A SMALL SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH BIG IDEAS SEPTEMBER 2009

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Our Mission 

We will provide a thoughtful, healthy, intimate environment

in which communitybuilding 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.

The New City NoticiasBack to School !

Welcome Back! It’s that time again. Time for new beginnings. Time to experience the excitement of new students and new members in our community. Time for renewed energy and a renewed commitment to make this year even better than the last.

Of course, last year might be difficult to top. Our community really came together to build a fabulous new playground and garden at the Pine Avenue Campus. What a welcomed sight it was for students on the first day of school to arrive at a space so bright and beautiful--and for them to know that so many had helped make it possible.

Parents and teachers also came together last year to strengthen the reading program and to lead the students in art projects like Artist Trading Cards and our stunning new mural (designed by el mar students). We fundraised for the Las Montanas students to go to Washington D.C. and we sent our La

Tierra kids to camp at Camp de Benneville Pines. It was a year of many successes and a demonstration of the commitment of parents and teachers to work together to make the New City School mission a reality.

So what’s next? This is a challenging year due to the harsh budget cuts from the State of California. But now that we know what is possible when we all come together, is there any limit to what we can accomplish? This is the time when we find ourselves thinking about what we want to get out of this upcoming school year. So come and share your ideas with the NCS Community Council or leave a note in the suggestion folder in the office. There is also a list of volunteer opportunities detailed here in the Noticias. and available for sign-up in the office. We firmly believe that everyone here has something to offer, so please help make this year at New City School an extraordinary one.

A SMALL SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH BIG IDEAS SEPTEMBER 2009

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Dear NCPS Community Parents,

Welcome back! I hope your summers were filled with new experiences and a lot of laughter. For those of you who are new to the school, welcome to the NCPS family. I look forward to getting to know all of you and your children throughout the year.

During the next two months, I am going to hold a number of Open Houses for all of you to become more acquainted with each other, as well as NCPS staff, Board of Directors, and community leaders. We are fortunate to have so many people committed to making NCPS the best that it can be.

Our dedicated and passionate NCPS community is particularly important as the state continues to slash the public education budget. There

is no way to get around the fact that we are bracing for a tough year financially. We will need to scale back, just as all schools, families, and businesses are doing. And we will need to work together more than ever before.

Our number one priority is to maintain small class sizes and our excellent teaching staff: we do not want to sacrifice the individual attention that helps students thrive. To do this, we will need to be more resourceful and creative as we continue to provide your children with a superlative, well-rounded education.

While we all know that standardized test scores are just one way to measure student success, we are proud to announce that NCPS students’ test scores increased this year. And our teaching staff is stronger than ever: 85% of teachers are returning, compared to 73% nationally and 60% in urban schools. Four new teachers, chosen from nearly 200 nation-wide applicants, are joining our team. And we are excited that Stephanie and Brenda will also be returning to the classroom

full time. It is going to be an exciting year.

I look forward to working with all of you this year. I feel lucky to work with such incredible families, and am grateful for all that you do to make New City Schools such a special place.

Best, Ted HamoryExecutive DirectorNew City Public Schools

A Word from Ted HamoryNew City School Co-Founder and Executive Director

NoticiasTable of Contents

..............NCS Volunteer Opportunities 3

...................................Family Spotlight 4

.................................Who’s Who Quiz? 4

..................................................As José 5

......................................Got Recycling? 5

................................NCS Student Page 6

................What New City Means to Me 5

........................New City World Kitchen 7

................................Pine Ave Calendar 8

....................Academic Calendar Dates 8

.......................................Drop-Off Plan 8

................................................Wishlists 8

A SMALL SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH BIG IDEAS SEPTEMBER 2009

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Volunteers Needed at NCS

Our experience last year with KaBOOM and the building of our playground taught us a lot about the power of organization and delegation. It is true what they say, “Many hands makes for light work.”

Here at NCS we have many hands and the work to be done is both fun and valuable.Below you will find three categories for volunteering here at the New City School: Event Planning, Organizations, and Academic Support. Please consider signing up for as many opportunities as possible. Sign up sheets are posted on the bulletin board outside the office.

