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The Otter Weekly
Oak Knoll School
1895 Oak Knoll Lane
Menlo Park, California 94025
650-854-4433 February 24th, 2013
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Oak Knoll Elementary PTO Newsletter
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Wednesday, February 27
- K-2 Multi-Age Walt Disney Museum: Jagelka/Poole, 8:50am - 1:00pm (Poole parents please note date correction!)
- KidPower Parent Workshop: 6:30-8:30pm; Gym
Thursday, February 28
- Last day of MPAEF Participation Challenge!
Friday, March 1
- K-2 Multi-Age Walt Disney Museum: Chan, 8:50am - 1:00pm
- MPAEF Auction donation deadline
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Sunday, March 3
Monday, March 4
Friday, March 8
Monday - Friday, March 25-29
Monday, April 1
- NO SCHOOL - Staff Development Day
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School Office Announcements
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MORNING CAR LINE DROP-OFF
The carline is moving more efficiently thanks to your adherence to some new procedures and a handful of dedicated volunteers. We hope it is making your morning more relaxed. We know it is making a difference in the number of tardies at school and the safety on the streets as drivers are a little less frenzied. Can YOU volunteer one or two mornings to help? Sign up now! If just a few extra volunteers can help for even one morning from now until the end of the year, it would be greatly appreciated. Pick a morning, come on out and make a difference! The shift runs from 7:45-8:15. Check out the schedule and let Betsy Muhlner know when you can help. Thanks to all of the parents who are....
- pulling all the way forward
- staying in their cars
- having backpacks on laps, ready to go
- not walking through the parking lot anymore!
The Traffic Safety Committee appreciates your willingness to learn a new way to do things!
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AFTERNOON CAR LINE PICK-UP CHANGES (starting Wed, Feb 27)
Do you like the new, improved efficiency in the morning carline? We will be making changes to the afternoon car line process starting mid-week. We will making announcements on KNOL so please make sure you remind your children to go straight to the car line pick-up in the afternoon and to look for your car. Here are some of the changes we are making:
- Pull all the way forward
- Lining up kids in one area (NOT by last name anymore) near the middle of the car line
- Using LAST NAME placards for windshields (we will be handing them out during afternoon pick-up)
- DO NOT WALK CHILDREN THROUGH THE PARKING LOT
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All School Field Trip to Hillview Play "Honk"
We are taking an all school field trip to see Hillview Middle School's drama production of "Honk!" on Monday, March 4. This is a walking field trip and we have developed a specific field trip permission form. There are two trips - one in the morning from 10:30am-12:30pm and one in the afternoon from 12:30-2:30pm. Buddy classes will be walking together. We will have lunch here at Oak Knoll. Please see the attached schedule and buddies list. |
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Kindergarten Registration Information
Registration for Kindergarten, Spanish Immersion, and Transitional Kindergarten
During the month of February, parents can enroll their children for next Fall for Kindergarten, Spanish Immersion, and Transitional Kindergarten. Click here for an overview and further links to details.
Kindergarten Registration:
A child is eligible for kindergarten in 2013-14 if his or her fifth birthday falls on or before October 1. Priority Registration is from February 1 - 28, 2013. A link to the online registration site will be posted on Feb. 1 on the district website, click here.
Spanish Immersion Parent Information Meeting:
Come learn about the program by attending one of the mandatory parent information meeting on either Wednesday, February 6, from 8:45 am to 9:45 am or Tuesday, February 26, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the District Office, Board Room (next to Encinal School), 181 Encinal Ave., Atherton. Acceptance into the Immersion program will be determined by lottery.
Transitional Kindergarten Parent Information Session
Come learn about the program by attending the parent information meeting on March 14, 2013 from 4pm to 5pm at the TERC (next to District Office), at 181 Encinal Ave., Atherton. A child is eligible for the transitional kindergarten program if his or her fifth birthday is: 2013-14 school year - October 2 through December 2.
Questions: If you are not sure of the school in your attendance area or you have further questions, please contact the District Registrar or call 650-321-7140, Ext. 5600.
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We Need You!
4 More Days to Earn $50,000 for Our Schools!
We have only 4 days left to reach our goal! If 80% of our District families donate or pledge to the MPAEF an anonymous donor will award a $50,000 grant to our schools!
Your participation matters and any size donation counts, so consider making one that is meaningful for your family. Be a part of the community that meets the challenge -- your participation will make a difference!
Donate, pledge now and give later, or set up monthly installments at www.mpaef.org by February 28.
Our great thanks to all the families, businesses and community members who have already donated!
Together we can meet the challenge for our kids!
