Individual Highlights:

NCS Calendar 2

Family Spotlight 2

A Note From Ted 3

Ways & Means Reminder 4

Holiday - NCS Style 4

Artist Trading Cards 5

Ask José & Friends 6

NCS World Kitchen 6

Pine Ave Calendar 7

Univ. Declaration of HR 7

NCS Month in Retrospect 8

Join The New City School for a Celebration of Peace & Human

Rights

Join us for our annual Peace and Human Rights Night at the New City School on December 18, commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the enactment of this historic document by the General Assembly of the United Nations. The Preamble calls upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."

Since its inception, The New City School has proudly honored this call to action with songs and

The New City School Noticias

presentations by the students expressing their present concerns for the world and their hopes for the future.

In this issue of the Noticias, you can learn about the rights afforded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as ways to give a helping hand to an event celebrating those rights and our school’s own commitment to furthering them.

This NCS signature event is an important fundraiser for the school helping to raise the funds necessary for the kinds of curriculum enrichment that NCS is dedicated to providing. The funds we raise this year will be particularly essential in light of the pressing budget crisis. (For more details on the budget crisis read a note from Ted Hamory on page 3.)

So, this year’s Peace and Human Rights Night poses a challenge for all of us. In this historic year and in this climate of change and cooperation, what can we do to make the world a better place today and insure the promise of a better tomorrow for all of our children?

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Our Mission

We will provide a thoughtful, healthy, intimate environment in which community building is valued over competition.

Through a curriculum enriched by the arts, technology, and the natural environment, we will teach students to develop into independent critical thinkers who demonstrate expertise in reasoning and

problem solving, English and Spanish literacy, creative expression, and historical perspective.

Toward these goals, the families and staff of the New City School will work together as partners to understand the needs and interests of the students, to act in the service of justice, and to extend

learning opportunities into the home and community.

December/January 2008 Volume 2, Issue 4

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

Day EventNovember 11 No School – Veterans’ DayDecember 22 – January 9 Winter VacationJanuary 19 No school- Martin Luther King Jr. DayFebruary 16 & 23 No school- U.S. Presidents & Abraham

Lincoln DayMarch 16 & 17 Student-led ConferencesMarch 18 – April 3 Spring vacation (students)May 25 No school - Labor DayJune 2 – 4 La Tierra Camp at De Benneville PinesJune 24 – 25 June Conferences

The New City School Noticias

NCS 2008-2009 Calendar!

Page 2 of 8

NCS Family SpotlightTHE ASKIN-HANNA FAMILY

NCS Multi-Cultural

Book ClubNovember Selection

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

Pillars of the Earth

Next MeetingJanuary 216:00 pm

Tell us the names of the members of your family and about your children here at New City School.Isaac 5 (El Mar, Jose & Brooke’s class) Sophia 8 (El Mar, Joanna’s class)Joseph 10 (La Tierra, Claudia’s class)Audrey 10 (La Tierra, Armando’s class)Steve Askin & Catherine Hanna, parents.  (Married in July of this year) Kelly Hanna (aka mama K), the children’s aunt.   And we have lots of animals: two dogs and three cats.  Sometimes we have more animals, because Sophia and Audrey rescue kittens and baby birds.   Where do you live now?We live in a big 100-year-old green, yellow and purple house in the Rose Park neighborhood of Long Beach, near 7th and Temple.   The kids have a playground in the yard, and they love to have friends from New City drop by to visit.   Where have you lived before?Audrey, Sophia and Isaac have lived in the same house since they were born. 

 Kelly and Catherine came to California from Detroit about 20 years ago.   Steve and Joseph came to Long Beach from Washington, DC when Joseph was four years old.   They came here with Steve’s first wife, Carole Collins, who passed away in 2006.   How did you learn about NCS and what made you send your kids here?Catherine told Steve and Carole about New City back when Audrey & Joseph were four year olds at the Jewish Community Center pre-school.  We went together to look at Patrick Henry.  Both families decided they preferred New City’s friendly family environment, and the emphasis on the arts, science, and engagement with the world.   What does your family do on weekends?This weekend we cleaned out our garage and filled a dumpster.  Normally, we have scouting activities, or we take the dogs to the beach, or we hang out at the house.  The kids like playing in our big yard.   What languages do you speak at home?Everyone speaks English.  Kelly is teaching the kids sign language. 

