1. The
2241 Russell St.
Berkeley, CA 94705
www.leconteonline.org
(510)644-6290
Lamppost
H1N1 FLU VACCINE CLINIC at LECONTE
November 5, 2009 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18!!!
Cheryl Wilson – Principal
Jill Wang – PTA President It takes a special person---with patience and wisdom to share---
to unlock the treasure awaiting within children everywhere. J. Zatorski
Important dates Thanks to so many of you—teachers and parents—we are
SUN., NOV. 8 unlocking the treasures within our children. In addition to our annual
Visual Thinking Strategies – Try It! Day
for LeConte adults, free, Berkeley Art
unforgettable Halloween Jamboree (which can now be viewed on
Museum, 2:00-5:00PM, RSVP required to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-CUfe19XrQ, there
415-690-6887. are several other events and activities that have occurred this past
TUES., NOV. 10
month that we can all feel proud about. Did you know that over 12 of
Berkeley Symphony at LeConte our students in the after school program received swim lessons at the
10:30AM, Auditorium Willard School Pool; 40 of our fifth graders attended the Mosaic
WED., NOV. 11
Project Outdoor School in Napa for five days; all second grade
SCHOOL CLOSED students were visited by insects and beetles from the Insect Discovery
Veteran’s Day Lab; 20 parents attended the first Latino Literacy Project; over 20
THU., NOV. 12
volunteers gave up two Saturdays to support our school and that’s not
LeConte Auction Planning Meeting, all! So as we begin the process of recruiting new families and
6:30PM, Library conducting school tours, please share some of the news included in
TUES., NOV. 17
this issue with families who may be seeking a school next year.
PTA Meeting, 5:45PM – free dinner, Flu Vaccine: The Berkeley Public Health Division will be
6:00PM meeting. Free childcare & Spanish
translation provided. administering the H1N1 vaccine on Wednesday, November 18th
between 8:30 and 10:30AM. With your written permission, your child
WED., NOV. 18 can receive the vaccine for free. You should have already received a
Vaccine Clinic, 8:30AM -10:30AM
packet explaining the procedures. If you want your child to receive
WED., NOV. 18 the vaccine, you must sign and return the consent form.
School Governance Council (SGC)
Meeting, 6:30PM - Principal Wilson
THURS., NOV. 19 In this issue find out about.
Picture Make Up Day • Leadership Committee Meetings
THURS., NOV. 19 • School-wide news: New staff members, English Classes for
English Language Advisory Committee Parents, Steps to Improve Achievement, and more
(ELAC), 5:00PM, Cooking Room • Special Recognition and Events: Students of the Month, Free
FRI., NOV. 20 Flu Shots, and more
Celebrate LeConte Assembly (families
welcome), 8:15AM, Auditorium Please see the Calendar for the full list of LeConte events (we recommend
that you put the Calendar on your fridge to keep track of school events).
SAT., NOV. 21
School Benefit, Mrs. Dalloway’s
Bookstore, 10:00 – 9:00PM
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2. NOTICES: NO SCHOOL for STUDENTS, Fri., November 6
(Parent/Teacher Conferences all day)
SCHOOL CLOSED – Wed., November 11
(Veteran’s Day)
LECONTE LEADERSHIP COMMITTEES
Coalition of Families for African American Students (CFAAS)
The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, January 28, 6:00PM. During the October meeting, Tim
Brown, a social worker and consultant with the San Francisco School District, shared a brief video and led a
discussion about African Americans’ struggle for access to education and the role of parents. The group expressed
their concerns about the achievement of African American students and provided Principal Wilson with a list of ideas
and needs to support their children. One question, which may be of interest to all families, is how to help children
complete math homework. The new mathematics program, Everyday Math, has “family letters” that explain all new
concepts. If you would like to know more about the math program so that you can assist your child more easily, please
ask your child’s teacher for copies of the “family letters.” Also, Principal Wilson agreed to facilitate a mathematics
workshop for families. This workshop will most likely take place in January during various leadership committees
meetings.
