HARPER HERALD
The monthly newsletter of Frances Harper Junior High School Parent-Teacher Organization
4000 East Covell Boulevard, Davis, CA 95616
(530) 757-5330
www2.dcn.org/orgs/harperpto
harperpto@aol.com

MARCH 2006

Drug Abuse Warning for Parents!
(Reprinted from the DHS PTA Feb. Newsletter)
There is a new form of drug abuse by teens that police, parents, and school officials have
noticed with deadly side effects. Students are taking a popular cold medicine, Coricidin
HPB, which is sold over the counter. In large doses the active ingredient in Coricidin, the
cough suppressant dextromethorphan or DXM, can cause hallucinations. Sometimes
teens are chasing the pills with alcohol.

Teens refer to using Coricidin HBP as "Triple C" or "skittling," since the tablets are
colored like the candy. Signs of "skittling" are constricted pupils and mental haziness.
Large doses have resulted in liver damage or failure, hospitalization, and death. Finding
empty boxes of cold medicine or missing medicine from cabinets may be another cause
for concern. Possessing Coricidin is not illegal, although some stores and pharmacies are
starting to put it behind the counter and refuse to sell it to teens.
* * * * *
U.S. FLU PANDEMIC PREPARATION GUIDELINES

The federal government has issued plans and a guideline for preparedness for what
experts believe is a potential influenza pandemic in this country.

In the event of a pandemic, with limited availability of vaccine or antiviral medications,
we all need to rely heavily on basic hygiene practice to help stop the spread of germs.

The federal plan advises parents and schools to:

* Encourage children/students to limit the spread of germs at home and in the
classroom by practicing good hand hygiene and covering their coughs.
* Parents and schools should provide an ample supply of easily accessible hand
hygiene products, such as soap and water and alcohol-based hand sanitizers (such
as Purell), as well as tissues.
* Parents and school staff should provide good education on proper hand hygiene
and cough etiquette so that good habits are well established and reinforced.

For more information on the federal plans, please visit www.pandemicflu.gov
* * * * *
CHORAL NEWS
The Harper Jr. High Chorus will have two performance events in the month of March. On
Saturday, March 4th we will participate in the GOLDEN EMPIRE MUSIC FESTIVAL at CSU,
Sacramento. Unfortunately, we will not be notified of our performance time until two weeks prior
to the festival. Mr. Zinn has requested a morning performance and will publish the time once it is
known.

The DAVIS SCHOOLS ALL DISTRICT CHORAL CONCERT will be held on Wednesday, March
15th at 7:00 p.m. in the Davis Sr. High School Instructional Performing Arts Building. Along with
the Harper Chorus the program will feature the choirs of Davis Sr. High, Emerson Jr. High,
Holmes Jr. High, and Pioneer Elementary School.
* * * * *
Student of the Month
CONGRATULATIONS
To January’s Students of the Month
K. Tibor J. Birt M. Lee
A. Drips W. Allen K. Bailey
T. Mkandawire L. Katz M. Hansen
E. Shirazi K. Engel D. Gee
B. Bloomfield R. Brooks A. Patel
T. Cattarin G. Jialal K. Grim
J. Harris K. Real K. Lorber
A. Ragsdale E. Pretzlaff G. Lee
J. Kobold B. Raphael B. Sawyer
M. Duyar C. Keefer A. Estrella
J. Nye C. Ghaffari T. Jones
S. Clark M. Nicoll S. Testa
R. Schuster C. Peel C. Varland
K. Schmiegel A. Garrido

Nominated by TWO teachers!
T. Mohr A. Quail-Dedesh
A. Timothy E. Iskin
* * * * *

DJUSD Student Services & Harper Junior High School welcome all Harper,
Holmes, & Emerson Junior HighParents & the Davis Community to an
Active, Fun Session on

MIND-BRAIN CONNECTIONS
-New discoveries about the brain
-How we can help learning
-How to increase understanding & ability to use information

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 -7:30 p.m.

Harper Junior High School – MPR
4000 E. Covell Blvd, Davis

Speaker: Deborah Kimokeo, DJUSD Crisis Guidance Manager & Certified
School Psychologist


* * * * *
SCHOOL BOARD
MONTHLY MEETING CHANGES

The Davis Board of Education has moved up the starting time for its board meetings to 7
p.m. This change is the result of a discussion at a recent school board retreat. The board
strongly wants to conclude its meetings by 11 p.m. They believe this has many benefits,
both for the public and the board.

