Talent Show 2014: Photo Gallery

LM Talent Show 2014What a spectacular night.  All the hard work and preparation our tigers put into the show made for the best Talent Show, yet.  Big thanks go out to Tami Michelson and her talented team: Natasha Scrivener, Dorothy Hanchey, Jeanette Rueckert, & Kim Woolley.  Fabulous work everyone!  

2014 Talent Show: Sneak Preview

Singers and Dancers and Karate Ninjas, Oh My!

…and Actors and Musicians and a Hula Hooper, too!

Our Pawprint paparazzi popped in on the Talent Show Dress Rehearsal last week and the report is, it’s a show you won’t want to miss.  We have some terrifically talented tigers taking the stage starting at 6pm this Thursday in the MPR.  Come watch our tiger stars shine!

Here’s a little sneak preview to introduce some of the STARS of the show:

Dancers

From classical dance like ballet and tap to modern lyrical and street dance–even a  cultural Irish dance, our dancers will delight you!

Musicians

We’ve got pianists galore, some are singing’ along while they tickle the ivories and even one dynamic drummer.

Singers

We have lots of vocal artists just letting their voices go!  Listen for titles like “The Cup Song”, “Momma Mia”, “Brave”, “Firework”, “Pompeii”, “Yesterday”, “Fine By Me”, and you guessed, “Let It Go”.

Actors & Extraordinary Entertainers

Get ready for readers of poems, storytellers, and more!

Last, but certainly NOT LEAST…

An exclusive engagement, they perform only once a year

…the Karate Ninjas!

Tigers Compete For Academic Awards; Winners Announced

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Last week, 4th and 5th grade students competed in Round 1 of the Camarillo Academic Olympics.  Students could choose up to three of the following categories:  Art, California History, Current Events, Creative Writing, English Grammar, Geography, Math, Science, Speech, and US History.  More than 180 students participated.  (Scroll to the end to view a full photo gallery.)

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Saturated-2Competition started last Wednesday with the Art and Creative Writing categories.  Art competitors had an hour and fifteen minutes to compose and draw a still life from five ordinary objects.  Entries were judges based on composition; drawing techniques like shading, proportion, and perspective; and the overall impression of the piece.  Creative writing participants were also given an hour and fifteen minutes to write a story.  Each student could choose one of three story leads.  The judges were very impressed with the students’ use of figurative language, dialog, creative plots, and sophisticated vocabulary.

Thursday was the big day for subject tests.  Thirty minutes was allotted for each twenty-five question multiple choice test.  You could have heard a pin drop in the MPR as more than 80 students completed their exams.  It was equally quiet in the library where an additional 22 students completed their tests.

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The week concluded with the Speech competition.  Thirteen students worked hard beginning in December, choosing material, memorizing their stories, and practicing during lunches to polish their voices and gestures.  All the kids improved so much in the last couple weeks and did an amazing job!

After a weekend on pins and needles, the winners were announced yesterday.  In the classrooms, participants received recognition with a certificate of participation.  The top three winners in each class received ribbons.  Finally it was time for the school winners to be announced.  Mrs. Williams, read the winners to the whole school on Monday afternoon.  The kids walked to the office to get their extra big ribbons and have their picture taken.

Congratulations to all of our winners:

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Math Winners: Shea, 2nd; Manas, 1st; Haley, 2nd, Justin, 2nd; Matt, 2nd; Armando, 2nd (not pictured)

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Science Winners: Jackson, 3rd; Keith, 3rd; Garren, 3rd; Manas, 3rd; Haley, 1st; Matthew, 2nd

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English Grammar Winners: Brandon, 3rd; Jenna, 2nd; Haley, 1st

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US History Winners – Tie for 1st: Nathan, Max, Matthew

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Geography Winners: Matthew, 2nd; Manas, 1st; Lucas, 2nd (not pictured)

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CA History Winners: Colin, 2nd; Cate, 2nd; Maddy, 1st; Jesus, 2nd; Nathan, 2nd

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Current Events Winners: Andrew, 1st; Nick, 2nd; Sassin, 3rd

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Art Winners: Alex, 1st; Matt, 2nd; Evelyn, 3rd

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Creative Writing Winners: Alex, 1st; Jenna, 2nd; Anna, 3rd, Christian, 3rd

