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  Encinal School Newsletter
February 12, 2012
Encinal PTO/La Organizasión de Padres y Maestros
Boletin en espanol - haga clic aqui
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Things To Do
- Donate any amount to MPAEF by 2/15 and help reach 70% click
- Attend Spencer West's parent event on Mon 2/13, 7pm click
- Consider coaching Girls on the Run click here
- Complete short survey for Cultural Arts Day click here
- Remind your child to wear pink (or red) for "Pink Day" 2/14 click
- No school Fri 2/17 and Mon 2/20 -- enjoy the holiday
Dates to Note
This Week 2/12-18 -- no school Friday & next Monday
Mon Parent Event with Spencer West, 7 pm, large multi click
Tue Appreciating Our Differences Pink Day & Spencer West click
Wed Deadline for MPAEF Board member submissions click here
Wed Deadline for MPAEF Drive and Participation Challenge click
Wed For applicants to Spanish Immersion program - mandatory
parent mtg. MPCSD Board Room, 8:45am click
Thu Parent Input for Hillview Principal search, 9 am & 7 pm
Hillview Library click here
Fri Presidents Day holiday, no school
Beyond
2/20 Presidents Day Holiday, no school
2/22 Box Tops for Education due
2/22 Orders due for 5th grade sweatshirts
2/22-23 Pizza My Heart nights - take a break from cooking
2/27 For applicants to Spanish Immersion program -
mandatory parent mtg. MPCSD Board Room, 7pm
2/29 Deadline for Kinder Spanish Immersion Application
3/1-31 Encinal Read-a-Thon
3/23 No school - Staff Development day
Calendar Get the dates for the rest of school year click here
Ways to Support Encinal School
- Participate in MPAEF Foundation 500 drive and $50K challenge grant by Feb 15 click here
- Drop off Box Tops For Education by Feb 22 click here
- Donate a Special Event or Party to MPAEF's auction. Mark your calendars for MPAEF's annual auction and party click here
Report an Absent or Tardy Student click here
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MPAEF Campaign: Just 155 More Families Needed by 2/15
 If 155 more families donate to MPAEF by Wednesday, we win a $50,000 bonus for reaching 70% participation. Please give any amount to help send another $50,000 to our schools.  You can still double your dollars with the Foundation 500 Challenge Grant. Donations of any size count and your participation matters to all of us. Thank you!
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Appreciating Our Differences: Spencer West on "Redefining Your Possible"
 We are excited to announce the return of keynote speaker Spencer West to our District. Spencer West speaks candidly about the struggles he overcame after losing his legs at the age of five, and how he never lost the hope or courage he needed to overcome personal obstacles. Filled with both humor and humility, his thought-provoking message inspires people to find opportunity in every challenge.
He comes this year with a new and incredible message for our students: Redefine Your Possible. By using his life story and his commitment to making a difference, he will be sharing information about his climb of Mount Kilimanjaro this summer as proof that we are in charge of redefining our own possible.
Pink Day Feb. 14
Remind your students to wear pink (or red) for Pink Day 2012 on Feb. 14th. We will be surprising Spencer at his speech with a sea of pink in the audience, showing him how much impact his message had on students and staff last year.
 Parent's Mark Your Calendar - You won't want to miss this Parent Ed Event, Feb. 13th at 7pm
Parents, please join us on Monday night, February 13th at 7PM in the large Multi to hear Spencer and his message for yourselves. Adults only, please. RSVP to rsvpforspencer@gmail.com. He will be sharing his message with our children the morning of February 14th. This is a great opportunity for parents to hear Spencer's message, facilitating your family discussions when the kids come home on the 14th. For more info on Spencer, please click here.
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2012-13 Kindergarten Registration During February
 Registration for next year's Kindergarten, new Transitional Kindergarten, and Spanish Immersion program started Feb. 1 and ends Feb. 29. Please refer to the district website for important instructions, tour information and parent meetings. Click here for more information.
