Magnolia is moving back to Santa Clara

Magnolia Santa Clara is moving back to Santa Clara for the 2016/2017 school year. The new site is going to be near Santa Clara High School and Pomeroy Elementary. This will be a 5 year lease.

Parents interested and who have not done so can pre-enroll via one of two methods:

1) Submit the pre-enrollment online:

Online Application

2) Print the form below and email a clear scan/photo to vpramirez@magnoliapublicschools.org

English / Spanish

Please do so before Thursday April 21st, before the Magnolia School Board meeting. You are also invited to come to the current Magnolia Campus (14271 Story Rd, San Jose, CA 95127) on April 21 at 4:45pm to meet the Board members on the day of the voting for selecting the new site.

Read the full announcement from the Magnolia Science Academy SC Principal below:

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From: Michele Ryan <mryan@magnoliapublicschools.org>

Date: April 15, 2016 at 10:13:40 PM PDT

To: Michele Ryan <mryan@magnoliapublicschools.org>

Subject: Option for Magnolia Science Academy to return to Santa Clara next school year

Dear Magnolia Families,

As I shared with the PTO at the PTO meeting last week, Magnolia Science Academy has an option to move back to Santa Clara for the upcoming school year. We have been offered a five-year lease (with an option for an additional five years) at this new location. The new site will be near Santa Clara High School and Pomeroy Elementary.

All current families and already admitted new students will be guaranteed enrollment at the new site. We will also have room for all siblings of current students. New and returning students will be admitted on a first come, first serve basis until we reach our enrollment capacity.

The Magnolia Public School Board of Directors will be voting on the lease for this new location at its meeting next Thursday, April 21. The only other option they will be considering is closing the school completely.

The Board will be meeting at our school, and this will be an excellent opportunity for the Board to hear directly from our families about why the school should remain open to provide an outstanding education to our students. The meeting will start at 5:00pm*, and we will have a meet and greet with the board members starting at 4:45 pm*. (*NOTE time change)

I hope you and your children will be able to attend the meeting. If you have any questions about the meeting or the proposal, please let me know.

In order to estimate our returning student enrollment, I will be sending you a brief survey. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in completing it as soon as possible.

If you know new or returning families who would like to enroll in MSA-SC now that we will be in Santa Clara, please ask them to complete the pre-enrollment application form on our website as soon as possible. I would like to have preliminary enrollment numbers for the Board on Thursday. The link to the form is here:

http://msasc.magnoliapublicschools.org/apps/pages/index.jsp…

I am grateful for your support this school year, and I look forward to working together to grow the school in our new location back in Santa Clara.

Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Michele

— Michele Ryan, Ph.D. Principal

Magnolia Science Academy – Santa Clara

14271 Story Rd, San Jose, CA 95127

http://santaclara.magnoliascience.org/

Teacher Help needed THIS weekend- ONLY on Sunday!

Thank you to those parents who responded. Teachers still need more parents for tomorrow. Saturday activity is cancelled as of now. Please contact Ms. Visa (see email in post below) if you can help even for an hour.

“Many hands make light work.” – John Heywood

DETAILS:

Sunday, June 7, 10 am- 4 pm.

TASKS:

Library – pack the returned textbooks, tape and label the boxes
Library – pack the AR books in some organized fashion, tape and label the boxes

Computer lab – pack the equipment, tape and label

Science – chemicals – pack per the direction of Mr. Louie
Science – other materials – pack as per direction of Science staff

Walk around classrooms, pull down posters, clean boards etc.
Walk around classrooms and check for other supplies inside cabinets that may have been accidentally left behind.

Please contact Ms. Visa {Email: vthiagarajan@magnoliapublicschools (dot)org } to let her know you’ll be coming in.

Thank you very much in advance!

Summer break | Photos| Teachers need HELP this weekend

Summer’s here! I hope the children (and their parents) are enjoying the start of their break. Let the PTO know what interesting things you all are doing this summer (with clear photos)- we’d love to post student activities on our Facebook (Click here) and our website (Click here). Please take a minute to ‘Like’ the FB page and ‘Follow’ the blog, if you’re not already doing so. The Eighth Grade Graduation photos will be posted there in the next week or so.

