Dear Oak Knoll Parents,

WELCOME BACK!

Summer can be such a special time.  I hope that you and your children were able to enjoy the magical rejuvenating powers of Summer vacation.

You will soon be receiving information from the PTO which contains all the important dates and events at the beginning of the year.  Please feel free to call the school if you have questions.  Below are some of the highlights for "What's New At Oak Knoll".  

New Staff Members  

Marybeth Mandolin is joining the Oak Knoll kindergarten team.  Marybeth has been teaching kindergarten for many years at Laurel School.  Ms. Mandolin has an outstanding reputation as teacher who is dedicated to the success of her students.  Parents rave about Ms. Mandolin's communication and interpersonal skills and the influence she has on the growth of children.

Celeste Ziff is also joining the kindergarten team.  Ms. Ziff has most recently taught in the Burlingame School District.  She has experience as a kindergarten, 2nd grade and Spanish Immersion teacher in both public and charter schools.  Kindergarten is her first love and she excited to be joining our team.

Laura Mitchell is returning to Oak Knoll as part of our new Multi Age K-2 team.  Ms. Mitchell was here last Fall filling in for a maternity leave in 4th grade and finished out the year at Encinal.  Laura taught third grade in the Richmond School District for three years before coming to Menlo Park.  We are thrilled to have Laura as a permanent member of our staff.  

Music

Because the District has added music instructor hours, we were able to make some changes to our program. The new schedule almost completely eliminates 4th and 5th graders missing classroom time for instrumental instruction.  Third grade will now receive 75 minutes a week instruction and K through 2nd grade, 45 minutes.

Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade Dismissal Time

School will now end at 2:55pm for all K-5 students on every day except Thursday when school will end at 1:25pm.  

Transitional Kindergarten

For one year only, the Board of Education has added Transitional Kindergarten to the Oak Knoll program.  This program is for children born in November and October of 2008.  The students (approx. 24) will be blended into two of our kindergarten classes.  They will be coming half days with dismissal at 12:10pm.

Traffic/Parking

Please pay careful attention to the newsletter as it describes the changes to parking.  Last spring, the city, community members, and school representatives approved a plan designed to improve the level of safety for our children on the streets near Oak Knoll.  You will notice that a number of the former parking spaces near school have been eliminated.  

If your child rides his/her bike to school starting near or East of Olive, please note that the Safe Route to School is on Stanford Ave.  Stanford Ave. is wider than Oak Ave, there is much less traffic and there is an official bike lane.

Academics

The Oak Knoll Site Council will be meeting soon to review the STAR and Writing assessment data.  The Council will then write goals and action plans for the new academic year.  Additionally, we will be preparing for the new nationwide Common Core standards and assessment implementation.  As the year progresses you will hear more about how we are preparing to meet the higher expectations for student learning.  

We have an amazing group of educators at Oak Knoll, a dedicated parent group, and a community that has been willing to provide the resources necessary to build an exemplary program.  I look forward to seeing you and getting the year started.

Look forward to seeing you on campus, 

Mr. Ackerman

Get organized for the 2013-14 school year with the Back To School Checklist! Please review the list thoroughly as it contains very important information about back-to-school activities, programs and events. In this newsletter you will find a brief snapshot of the following checklist items:

• MPCSD Re-registration
• School Supplies 
• Join our PTO!   (
  English Flyer/
  Flyer Español
  ) 
• Donate to the Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation (MPAEF)   
• eScrip Signup  (English Flyer/
  Flyer Español
  )
• Class Lists (Posted August 16)
• Kindergarten Welcome Morning (August 21) 
• New Family Ice Cream Social, 1st-5th Grade only (August 21) 
• Otterwear 2013-14  (English Flyer/Flyer Español)
• Hot Lunch  (English Flyer/
  Flyer Español

  )
• Fall Family Picnic 
• After-School Programs  (English Flyer/
  Flyer Español) 
• Volleyball Registration   (English Flyer/
  Flyer Español
  )
• Noteworthy Art  (English Flyer/Flyer Español)

Also, please review the Parking & Pick-Up/Drop Off Line Procedures before the first day of school and check the SamTrans schedule.

This past June, you should have received an email from the Menlo Park City School District (MPCSD) with instructions for re-enrollment. This MUST be completed before school starts! If you did NOT receive the District Re-Enrollment information, please contact registrar@mpcsd.org (preferred) or 650-321-7140 x5600 with your name and your child's name, school and grade.

