Montera Middle School eBulletin
January 11, 2026
This week's school schedule: AB -b- AB
Upcoming Events:
Monday, January 19: No School (Martin Luther King, Jr Day)
Thursday, January 22: Montera PTO Meeting (In Person at Ghost Town Brewing, 6:30pm)
Tuesday, February 10: Coffee with the Principal (Room 303, 9:30-10:15am)
Monday, February 16: President's Day (No School)
Saturday, March 14: Montera's Benefit Auction & Dinner (Zanzi, 4:00pm)
Consider signing up to help. Being a parent tour helper is one of the easiest and most 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!
Winter Sports
Winter Sports participants have received their team assignments. Adults should have received invites to the Band App to hear more team news.
Have a great season, Toros!
Coaching Help Still Needed
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 Assistant Coach: We’re looking for a positive leader who can help teach fundamentals, teamwork, and confidence to developing players.
Boys JV Soccer Coach(es): Looking for motivated coaches who can guide players through skill-building, conditioning, and competition.
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]
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.
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.
Last Chance! Oakland Girls Softball League (OGSL) Spring 2026 registration
Registration ends tonight!
https://registration.teamsnap.com/form/42385
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. Registration closes this Sunday, January 11th! 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!
Opportunity for Middle School Girls Interested in STEM, Business, or Entrepreneurship
Oakland Technical High School’s student-led robotics team, Oakland Tech CyberDogz (Team 24381), is hosting a special event called FishTank Girls, designed to introduce middle school girls to STEM, business, entrepreneurship, and teamwork in a fun and supportive environment.
During the event, students will work in teams to develop and pitch creative product ideas, learning the basics of problem-solving, and presentation skills. Teams will compete in a friendly pitch competition for cash prizes!
No prior experience is required. This event is intended to encourage confidence, business, creativity, and interest in STEM fields.
Event Details:
Event: FishTank Girls
Date: January 24, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Oakland Technical High School 4351 Broadway, Oakland, CA
Who Can Attend: Female middle school students
Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/OT-Fishtank2026
InnovateHER STEM Conference for Girls, Feb 7
Dear Montera Community,
My name is Saanvi Juneja, and I am the Communications Director of the SWENext Chapter at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, CA. I am reaching out to share a free STEM opportunity for female-identifying middle and high school students.
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, we are hosting our first-ever InnovateHER Conference, a one-day STEM conference from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM designed to inspire and empower middle and high school girls through hands-on engineering experiences, mentorship, and exposure to real-world STEM pathways.
The conference will feature:
A keynote speaker from industry or higher education
Hands-on STEM station rotations
A panel of women in engineering, technology, and entrepreneurship
A collaborative Innovation Challenge, where students design and build a bridge using popsicle sticks and painter’s tape
Opportunities for teamwork, creativity, and mentorship
Attendance is completely free, and the event will take place on a Saturday. Additional details, including registration information, are included in the attached flyer. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Saanvi Juneja
Communications Director, SWENext Chapter, Saint Francis High School
saanvijuneja@sfhs.com
Middle School Scholars Leadership Program for Girls: Apply Now!
Registration is open for our Middle School Scholars Leadership Program for sixth and seventh grade girls. This program is perfect for girls interested in exploring, discovering, and deepening their passion for leadership and making a positive impact in their communities. Students will learn from expert faculty through experiential activities, be mentored by current Santa Catalina students, participate in an off-campus excursion, and more!
Program Details
Dates: April 24–26, 2026
Location: Santa Catalina School in Monterey, California
Participation: This tuition-free program includes on-campus housing, meals, and all activities
Application Timeline: December 1, 2025–January 31, 2026
Selected Scholar Announcement: February 13, 2026; students not selected for the three-day weekend will be invited to a one-day program on-campus March 15 or regional events in fall 2026
Scholars Will
Create connections with student leaders across the country
Identify personal leadership strengths and improve communication skills
Participate in a team design challenge
Explore Santa Catalina School's signature programs of Marine Ecology, Engineering, and Musical Theatre
Please consider applying if you are a sixth or seventh grade girl who is interested in problem-solving real-world issues. Download our flyer, and visit santacatalina.org/scholars for more information.
Sincerely,
Ange Atkinson
Director of Auxiliary Programs
Santa Catalina 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