Happy Halloween Beckford!
Reminders:
The Halloween Parade begins promptly at 12:00 p.m.
Dismissal is at 12:44 p.m.
Be safe and have a fun Halloween!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween Beckford!
Happy Halloween Beckford!
Reminders:
The Halloween Parade begins promptly at 12:00 p.m.
Dismissal is at 12:44 p.m.
Be safe and have a fun Halloween!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
from the California Teachers Association:
No on Prop. 8
Members Make the Recommendations
CTA recommendations on ballot initiatives are made and approved by CTA’s State Council of Education. State Council, made up of more than 800 democratically elected member delegates, is the largest and highest governing body of CTA. Council meets four times a year and at its June meeting voted to make recommendations on five initiatives in order to protect students, public schools and human rights. No on Proposition 8 was one of the recommendations. But as with any election or initiative, CTA only makes recommendations. The final choice is always up to you.
Prop. 8 is about Everyone’s Rights
CTA believes that all people should be allowed equal protections under the law. California’s constitution should guarantee the same freedoms and rights to everyone – no one group should be singled out and have their rights taken away. Proposition 8 mandates one set of rules for gay and lesbian couples and another set of rules for everyone else. That’s not fair. California laws should treat everyone equally.
On the Education Accusation
Proposition 8 will not affect teaching in our schools. That’s a lie crafted to scare people into voting for Proposition 8 and stripping Californians of rights they already have. Not one word in Prop. 8 mentions education, and no child can be forced, against the will of their parents, to be taught anything about health and family issues at school. California law prohibits it, and the Yes on 8 campaign knows they are purposely trying to deceive the public. A California Superior Court Judge has already ruled that this claim by Prop. 8 proponents is “false and misleading.”
Monday, October 20, 2008
Welcome Mr. Garren!
Today at the morning bell, Beckford students assembled on the playground to welcome our new Assistant Principal, Mr. Mark Garren!
The kids welcomed him with a Big Beckford "HELLO!" and many parents also had the chance to introduce themselves to Mr. Garren and to welcome him into our Beckford Family.
Mrs. Friedrich with new Beckford Assistant Principal, Mark GarrenIf you see Mr. Garren, don't hesitate to say hello and introduce yourself!
Welcome to Beckford Mr. Garren!
Stuff To Do
ESPN Filming a John Elway Homecoming Special
Date: 10/15/2008
This Monday Night!
FREE Tickets! (while they last)
Date: 10/15/2008
This Monday Night!
FREE Tickets! (while they last)
Homecoming is a new ESPN program, hosted by ten time Sportswriter of the Year Rick Reilly, that challenges the old adage "You can't go home again." Is it nature or nurture? Is all talent simply genetic or do our gifts grow out of the people and places we call 'home'? After all, home is where the heart is and heart is the intangible that separates a good athlete from a legend.
John Elway, the man, wasn't born in Granada Hills, California, but John Elway, the Hall of Famer was. Born in Port Angeles, Washingon, Elway was never in one place long enough to let his roots take hold. His father, John Albert Elway, had to go where he could find work and that work was football.
In 1978, Elway's dad took a head coaching job at Cal-State-Northridge, moving his family to Southern California. There, John A. Elway, noticing his son's natural ability from an early age, made it his mission to find a place that would unlock his son's ultimate potential. That place was Granada Hills Charter High School, where Elway grew into the most sought after high school football player in the country; and it is the location of the premiere episode of Homecoming.
It is where the Elway legend took shape, as told by John himself, surrounded by his family, friends, former coaches, and teammates where it all began. It is in every sense of the word, to be the greatest Homecoming.
Tickets to Monday evening's taping are FREE and available for pick up in the Main Office and the Activities Office during normal school hours through Friday. They will also be available Saturday morning from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm in the Activities Office. Limited tickets will be available at the door Monday evening and such admittance will be granted on a first come, first serve basis. Please direct any questions to 818-360-2361, ext 339.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Wow
outside the lower lab after school.
What a day.
Just heard a recorded message from LAUSD Operations. Only four elementary schools in the Valley will be closed tomorrow because of the fires: Broadus Elementary, Harding Elementary, Hubbard Elementary and Castlebay Lane Elementary. Other schools in the surrounding area (like Beckford) will be limiting outdoor activity because of the smoke.
More news and/or closures will be announced as the information becomes available. The recorded announcement gave a phone number for LAUSD information: (213) 241-4500
Acccording to the Granada Hills Charter High School website, school is scheduled to proceed as normal tomorrow. Check the website for any changes.
