The Sonora Staff, Students, and Parents are committed to creating a school

that accepts no limits to the academic success of ALL students.

The Caifornia State Test (CST) will take place during the week of May 14th and the week of May 22nd. Mostly Tues - Thurs between 8and 10am. Please make sure your student is rested and has a good breakfast on testing days. Encourage your child to do his/her very best. Everyone has worked hard during the school year learning grade level standards so Sonora Students will shine on the test!

Please make sure your child is here at school early to be in class on time. Late students will not be admitted to class on testing days. They will have to take the test as a make up if they are late to school.

We are taking donations of sugar free gum, since it seems to help students while taking an exam. It is the only time we allow gum chewing at school! :-) If you want to donate some chewing gum, please send it in to your child's teacher.

I have great faith in Sonora Students! They work hard all year and are super prepared for the state test! They will SHINE!! :-)

Fondly,

Mrs. Anderson :-)

May 10, 2012

Dear Wonderful Sonora Parents,

Our students in 2^nd through 6^th grades will be taking the California Standards Test (CST) beginning on Tuesday, May 15^th. Students will primarily test on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, May 15^th, 16^th, 17th, and May 22^nd, 23^rd, and 24^th. Make up and any testing not completed during those dates will be done the next week, May 23^rd – 25th.

We will not have any classroom interruptions during testing.We will not call the classrooms for any reasons, such as: forgotten homework, instruments, lunches, jackets, etc. We will contact the classrooms as soon as testing is finished for the day. Please help your child to get to school on time with all of their necessary items.

All students taking the test have been well prepared and should do very well on this test. There are some things you can do to help your child do their very best:

• Get plenty of sleep each night before testing
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat a healthy – protein rich – breakfast, not sugary items– no doughnuts, sweet rolls sugary cereals, etc. Things like eggs, meats, cheeses, nuts, p’nut butter on apple or whole wheat bread,protein bars if they are high in protein and low in sugar. These are good choices for helping brains function their best. We will provide a small protein snack for testing, but you can also send in snacks for the class or a snack for your child.
• Have your child dress comfortably
• Walk to school to get the brain working well
• Send in sugar free gum for your child’s class since research shows that chewing gum helps children do better on tests.– the research states that kids stay more focused while chewing gum. No bubble gum, please. The last thing we need are children blowing bubbles! J
• Encourage your child to do their very best. Tell them they will do a great job and that you know they will do their very best.
• Ask about the test each day ~ show an interest in the tests your child is taking

Remind your child of the following:

• Take your time! Don’t hurry! It’s not a race. Remember – the winner is the one who takes their time and gets the most answers correct!
• Read everything carefully. Read all possible answers before choosing your final answer.
• Skim and re-read if you don’t know the answer. 
• Don’t give up. Even if it seems hard, do your best. Every question counts toward a great score.

Thank you for your support with testing.

We count on everyone doing their very best!

 Your child is well prepared and is going to “shine!”

Fondly,

Christine Anderson

Principal

Some of you like to request certain teachers for next school year and we try to accommodate your requests whenever possible; however we need to consider many factors when setting up classes for next year. We try to balance each classroom in terms of boys and girls, academic proficiency, language development and maturity so that each class is well rounded.

Rather than requesting a particular teacher, please write a letter to me stating the type of classroom environment and style of teaching that you feel would best match your child’s learning style and needs. We will certainly take your request into consideration when placing your child in a classroom for the next school year.

Your child’s teacher knows the academic needs of your child well and as always will put a great deal of thought into next year’s placement. We hope that you will trust your teachers to choose the best placement for your child for the next school year. Be assured that our placements are based on professional opinions with the specific needs of each child taken into consideration.

Sincerely,

Christine Anderson

Principal

Sonora band will play again this year at the Field of Honor at Castaways Park in Newport Beach on Friday, May 18th at 9:45am. We are honored to be invited back again this year to play and honor our men and women in the Armed Forces. Third and Fourth grade students will also attend this patriotic ceremony.

http://www.dailypilot.com/news/columns/tn-dpt-1028-sonora-20111027,0,4121860.story

During the month of January and February, we will learn about and practice being "caring."

