Montera Middle School eBulletin
November 30, 2025
This week's school schedule: AB -b- AB
Upcoming Events:
Friday, December 5: Fall Sports Banquet (5:00-7:00pm in the MUR)
Tuesday, December 9: Visual Arts Showcase (5:00-6:30pm, Building 300 and Room 401)
Wednesday, December 10: Band Winter Showcase (6:00 pm in the MUR)
Wednesday, December 10: Montera Yearbook Cover Design Contest Deadline (Info Here)
Thursday, December 11: Strings and Choir Winter Showcase (6:00 pm in the MUR)
Monday, December 15: Deadline to Contribute to the Montera Relief Fund Holiday Drive
Tuesday, December 16: Coffee with Doc (9:30-10:15 Room 303)
Wednesday, December 17: Deadline to Contribute to Teacher/Staff Holiday Party
Thursday, December 18: PTO Meeting (6:30-7:30 via Zoom)
Friday, December 19: Minimum Day
Monday, December 22 - Friday, January 2 - No School (Winter Break)
Monday, January 5: No School (Professional Development Day)
Help Montera Families in Need with Holiday Groceries
Help bring holiday cheer to families in our Montera community who struggle with food insecurity. The winter break is a joyful time but brings extra hardship for families who rely on the free nutritious breakfast and lunch their children receive at school. Through our school Community Manager Ms. Harambe, the Montera Relief Fund Holiday Drive provides groceries to families who are in extreme need.
We are most in need of monetary donations to purchase gift cards by December 15 to help families purchase additional groceries. Our goal is to raise $4,000 for the Emergency Relief Fund, which enables us to help families during the holidays and in emergencies throughout the year.
You can also sign up to purchase items that will go into holiday gift bags for our families before December 15.
Many of our teachers and staff contribute their own time and efforts to bring cheer to Toro families who need it most. Let's join together and meet our goal of helping multiple Montera families in need this holiday season.
Thank you for helping us take care of our Toro community this holiday season!
Montera Teacher and Staff Appreciation Gifts and Holiday Party
Let’s come together and spread a little holiday cheer for the Montera teachers and staff who support our kids every day!
We invite our community to contribute funds so we can distribute gift cards evenly to all ~90 members of our amazing teachers and staff.
We are also seeking donations of bottles of wine and cookies, which we will present at a staff holiday party on December 17.
Please sign up to contribute funds and/or donate goodies to the party!
Socks and Mittens Drive
Montera students are creating a “Sock and Mitten Giving Tree."
Please bring in new pairs of socks, gloves, or mittens to hang from our Giving Tree in P-9.
Socks and gloves will be donated to the women and children of Oakland Elizabeth House.
See's Candies Holiday Fundraiser for Montera!
Buy See's Candies for holiday gifts, and support Montera - win-win! Simply buy online from the See's Montera Storefront and your candy will be shipped directly to your house. Montera receives 20%-50% of the profit of every order.
Sports Basement: Shop for Montera!
Shop at Sports Basement's special holiday event from Thursday, December 4, 2025, to Sunday, December 14, 2025.
Basementeers will get 20% off (and non-members will get 11% off), with 10% of all sales going to Montera if you select Montera as your beneficiary. (Some restrictions apply.) Mention Montera at check-out.
Thank you for your continued support, and happy holidays!
We’re thrilled to invite families for the 2026-2027 school year to our upcoming on campus tours. We need your help by being a Parent Tour Guide Helper! It's one of the easiest and needed volunteer positions. Current students lead the tours while you keep them on time and help answer questions from prospective parents.
Arrive on campus (outside the MUR) by 9:00am for each on-campus tour date to help with check-in and meet your student tour guide. The tour block is 9:30-11am for prospective families which includes a ~40 minute presentation & student panel in the MUR and ~50 minute walking tour.
Please join us in spreading the greatness of Montera. Go Toros!
California funds schools through Average Daily Attendance (ADA). This means that every day or period a student is absent or tardy, our school loses funding. Unexcused absences cost our school thousands of dollars each school year. Every minute counts!
Reminders:
AVOID picking up students during lunch - loud speaker announcements during lunch disrupt classes in session.
AVOID picking up students 20-30 minutes before the dismissal bell. This allows students to finish their school day without disruption.
Dismissal is at 1:50 pm on Wednesdays and 3:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Remember, school starts at 9:15! Please help your student arrive on time each day and reinforce the importance of showing up to 3rd & 7th period after lunch!
Any absence not verified by phone or email is marked “Unverified” and is considered unexcused.
If you know that your student is going to be absent, please call the main office at 510-879-3211 x1.
If your family is experiencing challenges with daily attendance, we are here to support you. Contact your grade-level principal or Ms. Ida at the number above for assistance.
Math Acceleration Information and Resources
Dear families,
Thank you for joining us on Thursday, November 13, 2025 for our webinar where we shared high school math acceleration options. Here is a recording of the webinar, the slides in English, and the slides in Spanish.
Here are the links that we shared during the webinar:
- Please use this google form to share questions
- Register for Summer 2026 Math Offerings
- Register for Algebra 1 Certification Exam
Dates for our Summer 2026 math offerings and Algebra 1 Certification Exam are below. It is important that we get information to HS counselors in a timely manner so that students start the first day of school with accurate schedules. If students have conflicts with the exam dates, please fill out the form and email us.
Please continue to use the google form linked above to share your questions. We will continue to compile questions and add our responses to the FAQ document (linked above) before winter break.
