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The Otter Weekly
Oak Knoll School
1895 Oak Knoll Lane
Menlo Park, California 94025
650-854-4433 October 28, 2012
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Oak Knoll Elementary PTO Newsletter
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This Week
Monday, October 29
- K-1, K-4, K-5: Halloween Scene (Performance); 8:30am, Gym
- Kelley/ Quarre: Marine Science Institute; 8:45am-12:45pm
Tuesday, October 30
- K-2, K-3: Halloween Scene (Performance); 8:30am, Gym
Wednesday, October 31
- Halloween Parade; 8:30am, field
Thursday, November 1
- Yob/ Guerra/ Boatright: Filoli; 9:15am-1:00pm
Friday, November 2
- Lavezzo: Woodside Store; 9:30am-1:00pm
- 4th Grade Movie Night; 6:30pm-8:00pm, Gym
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Looking Ahead Tuesday, November 6 - Lavezzo/ McColloch: Filoli; 9:15am-1:00pm
- Election Day, Small Multi closed all day
Friday, November 9 Monday, November 12 Wednesday, November 14 |
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Announcements from the Office
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No Dogs Allowed on Campus
Please remember that NO DOGS are allowed on campus at any time. Many children have allergies and some children have a fear of dogs. Please be respectful and considerate of others and do not bring your dogs to school at drop-off and pick-up times.
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Emergency Preparedness - Be Prepared!
Oak Knoll has a well-developed emergency plan that deals with a number of  possible emergencies. This effectiveness of the plan depends on the current information on your child's Emergency ID tag so please make sure your teacher has an up-to-date and signed copy!
Do you know who can and how to retrieve your child in event of emergency? Please see details on the plan and procedures on the school website.
Note that your child's ID card can be updated at any time during the school year. You can get a blank copy of the form from the Office, from
your teacher, or online.
If your child has a documented allergy (on file with the school office) that prevents them from being able to eat life bars in an emergency, please provide a small ziplock bag (clearly labeled with your child's name) of non-perishable bars to be kept in their classroom's emergency backpack.
Questions? Volunteer? Jenn Yonemitsu or Neela Gentile
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Traffic Safety
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Carline Etiquette
With the rainy days ahead, please plan additional time to get to school and please remember to be SAFE and CONSIDERATE of others.
1. PULL YOUR CAR TO THE FRONT of the carline when dropping off and picking up your kids. Please make goodbyes brief so that we keep the flow of cars moving.
2. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR for any reason.
3. DO NOT WALK CHILDREN THROUGH THE PARKING LOT. You must use the pedestrian crosswalks.
For more info, please go to our school site here.
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PLEASE STOP! at all Stop Signs 
Parents and caregivers, PLEASE obey stop signs and all traffic laws when driving to and from school. (Or any time you drive, for that matter!) Lots of cars have been observed rolling through stop signs, especially at Lemon and Oak, and police have been and will continue to be on the scene. Consider the safety of all students whenever you get behind the wheel! |
Safe Routes to Schools
Help the Oak Knoll community shape the next step of its Safe Routes to Schools plan! - When: Wednesday, November 7, 7:00pm
- Where: Oak Knoll gym
- What: Community meeting on improvements to streets around Oak Knoll to make it safer for kids walking and biking to school
- Who: Anyone who lives in the Oak Knoll attendance area: Parents, former students, neighbors included!
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Ollie Salutes
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THANK YOU to our AMAZING Book Fair co-chairs --- Katie Angioletti, Christy Ericson & Jennie Lang who organized last week's events for all of us and transformed our gym into a book lover's paradise for the week. We all enjoyed shopping for great books and chillin' in the lounge filled with bright bean bag chairs and pillows that will now be used in our library. And thank you to all the families who supported our book fair this year!
The Book Fair co-chairs would like to say thanks to the grooviest gals we know! If you see these superstars, give them a round of applause:
Tamara Russel - Volunteer Coordination Meredith Walsey - Student Book Talks Mary Speiser - Teacher Gift Cards Jody Buckley - Student Book Reviews Jenny Sullivan and Kris Swanson - Teacher Luncheon Domonique Matthews - Parent Author Talk Jill Wurster - Teacher Shopping Event Tracy Sartorio - Decor And the Teacher Wish List Team -- Noelle Carpenter, Missy Whitenight, Beth Shvodian, Tracy Watt, and Karen Wang. Expertly coordinated by Alison Fleming and Naed de la Vega.
It was a gas working with you!
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Ollie also thanks all the students who wrote book reviews for us this year --- Norberto Aguilar, Nick Angioletti, Natalie Black, Caroline Box, Alex Briggs, Tess Buckley, Josh Candy, Ainsley Carpenter, Angela Chan, John Diepenbrock, Andrew Gordan, Cole Hammann, Areli Hernandez, Tai Jespersen, Tommy Knox, Maddie Miller, Lily Nada, Dana Olivares, Amala Raj, Lauren Speiser, and Jernae Weekes.
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You Otter Know
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Order November Choice Lunch 
Can it possibly be November already??? This Thursday is November 1st! Don't forget to place your hot lunch order for November.