The kids try to teach the adults Spanish.   What's your family's favorite meal?Our vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner.   What do you like to do when you are not volunteering your free time to the New City School?The biggest thing taking up our time is renovating the house.   Tell us something we don't know about your family that might be interesting?Five years from now, we expect to be

The New City School Noticias Page 3 of 8

A Note from Ted Catching Us Up on the Current State of Affairs at The New City Public Schools

December 1, 2008

Dear NCS Pine Families,

I have been asked by José and the communications committee to begin writing an article for the newsletter each month. It is my pleasure to do so.

It has been almost 10 years since Stephanie Lee and I began work on The New City School. A lot has happened in those 10 years, and we are proud of the school and grateful for the lasting relationships we have built with parents and students. Neither of us is based here at Pine full time. This is a big change for us this year, and we miss this community. I want to take this opportunity to talk a bit about a few things that are on my mind.

Literacy at NCS

How does The New City School help students develop into good readers? I was asked this question recently, and I think it is important to share my response. The first thing we strive to do is make students love books and reading. We expose students daily to good read alouds that make the printed word come alive. This often inspires students to improve their reading and choose harder books to read. We surround students with high quality books that they can choose from and we give them chances to read them daily.

Good literature is the ‘anchor’ for many of our units of study. Students have a daily ‘free voluntary reading’ time during which they are free to read from books at their level. This is often many students favorite time of day.

Creating a culture that values reading does not stop at school. Here are a few things you can do at home:

1. Make sure there are plenty of books, at your child’s level, in your home. Frequent trips to the library and bookstores are great.

2. Let your child see you as a reader. Build in ‘family reading’ times where all members of the family are reading. Talk to your children about the books you are reading.

3. Make sure your child has at least 30 minutes a day to read independently or with your help. This daily practice will help them get better.

Your child’s teacher can give you information about your child’s reading level and can help you select books at their level.

Chat with Stephanie and Ted

Stephanie and I will be on campus every two weeks starting in January. We will hold biweekly ‘tea and cookies’ chat sessions about the school. These will be informal talks to socialize and learn more about NCS programs and the history and future plans of the organization. Look for an announcement of the dates on your January calendar.

Feedback on your child’s progress

One of the features I like best about The New City School is the accessibility of the teaching staff. Our teachers go the extra mile to make sure their students are progressing. If you have questions or concerns about your child, please schedule a visit with their teacher. They will be able to share recent assessment data, talk about your child’s strengths and set goals for areas of improvement.

The Economy and NCPS

Bad news about our economy is all around us. The State of California is having serious budget problems. What does this mean for NCPS?

NCPS receives the vast majority of it’s funding from the state of California. We are closely monitoring the State budget. We have been told to brace for significant mid-year cuts in funding. (5% or more) These cuts may be retroactive to July of 2008.

This is very bad news and means we will have to reduce expenses wherever possible. We have implemented a freeze on all non-essential spending and are preparing for some possible deeper cuts. I would urge you to contact your elected officials and make the case for public education. Cutting funding to public education hurts the future of our students.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for supporting the school. Please feel free to contact me anytime. ted@thenewcityschool.org or 562-436-0689.

The New City School NoticiasPage 4 of 8

Reminder: Ways and Means Needs Your Help with FundraisingPeace and Human Rights Night is an important fundraising opportunity for the school and we need your help to make it a success.

Auction ItemsThe following are the themes for Silent Auction Baskets (chosen by the students) of each homeroom class.

José: Helping Hand Basket. (basket items and bid-proceeds to go to those in need)Alicia: Something for the Whole FamilyJohanna: Parent & Me TimeElizabeth: Writer’s BasketClaudia: Candyland Game Night (Games, books & sweets)Armando: RelaxationDebora: Carnival Fun & GamesSamuel: Chocolate and Comics

Gift Baskets will be created around these themes to be auctioned off on Peace and Human Rights Night.