Meanwhile, teachers are hard at work packing up for the move to the new facility. They’re looking for some parental help this weekend and, as usual, I’m sure our parents will step up and be happy to help 🙂

DETAILS:

Saturday, June 6, 10 am- 12 noon

Sunday, June 7, 10 am- 4 pm.
TASKS:

Library – pack the returned textbooks, tape and label the boxes
Library – pack the AR books in some organized fashion, tape and label the boxes

Computer lab – pack the equipment, tape and label

Science – chemicals – pack per the direction of Mr. Louie
Science – other materials – pack as per direction of Science staff

Walk around classrooms, pull down posters, clean boards etc.
Walk around classrooms and check for other supplies inside cabinets that may have been accidentally left behind.

Please contact Ms. Visa (Email) to let her know you’ll be coming in.

Thank you very much in advance!

EVENT REMINDER: Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony

It’s that time of year when students move from Middle to High School! To celebrate this rite of passage, MSA-SC and MSA-SC PTO would like to invite all Eighth Graders and their families to the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony.

CONGRATULATIONS to all the Eighth Graders!

WHAT: Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony

WHEN: Thursday, May 28 2015

Ceremony 5:30- 6:30 pm

Refreshments & Mingling 6:30- 7:30 pm

WHERE: MSA-SC, 2720 Sonoma Pl, Santa Clara CA

A special THANK YOU to all the teachers, the PTO members and parents working hard to put this day together for the students.

8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

Update: Future Home of MSA Santa Clara

Update for all the wonderful Magnolians who worked hard to prevent a high performing school and above all, their community, MSASC, from closing for a year. You know who you are!

Thank you for all your hard work and unflinching support of the students and the school, from standing in rallies to attending late night SCCOE and SCUSD meetings. You ROCK!!!

Message from the school:

“Dear MSA Santa Clara Parents and Students,

We have great news to share with you; we have found a permanent school site and our board will vote on the new facility on Sunday, May 17th.

The address of the facility is 1161 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Sunnyvale.

Site Attributes

•30,000 SF of space available for MSA SC

•Easy access to highways 101 and 237.

•Adjacent to VTA Tasman Light Rail station and bus stations

•Large parking lot which can be partly used as an outdoor play area

•Secure campus with onsite drop off and pickup

•Onsite gymnasium

•Zoned Appropriately

•Adjacent to residential and commercial areas

•ADA Compliant, Sprinklered Building

We are currently working on signing a 10+ year lease and getting Magnolia board approval and are in contact with the city of Sunnyvale for planning and city approvals. The time line for the facility is:

•Sign Lease May 21, 2015

•Planning and Design June 27, 2015

•Receive City Approvals July 5, 2015

•Begin Construction July 5, 2015

•Complete Construction August 21, 2015

•Final Inspection and COO August 22, 2015

•Occupy the Space August 24, 2015

It is a tight timeline and therefore we have revised our school calendar to start on August 24th. Please find attached our new calendar:  MSASC School Calendar: 2015-16 “

PTO ELECTION time! Forms included

Link to PTO Board Nomination Form: http://goo.gl/forms/EJaaOiUVRw

Hello Magnolians,

As the 2014-15 school year draws to an end, it is time to start preparing for next years school programs and activities.

We are looking for nominations for the following PTO Board positions; President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor. The current PTO board members’ term concludes on May 31, 2015. With the MSA-SC PTO infrastructure already in place, we are looking for parents to step up and move us forward next year with the responsibility of enriching the lives of our children and contributing to the quality education they deserve. In accordance with By-laws of the MSA-SC  PTO the nomination committee is soliciting members for each PTO board position. The nominees should represent parents with interests’ experience and expertise with the position nominated and show a strong commitment to the purpose of the PTO.

You may nominate yourself or someone you think will honorably represent the position. Brief job descriptions for each position are included in the Nomination Form. Feel free to contact a current board member for additional information. The new board members will be selected from nominations elicited from the general membership. Additionally Committee heads and volunteer members are needed.

