Gala Update

Dear ISM Parents, Staff and Board;

I hope you have all marked your calendars for the World Neighborhood Gala on Saturday, April 11. You should receive your invitation next week. If for some reason you don't receive it, please let me know and I will get one to you. Don't forget to ask friends, neighbors and family if they want to attend this event with you.

There have been a few people asking the question "What is the Gala all about?" Well, It is a fundraising event, with all net proceeds going directly back to ISM to help cover the costs of educating our children. It helps to bridge the gap between what the State gives us and the actual cost of educating each student. We typically net about $50,000. As you will see in your invitation, the evening starts with a cocktail reception and an opportunity to bid on silent auction items. After dinner there is a live auction featuring great trips, estate jewelry, a wine cellar and best of all, student's artwork. After the live auction you can dance the night away to the beat of the Mike Marotta Band. Not only is the Gala a great way to raise money for ISM, but it is a fun social evening for parents and staff to get together.

On another note, we still need more items for the auction. If you or if you know someone that has an item or service we would love to add it to our auction line-up. This could be anything from artwork, financial services, spa treatments, vacations, restaurants - just about anything you can think of.

Tim and Heather Rougeot have kindly stepped up to handle wine donations for the wine cellar. A note will be going out shortly asking you for a wine donation in the $10-$15 range. Our goal is to reach 100 bottles of wine. Also, Venus Watson has taken charge of organizing class baskets. Each class should have a theme and coordinator by now.If you don't or are not sure who to speak to about class baskets, please contact Venus at mykdar@yahoo.com. Sandra Wolfson has taken on the task of organizing class artwork -I am sure it will be just as creative as last year!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful volunteers that have stepped up to help make this year's Gala a grand success!

If you have any questions about the Gala, please email Carrie Miles at clmiles33@aol.com.

Thank-you for your continued support and don't forget to send in those RSVP's right away.

Carrie Miles

Parent Letter - 2/16/2009

Dear Grade Four Parents,

I hope you all had a nice three-day weekend and were able to enjoy some inside time with the rainy weather we have had. We are back to a semi-normal school week this week with only four days left.

Thank you for sending in Box Tops for the school. I'm not sure if we have enough to win the prize but, we certainly are making a nice contribution to the school. The Box Tops brought in the fall contributed over $700. They really do make a difference!

Did your child tell you about the amazing phone conversation we were part of last Friday? Both fourth grade classes were talking to Ted Wheat's dad, Geoff, via telephone (speaker phone).
The amazing part is that Geoff was on a submersible called the Alvin at about 2.5 miles below the surface of the ocean off the coast of Costa Rica. Many students were able to ask him both prepared and spontaneous questions. We were able to hear what we was seeing and doing at that moment. It was phenomenal! Oh, technology can be so amazing.

We will have spelling this week although we have one less day to study. Please make sure your child is bringing their words home to sort and write them in categories each night. They should also be writing them in their planners so you have two places to check them. We will have a test on Friday.

Three of our class members will be going to the next level of the ISM Spelling Bee this week. Mary, Tanner and Washakie will represent our class on Wednesday morning at 8:30 in the multiuse room. If you have time then, please come by to help us support them in their great spelling against a mostly fifth grade competitors.

Please remember to sign and send in the field trip form for the Seaside Dunes trip on Feb. 27th. So far, I've only received a few and have no drivers. If you are able to get away for the morning on Friday the 27th, please let me know. It's a short drive and will be a lot of fun planting the seedlings the students grew to help restore the dunes.

I am looking for a date to take the class to Colton Hall in Monterey to see where the California Constitution was signed and possibly dovetail that with a visit to the Monterey Library. I hope to find something before the spring break but, if not, it will be soon after.

An upcoming date to mark on your calendars is Thursday, April 23rd. Our class will be joining the other 4th and 5th graders at Sherwood Hall in Salinas to hear the Monterey Symphony. This will be part of the students' music education and was set up by music teacher, Ms. Porter.

The homework this week is:

Math:
Tuesday: Study Links 7.4, Wednesday: 7.5, Thursday: 7.6

Spelling:
Sort and write words

Reading:
Keep up on book club assignments
Read 20 minutes.

Handwriting:
Pages for homework will be assigned in class.

Sincerely,
Mary Welsh