Montera Middle School eBulletin
December 3, 2023
Important Dates
This Week's Block Schedule: AB - B - AB
Tuesday, December 5, 3:45-5:00pm: Boys Soccer Tryouts
Wednesday, December 6:
- 9:30am - 11am: Prospective Families Tour
- 2:00 - 3:15pm: Soccer Girls Varsity and JV Tryouts
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Mandatory 2024 DC Trip Zoom Meeting
Thursday December 7:
- Yearbook Picture Make Up Day
- Round Top Pizza (Mountain Blvd) Fundraiser
- 4:00 - 8:00pm : Montclair Village Stroll
Friday December 8, 5:30 - 7:30pm: Fall Sports Banquet
Tuesday December 12: 5:00 - 7:00pm Montera Art Show
Wednesday December 13:
- 4:00 - 6:00pm, Winter Band Concert
Thursday December 14:
- 5:30pm: Winter String and Choir concert
- 7:00 - 8:00pm: PTO Community Meeting and Family Gathering - IN PERSON
Friday December 15, 5:00pm - 7:00pm: ELT WOW Event
Wednesday December 20, 1:30-2:30pm: Teacher Staff Holiday Appreciation Party
Friday December 22: Minimum Day, School Out 1:49pm
Action Items
- RSVP for Fall Sports Banquet.
- Contribute:
- Montera Annual Fund 100% Participation Drive
- 8th Grade Activities Fund
- 8th Grade DC Trip Scholarship Fund
- Montera Relief Fund
- Sign Up for Montera Relief Fund Holiday Gift Drive
- Bring Socks and Gloves for Sock and Mitten Giving Tree
- Sign Up: Teacher Staff Holiday Gift Appreciation Party
- Sign Up for Montera 5K Run for Education
Upcoming Events
PTO Community Meeting and Family Gathering - IN PERSON
Join us for a meeting and celebration, right after the Winter String and Choir concert.
Thursday Dec 14, 2023 ⋅ 7pm – 8pm
Prospective Family Tours and Info
Do you know families interested in Montera? Please share registration links for a Virtual Info Night and Family Tour with families considering Montera next year:
- Virtual Info Night Registration (Jan 10, 6-7pm)
- Montera Family Tour Registration
Tour Dates:
- Wed Dec 6, 9:30-11am
- Fri Jan 19, 9:30-11am
- Jan 24, 9:30-11am
We need 4 parents for each tour! Sign up to help on a tour here
Teacher Staff Holiday Appreciation Party
Let’s show our appreciation to all the Montera teachers and staff who have worked so hard for our kids this year by pulling our resources together to give teacher and staff gifts.
We invite our Montera community to pool money to distribute gift cards evenly to our 90 Montera teachers and staff. You can also sign up to donate cookies, fruit, and/or wine.
Donations accepted now thru 12/19.
Thank You!
Candace Johnson
The Montera Hospitality Team
Holiday Gift Drive - Montera Relief Fund
Dear Montera Community,
The Toro community has shown up in impressive ways to help Montera families in need through the Montera Relief Fund. Once again the Montera PTO and Administration Team are working together to host a Holiday Giving Drive to help Toro families in need.
To start the season of giving, we will be filling large holiday bags for 20 families. We are looking for people to donate items that we can fill each of these bags with. You can sign up to donate items on our wish list on sign up genius. Please bring your items to Ms. Harambe in room 100 through Friday, December 15. Examples of donations we need:
- 20 bottles of shampoo/conditioner
- 20 bottles of body wash
- 20 items of shelf-stable food such as peanut butter
- 20 tubes of toothpaste
If you prefer to make a monetary contribution, please make a donation to the Montera Relief Fund. We will use the donations to complete any gift bags that are not filled through Sign-Up Genius, as well as supporting families as the need arises.
Many of the administrators contribute their own time and efforts to bring cheer to Toro families who need it most. But they can’t do it without all of you. Please help us meet our goal of helping multiple Montera families in need this holiday season. Thank you!
Please direct questions to: Ms. Harambe: tina.harambe@ousd.org or Suzanne Lytle: treasurer@monterapto.com
Sock and Mitten Giving Tree
Montera students are creating a “Sock and Mitten Giving Tree."
Please bring in new pairs of socks or gloves to hang from our Giving Tree in P9.
Socks and gloves will support the women and children of
Questions? Contact Ms. Bruin.
.ELP’s Winter WOW Event
The ELP's Winter Wow event is on 12/15 from 5:00-7:00pm in the MUR.
