The San Ramon Valley Education Foundation has launched their Annual Membership Drive funding Classrooms of the Future. Join Friends of the Foundationbetween now and June 15th and Montair Elementary will receive 40% of your membership fee!

For your $25 individual membership or $100 family membership, you will receive a car magnet, a window cling for your home or business, or a yard sign. Montair will also have a chance to win our choice of 10 iPads, 15 iPad minis or 15 Google Chromebooks if we have the largest percentage of members from our school! We are an affiliate of SRVEF and would like to receive this funding to continue to support the technology plan for our school. Now more than ever we need comprehensive technology to support the implementation of Common Core Standards at Montair.

To join, visit www.srvef.org/friends and don't forget to select Montair Elementary School!

Thank you for your support!!!

Dear Montair Families,

As we approach the end of the school year, I am feeling like one of the graduating 5th graders because this will be my last letter to you. After five years, I will be stepping down from the PTA Executive board. Becoming involved in PTA was one of the best experiences for me as a parent at Montair because I have had the privilege of working alongside the most amazing volunteers - from board members, to room parents, to committee chairs and all others.  Each year, Montair parents volunteer tens of thousands of hours at our school because they know they are making a difference in our children's' lives. On behalf of PTA, I would like to say a heartfelt THANK YOU!  It truly "takes a village" to give our children the best educational experience possible.

There are still some important events coming up in the next few weeks. Open House is this Thursday from 7:00 - 8:30. It is a celebration of the culmination of a year's worth of learning and I know your children are eager to show off their accomplishments. Be sure to stop by the MPR to see the annual Art Show. It is always amazing to see the incredible works of art by the students. I would like to say a special thank you to all of the parent art docents this year for making the art docent program possible. A special thank you to the head of the art docent program, Kim Bowles, for her dedication to the arts at Montair and for her willingness to help out in whatever way is needed. The student art samples speak for themselves!

The 5th graders will soon be enjoying a well-deserved day of fun at Little Hills Ranch in San Ramon on June 10th. The students and their parents worked hard all year to earn the money to pay for their picnic. Thank you to everyone who helped raise money for them. Congratulations!

Spring is a time for renewal on the PTA executive board as well. There are several board members "retiring" with me this year. I would like to thank Pam Spaletto, Nora MacBryde, Kris Young, Meg Riley, Lori Woodard and Lisa Cummins for their fantastic leadership these last two years. I'd also like to thank continuing board members Jen Kral, Jennifer Murphy, Patty Giammona, Nasser Mirzai and Lisa Nolan for their dedication and commitment to PTA programs and goals. Jen Kral is stepping forward to become the PTA President next year and I know she will do a fabulous job. Additionally, teacher Nancy Reynolds was our Teacher Liaison this year and her input during board discussions was invaluable. Thanks Mrs. Reynolds!

Lastly, I'd like to thank Kathy Crosthwait for her enthusiastic and visionary leadership at Montair. I have very much enjoyed working with her for the good of all students at Montair, and I wish her the best as she and her family embark on a new adventure together. Montair will miss you!

Like I said at the beginning, becoming involved with PTA is one of the most rewarding things I have done as a parent at Montair. I hope that you will consider joining Montair PTA at registration this fall. The strength of the California State PTA is in its numbers; approximately one million members throughout the state advocate for the welfare and education of children in ways both big and small. Your membership makes a difference! I hope that you will consider volunteering to help with the many worthwhile programs and activities sponsored by PTA throughout the year. You will be glad you did.

 Best,
 Susan Peterson
 Outgoing President, Montair PTA

Dear Montair Family,

In preparation for writing every monthly update, I review the calendar, look at what is coming up, and what we have accomplished. I am blown away at how quickly the remaining 6 weeks will go by with all the activities and excitement on the way!

In April we continued the Montair tradition with our always-popular Talent Show. A few years ago we decided to make this an event that was showcased to the entire school by having it during the day. Every year since, I have watched stars emerge and talents shown that give our students a chance to shine among their peers and find similarities and appreciation that make our student body stronger. The students were amazing and some of the acts were even tear jerkers for many of us.

On behalf of the staff and myself, I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the over the top pampering we received during Teacher Appreciation Week. The door decorations, treats, lunches, and genuine love we all felt was so appreciated by all of us. We are privileged to work with your children everyday.

Not only did Montair hold it’s traditional Science Fair this month but we also had a wonderful representation at the Science Alliance fair, held April 20th.  Below is the table of Montair winners, including the Grand Prize Winner who is a Roadrunner!!! Congratulations to all our participants! We are so proud of you!

Coming up in May we have some wonderful events planned  to help us wrap up the year. Make sure the following dates are on your calendar starting with STAR testing on this Monday April 29 through May 10. It is important for students to be on time, as late arrivals will not be allowed into the classrooms. While no one test can completely measure a child’s knowledge, this assessment helps us with comparative scores and addressing areas we need to work on as a school. We appreciate your help in having the children ready to do their best.

We will also host all of you during Open House on May 23 from 7-8pm in our classrooms. This is always a wonderful day to showcase the work and accomplishments of the students. Please try and attend this very special evening with your child. The Art Show will be open that evening as well, please come and let your children show off all their hard work.

At the end of May we will also be trying out the new Smarter Balanced Assessment  (SBAC) that will be given state wide in 2014, but Montair is taking the lead and piloting this month in 3rd and 4th grades. I am extremely proud of our teachers who have volunteered to learn from this assessment in order to be better prepared next year. Teachers from across the district will be coming to observe the process and learn from the group right here at Montair.  If you would like more information about this assessment and the way we will be assessing as we move toward Common Core the following link will take you to the SBAC website. http://www.smarterbalanced.org/pilot-test/

Our trait of the month through May and June is Pride. All our end of the year events allow Montair to be proud of our accomplishments and showcase to our entire community what a wonderful place we are for all our students!

Warmly,

Kathy Crosthwait
Principal

Missing the Last Ten School Days for 2012-13 and 
               Independent Study Contracts at the End of the School Year 

Students should be in attendance through the last day of school, June 13, 2013, to maintain their enrollment status at their current school. Independent study contracts will not be issued the last 10 days of school.  All independent study contract work must be finished and submitted by May 30, 2013 in order for work to be graded and attendance to be recorded. 

If your child must leave school earlier than 10 school days (May 30) before the last day of school and does not return before the end of the school year, your child may be subject to the following 
consequences: 

    • Incomplete or lowered final grades 
    • Review by school/district attendance review board 
    • Unenrolled and placed at the bottom of the 2013-14 waitlist. 

If your student is unenrolled, there may not be a space at the current school for your student to return in the fall. In this case your student may have to be diverted to another elementary school in the district.  Middle and High school students may not be able to access their elective choices if they reenroll upon their return. 

Please note: 
In accordance with California Education Codes 48205 and 48260, and District Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5113, any student who misses 3 or more school days without a valid excuse, as defined by AR 5113, shall be reported as truant to the District attendance supervisor. 

Missing the First Three Days of School 2013-14 

As you plan your summer vacation, be aware that school begins on Tuesday, August 27, 2013  Because our district is growing, schools are very full and many continue to have wait lists. 

    • As in the past, if your child does not attend the first three days of school, your student will be dropped from the school on  Friday, August 30, 2013 

In that event, you will need to re-enroll your student.  A space at your resident school will not be held for your child. If there is not space at your resident school when you return, your child will be placed at the closest school based on space availability. 

Click here for School District notification.