Ms. Welsh Fourth Grade Class

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

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Dear ISM Parents,

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

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

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

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

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

Moving Volunteers for Saturday, 4/27

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:39:00 +0000

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

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

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

Thank you!
Regards,

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

Final Week - Day by Day Guide

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:30:00 +0000

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

Wednesday, June 16, 2009

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

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

Thursday, June 17, 2009

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

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

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

Friday, June 18, 2009 – Last Day of School

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

Karen Kushel
Office Administrator

and

Lisa Griffin Burns
Operations / HR Manager

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

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:10:00 +0000

Dear Fourth Grade Families,

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

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

Here's what the week will look like:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:51:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:49:00 +0000

STUDENT SUPPLIES LIST 2009 - 2010
FIFTH GRADE

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

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

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

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

SPANISH SUPPLIES FOR FIFTH GRADE (PACKAGE SEPARATELY FROM ABOVE)

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

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

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

4th Grade Class Picnic Reminder

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:16:00 +0000

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

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

Date: Tuesday, June 16th

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

What to bring / send along with your child:

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

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

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

Thanks and hope to see you there,

Karen Monahan

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

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:54:00 +0000

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.

Stoves, Pets and Picnic

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:29:00 +0000

Hello all,

Just a few items for you...

We have been collecting pennies (and other change - Thank you all for that!) to help with supplies for families in the country of Georgia where our former ISM family, the Parrishes, are living. We heard from them yesterday that the families who have become refugees in the war are in great need of cooking stoves. There are 54 families in need and the stoves cost $30 each. Our class has about $10 dollars collected so far. We would like to send money to purchase at least one stove. The problem is, we need to get the money by this Friday before their school year ends in Georgia. If you have any change you'd like to send in, we would gladly accept it and send it on to Georgia for the stoves. Every penny counts!

If anyone has the time and desire to adopt one of our class pets over the summer, please let me know. We have 3 aquariums. One with red-bellied toads, another with crawdads and fish and the third with 2 anole lizards. They are all fairly low maintenance but do require someone to keep an eye on them.

I still need field trip forms from the following students for the class picnic on Tuesday, June 16th: Mercury, Camille. Halie, Ariana, and Vincent. Thank you to all who have offered to drive. With your help, we are in good shape for seats for everyone. Everyone will need to bring a food item to share. Please see the list sent home for the item your child will bring.

Thanks everyone,
Mary Welsh

Parent Update - 6/7/2009

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:48:00 +0000

Dear Grade 4 Families,

Two more weeks to go. While I am sure the students are ready for summer, we do have a few things to finish up this week and next. Somehow we will try to keep a little focus on school but I'm sure it will be getting increasingly more difficult as the week unfolds.

This week is ISM Spirit Week. Students may wear clothing and hair styles as outlined in the note sent home last week. If the students choose not to participate on any given day, they need to come to school in full ISM uniform. Monday's theme is International Day and students can wear clothes from another culture. It will be fun. (Please refer to note for each day's theme.) On Friday, our class is assigned yellow as the color of our clothing to wear. I know we all at least have the Apple Store shirts we were given on the field trip. I hope everyone in our class can dress out on that day.

We will work on the last of our Electricity unit and complete the Circuit Quiz boards in class. We are still working on our Innovator projects and hope to also have those complete by the end of the week. If your child has a Monterey Public Library card. please have them bring it to school. It can be used to go to the biography section of the Monterey Library website which will save a lot of time in gathering needed information.

We will continue with spelling and math this week as usual. This will be the last week of spelling for the year.

If you haven't yet turned in the field trip form for the class picnic on Tuesday, June 16th to Lover's Point, please do so as soon as possible. We are asking everyone to bring a little food or drink to share. Please see the note attached to the field trip form for suggestions by student numbers of what to bring.

Homework this week:

Monday:
Math: Study Links 12.1
Reading: 20 minutes and record in Planner
Spelling: Sort and write words
Handwriting: one page of packet (will be sent home)

Tuesday:
Math: Study Links 12.2
Reading: 20 minutes and record in Planner
Spelling: Sort and write words
Handwriting: one page of packet (will be sent home)

Wednesday
Math: Study Links 12.3
Reading: 20 minutes and record in Planner
Spelling: Sort and write words
Handwriting: one page of packet (will be sent home)

Thursday
Math: Study Links 12.4
Reading: 20 minutes and record in Planner
Spelling: Study for Test
Handwriting: one page of packet (will be sent home)

Have a great week everyone,

Mary Cunningham-Welsh

Spirit Week

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:01:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:37:00 +0000

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 Update - 6/1/2009

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:22:00 +0000

Hello all,

Well, we are down to the last few weeks of the year amazingly enough. Honestly, it does seem that it was just last month, your children walked into the classroom for the first time. It's surprising how quickly the school year has gone and already I am seeing how many things I will miss not being around this great group of people pretty soon.

