This Week's Block Schedule: AB - B - A __
Monday November 6: 3:45 - 5:00pm JV Boys Basketball Tryouts (6th - 7th)
Wednesday, November 8:
- 2:00 - 4:00pm, JV Boys Basketball Tryouts (6th - 7th)
- 2025 DC Trip Info Meeting for 7th Grade Families - register here
- 6-7pm: Virtual Info Night for Prospective Families
Thursday, November 9: Last Day to Submit Otis Spunkmeyer Orders (see more below)
Friday, November 10: Veterans Day (NO SCHOOL)
Sunday November 12: Volunteer Work Day POSTPONED
Monday November 13: Wellness Day / Breaking Down the Walls
Tuesday November 14: Wellness Day / Breaking Down the Walls
Wednesday November 15: Prospective Families Tour (Sign up to help)
Thursday November 16: 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Friendsgiving (8th Grade Families Only)
Friday November 17:
- Minimum Day
- Montera Social Club Pub Crawl
Monday November 20 - Friday November 25: Thanksgiving Break NO SCHOOL
Thursday, December 7: Round Table Pizza (Mountain Blvd) Fundraiser
Friday December 1:
- Last Day to Order See's Candies
- Winter Dance, 5pm - 7:30pm
Thursday December 7: Round Top Pizza Fundraiser
Friday December 8: Fall Sports Banquet
Tuesday December 12: 5:00 - 7:00pm Montera Art Show
Wednesday December 13:
- 1:30 - 2:30, Teacher Appreciation Lunch
- 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
- 8th Grade Families: RSVP for Friendsgiving
- 7th Grade Families Register and attend DC Trip Zoom Meeting
- Contribute to Montera Annual Fund 100% Participation Drive
- Contribute to 8th Grade Activities Fund
- Contribute to 8th Grade DC Trip Scholarship Fund
- Turn In Otis Spunkmeyer Orders
- Order from See's Candies
Fundraiser Roundup!
Items to Purchase:
- Otis Spunkmeyer:
- DATES: Now through November 9th.
- SUPPORTS: 8th Grade Activities Fund.
- DETAILS: Order online and use code SS8083 or collect CASH ONLY and return money and order forms in the envelope to the Montera Main Office no later than Thursday Nov 9th.
- See's Candies:
- DATES: Now through December 1st.
- SUPPORTS: 8th Grade DC Trip Scholarship Fund
- DETAILS: Order online using this link by Dec 1st.
Dine Out Opportunities:
- Round Table Pizza (Mountain Blvd)
- DATE: Thursday, December 7
- SUPPORTS: Montera PTO Annual Budget
Monetary Contribution:
- 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
Montera Annual Fund
We've reached 38% of our goal! Thank you for helping us raise $38,000 so far. Let's keep it up!
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.
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 (Nov 8 & Jan 10, 6-7pm)
- Montera Family Tour Registration
Five Tour Dates:
- Wed Nov 15, 9:30-11am
- Fri Dec 1, 9:30-11am
- 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
Don't Miss the Montera Pub Crawl!
Mark your calendars for the Annual Montera Pub Crawl (adults only)
DATE: Friday, November 17th
TIME: Meet at 7pm
LOCATION: Dokkaebier, 420 3rd St., in Jack London Square
The Montera Social Club (previously known as the Dads Club) invites you to its annual Pub Crawl -- a very social affair for two terrific causes: the Montera Music Program and the Montera Woodshop. The evening includes a stop at several pubs and a chance to "Meet the Brewer" with Mario Benjamin, head brewer of Hella Coastal Brewing.
We'll start the crawl at 7pm at Dokkaebier, 420 3rd St. Oakland.
Questions? Contact Paul Martin at r.paul.martinjr@gmail.com
Wellness Days and "Breaking Down the Walls" Workshops Are Coming!
Wellness and a sense of connection for our students is more important than ever. On November 13-14, Montera is having all-day Wellness Days. During these two days, students will have a special schedule and participate in a range of wellness activities and a "Breaking Down the Walls" workshop that is focused on connection and empathy among our students. Please have your child wear comfortable clothes and closed toe shoes as they will be sitting on the floor for some activities, walking on nature paths, and doing a range of other activities.
Parent volunteers needed for workshops. Contact: president@monterapto.com
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.
