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The Otter Weekly
Oak Knoll School
1895 Oak Knoll Lane
Menlo Park, California 94025
650-854-4433 November 25, 2012
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Oak Knoll Elementary PTO Newsletter
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This Week Monday, November 26 - 4th/5th Grade GLI Workshop; 6:00pm-7:30pm, Oak Knoll Library
Wednesday, November 28 - Multi-Age K,1,2: San Jose Tech Museum; 9:00am-1:00pm
Thursday, November 29 - 2nd Grade: Playing with Poetry Performance; 9:00am, Gym
Friday, November 30
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Looking Ahead Monday, December 3 - Wednesday, December 5 - MINIMUM DAYS; All grades dismissed at 11:20am
Monday, December 3 - 4th/5th Grade GLI Workshop; 6:00pm-7:30pm, Oak Knoll Library
Friday, December 7 - Quarre/ Kelley: Disney Museum; 8:45am-1:00pm
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Announcements from the Office
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What Prop 30 means for our District:
- Our District does not expect to receive additional state funding from Prop 30 because we are a Community Funded -- or Basic Aid -- District.
- The passage of Prop 30 has protected many other California school districts that are not Community Funded, including some of our neighboring districts, from significant funding cuts.
- Our District will continue to rely on community support through our Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation to fund over 10% of the budget, so we need your help now more than ever.If you haven't already, please click here to donate or pledge to the MPAEF to maintain the quality educational programs that benefit our students.
For additional information on Prop 30 and our District funding, click here to read the letter from School Board President Laura Rich. For an explanation of Community Funded -- or Basic Aid -- districts, click here. If you have further questions, please email newsletter@mpcsd.org.
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Mindset Book Club for Parents
Mindset Book Club for Parents
December 5 - January 24
Kepler's Book Store
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). All meetings will take place at Kepler's Book Store from 9:30-10:30 am: - Wednesday, December 12
- Thursday, December 20
- Thursday, January 10
- Wednesday, January 16
- Thursday, January 24
Space is limited to 20 people. Please email Nicole to RSVP.
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Traffic Safety
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Watch for bikers & pedestrians
Make sure you look for passing bicyclists & pedestrians when opening your car doors and pulling in & out of parking spaces. We had an accident near school with a car door opening into a biker's path. Please be cautious when opening your car doors.
Leave space for pedestrians to walk
When parking your car on the streets near school, please leave enough space for pedestrians to walk between cars and residences. It is unsafe for pedestrians to walk in the streets. Please be courteous to pedestrians when you park.
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We Need Your Feedback - Contribute Your "Safe Routes to Schools" Input
Come to the main office and look for the big map of the school attendance area. Mark the spots where improvements should be made or where things are going well. You can also fill out an online survey to share your thoughts on improving transportation around the school.
Check out Menlo Park's "Safe Routes to Oak Knoll" Project Page and complete the Oak Knoll Transportation Survey. The next community meeting on the Safe Routes to School plan for Oak Knoll will be held in mid-January. More details to follow at a later date.
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Ollie Salutes
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Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers that made the MPAEF Holiday Boutique a huge success last week and thank you to everyone who attended the event to support our local vendors and to help raise money for the MPAEF this year! More details below.
We are thankful to have so many volunteers at Oak Knoll and in our community who give their time and energy to our school district.
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You Otter Know
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Hot Lunch Changes!!
 Starting Wednesday, November 28th we will be using a sticker system to speed up the hot lunch line. Students will be watching a short explanation of how the new system works on KNOL on Wednesday morning. Students will still pick their fruit, vegetable, drink, and snack. The only change will be the check-in. Please email Allison Pereur if you have any questions about this new program.
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Wild Zone Open This Week
Thanks to the several volunteers who came forward, the Wild Zone is scheduled to open once a week beginning Thursday, November 29th from 12:00-1:00pm. The WZ open days will alternate between Wednesdays & Thursdays throughout the school year. The space is limited to 30 students at a time for safety reasons and can only open if two adult volunteers are present. Please tell your child to look for an "open sign" which will be placed near the WZ entrance. If we get additional volunteers, we may try to open the WZ more frequently. To volunteer, please contact Andrea Potischman.
