Konstella

When

Thu, Mar 5 3:52pm

Description

Have an announcement for the community? Any WCMS family can request to include an announcement in the weekly newsletter by filling out this form.

Donate to WCMS – we need to fundraise approximately $500 per student each year to support all of our school’s programs: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2826803

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Weekly Announcements February 3 - February 7

One final ask: please help us meet our fundraising goal before it’s too late
Searching for PTA Executive Board candidates for the 2025-26 school year
Final days–reserve your poster board for the Elementary Science Fair!
Create a Peace Garden for the WCMS Soskin Campus 2/2
Girls on the Run seeking coaches
Basketball for 4th-6th graders
Please help with upcoming enrollment tours
Open volunteer positions
Reminders
Upcoming events
Dine-outs and fundraisers

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1. One Final Ask: Please Help Us Meet Our Fundraising Goal Before It’s Too Late

Today, January 31, is the final day of our extended fall fundraising campaign. If we do not meet our $145,000 goal, we will need to make difficult decisions about cutting school programs for the next academic year at next month’s PTA General Meeting. Help us to keep all of our existing programs, like PE, Music, Mindfulness, Restorative Justice, STEM, and more. Donate now via our PayPal giving website: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2826803, or mail in your donation with the form in the attached letter to West County Mandarin School PTA, 1575 Mann Dr, Pinole, CA 94564.

2. Searching for PTA Executive Board candidates for the 2025-26 school year

Want to make a positive impact on your child's education and our school community? We're seeking dedicated individuals to join our PTA Executive Board for the 2025-26 school year! By serving on the board, you'll have the opportunity to help shape WCMS's curriculum, facilities, and programs; build relationships with parents, teachers, and Dr. Peterson; and gain valuable leadership experience and grow as an individual.

Open roles include Executive Vice President, Secretary, Parliamentarian, Treasurer, Vice President of Communication and Advocacy, Vice President of Fundraising, and Vice President of Programs. Review the roles and responsibilities of the positions and watch video recordings of past/present officers for more information. If you are interested, please fill out the self-nomination form, or contact Callie Wong through Konstella or at parliamentarian@wcmspta.org with questions. The 2025 WCMS PTA Nomination Committee is grateful for your consideration and looks forward to hearing from you!

3. Final Days–Reserve Your Poster Board for the Elementary Science Fair!

We’re extending the deadline to register your student in Grades K-5 for the Elementary Science Fair through this weekend, but Sunday, February 2 will be the final day to sign up! This is a great opportunity for students to explore the wonders of science through experiments, demonstrations, and sharing their scientific findings with their teachers, peers, and family. The fair occurs March 12-14, and participation is optional! If your child would like to participate, please register them by signing up on the Google form so we have an accurate count to order tri-fold posters and participation prizes! See this Konstella post for additional information.

4. Create a Peace Garden for the WCMS Soskin Campus 2/2

On Sunday, February 2, the African American Parent Advisory Council and Garden Club are creating a peace garden in honor of Black History Month. The entire WCMS community is invited to come to the Betty Reid Soskin Middle School site from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and help create this space for our middle school students.

Work will include gardening, building benches, and writing messages about restorative justice and peace to be displayed in the garden. Snacks, drinks, and materials will be provided. Please bring work gloves and a water bottle, if you have them!

If you have any questions about the event you can reach out to jdelumo@gmail.com or debbie.j.lai@gmail.com. In the event of rain, the EVENT MAY BE POSTPONED. Watch Konstella for updates.

5. Girls on the Run Seeking Coaches

Girls on the Run will be back at WCMS this spring and we are seeking committed volunteers to help coach. This program is a national program for girl-identifying students in grades 3-5. There is a curriculum that helps train the participants for a 5K run and promotes self confidence and positive social interactions. You do not need to be a "runner" but you do need to have a desire to encourage participants in grades 3-5 to do their personal best. You will also help lead the participants in fitness and social/emotional activities. There is an amazing curriculum that you will have access to and we already have 2 experienced coaches that will be involved, so there will be a lot of support. If you cannot attend certain days, that can be accommodated.

The season will start March 11 with practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays (when school is in session) from 2:30-3:45pm. The final event is a 5K in San Leandro at the waterfront on May 10. Prior to the season starting coaches will participate in online training modules and attend an in person training. The in person training is sponsored by the Girls on the Run organization and is held at an east bay location and other locations in the bay area. Please email or text the site coordinator Jen Ochs at jenochs16@gmail.com or 415-670-0072 to inquire or sign up! Girls on the Run is so much fun!

6. Basketball for 4th-6th Graders

WCMS will be participating in the upcoming WCCUSD Elementary School Basketball League (4th-6th graders only). We are lucky to have Reggie Figgs lead this - he is a WCMS parent, longtime basketball coach, and current Berkeley High School basketball coach!

We are currently planning on practices Tuesday evenings 6:00-700pm and Saturday mornings 9:00-10:30am in the Pinole Middle School gym (we are pending approval, so start date TBD). The one day tournament will be Sat, March 22.

If you are interested, please fill out this form and the PTA Sports Committee will be in touch with more details: https://forms.gle/889eMp44se9RXTzM9

After the tournament, we hope to open basketball classes up to other classes/ages.

