Montera Middle School eBulletin
December 13, 2021
Important Dates
(scroll down for more information)
Monday, February 21 - Presidents' Day, NO SCHOOL
Friday, February 25 - Baseball Tryouts 3:45 - 5:00 PM
Friday, March 4 - Black History Month Arts & Crafts Fair Celebration lunchtime
Sat. & Sun., March 5 & 6 - Campus Work Weekend
Sunday, March 13 - STEM night and the Santa Cruz Warriors
Wednesday, March 16 - 7:00 PM Warriors Night
Thursday, March 17 - Montera Career Day
Sat. & Sun, April 23-24 - Ride 4A Reason
Sun., May 1 - Tues., May 10 - Online Auction
Saturday, May 7- Montera Community Benefit
Upcoming Events & Activities
Teachers' Lunch
Dear Toro Community,
6th and 8th-grade parent, Dina Frandsen, has reached out to the PTO and would like to organize a lunch for the teachers.
If you’d like to donate to it, you can Venmo her at @Dina-Frandsen, and please note Montera lunch.
Or text her at 510-508-9919 if you need an alternative way.
Thank you!
Black History Month Arts & Crafts Fair Celebration
Friday, March 4th, Lunchtime
(6th grade) 11:18 - 11:49 AM
(7 & 8th grades) 12:27-12:58 PM
Events include:
- Music
- Mr. Bell's 28 Days of Black Artists in the MUR
- Afro-Centric Arts and Crafts
- Tastings and Refreshments
We are looking for help with set up, making or purchasing snacks and refreshments, serving, and cleaning up. Snacks and refreshment size will be small as they are a tasting, not a meal. Sign up to provide food or help with the event here.
Please email president@monterapto.com if you would like to bring a different food or have an art and craft to share.
New Ceramics Class!
New Ceramics After School Class on Thursdays -Sign up now!
Montera ASP is excited to announce that Ceramics will be held after school beginning Thursday, March 3, 3:45 - 5:30 PM. See below for details and Sign up here
Ceramics with Mr. Bell & Ms. Kennedy: An introduction to ceramics and 3D hand building with clay. Learn the fundamentals of hand-building with clay and ceramic techniques. Use methods including pinch, coil, and slab building. Learn the basics of glazing and other surface development techniques. Gain exposure to historical and contemporary ceramic arts.
Location: Room 402 $225 per student. Sibling is $200.00. Class dates: 3/03 - 5/19 Class minimum 10. Class maximum 20.
You can email Bridget Davies and Caitlin Murphy with any questions at afterschool@monterapto.com
Potential new lunch club -- feedback requested
The PTO has been in communication with Woodminster Theater (Montera Alums)! There is a chance that professionals from the theater world can come to Montera and teach some classes that include: acting, lighting, design, costume, etc...
We need your students' feedback to figure out who is interested in which topics. Please have them fill out this Theater Interest Form.
6th Grade Day Trip - Volunteers Requested
Montera has an opportunity to take students out to experience the outdoors through a grant which funds the Oakland Goes Outdoors program. The 6th Grade Team would like to take the students to Joaquin Miller Park to gather at the meadow and have some activities, such as frisbees or footballs or geocaching/scavenger hunt, capture the flag, etc, and of course, food. Teachers will need help to start the planning process. The link to sign up is https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zJMmOAXXQ-8pKmBT1HV-rYFSrBrpDZPpezysoQZu0Ys/edit?usp=sharing
Campus Work Weekend
When: Saturday & Sunday, March 5th & 6th, 9 AM - 3 PM
Projects:
- Dr. Williams would like to transform the computer lab (303) into a student hub. We will need help cleaning out the room, taking care of e-waste, moving tables, bringing in new furniture, and painting.
- The Garden Team needs help with pulling weeds and weed mitigation.
- The outside of Building 200 needs paint scraped and a base coat.
Let's get together and help Montera's campus shine for our teachers and students!
Montera PTO. RSVP & Sign up for snacks & projects here.
Montera Career Day
When: Thursday, March 17th.
Please reach out to Ms. Pyon esther.pyon@ousd.org or Ms. Coney larrisha.coney@ousd.org if you can participate. They will confirm virtual or in-person closer to the date.
Please Support the EveryBody Circus Program
Since 2019, The EveryBody Circus program has helped our Montera students with physical and/or learning disabilities and Autistic students build self-confidence through skill development, increase spatial awareness, build on motor skills, learn and practice self-regulation and calming strategies, and build social skills including public speaking and duo and group collaboration.
