2700 Porter St.
Soquel CA 95073
831-464-5655
Paw Prints Newsletter
September
2013
Newsletter 1
Gerri Fippin, Principal
Victoria Avey, Secretary
www.soquelpaws.org
24-Hour Attendance Line: 475-4678
Principal’s Corner
Thank you to everyone for such a fantastic start. It has been great to meet so many new families and see all
the smiling faces of our students. The week has gone smoothly and students are showing up ready to learn.
Please come by and introduce yourself to me, or if you have any questions feel free to stop by. I am always
happy to talk with our families. A few things I thought I would share with everyone:
 The start time is early, but try your best to get your students to school by the 8:15 bell. Teachers are
eager to have all the kids and start the learning. Also, there is no yard supervision until 8:00 am each
morning. If your student is dropped off prior to that time parents must stay with them for safety reasons.
 We have several new staff members. Help me and your students welcome them to the cougar family:
o Abby Weisel is joining us in 1st grade, Room 12. Mrs. Weisel has been in the district prior, but left for
family. She came back to Soquel Elementary to teach intervention and is excited to be back in the
classroom full time.
o Evan Siegesmund is joining us in 3rd grade, Room 8. Some of you may remember Mr. Siegesmund when
he did his student teaching with Mr. Foster a few years back. He did a long-term sub assignment at
Main Street Elementary last year and will be joining us this year.
o Maria Isabel LeBlanc is joining us in 3rd grade, Room 14. Mrs. LeBlanc comes to us from Atlanta. Her
family moved over the summer. She comes with a wealth of experience in primary grades and second
language learners.
o Jennifer Patterson is joining us in 2nd grade, Room 5a. Ms. Patterson comes to us from Baymonte
Christian School in Scotts Valley.
o Irlanda Altamirano is joining us as the computer lab tech. Ms. Altamirano is a former student of Soquel
Elementary and is currently getting her BA in computer engineering from San Jose State. She will be
joining us 4 days a week.
 I have spoken with many of you regarding the parking lot. Thank you for being so flexible with the changes.
I know it is new, but please remember it is all about the safety of our students. A few points that I think
will help.
o Pull all the way forward to drop off and pick up your students. This will help keep traffic out of the
street and allow students to see their car and get in quickly.
o The parking lot is very small and often full. Yard Supervisors will be monitoring the parking lot to help
with circulation. We do have crossing guards out front and in the back of the school. If you need to
park, you may utilize parking areas behind the school on Main Street, across the street up Walnut, and
there is a large 4 hr public parking lot 2 blocks down Porter toward Soquel Dr. Please do not park at
the Dance Studio next door or the legal office next to them.
 Note that Fridays are short days. Kindergarten release is at 11:30, grades 1-3 at 11:45, and grades 4-5 at
12:01.
 Back to school night is scheduled for September 17th, 5:30-7:00 pm. More details will be coming home with
your students but mark your calendars.
 Picture day is currently scheduled for October 9th. Your students will be bringing home information soon.
Please look for the paperwork in your student’s backpack.
Thank you and Welcome Back!!
Gerri Fippin
Soquel Elementary School – Paw Prints Newsletter- September 2013
Welcome back to the library!
Your students will begin coming to the library the week of September 9. Each class comes in for 1/2 hour
each week and each student has a chance to check out a book. Teachers will let you know your student's
library day so that you can help your student remember to return their library book on that day. I'm looking
forward to seeing all our returning students and meeting all of our new students!
Ms. Thelma
H&SC Notebook
The Home & School Club is a parent-teacher, non-profit organization that supports Soquel Elementary School’s
enrichment and fundraising programs. Every parent and teacher at our school is automatically a member and there
are no fees. Meetings are announced in advance and generally take place the second Tuesday of every month. We
encourage attendance and welcome new voices, so join us in our efforts to make Soquel El the best it can be.
Home & School Club Meeting
Tuesday, September 10th
Welcome back Soquel Elementary families! We have many great events and
fundraisers lined up for the school year. Our first meeting of the 2013/14 school year
is Tuesday, September 10 at 6:30 pm in our school library. Meet fellow parents, find
out how you or your skills can help our school, stay up to date on events and
opportunities, learn how the money we raise is spent and get updates from our
teachers and principal about our school and school district. Meetings are only once a
month and free childcare is provided in the MU. Get involved, share an idea, or simply
stay informed. The more you know the better your student’s year will be.
Have you already signed up to be a Room Parent? If not, tell your teacher you are interested and your
teacher will have additional information for you. Be a part of the classroom council that makes this school
tick. The kick-off meeting for Room Parents will precede the first Home & School Club meeting Tuesday,
September 10 at 6 pm in the library. Free childcare will be provided in the MU. For more information
contact our Home & School Club vice president, Tory DelFavero at [email protected].
SAFEWAY Receipt Collection
September 13th until October 1st, bring your Safeway receipts to school and Soquel Elementary Home &
School Club will earn 10% Back to School Dollars. Look for the receipt collection box inside the office, the
e-scrip team will do the rest. Only one receipt from this time period is needed. Collect from friends too!
Toyota/Subaru Drive for Schools!
September 19th to October 18th
Ticket sales for the Toyota/Subaru Giveaway will be Thursday, September
19th to October 18th! Get 6 tickets for $25 or $5 for one, entering you to
win your choice of a 2014 Toyota Prius, Subaru Outback or $25,000. The
best part, our school keeps 100% of the ticket sales profits! Extra tickets to purchase or sell to family,
friends, neighbors and colleagues can be found in the school office. Look for more information coming home
soon. Questions, or if you’d like to help, contact Tory DelFavero at [email protected] or
Catherine Larion at [email protected].
