1) Here are the early release dates until the end of the year. Beyond the Bell ends at 3:30 on these days.

- Wed. 5/14, 5/28, 6/4

2)  Wednesday 5/14 is free dress day- no red or blue

3) Wed- fashion show at 10:10- 10:30- auditorium, dance 10:30-12:30 for students who came every day for testing and focusing on their tests.  Those who did not earn it or wish not to participate can watch a movie in the movie room or play sports on the PE yard.  They cannot go back and forth- need to stay in one area.

Mr. Pena is organizing a fundraiser to support one of our 8th grade students who has liver cancer.  She has been out of school since winter break.  He will be selling shaved ice, waters and hotdogs for $1-$2 each. All proceeds will go to the family. Families can also make donations through Mr. Pena for the family as well.

4)  Friday, May 16- 6-7:30- new student orientation and ice cream social- auditorium and cafeteria. Current families welcome to help- do you remember when you were a nervous incoming parent?

5)  Sat. May 17- Hairspray practice 9-1- bring all costumes in.  Carnaval dance/drumming practice- I think 9-12 (every Saturday in May).

6) Sun May 18- Bay to Breakers- wishing Ms. Dalmau and Ms. Blanchard’s girls group great strides as they walk the race course.

7) If you have not ordered your child’s yearbook- do so ASAP.  $25- checks made out to JLMS, give to Ms. Hacker (7th grade teacher) or in the office with your child’s name and grade on it. Limited supply of 250 ordered this year.  The kids will have a book signing/autograph day when they come out the last week of school. When they are gone, they are gone. You can also sponsor a book for a student that can’t afford one.

8) Auction wrap up- if you have leftover forms, please recycle and put in the PTSA box for next year. The same with admission ticket money.

9) Thurs. 5/22- last Parent/PTSA meeting- dinner at 5:30, meeting starts at 6pm. Meet our new principal, a few house keeping items from the PTSA- budget and elections, etc. and other surprises!

10)  Last day of school Friday, June 13, 8th grade graduates on Thurs. 6/12 and do not come back on Friday. Limited tickets are available to each family- I think it was 2 per family.  We can only seat about 600 in the auditorium and the grads will take up about 175 seats.  Other classes are on a field trip away from the school on grad day.  7th grade parents help with the cake/coffee refreshments for the graduation.  So if you could volunteer for an hour between 10-Noon that would be great.  Let Leonor Jackson, parent liaison, know.  7th grade also decorates the café and the auditorium the afternoon/evening before.

11) There is a pink calendar coming home with most of the events listed- check your child’s backpack.

12)  End of year picnic- no one has come forward to help organize the end of school picnic held on Sunday 5/25.  I know it is a holiday weekend but we tie it in to Carnival when we disassemble the float, put away costumes, etc.  It is a whole school potluck event.  We have a gas BBQ at the school- just need someone(s) to help organize it. I believe the Hairspray cast will be joining the parade as well.  Parents needed to walk along and give our “entertainers/performers” waters- it is not difficult.

13) Several classes are planning end of year field trips—parents are requested so we have adequate supervision.  Ask your child or their teachers.  There are small fees for these activities.

-- 6th grade picnic/swim party is on Thur. 6/12- parents organize the picnic/bbq (need grills) in Brisbane park and then the group walks up to the Brisbane pool for some swim time. They take public transportation to get there- many adults needed to get food, bbq, clean up, etc.

-- 7th grade- haven’t heard where they are going yet 6/12.

-- 8th grade picnic/bbq/swim on Thurs. 6/5 to Lake Anza- take a charter bus- parents also needed to help get food, supervise, bbq, etc.

May 14, 2008 update