English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC)
The next meeting will be Thursday, November 19, 5:00PM, in the cooking room. During the previous meeting
Jocelyn Bale Glickman and Maestra Bernal announced that a committee has formed dedicated to recruiting new
students. ELAC members signed on to assist with recruitment for the Two-Way Immersion Program at various
childcare centers, preschools, churches, and kindergarten fairs throughout Berkeley. English classes for parents will
be taking place on Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Other parent workshops were announced as well as various ideas
on how to draw in more Latino parent involvement. The Día de los Muertos altar will be on display outside Donna's
office until November 30th. Families are welcome to contribute pictures or symbolic objects that represent a loved one
who has passed. Please hand these in to classroom teachers.
School Governance Council (SGC)
The next meeting will be Wednesday, November 18, 6:30PM, LeConte library. The October meeting was devoted to
discussing recruitment for incoming families, especially parents/guardians of kindergarten students. Several teachers
attended this meeting because we focused on the question, “Should LeConte have two Two Immersion or two English
kindergarten classes next year?” Several issues were raised about the pros and cons of having two versus one
regardless of the program. Though this question is still being discussed, the group all agreed that we need to focus on
making our school more appealing to all families.
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
New Staff Members
We are pleased to welcome several new staff members to LeConte. We now have three additional noon supervisors,
Nick Bowen, Ray Davis, and Stella Munro, and four additional tutors, Kelli-Jean Chun, Bridgid McGarth,
Melanie Silvis, and Lizelle Serrano. Most of these staff members are enrolled at UC Berkeley. They were selected
because of their enthusiasm and experience with working with young children. Their schedules vary based on their
college schedules; however, most of them work between 8:30AM and 1:00PM depending upon their role. Now that all
tutors are on board, teachers can begin working with students who need more direct instruction. Tutors will be
challenging our students to excel. Tiffany Ballestrasse is also new to LeConte. She replaced Robin Jew, who taught
as a member of the BEARS after school program. Miss Tiffany is a credentialed teacher who enjoys “making learning
fun and engaging for (her) students.”
2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. Announcing the LeConte Math Challenge!
We are excited to announce the LeConte Math Challenge, which will recognize students who are achieving goals in
mathematics and encourage students to reach for more. Students will be recognized with certificates in the auditorium
for achieving the following grade-level standards:
Kindergarten - mastering numbers up to 30
First and Second Grade - mastering addition facts
Third and Fourth Grade - mastering multiplication facts up to 12
Fifth Grade - mastering multiplication of multiple digits
We are shooting for 100% accomplishment by June! Students will work with their teachers or Ms. Wilson to
demonstrate their mastery of their grade-level standards, then they are encouraged to work on the next goal. You can
work on these standards at home too – please ask your child’s teacher or Principal Wilson if you would like more
information.
Latino Literacy Project
Thanks to LeConte parent Juana Rodriguez, LeConte received a grant for $12,000 from UC Berkeley to provide a
series of workshops for Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers. The goal is help families develop strategies and
skills to help their children become more engaged learners. The project consists of a series of nine workshops, spread
out across the school calendar, designed to teach practical literacy-based activities. The first workshop was held
Saturday, October 24. The workshops are led by Sera Hernandez, a graduate school student from UC Berkeley’s
Graduate School of Education, under the supervision of a UC professor.
After School Program News
Our Community Kidz After School Coordinator, Charity DaMarto and her staff members have been utilizing
community resources in exciting ways. For about eight weeks, LeConte students took swimming lessons at the
Willard Middle School pool. The attached pictures show their excitement and enthusiasm as beginning and advanced
swimmers. On October 22, Community Kidz hosted the “Lights On” After School event that included good food,
entertainment, and sports and math games. Thanks to all of you, it was a well-attended evening that gave families an
opportunity to relax and enjoy their children and other LeConte families. On October 27 several upper grade students
participated in a “Byo-bu” (Holding screen) Workshop sponsored by team of Japanese educators. The purpose of the
workshop was to help students understand the essence of Japanese traditional art and to develop more practical
devices for intercultural understanding through a collaborative learning experience. Photos of all of these events are
attached and we also have DVD of the Byo-bu workshop. Keep up the good work Community Kidz! On Tuesday,
December 1, from 6:00PM to 8:00PM, Community Kidz is hosting the first Family Literacy Night. The goal is for
families to learn strategies and activities that will help them engage and develop their children’s literacy skills. This is
the first of four workshops. Dinner will be provided.
