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  Encinal School NewsletterNovember 13, 2011 La Organizasión de Padres y Maestros de Encinal Boletin en español - haga clic aqui |
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Things To Do
- Visit the Problem of the Month Gallery 11/15 click here
- Donate to the Thanksgiving/holiday drive by 11/17 click here
- Shop at the Holiday Boutique benefitting MPAEF 11/15-16 click
- Attend Principal's Coffee on Goals & Assessments 11/16 click
- Arrange early pick up for Minimum Days 11/19, 21-23 click
- Order December hot lunches before 12/1 click here
Dates to Note
This Week 11/13-11/19:
Beyond:
- 11/19: Honeybear Trees fundraiser begins click here
- 11/21-23: Minimum days for conferences click here
- 11/21-23: Chevy's Restaurant fundraiser, all day click here
- 11/24-25: Thanksgiving holiday - no school
- 11/26-12/10: Cheeky Monkey fundraiser begins click here
- 12/01: PTO Executive Board Meeting 11am-1pm TERC
- 12/20: Winter Sing
- 12/23: Winter Break begins, 11:20 dismissal
Information to Know
Ways to Support Encinal School
- Eat at Chevy's (bring flyer) on 11/21-23 click here
- 2nd Annual Holiday Boutique 11/15-16 click here
- For IBM employees: Community Grant deadline 11/15 click
- Visit Cheeky Monkey for holiday shopping 11/16-12/9 click here
- Shop at Honeybear Trees (bring flyer) 11/19-12/14 click here
Report Absence or Tardiness click here
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Problem of the Month Gallery Walk, Tues. Nov. 15
 Please join your child's class in viewing their thoughtful work at the Problem of the Month Gallery Walk on November 15 in the small multi. This is an opportunity for parents and students to see the approaches students used to arrive at solutions to a non-routine math problem. Please refer to a letter from your classroom teacher about POM. For questions and further information, please contact Rachel Naishtut at rnaishtut@mpcsd.org.
Join your student's class on Tue. 11/15 in the small multi:
8:20 Peterson 8:30 Callahan
8:40 Sanchez
8:50 Mathia
9:00 Sullivan / Walton
9:10 Vargas / Leff
9:40 Short/ Rocha-Nestler
9:50 Merk
10:10 Mar / Campbell
10:20 Clemo / Meister
10:30 Yamada, Hendrickson
10:40 Preston /Collier
10:50 Naishtut / Schmidt
11:00 Flynn / Jonas
11:10 Bienaime / Mattos
11:20 Camper
11:30 Strohmaier
11:40 Booth / McCann
11:50 Barrera / Napolitani
12:00 Hatfield / Chin
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Principal's Coffee on District Goals & Assessments
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 8:30am-10am, Large Multi (new location)
 Allison Liner will 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. Click here to visit the MPCSD web pages about assessments and click here to visit the pages about 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 and it takes place in the large multi (please note the new location).
After the Principal's Coffee, head over to the MPAEF Holiday Boutique if you can. See next article for details.
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MPAEF's 2nd Annual Holiday Boutique Nov. 15 & 16
Location: 1525 Bay Laurel Drive Menlo Park
 Don't miss out on the 2nd annual Holiday Boutique benefiting MPAEF. You'll find one-of-a-kind items of jewelry, kids' items, handbags, workout wear, stationery, blankets, scarves, home decor, coats, and much more. Please bring cash or check because not all vendors accept credit cards. The 2nd Annual Holiday Boutique is located at 1525 Bay Laurel Drive, Menlo Park. Click here to learn more.
Champagne & Shopping, Tue., Nov. 15th, 7:00-9:00pmJoin us for an exclusive chance to shop on Tuesday evening while the selection of our unique gift items is at its best. For $50, you'll enjoy champagne and hors d'oeuvres while getting first choice of all available products. You will also receive a large tote bag filled with special offerings and a prize drawing ticket. Any ticket purchased by November 9th is guaranteed a free large tote bag with deluxe samples and valuable offers. Tickets purchased after November 9th will receive a bag as supplies last. 100% of all ticket sales go to the MPAEF. Click here to buy tickets.
Shop 'til You Drop, Wed., Nov. 16th, 8:30am-2:30pm
Join us for a free of charge Open House where we cordially invite you to shop 'til you drop.
