CALLING ALL NEW SHERMAN SHARKS…

Please join us for a Sherman Elementary Kindergarten Play Date                   

There are TWO play dates planned. Join us for one or both!

1st Play Date: Sunday, August 1st, 1PM – 4PM @ Julius Kahn Park

Keep an eye out for Sherman signage to check in and say hello to other families. There will be activities and the amazing playground on hand for the kids. Please plan to bring snacks and drinks for your family. For directions and additional details, please see: http://www.shermanschool.org

2nd Play Date: Saturday August 14th Save the date and keep watching http://www.shermanschool.org for details

 RSVP and/or send us your email addresses

Please contact Shandra (srica@me.com / 415.829.3635) or Luciana (luragoni@sbcglobal.net /415.999.1005) and let us know if you plan to attend. We do not have a complete listing of family email addresses, so please do email one of us regardless and let us know your child’s name and preferred email address to reach you for future communications.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE…

Hope you are all having an amazing summer! Check out this great summer reading kit that David Breese, our K Special Education teacher, created:

Download (PDF, 115.5KB)

Opportunity to double your money with Donors Choose! See below for a campaign being run by Groupon for the next 3 days that enables you to double your Donor’s Choose donation! http://www.groupon.com/raleigh-durham/deals/donorschoose-org-online-national?utm_campaign=UserReferral&utm_medium=email&utm_source=uu629498

This Week

• Carnival Planning Meeting – Thurs May 27th at 8 am, Contact Erica Hunt (ericahunt@sbcglobal.net)
• Family Night at the Bluelight! May 27th at 5-8 pm
  • Something for everyone in the family!
  • Kids get free hot dogs and a movie!

Next Week

• NO SCHOOL – Monday May 31st Memorial Day
• Tuesday, June 1, 8am – Calling ALL parent librarians, artists, computer, garden and parent coaches! NEED YOUR FEEDBACK to plan for next year — please RSVP to hollycarver@yahoo.com.
  • We will talk about
    • General Feedback: what worked/areas for improvement
    • Did you feel your time was well spent?
    • Did you feel prepared by the training?
    • Did the schedule work for you?
    • Will you be returning?
• Kindergarten graduation, Wednesday, June 2nd
• Fifth grade graduation, Thursday, June 3rd
• Kindergarten field day, Thursday June 3rd

GLO Afterschool Program and Activities – Plan for 2010-2011 TODAY

• Deadline for GLO enrollment for the 2010-2011 year is this Friday, May 28th. You must get your enrollment forms in by Friday to guarantee afterschool with GLO the first week of school (all enrollees received by this Friday, GLO will start the first day of school).
• Afterschool activities schedule for 2010-2011 is available and came home in mail folders this week. There are additional copies in the front office. Sign up now for Session 1 in the fall – or the whole 2010-2011 year!
  • There are some great new classes including Legos and Yoga, so sign up early!

PTA Community Feedback – Spring 2010

We are looking for feedback! Please help the PTA prepare for next year by providing feedback about the many programs that we coordinated this year.

• It is a VERY short and simple survey available online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ShermanCommunityFeedback.
• If you have internet access please complete the simple survey online. If not, your teacher can get you a copy. Please submit by Friday, May 28, 2010.

Double Your Charitable Donation to DonorsChoose.org — a special campaign running now!

• Starting at $10 for $20 Worth of Aid for Public School Projects http://www.groupon.com/raleigh-durham/deals/donorschoose-org-online-national?utm_campaign=UserReferral&utm_medium=email&utm_source=uu629498
• Support the public school project of your choice with today’s side deal, which lets you double your charitable donation to DonorsChoose.org through generous funding by the Pershing Square Foundation. DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that connects individuals with classrooms in need, allowing members of the general public to become philanthropists. This Groupon is valid for redemption starting on June 2, 2010.
  • Choose from the following donations:
  • $10 for $20
  • $25 for $50
  • $50 for $100
  • $100 for $200
  • $250 for $500

The DonorsChoose.org website operates by allowing public school teachers to post their projects, with requests that range from pencils for a poetry-writing unit and recorders for music class to a science class incubator that helps hatch baby chickens. Once a project reaches its funding goal, DonorsChoose.org uses the money to purchase the necessary supplies and personally ensures that the goods are delivered to the school. The contribution is tracked and chronicled by the charity staff, so that everyone who donated receives photos of the project taking place, a thank-you letter from the teacher, and a cost report showing precisely how each dollar was spent. Anyone who donates $100 or more also receives handwritten thank-you notes from the students for an extra dollop of heartwarmth.

