School Uniform Policy: Reminders & Changes

I have had many parents and staff speak to me over the past few weeks about school uniforms.

The 2008/09 Uniform code is on the ISM website, in the FAQ section at this link:

http://www.ismonterey.org/Documents/08-09%20School%20Uniform.pdf

Please keep this link handy for future reference.

One of the uniform code changes was a switch to requiring students to wear uniform color winter coats and raincoats. As many people did not see this change, I am asking that staff not enforce this rule as each morning I am waiting with children in shirtsleeves on cold and rainy days who tell me that they do not own uniform color winter or rain coats so they are opting to wear nothing. For the rest of this year I would rather have them warm and dry with the understanding that they will not wear nonuniform attire indoors.

Another question has come up about knit pants and shorts. This was not a change in policy. Knit pants and shorts are not uniform. Uniform policy has to be consistent across the entire school. The reason for a Uniform Code is to keep all children focused on learning.

If your child is sensitive to scratchy clothing, purchasing used clothing that is well washed is often a solution or tights worn under skirts or shorts usually solves this problem.

Thank you for your understanding.

Eric Pearlstein
Associate Director
(831) 583-2165
epearlstein@ismonterey.org

ISM & Illness

Today was a record-breaking day for children going home sick. It seems the season is upon us. We know how diligent you and your children are and that nobody wants to miss class (no laughter please), but we respectfully ask that if your child seems ill, please keep them at home rather than send them to school, even for part of the day. When sick children come to school they are risking infecting their classmates and teachers and we just don't have the resources to deal with that, never mind making all of our homes unhappy places. So please, give them some chicken soup, OJ and TLC and keep them home for a day or so.

The staff at ISM thanks you!


Karen Kushel
Office Administrator

Parent Letter - 2/2/2009

Dear Parents,

Yet another beautiful weekend on the Central Coast! I suppose the sweatshirt sales on the wharf are down this week once again. All those tourists are going to think it's never foggy. I'm starting to forget myself!

This week, we are off on a field trip once again. On Wednesday, we will head to San Carlos Beach in Monterey for sandy shore studies followed by a short ride over to the tidepools in Pacific Grove to see what is hiding in the rocky shore for us to discover. Thank you to all who have already returned their field trip forms. I have all but two. Great response everyone! Thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to drive and chaperone. We, once again, have a stellar bunch signed up. Now we just have to hope the weather holds for a few more days. I will contact the drivers separately to give you more details.

The list of words for the ISM Spelling Bee for 4th and 5th grade students went home last Wed. We will have the written test this Tuesday. There will not be any other spelling words from me this week. The top 20 fourth grade spellers from the test will go on to the ISM Spelling Bee the following week. I will let you know the results as soon as we have them.

Math will continue as usual. We are coming to the end of Unit 6 and will be ready for another (!) assessment either this Friday or Monday depending on how the students are feeling about their skills. I will try to get a study sheet out to you beforehand. You can let me know whether the study sheets are helping your child or not.

The poetry and art for the Coastal Commission contest made it to the post office in time. Let's keep our fingers crossed for the students. Everyone did a great job on their poems and art. I also sent out letters all of the students wrote to President Obama. We are hoping for some sort of letter back and even a visit to the classroom (it doesn't hurt to ask!). Again, we will see what happens.

Remember to check Power School and please contact me if you have any questions.

Homework this week:
Monday: Math, Study Links 6.8, Study Spelling Bee words, Read 20 minutes, Handwriting page 22
Tuesday: Math, Study Links 6.9, Read 20 minutes, Handwriting page 23 - Get things ready for field trip: lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, clothes.
Wednesday: No Study Links, work on Fact Triangles, Handwriting page 24, read 20 minutes
Thursday: Math Study Links 6.10, Handwriting page 25, read 20 minutes

Best wishes to all and thank you for your amazing support.
Mary Welsh