The Otter Weekly

 

 

Oak Knoll School

1895 Oak Knoll Lane

Menlo Park, California 94025

650-854-4433                                             November 11, 2012 

Oak Knoll Elementary PTO Newsletter
To Do
In This Issue
Parent Book Club
Traffic Safety Tips
Meet Superintendent Ghysels
Food Drive
District Directories
5th Grade Movie Night
Music Notes
Wild Zone Supervision
Yard Duty Volunteers
MPAEF
Community Announcements
Join Our Mailing List
Quick Links

This Week  

 

Monday, November 12

  • Veterans Day: NO SCHOOL

 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, Staff Room - 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; 6:30-8:15pm    

Looking Ahead 

 

Wednesday, November 21 

  • MINIMUM DAY: Early dismissal for all students and staff; 11:20am  

Thursday, November 22 - Friday, November 23

  • NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Break  

Friday, November 30

  • Report Cards go out 

Announcements from the Office




Parent Book Club

Have you heard that praise can actually be bad for your kids? Come learn why and more with Jenny Ryan, MPCSD School Psychologist and Nicole Scott, MPCSD School Counselor as we read and discuss the book "MINDSET" by Carol Dweck (available at Kepler's). 


This book club consists of six (6) meetings which will take place at Kepler's Book Store from 9:30am-10:30am on:
 
December - Wed, 12/5, Wed, 12/12, and Thur, 12/20
January - Thur, 1/10, Wed, 1/16 and Thur, 1/24
 
Space is limited to 20 people so please email Nicole
to RSVP.
Traffic Safety

Do NOT Block Driveways

Please do NOT block residential driveways, even for a minute, during drop-off and pick-up. Oak Knoll strives to be a good neighbor and we need the help of every family. Please be polite and model good behavior for our kids!

 
Carline Rules
1.  ENTER CARLINE ON OAK KNOLL LANE from OAKDELL DRIVE --- You are NOT allowed to enter carline onto Oak Knoll Lane by turning left from White Oak --- there is a NO LEFT TURN sign clearly visible.  You will be issued a ticket by the Menlo Park Police.
 
2.  PULL ALL THE WAY FORWARD --- Leaving open space along carline only delays other cars from pulling in.
 
3.  DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR.  Carline is designed for adults to drop-off their children quickly and efficiently.  If you prefer lengthy goodbyes, park your car on the street and walk in to school to do so.
 
Do Not Walk Through the Parking Lot
ADULTS AND CHILDREN should NOT walk through the parking lot DURING DROP-OFF and PICK-UP times as this is a risk to pedestrian safety and also prevents cars from driving safely in and out of the parking lot if they have pedestrians walking in front of their cars.
 
You Otter Know

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.

Food Drive - This Week 

 
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. 

Directories & Information Corrections/Updates  


You 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 [email protected]. 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!


We're Bringin' Movie Night Back --- 5th Grade Movie Night!    

    

PARENTS---Please RSVP to the Evite by Monday, November 12th so we have an idea of how many kids to expect

Join us as we watch a movie, snack on popcorn, and spend a little time with friends!  
 

Friday, November 16th  
  6:30pm until 8:15pm  
Oak Knoll Gym 


Bring a sleeping bag, blanket or a pillow to place on the floor of the gym to make a comfortable spot for viewing!

   

This is a drop-off event and there will be plenty of chaperones.
The movie is Paul Blart: Mall Cop

No siblings or outside flood please!



Specialists News



Music Notes   

 

Ms. Tee has updated her SchoolFusion webpage. Check out what the students are learning in Music Class.   

 

Volunteer Opportunities


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.

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.

 


MPAEF


OUR THANKS TO YOU FOR GIVING US A GREAT HEAD START!      

Wow!  We wanted to share that 41% of our families have gotten us 47% of the way to meeting the District's $4 million need!  That's a great start to our campaign and one for which our entire community is THANKFUL!

And, to all of our families who have not yet donated or pledged, did you know that... 
  • Less than 20% of your property taxes go to our schools!
  • Six years ago our District received $2.9 million from the State and Federal governments and this year the District expects to receive only $616,458!
  • The Foundation grant is approximately five times the amount our District receives from the State and Federal governments!
  • One out of every six teachers is funded by the Foundation grant!

During this month of giving, please take a few moments to make a gift that will materially impact your child's educational experience. Your gift matters!

 


Questions?  Contact [email protected]

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 all of your favorite boutique vendors, including:
 
Home and Decor - Bespoke Home, Cover Story, Toss Designs
Holiday Sparkle - Heart on the Wrist, Janet Falkner Designs, m&m bling
For the Fashionista - Bubble, Kicks, Romi Designs
 
For a complete list of vendors, please visit www.mpaef.org

Gather your friends and join us for one or both days:
 
Champagne & Shopping -- Want a sneak peek at the goodies?  Join us for appetizers, desserts and champagne for 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.  In a hurry to shop?  Avoid the line by purchasing online to guarantee express entry into the event.  The first 200 people to purchase a ticket will receive a goodie bag upon arrival!  Tickets are also available at the door the night of the event.
 
