Oak Knoll PTO
Otter Weekly
 September 15, 2013
In This Issue
To Do

This Week


Monday, September 16
  • FREE bike inspection: 7:30-8:30am, bike rack near Gym
  • Noteworthy Art begins 
Tuesday, September 17
Tuesday, September 17 - Wednesday, September 18
  • Picture Days 
Wednesday, September 18
  • Balclutha Trip, Murphy:  11:00am - 10:00am next day
Friday, September 20

Looking Ahead


Monday, September 23 - Tuesday, September 24
  • Golden Gate National Recreation Area Trip, 3-5 Multi-Age: 7:15am on 9/23 - 5:00pm on 9/24 (next day)
Tuesday, September 24
  • Filoli Trip, Guerra:  9:15am - 1:00pm
  • Los Troncos Trip, Veneman and Fuller: 9:00 - 11:45am
Wednesday, September 25
  • Balclutha Trip, Becker/Emmert:  11:00am - 10:00am next day
Thursday, September 26
Wednesday, October 2 - Friday, October 4
  • Caring and Sharing Halloween Costume Drive
 
 
See the Oak Knoll calendar for more important dates and events.


An Afternoon Car Line Suggestion from Mr. Ackerman and Mrs. Gracia!

We have been observing the car line and noticed that the street traffic backs all the way up to Oakdell before the dismissal bell rings. We would like to suggest arriving to the car line at 3:00 instead of coming early to get in line. By 3:05 the car line moves quickly because the students are out in front of the school ready to load. We have supervision out in front of the school to watch the students until every student is picked up. Overall, we are happy with the car line improvements. The car line time has been cut in half and runs more smoothly.

 

Thanks for your support.

 
Fall Family Picnic - Last Chance to Buy Your Tickets!!!!

Please join us for the Fall Family Picnic Friday, September 20 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Hurry, 

LAST DAY TO SIGN UP IS TUESDAY! No walk ups!

 

To buy tickets online, please click here. Or print off and fill in the order form (o formulario de pedido espa�ol) and put it in the Fall Family Picnic folder in the school office before September 17.

 

We need volunteers to help monitor games, serve food, and check in families.  Sign up here  and contact Tara Carranza with any questions.

 
Say Cheese!

Oak Knoll Picture Days are scheduled for Tuesday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 18. All students will be photographed by iClick. You will be able to view and order photos on line about 10 days after photo day. 

 

Questions for the photographer? Please call iClickSmiles at 1-888-298-0744 or email them at [email protected]

 

Click here for the Oak Knoll Class Schedule.

  

Parking/Stopping Reminder

For the safety of ALL of our students, please do not drop off or pick up your children in the NO STOPPING/NO PARKING zones around school.  This behavior creates a very real hazard for bikers and pedestrians by putting your car directly in their path of travel, sometimes suddenly. Please consider using the carline to drop off/pick up your child instead; it is more safe for ALL of our students.   

 

FREE Bike Inspection - Tomorrow

There will be a FREE bike inspection provided in front of Oak Knoll this Monday, September 16 before school, 7:30-8:30 am. 

 

Come by the bike rack area and let the professional mechanics from Menlo Velo look over your child's ride. They will check brakes, pump up tires, adjust helmets, and provide a general safety check. Due to popular demand, bike inspections will be limited to student bikes. The first 20 participants will receive a special bike prize!  Dates for subsequent inspections are September 25 and October 4.  Questions can be sent to Janet Bellantoni.

  

After School Programs - Begin Tomorrow

After School Programs begin this Monday, September 16.  

 

There is still time to sign up for some of the classes.  Please sign up here.  Feel free to contact us with any questions: Aarti Chandna, Kimberly Hartz Foster 

 

  

Bike Rodeo/Traffic Safety Education - 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades

On Tuesday, September 17 and Friday, September 20 our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students will be participating in our annual Oak Knoll Bike Rodeo / Traffic Safety Education Program. This event is presented and staffed by Safe Moves. Our basketball court will be transformed into a mini-city consisting of streets, sidewalks, intersections, crosswalks, traffic signals, traffic signs, trucks, buses and a railroad track with signals, crossing gate and train.

