UCLA Lab School Says Goodbye and Thank You to Beloved Teachers
image from wikimedia.org
by Sammy
Ms. Moss, Ms. Cohn, Ms. Levy, Ms. Major, Nurse Betsy, and Mr. Goulet will all be leaving UCLA Lab School this year to start new phases of their lives.
Mr. Goulet is leaving because he is moving to a different state, and the rest are retiring. The teachers were asked why they were leaving and if they had any words for the community.
Ms. Moss said after she leaves UCLA LAB School she will: "Work for another educational organization that helps mentor teachers, spend more time with my family, go to Hong Kong, get some rest, and have fun!" That's from Nov-June. She also might go back to school at UCLA.
I want the community to know that: "I loved being here, and every day I would get up in the morning and I am always always excited about coming to school. I will always be a Bruin!"
Ms. Cohn said that she has been teaching for almost 40 years, that she would like to spend more time with her family, and she would like to travel.
I want the community to know that: “I loved working here for almost 39 years, that I especially enjoyed teaching science, but the best part this job has been getting to know the wonderful students I've worked with over the years."
Ms. Major said she wants to spend more time with her family. She also wants to spend more time helping organizations that work with adults who have mental disabilities, AND is happy to have more time to READ!
I want the community to know that: "My time working at UCLA Lab School has been the best part of my life. I have loved teaching ALL my students and getting to know ALL the wonderful families who have touched my life. I will come back to visit a lot. Maybe I'll even find time to become a favorite substitute teacher!"
Ms. Levy said, "I'm retiring - I have taught for over 30 years (11 at UCLA Lab School)."
I want the community to know that: “I have loved all 11 years here: the children, the parents, the faculty, the staff, the sense of community, and the freedom to teach in my own way. I hope to return occasionally as a substitute!"
Nurse Betsy said, "I have been a school nurse for 44 years and it is time to stop working! My husband has been retired for 10 years and needs a playmate."
I want the community to know that: "I love and will miss all my kids. My plans are to travel to see my granddaughter, playing with granddaughter, golf, gardening, working out more, and attending four weddings this summer."
Mr. Goulet said, "My wife is going back to college and her college is in Massachusetts, so I will be going with her. I will be teaching music at a new school called The Shady Hill School.
I want the community to know that: "I hope the students at UCLA Lab School all know how much they have meant to me and that I will miss them very, very much. Keep making music!"
Ms. Moss, Ms. Cohn, Ms. Levy, Ms. Major, Nurse Betsy, and Mr. Goulet will all be leaving UCLA Lab School this year to start new phases of their lives.
Mr. Goulet is leaving because he is moving to a different state, and the rest are retiring. The teachers were asked why they were leaving and if they had any words for the community.
Ms. Moss said after she leaves UCLA LAB School she will: "Work for another educational organization that helps mentor teachers, spend more time with my family, go to Hong Kong, get some rest, and have fun!" That's from Nov-June. She also might go back to school at UCLA.
I want the community to know that: "I loved being here, and every day I would get up in the morning and I am always always excited about coming to school. I will always be a Bruin!"
Ms. Cohn said that she has been teaching for almost 40 years, that she would like to spend more time with her family, and she would like to travel.
I want the community to know that: “I loved working here for almost 39 years, that I especially enjoyed teaching science, but the best part this job has been getting to know the wonderful students I've worked with over the years."
Ms. Major said she wants to spend more time with her family. She also wants to spend more time helping organizations that work with adults who have mental disabilities, AND is happy to have more time to READ!
I want the community to know that: "My time working at UCLA Lab School has been the best part of my life. I have loved teaching ALL my students and getting to know ALL the wonderful families who have touched my life. I will come back to visit a lot. Maybe I'll even find time to become a favorite substitute teacher!"
Ms. Levy said, "I'm retiring - I have taught for over 30 years (11 at UCLA Lab School)."
I want the community to know that: “I have loved all 11 years here: the children, the parents, the faculty, the staff, the sense of community, and the freedom to teach in my own way. I hope to return occasionally as a substitute!"
Nurse Betsy said, "I have been a school nurse for 44 years and it is time to stop working! My husband has been retired for 10 years and needs a playmate."
I want the community to know that: "I love and will miss all my kids. My plans are to travel to see my granddaughter, playing with granddaughter, golf, gardening, working out more, and attending four weddings this summer."
