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  Encinal School NewsletterOctober 30, 2011 La Organizasión de Padres y Maestros de Encinal Boletin en español - haga clic aqui |
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Things To Do
- Sign up 3rd-5th graders for basketball, by 10/31 click here
- Come and enjoy the Halloween Parades, 10/31 click here
- Register or renew escrip to support MPAEF, 10/31 click here
- Send canned food for 'Halloween for Hunger', 10/31 click here
- Help prepare your child's "Crazy Day" look 11/04 click here
- Donated a warm coat at school starting 11/02 click here
- Come to Book Fair & Family Movie Night 11/04 click here
- Volunteer to be a mentor or help with the newsletter click here
- Check Lost and Found for missing articles click here
Dates to Note
This Week 10/30-11/05
- Sun: Register or renew escrip click here
- Mon: Halloween Parades click here
- Mon: Halloween for Hunger food collection click here
- Mon: Basketball registration closes click here
- Wed: 'One Warm Coat' drive begins click here
- Thur: PTO Executive Board Meeting, 11am, TERC, Open to all
- Fri: School Spirit Day click here
- Fri: Encinal Book Fair Safari 8:00am-4pm, 6-8 pm click here
- Fri: PTO Family Movie Night, 6:30 p.m. click here
- Sun: Encinal Book Fair Safari, 2-5pm click here
Beyond
- 11/06-10: Encinal Book Fair Safari click here
- 11/09: Family Reading Night, 6:30pm click here
- 11/11: Veteran's Day Holiday - No School
- 11/15: MPCSD School Board Meeting, 6pm click here
- 11/15-16: Holiday Boutique Benefitting MPAEF, details coming
- 11/16: Principal's Coffee, Goals/Assessments, 8:30 click here
- 11/18-23: Minimum days (F, M, T, W), 11:20 dismissal
- 11/21: Chevy's Restaurant Fundraiser, all day
- 11/24-25: Thanksgiving Holiday, No School
Information to Know
Ways to Support Encinal School
- Register or Renew eScrip by October 31 click here
- Thank you to local business sponsors of MPAEF click here
Report Absence or Tardiness click here
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Register for Encinal Basketball Until Monday, Oct. 31
The Afterschool Athletics Program is holding registration for Boys and Girls Basketball through Monday, October 31. Questions? Please email Jen Nelson and Dean Wilkins at afterschoolathletics @ encinalschool.com
- Teams play against other area schools as part of the Menlo Park Recreation League
- This is a fun, developmental league for students in grade 3-5
- No previous basketball experience is necessary - all Encinal 3rd to 5th grade students are welcome
- Coaches are parent volunteers
- Practices start after Thanksgiving and take place twice per week
- Games begin in January and go through March.
- Game and practice days may be on weekends.
To register: click here. Students must be registered by October 31 to be guaranteed a spot on a team. All those who register will play. A wait list will be formed for late registrants.
Scholarships are available. Please contact the Athletic Administrators Dean Wilkins and Jen Nelson at afterschoolathletics @ encinalschool .com.
We need volunteer coaches to make the Encinal Basketball Program successful. Please contact Athletic Administrators Dean Wilkins and Jen Nelson at afterschoolathletics @ encinalschool.com if you are interested in coaching.
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Halloween Parades, October 31 - Families Welcome
 Encinal will celebrate Halloween with student parades in costume on Monday, October 31. Parents are invited to watch and enjoy the parades.
- Kinder: 11:00am in the kinder yard
- 1st grade: 11:00am on the black top playground
- 2nd - 5th grades: 1:15pm on the field
Parents, please remind your children that weapons of any kind, including pretend weapons, are not permitted at school. If a costume includes a weapon, the weapon will need to stay at home. We look forward to seeing you on the 31st for a spooky time... and check the lost & found when you are on campus! (Near room 25.)
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Student Council Sponsors Halloween For Hunger 10/31-11/4
Encinal School Student Council is participating in the Halloween for Hunger campaign. All food donations are going to Second Harvest Food Bank, which provides for the 1 in 10 people in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties receiving food from Food Banks each month. Now is the time to take action. We have set a school-wide goal of 1,000 pounds -- LETS BEAT IT. Your student has brought home a flyer with details attached to a shopping bag you can use to bring back your donation. Check with them if you haven't seen it.
Food collection barrels are on campus now. Bring your non-perishable food items to school on October 31st, and let's fill them to the brim before they're picked up on Friday Nov. 4, 2011.
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Encinal Student Council Announces Spirit Day Nov. 4
Article submitted by Encinal Student Council
Our first school-wide spirit day is November 4th, the same week as Halloween. What a great week! We can all dress up on both Monday and Friday.
The theme is Crazy Day. This means you can wear crazy shoes, clothes, hats, etc. The sky is the limit. We do ask that students are able to sit properly in their desks and be excellent Encinal students at the same time as participating in spirit day.