Spanish Immersion Program Kindergarten Registration Mandatory Parent Information Meeting: Feb 15 or 27 The District's Spanish Immersion Program is accepting applications from students who are eligible to begin kindergarten in the 2012-13 school year. The goal of this unique program is to provide an opportunity for children at an early age to develop literacy and fluency in both Spanish and English. Interested parents may obtain an application in their school office and will be required to attend a mandatory parent information meeting in the District Office Board Room on one of these two dates:
- Wednesday, February 15, 8:45 - 9:45 am
- Monday, February 27, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
To be considered for the program, kindergarten registration must be complete and Immersion application received by no later than February 29. For more information about the Spanish Immersion Program, please visit the District website at www.mpcsd.org |
Box Tops Collections Underway - Deadline Feb. 22
 Hear Ye, Hear Ye Encinal Community! Our next collection date for Box Tops for this school year will be February 22, 2012. Please start cleaning your junk drawers for the box tops you have misplaced. Each and every one counts and adds up to hundreds of dollars for our school. |
Pizza My Heart Nights Feb. 22-23
 Want a break from cooking? Go out. Take out. Get delivery. Whichever one you choose, Pizza My Heart in Palo Alto will donate 30% of the proceeds to Encinal. So why not treat everyone in the family to a tasty dinner between 4pm to close on Wednesday, February 22nd or Thursday, February 23rd? Simply mention Encinal when you place your order and enjoy. Thanks so much for all you do to support our school (you know, like splurging for that extra large). Visit Pizza My Heart at 220 University Ave in PA or call them at 327-9400 for that take out or delivery. |
MPAEF Board Nominations and Submissions Due Wed. 2/15
The Menlo-Park Atherton Education Foundation is a board of 40 parent volunteers from our school district. The Foundation is seeking new board members who are motivated to work on our fundraising efforts with parents, businesses, and the community at large. Parent volunteers serve a two year term. If you are interested in serving on the MPAEF board please email Alison Leupold or Theanne Thomson by Feb. 15. Please visit our website to learn more about what we do. Thank you for your support.
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MPAEF Annual Auction and Party on April 21
Show Us A Good Time - Host a Memorable Party!
Donate Theme Parties & Unique Events by March 1
Whatever your idea of fun -- a '70s disco blowout for a crowd, hiking and brunch with the ladies, a family game night, or a kids-only swim bash -- we want to hear from you!
We need a wide variety of memorable events that will appeal to district parents, families, and kids, so start brainstorming. Elaborate sit-down dinners. Casual cocktail parties. Wine tastings. Grade-level parties. Scavenger hunts...and more! Not sure you can pull it off? Team up with neighbors, friends, or class families and share the hosting duties.
To Donate a Party or Special Event: Please contact Celine Sanie, celine@sanie.com. The deadline for submitting auction items is
March 1. Don't forget: We're also looking for Getaway donations and sporting event tickets and other unique experiences.
Event Details: Saturday, April 21, Cabana Hotel, Palo Alto. Ticket information coming soon!
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5 Question Survey about Cultural Arts Day 2012
 Thank you for your support of Cultural Arts Day. Please help us make Cultural Arts Day better by filling out our 5 question survey, Click here.
Grab a student if you can, and have them fill it out as well. Thank you again! All input is appreciated, the more honest, the better.
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Help Support the Eagle Express From Your Own Living Room
 Our Eagle Express postal staff is doing an amazing job processing the mail. But we need more letters. Did you know that family and friends can send letters to Encinal students via the Eagle Express Post Office too?
To send a letter to a student:
- Find the student's address from the classroom list here
- "Stamp" the envelope with a sticker or hand drawn image. No USPS stamps and do not use USPS mailboxes.
- Drop the letter in the green mailbox outside the office. Only the green Eagle Express mailbox will work (not USPS).
Eagle Express mail is picked up and delivered on Tuesdays and Fridays. Our students LOVE receiving mail, and writing a letter to your student (and his classmates) is a great way to encourage writing and language arts while supporting this special program. Questions? Please email co-chairs Heather Karp and Christine Gertner at postoffice@encinalschool.com. |
From the Encinal Office: Update on MAP Scores
Early this month, students in all grades completed the second MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test in reading and mathematics. Due to a later than expected close to the testing window, teachers are just beginning to analyze this new data and consider results in the context of multiple measures. Results will be sent home to parents with report cards on March 5.
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Hillview Principal Search Parent & Community Input Sessions
Please join Superintendent Ghysels to provide your input on the qualities and qualifications that you would like to see in Hillview's next principal.
The meetings will take place at Hillview on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 9am and again at 7pm in the Hillview library.
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 Exclusive to this year's fifth grade class, a newly designed pullover hooded sweatshirt is now available to order in your choice of Chocolate, Black or White. The sweatshirts are $30 each and all proceeds benefit the Encinal PTO. Orders are due Wed. Feb. 22 and sweatshirts will be delivered to classrooms in time for Outdoor Ed.