Another meeting change the board is planning to implement is holding board meetings at
school sites. Within four years, the board plans to have held a meeting at each of the
schools. Holding meetings at the school sites will allow board members to meet the
community in a more informal environment, and will give the board the opportunity for
first-hand observation of the sites.
* * * * *

STUDENT ACTIVITIES
For March

Teacher Talent Show – Date TBA

March 17 - St. Patty’s Day Rally



SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Frances Fund Thank You!

The Harper Social Studies Department (Heather Ulrey, Gregg Schwab, Jesse Kermit, and Scott
Thomsen) would like to say a huge thank you to all those who contributed to the PTO’s Frances
Fund this past fall. We purchased and just received our 7th and 8th grade TCI Units. These units
have activities and methods that engage students in history through role playing, simulations, and
other visual and active methods. This is a tremendous addition to our department’s resources,
and we are very excited to pass this great material on to your students. Again, thank you for
supporting the Frances Fund – you’ve made the Social Studies Department downright giddy with
excitement!

WEB Training and Open House

Two of our social studies teachers (Heather Ulrey and Scott Thomsen) are being trained in WEB
(Where Everybody Belongs), the program that connects 9th grade leaders with 7th grade students.
The training will be March 13-15 in Santa Cruz, CA. Harper’s Open House falls on March 14.
So, you will not see Miss Ulrey or Mr. Thomsen on that evening. They will, however, have
handouts that describe their classes and some examples of student work available for you.

Textbook Piloting!

7th grade social studies classes are in the process of adopting NEW TEXTBOOKS! Hooray – no
more explaining that there is no longer a “Soviet Union” or two Germanys (as some maps in the
current Across the Centuries text represent). Classes are testing out new material from
Teacher’s Curriculum Institute (TCI) and Prentice Hall, plus GATE classes are looking at Oxford
University Press. There is a display in the Harper Library of these materials. Please feel free to
come by, take a look, and make comments through the end of March!
* * * * *
PTO MEETINGS RESCHEDULED

The Harper PTO normally meets on the second Tuesday of every month. In March, however, the
meeting has been pre-empted by Open House on March 14. The March meeting will be
rescheduled to Tuesday, March 21. In April, the second Tuesday falls during spring break, so we
will meet on Tuesday, April 18. Our last 2 meetings for this school year will be Tuesday, May 9
and Tuesday, June 6. Please plan to join us!
* * * * *
HUSKY SPORTS
8th Grade Boys Basketball
Going 4-6 with the toughest schedule, Harper was able to beat all other teams in Davis
along with Winters and Woodland Christian. In the YCAL tournament, Harper overcame Holmes
in an exciting match that went into overtime. Holmes was ahead by one basket when the Huskies
scored to tie and then scored again for the win! The boys then played a very good game in the
semi finals against Douglas. Harper tied for 3rd overall. Dino Clark was the coach.
8th Grade Girls Basketball
Coming through a tough season, the lady huskies overcame many obstacles. Having
Mary Collins on injured reserve was a setback for the huskies. Even though their record was 4-5
the girls played their hardest and were the only team to come within 20 points of C.A. Jacobs.
During the tournament, the girls defeated rival Holmes in the first round. This game was very
close with Megan Foster scoring a last minute basket pushing the huskies ahead to the second
round. After watching the boys defeat Holmes, the girls were determined to play hard against
Douglas. Despite a good effort the lady huskies fell to Douglas and ended their trip towards the
championship. John Campbell was the girl’s coach.
Soccer
Soccer season began the first week in February with Kevin Shaffer as the girl’s coach
along with Assistant Rachel Sawyer. Hunter Maloney is the boy’s coach.
Track
Track will start in late March or early April. John Campbell will coach as well as a soon to be
named assistant.
* * * * *
PTO MESSAGE
From Co-President, Jane Schafer-Kramer
As I am writing this, the annual Career Day is winding down at Harper. This important
event is coordinated every year for all of the Davis junior high schools by an amazing community
volunteer, Cynthia Goldberg. The PTO extends its gratitude to her and to the Harper staff who
worked behind the scenes, the volunteer speakers who shared their valuable time and experience
with our students, and to the parents who provided a continental breakfast for the speakers. If
there is any truth in the saying “It takes a village to raise a child,” then our students are blessed to
be in the care of the Harper “village.”
In my experience as a parent of a Harper student, it's been a joy to meet so many people
who make up our community: the parent volunteers, the energetic teachers and staff, the generous
donors, and let’s not forget the reason why this “village” exists, the kids. When my kids were in
elementary school, I dreaded the junior high years to come. Now that we are here, it’s a relief to
know that our students are in a capable and loving community.
A couple of months ago, I was leafing through the December 5 issue of Newsweek when
I recognized a familiar face and name as the author of a touching article on parenting a child
through these “special” years. Wendy Watson is the parent of a Harper student, and her essay,
“To the Top of Half Dome and Beyond,” can be read at
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10219219/site/newsweek/from/RL.3/. Thanks, Wendy, for
sharing your parental wisdom with us!
Speaking of sharing our talents, it's not too early to plan for the transition to the next
school year. Our students are making decisions about their course options, and the PTO has to
figure out how to keep the important school support work going smoothly. Some of our families
will be moving on to the high school, making way for new parents to step in and share their
talents with us. Please consider taking on a small (or larger) part of this work. If you aren't sure
how you can fit in, please talk with one of our board members, or drop a note to
harperpto@aol.com. Or come to one of our meetings; we guarantee that you will leave with a
new insight to the school!
* * * * *
Counseling News

