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

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!

ISM NEEDS Volunteers for the Air Show in August! Second Notice

The Salinas Air Show has been one of the great outside fundraising sources for ISM. For the 2009 Air Show, the Blue Angles will fly for three days in August.

We need adult volunteers to sell parking tickets from 1 pm to 8 pm on Friday, August 7th, and from 7:15 am to 3:30 pm on both Saturday Aug 8th and Sunday Aug 9th. I have received more than 10 sign-ups from last week's announcement, but I need more response from the ISM community to be sure we have enough people to sell the tickets, especially on Friday, 7 Aug.

Even though it is still two months away, as the show will be held a week before school starts, I need to know NOW how many volunteers we can get approximately for this event before ISM commits to this event.

Please let me know if you'd like to work for the event and for what day(s). If you are interested but not sure if you will be available, please indicate "very likely", "likely", or "maybe". Please also provide an e-mail address and a phone number that I can reach you during summer.


If it looks like we will not be able to do it and some other organizations take over our responsibility, we may not be able to get it back next year. So it's important that you sign up now.

Please e-mail Clara Wang at clarawang@comcast.net ASAP.

Spirit Week

Monday, June 8th- Friday, June 12th

IMPORTANT: If you choose not to participate in the daily activity, YOU MUST wear the ISM dress code.

Monday, June 8th:
International Day
-Students can wear clothes from another culture.
-No sandals or bare midriffs are permitted

Tuesday, June 9th:
Crazy Hair and Mismatched Clothes Day
-Students can wear mismatched clothes and have crazy hair

Wednesday, June 10th:
Favorite Team, Jeans and Hat Day
-Students can wear jeans and jean jackets
-Hats may be worn in the classroom
-They can also wear a shirt or jersey that represents a team they may play on, their favorite high school team, college team, or pro team

Thursday, June 11th:
Hawaiian/Polynesian Day
-Students can wear shorts, skirts (fingertip length or longer), tropical shirts, grass skirts, lei's, etc.
-No bare midriffs are permitted
-No sandals or flip-flops are permitted

Friday, June 12th:
Spirit Day
-Each grade will wear an assigned color (this can include tops, bottoms, shoes and socks)

Kindergarten - Red
First Grade - Blue
Second Grade - Green
Third Grade – Black
Fourth Grade – Yellow
Fifth Grade - Orange
Sixth Grade – Any color but pants, shirt and socks must be same color.

ISM in 2009/2010

Dear ISM Community,

I have some important news to share with our ISM community about the 09/10 school year.

ISM will not be moving and will remain on the Manzanita campus for the next two years.

Although we are not moving, we will still need a great deal of parent help this summer. We will have the entire campus. We will have to pack and move several classrooms. We will also have to construct walls in the north pod to create four separate classrooms.

In 2009/10 the beginning and ending times for instruction at ISM will be changing. Classes will begin and classroom doors will open at 8:00 AM. The school day will end and student pick up will begin at 3:00 PM.

ISM will offer a fee based Before School Program that will include breakfast. The Before School Program will begin at 7:00 AM.

In 2009/10, regular student drop off time will be 7:45 AM unless you are using the Before School Program.

If I do not see you personally before the end of school, I hope that all of our ISM families have a happy, safe and restful summer.

Eric Pearlstein
Interim Executive Director

Parent and Student Surveys May 2009

The ISM School Site Council (SSC) has as one of its primary goals to facilitate communication between ISM families, students, staff and the school. The School Site Council consists of: Executive Director Eric Pearlstein, Kindergarten Specialist Instructor Kim Reimer, Grade 1 Instructor Audrey Shapiro, Grade 3 Instructor Peggy Brown, and ISM Parent Lynn Goldstein.

On an annual basis, a series of three online Zoomerang surveys -- a Parent Survey, Staff Survey, and Student Survey -- is disseminated to the ISM community to collect valuable feedback from each of these groups. Information gathered from these surveys is then used to provide input to update the ISM Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan serves as the road map to direct all aspects of ISM's growth and development.

We have now launched the online Zoomerang surveys and the Parent and Student surveys can be accessed by following the respective links below. The Staff survey will be forwarded separately to the ISM staff.

SSC Parent Survey May 2009
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB2296EY37FDX

SSC Student Survey May 2009
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB22966RN2F72

We kindly ask that all ISM parents take 5 - 10 minutes in the coming days to complete the Parent Survey. Simply click on the top link and follow your way through the online survey. Your feedback is so valuable.

In addition, we also encourage you to assist your child to take the Student Survey. The process is the same. Click on the Student Survey link and complete the survey in 5 - 10 minutes.

The deadline to respond is TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2009!

On behalf of the School Site Council, we thank you so much!

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

Celebrating Success: ISM Students @ 2009 State Science Fair

Hello All!

As we head into this three-day Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to be sure to sing the praises of (1) our 6th and 7th grade students who recently competed in the State Science Fair competition, and (2) announce that an ISM 8th grader has been chosen to participate in the People to People Sports Ambassador Program! Here's the good word:

1. ISM STUDENTS COMPETE AT STATE SCIENCE FAIR:

This past Monday, May 18th and Tuesday, May 19th, nine current ISM students (and one ISM graduate) and their families traveled to Los Angeles to compete in the 58th State Science Fair held at the Science Center adjacent to University of Southern California. In this competition, there were 900 student entries from throughout California. Our participating ISM students had the opportunity to view a wide variety of remarkable projects, listen to exciting speakers, as well as present their own projects at the state level.

With much pride, ISM had nine students qualify for this honor! They are as follows:

* Sinead Casey, Grade 6
* Justin Clausen, Grade 6
* Logan Allen, Grade 6
* Edenne Flinn, Grade 6
* Riley Gaucher, Grade 6
* Robin Myers, Grade 6
* Daniel Noel, Grade 6
* Jack Morgan, Grade 6
* Brian Clark, Grade 7
* Jared Clark (brother of Brian, former ISM Student, and current 9th grader at York School)

We are so proud of these students for their success at the Monterey County Science Fair and for their involvement in and experience gained at the State Science Fair! Thanks also go out to their wonderfully encouraging parents for supporting their attendance in Los Angeles.

I would also like to specifically thank ISM parent Ellen Gaucher for reporting in details for this announcement!

2. ISM STUDENT & SEASIDE ATHLETE CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN PEOPLE TO PEOPLE SPORTS AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
(as reported in a People to People News Release)

We are thrilled to announce that "Cody Washington, a Seaside resident, athlete, and 8th grade student at the International School of Monterey (ISM) in Seaside has been chosen to participate in the People to People Sports Ambassador Program. In July 2009, Cody will travel to Europe where he will train for and compete in the sport of football at the Youth Friendship Games in Vienna, Austria. Cody is 1 in 25 athletes from the United States who will be competing in the 13-15 year old group.

In addition to building athletic skill, Cody will earn University credits while getting to know the people, culture and history of Austria. He will take part in a variety of activities such as donating to a children's charity, visiting the Mauthausen concentration camp and talking to a Holocaust survivor.

Selection into the Sports Ambassador Program is a honor. After being chosen, Cody participated in a successful interview with program coaches and leaders.

Cody will be met overseas and accompanied by a team of experienced coaches and teacher-leaders. The athletic delegation will be escorted by a local delegation manager who coordinates the cultural and recreational excursions and is very familiar with local customs."

ISM students and staff are so very proud of Cody's success and look forward to hearing first-hand of his experiences upon his return from Austria!

Congratulations again to each of these students and their parents for their success!!!

Have a great holiday weekend!

Lisa Griffin Burns
Operations / HR Manager
Email: lburns@ismonterey.org

Thursday Night (5/21/2009)

Dear Parents,

On Thursday night for the Spring Arts Night, our class decided to dress like beach/surfer folks and Gold Miners. The beach/surfer dress should be appropriate for the performance - long shorts and beach t-shirt or something like that. Boys long swimsuits would be fine with a shirt.

Girls could also wear long shorts and a beachy shirt. Swimsuits for girls would NOT be appropriate for the performance. The miner's would wear jeans or work pants and a long sleeve shirt (possibly plaid or similar). A straw hat for the minors would be fine too. Please let me know if you have any questions about this.

Students will need to be in the classroom at 6:15 pm. You can pick them up after the program back in the classroom.

Thank you,
Mary

Monterey Bay Aquarium Free today (5/20)

I've been meaning to make sure you all know that the aquarium is free today to Monterey County residents. It might be a nice way to spend some of the afternoon if you have the time on this early release day.

On each 20th of the month until October 20th, the aquarium is free to Monterey County residents as a gift to the community to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

Note: I still need field trip forms from Kareem, Cy, Ariana and Tanner for Friday's trip to MBARI.

Lastly, thanks to those watchful parents who have caught my typo on group C's spelling words. "neckace" should be "necklace". Sorry about the mistake.

All the best,
Mary Welsh

Reminders - 5/20 Early Dismissal, Book Fair and 5/21 Spring Concert

We wanted to remind you of three important events for this week:

Early Dismissal day – Wed. 5/20
Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20th is an early dismissal day, school is out promptly at 11:30am and children must be picked up immediately as all staff attending a meeting at 12:00 noon. Please be sure to make any arrangements you might need to have your children picked up on time.

Spring Concert - Thursday , May 21st at 6:30pm
This Thursday, May 21st is the Spring Concert for ISM. Please make sure all K-5 students attend the event, as they all have specific roles to play in their performances. Students should go directly to their classrooms at 6:15pm to wait for their turn to perform. You may then pick them up in their classroom after the concert is over. As this is a community event, we would like middle school students to attend as well. Middle school art will be on display in various locations throughout the school, mainly in the MUR and art room and the art teacher, Karen Welch, will be here to answer any questions you might have. The MUR will be open at 6:00 p.m. for parents to view the 6th-8th grade artwork.

ISM BOOK FAIR WED. 5/20 THROUGH THURSDAY 5/28
The ISM book fair is beginning tomorrow, and will be open various hours through the next week. It will also be open the evening of the Spring Concert on Thursday so you have many opportunities to shop for great reads!

Thank you,
ISM staff

School Supplies for 2009-2010

Dear Families,

In order to reduce costs, ISM would like to try ordering school supplies in bulk. How would this work? Teachers would submit their class supply lists and then a master list would be compiled. We believe we can get a better price for school supplies by ordering in large quantities. Also, some suppliers give the school a 5% or 10% discount for purchases. Once a master list is compiled we would then break it down to a per student cost.

In years past school supplies have cost close to $70 dollars in some classes. Once the per student cost is calculated, each family would be sent an invoice. Families would then submit a check for the requested amount. The checks would have to be received before the end of this 08-09 school year in order to guarantee that the supplies would be ready for the students on the first day of school.

In order for this to work, there must be widespread participation across the grades. Before proceeding, we would like feedback from you as to whether you would like to purchase supplies through ISM or are you more interested in purchasing supplies for your child(ren) individually?

Please respond to this email with your preference to Ms. B in the 5th grade at sburns@ismonterey.org as soon as possible. You can indicate your choices and information on the lines provided below.

Thank You,


Child's Name:
Current Grade:

Child's Name: Current Grade:

Child's Name:
Current Grade:

____ I would prefer to purchase my child(ren)'s school supplies from ISM for the 2009-10 school year.

____ I would prefer to purchase my own school supplies for the 2009-10 school year.

Saturday Work Day (SWD) for May 9, 2009, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm

Hello All!