Seeking Sherman Buddies

Looking for Sherman families to join the buddy program. We will pair you with an incoming family (K or upper grades) to help them learn the ropes here at Sherman. Contact Cece Kaufman at cecekaufman@comcast.net.

Our teachers need boxes! We are looking for “bankers” boxes to help our teachers pack up for summer – we need 100 or so! Please bring them to the front office.  See bankers boxes here:  http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/199570/Bankers- Box-StorFile- Recycled- Basic-Strength/

This Week

• Book Swap all week in the library! Contact Ms. Watsky 415-722-9758 or cmwatsky@yahoo. com
• Incoming 2010-2011 Kindergarten Orientation, Friday May 21st at 2:30 pm. Anyone willing to bake tasty treats to share at this welcoming event, please contact Jennifer Deming at jlj7467@aol. com
• Final SSC Meeting of the year, Thursday, May 20th  at 6:15pm

Next Week

• Carnival Planning Meeting – Thurs May 27th at 8 am
  • We’re starting planning for the fall carnival so we can hit the ground running in September!
  • Contact Erica Hunt for more information Erica Hunt at ericahunt@sbcglobal .net
• Family Night at the Bluelight! May 27th at 5-8 pm
  • Something for everyone in the family!
  • Kids get free hot dogs and a movie!

Upcoming

• Calling all parent coaches, artists, librarians, computer and garden-helpers!
  • Tuesday, June 1, 8am we will be having a feedback session on these programs
  • What worked, what can we improve. Please come share your views! 

Seeking Sherman Buddies

• Looking for Sherman families to join the buddy program. We will pair you with an incoming family (K or upper grades) to help them learn the ropes here at Sherman. Contact Cece Kaufman at cecekaufman@ comcast.net.

Don’t Forget

• GLO afterschool accepting enrollment for the 2010-2011 academic year. 
• GLO Afterschool activities for 2010-2011 will be announced this week, keep an eye out!

__._,_.___

We are looking for “bankers” boxes for our teachers to pack up this summer – please bring to the front office.

This Week

• Scholastic Book Fair, May 10-14^th, 7:15 am to 3 pm
• Friday May 14^th, Orchestra Concert 8 am
• Saturday, May 15^th GARDEN PARTY, 11 am to 3 pm
  • Featuring the Trashion Show (participants still have time to register with Becca at rvershbow@gmail.com)
  • Art Village! Science Village! Food Village!
  • Poetry Reading, Live Music, Hip-Hop!
  • Bring your own picnic!

 Next Week

• Book Swap, week of May 17^th – Still accepting books in the library, Contact Ms. Watsky 415-722-9758 or cmwatsky@yahoo.com
• Final PTA Meeting of the year is Tuesday, May 18^th at 8 am
• Incoming 2010-2011 Kindergarten Orientation, Friday May 21^st at 2:30 pm
• Final SSC Meeting of the year, Thursday, May 20^th  at 6:15pm

 Around Town

• Po Bronson, Author of “NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children” will be speaking on Monday, May 17^th at 7 pm in the Grattan School Auditorium sponsored by Grattan and The Booksmith
  • 165 Gratan between Cole and Shrader
  • Doors open at 6:30 pm for purchase of books, coffee and sweets
  • NurtureShock debuted at #10 on the New York Times Bestsellers list

 Upcoming!

• Carnival Planning Meeting – Weds May 26^th, 8 am
  • We’re starting planning for the fall carnival so we can hit the ground running in September!
  • Contact Erica Hunt for more information (“Erica Hunt” ericahunt@sbcglobal.net)
• Family Night at the Bluelight! May 27^th, 5-8 pm
  • Something for everyone in the family!
  • Kids get free hot dogs and a movie!

 Don’t Forget:

• GLO afterschool accepting enrollment for the 2010-2011 academic year. Assure a spot by getting your registration in early!! Please contact Beth Guy, GLO Site Director for more information (shermand@gloinc.org). Enrollment forms will be coming home to the general community this week. If you’re already a GLO member, you should have received the form already in your GLO box.

Summer Reading Used Book Swap!

• Bring your used children’s books to Sherman for the first annual USED BOOK SWAP!
  • Book swap will be held during school hours the week of May 17^th
  • Kids bring in their used books and get some “new” used books for summer reading.
  • Please drop your books off in the library or office now so we can prepare for the swap!
  • For more information, contact Ms. Watsky at 415-722-9758 or cmwatsky@yahoo.com

Congratulations to Principal Sara Shenkan-Rich for winning the Mayor’s Principal of the Year award, Elementary School Division! 

