The Otter Weekly

 

 

Oak Knoll School

1895 Oak Knoll Lane

Menlo Park, California 94025

650-854-4433                                             December 2, 2012 

Oak Knoll Elementary PTO Newsletter
To Do
In This Issue
Holiday Travels
Proposition 30
Safety Vests
Safety Tips
Safe Routes to Oak Knoll Survey
Ollie Salutes
Hot Lunch
5th Grade Outdoor Ed
Wild Zone Now Open
Fundraiser for Lucy Lunt
Christmas Performance
Christmas Trees
Cheeky Monkey Toys
Otter Mileage Club
Yard Duty Volunteers
ParentEd
MPAEF
Community Announcements
Join Our Mailing List
Quick Links

This Week  

 

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

 


Looking Ahead 

 

Tuesday, December 11

  • Spring Auction Info Coffee; 8:30-10:30am; TERC building, Encinal campus

 

Wednesday, December 12

  • PTO Board Meeting; 8:15am, Staff Room   
  • All 4th Grade: Mission SJB; 8:15am-2:30pm
  • Brewbaker/ Bartlett/ Fox: Disney Museum; 8:45am-1:00pm

 

Thursday, December 13

  • MPAEF Board Meeting; 8:45am-10:30am

 

Friday, December 14

  • Spirit Day: Crazy Hat, Crazy Hair

 

Monday, December 24 - Friday, January 4

  • NO SCHOOL - Winter break 

 

Monday, January 7

  • School resumes

Announcements from the Office




Holiday Travels 


If your child will be missing any school because of travel plans over winter break, please email or call Secretary Cathy Petersen with student names and the dates of the absence. Thank you.

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 [email protected]. 

Traffic Safety

Safety Vests for Students!  

 

This past week Mr. Ackerman and Mrs. Gracia handed out dozens of Safety Vests to Oak Knoll student bike riders. If your child received a vest, please encourage them to wear it when they ride their bike to and from school. If your child did not receive a vest yet, tell them to keep on the look out because our school principals will be out at the bike racks again soon, giving away more!

 

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.

 

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.

 

Ollie Salutes

Ollie loves the new hot lunch procedure because he gets his lunch so much faster and has more time to eat and play during lunch recess!!  HUGE thank you to Allison Pereur, one of our amazing Hot Lunch Co-chairs, who organized and coordinated the new procedure and big thanks to Naed de la Vega and Meredith Walsey, our other two awesome Hot Lunch Co-chairs.  They have all been working so hard this year to ensure that the hot lunch line flows smoothly and are always looking for ways to improve the process. 

Special thanks to Christopher Harris for filming and editing the video for all the students about the new process.  To view the video, see the clip below.
 
You Otter Know

Hot Lunch Line - New Rules!      

  

We are really excited about the changes to speed up the hot lunch lines.
Check out the video below and don't
forget to order lunches for December!!!
Please email Allison Pereur with any questions.

Hot Lunch
Choice Lunch

Outdoor Education for 5th Graders!  

    

It's that time of year again. Time to prepare our 5th graders for a great experience at Outdoor Ed! Our 5th graders will be gone from January 28th - February 1st. Paperwork and checks (made out to the Oak Knoll PTO for $254 per child) are due on January 7th (the day we return from Winter break). The teachers should be sending out the packets very soon.

There is an optional 5th grade parent information night on January 16th at 6:30pm in the Oak Knoll Library. If you have any questions, contact the Oak Knoll office.

Wild Zone Now Open    

 

Thanks to the several volunteers who came forward, the Wild Zone is now open. 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. Dec. 13      Thurs. Feb 21          Wed. April 24   
Wed. Dec. 19        Wed. Feb 27            Thurs. May 2
Thurs. Jan. 10       Thurs. March 7        Wed. May 8
Wed. Jan. 16         Wed. March 13        Thurs. May 16
Thurs. Jan 24        Thurs. March 21       Wed. May 22
Wed. Jan. 30         Thurs. April 4           Thurs. May 30
Thurs. Feb 7          Wed. April 10          Wed. June 5
Wed. Feb. 13         Thurs. April 18        


Lunt Fundraiser     


The Students at Oak Knoll School would like to participate in helping Lucy Lunt and her family get a van.  Calling all Kids is sponsoring a Coin/Dollar Drive from Monday December 3rd - Friday December 14th. The Students are really excited to help one of our families. So bring in any loose change or dollars (please note - we do lose 10% of the change for a processing fee)


At the end of the Drive, Friday December 14th, there will be a Crazy Hair/Hat Spirit Day and a Rally in the gym where KNOL will broadcast live.

