How do our race and class backgrounds affect our experiences in the Melrose community, and the experiences of other families & teachers? For white parents: let's understand and challenge how our white privilege & entitlement show up, and help build racial equity at Melrose. For parents of color: come talk about what our experiences have been like at Melrose and what we can do to support each other. For everyone: come strategize about how to support our vibrant, diverse school community and make sure it's one where families & teachers of color thrive. This conversation is open to all Melrose families & teachers and everyone is encouraged to attend! Thursday, September 20th from 6-7:30pm. Potluck and childcare by sliding scale.
Morning Safety at MLA
The Safety Patrol is still looking for 1 or 2 full-time Advisors for this year. These individuals will serve as *daily mentors* for the Patrol kids. Advisors do not have to be MLA parents, they could be a relative, friend or neighbor – please spread the word to your friends and family!
In addition to Patrol Advisor mentors, we rely on the *daily support* of Saludos parents (assigned by classroom) – see schedule below. Saludos are responsible for setting up and putting away the traffic cones so the adult in charge of the Patrol can keep their attention on the Patrol students. Please work with the parents in your classroom and/or your room parent to get coverage for *each* day of your classroom's turn. (Each class will be assigned a few weeks per year.) Arrive between 8:00 and 8:05 to set out the cones and stay until 8:40 to help with late arrivals.
The Safety Patrol should start Wednesday, September 5. They come outside around 8:10 and leave for class at 8:27. If we are short adults or Patrol members, the Patrol will not help on Monticello Avenue (the TK-2nd grade drop off zone). MLA's morning commute is far safer and less stressful with a robust combination of Saludos and the student Safety Patrol working together.
Pedestrians, please arrive at MLA by 8:25 to take advantage of the Patrol crossing guard. Please contact Jo (bi-fluent) or Nommi to discuss becoming a Safety Patrol advisor/mentor, even if for a few days per week.
SALUDOS SCHEDULE
• Week of Sept 4: 2nd grade parents of M. Gabriela (Rm 8)
• Week of Sept 10: 2nd grade parents of M. Karin (Rm 4)
• Week of Sept 17: 2nd grade parents of M. Palacios (Rm 25)
• Week of Sept 24: 1st grade parents of M. Ramirez (Rm. 20)
• Week of Oct 1: 1st grade parents of M. Alvarez (Rm. 21)
• Week of Oct 8: 1st grade parents of M. Lindsey (Rm. 1)
Nommi Alouf
(510) 599-5533
nommi@mac.com
Jo Seda (para español)
(415) 690-7332)
mymiloman@sbcglobal.net
Volunteers needed for Saludos/Safety Patrol helpers!
The Safety Patrol does not have a full-time Advisor this year. We are in search of 1 or two people to assist daily from 8 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. We are also forming a team of Saludos helpers to assist the Patrol Advisor. Saludos by classroom assignment will still occur, but a team of reliable helpers is needed as well. Please contact Nommi Alouf as soon as possible.(For Spanish, contact Jo Seda as well.)
Nommi Alouf
(510) 599-5533
nommi@mac.com
Jo Seda (para español)
(415) 690-7332)
mymiloman@sbcglobal.net
The Green Team and Playground Improvements
Thanks to the many hands (approximately 100 people) at our first Service Day this year, we were able to construct 8 raised planter boxes, dig holes for trees, and spread much of the mulch on the TK-3rd grade playground. The trees will be planted in the fall by the Trust for Public Land and Growing Together with help from kids in the MLA afterschool program. We also pulled weeds, pruned plants and collected litter; and the communications team re-designed the main hallway bulletin boards! Thanks to 5th grade parent Shannon for catering a fabulous lunch for our hungry volunteers (sandwiches, Caesar salad, chips and cookies)! See pictures on
MLA Facebook page.
JOIN US NEXT TIME:
On September 22 (from 9am to 2pm) we’ll continue this work, prepping the area on the lower yard. OUSD will make the final determination for when the new areas will be re-opened.
INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF THE GREEN TEAM?
We are looking for parents, relatives, friends or neighbors with an interest in the outdoor environment at MLA, eco-practices, conservation and environmental education, gardening, food cultivation, outdoor art, carpentry or other trade skills, etc. Please get in touch with us to get involved!
FOR YOUR CALENDAR:
Please mark this year’s Service Days (led by the Green Team) in your family’s calendar. We especially encourage volunteers to join us who are unable to contribute time during the school day/work week. Family, friends and kids always welcome! The dates (all Saturdays, 9am-1pm*) are:
1. Sep. 22 (9am to *2pm)
2. Nov. 3
3. Feb. 9
4. Mar. 16
5. May 4
We look forward to getting to know you!
Kim & Ricardo, Green Team Co-Chairs
Ricardo Cortes (bilingüe)
(831) 588-4599
crunchyconoakland@gmail.com
Kim Walker
(510) 827-0138
kimbeloo@gmail.com
Cada Familia
Cada Familia is our annual giving fund. We strongly encourage parents to set up monthly donations in an amount that is meaningful to them by going to
our donation site and clicking on the Paypal “become a monthly donor” link. It helps us enormously to have regular monthly income to pay for activities that are not in the school budget. Thank you very much from the PSTA!
Anna Rich
(510) 890-8119
annainoak@gmail.com
ARE YOU READY TO VOLUNTEER
Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered! The district requires that all parents who volunteer in the school get a TB test and that any parent driving on a fieldtrip (or chaperoning an overnight trip) get fingerprinted. MLA recommends that parents with ANY immigration issues
refrain from getting fingerprinted. Teachers would still love to have you come on a fieldtrip (help is always needed) you just won’t be able to drive/be alone with kids. For more information, please visit,
http://www.oaklandedfund.org/volunteer/
Jen Houser
jenthouser@gmail.com
(917) 678-9069
Save the Date: Clothing Swap
October 27, 2018 !!!
Melrose Leadership Academy
Phone:
510-535-3832
Website:
http://melroseleadership.ousd.k12.ca.us
PTSA website:
http://mlaptsa.org
MLA Calendar:
http://melroseleadership.ousd.k12.ca.us/calendar/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MelroseLeadershipAcademy
OUSD Calendar:
https://www.ousd.org/domain/3540
Shop Links:
http://www.mlaptsa.org/fundraising-events/shop-and-support/
Give:
http://melroseleadership.ousd.k12.ca.us/ptsa/cadafamilia/index.html