Congratulations to Sherman for the award of two new grants! We were awarded a $10,000 award from Silver Giving for professional development and $24,000 from the Cal Foundation for Teacher’s College training this summer.  Thanks to the Grants Committee for making this happen!

Next Week

• “Race to Nowhere” movie screening Tuesday May 11th at 5:30 pm, at the Koret Auditorium at the Main Library – still tickets available, so come check out this movie!
  • Purchase tickets for $15 at http://rtnsflibrary-efbnen.eventbrite.com/
  • A documentary film examining the education pressures faced by youth, teachers and parents in our culture. More details below.
• Scholastic Book Fair, May 10-14th, 7:15 am to 3 pm
  • It’s that time again! The Scholastic Book Fair raises money for the 4th grade Sacramento trip and the 5th grade year-end trip, and we need your help. The Book Fair is next week, May 10-14, and will be held in the Science Room, Room 301 before school, during recess, after school (NEW) and for class visits.
  • We need volunteers to help students choose books and work the cash registers. Details below
• Friday May 14th, Orchestra Concert 8 am
• Saturday, May 15th GARDEN PARTY, 11 am to 3 pm
  • Come enjoy this terrific community day in our garden!
  • Featuring the Trashion Show (participants must register with Becca at rvershbow@gmail.com)
  • Art Village! Science Village! Food Village!
  • Poetry Reading, Live Music, Hip-Hop!
  • Bring your own picnic!

Upcoming

• Book Swap, week of May 17th – Still accepting books in the library, Contact Ms. Watsky 415-722-9758 or cmwatsky@yahoo.com
• Final PTA Meeting of the year is Tuesday, May 18th at 8 am
• Incoming 2010-2011 Kindergarten Orientation, Friday May 21st at 2:30 pm
• Final SSC Meeting of the year, Thursday, May 20th  at 6:15pm

Hot for Teachers? or Just Want to Learn?

• Hot for Teachers – the video that’s gone viral made by the Wonderland PTA protesting education budget cuts in California.  It’s a MUST see. http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/7d5ec0278e/megan-fox-is-hot-for-teachers
• A great overview of how education finance works in California by a San Carlos Board of Education member. You are guaranteed to learn something new. Take a look: http://www.rosenblatt.org/video/ca-ed-finance.html

Book Fair Volunteers Needed

• Parents to help students choose books and work the cash registers. The times we need to fill are highlighted in yellow. Please contact Michelle Parker (260-8572,dwparker@alumni.princeton.edu) with your availability and thank you in advance for your time!
• Monday-Friday 
  • 7:15-7:50     8:00-8:30     8:30-9:00     9:15-9:30     9:30-10:00     10:00-10:30     10:30-11:00     11:00-12:00     2:00-3:00    
  • We also need parents during class visits:
    • Monday: 8:30-9 Sparks, 9:30-10 Trinh
    • Tuesday: 8:30-9 Kishimoto, 9:30-10 Dobay
    • Wednesday: 8:30-9 Anderson
    • Thursday: 8-8:30 Lau
    • Friday: 8-8:30 Tse, 8:30-9 Klein, 9:30-10 Leung, 10-10:30 Shew

Race to Nowhere – Documentary Screening May 11th

• Sherman PTA is hosting a screening of the new documentary: Race to Nowhere (www.racetonowhere.com) on Tuesday, May 11 at 5:30pm at the Koret Auditorium inside the Main Library. Thanks to Cathy Jordan for coordinating the logistics and making it happen.  
• Tickets are available at http://rtnsflibrary-efbnen.eventbrite.com/ for $15 and $20 at door. This is not a fundraiser – merely a sponsored event. The money is to pay for the film showing rights. Please promote to your friends!
• Here’s an excerpt from the website:
  • Race to Nowhere is a documentary film examining the pressures faced by youth, teachers and parents in our achievement obsessed education system and culture. Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried students aren’t developing the skills needed, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic running rampant in our schools.

And Don’t Forget:

• GLO afterschool accepting enrollment for the 2010-2011 academic year. Assure a spot by getting your registration in early!! Please contact Beth Guy, GLO Site Director for more information (shermand@gloinc.org). Enrollment forms will be coming home to the general community this week. If you’re already a GLO member, you should have received the form already in your GLO box.

Summer Reading Used Book Swap!