Class News
Second Grade Art Project: Our art teacher, Lucy Ames, facilitated a project for second grade students that involved
the use of disposable cameras. She secured several donated cameras so that students could photograph images,
culminating in various collages. Selected photographs are on now display at the Walgreen’s across from the Berkeley
Bowl.
Insect Discovery Lab: The second grade teaching team hired a consultant from the Insect Discovery Lab to do a
presentation about a variety of insects and creepy crawlers. The students not only learned about various characteristics,
habitats, and life cycles of the creatures but also had a chance to hold and handle them. This is the type of learning that
engages and motivates students, as you will see from the photos attached. Thank you Ms. Aguas, Ms. Logan, and Ms.
Louie for arranging this exciting way to make science content come alive!
LeConte Lamppost 3

4. Mosaic Project: Principal Wilson visited the fifth graders at the Mosaic Outdoor School on October 15th. During her
visit, she heard the students share appreciations about their daily experiences. It was clear that one of the values of the
project is the language of respect and tolerance that students learn to use at Mosaic. For example, they learn not to
spread “poison” (another word for rumors) and to avoid words that “blame” others. The fifth grade teachers will be
helping students remember and apply this learning throughout the year. Principal Wilson was surprised and touched by
the number of boys who asked that she contact their mothers by telephone to tell them, “I miss her and I love her”!
English Classes
Classes for adults who want to learn English began last Thursday, October 24th. The classes are held in Room 201 and
will be offered from 6:00 to 8:00PM every Thursday evening at least until February 2010, depending upon the
attendance. These classes and the childcare are being paid by PTA funds.
BUSD Kindergarten Information Fair, Saturday, December 5
This fair is for families with children entering kindergarten next year and other newcomers to BUSD. It will be held in
our auditorium from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. We need at least four more parents to act as spokespersons for our school.
If you are available and would like to act as a representative, please contact our PTA President, Jill Wang . Parents
usually volunteer for an hour. They answer questions, share experiences as parents of LeConte, and generally provide
information about our school.
Make up Picture Day, Thursday, November 19
This make-up day is for any families who wish to have their child’s picture retaken and for students who were absent
on Picture Day in October. As before, the cameras will be set up in our auditorium. Donna, our school secretary, will
request volunteers if needed.
Enhance Your Child’s Learning at Home With Free Educational Software
Berkeley Unified School District has arranged for elementary students to have free access to the Compass Learning
educational software, which you can easily access from home or school. This software is aligned with state and
national standards and provides a stimulating (and fun!), customized learning environment for each child. Your child
should have brought home a personalized letter describing the software and how your child can get started. The letter
contained your exact user name and password, but most follow a standard format:
Compass Learning is at www.childu.com
User Name: LeCFirstNameLastInitial
Password: FirstInitialLastInitial
School: BUSD
For example, John Smith has a user name of LeCJohnS and a password of js. Contact August Fern at
august.fern@gmail.com if you are having difficulties logging in or would like to set up a parent account to monitor
your student's progress.
Tour Guides Needed to Show LeConte to Prospective Parents
LeConte parents are needed to help facilitate school tours beginning Tuesday, November 16. The tours will be held
every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30AM to 10:00AM, November 16 to December 17 and January 5 to February 4.
School visits are offered to all incoming kindergarten and other families new to BUSD. We are seeking volunteers
who feel comfortable answering questions, reassuring families about the kindergarten experience, and explaining what
they love about LeConte. If you are available to lead a tour, please contact our PTA President, Jill Wang, at
jillwang@att.net or 510-647-5012.
