School Closures for the Month of February

February 3rd, 2012
  • Feb. 20 (Mon) – President’s Day

Key Dates for the Month of February

January 28th, 2012
  • Feb 3 (F): Wolverine Pride Assembly (MPR)
  • Feb 7-10 (Tues-Fri): Scholastic Book Fair Event
  • Feb 7 (Tues): 2nd Grade Marine Mammal Student Art Exhibit (3-6pm, MPR)

Key Dates for the Month of January

January 9th, 2012
  • Jan 9 (M): Spelling Bee (Written) – for all 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Classes.
  • Jan 11 (Wed): Spelling Bee (Oral) – for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Finalists.
  • Jan 13 (Fri): JM Annual Spelling Bee, final 3 students per class compete, MPR.
  • Jan 18 (Wed): School Spirit Day.
  • Jan 20 (Fri) : Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Assembly, 10:15am.
  • Jan 20 (Fri): Principal’s Assembly for students who turned in Principal’s Assignment, MPR, 2pm.

SAVE THE DATES – Fall Enrichment Program Recitals

December 5th, 2011

The JM Enrichment Team invites you to attend the upcoming Fall Enrichment Program Recitals.

The children are excited to showcase what they’ve learned this session.  All JM families are encouraged to attend one or both performances even if your child is not in a class listed below.  What a great way to show our Wolverine Pride!

There are three performances scheduled – Dec 7 , Dec. 12 and Dec 15. The class and teacher’s name are below.

PERFORMANCE #1
Date: December 7
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: MPR

Featuring…
1. Take My Word For It! – Sondra Hall
2. Garage Band 101 – Sam Schwartz
3. Guitar – Anthony Parker

================================

PERFORMANCE #2
Date: December 15
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: MPR

Featuring… 1. Rhythm and Play – Clark Seal
2. African Dance – Pope Flynn

================================

PERFORMANCE #3

Doug’s Playhouse presents “Stinky Lake”

Date: Monday, Dec 12
Time: 7:00pm
Location: MPR

For the children involved in one of the classes listed, they will be receiving additional information from their enrichment teachers regarding the performance ahead of time.

Can’t wait to see you there!

Sincerely,
Your Joaquin Miller Enrichment Team
Adrienne, Heather, Sara and Meridith

The Amazon Button is Back on JM’s Homepage!

December 5th, 2011

Now that the holiday shopping season is here, we wanted to remind you that Amazon has reinstated their Associates program in California – so once again you can earn easy money for JM every time you shop at Amazon!  Just be sure to always access Amazon via the button at the bottom of the JM Homepage – and a percentage of your spending will go directly to our PTA.

Don’t forget to share this link with friends and relatives too!   An easy way to ensure you always enter the site via this web address is to (1st click on the button) then drag the URL from your browser address window into your bookmark bar at the top of your browser page – this provides a quick link to our Amazon Affiliate address.   (Note: our Amazon Affiliates browser plug-in from a couple years ago is no longer functioning).  And, yes, you can also earn eScrip money with Amazon if you use the eScrip browser plug-in.  Please email diane@huetter.biz with any questions.

JM’s Annual Open House and School Tours

December 3rd, 2011

JM will hold its Annual Open House for Prospective Parents Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. This is an informational meeting for all families interested in looking at the school for their entering grade school children. The agenda will include remarks from our Principal, the PTA president and parents of current students, as well as a video about our school.

School tours will be given by appointment only at 11 a.m. on the following days: December 7, December 14 and January 4. Parent volunteers will be leading the tours of the school grounds, including 10 minute observations in a kindergarten classroom. Space is limited and tours fill quickly. Please contact our kindergarten outreach coordinator, Kim Davis, at kzt123@sbcglobal.net or 510-219-0950 for more information or to schedule a tour. We look forward to introducing you to our school.

Visit the Enrollment and Registration page of our site to learn more about the registration process for new families.