Here are a few pictures of the smoke from different vantage points around town:
traveling west on chatsworth, around 1:30 pm, after picking
up the boy from granada high school.
Smokey scene behind the school
Porter Ranch Fire
Currently, there are two fires burning in the San Fernando Valley.
The Marek fire is burning in the Sylmar/San Fernando/Lake View Terrace area. The winds are not helping the situation.
A new fire is being reported in Porter Ranch. By news accounts, the Porter Ranch fire seems to be burning north of Sesnon. We can see the smoke billowing down towards Beckford.
I've just spoken to the office staff at Beckford. There is a "rainy-day" schedule in effect, which means that the children will be staying indoors for the rest of the school day.
Principal Friedrich is aware of the fire and wants parents to know that if any of you feel uncomfortable about the unfolding situation, you may pull your child out of school.
Brian Humphrey, from the L.A. Fire Department assures us that NO MANDATORY EVACUATION is in effect at this time in Porter Ranch.
We'll keep you updated...
[Update: The Summit housing track has now been evacuated]
[Update #2 12:33 p.m.: Watching the news reports on KTTV -- the 118 freeway west is an absolute disaster from Reseda on. We can see traffic completely stopped just past the De Soto offramp, and cars are literally making U-turns in the middle of the freeway and driving in the opposite direction. It's incredible. Please, please, please stay away from the west side of Porter Ranch]
[Update #3: The 118 freeway west bound is closed at Reseda]
[Update #4 from sigalert.com:
118 West Before De Soto Av Traffic Collision - Ambulance Responding 12:27 PM
Thomas Guide Map Coordinates: Page 500, Grid 2B
Blocking Slow Lane 12:27 PM
Tow Truck vs Vehicle 12:27 PM
Message/Item Delivered LA Fire Department 12:28 PM
Dupe Info West Just East of De Soto-Overturned Vehicle on Fire 12:30 PM
#4 #5 Lanes Blked 12:32 PM
CHP Unit Enroute 12:33 PM
Vehicle Fully Engulfed Possible Possible Fatality Inside-Need Add L Units 12:34 PM
CHP Unit Assigned 12:34 PM
Confirmed Possible Fatality 12:36 PM
Message/Item Delivered Fire 12:36 PM
CHP Unit on Scene 12:36 PM
CHP Unit on Scene 12:36 PM
CHP Unit Assigned 12:36 PM]
The Marek fire is burning in the Sylmar/San Fernando/Lake View Terrace area. The winds are not helping the situation.
A new fire is being reported in Porter Ranch. By news accounts, the Porter Ranch fire seems to be burning north of Sesnon. We can see the smoke billowing down towards Beckford.
I've just spoken to the office staff at Beckford. There is a "rainy-day" schedule in effect, which means that the children will be staying indoors for the rest of the school day.
Principal Friedrich is aware of the fire and wants parents to know that if any of you feel uncomfortable about the unfolding situation, you may pull your child out of school.
Brian Humphrey, from the L.A. Fire Department assures us that NO MANDATORY EVACUATION is in effect at this time in Porter Ranch.
We'll keep you updated...
[Update: The Summit housing track has now been evacuated]
[Update #2 12:33 p.m.: Watching the news reports on KTTV -- the 118 freeway west is an absolute disaster from Reseda on. We can see traffic completely stopped just past the De Soto offramp, and cars are literally making U-turns in the middle of the freeway and driving in the opposite direction. It's incredible. Please, please, please stay away from the west side of Porter Ranch]
[Update #3: The 118 freeway west bound is closed at Reseda]
[Update #4 from sigalert.com:
118 West Before De Soto Av Traffic Collision - Ambulance Responding 12:27 PM
Thomas Guide Map Coordinates: Page 500, Grid 2B
Blocking Slow Lane 12:27 PM
Tow Truck vs Vehicle 12:27 PM
Message/Item Delivered LA Fire Department 12:28 PM
Dupe Info West Just East of De Soto-Overturned Vehicle on Fire 12:30 PM
#4 #5 Lanes Blked 12:32 PM
CHP Unit Enroute 12:33 PM
Vehicle Fully Engulfed Possible Possible Fatality Inside-Need Add L Units 12:34 PM
CHP Unit Assigned 12:34 PM
Confirmed Possible Fatality 12:36 PM
Message/Item Delivered Fire 12:36 PM
CHP Unit on Scene 12:36 PM
CHP Unit on Scene 12:36 PM
CHP Unit Assigned 12:36 PM]
[Update #5: Well, after long considering the circumstances (smoke, traffic and the fact that the Ralphs/OSH parking lot on Chatsworth/Zelzah-Lindley is half-blocked off due to repaving, I'm going to pull my boy out of Granada Hills High School early. The traffic on Chatsworth is already getting dicey, and there are reports of cars U-turning on the Balboa westbound off-ramp. I would avoid traveling on Chatsworth, Rinaldi and even Mission Blvds. until the freeway situation is cleared up. I'll keep my girl at Beckford. She's inside, she's safe, and easily accesible from where we are. I cannot say the same for Granada High School]
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Notes from the PTA Association Meeting
Beckford PTA held its first Association meeting of the new school year this evening.
