Welcome to the James Lick Middle School PTA web site!
This is here for everyone -- JL parents, staff, students, Noe Valley merchants and neighbors -- to keep up with what's happening at Lick and help us all stay active in our school community.

We celebrate 75 years this year!
Our big and beautiful building, and impressive entire block in the heart of Noe Valley, was finished in 1931. It's been a bustle of activity ever since.

Our namesake, Mr. James Lick (1796 - 1873) is known by history buffs and scholars as "the generous miser." He gained an impressive amount of wealth in real estate at the beginning of the Gold Rush, had a keen mind for business, but was famous for being very, very frugal.

And eccentric. The story goes that he once told an employee to plant some trees upside down, just to test the employee's obedience.

But also Mr. Lick was a lover of science! You probably know of the University of California's Lick Observatory just east of San Jose, which he paid to have built. Near the end of his life, he decided to bequeath large amounts of his money to science, charity, and education.

But what about all the kids who passed through our halls these last 75 years? Many of them are still around, from some friendly store owners you see every day in the neighborhood, to even Carlos Santana.

And did you know we used to be known as "the Skippers"...

Stay tuned for news of our 75-year celebration event!

Want to help the school right this very minute?
We have several projects posted by our staff that are listed with Donorchoose.org. Click here and see what's on the wish list: Donorchoose.org

Membership

Membership is only $5 a person. Send us an email requesting to join, and we'll be in touch: [email protected]

The Bulldog Edition

We will post our newsletter here on a regular basis.

Events

James Lick - Building Our Community

Here's a list of upcoming events. Check out our calendar as well at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JamesLick/

Cleanup Day / Saturday August 26 & October 14, 2006 - This is where we really roll up our sleeves and get some chores done at our school site. August 26 we'll be sweeping the grounds and clearing out some large trash that accumulated over the summer. On October 14 we're getting a special crew from Hands On Bay Area to do some yard improvements.

PTA Potluck and meeting / Wednesday September 27, 2006 - Our kickoff meeting and socializing event. Bring your favorite dish and get to know us all. From 6-8 pm in the school cafeteria.

Noe Valley Harvest Festival / Saturday October 21, 2006 - At this point we have not organized our booth for this event. We will be hosting the parking lot at our school.

SFUSD Enrollment Fair / Saturday November 18, 2006 - The annual round-up of all the public schools in San Francisco. Teachers, staff and parents set up a great table and greet all the curious parents who stop by to ask about James Lick Middle School. Check out our calendar on our Yahoo Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JamesLick/). We will let you know more soon if you'd like to help

Annual Silent Auction - This is becoming a high point of our social calendar and a huge fundraiser for our International Field Trip, our taking part in San Francisco's Carnaval, and much needed classroom supplies for our school. Check back here and look for those flyers.

Carnaval SF / May 2007 - Who doesn't like a parade? Better yet, who likes to join in the fun? We do! We work practically all year long with dance instruction, costume designs, and all the organization that goes into this event. This group is funded in most part by volunteer families in the Spanish Immersion Program, the PTSA provides some funds, but all are welcome to join in!

Fundraising

James Lick Middle School, like most schools, relies on fundraising as a significant part of its budget. The PTSA provides basics of James Lick life such as good old fashioned school supplies and luxuries such as international field trips.

Bulldog Cafe
San Francisco City College rents our building M-Th during the school year for adult continuing education. The PTSA feeds them! From 5:30 to 8:30 each school night we roll out the coffee, muffins, Cliff Bars, and you name it and run a concession stand for the hungry students.

Not only do we make a decent profit by the end of the year, but kids learn basic retail skills (think on your feet math: one muffin $1.25, one coffee $1.25, the customer gives you a $10 .... On-the-spot diplomacy: We're out of muffins! Have you tried our cookies?)

Also, the teachers who volunteer their time each month get to meet family and students they may never otherwise get to know, in a social setting.

Silent Auction
This event has grown rapidly in the last few years. It supports our involvement in the San Francisco Carnaval, our International Field Trips (this year is Cost Rica!), and our annual trip the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR. Money we raise not only covers administrative costs for these events, but provides scholarships for many students.

This year the Silent Auction will be held Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006. Please check back here for details.

Scrip Program
We currently have Scrip to sell for both Rainbow and Good Life Grocery.Just email us at the address below and we'll be in touch.