This coming Saturday is the scheduled Work Day for May! Heading up the "sprucing fun" will be myself as event chair and Ms. Sally Burns as Co-Chair.
We hope that some of you may take time out this Mothers' Day weekend to spend some time with Ms. Burns and myself; we promise good humor, warm weather,
and community spirit as we take on the following tasks:

* Garden/landscape planting (the bulk of effort on Saturday):
Courtesy of H.O.P.E. and Mr. Greg Dinsmore (husband of Kinder instructor Maren Dinsmore), who is generously donating some drought-tolerant landscape plants,
SWD volunteers will be planting these plants in beds alongside the admin building and in the garden area.
==> tools needed: hand-held and big shovels, rakes, and similar gardening tools

* Detailing one or both of the ISM vans:
Volunteers will be removing trash and debris, vacuuming and cleaning the interior. Once done, students will be reminded to respectfully use the vans and take
trash with them following fieldtrip use.
==> tools needed: buckets, car washing soap, sponges, perhaps an extra hose

* Copying effort for "Student Services Resource Manual" / Dr. Neli Volante:
Volunteers will be trained in the morning by Dr. Volante to make copies needed for several new/missing resource binders needed for 09-10 staff
==> tools needed: organizational skills... and a high degree of patience with the ISM copiers

* Cleaning MUR stage:
Sweeping, vacuuming, perhaps mopping the MUR stage (area not cleaned weekly by custodian) in prep for upcoming concert rehearsals / Spring concert
==> tools needed: wet/dry vacuum, extra brooms

--Standing monthly tasks:
* cleaning sinks in south pod classrooms with cleanser;
==> tools needed: buckets, safe cleaning agents, sponges, rubber gloves

* raking upper playground lot (belonging to Seaside) to ensure level areas;
==> tools needed: rakes

* campus trash pick-up
==> trash bags, rubber gloves (ISM provides)

Once again, the event begins at 9:30 a.m. (no earlier!) and concludes at 1:00 p.m., so that folks can head off to attend to other tasks.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Thanks!

Regards,

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

Two Notes

Dear Parents,

Given the Star Testing and the students' energy level, we will postpone our math assessment to Thursday. Tomorrow we will review unit 9. A copy of the study guide has been sent to you via email.

Next week the Star tests will be on Monday and Tuesday for 4th grade not Tuesday and Wednesday as I had said in my last note. Please make sure your child continues to be on time and is well rested and has eaten breakfast as usual.

Thanks,
Mary

Lower Parking Lot Being Painted

Weather permitting, ISM's lower parking lot will be cordoned off today, Wednesday, May 6 morning (beginning at 7:15 a.m.) for repainting per a work order request to MPUSD last week.

New parking lot spaces will be painted to ensure a safer parking environment. Please plan accordingly and park in other locations on the campus or on adjoining city streets.

The MPUSD painting crew will begin painting after school begins at 8:20 a.m.
tomorrow morning. Ted Balisteri, who'll head up the "operation" tomorrow for MPUSD, expects that the whole painting & drying operation will be complete within two hours. At that time, we will reopen the lower parking lot for use.

Thanks for your flexibility!

Regards,

Lisa Griffin Burns
ISM Operations / HR Manager

STAR Testing and Health News

Dear Parents,

A reminder that beginning next week on Tuesday, and scheduled during the following ten school days, our second through eighth grade students will be taking Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) tests.

All students in these grades will be taking the English Language Test (ELA). The ELA is given in two parts over consecutive days. In grades two and three there is a third part of the ELA test which is given on a third consecutive day.

All students in grades two through eight will be given a Math Test. The Math test is given in two parts on two consecutive days. In grades two and three there is a third part of the Math test which is given on a third consecutive day.

Grades five and eight will take a Science test which will be given in two parts.

Grade eight will also take a History-Social Science test which will be given in two parts.

Classes will only take one section of the test each day. All tests will begin at 8:45 AM.
Please assure your child that she/he has been well prepared for these tests and that his/her parents and teachers know that they will do very well.

Please also make sure that your child gets a good nights sleep each night during this time period and that they have a good breakfast each morning. If you have any questions, please call me at 583-2165 or email me at epearlstein@ismonterey.org.

Health News:
I wanted to assure all of our parents that we are following updates from the Monterey County Health Department regarding Swine Flu. There have been no reported cases in our area. In response to the advice that we have received we have asked our teachers to:

• Remind and allow our students to wash their hands frequently.
• Reinforce that students should cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze.
• Send them to the office if they complain of feeling feverish, a sore throat, a headache, chills, tired, dizzy or nauseous.
  

Parents should observe their children for similar symptoms at home and make sure that they take the same precautions.

It is never fun to tell parents about State Standardized tests or precautions to take during flu season.

I want to leave you with a positive thought.

At ISM we have great kids, great teachers and great parents and I feel very lucky to be here.

Eric Pearlstein
Interim Executive Director

(831) 583-2165
epearlstein@ismonterey.org

Moss Landing Marine Labs Open House

Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
Saturday & Sunday
April 25th and 26th
9:00am - 5:00pm

• Behind the scenes tours of our research facilities
• Live touch tanks
• FREE event
• Native dune habitat tours
• Marine adventure puppet show
• Opportunity drawing - win great prizes and support the students of MLML
• Fish printing
• Educational seminars
• Meet faculty, staff and students

Come learn about oceanography and the biology of marine birds, sea turtles, sharks and rays, marine mammals, plankton, kelp and invertebrates! See how we dive under the ice in Antarctica, explore the Monterey submarine canyon, determine the age of fish and corals, and monitor the ocean by satellite!

FREE Admission
Food will be available for purchase
8272 Moss Landing Rd, Moss Landing, CA
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL (831) 771-4400
OR VISIT WWW.MLML.CALSTATE.EDU

Half Day ASI care at ISM For April 22nd, 2009

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 is a half-day at ISM.
After School International will be providing childcare for students on this day. Students will be able to come to the program and have pizza lunch and a fun filled afternoon. The cost for this one-day of care is $35.00 per student for the day and care will be available until 6:00 pm.

All students must pre-register. No sign ups will be accepted on the 22nd.

Regular ASI students need to sign up for this program as it is not a regularly scheduled day on your Parent Contract.

All checks should be made payable to ISM and put in Miss Lisa's office box directly.

For questions please contact Lisa Wichael Loomis, ASI program coordinator, at lwloomis@ismonterey.org.

April Saturday Work Day Cancelled!

Please note that in consideration of family travels / celebrations related to the Passover and Easter holidays this coming weekend, the April Saturday Work Day scheduled for Saturday, April 11th from 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. has been canceled.

We also want to give staff and parents attending Saturday evening's World Neighborhood Gala plenty of opportunity to prepare for the "big event". Congratulations to all the room parents, volunteer parents, and especially Gala Coordinator Carrie Miles, for their amazing efforts on behalf of ISM's biggest annual fundraising event!

Have a great weekend!

Regards,

Lisa Griffin Burns
ISM Operations / HR Manager

Report cards, field trip

Dear Parents,

Report cards were sent home today with your student. They are in an ISM envelope and should arrive to you sealed.

The students were also given the migration project information today. I am attaching another copy here for you just in case. Please let me know if you have any questions. This is the first time the 4th grade has tried a project like this so there are bound to be some ups and downs with figuring it out. Your feedback is helpful.

Our field trip to Colton Hall and the library via the MST bus is tomorrow. Please send your child to school with a lunch and drink, a backpack and a book to read on the bus. They will need to wear their regular uniform. Thank you to the parents who will be joining us as chaperones. I think we will all be learning a lot.

Our class art project is on display in the office along with some of the other class works of art. Stop by and check them out. They are all quite fun to see.

All the best,
Mary Welsh

Town Hall Budget Meeting Hosted by ISM Board

Dear ISM Parents and Staff,

I would like to urge all of our parents and staff to attend the TOWN HALL BUDGET MTG HOSTED BY ISM BOARD,this Monday, 4/6/09 at 6:30PM in the ISM
multi-use room.

This meeting will allow all members of our ISM family to understand how the budgeting decisions that have been made in Sacramento have created the financial
challenges that ISM now faces.

The goal is for ISM community members to come away with a better understanding of the hurdles ISM faces and how each of us can work together to meet these challenges.

Eric Pearlstein
Interim Executive Director

(831) 583-2165
epearlstein@ismonterey.org

Celebrating Success: Student Success at World Affairs Challenge and County Science Fair Competitions

Dear ISM Community,

Welcome Back from Spring Break!

ISM middle school students participated in two significant competitions at the beginning and end of our Spring Break and our ISM students performed extremely well! Here’s the exciting news:

1. 2009 World Affairs Challenge (WAC)
The World Affairs Challenge (WAC), hosted by World Savvy, was held on Saturday, March 14th at the San Francisco State University and over 250 middle school students from around the Bay area participated in the event. Mr. Greg Zugrave, ISM's 7th grade Language Arts and Social Studies instructor, served as the staff coach to our 7th grade students and he was aided by parent coaches, Marie Butcher and Kate McKenna. Our 7th graders placed in every category but one, to include the Best Overall Team, Best Formal Presentation, Best Discovery Poster, Best Collaborative Question, and Best Global Awareness Quiz categories, which is extremely impressive given that this was the first World Affairs Challenge experience for ISM and our 7th graders!

Here's a brief overview:
12 plus ISM students awarded for their work on the Collaborative Question
3rd Place for Misha Polovneff on the Global Awareness Quiz
3rd Place for Best Discovery Poster-Team Rainbow
3rd Place for Best Presentation-Team Rainbow
2nd Place Overall-The Wash Ups
1st Place Overall-Team Rainbow

Thank you to all staff, students, and parents who contributed to this success! Please refer to the following link to see more detailed information about the World Savvy competition results:
http://worldsavvy.org/programs/wac-2009-awards.php

2. 2009 Monterey County Science & Engineering Science Fair
This past weekend on Saturday, March 28th, ISM 6th, 7th (1 student), and 8th grade students participated in the annual Monterey County Science Fair at CSUMB. Overall, we had 78 students representing ISM with 34 science projects. Following the awards ceremony on Sunday, March 29th, we had 30 student winners, with 9 students going onward to the California State Science Fair! The State Fair will be held May 18-19, 2009 and will be hosted by the California Science Center (formerly, the California Museum of Science and Industry). Again this year, ISM students performed very strongly and proved competent not only in their board displays, project journal and reports, but also in their ability to communicate orally in discussing and presenting detailed information concerning their respective projects to the event judges.

Thank you to ISM instructors Dave Brandau, Paul Lane, and Stephanie Zugrave for all of their guidance and support to our students throughout the Science Fair process, as well as to parents who continue to enthusiastically commit time and effort in support of the Science Fair teams and projects. For detailed results, please refer to the link below:

http://dbdriven.brinkster.net/mcsf/AwardWinners2009.asp

In both of these social science and life/physical science competitions, ISM students again displayed a high degree of academic excellence, frankly dominating their competition at both of these events. Our inquiry and project-based curriculum continues to benefit our students as they successfully compete each year in these externally-evaluated academic events.

Regards,

Lisa Griffin Burns

ISM Community Update

Dear ISM community,

I want to thank all of you who work so hard to make ISM the wonderful school that it is.

ISM financial update:

Over the past few months we have been hearing some dire news about the State’s financial situation and how it is affecting local school systems. At this time it is important to let our school community know that ISM is not immune to the financial crisis.

As a public charter school, most of our funding comes from the State. To manage its budget, the State of California has cut educational funding significantly. This has directly affected ISM to the tune of about $150,000. The good news is that, due to our proactive freeze on spending and aggressive fundraising efforts in anticipation of State cuts, we still project a positive balance on our books at the end of this extremely challenging budget year.

In addition to the cuts though, the State has informed schools that they will defer some scheduled payments. The State provides schools with their funding by making payments on specific dates during the school year. At ISM we design our budget (i.e. determine how we will meet payroll and pay bills) knowing the dates that we will be able to deposit the State money into our accounts. The State has informed all schools that they will defer the payment we were to receive in April. They will not give us those funds until July. This means that we may fall short of our cash needs by as much as $150,000 at the end of June.

So, though we project a positive budget balance, we foresee a cash flow problem. You would experience this same dichotomy if your projected family spending was below your earned income, but your employer decided to hold your paychecks for a few months.

Just like your family, ISM will still be responsible for paying our bills in June even though the State has deferred our allocations. The administration and the ISM Board of Trustees are working hard to find a solution to this immediate problem in June. Because the State has indicated that it plans to defer some of the payments scheduled for the next school year as well, along with seeking a solution to the June financial we are seeking solutions to ensure positive cash balances throughout 2009-2010.

While the Foundation reports that we are on a solid trajectory to achieve our fundraising targets for the year thanks to the incredible generosity that you all showed during the holiday fund drive and have maintained since, they will continue to work to increase Family Share contributions as one mechanism for addressing the projected cash shortage. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated.

Status of the ISM move:

Each day we get questions about the possible move of ISM to the Hayes campus. We have been told by MPUSD that we may move, but no definitive decision has been made. We are in negotiation with the school district as to the details of our space allocation for next year under our lease and the Proposition 39 Implementing Regulations adopted by the State Board of Education. Under those regulations, MPUSD has until April 1 to make a firm offer of space for the 2009-2010 year. As soon as we have more information to share, we will let you know. Meanwhile, we've formed an ISM committee to begin planning for the possible move to the Hayes campus.