7. Please Help with Upcoming Enrollment Tours!

We are still in need of parent volunteers to attend upcoming WCMS enrollment tours. These events are for families interested in enrolling in our school, in advance of the district application process. Parent volunteers would help to answer questions from attendees and discuss their experience with WCMS. There are both in-person events and virtual events (6-7 pm). The dates are as follows:

Thu 2/6 - African-American Families Virtual on Zoom
Thu 2/13 - Elementary Virtual on Zoom

Please sign up using the links below if you are able to help--we especially need volunteers for the in-person tours!

8. Open Volunteer Positions

Note that the new Verkada system is operational. New and returning volunteers must obtain a QR code via this website. If you have previously applied for a QR code but have not received a response, you may email WCCUSD Associate Superintendent Summer Siegler (ssigler@wccusd.net) or Director of Community Engagement Martine Blake (martine.blake@wccusd.net) for assistance.

Library Volunteers- Volunteers are needed at the elementary campus on Fridays and the middle school campus on Mondays. Please join the Library Committee on Konstella to sign up and stay updated or email the Library Committee at look3434@hotmail.com to sign up.
Elementary Campus Volunteers - The elementary site needs volunteers everyday to help with drop-off and pick-up, as well as recesses and lunch:

Middle School morning office help - The Middle School is looking for one parent volunteer each day, from 7:50-8:30 am, to help with office tasks, such as organizing attendance, taking questions from students and parents, answering phone calls, and updating the announcement board. As the role will require some training, it would be preferable if volunteers are able to come on a recurring/regular basis, rather than signing up for a one-time only shift. Please sign up on Konstella here.
Garden Club Volunteers (elementary) - Volunteers are needed during lunch recess to help with garden maintenance, such as weeding, mulching, planting, and art projects. No gardening experience is necessary. Please sign up on Konstella here.
PTA Committees - many of our committees still need volunteers, and some (such as our JEDI and STEAM committees) still need committee chairs. On the Konstella app, click on “Directory” and “Browse Committees” to see available roles. Contact programsvp@wcmspta.org with any questions.

9. Reminders

Upload School Photos for the yearbook: Please consider uploading your photos to our Yearbook share drive folder for a chance to be featured in our annual yearbook!
WCMS Spirit Wear: We are excited to announce the launch of our new WCMS Spirit Wear website, where you can find a wide range of WCMS-branded gear for purchase. Proceeds (15% of each purchase) benefit the PTA.
Join the PTA: Please consider joining us if you have not already done so! Your membership helps support programming and experiences for our school. Yearly membership is $15 per person–click here to pay online.

10. Upcoming Events (look out for more details on Konstella)

Garden Club and AAPAC Black History Month Peace Garden Event: Sunday, Feb 2 (Soskin campus)
Lunar New Year Assembly: Monday, Feb 10 (both campuses)
WCCUSD Science and Engineering Fair: Monday, Feb 10 - Thursday, Feb 13 (Middle School only)
Friendship/Valentine’s Spirit Day (Wear Red/Pink): Friday, Feb 14 (both campuses)
San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade: Saturday, Feb 15
Presidents’ Week Recess (No School): Monday, Feb 17 - Friday, Feb 21 (both campuses)
Black History Month Assembly: Thursday, Feb 27

11. Dine-outs and Fundraisers:

Window Pros and Gutter Cleaning: Need gutter cleaning or window cleaning? Window Pros and Gutter Cleaning will donate 15% of proceeds for any gutter or window cleaning job to the WCMS PTA. Enjoy well maintained gutters or sparkling windows & support a WCMS local business. Get a free quote here. Google Reviews. Yelp.
Mely’s Cafe: This ongoing fundraiser provides 15% of each order to WCMS (must mention “WCMS” at time of ordering). See this flyer for additional details.
HK Cafe: The HK Cafe is located within the 99 Ranch shopping center. Please support our school while enjoying delicious Hong Kong style soups, noodles, rice, and chef's special items! Whether dining in, ordering take out, or catering, HK Cafe will donate 10% of the proceeds to WCMS PTA! HK cafe has graciously extended this fundraising offer at any time (must mention "WCMS" at time of ordering). The HK Cafe is located within the 99 Ranch shopping center. http://hongkungcafe.com
Taqueria San Juan: This is an ongoing fundraiser (must mention “WCMS” at time of ordering). See this flyer for additional details.
Mabel’s Labels: Need labels for your child’s possessions? This fundraiser is open all year round. Visit Mabel’s Labels, and click on "Support a Fundraiser" and type in "West County Mandarin School." Get 20% off; shipping is free and labels will be delivered directly to your home.
RaiseRight Gift Card Fundraiser: purchase gift cards and WCMS receives 5% back! Visit RaiseRight to sign up. (Code: NW8B8F8U8J93)
Box Tops Fundraiser: Scan your receipts into the Box Tops app and WCMS receives money for qualifying products. Check out the Box Tops for Education site or see this flyer for more information and to download the app (School ID: 9684430). Contact Yunita Clerici (yunitacc@gmail.com) with questions.
Minted Fundraiser: Shop Minted for every occasion all while earning 15% of the proceeds from each sale for the WCMS PTA. Go to https://www.minted.com/ and use the code FUNDRAISEWCMS. Please share the code with friends, family, and other supporters!