The Harper counselors have visited all of the 7th and 8th grade classrooms and distributed
materials for course selections for the 2006-07 school year. Students were asked to
return their Course Selection Sheets to their English teachers by February 21st.

The Davis High School Counselors met with all the 9th grade students at Harper on
February 16th to discuss options for 10th grade. They returned to Harper on February 27th
to pick up the completed planners.

The Summer School Program this year will be at Davis High School and will be in
session from June 26th through August 4th. Summer School applications were given to
students during the counselor visits to the classrooms and are due on Thursday, March 9,
2006. After that time, classes will be filled on a space available basis.

Incoming 7th Grade Dates for 06-07:

Principal and Counselor visit elementary schools
* March 2nd at 9:00 - Valley Oak
* March 3rd at 9:00 - Birch Lane
* 1:15 – Pioneer
* March 6th at 9:00 - Montgomery
* March 8th at 5:30 in the MPR – Incoming 7th grade Parent Information Night
OR
* March 9th at 7:30 in the MPR – Incoming 7th grade Parent Information Night
* March 14th at 7:00 – Harper Open House
* March 17th – 7th Grade Planners due in the 6th grade classrooms

* * * * * *
SITE COUNCIL
With more money available than expected, the Site Council is busily making
funding decisions on this year’s proposals for the school. At its meeting in January, the
Council approved grants of $400 for core books and $550 for audio books used by the
English Department; up to $3900 for math graphing calculators; and $3000 for Science
Department staff to attend a NTSA conference (contingent on the availability of other
funding). Most of the remaining funding decisions for the year will have been made at
the Council’s meeting in February.
Ms. Rafaelita Curva, in charge of the District’s Student Nutrition Services, spoke
to the Council about the new state and federal standards for healthy school lunches.
More information can be found in Management Bulletins 05-110 and 00-810 at
www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/mb.asp.
Council meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. The next one is
March 16 from 7:30 to 9:00 am in Room G49. All interested parents and students are
welcome to attend and make comments.
* * * * *
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT NEWS

8th grade science
After switching textbooks at semester’s end, Mr. O’Brien and Mr. McKim are rapidly exploring the
fascinating subject of human anatomy and physiology. By publishing time, Mr. O’Brien’s classes
will have started their study of the reproductive system, a.k.a. the Family Life unit, with Mr.
McKim’s classes doing the same in early March. Microscope examinations of students’ own
cheek cells as well as prepared slides provide lively lab experiences. Be ready for some home
discussion regarding dissections, as we will likely investigate beef bones, chicken arms/wings,
sheep hearts, and sheep eyes. Obviously, latex gloves (size medium and large) are always
welcomed during this time of year.
Wish list
Thanks to all our many wonderful families that continue to donate so many valuable science
materials. Instead of listing our entire wish list in this newsletter again, we’ll simply provide
contact information: please write to kmckim@djusd.k12.ca.us if you’d like to help our growing
science program.

Yearbook News

Many thanks to all the families and students that so generously gave their time and resources to
make the Yearbook Valentine’s Dance a great success. Combining funds from tickets and
concessions, we made nearly $1000! Thanks also to Nicole Magrino, Emily Seropian, and Sophie
Rubenking for all their efforts with another fundraiser that occurred during the weeks prior to
Valentine’s Day. Goody bags, silk roses, and Jelly Belly Conversation Beans were sold and
delivered by these hard-working gals and their yearbook colleagues. Thanks to all this effort, you
can look for a new and improved yearbook with more color pages! Maybe we’ll even be able to
afford a high-quality camera this year! Way to go!

