[Ma-pta-enotes] eNotes 3-6-08

[ma-pta-enotes at listserv.seq.org]

*Upcoming Events*
Friday, March 7, Dance Show, 6:30PM, M-A Gym
Tuesday, March 11, Middle College Information Meeting, 7PM, M-A Library
Tuesday, March 25, STRESSED OUT STUDENTS: M-A SURVEY RESULTS at 7:00PM, M-A Library
Wednesday, April 2, OUR TEENS AND ALCOHOL: EXPERTS ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS at 7:00PM, M-A Library

*Announcements*

FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE: CHALLENGE GRANT SUCCESS!!
THANK YOU!! You did it!! We earned the $50,000 Challenge Grant, thanks to our many generous donors! By our deadline at the end of the day last Friday, over 50 more donors had donated than at this time last year. The word is getting out in a big way - - the excellent education we expect for our children isn't free.  Thank you all so much for responding to the call. And if you haven't had a chance to make a contribution, it's never too late, you can still donate on-line at http://www.m-afoundation.org/donate.php, or send a check to:  M-A FFF, P.O. Box 1228, Menlo Park, CA 94026. 

PTA PARENT EDUCATION SERIES â   TWO UPCOMING EVENTS

STRESSED-OUT STUDENTS: M-A SURVEY RESULTS
Tuesday, March 25 at 7:00PM, M-A Library. Renowned Stanford University lecturer and founder of the Stressed-Out Students project Denise Pope, Ph.D., will address Menlo-Atherton parents with results from the SOS survey. Her keynote presentation is part of the PTA Parent Education Series, a speaker series designed to help families learn ways to encourage the physical, emotional and academic success of our students. Space is limited! Please RSVP to Parent Ed Co-Chair Charlene Margot, cmargot at csmconsulting.net.

OUR TEENS AND ALCOHOL: EXPERTS ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS  
Wednesday, April 2 at 7:00PM, M-A Library.  Spring is in the air and our students will be celebrating the change in weather, the end of finals, graduation and, frankly, just about anything.  It is possible that alcohol may be available at some of their gatherings, whether big or small.  As parents, we want them to have fun, but stay safe and healthy. So what's a parent to do?

Caroll Fowler, MFT, and Chris Dunn, CADC, from The Sequoia Center, a Drug and Alcohol Treatment center  in Redwood City, will be our guests at the PTA Parent Education Series event on Wednesday, April 2 at 7 p.m. in the Menlo-Atherton library.  They will answer questions many of us have like: 
Many of us drank in high school and ended up just fine. Is teenage drinking really all that bad? What are the drinking patterns of teenagers in our community? Is there anything we can say or do to delay or prevent our teen from drinking? OK, so I know my teen drinks occasionally, but how do I know if he or she has a drinking problem? If my teen is in trouble - what do I do?  Please join us for an informative session and bring your questions for Caroll and Chris.

M-A ON EBAY!
The first ever ON-LINE fundraising auction, sponsored by the Foundation for the Future, is coming April 11th - 20th.  With the click of your mouse, you can win fabulous items, from luxurious vacation homes and popular sports event tickets, to priceless teacher-hosted events and gourmet dinners.  Best of all, you will be helping the students and staff of M-A with every bid!!  Watch your inbox for more info.  Contact Linda Fornaciari or Trish Gump at mafoundation at yahoo.com with questions.

AP TEST SIGN UP INFORMATION
Registration for the AP tests will be Wednesday, March 12, Thursday,
March 13 at lunch only, outside the library.  The cost per test is $86. Checks can be made payable to MAHS. If taking multiple tests, one check for all is acceptable.   Cash is also accepted.  Please write the
following information on the front of your check:
1. Student's first and last name
2. The exact name of the AP test(s) you are taking. (Be specific e.g. AP English is not enough, we need to know if it is AP English Lit or AP English Language). 
If you are unable to register at these times, you may have a friend or relative do so for you.  If you need financial assistance, please see Lorrie Orcutt in the front office prior to registering.

