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Montecito Union Monitor
March 9, 2015
MONTECITO UNION MONITOR
PTA NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2015
Looking Ahead…
March
3/12
Food Drive 8-8:45am
Bd. of Trustees Facilities Mtg. 8:45am
3/13
Enchanted Evening Dance 6-8pm
3/16-3/20
Parent-Teacher Conferences
K - 1pm, 1-3 - 1:15pm, 4-6 - 1:30pm
3/16
K Welcome Night 6-8pm
3/17
Bd. of Trustees Meeting 3:30pm
3/19
Counselor Chat 8:40- 9:40am Rm. 8
3/20
World Water Day
3/23
Environmental Ed. Presentations
3/25
Band/Chorus Assemblies
Books for Bedtime K-3 6-7:30pm
3/30-4/3
Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
April
4/1-4/3
Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
4/6-4/29
Used Book/Media Drive
4/7-4/10
Wolf Camp (6th grade)
4/7
Colonial Trip Info Session (Current 4th
Parents) 6:30pm
4/9
Food Drive 8-8:45am
PTA Meeting Rm. 8, 8:40-10am
4/10
Walk n’Roll 7:45-8:15am
4/14
Spring Music Festival 7pm
4/16
Earth Day Lunch Activities
Earth Day Movie night 6pm
4/17
MUS Chorus to Disneyland
4/21
Bd. of Trustees Meeting 4pm
4/24
4/5th Spring Sing 11am
Montecito Union Monitor
Montecito Union School PTA
A Legacy PTA est. 1924
A Letter from the President…
The PTA ended the month of February with the absolutely
amazing “Viva Las Vegas” gala at the Coral Casino. The event
was sold out and it certainly was a night to remember! The
entertainment was fabulous—Elvis was there along with a stilt
walker, a DJ and a casino complete with dealers. Our silent and
live auction, raffles and paddle raise also made for a very
successful fundraiser. Thanks to everyone who attended and
made donations. The funds raised from this event directly
support the PTA’s programs and other enrichment activities at
MUS. Our hats off to the incredible gala committee led by our
wonderful co-chairs Mark and Mary Kirkhart. THANK
YOU! For a detailed event recap and a list of the people who
helped make this event possible, check out the April issue of the
MUM.
Spanish Cultural Day A big thanks to our Spanish
department and many parents for making our cultural
celebration of Spain a success! Students were able to enjoy
food and activities during lunch on Tuesday and upper grade
students shared in an assembly in the afternoon, witnessing
some traditional Flamenco dancing and learning more about
Spain. The 5th annual Enchanted Evening will take place in the
auditorium on Friday, March 13th from 6-8pm. This is a fun night
for girls to attend a dance with their fathers, grandfathers or
fatherly mentors. The suggested donation is $25 per person and
cotillion-style attire is encouraged. There will be a DJ, photo
booth and treats for all who attend. This is an event you will not
want to miss! If you have any questions, please contact our
event co-chairs Bryan de Ponce [email protected] or
Jeremy Schweitzer at [email protected].
The Books for Bedtime event will be held on March 25th with
author Lee Wardlaw, who will be reading her newest book for
young readers, Won Ton and Chopstick. This book is the
companion title to her award-winning picture book Won Ton- A
LETTER page 2
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March 9, 2015
LETTER (continued from page 1)
Cat Tale Told in Haiku. She will bring some of her books to sell and will do a book signing. Each student
who attends will go home with a free autographed bookmark and other goodies. So be sure to mark your
calendars.
On Monday, March 23rd, an Environmental Education Presentation will take place in the morning
through lunchtime. This year’s focus will be on health and wellness. STAR Science will be here once again
to lead the activities and do both a hands-on classroom activity and an assembly that teaches students how
healthy bodies and healthy planets are inter-connected.
Best Wishes,
Dagny Dehlsen
2014-2015 MUS PTA President
Mom to Karleigh (6th grader in Mr. Morgan’s class) and Beck (9th grader at SBHS)
MUS Annual Carnival Poster Contest
Students, it’s time to put on those creative thinking caps and enter the 2015 MUS
Carnival Poster Contest! This year’s theme is “Old Fashioned Carnival”. All Poster
Contest entries are due into the office by Friday, March 13th. All entries must
include the following text: “2015 MUS Carnival” and the date of the carnival
“May 2, 2015”. Entries should be drawn on 8 ½ x 11 white paper landscape
style (that is, turned so that it is wider rather than taller). Forms were sent
home in your February 27th Friday folders. No computer graphics will be
allowed this year. Remember, vibrant colors and crisp outlines make for the
most beautiful posters! The winner will receive a free carnival wristband for
unlimited rides at this year’s carnival. Grade-level winners will also be recognized. All entries will
be on display in the main hallway near the front office prior to carnival. Please contact Kristin
McWilliams at [email protected] with any questions.
