MLA Bulletin
February 24, 2020
MLA Students in Action: Kindergarten Bake Sale!
Upcoming Events in February and March
February 24-28: Maestra Romero (kindergarten) Saludos week @ Maxwell
Monday February 24 to March 8: PTSA Auction opens
Tuesday, February 25: Design Team Meeting, 3:30-5:30pm
Thursday, February 27: School Site Council Meeting (rescheduled)
Friday, February 28: Free Dress Day
Saturday, February 29: PTSA Auction Night, 6:00 pm
Sunday, March 1: Walking Club (10-12, Redwood Regional Park)
- March 2-6: Maestra Vilma (TK) Saludos week @ Maxwell
- Wednesday, March 4: Power Hour, 8:30am
- Thursday, March 5: 3rd Grade Fieldwork to Chabot Space and Science Center. Note -- all driving chaperones must have volunteer clearance through the EdFund.
Friday, March 6: SELLS Meeting in the Sherman Auditorium, 8:45am
- March 9-13: Maestra Lindsey (1st) Saludos week @ Maxwell
- Tuesday, March 10: Design Team Meeting, 3:30-5:30pm
- Wednesday, March 11: Teacher Appreciation Lunch (hosted by kindergarten families)
- Thursday, March 12: School Site Council Meeting, 5:30-7pm
- Friday, March 13: NO AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
- Saturday, March 14: Community Service Day (both campuses)
- March 16-20: Maestra Alvarez (1st) Saludos week @ Maxwell
- Monday, March 16: 4-5th Grade Family Committee
- Wednesday, March 18: Power Hour, 8:30am
- Thursday, March 19: Maestra Alvarado (4-5) Crew on Fieldwork to StopWaste
- Saturday, March 21: MLA Welcome Day for new families @ Sherman; 9-10:30am
- March 23-27: Maestra Ramirez (1st) Saludos week @ Maxwell
- Tuesday, March 24: Design Team Meeting
- Friday, March 27: No School (in celebration of Cesar Chavez's birthday
Spring Break: March 30-April 3
'19-'20 Academic Update: Assessments
- EDL and DRA: February and May -- one-on-one read-aloud assessments to monitor a student's literacy progress. EDL is given to all students in TK-2 and students in 3-5 who are reading significantly below grade level. DRA is given to students in 3-5 who are reading significantly below grade level. TK-K also includes a letters and sounds sub-test.
- IAB: February and March -- computerized assessments to monitor a student's progress towards mastery of the Common Core State Standards in math and English Language Arts. Given to all students in grades 3-8.
- FOSSMap: February -- computerized assessment to monitor a student's progress towards mastery of the NGSS science standards. Given to all students in grade 3-5.
- ELPAC: February through April -- one-on-one and small-group testing to monitor a student's progress towards acquiring the English language. Given to all English Language Learners in grades K-8 until students reclassify.
- SBAC and CAST: April 13-28-- computerized testing to report on student's mastery of the math, English Language Arts, and Science standards. SBAC (ELA/Math) given to all students in grades 3-8. CAST (science) given to all students in grades 5 and 8.
- PFT: February and March -- Physical Fitness Test for all students in grades 7 and 5.
Note: MLA is required to administer all state and district assessments to every student for whom the test is designated. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Bri directly.
'20-'21 Budget and Hiring Planning Process
Now that the District has shared our preliminary budgets with us, we have some big decisions to make about how to allocate our resources across two sites. Some of these decisions will not be easy, so we need everyone to help out.
Ways to Support Budgeting and Planning for '20-'21
- PARTICIPATE in our SSC Meetings. The School Site Council meets once a month in Maestro Jose's room to discuss our school's goals, to monitor student progress, and to shift resources accordingly. All are welcome!
- DONATE to the PTSA through Cada Familia. The District is making $22 million in cuts, and those cuts will definitely have an impact on our programming at MLA. In order to continue to offer a robust enrichment program of art and music, and to continue to have a library on both of our sites, we need every family to contribute what they can. See the "CADA" link below to donate.
