SFS Grandparents & Special Friends On Campus This Friday

Grandparents & Special Friends Day was instituted at SFS to provide an opportunity to foster inter-generational relationships for our students. The morning program allows students to share with their special friend or relative an important part of their life, and hopefully, gives their guest an opportunity to do the same.

As always, Grandparents and Special Friends will have ample time to visit classrooms and hear wonderful music, but we are introducing a new format for the gathering time from 9 – 9:45 AM. The school is honored to welcome Michael and Kitty Dukakis. Michael is the former three-term Governor of Massachusetts and the Democratic nominee for the Presidency in 1988. Michael and Kitty are also grandparents of two SFS students. They will be in conversation with SFS parent, Blaise Zerega, focusing on the topic of Growing Leaders in a Democratic Society.**

** Please Note: Due to space constraint, we ask that this presentation be for Grandparents & Special Friends only. The presentation will be videotaped and made available for parents/guardians to view at a later date! Thanks in advance!

8 – 8:55 AM: Coffee, Snacks and School Tours for Guests
9 – 9:45 AM: Welcome & Program in the Activity Room, featuring SFS Grandparents Michael & Kitty Dukakis**
9:45 – 10:55 AM: Guests Visit Student(s) – Classroom Time, Recess & Photos!
11 – 11:30 AM: Music Performance by the Orff Ensemble Group

Parking: Parking is a challenge in our neighborhood, so please plan to drop off guests when possible. Guests can be dropped off from 8-9 AM at the front gate; pick up promptly at 11:30 AM. If your guests are driving, please remind them to secure all valuables out of sight when parking on surrounding streets.

Volunteers Needed!
Can you volunteer to help out on Friday morning? Would you like to give tours, help usher guests or take pictures? Can you provide flowers or baked goods on behalf of your classroom? Please use the link to volunteer: Grandparents & Special Friends Day 2011

Questions or to RSVP a Guest: Contact Emily (415-239-1475 or egarlock@sfschool.org).

Auction Check Out & Item Pick Up
All Auction totals and certificates from the Night of the Auction and the Online Auction have been processed and are available for pick up at the Front Desk. If your bidding included any physical items, those can be picked up at 311 Gaven Street. If you have any questions, please contact Emily (egarlock@sfschool.org).

Post Auction Ends Tomorrow!
Any unsold Online Auction items have been marked down by 50% and are available for Post Auction Bidding at the Front Desk school through tomorrow, May 4th. This is your last chance to check out the Post Auction for some great items that are still available for bidding! Following the end of Post Auction bidding tomorrow, all Post Auction Items from both Round 1 and Round 2 will be processed together and Emily will be in contact with you when your items are ready to be picked up early next week. We appreciate your patience and thank you for your participation!

The Middle School Spring Concert This Wednesday
We welcome all families, grandparents, and special friends to the Middle School Spring Concert this Wednesday, May 4 from 7 – 8:30 PM. The concert, featuring all students in 6th - 8th grades, will be at the Brava Theater (24th Street at York). Please drop passengers in front of the Theater and seek parking. There is a parking lot for a fee on 23rd and Potrero (across from General) that has 800 spots. All performers should arrive by 6:45 PM and each grade should be dressed as follows:

6th Grade - Red top with black bottom
7th Grade - White top with black bottom
8th Grade - Black top and jeans or all black

Middle School Spring Concert - Volunteering
We are looking for a few volunteers to meet at Brava around 8:45 AM tomorrow morning (Wednesday) to help with downloading the instruments before the students arrive for rehearsal. Also, after the concert it is very rewarding to see volunteers helping to load the truck again.

The Elementary Spring Concert This Thursday
We welcome all families, grandparents, and special friends to the Elementary Spring Concert this Thursday, May 5 from 7 – 8:30 PM. The concert, featuring all students in 1st - 5th grades, will be at the Brava Theater. This is the evening of Cinco de Mayo, and the Mission neighborhood will be bustling, so please note that parking may be more challenging. Please drop passengers in front of the Theatre and seek parking. There is a parking lot for a fee on 23rd and Potrero (across from General) that has 800 spots. All performers should arrive by 6:45 PM and each grade should be dressed as follows:

1st Grade - Owls- Warm color top (orange, red, yellow), black bottom. Eagles- Cool color top (blue, greens, white) and black bottom.
2nd Grade - Red top and dark bottom (preferable black)
3rd Grade - White top and black bottom (we may be adding some additional costume elements)
4th Grade - Blue top and black bottom
5th Grade - Any solid color top with black bottom

Elementary School Spring Concert - Volunteering
Please make an effort to help with uploading the instruments this Thursday after the concert. We will be looking for a few volunteers to help unload at SFS 8:45 AM to help downloading instruments back to the Music Room.

