| Welcome Back to School! Happy New Year, Bobcats! There is lots to report as we return to school. Please join us THIS FRIDAY if you can for the Welcome Back Potluck Breakfast from 8-10a.m. Please note that all of the First Friday events are now early morning events. Please sign up to bring a treat for teachers and to share. Jazz Band and Jean Quan The Bret Harte Jazz Band filled the Chabot Science Center with confident, swinging sound last Sunday night at Mayor Jean Quan's pre-inaugural celebration. Listen to what Mr. Worm said about Jean Quan, who visited Bret Harte years ago when she was new to the school board. Photo of musicians listening to Mr. Worm courtesy Emmy Randol Thank You Laurel Books Bret Harte Weekend at Laurel Books was sparsely attended by parents and students, although regular bookstore patrons managed to raise about $400 for the school. The PTA purchased copies of A.J. Harper's Young Adult horror novels, which he wrote for Oakland boys, and Kathryn Otoshi's One and Zero picture books, which are profound for any age and speak to the heart of bullying, for the Bret Harte Library. Both authors gave presentations to support our school. Their books are available at Laurel Bookstore. February is Family Month
Saturday, February 5th - FAMILY UNIVERSITY - FREE!
A continental breakfast, informative classes for parents and students, some dancing, and a potluck lunch are on the agenda for the first Family University in years. Watch for a registration flyer to come home next week with signup info.
Saturday, February 12th - JAZZ FOR PEACE CONCERT
The concert has finally arrived! Jazz for Peace is an outstanding international Jazz ensemble that is performing a benefit concert for The Bret Harte Community Academy and the Safe School Ambassadors program. The concert will be at Plymouth Church, "The Jazz & Justice Church," at 424 Monte Vista Avenue off of Oakland Avenue near the Rose Garden. Tickets are $35 each; buy here.
Friday, February 25th - FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
Schedule a date with your family for dinner and a movie to support the Washington D.C. trip. Watch for details in the February newsletter.
Hook Up With a Chinook Book
The PTA ordered 60 books and have 45 left to sell. Can you sell five books at work, at church, or to friends? Everyone needs groceries, and there are hundreds of dollars worth of coupons in the book that are good until December. The Chinook Book pays for itself over an over again, plus there's some great reading. Green Team parents, we're talking to you! Check it out online. Contact Chuck Seliger at 703-9004. Spanish Calendars Estan Aqui
El calendario / manual finalmente se ha traducido para los más de 200 familias en Bret Harte que hablan español en casa. Esté pendiente de un noticia en la próxima semana, o kbc@littlepig.com correo electrónico con su nombre, el nombre de su hijo, y el nombre de su maestro de la period sexta. The calendar/handbook has finally been translated for the over 200 families at Bret Harte who speak Spanish at home. Watch for a flyer to request your copy next week, or email kbc@littlepig.com with your name, your child's name, and the name of their 6th period teacher. Custodian Honored
 Custodian Elzie Winston was honored last fall for his excellent work at Bret Harte. Winston worked tirelessly to eradicate a severe rodent problem at Bret Harte. He would like to thank students, staff, and teachers for putting trash in its place and for not eating in classrooms anymore. Go Bret Harte! | In this Issue:
Welcome Back to School!
Jazz Band and Jean Quan
Thank You Laurel Books
February is Family Month
Hook up with a Chinook Book
Spanish Calendars Vienen Pronto
Custodian Honored
Community NewsComing Up in January
Last School Tour: January 6
First Friday Potluck: January 7
SSC, PTA and BMOC: January 12
Options Forms Due: January 14
Martin Luther King Day
NO SCHOOL: January 17
End of First Semester: January 27
Newsletter Submissions Due: " "
NO SCHOOL: January 28
Second Semester begins: Jan 31
Our online calendar is at www.bretharteoakland.org 10% to Schools in January
Between January 2nd and January 25th, eScrip donates a full 10% of purchases to schools! When you shop at Safeway, watch for the School Bus tags on 2000 participating items, and use your club card. Sign up for eScrip here.
Make Time for School
Did you start the year planning to volunteer, but haven't made it happen yet? It's time to sit down with your calendar and find the time. Here are a few easy things you can do in the upcoming months:
- Take a Parent Patrol Shift any weekday morning or lunchtime
- Sell some Chinook Books
- Attend a First Friday Breakfast
- Volunteer at a February Event
- Come to ELAC or BMOC or SSC or a PTA meeting
A list of things you can do is here.
It's not too late to join!
Have you been meaning to join the PTA? Now is the time! The Parent Teacher Association is open to anyone - even businesses!. You don't have to be a parent and you don't have to come to meetings, all you have to do is care about our school. Join online or contact Kristen Caven at 534-1415.
Are you a leader?New parents are needed to help run the Parent Teacher Association. This group helps keep the infrastructure of school support alive and well by creating a place and time for parents to discuss, plan, and support school activity and solve problems.
Many PTA parents are "graduating" this year with their students, and new parents need to take their place if school support is to continue. Next year we will need new leaders!Things happen at public schools because people decide to make them happen. Don't wait for the PTA to call... they're busy getting things done. But the participation of parents of all races, creeds, and colors is needed to keep the community healthy and our kids on the right track.
Ask yourself: what can you do for the school?
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| This announcement goes out on occasion to members of Bobcat Connect. If you wish to receive announcements without joining our email group, send an email to bhparentcenter@gmail.com.
Bret Harte Middle School
3700 Coolidge Avenue
Oakland, CA 94602
www.bretharteoakland.org 531-6400
Forward this email to a friend | About the Parent Center
The Bret Harte Parent Center, located in the Teacher Lounge, Room 102, is a place where parents can meet. Contact Eva La to ask questions in Chinese and Vietnamese.
Are you interested in creating a Bret Harte Community Center? Let us know!
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