Mr. Goulet said, "My wife is going back to college and her college is in Massachusetts, so I will be going with her. I will be teaching music at a new school called The Shady Hill School.
I want the community to know that: "I hope the students at UCLA Lab School all know how much they have meant to me and that I will miss them very, very much. Keep making music!"
New Principal To Begin Work in Fall
by Julian
The new principal of UCLA Lab School has been announced and it is Norma Silva.
Ms. Silva was selected after a very long interview process. First, a committee interviewed many people. Then the teachers interviewed the final four. Before Ms. Silva was a principal she was an assistant principal.
The new principal of UCLA Lab School has been announced and it is Norma Silva.
Ms. Silva was selected after a very long interview process. First, a committee interviewed many people. Then the teachers interviewed the final four. Before Ms. Silva was a principal she was an assistant principal.
Primary Election for California Governor to be Held
by Emmett
On June 8, 2010, the primary election for the new California governor will take place.
At the time of this print, Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman were top runners in the race for governor in the Republican category. They both have commercials and are fighting against each other in their speeches about what they are going to do to help the needs in California.
Before Steve Poizner started running for governor, he worked in Silicon Valley as a high tech entrepreneur, founding both SnapTrack, Inc. and Strategic Mapping, Inc. He was born in Houston, Texas and went to the University of Texas. Surprisingly, he is also a black belt in Shotokan karate.
Before Meg Whitman started running for governor, she was the president and Chief Executive Officer of eBay from March 1998 to March 2008. She was also the first self-made white female billionaire. Meg was born on Long Island, New York. She went to Princeton then Harvard Business School in 1979.
As of April 5th, 2010 there were 15 candidates running for governor of California:
Richard Aquirre
Stewart Alexander
Carlos Alvarez
Mohammad Arif
Jerry Brown
Georqes Marciano
Ken Miller
Chelene Nightinqale
Dale Oqden
Steve Poizner (top runner)
Peter Schurman
Joe Symmon
Prinz Fredric von Anhalt
Laura Wells
Meg Whitman (top runner)
The people of California will find out who their next governor is on November 2, 2010. The winner of the election will replace Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger's four year long term, and will also be the 39th governor of California.
On June 8, 2010, the primary election for the new California governor will take place.
At the time of this print, Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman were top runners in the race for governor in the Republican category. They both have commercials and are fighting against each other in their speeches about what they are going to do to help the needs in California.
Before Steve Poizner started running for governor, he worked in Silicon Valley as a high tech entrepreneur, founding both SnapTrack, Inc. and Strategic Mapping, Inc. He was born in Houston, Texas and went to the University of Texas. Surprisingly, he is also a black belt in Shotokan karate.
Before Meg Whitman started running for governor, she was the president and Chief Executive Officer of eBay from March 1998 to March 2008. She was also the first self-made white female billionaire. Meg was born on Long Island, New York. She went to Princeton then Harvard Business School in 1979.
As of April 5th, 2010 there were 15 candidates running for governor of California:
Richard Aquirre
Stewart Alexander
Carlos Alvarez
Mohammad Arif
Jerry Brown
Georqes Marciano
Ken Miller
Chelene Nightinqale
Dale Oqden
Steve Poizner (top runner)
Peter Schurman
Joe Symmon
Prinz Fredric von Anhalt
Laura Wells
Meg Whitman (top runner)
The people of California will find out who their next governor is on November 2, 2010. The winner of the election will replace Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger's four year long term, and will also be the 39th governor of California.
Metro Silver Line Opens Up in Los Angeles
by Saransh
On December 13, 2009, Metro opened up a new form of transportation known as the Metro Silver Line.
It was created to make it easier to travel to Downtown Los Angeles. Silver Line connects the South Bay and San Gabriel Valley to Downtown. The Silver Line has service seven days a week, and transports every 5-15 minutes. Traveling takes a very short time. Freeways are common on the Silver route.
The Silver Line can take you to many popular locations such as STAPLES Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA Convention Center, L.A LIVE, California Science Center, USC, the Fashion District, Los Angeles Coliseum, MOCA, and more, making a very popular form of transportation for residents of Los Angeles.
On December 13, 2009, Metro opened up a new form of transportation known as the Metro Silver Line.