The design on both the front and the back will be in white print on the Chocolate and Black sweatshirts and in black print on the White sweatshirts. This 50/50 cotton/poly blend sweatshirt will help keep you warm and cozy, and will be a great keepsake for years to come.
There are two ways to order a sweatshirt:
- Paper order forms with cash or check - Please look for the order forms being sent home Monday, February 13th. Completed order forms can be placed with cash or check made out to "Encinal PTO" in the envelope in the front office labeled "5th Grade Class Sweatshirts". Order forms can be found there as well.
- Online with credit card - If you would prefer to pay by credit card or Paypal, please order through our webstore by clicking here
Contact Angela Ambrosio at spiritwear@encinalschool.com with any questions. Thank you and enjoy the sweatshirts!
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Hillview PTO Committee Chair Search Underway
Hillview is beginning to recruit for committee chairs for the 2012/13 school year. This is a great way for 5th grade parents to get involved and become familiar with your student's new school. To learn more about the committees, click here. If you are interested in serving as a committee chair next year, please email Pam Fernandes. Thanks for your support. |
Recognizing the People Who Make Encinal Excellent
 The Encinal 5th grade completed D.A.R.E program and held a D.A.R.E. graduation last Thursday evening. Many thanks to Atherton PD Officer Potts and his wife Ruth for their generous time and commitment to teaching valuable life skills every year at Encinal. Thanks also to the 5th grade teachers who support D.A.R.E. and made time last Thursday evening to support their students. Congratulations 5th grade D.A.R.E. graduates! |
Volunteer Opportunities - You Make A Difference!
Click here to see an overview of ways to volunteer |
Girls on the Run Coaches - No Running Experience Needed
 The Encinal After School Activities coordinator is searching for parent volunteers to coach Encinal's chapter of Girls on the Run. This Bay Area organization provides an innovative running program for girls ages 8 to 13 that uses experiential learning to teach specific well-defined social and personal skills. You do not need to be a runner to be a successful coach for Girls on the Run. You will serve as a role model for girls by showing up prepared and on time, listening attentively, having a positive demeanor and outlook and by leading a healthy lifestyle! You will encourage the girls and coach them on proper stretching, explore emotional issues faced by girls their age, and discuss the importance of nutrition and physical activity. Don't worry, this will all be covered in coach training. To learn more and to apply, click here. Back to Top |
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Community News & Events
For complete listing click here
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New Community Listings
Want to see everything, not just what's new? Click here.  Summer Camps are here!
Summer Camp Information for District Families: click hereCheck back often - we are adding camps every week!
All the information that summer camps have sent to PTO newsletters is assembled in one place in a format that makes it easy to compare dates, costs, location and other details. The PTOs in the District are providing this information as a convenience to help you with your summer planning. However, we have not evaluated this information or endorsed any of the camps. The District is not responsible for any aspect of these camps. Events for Students and Families
Kepler's Story Time with Jennifer Fosberry, Sunday, February 19, 11:30 a.m., 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park.
M-A PTA M-Agic Fashion Show, Saturday February 25, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., at the M-A Center for Performing Arts. Student tickets range from $10 to $20.
For Parents
Speaker: "Standing Tall - My Journey" with Spencer West, Monday, February 13, 7 p.m. in the large Encinal Multi.
Speaker: "Gifted Girls: The Challenges and Benefits of Being a Gifted Girl in Education and Society Today," Thursday, February 16, 7-8:30 p.m., at Synapse School, 3375 Edison Way, Menlo Park, RSVP to Corinne Kirmil, Corinne@6seconds.org, 650-294-4570
Sports, Classes, Volunteer Opportunities for Students & Families
Menlo Aquatics Spring Day Camp April 2-6, 9-13 and 16-20, 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday - Friday, Burgess Park Pools
Alpine Strikers FC Soccer Camp, Spring Registration is open.
Open House: Mountain Camp Woodside (Summer Camp), Sunday, February 12, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m, Woodside Priory School, 302 Portola Road, Portola Valley
Woodside Vaulters Equestrian Vaulting Club, Openings for Ages 2-8.Vaulting combines elements of gymnastics and dance, performed to music on a moving horse.
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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. Click here or text "SUBSCRIBE" to 42828. 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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