A Call to Action: Join SFS at City Hall on May 12
We need YOU. Next week, come be part of a crucial step toward building our new school Community Center and enhanced learning spaces. Help us ask the San Francisco Planning Commission to approve the permits we need to move forward:

1. SAVE THE DATE for next Thursday, May 12, at approximately 12:45 PM. Attend the hearing in Room 400, San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place; the bigger our turnout, the better. Though opening comments sometimes take longer than expected, our vote is first on the agenda.

2. DRIVE CARPOOL if you're able to help transport students to the hearing. What better way to teach American civics in action while bolstering our case?

3. EMAIL Planning Commissioners to ask for their 'yes' votes on May 12. Whether or not you attend the hearing, send a quick note about how the new multipurpose gym/theater will make life at SFS even better for students, teachers, families. Now through May 10, please email Linda.Avery@sfgov.org and cc: RuthChang@yahoo.com and reference case #2010.0771EC

Thanks for helping us earn the support needed to build our Center!

Working together,
Steve Morris

Salzburg Group Seeking SFS Shirts!
For the school’s upcoming trip to Salzburg, each student will need to have 3 - 4 SFS t-shirts. This will be a way that the school and students will be recognized abroad – by wearing shirts with our school logo. So we would like to get any t-shirts that you may be able to lend us. Every shirt will be returned to you in the same condition and washed. There is a basket at the Front Desk with “Salzburg” on it. Please lend us your t-shirts in a bag with your name and telephone numbers. We could use sizes from (child – medium) to any larger sizes, including adult sizes. If any of you would prefer to donate the shirts to the music department, please specify on your bag. Please contact Fay Coad (faycoad@yahoo.com, 415-225-0517) with any questions.

Holiday Play DVDs on Sale Now
"Tales of Transformation," the wildly successful and entertaining 2010 SFS Holiday Play, is now on sale through the SFS website at http://www.sfschool.org/families/tales-order.shtml. You can make your safe and secure purchase via all major credit cards or PayPal. The limited-edition DVD includes the full performances of 3rd Grade's "It Could Always Be Worse" and "A Christmas Carol" performed by the 4th and 5th Grades. The DVD costs only $20 (although for $25 you get the DVD and a chance to support the SFS Music Program). After placing your order, you can pick up your DVD at the Front Desk. (SFS will mail DVDs to out of town addresses, so let friends and family know about this special opportunity!)

SFS's Japan Relief Effort
The final tally is in for our April 15 Friday Lunch Fundraiser – we are sending $3,250 to Save the Children. We are grateful to Maria Yap and Tod Hing for all their efforts to make this such a success! Thanks to Whole Foods for donating food for this lunch too!

Your Junk = Our Graduation!
Please give the 8th graders a grand send-off by donating your gently used items to Community Thrift! You can either bring your donations (no kids’ clothes or toys please) to morning carpool on Thursday, May 19 OR take your load of household items, electronics etc. directly to Community Thrift (623 Valencia Street, SF) and tell them you want to support The San Francisco School! Visit www.communitythriftsf.org/donate/ for details. Can we reach 100% family participation in the month of May? Questions, please contact ellensanfrancisco@gmail.com.

Diversity Committee Meeting – Thursday, May 12
Thursday, May 12, 6:30 – 8:15 PM in the SFS Library. All are welcome; every perspective is appreciated. We will continue our conversations centered around our work with affinity groups and spend a significant amount of time discussing the progress on our Equity Index self-study. Please bring snacks/food to share. Childcare is available; please sign up early, so we can guarantee coverage. $5 - 20 per family (sliding scale). Sign up at the bulletin board across from the Front Desk or email frontdesk@sfschool.org. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Yin (cyin@lwhs.org).

Unique Childcare Opportunity
Opportunity for childcare professional with flexibility to supplement their income. Single parent of a 5 year old SFS student in need of assistance in covering childcare while he is on business travel. Travel is irregular, up to one week/month. Generally has about 6 week advance notice of travel. Weekday overnight and before/afterschool care needed (i.e. hours when child is not at SFS.) If interested please contact: Oligny@aol.com or 415-206-1093.

Send in Your Jars and Bottles!
The Alemany Island Beautification Project will be creating paint kits. They'll be used by artists who will be painting mini-mural panels that will be placed on the fences at Alemany and San Bruno Avenues. Please place clean jars with lids (4-8 oz...the bottles that artichoke hearts, capers, specialty jams, vitamins and medicine come in are all ideal). Please place jars in a box across from the front desk. Thank you.

Program Manager Job Opportunity – Portola Neighborhood Steering Committee
The Portola Neighborhood Steering Committee (PNSC) is seeking a Program Manager to work at least half, but up to full time. The Program Manager is responsible for implementing a comprehensive economic development program in San Francisco’s Portola District. Candidates should send a cover letter and resume via email with “PNSC Program Manager” as the subject to info.pnsc@gmail.com. No phone calls please. Salary depends on experience. Please note your availability and preference in your cover letter. Contact Carson Perez (cperez@sfschool.org) for more information.

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