Steps to Improve Achievement
All teachers have developed learning goals for at least four to five students who are in need of strategic and consistent
academic support to help them show improvement in specific subject areas. These students will be monitored
throughout the year.
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5. All students in grades first through fifth have completed reading, spelling, writing, and mathematics assessments that
are used to design instruction for further growth toward meeting the grade-level standards. All of this data should have
been discussed with parents/guardians during the conferences. Kindergarten students will complete a reading
assessment after January.
Principal Wilson is teaching 12 to 15 upper grade students for three-hour sessions on Saturdays. The students will
participate in nine sessions that are designed to help them improve their reading fluency and comprehension skills and
their mental math and test-taking abilities.
Principal Wilson has provided all teachers with a comprehensive list of the English language arts standards that they
are required to teach for the year. This list of standards is to be used as a guide for long-term planning and monitoring
student progress. Most students need support with learning English language arts (reading, spelling, grammar,
vocabulary, writing, etc.).
SPECIAL RECOGNITION & EVENTS
Halloween Volunteers
Thank you to all of our amazing Halloween Volunteers for creating a spectacular event for our school. Firstly, sincere
thanks to the coordinators of our fantastic Halloween Jamboree: Catarina Negrín, The Whole Event; Ronny Gaal,
Booths; Ashley Kayler, Haunted House; Chris Martin & Petronella Van Berry, Food; Basia Lubicz & Estella Sisneros,
Book Fair. We couldn’t have done it without your time, dedication, and imagination!
Thank you also to the many LeConte adults (parents, guardians, extended family members, and friends) who pitched
in to design, set up and staff the booths; bring, cook, and serve food; build and personally haunt the Haunted House;
set up the Book Fair; sell tickets; and clean up after it was over. A warm thanks to all of our Room Parents for
organizing volunteers for the class booths, and to the Sigma Omicron Pi (S.O.Pi.) Sorority at UC Berkeley, which sent
five terrific volunteers. We tried to keep track of everyone, but please forgive us if we have inadvertently left any
names off this list of Halloween helpers: Jonathan Aaron; Allen, Tony and the French lady; Ann the Bunny Lady
(who donated one of her bunnies to LeConte, hooray!), Allen Adams, Charlie Beyer, Iain Boltin, Jamie Brown, Ben
Buettner, Rafael Canales, Guadalupe Cardenas, Margi Clark, Cal Collier, Mark Coplan, Cynthia Dambach, Sharonda
Easley, August Fern, Mark Fiedler, Alison Field, Laura Figueroa, Jeannie Gee, Ron Gilbert, Linda Ghallager,
Stephanie Gilmore and her children Paige & Eferm, Anna Goldstein, Leticia Gonzalez, Robin Jew, Denise Hall
Montgomery, Margaret Heidhues, Charlie Huizenga, Aimie Jory-Hile, Diana Hsu, Stacy & Lillian Kaufman, Saman
Kigmarsi, John Kittredge, Sam Kiumarsi, Joe Lamb, Gazel Valdez Lechuga, Jiyun Lee Cameron, Irene Leja, Keir
Lenihan, Mike Linn, Sarah Linvill, George Lippman, Jenny Lipow, Robert MacCarthy, Steve Mastin, Khaleyma
McCall, Mark McDonald, Kerris McKnight, Perris McKnight Neal, Karen Mecksworth, Paz Melendez-Canales, Peter
Montgomery, Ellen Moore, Susanna Moore, Xuan Nguyen, Eli Nichols (the flying ghoul in the haunted house), Matt
Nichols, Brenda Oh, Asa & Karl Olsson, Rosalba Pacheco, Justine Paniagua, Penny Peak, Laurel Reece, Lilia
Rodriguez, Teresa Guerrero Rodriguez, Melissa Saavedra, Cary Sanders, Anika Schinko, Peter Schouten, Lauren
Shun, Marie So, Daphne Somkin, Alex, Heather & Ali Tehrani, Pierre Thiry, Jessica Villa, Jeanette Wallin, Jeff
Wallin, Jill Wang, Michelle Wong, Natalie Wren, and Ellen Zhang.
