Tiger Olympics Kick Off Monday, May 12

LA MARIPOSA PROUDLY PRESENTS… The 2014 TIGER OLYMPICS! 

Tiger Olympics is a week long event, from May 12th to May 16th.  All students of La Mariposa participate in the Olympics once a day in various events.  The entire week takes place on the blacktop and grass area in the back of the school. All Olympic events are tailored for each grade level and all Olympians will receive a participation medal at the end of the week!  Tiger Olympics focuses on introducing the students to team and individual sports that they might not otherwise participate in.  We focus on the importance of exercise, keeping healthy and good sportsmanship.  Various Olympians will receive special Sportsmanship medals awarded to them daily by their teachers for their outstanding team efforts on or off the field.  As in the International Olympics, our school is able to unite through the Tiger Olympics and come together as a team to represent the La Mariposa Tigers! 

THE TIGER OLYMPIC SCHEDULE:

5/12 Monday at 8:30 AM:  Opening Ceremonies!  This will be a school-wide assembly to resemble the real Olympics! It is only 15 minutes long but it will be really exciting!

5/12 Monday & 5/13 Tuesday:  Team soccer and softball events

5/14 Wednesday & 5/15 Thursday:  Individual Track & Field Events:  Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Put, Distance, Dashes, Relay

5/16 Friday:  Obstacle Course

5/16 Friday 1:15 PM: Closing Ceremonies! This will be a school-wide assembly to resemble the real closing Olympics! We have some FUN surprises planned!

GRADE LEVEL DAILY PARTICIPATION TIMES:

Monday 5/12 through Thursday 5/15

• K:  9:10 – 9:40
• 1^ST:  Mon:  8:45 – 9:30, Tues to Thurs:  8:30 – 9:10
• 2^ND:  9:30 – 10:10
• 3^RD:  10:30 – 11:30
• 4^TH:  11:30 – 12:30
• 5^TH:  1:15 – 2:15

Friday 5/16

• K:  9:10 – 9:40
• 1^ST:  8:30 – 9:00
• 2^ND:  10:30 -11:00
• 3^RD:   12:45 – 1:15
• 4^TH:  11:30 – 12:00
• 5^TH:  11:00 – 11:30

THE OLYMPIANS: 

The week of the Tiger Olympics, all Olympians should arrive to school in shoes appropriate for sport activities.  Please wear comfortable clothes to participate in sporting events (as we encourage all students to participate).  And don’t forget to wear sunscreen to school!

VOLUNTEER TO HELP!

SIGN UP HERE!

And yes, you CAN help volunteer for this event!   You have an AMAZING opportunity go to visit the school, see your child participate in the Tiger Olympics, be in the GREAT outdoors and help run the Olympics!  This is a fantastic event that REALLY needs YOUR help to be successful! All roles are very easy and you do not need expertise in any area to volunteer.  If a slot is full and you want to join, just show up!   Volunteers for Kinder through 2nd will typically stay with their class.  Volunteers for 3rd to 5th grades will typically work with all classes from your grade.  Please arrive through the front school office, sign-in and grab a visitor sticker.  Go to the back of the school to the grassy area and look for the volunteer area where you will be given further instructions and a clipboard if applicable.  Further instructions will be given to you before your event! Please wear sunscreen, comfortable shoes, a hat and sunglasses, if desired, and bring a bottle of water!  It will be a fantastic day for our OLYMPIANS!!

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please email Natasha Scrivener at natashascrivener@earthlink.net or Kat Gregory at katgregory@gmail.com

Tigers Study Their Way To The Top for CAO

Superquiz team member Jenna reacts with LM CAO Champ Haley when they find out they’ve won the event.

Scroll down to view photo gallery.

Haley is the first girl in seventeen years to win gold in Science. Go girl!

It was a banner year for La Mariposa and the Camarillo Academic Olympics.  For the first time ever, our Superquiz team, The Tiger Tribe, won the Superquiz.  La Mariposa also snagged 14 individual medals, the most of all the elementary schools.  This medal count includes winning gold in five of the ten individual categories.  Looks like our tigers jumped into their smarty pants with both feet for this one!

Alex is the first student in CAO history to win gold in both creative writing and art.

