September is in full swing and hopefully everyone has adjusted to being back to school! Below are a few noteworthy events coming up in the next week. You can also see the school calendar at www.micheltorena.org/calendar for other happenings and goings-on.
September 27 Tuesday, 4pm: Friends of Micheltorena meeting, Conference Room
The Friends of Micheltorena is a booster group comprised of parents, teachers and community members. This is the first FOM meeting of the year, and is open to everyone! FOM’s committees include the Micheltorena School and Community Garden and the School Beautification Committee, which has spearheaded recent mural painting efforts, among others.
At this meeting, Tom and Jackie of Blue Palm Art Culture Education, a Silver Lake-based nonprofit arts education group, will speak about their partnership with Principal Furfari and Micheltorena to create a sustainable, comprehensive school-wide arts program at the school. We will also discuss upcoming Garden and Beautification plans and projects at the meeting.
September 27, 5 pm – 7:30: Back to School Night
After the FOM meeting, head over the auditorium to hear Principal Furfari speak about the upcoming year. Afterwards, head over to your child’s classroom for a discussion of activities with the teachers. Afterwards, the In and Out burger truck will be in the central courtyard to provide well-earned sustenance. Hurry, tickets must be purchased in advance! Tickets are $4 which gets you a hamburger or cheeseburger, chips and a drink. Last day to buy tickets is Thursday, September 23. Buy tickets from the office, or from Peter Valverde, Community Rep, before school.
The PTA and School and Community Garden will have tables at Back to School night. Learn about upcoming PTA events, become a member of the PTA ($7 per member) and pick-up a Micheltorena t-shirt! T-shirts are $10 for children sizes, $12 for adult sizes.
Members of the Garden will be at their table talking about our Wednesday classdays in the garden as well as upcoming Fall garden activities. Garden docent Leonardo Chalupowicz will be giving tours down at the garden and can answer all of your questions about our new solar panel, drip irrigation system, and composting set-up!
September 30, Friday, 8:15 AM and 2:40p: School committee elections There are two meetings on this date for persons interested in being on a school committee: 8:15 AM is voting, and 2:40p is the follow-up administrative meeting.
One of the best ways to get involved at the school is by serving as an elected member on a school/parent committee. Read more about our committees in the school handbook, or by visiting www.micheltorena.org/committees By serving on a parent committee, you will learn about how the State, District, and our school supports your child in their education. Most importantly, you will have a say as to how our funds our spent to support student safety and learning.
Of note, membership is open to everyone who lives in the local community, including potential parents and other stakeholders; you just need to show up on this date and present a California drivers license with your Silver Lake address. To be a voting member of these committees you MUST be at the elections on this date! Meetings are held monthly; see www.micheltorena.org/calendar for dates and times.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST!
Please mark your calendars for Micheltorena’s first annual Great Pumpkin Festival, to be held on Saturday, October 29, from 11a – 5pm at the school. This event is sponsored by the PTA and all proceeds will go towards supporting field trips and after-school classes. The festival will be open to the public and feature food, games, music, crafts, a raffle, workshops in the garden, pumpkin carving, kid costume contest, and a haunted house! Tickets are $1, kids 2 and under are free. We are in the midst of furious planning for the event, and have lots of opportunities for volunteering in all areas. Please contact PTA co-presidents Sara Healey at sara.sterkel@gmail.com or Rebecca Crane at r.h.crane@gmail.com to inquire.