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District Directories are Here!
A complimentary copy of the 2012-2013 MPCSD Directory is provided by the PTO to all families in our district. It will be coming home in backpacks this week and distributed to the youngest member of each family in the district.
Special thanks to district parent John Kelly and Blackstone Discovery for their continued outstanding service in publishing the District Directory.
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GLI Workshop for 4th/5th Grade Girls
Due to popular demand for the workshops, Oak Knoll is once again hosting Girls Leadership Institute workshops this fall and spring.
Girls Leadership Institute Workshops
Mondays - November 5, 19, 26 and December 3
6:00-7:30pm, Oak Knoll library
Register now, as spaces fill quickly!
4th and 5th grade girls and their parents can come have fun and learn important skills for managing and expressing emotions, developing healthy relationships, using conflict as an opportunity for change and being true to themselves.
Who: 4th/5th Grade Girls and one parent
When: November 5, 19, 26 and December 3
Time: Workshops will meet from 6-7:30pm
Location: Oak Knoll School Library
Cost: $195 per parent-daughter pair (financial aid is available).
How to register:
https://thriva.activenetwork.com/Reg4/Form.aspx?IDTD=2457624&RF=3409528 (Please note: a 2nd/3rd grade program is being scheduled for the spring term)
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Fourth Grade Movie Night for Kids Only
Friday, November 2 from 6:30-8:00pm, Oak Knoll Gym 
Please come and enjoy the movie "Spy Kids," bring something comfy to sit or lie on, and eat some popcorn with your friends. "Spy Kids" is the first in a series of movies about two kids whose parents are spies who end up training their kids to be spies too.
Parents: please pick up and drop off your children (no siblings or friends); NO ELECTRONICS allowed; for more information on the movie, go to commonsensemedia.org.
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School Picture Orders
If you plan to order photos, please order by Tuesday, October 30th because standard pricing takes effect (a 15-20% increase) after that date. Go to www.iclicksmiles.com and go to the bottom of the page and enter your online photo code that was sent home on a flyer in your child's backpack. If you cannot find your child's online photo code, please call iClickSmiles at 888-298-0744 or email with your school name, child's name, and teachers name so they can look it up for you.
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'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Tickets
Presented by Dancers Repertory Theatre and Menlo Park Academy of Dance and reviewed as a "charming alternative to the Nutcracker." Performances at Woodside Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Dec 9th (1:00pm & 4:00pm), Saturday, Dec 15th, (1:00pm & 4:00pm) and Sunday, Dec 16th, (1:00 & 4:00). Tickets go on sale starting Monday, Oct 22nd at 10:00am and are available at www.twasthenight.org or by calling 650-323-5292. Oak Knoll dancers include Lindsey Chao, Mia Hamilton, Ekta Chilukuri, and Isabella Arizini.
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Educate Yourselves on Ballot Propositions
As you all know, a national and state election is coming up! California has two propositions on the ballot that may affect our public schools. Now, before you vote, is a perfect time to educate yourself on these two propositions. KQED has a useful online guide to help you educate and familiarize yourself regarding Propositions 30 and 38. For the KQED nonpartisan guide, click here.
Given the upcoming election, many teachers will take the opportunity to teach their students about democracy, voting and elections. You can help enrich this classroom work by taking your child with you to your local polling place. Create a lasting, meaningful memory and take your children when you vote! 
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Let's Get on the Bus!
 This summer, SamTrans decided to cancel bus service to Oak Knoll due to low ridership. This service was very helpful for families living near the boundary of the attendance area, particularly around University Ave. If you think you could use this service, contact district traffic safety coordinator Kathy Schrenk. If enough people speak up, SamTrans might reinstate the route!
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Specialists News
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Menlo Park Library e-book Program
Did you know that you can check out books for your e-reader from the Menlo Park library?? You can pick up an information sheet at the library to help you get e-books for your particular device or you can try it yourself using the e-services link from the library's web page. Fair warning: there is a wait list for many of the books, but with your library card number, you can put up to 8 e-books on a hold list for no charge and you'll receive an email when your title is available to be checked out. There are titles available for both children and adults. "Check" it out! ~ Jacqui Cebrian Chair of the Menlo Park Library Commission and Oak Knoll Reading Specialist.
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Library News
4th Annual "BOOKS COME ALIVE!"  For the Halloween parade students may choose to dress up as a character from a book (or match a book to their costume), and join the hundreds of other book-loving students who have gone down in BCA history. Those who participate should come to school Halloween morning EXTRA early (7:45am) to have their picture taken for a big display wall and receive a small participation prize. The previous three years of BCA participants can be seen in their amazing costumes in albums in the library for your viewing pleasure, and for students to get some great ideas. Don't forget to carry your book in the parade! Searching for our "Books Come Alive" books and others is helping us hone our library skills. We are familiarizing ourselves with library procedures and learning valuable search skills. !!!CONGRATULATIONS!!! to the 4th, 5th and 6th graders who had their poetry published in "The Young American Poetry Digest 2012"!!! A copy of the book highlighting all published Oak Knoll students' poetry, past and present, is on display in the library. Last Spring, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students participated in the National Schools Poetry Project. We submitted haiku poems, and 99 Oak Knoll students were selected for publication! Excellent work!
