Want to reduce your morning stress of trying to get your children to school on time, reduce the amount of school tardies, decrease the amount of air pollution, increase the amount of physical fitness activity your children get, and promote healthy relationships between your children and our SMASHing 8th graders? Be sure to check in with Idalia, Kate, Parsa, Paul, and Rene at the Safe Routes to School information table at the Multicultural Potluck Thursday, January 28 at 6pm. They gave a highly organized and compelling presentation at the Site Council meeting last night.
Want to be informed about District budget considerations, ask questions of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and Board members, or offer input/suggestions? If so, please attend the SMMUSD Budget Presentation next week.
Tuesday, January 26 (JAMS cafeteria)
7:00-9:00pm – JAMS pathway parents/community
OR
Wednesday, January 27 (LMS cafeteria)
7:00-9:00pm – LMS pathway parents/community
Below, you will find three areas of information from the presentation in case you are like me and want to prepare questions and suggestions ahead of time.
Variables that Impact SMMUSD’s 2010-11 Budget
State Budget (Governor’s proposed budget forecasts further education reductions)
Collective Bargaining with Employee Groups (Possibility of furlough days for all employees)
Board Actions (November 2009 workshop reviewed $8.7 million in possible reductions)
Emergency School Funding Measure (Board approved Parcel Tax vote for May 25, 2010, mail-in ballot)
2009-2010
Expenses $77,361,106
Increase (Decrease) Deficit ($10,072,722)
Fund Balance $12,383,667
2010-2011
Revenues $66,977,759
Expenses $81,514,101
Increase (Decrease) Deficit ($14,536,348)
Fund Balance ($3,847,319)
2011-2012
Revenues $68,569,442
Expenses $83,059,110
Increase (Decrease) Deficit ($14,489,668)
Fund Balance ($16,642,349)
2012-2013
Revenues $68,569,442
Expenses $83,059,110
Increase (Decrease) Deficit ($14,489,668)
Fund Balance ($31,132,017)
Reductions Being Considered
- Increase class size
- Reduce personnel, including: district office staff and services, counselors, advisors, outreach specialists, library staff, reading specialists, nursing staff, security officers
- Reduce or eliminate programs: elementary music, summer school programs
- Reduce other expenses: travel/conference, energy use, contracts
I encourage SMASH families to attend these early budget discussions before final decisions are made.
Jessica
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Youth Run 4 Haiti
Saturday, January 23
9:30am-10:00am- Registration 10:00am- Run
A two mile run on Santa Monica Beach at Beach Park #1, where Ocean Park Blvd meets Ocean Ave
Josh Duhamel organized this event with the Santa Monica Chapter of The American Red Cross, he is a huge advocate of the Red Cross, and will be running in the event!
We understand that this is short notice, but this is a very important cause and The Red Cross needs the help of the local communities to save lives in Haiti. We would greatly appreciate you including this on your website, sending the information to your homerooms to have distributed to the students and their families, and help promote the event in any way you can
Please visit this link for registration and other details: http://youthrun4haiti.com
LOCATION:
The starting point- We are meeting at Beach Park #1
Ocean Park Blvd & Barnard Way (Ocean Park Blvd. at the beach)
Santa Monica, CA 90405
MAP: http://www.yelp.com/map/beach-park-1-santa-monica
For everyone under 18, please have them fill out a parental consent form and bring it to the event.
Here is the link to download the form.
http://www.redcrossofsantamonica.org/custom/10/1076/misc/Parental_Consent_Form.pdf
The actual run is going to start at 10 am but we encourage runners to show up between 9-9:30. Runners are also asked to please wear an element of red to show support for the Red Cross and Haiti. We are also asking that runners please bring a 10 minimum dollar donation for Haiti – either cash or a check made out to Red Cross of Santa Monica and write Haiti on the bottom.
Smart Water will generously be donating bottles of water for all of the runners. This two mile run is targeted towards youth, under 18, but families and people of all ages are encouraged to participate.
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PLAYGROUND ACCESS - RAINY DAY REMINDER
Playground Access is always closed on rainy days. Students need to be picked up immediately after school. They are allowed to come into the Media Center to contact parents who are late, but they are not allowed to stay.