Boutique Shopping -- Take your time to cross everyone off your list!  Visit our vendors at no admission charge on Friday, November 16, 8:30am-2:30pm.  A coffee cart with free espresso drinks will be available for all shoppers.

AND...RESERVATIONS FOR OUR FIRST EVER HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE BRUNCH & LUNCH HAVE BEEN EXTENDED!
Book online by Monday, November 12 at 9:00am!

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.  Have a different size party or want to purchase a single ticket?  Contact Jenny Sullivan at [email protected] for seating arrangements.  Cost is $50/person for a 2-course meal with unlimited mimosas or wine.  Advanced reservations and pre-payment are required at www.mpaef.org.

Questions about the event?  Contact [email protected] 

Community Corner

"The Ghost Train" from the Hillview Drama Department  November 15-17, Hillview Middle School PAC, 1100 Elder, Menlo Park. General/Adult $10.00 and Student/Child $8.00. Advance online ticket purchase is recommended: www.hillviewdrama.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, as available.

"The Nutcracker" - Western Ballet Company Dress Rehearsal  Friday, November 16 at 6:30 p.m., Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma, Menlo Park. The Western Ballet Company will perform a dress rehearsal of their stage production that is absolutely FREE for everyone.

Sunday, December 2, 12 to 4 p.m., Downstairs Meeting Room, Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma Street, Menlo Park. Beautiful gift quality books for the entire family will be featured. All proceeds benefit the Menlo Park Library and the Belle Haven Library.

December 7, at 7 p.m., Fox Theater in Redwood City. Ballet America's show has it all: professional dancers, alongside 100 local performers. Tickets are available via the website: www.balletamerica.org 

December 26-28, and January 2-4, 8 am to 6 pm, Menlo Park First Baptist Church, 1100 Middle Avenue, Menlo Park. Join us at Newton Center for fun and games, arts and crafts, science and sports, music and laughs. For information or to enroll your child, please download this form.  

Ragazzi SingFest
Saturday, January 19, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Redwood City just west of El Camino and Broadway.
 Ragazzi, celebrating its 25th Anniversary, will host our annual SingFest 2013, a free half-day music camp for boys ages 7 to 10. Call 650-342-8785 to reserve a space for your boy.

FREE Kuk Sool Won Family Safety Workshop
Saturday, November 17, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Arrillaga Family Rec Center at Burgess Park in the Oak Room. 
Safety topics include fire, earthquake, poisons, bike, skateboard, car, stranger, and internet. Call 650-787-2226 to reserve space. 

Palo Alto Soccer Club 2013 Team Formation 
Late November - Early December Palo Alto Soccer Club is a competitive soccer club with 40 teams ranging in age from U8 to U18. Teams participate in both the CCSL (CYSA) and Norcal Premier leagues. Download flyer at http://pasoccerclub.org/files/pasctryout_2_1.pdf.

HSPT and ISEE Test Prep Seminars from Omega Teaching. Test prep seminars for HSPT and ISEE (upper, middle and lower levels) are starting soon. Practice tests given at Omega's office for fee of $75 per test, including scoring and return of test. Visit www.omegateaching.com for more information about Omega. 
 
Classroom Volunteers Needed in East Menlo Park and East Palo AltoWe are looking for parents interested in volunteering one hour per week to help teachers with tutoring in a K-4 classroom in the Ravenswood District. Assist teachers with tutoring and individualized instruction much like you may have done in your own child's classroom. To sign up or ask questions, contact Sharon Purcell at [email protected] or Carolyn Blatman at [email protected].
 
(Ages 8-21)
Stanford University Autism Spectrum Disorder Study - Subjects NeededWe are recruiting children with ASD and typically developing children (ie. children without a diagnosis of ADD, ADHD, Asperger's, ASD, or any other psychiatric illness) between the ages of 8 and 21. US Citizens only.
 
November 10-18, Mountain View Center for Performing Arts. For tickets and more information, visit  http://www.pytnet.org/shows/BeautyandtheBeastJr/tickets.html 

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
 
Alpine Strikers FC - Soccer Tryouts. Tryouts for the spring season will be held the weekend of December 1 and 2 for the U8 to U11 age groups. To find out more and register, please visit: www.alpinestrikers.org  
 
Speaker: The College Solution: Finding the Right School at the Right Price with Lynn O'Shaughnessy  Thursday, November 15, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., M-A Center for the Performing Arts (PAC), 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. M-A Parent Education Series events are FREE and sponsored by the Menlo-Atherton PTA and the Sequoia Healthcare District. Registration at:  http://lynnoshaughnessy.eventbrite.com/#  
       
 
For past community news, click here

Please submit announcements and flyers to [email protected] for Oak Knoll events. For the Community Corner, send submissions to [email protected]. The deadline for both email addresses is by noon on the Wednesday prior to publication date. Guidelines for submission are available online.