The student council hopes that all students and staff will participate and will be asking each classroom representative (or teacher if in grades K-2) to count the number of participants in the class and report the total to Ms. Meister in room 29. Teachers can email this total or students can write it down and bring it to room 29. We're hoping for great numbers. (article written by student)
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Encinal's Book Fair Safari November 4-10
 Encinals' very own "Book Fair Safari" begins this week in the small multi. The Book Fair will run from Friday, November 4th, through Thursday, November 10th, 2011. There will be extended shopping hours on Friday night, Sunday afternoon, and Wednesday night.
Hours:
Fri 11/4 8:00am - 4:00pm and 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Sun 11/6 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Mon 11/7 8:00am - 4:00pm
Tue 11/8 8:00am - 4:00pm
Wed 11/9 8:00am - 4:00pm and 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Thu 11/10 8:00am - 2:00pm
This year, our vendor is Bananaseed and they bring us a large selection of good quality books for every grade level in both English and Spanish. Stop by during book fair hours or during your child's regular library time, when they will visit the book fair. Don't forget to help your teacher and her classroom library and/or our librarian and the Encinal library by shopping from their wish list boxes.
Library Volunteers - if your library rotation is during Nov 4-10 please meet your class in the small multi and accompany the students at the book fair along with librarian Denise Healy.
Spirit Wear - Spirit Wear merchandise will be set out for sale on Friday night, Sunday afternoon, and Wednesday night. During other book fair hours, order forms for spirit wear will be available.
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Encinal Family Movie Night on Fri. Nov. 4th, 6:30pm
Come kick off the Encinal book fair with a PTO sponsored family movie night showing Kronk's New Groove (Part 2 of Emperor's New Groove). All ages will enjoy this funny and entertaining movie! Rated G (great music and no scary parts).
The movie will be shown in the Encinal Large Multi.
Bring Blankets and wear your PJ's. There will be popcorn and lemonade for all.
The Book Fair will be open for shopping during the movie.
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Family Reading Night: Wed. Nov. 9th at 6:30pm
Did you know there is a fun way to improve your child's reading, writing, and thinking skills while bonding with them? And it's virtually free! It's easy, fun and quick and your child will beg for more.
This magical method is called Reading Aloud and it's great for every child at any age from the most struggling reader to the most fluent skilled reader. In fact, some of the best writers and thinkers have been students who were read aloud to in grades all the way up to middle school.
Studies have shown that reading aloud to kids of all ages:
- Builds listening and comprehension skills through discussion during and after reading
- Increases vocabulary foundation by hearing words in context
- Improves their memory and language skills as they hear a variety of writing styles
- Develops individual interests in a broad variety of subject and they develop imagination and creativity
Join Encinal teachers Maggie Sanchez, Rachel Naishtut, Petrina Jonas and Heidi Yamada and your child on a night of fun, laughter, and excitement as they guide you through the ins and outs of high quality read-alouds and a wide selection of great literature to do it with. They will demonstrate their reading strategies, provide tips to parents and other caregivers on how to get the most out of the read-aloud experience with their children. Then parent and child will have a chance to "test" out these strategies with their child as they cozy up and read together. It is sure to be a night of fun, excitement, and the beginning of traditions that will last a life time.
Encinal parents and caregivers and children are invited to attend. Kids can wear their PJs since they will be curling up with their parent(s) and a good book. Feel free to bring a book of your own, or purchase one at the Encinal Book Fair.
- Date: Wednesday, Nov. 9
- Time: 6:30-7:30pm
- Location: Encinal campus location TBD
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One Warm Coat  - Nov. 2-10
The Girl Scout troops of Encinal School and the Encinal Caring & Sharing team are asking the Encinal community to contribute gently used or new coats of all sizes to the "One Warm Coat" community service project.
Girl Scouts will be collecting curbside at Encinal during morning drop-off times, Wednesday, November 2, through Thursday, November 10. Collection containers will also be on campus.
Collected items will be donated to Encinal's Caring & Sharing and to the Shelter Network of San Mateo County. Visit www.onewarmcoat.org for more information. For more details about the drive at Encinal, contact caringandsharing@encinalschool.com.
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Principal's Coffee on District Goals & Assessments
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 8:30am-10am, Room 33 (Science Lab)
 Allison Liner will be present our new district goals for this school year, as introduced by Superintendent Ghysels at a recent School Board meeting, as well as an overview of student assessments (MAP, STAR, ERB, MARS, etc.) and how they assist in the achievement of district goals. The MPAEF will also give an update on the community fundraising campaign that aims to provide our school district with essential funding. Coffee will be served. Room 33 - Science Lab.
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| Missing Something? Try the Encinal Lost and Found
 Have you been looking all over for your favorite sweatshirt or cool new lunchbox? Look for it in the Encinal Lost and Found. The Lost and Found is tucked away in the 4th/5th grade area on a ground floor corridor wall across from the new Multipurpose Room, near room 25. There is a row of hooks and lots of unclaimed items. Please take a look. Unclaimed items are donated to a worthy cause. |
 Honesty
Honesty is the Life Skills and Culture theme for November.