Harper’s second yearbook is still available for only $37 until Spring Break (April 8 -16). Prices go
up soon after! Pick up a form from the front office or from Mr. McKim in G-48. If you are not sure
whether you purchased one already, you can check the outside bulletin board across from the
front office. If your name is highlighted then you will be a happy recipient in June when the
yearbooks arrive.
* * * * *
PRINCIPAL’S CORNER

Why So Late?

Students who miss school, miss out! Students need to be on time
everyday.
During the past several months I have tried to walk around the front of
school periodically between 8 and 8:30 in the morning. I like to greet our
students as they arrive, wave at parents and start the morning in a positive way.
One thing I have noticed is that there are way too many parents dropping off their
children well after the bell has rung to begin classes for the day. My guess is that
many parents may not realize the many negative impacts that late students
create at school.
It is fairly clear that when students arrive late they miss the start of class.
Most teachers try to begin the day with something to engage their students in
their lesson and to set the tone for the morning. Students arriving late miss all
that. Students arriving late also upset that tone which the teacher has planned
and prepared in order to maximize the learning opportunities for the day. In
addition, most adolescents do not enter the room politely and then quietly sit
down. More often than not they need to say hello to their buddies, deposit their
backpack, get their books out and figure out what they should be doing by asking
one or more students sitting near them. Obviously, all this is disruptive and often
the teacher must begin the lesson again, but now with less ability to engage
those that have been distracted.
Depending on how late students arrive, they may also miss out on the
most important segment of instruction that is usually given during the first half of
the period. In the average lesson, the second half of the instructional period is
used to practice what has been taught. Late students arriving at the end of
critical instruction must find out from those around them what they missed and
how to do the assignment. Perhaps they now need to schedule a special time to
meet with the teacher to get individual instruction, which means both the student
and the teacher lose time that could have been spent more productively.
Finally, an additional concern is that often students who are tardy are
assigned detention. Again, this is time consuming for all involved. There is a
great deal of secretary time used in writing passes and administrative time used
to track tardiness and detentions. Parents must alter their schedules to pick
students up much later after school, and students may miss out on after-school
activities that are important to them.
Parents are urged to make every effort to get your student to school on
time every day. Coming late causes trouble and more work for everyone, and
results in punitive action that does little to improve the relationship between our
students and staff. Late arrivals eat up time that would be better used for
learning and improving the quality of the school.

We must have the support of parents to make this a priority. Please insure
that your student arrives at school on time everyday! Thank you!


OPEN HOUSE is coming soon!

Open House is coming up on March 14th at 7:00 PM. We hope to have the
school looking its best for our community. Teachers will be providing an array of
student work and there will be plenty to see.
We want all the parents to be aware that two teachers will be gone that
evening: Scott Thomsen and Heather Ulrey. These two teachers will be
attending a special training for our WEB program. (WEB is the 7th grade
welcoming program that Harper will host in August for all 7th graders coming in to
our school in the fall.) Ms. Ulrey and Mr. Thomsen will have items for parents to
check out in other rooms. A notice will be posted on their classroom doors
indicating where to find their student’s work on display.

Parent Support for Drop-Off is Tremendous!

Harper sends a big THANK YOU! to all of the parents who have
supported our neighbors in Alhambra Estates and have not been using that
neighborhood to drop-off their students in the morning. The reports from the
Alhambra neighbors have been positive. They are grateful for the support of the
Harper parents in taking the time to use the regular school drop-off areas. Your
willingness to help is truly appreciated.
* * * * *
The Best Uses of Schools Advisory Task Board
The Advisory Task Force will meet on the following dates in March:
March 2, 7:00 p.m. Willett Elementary
March 7, 7:00 p.m. Patwin Elementary
March 15, 7:00 p.m. Pioneer Elementary
March 21, 7:00 p.m. Valley Oak Elementary
March 30, 7:00 p.m. Chavez Elementary
Please note the meeting date for Valley Oak was changed to March 21 (previously
scheduled for March 22). Refer to the district's website at
http://www.djusd.k12.ca.us/District/district/best_uses.shtml for additional information.
* * * * *
News From The
Harper Band Boosters

Thank you for your gifts to the Harper Band Program:
The Harper Band Boosters wish to recognize the many families that have donated funds
to the Harper band program in different ways throughout the year. We recently completed the
direct donation drive and the Solo/Ensemble recital fundraisers. Ongoing fundraisers include the
Nugget scrip program, sales from concert concessions and Papa Murphy’s Pizza every 2nd
Tuesday of each month. Please contact Joyce Hamaguchi at jhamaguchi@sbcglobal.net or 757-
6336 if you wish to receive an accounting of your contributions through the Nugget scrip
program.
Funds are put to use as quickly as possible. To date, these funds have purchased a set of
bongo drums, sets of sheet music, a baritone saxophone, a tuba, and a gong. Additional funds will
be set aside to pay for the repair and maintenance of school instruments and band entry fees for
the spring Music Festival. Gifts to the band program enable our talented band directors, Mr.
DuPertuis and Mr. Quick, to deliver an expanded music curriculum of quality to the young
musicians at Harper Junior High. Thank you one and all for your gifts.

