Please mark your calendar for these events:

 

March 1

 

March 4

- Young Authors Publishing Event, grades 4-6

 

March 5

                - Talent Show meeting, Cafeteria, 1:15-1:45

- Dance team practice, 1:15 on stage

 

March 8

- No School, Teacher Work Day

 

March 9

- Homework Help Night, 5:30 in Library

 

March 10

-          PTC meeting, 6:00-8:00 in Library

 

March 11

- “Free to Be” School Wide Assembly

- Talent Show Practice, 2:40-3:20

- Young Authors Publishing Event, grades K-3

 

March 14

 

March 15

- SSC meeting, 3:00 in Library

- Homework Help Night, 5:30 in Library

 

March 18

- Talent Show Practice, 2:40-3:20

 

March 19

- Dance team practice, 1:15 on stage

- Movie Night, 6:00-8:00 in cafeteria

 

March 22          

- Homework Help Night, 5:30 in Library

 

March 25

 

March 29          

- Homework Help Night, 5:30 in Library

 

March 31          

- Spring Picture Day

- Talent Show Practice, 2:40-3:20

 

 

Dear Bunker Families~

 

 As you may have noticed, safety is an important value for those of us who work at our wonderful school. Brain research has shown that we need to feel safe in our environment in order for the “thinking” part of our brain to work as it should. Very simply put, it we don’t feel safe, we are not able to learn.

 

Over the past few months we have worked hard to make the parking lot and our playground safe environments for our students. Since January, our newsletter has provided you with information about our parking lot safety changes. This month, I’d like to share with you what we have done this year to make sure our playground is a safe place for children to run, play, visit, and grow.

 

·          First day assemblies were held for every grade level during which rules and expectations were reviewed by me; those rules have recently been reviewed in classrooms as a part of class meetings.

·          Our “Talk it Out” curriculum is a part of every school year. Ask your child to tell you what an “I Message” is.

·          Every staff member has been issued a fluorescent vest that they wear while on duty around campus. Students can easily find this person if the need arises.

·          Progressive discipline, from the half-sheet Student Citation to more serious, formal Suspension is used by teachers and me as needed (see page 23 in the Bunker Elementary School handbook for details).

·          Campus Monitors have had formal meetings with me to review expectations and discipline practices; on-going brief meetings occur as needed

·          Observation by staff of recess games and a removal of those activities which tend to lead to most injuries (i.e., football)

 

Our objective as a school is to have a “Bully-Free Environment” in line with our “zero tolerance policy” of harassment. Although harassment can happen at any age, it is more likely for us to see it occur in the 4-6 grade classes. For that reason, I have conducted these activities with upper grade classes only:

·          November “Harassment Presentations” in each classroom during which I shared the “California Laws for Minors” and our Suspension form (which details the suspendable forms of harassment, from bullying to sexual harassment) with all students. I described the forms of harassment, our zero tolerance policy towards harassment, what self-defense looks like on a public school campus (hands in a protective position, running away, calling for help), what to do if a student believes they are being harassed, and our “bullying reporting system” (private talk or note to teacher, private talk or note to me, at the very least, telling a parent who then notifies the teacher or me)

·          Late last month I held a lunchtime meeting with a group of 4-6 grade students who provided me with ideas for “how to make our playground safe.” Those articulate students helped us see the world from their perspective and gave us a couple of new ideas for supporting their safety. Our next staff meeting focused on these students’ input and planning for classroom follow-up discussions.

 

This month our entire school will attend age-appropriate “Free to Be Me: Creating Bully-Free Communities” assemblies presented by Soul Shoppe, who has worked nationally to support the safety of all students on our school campuses. These assemblies support our goal of increasing the number and variety of tools students need in order to effectively deal with teasing, name calling, harassment, and bullying, and to ensure that they grow to be part of a caring community. Speaking of name calling, students who engage in “habitual profanity or vulgarity” are subject to suspension, as well.

 

As always, our interest is seeing that students become part of local and world-wide solutions, rather than a part of the problems. You will also notice our newsletter including articles on the topic of student safety for the next few months. Safety is what I wanted for my own children and I know it is what you want for yours. Please contact me if you have information you would like to share or questions you have about safety at Bunker.

 

Michele Brynjulson

Principal

 

 

The following two articles are from the National Association of School Psychologists newsletter.

 

 

·          Has my child ever been accused of being a bully at school or elsewhere?

·          Has my child gotten into trouble for fighting (physically or verbally) with other children at school?

·          Does my child become easily frustrated when he does not get his way? Is my child defiant or oppositional?