Thank You to Volunteers
Berkeley Project: On October 10 about twelve volunteers from UC Berkeley’s Berkeley Project completed the
templates and helped paint the maps of the world and United States that are now on the large playground. The
templates for the maps were purchased by our PTA from the Peaceful Playgrounds program. The maps will be used to
provide an additional activity and play area for students to experience during recess. Coach Miles and Charity
DaMarto will be helping students learn geography games that incorporate the maps. Special thanks to Basia Lubicz for
coordinating the Peaceful Playgrounds project.
Hotwire Team: On October 14, two members from the Hotwire Team helped Ms. Sisneros complete a variety of
tasks in our school library.
LeConte Lamppost 5

6. Project Peace East Bay: LeConte parent José Figueroa helped coordinate a volunteer effort sponsored by Project
Peace East Bay. Several members of this organization helped clean up and organize different areas in our school on
October 24. Thanks to this group, we were able to organize the Lost and Found area and clean out an upstairs closet,
which can now be used to store materials that are used by our upper grades.
Students of the Month
Please see the attached list of our Students of the Month. With information provided by the teachers, Principal Wilson
prepared certificates and copies of photos for each student to take home. Please be sure to ask your child for those
copies and, of course, congratulate your child based on the comments from her or his teacher.
H1N1 Flu Vaccine Offered to BUSD students: Wed., Nov. 18, 8:30-10:30AM
Berkeley’s Public Health division will bring the H1N1 flu vaccine to LeConte on Wednesday, November 18th from
8:30 to 10:30AM. School-aged children are top priority for receiving this vaccine. The first choice is for children to
get their vaccine from their usual health care providers. Consent forms must be completed in advance by parents.
Public Health will provide vaccine information and nurses to administer the vaccine; at least six more parent
volunteers are needed to help guide students through the vaccination process. If you can volunteer, please contact
Principal Wilson at Cheryl_Wilson@berkeley.k12.ca.us. Most children will be able to receive the nasal spray form of
the vaccine (no needles!).
LeConte Auction Planning Kicks Off: Thu., Nov. 12, 6:30PM
Attention party planners and anyone who likes to have a good time - we will be holding our first auction planning
meeting of the year on Thursday, November 12th at 6:30 PM in the LeConte library. All are welcome - Please join us!
The May auction is a great night out and a huge fundraiser for Leconte. Stop by, no obligation. If you are interested in
helping there are lots of jobs, large and small. No prior experience required! Questions? Contact Anna Goldstein
(510-684-6762, anna@350.org) and Sarah Linvill (510-206-7018, linvillarch@earthlink.net, auction co-chairs.
Family Film Series at Elmwood Cinema: Sat., Nov. 14 & Sun., Nov. 15 – The Neverending Story
The November Family Film at Rialto Cinemas Elmwood is The Neverending Story about a boy who becomes
entwined in a book that he is reading and must save the world it describes. This program benefits the PTAs of
Emerson, John Muir, LeConte, and Malcolm X Elementary. Tickets are $4. Location: 2966 College Avenue at
Ashby, Berkeley. For more information: 510-433-9730, www.rialtocinemas.com. The Cinema has worked hard to
choose appropriate films, but please check htt;://www.commonsensemedia.org for a parents’ rating guide if you are
unsure whether your children will enjoy it.
Celebrate LeConte Assembly – Friday, Nov. 20, 8:15AM, Auditorium
Have you learned the school song yet? Do you know the school values? Come learn them from the students during
our next Celebrate LeConte Assembly on Friday, November 20. LeConte families are always invited to stay for these
short assemblies, where we celebrate the great work of our students, on the last Friday of every month.
ask anna
advice from a LeConte mom
Dear Anna,
In this time of flus and sniffles, I wonder what is LeConte's policy for handling a sick child?
