[Ma-pta-enotes] eNotes for Tuesday, March 20

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HIGHLIGHTS OF WHATâ  S HAPPENING (READ eNotes FOR MORE INFO)


March 23: Frosh movie night in the J building from 7 to 10 p.m; deadline for returning summer book order forms to teachers; minimum day.

March 29: Grease begins its run

April 5: Open House

OUR ROBOTICS TEAM RACKS N ROLLS

Menlo-Athertonâ  s award-winning robotics team came within a few seconds of victory at the Silicon Valley Tournament last weekend.  Seeded eighth in a field of 48 robots when the final competition began on Saturday, the robot triumphed over a series of opponents in the quarterfinals and semi-finals, and won the first round of the championship final before succumbing to the opposition.   

M-Aâ  s team 766 was the only team among the 10 mid-peninsula competitors to reach the final round.   The team will be traveling to Davis next week for the Sacramento Regional Tournament.  For more information and photos of the robot, designed and built in only six weeks, see the M-A team website at www.marobotics.org

ESL1 TUTORS NEEDED

We need a few additional tutors each Thursday from noon to 1:40 for our ESL1 class, taught by Marei Kane. Tutors work with a pair of students to give them additional attention on assignments and to practice conversation. Contact Sally Fundakowski at salfun at comcast.net if you would like to help.

TUTORS NEEDED AT LA ENTRADA

We need tutors who can commit to approximately one hour per week, Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday from 2:40-3:40 in the La Entrada library.  You will be matched with a student in grade 4-8 who needs additional assistance with organization skills, reading/language arts, and/or math. For more information contact Renee Westerfield at 854-7866 or email renee at sbcglobal.net 

SCHEDULE CHANGES THIS WEEK

Because of the CAHSEE exam for sophomores, tomorrow, March 21, will be a 2,4,6 block day.  March 22 will be a regular 1-7 day.  

ENVISIONING OUR FUTURE

The Sequoia Union High School District invites the community to help create a new vision statement for the district.   There are still two sessions that you can attend to provide input.

Tonight from 6 to 8:15 p.m. in the district office at 480 James Street in Redwood City.  

March 24 from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. in East Palo Alto.  (You will receive information about the location when you RSVP).

If you would like to attend either session, you need to RSVP to Pat Gemma at pgemma at seq.org

SCHOOL ACCREDITING COMMISSIONERS VISIT

Next week, Friday, March 23 will be a minimum day in conjunction with a visit from WASC, the accrediting commission for schools (see http://www.acswasc.org/about_criteria.htm). The WASC evaluators will visit the campus from March 25-28. 

FRESHMAN PARENTS

Freshman movie night is scheduled for next Friday, March 23, from 7-10 in the J building.  The movie will be Anchorman, selected by the students as their top choice.  Admission is $3, with tickets sold only at the door.  Snacks, drinks, and fruit smoothies will be sold inside the event.  Students must remember to bring their IDs!

SUMMER IS ON THE WAY

Spring is here, which means it is time to order your studentsâ   summer reading books.  Your students should have received reading lists and order forms from their English teachers; you can also find the form in the March Trivocis or download it from www.mabears.org. Complete the forms and return them to teachers by Friday, March 23.   Students are required to read these books and will need them for assignments in English next year. For questions, please email Virginia Weiss at weissland at comcast.net

FIRST ANNUAL BAY AREA GAP YEAR FAIR

A gap year gives high school graduates an opportunity for personal growth, potentially leading to clearer direction and greater motivation for college or whatever path the student pursues.  The gap year may include travel, cultural immersion, directed study, service or conservation projects, internship opportunities, and more.  The conference will be held at Albany High School in Albany, on March 24 from noon to 3 p.m.  For more info, contact Carolie Sly at csly at dynamy.org

SAT PREP COURSE 

M-A's own SAT Prep is enrolling students for the session that begins March 26 and prepares students for the May or June SAT.   Classes meet on campus, Mondays from 3:30-5 p.m. for math and Tuesdays, same times, for English.  The course lasts five weeks and there is a nominal fee.  Email Jane King at jccking at juno.com to enroll your students or ask questions. 

HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU

Dress up in your favorite 50s costume and enjoy the fast pace and pulsating tunes of the musical Grease with stars Myles Rowland and Amanda Tachis.  This all-student production, directed by Jenni Brandon with assistance from Paolo Lopez and choreography by Sam Steele, will be staged in the J building.

The show will premiere on Thursday, March 29 at 7 p.m., with repeat performances on Friday, March 30 at 7 p.m, Saturday, March 31 at 7 p.m., and Thursday, April 5 at 4:30 p.m. (April 5 is Open House, so you can arrive at school early, get a terrific parking space, and watch a great show too.)  There will also be a special understudy matinee on Saturday, March 31 at 2 p.m.

Buy tickets ($8 regular; $5 understudy matinee) on campus during lunch on March 27, 28, and 29 on the Green or contact any cast member or email April Paye at apaye at seq.org.  Remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door.  Don't miss it!

