What's happening in the DLP these next two weeks!

There's a lot going on these next two weeks in the Lincoln DLP classrooms. There's a need for classroom volunteers, as there are assessments happening.  Check with your classroom parents if you are available to help.

Don't forget to attend the Lincoln PTO's Fall Festival this Friday, October 26th at 3pm-6pm.  There will be games, prizes, a BBQ, a pie walk, bake sale, produce stand, and much more!  Also, remember to wear your orange and black on Friday!

Halloween is next Wednesday and Dia de los Muertos is on Thursday.  We need volunteers to help set-up on Thursday for our after school celebration for Dia de los Muertos.  You can sign up here:

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPS

There will also be opportunities to help during classroom rotations during school hours.  Los Maestros are planning various Dia de los Muertos activities and will need assistance from parent volunteers to help with the rotations and activities.  More information to follow from your Maestros.

Don't forget to sign-up for the 2nd Annual Dual Immersion Parent Conference on Saturday, November 17th, at 8am-1pm at Boronda Meadows. The conference is free and so is childcare.  Children will have the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities, such as, dancing, African music and art.  To sign up, you can register here:

REGISTER NOW!

If you were at the last DLP parent meeting you know that we have received a $2,500 matching donation for Lincoln DLP "GET SMART" campaign, which means all we have to do is raise that same amount and the donor will match up to $2,500!  We have to act quickly, as the deadline is 10/31/12.  As you know, we are asking Lincoln DLP families to consider making a donation of $20 a month or a one time donation of $240; however, any amount, large or small, makes a difference (even $5 dollars).  Many, many thanks for those of you that have already donated!

Please consider reaching out to your close friends and family and ask them if they might consider giving to this very worthy cause. This is not a requirement, by any means; however, this goes directly to our children's classrooms.  Whether you give personally or you ask friends/family to give, your effort and consideration are greatly appreciated!!!!

If you want to read more about the campaign, please visit: http://www.dlpadvocates.org/#!donate

Again, thank you all for your time and consideration. 

A little elbow grease for our school!

If you haven't noticed, there are some new plants growing out in front of our school (just left to the main entrance).  Margaret D'Arrigo Martin had the idea of doing an afterschool study group and having the kids do a "good deed" afterwards.  If you know Margaret, you know she is a "get it done" person.  She spoke with our principal, asked McShane's to donate the plants and soil, and recruited a few like minded DLP families to chip in some elbow grease.  It was a dirty task and took a little more man power than anticipated, but in the end it was all worth it.  The children involved can admire the plants on a daily basis and know they did a little something to help our school look a little nicer.  Is there something you'd like to do for our school or our dual language program? If so, let us know.  We might be able to help your idea come to life.

(Nico Santos, Sterling Martin, Natalia Santos, Alex Martin, Alec Giannini, Maya Giannini, Max Magana, & Bella Nassiri)

Dia de Los Muertos - What is it all about!

Repost:  (Back by popular demand)  October and November are full of fun fall activities, such as Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos.  For those of you whom have never heard about the holiday we've put togehter some information that will hopefully shed some light on what it's all about.  There is also a photo slide show on the right hand column of the blog that highlights some of the festivities that went on at Lincoln last year in celebration of Dia de Los Muertos.

Día de los Muertos (English: Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday that celebrated annually on November 1st and 2nd. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a National Holiday.  Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls,  marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

El Dia de los Muertos is not the Mexican version of Halloween.  The holiday has been celebrated in Mexico since the year 1800 B.C.   In the Mexican culture, this holiday is neither scary nor morbid.  It is a time of celebration and remembrance. It is a mixture of the Catholic Christian ritual and folk culture.

El Dia de los Muertos honors those whom have passed.  It is a welcomed opportunity to reflect upon one's life, heritage, ancestry and the meaning of one's existence.  Altars or ofrendas are a way to show honor, love and remembrance to those whom have departed.

In Mexico, neighbors gather in local cemeteries to share food, music, and fun with their extended community, both living and departed. The celebration acknowledges that we still have a relationship with our ancestors and loved ones that have passed away.

Many superstitions have been added over the years, but for the most part, this ancient holiday is as it always was - a time of remembrance and love. So, don't be afraid of the Day of the Dead. This is a happy holiday.  

Read a great article on how to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos

Here's a great, kid-friendly sing-along song on youtube 

Here's a great book for kids (recommended by mommymaestra) Click on the picture to order the book on Amazon.com.

Feliz Día de los Muertos