WELCOME!
The PTA would like to
extend a Mustang
Welcome to a new
student!
James Tosh- K
Mrs. McMahon
Thank you
Mark and Mary Kirkhart for a fantastic
Gala! More thanks and a detailed event
recap will be in the April MUM!
MUM Submissions and photos should be sent to Kathleen
Kanerviko at [email protected]
See the website for more information!
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March 9, 2015
April 16th 2015
Movie starts @ 6pm
• Dinner for purchase
starting at 4:30 from
California Wood Fired
Pizza
• Free Popcorn
• Environmental
Themed Crafts and
Activities
!
Books for Bedtime
March 25 6-7:30pm
Please join author Lee Wardlaw on March 25 in the MUS Auditorium as she shares her book, Won
Ton and Chopstick with K-3 students and families.
This is a fun evening event targeted mainly for K-3 students, but all are invited. Students can wear
their pajamas and bring a pillow and favorite stuffed animal if they’d like.
Won Ton and Chopstick is the companion title to Ms. Wardlaw's award-winning picture book Won TonA Cat Tale Told in Haiku. The students will hear Ms. Wardlaw read from her own books, and will have
the opportunity to ask her questions about what it's like to be a children's book author. A bed time
snack will be served. Ms. Wardlaw will be signing and selling books after the reading. We hope you'll
bring your pillow and come get comfy! There's nothing like a good book before bedtime!
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March 9, 2015
Safety News
New Safety Procedures
Time has proven that traditional fire drills are nearly obsolete. Our local fire department shared that a
student hasn't been injured in a school fire in nearly 100 years. Unfortunately, most real dangers to students
in schools come from the outside. For this reason, local officials are supporting new procedures. Now, the
traditional fire alarm means to take shelter and await further instructions, rather than quickly exit outside.
Obviously, if a class smelled smoke they would exit right away, but this school-wide alarm becomes a much
more powerful tool to warn students to get inside when danger is near.
We did our first safety drill using this new routine in February. It was a successful start but it will take time
for MUS to perfect this new system. We are certain that this is the correct course of action and are
committed to keeping up with current safety practices. We will continue to vary our monthly practice drills
which provide us valuable information to use for constant improvement.
All are welcome at our Safety Committee meetings. Our next meeting is on Friday, March 20th, 8:45 a.m., in
the MUS staff lounge. Hope to see you there!
-Monica Hammonds, Dean of Students [email protected]
GREEN NEWS
Montecito Union Earns Bronze Medal from the State of California
Please visit this link for a News Release from the California Department of Education:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr15/yr15rel13.asp
On February 20, 2015, MUS was selected as a Bronze Medal honoree in California’s Green
Ribbon School recognition ceremony. Our PTA’s Green VP, Heidi Winston, accepted the award on behalf
of the school at El Monte High School in Los Angeles. This is a HUGE accomplishment and the result of
almost 6 years of efforts at MUS, under the leadership of Superintendent Murphy, to promote
environmental sustainability at our school.
The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (GRS) program recognizes schools and districts
from all 50 states that demonstrate exemplary achievement in three "pillars:" Pillar I: reduce
environmental impact and costs; Pillar II: improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff;
and Pillar III: provide effective environmental and sustainability literacy, incorporating science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics education (STEM), civic skills, and green career pathways.
The California Green Ribbon Schools recognition award uses the applications submitted for nomination to
the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools program to recognize schools and school
districts across the state for environmental excellence.
GRS exercise a comprehensive approach to creating “green” environments through reducing environmental
impact, promoting health, and ensuring a high-quality environmental and outdoor education to prepare
students with the 21st century skills and concepts needed in the global economy. California State
Superintendent Tom Torlakson selected California's nominees for the honor based on a competitive
application reviewed by the California Department of Education, along with state and federal agency
partners.
GREEN NEWS page 5
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GREEN NEWS (continued from page 4)
This was MUS’ first attempt at GRS recognition and it is a wonderful achievement to have placed at the
Bronze level; we were only points shy of Silver and we look forward to submitting an even stronger
application for next year.
According the Dept. of Education, GRS awards are part of the larger effort to “identify and disseminate
knowledge about practices that are proven to result in improved student engagement, higher academic
achievement and graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government wide goal of
increasing energy independence and economic security.”
MUS is well on its way for more recognition as we continue with our green efforts!
For more information or to become involved, please contact Heidi Winston at [email protected].
Your Choices Have an Impact: In the spirit of Earth Day, Leave No Trace
Do you have big plans for Spring Break or your Summer Vacation? Have you thought about the impact
that you have on the places that you visit? The Responsible Traveler always recognizes his/her power.
