Encinal PTO Newsletter September 25, 2011

Encinal School Newsletter

September 25, 2011

La Organizasión de Padres y Maestros de Encinal

Boletin en español - haga clic aqui

Urgent Things to Do

Only 3 Days Left
Join PTO online or by check click here
Make a pledge to donate to MPAEF (pay now or later) click here

Things To Do

Volunteer - newsletter, posters, Spanish translations click
Find orange outfit for parent & student for Are You IN Day click
Reserve your free tickets to parent ed event 10/20 click here

Dates to Note

THIS WEEK 9/25-9/30

MON Parent Book Club with Nicole Scott, Room 6, 8:30am click
TUE "Are You IN?" Day for PTO & MPAEF wear orange click
WED Deadline - MPAEF and PTO Joint Campaign 9/28 click here
WED Parent Book Club, Oak Knoll Staff Room, 1:30pm click
FRI Training for K & 1st Motor PE volunteers

BEYOND

Garden Volunteer Training Oct 4-6 click here
Walk and Bike to School Day Oct 5 click here
Art Volunteer Training Oct 11
Collection for Box Tops Oct 17 click here
Make up Picture Day Oct 18
Parent Ed with Michele Borba Oct 20 click here

COMPLETE 2011-2012 CALENDAR click here

Information to Know

Principal Liner: right turn only and parent survey click here
New contact for tardy/absent reports click here
Student Council election process for 4th & 5th click here
Comcast low cost internet access and PCs for low income click

Ways to Support Encinal School

Join the PTO and pledge or donate to the MPAEF click here
Buy costumes at House of Humor for 15% to Encinal click here
Collect Box Tops for October 17 deadline click here

Community news and events for children and families click here

Urgent Things To Do

Just 3 Days Remain In the Campaign

eagle

Wednesday, September 28, is the deadline to join the PTO. Thank you very much to the 50% of families who have donated so far!

We need the other 50% of families to donate to the PTO today and help us inspire every child in every CLASS. Click here.

Our 2011-2012 budget is funded by donations received NOW during August and September. Without your contribution, we will not be able to fund the programs planned for this year, such as:

Community Building Programs - Family Fun Nights, parent education programs, Caring and Sharing collections, parent community hospitality, staff appreciation, school spirit events

Literacy and Arts Promotion - Books to complete the library collection, Community Read, art supplies, Guided Level Reading Library, Book Fair, Fine Arts Festival, Cultural Arts Day

Academic Promotion - Computer learning lab and subscriptions, Garden program, classroom supplies and teacher resources, mentor program, teacher development and training

Student Programs - Eagle Express post office, assemblies, field trips, recess and PE equipment,student clubs, ENTV, after school activities & sports, teacher-directed lunchtime clubs

School Communications & Support - Encinal web site, District directory for all parents, weekly school newsletter, Disaster Preparedness, hot lunch service

Our Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation needs your participation to meet our school district need of $4 million, approximately $1500 per student.

Our MPAEF funding enables our district to provide a comprehensive, enriched education beyond what our property tax and parcel tax dollars alone can support. The grant to the District from the MPAEF helps maintain small classes and fund the salaries of 21 teachers and specialists.

Art
Music
Science
Technology
Library
Teaching innovation

Pledge to make a donation to the MPAEF today - pay later (monthly payments also available.) Click here.

Support our PTO & MPAEF

Our campaign goal is 100% participation from every family. We can do it! Give what you can to both organizations but please give. All amounts are appreciated and YOU can be an active Encinal PTO participant and a MPAEF supporter. Click here to get started. Are you IN?

Dates to Note

"Are You IN?" Day Tuesday, Sept 27 - Wear Orange

Are You In orange circle graphic

This Tuesday, show your support for our two vital organizations working together to preserve our outstanding schools. Dress in orange to show you are IN. There will be boxes at drop off and pick up for donation paperwork and pledges.

International Walk and Bike to School Day Is Oct 5

Did you enjoy Encinal's first Bike Rodeo? Now that you are warmed up, it's time for International Walk and Bike to School Day. (Scooters too.)

Parents who walk and bike regularly will be on hand to discuss their favorite bike routes and offer tips on safe travels with children. Snacks will also be provided at the pedestrian entrances to the campus.

Want to help on this special day? Please email Michelle Daher if you are willing to support the event or have any questions.

Information to Know

New Contact for Reporting Absences or Tardiness

Amanda Ow, who has been substituting in our 4th grade, has now agreed to be Encinal's Attendance Secretary temporarily. We also thank Lori Blomquist for helping in our office during the start of school!

If your child is tardy or absent, please contact Amanda with the length and reason for your student's absence, and include a description of symptoms if the reason is illness. Her phone is 650-326-5164 ext 1001 and her email is aow@mpcsd.org. Or click here for the tardy/absent reporting form. You can also find the tardy/absent reporting link on Encinal's home page. Welcome to your new position Amanda!

Low Cost Internet, PC and Training to Low Income Families

Last week Comcast announced an Internet Essentials program offering $10/month internet access, a $149 computer and free internet training to low income families with children in grades K-12. Click here or call 1-855-846-8376 for more information.

Life Skills Program at Encinal - Sept Theme is Friendship

This month the students are reading "Meet Danitra Brown" and discussing the September theme of Happiness. The reading will happen in every classroom and discussions will also be part of the program.

