Rancho Los Amigos and Las Floritas
The Community Building Committee is working with the school to create ways for the children to help Rancho Los Amigos, a hospital that specializes in mobility impaired children and Los Floristas, a charitable organization devoted to the hospital's Pediatric division in Downey, CA.

Las Floristas is a completely volunteer -run organization has helped to fund the Wheelchair Sports Program, Los Angeles "Teens on Target", Pediatric Neuropsychological Laboratory, Technology Development and Application Program, Bob Hope Audiology Suite, Sports & Fun Program for Ventilator Dependent Children, a Toy Lending Library, a medical Transport Van, and so on and so on.. Las Floristas has helped provide care and assistance to thousands with birth defects, brain damage, severe injuries resulting from accidents, and other acquired disabilities.

The initial 2 activities we are planning that connect with this charity are:

• Christmas Cookie Decorating - Dec 14. A chance to have fun with your child and the children of Rancho Los Amigos decorating cookies.
• Wheelchair Basketball Team - March 28. We are setting up an exhibition game between the teachers and parents of the Montessori School and the championship Wheelchair Basketball team from Rancho Los Amigos. WE NEED PLAYERS - this mean you (P.S. you have to play in a wheelchair)

Just a little about the Wheelchair Sports program -
Developed in 1987, the Rancho Los Amigos Las Floristas Wheelchair Sports Program provides inpatients and outpatients with the opportunity to participate in success oriented sports activities. Through a wide variety of sports and sport related activities, the program reaches out to patients of all ages and disabilities.

The program has several subdivisions according to age and skill level. The adult patient as well as our skilled adolescents participate in a program, which includes organized competitive teams in basketball, tennis, football, hockey, and over-the-line. Children from 4 to 12 years of age participate in the Youth Sport and Fun Section. The sports they participate in are the same as the adolescents, but the focus is on fun and learning the basics rather than competition. Another important aspect of development for children in this section is the evolution of teamwork, which they learn from watching and emulating the older athletes' behavior. For the more disabled athletes the program also includes powered wheelchair soccer. Even the ventilator dependent patients succeed competitively in this sport. Impressively, many of our teams and athletes are among the best in the nation. But more importantly, our athletes are becoming educated, goal oriented and productive members of society.

"Behind the Scenes" Trip to San Diego
Meet other Montessori School of Manhattan Beach families on our upcoming springtime weekend field trip to San Diego! Enjoy special behind-the-scenes tours at both Sea World and the word famous San Diego Zoo, splash down at evening poolside parties, and more! It's a weekend getaway the whole family will enjoy.

HIGHLIGHTS AT-A-GLANCE:

• Spend two nights at the DOUBLE TREE CLUB HOTEL in San Diego
• BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR at SEA WORLD
• DINNER IN OLD TOWN at Casa Guadalajara
• BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR at the SAN DIEGO ZOO
• Spend an evening at DAVE & BUSTER'S
• CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST included at the hotel each morning
• Afternoon POOLSIDE PARTIES with refreshments for all ages

RESERVATION DETAILS

DOUBLE TREE CLUB HOTEL:

Please make your reservations directly with the hotel by calling the reservation department at (800) 486-5315. Make sure you ask for the "Montessori School of Manhattan Beach Weekend Field Trip" rate in order to receive this special group rate. If you would like to extend your stay, the discounted group room rate is available from 4/28/03-5/7/03

All guestrooms and suites include one king-size bed or two queen beds, and a full-size sofasleeper in every room. The room rate includes a continental breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, and complimentary covered parking.

Special Group Room Rates

ATTRACTIONS AND MEALS:

For the remainder of the tour, please call Laurie Lincoln at Main Street Tours (800) 300-6246 to sign up for the attractions and meals that you and your family will be participating in. Costs will be as follows:

Friday Night Dinner at Dave & Buster's: Regular menu and children's menu available. Individual checks will be offered to each family that evening.

Saturday Night Dinner at Casa Guadalajara: Regular menu and children's menu available. Individual checks will be offered to each family that evening.