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Nicasio School 5555 Nicasio Valley Road Nicasio, California 94946

662-2184 662-2250 office@nicasioschool.org www.nicasioschool.org

Nicasio School News

Summer 2012 School Resumes Tuesday, Aug 21st

Spotlight on Monica Snell

Specialist Shares Her Passion for the Performing Arts

By Monica Snell, Performing Arts/PE Specialist

I began ballet/

pointe, tap and modern dance training when I was eight years old. After a couple years, my love for the theatre grew, and

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From the Principal

W hen I was hired six years ago as Principal of Nicasio School,

Marin Shakespeare was providing a weekly drama class to our students. Although this was a popular program, there was a strong desire among our families that their children have music training. This prompted elimination of the drama program four years ago and the addition of the Orff-inspired Music Program. During these past four years, Amanda Hahn has taught our students how to listen to and play music, work cooperatively to create music, and the importance of move-ment and rhythm. At the same time, the desire for a drama program has never left our school community. The unfortunate reality is that we simply cannot afford two separate programs. With that said, I am highly optimistic that our new Performing Arts Program will satisfy our drama and music enthusiasts alike by incorporat-ing all four elements of the performing arts: dance, music, theater, and visual arts. Monica Snell, who is trained in this field of study, has enthusiastically accepted the position of Performing Arts Specialist for the 2012-13 school year. In addition to teaching a one-day-per-week class, Monica will prepare our K-8 students for two annual performances: the Winter Holiday Program and Open House. Monica’s new position of Performing Arts Specialist will be in addition to her existing role as PE Specialist. She is delighted to have discovered that the performing arts and physical education learning standards overlap in several areas, which will enrich her instruction in both programs. Wishing you all well as we prepare for another great school year! Best wishes,  Christy Stocker

Graduating Class of 2012 Receives a Festive Farewell

T he Nicasio School community packed the MPR on Monday, June 11th to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2012. The four graduates (pictured

above, front row, l-r) were: Sophia B., Sam M., Lisset P. and Zion W. They were joined by their proud parents (back row, l-r): Mr. & Mrs. Banta, Mr. & Mrs. Mina, Mrs. & Mr. Padilla and Mrs. & Mr. Wallach. Congratulations, grads, and best wishes to you in your high school endeavors!

Performing Arts /P.E. Specialist Monica Snell.

Fall Campus Cleanup Saturday, Aug. 18th

Starting at 9am

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Middle Schoolers End Year with Field Trip to Safari West and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom By Colin Williams, 6/7/8 Teacher

T he Nicasio Middle School spent June 4th and 5th celebrating at Safari West in Santa Rosa and at Six Flags Discovery

Kingdom in Vallejo! Our trip began with an overnight stay at Safari West—an actual wildlife refuge that features a variety of animals from (surprise!) Africa. Prior to the trip each student was responsi-ble for researching and reporting upon two different animals. Stu-dents prepared an oral report and a PowerPoint presentation. The students then acted as their own docents at Safari West.

We began our safari experience with an indoor animal presentation by “Bonnie”. Bonnie’s career is devoted to furthering human understanding of the plight of some of the world’s most endangered animals. Up close, we were able to see a fennec fox,

an ocelot, a jennet, and a giant yellow python (and many more). We were literally inches away from these wonderful animals. Our actual “safari” came next. We broke into two groups and piled into two giant 4x4 jeeps. Students took turns riding on the roof! For two hours we weaved our way in and out of massive paddocks that housed among others: giraffes, blue wildebeest, zebras, cape buffalo, oryx, rhinos, bongos, ostriches, and so many more! It was a wonderful experience. The students were fantastic and provided everyone with a wealth of information throughout the tour! After dinner we were led to the lake where we witnessed the feeding of some extraordinarily large catfish. We spent the following day racing from ride to ride at Discovery Kingdom. Among the favor-ite rides were Medusa, Boomerang, and White Water Safari! For many of the kids, this trip marked the first time that they went on Medusa (a very fast and very exciting roller coaster). They were all very supportive of one another and it was wonderful to see everyone so happy! I would like to specifically thank our fantastic chaperones: Dorothy Drady, Susan Banta, Kim Wallach, and Greg Baldwin. Special shout outs to Dorothy and Susan who both went on Boomerang! Wow! This trip would not have been at all possible without all of the hard work by Christy Stocker and Mikki McIntyre. I am always so very grateful for their paperwork diligence and for their professional and friendly support! At last, I would like to thank all of the families at Nicasio School. Your kindness and support are so appreciated. Our end of the year field trip was a blast and I know that the kids really enjoyed it! Peace!