Here are a few ways you can help:

1. Provide items to go in the baskets. Talk to your child or your child’s teacher(s) about the class theme and what types of things are still needed.

2. Help put the baskets together. Contact Tami Bennet to find out when and where to go to help arrange the baskets and to make bid sheets for them.

3. Come to Peace and Human Rights Night and bid on this wonderful array of gift baskets, services, and other items available.

**If you know of vendors or services that might be willing to donate ask Tami for a solicitation letter with the school logo and tax ID information

Snack BarVolunteers are needed to provide finger food (tamales, sandwiches, a variety of baked goods, fruit plates, etc), drinks

(lemonade, cider, coffee, tea, etc), and paper goods for the snack bar. The snack bar will be set up café style for people to be able to sit casually or browse the auction items. Talk to Leslie Harvey about decorating ideas.

Also, parents from the Long Beach Boulevard campus have kindly offered to come and watch our snack bar so that all Pine parents can enjoy the show. Volunteers are needed to do the same for their Peace and Human Right Night on Friday, December 19.

50/50 RaffleRoberta Denis will need volunteers to help sell tickets, and organize the winnings of the 50/50 Raffle.

Please consider any (or many) of these volunteer opportunities and help make this year’s event a fundraising success. Sign up sheets can be found in the office.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

where we don't know. We've still never been to the mountains around here, so December might be a good time. Happy New Year, everybody!” —Madeline Holler, Trixie’s mom

“For the Christmas holiday we go up to my mom's house in Ashland, Oregon. She lives on a small farm where everything is very wintery. We usually drive into the mountains and cut down a tree (with a $2 permit--cheap!), let all the snow melt off and then bring it in and decorate it on Christmas Eve. —Pilar Wright, Hector and Gabriel’s mom

“My side of the family is French-Canadian, so we usually have a traditional French-Canadian Christmas, which means a handmade crèche (Nativity scene) under the tree. When I lived back home in New Hampshire, we attended Midnight Mass at church with my parents, then came home to tear into the presents and stockings. Another traditional food (which I should really learn to make for my kids) is the Yule Log, a rich chocolate cake shaped like a log, symbolizing the birch wood burned in the fireplace on Reveillon, a French-Canadian holiday party that goes on into the wee hours. We also look forward to several British holiday traditions, like Christmas “crackers.” Crackers are beautifully decorated paper tubes filled with goodies with two tied-off ends for pulling them open. To get crackin’, our family sits in a circle around the table crosses their arms, grabs an end of the cracker. One family member holds one end and the other holds the opposite end and 3, 2, 1 … Pull! Pop! Treats, toys, jokes and crowns come flying out of the crackers. — Kim Lachance Shandrow, Aiden and Kade’s mom

--Continued on page 7

“My family makes more than 500 tamales at Christmastime. We start on the Saturday before Christmas. For flavors we make carne de puerco (pork), dulce (sweet), chile con rajas (chile with peppers) and some soy ones for my vegetarian family members. All of my mom’s sisters and sister-in-laws get together and they make tamales for everybody, using over 120 pounds of masa (corn flour). Then we divide everything amongst all of our family. My aunt starts cooking the meat the night before, then we get there early the next morning and start preparing everything and don’t leave until two or three in the morning.” – Brenda Rivera, NCS Operations Manager

“Every year we sit down as a family and decide on what we’re going to cook for Christmas. Each year we try to cook something different, something new for everyone to try. Sometimes we have a traditional turkey. Last year my dad made chicken cordon bleu. My aunt makes tamales. Everyone stays awake all night, even the kids, waiting for midnight, for Christmas to officially come. We want to keep that tradition going for our kids. Sometimes they can’t help but fall asleep, though, and that’s okay, too.” — Veronica Baladev, Alfredo’s mom

“Wayne, Trixie, Frankie Mae and I will spend the break getting to know our newest family member, who will hopefully be born by the time this newsletter comes out. We celebrate Christmas, so after the baby is born, we'll put up the tree and stockings -- all the usual – maybe make some cookies. Our extended families are far away in the Midwest and on the East Coast and we really miss them around this time of the year. If we're feeling up to it, we might go away for the weekend—