Programs We Fund
James Lick is one of the smaller schools in San Francisco with about 540 students, whereas some middle schools are as many as 1300. But we have a beautiful, big building and we are growing our arts and other curriculum a lot these last few years. Here are the programs the PTSA supports each year:

Here is a roster of our fundraising activities:

• Afterschool Program
• Art Classes
• Capital Improvements
• Carnaval SF
• Class Picnics
• Classroom Supplies
• Computer Lab
• Graduation Ceremony
• International Field Trip
• Parent Liaison
• PE equipment
• Principal's Fund
• Professional Development
• School Supplies
• Science Fair
• Shakespeare Festival trip
• Sports Banquet
• Site Council
• Sweatshirts
• Talent Show
• Yearbook

Suggestion Box
Got an idea? Have resources that can help? Drop us a line! [email protected]

Staff Info

Check back here from time to time. This is where we will post info on our staff, and how best to contact them. See you soon!

About Our School

We are a General Education School with a Spanish-English Bilingual Immersion School program. Our school is as diverse and as interesting as our city!

Located in sunny Noe Valley, James Lick Middle School provides a small, personalized, diverse and academically challenging environment. Our energetic, innovative teaching and counseling staff collaborate to provide the best for your child.

We have a college-going culture. We offer a rigorous comprehensive curriculum to the general population in which students learn in extended periods of math/science and language arts/social studies core classes.

Our Arts instruction is award-winning and kids learn in a huge, well-appointed art studio. This year two music classes and one dance class have been added to our electives. Our Gifted and Talented Education classes include Algebra for 8th graders and classes in humanities and math topics during academic enrichment.

As a balance to academics, we offer a wide range of activities through the After-School Program. These include homework center, tutoring, mentor programs, outdoor club, dance, sports, yearbook, cultural clubs, and our annual highlight - The Talent Show.

Student Rules of Conduct

James Lick Middle School: Standards We Live By

This is the code of conduct for our staff, students and parents:

• I do my personal best / Yo hago lo mejor de mi persona
• I respect myself, others, the school and the environment / Yo me respeto a mi mismo, a otros, a la escuele y al ambiente
• I use positive language / Yo uso lenguaje positivo y apropriado
• I come prepared and ready to learn / Yo vengo a la escuela preparado y listo para aprender
• I listen and participate actively / Yo escucho y participo con animo

SCHOOL INFORMATION

Following our Standard "I COME PREPARED AND READY TO LEARN" means being on time to all classes. School starts at 8:15 a.m. You are to arrive at school no later than 8:05 a.m.

School Rules

ARRIVING LATE (TARDY)
A late Muni bus or oversleeping is not considered a valid excuse for being tardy. When you enter the classroom late, it is a disruption.

If you arrive at school after the first bell, you must sign a tardy slip in the attendance office before going to class. If you have a note from your parent or caregiver, or if your parent or caregiver has phone the attendance office, it is an excused tardy.

WE HAVE A CLOSED CAMPUS
That means, once you arrive on campus in the morning, you may not leave without permission and only after checking with a secretary or counselor in the Counseling Office. If you leave campus during school hours without permission you will be considered truant, which could lead to legal action.

HALL PASSES ARE A MUST
Any student out of class must have a properly completed hall pass or the teacher's permanent pass in their possession. All hall passes must have your name, destination, time, date and teacher signature. Only one student per pass.

OUR SCHOOL UNIFORM IS MANDATORY
Our school uniform allows you to concentrate on your academics. It also keeps any of your more expensive jackets and other clothing at home where they will not be lost or stolen. For everyone's safety, our uniform does not allow any know gang colors, such as red or blue.

Our dress code is:

• Plain black pants, skirt or shorts (skirts and shorts must be mid-thigh in length)
• Plain white shirt (polo, button-down, Henleys)
• Shoes can be sneakers of any sort, but not red or blue. Shoes must be worn at all times.
• When the weather is cold, a simple black or gray sweatshirt, black sweater, or plain black jacket is sufficient.
• Hats, caps, bandanas and any other head coverings will not be worn on school grounds.
• Sunglasses shall not be worn in the classroom or anywhere indoors.
• Dress code clothing must conceal undergarments at all times. Tank tops, dance leotards or body suits may be worn, as long as the white shirt is the top layer. See-through or fishnet fabrics, halter tops, off-shoulder or low-cut, bare midriff outfits, sleeveless undershirts and swimsuits are prohibited.
• All articles of clothing, patches, jewelry, or buttons which have the slogans advertising alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, or bearing disrespectful or suggestive messages or symbols are not to be worn at school.
• You may not wear the colors red or blue as any part of you school clothes or accessories at school or on your way to and from school. If you do, you will be given other clothing to wear. If you refuse to change your prohibited clothing or accessories you will be considered defiance of the rules subject to possible suspension.

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU

Our Philosophy
Each student attending the San Francisco Unified School District has a right to the best education that can be provided. A safe environment is crucial to your learning and succeeding at school. To maintain a safe learning environment, certain offenses will not be tolerated and may result in students being suspended, expelled or given a disciplinary transfer.