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REMINDER: Students need to wear appropriate attire to school everyday - this includes clothes and shoes for PE as well as rainy days. Students are expected to be able to participate in all activities at school. Thanks!
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City of Santa Monica Community Workshop
Ocean Park Boulevard (between Lincoln Blvd and Neilson Way
Tuesday, February 2 6:30-9:00pm John Muir/ SMASH Cafeteria
Please join the City of Santa Monica for a Community Workshop to view the final concept design for the Ocean Park Boulevard streetscape project. See how your input has come together to create a sustainable “Complete Green Street” model. At this workshop the city will present the final concept design and solicit comments to shape subsequent phases of implementation; Review the approval process, and preview the project timeline; Answer questions about opportunities to stay involved.
Please RSVP to ensure accurate refreshment count. Peter.james@smgov.net
To request disability-related accommodations, please contact 310-458-8341
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Santa Monica High School Theatre Presents:
The Tony Award Winning Musical "RENT"
Six Shows in Barnum Hall: Students $10 Adults $15
*Thursday 2/18 at 7:00pm (all tickets $10 at this performance only)
Friday 2/19 at 7:00pm
Saturday 2/20 at 7:00pm
Friday 2/26 at 7:00pm
Saturday 2/27 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Tickets:Samohitheatre.org 310 395-3204 Ext. 239
Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer-prize winning Broadway show may have been based on Puccini's opera La Bohème, but it's as current as today's headlines. This no-holds-barred rock musical is a production you'll remember forever. Powerfully moving. Joyously creative. Controversial. Courageous. Inspiring. Order your tickets now for the Santa Monica High School Theatrical event of the year: RENT. No day but today.
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ED LIVE!
Presents the FIRST ANNUAL POETRY SLAM: The Art of the Spoken Word
February 10 - 7pm Santa Monica High School Humanities Center Theatre
Please join us when California poet laureate Carol Muske-Dukes and the award-winning teen poetry troupe, the GetLit! Players, kick off the first annual Poetry Slam sponsored by the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation. The event, which will present performances of spoken word and classical poetry, also features the artistry of high school student poets from our SMMUSD schools as well as surprise guest artists.
Tickets are $10 for students & seniors,$20 for adults, available on a first come-first served basis. Seating limited.
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Community Arts Resources
City Labs Community Service Fair
Saturday, January 23; 11 am - 4 pm
California Market Center's Penthouse (110 East Ninth St. in downtown LA)
Join City Labs to answer the call for community service in this great city. With a huge rise in the need for services from non-profits, and a drastic drop in funding and donations, LA's community organizations need our help
Come to this fun one-day fair to browse, discover and connect with 50 local non-profits - organizations doing great
things that need your support to maintain sustainability
Aside from roaming the 50 non-profits, there will be free workshops, free drinks, a pop-up Tiara cafe and raffle contests all day long!
Donation at Door: $5 per person (includes entry, a free drink, and DIY workshops)
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Ptsa news
Contribute to the family donation drive: ptsasmash.blogspot.com
*****
It’s here!!!
The SMASH Family Business and Talent Resource Directory
is available for pickup in the office.
Thanks so much to all of you who’ve made it possible.
*****
District Budget Presentation
Wednesday, January 20, 8:00 – 9:00PM, Samohi cafetreia
Thursday, January 21, 7:00-9:00PM, Malibu HS auditorium
Tuesday, January 26, 7:00-9:00PM, JAMS cafeteria
Wednesday, January 27, 7:00-9:00PM, Lincoln MS cafeteria
Plese note that all sessions are open to all members of the Santa Monica community.
*****
REALLY NEW Date:
Annual potluck dinner on Diversity Night,
Thursday, January 28, 2010.
As always, bring a home cooked meal so we can all share the flavors of the world.
Check out the flyer in this Friday Letter.
*****
Our next PTSA meeting is on Wednesday, 2/10/10 at 6:30PM.
*****
WANTED
Board members and committee chairs for 2010/2011
Almost all board positions and many committee chairs are up for grabs.
