Pictures of school events

We've been out Kayaking at Whiskeytown Lake, Hiking the Falls, having a talent show and wax museum, as well as learning with great experiences.

Check out Mr. Heims pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/kheims and Misako's at http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/jagarico.fan

Have a great summer. It's been a good year. Thank you. Mr. Heims.

Testing

Students are taking their STAR test during the week of April 28-May 2, 2008. They have worked hard up to this point preparing for the rigorous state standards that need to be addressed. April has been a good month with students working and playing hard. Fitness has been a focus as well as continued attention to academics. Special thanks to everyone that has helped.

Did you see them?

(AP-French Gulch, CA) It has been reported that Lepricon's have visited FGWS! They seem to make an annual pilgrimage to the 'Gulch'. Special film has been used with these pictures. There have been strange going-ons at the school and they are suspected as being the culprits. Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Hinamatsuri Cakes

FGWS Recieves a GREAT Award from Redding Rancheria

Dear Redding Rancheria:
The French Gulch – Whiskeytown School and Community would like to sincerely thank you for the special recognition award check. We greatly appreciate your generosity and assistance in making our school a better recreational and beautiful resource for our community. We have installed the exercise course from our original grant and plan to continue with our beautification efforts. We have started our use of this money by having a ‘Garden Party’ and celebration. Again, we would like to thank you.
Students and Staff of FGWS

Hinamatsuri

March 3rd was Hinamatsuri (Doll's Festival) , a day to pray for a young girl's growth and happiness. We had a great celebration at school with activities and lessons from Misako. Many Japanese people get a "Hinaningyou (special dolls for Hinamatsuri)" for girls when they are young. It is exciting to see the hinaningyo displayed on Hinamatsuri.

John Zeretske and Balloons at FGWS

Many things have been happening lately. Composer and musician, John Zeretske, graced us with his presense and music. In addition, he taught us how musical instruments became part our modern music. John Zeretske is a master at the instruments he plays; his show was great.
Students are also learning about the weather and high and low pressure. This morning we made hot air balloons out of plastic bags and made them rise with hot air. Mollie's balloon went the highest and Mason's went the furthest. They all thought that it was really cool. One balloon actually landed on the roof.
Each of our classrooms at FGWS is enjoying the Smartboards and students are interacting with them well. This Friday, the students will participate in Read Across America , in honor of Dr. Suess's birthday, with reading activities and a video conference reading activity with Shasta Elementary. Next week are the state writing assessments and we are working hard, and smart, to be prepared.

Jump for Heart, Dance, Karate, and Nutrition Olympics

Today, our school had it's regular dance and karate classes in addition to a Jump for Heart event, Nutrition Olympics, and healthy special snacks through the day. It was great. Happy Valentines Day. Check out some of the pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/kheims/ValentinesJumpForHeartNutritionOlympicsAndKarate

Basketweaving at FGWS

Indian Basketry specialist visits FGWS on Monday, Feb.5th. Students learned about the materials and cultures that are connected to the Native American baskets and weaving styles.

Winter Events at FGWS

Even though January was cold, it was a productive month at French Gulch-Whiskeytown School. Our Smartboards arrived and the students say, “They are way cool.” This winter we are also getting two new Japanese students and an exchange teacher from Japan. Jump rope for heart is coming up and we are preparing for the big jump on February 14. We will also have a Native American basketry expert from the Redding Rancheria on February 4th.

Singing at Camden House

Students did a great job singing and dancing in period clothes at the Camden House for the National Parks Holiday Event.

PAR Course and Arbor Trail Update

The FGWS Arbor Trail PAR and Golf Course is well under way. Thanks to a lot of people, the trees are getting planted, the PAR Course is coming together, and the track and field project is coming along. The whole track and field project has been supported by so many people in the community and beyond-Public Health, Shasta County, Tobacco Grant, Education First Foundation, Redding Rancheria, Dave Britton Memorial Fund, Community events, donations, and more... The work party to plant the 60 or so trees and set the 38 post necessary for the PAR course will be Saturday morning at 7:30. See ya then.

Breakfast for All

Numerous studies have demonstrated that students who eat breakfast at school show significant improvement in achievement test scores, punctuality, attendance, and classroom behavior.

The Civil War Came Alive for FGWS

The Civil War re-enactment was great. Students went to different stations that taught different aspects of the war. There's a slideshow at this site.

Teaching languages to young children may improve math, reading test scores.

Teacher Magazine (11/7, Manzo) reported, "Thousands of" Glastonbury (Connecticut) Public School District's "students have built proficiency in" languages ranging from Spanish to Mandarin Chinese, beginning as early as second grade. The language program "is now viewed as a model for meeting the demand for graduates with language skills and an understanding of other countries and cultures." At a time when many schools are "beefing up instruction in mathematics, reading, and to a lesser extent, science, to meet the demands of the federal No Child Left Behind Act," many schools are reluctant to add language classes for young children. But advocates believe that foreign language skills are rapidly growing vital in a globalized economy, and that students learn languages more easily in elementary school than in later years. "Several research studies since the 1990s have concluded that elementary pupils learning a foreign language performed better on standardized tests in math and reading than their peers who were not in such classes."

From the Open Bell email, an affiliate of USAToday

Writing and Great Achievements

Writing has been emphasized this year and students are taking this seriously making great strides. Each week, students are writing essays that will be home-published by the students themselves. Students are also interacting with individuals around the world with our agriculture internet forum. In depth units of study currently include Agriculture around the World and the Civil War. Additionally, each day, the 8th grade students participate in a video conference. Students are making great academic strides, working hard, remaining safe, responsible, and respectful. Go FGWS Miners.

Spirit & Red Ribbon Week, Tree's, and Generosity

Special thanks to the individuals that help make this school so great. The dedicated staff, students, and community members that contribute make this a better place. Our field project has had great contributions of time and energy with the back hoeing, working in the trenches, and a recent donation of tree's. We look forward to having a work party in the near future to install the PAR course, tree's, fountain, etc.

This will be Spirit Week and Red Ribbon Week. Special events will occur each day. Monday is PJ day with the Slumber Story Reading Challenge accompanying the Morning Circle. Tuesday is Red Ribbon Day with health and safe activity based challenges and games. Wednesday will be the traditional Wacky Wednesday which will no doubt be wild. Thursday is Crazy Socks and Shoes- this will be interesting... Friday is Cartoon Character Day- I'm sure they will have even more super powers than normal. Just as long as we apply the super powers to the academics as well. Of course. Have a great week.

Field Trip Transportation

Dear Parents:

I would like to solicit your help in providing transportation for our two planned field trips on October 16^th to Coleman Fish Hatchery in Anderson and on November 9^th to Anderson River Park for the American Civil War Days. On October 16^th, we will return to the school by 2:00 p.m. but on November 9^th, the event ends at 2:30 p.m. therefore the students must be driven home.

In order to drive other children during school hours, we need to have on file a copy of your current insurance policy which shows the maximum liability coverage for your vehicle and a completed Application By Private Driver to Provide Student Transportation form (attached). Please indicate how many working seat belts your vehicle has.