[Ma-pta-enotes] eNotes 3-31-08

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

*Upcoming Events*
Wednesday, April 2, OUR TEENS AND ALCOHOL: EXPERTS ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS at 7:00PM, M-A Library
Friday, April 4, Rockinâ   80â  s Dance!
Thursday, April 10,  6:30PM, Open House
Friday, April 11,  Minimum Day
Monday April 14 - Tuesday April 29 - STAR testing; avoid making any medical or other appointments during school hours. 
April 11 through April 20, M-A ON EBAY.  Look for exciting opportunities.
Monday, April 21, 2008, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, at the M-A Library, JUNIOR PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

*Announcements*

PTA MEETING
Please join us at our next PTA Meeting on Wednesday, April 2nd, 8:30AM- room F-15!  The Nominating Committee will hope to present the complete 2008-2009 PTA Executive Board for your approval and vote.  We will get an update on Senior Grad Night, and hear from an interested parent, Ignacio Amaral, who will present some ideas for better communication with our Hispanic population.  We would love to hear from you with any issues, ideas, or concerns as well.  Thank you!

M-A PARENT EDUCATION SERIES, APRIL 2, 7PM M-A LIBRARY
Our Teens and Alcohol: Experts Answer your Questions
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. 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?  The PTA Parent Education event on Wednesday, April 2 at 7PM in the Menlo-Atherton library will feature a panel of experts to help us with this complex issue.  Our panelists will be Margaret Deanesly, MD, retired internist and founder of a support group for parents of addicts, Caroll Fowler, MFT, Director of the Family Program at The Sequoia Center, a drug and alcohol treatment and recovery center, and Chris Dunn, CADC, a program manager at the Sequoia Center.  They will be discussing questions like:  Many of us drank in high school and we're okay - is underage drinking really a problem?    I know my child drinks occasionally, how do I know if he or she has a problem?  I know my child has a problem; what do I do now?  Come hear our speakers discuss the answers to these and other questions.  Bring your questions too!

NEW M-A PTA WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING
Announcing the new M-A PTA website at www.mabearspta.org!  The goal is to make the site as user-friendly as possible and the first place parents go for information on the M-A PTA.  The site is a work-in-progress, so if you have any suggestions, comments or corrections on navigation and content, send them to the webmaster Debbie Verity at webmaster at mabearspta.org.  Check it out today!

ROCKINâ   80â  s DANCE
Join us for the Totally 80's Dance on Friday from 7-10PM in the Gym Quad!  Buy your tickets pre-sale outside B-21 for only $5.  You must have a current school ID and clear attendance to buy pre-sale AND to enter at the door.

PLEASE NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE VOLUNTEER!  DEADLINE April 11!!
NOTE CORRECTED WEBSITE ADDRESS
Please submit the name of a parent volunteer that you admire for a PTA Service or Community Service award!  M-A likes to honor individuals who have contributed in an extraordinary way.  We have an awards ceremony and luncheon in May where special volunteers are recognized.  Please look for the nomination form in the April Trivocis or on our PTA website - www.mabearspta.org.  We welcome your suggestions!  Any questions?  Julie Brody - julie at brodyfamily.net.

FORE!! 
The 4th Annual M-A Bears Golf Classic is scheduled for Sunday, April 27 at Coyote Creek Golf Club in San Jose, with a 9AM shotgun start.  All golfers (teachers, parents, students, friends) at any level are welcome to participate, enjoy a day of fun, and support the Menlo-Atherton Boys Golf Teams.  Contact M-A parent and tournament director Norm Hall at putt4doe at gmail.com for more info.

*Guidance/Career Center*

ADDITIONAL MIDDLE COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT
Middle College has added an additional information meeting on Thursday, April 10th from 7-8PM at the SUHSD board room.  We have also added a couple of testing dates and extended the application deadline.

SAT DEADLINE, APRIL 1
JUNIORS: The deadline to register for the May SAT is Tuesday, April 1.  Pick up registration materials in the Career Center or, even better, register online at www.collegeboard.com.

COMPUTER ACADEMY STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
ALL FRESHMEN interested in the Computer Academy:  It's NOT too late to apply! Come get an application outside of C4, fill it out, have your parents sign, and turn it in. We can't wait to meet you and know you'll love the small family feel of the Academy. Ask your World Studies teacher or your guidance advisor for details. There are also a few spots for current sophomores who will be juniors next year. Get those applications from C4 and we'll see you soon!

*Clubs*

ROBOTICS ACTION
At the beginning and end of Spring Break, M-A's Robotics team participated in two regional robotics competitions, in both cases having their well-designed robot make it in to the final elimination rounds.  At Silicon Valley, the robot was seeded 16th out of 48, and made it into the quarterfinal matches.  After some refinements and fine tuning, the robot went on to rank 6th out of 37 at Davis, only narrowly meeting defeat at the semifinal level.  At Davis, the team also received a Judgeâ  s Award for having a great balance of both technical expertise and team spirit.  Congratulations, "Team 766"!

*Athletics*

M-A TENNIS READIES FOR 2 ANNUAL BEARATHON
The M-A Boy's and Girl's Tennis Teams will take over the Stanford Varsity Courts and stadium for the 2nd Annual Bearathon Fundraiser.  Team members will pair up in every possible combination for a 6 hour tennis marathon to raise money for the final renovation phase of the M-A Tennis facility.  Spectators are welcome and watching everything from the "Battle of the Sexesâ   to "Mixed up Doublesâ   is great entertainment.  Hope to see you there! 

M-A TENNIS STRONG IN 3RD PLACE
After a tough loss to No. 2 Burlingame and a much needed Spring Break, the Bears bounced back with two non-league wins, trouncing Cupertino and Kehillah High School.  The Bearsâ   record stands at 8-5 and they are alone in 3rd place in the PAL.  The Bears begin their home stand for the remainder of the season when they take on No. 1 Menlo at 3:30PM on Tuesday.

BASEBALL
The varsity baseball team defeated Sacred Heart 2-0 on Friday.  Matt Mosher pitched a gem of a 7-inning, 1-hit game and Lee Bader hit a homer.

Go Bears.   Grrrr.