 

The purpose of our "Rodeo" to simulate the diverse traffic environments and to create situations that provide experiences related to bike and pedestrian safety skills. Students can ride their bikes or walk through the course.

 

Bikers should bring their own bike and helmet on their assigned day. Safe Moves does provide bikes for students to borrow. This is not a learn-to-bike event; bikers must be responsible and have good control while riding.

 

Students in grades K to 2nd will be attending a pedestrian and bicycle safety assembly and participating in school wide activities over the next few weeks. Please talk with you children about the importance of properly fitting one's helmet, stopping at stop signs, and riding single file on their way to and from school.

 

Class Schedule:

Tuesday, 9/17 - Tom, Cline, Sanchez, Coldoff, Austin, Bartlett, McColloch, Fuller

Friday, 9/20 - Murphy, Nulman, Becker/Emmert, Veneman, Yo, Bouret, Guerra, Clancy

 

  

Noteworthy Art - Drawing Begins This Week

Your child will be drawing his or her individual artwork in class for Noteworthy Art some time in the next two weeks.  Now is the perfect time to help your child come up with creative ideas for their artwork.  A great design leads to nice gift opportunities and a special keepsake that you and your child will love!  Your child's drawing will be reproduced on high quality notecards and packaged with envelopes in sets of 12.

 

A proof and order form will come home in October and the Noteworthy Art cards will be delivered before the holidays.  If you have questions about this exciting Oak Knoll PTO fundraiser, please contact Annie Peterson, Betsy Muhlner, Karen Wang or Mary Karen Lundh

  

Otter Mileage Club News

"Staying Healthy One Step at a Time!"

 

Otter Mileage Club is free and students can join any time. We run every morning Monday through Friday 7:55am to 8:10am, and every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12:00 to 1:00pm. Be sure to have your student wear shoes that are appropriate for running and a water bottle so they can stay hydrated. We will not run if it is raining or when school is not in session.

 

The benefits are priceless! Run, skip, walk, leap, or hop as many laps as you can and earn prizes and incentives! Did you know starting the day with physical activity, gives your child a jump start on learning. For more information on physical activity and the brain / learning please visit http://www.sparkinglife.org.

 

Every running session your child will fill out a 'ticket'. For every lap completed the ticket is punched by an adult volunteer on the track. These are counted and put into a database. We keep track of all laps completed at school (PE, Otter Mileage Club, and classroom laps). Students receive incentives for each 5 miles (30 laps) completed and each month there are a variety of themed incentives. September is apples. 

 

Can parents get involved? Absolutely! If you can help monitor the track, punch lap tickets, count weekly tickets, or help hand out incentives. Please fill out the volunteer form and return to Sarah Westfall or email [email protected]  (Subject Line: Otter Mileage Volunteer.) We are using Sign-up Genius for Scheduling. You will receive information and a link for noontime scheduling. 

  

Oak Knoll PTO and Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation

 

Ten Reasons to Support Your Oak Knoll PTO and the MPAEF

  

10.  Library books and our librarian, Ms. Bennion:  Not only do our kids love going to library, it is good for them!

 

9.  Community-building events:  They're fun for the whole family and help make our Oak Knoll community stronger.

 

8.  School communications:  Helping you keep on top of everything with the weekly newsletter, District directory, website, and other types of communications throughout the school year.

 

7.  Classroom supplies and teacher resources:  Our teachers and staff are so appreciative off all that we do to help them so that they can remain focused on their top priority - the kids.

  

6.  Lunchtime programs:  Sports supervision and teacher-directed clubs allow kids to explore different activities during their free time.

  

5.  Art:  There may be a future Picasso at Oak Knoll thanks to Mr. Almquist.

  

4.  Science:  Most parents can't answer all of the "why" questions, which is why we have Mrs. Solomon. Plus, science is just plain fun for kids!

