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The 2005-06 calendar is now posted on our website
and is also available on the credenza in the front office.
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Welcome to ISM's weekly newsletter for the week of
November 14 - 18, 2005! Please note that the ISM news brief is now available
to ISM families during regular school weeks via our website no later than 7:30 p.m. each Monday (Tuesday, if Monday is a holiday), unless otherwise noted. To request hardcopy notification, please contact Business Administrator / news brief editor Lisa Griffin Burns
at lburns@ismonterey.org
or call at 583-2165.
Please note: Past newsletters can be found
here.
: Due to last week's news brief hiatus, we did not get a chance to list the winners of the three contests related to the Halloween festivities. We will now reveal those results: For the Costume Contest, we are pleased to announce that Garrett Carwitz-Mungridis (Grade 3, Mr. D), Kira Cruz (Grade 1, Miss Touryan), and Kyle Worcester-Moore (Grade 1, Miss Touryan) took top honors among Kindergarten through Fourth graders for their Most Scary, Most Funny, and Most Creative costumes, respectively. Among the upper graders, three of Mr. Spedding's 6th graders swept the field with Conor Jahn, Eric Villegas, and Anna Welsh winning for their Most Scary, Most Funny, and Most Creative costumes, respectively. The judges had a tough time making their decisions on Halloween as there were many wonderful, and creative costumes. Thank you to all who participated!
The Pumpkin Carving Contest also had some exciting participation and we thank all the youngsters and family members who took the time to carve their gourds and bring them to school for this competition. In the category of Most Scary pumpkin, Manuel Aviles (Grade 3, Miss Sigman) was a winner along with Ethan Nemiroff (Grade 1, Miss Basu) for his Most Funny gourd. An unknown entry sprouting twigs and pine cones from its head actually won for Most Scary in the 5-8 competition, while 8th grader Ruth Callaway prevailed as the creator of the Most Funny carving.
In the first ever Trick or Trunk decorating competition, we were thrilled to have eleven contestants sporting a variety of themes. The youngsters loved "trick or treating" to these cars and vans and this feature of the day's activities proved to be a real highlight! The prize-winners were (1) the Pattawi family (parents of Logan in Miss Carrie's Kindergarten and Kaleb in Miss Sweeney's Grade 2) for their Hawaii surfing design, and (2) Shannon Spranza (mother of Parker Spranza, Grade 1, Miss Touryan) for her Sea Life theme, complete with beach sand. Interesting that both winning "trunks" were not Halloween-related, rather sun, beach, and water oriented. Perhaps since October tends to be a warm and sunny, we are more than ready for some hot weather after a foggy, damp Peninsula summer. Once again, thank you to all who participated and a HUGE final round of thanks to all the volunteers who assisted with this event, especially coordinator Janice Barker. We could not have done such an involved event without all of your help!
: We were pleased that thirty plus entries were received for consideration in the ISM Cookbook Art Contest. We are going to try to incorporate as many of the wonderful pieces as is aesthetically possible into the cookbook, with the help of parent Sandra Wolfson and her amazing graphics skills. We did identify the following winners for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place: Taking top honors is 3rd grader Alia Vasanji whose work will grace the front cover of the cookbook. Winning 2nd place is 2nd grader Jessica Homami and her contribution will be featured on the back cover. Runner-up placement goes to 1st grader Thomas MacNabb and we are now determining the best location for his artwork. We greatly appreciate all the fine artwork that our students contributed, and the cookbook will be a more wonderful and enjoyable representation of our community because of these pieces. We are hoping to have the cookbook available in time for holiday shopping. We will keep you posted.
: Many thanks to Dan Simpson for heading up this past Saturday's work day. It was his first time as co-chair of the event and it went off without a hitch! He and his team of six completed nearly a dozen campus-wide projects, some remaining from last month as well as new ones. The nurse's area received a sprucing with the addition of a small refrigerator to store ice packs and medicines, the gardens, sidewalks, and playground received much-needed TLC, and we are one step closer to finalizing the small display case at the entrance to the ISM driveway. All of these tasks are difficult to accomplish during the regular school day and yet are so important to the proper maintenance of the campus and school. The next work day for December is slated for Saturday, December 10th from 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday work day supporters are enthusiastic abut their involvement in this ISM volunteer event as there is a great sense of satisfaction in helping with much-needed projects as well as getting to know other community members.
: The Charter Renewal document has now been finalized and is available for review on our website at: http://www.ismonterey.org/Media/CharterRenewal.pdf. This process requires that we collect signatures on the Charter Petition from 50% of our parents and 50% of our staff. The Charter Petition is available for signature in the admin office until this Wednesday, November 16th at 4 p.m. for parents to stop by and sign. It is extremely critical that we gather these required signatures before we forward the document to the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, our chartering agency, for review and consideration. Doing so indicates to MPUSD that we clearly support ISM, its curriculum, governance, and programs. It is imperative that we accomplish this first step in the renewal process, so make an extra effort to sign the petition. Obviously, every signature counts! Thank you!