School Information
Make-Up Picture Day - Thursday December 7
The Make-Up picture day will be held in Room 301 starting at 9:30am to 3:30pm. Students can request a pass from any of their CORE teachers (English/History/Science/Math) to go take a make-up picture during the school day.
Yearbook Updates
PHOTOS: We want your photos! If you have photos of school events or campus candids you think would be great for the yearbook, please email monterayearbookclub@gmail.com and we'll send you uploading instructions.
DESIGN CONTEST: Enter our cover design contest! All Montera students are encouraged to enter our contest to have your artwork featured on the yearbook cover. Get the rules and all the details here.
Not sure if you've ordered or have other questions? Email monterayearbookclub@gmail.com.
Fundraiser Roundup!
Dine Out Opportunities:
- Round Table Pizza (Mountain Blvd)
- DATE: Thursday, December 7
- SUPPORTS: Montera PTO Annual Budget
Monetary Contribution:
- Montera Relief Fund: Supports Montera Families in Need
- Donors Choose: Directly supports projects listed by our teachers
- ANNUAL GIVING FUND: Supports Montera PTO Annual Budget (suggested $450 per student)
- 8th Grade Activities Fund: Supports 8th grade activities (Friendsgiving, Great Adventure, Picnic, Promotion Ceremony) Recommended $100 per 8th Grade Student
- 8th Grade DC Trip Scholarship Fund: Grade DC Trip Scholarship Fund: Support scholarships for the 8th grade DC Trip
- Sports Donations: Supports Montera Sports Program
- Music Donations: Supports Montera Music Program
Montera Annual Fund
Here are a few of the many programs that the Montera PTO supports.
- $500 per teacher to spend on classroom materials.
- Funding to purchase clay and maintain the kiln for the ceramics program.
- Stipends for teacher-led lunchtime activities, such as Climate Justice and Cooking Clubs.
Invest in Your Children — Invest in Montera
We are asking families to give what they can. Suggested donation is $450 per student. Donations range from $10-$2,000.
- Make a one-time or monthly donation online via PayPal
- To donate offline, download this form and submit to Montera by mail or drop it off in the school office.
Montera 5K / 1m Run for Education - SIGN UP NOW!
Montera Middle School PTO will be hosting a 5k and 1 mile fun run/walk to raise funds for school supplies, technology or programs that fall outside the school budget with the goal of building an inclusive school community where all can learn and thrive.
The race will take place at Joaquin Miller Park on Sunday, February 25th. SIGN UP HERE
The1 mile race will begin at 9am, followed by the 5k at 9:30am. Grab your shoes, family, and friends and enjoy a day out in nature, while supporting our school.
Can't run or walk that day? Consider doing a virtual run on your own or donating instead.
8th Grade Activities and Information
- DONATION: Recommended 8th Grade Activity Donation $100 per 8th grade student: Contribute Here
- QUESTIONS: Activities Questions? Contact Teena Bowie
______________________________________________________________
8th Grade DC Trip
- MANDATORY MEETING: Mandatory DC 2024 Zoom Meeting Dec 6, 2023 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Zoom Link on Band App: https://band.us/n/afa798t4x353A
- DONATIONS: DC Scholarship Fund: DONATE TODAY
- QUESTIONS: DC Trip Questions: Montera8thgradetrip@gmail.com
High School Info Nights
Skyline
- Prospective Family Tours: 12/6, 12/7 (9:30-11:00 AM)
- Find all the details and sign up for tours and shadow days on their Prospective Families page: https://www.ousd.org/domain/7159
Oakland High
- Online Information Session: Monday • December 4, 2023 • 5:30-6:30pm
- Campus Tours: Dec 13, Jan 17 and 24 @ 3pm, Jan 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30, and Feb 2 @ 10:15am
- Find all the details and sign up for tours on their Prospective Families page: https://www.ousd.org/domain/5788
Oakland Tech
- Virtual High School Information Night: Thursday, November 30th, from 6-7:3pm
- School tours: Dates from Dec 13, 2023-Feb 2, 2024
- Find all the details and sign up for tours and shadow days on their Prospective Families page: https://www.ousd.org/Page/21813
7th Grade Activities and Information
2025 DC Trip - Meeting RECORDING and SLIDES
Thank you to those who attended this week's meeting to learn about the 2025 DC trip. SIGN UP For those who could not attend, here is a recording of the meeting as well as the Presentation Slides.
Montera Sports
Montera is going to celebrate the success of the Cross Country, Girls Volleyball, and Flag Football teams Friday, December 8, 2023. The Fall Sports Banquet will be at the MUR and the event will run from 5:30PM to 7:30PM. If you plan to attend please RSVP here.