These are very difficult times and it is important for our entire ISM community to understand the challenges that we face. Thank you for your continued support, and please be assured that we will do everything possible to maintain the quality of the educational program that your child receives at ISM.


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

Thanks for Participating (Life at the Edge)

Thank you all for coming to the Life at the Edge - Coastal Ecosystems event last night at ISM. We had a wonderful turnout. It was great to see all the families there learning about some aspects of the ocean and coast. I enjoyed watching the students show their parents their boards and pick through the kelp holdfast. Seeing the faces as some brave souls tasting the dried anchovies was also amusing.

Thank you all for making the effort to come and take part in your child's education.

Sincerely,
Mary Welsh

News of Note - 3/11/2009

Hello all,

In preparation for our last day before the two week spring break, there are a number of items of note for the school community.

• Tomorrow, Thursday, March 12th is an 11:30am early dismissal day as well as a free dress day, yahooooo!!!!
• Lost and found Dig tomorrow as well, beginning about 11:15 am in the front of the school. This is your last chance to retrieve lost and found items before they either go to donation or to ISM uniform sales. We had some wonderful parent volunteers go through all of the lost and found locations and return to the students any items that were labeled clearly. Anything else will be in the uniform dig tomorrow.
• Gala RSVPs – Carrie Miles asks that everyone please send in their Gala RSVPs as soon as possible. They can be mailed or dropped in the ISM Foundation mailbox in the front office. Any questions about the gala, please email Carrie at clmiles33@aol.com.
• The "Flypaper" (the ISM Student Newspaper) will be on sale tomorrow for 25 cents. All profits made will go to Family Fair Share. They will be sold at early morning drop off and at the end of the half day during pick up.

Please take the opportunity during the two week spring break to continue to diligently check your children for lice and to treat if necessary. We've still been having a couple of stubborn cases so the two weeks away will be a perfect opportunity to eradicate it completely. If your child still has lice or nits after being treated, you might want to check with your pediatrician for further assistance.

Everyone have a wonderful two weeks off and we'll see all of the students back and ready to jump into the 3rd trimester at ISM on Monday, March 30th.

Sincerely,
ISM Staff

Reminder: "Life on the Edge" Coastal Ecosystems event

Just a reminder:
Our "Life on the Edge" Coastal Ecosystems event will be tonight starting at 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm, ISM Multiuse room. The students have finished their Food Web boards and are anxious to share them with you among the many other options available.
We hope you can come by!

Wine Cellar Drop-Off - Thurs, 3/12 is Free Dress + Early Dismissal

Hello all,
• Just a reminder that before and after school tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10th, there will be volunteers in the lower parking lot to pick up your Gala wine cellar donations. DO NOT SEND WINE WITH THE KIDS!

• Free Dress day is this Thursday, March 12th as we are not in school on Friday, March 13th. Also remember that Thursday, March 12th is an early dismissal day at 11:30am due to student conferences

Thank you!

Saturday Work Day for March: 3/7/09, 9:30 am - 1 pm

Hello All!

Due to the upcoming Spring Break, we will be holding the March Saturday Work Day this coming Saturday, March 7th from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. I am pleased that Mr. Dan Simpson, father of Danielle (Gr. 3) and Ty (Gr. 5), will be hosting this Saturday's event! He is a veteran Saturday Work Day Chair, but please be patient with him as he manages the multiple volunteers and tasks on Saturday.

At the start of the event (close to 9:30-9:40 a.m.) on Saturday morning, volunteers are asked to assemble together for a "meet and greet" and to go over the tasks for the day.
⇒ Volunteers are asked to personally introduce themselves, to include mentioning their children's names and grades at ISM, and
⇒ mention what tasks they would like to do (clean, organize, rake, hammer, etc.), which will assist Dan in assigning folks to different tasks on the list.

I've provided the task/tool list below so that volunteers can better plan what supplies to bring on Saturday and the tasks to accomplish.

TASKS LIST PROVIDED BELOW IN PRIORITY ORDER

⇒ 1. CLEAN UP TRASH IN LOWER PARKING LOT: TASK REQUESTED BY ISM PARENT FRED HOFFMAN
⇒ TASK: Fred would like to have the help of at least two other men to assist w/ trash pick-up in the lower parking lot.
This lot is used routinely by soccer players/families who litter the area and do not pick up after themselves! I am trying to communicate the litter situation to MPUSD and Seaside PD…..
⇒ TOOLS: 2-3 volunteers, brooms, rubber gloves, trash bags

⇒ 2. CLEAN / SWEEP / VACUUM MUR STAGE
⇒ TASK: The stage is not as regularly cleaned as other parts of the campus. We try to address this on SWDays. Please have volunteer(s) sweep & vacuum the stage thoroughly to remove dirt and dust. Leftover uniforms can be put in lost and found and debris can be thrown away.
⇒ TOOLS: 1-2 volunteers, brooms, wet/dry vac or vacuum with a hose attachment

⇒ 3. SPRING CLEAN MUR BATHROOMS / ADMIN OFFICE 3 BATHROOMS
⇒ TASK: A SWD regular (Khang Nguyen) will hopefully be bringing cleaning tools (cleanser, buckets, etc.) to do some heavy cleaning of the bathrooms in the MUR (boys & girls) and the three bathrooms in the Admin building. This would include cleaning the sink, toilets, walls, floors. The bathrooms in the Admin office also have cobwebs dangling from the ceiling, which can be vacuumed.
⇒ TOOLS: 2+ volunteers, vacuum with a hose attachment, bathroom cleanser, buckets,
sponges

⇒ 4. INVENTORY LOGO CLOTHING IN CLOSET IN OPERATION MGR.'S OFFICE
⇒ TASK: Using inventory sheet provided by Nikki Madden (logo clothing coord.), please have volunteers INVENTORY the different types of logo clothing in my closet. Inventory sheet will be provided. Leave completed inventory sheet on my desk.
⇒ TOOLS: 1 volunteer, inventory sheet, pen

⇒ 5. CLEAN SINKS IN POD CLASSROOMS # 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
⇒ TASK: Using cleanser and buckets, please clean sinks in all pod classrooms
⇒ TOOLS: 1-2 volunteers, cleanser, buckets, gloves

⇒ 6. ORGANIZE DRAMA COSTUMES/OUTFITS ON NEW DOWEL ROD IN CLOSET TO LEFT OF MUR
STAGE
⇒ TASK: Using hangers provided, please have volunteers organize/hang costumes, etc. on hangers and place on dowel rod hanger in drama closet
⇒ TOOLS: 1 volunteer, hangers

⇒ 7. REMOVE PENCIL MARKS ON WALL OF POD HALLWAY
⇒ TASK: Using cleanser, please have volunteer(s) remove pencil writing/grafitti on right-hand hallway wall of pod hallway (location highlighted on map)
⇒ TOOLS: 1 volunteer, disinfectant cleanser, small bucket, gloves

⇒ MONTHLY TASK: The campus ALWAYS needs trash pick-up, especially in the area around the lower blacktop, and the area in and around the portables. This is a great task to get STUDENTS involved.
⇒ TOOLS: Rubber gloves and trash bags are in the blue Rubbermaid container in my office

⇒ MONTHLY TASK: City of Seaside upper playground: Please rake & level wood chips in the upper playground. This is a safety issue task that we try to do each month.
⇒ TOOLS: Rakes

Saturday Work Day (SWD) volunteers are reminded to log their hours into the PTO Manager software. For any needed assistance logging volunteer hours, please contact
"ptomanager@ismonterey.org".

As always, we appreciate the valuable help our parent and student volunteers contribute on Saturday Work Days! We are a stronger community for the efforts we all put into ISM!

Regards,

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

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

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 - 2/13/2009

Dear Parents,

This is just a reminder that Box Tops are due tomorrow. If you have some collected, please send them in if you can. I know we already won the prize once but, we are hoping for a double header!

I sent home yet another field trip form with your child today. This is for our last trip to the Seaside dunes for our restoration work. The trip is on Friday, Feb. 27th. It will be from 8:30 until about noon. There is no cost for the trip. We will need (I know I'm always asking) driver/chaperones for the trip. It's a great excuse to go to the beach and you will know you are doing your part for education and the environment. You'll just have a lot of company!

Thanks everyone. Have a very happy Valentine's Day and 3-day weekend. Don't forget to say happy 200th birthday to Abraham Lincoln!
I'll see your child on Tuesday, the 17th.

Sincerely,
Mary Cunningham-Welsh

Classroom Gift Basket Project

Dear Parents,

We have been asked to put together a gift basket to be auctioned off at the upcoming World Neighborhood Gala on April 11th. This is the school's #1 fundraising event.
http://www.ismonterey.org/WorldGala.html

Each classroom is asked to assemble a themed gift basket. We haven't decided on a theme yet, but some ideas are:
- scrapbooking
- kids crafts
- kids music
- international music
- international cooking
... if you have any good ideas, let Barbara know.

We are requesting a donation of $10 (or whatever you are able to donate) to shop creatively with the assistance of individuals that can get discounts at Target. Your donations may be left in an envelope located in Ms. Welsh's classroom. We need all donations before Wednesday, February 18th.

Thank you for your time and efforts,

Barbara Aoki-Okamura
tkmon@sbcglobal.net

Gala Preparation Volunteers

ISM Gala coordinator Carrie Miles has issued a "please help" request for gala preparation volunteers. She needs a few people to help stuff the Gala invitation envelopes this week so they can be sent out by the week's end. This can be as simple as picking up a stack of invitations and envelopes at the front office and assembling them conveniently at home.

If you are available to assist with this time-sensitive project, then please contact Carrie Miles for further instruction (clmiles33@aol.com). You can, of course, log this time towards your monthly volunteer hours!

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

Successful Monterey Bay Aquarium Field Trip

Dear Grade 4 Families,

We had a very nice day today at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and I am happy to report that all of the students did very well. Our Discovery Lab lesson was very informative and engaging. All of the students were able to observe and feed some of the animals and we were able to look first hand at some of the adaptations for these animals in their habitats.

We spent the rest of the time in the aquarium as scientists looking closely at some of the habitats to better understand the living and non-living parts of a habitat and their interactions.

The students also were able to meet an aquarium staff member to find out more about their job and what they do there. I can't wait to hear who everyone met and what they learned. I think all of our groups also got a chance to go "behind the scenes" at the aquarium to see some part that the public usually doesn't get to. I hope all in all it was a valuable learning experience for all.

This trip could not have taken place at all without the help of our wonderful parents who drove the children safely to and from the aquarium and guided and helped the students along all day.

So please, when you see Debra Istenes, Merilee Kolpacsyk, Barbara Okamura, Ming Chiann Chou, Sonia Perez, and Corynne Brown, thank them for their wonderful and kind help today.

Thank you all from the whole class!

Book Orders: I didn't submit the book order on Tuesday and had a couple more orders come in.
If you would still like to order a book from the last book club order, I have extended the order to next Monday, January 26th. You can send in your order with your child or order online.

Best wishes to you all,
Mary Welsh

SM SEM Plea - KNIT ONE, SAVE ONE

Dear ISM families,

This trimester our SEM is going to knit and crochet caps for a SAVE THE CHILDREN program called: KNIT ONE, SAVE ONE. We would welcome donations of remnants of yarn and also donations of needles. We are looking for worsted weight or sport weight yarn and 7, 8 or 9 size needles. We also would love crochet hooks , size F or H. We do not want anyone to purchase anything - just pass along any of these items which may be sitting around your house, unused. If you would like to make a cap yourself go to the link at Save The Children, or join us Friday afternoon from 2-3 PM. Thanks for your help and support. Please drop off your donations in the front office - marked for KNIT ONE, SAVE ONE SEM.

Sally Burns and Bene Milling

Office Note: SEM starts today, 1/16/09 but we will be accepting these donations for the next 6 weeks, thanks!

Inauguration Viewing at ISM: Tues., Jan. 20, beginning at 7am

Dear Parents / Guardians;

The following preparations are in the works so that ISM students may view the historic Inauguration of Barack Obama on Tuesday morning, January 20th. From our research on the web, it appears that web coverage will begin at 7 a.m. West Coast time (7 a.m. East Coast time).