• Bring your used children’s books to Sherman for the first annual USED BOOK SWAP!
• Book swap will be held during school hours the week of May 17th
• Kids bring in their used books and get some “new” used books for summer reading.
• Please drop your books off in the library or office now so we can prepare for the swap!
• For more information, contact Ms. Watsky at 415-722-9758 or cmwatsky@yahoo.com

Upcoming Events

• ELAC Meeting, Thursday, April 29^th 8 am – 9 am
• Staff Appreciation Week, May 3^rd-May 7^th
  • Details below! Many ways to honor our staff next week, email Jennifer Deming with questions at jlj7467@aol.com
• Weds May 5^th is JCC Kindergarten night – DESPERATELY NEED SHERMAN PARENTS to talk about Sherman!
  • 6 – 8 pm, come and talk informally with parents about your experience at Sherman and staff our booth.
  • Right now we have NO ONE representing Sherman at this evening, please let Crystal Brown crystalsbrown@yahoo.com know if you can help out with this event.
• Green Schoolyard Meeting, Thursday May 6^th, 8 am
• “Race to Nowhere” documentary movie screening Tuesday May 11^th at 5:30 pm, at the Koret Auditorium at the Main Library
  • Purchase tickets for $15 at http://rtnsflibrary-efbnen.eventbrite.com/
  • Coordinated by the Sherman PTA
  • A documentary film examining the education pressures faced by youth, teachers and parents in our culture. More details below.
  • Vote for Sherman at http://www.care2.com/schoolcontest/6064/32/ — the winning school gets $20,000, each week a school wins $500

 Staff Appreciation Details

Each year during the month of May a week is designated as Staff Appreciation Week. This year the first week of May, from May 3rd to May 7th has been designated as Staff Appreciation Week 2010 within SFUSD.

• As in years past, we have a variety of activities planned to honor and appreciate all of our wonderful staff at Sherman. Roughly 55 people in all!
• We need people to help with set-up and clean-up for the lunches and ice cream bar planned during the week, as well as people to donate food items to these events!
• If you can help out please email me, Jennifer Deming at jlj7467@aol.com

Tuesday May 4th is designated as “Thank Your Teacher  Day”. The San Francisco Education Fund along with Mayor Newsom and Superintendent Garcia are working together to promote this campaign. It is very easy! Just visit www.ThankATeacherToday.org to send a free e-card to a SFUSD Teacher!

 There are also other ideas of ways in which you can show your appreciation to your teachers! At Sherman we are asking the Room Parents in each class to coordinate an effort on this day to celebrate their teacher.

• In years past classes have had their children make their teach home-made cards, money has been collected for a group thank you gift, or each student has brought in a single flower to create a bouquet to name a few!
• Check with your room parents to help with this effort!

Thank you for your help! I know the staff at Sherman really appreciate this week and all the pampering they receive. They sure deserve it!!!! Jennifer Deming (jlj7467@aol.com, (c) 713-6928)

Race to Nowhere – Documentary Screening May 11th

Sherman PTA is hosting a screening of the new documentary: Race to Nowhere (www.racetonowhere.com) on Tuesday, May 11 at 5:30pm at the Koret Auditorium inside the Main Library. Thanks to Cathy Jordan for coordinating the logistics and making it happen. 

Tickets are available at http://rtnsflibrary-efbnen.eventbrite.com/ for $15 and $20 at door. This is not a fundraiser – merely a sponsored event. The money is to pay for the film showing rights. Please promote to your friends!

Here’s an excerpt from the website:

Race to Nowhere is a documentary film examining the pressures faced by youth, teachers and parents in our achievement obsessed education system and culture. Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried students aren’t developing the skills needed, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic running rampant in our schools.

And Don’t Forget NOTE:

• GLO afterschool accepting enrollment for the 2010-2011 academic year. Assure a spot by getting your registration in early!! Please contact Beth Guy, GLO Site Director for more information (shermand@gloinc.org). Enrollment forms will be coming home to the general community this week. If you’re already a GLO member, you should have received the form already in your GLO box.

Summer Reading Used Book Swap!

• Bring your used children’s books to Sherman for the first annual USED BOOK SWAP!
  • Book swap will be held during school hours the week of May 17^th
  • Kids bring in their used books and get some “new” used books for summer reading.
  • Please drop your books off in the library or office now so we can prepare for the swap!
  • For more information, contact Ms. Watsky at 415-722-9758 or cmwatsky@yahoo.com

This Week’s Events

• Principal’s Coffee and PTA 2010-2011 Elections – Friday, April 21st, 8 am
• • Come hear Principal Shenkan-Rich share the latest on the budget and her vision for the school
  • PTA Elections will be held for the 2010-2011 academic year
• $20 for a spot at a special Kids Movie Night at Sherman on Friday, April 23rd
  • Still a few spots to purchase for your child for the Auction event item!!
  • See details below! Make it date night!
• Note there is NO PTA meeting this Tuesday

Coming Up

• ELAC Meeting, Thursday, April 29th 8 am – 9 am
• May 3rd-May 7th Teacher Appreciation Week

Please NOTE:

• PTA Schedule Change: Spell-a-thon hiatus this year — we are not holding a Spell-a-Thon this year. But stay tuned for other fun Sherman events!
• GLO afterschool accepting enrollment for the 2010-2011 academic year. Assure a spot by getting your registration in early!! Please contact Beth Guy, GLO Site Director for more information (shermand@gloinc.org). Enrollment forms will be coming home to the general community this week. If you’re already a GLO member, you should have received the form already in your GLO box.

