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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
September 12-16, 2005. Please note that the ISM news brief is distributed
to ISM families primarily via email, unless otherwise requested. To request
hardcopy notification, please contact Business Administrator / editor Lisa Griffin Burns
at lburns@ismonterey.org
or call at 583-2165.
Past newsletters can be found
here.
: For the first time ever, we will have nearly half our student body off campus this week participating in one of two retreat/science camp experiences. Our 5th and 6th graders departed earlier this morning for Camp Jack Hazard, a residential overnight camp owned and operated by the YMCA of Stanislaus County located in the beautiful Stanislaus National Forest of California. The camp setting is a rustic wilderness one in which youngsters can participate in a wide variety of activities, including rock climbing & rappelling, high & low challenge courses, arts & crafts, nature exploration, swimming, campfires, games, theme days, a lip-sync and a camp dance. Mr. Spedding, Mrs. Sally Burns, Dr. Steve Carber, and Robby Fabry as well as the 5th and 6th graders will return Friday afternoon, 9/16/05, with many tales of adventure, pride at overcoming challenges presented, and stronger bonds of friendship.
Departing early tomorrow morning for the Headlands Institute located in the Golden Gate National Recreation will be our 7th and 8th graders under the leadership of staffers Mr. David Brandau, Ms. Sandy Shephard, Laeticia Brandau, and Dr. Neli Volante. We are pleased to have been able to include the newly enrolled six new upper school students in this retreat/science camp trip as it will be a vital team-building and bonding opportunity for all of the classmates. This student group will also be returning on Friday afternoon. We thank all of the parent and grandparent chaperones who have stepped forward to fulfill these vital roles for both trips, without whose help we would be unable to conduct these amazing learning experiences for our students.
: New students continue to join ISM and we are now just 5 students shy of full enrollment! Over the past two weeks, we have added 6 new students to ISM, so please join me in welcoming: Michelle Feygin in Mrs. St. Germain's Grade 4 class, Brian delaRosa and Ruby Sanchez in Grade 7, and Jacob "Jake Bohn", Dominique Knighton and Sarah Livingston-Reed in Grade 8.
We also would like to welcome back returning student Alexandra "Sasha" Krnic who returned last Wednesday from Serbia to begin her school year; she joins fellow classmates in Ms. Sigman's Grade 3 class.
: Within a span of two days, our ISM community group expanded by two due to the births of two new babies! Keagan Satchell, sibling of Emma, Grade 2 made his much anticipated arrival on Wednesday, August 31st to proud parents Yvette and Stuart Satchell. Keagan weighed in at 8 pounds, 1 ounce and 20.1 inches in length! Yvette serves as our Library Chairperson and she worked incredibly diligently prior to Keagan's birth to organize a team of library volunteers to help with library access by classroom students and teachers. Thank you, Yvette!
The very next day on September 1st at 10:40 a.m., Liam Greville Healey was born joining parents Tracy and Giles Healey, and siblings Dakota Matthews, Grade 3 and Sumner Healey. Although a full pound slighter than Keagan, Liam was an inch and a half longer at 21 1/2 inches long. In a mere five years, we can envision these two boys romping in Kindergarten class together, confident in already knowing many other ISM friends!
: Charter schools and their community members interested in assisting the victims of Hurricane Katrina can find additional information about ways to help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) via their website at http://listserv.ed.gov/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind05&L=charterschoolsprogram&D=1&T=0&O=D&P=15936. As many of you are aware, cash donations to one of the reputable agencies listed on this website are highly encouraged as they enable the volunteer organizations to dispense cash vouchers to best meet the needs of the disaster victims. If you are considering donating to help our fellow citizens in the affected Gulf states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida, please visit the website above as it provides a comprehensive list of agencies, to include the Red Cross, America's Second Harvest food bank, Salvation Army, as well as religious-based organizations set up to handle cash donations and volunteers.
Our 5th graders sponsored a fundraiser snack bar for all grades last Friday, September 2nd during the morning recess. Due to the generosity of our community, the donated baked goods, and the donations contributed in excess of purchase costs, Mrs. Sally Burns's caring students raised $485.00, which has being generously matched by the Madden family, specifically, Nikki Madden, Grade 5 & 7 math instructor, Board member Sean Madden, and youngsters Saige and Seth for a total nearing $1000.00! ISM will directly forward these contributions to our local American Red Cross branch. Thank you to all who helped with the success of this event.
