Cowan Crierthe newsletter for the cowan avenue elementary school community volume 61 issue 2 april 2007

Cowan Avenue is extremely pleased to announce that local children’s book illustrator, Diane Greenseid, will be visiting our school on Friday, April 20th for two spe-cial student presentations. Ms. Greenseid grew up in Los Angeles, became interested in art as a senior in high school, and gradu-ated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Art Center College of Design. She then worked as an artist for 10 years, building her portfolio. Finally, she was able to illustrate her first book WILSON SAT ALONE. Currently, Ms. Greenseid is working on her 14th picture book. She also does textbook illustrations, as well as artwork for magazines. She considers herself very lucky to be able to create art for a living. During her presentations at our school, Ms. Green-seid will talk about her early interest in art, how artwork goes from sketch to finished product, and will demon-strate how she creates her illustrations. We are pleased to offer Ms. Greenseid’s books for sale through our upcoming Spring Book Fair (April 18th-20th). You can purchase her selections through pre-sale forms (coming home with your student soon), or at our Book Fair. Ms. Greenseid will be autographing her books on the day of her assemblies, between Noon and 12:45, and after her last presentation at 1:30. The assembly for Grades K-2 will be from 11:15 – Noon, and for Grade 3-5 from 12:45 – 1:30 in the Auditorium.

Children’s Book Illustrator,Diane Greenseid, to Visit Cowan

Girl Tossing Booksillustration by diane greenseid

Book Fair Arriving April 17Cowan’s Spring Book Fair, sponsored by Mrs. Nelson’s Book Fair Company, will be at school from Tuesday, April 17th through Friday, April 20th! Stu-dents, family, friends and neighbors are invited to visit the fair, where you will find a huge selection of wonder-ful, high-quality book for all ages and interests…at great prices! What’s so great about Book Fair?< A portion of the proceeds made during Book Fair go to the Cowan Ave-nue PTA, and supports programs that benefit your student.< It’s a great place to purchase books not only for your family, but also for your child’s classroom, or for our wonderful library!< Stock up for the summer…and for birthdays. Books make great gifts! Come by before or after school (we’ll have coffee and treats!) to browse and buy. We’ll also be open for Cowan’s Open House on Tuesday, April 18th. Look for more information coming soon. See you there! Interested in volunteering to work at Book Fair? It’s lots of fun and a great way to meet other parents, students and teachers. For more in-formation, contact Gena Vincent at genavin@ca.rr.com or Andrea Mess-inger at amsm@aol.com.

The Computer Lab is running smoothly thanks to the dedication of new computer lab instructor, Maureen La Rouche, and funding from the Booster Club. For the first time in years, the technology program is of-fering a full set of classes for all grades, 2-5. Over the past several years it didn’t seemed possible that we would be able to work through all the technology, curriculum, staffing and budgeting issues, yet here we are with a full, well running program that is proving to be a model for other schools. In fact, Cowan has been chosen to be

a test site school for the Renzulli Learning System (RLS) because our administration applied for the opportunity, because Cowan is a SAS school and because three teachers and our lab instructor attended professional development to learn about the program. RLS is a system designed for gifted and talented students specifically, but can be tailored to a wide range of students to help them, their teachers and parents iden-tify how students learn and to provide a set of enrichment exercises and research tools for their classroom and homework projects.

RLS is being introduced first to fourth grade students and then to fifth grade stu-dents. Over the next year, Cowan will evaluate the program for the District and offer comments and suggestions on how the program can be used and whether or not it should be purchased on a long-term basis. This program is just beginning to be rolled out, so look for more information in the near future. The Technology Committee is look-ing for a few new parent members since the current parents are almost ready to move