Kid’s Night Out at Sherman – $20 per child, This Friday April 23rd at 6-9 pm

• Your child will really enjoy a night with a big group of friends, and you can relax and have a nice dinner out too!
• Beth and Becca of the Sherman after school programs will host a kid’s pizza and movie night at Sherman in the auditorium on Friday, April 23, 2010 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Children must be ages 5-12.
• 26 spots available, $20 per child. If you are interested and have not already purchased a ticket, email Beth shermand@gloinc.org or Becca rvershbow@gmail.com.

Summer Reading Used Book Swap!

• Bring your used children’s books to Sherman for the first annual USED BOOK SWAP!
• Book swap will be held during school hours the week of May 17th
• Kids bring in their used books and get some “new” used books for summer reading.
• Please drop your books off in the library or office now so we can prepare for the swap!
• For more information, contact Ms. Watsky at 415-722-9758 or cmwatsky@yahoo.com

SFUSD Meal Prepayment Program

• If your child ever eats in the cafeteria, please register for SFUSD’s prepayment program and put even just $10 in his/her account. In a pinch, middle and high-school kids can spend it on bottled water and the only sweet treat offered in our cafs, a low-fat cookie. 
• Go to www.mealpayplus. Com

You will need your child’s student number, which starts with H-zero (it’s called an HO number, but that’s a zero).

Many elementary schools are using MealpayPlus, including Sherman. All SFUSD middle and high schools are currently using MealpayPlus.

 Get Involved in the Thank A Teacher Today Campaign! (From our 2nd District PTA)

Teachers make a lifetime of difference.  This May, join a citywide movement to personally say “Thanks!” to our public school teachers.

• The San Francisco Education Fund, along with Mayor Gavin Newsom and Superintendent Carlos Garcia, is leading a coalition of community-based  organizations, civic groups, businesses, and media partners to promote the Thank A Teacher Today Campaign.
• Visit www.ThankATeacherToday.org to send a free e-card to a San Francisco Unified School District teacher. While you’re there, check out all the other ways you can thank teachers for all that they do on behalf of our city’s young people.  No matter what you decide to do, your gesture of thanks will mean so much to a teacher! Please join us!

www.ThankATeacherToday.org

Carl Barnes, VP Communication

Second District of the California State PTA

2ndDist@sfpta.org

Join the Second District PTA Group

http://www.bigtent.com/groups/2nddistpta

Download (PDF, 7.47MB)

Sherman PTA Weekly Update – March 17th, 2010

This Week’s Events

• School Site Council Meeting, Thursday, March 18th, 6:15-8pm. Topic: Discussion on the survey results and the budget situation.
• Sherman Community Auction, Saturday March 20th 6-10:30 pm
  • RSVP today at www.shermanschool.org. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, so save money and get your tickets in advance! 
  • Free parking at Marina Middle School!
  • We have over $95,000 of donated items – 500 packages, 900 donations! SO PLEASE, BRING A FRIEND WHO LIKES TO BID
  • See all the great items at http://shermanschool.org/auctionitems.php#items   
  • (Please note: Any remaining donations must be received by Thursday, March 18th at 2pm to be listed in the addendum.)

Coming Up

• Parent Teacher Conferences and EARLY DISMISSAL, March 22nd-26th
• ELAC Meeting, Thursday March 25th 8 am – 9 am
• Principal’s Coffee, Friday March 26th, 8 am – 9 am 
• NO SCHOOL, SPRING BREAK March 29th- April 2nd
• Joint PTA and SSC meeting, Tuesday April 6th , 6:15 pm

2nd Annual Fund

Sherman is running a second annual fund to address the significant funding gap that we face with the 2010-2011 academic year. Support Sherman by donating today at www.shermanschool.org.

 Come to The Blue Light… A New Sherman Tradition!

Come relax and enjoy family night at The Blue Light on Union (owned by a Sherman Family!)  

• Wednesday, March 24th 5pm to 8pm
• Free hot dogs and movies for the kids! (In the back room!)
• Come celebrate spring (and upcoming spring break!)