Montera Middle School eBulletin
October 19, 2025
This week's school schedule: AB -a- AB
Upcoming Events:
Monday, October 20 - Thursday, October 23: 7th Grade Field Trip to Rob Hill (Presidio SF)
Tuesday, October 21: Last day of Halloween Dance ticket sales ($10, cash only, sold at lunch)
Wednesday, October 22: Dine-out Fundraiser at Patty’s & Buns (Info Here)
Friday, October 24: Picture Day Retakes
Saturday, October 25: Montera's Fall Fest! (2:00-5:00pm)
Wednesday, October 29: Halloween Dance (5:30-7:30pm in the MUR)
Thursday, October 30: 8th Grade Activities Meeting (7-8pm via Zoom)
Friday, October 31: Halloween Costume Contest at School
Saturday, November 8: Montera’s Fall Sweep: Garden Work Day! (10:30-2:00pm)
Tuesday, November 11: No School (Veteran's Day)
Tuesday, November 18: Coffee with Doc (Room 303, 9:30-10:15)
Thursday, November 20: PTO Meeting (6:30-7:30pm via Zoom)
Monday, November 24-Friday, November 28: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
You’re invited to Fall Fest on Saturday, October 25 from 2:00-5:00 pm. Entry is FREE for the whole family!
Activity and food tickets will be available to buy at the event, or you can pre-purchase here. Tickets are $1 each and can be used at Fall Fest for food, activities, or booth offerings. We recommend purchasing about 20 tickets per person to cover food and activities. Please note, the Kona Ice Truck will accept cash or cards instead of tickets.
🎃 Brave the Haunted House (We need Volunteers to help set-up on Thursday 10/23!!)
🌮 Enjoy food from Glenview Taqueria
🍧 Cool off with shaved ice from the Kona Ice Truck
🎶 Gather at the Main Stage for music and performances
👻 Wear your Halloween costume and enter the contest for prizes!
🚀The inflatable zone will feature a super-large obstacle course, giant slide, plus a special Kiddie Jump just for our littlest Toros, ages 6 and under.
🎟️ Buy raffle tickets here to enter to win amazing prizes!
😎 Clubs and Groups that will be hosting a table at Fall Fest: Crochet/Knitting Club, School of Rap, Montera Cheer, Asian Pacific Islander Club, Yearbook Club, Anime Club, Think Together and more!
🚨URGENT – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Time to Rally, Toros! This event only happens with YOUR help. If we do not fill shifts, we cannot run all the activities. Please sign up today and be part of making Fall Fest an amazing community event.
Big Thanks to Our Annual Fund Supporters - It’s Not Too Late to Add Your Support!
Dear Toro Families,
Our Annual Fund campaign has officially come to a close and we couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible generosity of our community!
Together, we raised $39,000 toward our $50,000 goal, ensuring the Montera PTO can support essential programs such as teacher stipends, campus culture, department grants, professional development, technology, books, campus upgrades, sports, music, and more!
While the formal campaign has ended, the Annual Fund accepts contributions throughout the entire school year. If you weren’t able to contribute during the drive, it’s never too late to show your support. We’ll share periodic updates throughout the school year as we continue to work toward our $50,000 goal!
Whether you give $50, $450, or more, every dollar makes a difference and every student benefits. Consider a smaller monthly gift if $450 does not fit your budget. And if you can give more, we encourage your generosity. Give online today or return this form with a check.
Check with your employer to see if your contribution will be matched! It’s easy! Just submit your receipt through your employer’s matching gift portal or HR.
Montera PTO 501(c)3 Non Profit Tax ID#: 23-7266421
Thank you to everyone who joined our PTO meeting on Thursday, October 16. We appreciate your time and participation.
Please click the links to view the presentation slides and recording (Passcode: 5a$T$SN6).
This update is provided by Montera's new ELA Reading Coach, Shaina Patel:
Dear Families,
All Montera students should have received a copy of their Fall iReady Diagnostic Results during their English class late last week. iReady reading testing happens 3 times per year - Fall, Winter and Spring. Students will reflect on their current reading scores in class and set goals to support their growth as readers. The iReady Diagnostic Report and Student Reflection handout will be sent home for families to see and sign. Please be sure to sign the iReady Student Reflection your student brought home, and have your student turn it in to their English teacher by Monday 10/20.