Dear Concerned Parent,
Of course, LeConte wants to maximize the good health of all its students. First of all, the school depends on parents
keeping their sick children home. Please keep your child at home if s/he is; - vomiting, - running a fever or has had
one during the previous 24 hour period, - is taking the first 48 hours of an antibiotic medication, - has a cold less than
3 days old, - has a heavy or green nasal discharge, - has a constant cough, - is very cranky or acting in an unusual
manner, - or has symptoms of a possible communicable disease such as sniffles, reddened eyes, sore throat, headache
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7. or abdominal pain.
If it is difficult for you to stay home with your ill child, you can try Bananas Inc., an excellent childcare referral and
support agency. They can help find childcare for your sick child. Their # is 510.658.0381 or www.bananasinc.org.
You will be notified immediately if your child becomes sick at school with a temperature, sore throat etc., or any
injury or accident that requires more than a band-aid or ice. LeConte does not have a school nurse and limits medical
treatment to ice packs for bumps and bruises, a forehead touch or thermometer to check for fever, a bucket and cloth
for upset stomachs, soap, water and sterile bandages for open wounds.
Flyers Attached
Please review the following announcements and see attached flyers related to the events listed below:
• P&O Committee Meeting, November 12, 7:00PM, Malcolm X
• Preschool to Kindergarten Informal Reception for Parents, Sunday, November 15, 4:00-6:00PM
• Open House for Gifted Students, Stanford University, Sunday, November 15
• ELAC training, Monday November 16, 2009 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Longfellow Middle School.
• Mrs. Dalloway’s School Benefit Day, Saturday, November 21, 10:00AM – 9:00PM
• Information Fair, Saturday, December 5, LeConte, 10:00AM – 1:00PM
December Lamppost
To submit information for the December Lamppost, please email Principal Wilson at
Cheryl_Wilson@berkeley.k12.ca.us or Penny Peak at pennyalp@yahoo.com. Deadline: Sunday, November 29, 2009.
MEET OUR WONDERFUL STAFF
In each issue of the Lamppost, we are pleased to introduce you to a few members of LeConte’s talented staff.
Jeannie Gee
Kindergarten Teacher, Room 110
I started teaching in Berkeley a little over 30 years ago. I decided to become a teacher
because I wanted to make a difference in children’s learning. It’s so rewarding to see the
children grow in their own unique, special ways. Every year is a new thrilling adventure
and never a boring moment. I can say that my students have always kept me on my toes.
You don’t sit still for too long in this profession!
My favorite subject as a student was reading. In my opinion, the most important lesson that can be taught is to always
work to the best of your ability. Mrs. Henderson was an inspirational teacher to me. She was real strict but she
believed in me and I have always been grateful for her support.

Julie Venuto
Full Inclusion Teacher
Throughout my years as an undergraduate student at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, I often
thought about becoming a teacher. It was not until I had taken a few graduate courses and
began substitute teaching that it really hit me I had found my true path.
In 2001, I met a boy with autism spectrum disorder, and I immediately adored him and wanted to know more about
him and his disability. I began working with this little guy and a few other children with autism in their homes and
school placements before becoming an inclusion teacher.
LeConte Lamppost 7

8. Being a special education teacher is so dear to me, and I look forward to every day that I have the opportunity to help
my students achieve their greatest potential. he most important lesson, I believe, that a person can learn in school is
how to work with others despite their differences. Working with others is a challenge that all of us face in multiple
aspects of our lives, be it in our jobs or in our homes. I think that school is a place for students, families, and teachers
to be part of a community and share unique gifts with one another so that all might achieve greatness.
Julie was named a Disability Culture Hero by KQED and Kaiser Permanente in 2008.

Susan Katz
Third Grade Teacher, Two Way Immersion, Room 207
I have been teaching for over 15 years. I am a National Board Certified Teacher and I
began my career as at Teach for America Corp member in Oakland. I am also a children’s
book author. My writing career began when I was in fourth grade. I won contests
throughout middle school and high school.
My mother was an art teacher for over 30 years. I consider teaching children to be reflective, kind, responsible,
creative and critical thinkers as important as teaching reading, writing, and mathematics. My students often come
away with a new found love of writing. I have been working for BUSD for seven years. I taught at Cragmont for five
years in their Two Way Immersion Program.