We will be setting up two viewing locations -- in the multiuse room (MUR) and the computer pod -- that morning so that classes can view the Inaugural proceedings. We will be projecting the festivities onto screens in both locations via a laptop tuned to either CNN.com Live or CBSNEWS.com -- both of which will have a live Webcast of the event on Tuesday morning.

Our intention is that those teachers desiring to show their classes the majority of the Inauguration can do so in the MUR as it is a larger space and potentially more comfortable for more students.

The Pod would be for those teachers who feel that their students would benefit from seeing only specific parts of the ceremony.

The most consistent information is that the webcast and simulcast coverage will begin by 7 a.m. PST. The oath of office will be administered to the President-elect and the Vice President-elect on the steps of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009 beginning at 8:30 a.m. PST (11:30 a.m. EST). I have marked this part of the program with "***" below. The Presidential Inauguration Committee has announced the official program for the inaugural swearing-in ceremony as follows:

* Musical Selections by The United States Marine Band & The S.F. Boys Chorus and the S.F. Girls Chorus

* Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks by the The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

* Invocation by Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA

* Musical Selection by Aretha Franklin

*** Oath of Office Administered to Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. By Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, The Honorable John Paul Stevens

* Musical Selection, John Williams, composer/arranger, Itzhak Perlman (Violin), Yo-Yo Ma (Cello), Gabriela Montero (Piano), Anthony McGill (Clarinet)

*** Oath of Office Administered to President-elect Barack H. Obama By the Chief Justice of the United States, The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.

*** Inaugural Address by The President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama

* Poem by Elizabeth Alexander

* Benediction by The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery

* The National Anthem by The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters"

The multi-purpose room will be set up by 7:00 a.m. As students arrive on Tuesday morning, they will enter the MUR and be seated by grade level so that they can begin to watch the proceedings. Associate Head of School Eric Pearlstein will be on hand in the early morning to oversee the students. At 8:15 a.m., homeroom teachers will come to the multi-purpose room to pick up their students or will join their classes at that time.

Other teachers will bring their classes back to their rooms at that time, knowing that the Pod is available for their students to see the portions of the Inauguration festivities that they select.

We realize that some parents may decide to keep their children home to view this historic event as a family. Should you choose this route, please bring your child(ren) to ISM thereafter so that ISM can still claim the maximum possible attendance reporting for Tuesday, January 20th.

Regards,

Lisa Griffin Burns
ISM Operations / HR Manager
Tel: 831-583-2167
Email: lburns@ismonterey.org
Eric Pearlstein
Associate Director

Eric Pearlstein
Associate Director
Tel: 831-583-2169
Email: epearlstein@ismonterey.org

School Site Committee Membership Openings

The ISM School Site Committee is is a group of parents and school personnel charged with the responsibility for surveying and interpreting the ISM school communities' opinions regarding all aspects of the school program. The School Site Committee is also charged with the responsibility for providing input into the development of ISM school programs.

Parents serve 3 year terms of membership on the ISM School Site Committee. There will be three openings for parents to serve on the School Site Committee beginning this month, January of 2009.

If you are interested in serving on the ISM School Site Committee, please contact me immediately.

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

Free Workshop on Six Traits that Lead to Life Long Success

Free Workshop on
Six Traits that Lead to Life Long Success

When: Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Chartwell School
McMahan Hall Multipurpose Room
2511 Numa Watson Road
Seaside (off Normandy Road)

About the workshop:

In this session, you will review a twenty-year longitudinal study that traces the lives of individuals with learning challenges through adulthood and learn about the six traits that helped these adults’ lead successful lives. Teaching each of the six success attributes - self-awareness, proactivity, perseverance, goal-setting, support systems, and emotional coping strategies - has been shown to greatly improve the success rates of children and adults with learning challenges.

About the presenter:

Steve Henderson, Dean of Student Life for Chartwell's New High School Project, has been working in the field of education for the past 7 years. His experience covers topics as broad ranging as educational policy, history, mathematics, and working with at risk youth. Steve started a community school that had a cross-curricular, project-based approach and he has worked in the capacity of supervising the Monterey County America Reads program.

About Chartwell's Free Workshops:

The Chartwell School Outreach Program is pleased to offer a series of free educational workshops about best practices in literacy, reading, technology and math instruction. Workshops are held at our new LEED Platinum Certified campus in Seaside and are recommended for both parents and educators.

For more information, please contact:
Kristen Atkins
Chartwell School Outreach Director
831.394.3468 x1012
katkins@chartwell.org

2009-10 Intent to Re-enroll

Hello Parent(s):

Our first 2009-10 enrollment window deadline of January 20, 2009 is fast approaching. As in years past, we have already received more applications than available spots. Therefore, we will be having our first enrollment lottery on February 3, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

As you know, all existing students are automatically insured a space for next year. However, it would be helpful if you would indicate whether your child is expected to return for the 09-10 school year so that we know exactly how many spaces are available at each grade level. Please enter your child(ren)'s name(s) and current grade level, check the appropriate line below and return it to us by January 20, 2009.

This is a separate matter from the "Intent to Re-enroll" form you filled out in October, 2008 for our facilities request, as such, we do need you to indicate your response here and return it to us.

Thank you in advance,

Karen Kushel
Office Administrator
International School of Monterey
1720 Yosemite Street
Seaside, CA 93955
831-583-2165 phone
831-899-7653 fax
kkushel@ismonterey.org

Child's Name: _________________________________ Current Grade: _____

Child's Name: _________________________________ Current Grade: _____

Child's Name: _________________________________ Current Grade: _____

____ My child(ren) will be returning for the 2009-10 school year.

____ My child(ren) will not be returning for the 2009-10 school year.

Work Day: Sat., 1/10/09, 9:30 am - 1pm

Happy New Year everyone!

We are gearing up for our annual Open House this coming Saturday, January 10th from 2-4 p.m. This event is designed to provide an opportunity for prospective applicants for the coming 2009 - 2010 academic year to come to our campus, learn more about our unique public charter school, meet and greet administrators, teachers, and existing parents, and tour the ISM campus.

As such, one of the primary thrusts of this coming Saturday Work Day will be to finalize preparations for the Open House... from cleaning up / setting up the Multiuse room for the event to tidying up the campus, classrooms, and pod area.

In addition, the following tasks are also on the "to do" list:

1) assessing repair work done (or not) by MPUSD to ramps for Portables 1 - 4.
==> volunteers with construction knowledge, power tools, plywood, wood screws, etc. needed;

2) blowing or sweeping loose gravel and sand off the basketball blacktop courts in preparation for an ISM hosted JV basketball game on January 20th
==> volunteers with large push brooms and/or blowers needed;

3) moving a medium-sized plastic storage shed currently located by Room #4 over to the Kindergarten classrooms (Rooms #25 & #26)
==> volunteers with brawn, moving dollies, and/or trucks helpful;

4) packing up and storing holiday decorations from the MUR
==> volunteers with organizational skills / ladder skills for re-storing decoration boxes in AV closet needed

Please join us for the Saturday Work Day on Saturday, January 10th from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. to assist with these tasks. This is a great way to meet your volunteer commitment and get to know other ISM parents and students, while greatly helping ISM maintain our facilities and keep costs down.

Regards,

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

Open House - January 19, 2009 1:30-4:30pm

Hey ISM Families,

You are receiving this email from me as it was suggested you might be a wonderful asset to the ISM Open House this Saturday. We are in need of families to help familiarize the potential incoming families next year with our amazing school. Children are welcome and can assist with helping the incoming students with getting to know our school too. Your role for the most part would be to mingle with the families and take them on tours. If you are at all interested and available please let me know as soon as possible so that I can ensure enough families are in attendance.

The open house is from 2 to 4, so your help is welcomed from about 1:30 to 4:30... we can do shifts too!

Thank you so much for being a part of the ISM Community and for your support.

Best Regards,

Wendy Bluhm
ISM Family Association

Half Day ASI Care at ISM For January 14th, 2009

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14TH, 2009 IS A HALF-DAY AT ISM.
After School International will be providing childcare for students on this day. Students will be able to come to the program and have pizza lunch and a fun filled afternoon. The cost for this one-day of care is $35.00 per student for the day and care will be available until 6:00 pm.

All students must pre-register.
No sign ups will be accepted on the 14th.

Regular ASI students need to sign up for this program as it is not a regularly scheduled day on your Parent Contract.

All checks should be made payable to ISM and put in Miss Lisa's office box directly.

For questions please contact Lisa Wichael Loomis, ASI program coordinator, at lwloomis@ismonterey.org

Have a Wonderful Holiday Season

Dear ISM families,

Our last week before the break brought us a holiday program with elements that were adorable, moving and thought provoking. We are blessed with children who possess many talents.

The book fair ended after the holiday program and it was a huge success. Over $10,300 worth of books were purchased, which means that 60% of that total or about $6,000 will be used to buy new books for our ISM library and classrooms. 345 new books have already been added to our collection as a result of this recent fair.

We sent our students and staff off for their holiday break this morning after enjoying the great sounds of the Glen Baker band With special guests, Kindergarten teacher Josh Carr, Grade 3 teacher Peggy Brown, 8th grader Elijah Sage and his mother Katherine as well as parent Bryan Diamond. We know everyone enjoyed it.

We look forward to seeing everyone back at school ready to begin 2009 on Monday, January 5, 2009.
On behalf of the ISM staff, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful and restful holiday season and a Happy New Year.

Eric Pearlstein
Associate Director
(831) 583-2165

Reminders

Tomorrow, Friday, December 19th is a free dress day here at ISM. Also, please remember that it is a minimum day and all students should be picked up by 11:30am. Staff will also be leaving early to start their holiday breaks so prompt pick up of your child(ren) will be greatly appreciated.

School will resume again at 8:20 am on Monday, January 5th, 2009!

Thank you all! Have a wonderful winter holiday and a Happy New Year.

ISM staff

Reminders

Dear Parents,

I want to thank all of the parents who helped transport and support our class today with our trip to the Gateway Center in Pacific Grove. Thank you to Barbara Okamura who set up the visit for us and helped with every aspect of the trip. Thanks to Ming-Chainn Chou, Kathleen Hill, Liza Linsao, Theresa Curatalo, Claudia Paul, Barbara Okamura and Anna Johnson for driving and helping out.
Though it was a short visit, it was very good for everyone, I believe. I am so proud of all of the students for their good behavior, great singing and reading. They were also so kind to the clients of the center. The homemade cards and ornaments were well-received and everyone loved the treats you all provided and the students passed out. All in all, it was a very heart warming experience.

Two other notes:
Tomorrow is the Winter performance. You've already been sent a note from the ISM office. Our 4th grade classes are trying to dress in white tops and dark bottoms. Do what you can with that. I'm not so picky but, clean and no holes in the clothes are a good start. Some of the students said they didn't have white tops and dark pants/skirt. The school uniform could also suffice. I should be in the classroom by 6:00. You can drop your child off anytime after 6. Pick up at the end of the program.

On Thursday (it's a huge performance week for us), our class is hosting the 4th and 5th grade assembly. If you have time to stop by at about 2:40ish, you might catch our skit called "The Baker's Dozen" or singing the Winter Solstice song. The students have been working hard on preparing the skit and song. Please join us if you can.

After that, I will leave you all alone for a while!!! Whew!! Enjoy the break and have a festive and
relaxing holiday.

Best wishes,

Mary Welsh

Winter Program Reminder

Please join us for our Winter Holiday program tomorrow night, Wednesday, December 17th from 6:30 – 8:00 pm in the MUR.

This is a school-wide event and ALL students K-8 will be performing, beginning with the kinders at 6:30 pm and moving up the grades. Students should report to their classrooms no later than 6:15 pm dressed in their holiday apparel.

It is asked that all families plan to remain throughout the entire program to support all of our students and to be considerate of the performers on stage. Students will return to the classroom after their performance and may be picked up there at the conclusion of the program.

Tomorrow night will also be the last night to shop at the ISM Book Fair for all those holiday presents before it closes tomorrow evening. The fair will be open from 6:00pm until the end of the Holiday program.

We will also have gently used uniforms on sale the same evening. Uniform items for your children are available for a mere fraction of what they are worth!

We look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow evening to celebrate the arts at ISM!