Your Behavior
You will be held accountable for following this philosophy, and to demonstrate adherence through regular school attendance, compliance with our dress code and by continually striving to your personal best. These are ways you can show us you are doing your part:

• Always enter and exit classrooms in an orderly manner. Upon arrival in the classroom, get your materials ready, sharpen pencils if necessary, sit quietly and prepare for the beginning of class.
• Be courteous and respectful to teachers and your classmates at all times. Listen carefully when anyone is addressing the class. Raise your hand for permission to speak. Follow your teacher's procedures for sharpening pencils, leaving your seat, etc.
• Classes are dismissed by the teacher, not the bell. You must have a hall pass if you are out of class.
• Respect public and private property. Keep your school desk and surrounding area clean and neat. If you find anything that is not yours, turn it in to the teacher. Take good care of furniture, books, restrooms and other facilities and equipment you use.
• Food and drinks are allowed only in the assigned eating areas. Eat only in assigned eating areas and throw your trash into trashcans when you are finished.
• Speak to all school staff in a respectful manner. When you are in or near the school office, be respectful as well.
• Do not borrow money from other students. If you forget your lunch card or money, call home before school or see the principal.
• If you cannot solve problems with others, ask for help from the counselor or other school staff members
• No electronic devices such as iPods, CD players, Gameboys, PlayStations, etc. are allowed at the school. If they are seen they will be confiscated by staff and a parent will have to come to school to pick them up.
• Cell phones are not allowed at school. If your parent or guardian requires you to carry one, it must be turned off and not used at any time while school is in session. Any cell phones found being used without permission will be confiscated by staff.

Classroom DisciplinaryProcedures
Each of your teachers will have some specific classroom rules and /or procedures that will be consistent throughout the school. You are expected to follow the rules and procedures. Students who choose not to follow those rules or procedures will receive consequences for their actions based on classroom, school-wide and San Francisco Unified School District Disciplinary Policies and Procedures.

When There is a SubstituteTeacher
Substitute teachers have rules and procedures in the classroom that may be somewhat different than your regular teacher, but you are to follow those procedures.

Your Locker
At the beginning of the school year, you will be assigned a locker during first core. You are responsible for bringing your own Master Combination Lock to keep it locked. You will write down that combination and give it to your first core teacher. Do not share your combination with anyone and do not preset your lock combination to save time for opening your locker. Locker thefts do happen. You are expected to keep the inside and outside of your locker clean at all times. If you do not, you may lose locker privileges.

Do not bring valuables to school. The school assumes no responsibility for the safety of locker contents at any time. It is the your responsibility to report any malfunction, vandalism, or theft immediately.

Lost and Found
Please turn in and claim lost items in the counseling office. After each nine-week period, items not claimed will be given to a charity.

Calling home
You may use the office phone in an emergency, to notify your parent or guardian of an illness, or to notify them of a schedule change of a school sponsored activity. A pay phone is available for student use after school for all non-emergency calls. The phone is closed at lunch and during the day.

Homework
The State of California recognizes only illness, medical appointments, and funerals as legal absences. If you feel well enough to do your homework assigned the day you are ill, you are expected to call a friend in the same class for the assignment. Keep the phone numbers of a "homework buddy" or two for each of your classes.

James Lick Middle School PTSA Board

President: Heidi Anderson
Vice President: Leonor Jackson
Treasurer: Jim MacCloskey
Secretary: Malaney Wood
VP Communication: Chris Loughran
VP Outreach: Sandra Halladey

Got Questions? Email us at [email protected]

Our Yahoo! Group

We have a message board. You can check out the postings when you feel like it, or sign up for regular emails of the conversation
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JamesLick/

Parents For Public Schools

Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco (PPS-SF) is the local chapter of a national organization. We started the San Francisco chapter in September 1999. The founders met when they decided to investigate their local public schools in spite of bad reputations. Besides enrolling their children in San Francisco's public schools, these founding parents decided to go further and start a chapter of PPS in order to bring the PPS brand of parent activism to the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). The chapter needed to make sure families knew they had to apply to school, to address the misperception that there were only a few good schools in San Francisco, and to recruit parents who might otherwise abandon public schools or leave the district. So leaders started a campaign to clarify the public school enrollment process, help families think about what makes a good school and help them look at the less well-known schools. Concerned about the complicated enrollment procedure, the chapter organized outreach and educational events. Their goals were to ensure that families knew what their options were and that they knew they had to apply to public school because assignment was not automatic. PPS-SF also organized feedback to the district and aggressively pushed for change.

http://www.ppssf.org/

Our local chapter of the PTA

SFUSD

The Noe Valley Voice

Noevalley.com

Contact Us

We check our email all the time! Stay in touch!
[email protected]