Dear Joaquin Miller Families:
I do apologize for the delay in my correspondence to you all this month. Your patience is much appreciated.
April was a wonderfully busy month. I appreciate my staff for helping to coordinate two very successful school wide events: Family Math and Science Night and the Science Fair. Both events were well attended and engaged. I want to thank the PTA for supporting the Family Math and Science Night event with delicious catered food.
On Wednesday, May 22nd, six of our students will have their science fair projects on display at the Chabot Space and Science Center. This special event to celebrate science is open to all students in OUSD and I highly recommend going.
Congratulations to:
Keith Jeung, Mrs. William’s Class
Amethyst Reber, Ms. Palmer’s Class
Axel Santos, Ms. Green’s Class
Julian Korchin, Ms. Robinson’s Class
Meridith Schley, Ms. Moran’s Class
Jack Ponting, Ms. Scott’s Class
I also want to congratulate Jonah Bloom and Amara Romero for earning 2nd place at the Oakland Unified School District 34th MLK Oratorical Fest 2013!
We have just six weeks left and many end of year events.
Please add these dates to your calendar:
• California Standardized Testing (CST) – April 29-May 9 8:30-11:00 AM
Provide a healthy breakfast
Go to bed earlier than usual
Come to school on time; late arrivals may not enter the class once testing has started. They will have to test at a different time. Please be on time to avoid this frustration.
No cell phones in the testing area; they maybe in the student’s backpack.
• Tuesday, May 21 Career Day!
We are still looking for careers to share with our students. Please use the attached notice to sign up or refer a friend to the event. No job is too small or too big, we want them all! Remember we are planting seeds.
• Wednesday, May 22 School Wide Field Day! Parents please watch your email groups for info on which color t-shirt your child is to wear for this special event celebrating health, fitness, and team work!
• Wednesday, May 22 District Science Fair 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM All are welcome.
• Thursday, May 23 Parent Appreciation Breakfast by the JM Staff, in the AM located in the MPR
• Friday, May 24-May 27 Holiday Break – No School
• Wednesday, May 29 Honoring our Safety Patrol at the Scottish Rite Center 5:30 PM Please come to cheer on our Safety Patrol Team! The more the merrier! Our students and their families have done an excellent job this year!
• Monday, June 10-June 13 are minimum days. June 13th is the last day of school.
• Tuesday, June 11 is the 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony. This event is a standing room only event. Please arrive on time and be considerate of our families with wheel chairs, canes, or elderly family members. Please do not bring balloons in to the MPR, as they obscure the view of the proceedings. This is a special event for our students leaving us for Middle School. Don’t forget the tissue!
Parents I want to share with you a few more points for your consideration. Our cafeteria has a new additional staff person, her name is Ms. Rapunza. She will assist Ms. Lily until the end of the school year.
The Dad’s club has designed a brand new Lost and Found Container System. However, I must say we are losing the war with the lost and found items. Please take time to look through the lost items, anything left behind will be donated. I am looking for a volunteer to haul away everything to the Good Will or other appropriate organization.
As the year winds down, I would like to request that parents have a talk with their children about following school rules, minding the adults, and being kind to their peers. Students must not become violent with others in any manner, not even for “fun”. Words are also important and students must be cordial and kind to others. Put downs, name calling, teasing and the like will cause your child to have a significant consequence. I really appreciate your partnership and support.
Our students are no longer are receiving snacks at 10:00 AM recess. The District has stopped sending the snacks, because of a compliance issue. If you are able to bring in snacks, our students would really appreciate the food. Some students are not eating lunch every day, which is really setting them up for a challenging afternoon. Please pack something for them to eat each day, if they won’t eat in the cafeteria.
Our teachers and I have gotten to know your child well. You should feel confident in our process to properly place your student next year. Please direct any input about placement to your child’s teacher. Teachers will include the additional information in their thought process, but the ultimate decision rests with our staff. The class lists are final when they are published in August and will not be altered during the first six weeks of school.
A new instructional minutes schedule is being developed for next year. A draft schedule will be forth coming. We are excited about some of the adjustments to the schedule and I think you will be too.
Thank you for being a wonderful community. This year is an evaluation year for me. I would really appreciate and value your feedback, testimonial, or stories of how I have made a difference for you, your child, or the school. I also would value any constructive criticism you may have as well. Feel free to email me or place a note in my box.
In the Spirit of the Wolverine Way,
Ms. Smith
Principal
(Letter sent home, 4/29/13)