AAA’s Smart Traveler offers great ideas for Environmentally Responsible travel.
According to the report, “Travel has surpassed heavy industry to become the world’s largest business.” For
this reason it is important to attach “green” consciousness to travel too.
An obvious way to tackle environmentally conscious travel is to always remember a Mustang goal, leave no
trace, which is easy to do when your family considers packing it in and packing it out.
Have a wonderful Spring Break and we look forward to seeing you at the annual MUS Earth Day Family
Movie Night on April 16th. (See accompanying article for more information. )
Walk N’ Roll continues to stroll through Montecito neighborhoods
Have you joined in on the fun? What a great way to start your day!
Meet at either Via Vai parking lot, Casa Dorinda or the corner of Sinaloa/San Ysidro at
7:45am (departing at 8am) and Walk’nRoll. Coffee will be served. Bring your own cup to
keep it green! Contact Becca Pelto at [email protected] with any questions or
to volunteer.
Join us on 4/10 for another awesome Walk’nRoll!
Foodbank News
Foodbank
of Santa
Barbara
County
68 MUS families helped spread some love to Santa
Barbara’s hunger insecure this Valentine’s Day by donating
397 pounds of food to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara.
MUS is such a giving school!
The next Food Drive will be on March 12. Food Drive
volunteers will be in the parking lots the morning of the
drives to help collect your donations.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!
Contact Michelle Kelly at [email protected] to help out!
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March 9, 2015
Unsung Heroes of MUS
Competent. Gentle. Fair. Patient. Organized. Kind.
These are just a few of the words MUS community members use to describe
Debbie Herrera. No wonder she is respected and loved by all that know her –
staff members and MUS families alike!
Whether she is comforting a child whose parent is late for pick up, scrambling
to find staff to cover classrooms on a rainy day, or keeping a watchful eye on
students at recess, Debbie always has a way of making people feel safe and
reassured.
MUS parent Sandy Toye explains, "Not only does Debbie tirelessly ensure our
kids' safety but she does so with so much love and care. She talks to them and
makes them feel comfortable and happy, even when mom is running a little behind."
Debbie has worked at MUS for 23 years, first as an instructional aide in the classroom and in the library, and
now currently assists Pam Herzog with the chorus program. She also has the big job of scheduling yard duty
coverage on the playground and supporting the instructional aides that supervise the children. Of course
Debbie is also out on the playground, providing the sensible and gentle guidance to the children that we all
appreciate.
In the words of second grader Juliana Aviani, “Mrs. Herrera is understanding. She knows about good
sportsmanship. Like in prisoner ball, she always helps when people are arguing and asks, 'how could we
make this be fair?”
For Debbie, yard duty is more than providing supervision. It is a chance to encourage and observe children
at play. She shares a quote by parenting and children's author L.R. Knost that emphasizes the importance of
play, “For a child, it is in the simplicity of play that the complexity of life is sorted, like puzzle pieces joined
together to make sense of the world.”
Debbie has two talented sons and a husband Dan – all of whom are involved in music and make her very
proud. One son lives and works in New York City and the other in Santa Fe, New Mexico – both places she
enjoys visiting. She shares her home with two golden retrievers Teeka and Django and a finch named Paddy
who fills her house with song. One of her favorite past times is walking on the Carpinteria Bluffs.
Happiest in nurturing roles, Debbie has previously led Weight Watcher groups and advocated for the elderly
as an Ombudsman. She is currently involved in supporting families through NAMI (National Alliance for
Mental Illness), acting as an educator and advocate in the community.
When asked about Debbie's contributions, Chief Academic Officer, Nick Bruski sums it up best. “Debbie
consistently goes above and beyond to make students feel valued and known on the Yard,“ he says. “She does
everything she can to ensure kids feel safe and included on a daily basis. She knows who is friends with
whom, where the hot points are, and how to nurture relationships and help students thrive.”
Thank you, Debbie for all you have done for our kids and our school all these years! You are loved, admired
and so appreciated!
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March 9, 2015
Mustang Money at Work
We donate money and volunteer hours as PTA members. The PTA Executive Board is forever grateful for
all support. Without the funds raised through our various fundraisers and the endless hours donated by our
dedicated PTA members, so many wonderful enrichment programs would
not be possible. Thank you! Our children thank you as well!
Poet in Residence
The Second Grade worked hard in February with Lois Klein, Poet in
Residence, as she worked each week with students on poetry, writing and
presentation strategies. The program’s mission is to empower K-12 students
in California to grow their creativity and intellectual curiosity in a
multicultural world through the poetry-writing process.