As Executive Director Chrissie Jahn mentioned at Tuesday night's Back-to-School event, any ISM families that would care to host a displaced Hurricane Katrina family, please let us know. As we have "exhausted" our waiting lists for Grades 4 and 8, we could potentially accommodate a family with youngsters in those grades without compromising the prescribed registration process. Other international schools abroad have stepped up to the plate to assist with this crisis and placed Hurricane Katrina evacuees in their programs; ISM would be very interested in doing the same, should the circumstances allow.
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On Saturday, September 17th, a group of Monterey and Salinas car wash businesses will team up to help raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The car washes will donate three dollars for every vehicle that is washed on that day. The monies raised will go directly to the American Red Cross. Participating car washes include: Del Rey Car Wash in Del Rey Oaks, owned and operated by ISM members Laura and Sam Alladeen (parents of 3rd grader Omar), El Estero Car Wash in Monterey, and all three Acme locations, Villa and Splash Car Washes in Salinas. This philanthropic effort is not new for the car wash industry, which worked together during the last two years at the national level to help raise money for the "Make a Wish Foundation". In the last two years, the car washes raised more than half a million dollars nationally. Come help clean up by getting your car cleaned up!
 : In a study of the scientific method, 5th and 6th graders tested the hypothesis that taller students should be able to jump further than shorter students. The experiment introduces students to the importance of controlling variables, such as fitness, weight, motivation, prior experience, diet, clothing, etc.
 In another experiment, the students compared twenty brands of paper towels to see which towel is strongest when wet. The experiment uses a blind design: the experimenters do not know the brand of towel they are testing. The towel shown is certainly a contender, here carrying over ten pounds!
: During last Thursday's (9:30 - 10:10 a.m.) Middle School assembly, classmates and staff witnessed a wonderful team-building, middle school-bonding event in which several teams took part in a tower-building contest. Enthusiasm was sky-high as onlookers were cheering on the participants with gusto. The winning entry - a.k.a the tallest entry - was 133cm high built by the 8th grade girls. Thanks to all who participated to make this an exciting first-time experience - one we will certainly continue and to Grade 6 instructor, Mr. Tod Spedding, for organizing the competition!
: After some schedule refinement, the Instrumental Music schedule for this school year will be as follows:
* Tuesdays, 12:00 - 12:40 p.m.: Intermediate Winds (Band Rehearsal)
* Tuesdays, 1:15 - 1:55 p.m.: Advanced Strings (Violin, Viola, and Cello)
* Tuesdays, 2:00 - 2:40 p.m.: Intermediate Strings
* Wednesdays, 8:20 - 9:00 a.m.: Beginning Strings (Violin, Cello)
* Wednesdays, 9:05 - 9:45 a.m.: Beginning Brass (Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone)
* Wednesdays, 9:50 - 10:30 a.m.: Beginning Woodwinds (Flute, Clarinet)
* Wednesdays, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.: Extra Help 1
* Wednesdays, 11:15 - 11:55 a.m.: Extra Help 2
We may find that this schedule still may need some adjustments, so we ask that students, staff, and parents stay flexible with the process until all the "kinks" are worked out. To contact William Gee, ISM's Instrumental Music instructor, email him directly at bgee@ismonterey.org.
: KION is sponsoring Kidfest 2005 on Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th at the Monterey Fairgrounds from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days. This event promises to be one of the biggest FREE family events on the Central Coast and ISM stands to benefit financially from this event if we are able to provide 50 volunteers for both days. If we meet this goal, KION will donate $500 per day for a total of $1000 to the International School of Monterey for our organizational volunteer service. Parents and youngsters are encouraged to volunteer together and the list of options includes: costume characters (4 volunteers), parking (6 volunteers), carnival games (13 volunteers), prize central (14 volunteers), sports zone (4 volunteers), and relief and hospitality providers (9 volunteers). Kidfest volunteers will receive a free event t-shirt and lunch (sandwiches and chips), in addition to breaks throughout the day. Stay tuned for more information in coming weeks. Those community members eager to volunteer for this special event are asked to contact Administrative Assistant Karen Kushel at kkushel@ismonterey.org.
: Before we ask for more help, let's take a moment to once again thank all of the volunteers who have already jumped in to assist this school year. From the classrooms to the library to recess and lunch coverage to chaperoning assistance, volunteerism is alive and well at ISM. Saturday's Work Day was a fitting example of the spirit of helpfulness as 20+ parents, including a goodly number of new ones, came to our first event and, after initial introductions, got busy accomplishing all of the tasks on the list. The instrumental music students and their instructor, Mr. Bill Gee, now have a more user-friendly classroom, emptied of all of last year's International Festival items, and our large AV closet is an organizational wonder!