Cowan Technology Program News

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Raising Dough for CowanCowan raised $5,565.80 from our first Cookie Dough Fundraiser! The positive response from the students and parents made this fundraiser a success, 110 stu-dents participated and 48 students received the Pump It Rocket Launcher for selling 10 items or more. Classroom rewards for the classes with the highest sales go to Mrs. Theobald, K-2 and Ms. Freia, 3-5. Each teacher received a $50.00 American Express gift card for her classroom. With 116 orders, Cowan’s #1 selling cookie was Chocolate Chip! Many thanks to Bill and Isis Golden, Sherryl Carter, Kimberly Lee, Cathy Rich-ards, Jocelyn McCauley, Millicent Mito, Shawn Davis, Kriss Harrigian, Jon and Katherine Clendenen, Roz Lewis Battey and Didra Brown Taylor. Also, thanks to Raul for the carts and dollies. Many thanks to Cowan Booster Club and PTA for their support. Congratulations to Cowan’s TOP TEN Cookie Dough Sellers: Lauren La-pesarde, Nia Lewis, Maximilien Roussel, Donovan Kimsey-Wade, Parker Weldon, Ryan Hewitt, Elijah Jacobs, Elijah Davis, Michael Wilson, Jacob Guttierez (tie) and Alexandra Clendenen (tie).

Another Successful Family Dinner NightOur Family Dinner Night at Califor-nia Pizza Kitchen was another successful fund raiser. We raised $618.00 for our two nights—that seems to be our lucky num-ber-the same amount raised at Islands. We also made $210 in CPK scrip. Our next Family Dinner Night will be held at El Torito in the Marina in Fisher-man’s Village on Tuesday, April 24th and Wednesday, April 25th. Muchas Gracias Cowan families! See you at El Torito for some great Mexican food and Margaritas! Anyone interested in helping sell scrip and pass out flyers on either night, please contact Suzie Obeda at 310-641-7563 or sobeda@ca.rr.com.

NeWS ANd uPdATeS

the learninglab at cowanSo much to be proud of…

Cowan has so much to be proud of. So much of what our school has in the form of enrichment puts us head and shoul-ders above the rest. Susan Hale, Hina Yousufzai and Michelle Johnson attend-ed a recent district meeting announcing the implementation of learning centers and realized that Cowan has one more thing that puts us ahead of the rest…our Learning Lab. The Learning Lab at Cowan is what Los Angeles unified calls a tier two sup-port, learning center. It provides language arts and math intervention for more than 55 Cowan students who have been re-ferred by their teacher. during a recent meeting, we found

that Cowan’s Learning Lab was the only in-tervention program that meets all the final requisites of Los Angeles unified to be clas-sified as a fully functioning Learning Center. Most schools were without such a program or were just beginning to establish one. Through research we find that students learn at different paces and through differ-ent modalities. In any classroom we find students with different learning styles with varying degrees of need for assistance. It is important for a school to address each child’s learning needs in order to foster achievement. during the meeting, specific district personnel outlined plans to help initiate learning centers in schools throughout LAuSd. The purpose of these learning centers would fulfill the district’s vision of “Schools for All Children”. Learning cen-ters provide a second level of instruction that consists of instruction in grade-level literacy (Open Court Reading Program) and

english Language development materials (Into english). Intervention also consists of the use of supplemental materials targeted to address the specific areas of challenge. each student’s progress is carefully monitored to assess student learning. The key is small group and in-dividualized attention that address the student’s specific needs. Cowan is proud to be able to of-fer this program through the support of Booster funds provided through all the efforts of parents who donate their time and money and become involved in school activities in order to make school the most beneficial for their child. If you would like to learn more about the Learn-ing Lab, please feel free to contact Su-san Hale or Hina Yousufzai at school or via email at hxy5175@lausd.k12.ca.us. You may also visit us during Open House on April 17th. Come see what our school offers to meet the needs of all children.

Kindergarten TeaMarch 7th was the Kindergarten Tea. Over 100 people came. There were great finger sandwich-es and tasty cookies. The Kindergarten Teachers gave a great presentation. Spe-cial thanks to all the parents and staff who helped out. Mr. Da Sylveira, Mrs. Jacobs, Hina Yousufzai, Angie Rittner, Julie Helmer, Alesha Webster, Elissa Boyce, Alison Davey, Laura Davis, Julie Montgomery, Ms. Lambert, Mrs. LaRouche, Kelly Lin, Suzanee Hecht, Lynda Modaff, Leslie Ri-gney, Judy Wolf, Cathy Richard, Shenick Corington, Jamie Gutierrez, Deborah Kellogg, Heather Hart-Smith, Edson Smith, Pamela Villanueva, Angelique Bullock,Tasha and Fredric Kelley, Kim and Alfredo Calimlim, Mike and Lori Ind-gin, Marie Murphy, Gena Vincent, Mathu Matthews and thank you to our great kin-dergarten teachers, Mrs. Remus, Mrs. Al-varez and Ms. Kollar.