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Speech Winners: Sophia, 1st; Daisy, 3rd; Tanvi, 3rd; Edison, 2nd

All of our school winners will represent La Mariposa in the City Prelimaries held at the Boys & Girls Club the first week in February.  Good luck, Tigers!Saturated-39

Thank you to all the volunteers that proctored tests, graded tests, and wrote on certificates.  Special thanks to Dorothy Hanchey, Nichole Sadowsky, Christy Pantoja, and Kathryn Masci for their above and beyond behind the scenes work…we never could have done it without you!  Finally a big tiger hug to the La Mariposa office staff for being extra accommodating during last week’s events.

Red Ribbon Week Focused On Healthy Habits & Community Connections

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Scroll down for a photo gallery from the week.

HISTORY:  Red Ribbon week began in 1985 in Honor of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was killed fighting drug traffickers in Mexico.  Today, Red Ribbon Week is nationally recognized and celebrated.  The Red Ribbon Campaign has also become a symbol of support for the DEA’s efforts to reduce demand for drugs through prevention and education programs.

AT LA MARIPOSA:  We focus on healthy choices and establishing positive ties with our community and local law enforcement.  Our PTA and administration believe strongly emphasizing smart choices and establishing a foundation of support goes along way in keeping our students drug free when they face more difficult decisions in middle school and beyond.

AT HOME:  At the elementary level, specific conversations about drug use should take place at home.  If you are not sure how to approach this subject with your younger children here are some great, age appropriate resource for you:

The Week’s Activities

Monday: Students wore a sports jersey or Jog-a-thon t-shirt. Athletes from Camarillo High School joined us during the lunch period and talked to the kids about making healthy choices as athletes. Teachers received red ribbons to have the kids tie on the fence.

Tuesday & Wednesday:  Local law enforcement to visit kids during lunch.

Thursday: Twin day “Help A Friend Make Good Choices”, students dress like a friend.

Friday: We had a very special end of the week morning assembly featuring the Oxnard K9 unit and Police Officers.

Special thanks to PTA Red Ribbon Week leads Jill Hodges and Nicole Brower!  A big thank you to Susan Weerakkody, Principal Williams, Elizabeth Jensen, Diana Goodson, & Erin Jertberg for sharing their photos with the Pawprint while our editor was on hiatus!

Mrs. Williams Rocks The Chicken Dance, Tigers Rock A New Record

We Raised Over $60,500 Received in our 2013 Rock N Run Jog-a-thon!

Mrs. Williams dressed up as a CHICKEN and danced the Chicken Dance along with our winning classroom teachers.  Not only did they dance the Chicken Dance, but they also did a little Sponge Bob, Oompa Loompa, What Did the Fox Say…and Gangnam style. They did a great job of entertaining their audience of students and families.   Read about it in the Ventura County Star!

A huge thank you to all our La Mariposa families and sponsors for your continued generosity!  It promises to be a great year!

Congrats to our grade level winners!

Check out the Class and Grade Final Standings. Click here for more information on the Jog-A-Thon.

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  • Kindergarten – Mrs. Celic
  • 1st Grade – Mrs. Jaquez
  • 2nd Grade – Mrs. Huntting
  • 3rd Grade – Mrs. Culp & Mr. Blumfield
  • 4th Grade – Mrs. Ruiz
  • 5th Grade – Mrs. Berson
  • SDC & VCE – Mrs. Chase

Congrats to our Grade Level Winner!

Grade Prize Winner for the Most Participation by Grade with 80% participating in donations:  2nd Grade

2nd Grade received their Ice Cream Parties on last Wednesday!

Pizza Party  is Nov. 7th during regular school lunch in the MPR room and Bowling Party is on Nov. 14th at Harvey Bowling 3-5 pm.

Special thanks to PTA leads Kelly Long, Denise Bolish, & Peggy Bork for all their time and hardwork planning the most successful Jog-a-thon, yet!  Thanks also to their committee and all the parents that helped made this event INCREDIBLE!

Spooktacular Halloween Parade: A Photo Gallery

Last Thursday, all of our La Mariposa spooks and goblins, super heros and princesses, rockstars and witches…even some eggs and bacon, hit the soccer fields to show their Halloween Spirit!

