Just last week I was enjoying watching our very active students playing outside at recess, when something interesting happened. A basketball came rolling over to me. I picked it up and was about to throw it back to a third grade boy with outstretched arms. But then something caught my eye. It was the basketball itself. As I looked closer, it was apparent that this basketball wasn’t just your ordinary playground basketball. This was a basketball that had been used so often that the normal markings and bumps were completely worn off, so that even the threads under the rubber were coming through. I was so taken by the sight that I actually took a photo of it with my phone camera. What a sight! Many of you know the old saying:
Use it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do, or
Do without.
Well, this ball was VERY worn out! The boy who had been patiently waiting for me to return his ball was just as happy as could be, smiling and a bit confused at my reaction, but without a complaint as to the condition of his ball.
As we approach Earth Day (we are celebrating it with a door decorating contest on April 22nd), I am encouraged by how much we do here with so few resources. The teachers are very thrifty with the supplies that are provided to them, and yet the student projects are, in my opinion, professionally done with vibrant colors, creative outlines and excellent writing.
The end of this coming week is marked with our Jog-A-Thon fundraiser, a day of spirit and fun for all involved which, in the end, hopes to raise enough enthusiasm to independently support a P.E. teacher for next year. I humbly ask for your support in this effort to keep a valued component of our curriculum alive!
A little over a week away is our annual STAR (California State Standardized) testing, which will be held for our 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders between Monday, April 26th and Thursday, April 29th. The results of this testing are used to determine school and student accountability purposes. In the fall, the teachers, myself and the parents on our School Site Council set two school-wide goals. After looking at the past testing results, we agreed that to show adequate improvement, the percentage of students who scored advanced or proficient this year would have to increase by 3% to 4% over last year’s scores. It is clear that the entire Las Posas community: students, parents, teachers, office staff and custodians, all have worked hard to make this year the best it can be. Let’s make sure that we pay tribute to these fine efforts during STAR testing week by supporting our students, giving them the encouragement, nourishment and proper rest they need to do their very best.
With just seven weeks of school remaining, I want to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome here with your kind and gracious Leopard spirit. Having been an administrator/teacher at five different schools in my career as an educator, I can truly say that Las Posas Elementary School is the warmest and most dedicated of them all!
I look forward to seeing you all at our end-of-year celebrations,
Principal Martinez
Site Map 
Traduzca a espanol
