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  Encinal School NewsletterDecember 11, 2011 La Organizasión de Padres y Maestros de Encinal Boletin en español - haga clic aqui |
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Things To Do
- Support Food for Thought, holiday meals & Giving Tree click
- Volunteer for Cultural Arts Day, PTO Nominating Cttee click
- Mark calendars to attend the Winter Sing, 12/20 click here
- Double a first-time or increased MPAEF donation click here
- Review walk/bike plans if affected by Monday's relocation of Laurel Street crossing guard click here
- Register your student for January after school activities click
Dates to Note
This Week 12/11-12/17
- Sun Honeybear Trees fundraiser continues click here
- Sun Caring & Sharing Drive continues click here
- Tue Encinal assembly by Lawrence Hall of Science click here
- Tue Giving Tree gift drive final day click here
- Tue MPCSD Board of Education meeting, District Office 6 pm
- Fri PTO Nominating Committee volunteering final day click
Beyond
- 12/13 MPCSD Board of Education mtg., 6pm, District Office
- 12/20 Winter Sing click here Also check Lost & Found click here
- 12/21 Food for Thought & Holiday Meal drive final day click here
- 12/23 First day of Winter Break
- 1/9 School resumes
- 2/1-3 Spanish Book Fair, Laurel School, times TBD
Information to Know
- Holiday food drive donations are still needed click here
- Hillview Parent Ed Presents "Cybersafety" 12/12 click here
- Author & Child Advocate Trudy Ludwig to speak, 12/15 click
- Girls Leadership Institute Workshops Registration click here
- December Life Skill: Cooperation click here
Ways to Support Encinal School
- Participate in MPAEF Foundation 500 drive click here
- Shop at Honeybear Trees with flyer through 12/24 click here
- Collect Box Tops for Education (ongoing) click here
MPAEF 500 Foundation Challenge Grant Announced click here
Report Your Absent or Tardy Student click here
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Relocation of Laurel St. Crossing Guard on Monday, Dec. 12
 Please note that the crossing guard at the corner of Laurel and Encinal will be relocated to Laurel School beginning this Monday, Dec. 12. We are piloting the use of crossing guards at our most impacted intersections and concentrating resources in our highest need areas. Crossing guards at the crosswalk in front of the TERC and the Encinal/Middlefield intersection will remain in place to support student safety at Encinal School.
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Food for Thought, December Holiday Meals and Giving Tree
Have a Gently Used Bike? Drum Set?
 Thanks to the Encinal community for your generosity so far in the 2011 PTO Holiday Gift Drive. The 3 remaining gift requests on our Giving Tree are below - can you fill them wit ha gently used or new item?
- Bicycle for 9 year old girl
- Adult bicycle for 12 year old boy
- Drum set for 10 year old boy
If you can fill these wishes, please email caringandsharing@ encinalschool.com today or tell Pam Garcia in the front office tomorrow. Reminder to all: bring unwrapped gifts to the Encinal office by Tuesday, Dec. 13. Holiday Drive - by Wednesday, December 21Support December holiday meals & classroom "Food for Thought". Donations of any amount are welcome and will help fund these two programs. Please click here to make an online donation.
-- Food for Thought
 The PTO "Food for Thought" program provides a weekly basket of fruit to Encinal classrooms. The fruit is available to every child. Some children may have forgotten their snack, and some children may have families who cannot afford to send a snack or provide breakfast every day.
We need additional funds to continue this program for the rest of the school year. Please click here for a more detailed description of this program and how it is funded. Also view several quotes from teachers including, "This is very helpful to a few students in my class who I know are not able to bring snack to school each day." It costs less than $4/week per classroom to provide a basket of fruit. As of now the PTO only has funds to continue the program through December. We need about $75 per classroom to continue this program for the remainder of the school year. That's a total of about $2500 for the whole school. To fund this program, you can drop off a check made out to "Encinal PTO" (with "Caring and Sharing drive" in the memo) or you can make a donation online by clicking here. -- Holiday Meals Encinal PTO plans to give a grocery card to each Encinal family in need to provide a special holiday meal in December. You can drop off a check or grocery card at school or donate online by clicking here. Back to Top |
Encinal Winter Sing, Tuesday, December 20
by John Ashfield, Music Teacher
 The weather is starting to get cold, the sun sets earlier, winter is here... What better time to join together in song? On Tuesday, December 20, we will be having our Winter Sing.
Come to the multi with your child's class, sit with the kids and sing your heart out. We will be singing a varied selection of songs from near and far. Lyrics will be projected and the 5th grade students are the band. We'll rock out on some things and even get up to dance on a few (yes, everyone will have to get up and dance!). This is not a concert. It is a community singing event, where everyone is involved. It'll be fun. So come on out to the Winter Sing and celebrate the Encinal School community!
The Winter Sing is made possible due to the generosity of everyone who donates to the MPAEF, which funds the Music program district-wide.
Click here to see the songs and lyrics so you and your student may prepare ahead of time.
Due to the size of our school we will have 3 separate Winter Sings, so check the schedule but also with your teacher because changes may be made.
