Tricia Hartline, Principal  Scott Martinez, Assistant Principal  Debbie Beveridge, PTSA President
Tina Rodriguez, Newsletter Editor  Terrie Stellern, Distribution
October/November 2007
FROM OUR PTSA
PRESIDENT…
Debbie Beveridge, 2007-08 PTSA President
elcome to the 2007-2008 year at
Foothills Middle School. Our PTSA
has already lent a hand to build a
solid foundation for a great future
. . . Scottie Days was a huge
success! After more years than
anyone can remember, Lisa Kelly organized her
final Scottie Days! As we have come to expect, she
did her usual fantastic job! On behalf of the PTSA,
I would like to extend a special thank you to Lisa
for all her years of dedication to this event. And, of
course, a big thank you to the numerous parent
volunteers and the HELP club members. We could
not have done it without you!
Ruth Lagace and Kristen Holtzen are still
working on the PTSA Membership Drive. Please
consider joining the PTSA community if you have
not done so already. PTSA provides quality
programs and events for our children, which add
to their educational experience. PTSA also helps
raise the necessary funds that benefit all of our
kids.
Yumiko Goto carries on as our fabulous Scrip
Chairman who loves to sell you lots of scrip. Scrip
will be available at each PTSA monthly meeting or
you can call Yumiko at 447-9661 to make a
purchase. Please remember to provide your Ralphs
and Vons club card numbers when you sign up so
Foothills can earn money every time you buy
groceries.
Hotline (626) 821-4685
Glenda Chi put on a wonderful First Day Coffee.
Thank you for getting up extra early and laying out
a wonderful spread. It was great to see many
friendly faces and to meet parents new to
Foothills. Glenda also chaired the Book Fair where
many great books were purchased by our families
to read and enjoy, from which 40% of the
proceeds will be used for the expansion of our
library’s book collection. Additionally, the Magazine
Drive chaired by Tess Crabtree and Elida Rao
will provide the funding for virtually all the
programs that the PTSA sponsors. This is our main
fundraiser of the year, so please buy and sell lots
of magazines!
Coming in October and November are many
exciting events including the first school dance,
Red Ribbon Week, Reflections, and the very
popular Magazine Drive Prize Day. Please consult
the calendar of events for the latest dates and
times.
This newsletter is a great source of information for
what is going on at Foothills Middle School so I
encourage you to read it. Another wonderful
source of information is the monthly PTSA
meeting. At each meeting, the Principal and Vice
Principal provide the latest information on what is
happening at Foothills. A member of the ASB,
typically the ASB President, fills us in from the
students’ perspective. Additionally, you’ll get to
visit with other parents, network, and socialize.
If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, please
feel free to contact me at home - (626) 446-9620,
at work - (626) 768-6209, or by e-mail at
dbeverid@eastwestbank.com. I look forward to
seeing you at our next PTSA meeting on October
11th at 8:45 a.m. in the Foothills Library.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Tricia Hartline, Principal
October
10
11
12
17
17
18
25
22-26
27
29-31
31
Music Club Meeting – 6:30
p.m., MS Music Room
PTSA Meeting – 8:45 a.m. in the Library
Chinese Club Meeting – 7:30 p.m. in the
cafeteria
Magazine Prize Day for 6th grade
School Site Council -- 2:45 p.m. Room
326
Magazine Prize Day for 7th & 8th grades
School Dance – 2:40 to 4:40 p.m.
Red Ribbon Week
Loara Band Review – All Day
7th Grade Science Camp at Pali Mountain
Halloween - Goblin Giveaway (Arcadia
Recreation Department)
November
2
8
8
8
9
12
14
15
17
22-23
26-30
26
Reflections Turn in Day
End of 1st Quarter – Minimum Day
PTSA Meeting – 8:45 a.m. in the Library
Footnotes Deadline (Dec. & Jan. events)
Staff Development Day – no school
Veterans Day – school holiday
Music Club Meeting – 6:30 p.m. FMS
Music Room
School Site Council Meeting – 2:45 p.m.