  

3.  Music:  Did you know that children who have received music instruction scored higher marks on tests of their spatial and arithmetic skills?  Mrs. Tee, Ms. Knight and Ms. Chiet's music classes are more than just a fun class for your child!

  

2.  Field Trips and assemblies:  What students learn in the classroom is reinforced in other meaningful ways.

  

1.  More classroom teachers:  Keeping our class sizes down helps build the relationship between the teachers and their students.

  

Imagine your child's day without these people, programs and events. It just wouldn't be Oak Knoll! All of this exists because of your support of the PTO and the MPAEF.

   

 

Click here to support Oak Knoll PTO                 Click here to support the MPAEF                   

  

 

  

 

  

  

  

  

 

PTO Membership Team                                                                  MPAEF School Team 

Cyndy Hogan                                                                                     Jennifer Levey

Kathy Motamedi                                                                                 Dimitra Anderson

Tamara Russel                                                                                   Linda Knoll

Meg Scherer                                                                                       Sharon Purcell

Jill Wurster                                                                                          Ashley Honerkamp

Tracy Watt

 

   

Ollie Salutes

A huge thank you to all the wonderful NEW Oak Knoll families who came out to join us on Wednesday evening at the New Family Social and a high five to Cyndy and Joe Hogan who opened their home to us for this wonderful event.  We had our first FREE bike inspection on Tuesday and lots of families turned up to take advantage of this great opportunity.  Thank you to Rainer Zaechelein of our local bike store Menlo Velo, for tuning up our bikes and to Janet Bellantoni, Katie Behroozi and Annette Lewis for organizing the events.  Ollie is happy to see that everyone is taking bike safety seriously and you have another opportunity to get your bikes checked tomorrow, Monday September 16th.  

 

Ollie Says:  Parents - don't forget to wear your helmets too! 

 

Yard Duty Position Available

Oak Knoll/MPCSD is looking to hire one playground supervisor at 0.75 hrs/day (lunch duty) from 12:15-1:00pm,  Monday-Friday.

 

Employee will be placed on the 2013-14 Classified Salary Schedule. If you are interested in applying, please contact the Oak Knoll School Office. 

 

Car Line

To help keep the flow of cars moving, please observe the following:

  • HAVE BACKPACKS ON KIDS' LAPS (not in car trunks) - have kids ready to release their seat belt with backpacks in-hand (and musical instruments ready, if any) once you come to a full stop
  • PULL ALL THE WAY FORWARD - we need to fill the entire car line with cars
  • DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR - we have staff and parents who will open your car door for you
  • DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR UNATTENDED - if you need to have a long goodbye with your child, you should park and walk-in to school
  • KIDS SHOULD EXIT CURB-SIDE - move car seats to the curb-side of your car if needed - it is unsafe for kids to exit the car into traffic

Contact your Classroom Room Parent today to sign up for your class' assigned duty.  Have questions about morning car line?  Contact Betsy Muhlner.


No Dogs on Campus Please!

Friendly reminder for dog lovers - Please do not bring your dog on to campus during drop-off or pick-up times.  This includes the bike rack area.  Many of our children are afraid of dogs or allergic to dogs. Even a friendly pet on a leash can cause some children to become alarmed. Thank you for your understanding.  

 

ParentEd

Parent Book Club 

Please join Nicole Scott, School Counselor and Jenny Ryan, School Psychologist, for a Parent book club at Kepler's.  The meeting dates will be Wednesday mornings from 9:30 - 10:30am, starting October 2 and running for six weeks (Nov. 6th).  The book we are reading this time is Free Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) by Lenore Skenazy. The book club is open to all district parents, but space is limited, so please RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected] if you would like to attend.

 

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Hillview-sponsored Parent Ed Monthly Series
Hillview is providing free childcare at these events. Click here for the complete Speaker Series program. If you have any questions, email Jessica Raines.

