Career Day is Wednesday, May 29! Do you have 2 hours to spend with us?
     Wednesday, May 29th is Career Day! 30 professionals from our community will engage our students through interactive presentations. One of them could be you! Or a friend or relative!
     Do not underestimate the impact that your story and insights may have on the life of a student. The students benefit so much from knowing that there are options for them, and they learn from your experience in life.
     The commitment is from 10:20 AM to 12:15 PM, which includes two 25-minute classroom presentations and then sitting at a table in the courtyard interacting with the entire student body during lunch.
     Please contact Ms. Philips at (510) 531-6600 ext. 505, or email alice.philips@ousd.k12.ca.us ASAP if you are interested.

OUSD Bands at Oakland A’s, Saturday, June 1, 1:00  PM (Oakland Coliseum)
     A combined orchestra of 100 of Oakland’s finest young musicians will be opening the Oakland A’s game on Saturday, June 1st with the National Anthem. 30 of Brewer’s students have been chosen for this extraordinary event along with students from Westlake, Elmhurst, and West Oakland Middle Schools. The particular game against the Chicago White Sox is also Yeonis Cespedes Jersey Giveaway Day – so tickets will be going FAST! Tickets in the Field Level Section 100′s are for sale to the community at the discounted price of $20 through the PTSA. Please contact music@ednabrewer.net, or pick up an order form beginning Monday, May 13th from the office or from Mr. Pitt-Smith. All checks should be made payable to “Edna Brewer PTSA.” There are a VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS available for this event, so they will be first-come, first-served, and when they are gone, they’re GONE. Orders will be accepted until May 24 (or until we run out).
     Zachary Pitt-Smith
     Music Director

Eighth Grade Promotion and Related Activities
     A portion of the cost for these events is covered by the yearly efforts of the car wash fundraisers. We also ask each 8th grade family to contribute a $10 suggested donation to help offset costs.
     We need a team of 7th grade parents to help facilitate parking and direct attendees at the promotion on June 13th. Please contact Lisa Terrazas at rjtmd@hotmail.com if you can help.

8th Grade Dinner Dance
When: Friday, June 7, 5:00 – 8:30 PM
Where: Lakeside Park Garden Center near Lake Merritt (666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland)
Details: Students will enjoy a buffet dinner followed by dancing with a live DJ. Polaroid shots from the dance will be available for purchase for $2. Students are allowed to bring their own cameras.  
Requirements for Attendance: During the second semester, student has no more than 1 suspension, no more than 3 referrals, and no uncleared tardies.
Dress expectations: Boys should wear at least business casual (we’ve had some dress up more than others which is fine). Girls may dress up as much as they want, but may not have hemlines that are more than 5 inches above the knee or necklines that plunge.
 
8th Grade Picnic (field trip permission slip required)
When: Tuesday, June 11, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: Quarry Lakes Park (2100 Isherwood Way, Fremont)
Details: All-day field trip. Buses will transport students from Edna Brewer to Quarry Lakes Park. Students, teachers, and parent chaperones will participate in outdoor activities and enjoy a picnic lunch. Buses will leave the park at 2:00 PM in order to return to Edna Brewer for the regular 3:00 PM dismissal. Students may bring cameras but no music playing devices.
Requirements for Attendance: During the second semester, student has no more than 1 suspension, no more than 3 referrals, and no uncleared tardies.
Dress Expectations: School dress code
 
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
When: Thursday, June 13, Student arrival time 4:30 PM, Ceremony begins at 5:30 PM
Where: Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park (3300 Joaquin Miller Road, Oakland)
Details: Students are required to arrive at 4:30 PM. The ceremony will begin at 5:30 PM. There is no limit to the number of guests for each student and no tickets are required. Seating is available on a first come first serve basis. Seating and parking for disabled is available but limited.
Requirements for Attendance: Students who meet the 2.0 GPA requirements. Students who do not meet this requirement will be promoted but cannot participate in the ceremony.
Dress Expectations: Students are to wear dressy attire that is black, white, and/or red.

Dress Code Reminder
     Part of teaching student success is helping students understand appropriate dress. We will call you if your student is removed from class due to inappropriate dress. Please help us by reminding your child of the difference between clothing that is for school and clothing that is for home, parties, or the beach.
     If a student is removed from class for inappropriate dress:
     • The student has the option to change into PE clothing
     • Or some clean clothes that we keep in the office
     • Or you may bring them a change of clothing
     • Or they will need to go home and return appropriately dressed.
     This is considered a violation, will go in their record, and count toward referrals.

    For girls: Shirt necklines must cover all straps and cleavage and cover midriff as well. Wide necklines don’t work for this.
    Thin cotton, see-through, or lace tops are not acceptable unless there is a tank top underneath with 2-inch straps
    All shoulder straps on shirts must be at least 2 inches wide
    Leggings can never be worn alone – only under skirts and shorts that are no more than 2 inches above the knee
     
    Boys cannot have their pants sagging

For All Students: dressing for success means–

    Hats and hoods are off inside the building
    Ripped jeans are not allowed at all
    No pajamas or bedroom slippers, flip flops or shower sandals
    Also not allowed, is clothing with profane writing/logos such as drugs, weapons, alcohol.

     If you would like a copy of the dress code, please ask at the office.
     We really appreciate your support with this, so that we can do what we do best – teach your children!
     Thanks!