QUALIFICATIONS: The nomination process will be open to anyone who is a current parent in MSA-SC at the time when school re-opens for academic year 2015-16. If appointed, board members must comply with the approved by-laws. Current Board members will help you learn ‘on the job’ as they transition out.

TERM OF APPOINTMENT: From first day of school to last day of school of academic year 2015-16

NOMINATION FORMS: Any MSA-SC parent may nominate a person or persons, including him or herself. Click the form link below to submit online. There will also be paper forms available at the Thursday April 30 meeting.

Link to PTO Board Nomination Form: http://goo.gl/forms/EJaaOiUVRw

Regards,

Jaya Gautam
Vice President, MSA-SC PTO

Why get involved? Research show that parental involvement affects a child’s life positively. Parent involvement is most effective when a true partnership exists between schools and families. The PTO Board works as a liaison between the parents, the teachers and the school to build that partnership, ultimately benefiting each child in the school.

Thank you, teachers: Teacher Appreciation Week

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! Thank you to all the teachers who make a difference in students’ lives. You have helped a young person positively in his/ her path in life.

Also, thank you to all the generous parents who brought in food for the Teacher Appreciation Breakfast yesterday and the Teacher Appreciation Lunch today!
The teachers and the PTO appreciate your generosity and support.

Teacher Appreciation Week: Thank you Teachers

 

EVENT REMINDER: Science STEAM Expo, this Friday, May 8

Dear Parents,

Friday May 8th is a short day and school will be over at 12:30. All parents are welcome to see student work from 8:30 to 12:30. The schedule for the day is below:

STEAM EXPO  Friday, May 8	8:30-9:30	9:30-10:30	10:30-11:30	11:30-12:30
ENGINEERING	6th Grade Popsicle Bridge PLAYGROUND BEHIND ROOM A&B	7th Grade Popsicle Bridge PLAYGROUND BEHIND ROOM A&B	8th Grade Popsicle Bridge PLAYGROUND BEHIND ROOM A&B	SubmarinesBLACKTOP
ENGINEERING	Telescope Presentations ROOM A	Marble Rollercoaster CAFETERIA	TrebuchetsFIELD	Egg DropBLACKTOP
SCIENCE	Bio Model Presentations ROOM B	Ecosystem Presentations ROOM B
SCIENCE	High School Science  Demonstrations HALLWAY	High School Science  Demonstrations HALLWAY	High School Science  Demonstrations HALLWAY	High School Science  Demonstrations HALLWAY
TECHNOLOGY	Computer Lab- Open	Computer Lab- Open	Computer Lab- Open	Computer Lab- Open
MATH	Math Activity ROOMS 2 & 3	Math Activity ROOMS 2 & 3	Math Activity ROOMS 2 & 3	Math Activity ROOMS 2 & 3
ART Art Display-ROOM 1	6th, 7th, 8th Grade Science Standards Based Art	6th, 7th, 8th Grade Science Standards Based Art	6th, 7th, 8th Grade Science Standards Based Art	6th, 7th, 8th Grade Science Standards Based Art

MSA-SC Science Expo: May 8, 2015

EVENT REMINDER: Town Hall Meeting, Fri May 8, 7- 8 pm

You are cordially invited to a town hall meeting on Friday, May 8th with Magnolia Public Schools’ Board President Dr. Umit Yapanel and CEO Dr. Caprice Young. Dr. Young will be discussing updates on the school facilities for 2015-2016 and ongoing efforts to ensure that our program continues uninterrupted in the fall. We look forward to seeing you Friday night.

Town Hall Meeting

When: Friday, May 8, 2015
Time: 7:00 PM ~ 8:00 PM
Where: MSASC Cafeteria, 2720 Sonoma Place, Santa Clara
Subject: Update on school facilities

Town Hall Meeting

Update: Apr 23, SCUSD meeting || Thank you for YOUR support || Photos

Thank you to all the parents and students who came to the SCUSD Meeting last week! You DID make a difference!

