Mock Election Allows Students to Participate in Historic Election Day

Issue # 3
Nov. 2008
Important Dates
Nov 23
Holiday Window
Painting
Nov 26, 27, 28
Thanksgiving Holiday
No School
Dec. 3 & 4
Spelling Bees
Dec. 5, 6, 7 & 12, 13, 14
Forestville Academy
Presents “Fruitcakes”
In the Audi
Dec. 11
School Board Meeting
6pm in staff room
Dec. 12
Winter Dance
6:30 in the Multi
Dec. 17
FOFSEF Mtg. 6:30
In Staff Room
&
Winter Music Concert
7pm In Multi
Dec. 19
Minimum Day
12:30 Dismissal
Dec. 22 – Jan. 2
Winter Break
No School
Mock Election Allows Students to Participate in
Historic Election Day
By Mikey McLees and Diane Hughes
On the 28th and 29th of October, Forestville
Academy held our very own mock election. Several
classrooms participated in this important event. A
mock election is an election that doesn’t count, as
students are not old enough to legally vote. The
election was held in room 108 and the room was set
up to look like an actual polling place. Mrs. PolaHoard said, “We had this election to teach kids what
an election was like. I could squint and it would look
like adults voting.” Kids were encouraged to vote
their conscience and not be persuaded by others.
We also had a political assembly with speakers
representing the Democrats and
Republicans. The Principal and the
Assistant Principal represented both
sides. Ms. Tamzarian says that “this
was an excellent experience for kids to
learn how to vote when they are
eighteen”.
Our election mirrored the actual
election, with Barack Obama winning
by a landslide. Barack Obama is now
our President-elect and will be sworn in
as our 44th President on January 28th.
Published by the Students of the Forestville Union School District
STAY INFORMED!!!
Nov. 2008
The Viking Voice
is published by the students of the
Forestville Union School District
Forestville Union
School District (FUSD)
Please turn in submittals at school office or e-mail
them to [email protected]
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Thank you for your donations.
For information contact
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[email protected]
On-Line Bulletin
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contact: Fran Oliver
[email protected]
This bulletin will give you weekly
updates on FUSD happenings
including: important dates,
school board meeting agendas
and minutes, sporting events,
Art
Pep Wish List
FOFSEF, special events, etc.
School Web site
www.Forestvilleusd.org
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Each of the following students is
responsible for the reporting, writing,
photography, editing, and formatting of
this publication.
Mandy Young,
Craig Fernandez ,
Mikey McLees,
Bayley Wiltermood,
Megan Simmons
Published by the Students of the Forestville Union School District
Nov. 2008
K-3rd Harvest Fair!
By Bayley Wiltermood and Sasha Walker
The air was warm and sweet, with the aroma of kettle corn wafting around. The laughter of children echoed all through out
the Harvest Fair. The taste was sweet, crisp, and ripe. The lull of an engine whirred in the background. The yellow stacks of pointy
and sturdy hay crunched under the children’s feet as they bounded from heap to heap. Then another taste, one of sweetness, warmness,
filled my mouth, as I bit into a cookie. The fat, orange pumpkins that were piled in some hay had the feel of fall, with the different
colors and shapes of the coming holiday. Face paint covered the children’s faces like colorful masks. The salty crunch of popcorn
filled my ears as I bit into some.
Yee-haw! Kindergarten through third grade had a lot of fun at the Harvest Fair. It was held on the lower playground’s soccer
field. There were many exciting games. The most popular game was the fishing game. In that game kids hold a pole while the string is
inside a box. When they pull out the string there is a prize at the end of it. Other games were; Pickle or Pear, Acorn in a Hay Stack,
Cup Cake Walk, Build a Bracelet, Bobbing for Apples, Apple Tasting, Pumpkin Squirt, and a Ring Toss. Those are pretty selfexplanatory. Before they could do that there was a lot of work to do. Liz Cozine has set up the Harvest Fairs for several years and has
done a great job. Volunteers had to move tables, send out fliers, and bring in farm animals. There was a lot of junk food. There were
cookies, brownies, zucchini bread, and a lot more. When asked what your favorite part was, Devin Wiltermood said “I would have to
say the cake walk.” and when asked what your favorite food was he said, “Ummm…COOKIES!" If you couldn’t make it to this years’
Harvest Fair, make sure to come to next years’.