EVENT PLANNING

Here you will find opportunities to volunteer for specific roles at one of our monthly events at New City Pine Avenue.

There are Three Main New City Events. Three different ‘Chair’ positions have been created for each of these the larger Signature New City Events. These volunteers will be responsible for over-seeing the planning of the entire event and hold coordination meetings with the other volunteers Would you like to co-chair with someone? Get a friend to join you.

There are Seven Friday Fiestas These events are more impromptu and require far less planning. Each Friday Fiesta typically has some fun and free entertainment theme. In the past, we have had such things as Movie Night, Game Night, and Salsa y Salsa. We welcome any new ideas for performances or activities that fit within the mission statement of the school. Signing up for a Friday Fiesta responsibility (like food or clean up) is an easy way to take part in a New City Event without a long-term commitment.

ORGANIZATIONAL VOLUNTEERS

The following positions, for the most part, are monthly or weekly commitments.

Little StoreLa Tiendita is a fundraising table set up at the gate every Thursday in order to sell baked items, snacks, and other goods. This is a weekly commitment for two volunteers to handle the sales and one volunteer to help organize the goods to be sold.

Gardening & Yard Maintenance We now have a beautiful garden and playground that requires regular help to keep it looking so good. We need one volunteer a month to do occasional work as needed with our yard volunteer coordinator.

Newsletter /Communications CommitteeThe New City Noticias is a monthly newsletter detailing events and developments here at the school. Writers, photographers, and translators are needed to bring it all together. Looking for an outlet for creative expression? Have ideas about how the school can get its information out better? Join the Communications Committee.

New City School Multi-Cultural Book ClubDo you love to read and have lots of ideas about how a book club should be run? Volunteer now to organize and publicize monthly meetings of the book club. Books must be available in both English and Spanish and should seek to provide a different cultural perspective each month.

Teacher Appreciation CommitteeWe love our teachers and try to make a showing of it as often as possible. In particular, we provide a table of delicious food for them on the final prep day before the student-led conference of each trimester and also organize a special Friday Fiesta in their honor. Volunteer to help us show our love and appreciation for all that they do. Pine Avenue Liaison

Throughout the year there will be joint New City Fundraising Events such as Friday Fiestas, Ice Skating nights, Serena Serpentina (the Fire Dancer event), the Teacher’s Carnival, and so on. We need a volunteer to help facilitate participation in those events by meeting with representatives from the Long Beach Boulevard campus and the New City Development Director and making sure that Pine Avenue is providing all the support that we can.

Other Possibilities….• Are you a web master?• Would you like to edit the New City World

Kitchen cookbook?• Are you handy at replacing window glass or

good at tile setting? • Would you like to edit a New City Yearbook

as part of an elective in the Spring of 2010?• Do you like to bake?

Sign up in the office if you have other skills to offer.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS

Part of our mission here at the New City School requires that “the families and the 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.” In order to develop a partnership that truly understands the needs and interests of the students, the parents must be willing to take part as much as possible in the on-going activities of the school.

Academic Support CommitteeThis committee was created last year to help the school stay true to its mission and to provide support and oversight on curriculum matters. This year they will also be tasked with managing Room Parents toward the goal of providing as much parent involvement in the classroom as possible.

Room Parents Two parent volunteers (one Spanish-speaking and one English-speaking) are needed from each homeroom to help facilitate volunteer support and communications for that classroom.

Field Trip/Presentation CoordinatorsBecause of state-budget cuts, funding for field trips this year will be restricted to primarily local venues. To supplement this loss we would like to form a committee of volunteers who can scout out future field trip locations, or can facilitate “in-house field trips” by bringing speakers and performers into the school that will enhance the curriculum.

A SMALL SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH BIG IDEAS SEPTEMBER 2009

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MATCHING QUIZ:Who’s Who on the Staff

at NCS?

