednesday, January 12th at 7pm, – HSC General Meeting
To find all the HSC events, go to the Events page here. To have always up-to-date HSC events directly on your phone, tablet or computer, just Subscribe to the calendar feed.
CONTACT US
Please use this link to find information to contact your HSC board. Please note that now HSC newsletter is only delivered digitally on the HSC website.