Bessie Citrin
Fourth Grade Teacher, Room 205
I am a first generation Californian with Texan roots. For the last 20 years I have taught
at Malcolm X and LeConte, after having taught, consulted, and trained teachers in Oakland,
rural Pennsylvania, Mendocino, and Berkeley, in public and private schools, grades K-8.
Before returning to public school teaching in 1990, I completed coursework towards a
doctorate in clinical psychology. I have two grown children and one grandchild, such joys!
I lived rurally in New York and Mendocino for several years, raising animals and gardening.
My passions include teaching math and word study, choral singing, natural history, ecology and people—our diversity
and richness—and working with the tremendous LeConte community. Most of all, I thrive on the brilliance of each of
our children, their observations, discoveries, and the moments they share with me. They keep me ever young!

Luis Argueta
Fifth Grade Teacher, Two Way Immersion, Room 201
I decided to become a teacher two years after completing my Bachelor’s Degree in History/
Administrative Studies from UC Riverside. I really enjoyed algebra when I took it in sixth
grade at Fontana Junior High. Mr. Allen taught it so clearly that it became my favorite
subject. Although Mr. Allen was the person who helped me focus on math, it was my first
grade teacher, Ms. Morris, who inspired me the most. She was “that” teacher! She helped my brother and I a lot our
first years in this country. This leads me to what I like most about being a teacher—the ability to help families who are
new to the educational system learn the pitfalls and access points, knowledge that is needed to make their educational
experience as successful as possible. In my opinion the most important lesson to be learned is that inequalities exist;
therefore, I see part of my job as helping to remove barriers and work toward equality.
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9. LeCONTE CALENDAR
NOVEMBER 1 – DECEMBER 5, 2009
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
NOV. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Parent/Teacher Parent/Teacher Parent/Teacher Parent/Teacher Parent/Teacher November Art
Conferences Conferences Conferences Conferences Conferences Stroll,
EARLY EARLY EARLY EARLY all day 11:00-2:00PM
DISMISSAL DISMISSAL DISMISSAL DISMISSAL NO SCHOOL for Rockridge BART
K – 12:25 K – 12:25 K – 12:25 K – 12:25 STUDENTS
1st-3rd – 1:05 1st-3rd – 1:05 1st-3rd – 1:05 1st-3rd – 1:05
4th-5th – 1:10 4th-5th – 1:10 4th-5th – 1:10 4th-5th – 1:10
East Bay LGBTQ
Welcoming &
Inclusive School
Forum, 5:30PM-
Malcolm X
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Visual Thinking Berkeley Symphony SCHOOL LeConte Auction Elmwood Family
Strategies – Try 10:30AM CLOSED Committee, Film Series: Never
It! Day, free, LeConte Auditorium Veteran’s Day 6:30PM, Library Ending Story, 12
Berkeley Art noon, Elmwood
Museum, P & O Committee Cinema, $4
2:00-5:00PM, meeting, 7:00PM,
RSVP Malcolm X
415-690-6887.
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Elmwood Film ELAC parent PTA Meeting School Picture Make Up Celebrate LeConte Mrs. Dalloway’s
Series: Never training, 5:45PM – free dinner Governance Day Assembly (parents Bookstore Sales
Ending Story, Longfellow, 6:00 – 7:30PM Council - English Language & guardians, please Benefit (LeConte
12 noon 6:30-8:00PM Cafeteria Meeting, 6:30PM, Advisory attend!), receives 20% of
Kindergarten Free childcare & Library Committee - Auditorium, sales that day from
Information, see Spanish translation Celebration 8:15AM-8:35AM collected receipts)
flyer provided. 5:00PM, Cooking 10:00AM-9:00PM
Stanford Open Room
House for
Gifted Students,
see flyer
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Mobile Dairy – A SCHOOL SCHOOL SCHOOL
cow visits LeConte CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED
9:45AM Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Thanksgiving
Coalition of Holiday Holiday Holiday
Families for African
American Students
Meeting, 6:00PM,
Library
29 30 DEC. 1 2 3 4 5
Family Literacy BUSD
Night, 6:00-8:00PM, Kindergarten Fair
includes dinner LeConte Auditorium
10:00AM – 1:00PM
LeConte Lamppost 9

10. LeConte felicita a sus...
ESTUDIANTES DEL MES
(determinado por los maestros del salón)
Vea sus fotos y certificados en el tablón de Estudiantes del mes
LeConte congratulates its...
