A big thank you to Johanna Kraus for representing Meadows at this year's PTA Sacramento Safari. Ten parents from Manhattan Beach went to Sacramento to take part in the CA PTA 33rd District annual Legislative Conference. They spent three days in sessions with education consultants, legislators and staffers in Sacramento. The group learned a lot about the current budget crisis and how it will impact our schools. For a first hand account of what they learned, check out this great write up by Jeanne Fratello, one of the other Manhattan Beach participants: http://southbaysparkle.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/californias-budget-and-k12-schools/

Kinder parents you are in luck! We are going to have a Wednesday SCRIP table outside the Meadows office on Wednesday from 10 am to 11:30 am. All Meadows families are welcome, but we particularly hope to see the Kinder parents stop by. Bring your checkbooks and find out how using SCRIP can provide much needed funds for Meadows at NO COST TO YOU! (Really, can you believe it?!). Friday SCRIP table will be open as usual from 2 - 3 pm outside the cafeteria. This is the last week to get SCRIP for Spring Break, Easter, etc. so please stop by! Cash, checks & most charge cards accepted. Questions? Contact Carol (cgerken@mail.com). Happy Shopping!

Forms Due Friday! 

Turn your Mixedbag Fundraiser Form into the Meadows Office by this Friday, March 30, 2012 or Visit Ice Cream Fridays this Friday, March 30^th to view samples of the bags and drop your order form off to Karen Brenneman. Any questions, contact Karen Brenneman @ kdbrenneman@gmail.com 

Put on your competitive hats, because it's GAME ON time!  E-mail confirmations of your ticket orders, with game truck time assignments, went out on Monday, March 26th. If you did not receive an email on Monday, please email Jada Hong (jadahong@hotmail.com) ASAP. Please make sure you check your junk mail box as mass emails can get shunted there. If you are interested in volunteering at this event, please contact Deb Doyle (cdaz@verizon.net). See you all on Friday!!  

Cub Scout Pack 275 has placed collection boxes by the cafeteria, back gate and office.  Please bring in and/or drop off your empty water bottles through April 30^th!  All proceeds will be donated to Meadows.  Mother/Son Game Night attendees: Bring a water bottle to recycle on Friday night (March 30^th) and get an extra raffle ticket entry for the fun door prizes that will be given away!!

Earth Month is Next Month! 

Check out all we are doing for Earth month on the back of the Go Green Challenge Contest form in your Tuesday envelope. Challenge yourself and your kids to make a difference.  When we all do something, the impact is huge.

Go Green Challenge Contest

Nike Reuse-a-Shoe (http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/)

Water Bottle collection

Trash Free Lunch - all month!

Take a walk to school on Walk to School Wednesdays

Terracycle Classroom Challenge

Go Green Lunch Box sales during Earth Week 

CA State PTA believes it is vital that there is a measure on the ballot this November that meets the critical needs of children and provides funding directly to every school. By April 10th, State PTA needs 100,000 signatures to apply for inclusion on the November ballot.  More information is at www.ourchildrenourfuture2012.com.

The Richstone Pier-to-Pier Walkathon is on Saturday, April 28th at the Manhattan Beach Pier.Join us with your friends, family, and neighbors for a nice EASY and FUNwalk from the Manhattan Beach Pier to the Hermosa Beach Pier and back. Richstone is the largest community event that helps to raise the vital funds needed to continue our mission of treating and preventing child abuse, strengthening families and preventing violence in schools and communities. For registration and more information, please visit  www.RichstoneWalk.org. Registration forms will also be available at the Meadows office. The Meadows community will plan to meet at 8am at MB Pier the morning of the event. Questions, please email Suyen Pell @  suyen.pell@yahoo.com.

Planning for Summer Camps? Tired of your kids losing their things? In case you missed us at Camp Expo, Meadows is fundraising with Mabel's Labels. Iron-Ons, Stickies, Bag Tags, Allergy Alert labels & more! Personalize your labels with names, nicknames, initials - whatever you choose. Dishwasher, microwave, laundry & kid tested! Visit http://www.meadows.mabelslabels.com to place your order while helping our school!

The Manhattan Village mall has some fun things planned this month! Also, from now until April 30th, if you buy any gift certificate from the concierge, Meadows will receive triple points on every gift certificate purchased. Lastly, a reminder that April 30 is the last day to turn in receipts from any store in the shopping center. Please place your receipts in the box for Shopping for Students in the office.

We are looking for some soccer playing PARENTS to represent Meadows in this annual fundraiser tournament. Proceeds will benefit the Manhattan Beach Athletic Foundation (MBAF) which funds facilities, programs, and equipment that benefit our children in the Manhattan Beach School District. Meadows will battle teams from the other MBUSD schools on May 12 at Mira Costa's Waller Stadium. We'll begin practicing in April so please let us know if you would like to join Team Meadows ASAP! Please contact Mark Maruyama ( mark.maruyama@gmail.com) if you are interested in playing or sponsoring. For more info visit http://www.mbathleticfoundation.org/goodrich.html

The Manhattan Beach Centennial is coming and the committee is looking for some volunteers! Beginning Wednesday, they are looking for volunteers who are interested in working 4-8 hour shifts, M-F. These positions are purely administrative. Casual attire, making phone calls, writing letters, mailing letters, sourcing things for the events, etc. There are some really terrific events coming up - and it's going to be great fun planning it all! Interested? Contact Annie Walker at (310) 866-6362.