We would like to request additional recess coverage for the following times:
Mondays: 9:45-10:15, 10:10-10:50, 12:00-12:20, 12:40-1:15
Tuesday: 12:40-1:15
Wednesday: 12:40-1:15
Thursday: 12:40-1:15
Friday: 12:00-12:20, 12:40-1:15
Volunteer Coordinator Ellen Gaucher also asks all volunteers to read and sign the Volunteer Information/Policy form available in the front admin office. For the safety of our students, please also build into your volunteer efforts at ISM the need for fingerprinting at a local law enforcement agency. See Lisa Griffin Burns or your classroom teacher for more information.
: In addition to After School International (ASI)(call Lisa Wichael-Loomis at 583-2171), we are pleased to offer the following after-school options on the ISM campus:
MANDARIN CHINESE LANGUAGE LESSONS AT ISM!!!
Beginning Mandarin Chinese lessons will be offered Mondays and Thursdays, 3:45-4:45, in Mrs. Augustine's room (Room 22) starting today Monday, September 12th! Learn simple written characters, everyday spoken phrases, sing songs, play games and do other language-related activities!
Session 1: Sept. 12,15, 19, 22, 26, 29 (6 classes, $60 for full session)
Session 2: Oct. 17, 20, 24, 27, 31, Nov. 3, 7, 10 (8 classes, $80 for full session)
Session 3: Nov. 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, Dec. 1, 5, 8 (8 classes, $80 for full session)
Class is limited to ten students per session; space is still available. For more information, contact ISM parent Cynthia Duvall at 384-6122 or email her at cynthiaduvall@comcast.net.
CHESS FOR KIDS!!!
Six-week sessions are offered throughout the school year by Lev Frenklakh, professional chess coach with over 25 years' experience. Classes are conducted on Wednesdays, 3:45-4:45 p.m. in Portable 6, Mr. Brandau's Grade 8 classroom. The fee is $60 per session, with 15% being donated to ISM. The first class of Session #1 began last Wednesday, September 7th; however, we are continuing to take late registration. Please submit checks made payable to "ISM" to Business Administrator Lisa Griffin Burns in the admin office prior to the first day of class.
PIANO LESSONS NOW FULL!!!
Katherine Sage, parent of 5th grader Elijah Sage, offers thirty-minute lessons at ISM; however, she is now full for this semester. Katherine is pleased with the response to her program and is considering creating a once per month Introduction Class for children ages 8. More details to follow, so stay tuned.
TAEKWONDO!!!
Koryo Taekwondo, a certified USA Taekwondo martial arts school led by Master Daniel Rogers, is offered on Tuesdays through Fridays in the multi-use room. Master Rogers stresses good study habits, excellence and effort in school. For more information, call 1-641-220-5503 or email Master Rogers at MasterR@mac.com.
TAIKO DRUMMING: IT'S A GO FOR TODAY!!!
A new offering for 2005/06, this exciting Japanese art form will be taught in our multi-use room. Instructor Ikuyo Conant is the founder of a taiko group in Monterey and is the artistic director of another group in Watsonville. Two four-week sessions will be offered on Mondays, 3:30-4:15 p.m. (Kindergarten - Grade 2) and 4:15-5:00 p.m. (Grades 3 through adult). Session 1 is August 29, September 12, 19, and 26. Session 2 is October 17, 24, November 7 and 14. The cost is $40 per student per session. Registration and liability waiver forms are available in the front office.
: Listed below are a few things desired by community members:
* Emina Ivetic, mother of 3rd grader Sasha Krnic, is interested in carpooling. They live on Parcel Street, located between David and Prescott Avenues, in New Monterey. Contact her per email at eminaive@hotmail.com.
* A military family living in the Marina area seeks carpool partners residing in the Abrahams, Preston Park, or Schoonover Park housing developments. May only need someone to trade off with or for backup in case of emergency. Contact Kim Weber (mother of Johnathon, Grade 4 and Kate, Grade 8) at 883-0486 (home) or 869-9551 (cell).
* ISM staff (Ms. Sigman and Miss Sarah) are happy to announce that they have found a place to live and are
new roommates. However, they would like some assistance in making their new, and very
empty, house a home. They are looking for any of the following items: Book cases, small desk,
patio furniture, BBQ, TV, night stands, or anything else you may have lying around. Any
assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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