Families can also access iReady Results at home by following these instructions.
Thank you!
- Shaina Patel (she/hers)
ELA Instructional Coach
Wednesday, October 22
Join Montera Middle School in raising money while enjoying breakfast from 8:00-11:30 am and lunch/dinner until 7:00pm. 15% of your purchase will benefit the Toro community!
Online: www.pattysandbunsburgers.com. Enter MONTERA in the extra information at checkout.
Dine-in or take-out: mention MONTERA when ordering.
**Delivery will not count towards fundraiser**
Halloween Dance!
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 5:30-7:30 pm
Get ready for a spooky good time at Montera’s Halloween Dance!
Dance tickets will be sold at school during both lunches in the MUR courtyard, Tuesday, October 14 - Tuesday, October 21 ($10, cash only)
Students must have a signed permission slip in order to purchase a ticket
Parent Volunteers Needed: Check out the available slots here and sign up.
Halloween Morning Treats at School!
We need parent volunteers for Halloween morning to hand out donut holes to ALL students.
10/31/2025 be at Montera at 8:15am
3 parent volunteers by the back parking lot
3 parent volunteers by the MUR area
3 parent volunteers by the buses
Email president@monterapto.com or ida.johnson@ousd.org to volunteer!
What does the SSC do?
Review the School Plan for Student Achievement
Vote on Title 1 student and Title 1 parent dollars
Make recommendations about programs (academic, SEL, etc)
Meetings Days:
2nd Tuesday of the month, 6:00 - 7:00PM
Meetings held on Zoom
Currently have 4 parent vacancies
A dedicated 8th Grade Zoom meeting will be held on Thursday, October 30 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Ms. Rasheed and Teena Bowie will share details about all the exciting events and celebrations planned for our 8th graders this school year.
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 889 1684 6174
Passcode: Toros!
Questions? Contact 8thgradeactivities@monterapto.com
Saturday, November 8, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Montera's garden space and raised beds are ready for a little TLC. Let’s pull weeds, tidy up the space, and get the soil ready for new plants. Bring your gloves & a water bottle!
Join the fun by signing up for a volunteer slot! Kids are welcome and encouraged to take part. They’ll get to decorate small pots, fill them with soil and seeds, and plant start seeds like perennials, small trees, and fall or winter plants.
From 12:30-1:00 we will have pizza and refreshments.
Please contact Christine Mirov at gardens@monterapto.com if you have questions.
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:
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!
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.
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.
Place an order for your 2025-26 Montera yearbook before October 31st and save 10% off the regular price of $34.85 and cross a task off your back-to-school to-do list! Yearbooks will be delivered to the school in the middle of May. Scan this QR code or click HERE to order from Treering.
R4R Registration is NOW OPEN!
We're thrilled to bring you the eighteenth Ride 4A Reason on April 25, 2026 - you can register TODAY for the best prices all year!
R4R has provided over $2 million in critical funds for schools in Oakland and Alameda, and we are looking to raise more than ever this year as we cycle up to 110 miles from Oakland to Sacramento.
As a Title 1 School, Montera is a direct beneficiary of Ride 4A Reason. We receive approximately $10,000 each year!
Our beneficiary schools use R4R funds for field trips, art and music programs, college tours, and teacher-led projects that enable students to have experiences that are foundational for creating committed, engaged community members.
We hope you'll join us at R4R 2026, and everyone who registers at or before our kick-off event on November 6 will be entered into a raffle to win a 2026 R4R jersey and a $100 gift certificate to Tip Top Bicycle.
Ride on,
The 2026 Ride 4A Reason Steering Committee
And Join R4R supporters and community for a kick-off celebration at Arthur Mac's Tap & Snack to launch our 2026 ride! Thursday, November 6, 5:30-7:30pm
A portion of sales that night will benefit R4R, and we'll have computers so you can sign up to ride on the spot! Kids welcome.
Montera’s fall sports are off to an amazing start! From the field to the court, our student-athletes are showing incredible dedication, teamwork, and Toro pride. Every sport is an opportunity to learn, grow, and strengthen our community — and our students continue to shine. These are just a few recent highlights.
