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The Otter Weekly
Oak Knoll School
1895 Oak Knoll Lane
Menlo Park, California 94025
650-854-4433 September 16, 2012
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Oak Knoll Elementary PTO Newsletter
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This Week
Wednesday, Sept 19 - Friday, Sept 21
Wednesday, September 19
- Back to School night, Room 24: 7:00pm-8:00pm
- Veneman - 5th Grade Balclutha Trip; 11:30am-10:30am (overnight)
- Parent Social for Kinder and New Families; 7:00pm-8:30pm
Thursday, September 20
- Back to School night
- Multi-Age (K,1,2); 7:00pm-8:00pm
Friday, September 21 - Fall Family Picnic; 5:00pm-7:00pm
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Looking Ahead Sunday, September 23 - Kindergarten Families Ice Cream Social; 1:00pm-3:00pm - Playground
Monday, September 24 Wednesday, September 26 - Fuller - 5th Grade Balclutha Trip; 11:30am-10:00am (overnight)
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Announcements from the Office
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Reminder to Volunteers to Sign-in at Front Office
All volunteers and visitors should sign the Volunteer/Visitor Log in the front office and remember to wear a "School Visitor" name tag for safety reasons.
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Reminder to Carpool Line Parents
Please be patient in our carpool line and stay in your car. Getting out of your car slows down our line. We have teachers and staff on duty to help find and load your precious cargo. We will never load kids into cars in the passing lane. Move all the way up in line as cars leave.
Thank you!
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Bike Safely: An Important Message from an Oak Knoll Neighbor
"As a 43 year Menlo Park resident, I continue to be APPALLED by the lack of safe bike riding by children and parents attending Oak Knoll School. We know the property, since one son attended, and my wife taught there, years ago.
For four decades, and including this week, I've seen the following:
- Kids/parents riding three-four abreast taking up the entire street
- Parents riding with one hand on a shoulder of a child
- Children zigzagging all over the street
- A parent roller skating BACKWARDS in the middle of the street, waiting for a child to catch up
- A parent rollerskating with a hockey stick/tennis ball zigzagging all over the street
- Children/parents turning from San Mateo Drive onto Bay Laurel with no hand signal, and without looking either way
- Children doing 360 degree turns all over the street, waiting for colleagues, without looking either way
Three years ago I saw two kids get hit on San Mateo drive, knocking them off their bikes. They weren't hurt, since the drivers saw them zigzagging and slowed down.
I see you are having a bike education day this month. I hope the above will help you to build a sense of awareness, and limitation, into both the parents and their kids on this issue."
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Ollie Salutes
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You Otter Know
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Want to be a ninja, too?
Click THIS LINK to hear what our kids have to say about their favorite times at school.
It's For Our Kids! Support their education by supporting your PTO and the MPAEF. We'll be reaching out to our whole community on Monday. Check this banner out on Santa Cruz Ave near El Camino. Together our community can support our great schools. Thank you Dana Shields Design for contributing the design and creation of the banner. |
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One of the most frequently asked questions about the Are You In joint campaign is Why does my family need to support both the Oak Knoll PTO and the MPAEF? It can be confusing. These two organizations are partners and both support Oak Knoll but they are complementary - each with a different funding focus.
The PTOs fund specific school-based programs, supplies and events that are important to Oak Knoll's community of students, teachers, and parents.
The Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation raises money for the District's operating budget. The MPAEF's grant to the District funds classroom teachers (9 this year!) and the District's credentialed librarians, art teachers, music teachers, and elementary science aides. This funding is essential to maintaining small class sizes and a comprehensive curriculum.
If you have other questions about the joint campaign, the PTO, the MPAEF, or school funding, click HERE for the answers.
If you haven't already, please support both organizations. Every donation matters and helps the Oak Knoll PTO and the MPAEF reach their goals.
Click here to Donate Click here to Donate or
to the Oak Knoll PTO Pledge to the MPAEF
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Want to Earn Free Lunches For Your Child? 
We still NEED volunteers to serve Hot Lunch at school! Shifts are from 11:30-12:40 any weekday. Volunteer for a shift and earn a free lunch credit!
No experience needed. New to Oak Knoll? It's a great way to meet other parents, too! Please email Naed if you are interested. To sign-up your child for Choice Lunch visit: www.choicelunch.com, password is otters. Choice Lunch flyers are available in the office. Back to Top
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Fall Family Picnic - THIS FRIDAY! 
Have dinner with your fellow Oak Knoll families on Friday, September 21, 5:00pm-7:00pm. Enjoy food from Jeffrey's, dessert from The Mix, fun, karaoke and games for all in this fine back-to-school tradition. LAST DAY TO BUY TICKETS is Tuesday, September 18. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. Pay by check or with PayPal.