ATTENTION PARENTS!    A Foods and Nutrition class returns to M-A after a twenty year absence.  Your child will learn healthful eating through fun weekly food preparation labs.  Contact information:  Mona Klein, mklein at seq.org.

*Guidance & Career Center*

INTERNSHIPS IN NEW YORK AND BOSTON
On Monday, March 10, during the lunch period, a representative of Career Explorations will be in the Career Center to speak with interested students.  Career Explorations places students (ages 16-18) in internships in New York or Boston, where they can explore their career interests in a professional environment while living the city life with students from all over the world.  For more info, see www.ceinternships.com.  Students do not need to sign up in advance, and they are welcome to eat lunch in the Career Center.  Alice Kleeman.

MIDDLE COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at Menlo-Atherton High School Library
Thursday, March 13, 2008 at Woodside High School MUR
These meetings will include an overview of the program, a chance to talk to current students, and offer an opportunity to have your questions answered.
 
Placement Testing Dates: All testing is at Cañada College in building 9, room 110 (ground floor).  Saturday testing is on March 15th & 29th (choose one) from 8:00-11:00AM (no appointment necessary).  Tuesday, March 25th at 6:30PM (by appointment only), call 306-3452 to make an appointment.  Monday through Thursday: testing at 1:00PM (by appointment only), call 306-3452 to make an appointment.

Application Due: Tuesday, April 2, 2008.  Applications may be downloaded at www.canadacollege.edu/middlecollege, picked up in the high school guidance office and college career centers, or call our office at 650-306-3120. Return the completed application to the Middle College office at Cañada College in Building 13, Room 106. If we are not here, slide the application under the door. You may also fax applications to us at 650-306-3128.

Once students have completed placement tests and successfully applied, there is a registration meeting and interviews with the family.  Registration Meeting: Monday, April 21, 2008 in the theatre at Cañada College from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  Interviews/Scheduling of classes: April 28th through May 16, 2008.  Further information will be supplied for those wishing it.  For more information, contact us at 650-306-3120 or at www.canadacollege.edu/middlecollege.

*Clubs*

DANCE TEAM
The Dance Team Show is March 7th at 6:30pm in the new gym.  This highly acclaimed dance team promises another outstanding collection of dance performances that include hip-hop, jazz, lyrical and ballet. Coach Nona Ybarra has been instrumental in this team's development as well as winning competitive spirit. Tickets are on sale now through any dance team member.  Proceeds from this event help to underwrite scholarships, camps and competition expenses. Tickets are $5 for students and $8
adults, at the door the tickets are $10. Get your tickets now!

*Athletics*

BASKETBALL
The boys' varsity basketball team played its heart out  but went down to defeat in the first round of the NorCal championships against host Rocklin, 65-60.  Richard Branning scored 18, including a banked-in 30-foot shot over the 6' 10" defender in the waning seconds of the game.  Brendan McGrath scored 16 and Sam Knapp had 12.  The team ends their great season with a 21-11 record.  Congratulations to the boysâ   basketball team for a fabulous year and hard-fought games.  

GOLF
In a non-league match on March 4 at Burlingame Country Club, the Bears lost to Junipero Serra High School 209 to 203.  Leading scorers for the Bears were Nick Sako shooting 36 and Senior Peter Gruber 39 in the 9-hole match. 

BASEBALL
Thursday's Varsity Baseball Scrimmage with Summit Prep has been cancelled.  Eddie Johnson ripped a grand slam in Monday's Frosh Soph game against Carlmont.  Varsity and Frosh Soph both won.  The Varsity baseball team defeated Carlmont Monday 8-4 led by some great hitting with Casey Monroe going 2 for 2 with a home run, Matt Mosher going 2 for 4 with a 2-run homer, Kevin Viegas had three hits and a triple and Lee Bader had two hits and a double.  The first league games start this week.  Friday, Varsity plays Menlo here and the Frosh Soph team travels to Menlo.  All of the weekday games start at 3:15.  Saturday, Lowell comes to M-A to play two.  The Varsity game starts at noon and the Frosh Soph game starts at 3:00.  See you there!

Go Bears.   Grrrr.