I know the students are ready for summer but we still have a lot of things to do. This week we will continue with Unit 11 in math and end the week with the assessment test on Friday. Spelling will resume this week and next. We will also continue our study of electricity with lessons on conductivity and insulators. I think everyone is really having a great time learning about and exploring electricity and electrical concepts. We will also start on our last small project of California Innovators this week, most of which will be done in class. Our book clubs have changed for the end of the year with students working individually or in small groups reading self-selected (and approved) books finishing with a short book review and recommendations for summer reading. I am doing as many reading assessments as I can during class and specials times. So far, everyone has moved up one, two or three levels in reading since the beginning of the year. Hurrah!

We would like to have an end of the year party the last week of school. I do think I need help with this as my energy level is waning a bit. Most classes are having class picnics at various parks or beaches on Tuesday, June 16th. We are hoping to coordinate with Ms. Arnow's class to be together for that day. If any of you have the time and energy to help with this, please let me know and we can decide on a place and the timing of the event.

I will be out of the classroom on Friday for a personal day.

Homework this week:

Monday:
Math: Study Links 11.4
Reading: 20 minutes and record in planner
Spelling: Sort and write words
Handwriting: pg. 90

Tuesday:
Math: Study Links 11.5
Reading: 20 minutes and record in planner
Spelling: Work with words
Handwriting: pg. 91

Wednesday:
Math: Study Links 11.6
Reading: 20 minutes and record in planner
Spelling: Sort and write words
Handwriting: pg. 92

Thursday:
Math: Study Links 11.7 and study for test
Reading: 20 minutes and record in planner
Spelling: Study for test
Handwriting: pg. 93

Best wishes to all,
Mary Welsh

Volunteer Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:11:00 +0000

International Cafe (Sat. June 6): This event really needs help with the morning stage set-up. Please contact Lisa Burns ASAP if you are available. More information about the Cafe is available on the ISM home page. In order to reduce our paper/plastic waste, the event organizers are encouraging a B.Y.O.P (Bring Your Own Plates & Utensils!) if possible.

Field Day (Thurs. June 18): Mr. Robby needs 20 more volunteers for the DRY field events only. Easy, fun... and warmer than the WET stations! This is a great opportunity to watch the students' demonstrate their best athletic skills in silly games. Volunteers are provided with a delicious BBQ lunch. Contact Mr. Robby directly with your availability.

New Family Connections (on-going): If you've been an ISM family for years and can provide guidance for incoming families, then the New Family Connection could use your help! Please review this linked overview document and complete the form found on the ISM homepage. http://www.ismonterey.org/Documents/FamilyAssociation/NewFamilyConnectionOverview09.pdf

ISM Summer Pool Party: Meet, greet and relax at the ISM Summer Pool Party - Carmel Valley Community Pool, July 26th, from 10:00am-noon (exclusively ISM), and then noon-? (open to the public). More information to come via invitation email.

Parent Update - 5/25/2009

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Tue, 26 May 2009 02:21:00 +0000

I hope you have all enjoyed a nice long weekend this Memorial Day weekend. Although the weather was a bit chilly around here, it was nice to have an extra day of time with friends and family.

Thank you once again to our wonderful chaperone/drivers that helped out on the field trip last Friday to MBARI. It was a great day of science, fun and time together. While I was out on the beach helping students learn about currents, staying dry and looking for beach treasures, everyone had a chance to test the temperatures of the water with the "thermasters" they made and attached to the "ROVs". They recorded their calculations on a graph and also had the opportunity to drive the ROVs. It was a great experience. Thank you to Debra Istenes, Sonia Perez, Kathleen Hill, Bob Brown, Bene Millings and Barbara and Katsuhiro Okamura for helping out. If you see Geoff Wheat, (father of Ted Wheat in Ms. Arnow's class) or Claudia Paul (Joshua's mom) please thank them for all of their time, effort and knowledge they shared in putting this great trip and the class lesson to go with it. They were terrific!

We are down to our last four weeks of school. It's hard to believe how quickly it has gone from the first day your wonderful children walked into the classroom. They have accomplished so much and we have had many great experiences together. They have all grown in so many ways and it has been remarkable for me to witness this along with all of you. I am very fortunate.

This four-day week will be fairly normal. We will take the spelling test we didn't get to take on Friday because of our field trip on Tuesday. We will start the next unit (11) in math on Tuesday. I will return the math tests tomorrow (Tuesday). Most everyone did very well on the assessment. As always, students may make corrections on the test and return it to me for 1/2 credit. This needs to be completed by Thursday.

We will continue our study of electricity this week with a look at motors and how they work. Our final project will be on California Innovators. Students will be doing most of the work in class (to give you all a break). They will be making a life-sized poster of their innovator and presenting some of the major contributions and background of this person. I will be sending a description of the project home this week if students want to do some of the research at home. I hope this will be both a fun and interesting project for all. Everyone has worked so hard this year.