At the end of January you may have noticed that Cowan had an 18 wheeler truck parked on the yard for a couple of days. The National Science Center (NSC), located in Georgia, takes Sci-ence on the road with its Mobile discov-ery Centers. This mobile center is de-signed by the National Science Center and staffed by u.S. Army soldiers. The goal is to present programs designed to show young people that studying sci-ence and math is fun as well as essen-tial to their future. Cowan’s 3rd, 4th & 5th graders were given the unique opportunity to visit the truck and get hands on expe-rience in using technology to commu-nicate. Technology and the need for students to use technology to become better communicators was the focus of High definition and Artificial Intel-ligence programs. Our students were also given a 45 minute science demon-stration including plasma ball and Tesla coils, creating “hair raising” experienc-es. The students participated in vision demonstrations and high frequency sound demonstrations all resulting in a very fun and interactive way to learn the world of Science. every year Mr. Tatosian, a 5th grade teacher and Cowan’s Teacher of the Year, puts in the work to make sure our students get this opportunity. He organizes this event for Cowan and gives the NSC the feedback they need to continue this wonderful project.

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What was that mysterious National Science Center Truck doing at Cowan in January?

photo captions here about science truck

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Woodstock in Westchester40th Anniversary of “Summer Of Love” Harmonizes With 4th Annual “Concert For The Canyon: A Benefit for Cowan enrichment” Like 1960s Yippee leader Jerry Rubin trading his tie-dye shirt for a tie to become a stock-broker, environmentalism has come of age. Today, nature can earn big bucks – think Whole Foods Markets – and for the last three years that’s been the success of our annual outdoor concert and silent auction, which has become Cowan’s biggest annual fundraiser. Last year, drawing more than 1,000 attendees from the community, it raised close to $40,000! This year, the fourth annual “Concert for the Canyon: A Benefit for Cowan Enrich-ment” will benefit all of our school’s many outstanding enrichment programs such as the Computer Lab, Arts Prototype, Music, Model U.N., Learning Laboratory, the CowaNatu-reCenter and Psychomotor. It all comes together Sunday, April 29, from Noon to 4:00 p.m., in an exciting afternoon of live music, a silent auction, petting zoo, games and more in the great outdoors. Given the 40th anniversary of the “Summer of Love” in 1967, it must be kismet that we have a terrific local band that captures the era’s spirit, dovetailing perfectly into this year’s theme, “Ecology Now!” Our headliner, The Summer of Love Show, authentically recreates the fashion and signature hits of the late ‘60s: from classic bands like Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, The Mamas & the Papas and Steppenwolf to such iconic figures as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Van Morrison, and Ike & Tina Turner. The day also features the eclectic pop, rock, reggae and world-beat fusion of Imaginary Friends (led by former Cowan mom Stacy Robin), Elton John favorites performed by our bejeweled, bespectacled host MC Elton (Cowan dad Robin Weitz), and a set by the Cowan Chorus (under the direction of Katherine Williamson). The program culminates with an authentic free hula lesson and Hawaii Trip drawing. Adults can find some incredible deals at the silent auction, while kids enjoy the petting zoo, games, crafts, a bake sale and other deli-cious food & drink. Adult admission is $5 in advance, $8 at the gate – children 12 & under free with an adult admission. Ticket sales start April 9. Ticket forms will be sent home the week after Spring Break. Pre-purchase $20 of food/activity tickets and receive $22 worth of tickets! Buy extra tickets for your friends and family! You can participate in the concert in two ways: by attending or as a volunteer, whether for a couple of hours or more. You can download all concert forms on www.cowantigers.org. Or for more information, e-mail Concert Chair Sheri Weitz: srweitz@ca.rr.com. Come sup-port Cowan while helping raise funds that will benefit all of our enrichment programs. Let’s make the fourth annual “Concert for the Canyon” our most successful fundraiser yet. Bring a blanket or a chair, and we’ll see ya’ there!!!