I began taking voice lessons, which led to performances in various plays and musicals. This passion blossomed into a fond love and deep understand-ing of theatre arts. I received my bachelor’s degree in theatre arts, with an emphasis in musical theatre. After college, I worked for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and led tours of NBC. Having developed a passion for the Bay Area, I followed my heart back to San Francisco, and found work as an actress and stunt woman at Six Flags Marine World. I then decided to try my hand at teaching and was hired as both the props mistress at Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco and as a stage-manager for the American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) School’s perform-ances. I also had the opportunity to perform in various musicals around the Bay Area, and even body-doubled for movies such as Star Wars Episode 2 while working as a digital painter for Industrial Light & Magic. Then my sweet husband, Jason, and I decided to begin a family. I took a little break from the theatre world and decided to fulfill a life-long dream of opening a flower business, Stems. Now, with two children - Winter and Luna - at Nicasio School, I currently enjoy teaching Physical Education

and look forward to sharing all I have learned over the years about theatre. Since theatre is my ultimate passion, I am

thoroughly pleased to accept my new role as the school’s Performing Arts Specialist.

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N icasio School is most fortunate to be embraced by a

community that gives so generously of its time, talents and resources for the benefit of our students. Whether we managed to catch you in the act (of giving) or not, please know that EVERY KINDNESS shown to our students, staff and school is deeply appreciated. Among those to whom we extend a heartfelt thanks:

Brian Walker: Inspecting and replacing campus lights & ballasts

Ismael Gutierrez - Inverness Gardening Service: Tree pruning & removal

Dave Goelz, Jack Kuhn & Rob Winkelmann: Ongoing work on MPR stage lighting & audio enhancement project

Students’ Creativity Shines in Judy Timmerman’s After School Art Class  

B eautiful watercolor-collage pieces created by members of Judy Timmerman’s after school art class were on display in the office for all to enjoy during the last few weeks of the school year. Among the young artists and their exhibits were

the following:

By Laura Rogers, K/1/2 Teacher

O ur end of the year field trip was so fun for all. The

anticipation of this event (talking throughout the school year of where we might go) made it a success before we even arrived! We chose the Oakland Zoo, whose mission is “to inspire respect for and stewardship of the natural world, while providing a quality visitor experience”. The first part of our day was in the zoo classroom. Our young, ener-getic instructor was knowledgeable and her presentation was age-appropriate. The lesson followed the theme of “enrichment” helping the children understand that zoo animals need more than food, water and shelter, just like them. They brainstormed things they like to have in their own bedrooms - toys, stuffed animals, games, pictures, TV, music, etc. The instructor then related these items to what the zoo animals have

in their habitats for enrichment, stimulating their five senses. She led the tour of the zoo animals (birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals) giving thorough information and asking the children to find the enrichment items. Everyone was engaged and attentive with excellent behavior, and the instructor especially noted how well the students line up! After debriefing back in the zoo classroom, we ate lunch and visited the petting zoo.

K/1/2 Class Tops Year Off with Oakland Zoo Visit

Nicole C.

Russell P.-M.

Tino V.

Ellierose J. Jasmine G.

Ashley W.

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T he final day of the

school year also served as the final Music Program performance by K-8 students under the direction of Music Specialist Amanda Hahn.

The spirited performance included a school-wide song and dance in which all students and staff members participated. That was followed by a special song which the students sang as a thank you to all the staff members who were seated on stage. During an exchange of parting gifts, retiring teacher Elaine Doss received a ukulele and Amanda was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a gift certificate in apprecia-tion for her dedication, inspiration and leader-ship as the school’s Music Specialist for the past four years.