Some photos on the MSA-SC PTO Facebook page: Click HERE . And if you haven’t done so already, please  ‘LIKE’  the Facebook page while you’re there.

The principal, Mr. Ak’s update on the SCUSD Board Meeting and its decision:

“Dear MSA Santa Clara Parents and Students,

Last night the Santa Clara Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to not extend our lease at our current campus for the upcoming school year. While we are disappointed in the board’s decision, I would like to assure you that we are committed to remaining open, and we are actively exploring alternative campuses that meet our educational needs for next year.
The district’s board approved a motion that directs the district’s superintendent and staff to work with us to find an alternate site on a district campus. We plan on meeting with the district as soon as possible to explore this option.
Additionally, we are currently engaging in negotiations for a temporary campus that is not on district grounds, and which would serve us in the upcoming school year. As we explore both of these options, we plan to dedicate our time and resources to make sure that we choose a campus that best serves our community, as we continue to provide a rigorous, STEM-focused education to our students.
We will keep you posted on our efforts to secure a campus, and I am confident our high-quality program will continue uninterrupted in the coming years.
I would like to personally thank our parents, students, teachers and staff for their ongoing support and efforts to secure a campus for next year. I am so proud to call MSA Santa Clara my home and look forward to graduating our very first class next year.
Warmest regards,
Yilmaz Ak
Principal”

IMP: MSA-SC PTO Board Nominations + Elections this Thursday, April 30, 7- 8 pm

Hello Magnolians,

As the 2014-15 school year draws to an end, it is time to start preparing for next years school programs and activities.

We are looking for nominations for the following PTO Board positions; President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor. The current PTO board members’ term concludes on May 31, 2015. With the MSA-SC PTO infrastructure already in place, we are looking for parents to step up and move us forward next year with the responsibility of enriching the lives of our children and contributing to the quality education they deserve. In accordance with By-laws of the MSA-SC  PTO the nomination committee is soliciting members for each PTO board position. The nominees should represent parents with interests’ experience and expertise with the position nominated and show a strong commitment to the purpose of the PTO.

You may nominate yourself or someone you think will honorably represent the position. Brief job descriptions for each position are included in the Nomination Form. Feel free to contact a current board member for additional information. The new board members will be selected from nominations elicited from the general membership. Additionally Committee heads and volunteer members are needed.

QUALIFICATIONS: The nomination process will be open to anyone who is a current parent in MSA-SC at the time when school re-opens for academic year 2015-16. If appointed, board members must comply with the approved by-laws. Current Board members will help you learn ‘on the job’ as they transition out.

TERM OF APPOINTMENT: From first day of school to last day of school of academic year 2015-16

NOMINATION FORMS: Any MSA-SC parent may nominate a person or persons, including him or herself. Click the form link below to submit online. There will also be paper forms available at the Thursday April 30 meeting.

Link to PTO Board Nomination Form: http://goo.gl/forms/EJaaOiUVRw

Link to PTO Meeting Agenda: http://bit.ly/1HO4fov

Regards,

Jaya Gautam
Vice President, MSA-SC PTO

Why get involved? Research show that parental involvement affects a child’s life positively. Parent involvement is most effective when a true partnership exists between schools and families. The PTO Board works as a liaison between the parents, the teachers and the school to build that partnership, ultimately benefiting each child in the school.

PTO Elections

V. IMP: Come to SCUSD Meeting TONIGHT || Protests, Petitions, Politics || Put children FIRST!

TONIGHT is the night! After a long, frustrating, hard fought struggle- in the course of which we Magnolians learned a lot: support, solidarity, tears, ‘together we can’, protests, petitions, politics and the unfortunate fact that often the children are not placed FIRST but LAST; it comes down to this, we need to show up for the SCUSD board meeting TONIGHT. It could be the ‘Make or Break’ moment!! Let’s remind the SCUSD that our ‘Kids Count‘, too!