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Published by the Students of the Forestville Union School District
Library Corner
Nov. 2008
Awesome New Student
* Zoe Falk (7th Grade), had a great
surprise for me recently. She donated a
book written by her maternal GreatGrandmother, Elda Del Bino Willitts.
The autobiography is titled; The Sugar’s
at the Bottom of the Cup. The title
refers to the concept that, in life, you
must drink of the bitter coffee before
you can get to the sweet, sugary parts. The story traces Zoe’s
Great-Grandmother’s move to San Francisco from Italy in
1916 to the end of her long and interesting life at age 94. I
can’t wait to read it! Thank you, Zoe!
By Craig Fernandez
Did you think that there
would be no more new students
at are school after the first
quarter? If you answered yes,
then man are you wrong! At the
beginning of the second quarter,
a student named Casey Bauer
transferred to our school. He is a
7th grader who has skipped 3rd grade and has also skipped 7th
grade math and English. He also plays sports. Casey said that
he likes Forestville Academy because, “they have a lot better
school lunches then my old school.” The activities he likes
are: soccer, basketball, and baseball. He also likes to go on
one-man sailboats. He has made many new friends at this
school and he gets along with everyone too. His previous
school was Calmecac Language Academy which is in
Windsor. His dad sells microchips and his mom works for
Sonoma County Health Department. As you can see Casey
Bauwer is fitting in with this school and has a bright future
ahead of him. Welcome Casey!
Thank you!
*Fran Oliver for generously donating to the Library some
beautiful new picture and fiction books to augment our
collection.
*The Borges family for the donation of three boxes of books
which were chock-a-block full of wonderful and barely used
picture, nature and fiction titles.
*Amy Norris for donating two great and informative books on
how to play chess.
Forestville Academy Hosts
Basketball Tournament
*And, lastly, to my Library elves, Tanner Yost, Barbara
Farrell and Amy Norris for showing up weekly to expertly reshelve books.
Our school recently hosted a Basketball Tournament
that raised money to support our sports programs. Athletic
Director, Carol Dewey, and several parent and student
volunteers kept score, sold tickets, ran a snack bar, and much
more to make this tournament a success. Several local schools
were invited to attend and Willowside School went away with
the First Place trophy.
Watch for other fundraisers, like an Ice Skating Night
to help raise money to keep our sports programs going.
A Trip to the Stars
4th Graders go to the SRJC
Planetarium
By: Bayley Wiltermood
Recently, the third through fifth grade classes went to
the Planetarium. They went there because they were studying
Astronomy, the study of the stars. They were there the whole
school day. Rose Cozine said she saw “college students and a
museum”. Ellery Kuntz said they saw “pretty much the whole
campus.” When asked what
they learned, Rose said “stars”
and Ellery said “planets”. Rose
also added “college life.”
Rose’s favorite part was the
museum. Ellery’s was the
actual star show. Rose said, “It
was very exciting” and Ellery
said “it was fun.”
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Published by the Students of the Forestville Union School District
Store Day
To Buy or Not to Buy
By Mandy Young
On October 31st, kids in 3rd through 5th grades had a Store Day. A Store
Day is a day on which kids bring food, games and toys to school to sell to other
students for school money. School money is handed out by the teachers to the
kids for doing good deeds and completing their work. Store Day is a reward for
those students who get all their work done. At the end of the day, the kids
brought their desks and goods outside of their classrooms and set up. Kids
opened up shop and sold things, or closed down and went shopping. Some of the
things for sale were cookies, candy, donuts, toys, pencils, and stuffed animals.
There was face painting and a basketball game. Kids get school money and they
can spend it on the things they wanted. It was a fun afternoon all in all and
another one will be coming up soon.