President Robert Cohn welcomed staff members Kathy Zika, Cynthia Varner, and new Kinder teacher Chelsea Gutierrez; as well as all attendees.
Our Occupational Therapist Brian Young was also in attendance. Not only is Brian a staff member, he's also a Beckford Parent! It gets even better ...
The lovely Mrs. Brian Young (Meredith) teaches first grade at Beckford! We like to keep it all in the family! So glad to see you at your first Association meeting as a parent, Brian! (FIGHT ON!)
Beckford's own Boy Scout troop #911 led by an incredible color guard, led the flag salute. They were too adorable!
blurry scouts, kelly mattinson 10.7.08
Robert gave a his President's Report, and PTA is up and running at full clip. Thanks to the numerous Parent Volunteers, so much work has been accomplished on behalf of our students and teachers.
Thank you to Nina Maceda and Marilyn Seemann for their Room Parent coordinating efforts!
If you'd like to sign up to be a Beckford Volunteer, please contact Chana Gluck at bsblmom at socal dot rr dot com. She'll keep you up to date on all the various Volunteer Opportunities throughout the year.
Principal Barbara Friedrich gave her Principal's Report and announced the recent hiring of a new Assistant Principal for Beckford! Hooray! (Okay, I didn't have a pen or pencil and couldn't jot down the name she announced. I am a dork)
With a lot of help from PTA Treasurer Mary Ann Mogab, and the Awesomeness that is Ross Denny (to whom we owe an enormous debt, arranging the reading of our finances in such a way as to be entirely crystalline), we were able to breeze through the budget proposal with a clear, concise outline of our fundraising efforts and what we are able to pay for through those efforts. I won't post any hard numbers here, but strongly urge you to check the Beckford Spirit Bulletin Board located in the quad area. A financial report should be posted there within the next few days. Suffice to say, your PTA raises significant amounts of revenue, and in turn, is able to provide a multitude of services, supplies and educational programs to Beckford -- it is a beautiful thing to see on paper -- thanks to all of you.
The Budget Proposal was put to a vote before the Association and was handily passed. Well done, budget committee!! And a big Beckford "Thank You" to Mary Ann Mogab and Ross Denny.
BELL Fund committe member Gayle Denny gave her current numbers of participating families and the amount taken in thus far. Recycling Program chair Chris Bell reported the plastic recycling program is hugely successful. It has also become a hugely labor-intensive proposition. Chris would LOVE to have any help you could offer. PTA Membership chair Starlet Wagman announced our memberships now totaled somewheres in the 400's??? (I'm A No Pencil Havin' Girl, remember?) Way to go Starlet and your Membership Drive Committee! Entertainment Book Chair Diane Segismundo announced the fundraiser was a success! Great Job, Entertainment Book Team!
Room Parent Coordinator Nina Maceda wasn't feeling up to snuff, and had to miss tonight's meeting. Instead, she e-mailed her report to Marilyn Seemann, and Marilyn read it verbatim on Nina's behalf. Our Room Parents are so wonderful! Please remember to thank them often! They work so hard for our teachers and students!
The TOTAL HAWT AWESOMENESS THAT IS DENISE MUMMA gave her Community Partner Report. She is collecting Box Tops and signing up parent's shopping club cards to benefit Beckford. Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons and other retail stores (like our friends at Target!) offer programs that contribute a percentage of your sales to the organization of your choice --in this case --- Beckford! If you need anymore information, please contact Denise at beckfordmom at yahoo dot com.
We heard a few words from our hosts for dinner, Huntington Learning Center reps ... eee gads, I don't remember anyone's name and ... no pencil. They offer tutoring for kinder through some grade I can't recall. BUT THEY ROCK HARD SO YAY HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER!
And then Mrs. Friedrich passed out HOMEWORK PASSES to all parents in attendance.