As Mr. Ackerman mentioned in his letter, the Menlo Park City Council has approved a new "Safe Routes to Oak Knoll School Plan".  All of the information can be found in the Safe Routes to School section of the website. However, there are some very important changes you need to be aware of for the first day of school. 

There is a strict NO PARKING and NO STOPPING policy in the following areas on school days during both DROP-OFF and PICK-UP:

• On both sides of Oak Knoll Lane between Oak Avenue and White Oak Drive 
• On both sides of White Oak Drive between Oak Knoll Lane and Oakfield Lane
• On both sides of Oakfield Lane
• On both sides of Oak Avenue between Lemon Street and Sand Hill Road
• There will be no parking from 7:45-8:15am AND 2:30-3:15pm and 1:00-1:45pm on Thursdays 

Below are two maps of the area around the school.  

• If you are planning on biking to school, the "Safe Routes to Oak Knoll"
  have been mapped out on the first map in dark blue.  Where possible, please direct your children to take these routes as they get closer to school.  
• If you are driving to school, the new no parking areas are mapped out on the second map.  The red line highlights the new no parking areas, the blue line highlights the areas where no parking is already enforced and will continue to be enforced.  
• Please take time to review the Safe Routes to School document so that you are familiar with the new parking locations and leave yourself plenty of time on the first few days of school to get used to your new routine.  

 

 

School Supply Kits that were pre-ordered in the Spring will be available for PICK-UP AT SCHOOL on Tuesday, August 20 from 11:00am-2:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm, in the Playroom.

School supply lists have been standardized by grade level this year. Please note that Kindergarten (excluding K-2 multi classes) does not have a list as school supplies will be provided by the school.  

Remember to shop at the Village Stationer as they have all the school supply lists for Oak Knoll and don't forget to mention Oak Knoll at checkout so that the PTO receives a percentage of your purchase.

Welcome to the 2013-14 school year!

I hope you are enjoying the Summer and that you and your children are looking forward to getting the school year started.  Last year, parents, grandparents and friends of the school volunteered over 4,000 hours in the classrooms, on the playground, on field trips, at OK community events, serving lunch, in the library...you get the picture.  You are an integral part of the Oak Knoll Community and we appreciate every hour you spend!

• If you haven't volunteered as yet or are looking for new opportunities this year, please attend the Back-to-School Coffee in the gym on Thursday, August 22 after drop off where you will have the opportunity to talk with Committee Chairs and sign up for committees.  A full list of PTO Committees and activities is available on the PTO Committees page of the Oak Knoll School Website. 
• Back-to-School Checklist - Please read through this thoroughly as it contains a lot of important information to help you get organized for August 22.  
• Back-to-School Night will be on Thursday, August 29.  This is an opportunity for you to meet with your child's teacher and sign up for any classroom specific volunteer opportunities.  
• We hope your family can attend the Fall Family Picnic to be held on Friday, September 20 from 5:00-7:00pm.  The entire family is invited to join us on the black top for dinner, games and lots of family fun.  
• Make sure you order your Otterwear early this year.  We are only taking orders at the start of school year and we have some fantastic new items.

Are You IN? - As in the years past, the Oak Knoll PTO and the Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation (MPAEF) are working together to make Oak Knoll the best it can be for our kids.  When you support the PTO, you make possible curriculum enrichment, field trips, community building events, and well-supplied classrooms.  When you support the MPAEF, you are putting more teachers in our schools - both in the classroom and in specialized areas such as art, music, drama, library and science.  These are what make a real difference in your child's day and, ultimately, in their education.  Please support these organizations today:  PTO donations are due by September 26 and donations, pledges and payments to the MPAEF are due by November 21.

All of this is possible because families like yours support the Oak Knoll PTO and the MPAEF.  Please give in any way that is meaningful to your family and if you are able, please consider sponsoring additional students.    

In the meantime, enjoy your last days of Summer break and I look forward to seeing you at Oak Knoll on Thursday, August 22.

Best,

Tracy Watt

2013-14 Oak Knoll PTO President

Email:     oakknollptopresident@gmail.com

Website: http://oakknoll.mpcsd.org

Para leer en español, haga clic aquí­. 

The Oak Knoll PTO & the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation Are Working Together For Oak Knoll 

The Oak Knoll PTO and the Foundation are two vital organizations that make Oak Knoll such a special place for our kids.  When you support the PTO at $250 per child and the MPAEF at $1500 per child this is the difference you make in their education:

Donate online to support these organizations today.  Thank you for your support!