·          Who are my child’s friends? How does my child interact with others? Have I witnessed my child with other children? Is she dominant or aggressive?

·          What does my child do with spare time? What are my child’s hobbies?

·          Does my child speak about other children as “stupid” or use other negative terms to describe others? Does my child talk about certain children “deserving” bad things to happen to them or showing little concern for others in bad situations?

 

 

 

If you discover that your child is bullying others, it may be difficult to accept or understand. Here are some suggestions:

● Become familiar with the anti-bullying policy at your child’s school. Discuss school rules and behavior expectations with your child. Ensure that your child understands what behaviors are acceptable and what are unacceptable.

● Find out exactly what it is that your child has been doing. What has your child been accused of doing? What does your child admit to doing?

● Talk to your child, calmly, about why such behaviors are being engaged in. It is important that you not approach your child in an accusatory or confrontational tone. Your child may be experiencing social or emotional difficulties that are difficult to handle. Some children may feel pressure to participate in bullying behavior in order to fit in with peers or avoid being bullied themselves.

● Explain to your child why bullying behavior is unacceptable. Attempts should be made to explain how bullying affects others (victims, bystanders, school climate).

● Discuss alternatives to aggressive behavior with your child. Role playing may help some children to understand how it feels to be bullied. Teach your child some alternatives to aggressive behavior such as asking for help, respecting others, and showing tolerance for those who are different. Praise your child for using alternative, appropriate behavior. Acknowledgement of desirable behaviors will serve as a reward for your child and encourage the use of such behaviors in the future.

● Establish rules regarding aggressive behavior. Explain to your child that there will be consequences for these types of behaviors, such as losing privileges (consequences should be non-physical in nature). Implement non-physical consequences consistently when rules are violated.

●Ensure appropriate adult supervision at all times. Be aware of your child’s involvement in activities inside and outside of school. Make certain that adequate adult supervision is present in every situation.

● Report any incidents of bullying behaviors to school officials, even if your child is the one engaging in those behaviors. This teaches children that they are accountable for their own behaviors. Engage school officials’ help in monitoring and addressing these behaviors. This will show your child that you will not tolerate such behavior, and that you want to help your child avoid it.

● Seek outside help. Dealing with bullying behavior is difficult. Your school’s psychologist, counselor or social worker may be able to offer additional suggestions or work with your child to change behavior.

 

 

It was a short two days after January 18 that I was approached by several students at our wonderful school who had ideas for helping the earthquake victims of Haiti. Sixth-grader Ken A. led the movement with his “Pennies for Haiti” suggestion. Bunker’s success last year with “Pennies for Peace” was Ken’s inspiration, and six friends were his planning and implementation committee: sixth graders Jordan M., Lauren Y., Jessica N., Jacob G., David F., and Nikki B. Within three days, Ken had assembled and labeled plastic jugs for each of our twenty-two classrooms and placed two five-gallon water bottles on display in our office. Ken made certain that daily announcements were made as a part of the Cougar Cub Pledge and over the next two weeks  saw that his team collected the coins each Friday. By Friday, February 5, our school had donated $908.00 to support the Red Cross efforts in Haiti through Ken’s “Pennies for Haiti” program.

 

Following this effort, three fifth-grade students led by Mariah C. and one third-grader, Seth A. met with me and asked if they could plan a Bake Sale for Haitian Relief. Henna B. and Alexandra L. baked delicious items as well. We scheduled the sale as a part of our evening February 10 LHS Science Event and the students went to work, gathering friends and family members to bake away and help with selling at the bake table. That evening the students showed up with goodies and decorative lights and signs. The sale netted $184.45 for the Red Cross. When the totals were announced on Friday, February 12, 2010, there were some very proud students, teachers, and parents.

 

Last, but certainly not least, a team of three Bunker sixth-graders, led by Yasmine R. including Makeez H. and Ashi K. developed a Valentine’s Day Canned Food Drive to support the LOV Newark program. Students made flyers, had them translated and then brought boxes to each classroom. Over the course of the shortened week prior to Valentine’s Day, these girls collected 13 boxes of non-perishable items that were donated to help feed local families who struggle during these hard economic times.

 

Bunker is proud of its student leaders who model the values that we cherish at our school: compassion, respect, and an interest in sharing the goodness that we have as a community with others in need.

Bravo, Bunker students! Job well done!

 

Michele Brynjulson

Bunker’s Proud Principal

 

 

 

e-Waste Recycling Event @ Bunker on Saturday, April 17. 

This is the day our PTC has set for Bunker’s first electronics recycling event. We need volunteers for this morning event; please contact Rudy Padre at rudypadre@comcast.net if you can help us out!