Just in case you couldn’t make it out to the fields last week, here’s a little look for you!

Special thanks to parent Susan Weerakkody for sharing her pictures with us.

Do you have some fun La Mariposa Halloween pictures to share?  Send up to 5 of your favorite images to kamblivity@gmail.com.  We’d love to have some more to include in the yearbook!

Jog-a-thon Update, Photos, & Contest Standings

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What a Rockin’ Day La Mariposa had on Friday!  Our tigers ran their hearts out on our tracks throughout a day filled with smiles and music.  Big thanks to our Jog-a-thon committee, sponsors, classroom coordinator, and all the parents that came out with roaring support!  Scroll down to view a photo gallery from the day.

ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS?

Jog-a-thon 2013As of Monday morning we have raised $39,003–we are having one of our best years yet!  Do you think we have it in us to break last year’s event record?  Last year we raised more than $54,000!  What do you think La Mariposa, can we raise $55,000 this year?  Raising $55,000 means more technology, more art, and more science for our tigers: Chrome Books, supplies for science labs, additional field trips, and high quality art materials for our students to use.

THE RACE IS ON:  CLASS ROOM CONTEST STANDINGS*

Jog-a-thon 2013-5The Classroom Contests are heating up.  Mrs. Evan’s class is on fire and leading the entire school along with the 5th grade race with a total of $2580 donations collected.  In 2nd grade our leaders are neck and neck. Mrs. Bradshaw’s class has raised $1882, but Mrs. Huntting’s class is only $40 behind with $1842–this looks like one to watch!  3rd Grade is also very close.  Mrs. Culp’s class is leading with $1335, but Mrs. Hughes’ and Mrs. Hank’s classes are both not far behind with $1173 and $1130, respectively.  Our Tiniest Tigers are doing great, too!  In Kindergarten, Mrs. Celic’s class leads with $1912 and Mrs. Wallace’s follows with $1365.  In 1st Grade, Mrs. Jaquez is off to a fast start with $2291–the class with the highest per student donation in the school.   Mrs. Richard’s class trails them with a stellar $1820.  Mrs. Hudacko’s class is out in front of the 4th grade race with $1960, but Mrs. Ruiz is nipping at their tails with $1707.  Finally, our small sized special classes are getting in on the action.  Mrs. Chase’s class is leading our specials tigers with $710.

*Click here to view complete results as of 10/13/13.

OUR GOAL IS 100% PARTICIPATION: GRADE LEVEL CONTEST

Proceeds from the Jog-a-thon benefit all of our tigers.  In past years, we’ve seen participation rates as high as 70%–that’s pretty amazing.  Wouldn’t it be great if all our tigers families donated an amount that is right for their family?  Whether it is $1, $100, or $1000, we’d love to see 100% participation this year.  As a bonus, the grade level with the highest participation wins a FREE RECESS & Ice Cream Social!  Our leaders so far this year are:

  • 2nd Grade: 50%
  • 5th Grade: 49%

*Click here to view complete results as of 10/13/13.

PHOTO GALLERY

Special thanks to Susan Weerakkody, Pam MacCallum, Vivienne Zimmerman, & Natasha Scrivener for submitting photos.

Tiger Teachers Rock The School House: Pictures & Prizes

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In the last twenty minutes of the school day on Thursday, La Mariposa kicked off our 12th Annual Rock N Run Jog-a-thon.  Always a great time, the Jog-a-thon committee stepped it up for 2013 with a concert-style assembly complete with our own tiger teachers as performers.  Amidst air guitars, bongos, and inflatable keyboards, students learned about all the great things Jog-a-thon funds support and what the donations they collect can get them.  We also found out what Principal Williams will do if we reach our $45,000 goal.

The Prizes

Any donation made until October 18th will be counted for individual, class, and grade contest credit.

Individual Prizes for Donations Totaling:

  • $ 10 – Japanese Eraser
  • $ 50 – La Mariposa Notebook and Pen + all the above
  • $100 – Domino’s Pizza Party with Pizza, veggie/fruit, gold fish & juice box/water + all the above
  • $250 – La Mariposa Picnic/Travel Blanket + all the above
  • $500 – After School Bowling Party for Individual Student & 1 Friend (pizza and snacks included) + all the above

Class and Grade Level Contests:

  • The Grade with the greatest % of Students Submitting Donations gets a free recess and ICE CREAM SOCIAL!
  • The Class in each grade with the greatest Amount of Donations raised wins the Class Tiger Award + a free recess.