The book everyone will be reading in November is The Empty Pot by Demi. The story, set in China, tells of the old emperor seeking his replacement. All the children are given seeds and the one who grows the best plant will be chosen as the new emperor. The plant of Ping, the main character, is not growing. What should he do?
The best way to teach your kids about honesty is to model it. There are teachable moments everyday. Take notice of these moments. Point them out. When you have to be honest about something, like a mistake you made, be sure to share that moment with your kids. Modeling the behaviors we want our kids to have is the best way to teach them.
The Menlo Park Library has partnered with the schools in this Life Skills adventure. The Empty Pot is available for check out along with other books about honesty.
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Volunteer Opportunities - You Make A Difference!
Click here to see an overview of ways to volunteer |
Become a Mentor: Make a Difference to an Encinal Student
Do you have an hour per week to make a real difference in the life of an Encinal student? Please consider volunteering as a Mentor!
The Mentor Program provides academic support and expands positive school based relationships for selected students by matching them with a mentor for one hour peer week. Mentors and their mentees work on school assignments, and engage in fun activities to get to know one another better and to build a trusting relationship. It is the goal of the program that the students will see an increase in academic achievement and confidence from their participation in the program.
We are in special need of men who enjoy sports and are willing to mentor 4th and 5th grade boys. Please contact Kim Steere or Mari Chazen at mentorprogram@encinalschool.com for more information. Back to Top
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Edit the Newsletter & Keep On Top Of What's Happening
We are recruiting another volunteer to assemble and edit the school newsletter. It comes out every weekend. We also do the Principal's Posts, Midweek Reminders and administrative announcements. One shift is Wednesday/Thursday for about 2 hours (any time day or night the volunteer chooses). The second shift is Friday afternoon for about another hour. Flexible to suit schedules. Email Susannah Hill at ptocommunications @encinalschool.com or text EDITOR to 380-4405. Back to Top |
| Special Thanks to Local Businesses for supporting our schools!
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Let's Recognize People Who Bring Excellence to Encinal
Thank you to all the families that turned in Box Tops! We collected over 3,500 which is over $350 for Encinal! Keep clipping and saving for our next collection date in February. Thank you to MaryAnn Shinn for organizing Encinal's Box Top Drive.
Congratulations to Encinal students Emma B., Isabelle B. and Jemma S. for their upcoming performances in "Twas the Night Before Christmas" presented by the Dancers Repertory and the Menlo Park Academy of Dance at the Woodside Center for the Performing Arts. Please click here to visit the MPCSD community news listings to learn more about this dance performance or to purchase tickets.
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Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation
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 Do you eScrip? What's the easiest way to give money to our schools? Register to support the Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation through eScrip. Last year, eScrip contributions to the Foundation totaled more than $30,000 for our schools. October is eScrip month so please register or renew online at www.escrip.com. Have your Safeway club card number ready. It's fast, it's free, and every time you shop at participating merchants, our schools receive money. (You'll find us listed on the escrip site as 'Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation'.) Please note: In order for your Safeway purchases to earn money for our schools, you need to renew your Safeway card by October 31. Don't delay...renew today. Thank you. |
Community News & Events
For complete listing click here
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Community News Summary
For complete details about all community events click here
EVENTS FOR STUDENTS & FAMILIES
- Twas the Night Before Christmas, Presented by Dancers Repertory Theatre and Menlo Park Academy of Dance 12/4 & 12/10-12/11 following, click here for info and tickets (featuring several Encinal students)
- Story Time with Marla Frazee, Stars, Kepler's Books 10/30
- Menlo Park Library's Picture It Contest for Teens by 10/31
- Come see the stars at the Menlo Park Library! 11/1
- Ed Johnson and the Novo Tempo Quartet,Menlo Park Council Chambers 11/3
- Menlowe Ballet's First Performance, "DEBUT" Bayside Performing Arts, San Mateo 11/5
- Discovery Day, Bay Area Science Festival, AT&T Park SF 11/6
- Seahawk Youth Rugby Open Day and Free Clinic, Mitchell Park, Palo Alto, 11/13
- Menlo-Atherton Big Band Dance and Fundraiser, 11/18
- "Stage Door" from M-A Drama, 11/3-12
FOR PARENTS click here for all listings
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Encinal PTO Communications
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Join the PTO Mailing List - Text "SUBSCRIBE" to 42828
Make sure to receive Principal's Posts, Midweek Updates and weekly newsletters by joining the Encinal PTO Mailing List. Back to Top |
Encinal Newsletter Submissions - Deadline Tuesday noon
Email articles for the Encinal newsletter to newsletter@encinalschool.com Email community announcements to communitynews@mpcsd.org. Back to Top |
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