FOuRTH ANNuAL CONCeRT FOR THe CANYON

Hawaii drawing Ticket Sales Start March 30th!

Help support our great school by par-ticipating in the annual Hawaii draw-ing Fundraiser. Proceeds from this drawing help replenish our Booster Club reserves and fund all sorts of terrific programs at Cowan. Last year we raised $7,000! Not only will one lucky person win a week in Hawaii for two, in ad-dition, students who sell tickets for the drawing are also eligible for cool prizes! For every 5 tickets sold, a student’s name will be entered into a weekly drawing where the top prize is a $50 gift certificate for scrip. Other prizes include more gift certificates and awesome dVd’s. Additional raffle books will be available in the school office. Please turn in sold ticket stubs and money every Friday. CASH PReFeRRed, but checks can be made payable to “Cowan Avenue Booster Club.” Ticket Sales Start Friday, March 30th Turn in Stubs and $’s -- Student Prize drawing Friday, April 13th -- Monday, April 16th Friday, April 20th -- Monday, April 23th Friday, April 27th -- Monday, April 30th Hawaii drawing Winner will be announced at the Concert for the Canyon on Sunday, April 29th. Questions? contact Heather Hart-Smith (310) 369-3862 - Heath-er.Hart-Smith@fox.com or Millicent Mito (310) 568-9987 - millim@ca.rr.com.

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FUNDS RAISED$100,000 GOAL

$87,536

Coffee$111

Cookie Dough$5,455

Family Dinner Nights$878

See’s Candy$3,890

Direct Donation$47,830

T-shirt andMousepad Sales$1,540

Turkey Trot$8,018

Fall Fundraiser$17,728

*Other$2,086

Thank You CowanFamilies!

*Other includes Interest, Yearbook Ads, Holiday Show, DVD sales and School Uniform Rebate

Acero/LiebmanHenleyRamboAlvarezHesseRazoAnonymousHicksRichardAshHollinsRichardsAshmoreHongRigneyAsteHooperRinguetteAsteHouston/PortlockRittnerAyalaHundtRossBaileyHunterSalernoBattey/LewisIndginSchoenfeldBenioffJacksonScollanBonneyJohnsonSimmonsBrownKalengaSingletonBuhlKellerSmithCalimlimKelleySornborgerCars 4 CausesKelloggStarrCastron

Thank YouThe following families participated in the direct donation Pledge drive. Their donations will help ensure that Cowan continues to offer many wonderful programs that benefit all our children.

KennedyStodderClendenenKimseyTagawaClineKoshimizuTaylorCooperKuToubesCooperLatifTouchtonCooperLeeVaughnCoxLeeVaughnCoxLewisVillanuevadarwishMalyszVincentdavisManahanWang/ChaodavisMarcelinoWarnerdavisMartinWatanabedavis/VogelgesangMartinWatersdinius/WhiteMartzWeitzdreyfussMatthewsWestchester RotaryduncanMayedaWexleredwardsMayes

WicksmanendoMcCauleyWilliamsenglishMessingerWilliamsFerreroMitchellWilliamsonFerroMitoWilson Gabriel/GertlerModaff/O’LoughlinWolfGiesregenMooreYoungGilmoreMooreGreeneMooreHalbe/KulkarniMorimotoHaleMurphyHamiltonNicholas-BoothHamiltonObedaHarrellOn the WaterFront CaféHarrigianOrgel ConstructionHatamsefatPacinoHayesPerryHaywoodPogsonHechtPriedkalnsHelmerPuglisi/Clark

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TGIF—Fun Fridays are back!Fun Fridays are back and better than ever. Cowan’s 5th graders will be selling treats such as popcorn or donuts at recess every Friday in April and May to raise money for 5th Grade Culmination. Questions: Contact Sherri Latif, slatif@ca.rr.com