9:15-10:00 10:45-11:30 1:15-2:00 Jonas K Nestler K Merk K Campbell 1 Callahan K Mathia 1 Hatfield 2 Sullivan 1 Chin 1 Barrera 2 Napolitani 2 McCann/Ow 2 Leff 3 Peterson 3 Bienaime 2 Collier 3 Mar 3 Preston 4 Sanchez 4 Vargas 3 Ward 4 Schmidt 5 Strohmaier 4 Yamada 4 Hendrickson 5 Walton 4 Mattos 5 Booth 5 Naishtut 4 Camper 5 Flynn 5 Ruth SDC Meister 5 Clemo 5 |
After Winter Sing, Check the Lost & Found For Your Property
 The Lost & Found is filled up again. Please collect anything you are missing before the Lost & Found committee donates the unclaimed items to charity. As you leave the Winter Sing the Lost & Found is straight in front of your exit, so swing by and claim lost items. Back to Top |
Cultural Arts Day Celebrating Eastern Africa - Mon., Jan. 30
 What can we learn about the people, crafts, dance music and food of the maintains and savannas surrounding Africa's Lake Victoria? This year, Encinal's Cultural Arts Day will explore some of the rich and diverse cultures of this region of East Africa. What do people living in that region eat? How do the children play? How many languages are spoken? What do people there think is different between their home and the US? It's time to sign up! We need many parents on event day 1/30/2012 and to help get everything ready. Click here for details. Back to Top |
After School Programs Registration for January
 Registration is underway for after-school programs that run in the Winter starting in January. The classes include intro to sports, flag football, yoga, wizbots and more. Information on grades, class days & dates is available on the signup page. Click here to learn more and to register your student for January.
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Assembly by Lawrence Hall of Science, "Eww Gross!"
 On Tuesday, the Encinal student body will attend an assembly on Tuesday entitled, "Eww Gross! An Icky Investigation of the Human Body" presented by Lawrence Hall of Science's Science Shows & Festivals group. The organizers describe the event as "an exciting alternative to boring health class that introduces the science of the human body's disgusting features." Students learn about the digestive, respiratory, circulatory and excretory systems and their functions in the human body. Something engaging to discuss with your student, but perhaps not over dinner. Questions? Email Vice Principal Joan von der Linden at jvonderlinden@mpcsd.org.
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Hillview Parent Ed Presents Cybersafety - Dec 12, 7 pm
by Hillview Counselor Debbie Devoto
 The fast, fun world of electronic communication can have a dark side. Bullying is easier and meaner online than face-to-face. People are not always who they seem to be. Innocent internet surfing can lead to unexpected exposure. Find out how you can stay on top of things your children may be afraid to tell you. Officer Jaimee Tassio from the Menlo Park Police Department will share details of recent cases in our own community and give you tips on how to avoid inappropriate or dangerous situations. Please join us for this important presentation on what you need to know to keep your children safe. Click here for more information.
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Author & Children's Advocate Trudy Ludwig Dec. 15th, 7pm
by Nicole Scott, Encinal Counselor
 On Thursday evening, December 15, The Friends of Menlo Park Library will be hosting Trudy's parent talk at Menlo Park Council Chambers at 701 Laurel Street, "Understanding Our Kids' Social World: Friendships,Cliques & Power Plays." This event will take place from 7:00- 8:15 p.m. and is open to the community.
Trudy has been featured on ABC's "Good Morning America," PBS's nationally syndicated show, "Keeping Kids Healthy," the National Crime Prevention Council's Circle of Respect program, and, most recently, as an expert panel member on Sesame Street Workshop's video series addressing bullying. Her books (My Secret Bully, Just Kidding, Sorry!, Trouble Talk®, Too Perfect, Confessions of a Former Bully, and her newest release, Better Than You) have received national praise for helping children cope and thrive in their social world. The author's web site is www.trudyludwig.com
Keplers will be there selling some of Trudy Ludwig's books and author signings will take place immediately following the presentation.
We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to The Friends of the Menlo Park Library for helping to make this author visit possible. Back to Top |
December Life Skill: Cooperation
by Nicole Scott, Encinal Counselor
 December's life skill is Cooperation. We are reading Subway Sparrow by Leyla Torres. "An English-speaking girl, a Spanish-speaking man, and a Polish-speaking woman might not be able to converse, but when a sparrow trapped in their subway car needs help, their common concern bridges the language barriers between them." ( Amazon.com description).
Cooperation is essential to a successful life. We are constantly working with others on sports teams, in clubs, and in our families. Cooperation is about having a good attitude and being able to compromise. The best way to teach your children cooperation is to work on projects together. It can be helping to do the laundry or clean the dishes to building a lego tower or a gingerbread house. When they get disappointed because something did not go their way talk with your child about how to cooperate- what are important ideas they should argue for and what ones can the compromise on.
Life Skill and Culture is sponsored through a Jeanie Richie Grant from the MPAEF.
