Report Graffiti

Keep our city graffiti free by reporting it if you see it.  You can either call 25-CLEAN (252-5326) or use the city’s new e-service online form. 

The City of Santa Clarita’s Graffiti Removal staff and a group of Rio Vista Elementary school students will be working together on Friday, March 28, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. to clean up the wash located behind Rio Vista.

The Rio Vista students will be painting over the graffiti in the wash as well as picking up trash. The grade levels of the students that are participating in the clean-up range from kindergarten to sixth grade.

It’s great to see these kids being proactive in the community and helping to keep it clean. 

Blue Barrel Waste Management

Something you need to know about Blue Barrel Disposal.

I recently heard through a mom on my daughter’s softball team that if I called Blue Barrel and asked for an extra recycle bin they would bring me one for free.

I thought that sounded too good to be true, but guess what.  It is true!

That’s right.  Blue Barrel will give you an extra recycle bin for free.  All you have to do is ask.  On top of that, did you know that you are give two (2) free bulk item pick ups a year?  Yep.  I found that out when I asked how much they charged to pick up this over sized beanbag that I want to get rid of.  The customer service rep said, "Oh there’s no charge! You get 2 free bulk item pick-ups a year."  Fantastic!

I love sharing good news especially when it’s good for the environment and can help keep our community clean.

Call Blue Barrel if you need more room to recycle!

661-259-2398 option 6. 

Tutoring Club

I signed my daughter up at the Tutoring Club located on the corner of Newhall Ranch and Dickerson.  (in the Eggs n Things center) 

I see this place every time I drive over to pick her up and when she needed help in Geometry it was my first choice, mainly for the location. So far I have been very pleased with the learning environment and the price isn’t that bad either. I paid $370 for 4 weeks / 8 1 hour lessons($50 was a registration fee). 

They are open from 2:30-7:30 and offer many subjects including SAT Prep.

Finals will be here before we know it, so if your kid is starting to need help, maybe it’s time to start thinking about getting them a tutor.

Check them out for yourself at their website.

Internet Safety Workshop

If you have teens they will most likely be finding their way on to the internet.  They might even already have a MySpace or Facebook profile. (Even though they haven’t told you.) 

There is a work shop available next Wednesday 11/14 at 6:30 for parents wanting to learn more about internet safety.

This is a free service brought to us by Mothers Against Sexual Predators and the SCV Council PTA.

This work shop will be held at North Park Elementary School on McBean and Sunset Hills. 

For more information you can email Lena Smyth.

Parent-Teacher Conference Tips

With fall rolling in, it’s that time of the year again for all parents to attend the ’sometimes dreaded’ Parent Teacher Conference. 

With some good planning, the conference can be productive and useful for parents, teachers and students.

Here are some tips for SCV moms and dads to make the most out of their parent-teacher meetings.

Plan ahead for the meetings and write down any questions you have about your child’s academic progress or any points you would like to raise with teachers.  Writing these down allows you to relax during the conference.  Sometimes, parents get nervous being there and leave a conference thinking, "Ugh I forgot to ask this question" or they are thinking of a question to ask instead of listening to what the teacher is saying.  Yep-that happens.

If your child has any medical conditions, this is the time (if you haven’t already) to inform teachers, as well as any significant events happening at home that might affect the student’s school life.

Ask your child if there is a particular issue or question they would like for you to discuss with their teacher - It is highly recommended that children are not present at parent-teacher conferences so the staff can speak freely about the student’s progress and behavior, however I disagree with this personally.  My son went to Tesoro Elementary for 6th grade and he was also invited to the conference.  It was the best conference I had been to and the most productive.

Here are some topics that you could bring up during a parent-teacher meeting:

• Test results, when are the tests given and when can you expect to see the grades.
• How much homework does your child get and how long should it take for them to do it?
• Is there a daily planner for you to look at and sign?
• What is the best way for you to communicate with your teacher? Email? Binder reminders?
• Child’s behavior and attitude in school and at home (are they related).
• How can you help your child to succeed?
• What else can the teacher do for your child? 

You should not leave your parent teacher meeting feeling like you haven’t learned anything or made any progress.  I would also advise that you schedule your meeting earlier if possible.  I can’t help but feel that it’s harder for the teachers towards the end to get through the conferences.  I mean we are all human after all and with 25 to 30 conferences, sometimes they can’t help but get a little loopy.

When talking to your teachers, remember that they have a difficult job, so please be courteous, however, they also have a responsibility to you and your child, so don’t allow yourself to be intimidated.

Good luck!! 

SCV Healthy Woman’s Day

Saturday October 27th from 9am-1pm at the Newhall Boys & Girls Club, women who are under insured or have no insurance will be able to take advantage of a great offer provided by the Zonta Club and the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center. 

There will be free breast exams and free cholesterol, diabetes, and blood pressure screening.

They suggest calling for an appointment. 

Newhall Boys & Girls Club

24909 Newhall Avenue

661-257-2339 

Business Workshop

Hosted by the COC Business Training Institute, this workshop seems like it be a great asset for business men and women in the SCV.  It is based on the FranklinCovey methodology.

I am a big fan of FranklinCovey and when I worked, I wouldn’t go anywhere without my Franklin planner.  

When: October 12, 2007 

For more information call 288-1004.