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| Caring and Sharing Thanksgiving/Holiday Drive Ends Nov. 17
 From November 2nd through 17th, the Encinal PTO's Caring and Sharing committee will collect grocery gift cards and monetary donations to help Encinal families have happy Thanksgiving and December holidays. Over 50 Encinal families are in need and will benefit. Our goal is to provide each of our families in need with a grocery gift card for Thanksgiving and another one for a December holiday meal. Here is how you can donate by November 17th:
- Contribute online via PayPal by clicking here
- Contribute cash or a grocery card (Safeway or Trader Joe's) or a check (made out to 'Encinal PTO') and put your envelope in the drop box in the front office on the left wall
Monetary donations will also support the PTO's Food for Thought program, which provides a weekly bowl of fruit for the classrooms and front office available to any student who forgot a snack or is not able to start the day with a full breakfast. It is intended to ensure that every student has proper nutrition for a productive day at school. The Encinal PTO's Caring and Sharing committee will be sending information after Thanksgiving about our annual gift giving tree for the December holidays. |
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Minimum Day Bus Schedules - No Sam Trans Buses
 The following information pertains to the November 18, 21, 22, and 23rd early dismissal days with 11:20am release.
The Sam Trans buses will not run in the afternoon during these days. If your student uses this bus, plan for other transportation arrangements.
All other bus services will run the usual routes beginning at 11:20.
The District bus will run two routes. The first will run at 11:25 for
kindergarten, first and second graders. The second will run at 12:00 for all Newton Program participants. The Newton Center will provide
supervision for Newton participants from 11:20 on.
Younger siblings who attend the small multi program from 2:30 to 3:00 will meet at the small multi as usual and then go directly to their usual destination. If your older child picks a younger sibling up at the small multi, please have them continue to do so on this day.
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MPCSD Directories Arriving This Week
 A complimentary copy of the 2011-2012 MPCSD Directory is provided by the PTO to all families in our school district. It will be coming home in backpacks this week. The directory is being distributed to the youngest member of each family in the district so please check your child's pack. For those of you who would like to order extra directories, please click here and place your online order before Wednesday, November 23rd. The extra directories are expected to be sent home the week of December 5th, if not earlier. If your family opted not to be included in the District Directory, you may pick up your copy at your school's Front Office.
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Hot Lunch Ordering for December from ChoiceLunch
 The ChoiceLunch hot lunch ordering for December is open. The PTO hot lunch wants to remind the parents of hot lunch participants to place their orders for the coming month. Click here to order.
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Encinal School Lock-Down Drill Nov. 16
 On Wednesday, November 16th, Encinal School students will participate in a mandatory lock down drill. As part of our emergency preparedness plan, students and faculty regularly practice fire, earthquake, and lock down drills to prepare us for an emergency. During the lock down drill, students will remain in their classrooms and follow standard procedures of moving away from windows, and staying quiet with little movement. Teachers lock doors and windows, and lower blinds. The drill will last approximately 10 minutes.
Teachers will address lock down procedures with the classes prior to the drill. To help students understand causes for a lock down, the staff will share the following:
- Severe weather, including hard rain, hail, wind
- Stray dog or other animal seeming unsafe on campus
- Person seeming unsafe on campus
Questions? Contact Vice Principal Joan von der Linden at jvonderlinden@mpcsd.org or 650-326-5164.
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November Life Skill: 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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Recognizing the People Who Make Encinal Excellent
 BOOK FAIR
Thank you to the PTO Book Fair co-chairs Traci Christie, Lynn Cox and Kate Hu who made this year's "Safari" event a huge success. Thanks also to the unofficial co-chair Mary Sapountzis who did a tremendous amount of work (and doesn't even have a child at Encinal this year). We also want to recognize Encinal Librarian Denise Healy who brought every class through the Book Fair. And thank you
to all the families that shopped at the Book Fair and bought books for their teacher's classroom. You made it a great success! A big round of applause goes to:
- Setup Crew: the co-chairs, plus Mary Sapountzis, Ken Cox, Laura Laprais, and Charles McMichael.
- Book Fair Volunteers:
Jan Penagos, Christine Franco, Leslie Burke, Marie Richardson, Sophie Kirk, Susan Tanner, Jennifer Santoro, Gina Hart, Kelly Martin, Kathy Miller, Robyn Wheeler, Dana Stone, Angie Ballard, Kelley Wolf, Amy Cramer, Christie Tonsfeldt, Traci Brinton, and Alyese Enright.
- Family Reading Night: Teachers Maggie Sanchez, Rachel Naishtut, Petrina Jonas and Heidi Yamada; the co-chairs, plus Mary Sapountzis, Leslie Burke, Jan Penagos, Ken Cox.
- Hillview and high school helpers: Devon Cox, Lauren Cox, Isabelle Sapountzis, Anna Cookson, and Tessa Dignum.
- Take-Down Crew: the co-chairs, plus Mary Sapountzis, Kelly Martin, Julia Zanutta, Joan Solari, Mike Davenport, Jill Kispert, Julie Kispert, Heather Karp, Hayley Karp and Tracy Uyeki.