Wild Zone Open Days
Thurs. Nov. 29 Wed. March 13
Thurs. Dec. 13 Thurs. March 21
Wed. Dec. 19 Thurs. April 4
Thurs. Jan. 10 Wed. April 10
Wed. Jan. 16 Thurs. April 18  Thurs. Jan 24 Wed. April 24
Wed. Jan. 30 Thurs. May 2
Thurs. Feb 7 Wed. May 8 Wed. Feb. 13 Thurs. May 16
Thurs. Feb 21 Wed. May 22 Wed. Feb. 21 Thurs. May 30
Thurs. March 7 Wed. June 5
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Honey Bear Holiday Trees
Since 1986, Honey Bear Trees has been a trusted source of the finest Christmas trees. They offer four different sustainable varieties, including hard-to-find tall trees ranging from 10-ft. to over 20-ft. tall. Wreaths, garlands, mistletoe and tree stands are also available - and every tree purchase comes with a free bottle of honey, while supplies last!
When you buy your Christmas tree from Honey Bear Trees, they donate 15% of the purchase price to the Oak Knoll PTO. Just bring in this flyer (they also have them on the lot) to participate in the fundraiser. 
Honey Bear Trees is conveniently located at 955 Woodside Rd in Redwood City. They are open 7 days a week from 9am until 9pm, November 16th through December 24th.
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Cheeky Monkey Toys - Holiday Shoppers!
Shop at Cheeky Monkey Toys from now through Friday, December 7th.Two great ways to earn money for our school:
- Shop in-store and mention "Oak Knoll School"
- Shop online, select "Fundraisers and Gift Cards" and add "Oak Knoll School" to your cart
10% of your net purchase will go to support Oak Knoll!
Cheeky Monkey Toys is located at 640 Santa Cruz Ave. in downtown Menlo Park
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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 are now on sale 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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Fundraiser for Lucy Lunt
One of our Oak Knoll families could use your help! The Lunts have two children at Oak Knoll: Dallin, who is in 3rd Grade and Jocey, who is in 2nd Grade. You may or may not know that the Lunts have a 3rd child, Lucy, who is 4 years old and attends pre-school at Laurel. At four months old, Lucy was diagnosed with a neuromuscular, degenerative, terminal disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1. SMA is the #1 genetic killer of infants and young children.
The Lunts need a wheelchair accessible van. The van will help Lucy be transported safely around town. It will be fully automated so Lucy's power wheelchair will be able to drive up a ramp into the van, lock in place, and act as a car seat for Lucy. If you would like to donate money to help this amazing family please visit fundly.com/get-lucy-a-van-for-christmas.
Question? Please contact Kim Burch.
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Otter Mileage Club
We need parent volunteers before school (7:55-8:10am) and during lunch recess (12:00-1:00pm) to help with the "Otter Mileage Club." We have a ticket system and kids choose to run and walk and need their ticket punched as each lap is completed. Tickets are turned in daily and kids are recognized on KNOL. 
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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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District News
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MPCSD Board of Education Finance/Audit Committee Positions Open
The Board of Education is seeking candidates to fill three positions on the Finance/Audit committee to facilitate public understanding of the District's financial reporting processes. Committee members will meet quarterly or as needed for a term of three years. Candidates should have expertise in financial, budget and/or accounting procedures. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the Menlo Park City School District. If interested, please submit a letter of interest as well as background information by November 30 to Carol Metzler. To see the full description of role and responsibilities, please visit mpcsd.org.
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ParentEd
How to Raise Your Teenager Without Losing Your Mind
- A Three-Part Series -
Come hear our own Hillview principal, Erik Burmeister, as he provides valuable tips and insights into raising teenagers. During the course of three different sessions, Erik will discuss a variety of topics including gender differences, brain development, rewards and consequences, setting boundaries and Internet reality and safety.