- FRIENDSGIVING 8th Grade Family Meet & Greet Potluck: Thursday November 16, 5-7pm outside MUR. RSVP AND SIGN UP HERE
- FUNDRAISER: 8th Grade ActivitIes Fundraiser: Otis Spunkmeyer (Orders Due Nov 9)
- DONATION: Recommended 8th Grade Activity Donation $100 per 8th grade student: Contribute Here
- QUESTIONS: Activities Questions? Contact Teena Bowie
8th Grade DC Trip
- DONATIONS: DC Scholarship Fund: DONATE TODAY
- FUNDRAISER: DC Scholarship Fundraiser: See's Candies (now - December 1)
- QUESTIONS: DC Trip Questions: Montera8thgradetrip@gmail.com
High School Info Nights
Skyline
- Prospective Family Information Night: Wednesday 11/8 (6:00-8:00 PM)
- Prospective Family Tours: 11/15, 11/16, 11/29, 11/30, 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 Toro Families - DC Interest Meeting
When: Wednesday, November 8th @ 6:30pm
Where: Zoom! To attend, you must register using this link: https://bit.ly/3Q557Ow
Questions? Email me: Montera8thgradetrip@gmail.com
Register to attend our meeting using this link. If you can’t make the meeting, but would still like to learn more, select: “No, but send more information” to stay informed.
Join our meeting about the 2025 8th grade class tour to Washington, D.C. and Williamsburg for your student. This is an amazing opportunity for your student to learn more about our country, gain new perspectives, get out of their comfort zone and build skills for the future. Join us for the chance to enroll and go over everything about the trip including:
- What we’ll see and do
- Travel logistics
- Safety and flexibility
- How to earn high school credit
- Affordable payment options and more
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Mr. Cooper
Shout out to our amazing Toro Athletes for an incredible Fall season!
Coed Flag Football is UNDEFEATED 9-0
- Girls Varsity Volleyball is UNDEFEATED 9-0
- Girls JV Volleyball is UNDEFEATED 8-0
- Sydney Lee and Girls Cross Country are UNDEFEATED this year!
- Boys Cross Country took second this last meet!
Playoffs start 11/11/23 - schedule will be posted once we get the brackets.
Other Sports News:
- Friday December 8: Fall Sports Banquet
- On Thursday, November 9th at 7pm all four Montera Girls Volleyball teams along with their families are invited to watch the Cal Bears Volleyball take on the Oregon State Beavers at Haas Pavilion on the UC Berkeley campus.
Winter Sports
Montera winter sports are approaching. Montera fields a basketball team for boys and girls and the same applies for soccer. Please follow the eBulletin, the school's website, ParentSquare and your email for updates. Click this link if your student is interested in playing basketball or soccer this winter: Montera 2023-24 Sports Interest Registration
JV BOYS BASKETBALL TYROUTS (6th & 7th):
- Monday Nov 6, 3:45 - 5:00pm
- Wednesday Nov 8, 2:00 - 4:00pm
Come out and cheer on our Toro Athletes: OUSD MIDDLE SCHOOL GAME SCHEDULE
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.
Ms. Quinn Ranahan (she/her)
Position: 6th and 7th grade math teacher
What do the students call you?
Ms. Ranahan
What do you like best about the Montera Community?
I love how there are so many places for students to find community.
What is one memory you have from when YOU were in middle school?
One of my favorite memories from middle school was about how my science teachers made
school exciting and fun!
What is something you do for fun outside of school?
I love to go to concerts and see movies. I spend a lot of time with my friends and family. I love to
run and go on long walks on the beach. I spend my time water coloring and drawing.
What are you looking forward to this school year?
I am looking forward to hosting crochet and knitting club with 6th graders!
Interview conducted by parent volunteer, Grace Telcs. Learn more about our Administrators, Teachers, and Staff HERE.
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 Parent Wellness Classes: Starting Nov. 8
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.
OUSD Family Info Night: Math Acceleration Options for High School Students
On Tuesday, November 14 OUSD will host a Family Info Night from 5:00-5:45pm to explore math acceleration options for high school students. While we hope to see many 8th grade families, this info night is open to families of students of all ages. During our info night, we will:
- explore math course options at each grade level in high school
- learn about the various math acceleration options that are offered at each high school
- hear from our students and teachers their experiences with different Algebra 1 course options
- collect questions from our community
To begin the conversation, please submit any questions that you have in this google form. We will share the zoom link with you the day before the info night.
Thank you,
Courtney Ortega, Secondary Math Coordinator for Middle Schools
Keely Machmer-Wessels, Secondary Math Coordinator for High Schools
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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/