JAT Kickoff-15The Principal’s Promise

If we raise $45,000 by Friday, October 18th, Principal Williams will wear this Chicken Suit all day AND do the Chicken Dance in front of the entire school at the Halloween Parade.

Picture Gallery

The teachers did love rockin’ out with you and our Terrific Tiger!  Can you spot your favorite teacher in the pictures below?

…and don’t forget KINDERGARTEN!

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

PLATINUM

Esquire Property Management, D & D Coastal, LLC, Koppel Patrick Heybl & Philpott, Santa Barbara Umbrella, Wong Family, Zindagi Games Inc.

GOLD

Barlow Realty, Canary Voice, Cliff Bar, The Dance Company

 SILVER

Camarillo Children’s Dental, Caulfield Consulting, Dr. Andrew & Dr. Lynn Jeffers, Hughes General Engineering, Keith Geller, Patti Stouch ,Patient Sleep Supplies, Searle Financial, Snapper Jack’s, Yolanda’s

Special thanks to our Tiger Staff and Volunteers!  We couldn’t do it without you!

Photo Credits: Susan Weerakody (Kindergarten Assembly) & Kamala Nahas (1-5 Assembly)

Going Places With A Roar: LM’s First Day of School

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Brightly lit by the morning sun, this little reader joined more than 675 students on our first day of school.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”–Dr. Seuss

The mood was celebratory as families arrived for the first day of school.  Everyone seemed prepared and excited to see their friends, both old and ones yet to be made.  Shining faces with nervous smiles greeted teachers as students lined up to enter classrooms and find their seats.  Students and parents were greeted by warm hugs and handshakes from teachers as they welcomed students into classrooms.

PTA President Cindy Laudato-Wong (left), PTA Hospitality Chair Sheri Long (middle), and Principal Erica Williams (right)

PTA President Cindy Laudato-Wong (left), PTA Hospitality Chair Sheri Long (middle), and Principal Erica Williams (right)

When the bell finally rang, parents gathered in the quad to grab some coffee and snacks provided by the PTA.  (It’s possible we witnessed a jig or two,  a bit of triumphant fist pumping and an occasional “hip hip hurray”.)

As the day went on, classroom expectations were explained and teachers led students on tours of the school.  Students got to know their classmates a bit better.  Finally, the bell rang again and anxious parents greeted students with more hugs, kisses, and a million questions.  All in all, a great day.  We’ll see you all again tomorrow!  Happy New Year!

Special thanks to Cindy-Laudato Wong for sharing her photos and grounds keeper Rick for sharing our little garden reader.

“The Artist In Me”: Photo Highlights From Our First Annual School-wide Gallery

LaMariposa.ArtDocent.OpenHouse.052913036Last week during open house the La Mariposa PTA sponsored our first ever school-wide art show.  Nearly two thousand pieces of work were showcased.  The works all came from our newly revamped parent led art docent program.  Scroll down to view the photo gallery.    Click here to read more about the program.

LaMariposa.ArtDocent.OpenHouse.052913102The La Mariposa PTA would like to thank the following art docent volunteers for teaching the lessons and prepping the art for the show:  Mrs. DeCarlo, Kelly Widerburg, Mrs. Van Acker’s, Kathleen Spane, Natalie Swarts, Lynnley Ratajczak, Kerry Huyghe, Sheri Long, Monika James, Kamala Nahas, Julie Yousefi, Linda Chen, Cassie Blauert, Leila Crouse, Jenny Chikasawa, Theresa Cho, Carolyn Slaughter, Lavanya Iyer, Heather Quintana, & Lori Hill, Mychang Bach, Bita Mohsenian, Kamala Nahas, Nirmala Bheemisetty, Dana Batista, Michelle Rosgen, Jill Hodges, Mana Ayers, Annette Barboza.

Special Thanks also to everyone who helped in the classroom or with the set up of the gallery.  Finally, a huge thank you to Julie Hughes for partnering with us in this endeavor–Julie, you truly put the “T” in PTA!