Then, remember to set aside the old for this event when replacing TVs and computer monitors. These “collectables” are particularly valuable for this type of fundraiser. Thanks for your support!

 

 

 

Thanks for all your support of our upgraded parking lot process! At our last Staff Meeting, one teacher shared, “We love the parents who are driving all the way into the parking lot in the mornings, even when we don’t wave our arms at them!” J

·Do pull all the way forward. If you are the first car, you can be up as far as the end of the cafeteria building by the fire hydrant water source.

·Do pull around the small yellow bus and park in the open spaces along the curb in front of the bus.

·Don’t get out of your car to assist your child. Call one of us over to help your child out of the car. If you must leave your car, pull all the way past the entrance to the Cafeteria and park next to the hydrant.

·Don’t let your child out in the parking lot driving lane. 

 

Our School Site Council (SCC) met this month to begin the process of updating our Single Plan for Student Achievement and make decisions about more interventions for our students. Ms. Beall and Mrs. Vilkins, of our fourth grade team, presented a plan for before-school intervention for nine of their students. Our second grade team was represented by Mrs. Abbott who shared their grade level plans for during school intervention for our second grade students. 

 

We reviewed our school budget and Mission Statement, and decided to change our meeting day and time to the third Monday of the month from 3-4 pm. Council meeting agendas are posted on the front windows of our school three days prior to our meetings; meetings are held in our school library.

 

 

We have exciting news! We made $161.00 dollars within the first two months of starting our new S.H.A.R.E.S card program.  We need more parents to get their cards and start shopping at Lucky's and Food Maxx.  It's an easy way to support Bunker.  Please pick up your card in the office from our wonderful office staff.  They just need your name and you're ready to start helping Bunker School.
Our eScrip program needs you! Please go online and register your Safeway card at www.escrip.com and click on "1-Sign-Up".  If you already have a card go online and click on "YES RENEW!"  You must renew your card every year to help Bunker continue to earn money for eScrip.

Please contact us if you have any questions on either of the two wonderful programs!

Robin Kawabata                                        Mei Mei Choy
all4lalakers@yahoo.com                    meingai@gmail.com

Outstanding Citizenship: Raquel C.

Academic Achievement: Priscilla Z. Alvin L.

Outstanding Effort: Brionn B.

Outstanding Citizenship: Juan C.

Academic Achievement: Naveen N.

Outstanding Effort: Joshua L. Catie L.

Outstanding Citizenship: Sierra T.

Academic Achievement:  Lyndon C. Kaitlyn K.

Outstanding Effort: Danny R.

 

Outstanding Effort: Natalie K., Kaeleigh T.,

                                     Dalina P.

 

Outstanding Citizenship: Evan D.

Academic Achievement: Mia S.

Outstanding Effort: Alexis M.

Outstanding Citizenship: Eber A.

Academic Achievement: Brenda P.

Outstanding Effort: Tatiana S.

 

Outstanding Citizenship: Harneet M. 

Outstanding Effort: Sydney I.  Jeremiahjames Y. 

 

Outstanding Citizenship: Payton H.

Academic Achievement: Isaiah R.

Outstanding Effort: Jacob A.

Outstanding Citizenship: Felicity P.

Academic Achievement: Aaron A.

Outstanding Effort: Neel L.

Academic Achievement: Noelle A.

Outstanding Effort: Sanju B. Ryan B.

 

Outstanding Citizenship: Andrew A.

Academic Achievement: Ariana S.

Outstanding Effort:  Nathan M.

 

 

Outstanding Citizenship: Madeline K.

Academic Achievement: CJ. R.

Outstanding Effort: Wahidur R.

Outstanding Citizenship: Anders L. and Samantha L.

Outstanding Effort: Arti N.

 

Outstanding Citizenship: Destiny T.

Academic Achievement: Karanvir D.

Outstanding Effort: Rachel J.

Outstanding Citizenship: Katrina Le H.

Academic Achievement: Ben T.

Outstanding Effort: Sierra G.

Academic Achievement: Jennilyn T. and

Outstanding Effort: Megan C.

 

Outstanding Citizenship: Mena S.

Academic Achievement: Sheila T.

Outstanding Effort: Kaleo D.

Outstanding Citizenship: Jasmine A.

Academic Achievement: Yasmine R.

Outstanding Effort: Sandeep D.

Outstanding Citizenship: Ken A.

Academic Achievement: Hannah H.

Outstanding Effort: Jordan M.

 

 

Outstanding Citizenship: Amber R.

Outstanding Effort: Kenrick D.