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Recess Volunteers Needed to Open the Wild Zone
Students (1st-5th grades) really enjoy spending time in the Wild Zone, but the WZ is not open most days due to very limited recess coverage. WE NEED YOU, PARENTS! Are you able to volunteer at school during upper playground lunch/recess 11:45am-1:00pm weekly, every other week, or monthly? For the WZ to remain safe, it requires at least 2 volunteers each day. The more volunteers we get, the more the WZ can be open, so that children will have the opportunity to interact with trees, branches, leaves, dirt and other "natural toys". Oak Knoll's science teacher, Ms. Solomon, is seeking volunteers. If you are interested, please contact
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Otter Weekly Position Opening
Oak Knoll is looking for a new editorial director for its newsletter, Otter Weekly. The position entails coordination with parents, staff and third parties connected to the school and District, and organization/formatting of content for weekly electronic newsletters. No previous experience in editing or publishing is required, though basic computer skills are needed. For more information contact Kristi Rawlinson.
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Otter Mileage - at Lunch Recess and Before School
Otter Mileage has taken off and we need HELP at lunch recess and before school (12:00p-1:00p and 7:55a-8:10a). We have switched to a ticket system where the kids that choose to run / walk fill out a ticket and this ticket is punched each lap completed. Tickets must be turned in daily. We will draw prizes and recognize the kids on KNOL each month.
October is the PUMPKIN RUN. Children in the 3, 4, and 5 grades that complete 36 laps in the month of October will be awarded a pumpkin charm. Children in the 1st and 2nd must complete 24 laps. Classes also run / walk during the day with their classroom teachers. If you are interested in volunteering at lunch or before school please email Sarah Westfall and type OTTER VOLUNTEER in the subject line.
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Yard Duty - Upper Playground
We believe recess should be a child-centered time in the day for kids to be kids. Recess is not only an opportunity for kids to exercise, play, and interact with other children, but a time to problem-solve. Conflicts will arise, and recess is the perfect time for our students to experience the normal, developmental issues that come up when children play. We encourage kids to find a solution, to listen to each other, and to work together.
At Oak Knoll, we are fortunate to have a great Yard Duty Staff! Having volunteers on our yard is not necessary, but rather an opportunity for parents to be involved. Of course, the more the merrier!
If you share our philosophy and are interested in volunteering on our Upper Yard during lunch (11:45-1:00pm) please email Kristen Gracia. It works best if our volunteers can come at least once a week.
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MPAEF
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Our Annual Campaign...It's In Your Hands!
Our campaign is in full swing and our school communities are really stepping up! If you are one of the 698 families who has already donated or pledged to the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation . . . THANK YOU! For the other 1085 families, our kids need your support! Here's how can you join our efforts:
PLEDGE NOW! You can choose to fulfill your pledge by December 31, 2012 or January 15, February 15 or May 1, 2013. By pledging now, you commit your support and will get a reminder email in advance of your fulfillment date.
DONATE IN MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS! You can make monthly installments on your credit card. You choose the amount and duration that works for your family.
GIVE STOCK! If you have appreciated stock, gifting it to the Foundation has additional tax advantages for you!
EMPLOYER/CORPORATE MATCHING! There are many employers who will match your personal donation, thereby making it even more impactful! Your employer gives and you get all of the credit.
Questions? Contact mpaef@mpaef.org.
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Have you signed up for eScrip yet? 
We need everyone to sign up, so we can maximize the donations that merchants like Safeway give to our schools. It's a free, easy way to support our schools -- just go to www.mpaef.org or www.escrip.com.
Create a free eScrip account and enter Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation (group ID 126417042). Register your Safeway card number (or call Safeway at 1-877-SAFEWAY to retrieve it) and all credit and debit cards you typically use for purchases. That's it! Participating merchants will donate a percentage of your purchases to our schools.
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Community Corner
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Shakespeare's The Tempest at Menlo-Atherton High School October 26-November 2, M-A Performing Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton, Friday, October 26, through Saturday, November 3. Adults $12, Students/Seniors $8.
U-Me Halloween Party Monday, October 29, 3355 Edison Way, Menlo Park. 10:30-12:30 Musical Costume Parade, 3:00-5:00 Magic Show and Spooky Art. Day Pass Rates Apply, Free for Members. Holiday Camp Menlo: Open for registration! Holiday Camp Menlo offers professional swim instruction in a fun-filled camp format for all levels, ages 5-10. Camp available Monday, November 12 (Veterans Day), December 26-28, January 2-4, and Monday, January 21 (MLK, Jr. Holiday). Register today www.campmenlo.com. (Grades 3-5) (Middle School) Seahawk Youth Rugby has kicked off its 2013 recruitment. Offering Junior Varsity boys, coed U8, U10, U12, Middle School, with open and lightweight divisions. See www.seahawkyouthrugby.com.
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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