ISM Staff

Holiday Breakfast Party

Dear Families,

For our class holiday party on Friday the 19th, we have been invited by our 8th grade reading buddies to come and have breakfast with them. We will also be doing a fun holiday activity with them as well. In order to make this happen successfully we need every family to bring in just one item.

If your child's last name begins with a letter *A –M*, please bring in some kind of *breakfast item* that is not baked. (The 8th graders are taking care of all the baked goods.) This could be an egg dish, fruit plate, cheese plate or anything else you can thing of. Just one doz. servings of whatever you choose is fine. Please make sure it comes to school in single serving size or pre-cut and ready to go.

If your child’s last name ends in *N – Z*, please bring in. The *12 individual servings of any drink*. Bottles water, juice boxes or even chocolate milk would be fine.

We already have the drinks donated for our hot cocoa bar and the 8th graders will be taking care of the rest.

If you have any questions feel free to email me at lwloomis@ismonterey.org

Thanks for your help and have a great winter break,

Lisa Wichael-Loomis (Raven's Mom)

Short Day of Camp for Friday Dec. 19th

Friday, December 19th is a half-day at ISM.
After School International will be providing childcare for students on this day. Students coming to the program will have a fun filled afternoon of arts and activities. The cost for this one-day of care is $25.00 per student for the day and care will be available until 4:00 pm.

• A limited number of spaces are available.
• All students must pre-register.
• No sign ups will be accepted on the 19th.
• Regular ASI students need to sign up for this program as it is not a regularly scheduled day on your Parent Contract.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO HAVE YOUR CHILD PACK A HEALTHY LUNCH.

All checks should be made payable to ISM and put in Miss Lisa's office box directly.

For questions please contact Lisa Wichael Loomis, ASI program coordinator, at lwloomis@ismonterey.org


Child's name________________________________________________

Parent's name_______________________________________________

Student's grade and teacher_________________________________

Parent's Contact number for that afternoon _________________

Check #__________ $___________.

Saturday Work Day for December 13, 2008, 9:30-12pm

Hello All!

This coming Saturday is the Saturday Work Day for December!

As it is the holiday season and we all have a "to do" list overflowing with
shopping, decorating, parties, etc., we will be modifying Saturday's event to end at 12 noon (versus 1:00 p.m.), so folks can leave earlier to attend to other priorities that Saturday.

The thrust of Saturday's work day will focus on preparing for Wednesday evening's Holiday concert (Wednesday, December 17th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., ISM multiuse room) and continuing to decorate the multiuse room for that event. A hardy group of parent volunteers, to include Janice Barker, Tim and Shuhui Berndt, Christine Reed, Socorro Venegas, and Natalie Webb took time out of their weekend last Sunday afternoon to decorate the multiuse room.

Tasks for Saturday, 12/13/08 will include:

* touching up decorations "off kilter" following the past week of school;

* hanging additional decorations;

* hanging Mr. Pearlstein's Dream Flags on the upper right wall of the
multiuse room;

* organizing the overflow of Lost and Found items in advance of Wednesday
evening.

We will be having a used uniform sale that evening, so if your children
need additional items, stop by that table in front of the multiuse room for
affordable, gently used items.

* and more!

Plan on stopping by at 9:30 a.m. (no earlier please!) on Saturday morning
for a few hours on Saturday morning, join together with other ISM members
to accomplish some needed tasks, make new friends, and earn several additional
hours of volunteer time.

If you have any questions, contact me at one of the numbers or email below.

Regards,

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

Parent Letter - 12/9/2008

Dear Parents,

Here is an update to the weekly update:

We are planning to visit the Gateway Center for developmentally disabled adults next Tuesday morning. Our plan is to leave school right after recess at 10:10 am. We would arrive at the Gateway Center in Pacific Grove at approximately 10:30 am. We will to sing one or two songs, present the residents with homemade ornaments and holiday cards the students make. We will also bring a few food items to either share or leave for them. We will load the cars to come back to school at 11:15 and should arrive back by 11:30 or so. I will send permission slips home tomorrow.

If anyone can spare a couple hours out of their Tuesday morning to drive, it would be most appreciated. We will need 24 seat belted seats and you need to have been finger printed and a copy of your car insurance left at the ISM office. Please let me know if you can help.

The students have one more writing project to complete by next Wednesday. It is on how a geologic event on Earth affects or has affected people. We are working on them in class as much as we can. You can support your child on this by helping them find information on their topic. They can use one internet site. They can use the online encyclopedia from the Monterey Library as another reference. They need to have 3 references in all. The result should be a 5 paragraph essay due December 17th. They will present their topic and paper in class.

I am thinking of having a "Secret Santa" sort of gift giving for the class. Though we have not talked about it as a class, Ms. Bene gave me an idea for making it fairly simple. The students would all choose a secret gift recipient from the class. Next week on Wed., Thursday and Friday we would give the gifts.

• Wednesday's gift would be a small treat.
• Thursday's gift would be something homemade.
• Friday's gift would be something under $5.

If this seems o.k. with everyone, we'll go ahead and choose names. I will try to have a couple of extra things in the class if anyone forgets their gift.

Best wishes,
Mary Welsh

Items of Note

1. Report cards will be sent home with your children tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10th so please ask your child about them when they arrive home.
   
   
2. Many parents have asked about help in setting up carpools, on the ISM website, at the following link, is full instructions about how to go about setting this up with ISM's carpool coordinator, Denise Wood: http://www.ismonterey.org/ISM_carpool.html All of this info and much more is located in the Parent Resources section of our website.
   
   
3. For those of you who are having difficulty with logging your volunteer hours on our new PTO Manager website, Natalie Webb, the PTO Manager will be here this Thursday, December 11th from 2:50-6:00pm to help guide you through the process. You can meet her by the mailboxes in the front admin office.

Thank you!

Volunteers needed for Fund Drive

Hello all, I am writing today as I am looking for your help any day or days next week to help get the message out regarding our current financial situation at ISM. The goals for the week is to raise $15,000.00 and to educate as many families about their need to help fund their child's education. I will need people from 7:30-8:30 every morning next week, handing out flyers and talking with folks. The flyer will be simple and created by The Foundation outlining how money comes into ISM and how it is spent and what happens when there is not enough... the consequences. This flyer will also be in English and Spanish. We will also pass out donuts to folks that give. Can you help? Please e-mail me the day or days you may be available to help.

I look forward to raising $15,000 in needed funds and to getting as many folks educated regarding the cost of an ISM education.


Ellen Gaucher
2060 Baldwin Court
Seaside, CA 93955
831-394-1395 voice
831-393-2858 fax
elgaucher@sbcglobal.net

Holiday Fund Drive

To continue giving our students the gift of an ISM education, we need your help.

December 8-12, 2008, Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

By now you should have received both an email and a printed copy of the letter from Sean Madden, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Despite increased Foundation efforts, family contributions to the ISM Foundation are down this year and the economic reality of State funding cuts has hit home. Join us in raising enough money to save our vital programs!

Next week, at morning drop-off, there will be volunteers eager to accept your donations or answer any questions that you have about the importance of those donations. In exchange for your Family Share donation or pledge, we'll have fresh Red's Donuts ready for you. Curbside service compliments of the ISM volunteers. If you've already sent in your gift, many thanks and please join us, too!

It's easy and fun – and important. Thank you for your support.

Download and Print Donation Form

A special thank you to Red's Donuts of Seaside for their generous support of our holiday fund drive.

19 Mile Walk Route

Did you know you could meet up with Mr. Pearlstein along his walking route on Saturday? You can! And you could even make some construction paper pompons to cheer him on as he goes by (or walk with him)! His walk will end at ISM for a brown bag dinner (5:30pm, you bring your dinner) and the opening of the Safari Book Fair. Only our ISM Community could host such a cool event. :) C

The information below was sent by the front office before break, but here's a reminder:

Join our brave guide, Mr. Pearlstein, Associate Head of School, as he journeys through Monterey County for a total of 19 miles. He must make this trek due to the amazing job the students of ISM did during the Read-a-thon. Mr. Pearlstein pledged to take a step for every minute read, which was an astonishing grand total of 103,435 minutes!

He will set out in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 6th at 6:00am at the recreation trail at Beach Road in Marina. He will walk along the Recreation Trail for most of this adventure all the way to Lovers Point, reverse course to lower Broadway then back to ISM, ending at our ISM Library at 5:30pm to launch the opening of our Jungle Safari themed Book Fair.

Since a 19 mile walk can be lonely and grueling, we are inviting the ISM community to join Mr. Pearlstein for a portion of his trek. You may join up with him at one of the "cheering stations" listed below. Please check the ISM website tomorrow for a route map marked with the specific cheering station locations and approximate times he will be arriving at each.

• Starbucks Sand City, in the Target shopping center
• Back side of Adventures by the Sea building, (adjacent to the kayak place at Windows on the Bay)
• Top of the Coast Guard Pier (by the snack store)
• Lovers Point (next to the restrooms)
• Back side of Adventures by the Sea building, (adjacent to the kayak place at Windows on the Bay)
• Starbucks at the corner of Del Monte Blvd. and Canyon Del Rey
• ISM

Not up for walking? Please join us in welcoming Mr. Pearlstein to the end of his journey at the doorstep of our Jungle Safari Book Fair!

Bring a brown bag dinner and join us in the multi-use room to read with some of our most exciting characters such as Morgan le Fay from the Magic Tree house, Madeline and Teacher from the Black Lagoon.

If you have any questions, please contact coordinators Janice Barker at 831-384-5524 or Yvette Satchell at 831-372-7063.

Volunteers needed soon!

Dear ISM families,

Lou Perske called me yesterday and made a special request for ISM. He would like to make the school look cheerful for the holiday season, and asked me to coordinate getting enough people and materials so that we could tie some evergreen sprigs (branches?) with red ribbon and put them on all ISM doors.

If you could contribute in some way to this project, please let me know as soon as you can. I don't have any special expertise with the materials, making door decorations or hanging them, but I'm willing to coordinate.

Thank you!

Natalie Webb
volunteerPTO@ismonterey.org

Day Off - Wednesday, November 26th - Yippeeeee

There seems to be some confusion as to whether tomorrow, Wednesday, November 26th is a day off for ISM. For the first time, ISM is taking a full day off on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, so enjoy the time with your families and friends. Have a wonderful holiday.

ISM staff

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Hello Parents,

Just two things for you:

Tomorrow is Free Dress Friday.

The mission churches your children have been working on in art are finished. They all look great. They are drying in the classroom. Due to their fragile nature, we will not be sending them home to be put on the mission and come back. The students will place them on their mission board when they bring it on Monday. I measured the churches and they are all a little different sizes. Most are about 4" x 4" but some are 4"x 5". There are a few that are 5" x 5". If you need exact measurements, your child should measure their church tomorrow in class and bring the measurement home.

Thanks for all your support at home with this project. I know exactly what you are going through as my son has his due tomorrow - not quite complete yet!. I hope your child is having fun with it.

Best wishes,
Mary Welsh

Free Dress Friday! (11/21/2008)

Just a reminder that tomorrow, Friday 11/21 is Free Dress Friday, so yes, your children are telling the truth when they tell you this!

Thanks,
Karen

Reminders

A couple of quick reminders for parents:

• Please remember today, Wednesday 11/19 is a minimum day, school gets out at 11:30am so please be on time to pick up your children, thank you so much.
  
  
• If your child is going to be absent from school on any given day, please contact us to let us know. The preferred method is via email at info@ismonterey.org, just a quick email to let us know the name of the child and that they will be absent, that's all. You can also call us at (831) 583-2165 as well.

Thanks so much for your help!

Sincerely,
Karen Kushel
Office Administrator

Family Association Meeting Thursday Night

It's that time again. Thursday night, Nov 20th at 6:30pm in the Library. We welcome you to attend our working meeting.

Vision Statement: All families will participate in activities that enrich the educational experience at The International School of Monterey (ISM).

Mission Statement: The Family Association will build a community of families by:
Working with school staff to develop motivational and fun events that complement the ISM academic program. Encouraging and coordinating family talent and effort.

If you are interested in finding out ways you can support ISM or just want to know what the Family Association is working on to ensure our vision and mission, please attend our meeting. Hope to see you there.

Best Regards,
Wendy Bluhm
Family Association Chair
wendy@wendybluhm.com

ISMF Gala and Auction 2009 - SAVE THE DATE

This year, our 6th annual World Neighborhood Gala will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Monterey. Last year's event netted just over $50,000 - with your support we hope to do the same or better this year.

