Dear MLC Community:


I've been hearing from many MLC parents looking for answers--any answers--about what will happen in September. 

Today, Gov. Brown announced that more guidance would be coming from the State Board of Education but here's the hard truth: No solution put forth by the district will be sufficient to address all of the variables and pressing concerns in the current situation we're ALL in--students, teachers, staff, parents, and community. 

So, what can we do? Collaborate. Here are some ideas that I've heard from MLC parents:

1. Form learning pods. These can be formal or informal student groups that meet outdoors regularly (with safety precautions, of course) for excursions, hikes, or to study together. These could also be virtual-only as well. Parents should be prepared to facilitate learning and activities. Get creative! Mixed-ages wanted--high school and middle schoolers who are looking for leadership opportunities are welcome. If you're interested in forming pods with MLC families, you can share your details here. Be aware of the inequity that this type of learning environment can, and will, exacerbate. Reach out to others in our community and remember that a rising tide lifts all boats.

2. If you know that your student will be learning virtually ONLY, email Mark to notify him. It's important that he knows what families intend in the fall. Questions about enrollment, training, educational supports, technology, and other details should be addressed to him. 

3. If you are interested in pursuing the all-outdoor model that has been suggested for MLC, let PPS know that you support this for MLC and other PPS schools. Read, sign, and send this letter. 

4. Volunteer to be a buddy to incoming MLC families, especially new kindergarteners, sixth graders, and high schoolers. This will be especially important in keeping up community if there is no in-person school in fall. Let us know here if you're interested. :) 

5. Help prepare project boxes for Kx3. This idea comes from Sierra, a parent and educator who envisions delivery of "materials each week for children to anchor to." How excited will kids be to receive a box of activities and projects each week! Contact Sierra to get involved.  

6. Take a look at the PTSA budget. How can we maximize this budget to have an equitable, safe, robust, and meaningful school year for all of our students and staff?

 AND FINALLY If you need Fred Meyer gift cards for your family, please reach out to our counselors, Jeanette or Genie. The PTSA is here for the benefit of all of our students!

I miss seeing all of you, I can't wait until we're back together again. 

--Alisa 

Dear MLC Community:

How are you doing? The past few weeks have been a rollercoaster of questions, confusion and heartbreak for so many people. Field trips, events, projects and storylines that MLC's students, teachers, and PTSA have worked so hard on have been canceled or are in limbo. Now as we're all looking towards a month of at-home schooling, it seems impossible to maintain momentum, let alone community.

And yet...I suspect MLC will come out of this stronger and more creative than ever. I've gained even MORE respect for our teachers and staff as they adapt an experiential alternative school into a temporary virtual school.

How can you and the PTSA support MLC families?:
Because so many field trips were canceled this year and scholarships are not needed, a large portion of the PTSA budget can be redirected to needs of our students and families during this time. In order to present this idea to our membership and make these funds available immediately, we've moved our April meeting to Zoom, an online platform.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR VIRTUAL APRIL PTSA MEETING
SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2020 AT 10AM
www.zoom.us
Meeting ID: 572 026 262
(No password needed)

How can the PTSA help you?:
If your student and your family need Fred Meyer gift cards to get through this challenging time, please email MLC's school counselors: Genie Gomez at vgomez1@pps.net or Jeanette Scantling, jscantling@pps.net. We are still working on the logistics of how the cards will be mailed out to folks requesting them, but confidentiality will be honored.
Also, feel free to email me with any questions or ideas how we can support each other. I've heard from so many MLC folks who just want to DO SOMETHING. So if you are in need of groceries, or a pair of rain boots for your kiddo but can't afford them right now, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! This is my email: mlcptsapresident@gmail.com

There's a school community here for you. See you IRL soon!

-Alisa
& The PTSA Board, John, Joelle, & Rick

Join the effort to determine the fate of MLC's pool. Should it be revived? Should it be repurposed? And whatever happens, how much will it cost? The PTSA's Pool Ponderings committee is gathering historic data, district reports and inspections with the goal of establishing options to the community. Student input will also be a component of this research. (More on that soon!) View, contribute, and comment on documents in the Google Drive here. Email PTSA President Alisa for more information about how to get involved and add your voice to the discussion!

The first issue of the MLC newspaper, the Hallway is out! You can get a printed copy in the MLC office or **save a tree** and read the PDF version here. 

 Greetings, MLC Community!
 
Hopefully your holiday break was filled with family and relaxation after a whirlwind December at MLC. So much joy and generosity takes over our school during this time of year with our Giving Tree, the opening of our Clothing Center and Food Pantry, and the beautiful staff gifts (thank you Lauren and Co.!). The hope for renewal and peace is exemplified by Solstice—an MLC tradition since 1983—and this year’s wonderful performances highlighted what makes MLC special. Thank you to Julie, Anna, and Susan for taking the lead on this year’s festival of light. Also thank you to high schoolers Kale and Miranda for the Solstice graphic novel. Gorgeous!!
 
What's coming up in January?:
 
* The 2020 MLC calendar is on sale NOW! Only $10 and featuring student art, photos, and birthdays, the proceeds go towards field trip scholarships.
 
* School directories will be distributed the first week of school. The PTSA puts together and pays to print enough copies for every family who did notopt out. 
 
* January Dinner and Meeting: Wednesday, January 15, 2020 6-7:30 PM Join us in the MLC library for Escape from New York pizza, free childcare and a chance to find out what’s happening at MLC and how you can get involved.
 
Get your tickets now!
* Auction! Hang out in the MLC Rumpus Room, Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Beth Israel, 5:30-9:30 PM Tickets are on a sliding scale from $5-50 and include dinner, games, dancing and more. This is a 21+ event, childcare will be available.
We are still accepting silent auction donations and need parent help to create classroom art projects. Please email auction coordinator Jenn Halvorson at mlcauctioncommittee@gmail.com to add your creativity to our largest fundraiser of the year.
 
With the arrival of this new decade, we hope that you reflect on why you chose MLC and how you can contribute to your student's and MLC's continued success.  
 
Cheers to 2020!
The MLC PTSA Board
Alisa, John, Joelle, Rick and Jenn