It was created to make it easier to travel to Downtown Los Angeles. Silver Line connects the South Bay and San Gabriel Valley to Downtown. The Silver Line has service seven days a week, and transports every 5-15 minutes. Traveling takes a very short time. Freeways are common on the Silver route.
The Silver Line can take you to many popular locations such as STAPLES Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA Convention Center, L.A LIVE, California Science Center, USC, the Fashion District, Los Angeles Coliseum, MOCA, and more, making a very popular form of transportation for residents of Los Angeles.
Community Service Helps Others At UCLA Lab School
Image taken by Peter
by Peter
Community Service used to be picking up trash, now kids are not only picking up trash, but collecting money for poorer countries here at UCLA Lab School.
For those of you who don't know what Community Service is, it's when people donate their time to the community helping the environment or others less fortunate than themselves.
"I think it's a great idea because we are picking up trash and collecting money for poor countries so that's basically helping the planet twice," says Joel, a student of rooms 11 and 12.
A lot of people seem to pitch in more when it comes to donating money, probably because they don't want to spend their playtime picking up trash.
There are many ways to donate your time to the community, so ask a teacher or parent how you can help today.
Community Service used to be picking up trash, now kids are not only picking up trash, but collecting money for poorer countries here at UCLA Lab School.
For those of you who don't know what Community Service is, it's when people donate their time to the community helping the environment or others less fortunate than themselves.
"I think it's a great idea because we are picking up trash and collecting money for poor countries so that's basically helping the planet twice," says Joel, a student of rooms 11 and 12.
A lot of people seem to pitch in more when it comes to donating money, probably because they don't want to spend their playtime picking up trash.
There are many ways to donate your time to the community, so ask a teacher or parent how you can help today.
Interview With Arlene Hurwitz From Handwriting Without Tears.
by Claudia
"Handwriting Without Tears" is a program to teach handwriting to children, and is used at schools, private classes, and tutoring.
It was invented 25 years ago by Jan Z. Olsen. It is called "Handwriting Without Tears" because Jan's son had trouble with handwriting and she wanted to help him.
"Children with special needs in handwriting benefit from 'Handwriting Without Tears'," teacher Arlene Hurwitz said.
"Handwriting Without Tears" uses Play-Doh, Silly Putty, squiggle pens, Crayons, LEGO, and scissors to strengthen hand muscles.
Arlene Hurwitz sat down to tell us about "Handwriting Without Tears."
Claudia: Who invented Handwriting Without Tears?
Arlene: Jan Z. Olsen.
Claudia: How long has it been around?
Arlene: 25 years.
Claudia: Where do people use it?
Arlene: Schools, private practices, and tutoring classes.
Claudia: What is it supposed to teach?
Arlene: Printing from pre-school to second grade, cursive from third grade to sixth grade.
Claudia: Is there anything else that you want the public to know?
Arlene: We want teachers to be able to identify bad handwriting. Also, we want parents to teach handwriting at home.
"Handwriting Without Tears" is a program to teach handwriting to children, and is used at schools, private classes, and tutoring.
It was invented 25 years ago by Jan Z. Olsen. It is called "Handwriting Without Tears" because Jan's son had trouble with handwriting and she wanted to help him.
"Children with special needs in handwriting benefit from 'Handwriting Without Tears'," teacher Arlene Hurwitz said.
"Handwriting Without Tears" uses Play-Doh, Silly Putty, squiggle pens, Crayons, LEGO, and scissors to strengthen hand muscles.
Arlene Hurwitz sat down to tell us about "Handwriting Without Tears."
Claudia: Who invented Handwriting Without Tears?
Arlene: Jan Z. Olsen.
Claudia: How long has it been around?
Arlene: 25 years.
Claudia: Where do people use it?
Arlene: Schools, private practices, and tutoring classes.
Claudia: What is it supposed to teach?
Arlene: Printing from pre-school to second grade, cursive from third grade to sixth grade.
Claudia: Is there anything else that you want the public to know?
Arlene: We want teachers to be able to identify bad handwriting. Also, we want parents to teach handwriting at home.
UCLA Lab School Orchestra Performs Again!
from wikimedia.org
by Nomi
On April 30, 2010, UCLA Lab school music program played a performance at Schoenberg Hall.
The school holds an orchestra every year at Schoenberg Hall. This year, students arrived at the warm-up rooms at 6:30 pm to tune and warm up. Each year Larry Newman, the music director, chooses a different song arrangement for the orchestra to play.