If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Miles at clmiles33@aol.com.

Conferences / Veterans' Day Holiday

Hello All!

Parents / Guardians: We hope that you are enjoying the opportunity today as well as yesterday to conference with your child's teacher(s) and learn more about your child's progress. It certainly is an important role in supporting the education process here at ISM.

We also wanted to take a moment to remind all of you that we will be closed for the Veteran's Day holiday on Monday, November 10th. As a result, school will NOT be in session that day.

However, we invite you to join us on Tuesday, November 11th as we celebrate this national holiday with an official Flag-Raising Ceremony in front of the school at 9:00 a.m. All ISM students and staff will be participating in this event! [Please note: School will begin at the regular time of 8:20 a.m.]

Both the Honorable Congressman Sam Farr, Representative of California's 17th District. as well as members of the Seaside High School ROTC Color Guard, will be joining us on Tuesday to honor all veterans and members of the active duty military. The event will also feature presentations by two ISM fifth graders, Kasey Barker and Emma Satchell, who will be providing a personal perspective on the day by sharing a few words about two WWII veterans important to them.

Following these presentations, Associate Head of School Eric Pearlstein, will officially unveil ISM students' "Dream Flags" upon which their respective dreams and aspirations were illustrated earlier this year.

Once again, please join us for this poignant event Tuesday, November 11th at 9:00 a.m.

Meanwhile, enjoy your three day holiday!

Regards,

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

Early Dismissal and Non-School Days Schedule

Please remember that today, Thursday 11/6 is an early dismissal day, your child should be picked up by 11:30am between 2:15-2:30pm after the field trip. Please pick them up promptly as the teachers have a full day of conferences. Tomorrow, Friday 11/7 is a full day off for your child as it is also a conference day.

Monday, Nov. 10th is our observance of Veteran's day, there will be no school that day. However, Tuesday, Nov. 11th is a normal school day, we will be having special Veteran's Day celebrations.

Thank you,
ISM staff

Conference List and Field Trip Reminder

I have sent the latest conference times Master List via email. Please check your time and let me know if just if it is a problem for you. I look forward to meeting with all of you.

Tomorrow (Thursday, Nov 6) is our field trip to the Monterey State Parks. Students need to wear their uniforms, bring a lunch, (low-zero waste please), water and a hat. We will return to school sometime between 2:15-2:30pm. Please be on time to pick your student up as conferences will be starting soon after our arrival. Lisa Wichel-Loomis has set up after-school care if you need it. Please contact her.

The Big Sur "Just Run" event for kids is this Saturday (Nov 8) starting near the Monterey Custom House Plaza. Please see the flyer sent home with your child. It's a fun event and kids can participate for $5. (Adults $10.) Mr. Robby will be there to run with as many students as possible. I will be there to either run or cheer you on.

Thanks everyone!
Mary Welsh

Logo Clothing Order Form

Place your order for ISM logo wear!

We are now accepting orders for ISM logo wear. Use the order form (PDF) to order ISM shirts, sweatshirts, jackets and vests. Checks should be made payable to "ISM" and brought in with the order form. The form can be put in Nikki Madden's mailbox or given to your child's homeroom teacher.

If you have any questions regarding the ordering process, please contact Nikki Madden at nmadden@ismonterey.org.

Yearbook Dedications (Message from Camilla Mann)

Dear ISM families,

With the school year in full swing and the abundance of photos that I'm sure we all be took at the Halloween Festival, I thought this a good time to send out the first of many yearbook related documents.

Use the order form (PDF) to include a dedication/note to your student in this year's publication. Think of this dedication as a "love note" to your student - a way to tell him/her how proud you are.

In an effort to be more friendly to the environment, I am resisting the urge to print out copies of this for everyone. If you cannot open this file and/or would like a hard copy sent to you, I'm happy to do it.

If you have any questions or need any more information, feel free to contact me.

Warmly,
Camilla M. Mann
Mom to Riley (Ms. Z's class) and 2008-09 Yearbook Editor
Direct 831.760.2809
CamillaMMann@sbcglobal.net

Chinese Class Beginning 11/4/2008

We've finally found new Chinese Instructors to take over the Mandarin Chinese after school instruction at ISM. Please download the flyer (PDF), if you'd like to sign up you can either print out the form or pick one up at the school office.

Class meets twice a week: Tuesday and Thursday 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

Class is designed for the students of 2nd - 8th grades

Please note that the first session of class is tomorrow, but you can join at any time and your fee will be pro-rated.

Any questions at all, please call Jun Meng at 831-998-0689 or e-mail: jun_meng_62@yahoo.com

Afterschool Art Classes - New Session Start Postponed

Due to the minimum day on Thursday, 11/6/2008 and the full day off on Friday 11/7, the new session of the afterschool art classes given by Olia Polovneff will begin a week later than originally scheduled. 4th & 5th graders will start on Thursday 11/13. 6th - 8th graders will be on Friday 11/14.

If you have any questions at all, please email Olia Polovneff at polovneff@comcast.net or phone her at 261-9282.

Halloween Festival "Thank You" to Volunteers

Lisa and I would like to express our most sincere thank you for all of your help in communication, donations and of course your time. Without all of you we would not have had a successful Festival. This year was a tremendous exercise in patience and flexibility of which we are deeply appreciative of your parent volunteers and the staff.

As the day progressed, I was unable to capture everyone's name that assisted. Please remind your parent volunteers to log-in their time on the PTO. Finally, we would love to hear your feedback. Please email your thoughts, observations and suggestions on making next year better and more fun for all to swanstom@gmail.com. With this review from you, we will be able to improve and grow next year.

Once we have pictures available from our fabulous photographers, we will let you know.

Thank you again,
Michele Swanston & Lisa Moberg

Health Note

This is just a courtesy note to let you know one of our students had a case of head lice over the break. The lice were discovered in the beginning of the second week of vacation, were completely treated along with all the linens and other household items. The student and all of the other members of the family have not shown any signs of the lice since then. The parents are fairly certain the source came from a place outside of ISM during the break. To be cautious, please go ahead and check your children's heads for lice. Also, here is a very helpful website to help with questions: http://www.headlice.org/

Though contracting lice is a hassle. Lice are not disease carriers. They are just looking for food and they have developed a great system for hanging on and getting what they need. It has nothing to do with hygiene. In fact, cleaner hair is easier for lice to attach to. It really comes down to luck and avoidance (ie. not sharing hats or hairbrushes) most of the time with lice. If you check out this above website, you'll see that the some of the treatments for head lice are far worse than the lice themselves. So, having said that, I will do my best to keep students heads and hats away from each other and let you know if I notice extra itching going on in class.

Best wishes always,
Mary Welsh

ISM Halloween Festivities

{NOTE: Intended to be sent on Thursday, but not received until Friday.}

Halloween is an exciting time at ISM. Our parents have planned many wonderful activities. I just wanted to remind everyone that costumes children are wearing during the festivities should be in good taste. The information that our parent committee sent out about costumes stated that costumes should not include weapons or blood or be frightening as we are a Kindergarten through eighth grade school. Although appropriate for older children, scary costumes may be too much for the younger ones. Children have also been asked not to wear masks. They will be parading and walking all over our campus and wearing a mask while walking on our uneven terrain can be dangerous.

I am very excited about my first Halloween here at ISM and I expect I will see everyone having a great time.

Please remember, the children can come in free dress clothes tomorrow and will change into their costumes in the afternoon.

Eric Pearlstein
Associate Director

Thank You and Halloween Reminders

Thank you to the 5 parents who drove to Mission San Juan Bautista for our field trip yesterday.

We couldn't have done it without you! Our scenic trip following the de Anza trail was very memorable as well as the mission itself. The students particularly enjoyed the mission building game and stepping foot on the San Andreas fault. Thank you all for making the trip happen by sending in those forms and money. A special thanks to Sonia Perez, Kathleen Hill, Nik Myers, Stefani Chaney and Claudia Paul for their expert driving skills and chaperon help!

As you are well aware, Halloween is tomorrow. It is a free dress day. If students are going to dress in a costume for the afternoon, they should bring their costume in their backpack or bag. Costume changing time will be at lunch recess.

Come to the Halloween Festival if you can. The 4th grade is responsible to bring water and help out at the "Die-cut frames" booth. Grades K-6 will be participating in a Halloween parade. It should be a fun afternoon.

I've heard from most of you about your preferred conference time next week or the following week. If you haven't responded yet, please do so. I will get a Master List out to all soon. So far, most everyone has a time they requested.

Have a safe and fun Halloween and weekend ahead.

Mary Cunningham-Welsh

Information about Upcoming Parent/Teacher Conferences

Next Thursday, 11/6/08 students will be dismissed at 11:30 AM and there will be no classes for students on Friday 11/7/08. Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for these times.

The first conference of the year is a teacher led conference. You and your child will meet with your child's teacher. The goal of every parent/teacher conference is for the parent, the child and the teacher to leave with a clear understanding of how the child is doing in his or her classroom.

In all grades the teacher will be showing parents and students samples of the student's work. It is often helpful for teachers to also show parents exemplars, or examples of assignments that demonstrate what is expected of all students. I have asked teachers, when appropriate to provide exemplars of typical student work.

Here are some questions to consider during the conference:

• Is the child having difficulty doing work in a subject, what kind of help does the child need?
• Is the child getting work done during class and turning it in?
• Is the child getting homework completed and turned in on time?
• Does the child actively participate during lessons?
• Is the child an independent learner?
• Is the child using his time in the classroom wisely?
• Does the child actively participate and contribute when working with a partner or in a group?
• Does the child choose to go above and beyond when he or she capable?
• How does the child approach homework? When does he or she do homework, how long is it taking, where does the child do his or her homework?
• What are the child's interests at home?
• If the child is capable of doing the work, but is not completing it, what can the student, parents and teacher do to help the child meet his or her responsibilities?

In the primary grades most of the discussion will take place between teacher and parent. During the conference a primary age child will receive a lot of encouragement and some suggestions. As children mature they are encouraged to participate more fully in their conference. The input and commitment to the process of older students is necessary for a successful result.

Spanish teachers and Mr. Robby our physical education teacher will be available to meet with parents throughout the day in their respective offices. If you would like to meet with our art, music, or drama, specialists or with Mrs. Madden our algebra and pre-algebra teacher, please email them to schedule a conference as they are part time teachers and may not be on campus when you are here for your child's classroom conference.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at (831) 583-2165 or epearlstein@ismonterey.org.

Eric Pearlstein
Associate Director

ISM Strategic Plan Renewal for 2009-2010

Last year volunteers from the ISM community helped shape the contents of the ISM Strategic Plan, a document that guides decision-making and resource allocations towards the vision we have established for our school. This document can be found on the ISM website at these links: http://www.ismonterey.org/Media/StrategicPlanningFramework/ISMstratplan080301.pdf or at http://www.ismonterey.org/Media/StrategicPlanningFramework/ISMstratplan080301.pdf

As originally conceived, this 5-year plan is to be updated each year. We would like to invite and encourage members of the school community to be a part of this process.

The Board Strategic Plan Committee will convene a Strategic Advisory Team consisting of volunteers who will have the responsibility to:

1. determine whether or not the current strategic commitments are relevant to the school vision before extending the plan;
2. assess progress in reaching current priorities and determine whether to extend or establish new priorities for the coming year.

We intend to have the first Strategic Advisory meeting on Wednesday November 5th from 6pm to 9pm in the School Library, circulate the results of that discussion to the ISM Community vie e-mails and surveys and have a concluding meeting on Wednesday December 3rd.

If you are interested in participating in this process please send an email to Strategic@ismonterey.org or contact Alastair Rodd at 1-831-384-7811.


Thanks
Alastair Rodd

Conference Times

Dear Parents,

I have sent a schedule for the upcoming conferences next week via email. Please select 3 times that could work for you and send it back with your child. The students will also be bringing a hard copy of this schedule home today.

As you know, we will be on a field trip to Monterey State Parks on Thursday and not return until about 2:30pm. The rest of the school will be out at 11:30am for conferences that day. I have added other times to accommodate these few hours when I won't be available.

I will send out a list of conference times once I hear back from everyone.

