The Walkie Talkie
Joaquin Miller Elementary Newsletter, October 2017
Principal's Message
Dear JM Families,
Happy October! Autumn is my favorite season of the year! I love to watch the colors change and the temperatures get cooler. This is the time year when we all start to wear more layers. Please remind your kiddos to be mindful of where they place their jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts. Our lost and found is already overflowing and items are being found all over the playgrounds. I highly recommend labeling your child’s clothing, backpacks, and lunch boxes.
I’m happy to announce that the art wall many of you created last year as part of auction project has finally been installed on the back wall of our Multi-Purpose Room! It is truly stunning and I welcome you all to come check it out!
The teachers and I would like to share our immense gratitude for funding our recent retreat to Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove. It was an incredible bonding experience for all those who were able to attend. We learned a TON about the lesson study process and were also able to spend quality time analyzing reading data and planning instruction. THANK YOU!!
This Saturday is our second annual World Cultures Fest and you don’t want to miss it! There will be delicious food from a variety of different countries, performances from students in our World Language Program, and guest speaker Glynn Washington, host of NPR’s Snap Judgement! The schedule is as follows:
11:00 2nd Graders
11:15 3rd Graders
11:30 Ms. Moore Israeli Folk Dance
12:00 Guest Speaker Glynn Washington
1:00 4th graders + 4/5th split
1:20 5th Graders
Additionally, our pumpkin patch begins this weekend! If you haven’t yet signed up for a volunteer spot, I encourage you to do so. All funds raised go to support our world language program for students in grades 2 – 5.
With appreciation,
Sara
Upcoming Dates to Know
Oct 7- Oct 30 - JM Pumpkin Patch
Oct 13 - NO SCHOOL
Oct 13-27 - Online auction
Oct 20 - Spirit Day - Animal Day!
Oct 20 - College Savings Acct Sign Ups (K&1st)
October 30 - Shoo the Flu Flu Shots
October 31 - Halloween Minimum Day
November 4 - JM Jubilee Auction
November 10 - Veteran's Day
JM JUBILEE AUCTION 2017 - BUY TICKETS! DONATE! HOST!
JM JUBILEE | JOAQUIN MILLER FALL AUCTION 11/4/17
The Fall Auction is our biggest fundraiser of the year. There are lots of ways to get involved, so join us in making this a great one!
Get your tickets
Tickets are $85 each, and will not be sold at the door, so get yours now!
Volunteer on Auction Night
It takes a village to create a successful event and everyone has the opportunity to help make the auction run smoothly! There are many jobs to be done before, during and after the event, so sign up to volunteer here: https://www.konstella.com/cd/uWdDU0! Also, we welcome friends or family who want to help. Please email Veronica Tril at jm.volunteer.coordinator@gmail.com their contact information and or send them to the sign up link. Thank you!
Follow JMAuction on Instagram! JMAuction is now on Instagram. Follow us to check out past party photos and post your own.
JM Auction Classroom Art Contrubtions
This year we are doing things a little differently with classroom art contributions! Parents & loved ones can view the Auction Art blog for updates on their students' classrooms as they create one-of-a-kind artworks which will be available for purchase at the JM Auction Gala on November 4th. We will also be holding an Auction Art Exhibition in the week before the auction so parents can get a preview of the masterpieces created. We hope this will generate more interest and more bids on the art projects that parent volunteers and students work so hard to create! View blog here: https://jrdcarroll.wixsite.com/jmauctionart
Consider donating wine to the Joaquin Miller Auction!
Wine is the most sought-after item at our annual school auction, and we’d love to add your gift of a bottle (or seven) to our catalog. The best performers are wines with “auction appeal”—well known labels, interesting wineries, large formats - or just your favorite bottle! Don’t have a wine collection at home? Vintage Berkeley is generously offering a 20% discount on all bottles purchases for the auction. They will also recommend groupings that will go well at the auction and fit your budget. Vintage Berkeley is located at 2949 College Ave. You can contact them at 510-549-9501 or elmwood@vintageberkeley.com Just make sure they know it is for JOAQUIN MILLER ELEMENTARY AUCTION and we will pick it up and take care of the rest.
If you have bottles of wine to donate, send an email to guy.major@gmail.com and we'll follow up to make your donation easy! (Minimum value $20)
SPECIAL INCENTIVE
For every $25 worth of wine each family contributes by October 31, you will be entered in a raffle for a free child’s outing with his/her teacher. This means you will have first dibs on a spot at a teacher-led outing...before the auction begins!
OUSD District Update
The OUSD School Year is Changing Next Year
The first day of school for 2018-19 will be August 13. Further dates, including school breaks and the last day of the school year, have not been finalized. We want to year from you! Please join us at upcoming community meetings on 10/10 or 10/17 and take our survey to share your thoughts. Survey, meeting details and more information can be found at www.ousd.org/newfirstday
Blueprint for Quality Schools Initiative
The Blueprint for Quality Schools initiative was launched to meet the changing facility, program and educational needs of the district. We want to hear from you! Your input will help inform options that OUSD considers in the future, including: changing school buildings; expanding, merging or closing schools; and changing the way Central Office supports schools Please take the survey.
The JM Pumpkin Patch is Back!
The JM Pumpkin Patch offers a great opportunity to raise money for JM's language league! On the little yard every Saturday & Sunday 10am - 4pm from 10/7 through 10/29, come on down to have fun, purchase a pumpkin and support JM! Volunteers are also needed to work the patch: Sign up here!
Ashby Lumber JM Fundraiser
JM Halloween Costume Party: Fundraiser for 4th Grade Coloma Field Trip
October means Halloween! A group of JM 4th grade parents are throwing a Halloween Costume Party to raise money for the overnight trip to Coloma. This spooky night includes food, drinks, dancing, a costume contest, and of course lots of tricks & treats! Parents can drop off the kids and enjoy a few hours to themselves.
When: Friday October 27th
Time: 6:30pm - 9pm
Location: JM Multipurpose Room
Cost: $25 for one student or $40 for 2 or more (Enrolled Kinder-5th Grade Students only)
RSVP: Brigetta Pryor: brigettap@yahoo.com - if parents are interested in helping out, please email Brigetta as well.
Auction Party Thank You: Argentinian Dinner
Boy do JM parents know how to throw an impressive dinner party! A big, giant thank you to the many hosts of the awesome Argentinian Dinner party last month! It was truly an evening to remember - full of thoughtful details, delicious treats and even tango dancing. The beautifully set outdoor dining table and cozy fire pit created the perfect, intimate setting for JM friends to sit back, relax and enjoy each other's company. Thank you Sacco, Hildreth & Thoreen families for putting on a fabulous night and making us feel special. We had such a great time! ~ Your grateful guests
Wanna be a Rock Star?
Thanks to our 2017 Auction Sponsors:
Stay Connected with JM
Email: info@joaquinmiller.org
Website: www.joaquinmiller.org/
Location: 5525 Ascot Drive, Oakland, CA
Phone: (510) 531-6688