This program has been provided from the beginning at no-cost to Montera, funded entirely by PCT’s own efforts with support from different foundations including Arts for Oakland Kids. Unfortunately, one of our grants was not renewed this year and, thanks to your donations, we are able to continue the program until mid-March.
Please donate today: www.prescottcircus.org/support. During check out, include “Montera EveryBody Circus” in the subject line. You may also send a check made to “Prescott Circus Theatre” and send to 800 Pine St. #10, Oakland, CA 94607.
Thank you for your support,
Ms. Q.
Lunchtime Duty Volunteers Needed!
You can now sign up for Lunchtime Duty via this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BA4A729A1F5C52-lunchtime .
Family Fun & Fundraising!
New Sports Gear!
Support our Athletics Dept. For a limited time, the TORO store is 20% off with discount code MM22. Go Toros! Click here to shop now!
We Are Family: A Montera Community Benefit
Montera Auction Team is excited to announce
We Are Family: A Montera Community Benefit
in-person on May 7th at Rocky's Brooklyn Basin.
Montera's Online Auction will run from May 1-10th at https://paybee.io/@montera@7
Email Vicki Moulton with questions or donations at auction@monterapto.com
Warriors Night!
When: Wednesday, March 16, 7:00 PM
Where: Chase Center
Gather your family and friends and join Montera Middle school at Chase Center as a Golden State Warriors take all the Boston Celtics!
20 students (ages 12-18) Will be invited to cheer on the players as they run onto the court. After purchasing your ticket(s), please email Andrea Johnson at ajohnson_personaltrainer@yahoo.com with the name(s) of each students looking to participate in this experience. Space is limited and available on first come, first served basis
DEADLINE FOR ORDERS: March 4, 2022
* Rates can increase based on factors affecting supply and demand.
Click or visit the link below to secure your tickets!!!
PROMO CODE: MONTERA
Ride 4A Reason - Volunteers Needed!
Montera is hosting the rest stop in Fairfield, from 10am-1:30pm and we need 4-8 volunteers! Be part of a team that sets up a rest stop and energizes riders with snacks and water to get them to the finish in Sacramento. Volunteers may check in and out directly at their rest stop location. No further commitment is required after the shift is over! Proof of vaccination is required for all volunteers. Email r4r@monterapto.com to sign up today!
For more event information, please visit https://www.ousd.org/Page/18062.
STEM night and the Santa Cruz Warriors
There will be a STEM night and Santa Cruz Warriors game at Chase Center on March 13th for $25. More details to come.
Sports & After-School Activities
Sign Up for Spring Sports!
Baseball Tryouts will be Friday, February 25th from 3:45-5PM on the baseball field. Please bring your baseball glove, bats, and water.
Girls Softball -Try-out details are coming soon!
Track & Field - Details are coming soon!
The Spring Season Starts March 26. If you have questions, email sports@monterapto.com
Sign up here
Coach needed for Volleyball There is a stipend for this position.
Please email Lanchi Pedersen at sports@monterapto.com
SWE Science Saturdays & Scholars- registration open!
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at UC Berkeley invites you to register your future scientists and engineers for this coming SWE Science event on Saturday, March 5th!
What: SWE Science is a monthly, hands-on engineering experience. During these Saturday morning sessions, students will engage in collaborative engineering challenges, designed to allow students to not only practice foundational STEM principles but also to develop their intellectual curiosities and creativity in an interactive, but most importantly, fun setting! Our team of Berkeley engineering students will help these future engineers learn about a variety STEM careers, including those lesser-known ones in order to cater to every student's particular interests.
Who: SWE Science is divided into two sections: SWE Science Saturdays for 4th-5th and SWE Science Scholars for 6th-8th grade students. We welcome students of all genders and backgrounds to attend.
When: This month's SWE Science event will take place on Saturday, March 5th from 10AM – 12PM on Berkeley's campus. Can't make it to our March event? Please invite any interested parents and teachers to sign up for our mailing list to stay updated: https://tinyurl.com/sweoutreachlist
How do I sign up? Just fill out this google form!
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1t596R_BqONvOI5zB1S8x0FzFSWMonJQDghBK5hg7Rsc/edit?usp=sharing)
Leaders in Training / Junior Counselors: Youth Development Program
When: Wednesdays and Saturdays, March 2-May 7
Camp ANV's Youth Development Certification Program is designed to prepare middle and high school students for jobs at camp and future careers working with kids. This certificate will be a great way to display your youth development experience to future employers/colleges!
