North Shoreview Montessori

If you have time during the school day or after school, volunteers are needed to help keep the DRA testing materials stocked. The job requires use of the school photocopier and the materials cannot leave the school grounds. If you can help out, please contact Cindy.

The Literacy Week Committee is looking for help during the literacy evening on Friday, March 12. Setup help is needed from 5:30 to 6:30pm and cleanup help from 7 to 7:30 pm.  Help us get ready and then listen to Walter the Giant Storyteller as he entertains our students and families. Contact Stefanie for more information.

  The Book Fair is back March 8-12 in the library. All families are welcome before and after school, as well as students during lunchtime recess. The Book Fair will also be open in the evening on Friday, March 12th during Literacy Night. You can also help the classrooms add to their book collections by purchasing and donating books on the classrooms Wish List. We are looking for volunteers to help during lunchtime. If you can help out or have questions, please contact Cindy.

 Due to the Literacy Week Events (March 8-12), the Principal's Coffee Hour on Friday, March 12 has been cancelled.

 Letters are now being sent out to new students accepted for the 2010-11 school year. To confirm your student's acceptance, you must return the NSM Memorandum of Understanding and other registration forms to the school office by March 19. Parents must also attend a mandatory meeting on Monday, March 15. The meeting is held at 6:00 p.m. in the school library. Please contact the school office at 312-7588 for questions about the meetings. Questions about the enrollment process should be directed to the district office at 312-7250.

 The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile remind us that we too live in earthquake country. In addition to offering help to those distant communities, it is important to be prepared here at home. NSM students will participate in a regularly scheduled earthquake drill in mid-March. Classrooms will discuss and practice earthquake safety in age-appropriate terms. Families can take this opportunity to talk about their plans in the event of an earthquake or other emergency. Helpful information about emergency preparedness for families is available from the San Mateo County Health Department.

 If you have computer access, please sign up to receive school notices online instead of on paper in the Thursday Envelopes. With over half of our school’s families participating in "e-Envelopes" this year, we have already saved at least seven cases of paper—that’s a lot of money and trees! An email message is sent out every Thursday to let you know about new announcements on the school website. To start receiving email reminders every Thursday, or to change your email address, please go to the Sign up for e-Envelopes link on the school website, www.nsmontessori.org.

 NSM parents and community members have already reported over 5700 volunteer hours this year! That's a tremendous contribution to our school and our children's education. If you haven't yet reported your hours for the past month, please go to the Volunteer Report Form at www.nsmontessori.org or use the computers in the school office. All families should have completed at least 20 of their 30-hour annual committment by the beginning of March.

 On March 8, the San Mateo County Elections Office certified the results for Measure A. The official results reported are 67% yes and 33% no. These results meet the two-thirds requirement for passage by a margin of 71 votes out of over 21,000 cast. This was a tremendously important election for the students, staff and families of the San Mateo-Foster City School District. The Measure A sponsors have issued a statement expressing gratitude to our community and those who worked so hard to ensure continued support for quality education for our students.

 Join us on Sundays (3/14, 4/18, 5/2, and 5/23) to clean, fix, and beautify our campus to make it a better place for our students to learn and grow. The work begins at 1pm and ends at 4pm. Please wear work clothes, comfortable shoes, and if possible bring your own gloves, and hand tools for weeding the yard and pruning the bushes. You are welcome to ask friends and family to join us. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Charlie.

Coming up: we will also have larger, planned classroom Saturday fix-it events on 3/20 and 5/15.  More information will be posted prior to these dates.  These events build school spirit, increase a sense of ownership among the students participating, and our parents set an example as cooperative community leaders!

 After twenty years of supporting programs for all students in our district, for kids! San Mateo-Foster City Education Foundation is looking for your help to strengthen our organization and partnerships. We invite you to bring your ideas, thoughts and energy to a vision building session to revitalize the Education Foundation.

• Saturday, March 20 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at the SMFC District Office, 1170 Chess Drive, Foster City
• Keynote address by Delaine Eastin, former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, followed by group brainstorming workshops
• Dr. Jean Holbrook, San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools, will facilitate
• Space is limited. If you are interested in participating please RSVP to Jean by March 5 at 312-7234

 The annual See's Candies fundraising sale is under way in grades 1-7. Proceeds directly benefit activities and equipment for NSM students.  Order forms are due March 17 to your classroom teacher or the office. Delivery is the week of March 29.

 Yearbook order forms can be picked up in the office or printed here. The cost is only $12 and if you order now you receive a free photo book with your purchase. Get yours before they are sold out! If you have any questions, please contact Saili.

  Wanted, someone who would like to play a more active role in the school and learn more about the PTA and be part of the PTA Board. Prior experience is not required but prior knowledge of Parliamentarian procedures or a strong desire to learn more about the role is desirable. This is a great way to get involved in the school, get volunteer hours, work with great people and give back to the community. If interested, please contact Atticus for more details.

If you are looking for ways to fulfill your 30 hour volunteer commitment, here are some ideas:

• The PTA Fundraising committee, please email Stephanie.
• The safety committee is looking for help during morning drop off from 7:45am to 8:30am. Contact Cari for more information.
• Classroom help: contact your child's teacher.
• 4th thru 7th grade sports: contact Bev.
• The Book Fair needs help during lunchtime, March 8-12. Please email Cindy for more details.
• Grounds and Greens: contact Charlie.
• Art in Action: contact Susan.