And then the meeting was over. :(
--The End--
UPCOMING EVENTS:
School Beautification Day -- 10/11
Skateland Night -- 10/14
Red Ribbon Week -- 10/23 to 10/30
Signature Gift Catalog Fundraiser -- 10/27 to 11/10
Halloween Candy Split -- 11/3 & 11/4
Reflections Submissions DUE 11/21
THANK YOU TO HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER FOR PROVIDING DINNER!
Soooo yummy!
President Robert Cohn welcomed staff members Kathy Zika, Cynthia Varner, and new Kinder teacher Chelsea Gutierrez; as well as all attendees.
Our Occupational Therapist Brian Young was also in attendance. Not only is Brian a staff member, he's also a Beckford Parent! It gets even better ...
The lovely Mrs. Brian Young (Meredith) teaches first grade at Beckford! We like to keep it all in the family! So glad to see you at your first Association meeting as a parent, Brian! (FIGHT ON!)
Beckford's own Boy Scout troop #911 led by an incredible color guard, led the flag salute. They were too adorable!
blurry scouts, kelly mattinson 10.7.08
Robert gave a his President's Report, and PTA is up and running at full clip. Thanks to the numerous Parent Volunteers, so much work has been accomplished on behalf of our students and teachers.
Thank you to Nina Maceda and Marilyn Seemann for their Room Parent coordinating efforts!
If you'd like to sign up to be a Beckford Volunteer, please contact Chana Gluck at bsblmom at socal dot rr dot com. She'll keep you up to date on all the various Volunteer Opportunities throughout the year.
Principal Barbara Friedrich gave her Principal's Report and announced the recent hiring of a new Assistant Principal for Beckford! Hooray! (Okay, I didn't have a pen or pencil and couldn't jot down the name she announced. I am a dork)
With a lot of help from PTA Treasurer Mary Ann Mogab, and the Awesomeness that is Ross Denny (to whom we owe an enormous debt, arranging the reading of our finances in such a way as to be entirely crystalline), we were able to breeze through the budget proposal with a clear, concise outline of our fundraising efforts and what we are able to pay for through those efforts. I won't post any hard numbers here, but strongly urge you to check the Beckford Spirit Bulletin Board located in the quad area. A financial report should be posted there within the next few days. Suffice to say, your PTA raises significant amounts of revenue, and in turn, is able to provide a multitude of services, supplies and educational programs to Beckford -- it is a beautiful thing to see on paper -- thanks to all of you.
The Budget Proposal was put to a vote before the Association and was handily passed. Well done, budget committee!! And a big Beckford "Thank You" to Mary Ann Mogab and Ross Denny.
BELL Fund committe member Gayle Denny gave her current numbers of participating families and the amount taken in thus far. Recycling Program chair Chris Bell reported the plastic recycling program is hugely successful. It has also become a hugely labor-intensive proposition. Chris would LOVE to have any help you could offer. PTA Membership chair Starlet Wagman announced our memberships now totaled somewheres in the 400's??? (I'm A No Pencil Havin' Girl, remember?) Way to go Starlet and your Membership Drive Committee! Entertainment Book Chair Diane Segismundo announced the fundraiser was a success! Great Job, Entertainment Book Team!
Room Parent Coordinator Nina Maceda wasn't feeling up to snuff, and had to miss tonight's meeting. Instead, she e-mailed her report to Marilyn Seemann, and Marilyn read it verbatim on Nina's behalf. Our Room Parents are so wonderful! Please remember to thank them often! They work so hard for our teachers and students!
The TOTAL HAWT AWESOMENESS THAT IS DENISE MUMMA gave her Community Partner Report. She is collecting Box Tops and signing up parent's shopping club cards to benefit Beckford. Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons and other retail stores (like our friends at Target!) offer programs that contribute a percentage of your sales to the organization of your choice --in this case --- Beckford! If you need anymore information, please contact Denise at beckfordmom at yahoo dot com.
We heard a few words from our hosts for dinner, Huntington Learning Center reps ... eee gads, I don't remember anyone's name and ... no pencil. They offer tutoring for kinder through some grade I can't recall. BUT THEY ROCK HARD SO YAY HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER!
And then Mrs. Friedrich passed out HOMEWORK PASSES to all parents in attendance.
And then the meeting was over. :(
--The End--
UPCOMING EVENTS:
School Beautification Day -- 10/11
Skateland Night -- 10/14
Red Ribbon Week -- 10/23 to 10/30
Signature Gift Catalog Fundraiser -- 10/27 to 11/10
Halloween Candy Split -- 11/3 & 11/4
Reflections Submissions DUE 11/21
THANK YOU TO HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER FOR PROVIDING DINNER!
Soooo yummy!
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