Weekly update - 4/5/2009

Dear Parents,

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend. The weather has been beautiful.

Yesterday, I drove up to Los Altos to pick up the vases with our class artwork for the Gala auction. They are just great. The vases are quite large and the ocean artwork looks great. Some of the students' art are on each vase though inadvertently 3 of our students were missed in the application of the art. If you go to the gala next Saturday, you'll be sure to see them. They are lovely and fun.

Gala 50/50 tickets need to be in this week. Please have your child turn them in to me or you can bring them directly to the wooden mailbox near the teacher mailboxes in the office.

We have a field trip to Colton Hall and the Monterey Library this Wednesday, April 8th. We are taking the city bus. If your child has not yet turned in their field trip form or the $2.00 for the bus, please send them in on Monday. Thank you!

On Thursday, April 23rd, we have a field trip to the Monterey Symphony at Sherwood Hall in Salinas scheduled as part of music class. I will get field trip forms out at the end of the week (one trip at a time!). We will need drivers for this trip and need to arrive at Sherwood Hall by 9:15 am. I assume the program only goes an hour or so but will let you know as soon as I hear.

We have begun working on our unit on Migration. As part of the unit each student will interview someone they know who has migrated to California. The students will write up this interview and we are hoping the students will videotape each of these interviews so we can teach them to edit the film and upload the final draft onto a website called We Are California. I need to know how many families have a digital video camera that they can use to tape the interview. Please let me know as soon as possible. We may be able to partner up and film for one another if agreeable. I will send home the information on the assignment this week. Check out the website: www.weareca.org

This Friday, we will be doing some activities on the Gold Rush with both the 4th grade classes. It should be a fun learning time for all.

Homework this week:

Monday:
Math: Study Links 8,5
Spelling: Sort and write words
Handwriting pg. 54
Reading: 20 minutes and record title, pages and minutes in planner

Tuesday
Math: Study Links 8,6
Spelling: Sort and write words
Handwriting pg. 55
Reading: 20 minutes and record title, pages and minutes in planner

Math: Fact Triangle practice
Spelling: Sort and write words
Handwriting pg. 56
Reading: 20 minutes and record title, pages and minutes in planner

Math: Study Links 8.7
Spelling: Sort and write words
Handwriting pg. 57
Reading: 20 minutes and record title, pages and minutes in planner

Enjoy your week,

Mary Welsh

Items of Note

ISM BIG SUR MARATHON AIDE STATION – SUNDAY APRIL 26TH

Once again, we will be able to help at the Big Sur Marathon and earn cash for our school. We need volunteers on Sunday, April 26th, from early morning to a little after noon. This is a fun event, and students fourth grades and up are welcome to help! Our job is to serve water and energy drink to the runners.

Our captains are Anu and Murali Tummala, parents of 7th grader Neeli Tummala. We will meet at the Barnyard shopping center around 6:30 am (exact time to be confirmed later), and carpool to our aid station, which is about 6 miles south of the shopping center. We will carpool back to the shopping center around 12 or 1 pm, depending on when the race is over. Traffic will be closed, so you will not be able to drive to or from our aid station on your own.

To sign up, please e-mail Clara Wang at clarawang@comcast.net as soon as possible. Please also indicate the T-shirt size you prefer, S, M, L, XL or XXL. I will send the volunteers more specific information after the captains' meeting the weekend before the event.



ISM GALA CLASSROOM BASKET NEWS
Hello Everyone,

The time is near and here. The classroom Gala baskets are due this Friday 3 April. You may drop them off at the front office. When you drop them off, please let the staff know it's for the Gala.

Thank you so much for all your hard work. You may contact me at mykdar@yahoo.com, venus.watson@chomp.org, or 917-1114 (cell) if you have any questions.

Venus


MATH AROUND THE WORLD FESTIVAL – FRIDAY, APRIL 17TH

Dear Parents,

On Friday, April 17, Lawrence Hall of Science is facilitating a Math Festival titled “Math Around the World”. Lawrence Hall of Science writes:

Take a mathematical trip around the world! Timeless games from across the globe come together to challenge students' probability, logic, and strategy skills. From Native American Game Sticks to Lo-Shu Puzzles of China, students exercise their ability to focus and problem-solve—traits necessary for succeeding in math. Maps and historical information blend social studies and geography with mathematics.

Mrs. Madden is still looking for parents to help with the Math Festival scheduled for Friday, April 17. There will be 12 stations set up and a volunteer is needed for each station. Check your calendars and come help out!


Volunteers Needed !!!!!!
Math Festival Station Supervisors

Friday, April 17
Session 1 (Grade K-2). 9-9:50 am
Session 2 (Grade 3-5). 10:05-10:55 am
Session 3 (Grade 6-8). 12:25-1:15 pm
*each volunteer must arrive at least 20 minutes before their scheduled session (for a station orientation).

Role:
- each volunteer will be in charge of a single station.
- volunteers make sure students who come to that station, 1) understand the activity, 2) get a chance to participate.
- volunteers will be given an information sheet with a brief description of the activity and some pointers as far as how to help the students.
- volunteers will also maintain the equipment at the station and tidy up the station between sessions, and pack up equipment at the end of the event

Please contact Nikki Madden ism.nmadden@gmail.com or nmadden@ismonterey.org if you are available to support this important (and fun!) educational opportunity for our ISM students. Thank you!

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

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!

Parent Letter - 2/26/2009

Dear Parents,

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

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

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

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

Thank you,
Mary Welsh

Gala Update

Dear ISM Parents, Staff and Board;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carrie Miles

Parent Letter - 2/13/2009

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

Box Tops

The class that collects the most

BOX TOPS
WINS

A Movie and Smoothie PARTY!
Please start to bring in your BOX TOPS NOW!
This contest ends 2/13/09.

Gala Baskets 2009

Hello Everyone,

It is Gala time again! We need each class to make a gift basket to be auctioned off at the gala. I need a parent in each class to be in charge of the basket. The total cost of the basket needs to be at least $200.00. The basket should be assembled before turning it in.

There are many different themes you can choose from. So far I know the two third grade classes have already chosen a theme. Ms. Brown is doing a "Gardening" theme and Mr. Mills is doing a "Child's Art & Craft" theme. If other classes have a them already, please send me an email to let me know by next Friday 23 Jan. I will assign themes to the classes on Monday 26 Jan that don't already have one.

You may contact me via email at mykdar@yahoo.com. In the subject area, please put "Gala 2009" so that I may easily identify them. You may also contact me on via my cell at (831)917-1114. If I don't answer, I am probably working. So please leave a message, all calls will be returned. If you need any help or have any questions don't hesitate to call me.

Thank you,

Venus Watson (Mykah's mom - 3rd grade)