The NuggetNugget

News from the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools Office February 2010 Holly Hermansen, Superintendent

News & Notes ... Nevada County Reads Events • Feb. 22: “Origami in the Classroom” workshop for 6th annual Nevada County Reads will teachers and art docents with Connie and Paul Harrar, focus on Japanese-American themes 3:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the NCSoS. $10. RSVP: 478-6400 ext. 212. See Page 3 for more details. The Nevada County Superintendent of Schools Office • Feb. 24: Nevada County Reads Kick-off event at and Nevada County Library have chosen the novel “Snow the Stonehouse Restaurant, 5 p.m. Light Japanese refresh- Falling on Cedars” by as the 2010 book ments, a scene from the play, Taiko drumming perfor- selection for the 6th annual Nevada County Reads. mance. Free. Location: 107 Sacramento St., Nevada City. Nevada County Reads is a countywide literary event • March 3: Origami Night, 7 p.m. at the Madelyn involving schools, libraries, book reading groups, book- Helling Library. Professional storyteller Ruth Stotter tells stores and the general public. It principally encourages tales and shares origami and itodori (string figures) for a reading and discussion of quality books. Students, teachers family audience. Free. and other community members are encouraged to read and • March 9: Book Club event, 7-9 p.m. at the Madelyn discuss “Snow Falling On Cedars,” which is geared for high Helling Library. Discussion of the NCR selection “Snow schoolers and adults. The novel is a compelling account of a Falling on Cedars.” Book clubs also share their history, murder trial on an island in Puget Sound. It also deals with book selection process and rituals. Free. racial prejudice toward Japanese-Americans post World War • March 18-April 10: Community Asian Theatre of II. the Sierra presents a stage adaptation of the best-selling A class set of “Snow Falling on Cedars” is available for novel “Snow Falling on Cedars” at the historic Nevada loan to high school classes from the NCSoS on a first-come Theatre. Various show times. School student matinees are basis. Contact Nikki Johnson at 478-6400 ext. 201. March 26 (sold out), April 1 and April 2, 10 a.m. More In conjunction with this Asian-American story, Nevada info: www.catsweb.org County Reads also encourages middle schoolers to read the • March 26: Friends of the Library Fund-raiser per- award-winning memoir “Farewell To ” by Jeanne formance of “Snow Falling on Cedars,” 8 p.m. Nevada W. and James Houston. “Manzanar” recounts one family's Theatre. A talk-back and audience Q&A session with the hardships amid other Japanese-Americans imprisoned dur- cast will be moderated by Paul Harrar. $20-advance; $25- ing World War II at the infamous internment camp in door ($15-$20 for students). Info: 265-1407 or California's . The book selection for K-5 students is “Sadako and the • April 24: Japanese cooking class taught by Wendy Thousand Paper Cranes” by Eleanor Coerr. The 1977 non- van Wagner, 5-7 p.m, at In The Kitchen, 648 Zion St., fiction book tells the story of a girl, Sadako Sasaki, who Nevada City. Learn to make miso soup, vegetable tempu- lived in Hiroshima at the time of the bombing and devel- ra with dipping sauce, veggie sushi rolls, marinated kale oped leukemia from the radiation. While in a nursing home, and hijiki salad. $45. Enroll: or 478 0669. grant her the wish to live. Nevada County Reads events will begin with a celebra- tory “Kick-Off” event Feb. 24. Events continue through school schedules. The cost is $2 per student. April. (See events calendar at right.) Available on-site “field trips” include: • Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy Imaginarium workshops come to schools (Grades 3-6) As promised, during restructuring, the Imaginarium • Magnetism Workshop (4-5) has hit the road and wants to come to your classroom. • Electricity Workshop (4-5) Imaginarium staff is available to make site visits lasting • How Airplanes Fly (4-5) approximately two hours. Start times are 9 a.m. or noon, though these times are somewhat flexible to accommodate See News & Notes, Page 2 2 News & Notes, continued from Page 1 Turners receive SNMH Foundation humanitarian award On-site programs are being enthu- Longtime NCSoS School siastically received by both teachers Health Services Coordinator and students. Hennessy teacher Wendy Sharyn Turner and her husband, Nelson writes, “My class truly learned dentist Barry Turner, were the a great deal and loved the hands-on recent recipients of the annual learning. …We certainly love you as a Humanitarian of the Year Award “traveling show.” by the Sierra Nevada Memorial The Imaginarium is working with Hospital Foundation. Chico State University to teach hands- The Turners have helped orga- on workshops for grades K-3 and new nize and/or participated in over 20 workshops for 4-6. If you would like to humanitarian missions to Mexico, be part of the pilot program in April Nepal and Uganda. Their work has and May, please contact the included providing dental care, Sharyn and Barry Turner in Nepal Imaginarium. polio vaccinations, care for HIV To schedule a visit to your school patients, delivering eye glasses and providing health education. Next year, the or participate in upcoming new pro- Turners will provide health care in Papua, New Guinea. grams, contact the Imaginarium at 478- The Turners say that working in Third World countries allows them to 6400 ext. 231 e-mail . Also, for more news do in Nevada County. It keeps them excited about their professions. and info check out the Imaginarium’s “Finding your passion might be one reason for your existence on Earth,” new web site: www.imaginariumnc.org said Sharyn Turner. “We want to discover what we are good at.” The hospital foundation's Glaister A. Dawkins