It's Not Too Late to Sign up for the Air Show

Dear ISM Parents,

It's not too late to sign up for the Air Show! We still need volunteers for the event. If you cannot volunteer for the full day, please consider volunteering the hours that work for you.

New parents, you are welcome to sign up and meet a wonderful group of ISM parents!

We need adult volunteers to sell parking tickets from 2pm-8pm Friday, Aug 7th, and 7:15am-3:30pm Saturday Aug 8th and Sunday Aug 9th. We need reinforcement during peak hours, so if you cannot be there the whole time but can help from 9am to 2:30pm, or any length of time that works for you, it will be much appreciated. Having part-time volunteers provides relief to parents who work there full time.

We will be standing by the side of the car lanes to sell parking tickets, so please do not bring young children with you. Older siblings over age 18 and friends are welcome to volunteer for ISM too!

Please e-mail Clara Wang at clarawang@comcast.net to sign up or for inquiry.

Moving Volunteers for Saturday, 4/27

Moving help is needed this coming Saturday morning. Parent volunteers and trucks are needed.

The task will involve moving wooden cubbies, tables (approx. 8), preschool chairs, preschool play equipment, a couch, desk, children's trikes, a large Art drying rack, and a larger wooden planter. All of these items have been generously donated to ISM by Dina Nasrallah, mother of rising 6th grader Kaila, who has operated Ridgewood Preschool in Seaside for the past five years. In order to take advantage of her donation, these items must be picked up by the end of the month... and we are hoping to "make the move" this coming Saturday morning, potentially from 9:30 - 12 noon.

If you are able to help, please contact Lisa Griffin Burns and indicate your availability and if you have a truck to donate to the cause.

Thank you!
Regards,

Lisa Griffin Burns
ISM Operations / HR Manager
Tel: 831-583-2165
Cell: 831-521-4900
Email: lburns@ismonterey.org

Final Week - Day by Day Guide

This last week at ISM is action packed so we wanted to be sure no deadline or event passed you by, so here is a blow by blow of the next few days:

Wednesday, June 16, 2009

9:30 - 11 am: 8th Grade Class of 2009 Graduation taking place in the MUR

12 noon: ISM Enrichment Camp with providers Sally Burns & Denise Noel ==> sign ups due

Thursday, June 17, 2009

10:00 am to 2:00 pm: Field Day festivities

12 noon: Order sheets/money due for a copy of the ISM 2008-09 DVD

All Day – Lost and Found Dig Day, please have your child go through these items or, if you are on campus that day, please look through our massive collection for any items that may belong to your family.

Friday, June 18, 2009 – Last Day of School

11:00 noon: Order sheets/money due for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade bulk supplies purchase

11:30 am: Early Dismissal – please pick up your children promptly!

Report cards will be going home on Friday ==> provided all library books, textbooks, and any other school related items have been returned or paid for, if lost.

11:30 am: 2009-2010 student placement: If your plans have, by any chance, changed and your child will NOT be returning to ISM for the coming year, it is paramount that we be informed immediately in writing...email is preferable, so that a lucky family on our 09-10 waiting list can benefit from an opening

Everyone have a wonderful summer vacation and we will see you back here — in the same great place -- on the first day of school, Monday, August 17th, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. Class lists will be posted in the administration building and emailed to each of you on Friday, August 14th, 2009.

Sincerely,

Karen Kushel
Office Administrator

and

Lisa Griffin Burns
Operations / HR Manager

Parent Update - 6/14/2009 (Last Update)

Dear Fourth Grade Families,

Well, we've made it to the end of fourth grade with just this last week to go. It's been an honor to be your child's teacher this year and witness his and her growth academically, emotionally and in height. They really have grown since last August!

I want to thank you all for the wonderful gift of the REI gift card I received on Saturday (hand delivered at REI by Alexander Myers). I was completely stunned by your generosity. I appreciate it very much and have already used a portion of it to buy a couple of items for my family's trip to Alaska this summer. It's perfect. THANK YOU!

Here's what the week will look like:

First of all - NO HOMEWORK. (I can hear everyone cheering! - me too!)

Monday we will be finishing up the innovator's project and begin presenting the life-size posters the students have been making. We will take our last math test. This is an "End of the Year" test whose results will go to their fifth grade teacher and not be graded for the report card.

Tuesday will have our class picnic to Lover's Point. Thank you to all who have offered to drive. We will be leaving school just after recess around 10:30ish. We should return by about 1:30. Please be reminded that though the students have free dress, they will not be able to go in the water because we have no lifeguard on duty. Everyone is asked to bring food to share. Those who have not turned in their permission slips need to do so tomorrow.

Wednesday, our class will be singing at the 8th grade graduation. We have been reading buddies with both the 8th grade and Kindergarten this year and this is a way of giving a little gift to their buddies. Thanks to Lisa Wichel-Loomis for thinking of this and arranging the graduation. Ms. Porter, the music teacher, has been working with the class on the songs.

Thursday is field day. Students have free dress. I will go over with the students what they can and cannot wear. I don't have the list with me as I write but they will need to wear clothes they can get wet for the water activities. Swimsuits may be wore but 2-piece suits for girls need to be covered with a shirt. Bring a towel and a change of clothes to school. Sunscreen is a good idea too.

We will be cleaning up and packing up the classroom all week. All school books need to be checked in. Please send any ISM books or our class library books back to school. There are some students that still have library books out from the ISM library. These need to be returned right away. Please check with your child.