Homework this week:

Tuesday
Math: Study Links 11.1
Reading: 20 minutes and record in planner
Spelling: none
Handwriting p. 87

Wednesday
Math: Study Links 11.2
Reading: 20 minutes and record in planner
Spelling: none
Handwriting p. 88

Thursday
Math: Study Links 11.3
Reading: 20 minutes and record in planner
Spelling: none
Handwriting p. 89

All the best to you,
Mary Welsh

Parent and Student Surveys May 2009

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Sat, 23 May 2009 02:49:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:32:00 +0000

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

MBARI Field Trip Reminder (5/22/2009)

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:41:00 +0000

Dear Parents,

Just a reminder of our field trip tomorrow to MBARI in Moss Landing.
Students may wear free dress. They need to wear layers as it is often cold there.
Everyone needs to bring a lunch and drink. We will be eating on the beach so the less waste in the lunches, the better.

Thank you,

Mary

Thursday Night (5/21/2009)

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:05:00 +0000

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

Study Guide for Math Test

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:40:00 +0000

The study guide for the math test tomorrow is below. The students will also be given a copy and we are reviewing today.

Study Guide – Unit 10

Part A

Draw shapes with no, one, two or multiple lines of symmetry.
Identify a translation.
Identify a rotation.
Use a transparent mirror to draw the reflection of the preimage.
Use a transparent mirror to draw the other half of the figure across the line of symmetry.
Give fraction, decimal and percent equivalents.
Add and subtract fractions.

Part B

Add positive and negative integers.
Solve a number story involving addition of positive and negative integers.
Identify and measure an angle.
Estimate the products and quotients of problems involving decimals.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Free today (5/20)

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:38:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:47:00 +0000

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

Parent Update - 5/18/2009

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:49:00 +0000

Dear Parents,

Thank you to the many parents who helped out on the field trip last Friday to the US. Geological Survey Open House. We couldn't have done it without you. Though it was a long drive, the students all found interesting things to do and learn. My group had fun playing Geopardy, Gold Panning, making their own earthquakes and other hands-on activities. Others also learned what to do in case of an earthquake, saw a bald eagle and other fun things. Please thank Claudia Paul, Leann Ruffin, Glenn Harrell, Barbara Okamura, Debra Istenes and Theresa Curatalo for their help in making the field trip happen.

There are several things going on this week for you to be aware of. Wednesday is an early dismissal day. The students will be out at 11:30 am. Afterschool care is available but you must sign up in advance. Thursday evening is the Spring Arts Festival in the evening. The program starts at 6:30 pm. Students need to meet in the classroom at 6:15. Our class will be singing the California state song as taught to them by music teacher, Sherry Porter. We are still working out what the students will wear. We will determine this tomorrow in class and I will let you know.

Friday is our field trip to MBARI to test our thermosensors made in class with Mr. Wheat and Ms. Paul. I have not received all of the field trip permission slips yet so, if you haven't sent it in, please do so tomorrow. We are still in need of drivers for the trip. At this time, we have space only for 13 students. If you can drive, please let me know. We will be back in time for SEM classes.

Homework this week will be:

Monday
Math: Study Links 10.5
Handwriting: Page 83
Reading: Read 20 minutes and record in planner
Spelling: Sort and write words

Tuesday
Math: Study Links 10.6
Handwriting: Page 84
Reading: Read 20 minutes and record in planner
Spelling: work with words

Wednesday:
Math: Study for test
Handwriting: Page 85
Reading: Read 20 minutes and record in planner
Spelling: work with words

Thursday:
Come to the Evening program
Reading: Read 20 minutes and record in planner
Spelling: Study for test

All the best,
Mary Welsh

Got Popsicles?

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:38:00 +0000

Dear Parents,

The students all made it through the 6X, 3 minute timed test of "Multiplication Road" last week.

The deal was that we would all have popsicles to celebrate this accomplishment. Is there anyone out there that would like to provide the popsicles this time? It would be a help to me and my family's budget. (Let me know so we don't end up with too many... a nice problem to have however.) We are planning an ice cream party when all complete their 12 times problems in less than 3 minutes. There are just 7 kids left to pass that. If anyone wants to sponsor the ice cream party, please let me know.

Thank you,

Mary

USGS Field trip tomorrow is on

noreply@blogger.com (YouthPastor) — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:52:00 +0000

Hello everyone,

The field trip tomorrow to the USGS Open House will take place. Thank you to drivers Glenn Harrell, Claudia Paul, Leann Ruffin, Theresa Curatalo, Barbara Okamura and Debra Istenes for making it happen.

We will leave school as soon as possible in the morning. Please try to get your child to school on time so we don't leave anyone behind. Drivers, please meet at the classroom to pick up the students in your car. It is approximately a 1.5 hour drive each way. Students are not allowed to have electronics of any kind.

Students will need to wear their uniforms, bring a lunch and water/drink (zero waste is best), a hat to wear is o.k. I am not sure of the weather in Menlo Park tomorrow but I expect it to be warmer than Seaside.

There will be many learning activities the students will do. Among them are: Gold panning, Make your own earthquake, Microfossils, Sea Otter Research, Plate Tectonics Puzzle, Dress like a Marine Geologist and many more. I think it will be a fun, exploratory day.

Best wishes and thanks again to the drivers,

Mary Welsh