Part 1: Tuesday, December 4, 6:30-8:00pm, Hillview PAC
Part 2: Monday, December 10, 6:30-8:00pm, Hillview PAC
Part 3 with Q&A: Thursday, December 13,10:00-11:30am, Hillview PAC
MPCSD Parents of Children With Learning Differences AIM4MP is an organization of MPCSD parents who are interested in Advocacy, Information and Mutual support to help our children succeed in school and in life. If you want to connect confidentially with other parents of children with learning differences and keep up on what's going on in our schools, contact
mpparents@yahoo.com to join our email group. Upcoming Events Take It Personally Study Group with Project Cornerstone, Wednesdays, January 23-February 27, 2013, 6:30-8:00pm, Hillview PAC
For a complete listing of all parent education events in and around our community, please visit the district's ParentEd webpage.
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MPAEF
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Happy Thanksgiving to all of the families, teachers and staff in our District. One of the many things we are thankful for is this community's investment in our schools. To date, 42% of our families have helped raise $2.11 million towards meeting the District's $4 million need. Because our schools depend on parents' donations to the MPAEF, we hope that all of our families will make a pledge or donation to the MPAEF that is meaningful to them. Every gift matters and is an important investment in the one thing we can all agree is critical to our children's futures . . . their education!
Best wishes,
Clint Chao & Scott Hinshaw
MPAEF Co-Presidents
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Thank You!
 Thank you to the 68 volunteers, countless shoppers, and supportive vendors who helped to make this year's MPAEF Holiday Boutique a huge success! Together, our efforts raised $20,000 for the MPAEF!
Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the tireless co-chairs Carolyn Bowsher, Janet Falkner, Margie Klapper, and Gretchen Thomas, along with our VP of Events, Calla Griffith. Thanks also to the school volunteer coordinators, Elizabeth Ouren, Maria Mills and Tamara Russel, as well as Jenny Sullivan and Kris Swanson for co-chairing the luncheons and Meagan Carabetta for providing all the artwork.
Your support -- as a volunteer, shopper or vendor -- is an important part of the Foundation's efforts to support our schools! THANK YOU!!!
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Shop Your Favorite Stores at the eScrip Online Mall and Earn for Our Schools!
This holiday season, shop online at your favorite merchants and earn money for our schools through the eScrip Online Mall. Popular merchants like Amazon, Nordstrom, Apple, Target, and many more will donate up to 10% of purchases. Get started by registering for eScrip here, then each time you shop, start here at the eScrip Online Mall. Or automatically track and earn by downloading the Auto Earn app here.
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Community Corner
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Saturday, December 1, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Arrillaga Family Recreation Center at 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park. Activities will include pancake breakfast, letter writing to Santa, holiday crafts, visiting and picture taking with Santa, and a fun time with friends and family. Reservations are required. Adults $7, Children $5. See flyer for more information.
(Ages 8-18) December 1 and 2. Performances will be March 2-10, 2013, and all who audition will be cast. For more information and to reserve an audition time visit pytnet.org/audition.html
(Ages 4-9)
Sunday, December 2, 12:30 to 3 p.m., Allied Arts Guild Sunset Room, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. Includes a visit with Santa and photo op for the parents, cookies and juice, "Puppylocks and the 3 Bears" by Magical Moonshine Theater, and more.
"Just Believe" Holiday Boutique at Sacred Heart Preparatory, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on December 5 and 6, and 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on December 7, 150 Valparaiso Avenue, Atherton. Offerings from fresh seasonal greens and flowers, to stationery, children's clothes, hostess gifts, and jewelry.
(Ages 7 and under)
The Caltrain Holiday Train December 1 and 2. Decorated with 60,000 glittering lights, the dazzling show-train will visit 10 Caltrain stations between San Francisco and Santa Clara over two nights in December, providing free holiday entertainment and collecting donations of toys for local children who otherwise might not receive a gift during the holidays. For stations and times, or to help spread the word, download the Holiday Train Poster.
(K-8th grade)
(Boys Ages 5-7) Ragazzi Music and Movement Class
Tuesday sessions, Jan 15 - March 19, Redwood City. An engaging Kodály-based class for active young boys with little or no previous musical experience - no auditions necessary. $20 per class. Register online at http://j.mp/OX6fTa. Annual LEGO Holiday Extravaganza Friday, December 7, 2012 through Sunday, January 13, 2013 from 11:00am-3:30pm. The Museum of American Heritage (MOAH), Palo Alto, CA. Admission is $2 per person, BayLUG and MOAH members are free. For further information visit www.moah.org or contact the Museum at 650-321-1004.
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
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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