Girls Flag Football
The team came out strong and dominated with a 46–0 win!
Neriah scored 3 touchdowns
Kai’Rose added 2
Chaz chipped in 1
Fantastic teamwork, focus, and energy — great job, Toros!
Boys Futsal
Proud of the boys! They played with heart, worked together, and supported one another — and ultimately pulled out the win. They’re always respectful, and even though we’re a young team, they never back down.
At Montera, sports aren’t just about the score — they’re about building relationships, learning sportsmanship, and showing what community looks like. Win or lose, every game is a lesson in teamwork, humility, and heart. Go Toros!
JV Yellow Volleyball
Our JV Yellow squad battled hard today! We took the 2nd set with great energy and teamwork but came up just short in the 3rd. Close games all around — proud of their effort, spirit, and growth every match. Go Toros!
Volleyball Clinic
Proud of the girls for bringing energy, joy, and determination — and pulling off their first win in amazing fashion!
Big shoutout to Junior Coaches Natalie, McKenna, and Nana — the players’ hard work in practice is showing on the court. Each week they’re getting stronger, and it’s inspiring to watch them grow into a true team. A special thank you to Coach Aileen for getting cleared and stepping up for the team. It truly takes a village, and we’re proud to be part of it. Go Toros!
7th/8th grade Cheer Update
Over the weekend, our Varsity Cheer team competed and proudly earned 3rd place in tumbling at their cheer competition! The team continues to demonstrate incredible dedication, teamwork, and Toro spirit.
This coming weekend, Varsity Cheer will be joining the fun at the Fall Festival here at school — a chance to celebrate, perform, and share their energy with our community.
It’s been such a joy watching this team grow, support one another, and represent Montera with pride. Let’s go Toros!
6th/7th Grade Cheer
Our cheer team brought great spirit cheering for Varsity Yellow Girls Volleyball this past Saturday!
They’re now preparing to perform at Fall Fest on Saturday, October 25.
Thank You!
A huge thank you to all our coaches, families, and supporters who make Montera Athletics possible. Your encouragement, energy, and commitment help our students grow not only as athletes — but as leaders and community builders. Go Toros!
This past spring, we launched a new sport at Montera — Ultimate Frisbee!
This past weekend, a few players from that team competed in a beach tournament at Ocean Beach and came away with the win!
With every sport, our students learn so much more than the game itself — they learn teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and respect. Sports at Montera are about growing together and building a strong, connected community where everyone supports one another, on and off the field.
Thank you Coach Heather for helping to grow this sport at Montera. Go Toros!!
OAL Baseball/Softball Clinic: this Saturday
The Oakland Athletic League (OAL) is excited to announce a partnership with Tyson Ross and the Loyal To My Soil Foundation to host a Baseball/Softball Clinic on Saturday, October 25th at Laney College!
This event is a fantastic opportunity for our student-athletes to sharpen their skills, learn from experienced coaches, and enjoy a day dedicated to growing the game right here in Oakland.
We’re inviting all OAL/OUSD coaches to sign up and assist on the field. Coaches will receive a crash course on the drills being used during the camp and will help lead their teams through each station.
Date: Saturday, October 25th
Location: Laney College
Time: 9 am - Noon
Participant Limit: 150 students (waitlist available)
Links to Participate:
Volunteer Coaches Sign-Up:https://forms.gle/aJey4NFeBnWvkqdJ7
Player Registration:https://loyaltomysoilrbi.leagueapps.com/camps/4769502-1025-loyal-to-my-soil-camp
Let’s continue building opportunities for our youth and celebrating the spirit of Oakland athletics together.
Global Young Men’s Conference
Saturday, November 8, 2025
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Claremont Middle School, 5750 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
Young men in grades 6–12 from across the Bay Area
Free to attend
everforwardclub.org/gymc-oakland-2025
A day of fun, food, and brotherhood. Discover who you are, who you can become, and the support to get you there! Qualify for a chance to win up to $1,000 in prizes with early registration and attendance!
We also invite students to take part in our Million Mask Movement by creating masks at millionmask.org. It’s a simple but powerful reflective activity that helps young people express both what they show to the world and what they often keep hidden. It’s a wonderful conversation starter and deeply connected to the mission of the conference.
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Montera Middle School
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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