Skating Day Have some fun during Spring Break. Join Cowan’s 5th graders for an after-noon ice skating fundraiser to help raise money for this year’s culmination. When: Wednesday, April 4th, 2:15 - 5:00 pmWhere: Toyota Sports Center, 555 S. Nash St., el Segundo. Directions: From West-chester - take Sepulveda south to el Segundo. Turn left on Mariposa. Turn right on Nash. TSC is on the right hand side. Cost: $10/skater (includ-ing skate rental). No charge to observeQuestions: Contact Kath-erine Clendenen, kclen-denen@sbcglobal.net

Buy tickets at the door, cash or checks payable to Cowan Avenue Booster Club

Cowan Crier

A PTA PUBLICATION

Cowan Avenue PTAWestchester Council - 10th district, CPTS

PTA PRESIDENT

Mathu Matthews

BOOSTER CLUB PRESIDENT

Ron Mito

PRINCIPAL

Richard daSylveira

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Maureen Pacino

COPY EDITOR/PROOFREADER

Katherine Clendenen

CONTRIBUTORS

Tina Ayala, Tom Cox, Kita Golden, Heather Hart-Smith, Terri Haywood, Lori Indgin, Suzie Obeda, Gena Vincent, Sheri and Robin Weitz

COmmUNICATION

ImPORTANT NUmBERS

Cowan Main Office . .310.645.1973Cowan Fax . . . . . . . .310.645.6273STAR Child Care . . . .310.216.9341

district 3Lucky Hemphill . . . . .310.575.3281director of elementary Schools

Grace Strauther. . . . .310.575.3281Superintendent

LAuSd . . . . . . . . . . .213.625.6000

Marlene Canter . . . . .213.625.6387School Board Representative

COWAN AVENUE ELEmENTARY SCHOOL

7615 Cowan AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90045Located at the corner of 77th St. andCowan Ave. in Westchester

VISITING POLICY All visitors to the Cowan Avenue campus must report to the office to sign the visitors book on the counter,and receive a guest badge. The badge must be worn at all times while on the campus. When your visit is complete,please sign-out in the front office and return your badge.

NEXT CRIER (may 2007)Crier submissions are due on the 20th of the preceding month. Please submit your articles by email to Katherine Clendenen at kclendenen@sbcglobal.net. Photo submis-sions with articles are welcome as long as they are high-res .tiff or .jpeg files.

cowan calendar, april 2007

Coffee and Scrip Sales every Monday morningFun Fridays every Friday in April Hawaii Raffle Sales Friday, March 30th thru Sunday, April 29thSpring Break Monday, April 2nd thru Friday, April 6thSnow day Wednesday, April 4thBook drive Steer Your Career Book drive begins April 9thPublic School expo Saturday, April 14th???Book Fair Tuesday, April 17th thru Friday, April 20thOpen House Tuesday, April 17thCareer day Friday, April 20thel Torito dinner Nights Tuesday, April 24th & Wednesday, April 25th Concert for the Canyon Sunday, April 29thHawaii drawing Sunday, April 29th

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Cowan Career DayCowan Career Day will be held on Friday, April 20th from 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Students are encouraged to dress up as their favorite profession and be prepared to meet and greet a di-verse group of parent and community speakers. There will also be a school-wide “Steer Your Career” book drive announced during the week of April 9th to increase the number of library books about various occupations. The three winners of the “Draw Your Dream Job” art contest will be announced at a school assembly later this month. All of the art entries will be displayed in the auditorium for Open House and Career Day. For more information about the library book drive or Career Day, contact Terri Haywood at haywood22003@yahoo.com.

Cowan Alumni Honored at Orville Wright middle SchoolTwenty students from Cowan’s Class of 2006 were honored at Orville Wright Middle School’s Honors Ceremony on March 22nd. Students received certificates for achieving a 3.0 or higher grade point average on their report cards. Students also received a special certificate from Assemblyman Curren Price honoring their academic achievement. We’re proud our Cowan Tiger alumni are continuing their academic excellence at Or-ville Wright Middle School!

RemindersCampbell’s Soup Labels Turn in labels to box in library

Box Tops for Education Turn in box tops to box in office

Lost and Found Unclaimed lost and found items will be donated to charity at the end of the month

Cowan Mousepads A few mousepads are still available for $6 each or two for $10