If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please email noellecarpenter5@gmail.com, rwargo@me.com, denise.henry@gmail.com or
sharonpurcell4@gmail.com.
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Noteworthy Art - Drawing in Classrooms Begins this Week
Your child will be drawing his or her individual artwork in class for Noteworthy Art either this week or next. The drawings will be reproduced on high quality notecards and packaged with envelopes in sets of 12. These cards make great gifts, personalized thank-you cards and easy gift enclosures. Now is the perfect time to help your child come up with creative ideas for their artwork. A great design leads to nice gift opportunities and a special keepsake that your child will love! Noteworthy Art cards will be delivered in mid-November. If you have questions about this exciting Oak Knoll PTO fundraiser, please contact Annie Peterson or Betsy Muhlner. Back to Top |
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Parent Social for Kinders & New Families
Parents of kindergarteners and new families at Oak Knoll are invited to an evening with Superintendent Ghysels and Principal Ackerman on Wednesday, September 19th from 7:00-8:30pm. Come meet other parents, learn more about our schools and how our community supports them. Drinks and appetizers will be served. Work casual attire suggested, but not required. The event is hosted by the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation, in partnership with the Oak Knoll PTO. For additional information on this event, please RSVP to Linda Knoll.
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Grade-Level Parties 
KINDERGARTEN "ICE CREAM SOCIAL" Calling all Oak Knoll Kindergarteners and their families! Kindergarten Ice Cream Social Sunday, September 23rd; 1pm-3pm Upper Playground and Field FIRST GRADE "LEMONADE & LOLLIPOPS" Join us for a Lemonade and Lollipops 1st Grade Family Social. Come out and meet up with good friends and make some new first grade friends. We'll have lemonade, lollipops, and good old-fashioned fun! Siblings welcome.
Sunday, September 30th from 1pm-3pm Upper Playground SECOND GRADE "BYODinner & DESSERT" Please join us again as we get together with other Oak Knoll families who have second-graders for a fun evening out! Reconnect with old friends and make some new ones! Bring a picnic dinner and we will provide the dessert and the fun! Siblings welcome. See you there! Friday, October 5th; 5pm-7pm Lunch Tables ~ Upper Playground Questions? Contact Grade Level Coordinators for Second-Grade: Gina Skinner or Alison Matthews.THIRD GRADE SOCIAL
Third Grade Social for the Whole Family; Details to follow at a later time Sunday, September 30th from 3-4:30pm on the Upper Playground FOURTH GRADE MOVIE NIGHT
Fourth Grade Movie Night for Kids Only Friday, November 2nd from 6:30-8:15pm in the Gym FIFTH GRADE MOVIE NIGHT
Fifth Grade Movie Night for Kids Only Friday, November 16th from 7-8:45pm in the Gym
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Transportation Surveys: Please help Safe Routes to Schools Last week your child's teacher conducted a survey of students to determine how many kids walk, bike, carpool or take the bus. This is an important aspect of the District's Safe Routes to Schools funding. Parents can help by filling out an online survey about how kids get to school and why. If you haven't filled it out already, please do so now: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Parent_SMC_Fall2012. The district that gets the highest parent participation rate wins 150 bike helmets! If you have any questions, please contact Transportation Safety Coordinator Kathy Schrenk. |
Bike Safely Back to School  The Bike Safety Committee welcomes you back to school with Bike Safety Week September 24-30th. Check out the safety tips posted at the bike racks or on the PTO bulletin board by the school office, and ask your children about the safety tips they will hear all week on KNOL!
- Monday 9/24 -- Dr. Westfall will discuss Bike Safety and encourage our children to write safety pledges on colorful ribbons. Look for the ribbons at the front fence
- Tuesday 9/25 -- Bike Safety Assembly for Grades 4/5 (no bikes necessary this day)
- Wednesday 9/26 -- Bike Safety Assembly for Grades K/1/2/3 (no bikes necessary this day)
- Thursday 9/27 -- Helmet Fitting at the bike racks before/after school. If you or your child have a question about helmets, please see one of our volunteers :-)
- Friday 9/28 -- Bike Safety Rodeo for Grades 4/5. We encourage all students to bring bikes and helmets on this day; there will be a limited # of loaner bikes/helmets available, too.
- Monday 9/30 -- Bike Safety Family Ride 9:00am at Oak Knoll bike racks. Come join the Bike Safety Committee and meet other families who like to ride to/from school. We'll share some thoughts about tricky intersections near school, review rules of the road and hand signals, and then take to the streets to practice on a short loop.
Volunteers Needed! If you are interested in helping out with the week's safety activities or the family bike ride, please contact Sidney Marks or 650-324-8515. |
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Language Translators Wanted
Do you speak another language fluently? Would you be willing to be available for informal translation needs that arise at Oak Knoll? If you or a family member would be willing to serve on our in-house team of occasional translators, please email Hildy Agustin.