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
(Determined by the classroom teacher)
See their pictures and certificates on the Student of the Month bulletin board
Teachers/ Students/Estudiantes
Maestros
Ms. Aguas
Mr. Argueta
Ms. Barer
Ms. Bernal
Ms. Blanchard
Ms. Carriedo
Ms. Lewis
Ms. Citrin
Ms. Cross
Ms. Gearring
Ms. Gee
Ms. Katz
Ms. Logan
Ms. Louie
Ms. Roberts
Ms. Torres
Ms. Woodard
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11. Berkeley Art Museum
A distinguished art museum showing works
Try It!
that inspire the imagination and spark critical
dialogue. Photo by Ben Blackwell
Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS)
at the Berkeley Art Museum
when: Sunday, November 8, 2009; 2-5 pm
Admission free with RSVP
who: All LeConte Elementary School Parents, Guardians &
Teachers Are Invited! (Please note, this event is designed for adults only – children will be able to attend a VTS
family event being planned for the holidays)
where: Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive
Entrances at 2626 Bancroft Way & 2621 Durant Avenue (between College and Telegraph).
RSVP: by Nov. 7 to Sarah Lenoue at lenoue@vue.org or 415-690-6887
LeConte Elementary School is one of the many schools nationwide utilizing Visual Thinking Strategies, a school
curriculum and teaching method that uses art to develop critical thinking, communication, and visual literacy skills.
Studies have found that VTS builds critical thinking skills that students transfer to other settings and other subjects,
including writing, math, social studies, and science. VTS produces measurable academic growth in students with
varying ethnicities, income levels, and school achievement. See www.vtshome.org for more information.
It’s fun to “do” VTS! We are lucky to have this program at LeConte. Come try it at this special event.
LeConte Lamppost 11

12. Museo de Arte de Berkeley
Un museo de arte distinguido que exhibe obras
que inspiran a la imaginación y provocan un
¡Pruébelo! diálogo crítico.
Foto: Ben Blackwell
Estrategias de Pensamiento Visual (VTS)
En el Museo de Arte de Berkeley
cuándo: Domingo, noviembre 8, 2009; 2-5 pm
Entrada gratis con RSVP
quién: ¡Todos los padres, tutores y maestros de la Escuela Primaria
LeConte son invitados! (Note por favor, este evento está diseñado para adultos solamente – los niños
podrán asistir a un evento para familias durante las vacaciones)
dónde: Museo de Arte de Berkeley/Filmoteca Pacífico
Entrada: 2626 Bancroft Way y 2621 Avenida de Durant (entre College y Telegraph).
RSVP: antes del 7 de Nov. con Sarah Lenoue, lenoue@vue.org o 415-690-6887
La Escuela Primaria LeConte es una de muchas escuelas a nivel nacional que utiliza Estrategias de Pensamiento
Visual (VTS), un currículo escolar y método de enseñanza que utiliza el arte para desarrollar el pensamiento crítico, y
habilidades de comunicación y comprensión visual. Varios estudios han encontrado que VTS desarrolla habilidades
de pensamiento crítico y los estudiantes utilizan estas abilidades en otros entornos y temas, incluyendo la escritura, las
matemáticas, las ciencias sociales y ciencias naturales. VTS produce crecimiento académico medible en estudiantes
con diversos orígenes étnicos, niveles de ingresos, y el rendimiento escolar. Ver www.vtshome.org para más
información.
¡Es divertido hacer VTS! Tenemos la suerte de tener este programa en LeConte. Vamos a probarlo en este evento
especial.
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