KINDERGARTEN AGE REQUIREMENT
2012/13 School Year

Senate Bill (SB) 1381 (Chapter 705, Statues of 2010) amended California Education Code (Section 46300, 48000, and 48010) to change the required birthday for admission to kindergarten beginning in the 2012–2013 school year.  A child shall be admitted to a kindergarten for the 2012–13 school year if their birth date falls on or before November 1, 2007.  Governor Brown has proposed in the 2012-13 budget the kindergarten start date for the 2012-13 school year be moved back to September 1, 2012, but whether or not the September date will be implemented by legislation is uncertain at this time.  The Newport Mesa Unified School District will follow existing law and will enroll students who are five years old on or before November 1, 2012 until such time that the Governor’s proposal is addressed by the Legislature.  Should the date be moved from November 1 to September 1 for the 2012-13 school year parents will be notified immediately.  
 

I am pleased to share with you that Woodland made the list of Orange County’s Best Public Elementary Schools for 2012.  The Orange County Register awarded 136 medalists: 25 gold, 55 silver, and 56 bronze.  Woodland was recognized as a bronze medalist.  The O.C. Register’s rankings are designed to show which local public elementary schools provide the richest academic experience and strongest environment for learning by comparing not just test scores but cultural diversity, discipline issues and more.

I would like to thank the entire Woodland community for your continued support of our outstanding primary learning center.  It takes a concerted effort by all members of the school community to find great success in our school by setting high expectations for behavior and performance.  It is due to the support of our parents and their belief in the school’s vision to meet these lofty goals.  Thank you on behalf of the Woodland staff.

January brings us into the new year with many exciting learning experiences.  The students will learn about the African American Legacy in Art Masters thanks to the continued support of the Parent Faculty Organization.  Second grade will be experiencing rocks in Science on the Go on January 18^th.  Sharks will be the topic for the first grade Science on the Go on January 24^th.  We will end the month with the PFO sponsored “The Fracus Brothers” assembly on January 27^th.

In conclusion, I would like to share an article I came across years ago in an educational publication entitled, "Enlightened Perspective," by Andy Rooney.  Hopefully, it will not take us as long as Andy Rooney to learn the following facts. 

I've learned…

• That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
• That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
• That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.
• That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
• That being kind is more important that being right.
• That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
• That no matter how serious your life requires you to be everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
• That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
• That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
• That money does not buy class.
• That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
• That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be loved.
• That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
• That love, not time, heals all wounds.
• That one should keep his words soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
• That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
• That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.
• That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing out.
• That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
• That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested, and when it is a life-threatening situation.
• That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.