We have a robust campership program, and we will NEVER turn a child away for lack of funds. Please fill out a campership application and/or contact jiawen@anvfarm.org if you have any concerns about the cost for your family.
In addition, ALL participants who complete the 10-week program will receive a stipend at the end. AND, all high school participants will be eligible for paid jobs as Junior Counselors with us this summer!**
GiE Summer Camp 2022 Camper Application Opening Soon!
Girls in Engineering is a hands-on summer camp for middle school students interested in learning more about engineering, STEM/STE(A)M, and design thinking. Taught by Cal researchers and students, campers gain exposure to engineering, design thinking, and real-world problem solving through hands-on activities and team projects. Remind your middle schooler to apply—Application opens January 31, 2022.
*Scholarships Available! GiE awards full and partial scholarships based on financial need and actively recruits students from low socio-economic backgrounds and underrepresented minority groups.
For more information, click here
Other Announcements
Montera Morning Care
This is a reminder that Montera offers Morning Care every day from 7:30-8:30 AM. The monthly fee is $50.
During morning care, staff will now be providing homework support and checking Schoology to make sure your student's work is up to date. Sign up here.
Email Afterschool Director Ms. Shaw with questions at shandle.shaw@ousd.org
Volunteering on Campus
Email president@monterapto.com once you are cleared.
Email volunteers@monterapto.com with any questions.
Supplies Request
First Aid
- Latex free band-aids (NOT with antibiotic medication in it) in assorted sizes. EVERY teacher needs at least one box and the front office and nurse's office also need a supply.
- Tweezers for splinters (not the plastic ones)
- Ice packs for PE and front office
- Vomit bucket for front office and pick up waiting area
Feminine supplies
- Cleansing wipes
- Assorted pads
- Tampons
- Assorted sizes back-up underwear (S/M/L/full-figured)
Add whatever you can think of... Thank you!
Other Important Montera News and Information
Academic Resources and Tips
Find useful tips and resources here to help your students to stay on top of school work, seek help when they need it, and foster the best learning environment at home.
Support Montera All Year Round
Toro Store
COVID
Free At-Home Covid Tests
Here is the link to get free COVID tests mailed to your home. Residential households in the U.S. can now order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com.
Use this link to order: https://special.usps.com/testkits
Here’s what you need to know about your order:
- Limit of one order per residential address
- One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
- Orders will ship free starting in late January
COVID Testing Information
A friendly reminder to stay on top of Covid testing as the holidays and yet another potential surge descends upon us.
COVID TESTING: Covid testing is available at multiple OUSD sites throughout Oakland. Find locations and times here.
TESTING PRE-REGISTRATION: Before attending an OUSD Covid testing site for the first time, you must register here. This is a one time only registration and can be done at any time. Families are encouraged to pre-register so they are ready to go should they need to get tested.
If your student is feeling ill
Returning to school:
- Get medically cleared (doctor's note or negative PCR test, AND symptoms have improved and student is fever-free for 24 hours - OR -
- 10 days have passed since onset of symptoms and student is no longer feeling ill
If your student tests positive for Covid-19
- Plan on staying home at least 10 days
- Notify the school of the results
- Work with the Contact Tracing Team
COVID Information from the District
- OUSD is required to report every single positive case to the ACPHD.
- A response team conducts contact tracing for each positive case and notifies families of students with prolonged close contact.
- If you are not notified, then your student was not determined to have prolonged close contact with the person who tested positive, so there is not a need to get tested unless your student develops symptoms.
- Vaccinated students do not need to quarantine as long as they are asymptomatic.
- Unvaccinated students who are asymptomatic can do a modified quarantine, continuing to attend school but testing twice a week for two weeks following exposure and not participating in any extracurricular activities.
- Exposed unvaccinated students may choose to stay home for 10 days with an excused absence. If so, they should contact their teachers for assignments during that time.
___________________________
Montera Middle School
This eBulletin is produced on a weekly basis by the Montera Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) except on holidays. It sometimes contains paid advertisements. These advertisements do not imply endorsement of any product or service by OUSD or Montera Middle School.
If you have news you'd like to include, please send it to eBulletin@monterapto.com by noon on Sundays. Submissions may be edited for spelling, grammar, brevity and clarity. In addition, while we strive for accuracy, being human sometimes gets in the way. If you spot something so off the mark we should hang our heads in embarrassment, please bring it to our attention. Thanks!
Be Safe. Be Kind. Be Responsible.
Email: eBulletin@monterapto.com
Website: https://www.ousd.org/montera
Location: 5555 Ascot Drive, Oakland, CA, USA
Phone: (510) 531-6070
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monterapto