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Girl Scouts
Girl Scout Daisy troops forming for kindergarten girls. Troops will meet 1-2 times per month. Typically, a meeting consists of circle time to briefly discuss what value is the theme, craft time, songs/silly games, story time, and sometimes field trips to the police station, homeless shelters, and other service-related organizations. Troops are volunteer led. Girl Scouts is a fun way to teach girls about being decent, smart, curious, independent, and strong in character, mind, and body.
Contact Hildy Agustin if you're interested in learning more.
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Interested in Cub Scouts?
Cub Scouts offers fun and challenging experiences for boys and parents to do together. If your son is in first grade or higher and is interested in learning more about the scouting experience, come to an orientation Pack meeting on Thursday, September 20, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (Fellowship Hall) featuring the Lizard Lady.
For more info email Jeremy Wire or visit the Pack 222 website at http://pack222.weebly.com/
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Speaker - Dr. Madeline Levine, "Teach Your Children Well: Parenting for Authentic Success"
The M-A Parent Education Series presents Dr. Madeline Levine, "Teach Your Children Well: Parenting for Authentic Success" Thursday, October 11, 7:00 p.m., M-A Center for the Performing Arts (PAC)Psychologist Madeline Levine brings together cutting-edge research and thirty years of clinical experience to explode once and for all the myth that good grades, high test scores, and college acceptances should define the parenting endgame. This event is FREE to the public and sponsored by Kepler's Books, the Menlo-Atherton PTA and the Sequoia Healthcare District.
Ticket will go quickly, so register early for this special event! For more information, contact Charlene Margot.
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MPAEF
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Sign up to be a Holiday Boutique Vendor
FINAL CHANCE to sign up to be a HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE VENDOR for the 3rd Annual Holiday Boutique benefiting the MPAEF.
The boutique will be at Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park on:
- Thursday, 11/15 (Champagne and Shopping from 6:00pm - 9:00pm)
- Friday, 11/16 (Boutique Shopping from 8:30am-2:30pm)
If you are interested in becoming a Boutique vendor/sponsor, please fill out the vendor application and email Margie Klapper by September 18, 2012. 20% of sales go to the MPAEF, which includes a $250 pre-paid non-refundable Boutique sponsorship.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Boutique, please contact Carolyn Bowsher at csbowsher@aol.com.
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Community Corner
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Meet the Candidates: Education Forum
Monday, September 24, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, College of San Mateo Theatre, 1700 West Hillsdale Blvd, San Mateo. Please join us for an opportunity to meet the candidates running for state senate and assembly in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties and hear their views regarding public education. Please RSVP by registering at: www.smcsba.org/events/.
Ravenswood Adopt-a-Teacher ProgramThe Adopt-a-Teacher program is a wonderful volunteer opportunity for families, friends and neighbors to work together to provide much needed encouragement and school supplies to a K-8 teacher in East Menlo Park/Palo Alto schools. Contact: Kelly Morehead or Stacie Zell.
Studio Rincon
Mondays after school at Studio Rincon on Alameda in Menlo Park! "Tiny Tappers", ages 5-7. "Funky Tap", ages 8-11. Advanced Tap, ages 12-teen. Fridays feature "Break Dancing & Poppin", ages 10-teen and "Hip Hop", ages 10-teen. View the schedule at www.studiorincon.com. To signup or if you have any questions, please email: contact@studiorincon.com
Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., San Mateo Main Library Oak Room, 55 West Third Ave., San Mateo. Join us as we discuss new strategies and programs to make our public places desirable destinations that promote healthy living. Workshops will explore the connections between urban planning, public health, parks and recreation.
Library Volunteers Needed - Ravenswood District. Check books in and out to students and shelve books when they are returned during school hours; needed at all of the elementary schools in the Ravenswood City School District. Contact Julie Gaston at jagtom@aol.com Captivating Dance by Nona Fall Dance Classes located in Menlo Park, in many styles including jazz, hip hop, break dancing, lyrical and ballet. Website: www.captivatingdancebynona.com.
Register for Ragazzi Boys Chorus (Ages 7-10)
Monday and Wednesday afternoons through September, by appointment, Redwood City. Ragazzi Boys Chorus offers a complete music education through a proven, award-winning choral program. No-stress auditions for boys between the ages of 7 and 10; no previous singing experience is required. Appointments: 650-342-8785 or ragazzi@ragazzi.org.
For past community news, click here
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Please submit announcements and flyers to newsletter@oakknollschool.com for Oak Knoll events. For the Community Corner, send submissions to communitynews@mpcsd.org. The deadline for both email addresses is by noon on the Wednesday prior to publication date. Guidelines for submission are available online.
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