​Friday Focus 12/11/15

What’s Coming Up?

Fri.    Dec.   11  -   Sun.  Dec. 13   Topanga Nutcracker Ballet
Mon. Dec.   14       Field Lab Day: Bordier/ De La O / Hoffman (moved from Friday)  
Mon. Dec    14        TEP Meeting – 7:00 pm in Rm. 14 (Teachers’ Lounge)
Tue.  Dec.   15        SSC/Leadership Council – 1:45 pm in Rm. 8
Wed. Dec.  16         Student Council Meeting – Lunch time
Fri.    Dec.   18        “The Magic of Winter” Holiday Program – 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Fri.    Dec.   18       Minimum Day – Dismissal at 12:40 p.m.
Mon.  Dec.   21  –  Fri.  Jan 8, 2016   Winter Break
Mon.  Jan.   11        School Resumes (beginning of the second semester)

Traffic Duty for the Week: Ms. Saporta’s Class
Frozen Treat Sales: Ms. Handler’s Class

Reminders/Updates:

With just one more week of school to go before our three week winter break, we held our final Friday assembly of 2015 this morning. A week from today (December 18) you are welcome to come to our annual holiday program, “The Magic of Winter.” Because of the program and the fact that this will be a minimum day (dismissal at 12:40), our Friday Field Study Hikes will be conducted next week on Monday rather than Friday.

Our winter program is for the entire family, so parents can bring siblings to the performance.  According to District policy, however, we cannot allow siblings to visit classrooms - and as always, we appreciate that our parents come to the office to sign in before going to a classroom.

Next time you pass through our main office, say “hi” to Gina Brunell, our new office technician. Yoohee Howard, our previous office tech, accepted a position at another elementary school five minutes away from her home.  We were sad to see Yoohee go, but now we have Gina!

How Our Community Can Help Syrian Refugees – A Message from One of Our Parents

Dear Parents,

All of us have seen the coverage on the refugees fleeing war and entering Europe. Most of us want to help but are not sure how. I came across this story about Carry the Future, a nonprofit started by a California mom who had the brilliant idea that baby carriers can make a dramatic difference to refugees making the long journey through Europe. She began collecting and donating baby carriers (Ergos, Bjorns, etc.) and traveling to Europe to disperse.  This small gesture had an enormous impact to the parents who received. With a carrier, babies are safe, secure, bonded to parent, and warm (European winters are cold!). Please take a minute to check out the story of this nonprofit, dust off your gently used carrier, and please donate if you can! There will be a box outside the office and I will send out on the last day of school before vacation. If any business or person wishes to donate the cost of postage to send, that'd be great too. Maybe a last minute tax write off? Thanks and gratitude to this great and generous community for the consideration for this worthy cause.

Baby carriers for refugees: How one mom made a difference ...

Cristal Logothetis was working in a refugee camp in Athens last month when she spotted a boy about 10 years old holding a baby in a crowd of women and girls. At first ...
Read more...
 
Candy Cane Lane Hot Cocoa Stand and Bake Sale

Candy Cane Lane holiday lights and decorations has been a tradition in Woodland Hills since 1952. Every year, thousands of visitors come to the College Acres neighborhood between Winnetka to Corbin and the 101 Freeway to Oxnard. Last year alone there were over 12,000 check ins.

Mid-December to Christmas is bumper to bumper traffic with families in the spirit to see the lights. One of our Topanga Elementary families decorates and lives in this neighborhood, and is kindly offering their home to raise money for Topanga Elementary. We need help from each class to make this fundraiser a success. The theme this year will be Frozen, and we plan to have available hot cocoa and baked goods as well as a live Anna and Elsa photo op for donations. Please come enjoy the holiday spirit and help us with this fantastic way to raise money for our school.  Parking for the event is on Martha Street facing Corbin for an easy exit. Donate your time, and then enjoy the lights!

Location: 5654 Oakdale Ave, Woodland Hills
When: Dec 12th & Dec 13th 6-9pm

Special Holiday Family Scavenger Hunt Sat. Dec. 12th!

Contact Lisa O'Connor 310-403-0551 for further info.
And here is the link for the sign-up genius so you can join in on the fun:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44aeab29aafd0-candy

Enjoy the weekend,
Mr. Steve Gediman, Principal
Email: Topanga-el@lausd.net