There are four levels of experience in the music program. The first is beginner, the second is intermediate a, and the third is intermediate b. The last is advanced. Some songs are only for beginners, some songs are for intermediate a or b, and some songs are for advanced.
Everybody in the orchestra gets to play music, so nobody is excluded.
On April 30, 2010, UCLA Lab school music program played a performance at Schoenberg Hall.
The school holds an orchestra every year at Schoenberg Hall. This year, students arrived at the warm-up rooms at 6:30 pm to tune and warm up. Each year Larry Newman, the music director, chooses a different song arrangement for the orchestra to play.
There are four levels of experience in the music program. The first is beginner, the second is intermediate a, and the third is intermediate b. The last is advanced. Some songs are only for beginners, some songs are for intermediate a or b, and some songs are for advanced.
Everybody in the orchestra gets to play music, so nobody is excluded.
All School Elementary Spring Honors Orchestra
Picture from Wikimedia.org. (Not our Orchestra)
by Nomi
On May 1, the All-School Elementary Honors Orchestra took place at Schoenberg Hall at UCLA, and started at 11:00am and ended at noon.
In the Honors Orchestra, 400 kids try to compete for the 120 chairs at the orchestra. The orchestra is composed of violins, trumpets, flutes, clarinet, cello, saxophone, and trombone.
The kids who go to the Honors Orchestra first learn how to play an instrument at their school may it be violin, cello, trumpet, etc. Once they've learned how to play the songs in the orchestra with their instrument they may be given a spot in the orchestra.
Most people think that it is amazing that kids at such a young age can play such wonderful music, and the kids themselves are sometimes amazed, too.
When the kids play, they are dressed with black pants, skirt, etc. and on the top, they have the black Honors Orchestra shirt.
On May 1, the All-School Elementary Honors Orchestra took place at Schoenberg Hall at UCLA, and started at 11:00am and ended at noon.
In the Honors Orchestra, 400 kids try to compete for the 120 chairs at the orchestra. The orchestra is composed of violins, trumpets, flutes, clarinet, cello, saxophone, and trombone.
The kids who go to the Honors Orchestra first learn how to play an instrument at their school may it be violin, cello, trumpet, etc. Once they've learned how to play the songs in the orchestra with their instrument they may be given a spot in the orchestra.
Most people think that it is amazing that kids at such a young age can play such wonderful music, and the kids themselves are sometimes amazed, too.
When the kids play, they are dressed with black pants, skirt, etc. and on the top, they have the black Honors Orchestra shirt.
Jog-A-Thon on the Run!
by Claudia
On Friday, May 7, students and teachers from UCLA Lab School ran across Drake Stadium for their yearly Jog-A-Thon.
The Jog-A-Thon is held each year to raise money for the field trips for classrooms. This year, any classroom that received 100% participation in donating was treated to a free pizza lunch. During the event, parent volunteers helped to spray the kids with water and give out stamps, medals, and cups of water to them as they finished each quarter-mile lap.
After the main event, UCLA athletes came and talked to the kids about their sport, studies, and goals. Then student volunteers from each class grouped into teams and ran a relay race. The Yellow Team finished first in the relay.
Each student received a Jog-A-Thon T-shirt and baseball cap and a new medal.
On Friday, May 7, students and teachers from UCLA Lab School ran across Drake Stadium for their yearly Jog-A-Thon.
The Jog-A-Thon is held each year to raise money for the field trips for classrooms. This year, any classroom that received 100% participation in donating was treated to a free pizza lunch. During the event, parent volunteers helped to spray the kids with water and give out stamps, medals, and cups of water to them as they finished each quarter-mile lap.
After the main event, UCLA athletes came and talked to the kids about their sport, studies, and goals. Then student volunteers from each class grouped into teams and ran a relay race. The Yellow Team finished first in the relay.
Each student received a Jog-A-Thon T-shirt and baseball cap and a new medal.
Author Jules Feiffer Visits UCLA Lab School
image by Alexa
by Alexa
On April 13 and 14, 2010, author and illustrator Jules Feiffer came to UCLA Lab School to talk to students about his old and upcoming books.
During his visit, Jules Feiffer talked about the many books he has written, and read to us a sample of each one of his books. Students seemed to enjoy his presentation.
