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The Otter Weekly
Oak Knoll School
1895 Oak Knoll Lane
Menlo Park, California 94025
650-854-4433 November 4, 2012
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Oak Knoll Elementary PTO Newsletter
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This Week
Monday, November 5
- 4th/5th Grade Girls GLI; 6:00pm-7:30pm, Library
Tuesday, November 6
- Lavezzo/ McColloch: Filoli; 9:15am-1:00pm
- ELECTION DAY, Small Multi closed all day
- MPCSD School Board Meeting; 6:00pm, Board Rm
Wednesday, November 7
- Safety Routes Meeting; 7:00pm, Gym
Friday, November 9
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Looking Ahead Monday, November 12 Tuesday, November 13 - Emmert/ Nulman: Los Trancos Open Space; 8:30am-12:30pm
- SITE Council Meeting; 3:30pm
Wednesday, November 14 - Friday, November 16 - Caring & Sharing Food Drive
Wednesday, November 14 - PTO Board Meeting; 8:15am - with Superintendent Ghysels
Thursday, November 15 - Cline/ Murphy: Los Trancos Open Space; 8:30am-12:30pm
- Holiday Boutique; 6:00pm-9:00pm
Friday, November 16 - Holiday Boutique; 8:30am-2:30pm
- 5th Grade Movie Night; 7:00pm-8:30pm
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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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Traffic Safety
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"Safe Routes to Schools" Meeting
Interested in making it safer for kids to walk and bike to Oak Knoll? Come to the community meeting this Wednesday and 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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HUGE thank you to Alison Fleming who spent countless hours during the summer and start of the school year reviewing and compiling all the district information that went into the MPCSD Directory. Due to her efforts in addition to the amazing committee chaired by Tricia Barr & Monty Gong, we have the directory about a month earlier this year!
Special thanks to Kris and Rob Swanson for donating all of the wonderful pumpkins for our Kindergarten Pumpkin Patch last week. Thank you to Steve Cadigan, Julia & Rich Dunn, Bonnie Egnal, Andrea Goodard, Christine Keefer, Jennifer Levey, Kathy Maghool, Randy Schmitz, Elizabeth Sellon and Tracy Watt for organizing the event and helping each Kindergartener find the perfect pumpkin.
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You Otter Know
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Food Drive
The PTO Caring and Sharing Committee, and Oak Knoll Cub Scouts from Pack 222 are sponsoring the "Scouting for Food" food drive during morning drop-off Wednesday, November 14 to Friday, November 16.
Scouts will be collecting your donations of canned and packaged food for donation to Second Harvest and other local charities. The food bank especially needs nutritious, non-perishable, single-serving foods (no glass containers) for use in programs for children although all donations can be utilized.
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STARTS THIS WEEK---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 --- class starts this Monday, Nov 5th!
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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Directories & Information Corrections/ Updates
You will receive or should have received a copy of the MPCSD directory sent home with your youngest child in the district. Directories were delivered to Oak Knoll teachers on Nov 1st. The data in the directory comes from the PowerSchool Program. PowerSchool is populated with information from district registration forms filled out by parents. Parents were asked to update/verify that information over the summer through the InfoSnap website. If the information printed in the directory is incorrect, or if you're not listed in the Directory and wish to be, please email registrar@mpcsd.org. The corrections will be made in the PowerSchool database and you will be asked to verify them next summer.
Thanks also John Kelly and Blackstone Discovery for their continued outstanding service in publishing the District Directory! 
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DON'T FORGET TO VOTE on Tuesday, Nov 6th!
Educate Yourselves on Ballot Propositions
As you all know, our national and state election is this week! 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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Meet Superintendent Maurice Ghysels
Dr. Maurice Ghysels will be attending our next PTO Board Meeting on Wednesday, November 14th at 8:15am in the Teachers Lounge. Feel free to attend if you have any questions for Superintendent Ghysels that you'd like to discuss.
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Specialists News
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Music Notes  Ms. Tee has updated her SchoolFusion webpage. Check out what the students are learning in Music Class. |
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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Volunteer Opportunities
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Recess Volunteers Needed to Open the Wild Zone
Only three parents signed up to help!!!! 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 Andrea Potischman.
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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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WE'RE GIVING THANKS...FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
November is the month for giving thanks. On behalf of all the children who attend our schools, thank you to the 705 families who have donated or pledged to date! This is 40% of our District families and together they have given $1.84 million to support our schools. We are also grateful for the $36,000 that has been contributed by our neighbors, friends, extended family, local businesses and realtors. All of this is a great start towards meeting the District's $4 million need. If you are one of the 1,078 families who hasn't yet donated or pledged to the Foundation, please join us this month by giving to the Foundation. Your gift will bring us one family closer to our goal of 80% participation and one step closer to meeting this District's need. It has never been easier to support our schools: Donate Now, Pledge Now To Give Later or Set Up A Monthly Payment Plan.
Questions? Contact mpaef@mpaef.org
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JOIN US FOR THE 3rd ANNUAL MPAEF HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE!
Get a head start on your holiday shopping and help support our schools with a stop at the 3rd annual MPAEF Holiday Boutique, November 15 & 16. This 2-day event is being held at the beautiful Allied Arts Guild at 75 Arbor Road in Menlo Park and will have gifts at every price point for everyone on your list. Choose from home and decor items, selections from unique jewelry designers, fashionable gifts and edible treats! For a complete list of vendors, please visit www.mpaef.org. Choose from three different ways to shop 'til you drop: Champagne & Shopping -- Want a sneak peek at the goodies? Join us for champagne, appetizers and desserts and preview shopping on Thursday, November 15, 6:00-9:00pm. Cost is $50 per person and can be purchased at www.mpaef.org or at the door. The first 200 people to purchase a ticket will receive a goodie bag upon arrival at the event! Boutique Shopping -- Take your time to cross everyone off your list! Visit our vendors for no admission charge on Friday, November 16, 8:30am-2:30pm. A coffee cart with free espresso drinks will be available for all shoppers. Brunch or Lunch at the Blue Garden Cafe -- Gather your friends and add some great food to your shopping experience! Seatings are available on Friday, November 16 at 9:15am, 11:00am or 1:00pm. Tables for 2, 4, or 6 are available on a first come, first served basis. Cost is $50/person for a 2-course meal with unlimited mimosas or wine. Advanced reservations and pre-payment are required by November 8 at www.mpaef.org.
Question about the event? Contact events@mpaef.org
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Community Corner
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Big Band Dance at Menlo-Atherton High School Saturday, November 17, 7-11 pm, Ayers Gym, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. Come swing and sway to the sounds of the M-A's student music ensembles. Admission includes dance lessons and a fabulous auction. Tickets and more information available at
Sunday, December 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please join the Holbrook-Palmer Park Foundation Atherton Dames for their annual Children's Holiday Tea, where children will enjoy a visit with Santa, a holiday themed puppet show and craft activity. For more information please visit www.athertondames.org(Ages 11 (5th grade) and up) CISV Summer 2013 International Camp Opportunities, Information Meeting November 3, 2-4 pm, Beresford Recreation Center, 2720 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Programs will be held in several countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Additional meetings scheduled in San Francisco and Lafayette. For more information, visit their website http://sf.cisvusa.org/ or send an email to sanfrancisco@us.cisv.org. Team Esface and SportsHouse Open House November 3 and 4, 3151 Edison Way, Redwood City. SportsHouse will open up the brand new gym for the first 2 days, during which Team Esface will host 6 hours of free clinics, camps and skills sessions for all basketball fans and players. For more information and clinic schedule: www.teamesface.com 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.
(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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