The festive month of December is full of revelry and celebration spanning several different religious and cultural traditions. Over the holiday break, the New City family will celebrate an amazingly diverse array of seasonal traditions. So, in our own words, we give you this fun, enlightening snapshot of what some of us are doing (and eating!) as we celebrate our special fêtes and observances:

“Instead of Christmas, we celebrate Winter Solstice, the changing of the seasons, from fall to winter. I’m not exactly sure what we’re going to eat, but we are definitely having a feast. We exchange presents, mostly for the kids. We don’t do Christmas trees, but we do Native American Indian trees. It looks like a Christmas tree. It has basically almost everything the same, except it has an arrow on the top instead of a star. We put the tree up together as family.” —Sequoyah Hawk Jensen, student

“We celebrate Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. As for the food, it’s all about the latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiot (jelly donuts) and gelt (chocolate coins). The latkes and donuts are traditional because they are fried in oil and that ties into the story of Chanukah. Also, we're having an event at the Long Beach Jewish Community Center called “Chanukah Rocks” with a skate park, a rock concert and a teenage "Rock Band" contest. Plus, we light candles for eight nights and give gifts. — Cecelia Danziger, Daniel and Donna’s mom

Holiday Traditions – New City Style

Page 5 of 8

After the Holiday Break, the New City School students will be continuing to experiment with a new art medium: The Artist Trading Card (ATC).

The inspiration for Artist Trading Cards began over a decade ago in Switzerland and has since become a global movement. The idea is to create original pieces of art in many forms to be shared and enjoyed together as a community. The only restriction for these art cards is that they must be of standard card size (2.5 x3.5 inches).

So far at NCS, La Tierra Students have employed numerous techniques such as collage, tear art, pen & ink, and stamping & stenciling. These mediums were used to explore the theme of identity. Students were asked to think on several levels of existence from the individual, to human relationships, to world awareness, and finally to the universe at large. While El Mar students have so far used collage art to express themes of environmental awareness and

Calling All Artists, Parents of Artists, and Lovers of Art

peace and love.

Artist Trading Cards will offer NCS kids the opportunity to further explore the meaning of art. You can help by asking your children such questions as: What do you think Art is?  What makes art good? How do we know that we like some kind of art and not others? And: How can we say we don't like something in a way that is respectful of the opinions of others?

Following the break, students will have the opportunity to trade their cards during free time and in an after-school workshop on Mondays. The goal in trading these cards is to work within the ideas of the Second Step program and to help encourage students to communicate their views on art (and their willingness to trade with one another) in a manner that is considerate and thoughtful. Artist Trading Cards might also provide an inexpensive and original alternative to Pokemon or Uh-Gi-Oh trading.

In ATC Card Making, we will be asking the students to focus on themes of environmental awareness, social justice, and human rights for their cards. Our hope is that the students will find inspiration in the words of great leaders and movements that have worked toward making the world a healthier, more just, and more peaceful place to live.  We will also eventually be looking for opportunities to trade our cards with students

from other schools.Do you have talent or time to offer? We will need volunteers and guest artists to come and help after school. Do you have ideas or experience in mediums such as watercolor, acrylics, drawing, stitching, imprinting, embossing, Do you have knowledge of poetry, civil rights movements, folk wisdom, and so on that you would like to share for inspiration? Or do you just have time that you would like to spend doing art? Then please join us.

Do you have supplies to offer? If you have supplies such as stamps or stencils, crafts scissors, punches, glue, acrylic paints, pencils/erasers, markers, or index cards; or if you have collage materials such as maps, photos, postcards, music scores, postal stamps, poems, national geographic magazines, shells, beads, sequins, textiles, and so on, please send them with your child or deliver them to La Tierra teacher, Claudia.  

Finally, we would like to give the students an opportunity to put their work and dedication on display at Peace and Human Rights Night. So if you are willing to help out by mounting art cards and creating these displays, please let us know. 

Contact: Roberta Denis or Lisa Miller

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

Amnesty International - Letter Writing Campaign

Artist Trading Cards might also provide an opportunity to incorporate messages of hope to prisoners of conscience through the Amnesty International – Letter Writing Campaign.

