1)  Sat. 4/ 19 Workdays…

- Hairspray workday 9-1- all students in the show should be prepared to participate. Parents help with various task.

- 826 Valencia workday- come help prepare the new “Writing Room”.  It will be in a pirate theme with painting, decorating on Sat. I don’t have the exact times but I would guess 9-3?

2)  CST Testing; April 29- May 16.  Not all students are tested everyday.  There is NO testing on Mondays.  Testing is done in the mornings- so be sure to have the kids there on time!  Ms. Naz has a schedule of which test on which days for certain grades.  There will be 5 days of early release at 12:30.  I don’t have the exact dates but I think it is

April 29-May 2 & May 6 but a letter should be coming home.  Ms. Naz can you post more info for us? 

*** The students will get light snacks during testing days.  The PTSA is purchasing $1000 worth of snacks but it won’t be enough for the amount of days.  We will need donations of fruit/cheese sticks from parents too. Watch for a handout on how you can help.  There will be large jugs of water and cups so students can water in the classroom as well. Anyone know a place that will donate fresh fruit?  Parents come in the mornings each day for 30 minutes to cut up, count and deliver snacks.

3)  Prop A- the JLMS staff have started phone banking to get the message out about the Prop A- parcel tax to benefit teacher salaries, education, retention, substitute benefits, master teacher program, stipend for teachers working in hard-to-fill subject areas,  academic innovation and technology support for staff and more.  This is on the June 3 ballot- I have window signs if you want one.  The staff will be walking the NV precinct this Saturday if anyone is interested.  Contact Ms Abad to help- goldenredrose@comcast.net.  The PTSA will vote at the next meeting whether to endorse or not- this is the case for all PTA units.

4)  Play Free Rice!  Do you want your child to improve their vocabulary, reading, and test scores and help feed the world’s hungry?  Then play the game on www.freerice.com.   For every word you get correctly answered, 20 grains of rice are donated to help end hunger.  It’s easy and fun.  From now through the end of testing, play the game keep track of how much rice you help to donate.  Bring your totals to Ms. Blanchard in room 306 and she’ll keep track of how much each grade level and the school contributes’.  See your child’s language arts teacher for more info.

5) Skateboards:  Students are NOT allowed to ride skateboards on school property unless they are being supervised in the after school program and are wearing a helmet.  If students do not follow these expectations, their skateboards will be confiscated until a parent comes to pick them up. Please review with your child if they bring one to school. Thanks!

6)  Ditto for the ipods, mp3, cellphones- They are not allowed during school hours- they may use after 3:30.  They should remain off during school hours.  Staff will confiscate and give to Ms. Naz if they are used during school time- buy them a watch if they need to tell time.  Depending upon if it is their first offense they will get back at the end of the day- other offenses will bring the parent into the picture.  Please discuss as students are texting during classes- strictly against SFUSD policy.  Thanks for reminding your student and helping the staff.

7)  Monday: 4/21- Stop by Bernie’s Coffee Shop on 24th St, near Bell Market for a Poetry/Drama Get Together with some of our 7th grade students.  Poetry begins at 4:45pm.

8)  Thursday: 4/24- PTSA meeting—only 2 meetings left this year!  5:30-7:30pm in the cafeteria. Dinner and Spanish translation provided.

9) Friday: 4/25- deadline for PTSA Auction (May 3) donations!  Get on the phone this weekend and try to get a few more donations.  Get creative and donate something yourself- the James Lick Fabulous Family donations are some of the hot tickets at the auction. We have vacation getaways, goods from local merchants and artists including a print from Ruth Asawa, homemade dinners, desserts, flower arrangements, jewelry, etc.

*** There will be a volunteer sign up sheet at school in the hall to sign up and something coming home in a packet or contact Julia: email onceaweekjul@yahoo.com or 206-9400.

10)  Saturday: 4/26- 6th grade fundraiser hoopla—pancake breakfast, carwash and rummage sale.  Watch for a flyer soon. I hear there is a raffle for ipods, Giants tickets and more!  Watch for donated item drop off soon- any 6th grade teacher or parent have more info?

11) Want to get a workout?  Come join one of our PE classes on Friday’s as we walk/run our weekly laps. The goal is 8 laps, 6= one mile.  We have lunch time volleyball for 7th/8th graders every Thursday in the gym 12:20-12:45 (last half of lunch)- no skills required- come join us.  Depending upon which teacher your child has in PE the students have been learning; floor hockey, jump rope techniques, step aerobics and flag football.  All PE classes will be starting health units every Monday in the auditorium until the end of the school year.  Students will not have to dress in PE uniform on MONDAYS ONLY!  We will be looking for guest speakers on nutrition and body imaging as well.

April 18, 2008 update