Drumming
Sowah Mensah, master drummer from Ghana, returned this
winter for his annual residency at MUS. Sowah worked
with the fourth, fifth and sixth grade students, culminating
the two-week residency with a performance. He also spent
some time with the K-3 students, introducing them to
African cultures, traditions, and the breadth and complexity
of African drumming.
Spanish Cultural Day
We had a wonderful turnout on February 24th to our 7th Annual Spanish Cultural
Event highlighting the country of Spain. At lunch, students enjoyed tasting many
of the traditional foods such as paella, tortilla española, manchego con membrillo,
aceitunas, sangria, and more! Students also had the chance to decorate fans and crowns
while practicing their Spanish and learning about the kings and queens of Spain. In the
afternoon, Linda Vega's Flamenco dancers came to preform many of the traditional dances. The dancers
included the Spirit of Fiesta, Talia Ortega Vestal, Sofia Chicote, and our own talented, Athena BowGraham. This event would not have been possible without the help of Cristina
Evans, Kristina McKean, Dagny Dehlsen,
Ceci McClintock, Mabel Romero, and
Alise Kubecki who helped cook, prepare,
and serve the food. We would like to
extend a very special thanks to Lucia Engel
for organizing the event and to PTA for
making this annual event possible.
¡Gracias!
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Hear ye, Hear ye, 4th Grade Parents!
Essential Meeting
The Montecito Union Colonial Study Trip
Mt. Vernon - Monticello - Jamestown - Williamsburg - Washington D.C. – Philadelphia
Mt. Vernon, VA
Your child’s turn is just around the corner…
What is the Colonial Study Trip?
The Colonial Study Trip is a Montecito Union institution that was begun more than twenty years
ago as a means to bring the American Colonial history that is the backbone of the fifth grade curriculum to
life. After studying Jamestown, the first permanent British settlement in North America in their textbooks
in Montecito, students are able to tour a re-creation of the original fort replete with costumed interpreters
and interactive hands-on experiences; scrape hides, help carve a dugout canoe, and stretch out on a bed of
furs inside the authentic Powhatan Indian village; climb aboard exact copies of the three ships that brought
the first colonists to Virginia where they can see for themselves what crossing an ocean on these ships was
really like; and observe up close and personal the art of glassblowing, 17th century style, on site of the
original Jamestown glass works; - all before lunch.
Yes, that is less than 1/2 of one day on this six day, five night trip to the East that has connected the
hearts and minds of more than 1500 MUS fifth graders to the rich stories of the founding of their country
and forged a treasure trove of memories that will last a lifetime.
Please come find out what the trip is all about. More information and answers to all your questions
will be given at a meeting for all Fourth Grade parents on:
Tuesday, April 7th at 6:30PM
MUS Auditorium
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I LOVE MUS!
Show some Mustang spirit with
I LOVE MUS
Clothing and Gear!
Contact Lucia Engel at [email protected]
Montecito Educational Foundation
Did you make your donation to the Pay It Forward Campaign through the Montecito Educational
Foundation (MEF) yet? These funds are used to maintain educational excellence by meeting the needs of
today, while embracing the challenges of tomorrow. The PTA and the Montecito Educational Foundation
work together to further enrich our children’s education at MUS. Any amount, LARGE or small helps
and they are hoping to get 100% participation. Use this link (http://bit.ly/1yWlxKc) to Pay it
Forward!
Did You Know?
o MEF & PTA donations make up 3% of the District’s supplemental funding.
o MEF & PTA donations contribute more to your child's cost of education than State & Federal
government funds combined.
o Last year's per pupil expenditure was $22,545. This year the budgeted amount is $23,600. The tax
auditor projects that approximately 14% of each parcel's tax goes to MUS. o The state of the art track & field was bought & installed by MEF funds.
o In the early 2000’s Enhanced Specialist Programs, including Music, Art, Spanish, Technology
were paid in part for by MEF.
o MEF funds provided the classroom presentation systems.
o MEF funds were used to renovate the front foyer to display artwork.
o MEF donations went toward the 5th & 6th grade building.
o The Kindergarten play yard was upgraded with MEF funds.
o The grand piano in the music room was purchased with MEF donations.
o K-2 all have iPads as learning tools because of MEF donations.
o 95% of our teachers have gone through the Harvard and Columbia programs due to
support of MEF funds. (We need to send the remaining 5% this summer with MEF funds)
o MEF pledged to reimburse the upgrade of 80 computers so students will be working on similar
computers.
o MEF would like to pay for the new kiln for the Art Department. Our old kiln could no longer
be repaired due to extinct parts.
o Your generous donations and matching corporate gifts have made MUS an extremely special place
for our children to grow and learn.
o Your continued & generous support keeps the tradition of paying it forward alive at MUS for the
benefit of your children and for those to follow.
Suzanne McCafferty
MEF President
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