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School Notes — Lamorinda Sun

Oakland Tribune October 8, 2009 | Lamorinda Sun Panel discussion with superintendents Superintendents from the Acalanes, Moraga and Orinda school districts will participate in a panel discussion on “Maintaining Excellent Schools in Tough Financial Times.” The forum, which will take place at 10 a.m. Oct. 20 at the Serbian Orthodox Church in Moraga, will feature Acalanes superintendent John Stockton, Moraga superintendent Rick Schafer and Orinda superintendent Joe Jaconette. They will offer their thoughts and answer questions from the audience during the discussion.

The event is sponsored by the Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette branch of the American Association of University Women and is free and open to all. The church is at 1700 School St., Moraga.

– Jonathan Morales Pumpkin patch coming to Orinda Sleepy Hollow Elementary School is inviting local families to get ready for Halloween at its annual Pumpkin Patch.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17 at the school, 20 Washington Way, Orinda. Activities and attractions include a haunted house, carnival games, jump houses, a pumpkin growing contest, a petting zoo and a magician.

All proceeds from the event benefit local schools.

– Jonathan Morales Cal professor to speak on teen pressures A UC Berkeley psychology professor will speak in Orinda on the stresses and pressures teenagers, especially girls, face today.

Dr. Stephen Hinshaw, chair of the psychology department, will speak about “Teens, Stress, Perfection and Mental Health: The Current Crisis for Girls (and Boys)” from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Miramonte High School Theatre, 750 Moraga Way, Orinda. here online word count

Dr. Hinshaw will share his research about the pressures teens face in today’s culture and offer strategies and tools for parents, schools and the media to help empower teens to deal with those pressures.

The event is free. Copies of Dr. Hinshaw’s newest book, “The Triple Bind: Saving our Teenage Girls from Today’s Pressures,” will be sold at a discount to those in attendance, courtesy of Orinda Books.

For more information, contact Sherri Williams at jbswilliams27@yahoo.com.

– Jonathan Morales Women’s Club Halloween Carnival Oct. 25 The Moraga Junior Women’s Club will hold its 33rd annual Halloween Carnival Sunday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Campolindo High School, 300 Moraga Road.

The annual carnival is perfect for children ages 2 to 8, and attracts more than 500 children each year. Kids can choose a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, enjoy carnival games with prizes for all and a festive art center with hands-on crafts.

Admission is $5 per child, plus a small charge for game tickets and food. All children are encouraged to come in costume. Bring your own trick-or-treat bag and receive three free game tickets.

The Moraga Junior Women’s Club is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life for women, children and the elderly through volunteer service and fundraising. For more information and online ticket sales, go to www.moragajuniors.org. go to web site online word count

– Sam Richards Writing contest open to students Think you have the best prose in Lamorinda (or beyond)?

The city of Lafayette, the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation, the Contra Costa County Library and local schools are sponsoring a writing contest for all children, youth and teens, regardless of where they live or go to school.

The winners will get to be the first students to check out books at the new Lafayette Library and Learning Center on opening day in November. All participants will receive a special POWER OF YOUth library card.

The four age/grade divisions, themes and maximum word counts are:

– Kindergarten through Grade 2, or up to age 7: “Why I Like Libraries?” Maximum Word Count is 250.

– Grades 3-5, or ages 8-10: “Why I Like Libraries?” Maximum Word Count is 250.

– Middle schoolers, or ages 11-13: “Why is the New Lafayette Library and Learning Center Important to Me?” Maximum Word Count is 500.

– High schoolers, or ages 14 and older: “Why Are Libraries Important to Society?” Maximum Word Count is 1,000.

For complete contest details and rules, visit www.lafayettelib.com. or call the library at 925-283-3872.

– Jonathan Morales Annual ‘Westival’ coming up Lafayette Elementary’s 55th annual Westival, a family carnival for the families of Lafayette Elementary School, happens from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the school, 950 Moraga Road.

A pumpkin patch, a scarecrow auction (each class builds a scarecrow), carnival games, a bake sale, a Rotary-sponsored BBQ and more are planned.

– Sam Richards Got school news? Submit items for School Notes to Jonathan Morales at 925-943-8048 or jmmorales@bayareanewsgroup.com.

Lamorinda Sun