Friday is a half day. Dismissal is at 11:30.

I am sure you all already have great summer plans. Here are a couple of ideas to add to your summer fun:

Library Reading Program - All of the local libraries have a summer reading program which has already begun. They usually have weekly prizes and some sort of fun programs throughout the summer and festivities at the end. It's a great way to encourage your child to read over the summer.

As mentioned in a previous email, the Golden State Theater in Monterey has free movies this summer. Check the theater for times and titles. You get the tickets at stores on Alvarado Street. A great deal!

The Forest Outdoor Theater hosts outdoor movies all summer. It's great to bring a picnic dinner and dessert and watch a movie outside. They also have a few plays. Right now, a play that captures a part in our local California history is playing called Bandito. I haven't had a chance to see it yet so, I don't know if it appropriate for children, but it would be a great addition to our year-long study of California.

If you need an idea for a weekend trip, think about going to the Gold Country of California to help your child see some of the places we learned about in class this year. There is a lot of information of where to go online and AAA has some great ideas and resources as well.

Feel free to let others know of activities you know about and share the fun.

I wish you all a wonderful, restful and fun summer.
Thank you for your endless support,
Mary

Mary Cunningham-Welsh
4th Grade Teacher
International School of Monterey

5th Grade School Supply Bulk Purchase Option - Due June 19th

CHECKS MUST BE RECEIVED AT ISM BY FRIDAY JUNE 19TH, 2009

If you are interested in participating in the bulk purchase of classroom supplies please fill out the form below. By purchasing from ISM you ensure that your child's teacher will get the required supplies necessary to do their very best. If you choose to buy supplies on your own please make sure that you purchase the brands requested. Over the years teachers have found that certain brands last longer and are more efficient, making them more cost-effective over time, even if they are slightly more expensive. Also, if you purchase items on your own please be aware that the student will be asked to purchase a Student Planner on the first day of school for $5.00.

5th Grade Costs
$100 (includes Spanish Dictionary)
$93 (without Spanish Dictionary)

If your child already has the following items, please subtract from your check total:
Student Calculator (subtract $5)
Student Compass (subtract $2.00)
Student 12 inch metric/stand and ruler (subtract $1.00)
Fiskars Scissors - 7inch - sharp tip (subtract $5.00)

Please make out a check to ISM and in the memo line mark "classroom supplies." Attach your check to this form and then return to your child's homeroom teacher.

Student Name _________________________

Date ______________

Grade (School Year 2009/2010) _____________


Check #___________________

Amt#_____________________

CHECKS MUST BE RECEIVED AT ISM BY FRIDAY JUNE 19TH, 2009

Student Supplies List for Fifth Grade 2009-2010

STUDENT SUPPLIES LIST 2009 - 2010
FIFTH GRADE

The below items should be labeled with the student's name:

__ 1 pencil organizer pouch (mesh)
__ 1 pencil sharpener, with enclosure for shavings
__ 1 student drawing compass for geometry that uses standard pencil only, no leads
__ 1 12-inch ruler marked in centimeters and inches, rigid only, transparent preferred
__ 1 pair of 7 inch student scissors, sharp point (e.g. Fiskars)
__ 1 set (24-pack) of colored pencils (sharpened)
__ 1 box of (16 ct.) crayons
__ 1 set (10-12 ct.) Crayola Classic Colors Wedge markers (non-toxic and washable)
__ 6 composition books, any color, standard size
__ 1 pocket folder for homework, very sturdy plastic
__ 2 spiral notebooks (wide ruled)
__ 1 ISM Student Planner ($5 on first day of school if not purchased through bulk program)

These below items are shared supplies and should not be labeled with student's name:

__ 6 plain pocket folders
__ 1 package of wide-ruled loose leaf notebook paper
__ 2 black Sharpie markers, fine point
__ 2 highlighters, any color
__ 2 pkgs. (12 ct.) Ticonderoga #2 pencils
__ 6 large erasers (suggest "Magic Rub")
__ 2 large glue sticks
__ 2 boxes tissues


SPANISH SUPPLIES FOR FIFTH GRADE (PACKAGE SEPARATELY FROM ABOVE)

__ 1 package wide-ruled loose leaf notebook paper
__ 1 Spanish / English pocket dictionary
__ 1 composition notebook - yellow & white
__ 2 Yellow pocket folders with prongs

For Spanish - except for the dictionary, there is no need to label any of the above items. These will be "community property" to be shared by all.

Note: Please let the Director know if you cannot afford to purchase the above materials. Arrangements will be made to supply them. Thank you!

4th Grade Class Picnic Reminder

This is basically a repeat of the letter from the back of your Class Picnic permission slip, and just serves as a reminder of the date, time, and potluck plans.

Please make note of the details. If you, yourself, are not planning to attend, but your child is, please send in your potluck item with your child.

Date: Tuesday, June 16th

Time/Place: We'll leave campus right after recess, around 10:10, arriving at Lover's Point about 10:30.

What to bring / send along with your child:

If your child's number is:
1-5: Fruit for 12
5-9: Side Dish (salad, vegetable dish, pasta, sushi, etc.) for 12
10-16: Main Dish for 8
17-20: Drinks for 15
22-25: Snack Item for 15

Please ask your kids to bring balls, flying toys, etc. WE PLAN TO NOT GET WET.

Hope this makes sense. Please email me with any questions or suggestions.

Thanks and hope to see you there,

Karen Monahan