Humanitarian Award was Art & Science field trips created in 2002 to recognize western Nevada County residents that have made humanitarian contributions at a global level. The hospital foundation’s mis- resume at Bridgeport sion: “To nurture the spirit of generosity and volunteerism of the community, The Nevada County we focus our philanthropic efforts in fostering quality healthcare of the highest Superintendent of Schools Office's Art standards for Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital.” & Science Field Trip program resumes this March through May at the Bridgeport State Park on the South ca.us>) to inquire about dates, or to two hours. Tickets are $5 for the 10 Yuba River. Interested teachers are provide input on the educational needs a.m. shows. Seating is limited to 85 encouraged to make a field trip reser- of your class. people. vation in the next month to ensure The park also offers its own field Additional performances are at 7 having the date they need for this low- trip program with volunteer park p.m. Feb. 11-13 and 18-20, and at 2 cost, local outdoor learning experience. docents leading students on nature p.m. Feb. 13 and 20. The program is geared to meet sci- walks. More information about this For reservations, call Rob Metcalfe ence standards in grades 3-5, but other program can be obtained by calling at the NUHS Drama Department at grades are welcome. Hands-on learn- Becky Quigley at 432-2546 from 11 a.m. 273-4431 ext. 2102. ing about the interconnected flora, to 4 p.m. weekdays. fauna and watershed hydrology/geol- Origami storyteller wants ogy will be combined with simple art Char lotte’s Web at NUHS to visit local schools making such as field sketching. Nature Student groups are invited to songs and games also are taught by Nationally renowned storyteller attend special student matinee perfor- and Japanese-style arts teacher Ruth experienced outdoor educators. All mances of Nevada Theatre Theatrical students receive a field journal for their Stotter is available to perform and Society’s winter production, teach in schools several days around scientific investigations. “Charlotte's Web.” The 10 a.m. student The spring program will include March 3. Stotter gives 50-minute story- matinees are Feb. 16-18 in the Black telling performances and teaches chil- study of wildflowers and insects, tak- Box Theatre (room A-1) located on the ing advantage of the park’s spectacular dren about origami, making string fig- Nevada Union High School campus. ures (Itodori) and becoming story- floral show. Adapted for the stage by Joseph Field trip hours are generally from tellers. She also gives teacher work- Robinette from the book by E.B. White, shops. She is interested in working 9:30 or 10 a.m. to 1 or 1:30 p.m., includ- “Charlotte's Web” tells the story of the ing a lunch break. One or two classes with students and teachers in grades irresistible young pig, Wilbur, and the K-9, including special ed classes. may attend the same day. Trips may be friendships that keep him alive. scheduled Wednesday-Friday. The fee A Marin County resident, Stotter is The student production is suitable in Nevada County to perform for an is $5 per student and does not include for all ages, but is especially appropri- transportation costs. Call or e-mail ate for ages 6-10. The running time is Paul (478-6400 x 212,

First 5 Strengthening Families workshop physical education teachers, classroom teachers, administra- First 5 Nevada County will host a free workshop titled tors, instructional aides and secretaries. “Strengthening Families by Building Protective Factors” Thursday classes in 2010 are Jan. 28, March 25, April 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 4 in the Community Room at the May 27, June 17, July 8, Aug. 28, Sept. 9, Nov. 11 and Dec. 2. Madelyn Helling Library in Nevada City. Saturday classes in 2010 are Jan. 30, Feb. 20, March 13, April “Family strengthening” is the new language to describe 24, May 15, June 26, July 17, Aug. 19, Sept. 18, Oct. 30, Nov. the field of family support. This evidence-based framework 20 and Dec. 18. was developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy Thursday classes are 3 to 7 p.m.; Saturday classes are 9 based in , D.C. It highlights five protective fac- a.m. to 1 p.m. tors that help prevent child abuse and neglect while The cost is $30. Reimbursement receipts are available. strengthening families and communities. The five protective Pre-register by e-mailing Nikki Johnson at factors are: parental resilience; social connections; knowledge of parenting and child development; concrete support in times of need; and social and emotional competence of chil- Real world algebra workshop March 18 dren. Warren Schnack and Clay Dagler from Luther Burbank Invited to attend this workshop are veteran family sup- High School in Sacramento will present an algebra work- port workers and administrators who want to give a face lift shop in March the NCSoS. The workshop will take place to their existing family support program; new family sup- either March 18 from 3:45-6:30 p.m. at the NCSoS. The cost is port workers who want to learn how to strengthen families; $15, which includes a light dinner. anyone in a position to nurture children and strengthen fam- The teachers will present sample algebra lessons that ilies. focus on real world applications of algebra concepts. These Refreshments, lunch and resource materials will be lessons have been used and proven with challenging inner- available. To enroll, send an e-mail with your name, job title, city students. It can engage students and provide “rele- organization/school, e-mail and phone to Samie White, First vance” for algebra. 