- SHARE your feedback with the District. Superintendent Johnson-Trammell sent all OUSD families an email on February 10 in which she outlined the proposed budget cuts. The cuts that specifically impact MLA are cuts to Discretionary funding (this is how we pay for our supplies and STIP subs), cuts to ELLMA (this is the central office that supports us in monitoring the progress of English Language Learners, providing dual language programming, dual language report cards, and Spanish testing to ensure our language balance), and ending the "appeals" process (this is the process that allows middle schools to appeal for additional funding to staff critical positions, such as our electives teachers). Please read her email and share your thoughts via the feedback survey.
20-21 Design Team Updates
- In January, we met with OUSD Board Member Shanthi Gonzalez to share our facilities non-negotiables for both the Sherman and Maxwell sites.
- Since that meeting, the following facilities projects have been put in motion:
- -- Sherman: fixing the storm drain, cleaning the boiler, fixing the thermostats, replacing the pad on the play structure.
- -- Maxwell: accepting bids to replace the boiler
- We are continuing to meet with the District to participate in walk-throughs on both sites to identify and plan for spring and summer facilities work. Some of our short-term priorities include identifying shade and cooling solutions on both campuses.
- Want to help? See the Social Justice Committee below!
Hiring: The hiring committee had our kick-off meeting last Thursday, February 6. As positions become available, we will be posting them online. So far, we know we will be hiring the following roles. Please share with your networks so we can find the best teammates possible!
- (20-21) TK-2 Bilingual Special Education Teacher for Mild to Moderate Disabilities
- (20-21) TK-2 Bilingual Special Education Aide
- (20-21) 2nd Grade Bilingual Teacher
- (20-21) 4th-5th Grade Bilingual Teacher
- (20-21) Middle School Spanish Teacher
Enrollment: The first enrollment window for the 2020-2021 school year has closed. Prospective students will receive offers on March 12 and will have until March 26 to make their decision. We will be hosting an MLA WELCOME DAY for new families on Saturday, March 21 at the Sherman Campus from 9-10:30am.
Ways to Support MLA
Donate to MLA
Cada Familia
Our PTSA needs the support of cada familia through a monthly donation. For just $5 a month, you can play a critical role in ensuring our students have access to field trips, the arts, and after school programming. Click on the donation link to donate (above).
Auction Party LET'S DO THIS MLA!!!
- Our 2020 MLA Auction is LIVE online! Bid early and bid often! The more people we can share the website with, the more funds to benefit our children, so please SHARE the auction link through facebook, email, etc! https://www.32auctions.com/MLA2020
- The Auction Party is THIS Saturday, February 29th from 6pm-9pm @ 3637 Magee Ave, Oakland. Leave the kids with a sitter (or Chipa at Axe!) and come with your friends and family to eat, drink, and bid on some great (in-person only!) auction items.
- We still need volunteers to help with the party!
- Contact Farah: ftheresas@gmail.com or sign up directly here (please make sure not to delete what is already there)
Volunteer
Power Hour -- Held Needed!
- Please join other MLA parents for the Parent Volunteer Power Hour every other Wednesday at 8:30am to support our teachers and students.
- The next Power Hour is March 4th at 8:30am.
- Power Hour is a chance for parents to come together and help our teachers and staff with projects. We laminate, cut fabric for art projects, make books, move copy paper, organize the supply closet, copy and more. Unfortunately, only 1-2 parents have been coming regularly and we have not been able to finish the work for the teachers. Even coming for 15 minutes and helping with a project can be very helpful. That’s 15 minutes that a teacher can spend planning for our children’s classes rather than at the photocopier. We do work for all of the grades, but we cannot do it alone! Thank you!
- Please sign-up here, Power Hour Sign-UP if you can make the March 4th Power Hour or any one of the six sessions before the year ends.
- Contact Jen Houser with any questions, 917-678-9069
Teacher Appreciation Lunch
- Thank you to 6th grade parents and 2nd grade parent Elena Lovo for the yummy teacher appreciation lunch last week.
- Kindergarten families will be responsible for the next lunch on March 11th at 11am.
- Families can sign-up here to bring something for the teachers and staff.