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Last Chance to Donate to the Spring Auction!
Be a Donor! Organize with friends. Make a call. Send an email. Just say, "Yes! I am IN!" Donate today. It is never as much work as you think it will be, but it is always more fun! The MPAEF auction deadline to submit items and ideas is Friday, March 1st. Your donation raises money to keep class sizes small, keep art, music, and library classes thriving, and help administrators and teachers introduce innovative teaching practices in our schools. Offer time at your favorite getaway, join friends to throw a party, show a student your professional day (or convince someone you know), share season tickets or a favorite bottle of wine. Look at the following categories, pick one and commit!
Destinations/Adventures/Getaways: Give District families or a couple the opportunity to take a break by spending time in a place you find special!
Parties, Events, and Experiences for Adults: Organize an over the top bash or an intimate dinner to highlight cuisine. Donate as a single family or make a party out of your party by donating with friends.
K.I.T. -- Kids In Training: Teach kids what makes your profession interesting. Designers, technologists, scientists, medics, doctors, chefs, artists, entertainers, public service individuals, open your doors and show a student what you do after the kids go to school.
Parties, Events and Experiences for Kids: Whether fitness, art, cooking, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience, donate a chance for kids to break from reading, writing, and arithmetic to play and just be kids! Whatever the idea, just bring them together!
Sporting Events and Memorabilia: Donate your Giants, Sharks, 49ers, premier PGA tournaments, Grand Slam tennis, or NASCAR event tickets. Link the District families into a round of golf at one of the prestigious courses or clubs in the Bay Area!
Exceptional Wines and Wine Experiences: Open up the riches of our region by offering up a unique bottle of wine or a wine experience at surrounding vineyards. Create a personal trip to a vineyard or fill a wine cellar with elite vintages.
To Donate: Please contact Karen Dearing. The deadline for submitting auction items is March 1.
Mark your calendar for MPAEF's Dancing through the Decades, April 27 at the Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto!
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Ollie gives two flippers up this week to Linda Knoll and Rhonda Bucklin for organizing the "Be a Student" night last week. The event was a great success and many parents got to see what it's like for their children to be in an Oak Knoll P.E., music, library and art class.
And a very special thanks goes to Mr. Almquist, Ms. Bennion, Ms. Knight, Ms. Chiet, Ms. Tee and Dr. Westfall for creating such a fun night where parents got to see what our children experience every day at Oak Knoll. Thank you for giving up your valuable evening to give us such a great experience.
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Seeking Candidates for District Council 2013-2014
The Menlo Park City School District Council is seeking candidates for its officer positions and administrative chair positions for the 2013-2014 school year. District parents who have demonstrated involvement with Member PTO's and MPAEF can use their background and knowledge as a benefit to this advisory Council. The purpose of the District Council is to foster cooperative relationships among the Laurel, Encinal, Oak Knoll, and Hillview PTOs, the MPAEF, the District and the School Board in order to facilitate communication in the District. Selected positions include Secretary/Parliamentarian and Auditor among others. For a complete list of all open positions, please visit the district web site here.
For more information, please contact Lisa Cope.
Nominations are due March 28.
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5th Grade Panoramic Photo, March 6
iClickSmiles is happy to announce they will be returning to take The Graduating Panoramic Photo on March 6, 2013. Please watch for your order envelope that will come home with your student. Please fill out one order form for each
student, including all of the information on the envelope and return it with a check
made out to iClickSmiles on picture day, March 6, 2013.
Please remember to mark your calendar for: 5th Grade Panoramic photo on: March 6, 2013
For any questions please email iClickSmiles at: cs@iclicksmiles.com
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District Calendar Available for 2013-2014 School Year
The Menlo Park City School District has released its calendar for the 2013-2014 school year.
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Materials Needed by Mr. Almquist for Art Projects
Mr. A is planning to do a robotics art project with the 5th graders. He is in need of anything with wires, batteries, or electrical in nature, that the kids can take apart and build art projects with. The items do not need to be in operating condition.
Examples - flashlights, circuit boards, wiring, old printers, nuts and bolts, power strips, anything that could look "electrical and robotic"
Parents and students can bring them to school anytime and drop them off in the Art Room.
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KidPower Parent Workshop
In light of the number of recent incidents in the media, Mr.Ackerman, Mrs. Gracia and the PTO thought it would be a good time to give parents help in discussing issues about safety with their children. KidPower was recommended to us and is a Parent Education opportunity.