On the 13th of April, he spoke to the EC and Primary students, and on the 14th he spoke to the Intermediate and Upper levels. Both presentations were held in Community Hall.
The following are some of Jules Feiffer's published books:
1. Bark, George
2. The Man in the Ceiling
3. I'm Not Bobby
4. The Daddy Mountain
5. I Lost my Bear
6. By the Side of the Road
7. The Phantom Tollbooth (illustrations only)
8. The House Across the Street
9. A Room With a Zoo
10. Witch Puppy
11. Meanwhile...
On April 13 and 14, 2010, author and illustrator Jules Feiffer came to UCLA Lab School to talk to students about his old and upcoming books.
During his visit, Jules Feiffer talked about the many books he has written, and read to us a sample of each one of his books. Students seemed to enjoy his presentation.
On the 13th of April, he spoke to the EC and Primary students, and on the 14th he spoke to the Intermediate and Upper levels. Both presentations were held in Community Hall.
The following are some of Jules Feiffer's published books:
1. Bark, George
2. The Man in the Ceiling
3. I'm Not Bobby
4. The Daddy Mountain
5. I Lost my Bear
6. By the Side of the Road
7. The Phantom Tollbooth (illustrations only)
8. The House Across the Street
9. A Room With a Zoo
10. Witch Puppy
11. Meanwhile...
Gardens Grow at UCLA Lab School
image taken by Claudia
by Claudia
On March 31, children in rooms 11 and 12 at UCLA Lab School planted a garden on the edge of the Redwood Forest for science.
The children came up with the idea to plant a garden since they were studying plants. Parents donated and loaned many materials including gardening tools, soil, lumber, seedlings, bamboo, tomato cages, and vermicomposter. Parents also came in and helped with the garden design, box building, and other things in the garden.
The City of Santa Monica Recycling Program came to rooms 11 and 12 and talked to them how to set up and maintain the vermicomposter.
A few times a week, the teachers from rooms 11 and 12 send some kids out to the garden to observe, measure, draw, predict, water, and weed the plants.
Some of the plants in the garden are tomatoes, zucchini, nasturtium, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, and marigolds. A parent in the class suggested these types of plants.
On March 31, children in rooms 11 and 12 at UCLA Lab School planted a garden on the edge of the Redwood Forest for science.
The children came up with the idea to plant a garden since they were studying plants. Parents donated and loaned many materials including gardening tools, soil, lumber, seedlings, bamboo, tomato cages, and vermicomposter. Parents also came in and helped with the garden design, box building, and other things in the garden.
The City of Santa Monica Recycling Program came to rooms 11 and 12 and talked to them how to set up and maintain the vermicomposter.
A few times a week, the teachers from rooms 11 and 12 send some kids out to the garden to observe, measure, draw, predict, water, and weed the plants.
Some of the plants in the garden are tomatoes, zucchini, nasturtium, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, and marigolds. A parent in the class suggested these types of plants.
'Together Through Music and Dance' is Performed
image from Wikimedia.org
by Amelia (additional reporting by Lucia)
Together Through Music and Dance, a celebration of dancing from around the world, happened May 21 on the blacktop at UCLA Lab School.
At the traditional Together Through Music and Dance celebration, children from each classroom perform dances that celebrate different cultures. Some of the dances were not choreographed randomly. All of the Intermediate level did dances about Los Angeles. Also, the sixth grade students from Upper II performed a hip-hop dance, following the tradition.
One tradition that was not followed is that the Upper I students in fifth grade did not perform a square dance as they used to.
Everybody participated in the last dance. But before the very last dance, the teachers performed a surprise dance like the kids.
Most of the classrooms' dances were taught and choreographed by Ms. Alvarez.
Together Through Music and Dance, a celebration of dancing from around the world, happened May 21 on the blacktop at UCLA Lab School.
At the traditional Together Through Music and Dance celebration, children from each classroom perform dances that celebrate different cultures. Some of the dances were not choreographed randomly. All of the Intermediate level did dances about Los Angeles. Also, the sixth grade students from Upper II performed a hip-hop dance, following the tradition.
One tradition that was not followed is that the Upper I students in fifth grade did not perform a square dance as they used to.
Everybody participated in the last dance. But before the very last dance, the teachers performed a surprise dance like the kids.
Most of the classrooms' dances were taught and choreographed by Ms. Alvarez.