Join us at the February PPTG Meeting on Wednesday, February 3 in Peralta’s Multipurpose Room. Come hear a report from Principal Costello — she always has something interesting to say! — as well as updates on the budget and technology upgrades. We’ll also talk about the upcoming auction and Peralta in Bloom spring festival.

Arrive at 6 p.m. to enjoy the special dinner made by Ellen Oppenheimer’s after-school cooking class. These chefs always get rave reviews! The meeting will start promptly at 6:30pm. Childcare is free.

Check out this recent article in the New York Times on the national public health movement to move recess before lunch. Research shows that when kids play first, they tend to eat better and return to class more focused than when they rush in from the playground. Peralta made the switch this year –ahead of the curve!

Congratulations to fifth grader, Lilah August who last Thursday became the Peralta Spelling Bee Champion and will represent Peralta at the District Spelling Bee on February 4. Cheers to fourth grader, Max French who will be an alternate.

Congratulations also to all 4th & 5th grade participants invited to the second round based on their performance on a written spelling assessment: Josie, Jayla, Stewart, Lincoln, Kai, Lucas, Kobe, Josh, Darian, Jazmyn, Adrian, Leila, Alma, Tiana, Devin, Eddie, Luca, Gus and Ruby.

Great Job!!!

OUSD Spelling Bee (Elementary School Level)
When: Thursday, February 4, 2010 | 5-6:15pm
Where: Havenscourt Campus Auditorium, 1390 66th Ave.
Who: School site winners in grades 4 & 5, site coaches and coordinators, interested parents and observers
What: Oral competition with multiple rounds of increasing difficulty resulting in a winner and several runners-up who will go on to county competition.
Why: Celebrate excellence, honor student achievement, and prepare for county competition!

Click for more information.

There’s a writer in every child, just waiting for a little encouragement!

Come learn tips from writing coach Anne Diskin on how to encourage your child/ren to be successful, confident writers. Get practical advice and strategies to help your children further develop their writing skills and incorporate writing into their everyday lives. Learn about the development steps all children go through, at their own pace, to master writing. You’ll use this information for years to come!

The sessions are Monday, January 25 for grades K-2 (7-8:30pm), and Tuesday, January 26 for grades 3-5 (7-8:30pm). This is a FREE event for parents and caregivers. All costs covered by Peralta/OUSD & PPTG. Childcare is provided. Please let Rosette or Hellen in the office know if you can attend, so they know how many people to expect (879-1450).

In the short, dark days of winter, when the roads are wet and the wind does blow,
When the salamanders cross the road to breed under the moon’s glow
It’s time to put on the rain gear from head to toe
And walk or ride to school like Henry David Thoreau
Thursday, February 4 is the day to break the status quo, the car keys you shall forego
and while your at it turn off that t.v. show
It’s time to do your part and walk or roll to Peralta with the family in tow
Even carpooling or public transportation is a go, go, go
So walk, roll, carpool or take mass transit with your radiant glow
And look for the table in the yard in front of the fence where the sunflowers grow
If you arrive early there will be cool treats to bestow

Contact Raphie Breines (raphiebreines AT gmail DOT com) with questions or to offer your assistance.

In addition, Peralta’s Safe Routes to School Site Coordinator will be at Peralta the morning of February 4 recruiting to start Walking School Buses, which is a program that forms walking groups comprised of students and adults that walk to and/or from school together.

This year’s event will include an online shopping site—silent and live auctions—dinner and entertainment.

Unlike past auctions at Peralta, this year’s event will be for adults only. So take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy a night Uptown.

Mark your calendars now: Saturday, March 6 | 5-9pm

How You Can Help:
Donate. Your participation and imagination is all that is needed to make this event special. We all have a talent, please share yours! (click for the Parent Donation Form – and even more ideas).

The Peralta Instant Wine Cellar. Bring your bottle(s) of wine (a personal favorite, a forgotten gift, extras hanging around) to Etienne Lehrer for Wine Wednesdays at morning drop-off. She is filling up her wagon to stock the cellar for the lucky winning bidder at the Peralta Auction.

Help with the food/drinks. Drinks and Dinner will be served and if you feel you can assist – either cooking for large crowds or helping acquire ingredients at the best possible price – please contact Shelagh Becerra.

Reach out at the Merchant Calling Party. Grab your charged cell phone, get your merchant list and touchbase with some of the incredible merchants in our community who are helping to create an amazing auction. Saturday, January 23 | 10am-12noon. Pam Coukos’ House. If you can’t make the party, but can make some calls on your own let the committee know. Please contact Pam Coukos (pcoukos AT berkeley DOT edu), Erin McDevitt (erin_mcdevitt AT yahoo DOT com), or Star Lightner (starlightner AT gmail DOT com) for more details.

Did you start the school year with good intentions to help Peralta kids get their greens? Did you start the new year with good intentions for your family to eat healthy? Good news, it’s not too late to realize your intentions!

Yes, you can sign up to work a salad bar shift! Shift can be from noon-1pm! You can meet the 4th graders who help out in the kitchens and encourage the kids to try bell peppers, chickpeas and satsumas! Did you know that a handful of parents are keeping the salad bar going by volunteering one lunch every week? A weekly commitment isn’t necessary, however. This is an all-volunteer effort. Let’s show our gratitude by volunteering for a shift.

It’s not too late! Sign up today!

Contact Rose (molloy510 AT gmail DOT com) and get that resolution started.