For Oak Knoll parents and caregivers (adult only event)
Wednesday, February 27th at 6:30-8:30pm
Oak Knoll Gym
Sponsored by Oak Knoll PTO (free to attend)
People Safety skills help people be safe with people at home, at school, online, out in the world... everywhere. They also help strengthen important relationships. Learn ways to help young people learn and use age-appropriate People Safety skills on an everyday basis to have safer, more positive experiences with people, including strangers, siblings, peers, and other people they know.
During the workshop, we will practice how to help kids:
* Be and act aware and confident
* Check with adults if anything seems unsafe
* Move away from possible problems
* Follow Stranger Safety rules
* Stay safe from hurtful words
* Use voice as a safety tool
* Set clear boundaries
* Say "No" or "Stop" clearly and respectfully
* Deal with other kids poking, pushing, grabbing, etc.
* Use safety plans if lost in a store, park, or library
* Get help from busy adults - and persist!
Please note: This is an adult only event. Please make alternative arrangements for your children.
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Friends and Family Day
SAVE THE DATE! Friday, March 8 is Oak Knoll's 15th annual Friends and Family Day. Invite a special friend or family member to come to school to get a glimpse of our campus and classrooms. Grades K,1,2 (and K-1-2 Multi-age) Welcome Coffee starts in the Multi at 8:45am. These classroom visits start at 9:05am. Grades 3,4,5 (and 3-4-5 Multi-age) Welcome Coffee starts in the Multi at 9:30am. These classroom visits start at 9:50am. If you can help volunteer for the event please sign up here.
For more information, check out the flier.
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PTO Volunteer Opportunities
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Wild Zone Open Dates
Thanks to the several volunteers who came forward, the Wild Zone (WZ) 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 
Wed. Feb 27 Thurs. April 18 Wed. May 22
Thurs. March 7 Wed. April 24 Thurs. May 30
Wed. March 13 Thurs. May 2 Wed. June 5
Thurs. March 21 Wed. May 8
Thurs. April 4 Thurs. May 16
Wed. April 10
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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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"Scheduling BY DESIGN: How Hillview Middle School is Using Design Thinking to ReDesign School"
Erik Burmeister, Principal, Hillview Middle School
Sunday, March 3, 2013
1:00pm-2:00pm, Hillview Library
During this workshop, participants will see the two new prototypes created for next year's schedule at Hillview and will have the opportunity to provide feedback. Current and future Hillview parents welcome! (Please note: Although this is a pre-conference workshop, we are unfortunately NOT able to offer child care during this time.)
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MPCSD ParentEd Conference 2013
"Classrooms of the Future: How Our Schools are Changing Now"
Sunday, March 3, 2013
2:00pm-5:00pm, Hillview Middle School
Registration closes at midnight on Monday, February 25
The Menlo Park City School District strives to be at the forefront of innovation and leadership in education, and we know that we cannot do that simply in the staffroom and classroom. We need to involve our entire community, and there's so much to talk about with parents at this time of great change. Nationally, the Common Core State Standards are elevating learning goals and raising the cognitive demand for how our students will engage in learning. Locally, our core values are driving goals in writing, mathematics, technology, and social-emotional learning. Join us to learn more about these exciting developments and what they will mean for your kids!
2pm Check-in
2:30pm-5pm Conference
Concurrent Children's Program
Parents have an opportunity to select from a menu of workshops and attend two sessions following a keynote address:
- Mathematics and the Common Core: What's Ahead and How You Can Support Your Child
- Writing and the Common Core: Supporting Students as Capable, Confident Writers
- Design Thinking and Innovation: Problem Solving to Build Powerful Thinking Skills
- Technology in the Classroom: Engaging and Empowering Students in the Learning Process
- Project Cornerstone: Building Developmental Assets to Keep Our Kids Strong
- Creativity and Innovation in MPCSD: A Roundtable Discussion with Maurice Ghysels, Superintendent and Allison Liner, Chief Learning Officer
For more information on the workshops being offered, and free childcare, click here.
To register for the conference, click here.
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP for parents concerned about their child's substance abuse
Sunday, March 3, 2013
1:00pm-5:00pm, Burlingame
"95% of people with a life time dependence to alcohol and other drugs started using as adolescents, and over half of America's teens have tried illicit drugs by the time they finish high school," according to SAMA (Science and Management of Addictions).
Lisa Frederiksen of Breaking the Cycles, Shelley Richanbach of Next Steps for Women and Cathy Taughinbaugh of Treatment Talk are offering a specialized workshop for parents of teenagers or young adults who are concerned about their child's substance abuse. Parents will leave the workshop understanding how brain development and risk factors influence substance abuse; knowing state of the art assessments to determine use, abuse or dependence; having shared other parents' concerns and learned what parents can do to help their child; and having created a wellness toolbox to stay sane when things feel out of control.