SERC - Soquel Elementary Running Club
Soquel Elementary Running Club begins Tuesday, September 10th at recess
and will occur throughout the year. It’s a free and easy way for your child to
make friends, enjoy recess and reap the benefits that running has to offer.
Prizes will be awarded as running milestones are reached. Soquel Elementary
parents, Kim Crowley and Christie Donaldson are leading this program.
Anyone interested in assisting with organizing and tallying runners can
contact [email protected].
Soquel Elementary School – Paw Prints Newsletter- September 2013
Walk-a-Thon
Friday, September 27th, our school will hold its second annual walk-a-thon! This
fundraiser is not only healthy for our kids, but it builds community and raises
money for our music, art and other enrichment programs. Help support our kids
as they support their school. More information will be coming home soon.
To keep this fundraising event running smoothly we need volunteers. If you have
an hour or five, contact Wendy Young at [email protected].
Chipotle Joins Scrip
Chipotle Mexican Grill is the newest addition to our list of Scrip retailers. The Chipotle gift card is available
at $10 denominations with a 10% non-profit contribution to our school. When you shop with Soquel
Elementary’s Scrip Gift Card Program, a percentage of your purchase goes directly back to our school. We
currently offer Scrip gift cards to more than 60 national retailers, including Starbucks, Safeway, Toys‘r’Us
and iTunes. We also offer local gift cards that include Staff of Life, Pizza My Heart, Gayle’s Bakery and the
Ugly Mug. Orders are due by Thursday, September 19. Cards will be delivered in about a week. Look for the
order form attached to this newsletter.
Rummage Sale for Science Camp
October 12th in the MU Room from 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
Do some fall cleaning and bring your unwanted, gently used items to school for our annual rummage sale
event. We will accept clothes and toys in good condition, bedding, home décor, pet supplies, art supplies,
sports equipment, Halloween costumes, books, movies, and electronics in working order. You can drop your
donations off in the MU Room Thursday, October 10 after school until 3:30 and Friday, October 11 after
school until 1:00. All proceeds will go to sending our 5th graders to science camp! If you would like to help
with this event or have a question, contact Kim McGinty at [email protected].
Fall Carnival
Sunday, October 20th
Join the fun! Come play games at the classroom booths; dunk some of our campus favorites in the ever
popular dunk tank; enjoy fantastic food courtesy of ELAC. It’s a great way to enjoy family time and connect
with our Soquel Elementary community! Look for more details coming home with your child soon.
Every year the carnival relies on volunteers to make it a success. Sign up for a time slot at your classroom
booth, help organize our stash of game prizes, lend a hand with set-up and/or clean-up. If you have a pop
up canopy we can use for the day, please let our event chairperson know. For questions, or to help, contact
Tory DelFavero at [email protected].
Box Tops
We collect Box Tops! Every Box Top we collect is worth $.10, which may not sound like
much, but can really add up when enough of you are clipping. Last year our school earned
just over $800 for simply clipping the Box Tops labels from those grocery store items you
already purchase. Find a list of participating products, as well as additional opportunities
for earning, at www.boxtops4education.com. Please keep in mind, Box Top labels expire, so be sure to turn
yours into the front office, or into your classroom’s collection box while they’re still valid.
Soquel Surf Club
We are gearing up for our exciting 2nd year! To learn more about Soquel Surf Club
please visit www.soquelsurfclub.org. Registration opened August 31 for new members
and spots filled up quickly. To be put on a waitlist, contact Kathleen Chasey at
[email protected]. [Soquel Surf Club is a private entity, separate from
Soquel Elementary & Soquel Home and School Club. SSC is a member of the Santa Cruz
Scholastic Surf League.]
Soquel Elementary School – Paw Prints Newsletter- September 2013
Wanted
Habla Espanol? The Home & School Club needs English to Spanish translators. This is a volunteer position
that requires only 1–3 volunteer hours per month. Contact Wendy Young at [email protected] if
you are interested.
Recycling = $$$
Did you know Soquel Elementary recycles cell phones, ink toners and laser cartridges?
Simply bring in your used items and place them in the school’s collection basket in the
office. In return our school gets money, and our landfills stay free of contaminating
waste. Questions? Contact Zack Olsen or India Velasquez at [email protected].
Friend Us!
Soquel Elementary School’s Home & School Club is on Facebook: Facebook.com/soquelschool. While you’re
at it, join our email list and check out our website: www.soquelpaws.org.
Reminder
Please take the time to fill out your Home & School Club volunteer forms. They went home in your child's
backpack the first week of school. Additional packets are available in the office.
Dates to Remember
September 10 –
September 17 September 19 –
September 27 –
October 01 –
October 07 –
October 09 –
October 10/11 –
October 12October 18 October 20 –
October 27 -
SERC Begins at Recess
Room Parent Meeting, 6 pm in the library
H&SC Meeting, 6:30 pm in the library
Back to School Night, 5:30-7:00 pm
Scrip Orders Due
Toyota/Subaru Tickets go on Sale
Walk-a-Thon Fundraiser
Last Day to turn in Safeway Receipts
NO SCHOOL – Staff Development Day
Picture Day
Rummage Sale Donations accepted in the MU Room
Rummage Sale for Science Camp
Last day to Purchase Toyota/Subaru Tickets
Save the Date! Fall Carnival!!!
Drawing for Toyota/Subaru Giveaway
Soquel Elementary School – Paw Prints Newsletter- September 2013