Each month, Amnesty International USA’s Freedom Writers Network focuses on three different cases of victims of human rights abuse. Some may be prisoners of conscience -- people imprisoned solely for their beliefs, color, sex, ethnic origins, language, or religion, who have not used or advocated violence. Others may have been denied a fair and prompt trial, while others may have been tortured or “disappeared,” or may be facing execution. All are of great concern to Amnesty International. Personal letters from caring people can bring about a prisoner’s release, secure vital information, launch an investigation, or even save a life. Your letters can make a tremendous difference in the fate of these individuals.

If you are interested in taking part, more information is available at: www.amnestyusa.org/

The New City School Noticias

Everybody needs beauty as well as

bread, places to play in

and pray in,where nature may

heal and give strength

to body and soul.

~John Muir

Fieldtrips, are a fun and dynamic way to learn.These educational trips contribute to our children’s learning in many important ways.

At the beginning of the year we plan the different places that students will visit almost every Friday of the year. We do this based on each year’s thematic unit, e.g., insects, ocean habitats, birds and wetlands, etc.

We try to find places that are interesting and attractive to our children. We go walking, use public transportation or school buses, to give our students a chance to experience the different ways of getting around while bonding and sharing time

Ask José and Friends¿Can you please explain the importance of field trips at the New City School?

Page 6 of 8

with their teachers, classmates and the community.

It is common to visit the same place more than once in the same year to be able to compare the type of animals, vegetation and changes that can be found in that site, depending on the season. We also vary the activities we do in each fieldtrip: sometimes we simply walk, observe, listen, smell, feel, and share what each of us is experiencing. On other occasions we bring pencils, crayons, boards, paper, etc., to write, draw or do art.

Regardless of the method used, our children enjoy the fieldtrips and learn. The teachers and assistants are in charge of motivating the children so they don’t miss the details of what can

be appreciated during our trips; giving feedback related to the theme they are learning about in class, trying to always connect our school to our natural and social environment (community).

It is important to state that our students have this great chance to experience directly what they are learning about at school: they can verify that what they are learning in their classrooms is true, not just in theory or in stories we find in books. They can see for themselves it is real and figure things out on their own. This way learning becomes much more natural and fun.

Fabiola, Gabby, and José

In this month’s New City World Kitchen, the New City Noticias must print its first ever retraction. Last month we incorrectly gave credit to Lisa Miller for that delicious Banana Bread recipe when in fact the recipe was coming from Caroline Andersen. So, just to make sure that we are giving credit where credit is due, we’ve managed to convince Caroline to give us another whole recipe. Of course the benefit is all ours, as we share in the experience of Vegetarian Masa Tamale Filling.

We have numerous vegetarians and vegans in our community, so this recipe offers options for everyone.

3. Continue to beat for about 5-7 minutes or until the dough is a thick paste consistency.

Or,

If you're using oil, put the fresh masa in the bowl of the electric mixer and beat for a minute or two. Slowly drizzle in oil alternating with warm stock, about a cup at a time until it is all incorporated. Beat on high for 5-7 minutes or until the dough is a thick paste consistency.

**Stuff the tamales with whatever

Vegetarian Masa DoughIngredients:2 1/2 cups vegetable stock 2 cups butter, margarine, shortening, olive or corn oil, or any combination of these. (Caroline uses all olive oil)1 -2 tablespoons salt 5 pounds fresh unprepared masa

Directions:

1. If you're using butter, margarine, or shortening as your fat, beat the solid fats on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.

2. Alternate adding the fresh masa mixture with the warm stock, a cup or so at a time until it is all incorporated.

Day EventDecember 11 Community Council 9:00 & 4:00December 18 Peace and Human Rights NightDec 22-Jan. 9 School closed – Winter BreakJanuary 15 Tea with Ted & Stephanie 2:30-3:30

Communications Committee Meeting 3:45January 16 First Friday Fiesta!January 19 School closed – Martin Luther King DayJanuary 28 Multi-Cultural Book Club