Consider becoming an active member of the PTSA.
Helga Schier at helgaschier@verizon.net or David Saltzman at saltzmans@earthlink.net
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Annual SMASHing
Multi-Cultural
Bring a home-cooked meal
that represents your family background.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
6:00PM to 8:00PM
Come share the flavors of the world and check out
the new SMASH movie featuring our very own students, principal and staff!
Send your menu item and recipe to Elaina Archer at elainab@gmail.com
We also need help setting up the event. Please contact Elaina (elainab@gmail.com)
or Helga (helgaschier@verizon.net)
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The SMASH Jog-a-thon t-shirt needs you!
DEADLINES: Designs - January 29 Sponsors - February 5
Design: The t-shirt design competition is open to all SMASH students. Entering is easy. Simply draw your design on an 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper and put your name and Core on the back. Turn it in to the office by the deadline above. The winning design is chosen by the Jog-a-thon chairpersons and will adorn the front of this year’s t-shirts.
Sponsorship: T-shirt sponsors make it possible for all students and teachers to take home a
Jog-a-thon t-shirt. Sponsorship is tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. Sponsor
names adorn the back of the t-shirt. As a token of appreciation for their generous support, tshirt sponsors receive a complimentary t-shirt. Fill out the form below and drop off in the office by the deadline above. Make your check payable to SMASH PTSA.
Become a Corporate Sponsor
(donations of $150, $200 or $250)
or
Become a SMASHing Sponsor
(donations of $25, $50 or $100)
Questions?
Contact Lillie Schlessinger (213) 742-3394 – lillie.schlessinger@transamerica.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sponsorship:
Corporate ___$250 ___$200 ___$150
SMASHing ___$100 ___$50 ___$25
Name (as you would like it to appear on the t-shirt):________________________
Child’s name (so we know who you are!):________________________________
Size preference for complimentary t-shirt: ___XXL ___XL ___L ___M ___S
(All sizes are adult sizes since all students will already receive a complimentary t-shirt. If you specifically want your complimentary t-shirt to be a child’s size, please note this.)
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CORE 1 NEWS
Field Trip:
Core 1 will be traveling to the Morgan-Wixson Theater on Wednesday, February 3 to see an amazing performance of The Amazing Bone (the book is written by William Steig). The show is directed by our drama teacher, Kristy, and stars three SMASHing students. We will leave school around 10:00 and get back around 1:30.We will be traveling by Big Blue Bus and walking a few blocks, so the children need plenty of food (snack and lunch in one bag), water, and comfortable shoes. Your child must return a signed permission slip (included in this week’s Friday Folder) in order to attend. Suggested donation (to cover bus and theater ticket) is $10. Chaperone sign-up will be in the Magic Garden or you can email us. Unfortunately, we are only able to accommodate 6 parents for this trip.
Keep reading the Friday Letter! More field trips are coming!
Core 1 Student Council: (written by Milan and Candis)
Pennies for Peace is for Afghanistan. Afghanistan does not have a school. One cent buys one pencil. The
people need schools and bridges and supplies. They need chairs, tables, and tools, too. They also need electricity. Please bring in pennies and put them in the container in the Magic Garden. Core 4 will send them to Afghanistan.
Reminders & Announcement s:
- We’re back to our regular Mondays for library visits.
- Where are the Core 1 teachers??? Thanks to our generous PTSA and a grant through First Presbyterian
Nursery School, Candis, Chrysta, and Graciela (from Core 2) will be attending a Reggio Emilia workshop tied to The Wonders of Learning exhibit in Santa Monica. The workshop is Thursday evening, all day Friday and all day Saturday, so our amazing guest teachers, Mimi and Jayme, will be leading the classrooms on Friday with Jackie.
- Birthday Bash for January and February birthdays will be held on Friday, February 5. Ceremony starts at 11:45 and snacks will be offered with lunch immediately following. Family and friends are invited to join us! If your child is celebrating his/her birthday, you are welcome to bring a healthy snack for 46 children – please sign-up in the Magic Garden so we know what you plan to bring.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!