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Nov. 2008
Published by the Students of the Forestville Union School District
Nov. 2008
Fruitcakes, Anyone?
Fall Play Opens Dec. 5th
By Mandy Young
This year’s fall play at
Forestville school is a touching
comedy/drama called Fruitcakes written
by Julian Wiles. It is directed by our
fabulous first grade teacher, Mrs. Huberty.
The cast is a talented and dedicated group
of students from 4th through 8th grade. The
crew is a mix of students, parents, and
alumni. One of the actors, Fern Cozine,
briefly described the play, “this
production is about a runaway, Jamie,
who ends up in a quirky little town called
McCord’s Ferry. Jamie is taken in by an
older man, Mack, and in his time there,
learns the true meaning of Christmas.”
Lexi Palm said, “I enjoy acting in this
because it is fun and goofy. It is the first
play I’ve been in where I have lines and I
like my character because she is goofy
and fun.” Fern Cozine said, “I am enjoying it because I like acting in general. I enjoy Fruitcakes because it allows you to be crazy,
extravagant, and the characters are very eccentric.” Another actor, Eli Tracy said, “I think the audience will enjoy this comedy/drama
because it is a crazy town, full of eccentric people doing eccentric things, and on the more dramatic side, Jamie and the true meaning
of Christmas is taught.” Kelsey Sword said, “I think that the play will be a success because the kids enjoy acting and once we get the
lines down, we’ll really get into it.” Emily Eck said, “I enjoy the play because I like dancing crazy, I like being cute and funny and I
enjoy it in general.” Another actor, Kate Kitchens, said “I just love acting, and it is so cool that I get the opportunity to do this.” One
of the tech crew, Megan Simmons, said, “There is some music, cool lights, storm sounds, and some very minor explosions and a
blackout.” Megan also said, “I am really looking forward to opening night and enjoy being on the tech crew.” Mrs. Huberty said that
“the whole cast is working hard and every one is making some really good choices.” The play is about 2 hours long. Tickets are $7.00
each, and can be purchased in advance at the school office or at the door. Opening Night is December 5th. Hope to see you there!
Flag Football Rocks!
By Craig Fernandez
Ten yards, twenty yards, thirty yards . . . touchdown!
The Forestville flag football team is awesome! This year the
school managed to assemble two flag football teams, just like
last year. (6th, 7th and 8th graders were the ones who played).
Brett Franceschi, who’s the quarterback on the 6th grade team,
said that the games were really fun. Jake Valley, who is also on
the 6th grade team, said that it was really fun traveling to other
schools. Mikey McLees, a 7th grade player, said that the team
was good. Baxter Ming, an 8th grade player, said, “The team
worked really well together.” He also said, “I joined the team
because I love the sport.” As you can see, the players really
liked this year’s flag football. You should stop whatever you’re
doing and ask your mom and dad if you can do flag football next
year. (Remember, you have to be 11 to 13 to play.) If this isn’t
enough to get you off your couch, then you must be a lazy bum!
So get off the couch, stop playing video games, and get active with our awesome sports!
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Published by the Students of the Forestville Union School District
Nov. 2008
Mrs. Huberty and Her Bats
By Megan Simmons
Mrs. Huberty has been teaching her students about bats and decorating her classroom door as a bat cave every October for at
least 13 years. This was Ms. Pace’s first year in the bat cave. Mrs. Huberty and Ms. Pace had a bat celebration out on the blacktop
next to the K-2 playground. The kids made bat wings and ears and got to fly around the playground. They flew around for a couple
of minutes then Mrs. Huberty asked all of them questions on bats. Some of the answers came from the “bat lady” who visits with Mrs.
Huberty’s class every year, brings in small bats and tells the students lots of interesting facts about all kinds of bats. Once the
celebration was over, the students and their parents went inside and the first graders got awards saying that they have “official
knowledge of bats”. I interviewed Ryan Simmons who said, “I really liked it and most of all I liked the time when I was learning
about bats”. I’m sure you would enjoy this event, too! Mrs. Huberty spends so much time on the bats, it is very cool to watch!