The Camarillo Academic Olympics culminated with the Superquiz Finals and Awards Ceremony held at Monte Vista last Friday night.  Students marched in and received their medals on the podium in front of a cheering crowd of parents and Camarillo VIPs.  A huge Tiger congratulations goes out to:

• The Tiger Tribe Superquiz Team: Manas Khatore, Jenna Chui, Evelyn Li, Matt Kim, Karolina Dzieciol.
• Haley Jeffers: 1st Place Science, 1st Place English Grammar, 2nd Place Math
• Manas Khatore: 1st Place Geography, 2nd Place Math, 3rd Place Science
• Alex Masci:  1st Place Art, 1st Place Creative Writing
• Jenna Chui:  2nd Place Creative Writing
• Sophia Pantoja: 2nd Place Speech
• Tanvi Patil: 3rd Place Speech
• Andrew Chan: 4th Place Current Events
• Matthew Yang: 5th Place Art
• Nicholas Truitt: 6th Place Current Events

The Tiger Tribe–2014 Division II Superquiz Champs–blowing off a little steam before the final stage of the competition Friday night.

Big Tiger hugs go out to Speech Coach, Dorothy Hanchey, and Superquiz Coaches Nilay and Nidhi Khatore.  Special thanks to Kathryn Masci for the perfect data entry and all of our judges, proctors, drivers, and tabulators:  Barbara Velji, Erica Williams, Nicole Sadowsky, Christy Pantoja, Ann Hudacko, Cathy Schafer, Jeff Miller, Jill Heybl, Kelly Long, Cindy Laudato-Wong, Yanzhen Xu, Kari Wetter, Lily Li, Natalie Swarts, Mickey Hirsch, Melissa Short, Jennifer Kwast, Alexis Chavez, Catherine Pedrosa, Michelle Fisher, Maria Redekopp, Madhuri Patil, & Linda Fitzgerald.  Programs like CAO do not happen without volunteers like you!

The Tiger Tribe

Manas & Haley receiving silver medals for math.

Manas & Haley receiving silver medals for math.

Hailey receiving her gold medal in English Grammar.

Manas receiving his gold medal in geography.

Alan receiving his medals in Current Events.

Principal Williams and Superintendent Michael giving medals to Alex and Jenna.

Alex and Jenna receiving their medals in creative writing.

Tanvi and her bronze medal in Speech. “I – WANT – MY – APPLE JUICE!”

Sophia and her silver medal is Speech.

Waiting on pins and needles.

On the podium.

My that’s a big trophy!

Inspiring Women To Visit LM Classrooms

by Natasha Scrivener, PTA

The Camarillo American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a nationwide network of more than 100,000 members and donors.  They advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.   Every year, they create a fabulous program to promote remarkable women in history for the elementary and middle schools of Ventura County!  Next week, March 3 to 7, Women in History will be celebrated at La Mariposa!  Six parents from our school will be dressing up and portraying famous women in history to classes that sign-up for a presentation.  But don’t tell the students they are real parents, as we like to pretend we are the actual celebrity!

This year’s famous women presentations are:

Mary Pickersgill (K-2)

Mary sewed a 42-foot long American flag by hand! This flag flew over Ft. Henry and inspired the writing of the Star Spangled Banner.  Portrayed by Julie Yousefi.

Elma Gonzales (K-2)

Elma grew up in migrant family, worked in the fields as a child.  She couldn’t go to school because the bus wouldn’t pick her up. She became a professor at UCLA in science.  Portrayed by Martita Martinez.

Marla Runyan (1-3)

Marla is a local hero raised in Camarillo who was the first legally blind athlete to compete in the International Olympics.  Portrayed by Jill Hodges.

Eugenie Clark (K-5)

Eugenie is a shark researcher and achieved her three dreams:  To walk on the ocean floor, swim with the sharks, and become a teacher!  Portrayed by Natasha Scrivener.

Sacagawea (3-5

Sacagawea accompanied Lewis and Clark on expedition from North Dakota to the Pacific Ocean.  Portrayed by Marla Pizzia.

Deborah Samson (4-5)

Deborah disguised herself as a man and enlisted as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.  Portrayed by  Margaret Kelly. 

Talent Show 2014: Photo Gallery

What 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!  

“Black Out Lights”

Sam playing a medley on the piano

Emma singing “Mamma Mia”

Annaliese and Paulina: Do You Want to Build a Snowman

Cate doing a lyrical dance.