Room 326
Arcadia Festival of Bands - Band and
Drill Team – AM
Thanksgiving Holiday – no school
White Christmas
Intercultural Dinner – Arcadia
Community Center
December
6
12
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE…
School Dance – 2:40 to 4:40 p.m.
Music Club Meeting – 6:30 p.m., FMS
Music Room
13
PTSA Meeting/Holiday Brunch – 10 a.m.
location TBA
14
Chinese Club Potluck – 7:00 p.m. in the
library
19
Winter String Concert – 7:00 p.m.,
Cafeteria
20
School Site Council – 2:45 p.m. Room
326
24-1/4 Winter Vacation
The 2007-2008 school year is off to a great start.
We appreciate the tremendous volunteer support
and student/parent participation at our September
events.
This year, we are pleased to welcome the
following new teachers to our staff: Terri Lui and
Cindy Lee will be teaching 7 thgrade science and
math. Cindy is a graduate of UCLA and Terri
graduated from Cal Poly Pomona. Esther Park is
our new 8 th grade science teacher. Esther is a
graduate of UC San Diego. Makiko Van Haaster
joins the Foothills family this year from Hugo Reid
Elementary. Also joining our 7 th grade humanities
team is Jennifer Prince. We are thrilled to
welcome these dedicated professionals to our
staff.
We are very proud of our California Standards
Test results. This year, our API was 936,
exceeding our base of 930 by 6. This fall, we will
be reviewing our test data and the goals of our
Single School Plan for Student Achievement. Our
focus continues to be providing
students with a safe school
environment and an outstanding
educational
program.
Our
highest priority is to provide
engaging and meaningful work
that is based on the curriculum
standards.
An indication of our commitment to these areas of
emphasis is the recent staff development that was
held on August 28 th and 29 th. This year, we
provided staff development utilizing thinking
maps. Foothills teachers are committed to
working collaboratively with students and their
colleagues as they apply the new techniques they
learned at the recent workshops. We are very
proud of the teamwork and professionalism of our
faculty and staff.
It was wonderful to see so many parents at Back
to School Night. I encourage you to continue to
take an active role in your child’s education. It is
very important to maintain a strong home and
school connection. The staff and I look forward to
working with all of our students and their parents
this year.
A MESSAGE FROM
OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL…
HELPFUL
INFORMATION
Scott Martinez, Assistant Principal
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you
to a new year at Foothills. It is an outstanding school
with an incredible staff, strong academic programs
and offers a wide variety of experiences for students.
There are a number of extracurricular activities and
clubs available to students. These are designed to
help students make a connection to their school,
develop friendships, and learn new skills.
Information about these activities appears in the
daily announcements and is available in the office.
Dances are one of the most popular activities at
Foothills and the first one is scheduled for October
25, 2007, from 2:40 p.m. – 4:40 p.m. Students need
to be picked up immediately after the dance ends.
At Foothills, we are constantly looking at ways to
make our campus a safer
environment for students.
Traffic is an issue that impacts
student safety at Foothills. By
following
a
few
simple
guidelines, our student safety
can be increased.




When arriving at campus in the morning, please
pull as far forward in the parking lot as possible
before dropping off your student. This will allow
as many cars as possible to enter the parking lot
and reduce the traffic congestion on Sycamore
and Second Ave.
When waiting to pick up your student after
school, please do not block the driveways of our
neighbors or park on their property.
Please remember that Oakhaven Ave. is not to
be used as a drop off or pick up site for your
student.
As a reminder, students who are walking to
school should cross Highland Oaks and walk on
the south side of Sycamore. This allows students
to cross major intersections with crossing guards
at both cross walks. This also improves the traffic
flow before school on Sycamore.
I look forward to working with you and your students
this year. If I can be of any assistance to you, please
do not hesitate to call me at (626) 821-8363 or email me at smartinez@ausd.net.
FOOTHILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Traffic Guidelines
2007 - 2008
The following information is designed to improve
traffic flow for our students and parents and
community members. Please read these guidelines
carefully. If you have questions, we encourage you
to call the school. Everyone is responsible for
following these guidelines.