JUNIOR PARENTS' GUIDANCE NIGHT WITH KAREN RAMIREZ 

The meeting, scheduled for Monday, April 23 from 7-8 p.m in the M-A library features a jam-packed 60 minute meeting about senior year at M-A.  Karen Ramirez, lead guidance counselor, will speak on school and district graduation completion requirements.  Hear about PTA-sponsored events such as the annual October Fashion Show and Grad Night celebration in June. This meeting gives you an overview of the year to come: donâ  t miss it!  (Note that this is not a college planning night.) Please RSVP to PTA Junior Parents' Night co-chairs Charlene Margot at charlenemargot at yahoo.com or Stacia Weisenfluh at sweisenfluh at covad.net.

JUNIOR/SENIOR PROMâ |

â |will be here before you know it.  This yearâ  s prom is scheduled for Friday, May 11 at the San Francisco Regency Center at 1300 Van Ness Avenue from 8 pm to midnight. Guest passes will be available April 1.  For more info, contact Jenna Carson at jcarson at seq.org.

WANTED:  OLD COMPUTERS FOR NEEDY STUDENTS

Do you or your business have an old computer that you do not need any more?  We will securely erase all the data, refurbish it, and send it home with a deserving M-A student who has no access +to a computer at home.  Help clear out your garage and bridge the digital divide!  Contact Sue Kayton, kayton at alum.mit.edu, 650-853-1711.

SPORTS

FORE! 

The 3rd Annual M-A Bears Golf Classic is scheduled for Saturday, April 28 at Coyote Creek Golf Club in San Jose.  All golfers at any level are welcome to participate, enjoy a day of fun, and support the Menlo-Atherton Boys Golf Teams.  Contact tournament director Norm Hall at putt4doe at gmail.com for more info. 

FOOTBALL PARENTS

If your son is playing football next fall, you must attend a meeting on Thursday, March 22 at 7 p.m. in the J Building. Coach Bob Sykes will talk about what is in store for the new season. Please contact Jennifer Disibio at jjdisibio at sbcglobal.net or Susan Mohr at smdmohr at aol.com if you have any questions.

SWIM

Come cheer on all four M-A teams at their first of only three home quad meets this Thursday, March 22 at 3 p.m. as the Aquabears take on the Burlingame Panthers at sparkling Spieker pool.   All four teams were victorious over Half Moon Bay last week, and our varsity boys hope to extend their winning streak to three after beating the Sacred Heart Gators the previous week.  Admission is free!

GOLF

The varsity team was once again victorious in their match over defending PAL champs Carlmont, defeating them at Crystal Springs Golf Course on last Thursday by a team score of 195 to 206.  Our senior Bears finished strong, with Elliot Hume shooting a 35 and Jamie Walsh posting a 37, followed by sophomore Nick Sako with a 39.  Our undefeated Bears are now 3-0 in PAL and face Sequoia next Thursday.

TENNIS

After a tough loss to top ranked Menlo last week, team got back on track Friday, as they took on Woodside at Woodside, shutting them out 7-0.  With the taming of the 'Cats, the Bears upped their record to 5-2.  

Perennial contender Mills is next up for M-A as they travel to Millbrae today for their final game on the road. The rest of the season's matches will be held at M-A's upgraded tennis facility.  

LACROSSE

The girlsâ   varsity team continued its winning ways defeating Castilleja 7-5 last Friday at Coach Parks Field.  The girls upped their record to 4-1 (2-0 in league play) while handing Castilleja their first loss of the season.  Seniors Tenley Breen brought in 4 points (1 goal and 3 assists) and Kayla Ushman 3 points (2 goals and 1 assist).  Senior Katie Fanelli added 2 goals while senior Mackenzie Rodgers and sophomore Adrian Holland each added 1 goal.

Girlsâ   JV stays undefeated at 5-0 with an 11-1 win over Castilleja!  The high scorers were Alex Fanelli & Chloe Peters, and Taylor Wentz with 2 each.  Kendall Eder, Elise Rudolph, Eileen Johnson, Janika Lintz, and Caroline Stroud each scoring one


The boysâ   varsity lacrosse team beat Serra 7-2 on Monday afternoon.  Scoring for the bears was Will Hyrne with 2 goals, and David Merrill, Kevin Flaherty, Danny Serrano, David McLaughlin and Alex Johnson with a goal each. Assists were from Alex Johnson, David McLaughlin and Charlie Fitz.  Goalie Scott Sterling with 4 saves and Bo Dunnahoo-Kirsch had 6 saves. The Bears take on Sacred Heart on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at M-A.

Earlier in the week, the boysâ   varsity defeated Menlo for the first time ever by a whopping 8-3.  Leading scorer Will Hyrne netted 4 goals, while Daniel Serrano, Nick Peters, David McLaughlin and Kendall Stacey each made a goal.  Assisting with goals were David Merrill, Will Hyrne and Sergio Zamora.   Bo Dunnahoo-Kirsch had 19 saves as goalie.

GO BEARS

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