The workshop will be held Sunday, March 3rd, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., in Burlingame. For more information go to http://treatmenttalk.org/workshop/ or call (650)362-3026.
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NOTE: CHANGE IN SPEAKER
Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., Lecturer, Stanford University
Thursday, March 7, 2013
7:00-8:30pm
M-A Center for the Performing Arts
Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University and a leading expert in the new field of "science-help." Her most recent book, The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of It (Penguin, 2012) explores the latest research on motivation, temptation, and procrastination, as well as what it takes to transform habits, persevere at challenges, and make a successful change. Tickets will go quickly for this event!
Ticket Registration: http:/kellymcgonigalmenloatherton.eventbrite.com
M-A Parent Education Series events are FREE and sponsored by the
Menlo-Atherton PTA and the Sequoia Healthcare District.
For more information, please contact Charlene Margot, M-A Parent Education Series Program Director, at cmargot@csmconsulting.net or 650.868.0590.
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For a complete listing of all parent education events in and around our community, please visit the district's ParendEd webpage.
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SUMMER CAMPS ARE HERE!
Visit our Summer Camp Website to see information submitted by area camps. This page will be updated as new information arrives, so check back often.
Back to top
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EVENTS
Saturday, March 2, 12 to 3 p.m., 800 Alma Street, Menlo Park. Get one-on-one demos and learn how to download and read thousands of e-books from the library. Popular author, Guy Kawasaki, will speak about his latest book, APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur!, from 12 to 1 p.m.
PYT Auditions for "The Pirates of Penzance" for actors ages 8-18
March 8 and 9. For more information and to reserve an audition time, please visit www.pytnet.org.
Community E-waste Recycling
Benefitting Menlo-Atherton PTA and Northstar Academy, Saturday, February 23, 9 a.m. to
3 p.m., NorthStar Academy, 400 Duane St, Redwood City. Accepting any consumer or business electronics like computers, televisions, microwave ovens, cameras, toasters, VCR tapes, stereos, speakers, cell phones, printers, and copy machines. We can also accept scrap metal. No washers, dryers, refrigerators, ovens, or dishwashers. All electronics that store information will be securely erased.
Menlo Park Friends of the Library Book Sale
Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m. to 2p.m., Oak and Elm Rooms at the Arrillaga Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park (located across the library parking lot and next to the gym). Exceptional quality books for the entire family will be featured.
March 7-9, San Mateo Event Center. Just Between Friends (JBF) is a semi-annual event where local families can buy and sell gently used children's clothing, toys, furniture, and more. Please visit www.sanmateo.jbfsale.com to register to shop, consign or volunteer!
Menlowe Ballet's Season of Reverie!
April 19-21 at Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center. For tickets, please visit our website: www.menloweballet.org, or call 1.800.595.4TIX (4849).
For past community news, click here
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FAMILY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Donate to Haven House
Sun, Feb 24th, 11:30-2 at Encinal's carpool driveway. Encinal's Girl Scout Troop is hosting a collection drive to benefit Haven Family House Shelter in Menlo Park. Click here for a list of in-kind donations needed.
Permanente Creek Planting Workday
Saturday, February 23, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All ages welcome to help plant native plants along Permanente Creek Trail in Mountain View by Google Campus. To register for this Acterra-sponsored event, click here.
For more information on the events above or events listed in prior newsletters, visit the District's Community Links page. |
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SPORTS, CLASSES, AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Newton Center's Spring Camp
Monday-Friday, March 25-29, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 1100 Middle Avenue, Menlo Park. We will be exploring the cool, creepy, and curiously complicated natural processes right around us here in the suburbs. For registration and more information, please contact us atcamps@newtoncenters.org.
Donate Dresses or Accessories to The Princess Project!
Donate your new or gently used long or short clean party dresses or accessories in the Menlo-Atherton High School Front Office at 555 Middlefield Rd, Atherton, now through the end of February.
Girls' Water Polo Clinics and Mini-Camps from Menlo Swim and Sport. Clinics and camps are designed for intermediate-level players who wish to work on skills in the off season. Clinics offered 2/23, 3/9, 3/24, 4/13, 4/28; mini-camps offered 3/26-27, 4/2-3. Limited enrollment, register today at www.menloswim.com/menlo/youth_swim_teams/mavericks_polo.html.
Saturdays, March 2 and April 20, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma Street, Menlo Park. To register for the book club, please send an e-mail to Irish Atajar at atajar@plsinfo.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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