- Contact Jen Houser with any questions, 917-678-9069
Social Justice Education Committee
Hello MLA parents! Our 7th graders completed a report on the impact of heat on student learning that they, along with teachers, plan to share with board members as well as the list of MLA facility needs. And we need your help in talking to the OUSD school board members about the facilities and maintenance needs of MLA. Since our school serves families from across the city, we need to visit ALL the school board members.
- Please sign up to come on a visit. Sign up here: http://bit.ly/MLAlobby
- If you don't know which district you are in, please check here: http://gisapps1.mapoakland.com/councildistricts/
- You will be part of a small group that will do the visit. There will be a team leader, you won't have to do this on your own!
- Questions? Please contact MLA parent Kimi Lee, 213-864-1744 or email kimiandjanko@gmail.com
PTSA Grants Committee.
We are looking to develop a team of MLA supporters to help write grant proposals for the school. As we grow to two campuses, we will need to target resources to ease this expansion. We have a couple of projects that could use your grant writing skills. If you are interested, please contact Ursula Aldana at mlaptavicepresident@gmail.com
Dia del niño
Heads up! Children's Day is approaching and at MLA we will celebrate this special day on Wednesday, April 29. If you are interested in supporting in any way you can register here. More information in the coming weeks. Contact Alma Alvarado at SandyO98@hotmail.com.
Are you a graphic designer?
- The 6th/7th grade Yearbook class is in need of help over the next month as they work to finish up MLA’s first ever yearbook before spring break. Here is a message from their fearless leader, Mr Marshall: “Our class is in dire need of technological help and graphic design support so that the yearbook will look good and be finished in a timely way. If you are available to support us with this important project we would really appreciate it. The students and I are working hard but the clock is ticking…”
- Please reach out directly to Mr. Marshall or email drtarastoop@gmail.com if you can help!
MLA Volunteer and Visiting Policy
Please see the updated Volunteer and Visiting Policy here. This policy has been clarified to support student safety and a focus on learning.
FOR MORE VOLUNTEER INFORMATION EMAIL drtarastoop@gmail.com
Other Family Events and Information
PTSA Meeting Updates
Thanks to the 25+ parents that joined us last Wednesday evening where we discussed our current budget and finances, and got updates about the upcoming Auction, from the community groups and from the Design Team. We shared our current efforts to streamline PTSA officer roles and volunteer opportunities so more families can get involved especially as we continue to grow into an upper and lower campus . If you are interested in getting more involved, learning more about PTSA roles, or have suggestions, please reach out to Tara Stoop, our Volunteer Coordinator. We also previewed the upcoming officer election process and were reminded of the importance of Cada Familia giving/fundraising. The agenda with PTSA contacts can be viewed here. Please save the dates for our upcoming meetings, which include food and childcare:
- Wed 4/15: Officer nominations and 2020-12 budget approval
Tue 5/12 (newly added): Officer elections and summer kick-off
Walking Club/Club de Caminar
Join MLA Families for fresh air and community at the Walking Club!
Date: Sunday March 1
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Redwood Regional Park (Redwood Gate) at 7867 Redwood Rd.
Bring water and snacks or picnic lunch!
For questions, text Jen Garcia 510-610-7626 (English/Spanish) or Katie McLane 925-324-2168 (English)
MLA T-Shirts, Sweatshirts & Water Bottles
Uniform shirts continue to be available for sale in the Maxwell campus main office during the school day.
Uniform shirts $10
Sweatshirts $25/$30 with zipper
Limited edition 2019 Bailatón shirts $25 (PTSA fundraiser)
Water bottles $5-15 (sliding scale)
Please be patient with office staff during morning drop off and afternoon pick up when they are especially busy. Exact change or checks (written to MLA PTSA) are appreciated. Additionally a PTSA volunteer will be available on the first Wednesday of each month from 8:35-9:00 for credit card sales. Email questions to kirstinhernandez@gmail.com
Melrose Leadership Academy
Email: mlaschoolquestions@gmail.com
Website: www.melroseleadershipacademy.org
Location: 4730 Fleming Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA
Phone: (510)535-3832
Facebook: facebook.com/melroseleadershipacademy