Candis, Chrysta and Jackie
Candis: cberens@smmusd.org
Chrysta: cwyse@smmusd.org
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CORE 2 NEWS
Dear Fantastic Core 2 Families and Friends,
It has been a very rainy week, but we’ve managed to keep our routines in place and have done lots
of learning. Please remind children to stay warm by wearing layers of clothes, keeping their feet dry, and
carrying an umbrella. We have an extra red tub near the lunch tubs that has been designated for umbrellas.
In Literacy, the students learned more about Martin Luther King, Jr. We read some of his biographies.
They asked questions about his life and found some answers. They practiced forming opinion statements
based on relevant facts. I think that _____ was ____ because ______. In my opinion, _____ is _____ because
he/she _______. In Writers Workshop, students worked in partnerships to revise their writing. Partners
asked clarifying question to elicit elaboration. Students have checked their work to make sure that they
are using uppercase letters only when they are needed at the beginning of a sentence or for proper nouns.
Each 3rd grader received a donated dictionary from Santa Monica Elks #906. They each wrote a thank you
note to the Elks.
In Math, students wrote incredible equations using the number of the day. They played Scoop and
Count Money to practice adding coins. The 3rd graders used fraction cards to subtract parts.
In Art with Juliana, our young artists turned their leaf rubbings into a book. They used needles and
yarn to bind their books. They also glazed their clay leaf prints.
Core 2 is grateful and excited to have Candis leading the Haiti project group. This group is researching
ways to help the earthquake relief efforts. We will soon let you know how you can help with this project.
On Friday, February 12, we will celebrate Core 2 Friendship Day. We will pass out cards or valentines
before leaving for our field trip. We encourage students to make valentines for their own advisory
group. On February 1 we will send home a list of the new advisory groups.
Mary, Avery’s mom will be teaching an art project that requires a 4 x 6 photograph of a student
and a loved one. The faces should be in the foreground. The photographs will be cut. Please bring it in as
soon as possible.
Our next Stars of the Week presentation will be on Wednesday, January 27 beginning around 9:00.
The Stars will be: Bailey and Lillian. Our community snack will be provided by the Stars of the Week.
For your child’s safety, please spend some time teaching them their address, at least one phone/ cell number, and how to spell both their first and last name.
Dates to remember:
Tuesday, January 26 – walking to Barnum Hall to hear the New World Symphony Concert.
9:00-12:30 Parent volunteers needed to walk with us. See Laura to sign up!
Friday, February 12 – Core 2 Friendship Day bring cards or valentines
Friday, February 12 -field trip to The Amazing Bone at the Morgan -Wixson Theater - more info later
Have a wonderful weekend!
Laura: lsherman@smmusd.org
Graciela: gbarba-castro@smmusd.org
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CORE 3 NEWS
The Narratives are coming! The Narratives are coming! (These are our “report cards” in SMASHspeak) As you may remember, we adjusted the narrative schedule to reflect the actual mid-year mark, so the narratives will be mailed in February. Some of you will notice that the format has changed slightly, as well. We decided that citizenship and the use of CARES (Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-control) are integral to learning, so we incorporated those goals into the Reading, Writing, and Math. On the narrative, we are writing about your child’s use of CARES in each academic discipline. Underneath the CARES comment box, we have created a rubric of the two main units of study from each area that we have done since Fall Family Conferences. The bullet points under that explain the main objectives from each unit--what we taught and are looking for in the student’s work. Participation and effort are the foundation to success for most kids, especially at the elementary school level. Participation provides community building, exposure, and modeling. Effort demonstrates comprehension, motivation, and application. We take that into consideration along with the work samples, assessments, and experiences we have with each student. The assessment scale of the rubric ranges from:
~full assistance (the child can not or does not get any work done without adult support and/or the child needs the
directions and/or work modified and/or the student is easily distracted during work periods)
~some assistance (the child frequently needs the directions repeated or clarified and/or needs help getting started and/or needs a nudge to stay on task)
~developing independence (the child occasionally needs clarification or gets distracted, but is able to do most work independently)
~independent (The child consistently follows directions, understand how to complete tasks, finishes work, uses class time wisely, and transfers understanding to other areas of the curriculum).