A. She is a Co-founder of the New City school who has recently returned to the classroom as a La Tierra teacher at the Long Beach Campus. She is also a really good sport about having pies thrown at her.B. He is an essential member of the Pine Avenue school staff. He keeps the school looking good and the garden growing. And he’s also a regular spitfire on the soccer field, who can often be spotted scoring goals on the kids at lunch time.C. She is an organizational genius who is lightening fast with a band-aid. She can answer your questions, field phonecalls, answe email, and fix the copy machine--all at the same time.D. He is the unflappable Director of NCS Pine who is always generous with his time and who keeps our students happy, thoughtful, and on track.

1. JOSÉ HERNANDEZ

2. STEPHANIE LEE

3. DON HECTOR

4. DAISY VERDUGO

Answers on Page 8

This month’s spotlight kicks off the new school year with an introduction to a new face in the lunch line. Norma Suarez is this year’s parent hired to help serve lunches at the Pine Avenue campus and she is also generous with her time as a volunteer at breakfast over at the new site for Las Montanas and Colegio students. Make sure to give a Norma a great big welcome and hello next time you see her here at Pine Avenue.________________________________

Tell us the names of the members of your family and about your children here at New City School.Hello, we are the Suarez Family. The members of our family are: My husband Luis Suarez Torres, my daughter Luisa Concepcion Suarez, my son Luis Alfredo Suarez, and me, your friend, Norma Angelica Suarez. My son Luis is in Las Montañas

Where do you live now?We live in Long Beach.

Where did you live before coming to Long Beach?Prior to moving to Long Beach, we lived in Compton for 19 years. We decided to move here since both of our kids attend school in Long Beach.

How did you learn about NCS and what made you send your kids here?We learned about NCS while riding the metro on our way to drop off our daughter at school. We saw the Long Beach Blvd campus and it sparked my

interest because it looked like a small school, and that is exactly what I wanted for my son. I decided to ask and I was directed to Daisy at the Pine Campus. Daisy was very courteous and helpful and she told me that I would be receiving a call to confirm Luis' spot. Soon after, I received the call from Jose, and since then Luis has attended NCS. We are very happy because we know that our kids are happy in their respective schools. We felt very welcome at the parent orientation. Speaking with Daisy and Jose about what the New City School would offer my son inspired our decision to enroll him.

What does your family do on weekends?

We love to go out together as a family, to have fun and spend quality time with our kids. We like to visit zoos. Everyone in our family enjoys seeing the animals and learning about their natural environment. We also like to go to the beach and take walks, especially since during these trips, Luis has the opportunity to share with us many things he has learned at NCS.y

What languages do you speak at home?My husband and I speak Spanish. Our kids converse with each other in English, but speak Spanish to us.

What's your family's favorite meal?Our favorite family dish is tamales with pork and green chile, however, each one of us has a personal favorite: My son Luis loves green chile or mole enchildas My husband's favorite is "chiles rellenos" (cheese stuffed green chiles)My daughter Luisa's favorite is milanesa chicken (breaded chicken) and salad

Tell us something we don't know about your family that might be interesting?We would like to share with the NCS community a very special moment in which we felt very proud of our daughter and family. In 2007, Luisa was the winner of a beauty contest in which she represented Los Angeles County.

********

NCS FAMILY SPOTLIGHT: THE SUAREZ FAMILY

A SMALL SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH BIG IDEAS SEPTEMBER 2009

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Ask JoséWhat are the students at New City School going to be studying this year?

Welcome New City School Families to the 2009 – 2010 school year!

Summer is always an amazing time to make memories through fun experiences and time together. I hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer filled with many great family moments. It is with immense pleasure that I welcome all of our returning students and families, and give a special warm welcome to the new students and families joining us this year.

This school year promises to be filled with excitement, familiar teaching faces, a brand new garden and playground, and great learning experiences. In preparation for this school year, our New City School teaching teams have planned together and collectively will implement units of study that our students will find educational and fascinating. Because of this, you will notice a high degree of consistency within each cluster [or pod], from daily scheduling and team teaching to rubric development and evaluation of student work.