Water Dispensers in EBMS Cafeteria/Dispensador de Agua en la Cafetería de EBMS
     The cafeteria at Edna Brewer Middle School has new water dispensers, available to students at no charge! Water has many benefits …
     Water is free. Tap water costs less than $0.01 per gallon, while bottled water costs as much as $7.50 per gallon – that’s 750 times more expensive! If you drink tap water instead of purchasing just one bottled water, soda, juice or other bottled drink each day, you could save over $350 each year. For a family, multiply this number by the number of people in your family to see how much money you can save and use for other things. Use that money for groceries, school supplies, a sports activity, or healthcare. Why not try out tap water and start saving today?
 
     ¡Hay un nuevo dispensador de agua en la cafetería de Edna Brewer! El agua tiene muchas ventajas…
     El agua es gratuita ¿Sabía que el agua del grifo cuesta menos de $0.01 por galón? El agua embotellada puede costar hasta $7.50 por galón, es decir, ¡es 750 veces más costosa! Si bebe agua del grifo en lugar de comprar 16 onzas de agua embotellada, gaseosa, jugo u otras bebidas cada día, puede ahorrar más de $350 por año. En una familia, multiplique esta cantidad por el número de personas que la integran y vea cuánto dinero puede ahorrar para utilizarlo en otras cosas. Utilice ese dinero para comestibles, útiles escolares, alguna actividad deportiva o para la atención de la salud. ¿Por qué no hacer la prueba con el agua del grifo y comenzar a ahorrar desde hoy?

8th Grade Field Trip to Chabot Space and Science Center, Tuesday, April 30: Chaperones Needed
     Dear Transformers Family Parents,
     On behalf of the 8th grade Transformers, I’d like to invite Transformer students on a field trip to Chabot Space and Science Center, Tuesday, April 30, 2013. This will be a great opportunity to get off campus and learn in a new and exciting venue, and it will tie in nicely with the Astronomy Unit in Physical Science. To make the trip successful, we’ll need parent chaperones. If you can volunteer, please email Lisa Young at lisajenningsyoung@me.com or communicate directly with one of the Transformers teachers at the earliest time possible so we can plan accordingly. We ask that all students contribute $5 to this field trip if possible, but this is not required. Also, if you are able to sponsor another student, your contribution of $10 would be greatly appreciated. Please include all contributions when your student returns the signed permission slip. Permission slips and behavior expectations have already been sent home with your student, so if you haven’t received this information, please check their back packs. We are really looking forward to having this field trip with our family. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact the teachers using the contact information below.
     Thanks,
     Jeri Schneider on behalf of the Transformers Teachers
     (510) 455-0929  jeri@buglady.org

EBMS Strings & Orff Spring Concert
April 24, 2013, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
EBMS Bands Spring Concert
April 25, 2013, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
     Come hear Brewer’s bands and orchestras culminating musical event of the year! These ensembles have learned so much and worked very hard for these performances. Come and share in the
joy of their music making!

EBMS Music Ensembles to Compete at CMEA Performance Festival, Saturday, April 27, (El Cerrito High School)
     EBMS 7th and 8th Grade Music Ensembles will be performing at the CMEA (California Music Educators Association) Performance Festival on Saturday, April 27, at El Cerrito High School.
     • 7th Grade Concert Band: 6:30 – 9:00 AM
     • 8th Grade Symphonic Band: 9:00 – 11:30 AM
     • 7th Grade String Orchestra: 11:00 AM – 1:15 PM
     • 8th Grade String Orchestra: 1:30 – 3:45 PM
     These four top ensembles will represent Edna Brewer at the Region II CMEA Performance Festival and Contest. They will perform in front of judges and be assessed on their performances. Last year Brewer performed very well at this contest.
     Good luck Panthers!

Music in the Parks, Saturday, May 4, All Day, San Jose and Great America Theme Park (participants leave at 7:30 AM)
     Music in the Parks is a contest field trip for the Advanced Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and the Jazz Band to be held on Saturday, May 4. This is the fourth year Brewer has competed in this event and last year the school received the coveted “Esprit du
Corps” award. Good luck Panthers!

OUSD Bands at Oakland A’s, Saturday, June 1 (Oakland Coliseum)
     Hi 8th Grade Band Families and all EBMS Families,
     You might have heard by now from our excited musicians that we will be performing the National Anthem for the Oakland A’s on Saturday, June 1st. The game that day will be at 1:05 PM against the White Sox. I understand there will be a sound check earlier that morning. As we work out details, we’ll send you updates. The band performing will be an All-Star group from Brewer, Bret Harte, and Westlake. There will be more info soon about ordering tickets for this game. We hope all our band families, and the entire Brewer community, will join us for this exciting event.
     SAVE THE DATE!
     Play Ball!
     Zachary Pitt-Smith
     Music Director

8th Grade Promotion is Thursday, June 13 (Woodminster Amphitheater)
     We’ve once again secured Woodminster Amphitheater for our 8th grade promotion ceremonies. Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 13, 2013. For the second year in a row, we won’t have to restrict attendees, and all participating students can celebrate this important event with their families. We’ll send more updates as they become available, including the time of the promotion ceremony. Thank you Lisa Terrazas for coordinating this!
     Additional promotion activities include:
     • 8th grade dance, Friday, June 7, 2013
     • 8th grade picnic, Tuesday, June 11, 2013