We hope you take the time to read the narratives carefully and share them with your 4th or 5th grader, to set personal goals for the rest of the school year.
At this mid-year point, Core 3 will also be remixing the advisories. Remixing is more for the students than it is for the advisors—it gives them another opportunity to get to know each other and make new friends or get reacquainted with each old friends. Over the two years in Core 3, we try to make sure most students have an opportunity to work with each advisor and as many other students as possible. We are not simply switching advisors, instead 15 students will stay with their current advisor and 15 will switch for a complete re-mix. In an ever-increasing social world, being able to work with different individuals is a skill we are always trying to support. Another change is that the new groups will be working together for Reading, Writing, and Projects and your child’s advisor for the second half of the year will be writing the narratives for the new groups, which will be sent out in June. The Olympians and The Awesome People will stay in their groups for Art and the math groups will remain in grade-level groups. We put a lot of time and energy into the forming of the advisories—looking at all the variables. As you can imagine, many factors that lead us to our final decision. Please understand that we cannot honor specific requests, but don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns.
We will be going on a walking field trip to Santa Monica High School to Barnum Hall to hear the New West Symphony. We need 7 parent chaperones. Please let us know if you are available and would like to join us. We will be leaving campus at 9:15 to arrive at Barnum Hall at 9:45. The concert is planned to start at 10:00 and end at 11:00. We should be back on campus by 11:30. Thank you!
Core 3 will be leading the SMASHing All-School Assembly on Wednesday, January 27 from 8:45 – 9:15 to promote Diversity Night--our annual community pot luck dinner which is Thursday Night from 6:00 – 8:00. Please come join your kids as they lead the school in a community Morning Meeting!
Get out and enjoy the sunshine this weekend!
tmugalian@smmusd.org Tamara, Genie, and Malaika
ghwang@smmusd.org
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CORE 4 NEWS
REMINDER: SMASH Core 4 students WILL ATTEND SCHOOL on Monday, February 1.
This is a contract day for secondary school teachers (John Adams and Lincoln will be pupil free).
SMASH had their pupil free contact day on November 18.
What an exciting time Core 4 has experienced in the past few weeks! We have truly started 2010 off on a great note! Our community continues to take strong strides to build one of care, respect, fun, challenge, and trust. Whether it was on Yosemite’s valley floor or in the California Heritage Museum’s Skateboard exhibit, this community building was apparent. Over the course of this week, we have been sharing our experiences and discovering all the successes accomplished. On February 17, the Yosemite crew will take their stories to the greater crowd of SMASH at a Wednesday Assembly at 8:45 am. Please join us as we walk through the shoes of a sixth or seventh grader on this trip.
The students also took time in these past two weeks to revisit their individual declarations made at the beginning of the year. Please ask about their reflections on past declarations, their newly created ones, and their commitment to them as we progress into this next semester.
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A word about Math…
Mathematicians in sixth and seventh grade have diligently worked to understand functions! They now know
the several different ways to represent a function: a context or story, a table of values, a graph on the coordinate plane, a sequence, and the familiar equation. The mathematicians have also discovered that knowing these various representations allows them to act as versatile and more powerful mathematicians. This was apparent in the homework assignment given this week where a table of x and y values were given in the context of bicycle rentals. Students realized that trying to discover a function through the use of the table was quite difficult. However, when looking at the graph representation, they quickly discovered it was not a function, a meaningful learning experience!
Another powerful moment occurred before Winter Break when the mathematicians created their own experiments testing the relationship between two variables. Not only was it inspiring to see the excitement behind the relationships students chose to explore and carry out in an experiment, but their ability to transfer and connect between math and science skills was also invigorating. We have continued to celebrate these experiments and all that they had discovered in our Exploring Functions unit. Our gusto and excitement will propel us into our next Pre-Algebra unit.