Thank you,

Mary Cunningham-Welsh

Permission Slips, Money and Drivers Needed

Dear Parents,

Our upcoming field trips are in jeopardy of being canceled. We do not have all of the permission slips, money or drivers to make the trips happen. Please send in your child's forms and money by Tuesday, Oct. 28th.

If you can drive on either trip, please let me know asap. We need 12 more spaces for the Wednesday trip this week and 15 spaces are needed for next Thursday's trip. I know it is a lot to ask of you but, I hope you will be able to join us and learn about the history of California on the trip too.

Does it sound like I'm begging yet?

[Names of students and the forms and funds needed was sent via email.]

Thank you for all of your support!

Mary Welsh

ISM Halloween Festival - Friday, October 31

Hi Parents,

Don't be frightened, but we have attached a letter and included a link to some flyers from the Halloween Festival organizers for you to read. Please do. It looks like it will be a fun day. Everything's been planned out and organized really well, now what's needed are some volunteers and a few items donated. Here is an overview of what's happening, and what you can do to help:

The festival will be from 1:00-3:00 on the 31st, with many fun activities held at various locations on campus, beginning with a costume parade. Volunteer responsibilities have been categorized per class, and ours is running the Die-Cut Photo Frame activity table. We need two volunteers per 4th Grade class... Anyone, Anyone?

As far as what our classes are responsible for in terms of supplies and food/water, we have been asked to provide the following:

• 10 Cases of Water per class (perhaps 1 case each for 10 people per class?)
• Die Cuts for decorating frames and photo printer paper

Also, there will once again be a carved pumpkin contest, but this year the organizers have asked that students bring their pumpkin(s) to their classroom on Thursday, Oct. 30.

If Trick Or Trunk is something you want to participate in, you can sign up on ISM's volunteer website or through Lisa Moberg at lisa@landolinks.com.

Parent Letter
http://www.coastclick.com/pdf/IntroLetter_Halloween08.pdf

Check out the ISM volunteer website and this file containing flyers to find more details about the day:
http://www.coastclick.com/pdf/2008_HalloweenFest_Parent.pdf

Finally, please e-mail or call us with questions or to sign up for the volunteer or supply opportunities specific to our classes.

Thanks!

~ Karen Monahan and Barbara Okamura

Pilot Testing at ISM

Dear Parents,

Along with being a school textbook company, CTB Mc Graw Hill is also contracted by California
and many other states to create its standardized tests, (STAR Tests.) The company recently
contacted us at ISM and asked us if we would consider piloting some of their tests. The tests
will not count. No score will be recorded for any student. The company will use the tests to
determine which questions are valid questions that can be used on future STAR tests.

The request was to have one or two classes in grades 4-8 take an ELA test, math
test, reading test, social studies test, or science test. No class would take more than 2 of the tests and each test would take no more than 1 hour.

Taking a pilot test gives children the opportunity to experience (practice taking) a standardized test format in a non-threatening atmosphere. Experiencing a pilot test provides teachers with an opportunity to see how the California state standards might be accessed and thus allows them to better prepare students for the actual state tests.

Next week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10/28, 10/29 and 10/30 your child may have the opportunity to take one or two pilot tests. If you have any questions please contact me at 583-2169.

Sincerely,

Eric Pearlstein
Associate Director

(831) 583-2169
epearlstein@ismonterey.org

Half-Marathon Volunteer Opportunity and Box Tops Contest Information

Half Marathon Volunteers Needed - Sunday 11/9/08 from 6-11am

We have the chance to work at the aid station at Lover's Point for the Monterey Bay Half Marathon again this year. Our duties are to set up tables and prepare energy drinks before the runners arrive, serve water and energy drinks to them when they pass our station, and sweep the cups away with rakes. Students 3rd grade and up are welcome to help too. They will mainly be pouring water or energy drink into paper cups. It is a fun event for the whole family. Come join the fun!

To sign up, please contact Clara Wang at clarawang@comcast.net or sign up through PTO Manager.


Kids bring in your Box Tops!

The class that collects the most Box Tops will win an in-class movie and enjoy made-to-order smoothies.

Turn in your Box Tops to your teacher by Monday, October 27th

Jewelry Class Session 2 Reminder

Dear ISM parents,

The second session of the after school jewelry class is going to start next week on
Tuesday, October 28th through December 16th. This is an 8 week session and the cost is $90 (material cost included.) The class meets from 3:40pm to 5:00pm in the multi-purpose room.

The students will be able to make numerous jewelry pieces, which will be a great
opportunity to create some hand made Christmas presents.

Please consider signing up your child. The sign up sheet is available at:
http://www.coastclick.com/welsh/files/2008_jewelryclassflyer.pdf
Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Kind regards,

Nick Trachsel,
Father of 5th grader Corinne

ISM Help with a Ladder, Lunch or Recess, and Spanish Tutoring

ISM needs help. If you can do any of the following, please read the paragraphs below and respond directly to Mr. Eric Pearlstein, epearlstein@ismonterey.org.

Thank you!

1. Loan ISM a tall extension ladder
2. Help with supervising lunch or morning or afternoon recess
3. Tutor Spanish (for new ISM students who have little or no Spanish background)

Here's the longer request from Mr. Pearlstein:

1. Is there a parent with a tall extension ladder. I would like hang our "Dream Flags" for our celebration of Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 which will take place at the flag pole. We would need to install eye hooks the week prior and then string the flags Tuesday morning before the ceremony.
   
   
2. Would there be one or two parents who might be available one or two days a week to help supervise during lunch periods? The idea would be for children to have the option of eating outside on the grass one or two days each week. The teachers assigned to supervise could split up, one inside and one outside and then a parent could provide supervision, watching as children leave the lunchroom and walk to the grass area.
   
   Might there be any parents available to help supervise during morning or afternoon recess? With the loss of aides we could use a few more adult sets of eyes.
   
   
3. Would there be parents or grandparents who are native Spanish speakers or fluent in Spanish who could tutor children who are new to ISM? Often these kids have little or no background in Spanish. The program we might develop, and how it might work would depend on the background of the tutors and the time they might be available.

U.S. Army Fort Ord Prescribed Burn Program: Mobilization Notice

Hello Parents,

We are on the Fort Ord notification list for the prescribed burn program. Below is an email then just sent to us, we wanted to make sure you were informed as well.

Mobilization Notice: Tuesday, October 21, 2008, Noon This message is from the Former Fort Ord Prescribed burn direct notification program. Helicopters and other equipment have begun to mobilize to Fort Ord. Prescribed burns may be conducted at any time over the next several days if appropriate weather conditions are present. You will receive an additional notification after the prescribed burn has been ignited. Please call the hotline at 1-800-852-9699 or visit the web site at www.FortOrdCleanup.com for further information. Again, the hotline is 1-800-852-9699.

Dates of Upcoming Field Trips

Hi, all,

Apologies for all the confusion.

Our upcoming field trips are:

Thursday, October 23 (Welsh) and Tues. 28 (Arnow) to Seaside Dunes (Dune geology and ecology)

Wednesday, October 29 to San Juan Bautista State Historic Park (Mission history and hands-on program)

Thursday, November 6 to Monterey State Historic Park (Rancho history hands-on program) (This is a conference day and an early dismissal day -- we will return about 2:30 p.m. but school lets out at 11:30)

Best,

Laura

Another Change of Plans

Dear families,

After much thought and discussion, we've come up with a plan that may help us salvage our trip to the Rancho program at the Monterey Historic State Park. It involves some stretching by us as teachers and also by you as families. Here is our proposal -- please let us know no later than noon tomorrow if this poses a problem for you or your family.

We will attend the field trip as originally scheduled, returning to school around 2:30. This means that you will need to pick the kids up at that time, even if you've had to pick up their siblings at 11:30 dismissal. For our part, it means we will have to make up the missing conference time by scheduling conferences after school and/or during our planning periods over a longer period of time instead of only the two scheduled conference days.

Please help us make this opportunity work for your kids! Reply by email or leave a phone message at school if this plan won't be possible for you and your child.

Best wishes,

Laura and Mary

Change to Nov 6th Field Trip to Cooper Molera

Dear 4th Grade Parents,

We have one change to our upcoming field trip schedule. Sadly, the November 6th trip to Cooper Molera adobe conflicts with our student-led conferences. On Thursday, November 6th, there is an early dismissal which doesn't work for our planned day-long trip. Therefore, we had to cancel this trip. The other field trips are still on the calendar. The first of these will be next week for Ms. Welsh's class so, please look for the field trip form coming home on Monday and return it as soon as possible.
Thank you again for all of your support.

Sincerely,
Laura and Mary

Upcoming Field Trip Dates

Hi friends,

We've scheduled several field trips which are coming up very quickly after fall break, and wanted to give you a heads-up electronically so you can put the dates in your calendar. These trips became available only the day before the break. Apologies for the late notice.

For science, we will begin a year-long service learning project with a local dune restoration organization, the Beach Garden Project. Joey Dorrell-Canepa will visit both classrooms on Tuesday, October 21, for an orientation to the program. Ms. Welsh's class will make a morning trip to the dunes to explore and collect seeds on Thursday, October 23, and Ms. Arnow's class will make the same trip the morning of Tuesday, October 28. Joey will return to ISM on the 30th for a propagation workshop at our school site. We will continue to work at the Seaside Beach site throughout the year, and hope to continue this work at the Sand City dunes near our new school site in subsequent years. This field trip gives us a chance to observe dunes up close (wind erosion is one topic we are studying as part of Earth's Changing Surface) as well as to begin our study of coastal ecology and to contribute to environmental stewardship of the coast and ocean.

The site visits on the mornings of the 23rd and 28th are from 9:00 to noon, and for each day we will need about 6 drivers. This program is free of charge.

Meanwhile, we continue to study the human history of California. As part of our investigation of the process of colonization, we will be studying the arrival of the Spanish in California and the development of the mission system. On October 29, both classes will travel to San Juan Bautista to explore the last intact mission plaza in the state. Students will attend a ranger-led introduction to the site, participate in a Mission Game in which they design a mission layout, and visit the historic Mission (an active Catholic church). We will need 12-14 drivers for this all-day trip. Admission fees for the state parks program and the donation to the Mission cost $3.50 per student. (If you can round up to $4 it helps us provide funding for students who can't otherwise afford the field trip.)

Our next field trip is on Thursday, November 6th, all day, for both classes to return to the Monterey Historic State Park for an investigation of rancho period life in California at the Cooper-Molera House. This hands-on program, like the Rumsien program we visited a few weeks ago, helps students understand what it was like to live in Mexican California about 200 years ago. We will need drivers for this program, and the cost is $10 per student, to cover the program fees and downtown parking for our drivers.

Many thanks for all your support of our terrific fourth graders!

Laura and Mary

ISM School Uniform Policy

The ISM uniform policy for 2008-2009 as available at the link below as well as on the FAQ section of the ISM website:

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

As we want to be certain all students are adhering to the dress code when we return from this fall break, we wanted to be sure you all had access to the uniform policy, teachers included.

Thank you so much for helping your child(ren) dress appropriately for ISM's school day.

ISM staff

4th Grade Potluck - October 24

A 4th Grade potluck is being planned for Friday, October 24 at Casanova-Oak Knoll Park. This is a get-together for both classes. Hope you can make it.

Catch up with former classmates and their families, get to know your current class families and teacher, and extend a welcome to newcomers.

Date: Friday, October 24th
Time: 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Place: Casanova-Oak Knoll Park

What to Bring: It's Potluck, so bring what you'd like to in the categories listed below. Each family has been assigned according to the student's class number.

If your child's class number is:
• between 1 and 6, please bring drinks and a snack-type item.
• between 7 and 11, please bring fruit.
• between 12 and 16, please bring a dessert.
• between17 and 25, please bring an entree or side dish.

Of course, if you have a favorite dish that is not in "the category" you have been assigned to, please feel free to substitute.

To R.S.V.P. (or with questions), please call or e-mail Karen Monahan, Room Parent for Ms. Arnow's class: 915-1343 / nmaeng@aol.com, or Barbara Okamura, Room Parent for Ms. Welsh's class: 840-3686 /tkmon@sbcglobal.net.

Potluck Flyer (PDF)

Thanks,

Karen Monahan & Barbara Okamur

Denim Day & Lost & Found

Hello Parents,

This is a reminder that if you have already signed your child up to participate in Denim Day and paid the $5.00 donation, your child may wear Denim pants or skirt tomorrow to school. PLEASE BE AWARE, THEY DO NEED TO WEAR A UNIFORM SHIRT, HOWEVER, NO OTHER SHIRTS ARE ALLOWED.