Talk with your kids about what it means to be caring at home, at school and for you at work.

Caring

Donations are currently being accepted to purchase songs and/or songbooks for students to learn and play at upcoming districtwide productions. 

See the District homepage at www.nmusd.us for further information.

A ride in the limo - 275.00, lunch at Joe's Crab Shack - 175.00,

a perfect score on the CST last May? Priceless!

Congrats to the 2010 600 Club Members! You are truly ROCK STARS!

Sonora Staff will be appreciated during the week of May 14th. Watch for information to come home in your child's backpack. PTA is providing lunch on Wednesday, May 16th from 11-12:30. Please contact Shelly Aguilar  at shellygirl92626@yahoo.com to volunteer time, money or food! We are so lucky to have such an amazing staff here at Sonora. Thanks for recognizing them and showing our appreciation for all they do!

To find out more about "No Excuses" visit      http://turnaroundschools.com/neu-network/

Sonora Students are College Bound!

"I pledge to be a person of character and trust,

I will be respectful and responsible doing what I must!

I will act with fairness and show that I care,

Be a good citizen and do my share!

Character counts at Sonora School!

WE ARE COLLEGE BOUND!"

Have a suggestion for PTA?

Want to get involved but don't know exactly how?

If you have anything specifically for our wonderful PTA, please send an email to

ptasonora@gmail.com

We love to hear from you!

You can contact your grade level PTA representative by using the following email addresses:

Preschool  - sonorapreschool@gmail.com

Kindergarten - sonorakinder@gmail.com

First Grade - sonora1st@gmail.com

Second Grade - sonora2nd@gmail.com

Third Grade - sonora3rd@gmail.com

Fourth Grade - sonora4th@gmail.com

Fifth Grade - sonora5th@gmail.com

Sixth Grade - sonora6th@gmail.com

R.O.C.K.S Program

 Age:  Kindergarten - 6th Grades
 

The R.O.C.K.S Program offers a variety of supervised activities for children grades Kindergarten through 6th at Sonora Elementary.  The program is offered Monday through Friday from the time Kindergarten students are dismissed at 1:25 until 6:00 pm. 

RecreationLeaders will provide a variety of playground activities including homework time, games, sports, enrichment activities, arts crafts, etc.  This is a fee-based recreational program that requires the children to sign in when entering the program and parents/guardians to sign their child out at the end of the day.  The R.O.C.K.S Program runs year-round and observes all NMUSD holidays and school closures. 

Prior to your child attending the program a registration form and payment must be completed in advance at City Hall, Neighborhood Community Center or Downtown Recreation Center.
 

The R.O.C.K.S Program is run by Costa Mesa Recreation.  

Questions???  Contact Ashley Ocasio at 714-754-5128 or Recreation Department at 714-754-5300. 
http://www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us/CMRecreation.htm

When you go to the Segerstrom Center this summer, look for the 3 page spread on Sonora School

and our collaboration with the Center in their June  Program!

We are honored and proud to be a partner with the Segerstrom Center.

Our Ceramic Residency was amazing last year and we look forward to some fun collaboration next school year!

50^th Anniversary

of

Sonora School

September 2012 Kick Off

Planning will take place during the 2011-2012 School Year!

Contact Christine Anderson, Principal, at 714-424-4750 or at cpanderson@nmusd.us for information on joining the planning committee!

A master teaching artist, Eiko Amano will work with students in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades this year to transform clay into beautiiful works of art.

Eiko blends her experience as an artist with her background in analytical medical sciences to create art while also explaining the science behind the art.

Students develop motor skills, aesthetic awareness and creative vision as they form their own masterpieces in clay.

There will be a family night to display the works of our student artists and to celebrate their talents.

Register at igive.com  and have $$ donated to our school each time you shop at participating stores!

http://www.igive.com