DRIVERS




Drivers who wish to enter the Foothills Middle
School parking lot (a.m. only) must enter via the
East driveway (at Second Avenue).
Eastbound, northbound and westbound traffic
will be permitted to enter the parking lot.
Exiting traffic must make a left turn only out of
the parking lot onto Oakhaven Avenue.
We encourage and recommend, for safety
reasons, that NO cars use Oakhaven.
PEDESTRIANS


Pedestrians crossing Sycamore Avenue must use
the East crosswalk at the intersection of
Sycamore Avenue and Second Avenue.
Pedestrians will not be permitted to cross
Sycamore Avenue using the West crosswalk.
Pedestrians crossing Oakhaven Avenue must use
the crosswalk at the corner of Sycamore and
Oakhaven Avenue.
BICYCLE RIDERS

Bicycle riders must walk their bikes on the
sidewalk on the North side (school side) of
Sycamore Avenue. Helmets are required by law
for all bicycle riders under 18 years of age. Bikes
must be parked and locked in the bike compound
located at the East end of the school, between
the Day Care Unit and the East wing.
TRAFFIC CONTROL
CHILD DROP OFF AND PICK UP
Your child should not arrive on campus before 8:00
a.m., unless they attend a “0” period class. Upon
arrival students are to proceed to the covered lunch
area where supervision is provided until 8:25 a.m.
MORNING DROP OFF




When pulling into the front parking lot, please
pull your car as far FORWARD as possible before
unloading students.
Please watch for pedestrians crossing in the
parking lot crosswalk.
NEVER park in the no parking zones.
Do not drop off student on Oakhaven.
AFTERNOON PICK UP






Dismissal time is at 2:40 p.m. on regular days
and 12:15 p.m. on minimum days.
The school’s front parking lot is CLOSED to
through traffic after school.
Students may be picked up in the front of school
along Sycamore Avenue.
Do not pick up and drop off students on
Oakhaven.
Students should be picked up no later than 3:00
p.m. each day, unless an activity or class
requires them to stay later.
There is NO school supervision after 3:00 p.m.
each day.
Foothills PTSA Membership is
over 100%!
Thank you to all of the families, teachers and staff
who have joined our Foothills PTSA. The PTSA raises
money for our school and provides many valuable
programs that benefit all of our children.
The easiest way to support the PTSA is to become a
member – and it’s not too late to join! Just stop by
the school office and fill out a form.
Ruth Lagace & Kristen Holtzen
Membership Co-Chairmen
Music
Club
Mr. Morton, our Music Director, has a wonderful year
of music enrichment planned for our Band and
Orchestra students. The community and all Foothills
families are invited to our concerts and parades, so
watch the calendar on-line.
There is a dedicated group of volunteers who have
been working hard all summer long to be ready for
our marching and concert seasons. However, the
Music Club is still in need of several parents to
volunteer for key jobs in order for this year to run
smoothly. We are in need of a 6th grade orchestra
parent to organize volunteers, a publicity chair, a
year-end concert chair, a fundraiser chair, and two
assistants to help Mr. Morton two times a week in the
classroom. Please consider supporting our dedicated
Director and joining the many other parent
volunteers in running this extensive and enriching
Music Program. If you wish to volunteer, please
contact Sonal Shah, Music Club President, at (626)
422-8199 or kshalmd@pacbell.net.
DID YOU KNOW
Did you know…that the Arcadia Unified School
District (AUSD) is committed to providing a safe and
healthy education environment for our kids?
Did you know…that this year, AUSD has been
proactive in improving nutrition and eliminating sodas
and high fat/sugar foods on our campuses as well?
The school lunch offers a high quality blend of fruits,
vegetables, protein, grains, and milk served as
nutritious, student-approved meals. Candy and soda
have been removed at all schools. These factors,
along with the rising costs of gasoline, all products,
labor, and the comparative costs of fresh fruit and
vegetables have made it necessary to increase the
prices of school lunches. AUSD is doing its best to
provide you with the best lunch value at $4.50 for
lunch or $0.50 cents for "milk only."