DIRECTORIES
Many thanks to the Directory team which includes District Council Co-Vice Presidents Tricia Barr and Monty Gong, and Encinal PTO Directory lead Eileen Rozanski. Thanks also to John Kelly and Blackstone Discovery for their continued outstanding service in publishing the District Directory.
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Chevy's Restaurant Fundraiser 11/21-23
 Minimum Days are right around the corner Nov. 21-23, and we are pleased to have Chevy's supporting the PTO with a 3-day fundraiser event. If you dine in or carry out and present our PTO flyer, Chevy's will donate 25% of the proceeds to Encinal. View Chevy's menu by clicking here or call 367-6892 to place a takeout order. You must show the PTO flyer to get credit so download it here or watch you student's homework folder for it. |
Holiday Fundraiser at Cheeky Monkey 11/26-12/9
The holiday season is right around the corner, so get those wish lists ready and visit Cheeky Monkey. Cheeky Monkey will donate 10% of your purchase to Encinal if you shop between 11/26 and 12/9 and mention Encinal during checkout. This offer is valid online as well as in the store, so you can shop at your convenience. And we love that Cheeky Monkey offers free gift wrapping and toy assembly. Check out the attached flyer for more information. Cheeky Monkey Toys, 640 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park www.cheekymonkeytoys.com |
Support Encinal While Decking Your Halls - Honeybear Trees
 Honeybear Trees is offering 15% back to Encinal between 11/19 and 12/24. Earn money for our school while you spruce up your home for the holidays. Please mention Encinal School at check-out and show this flyer (which includes maps and addresses for Honeybear Trees in Redwood City and San Carlos.) This is an easy way to support our school so please make Honey Bear Trees your destination for the tree and decorations that will grace your home this season. We have a report from a mystery tree shopper that Honeybear's products are fresh and she has been happy with them. Open 7 days a week from 9am to 9pm. www.honeybeartrees.com
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Volunteer Opportunities - You Make A Difference!
Click here to see an overview of ways to volunteer |
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Eagle Express Post Office Is Open - Volunteers Needed
 The long-awaited opening of the Eagle Express Post Office has finally arrived this week. Our 2nd and 3rd grade postal staff was sworn in last week, letters have been written among the students and each child will receive their first letter after our inaugural delivery next week. Regular volunteers will be needed beginning Tuesday, 11/29 when we start our regular shifts. Parent volunteers are needed to help oversee our student staff as they collect, process and deliver mail during each shift. Shifts are scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Please note that our location has changed this year and the Eagle Express has moved to the rear of the large multi. Volunteers may sign up directly on Volunteer Spot: click hereCome support your 2nd or 3rd grade student staffers during their shifts or just come to help with this important school program! Questions? Please email co-chairs Heather Karp and Christine Gertner at postoffice@encinalschool.com. |
Community News & Events
For complete listing click here
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Community News Summary
For complete details about all community events click here
CLASSES & ATHLETICS FOR STUDENTS
- (Ages 5-11) Christmas Break Basketball and Baseball Clinic with Coach Tim, January 2, 3, 4, and 5 at the New Arrillaga Family Gym
- (Grades 4 and 5) Soccer Clinic for 4th and 5th Grade Girls, Tuesday, November 29, 3:30 to 5:15 p.m., Lyle Field, Menlo Park, $30 per player
- Alpine Soccer Club will have tryouts for Spring 2012 for U8-U20 competitive soccer teams starting now.
- (Grades 6 to 12) Peninsula Water Polo Girls' Youth Program Winter Session, open to all girls in the area in the 6th-12th grade.
- Kidizens Winter Session, Kidizens is a creative and fun social environment with over a million LEGOs where children build, inhabit and run their own small scale city.
EVENTS FOR STUDENTS & FAMILIES
- "Twas the Night Before Christmas" presented by Dancers Repertory Theatre and Menlo Park Academy of Dance 12/4,10,11 click here for info and tickets (featuring several Encinal students)
- "Cats" by Peninsula Youth Theater, November 12 - 20 at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts
- Kepler's Story Time with Frans Vischer, Fuddles, Sunday, November 13, 11.30 a.m., 1010 El Camino, Menlo Park
- Kepler's Story Time with Elisa Kleven, The Friendship Wish, Sunday November 20, 11:30 a.m
- The Nutcracker by Western Ballet of Mountain View, December 2-4 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
- Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 3, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center (700 Alma Street)
- Children's Holiday Tea, Atherton Dames, Sunday, December 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Holbrook Palmer Park
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Encinal PTO Communications
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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 |
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 |
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IBM offers an IBM Community Grant to schools and other non-profit organizations (such as the PTO and MPAEF) where employees volunteer. The fairly straightforward grant application is due on November 15th. IBM retirees can also participate.