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  Encinal School NewsletterNovember 20, 2011 La Organizasión de Padres y Maestros de Encinal Boletin en español - haga clic aqui |
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Things To Do
- Arrange early pick up for Minimum Days for 11/21-23 -- after school activities are cancelled and dismissal is 11:20am click
- Volunteer for Cultural Arts Day and Post Office click here
- Order extra District Directories if needed click here
- Order December hot lunches before 12/1 click here
- Share your opinions about After School Activities click here
- Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Dates to Note
This Week: 11/20-11/26:
- Sun: Honeybear Trees fundraiser continues, click here
- Mon: Minimum day for conferences, 11:20 dismissal click here
- Mon: Chevy's Restaurant fundraiser begins, all day click here
- Tue: Minimum day for conferences, 11:20 dismissal click here
- Wed: Minimum day for Thanksgiving 11:20 dismissal click
- Thu: Thanksgiving Holiday: no school
- Fri: Thanksgiving Holiday: no school
- Sat: Cheeky Monkey Fundraiser begins click here
Beyond:
- 12/01: PTO Executive Board Meeting 11am-1pm TERC
- 12/20: Winter Sing, times TBD
- 12/23: Winter Break begins, 11:20 dismissal
- 1/9: School resumes
Information to Know
- No After School Activities on Minimum Days Nov 21-23 click
- Life Skill for November: Honesty click here
Ways to Support Encinal School
- Eat at Chevy's (bring flyer) on 11/21-23 click here
- Visit Cheeky Monkey for holiday shopping 11/26-12/9 click here
- Shop at Honeybear Trees (bring flyer) 11/19-12/14 click here
Report Your Absent or Tardy Student click here
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Minimum Days This Week: All Grades Dismissed 11:20am
 Parent Teacher Conferences are taking place this Monday and Tuesday, November 21 & 22, so all grades will be released on the Minimum Day schedule at 11:20am. This Wednesday, November 23, is also a Minimum Day, and students will all be released at 11:20am to begin Thanksgiving break.
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No After School Activities This Week
 There won't be any after school activities this week, November 21-23, due to the Minimum Day schedule.
If you would like to provide your opinions as the After School Activities committee evaluates which programs to continue, please see below.
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Minimum Day Bus Schedules: No Afternoon SamTrans Buses
 The following information pertains to the November 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 to get home from school, plan for other transportation arrangements.
All other bus services will run the usual routes beginning at 11:20am instead of the usual time.
The District bus will run two routes. The first will run at 11:25am for
kindergarten, first and second graders. The second will run at 12:00pm for all Newton Program participants. The Newton Center will provide supervision for Newton participants from 11:20am on.
Younger siblings who attend the small multi program from 2:30 to 3:00pm will meet at the small multi after school dismissal 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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| What Do You Think About Encinal's After School Programs?
The PTO's After School Activities committee is reviewing the programs offered at Encinal after school and is collecting parent opinions. We need your feedback to determine which programs to continue. - What is your evaluation of the current vendors?
- What are your suggestions for the program?
Send us your thoughts via this online form as many times as you like, for instance if you have more than one program or child to discuss. Due Fri. Dec. 2. Back to Top
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Need a Second Copy of the MPCSD Directory?
 You should have received a complimentary copy of the 2011-2012 MPCSD Directory, courtesy of the PTO. The directories were delivered home last week in the green homework folder of the youngest child of every family that is included in the Directory. If your family opted not to be included in the District Directory, you may pick up your complimentary copy in the Encinal office.
More copies of the Directory are available for sale to District families. 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 in green folders the week of December 5th, if not earlier.
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Bring Us Your Colorful Junk Mail for Cultural Arts Day
 We will be making Ugandan paper bead necklaces for Cultural Arts Day, and we are in need of your thicker junk mail to create them. We are talking about election campaign literature, Bed Bath and Beyond coupons, etc. Please drop them off at the back door of the art room. Our goal is for all 800 kids to have a necklace on the day, so we need a bunch. Questions or want to help with Cultural Arts Day? Please contact Ed Vail at culturalartsday@encinalschool.com. |
Hot Lunch Ordering for December from ChoiceLunch
 The ChoiceLunch hot lunch ordering for December is open. The PTO hot lunch team 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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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
 One Warm Coat Drive
A huge thank you to the Encinal community for your generous contribution of over 350 coats during the One Warm Coat drive. The Girl Scouts will be distributing them to Encinal families in need and delivering the rest to the Haven Houses in Menlo Park and San Mateo.
Halloween for Hunger Drive
Thanks to the generosity of Encinal's families, the Student Council collected 1,701 pounds of food for the 2nd Harvest Food Bank. Thank you to everyone in the community. Also, a big thank you to the Student Council and to Robin Buckley for making it all happen.
