TEXTBOOK DISTRIBUTION VOLUNTEER NEEDED- From August 19 to August 22, M-A students will pick up the textbooks they need from the library. The library staff counts on parent volunteers to help distribute textbooks as efficiently as possible. One more volunteer is needed. If you are available on Friday, August 22 to help distribute textbooks from 8:15 - 10:15 a.m., please sign up here. Your assistance is thoroughly appreciated!

This activity involves lifting heavy textbooks - please abstain if you have a temperamental back!  Contact Admin Support Chairs Catherine McMillan and Mary Zarucchi at bearsvolunteers@gmail.com if you have questions.

 FACEBOOK LAPTOPS - Did your student receive a donated laptop from Facebook? Is it broken (e.g., cracked screen, won't turn on, or missing charger)? Facebook will repair the computer or replace broken/missing chargers for free. For help, contact Sue Kayton at kayton@alum.mit.edu or 650-853-1711.

¿Recibió su hijo/a una computadora regalada de Facebook? ¿Está descompuesta o se perdieron el cargador? Facebook les arreglará la computadora gratis. Si necesita arreglos, llame a Susana Kayton 650-853-1711. 

 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CHALLENGE DAY 2014 - BE THE CHANGE! Join M-A on Monday, October 27; Tuesday, October 28; or Wednesday, October 29 for this memorable one-day workshop that promotes compassion, communication, and community building among the class of 2018. It's a great way for parents of all students, whether freshmen or upperclassmen, to get involved at M-A. This one-day commitment helps M-A students break down barriers and create new levels of empathy and respect. Come participate in one of the most meaningful volunteer opportunities of the year. Adult volunteers are critical to the program's success. Volunteer opportunities are:

• Small group facilitator: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• Registration: 8 - 9:15 a.m.
• Lunch: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

To volunteer, pick the role and the date that works best for you, and then email your preference (specify date) to Rachel Lokey and Lauren Calhoon at challengeday@mabearspta.org. Please put "Challenge Day Volunteer" in the subject line. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of M-A students!

 PSAT/SAT PREP- M-A's own PSAT/SAT prep class for juniors and seniors will start in mid-September to prepare for the PSAT in October. Sophomores will be accepted if space allows. Classes meet on campus from 3:30 - 5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays for five weeks, ending the week the PSAT is given. Our fee ranges from $100 to $225, depending on the number of students enrolled. Once a student takes a seat in the class, the parent or guardian is responsible for the fee. Please send questions/enrollment to Jane King at jccking@juno.com or 650-323-4066. This course offers 15 hours of instruction.

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 eSCRIP Needs all M-A Families - eSCRIP provides easy fundraising for the M-A PTA. In the past, as much as $30,000  per year has been raised! This money is donated by Safeway (and other local merchants) when you use your eSCRIP registered Safeway card and pay by debit or cash. There is no cost to our M-A families.

If you're already registered in eSCRIP, remember to "renew" every year at eScrip.com
by clicking "Yes Renew". For new families, go to escrip.com, click on "1-Sign Up" and enter your club card number. Be sure to select Menlo-Atherton or our group number 136550465 so that M-A benefits. Every time you shop makes a difference, and collectively, we make a big contribution. Don't let this free money get away!

 CURIOUS ABOUT THE ADMIN SUPPORT COMMITTEE? - The PTA's Admin Support Committee helps M-A's staff by recruiting parents when volunteers are needed in large numbers. A sampling of Admin Support events that use parent volunteers are: Arena Check-In, textbook distribution, schedule distribution, AP sign-ups, and AP test proctoring. Most shifts are two hours long. This committee is a great way to get involved and meet people if you are new to M-A. Add your name to the ranks by using this link. If you have questions, please email Admin Support Chairs Catherine McMillan or Mary Zarucchi at bearsvolunteers@gmail.com.

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Welcome All Freshman and New M-A Families!

The Foundation for the Future invites you to attend our annual

Freshman and New Parent Coffee

 Monday, August 18

 8 - 10 a.m.

 Outside the Guidance Office

If you have a freshman, drop off your student for Freshman Orientation, and then join fellow M-A parents for coffee. Principal Matthew Zito will speak about what to expect during the first weeks of school.

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M-A PARENT EDUCATION SERIES

"The Perseverance Process: Strategies for Strengthening Academic Motivation and Persistence"

Kent Pekel, Ed.D., President and CEO of Search Institute

Wednesday, September 17, 7 -9 p.m.

M-A Performing Arts Center

Recent and emerging research suggests that persistence or "perseverance" can improve students' academic motivation and increase performance. Many young people lack the motivation and capacity to complete challenging tasks and achieve goals both inside and outside of school. Fortunately, a growing body of research demonstrates that when schools, youth programs, and families act intentionally to influence motivation and persistence, it is possible to significantly increase both.

Join us for an informative, engaging presentation with Dr. Kent Pekel, CEO and President of Search Institute. To bridge the gap between research and practice, Search has created a new resource called the Perseverance Process to turn the research on motivation and persistence "into a set of explicit and actionable strategies."

Register here.

M-A Parent Education Series events are free and sponsored by the M-A PTA and the Sequoia Healthcare District. This event is made possible by generous funding from the Esther Ting Foundation.

For more information, contact Charlene Margot, Parent Education Series Program Director, at cmargot@csmconsulting.net or 650-868-0590.

SUHSD parents, students, faculty/staff, and community members welcome! Spanish interpretation will be available.

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• Email proofread submissions to BearNotes@mabearspta.org by Thursday midnight.
• Please keep submissions concise and include the organization name, event, date, time, location, and contact information, including website URL.
• All submissions are subject to editing by the PTA.
• For the PTA policy on BearNotes publication, please go to the M-A PTA website.
• M-A PTA does not endorse third-party events or submissions, nor take responsibility regarding the content of any third-party websites.

Go Bears. Grrrr!

Thank you from the BearNotes Staff: Cindy Butler, Dianne Child, Pam Fernandes, Sue Olson, Jenny Pont, Kelly Stewart, Bobbi Wood