The last couple of board meetings, the Magnolia students and parents have asked the SCUSD board to put the Magnolia school lease extension on the agenda, and at the last meeting President Gonzalez said that MSA-SC would be on the Agenda for tonight. Click for Agenda

So, show up tonight, stand together tonight, speak up tonight! Let us make our presence count, let us show our support.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
– Margaret Mead

WHAT: SCUSD Board Meeting

WHEN: Thursday, April 23, 2015. Meeting runs from 5 pm onward. Please come by 6:15 pm at the latest. You’re welcome to come earlier.

WHERE: Board Room, Santa Clara Unified School District Office (Google Maps), 1889 Lawrence Road, Santa Clara 95051

WHAT TO DO/ BRING: Please come prepared with a 1 minute speech. (If you do not want to talk, show up for support! ) Have a good snack before to make sure you have the energy to speak and to stay till the end 🙂 Bring another small snack, some water, a book or something to do as we may have to wait till the end of the meeting. Bring your positive attitude 🙂 Wear your UNIFORM! 

SEE YOU TONIGHT!

Kids count!

IMP: MSA-SC is on the SCUSD meeting agenda this Thursday, April 23! We need YOU to be present to show your support

Hello Magnolians,

MSA-SC is finally officially on the agenda this Thursday, April 23rd at 6:30 pm.

We, the Magnolian community, current and future students, need YOU to be there to show your support for the requested one year school lease extension at the current facility.

In the end, it’s as simple as that- just SHOW UP!

Thank you!

SOS_Save Our School

MSASC students and parents unitedly wait at a board meeting

SCUSD needs to show, as the BOTTOM LINE of their existence, they care about CHILDREN!! Board Meeting TONIGHT!

Never Give Up! The new/ old motto for Magnolians fighting to keep MSA-SC up and running next academic year- to keep a high quality educational choice open for their kids, and other kids, now and down the road…. children who would not get the chance to attend a school which lets them stretch their boundaries, STEM or otherwise.

The children look forward to YOUR support TONIGHT! We will be there at every SCUSD meeting till they put the MSA-SC lease extension on the agenda AND then extend the lease- it’s NOT about SCUSD POLITICS, it’s NOT about POWER BLOCS, it’s NOT about Various LOBBYISTS, it’s about the LIVES of OUR CHILDREN!!

SCUSD needs to show that they care about EDUCATION, they care about parents; eventually, as the BOTTOM LINE of their existence, that they care about the CHILDREN!!

Thank you to the speakers who spoke at the SCUSD March 5th meeting

MSA-SC community speaking at SCUSD meeting, March 5, 2015

WHAT: SCUSD Board Meeting

WHEN: Thursday, April 9, 2015. Meeting runs from 5 pm onward. Please come by 6:15 pm at the latest. You’re welcome to come earlier.

WHERE: Board Room, Santa Clara Unified School District Office (Google Maps), 1889 Lawrence Road, Santa Clara 95051

WHAT TO DO/ BRING: Please come prepared with a 1 minute speech. (If you do not want to talk, show up for support! ) Have a good snack before to make sure you have the energy to speak and to stay till the end 🙂 Bring another small snack, some water, a book or something to do as we may have to wait till the end of the meeting. Bring your positive attitude 🙂 Wear your UNIFORM! 

SEE YOU TONIGHT!

Kids count!

Mercury News article talks about MSA-SC’s Fight for Facilities

Read the Mercury News article on how charters including MSA-SC are being squeezed out of  San Francisco Bay Area facilities: Click here

Excerpt from the article:

Santa Clara Unified spokeswoman Jennifer Dericco , “….. We need to take care of Santa Clara Unified students first,” she said.

But charter parents point out that they, too, are district parents — who simply have chosen an alternative permitted under state law.

Please take a moment to share this article (http://bit.ly/charterSF) by Sharon Noguchi of the Mercury News with your mailing lists (friends, families, other people interested in education), corporate distribution lists and social networks (Facebook, Twitter etc) and also ask them to sign and then share our PETITION:  http://bit.ly/extendMSASCpetition

Let’s work together to make this happen!!

Students from the Magnolia Science Academy rally outside the Santa Clara Unified School District Board Meeting, March 5, 2015. Magnolia hopes to get an extension for its lease so that they can find a permanent facility. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)