School Closures for the Month of January

December 1st, 2011
  • Jan. 2 (Mon) – New Year Holiday
  • Jan. 16 (Mon) – Martin Luther King Day
  • Jan. 27 (Fri) – Professional Development Day

School Closures for the Month of December

November 30th, 2011
  • Dec 19-Jan 2:  Winter Break, school closed

Key Dates for the Month of December

November 30th, 2011
  • December 5-9 (M-F): Minimum Days – Teacher Conferences
  • Dec 8 (Thur): Open House for Prospective Families, 7:00 pm, MPR
  • Dec 12 (Mon):  JM Fall Enrichment classes end
  • Dec 15 (Thur): 2nd Grade Staff Appreciation Lunch

2nd Grade JM Fall Thanksgiving Feast 101

November 2nd, 2011

Since many of you are attending the Feast for the first time this year, we’ve put together a short overview that should address some of the frequently asked questions.

1. What is the Feast and what is planned for that day?
The Feast is part of Joaquin Miller’s Living History Program, developed over the years by teachers and parents in the JM Multiculturalism and Diversity Committee. Students and Parents will re-enact the First Thanksgiving between Wampanoag Native Americans and Pilgrims in full period costume at a local
park (Roberts Park). Kids and parents participate in large-scale food preparation as well as arts and games.

2. Food Stations – Do we make the food at home and bring it to the park?
No, we will make the food at the event. Since we are re-enacting the First Thanksgiving, we will use grills and other equipment as if we are living in that era.
(NOTE: Some prep work can/should be done at home prior to event due to time limit.)
IMPORTANT: Please read your notes carefully. Notes are found here:
http://www.joaquinmiller.org/fall_feast/)

3. As a food volunteer, what are my responsibilities?
If you have signed up to volunteer at a food station, your responsibility is to gather the equipment needed to make your item (whether that is getting the available equipment out of the PTA shed, finding available items from your household, or purchasing if necessary). You will also lead the group of kids that come to your station in helping prepare the food.

4. Can I bring additional food?
No. We have a menu planned that exhibits a meal that was eaten during this time period and items included are those that have been successfully made at the Feast the day of the event. We have taken dietary needs into consideration and have developed a diverse menu to address those concerns.

5. Some of these items are expensive to purchase. Will I have to absorb the cost for my purchases?
We have a LIMITED BUDGET. Please save all receipts for food and/or supplies purchased for your volunteer stations. If you prefer not to donate and would like to be reimbursed, please turn in the receipts to Sara Green, Room 5, for reimbursement within one week after the Feast. Also remember that we do encourage donations of specialty food such as game, clams, fish, lobster, pumpkins, etc. Please ask the merchant you are purchasing your supplies from if they will offer a discount, as this is a public school event. If needed, the JMPTA Not-For Profit Tax ID Number is 94-6184024.

6. What time do I need to show up?
All volunteers should arrive by 8:30am (except the Fire Starters who need to be there by 8am). The children will start attending the stations at 9am, but you will need to time to set up a station if you are volunteering at one.

7. What is the itinerary for the day?
The children will start arriving at their stations by 9am. They will be divided into small groups. They will rotate every 30 minutes to a different station (food stations, games, crafts, photos). The schedule will look something like this:
8-9am – Set up
9-12pm – Stations open
12-1pm – Lunch served
1-1:30pm – Free Play
1:30-2:00 – Tug of war, races
2pm – Children’s Program (speeches. Bring your cameras!)

8. What if I signed up to do games or crafts?
Please read the instructions on the JM Feast site for instructions on the games/crafts.
http://www.joaquinmiller.org/fall_feast/)

9. Do I need to be in costume?
All Participants (children and adults) must be in costume – either a Native American Wampanoag or Pilgrim costume. If you are attending just for the speeches at 2pm, then you don’t need to come in costume.

10. Can I bring a friend/sibling/other family member to the event?

No, unless they are just coming to watch the speeches at 2pm. This day is dedicated to the 2nd grade children and parents and we only have enough material for those that have signed up to attend.

11. Do I have to volunteer to help if I attend?
This may seem like a silly question, but yes, we ask that if you attend (unless it’s just for the speeches), then you help in some way, either signed up at a station or as a floater who will help where needed. Please email Carolyn and Carole if your name is not on the attached list so we can add you to the event.

Feast and Food Chairs
Carolyn Anteneh
510-676-7101
Carole Frascati
510-710-9817

carolyn.anteneh@workday.com
cfrascati@comcast.net