: ISM continues to make the transition to Apple PowerSchool, a student information system (SIS) for purposes of attendance, assignments and grading, and parent and student communication. Individual teachers will be communicating to their respective parents with more specific details, so please stay abreast of those classroom communiqués.
At this writing, the majority of ISM families should have received a revised letter detailing student and parent web access for PowerSchool. This letter replaces an earlier letter forwarded to families at the end of October via student folders. Provided in this letter are confidential student and parent ID's and passwords in order to facilitate your access at any time. Please keep these passwords confidential so that only you can access your child's information via PowerSchool.
As we make this school-wide transition, we certainly welcome your feedback. Please forward comments via email to admin@ismonterey.org, noting "PowerSchool Feedback" on the subject line. You can also contact Doug Rodda, our volunteer PowerSchool administrator, at drodda@ismonterey.org or phone him directly at 583-2170. Thank you!
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A. FIRST ANNUAL P.E. HEALTH FAIR - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH, 1:30 -
4:30 p.m.: Sixth through Eighth Graders submitted their Health Fair projects for our First Annual Health Fair today and they are spectacular!! Parents are invited to stop by the multiuse
room to view the fascinating projects on display. These projects account for 50% of each student's
Physical Education Grade for Quarter 2! Those students who do not submit a
Health Fair project to Ms. Livingston, ISM's P.E. instructor, will not receive a passing grade in P.E. Please email ANY questions related to the Health Fair to Ms. Livingston at jlivingston@ismonterey.org.
By the way, Ms. Livingston is still looking for health care field professionals (such as, nurses, doctors, environmentalists, etc.) to serve as judges on Wednesday from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Please refer any recommendations to her at the above email. Thank you!
B. WINTER CONCERT / SCHOLASTIC BOOK SALE - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15TH, 6:30 p.m.: Staff coordinators Miss Anna and Mr. D are already in hot pursuit of "class acts" for the December holiday program. As we are now a school in excess of 300 students, the design of the concert will be unique, most likely incorporating multiple performance venues in addition to the multiuse room. This arrangement will also allow concertgoers to more easily access the Book Fair while traveling from venue to venue. More exciting details to follow.
Instant Attitude Adjustment? Is there really such a thing? Yes, indeed! Researchers have discovered that it takes more muscles and energy to frown than to smile. Even when we do not feel like smiling, the simple "act" of smiling may be just what is needed for a quick Attitude Uplift.
Here's how. Think of the most wonderful or funniest situation that has ever happened to you - one that "triggers" a response of immense laughter or happiness. "See" the picture in your mind as clearly as possible. Then, "feel" the emotions in your body, as they relate to that picture. Now, smile, smile, and smile! Hold the smile together with the picture and the emotions. Smile.
Suggested STEPS for Attitude Adjustment Success:
1) A person must adjust the thought: shift the thoughts in the mind to reflect a memory or thought that elicits extreme joy, happiness, or laughter.
2) adjust the emotion (feeling): while holding the thought, feel the joy, happiness, or laughter that the thought/memory brings. Thus,
3) adjusting the behavior. Smile!
I would like to encourage everyone {even for only one day as an experiment} to smile at every person you see. From babies to grandparents, at school, in classes, in the store, at the bank, in the vehicle next to you, anywhere you come in contact with people. Smile at everyone. Notice what happens. Chances are, people will smile back. You will be enriching your life as well as theirs.
Thoughts to ponder:
What is the benefit of worrying?
What is the benefit of stress or anxiety?
What is the benefit of anger?
Answer: There is no benefit.
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A. GRADE 3 COMBINED CLASS FIELDTRIP TO DEL REY CARWASH - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH - 1:30 to 3:00 P.M.: As part of the 3rd graders exploration of water use and recycling, they will be taking a carpool trip to the Del Rey Car Wash, owned by ISM parents Sam and Laura Alladeen. This establishment is recognized locally for its water reclamation efforts as it reuses 80 percent of its water! We anticipate that the youngsters will enjoy this outing.
B. GRADE 4 OVERNIGHT FIELDTRIP TO GOLD COUNTRY - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER
17TH - NOVEMBER 18TH: As part of their "Settlers and
Explorers" IPC unit, the intrepid students of Ms. West/Ms. Wharton and
Mrs. St. Germain will be trekking to Gold Country, with visits to the
Sutter Creek mine, Columbia State Park, and Knight's Ferry. They will be
departing on Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. with a return time of 6:00 p.m.
the following day. Arrangements have already been made for an overnight
stay at the Sutter Creek Days Inn and parents are forwarding payment
to Business Administrator Lisa Griffin Burns to fund this exciting trip.