Parent Book Club Week 3 of 5 and Online Class Offer

Parents: As part of the life skills program we have a book for you to read too. It's "Raising Happiness" by Christine Carter. District School Counselor Nicole Scott will be meeting with interested parents to discuss Steps 5 and 6 from the book this week and it is never too late to join. Here are the times:

MON 9/26: Encinal Room 6 8:30-9:30am
WED 9/28: Oak Knoll Staff Room 1:30-2:30pm

NEW FOR MPCSD PARENTS!
If you can't make the "Raising Happiness" book club, or if you're interested in a more in-depth learning experience, author Dr. Carter is offering online classes beginning October 3rd. Sign up now with the promotional code "HappyMPAEF" to receive $15 off any "Raising Happiness" class. Visit the Class Catalog to learn more or register.

If 24 families with code "HappyMPAEF", two great things will happen. All teachers will have the opportunity to take the class for free and 10% of the course fees will be donated to the MPAEF. Anyone who signs up for the online class will receive a special invite to hear Christine speak in person on November 2 in Menlo Park. Scholarships are available. For more information, please contact Nicole Scott at nscott@mpcsd.org.

CAMPUS Presents Parenting Expert Michele Borba Oct 20th

7 PRACTICAL WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN ATTAIN JOY, BALANCE AND SUCCESS

Thursday, October 20th 7 - 9 p.m.
Menlo Atherton High School Center for Performing Arts

Does it seem as if your children are forced to shortcut today's freedom for tomorrow's success? Would you like them to have the space to enjoy unstructured exploration and discovery without fear of losing ground? Don't miss Michele Borba, Ed.D, award-winning author, speaker and educational consultant, as she shares specific skills to help you teach your children how to survive and thrive in today's play-deprived and standards-driven world.

Please reserve your free ticket here. Open seating so please arrive early. For further information email weisman-goff@hotmail.com.

Student Council Elections - 4th and 5th Grades

The election season for Encinal Student Council is here. Student Council positions are open to all 4th and 5th graders. Here are key dates:

Friday, 9/30: Assembly for speeches and voting

Monday, 10/3: Newly elected officer announced, 8:15am

Tuesday-Friday, 10/4-7: Classroom Reps for 4th & 5th chosen
Monday, 10/10: Student council meeting at lunch in room 37
Monday, 10/24 Student council meeting at lunch in room 37

Volunteer Opportunities - You Make A Difference!
Click here to see an overview of ways to volunteer

Poster Makers and Newsletter Writers

Do some work from home and devote as much or as little time as you would like. Email Susannah Hill at ptocommunications @encinalschool.com or text "YES" to 650-380-4405. Time commitment flexible.

Spanish Speakers - Please Translate Encinal Communications

If you are a Spanish speaker, you could help Spanish-only families get the information they need. Email Susannah Hill at ptocommunications @encinalschool.com or text ESPANOL to 380-4405.

Eagle Pride

Let's Give an Eagle Shout Out!

thank you cartoon

Fall Family Picnic

Thank you to everyone who came to enjoy the fun Picnic and Bike Rodeo. It was great to see so many families there!
Thank you to our volunteers who planned the Fall Family Picnic: Ale Costa, Jim Zehnder & Carrie Zehnder, Tara Plocek, Lara Sellers, and Katie Ferrick
Thank you to Kathy and John Smithlin for the wonderful music and line dancing class
Thank you to Holly the Grand National Rodeo Queen and her mom Heidi for coming with their miniature stallion. Holly wants to encourage families to come to the Rodeo at the Cow Palace on Oct. 14-22, click here for more info.

Thank you to Tim Bowler for sending Coach Jamal who helped out and led the kids in a fun game of flag football

Thanks to the team from TGA Golf for fun activities
Thank you to Jeffrey's Hamburgers in Menlo Park for delivering the yummy food
And thank you to MANY generous volunteers who helped with volunteer sign in, set up, handing out food, bike rodeo, clean up, etc. There are too many to name!
Thank you to all the Hillview students that volunteered their time to help!
Encinal Janitor Team - Thanks to Efron and Folau for cleaning up!
Thank you to Elizabeth Ouren who put out fires and brought her family Maggie, Will and John to give valuable help

Bike Rodeo

Thank you to Michelle Daher for leading the team who put on the Rodeo and made it such a success
Thank you to Laure Laprais and Marcia Bever for organizing the event after laying years of foundation that made it a reality
Thank you to Manfred Kopisch for your time with Bike & Safety and securing a generous grant from SAP funding the event:

BIKE RODEO SPONSORED BY "Dollars for Doers" A matching donation for SAP employee volunteer time

Kelley Wolf, Ken Bayne and the bike repair crew of Chase McMichael, Michael Johnson and John Ouren
Thank you to the wonderful Hillview students who helped

Disaster Prep

Many thanks to Lauren Calhoon for leading this year's Disaster Preparedness, and to her team: Jill Zanolli, Parke Treadway, Melanie Wagner, Kim Wiendorf, and Amy Hamilton. Thank you to Remona Murray who has led the charge district-wide for several years. Those classroom kits and student emergency forms don't pack themselves!

Ways to Support Our School

House of Humor Gives 15% of Purchases to Encinal

You can never plan too early. From September 15th through October 20th, shop for Halloween costumes and accessories at House of Humor in Redwood City (open everyday of the year) and they will donate 15% of our sales to Encinal!

You must bring in the attached coupon for credit -- click here.

Collect and Submit Box Tops by October 17

One of the easiest ways to support our school is by clipping box tops from your food packaging. Last year we earned over $1,200 for our PTO with Box Top donations. Please place them in the "Box Top" box in the office or send them in your child's green folder in a Ziploc bag. The upcoming deadline is October 17.

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