Teacher Appreciation Lunch Donation from Rubio's Grill
The PTO Teacher Appreciation Committee would like to acknowledge Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill for their donation of 25% of the cost of the Teacher's Appreciation Lunch on Friday, November 18. Thank you!
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 The Foundation would like to give thanks to our many business sponsors who have made donations in support of our schools in 2011. As a group their contributions totaled more than $70,000. Please remember to thank these businesses when you visit their stores and let them know how much we appreciate their support.
Platinum ($5000 and up) Bohannon
DLM Architecture
Northwestern Mutual (new for 2012)
RGM Associates
Tavarez Orthodontics
Wells Fargo
Gold ($3000 and up)
Menlo Partners Staffing (new for 2012)
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Schwanke Architecture
Sundance The Steakhouse
Silver ($1500 and up)
Blue Sky Outdoors (new for 2012)
Cameron Aboudara DDS MS
De La Rosa & Co.
Diablo West Physical Therapy
Paul Gerber DDS (new for 2012)
Fidelity Investments
Menlo Medical Clinic
Tiemann Investment Advisors
Bronze ($1000 and up)
Alys Grace
AXIS Personal Trainers
Cheeky Monkey
The Dailey Method
Scott Kaloust DDS MS
Kicks
Menlo Dermatology Medical Group
Opes Advisors
Pacific Peninsula Group
Pink Tangerine
SRI International
Sponsors ($500 and up)
Bow Wow Meow (new for 2012)
Country Club Cleaners
European Styling Parlor
Gould Jacobson Dermatology
Habibi's Salon (new for 2012)
Kikim Media
First Republic Bank
Intuitive Environments (new for 2012)
Peninsula Window Fashions
Sky Nails
The Oriental Carpet
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Thank You from the MPAEF Holiday Boutique Team
 Thank you to all the shoppers, volunteers, and vendors who made the Holiday Boutique a success. We are still tallying the final numbers, but it looks like we may have doubled our profits from last year! For those of you who wish you had gotten blankets, scarves, slippers, or shoes from Kicks, you still can. This generous MPAEF business sponsor is willing to give 20% of your purchases to the MPAEF for the rest of November. Mention MPAEF at checkout and please thank them for their support . Kicks is located at 1060 Evelyn St. in Menlo Park. |
Chevy's Restaurant Fundraiser for Minimum Days 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. Chevy's Fresh Mex, Redwood City location: 2907 El Camino Real 650-367-6892 |
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 650-328-7975 www.cheekymonkeytoys.com |
Honeybear Trees Through 12/24: Shop & Support Encinal
 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 Honeybear 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 |
Volunteers Needed for Cultural Arts Day
 Encinal's Cultural Arts Day is a one-of-a-kind event. This year's CAD will take place in the end of January, and the planning team still needs more hands right now. Please contact Ed Vail at culturalartsday@encinalschool.com for more information. |
Eagle Express Post Office Is Open - Volunteers Needed
 The long-awaited opening of the Eagle Express Post Office has finally arrived. Our 2nd and 3rd grade postal staff was sworn in, letters have been written among the students and each child will receive their first letter after our inaugural delivery this 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. |
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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" by Dancers Repertory Theater and Menlo Park Academy of Dance, 12/4, 12/10 & 12/11
- Kepler's Story Time with"Llama Llama Home with Mama", 11/27
- "The Nutcracker Ballet" by Dance Connection Palo Alto, 12/2-4
- "Junie B. Jones - Jingle Bells Batman Smells", 12/8-18, at Palo Alto Children's Theatre
FOR PARENTS - nothing new this week
SPORTS, CLASSES & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES
- Spanish Immersion Winter Camp, 12/19-23 and 27-30
- Redwood City Girls Softball Registration, Girls 5 and up
- Flamenco for Kids with Rubina Valenzuela, from Menlo Park Recreation, begins 1/18
- Menlo Action Academy Holiday Day Camp, 12/19-22 and 27-30, 1/3-6
- Holiday Camp Menlo Aquatics Day Camp, 12/19-22 and 27-30, 1/3-6
- Stanford Brain and Genetics Study in Children and Adolescents, subjects needed
- Writing Workouts at Hillview Middle School Grades 5+. Begins 11/30
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Spanish Immersion Camp January Dates for Encinal and Laurel Families
 Living Spanish in Palo Alto is offering Winter Spanish Immersion Camps during the school break. They have added camp dates in January after Palo Alto schools have resumed to serve Encinal and Laurel students since MPCSD resumes Monday, Jan. 9. For more information click here.
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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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