Dharma singing “Firework”

Amazing Irish Dance by Anna

Jordyn Michelson, doing a tap dance.

Jordyn Michelson, doing a tap dance.

Alyssa & Chloe singing a duet, “Let It Go”

Jordyn Michelson, doing a tap dance.

Annaliese and Paulina: Do You Want to Build a Snowman

5-year old Aidan playing “Singing Donkey”

Scott doing the Electronic Robot Dubstep

Veda playing Beethoven’s 5th Symphony

Haley singing and playing “Castle On A Cloud”

A common site all night.

Hayley singing “The Cup Song”

“Black Out Lights”

Teagon singing “Let It Go”

Cate doing a lyrical dance.

“Black Out Lights”

“Black Out Lights”

Zack singing a cappella

“Let It Go” on the piano by Anna

La Mariposa Teachers

David with a piano medley

Do You Want To Build A Snowman? performed by Kailyn

Alyssa reciting the poem “Food?”

Haley singing and playing “Castle On A Cloud”

Alexa on the drums!

La Mariposa Teachers

La Mariposa Teachers

Joshua on the piano and singing “When I Was Your Man”

Colin’s Medley

Guitars of Seville play by Satvik

“Black Out Lights”

Maya singing “Let It Go”

Do You Want To Build A Snowman? performed by Camden

Sarah does a wicked hula hoop

Every performer got a hi-5 for a job well done by Dorothy Hanchey

The Karate Ninjas

Alexa, Bryn, and Lori singing “Brave”

Tanvi performing “The Ghost with One Black Eye”

Joe playing “Winter Wonderland”

“The Frog Prince” permed by Sophia & Edison

Kyla singing “Yesterday”

Noah with “A Square Dance Tune”

La Mariposa Teachers

Sassin singing “Pompeii”

“Black Out Lights”

Mary singing “Fine By Me”

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 Get A Taste of Old California At Olivas Adobe

by Carly Barlow and Anna Girolamo

This year, La Mariposa’s 4^th grade classes went to the Olivas Adobe for a field trip.  One of the reasons we liked this field trip was the guide.  We liked the guide because he talked like a cowboy and made everybody step in the gross, disgusting, dirty mud pit.  We stomped around in the mud, picked mud up in our hands, and put it in wooden molds to make adobe bricks.  Another worker hosed us off afterwards.

Also while we were there, we made delicious tortillas.  First we put corn on the matate (a stone table) and moved it back and forth with the mano (a rock) while pushing it at the same time.   After we did that, we rolled the masa (smashed corn) into a ball.  When we were done with that, we put these balls of masa into the tortilla press.  Next workers cooked them on the old-fashioned outdoor stove.  Finally we got to eat them!  They were the best tortillas we had ever tasted in our life.

When we took a tour of the house, we saw lots of rooms.  One room was the girls’ bedroom.  Almost all the Olivas girls slept in this one room at a time.  The babies slept in the parents’ room.  The boys slept outside on the balcony.  The Olivas family had 21 children, so there were lots of girls in one room.  Next we toured the parents’ room.  They had chamber pots to go to the bathroom.  The boys’ job in the morning was to empty out the chamber pots.  Then we toured their very own chapel.  They had a picture of what the chapel looked like when the Olivas family lived there, and the chapel looks almost exactly the same now.

Cattle was important on the rancho.  They had a lot of cattle, so they had to make their own cattle brand.  To make a brand and get it on the cattle, you had to first make your own brand iron.   Then you have to place the brand end in the fire.  Lastly you put the hot iron brand on the animal’s body, and then you have your brand on the animal.  We got to look at the cattle branding iron and other tools.  We also saw rawhide and tanned cattle hide.

Another thing we did at Olivas Adobe was lasso a fake cow.  It was so fun!  Carly got zero points, but Anna got one point.  To get a point, you had to get the rope around one of the cow’s horns.  If it went around both horns, you got two points.

These are just some of our favorite things we did at Olivas Adobe.

Tiger Artists Honored in County Competition

“Dream Picture” by Sassin Nahas. Sassin’s entry received an “Award of Excellence” for Photography, Intermediate Division (grades 3-5). His entry will represent 12th District at the California State level of competition.