“For the Love of Music” Solo/Ensemble Recital:
The Harper Band program held its first Solo and Ensemble Recital on February 10. The
event was entitled "For the Love of Music" and over 170 people attended this fun evening of fine
music and desserts served by Harper band students. The program included fourteen performances
for the solo/ensemble recital: Tyler Finley and Clyde Quick; Nicole Lucas-Waddell and Felicia
Lin; William and Tom Carson; Alli Koivunen and Rachael McFarland; Sahana Kumar and
Avalon Harder; Larry Chen; Tyler Delaughter; Ria and Calvin Domier; Blair Kittle, Jonathan
West and Adam Drown; Julia Dinger and Joyce Pexton; Julia Dinger, Yurika Mulase; Evyn
Fong; and two duet performances by our Band Directors Jeff DuPertuis and Clyde Quick.
Desserts, beverages and supplies for the dessert buffet were made possible by generous
donations from the following local businesses: Albertson’s Supermarket, Baker’s Square
Restaurant & Pies, (Patty Kline’s) Café at the Docs, Chamonix Coffee Company, Davis Food
Coop, Konditorei Austrian Pastry Café, Long’s Drug Store (Oaktree Plaza), Mocha Joe’s, both
Nugget Markets, Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N Bake Pizza, both Safeway stores, Susie’s Treats, Thai
Recipes, and The Candy House of Davis. Special thanks go to Tom and Tor Cross of the property
management firm of Star-Crossed Properties for underwriting the iPod nano door prize.
A huge THANK YOU also goes to these Harper parents who served on the planning
committee or who volunteered their time and effort at the event: Kathy Arbegast, Madeline and
Alan Brattesani, Marjorie Britton, Mariza Carson, Diane Dedoshka, Vinita Domier, Debbie and
Bruce Finley, Brett Furie, Shirley Gee, Joyce Hamaguchi, Paul Harder, Marja Koivunen, Vijay
Kumar, Claire LeFlore, Cliva Mee, Sayuri Mulase, Roberta Shakya, and Karen Yount. The
Harper Band Boosters are fortunate to have such dedicated parents!

March Band Festival:
As plans come together for the Davis Junior High Band Festival, March 25, please be
generous with your time. The Harper, Holmes and Emerson Band Booster clubs are working
together to hold this event for the first time. Each band will play rehearsed selections as well as
sight-read. Expert judges will offer constructive remarks on the performances. Students will also
participate in instrument-specific clinics. Lunch and snacks will be available. This year, Harper's
role is 'facilities' (setup, takedown, scheduling). To help at the Festival contact Shirley Gee at
sjgee@ucdavis.edu or 756-2651.

Elections Nearing:
Help our growing band program, by taking an active part in Band Boosters. The Boosters
were organized around an April date for election of new board members. If you are interested or
would like to place a person’s name into nomination, please contact Shirley. We are especially
encouraging incoming 7th and 8th grade band parents to become a part of this fun, goal-directed
group!! Questions always welcome!!

Harper Band Night at Papa Murphy’s Take N Bake Pizza:
Tuesday, March 14 say ‘I’d like to support Harper Bands’ when you order your Papa Murphy’s
Pizza. Harper Bands say “THANK YOU” for helping us!!
* * * * *
DHS ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLES FOR HIRE
Ensembles and string quartets from the Davis High School Symphony Orchestra will play for your
wedding or social event. Proceeds are a part of fundraising efforts to send the symphony
orchestra to New York to perform in Carnegie Hall this coming June. Please contact Hiram
Jackson at 753-4814 or hsjackson@aol.com for more information or bookings.
* * * * *
A Special Invitation to 6th Grade Parents!
Frances Harper Junior High School Open House!
Tuesday, March 14th, 2006
7 to 8:30 PM.
* Visit the classrooms and see what your child will be up to next year!
* Meet the great Harper Staff!
* Check out the exploratory class cluster for 7th graders!
* Find out more about Foreign Language classes for your 7th grader!
* Check out the elective classes offered for students taking a 7
period day!
* PTO will be on hand to answer questions and recruit your help for
next year!
Please Join Us on March 14th!