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Published by the Students of the Forestville Union School District
Nov. 2008
Staff Spotlight
By Megan Simmons
Alena Cook is a new staff member in our school. She is our very energetic and organized P.E.
teacher for all grades. She teaches many different games that most people haven’t heard of, such as,
“over the line”. The games are very informative and lots of fun. Did you know that Ms. Cook also holds
a running record for Sonoma State?!
Diana Nelson is the Junior High English teacher. This is her second year at Forestville Academy.
Ms. Nelson has lived in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Saint Thomas, Florida, Los Angeles, Lake
County and Sonoma County. You may not know this, but Ms. Nelson owns horses. She has been riding
horses since she was 2 years old, which is also when she got her first horse. Ms. Nelson says she “doesn’t
like to move”.
Diane Nelson is the Secretary for Forestville Elementary School. She has worked
here since November 1994. Mrs. Nelson started working as Teacher’s Aide in Junior High.
She started working at the school as a volunteer because her daughter, Tracy, was attending
school here. Mrs. Nelson loved the kids at Forestville School so much that she took the job as
school Secretary. And we are very lucky she did! You might not know this, but Mrs. Nelson
has a twin sister who is the Principal at Saint John’s School!
Cristy Simmons is the District Secretary. She started working here three years ago.
She has two kids that go to school and she loves working this close to them. Ms. Simmons’
has many favorite things to do with her kids. She loves to camp in the redwoods, snow ski,
ride 4-wheelers, go to the beach to watch sunsets, hike and teach her kids about nature and
history of areas they visit and doing craft projects on rainy weekends. Whenever she can, she
curls up with her puppy, Snoopy, and a good mystery book from the Library. She says online library orders rock!
Cristy Simmons and Diane Nelson
Paula Umino has been a teacher at Forestville School for 12 years. She enjoys helping young
children learn to read. Mrs. Umino loves poetry and each week her class learns a poem, illustrates it and
is making a special poetry anthology for their parents. Some people may not know that Mrs. Umino
loves gardening. She grows flowers and enjoys making small bouquets to give to friends. Mrs. Umino
has an adorable 4 year old grandson, Isaac, who is living with her and his mom and dad. Every morning
Isaac and Mrs. Umino have a special “breakfast party” before school. They light candles and sing songs,
eat cereal and watch the sun come up together. “It’s the best way to begin a new day”!
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Published by the Students of the Forestville Union School District
Teacher
(pre-3rd)
Matsumoto
Umino
Humrich
Thompson
Huberty
Anderson
Porter
Mork
Preschool
(4th-8th)
Blechel
Nelson MJ
Graves
Nelson D
PolaHoard
Hegenbart
Terrell
Anderson
Huberty
Aldridge
Hayden
Swanson
Box
Tops
Soup
Labels
Total
200
219
145
159
23
13
2
2
2
70
32
84
59
38
2
3
2
2
270
251
229
218
61
15
5
4
4
252
188
167
97
50
26
19
0
302
214
186
97
79
61
41
16
1
2
2
2
9
24
2
7
19
2
2
2
88
85
43
23
20
4
4
4
Nov. 2008
Box Tops
&
Soup Labels
Classrooms Compete
For Pizza Party
These are the new official standings
for the race for the pizza party. If
you want to help your class, bring
your box tops and soup labels from
home and put them in the “Box
Tops and Soup Labels Bucket” in
your classroom.
Friends of Forestville School Education Foundation
Holds Phone-a-thon
By Clara Maddison,
The Phone-a-thon is an effort made by the Education Foundation to encourage families
to become more involved in the school. Families contribute money and volunteer to help out in
the school. The money goes towards music, sports, art, drama and technology programs. It also
helps out with field trips and assemblies. If you want to donate or volunteer and nobody has
called you yet, you can go to the office and pick up a form.
This is a very important thing to do in order to help your child’s education. Please
volunteer or donate!