Three La Mariposa students kicked the year off with a bang.  On January 6, 12th District PTA recognized Sassin Nahas, Tiana Stouch, and Scarlett Ming for their outstanding entries in the 2014 Reflections Competition.  This year’s theme is “Believe, Dream, Inspire”.  The 12th District PTA is made up of 132 schools throughout Ventura County.  The Reflections entries were first chosen as finalists at the school level and then the city level.

Tiana’s musical composition, “Flowing River”, received an Award of Merit, Primary Music (grades K-2).  It is a wonderful piece we recommend listening to–so beautiful it might just break your heart.  Just click the arrow below to listen.

[audio http://cl.ly/2Q0c011U3t1e/Tianna.Flowing%20River.mp3]

Scarlett was recognized with a Highly Commended Award for the second year in a row in Literature, Primary Division.  Here is her incredibly sweet take on “Believe, Dream, Inspire”:

Beautiful Butterflies

A beautiful butterfly lays an egg

on a green leaf.

The egg hatches

out comes a tiny, black pupa.

The pupa grows bigger

and sheds its skin

it believes soon it will be

a happy caterpillar,

under there is colorful skin.

Later on the caterpillar will find

a stiff branch or leaf

to spin a cocon

and dream about being amazing.

The cocon craks

and out comes a colerful butterfly.

Her wings are wet

She stays in the sunshine until they are dry.

Then she will fly!

It’s not too early for students to start working on their Reflections entries for the 2015 program.  Next year’s theme is: “The World Would Be a Better Place If …”.  Artists can enter in six different categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, & Visual Arts.  Learn more about Reflections…

Special thanks to La Mariposa Reflections Chair, Cassie Blauert, and her crew for all their hard work with paperwork, art preparation, and organization of the LM Showcase.

La Mariposa Tigers Dance Sky High Through PTA After School Enrichment Program

by Kathleen Spane, PTA After School Enrichment Chair

Talented and energetic Sky High Dance teachers guided La Mariposa dancers through a terrific performance to finish up their 6 week Enrichment class. Parents, family members, Pleasant Valley Child Care teachers and students, all clapped along to the rhythmic moves our students were ready to show off!

We are looking forward to a Winter Session welcoming back Sky High Dance and adding Golf, Basketball, Chess, and Origami–all for kindgarten through 5th Grade.  We’ll also have an art class taylor specifically to kinder through 3rd grade students.  Registration opens after the new year on January 13th!  Classes start January 30th.  The winter session will meet Thursdays after school for six weeks.  Check your La Mariposa eBlast or website for additional information.

’13-’14 Yearbook Cover Contest Winners

One hundred nine students entered our yearbook cover contest this year.  With so many fun and exciting entries it was tough to pick just one.  So we chose six–three for the front cover and three for the back cover!

And the winners* are:

4th Grade: Tanvi P.

3rd Grade: Kelli B.

1st Grade: Libi W.

Kindergarten: Annika G.

5th Grade: Jaylynn C.

2nd Grade: Sydney S.

*Click an the image to view the artist names.

Keeping in mind this year’s theme, “Rock ‘N’ Roar”, our yearbook editor narrowed the field to the thirty-three entries.  Then school staff made the final selections.  (The entire judging process was blind–that means we couldn’t see student names–and no one judged their own child’s work.)

We also wanted to share some other wonderful entries with you. Here are the remaining twenty-seven entries that were submitted to school staff.  Look for them on different pages when you get your yearbooks in June!

Jhaydin B.

Will R.

Katherine K.

Emma W.

Anna F.

Annie Y.

Kristi K.

Liam A.

Christian L.

Erika W.

Rachel B.

Kylie B.

Andre P.

Matthew Y.

Ryan M.

Veda

Jessie H.

Isabel M.

Kailyn P.

Anna B.

Hayden R.

Iliana H.

Alex M.

Taylor D.

Paige I.

Lucas C.

Mary C.

A big high five to all of our tigers roarin’ with the courage to enter this year’s contest.  We are proud of you!

Red Ribbon Week Focused On Healthy Habits & Community Connections

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:

• Kinder – 3rd Grade: 8 tips to connect with your young child
• Grade 4-6: 8 tips to connect with your preteen
• 6 Parenting Practices That Help Reduce the Chances Your Child will Develop a Drug or Alcohol Problem 
• Time to Talk Kit: Age Specific Sections on What to Say and How To Recognize Teachable Moments
• How to Develop a Family Policy: Are you sure your kids know exactly where you stand on drugs, alcohol and tobacco?

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!