Sign up for eScrip and Earn Free Money for Our Schools!

Between August 14 and September 10, participating merchants, including Draegers and Safeway are giving 10% of your purchase price to the MPAEF!

Participating is easy! Register any of your existing grocery loyalty, debit and credit cards at eScrip and then just shop! 

You can even track your purchases online, allowing you to see just how much you're earning on your child's behalf! 

For more information, click here. 

Come to Oak Knoll with your Kinder to see your classroom, meet your teacher and find new friends.  Lemonade and cookies will be served.  

Check-in times for the events are as follows:

09:20 - Classes K3 & K4
09:40 - Class K5
10:00 - Multi-Age classes

The Fall 2013 Kindergarten Welcome Committee is looking for 20 incoming 5th grade volunteers to help guide incoming Kindergarteners on Wednesday, August 21 from 9:00 - 11.:00am. This is a wonderful chance to serve as special ambassadors of our school and spread the Oak Knoll Otter spirit! 

Please contact kinderwelcome@oakknollschool.com to join the fun. 

Thursday, August 21, 1:30-3:00 Upper Playground at school - All "new" incoming 1st through 5th grade families are invited to attend a family informational meeting, meet other Oak Knoll families, and have some ice cream!  

Please RSVP to Kelly Slaughter.

Beginning August 27, 2013 the Menlo Park City School District will serve milk every school day. Students may buy milk for $50 per school year.

If you would like to sign up for the student milk program, do one of the following:

1) Go to PaySchools to sign up and pay online. OR

2) If you would like to pay by check please download and fill out the Student Milk Program form, attach your check, and turn it in to the school office the first week of school.

Please note that if you plan to order Hot Lunch through the district vendor, Choicelunch, they offer a drink (including milk) with each lunch.

Get your Oak Knoll clothing here!  Brand new designs this year featuring everyone's favorite school mascot, Ollie the Otter! To see samples of these fantastic items, pop by the office and pick up an order form, or check them out here.  

All items are available in youth and adult sizes. Order online with PayPal now.  

All orders due Monday, September 9, so don't delay. 

For questions, contact Tracy Roeder.

Kick-off the school year with the annual Fall Family Picnic.  Please save the date for Friday, September 20 from 5:00-7:00pm.  Check the Otter Weekly next Sunday to purchase tickets or once school starts, stop by the office and pick up a form. 

Come join Oak Knoll's After School Program! 

Classes are held right at Oak Knoll.  Details and the complete schedule is posted here. Or take a look at the flyer.  Sign up soon!  Enrollment is limited in many programs.  

Fall session runs from September 16 - December 13 

Fall class additions: 

• Starfire Math - problem solving and critical thinking activities, and learning techniques to manipulate numbers in their head to solve problems without the need for a calculator. 
• Bulldog Sports & Fitness - Athletes will be introduced to speed and agility drills, as well as basic resistance training principles and techniques. Also a flag football class with an emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship, and fun. 
• Public Speaking - Fun and engaging way to learn public speaking skills 
• Programming with Scratch - Learn to program in Scratch which is the "lego" of programming languages created at MIT. Fun and easy to learn. 

Continued Class Favorites: 

Wizbots, Designkidz, Madscience, Animation Studio, Basketball, Soccer, Dance, Engineering, Creative Writing, Choir, Chess, Hi-5 Sports, TGA Golf, Yoga, Play in a Box, Art, Engineering with Legos, Flag Football, Lacrosse, Mandarin, Spanish, Tennis, Video Game Design. 

Any questions, contact: 

Aarti Chandna or Kimberly Hartz-Foster  

4th/5th Girls Volleyball Registration

Don't forget that Noteworthy Art will be happening in September. Your child will be drawing their artwork in class and orders will be taken in October, and delivery will occur before the winter break. For more info on this great school fundraiser and to see a sample, click here.

As your kids go back to school, come join us in these great parent education opportunities for all Menlo Park district families. 

Project Cornerstone: Take It Personally Parent Ed Class 

Encinal School, Small Multi

Thursdays, September 12 - October 17

8:45 - 10:15 am

Parents, grandparents or any Menlo Park resident is welcome to attend this six-week class. Past participants have discovered practical parenting strategies, inspiration and a new community of parenting allies. For more information, contact Robin Soran.

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