For more information about the Lunt Fundraiser or to donate, please click here.


'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.


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.


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

Volunteer Opportunities


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.

Please email Sarah Westfall if you can help.

 

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.

 

District News
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. Attend as many as you like-each part will cover a different set of topics:  
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



Mindset Book Club for Parents
December 5 - January 24
Kepler's Book Store
 
Still a few spots available!

 

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 highly-acclaimed book Mindset by Carol Dweck, available at Kepler's. Carol will be speaking to the general public at Hillview on January 29. All book club meetings will take place at Kepler's Book Store from 9:30-10:30 am:
  • Wednesday, December 5
  • Wednesday, December 12
  • Thursday, December 20
  • Thursday, January 10
  • Wednesday, January 16
  • Thursday, January 24
Space is limited to 20 people. Please email Nicole at [email protected] to RSVP.



Upcoming Events
Take It Personally Study Group with Project Cornerstone, Wednesdays, January 23-February 27, 2013, 6:30-8:00pm, Hillview PAC
MindsetCarol Dweck, January 29, 2013, 7pm, Hillview PAC



For a complete listing of all parent education events in and around our community, please visit the district's
ParentEd webpage.   


MPAEF


SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS WITH YOUR DONATION BEFORE THE YEAR ENDS -- HERE'S WHY!

There are just 29 more days until 
2012 comes to a close!  With the end of the calendar year comes two important deadlines related to charitable contributions, like your donation to the MPAEF.  If you've waited to make your donation, please don't wait any longer!
 

Earn a 2012 Charitable Contribution Deduction The Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation is a non-profit organization. Your gift is fully tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations. When you make a donation, you will receive written documentation for tax purposes.

 

Qualify for Employer Matching 

Many companies will match their employees' charitable donations, which extends your donation considerably.  You can find out if your company matches by clicking here or contact your company's HR representative.  But many companies require that you submit your request for matching before the end of the calendar year. Don't miss out on this incredible employee benefit by donating and requesting the match before it's too late.

To Donate Now, Click Here! 

 

 
Join Us for the Spring Auction Info Coffee 

 

This year's auction celebrates 30 years of MPAEF! Please join us to help make the auction a smashing success in honor of this milestone.  With parents representing all four schools uniting together, the 2013 auction will be one for the ages. Whether you have two hours to give or are a seasoned volunteer, we have a role for you (before, during, or after the event).

 

Please stop by for coffee to learn about how you can get involved or, if you are already involved, to speak to potential volunteers. All are welcome! Tuesday, December 11th, 8:30-10:30am, TERC building, Encinal campus. 

 

RSVP to Karen Dearing or Cyndy Hogan.  
   
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.
 
Questions?  Contact  Samira Jones.
 
Community Corner

(Grades 4-8)
Thursday, December 27, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Menlo-Atherton Ayers Gym. All basketball abilities are welcome. Please sign up on the M-A Boys Basketball website at www.maboysbasketball.com/communityclinic, and bring the liability form (downloaded from the website) and a $30 check, made out to M-A Boys Basketball, to the clinic.
 
Alpine/West Menlo Little League and AMA Softball RegistrationRegistration for 2013 Spring Alpine/West Menlo Little League and AMA Softball is now open. Details can be found on our website at: www.eteamz.com/alpine  

Menlo-Atherton Little League Registration Registration for the upcoming 2013 Little League Season has is open now until January 13, and late fees and wait lists will apply after that. To register, follow this link: Register Now
 
(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   

"Just Believe" Holiday Boutique at Sacred Heart Preparatory8:00 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)
Friday, December 7, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Featuring Santa and his elves, holiday crafts, and more www.u-meplace.com/events  

"The Nutcracker" from Western Ballet of Mountain View   December 7 at 7 p.m., December 8 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and December 9 at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Meet the cast during a free reception after the 1 p.m. performances. For ticket information, please call the MVCPA box office at (650) 903-6000 or go to:  http://westernballet.org/documents/productions.html  
  
(K-8th grade)
December 26-28 in Menlo Park at La Entrada School.  See website for details: www.legarzabasketball.org/camps/camps/winter.html
 

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.
 
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  
 
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.
    
        
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.