These are a few highlights of what’s ahead for our school year:

Along with their science state curriculum, El Mar (K-1-2) and La Tierra (3-4-5) students will also explore urban wild life habitats [with a focus on gardens and bugs] throughout the year. In addition, both El Mar and La Tierra will continue to use a communication and guidance program called, “Second Step.” This is a research-based program that integrates academics with social emotional learning. La Tierra will, furthermore, set on a journey to learn about California History. El Mar will look closely at communities and families, as well as, explore the lives of extraordinary people from history whose achievements have touched us all, directly or indirectly. These are just some things that await us this academic year. If you are interested in learning more about your New City School, drop by every week to visit the teachers during their open-office times.

La Tierra Open-Office Time - Thursdays 3:45-4:15El Mar Open-Office Time - Tuesdays 3:15-3:45

We are all very excited to begin this wonderful year with your child – please join us.

Got Recycling?What's that you call trash? Here at New City, we think of it as treasure. Two years ago, we launched our successful recycling program and brought in needed funds for our school! Money earned from your recycled water bottles, aluminum cans, glass bottles and other CRV containers went directly toward programs and projects at Pine Avenue.

We'd like to keep up the trash-to-treasure program going. New City Dad Hector Cepeda, has generously volunteered his time and effort to sort and haul the goods to our local recycler, for the last couple of years. Thanks, Hector! And thanks to all the families who bring in their recyclables from home -- and those who collect them from

neighbors! -- for donating their time and trash to the effort.

Here are some tips on how to make recycling easier, more efficient and more profitable:

What to bring in:Remember, we don't take everything, but we do take all CRV items.

PLASTIC BOTTLES (water, soda, juice, milk) Please divide clear plastic (water bottles, sport drink bottles) from cloudy plastics (like milk jugs).

ALUMINUM CANS Bag these up separately from plastic bottles and glass.

GLASS BOTTLES (no jars) If possible, divide clear glass from colored glass.

What to recycle at home: Please, no paper, tin cans, foil, or pie plates. We don't get money for it, so it lightens the load to take care of those items at home.

Our Recycling Center got a new paint job last year and is now looking very sharp over in the corner near the vegetable garden. Thanks again to everybody for making our school greener (environmentally) and greener (financially!).

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NCS ROVING BOOK REPORTER

Owen Sweeney, this month’s intrepid book reporter set out to learn what La Tierra Students are reading. Here is what he found out.

Cassidy Buck is reading “Warriors, The Darkest Hour.”

What does Cassidy like about her book? “Everything!”

********Aiden Shandrow is reading“The Best Halloween Ever”

Aiden says he likes this book because it has a lot of details about a family who is wild and makes trouble.

Enrique Campos is reading “Superfudge” and likes the book because it is “super funny.”

********

Ethan Chisholm is reading “The Pocket Guide to Mischief” and likes it because it tells him about good pranks.

********

Eric Lopez is reading “Rodrick Rules” and loves the book because it is “really funny”

********

And what is Owen himself reading? “The Mysterious Benedict Society.” Which he says is “an awesome mystery with strange characters.”

NCS Student PageType to enter text

El Mar Artists Prepare for the Harvest Mask Festival

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First, I would like to say that I feel very fortunate to work at The New City School because I have fun, have great moments and they even pay me for it! At this school we’re all like one big family. We all get along really well and my coworkers have always been very supportive when I’ve needed them. As a mother and member of this school, I feel satisfied knowing about the learning process of the students, because my daughter is also a student here. Little

by little I see how our little Kindergartners become our big, experienced and mature La Tierra students.

It makes me proud to be able to contribute to the students learning, as small as my contribution may be. Day by day I try to give the students the best of me, so that together with the teachers we can provide the students the quality education that they deserve.

To me, The New City School is my home, my family, and the place where I can be a professional. It is a place where I have made friends, a place where I am greeted with smiles every morning and, even though some moments can be difficult, I would not change my profession. When I reflect at the end of each day, the student’s smiles stay with me and I am filled with energy to start all over again.