Thank you , Amanda, for filling our school and our hearts with such joyful music. We will miss you!!

MUSIC NOTES

Amanda Hahn leads K-8 students in song with help from son Owen.

The entire student body sang a special song of thanks to the school staff.

Joya C.-R., Maxine M., Olivia B. and Amy K.

Amanda receives farewell gifts from Principal Christy Stocker on behalf of the school.

Amanda & Owen Hahn.

The entire school community joined in on the final Music Program dance performance on June 12th.

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T he mood

was somber and the information sobering on June 7th when grades 7 & 8 students delivered their Drug Abuse Research Project presenta-tions. The audience, comprised of community members, parents, staff and students in grades 5-8 was rapt as students in Christy Stocker’s 7th & 8th grade Language Arts class handed out brochures they created and gave infor-mative oral presentations about various drugs. The purpose of the project was to raise awareness about drug risks, warning signs and treatment options.

The final presentation was delivered by Christy Stocker, who relayed her own personal story of the tragic death of her brother, Chris, due to drug addiction. At the end of the question & answer period, audience members and program

participants viewed the display which Christy provided of mementoes and personal effects of her brother.

Research Project by Grades 7 & 8 Reveal Sobering Realities of Drug Abuse

Eighth grade student Sam M. presents his report on marijuana.

Christy Stocker shares her tragic family story.

Students view mementoes of a life cut short by drug abuse.

Abridged journal entries by Phoebe B., Ashley W. and Jamie K. Day One: We, the 3/4/5 students, were jumping with excitement as we staggered and scrambled into the cars which were to transport us to the Sierra Outdoor School (SOS) in Sonora for our end-of-the-year field trip. It was a beautiful day, the sun was a glowing yellow and scorch-ing hotter every minute, and the sky was as blue as a bluebird soaring in the sunrise. As we pulled up to the parking lot of the SOS, we were as excited as when we left Nicasio, if not more. After lunch, we hopped in the cars and drove down to Columbia. We saw the oldest remaining buildings of the gold rush town, and we also took a walk through the grave-yard. After our trip to the graveyard, we walked down the main historic street of

Columbia and bought souvenirs such as arrow heads, some gold flakes, a pendant and candy which was from old recipes of the 1800s. After dinner we ambled to the hoedown, where we danced the chicken dance and the limbo. We then saw a one-man play called Friendly Fire about a 49er, who befriended the Indians and tried to save them from the white men’s violence. Day Two: On day two Andrew, one of the staff from SOS, talked about the tools that the 49ers used to mine for gold. We saw the huge pans that they used to pan for gold, and we also saw a real pick head that a 49er really used in the 1800’s. After lunch an-other docent took us to an Indian camp. She took us to three long tubs of water and sand with little flakes of gold mixed in. She gave us some pans and she taught us how to pan. “Scoop, rinse, swish, agitate and repeat.” Then we moved on to other mining devices. After dinner we were tired and we were in our bunks and lights out by 9:00 pm. Day Three: On Wednesday, much to our contentment, we were allowed to sleep in

until 7am. We had a special breakfast of pancakes and ham smothered in sweet, sticky maple syrup. We were scheduled to go to Moaning Cavern to pan for gems and to view the ancient stalactites and stalag-mites growing in the cavern. We panned for our jewels with a piece of screen in a wood frame. We started our tour in a small build-ing with a display case that exhibited arti-facts found in the cavern, such as the skull of a small girl who had fallen in the natural opening to the cavern, Miwok beads, and bones and teeth from a few unlucky animals. There was also a fenced-off hole that led down into the cavern, the same opening that the miners had originally used to descend into the cavern and mine. Our guide ex-plained that the Miwok believed that an iron giant lived in the cave, and that it would eat them if they hiked to close to the edge. Our docent led us down a rock tunnel with wooden stairs. When we arrived at the bot-tom we were amazed by the beautiful, deli-cate crystals that had been growing there for thousands of years. Everyone agreed that the field trip to Sierra Outdoor School was among our favorite field trips of the year.

Elaine Doss’ 3/4/5 Students Relay Tales of Adventure from Field Trip to Gold Country