Pine Avenue Library 6:00January 29 Tea with Ted & Stephanie 2:30-3:30

The New City School Noticias Page 7 of 8

Pine Avenue Monthly Community Calendar

We the Peoples of the United Nations…United for a Better World Declare

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood/ Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty/ Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person/ No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment/ Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law/All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law/ Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals /No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile/ Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal / No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation/ Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state/ Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country/ Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution/ Everyone has the right to a nationality/ No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality/ Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses/ Everyone has the right to own property/ No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property/ Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion/ Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers/ Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country/ Everyone has the right of equal access to public services in his country/ The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures/ Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization... of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality/ Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work/

HOLIDAYS (continued from p.5)

“The first half of Christmas Eve night we stay with my parents and the second half of the night we do a sleepover at my husband’s sister’s house.We always make tamales, either meat with red chile or queso (cheese) with vegetables.” — Johanna Nuñez, teacher

“I just moved closer to the school, so for the holidays it’ll be all new. We want to enjoy the new place we’re at, so we’re inviting my family, my wife’s family, well, our whole family, to come over and celebrate. My wife’s mom loves cooking. She says she’s going to surprise us. One traditional food that we love is a type of sweet bread, pan dulce. My mother-in-law’s awesome; she uses soymilk in the pan dulce instead of milk to accommodate me because I’m vegan.” — Jose Hernandez, teacher

“We make tamales over the Thanksgiving weekend, then we freeze them and cook them at my mom’s party the night of the Naples Christmas Boat Parade. We usually travel at Christmastime, but this year we’re staying pretty local. Other than going to Ensenada to see my husband Carlos’s family, we were thinking about maybe going camping. For New Year’s we get together with our friends for a big New Year’s potluck.” — Brooke Henry, teacher

“We’re having tamales and barbequed ribs this holiday and maybe some potato salad and the usual side dishes. We also make a traditional hot drink that everyone enjoys. We have a Christmas tree and love decorating it with Kemmish. — Jessica Uribe, Kemmish’s mom

“We’ll be here in Long Beach spending time with family over the holiday break. Then, over New Year’s, we’re going to spend a couple of days in a cabin in the woods with lots of family. Pecan pie and prune cake are some of the special foods we share. Prune cake is a spice cake, though I think it would be better to call it something like spiced plum cake so people are more likely to try it.” — Chris Phelps, teacher, librarian

“For my family, it’s all about the tree and the ornaments. We go to a small Christmas tree yard on Long Beach Boulevard to choose our tree together. We play hide-and-seek amongst the trees like it’s the forest. I still have all the homemade ornaments that the kids made in preschool, so we love putting those up, and grandma sends each of the kids a new ornament every year ever since they were born. Maggie’s got the little Winnie the Pooh book ornaments and Wylie has Spiderman and Hot Wheels ones.” — Tami Bennett, Maggie and Wylie’s mom

“We celebrate Solstice at our house (and a Christmas here or there with friends and family). We decorate a small tree with fruit and flowers and candles, we say a little poem honoring the dying of the light, and we offer a silent prayer for its fast return. I'm a New Englander by nature (even in this California climate) and recognizing the longest night of the year reminds us about the cycle of life: birth, growth, death and re-birth. We are also a fan of the Yule Log, though I have yet to perfect it. –Amanda Trefethen, Maggie Morey's mom

Happy Holidays (however you celebrate them) from the entire New City family to

yours! Many tidings of health, joy and abundance to you in the New Year.

Chag Urim Sameach! Ramadan Mubarak! Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Happy Kwanzaa! Buon Natale! Joyeux Noël! Mele Kalikimaka!

1230 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813

Phone:562-436-0689

Fax:562-436-0898

E-Mail:amanda@thenewcityschool.org

Do you have suggestions or comments regarding the NCS Noticias? Do you have a recipe to donate or a family that you think should be spotlighted? Email or drop us a note in the Newsletter Suggestion envelope in the binder in the front office.

Wishlists & Reminders

Harvest Mask Festival –2008

Family Fiesta – Teacher Appreciation Night

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and a

TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and a

TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

Johanna: 'Ants in the pants' game'Don't break the ice' game'Don't spill the beans' gamePencilsPens

Books in SpanishPuzzlesPencils

Debra baskets for bookspencilsChapter books in Spanish For the class pet : romaine lettucebaby carrotstimothy hay for guinea pigspine beddingClaudia:

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.