We ask all families to make sure they bring back their singlets or jerseys to the Sports Banquet. If you are unable to make it Friday evening, contact your fall sports coach or email sports@monterapto.com. Thank you for your cooperation.
Boys Soccer Tryouts (additional tryouts added by coaches):
Tuesday, December 5th from 3:45-5:00pm
Girls Soccer Varsity and JV Tryouts:
Wednesday, December 6th, 2:00PM-3:15PM
Tryouts will be at the Montera field. Please wear your soccer gear, including cleats and shinguards.
DONATE: Step up to the plate and help make Montera Sports a whopping success! DONATE NOW!
Any questions reach out by email to sports@monterapto.com.
Meet Montera
Ms. Jennifer Riback (she/her)
Position: 6th Math/Science Teacher
What do the students call you?
Ms. Riback
What do you like best about the Montera Community?
As a former Montera student, being on campus is like coming home. I love the community we
continue to build. Most of us are student centered with the goal of developing strong, critical
thinkers.
What is one memory you have from when YOU were in middle school?
Being in the band and our great music program, school dances and the Washington DC trip (and
so many more)!
What is something you do for fun outside of school?
I love cooking, watching movies, paddle boarding and traveling (especially to the water).
What are you looking forward to this school year?
Building good relationships with my students and then pushing their boundaries to be the best
they can be and watch their wonder as they realize their potential!
Anything else you’d like to share?
Once a Toro, always a Toro!
Interview conducted by parent volunteer, Grace Telcs. Learn more about our Administrators, Teachers, and Staff HERE.
Toro Pics
Montera Social Club - Pub Crawl
Winter Dance
These and many more opportunities are available to our Montera community, OUSD, and beyond. Items appear in the eBulletin for 2 weeks. Please click here for the full list of current programs.
Oakland Girls Softball League Spring registration is open!
Oakland Girls Softball League Spring registration is open!
OGSL’s mission is to bring the sport of softball to girls aged 5-14. The spring season will start in February and run through May. 1-2 practices on weekdays, games on Saturdays.
Registration Fees are 6U: $215 and 8U, 10U, 12/14U: $275. Registration will remain open until January 12th. If cost is an issue, please email registration@ogsl.org for more information on requesting a fee discount. No one will be turned away for lack of funds!
5km/1m Race-Run-Walk - All ages welcomed!
December 17, 2023
@Joaquin Miller Park
To support Oakland Tech Cross Country + Track & Field
OUSD Parent Wellness Classes: Wednesdays Through December 20th
Hosted by Lance McGee at the Frick Family Resource Center, parent/guardian wellness classes will take place on Wednesdays from November 8 - December 20, 2023 from 9:00am-10:00am. The first five parents/ guardians to sign up will receive a $30 gift card. All OUSD parents/guardians are welcome.
Heads Up Program
Heads Up Program application for current 6th graders to join Heads Up summer 2024 is now open! Learn More and Apply at bit.ly/headsupadmissions
Applications are due on December 22nd!
OUSD Webinar: Talking With Your Teen About Sexual Health & Safety (Grades 7-12)
Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023
6-7PM
This webinar will give a brief overview of the Healthy Oakland Teens Sexual Health programming provided in Grades 7 and up in OUSD. We will explore tips, strategies and resources for parents and guardians to have ongoing conversations with their growing adolescent on the topics of sexual health, consent, communication and safety.
Zoom: http://ousd.zoom.us/J/87147763309
How to Stay Informed
Know someone who isn't receiving this eBulletin?
NOTE: If you are a student who would like to receive the eBulletin, you must use an email address outside of OUSD. Student OUSD email addresses are blocked from receiving email from addresses outside of OUSD.
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Want to be a Montera PTO sponsor and have your business promoted weekly in the eBulletin? Please contact president@monterapto.com.
Montera Middle School
eBulletin is produced on a weekly basis by the Montera Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) except on holidays. It sometimes contains ads from our sponsors and/or services from the community. These advertisements do not imply endorsement of any product or service by OUSD or Montera Middle School.
If you have news you'd like to include, please send it to communications@monterapto.com by 5pm on Friday. Submissions may be edited for spelling, grammar, brevity and clarity. In addition, while we strive for accuracy, being human sometimes gets in the way. If you spot something so off the mark we should hang our heads in embarrassment, please bring it to our attention. Thanks!
We Are Montera. We Are One.
Email: communications@monterapto.com
Website: https://www.ousd.org/montera
Location: 5555 Ascot Drive, Oakland, CA, USA
Phone: (510) 531-6070
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monterapto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monteratoros/