5 Nevada County Program Assistant: or call 265-0611 ext. 223 for more info. www.nevco.org. Registration can be made through Judy Nielsen: or by calling her at 478- Classroom origami workshop Feb. 22 6400 ext. 203. Exciting, fun origami projects for students will be shared with teachers during “Paperpalooza III: Origami!” from 3:30- Developmental Asset of 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22 in the NCSoS Fellersen Room. The the Month cost is $10, which includes refreshments and resource mate- rials. Asset #22 Longtime Nevada City Home Study Charter School A young person has a director/art teacher Connie Harrar will teach participants commitment to learning. several unusual origami projects geared for students in grades 3 and up. Projects include a picture frame, a folding This is an internal asset. A child is responsive, attentive, and actively engaged in learning at memory book and a 14-piece star. Harrar will model how to school and enjoys participating in learning successfully teach the projects and provide hand-outs that activities outside of school. illustrate each folding step. Origami books and many project how-to hand-outs will be available. A reminder from Got 40? (formerly MADE 4 Workshop registration is requested through Paul Harrar: Youth), the local nonprofit organization inspired by 478-6400 ext. 212 or the Search Institute s 40 Developmental Assets. For more info about the 40 Developmental Assets, First Aid and CPR training continues see www.search-institute.org/ First aid and CPR training continues at the NCSoS Practice random and through 2010. This program, designed and approved by the intentional acts of asset building every day! American Heart Association, is recommended for coaches, 4 News & Notes, from Page 2 time, but whose creativity also enhances audience question and answer session. their teaching practice. Current and LeGate thinks the show is ideal for audience of families on March 3 at the recently-retired school staff (including students studying Twain's writing, U.S. government and the California history of Madelyn Helling Library in conjunction classified staff), substitute teachers and the Gold Rush era. with Nevada County Reads events, artists working in schools may partici- Student matinee reservations may which focus on Japanese culture (see pate. Art work that is no more than three be made by contacting Comika Beudry NCR calendar on Page 1). years old will be accepted. at 277-7513. A former school teacher, Stotter Paul Harrar, school arts liaison at the earned a master’s degree in storytelling, NCSoS, will coordinate the exhibition. which led to her second career as a folk- For more participation info, contact Paul Sno w F alling on Cedars lorist. She is the author of several books at 478-6400 ext. 212. student shows at theater on storytelling and public speaking. Her Community Asian Theatre of the book “The Golden Axe: Folk Tales of Mark Twain to engage Sierra (CATS) invites students in grade 7 Compassion and Greed” is a collection students at Nevada Theatre and up to attend a special matinee per- of 33 international folk tales with notes Writer and humorist Mark Twain formance of its annual theatrical produc- on how to make these stories come alive returns to the historic Nevada Theatre to tion at the Nevada Theatre. The stage with reader's theater, puppetry, games perform for student audiences Feb. 16- adaptation of David Guterson’s award- and other classroom activities. She has 19. The one-man shows by veteran winning and best-selling novel “Snow spent time in Japan learning origami and Twain impersonator Chris LeGate will Falling On Cedars” will be presented at itodori. be staged at 10 a.m. Admission is $10. 9:15 a.m. Thursday April 1 and 10 a.m. To discuss her availability and fees, “What would Mark Twain think of Friday, April 2. (General public perfor- Stotter can be contacted by phone at 415- America today?” is the theme of the mances are March 17-April 10.) 435-3568 or 415-599-5299, or by e-mail: show. Explains LeGate, who has per- The two-hour play features drama, . formed Twain since 1994, “Mark Twain suspense, romance and history as a would want to point out who we are small, quiet, Pacific Northwest commu- nity becomes embroiled in controversy NCSoS to host biennial and where we come from. He would be the first to point out the mistakes we surrounding a murder trial and a biracial educator art exhibition have made and perhaps are still making, romance. Racial prejudice toward Current and recently-retired Nevada but he would also remind us that this Japanese-Americans post World War II County school staff are invited to show- country is made up of the best and the complicates efforts to find the truth of case their creativity during the semi- worst of the human race.” who murdered a well-respected local annual exhibition “Homework: Recent The first act will portray Twain as he fisherman. The bitterness of the town's Art By Nevada County Educators.” The looked while working for the Territorial Japanese-Americans who were incarcer- show will take place March 1-June 3, Enterprise newspaper during the 1860s ated in internment camps during the 2010 at the NCSoS. Virginia City silver strike. He will dis- war is heightened by the murder trial of The exhibition will feature paintings, cuss his younger years in Hannibal, a Japanese-American defendant. drawings, photography and mixed Missouri, and on the Mississippi River. Student matinee tickets are $12. To media two dimensional work. The The second act will portray the older, reserve seats, contact Lisa Moon at 273- “Homework” show aims to honor the iconic Twain as he discusses his views 6362 or . artistic efforts of teachers who struggle on American involvement in world poli- For more info about the play, see the to create work in their limited spare tics. The show will conclude with an CATS web site: www.catsweb.org.

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