World Math Day Update

World Math Day is almost here! On March 4, the entire school is going to be rotating through the computer lab to participate in World Math Day. It is sure to be fun! So far 280 of our students have signed on and played against other students from all over the world. Here are your leaders to date and their point totals:

Kindergarten: Angelina - 695
Grade 1: Justin - 1299
Grade 2: Alexis - 5772
Grade 3: Rohan - 8481
Grade 4: Washakie - 2756
Grade 5: Anjali - 6814
Grade 6: Gina - 5997
Grade 7: Frankie - 610
Grade 8: Harry - 1089

Congratulations to them and to all who have played so far. It is not too late to participate. Sign on to Worldmathday.com this weekend and play!

Thanks,
Nikki Madden
MS Math Specialist

Parent Letter - 2/26/2009

Dear Parents,

We will be going on our field trip to the Seaside Dunes on Friday morning. It is a free dress day and students will need to dress appropriately for working on the beach. I am not sure of the weather, today's trip for Ms. Arnow's class had perfect weather. Maybe we can get lucky too. Rain will cancel the trip.

I do need to make a correction. I had thought we would be eating our lunches on the beach but we will actually be back at school by lunch time. If your child will be getting the hot pizza lunch that day, there is no need to send them with a sack lunch. I apologize for any confusion.

On Monday, March 2nd, we will be celebrated Dr. Suess' birthday along with the rest of the school. If your child tells you they aren't going to get dressed and go to school that day, you can tell them that's just fine. Everyone is coming to school in their pajamas! Shoes will be needed outside. Slippers are o.k. in the classroom. Robes are a good thing to wear too. If your child chooses not to wear pajamas on Monday, they will need to come to school in the full uniform. We'll be reading some of Dr. Suess' books and enjoying his accomplishments.

Thank you to those who have sent money in for the gala basket. Every little bit helps. If you write a check, it's easiest if you write them to "Christine Colon" who is organizing the basket.

Thank you,
Mary Welsh

School Announcement from Eric Pearlstein

Dear Parents;

I wanted to take a few moments to share some ISM information

Students:
- Our ISM Science Fair will be held tonight with all entries going on to the county science fair next month.

- Monday 3/2/09 is "Read Across America Day" which is a celebration of the birthday of Dr. Seuss. All of ISM will be participating. Each grade level has planned age appropriate activities that will involve students in reading. The entire school will mark the occasion with a school wide "Pajama Day." Students and staff are encouraged to wear appropriate pajamas to school (pajamas should completely cover the child and be warm; robes are encouraged.) Children should wear regular footwear, not slippers.

- I need to restate some information from my last email regarding school uniforms and winter coats. It was my intention that all children be warm and dry on cold and/or wet days. By winter coats, I meant warm outdoor coats and by raincoats I meant coats that repel water. I have asked teachers to contact the parents of students who have been stretching my message to include non-uniform sweatshirts and other tops.

Teachers:
Working within grade level teams, classroom teachers, Spanish teachers and specialists have been using the ISM Strategic Plan, the California State Standards, and the Program of Inquiry as "Litmus Tests" to review all ISM curriculum. Teams are focused on developing lessons and units that integrate:
- The core subjects, Spanish and the special area subjects within ISM's hands-on, project based
curriculum.
- Concepts related to character development.
- Concepts related to internationalism

Parents:
As parents you support your own children by encouraging them and working with them at home. At school you support all of our ISM children with the time and effort you put into working at or on behalf of ISM. Please realize that you are providing the foundation on which our school's success is based.

Eric Pearlstein
Associate Director

(831) 583-2165
epearlstein@ismonterey.org

Spanish Program Presentation

¿Qué Pasa?

What is happening in the Spanish Program at ISM?
Is this an immersion program?
What to expect when your kids complete the ism spanish curriculum?
How we can help our children to improve their spanish skills?

!Come and find out!

The ISM Family Association welcomes you to attend this special presentation of the ISM Spanish Curriculum.

The presentation will include the outcomes of the different units that are taught in each level.
JOIN US THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 26TH, AT 5:30 PM IN THE MULTI USE ROOM!

REGULAR FAMILY ASSOCIATION MEETING TO FOLLOW PRESENTATION

Saludos
Rene Candia & the ISM Spanish Department

Parent Letter - 2/23/2009

I hope the weekend was a relaxing one for all of you. They sure go fast, don’t they?
I had the opportunity to see and hear some of our ISM students play in the orchestra at the Sunset Center on Sunday. I have to admit, I was there for personal reasons as I have two sons and my husband playing with the Youth Music Orchestra and the Orchestra in the Schools groups. But, even so, it was a wonderful experience to see all these fine young players coming together and making a wonderful sound. Our own Alexander Myers was easily visible in the horn section on his trumpet and fifth grader, Jonathan Vu was the concert master for the youth orchestra. It was a great performance.

This week, we have our field trip to the Seaside Dunes for planting our little seedlings to help restore some of the dune areas. It looks like we do have enough drivers now. Thank you to all who have stepped up to volunteer. Let’s hope the rain stays in the clouds while we are out there. As far as I know, we will go rain or shine but I will let you all know if something changes.
There are a few students who do not have their permission slip in yet. Please send those in tomorrow.

We are still collecting money for the class gala basket. We actually have only received two donations so far. Camille’s mom, Christine, will be putting together the basket for us with the theme of “Spa Relaxation”. If you can contribute to the basket with actual items or if you can donate $10 toward the basket contents, I have an envelope in the classroom for the collection.

Next week, on March 3rd, fourth graders will be taking the writing portion of the Star Test.
Please make sure your child arrives to school on time and, as always, eats a good breakfast. I believe the test lasts about one hour.

This week is fairly straightforward. We will continue with our fraction work in math. All of the spelling groups have homophones this week. The students will need to focus on the meanings of the words as well as the spelling. Please check with your child to make sure they are staying on course with their book club roles and word studies. Everyone is doing much better with the book clubs this time around and I assume will keep getting better with practice.

Project Alert! We are starting a group project on ocean food webs. Much of the work will be done in class though you will need to support your child at home to find a picture of their animal and help find some information about them. The description of the project will go home today. The project due date is Friday, March 6th. I am looking for frozen juice can lids for the project if you can save them and send them in. (If you have a can opener that opens cans without the sharp edge, those lids would work too.) We will also need one trifold board or other large cardboard (5 total) for the groups.

Save the Date:
Ms. Arnow and I are putting together a family discovery evening for the 4th grade. There is a small gift for each family that attends. Please join us if you are able.
When: Tuesday, March 10th – Coast Discovery Night
Where: ISM Multiuse Room
Time: 6:30pm – 8:00 pm
What: 4th grade families learning about our coast and students showing their projects to their families

Homework this week:

Monday:
Math: Study Links 7.7
Spelling: Sort and write words
Reading: 20 minutes
Handwriting: Page 34

Tuesday
Math: Study Links 7.8
Spelling: Sort and write words
Reading: 20 minutes
Handwriting: Page 35

Wednesday:
Math: Study Links 7.9
Spelling: Sort and write words
Reading: 20 minutes
Handwriting: Page 36

Thursday
Math: Study Links 7.10
Spelling: Sort and write words
Reading: 20 minutes
Handwriting: Page 37

Best wishes,

Ms. Mary Welsh