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PTO Parent Ed Presents: Girls Leadership Institute
 The Girls Leadership Institute is offering its "Real Parents, Real Daughters" workshops to families with girls in 2nd through 5th grade. Led by professional educators, the workshops for girl/parent pairs will help your daughter learn important skills for developing healthy relationships, managing conflict, expressing her real emotions and becoming a strong leader.
The workshop dates for 4th/5th Grade Girls are: Wednesday evenings January 11, 18, 25 and February 1. For 2nd/3rd Grade Girls, the workshops will take place Wednesday evenings February 8, 15, 29 and March 7. Workshops will meet in the Encinal Library from 6-7:30 p.m. The cost is $190 per parent-daughter pair, and financial aid is available. To register, click here. Back to Top |
For Your Information, in case you see signs or are on campus
For Your Information - A non-profit has organized a fundraiser for today (Sunday) on the Encinal Campus and they are collecting e-waste to benefit Cleaning For A Reason (www.cleaningforareason.org). In case anyone was wondering, we wanted to clarify that this is not a school-sponsored event and is not a fundraiser for the school.
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Recognizing the People Who Make Encinal Excellent
 Thank you to the Eagle Express volunteers who have helped our 2nd and 3rd grade post office staff with their mail duties this semester and supported one of Encinal's memorable student experiences. Thank you to Heather Karp and Christine Gertner for doing a fabulous job as the PTO Co-chairs. This wonderful program is sponsored by the Encinal PTO and an MPAEF Jeanie Ritchie Grant.
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Honeybear Trees Through 12/24: Shop & Support Encinal
 Honeybear Trees is offering 15% back to Encinal on purchases in their lots 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 our mystery tree shopper that Honeybear's products are fresher than others she has ever bought - and she should know because she is from the Pacific Northwest! Open 7 days a week from 9am to 9pm. www.honeybeartrees.com
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Holiday Baking = Box Tops = Dollars for Encinal
Remember to look for the Box Tops for Education on your holiday baking items and save them for our school. Each one is worth 10¢ which adds up to $100's of dollars for our school each year. Drop them by the office collection box anytime. Next submission deadline is February 2012.
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Volunteer Opportunities - You Make A Difference!
Click here to see an overview of ways to volunteer |
Cultural Arts Day Volunteers click here to volunteer
 Encinal School is hosting its fourth Cultural Arts Day featuring East Africa on Monday, January 30th. This is an all-day event for the entire school and our committee is planning wonderful experiences for everyone. Parent volunteers are needed to prepare and lead the students through various activities. To make this event successful, we need many volunteers who can come for the whole day. Want to pick out some Kenyan coffee for teachers, staff, and volunteers? Or figure out where to get plantains? Or help our children dancers on the day? Or eat a roasted grasshopper in front of Encinal students? Click here to volunteer.We plan to have two adult volunteers per classroom throughout the day, in addition to the teachers, to lead activities and chaperon the kids to activities outside the classroom. Talk to your HRP to volunteer for this. |
Seeking Encinal PTO Nominating Committee Members
 We are searching for 5 parent volunteers for the PTO Nominating Committee. The committee's job is to identify candidates for next year's PTO Executive Board and to finalize the slate for next year. The committee will meet a few times between January and March. Please volunteer or send a recommendation for someone you think would be well suited for the committee. Nominating Committee members should not be interested in a Board position themselves. Please email PTO Parliamentarian Gina Ryan before 12/15 to volunteer or submit a name. |
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MPAEF Announces Foundation 500 Challenge Grant click here
 The Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation is thrilled to announce a great opportunity for donors to double their money in support of our schools. To inspire new donors and increased donations, a group of generous families are funding the Foundation 500 Challenge, a $250,000 matching grant.
Donate now through January 31, and the Foundation 500 Challenge Grant will match dollar for dollar:
- Donations from new donors
- Increased donations over last school year
Let's work together and meet the challenge to keep our schools strong. With your donation and the dollar for dollar matching grant, we can raise an additional $500,000 for our children's education. Are you IN?
It's not too late to support our schools. Please donate today. Click here. For families who have already contributed, thank you!
Questions? Please contact Lynne Van Tilburg, MPAEF Executive Director, at lynnev@mpaef.org.
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Community News & Events
For complete listing click here
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Latest Community Listings
 Want to see everything, not just what's new? Click here.
Events for Students and Families
(Young Elementary) Kepler's Cookies and Coloring, Sunday December 18, 11:30 a.m., 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Kids can join the Kepler's staff for cookies and coloring and, of course, reading, while parents shop.
Cybersafety with Officer Jaimee Tassio of the Menlo Park Police Department, Monday, December 12, 7 p.m., Hillview Library. Directed to concerned parents of middle-schoolers, but this presentation would be of interest to parents of younger students who spend time online.
Sports, Classes, and Volunteer Opportunities for Students and Families
Solid State Electronics and Integrated Circuits, Sundays, February 19, 26, March 4 and 11, 1-3:30 p.m., Museum of American Heritage, 351 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto. Introductory course covering the basics of transistor and vacuum tubes and integrated circuits.
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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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