March 16 – PTA Meeting 7pm in the Ottertorium
Professional Organizer Nina Johnson will be speaking on how to get our kids (and ourselves) to be more organized and less "clutterized". As the mother of two elementary age children (boys 6 and 10), Nina knows first hand what the challenges are for our kids. Between toy over-run, scheduling issues, homework blues, super busy parents and more, both parents and kids are challenged with organizing issues. Nina will provide simple and realistic strategies to help you and your kids get your things in order and clear away the clutter that can weigh us down, stress us out and consume our time.

As usual, pizza, salad and beverages will be served and there will be free childcare and pizza for the kids (no kids in diapers please) in the AT building beginning at 6:45pm. Hope to see you on the 16th!
Please see the weekly email for information regarding PTA nominations.
Wendy Campbell

March 3-18th - ASE Class Registration Open for Spring Session
We are starting a "greener" registration process for Spring. You will still see a brief memo from Nancy Bloom in your Wednesday envelope, but flyers for all classes will now be posted online at the school website, starting March 3rd. The website address is:
http://www.montclairelementaryschool.org/community/programs. It is very important that you register during this period to continue offering a range of classes and to allow us to provide accurate information on enrollment to the school and afterschool programs. Please be advised that no late registrations will be accepted without a $25.00 LATE FEE payable to Montclair School, and no classes will pro-rate tuition for late admissions.
Scholarships are available for all classes. If your family does not have internet access, information can be obtained from the display boards outside of the school office, or from Dandriel Jones in the school office. Questions? Contact: Cheryl Silveira cherylbsilveira@yahoo.com. Thank you so much!

Gold Country Fundraising
Each year, the 5th Grade class takes a 3 day/2 night trip to the Gold Country, to discover California's history and explore nature.
To offset the cost of this trip, the class raises money throughout the school year. This year, we're raising money at the weekly Wednesday Otter Orchard, with weekly Farm Boxes and a Bay Area Cruise. To find out more go here.
http://montclairelementaryschool.org/funding/goldcountry
Laurie Halliday, lauriehalliday@sbcglobal.net

Oakland A's Tickets!!!
It's that time of year again! Spring training is getting underway, and soon it will be time to head to the Coliseum and Root, Root, Root for the A's. This year, Montclair Elementary School is again participating in the Oakland A's Step Up to the Plate program. If you purchase tickets to select A's games, you get $2 off the price of the tickets, no charge for shipping and handling, and the school gets a share of the ticket price. It's a great outing for the family, the office or the neighborhood. If you're interested, please go herefor more information.  Contact chris_gulli@yahoo.com with any questions.

MONTCLAIR COMMUNITY
Montera Spaghetti Dinner - Fri March 12, 6pm
Montclair families invited to attend the Montera PTO Spaghetti Dinner in the multipurpose room (by the front entrance). Come and enjoy a great spaghetti dinner in our own Little Italy where you will also find music, friends and lots of fun! You will also be able to buy grab bags and raffle tickets for prizes such as a Sony camcorder, a month membership at Montclair Fitness, tickets to the Exploritorium, estate planning and more!

Dr. Christine Carter at Joaquin Miller – March 25, 7pm
Joaquin Miller has invited Montclair parents to join them at a parent education event.  Noted local author and child-raising expert Dr. Christine Carter will speak on “raising happiness,” the subject of her soon-to-be-released book. The event is free, but we are recommending a donation of $5, to cover Christine's speaking fee.

The Oakland Marathon is coming March 28th. Mile 8 will take the runners right past Montclair Elementary and the organizers are looking for community support. Having kids and family cheering as runners pass is all we ask so as to show Oakland is a great community to come back and run again!
Also, there is a Kids Run and 5k Run that would be perfect for any child! If you have any further questions, please let me know otherwise we are looking for Oaklanders to cheer the run! (Costumes/Music/Anything creative is also allowed!!)

Kids Run
5k Run

Tod Vedock, Oakland Marathon Volunteer