Algebra students are working hard to solve various types of inequalities. Identifying the similarities between solving inequalities and equations has helped make connections between concepts and allowed them to easily access the newly taught skills. We are also continuing to bring many real-life examples into each Algebraic concept. Exposing these mathematicians to the purpose of each concept aids in developing meaning and interest. Please continue to support your child in Algebra by providing these connections to our daily life whenever possible. We are nearing the end of Chapter 3 and will test on this Chapter February 4. Because the routines and student independence within Algebra is in place, our pace during the second semester of Algebra will increase. Continue to use the systems in place to see the progress of your child.
Most importantly, come join us in our classrooms! Pull up a chair and sit alongside your child to support and engage in the work they are successfully progressing through. We would love to have you.
Enjoy the weekend!
Kurt: kholland@smmusd.org
Kelly:kkulsrud@smmusd.org
Bailey: bailey.field@mac.com
FEBRUARY LUNCH MENU
Date
1**MESQUITE GRILLED BURGER ON A WHOLE GRAIN BUN, LETTUCE & PICKLE CUP w/BAKED CRINKLE CUT
FRIES, APPLE
2 FARMERS’ MARKET, SALAD BAR w/+++CORN DOG, SUN CHIPS
3 LOCO ROASTED CHICKEN w/SPANISH RICE, CORN ON THE COB, FLOUR TORTILLA, FRUIT
4 FARMERS’ MARKET SALAD BAR w/+++TACO BAR, BAKED CINNAMON CHURRO
5 CHEESE PIZZA BAGEL w/BABY CARROTS, ICEE JUICEE
8 SUPER BOWL NUGGETS w/BAKED POTATO ROUNDABOUTS, FRESH FRUIT
9 FARMERS’ MARKET SALAD BAR w/BAKED CHICKEN PATTY ON WHOLE GRAIN BUN
10 BEEF HOT DOG ON A WHOLE WHEAT BUN w/ BAKED SEASON WEDGES, VEGETARIAN BEANS, FRUIT STRIP
11 FARMERS’ MARKET SALAD BAR w/CLUX DELUX CHICKEN BREAST CHUNKS
12 SLICE OF CHEESE OR PEPPERONI PIZZA w/3 WAY SALAD, HEART COOKIE, FRUIT
15 WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY—SCHOOL CLOSED
16 FARMERS’ MARKET SALAD BAR w/SEÑOR FELIX BEAN & CHEESE BURRITO
17 BRUNCH FOR LUNCH FRENCH TOAST STIX w/SAUSAGE PATTY, HASH BROWNS, 100% FRUIT JUICE
18 FARMERS’ MARKET SALAD BAR w/OLYMPIC CHICKEN RINGS, PATRIOTIC STAR COOKIE
19 RED BARON FRENCHBREAD PIZZA w/CELERY STICKS WITHRANCH DRESSING, ICEE JUICEE
22***GRILLED RIB B’QUE ON WHOLE GRAIN BUN w/BAKED POTATO SMILES, VEGETARIAN BEANS, PEACH CUP
23 FARMERS’ MARKET SALAD BAR w/GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH, SUN CHIPS
24 ORANGE CHICKEN w/CHOW MEIN, SEASONED GREENBEANS, FRESH FRUIT
25 FARMERS’ MARKET SALAD BAR w/***TACO BAR, CINNAMON CHURRO
26 SMART CHEESE OR PEPPERONI PIZZA w/FRESH MIXED GREEN SALAD, FRUIT
Second Choice Vegetarian Menu:
2/1-2/5 - Toasted Cheese Sandwich
2/8-2/12 - Bean Burrito
2/15-2/19 - Quesadilla
2/22-2/25 - Yogurt, Pretzel & Cheese Stick
Breakfast Menu:
Mondays: Waffle Sticks w/Sausage Patty, Applesauce
Tuesdays: Breakfast Burrito
Wednesdays: Cheese Pizza Bagel; 4 oz Juice
Thursdays: Biscuit w/sausage Patty, Fruit
Fridays: Breakfast Rolls, Fruit
Assorted cereals, animal crackers, 2 kinds of fruit and milk are offered
Students may choose the featured hot lunch, or salad bar, or the Vegetarian option.