Second, since we are all going on break for two weeks, please go through our overflowing lost and found tomorrow to gather up all those jackets and sweaters your child might need for the vacation!

Thank you so much!

Karen Kushel
Office Administrator

ISM Prop 39 Re-enrollment form - URGENT info requested

Dear Parents,

We have sent you a previous e-mail regarding filling out a form re: your enrollment intentions for next year. I can't emphasize enough how important it is for you to return the form to our office right away. The purpose of the form is to justify our request for facilities for ISM for next year. We must have 100% replies and we have a due date to submit all the forms to MPUSD on Sept. 30. That is why we have asked you to return the form by Friday, the 26th of September.

The form can also be faxed to us at (831) 899-7653.

Please help and don't delay. For ISM to have a proper school facility for next year, we need your response. If you have already returned the form, thank you. Please note we do need the actual form filled out and returned, an email message indicating your child is returning is not enough.

The form can be downloaded from our website at this link:
http://www.ismonterey.org/Documents/Office/Prop39Int2Reenroll.pdf

Thank you for your assistance in this critical matter.

Louis J. Perske
Executive Director
The International School of Monterey
Phone: (831) 583-2165

ISM SEM "Elementary Chinese" help needed (Fridays)

We have a SEM on Friday that has had a bit of a snafu with having a permanent instructor. SEM's started last Friday, 9/19 and this session runs through November 21st with the Fridays of 10/10 & 10/17 off due to the break, 10/31 off due to Halloween & Nov. 7th off due to conferences. The SEM is "Elementary Chinese" and has about 20 students ranging in grades from 1-4th grade with one (1) 6th grader.

We are looking for anyone with a knowledge of Chinese culture or who is creative enough to come up with a template for a session who would like to step up and run this SEM either for the whole rest of the 7 week session or even just pieced together one week at a time with different instructors. The SEM's are from 1:50PM TO 3:10PM and we could supply you with a helper if needed. The content of the SEM would be entirely up to you. As you know, most of our kids are so hungry for knowledge about anything international, they would be thrilled with whatever you have to offer.

Please let me know immediately if you can help tomorrow, 9/26 and/or any other week during the SEM session.

Thank you so much!

Karen Kushel
Office Administrator
kkushel@ismonterey.org

Family Association Meeting

Hey ISM Community,

It's that time again. Thursday night, Sept 25th at 6:30pm in the Library. We welcome you to attend our working meeting.

Vision Statement: All families will participate in activities that enrich the educational experience at The International School of Monterey (ISM).

Mission Statement: The Family Association will build a community of families by:
Working with school staff to develop motivational and fun events that complement the ISM academic program encouraging and coordinating family talent and effort.

If you are interested in finding out ways you can support ISM or just want to know what the Family Association is working on to ensure our vision and mission, please attend our meeting. Hope to see you there.

Best Regards,

Wendy Bluhm
Family Association Chair
wendy@wendybluhm.com

Fieldtrip and Math Homework

Dear Parents,

My apologies for this late note. The internet was down at school today and I was unable to get this out to all of you.

Just a couple of quick bits of information:

Tomorrow is our field trip to the Monterey State Parks in downtown Monterey for the Native American program. Student need to bring a lunch. They can pack it in a regular lunch box to reduce the amount of waste. There will be some "Native American" snacks provided: nuts, seeds, berries and beef jerky. I am aware there are several students who can not or do not eat these foods. Since we will not have another opportunity to have our own snacks before lunch at 1 pm, please make sure your child has a substantial breakfast.

Math homework: I made a mistake on the parent letter list for math homework tonight. So, if your child is saying they already did 2.8 and need to do 2.9, they are correct. You'll have to field any other excuses for not doing their homework. Sorry for any confusion.

Thanks for all of your support for the classroom in so many different ways!

Mary Welsh

ISM Prop 39 Intent to Reinroll Form

Deadline to submit form - Friday, September 26, 2008

Parents and/or guardians must complete this form for their children currently enrolled in ISM by Friday, Sep 26, 2008. Please indicate whether you intend to re-enroll your child(ren) at ISM for the coming 2009-10 academic year.

International School of Monterey Intent to Re-Enroll Form:
http://www.ismonterey.org/Documents/Office/Prop39Int2Reenroll.pdf

Undated Re-enrollment Letter/Email:
http://www.ismonterey.org/Documents/Office/Intent2Re-enroll_Ltr.pdf

Sincerely,

Karen Kushel
Office Administrator
International School of Monterey
kkushel@ismonterey.org

Request for HELP on getting a Grant

Dear ISM Community,

We need your help if you can. Dr Volante was just made aware of an opportunity to request a grant for our school. At the bottom of the email is detailed information from Dr. Volante and just below my name is a sample letter that you could use to help our school obtain this grant. If you have the time, please HELP. The deadline is Wednesday, Sep 23 at 2pm. Contact Dr. Volante with any questions.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Wendy Bluhm

Sample Letter

There is a Grant opportunity available that I want to apply for on behalf of ISM. It is through the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Parks, Open Space and Coastal Preservation Grant Program and time is of the essence. ISM is required to submit community support letters (on business letterhead) and parent support letters with the Grant application. The deadline is this Wednesday, 2:00 pm.

The ISM Grant Committee does not have time to apply for this Grant, as ISM just learned details on Friday. This grant is offered each year, and it is my understanding that each year ISM learns of this grant opportunity late, without adequate time to submit an application. This year I decided to do the best I can to submit an application with community/parent support letters. I feel it is important for ISM to at least apply.

Here is a briefing, though a bit long... and perhaps a bit redundant, as I cut and pasted from earlier request letters. Thanks for understanding.

ISM is requesting parent and community support, as ISM applies for the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Program (MPRPDP), Open Space and Coastal Preservation Grant Program.

Community support letters on business letterhead and personal parent support letters are required for the MPRPDP Grant application. Support letter are to share the importance of obtaining grant money for improving the 'open space' area of the ISM Children's Garden/Nursery and for blending natural science education with nutrition, nature, and community service restoration projects (details below).

ISM's Grant application is to improve the 'open space' on our current campus - the ISM Children's Garden & Nursery- by purchasing a walk-in greenhouse/nursery, protective fencing, nursery/gardening tools, planting pots, dirt, compost, compost bin, garden plants, seeds and other supplies, and to rebuild current ISM Children's Garden area. ISM's Children's Garden been vandalized several times. That piece of information may be helpful in the support letter.

Briefly, so you have an idea, the Grant proposal will included, but is not limited to:
- How the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District Parks, Open Space and Coastal Preservation
Grant Program Grant will provide a wonderful experiential opportunity for ISM students, to further their natural sciences education and to participate with the local community and the coastal California parks and recreation areas, by improving an 'open space' area on campus and giving back to the community through growing native Californian plants, trees, shrubs, flowers and organic vegetables and participating in restoration projects, while blending in natural sciences education.
- The benefits of having a portable greenhouse,/nursery that can be relocated to the Hayes location when the school moves, next summer
- Fencing to enclose the ISM Children's Garden area and greenhouse, to protect against vandalism
- This project would benefit ISM students to be further educated in the importance of 'going green' understanding and sharing benefits of organics and native growing, living, and provide opportunities for participation in native environmental planting restoration projects with the regional parks (Big Sur, Marina Dunes, etc.)
- Our students will grow native plants in the greenhouse for improving our community, assisting to restore costal areas to encourage the natural habitat and to have experiential learning opportunities with community organizations.
- I would LOVE to have ISM students (those interested) and families to have a 'planting day' at Big Sur or the Marina Dunes, after growing native plants.
- Money from growing and selling organic vegetables and flowers will go to the continual purchase of seedlings and starter trees, plants, and shrubs, to be nurtured until they are large enough to be transplanted at local and regional park areas.

My goal is to gather several community and parent support letters and submit an application by 2:00 pm, this Wednesday.

Attached is a sample parent letter, written by a parent unable to provide a support letter for ISM. You may use this as an example, perhaps adding information from above or other information you may want to add. Feel free to call me for further information.

ISM would be grateful for your assistance with this grant application, on such short notice. If you are able to provide a letter, please let me know. I completely understand any regrets.

Say a prayer for me. I have a lot of work to do, but I am determined!

Best Regards,

Dr. Neli Volante
Counselor / Student Services
International School of Monterey
nvolante@ismonterey.org
831-583-2172

Big Saturday Work Day Thank You!

Good Morning Saturday Work Day volunteers!

I wanted to extend to each of you a sincere thank you for your efforts in making this past September Saturday Work Day a genuine success!

It started early with a Friday afternoon visit by parent and electrician, Mr. Cabanilla, who was not going to be available for the Work Day on Saturday as he was working. So, instead, he came by Friday to replace a cracked electrical outlet in Portable 3!

Noticeable improvements were made throughout the campus on Saturday, to include important several other safety-related tasks. Hours were spent shoveling sand from the lower blacktop and this was arduous work. Thank you to those of you who took on this challenging task and improved the safety of the blacktop for all of our students and staff. In addition, safety assessments were also done on the ramps for Portables 3 & 4.

Thanks, too, to the painting crew who greatly improved the attractiveness of the admin building by scraping, priming, and painting the wooden panels beneath the windows on the south side of the building. It looks super!

We do indeed have a great parent community here at ISM and the fourteen of you who took time out of your Saturday to volunteer your time are a prime example of that!

I would also like to express a special "thank you" to Bob Brown for serving as this month's event chair. He accepted the role willingly in early August and will be returning to host at least one more Saturday Work Day this school year! Thanks again, Bob!


Regards,

Lisa Griffin Burns
ISM Operations / HR Manager

ISM Saturday Work Day for September: 9/13/2008 9:30 am - 1:00pm

Saturday, September 13th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., will be a Saturday Work Day here at ISM.

The event is being chaired by parent Bob Brown, who comes well-equipped to the task as he serves as CSUMB's Director of Campus Facilities and Operations.

Tomorrow's task list includes:
(1) TASK: Removing sand from the lower playground as our top priority safety task.
Volunteers are asked to bring flat-bladed shovels, brooms, and wheelbarrows to assist with this task. We will need a good number of volunteers to complete this task.

(2) TASK: Repairing a cracked electrical outlet in Portable 3 (Arnow) (This task is for a volunteer with electrical experience only)

(3) TASK: Painting wooden panels on south side of Admin building (Using supplies provided by MPUSD, please scrape, sand, wipe down, and paint wooden panels underneath windows on south side of Admin building.)

(4) TASK: Assessing / Repairing ramps to both Portables 3 & 4: The tops of both ramps have wood damage, posing a safety and trip hazard. If possible, please secure wood ramp pieces to the support structure. Tools needed: larger power tools & wood screws

(5) TASK: Paint railings to MS Portables (Portables 1, 5, & 6) (Please sand, wipe down, and paint railings for Portables 1, 5, & 6.)

(6) POTENTIAL TASK: Assess Technology Server Room in Library:
(Under direction of IT staff or committee member, please test computer hardware (monitors, drives, mice, etc.) to determine functionality. Mark items for eWaste disposal and mark items for use.)

ONGOING MONTHLY TASK: The campus ALWAYS needs trash pick-up, especially in the area around the lower blacktop, and the area in and around the portables. This is a great task to get children involved. Rubber gloves and trash bags are available for use for this task.

ONGOING MONTHLY TASK: City of Seaside upper playground: Please rake & level wood chips level in the upper playground. This is a safety issue task that we try to complete each month.

ONGOING MONTHLY TASK: Sort "Lost & Found" items ­ in basket in library as well as the multi-use room -- to separate clothing with names from items that are unlabeled. Once sorted, items with names can be returned to students via classroom teachers.

So whether you are a long-time Saturday Work Day supporter or new to ISM and looking for an opportunity to meet your monthly volunteering commitment to ISM, please join us for this and every monthly Saturday Work Day.

So, bring your enthusiasm and your tools -- shovels, brooms, wheelbarrows, power tools, paint rollers, brushes, nails, and screws -- and we'll see you tomorrow, Saturday, September 13th from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

For more information, contact Operations/HR Manager Lisa Griffin Burns at 831-583-2165.

Regards,

Lisa Griffin Burns
ISM Operations / HR Manager