Foothills will be participating in Red
Ribbon Week from October 22-26. This
year's theme is: "I Tune Out Drugs."
The Red Ribbon symbolizes life with
choices at every turn, including choices
about drugs, alcohol, and smoking.
Your future is tied to what you choose
today. Don't tie it up with drugs,
alcohol, or smoking. Wear your Red
Ribbon all week to show your pledge for
good choices. Remember: tune out
drugs, and your life will stay in tune!
P.S. If you can help decorate, please
call:
Diane Tran (626) 446-1295 or
Regina Capra (626) 303-2863
REFLECTIONS – 2007-08
"I can make a difference by..."
It's time to show everyone just how talented the students at Foothills really are! The
Reflections program is now underway with this year's theme: "I can make a difference
by..." We will accept applications in the areas of Literature, Visual Arts, Musical
Composition, Photography, Dance Choreography, and Film/Video Production through
November 2nd. Enter in as many categories as you would like.
We will be awarding prizes in all of the categories plus all
participants will receive something special! Participate and
enjoy expressing yourself creatively in the arts! Pick up your
application form at the school office today!
Special thanks to the Duarte Wal*Mart, Westfield Santa
Anita, the Duarte Target, AMF Bowling Square, Krikorian
Premiere Monrovia Cinema 12, Blockbuster Video, Dave &
Buster's, Jamba Juice @ Whole Foods, B.J.'S Pizza and
Brewery, Baskin-Robbins (Arcadia and Hastings Ranch,
Pasadena), Islands Restaurant, and the Arcadia
McDonald's for all their
donations!
Please contact Diane Tran at
aug11dday@aol.com or (626)
446-1295 if you have any
questions.
Foothills Dances
Our first dance of the school year is fast approaching and will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2007, from 2:40
p.m. – 4:40 p.m. We have four dances each year. The dates for the remaining three dances will be announced
shortly.
Dances provide a fun opportunity for parents to see students in action at FMS, as well as to hear the latest music
and see the new dance moves. We need 10 to 12 chaperones per dance and 12 to 14 parents to provide
refreshments including cookies, brownies, Chex mix, etc.
Thanks to all the parents who have already volunteered. To join the fun as a chaperone and/or to help provide
refreshments, contact Farah Ahmad at (626) 355-6734 or farahnazahmad@yahoo.com.
BUY SCRIP!! SUPPORT FOOTHILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL!
GROCERY SCRIP: Cash and checks accepted
Arcadia supermarket
__ x $100
__ x $25
=________
=________
Total =
99 Ranch
__ x $20
__ x $10
=________
=________
Total =
Safeway
Pavilions/Vons
__ x $100
=________
__ x $25
=________
__ x $100
__ x $50
Total =
Total =
Whole Foods
=________
=________
Grocery Scrip Total $__________Check #____________ Please make checks payable to A.E.F.
NATIONAL SCRIP: Cash and checks accepted
Borders
Smart & Final
___ x $25
=________
___ x $50
=________
___ x $10
=________
___ x $25
=________
GAP/Old Navy
___ x $25
Total =
=________
Starbucks
___ x $25
=________
___ x $10
=________
Total =
Arco Gas Card
___ x $50
=________
Best Buy
___ x $25
Bed Bath & Beyond
___ x $25
=________
Jamba Juice
___ x $10
Bath & Body Works
___ x $25
Total =
=________
=________
=________
Macy’s
___ x $25
=________
Total =
AMC ($25), California Pizza Kitchen ($10), Chili’s/Macaroni Grill ($20), Honey Baked Ham ($25), KFC ($5), Outback
Steak House ($25), and TJ Maxx/Marshalls ($25) are available.
National Scrip Total $___________Check #____________Please make checks payable to A.E.F.
(payment by check can be combined with above)
How to order:
1. Call Yumiko @ (626) 447-9661 or e-mail ygoto@earthlink.net
2. Yumiko will call to make arrangements for getting your scrip to you.