 

Next Event: Yes! Gender Matters!! 
Leonard Sax, M.D., Ph.D., Author/Physician. 
Tuesday, October 22 at 6:30pm. 
Hillview Performing Arts Center (PAC)

  

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M-A Parent Education Series

Next Event: "College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step" with Robin Mamlet and Christine VanDeVelde.  Introduction by Alice Kleeman, M-A College Advisor.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Refreshments from 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.

M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC)

Click here for tickets.  Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be offered.

   

 

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

    

Community News

EVENTS

The Menlo Park Library Pumpkin Carving Contest.  Saturday, October 26 at 2:00pm.  The Menlo Park Library will host a Pumpkin Carving Contest for teens with pumpkins provided. Contact: Michelle Burnham, (650) 330-2530.  Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA. 

 

The Menlo Park Library Book Club.  Saturday, October 19 and Saturday, November 16 from 3:00-4:30pm.  To register, please send email to Irish Atajar at [email protected].  Contact:  Michelle Burnham (650) 330-2530.  Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA 94025.  

  

SPORTS, CLASSES, AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES 

Cub Scouts - Oak Knoll.  Thursday, September 26th from 6:30 - 7:30 - Parent Orientation

Come found out what adventures are in store with Pack 222 at our first pack meeting featuring the Lizard Lady for all 1st-5th grade boys and a parent orientation for new families at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (come find us in Fellowship Hall). A new den for Oak Knoll 1st graders will be forming after this meeting.  If you have further questions, please email [email protected] or visit the Pack 222 website.

 

Volleyball Clinic by the M-A Girls Volleyball Teams.  September 27 for 4th, 5th and 6th graders.  October 4 for 8th graders.  All 4th - 8th graders welcome to participate in the Fall 2013 community clinic fundraiser. Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to engage with positive role models and strengthen your volleyball skills! All proceeds go to the M-A Girls Volleyball program. Visit www.bearsathletics.org for more information.  Register here.
 

Ragazzi Boys Chorus Auditions. By appointment through September; 178 Clinton St, Redwood City.  Call to schedule a no-stress audition for boys ages 7-10; no previous singing experience or prepared piece required.  Ragazzi offers a complete music education which progresses through a proven, award-winning choral program.  Appointments: Click here,  call (650) 342-8785 or email [email protected].  More info in this flyer and this YouTube channel.

 

Ragazzi's Music and Movement.  For 5-7 year old Boys on Mondays, Sept. 16 - Nov. 18. Location: 178 Clinton St, Redwood City.  $200 per 10-week session; early-bird and sibling discounts. Contact: email [email protected], or call (650) 342-8785Register & more info here.
 

Emotion Regulation Research at Stanford.  Participants with Autism, ADD/ADHD and Controls Needed. We are currently conducting a research study at Stanford University on emotion regulation and reactivity among children with and without an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and typically developing participants. We are recruiting children with ASD, ADD/ADHD and typically developing children between the ages of 8 and 22. The study consists of up to 4 sessions and participants will be reimbursed $30 for each session and an additional $30 if the online components (questionnaires and a daily emotion journal) are completed. The total potential cash reimbursement is up to $160. US Citizens only (must have social security number to receive payment). Please contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in having your child participate

 

SmartFit Kids at Menlo Swim and Sport.  Open Monday - Thursday, 3:30-5:30pm.  Acclaimed for coaching excellence, Menlo Swim and Sport's SmartFit Kids is an after-school homework and tutoring program that provides academic coaching and homework oversight for students from 1st - 5th grades. Visit our website for more details. 

   
  

For more information on events/opportunities listed above or events listed in prior newsletters, visit the District's Community Links page.
     
Quick Links

Oak Knoll Website  
     
  Oak Knoll Calendar            MPAEF Website 
         MPCSD Website

Newsletter Submissions
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 dateGuidelines for submission are available online. 

Newsletter Archives
To read past Oak Knoll PTO newsletters, please visit our archives.