We look forward to continuing to support your family as you explore the most appropriate math course pathways for your student.
Thank you,
Courtney Ortega, Middle School Math Coordinator
Keely Machmer-Wessels, High School Math Coordinator
1) Order Your 2025–26 Montera Yearbook
Although the yearbook pre-sale has ended, it’s never too late to order your copy! Yearbooks will be delivered to the school in mid-May. Scan the QR code or CLICK HERE to order from Treering. The cost is $34.85 plus tax.
2) First-Time Ordering?
If you haven’t ordered before or are new to Montera, you’ll be prompted to create a login and add your student(s) information. When selecting a teacher, please choose “N/A (Not Listed/Applicable)” from the dropdown menu.
3) We Want Your Photos!
If you have great shots from school events or campus moments, email them to MonteraYearbookClub@gmail.com and include student names and short captions.
4) 8th Grade Baby Photos Needed
We’re collecting baby photos for the 8th-grade section! Please send a baby photo of your 8th grader by January 31, 2026 to MonteraYearbookClub@gmail.com.
Photos should be in JPG format and at least 500kb to print clearly. Include your student’s name in the subject line or body of your email.
5) Yearbook Cover Design Contest
All Montera students are invited to enter the cover design contest for a chance to have their artwork featured on this year’s yearbook. The winner will receive a free yearbook. Students can use any media—collage, colored pencil, watercolor, or digital art—as long as it’s scannable and horizontal (no 3D art).
Deadline to Submit Artwork: December 10, 2025 (View Rules & Guidelines Here)
Fall Sports Banquet THIS FRIDAY
Athletes and Coaches,
Congratulations on a successful season! Montera PTO and the Montera Atheltic Director are pleased to host our Fall Sports Banquet on Friday, December 5, 5-7pm in the MUR.
We'll celebrate our student-athletes, recognize teams and award-winners, and thank our incredible coaches and volunteers.
Dress: Smart casual or team spirit wear
RSVP: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4CACAD28A5FD0-60179133-fall#/
We hope to see you there!
--Montera Athletics
Soccer Tryouts
Girls Soccer Tryouts will take place on the grass field this week:
Tuesday, December 2nd from 3:45 PM – 5:15 PM
Wednesday, December 3rd from 2:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Boys Soccer Tryouts will take place next week:
Monday, December 8th from 3:45 - 5:15pm
Wednesday, December 10th from 2:00 - 3:45pm
Please make sure students wear cleats and shin guards and bring water.
We look forward to seeing everyone out on the field!
AD Price
Parking Lot Safety Reminder
Thank you to all of our parents and guardians for your continued cooperation with our new parking and pick-up procedures. Your support is helping ensure a safer and more orderly process.
Recently, there was a close call in the parking lot involving a student running into the driveway area as a vehicle was turning. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the situation was dangerous and could have had a different outcome.
With the time change and reduced daylight, we are asking families to please remind students of the following expectations:
Students should remain in designated student areas unless they are actively entering or exiting a vehicle.
Students should not run or play in the parking lot at any time.
Students should use sidewalks and crosswalks and be aware of moving vehicles.
Our staff and coaches are also making necessary adjustments to support safety, including reinforcing expectations with students at pick-up, coordinating clearer walking areas, and reexamining our practice areas to reduce movement near the driveway.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students safe during pick-up.
In community,
Coach Price
Upcoming Coaching Opportunities
Montera Middle School is seeking enthusiastic, dedicated coaches to join our Toro Athletics family this winter! We’re building teams that play hard, learn teamwork, and represent Montera with pride.
Girls JV Basketball Coach: We’re looking for a positive leader who can teach fundamentals, teamwork, and confidence to developing players.
Girls Soccer Coaches: Seeking passionate coaches who value growth, effort, and sportsmanship.
Boys Soccer Coaches: Looking for motivated coaches who can guide players through skill-building, conditioning, and competition.
Tryouts: Late November – Early December
Season: January – March 2025
Location: Montera Middle School, Oakland
Ideal Candidates Will:
Enjoy working with middle school athletes
Be reliable, organized, and positive role models
Communicate effectively with players, families, and staff
Be available for after-school practices and Saturday games
Contact: Martin Price, Athletic Director — [martin.price@ousd.org]
OAKLAND LITTLE LEAGUE SIGN-UPS NOW OPEN
Register now for Spring Baseball, ages 5-16.
Whether your child is a seasoned ballplayer or interested in trying baseball for the first time, Oakland Little League is a fantastic community-oriented program to introduce youth to a team sport in a safe, supportive environment.
Registration is now open for the Spring 2026 season at nollsoll.com. Players 2nd grade and younger are placed on teams with kids from the same school, so they'll almost certainly be with some friends.
Oakland Girls Softball League (OGSL) Spring 2026 registration
OGSL’s mission is to bring the sport of softball to players aged 5-14. The spring season will start in February and run through May. 1-2 practices on weekdays, games on Saturdays.
Registration Fees are 6U: $215 and 8U, 10U, 12/14U: $275. Sign up before December for an Early Bird discount! If cost is an issue, please email info@ogsl.org BEFORE completing the registration form for more information on requesting a ½ off fee discount. No one will be turned away for lack of funds!
OSGL Information: https://www.ogsl.org/
Registration: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/485569
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We Are Montera. We Are One.
Email: communications@monterapto.com | Website: https://montera.ousd.org/
Location: 5555 Ascot Drive, Oakland, CA, USA | Phone: (510) 531-6070