 C. GRADE 6 FIELDTRIPS RELATED TO NATURAL HISTORY OF MONTEREY COUNTY
UNIT: CARMEL VALLEY, ARROYO SECO, RELIZ CANYON - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21st - 8:20 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Continuing their exploration of geology, 6th graders will travel to Carmel Valley, Arroyo Seco, Reliz Canyon to continue their investigation of the Monterey Formation. There, they will collect fossils at two of these sites. Students will also be introduced to faults and faulting.
On Monday, November 28th, from 11:10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,
the 6th graders will return to Pt. Lobos and guided by former
US Geological Survey geologist Ed Clifton, they will learn about and practice geologic mapping. All trips will include lunch out on the trail!
D. GRADE 3: MR. DVORAK FIELDTRIP TO DESALINATION PLANT - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER
29TH: Continuing their Water unit of study, 3rd graders will also travel by parent carpool to the Desalination plant located next to Marina State Beach to learn first-hand how ocean water is transformed into drinking water. Using the process of reverse osmosis, the plant then makes the water suitable for drinking and other household uses for the residents of Marina.
E. GRADE 2: MISS SWEENEY FIELDTRIP TO SEACLIFF STATE BEACH VISITOR CENTER - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1ST - 8:20 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Seacliff State Beach has a visitor center where the students will look at different fossils and rocks. They will also be able to dig their own fossils and learn how they are formed as well as see different rock layers visible in the cliffs.
: In a collected student effort, ISM students, their families, friends, and neighbors have raised over $800 for UNICEF through their trick or treating efforts! Fifty percent of this money has been pledged by the United Nations to go directly to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Mrs. Sally Burns' fifth graders are most likely going to continue their fundraising efforts next month via a Kids Flea Market special event, wherein part of the proceeds will benefit hurricane victims and part will be retained by the student entrepreneurs. We will post more information as details are finalized.
: Afterschool International is sponsoring its second annual canned food drive! Last year, we collected nine barrels of food weighing over one ton for the needy in our local community. Based on our larger student base, our goal this year is to fill 15 barrels of non-perishable items throughout the month of November, ending officially next Wednesday, November 23rd. To help inspire our students, we will be holding a contest for the grade that raises the most food. The fifth and sixth graders and the seventh and eighth grades will work together since the younger grades (K-4) each have two classes. Students will be able to bring the food right to class each day and put it in a designated container. Then the students from ASI will pick up the donated items and assign points for that grade each day.
Double points will be given tomorrow for Tuna Tuesday -- bring tuna! - and on PJ Friday, November 14th for submitting peanut butter and jelly! To add to the PJ theme, students may come to school on Friday in their favorite pajamas appropriate for school. No bear midriffs or short shorts, please! The grade that pulls together the largest food barrel contribution will win a "Holiday Movie and Popcorn Night". For any questions or comments, please email ASI / Fresh Lunch Program Coordinator Lisa Wichael Loomis at lwloomis@ismonterey.org.
: It's now in the hands of printer at this writing and we anticipate that it will be delivered to ISM by this Friday, November 15th.
-- For those of you who have not yet paid for a directory that you previously ordered, please do so immediately with Administrative Assistant Karen Kushel in the admin office.
-- For those community members who did not order a directory, extras are being printed and once they are delivered, can be purchased on a first come, first serve basis from the admin office. The cost is $5 per book payable to "ISM" until all directories are sold. If you have frankly forgotten whether or not you have ordered a directory, please give Karen a call in the office at 583-2165 or email her at kkushel@ismonterey.org.
-- An addition / correction update sheet will be printed in approximately one month. So, for those who did not submit a form for inclusion in the directory, or find an error in your listing, please
email or submit this information directly to coordinator Tara Clark at calbeartara@yahoo.com by Friday, December 9th.
: Listed below are a few things desired by community members:
1) Printer Cartridges: ISM is now participating in an inkjet cartridge recycling program with the help of a company called Empties4Cash. The empty cartridges that we - as a community - typically throw away can be recycled and remanufactured. We ask that you bring your empty cartridges to school and put them in the collection box in the front office. ISM benefits by getting paid up to $4.00 for each empty inkjet cartridge that has a print head. Acceptable brands include HP, Lexmark, Xerox, Compaq, Brother, Dell, Canon, and Apple; however, Epson print cartridges cannot be accepted as they are produced without a print head. If possible, please submit cartridges either in their original packaging or a Ziploc bag to keep it safe from damages and spills. Thank you! If anyone is interested in heading this project as the volunteer coordinator, please contact Lisa Griffin Burns.
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