This is my absolute favorite dish for so many reasons: it is delicious, easy, healthful, inexpensive, beautiful, and has infinite possibilities. I follow this general recipe, adding and substituting ingredients based on what I have on hand – it’s different every time and always scrumptious.

Couscous is made from 100% whole wheat – it is very popular in Morroco, Greece, Cyprus, and the Middle East, and prized for its nutty flavor. You can buy it in a box at local supermarkets; Trader Joe’s has an especially good version for about $3.

This dish can be served hot or cold, as an entrée, side dish, or on top of salad. It holds well in the fridge, so can be made in advance and makes great leftovers. And you can compost almost all of the scraps! Enjoy!

• 2 cups 100% Whole Wheat Couscous, cooked

•Olive oil•Garlic, 2 cloves, peeled• 1 lb tomatoes, chopped• 1 bag of spinach, baby (if not, chop

slightly)• 2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced• 1 medium zucchini, sliced and half-

mooned• 4 oz tofu, fresh and firm, diced into ½”

cubes• 1 oz fresh mint, thinly sliced• 1 oz fresh basil, thinly sliced• 1 oz fresh cilantro, thinly sliced• 1 -15oz can of chick peas [garbanzo

beans], rinsed• 20 olives, pits removed•¼ cup pine nuts• Juice of 1 lemon• Salt and pepper

1. Cook Couscous according to directions on box and set aside

2. Using non-stick pan and 1.5 tablespoons olive oil, sauté tofu, red peppers, and zucchini until lightly browned. Set aside.

3. Rub a large mixing bowl with a garlic clove, chop & add to bowl

4. Add to bowl: 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, salt & pepper

5. Add tomatoes and spinach6. Add hot, cooked Couscous and stir to

mix until spinach is wilted7. Add tofu, red peppers, and zucchini,

and stir to mix8. Add herbs, olives, pine nuts, and chick

peas to bowl and mix well9. Season with more olive oil, salt and

pepper and lemon juice to taste

A Delicious New Recipe from Kim Ward,Our New City School Director of Community Relations

What the New City School Means to Me by Fabiola Soria, NCS Teacher’s Assistant

Fabiola (left) with friend and regular NCS substitute teacher, Nayyely Gonzalez

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ANNOUNCEMENT:Teachers now have

Open Office HoursEl Mar Tuesdays 3:15-3:45

La Tierra Thursdays 3:45-4:15

NCS Pine Avenue

Community CalendarWishlists & RemindersDATE EVENT

September 18th La Tierra - Downtown NurseryEl Mar - Community Walk

September 23rd Back to School Night 3:45

September 25th Friday Family Fiesta - Welcome Back Potluck 5:30-7:30

September 26th New City Public School Board Meeting, 7:30 a.m. LBB Campus

October 14th Community Council Meeting 2:30

October 16th Friday Family FiestaMovie Night 5:30-7:30

November 4th Fall Harvest Festival

December 18th Peace and Human Rights Night

2009-2010 Calendar Dates

November 11Veterans Day - No Classes

November 23&24First Trimester Student Led ConferenceNovember 25-27Thanksgiving Break - No Classes

December 21-January 8Holiday Break - No ClassesJanuary 18Martin Luther King Day - No ClassesFebruary 8Lincoln’s Birthday - No ClassesFebruary 15Washington’s Birthday - No ClassesMarch 30Second Timester Student Led ConferencesMarch 31-April 9Spring Break - No ClassesMay 31Memorial Day - No ClassesJune 21 &22Third Trimester Student Led Conferences

Elizabeth's Class Wish List• Insect books • Puzzles• Marker• Playdough

Debra's Class Wish List:• curtain rods • curtains or material for curtains• digital camera (for student use

during Science)

matching quiz answers:• A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1

Claudia's Class Wish List• curtain rods • dark material for curtains

Also Parents...Please do not drop off your children at the office door if the gate is still open.