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Published by the Students of the Forestville Union School District
Nov. 2008
250 People Come to See Kung Fu Panda
Movie Night Fundraiser a Success
By Megan Simmons
On Friday November 14th, the movie for Movie Night was Kung Fu Panda. All the
profits from this fundraiser go towards the after-school programs. At suspenseful times in the
movie most of the little kids gasped. They were all very excited and jumping up and down. Many
kids afterwards were acting out the parts of the characters. Food is always sold in the food kitchen.
There were about 250 people that attended. Andorno's donated twelve pizzas (Thank You
Andorno's!) Katie McKee also donated five pizzas. (Thank You, Ms. McKee!) A lot of the
students and parents came and donated their time to work at Movie Night. Please come and help
us raise money for the after school programs by coming to the next Movie Night.
Thank you Andorno'
Andorno's Pizza for your Generous
Donation!
______________________________________________________
Students Celebrate Day of the Dead
By Mandy Young
On Monday, Nov. 3rd, Mrs. Swanson’s class celebrated Day of
the Dead. Day of the Dead is a celebration to honor dead relatives and
friends. During Day of the Dead, family members set up an ofrenda, or
offering table, on which they place food, flowers, and the deceased’s
favorite items. Mrs. Swanson’s class had an ofrenda in the back of the
classroom, and students could bring things in to put on it. The students
ate empanadas, a traditional Mexican dish. They also decorated photos
of their loved ones and taped a private note to the back as homage. The
other craft they did was to put together a paper and decorate them.
There were gangsters, football players, rock stars, even an Indiana
Jones! Students had fun while learning about a traditional Mexican
holiday.
Christine & Cori’s Dad
James B. Bertero, Jr.
Vice President – Investments
Portfolio Manager
UBS Financial Services Inc.
100 B. Street, Suite 300
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Tel. 707-537-3501, Fax 707-576-9795
800-533-8345
[email protected]
www.ubs.com
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Published by the Students of the Forestville Union School District
Nov. 2008
Santa Rosa Symphony Returns
By Craig Fernandez
Just recently, on November 12th, we had members of the Santa Rosa Symphony
visit our school. The Santa Rosa Symphony will be visiting our school throughout the year
and will talk about different types of musical instruments. These assemblies are for K
through 5th grade. The Symphony members taught the students about the percussion
instruments and how some of the instruments sounded, such as the drums and the
xylophone. The Symphony members also let the students play on buckets as if they were
drums. We can’t wait for the next assembly. Who knows what instrument they will
introduce to us next?
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Published by the Students of the Forestville Union School District
Nov. 2008
Committee Develops Framework
For the Future of Arts Education
The Friends of Forestville School Education Foundation (FOFSEF) provided the initial impulse and funding for the Strategic
Planning process. FOFSEF was challenged to keep pace with increased funding needs for enrichment programming, as well as
financially nurture the introduction of new offerings on campus. With traditional fundraising streams yielding less, the group began
discussing the feasibility of seeking additional support through grant writing.
Grants are awarded to schools which best articulate a succinct idea of who they are and are informed by a strategic plan
which integrates requested funds to a greater school vision. It became clear that, in order to move forward, FOFSEF needed to
collectively revisit with administration, faculty, and parents the motivating factors that informed enrichment programming at
Forestville School and Academy.
The outcome of the Strategic Planning Sessions was a comprehensive framework for the future of arts education for the
Forestville Union School District. The plan is intended to guide district leaders, administrators, teachers, and parents in their efforts to
provide rich, diverse and sustainable arts education learning for every student. With an appreciation for current district-wide realities,
along with an innovative eye to the future, this plan outlines key strategic directions for achieving our vision for a district integrated
arts education program.
In 3-5 Years, Forestville Union School District will strive to build their arts programs guided by the following Practical Vision.
⇒ Inspire Community Connections
⇒ Support an Integrated Curriculum
⇒ Showcase Artistic Achievement
⇒ Design and Implement Performance Measures
⇒ Establish Sustainable Funding
⇒ Create Continuous Growth
⇒ Provide Exceptional Facilities
⇒ Articulate a Clear Vision
⇒ Develop Dynamic Instructors
⇒ Inspire Community Connection
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Funny Faces
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