Excerpts from The Hall Weekly Bulletin - October 1, 2007 : Volume 13:06
Calendar		Principal's Message
This Week Friday, October 5 • 5th Grade Wrapping Paper Sale Ends • 8:30-10am | Parent Ed Lecture | Hall Library | Development of Middle Schooler Saturday, October 6 • 3-7pm | Neil Cummins Hoedown Upcoming Thursday, October 11 • 7:30pm | Parent Ed Lecture | NC Staff Room | Hold on to your Kids Friday, October 12 • 3-5pm | Chalk Festival | Hall Blacktop Thursday, October 18 • 8:30-10:30am | Parent Ed Lecture | Hall Library | Internet Child Safety • 3:30-5pm | School Site Council Meeting Tuesday, November 27 • 7-9pm | Foundation Appreciation Night | Corte Madera Rec. Center		PowerSchool Portal Based on parent and student survey data, communication between school and home has been a focus area for the Hall staff for the last several years. Last year we made significant progress in addressing concerns about knowing what daily assignments are, with most of the Hall teachers using yourhomework.com or maintaining a website so that students have a backup to their Binder Reminder once they are at home. In our effort to further improve communication and increase the number of students who feel that they know how they are doing in class, we are excited to announce the opening of parent and student access to PowerSchool.  As you may know, the Larkspur School District adopted PowerSchool as its student information system several years ago. We use this web-based application to record student data, including grades, attendance and discipline.  Many teachers also use a component of PowerSchool called PowerGrade as their grading program. The login and password your family receives will allow you and your child access to portions of PowerSchool. From any web browser you and your child will be able to see their attendance data and grade information.  If your child’s teacher uses PowerGrade as their grading program you will be able to see grades for individual assignments and tests. This system is an effective way for students and parents to have increased awareness of how they are doing in class and to monitor progress over time.  It is a valuable resource, especially when students are actively involved in their own education. Grade information for students whose teachers are using PowerGrade will include updated information as the teachers enter it. While this will provide more frequent information, it is not intended to offer “real-time” grading information. There will always be some lag time between students turning in assignments and the grades being reflected in the grade book. Teachers will continue to regularly update their grades and at a minimum, all teachers will be entering a grade for each quarter. Because fifth grade teachers use a separate grading program based on standards, only attendance information will be available for fifth grade students. In backpack mail today you will receive a Use Agreement.  Please read and sign it, have your student read and sign it and return it to school.  Once we have your signed form on file, we will be sending you your login information. Access to your child’s grades and attendance through PowerSchool is another form of communication with teachers, but more importantly, it is a means to help all of us in our efforts to support your child’s education. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this new resource. - Daniel Norbutas - Hall Principal
		School News
		Lifelong Learning in Larkspur Parent Ed Program Begins! Don't miss any of the informative parent education programs coming in October.  The first of our new Heard It At Hall lectures presents  Dr. Virginia Bassi, PhD., a noted Marin psychologist who will speak on Friday, October 5 from 8:30-10am in the Hall Library.  Dr. Bassi will discus "what to expect from your middle schooler", focusing on the developmental phases and emotional lives of 6th-8th graders. The second lecture will feature   Todd Sarner, co-director of Transformative Parenting.  Based on Dr. Gordon Neufeld's book Hold On to Your Kids, this program will be held on Thursday, October 11, immediately after the 7:30pm Neil Cummins PTA meeting in the NC Staff Room.  Learn how parents can assert themselves as the primary influence in kids' lives over peers and popular culture. Officer Steve DeWarns' presentation on Internet Child Safety is an eye-opening experience.  A parent program will be held on Thursday, October 18 from 8:30-10:30am in the Hall Library, followed by a 5th Grade Student Assembly.