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The Otter Weekly
Oak Knoll School
1895 Oak Knoll Lane
Menlo Park, California 94025
650-854-4433 December 9, 2012
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Oak Knoll Elementary PTO Newsletter
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This Week Tuesday, December 11 - Spring Auction Info Coffee; 8:30-10:30am; TERC building, Encinal campus
- 5th Grade: Student Outdoor Ed Presentation; 9:00am, Gym
Wednesday, December 12 - PTO Board Meeting; 8:15am, Staff Room
- All 4th Grade: Mission San Juan Bautista; 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
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Looking Ahead Wednesday, December 19 - Johnston: Disney Museum; 8:45-1:00pm
Monday, December 24 - Friday, January 4 Monday, January 7 |
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Announcements from the Office
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Flu Shots
 There are some very bad bugs among us. Fortunately, we have great news on how to keep them contained. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Page Family Foundation, every child in the Bay Area, from ages 4 through 18 can receive a FREE flu shot at participating Target Pharmacy® locations through the Shoo The Fluprogram. This will help protect not only our children against the ravages of influenza, but also everyone with whom they come in contact. And having healthy kids means higher rates of school attendance and lower rates of flu.
Learn more about the program at ShooTheFlu.org.
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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.
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Traffic Safety
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Parents -- WEAR YOUR BIKE HELMETS
Please set a good example for our students: All adults should wear a properly fitted helmet when riding a bicycle.
Bike Safety REMINDERS:
- Use HAND SIGNALS when turning LEFT or RIGHT and STOPPING. Many accidents happen because cars and other bikers have no indication when a bike is stopping or turning.
- Do not talk on your cell phone - you can get a ticket if you're not using a hands-free device while talking on your phone
- Do not TEXT while riding your bike
Practice good bike safety by modeling proper bike etiquette for your kids. For more info, please click here.
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Carline Congestion -- at drop-off and pick-up
Due to the recent cold and wet weather, the flow of our car line in the mornings and afternoons has been more congested. We are working on some improvements to our carline process so stay tuned after the New Year. Until then, please remember the rules:
- PULL FORWARD TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE
- DO NOT WALK THROUGH THE PARKING LOT - pedestrians cause cars to stop unnecessarily and prevent a smooth flow of cars in & out of the parking lot
- DO NOT LINGER & CHAT with other parents and teachers
- DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR
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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!
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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.
Upcoming Meeting - The next community/parents meeting on the Safe Routes to School plan for Oak Knoll will be held on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2013 at 7:00pm in the Oak Knoll Library. Please attend and provide your input.
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MPAEF
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HELP SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
What's one of the most important gifts you can give this holiday season? A donation to the MPAEF to support our schools! And now, there are just 22 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!
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Join Us for the Spring Auction Information 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.
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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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Ollie Salutes
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Thank you to all the students for bringing in their coins and dollars from home to help Lucy Lunt get her family a van for her wheelchair. The coin drive ends this Friday.
Thanks to the parent volunteers in the Wild Zone who have given their time to allow this area to be open for the students.
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You Otter Know
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After School Classes - Winter Session Update
After School Classes Winter Session will start January 14, 2013 and end March 15, 2013. We will finalize the schedule by Sun, Dec 16th so please check the website for more info. In the interim for those of you who want to plan ahead, we are offering most of the same classes. Unfortunately, Lacrosse and Hi-Five Sports will not be holding Winter sessions. We are talking to a few new vendors so stay tuned for more info.
Please contact Aarti Chandna or Kimberly Hartz Foster with any suggestions/questions.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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" through this 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 this Friday 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.
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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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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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District News
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ParentEd
How to Raise Your Teenager Without Losing Your Mind
- Last Two of 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 2: Monday, December 10, 6:30-8:00pm, Hillview PAC
Part 3 with Q&A: Thursday, December 13,10:00-11:30am, Hillview PAC
Upcoming Events Take It Personally Study Group with Project Cornerstone, Wednesdays, January 23-February 27, 2013, 6:30-8:00pm, Hillview PAC
Mindset, Carol 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.
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Family Volunteer Opportunities
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Riley's Place - Our Youth Volunteer Program offers kids aged 8 through 15, wonderful and meaningful opportunities to volunteer. Children gain hands-on experience and learn how to feed, exercise, groom, pet, socialize and care for all our animals, most of which were rescued. At Riley's Place, youth are very involved, have a whole lot of fun, and take pride in being the touchstone of our organization. For more information, contact Renette Rambeau.
Lytton Gardens - Whether you want to volunteer on your own or with a group, we can help you use your time and talents to enrich the lives of our seniors. Volunteers bring friendship, intellectual stimulation, and entertainment to the residents of Lytton Gardens. For more info, contactvolunteer@lyttongardens.org .
My New Red Shoes - Stop by with your friends or family to help us out in our office, sew a gift bag or sort shoes! We offer on-site volunteer opportunities the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 4pm-5:30pm. Tasks will vary based on our specific needs at the time. Private group volunteer opportunities available, too. For more info, contact Becca Moos.
Ecumenical Hunger Program - our 35 year old, private, non-profit, community-based organization located in East Palo Alto provides emergency food, clothing, case management, and household essentials to families in need in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Palo Alto. We have a range of jobs including packing food boxes, interviewing clients, sorting food and clothing, and data entry. For more info, contact Melanie Jones-Carter.
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Community Corner
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(All ages)
Starts January 7, Menlo Park Recreation Center, 701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park. New this session is Bollywood Fusion, see our website at www.danceexpressions5678.com. (Ages 6-12) Kidizens Winter/Spring ProgramJanuary-May 2013, 4546 El Camino Real, Ste. B9, Los Altos. Kidizens inspires kids to become good citizens and future leaders, one LEGO brick at a time! This highly interactive social learning framework inculcates analytical thinking, strategic problem solving and develops public speaking and leadership skills. Please visit www.thekidizens.com or call (650) 384-0412 for more information. (Grades pre-K to 5th)
January 9 to March 23, Portola Valley Town Center. Focus on the color BLUE! Different days and times for different age groups. Teacher: Jeannie Goldman. Register online at portolavalley.net, beginning December 17 (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.
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.
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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