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Oak Knoll PTO
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Otter Weekly
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November 10, 2013
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Monday, November 11
Tuesday, November 12
- MPCSD Special Board Meeting, O'Connor Community Input Meeting: 8:30-10:30am, Laurel School Multi-Use Room
- PTO Board Meeting: 8:15am, Staff Room
- ELAC Parent Education Evening: 5:30-7:45pm
Wednesday, November 13 - Friday, November 15
- Food Drive, Caring and Sharing and OK Cub Scouts from Pack 222
- MPAEF Board Meeting: 8:45-10:45am, TERC
- Spirit Day: Dress goofy with crazy hair and fun clothes!
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- MPAEF Pledge and Payments Drive ends
Thursday, November 21 - Friday, November 22
Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29
- NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving break
Monday, December 2 - Thursday, December 5
- Minimum Days: All grades dismissed at 11:20am
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Do Not Stop or Park in "No Stopping/No Parking" Zones
We have noticed that several cars are stopping and parking in the "no parking & no stopping" areas at school. We need to stress that you jeopardize the safety of the bikers and pedestrians when you do this.
You will be cited by the Menlo Park Police if you are parking during the restricted times as posted on the street signs.
Please remind your caregivers of the no parking & no stopping times since they may not be aware of this if they only come at dismissal time. Using the car line is a safe alternative if you don't want to walk into school. We have teachers at the front of school along car line supervising the children while they are waiting to be picked up.
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The PTO Caring and Sharing Committee and Oak Knoll Cub Scouts from Pack 222 are sponsoring the "Scouting for Food" food drive during morning drop-off Wednesday, November 13 to Friday, November 15.
Scouts will be collecting your donations of canned and packaged food for donation to Second Harvest and other local charities. The food bank especially needs nutritious, non-perishable, single-serving foods (no glass containers) for use in programs for children although all donations can be utilized. You can also make a monetary donation at shfb.org/donate.
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MPAEF Pledge and Payments Drive
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We Need 506 Families to Reach 80% Participation!
Your support of the MPAEF's Annual Parent Campaign directly impacts every aspect of your children's school day - from the number of kids in their class, to their exposure to music and art education, from the fact that they have a credentialed librarian at their school, to the reality that their teachers are able to fund innovative programs in the classroom and at the school. All of this is possible because our families make a commitment to great education by making a commitment to the MPAEF. Only 11 days to go to the close of our campaign. We are asking all of our families to pledge or donate at a level that is meaningful to them. Together, we can continue the strong tradition of great public education in our District! Make your commitment today in any of these ways:
   Donated or Pledged Already? Stop by to get your Magnet! Oak Knoll's MPAEF School Team will be out in front of the multi on Thursdays before and after school so please stop by to get your magnet.
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Calling All 5th Grade Yearbook Cover Artists!
Your child has the opportunity to have their artwork on the front or back cover of the 2013-2014 Oak Knoll Yearbook. This week, all 5th graders should receive initial guidelines from Mr. Almquist during art class.
Below are the guidelines:
- Use an 8.5 x 11" piece of white paper (with a vertical orientation)
- Include the name of the school, Oak Knoll, in the drawing
- Include Ollie the Otter, the school's mascot, somwhere in the drawing. He can be very large or very tiny...
- Include the School Year, 2013-2014, in the drawing
- Include your First and Last names on the bottom, right-hand side of the drawing (Drawings can't be judged if this is missing)
- No violence or brands in the drawing
- Artwork is due to the homeroom teacher NO LATER than Tuesday, November 26
- All fifth grade teachers will have a large, manilla, envelope in their classrooms where the children will deliver their finished artwork. As prior years, the artwork will be judged by Mr. Almquist, Mr. Ackerman and Mrs. Gracia. Winners will be announced when the yearbooks are delivered at the end of the school year.
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Oak Knoll's 2013-2014 Yearbook is on-sale through December 31. Please order online. Specify your child's(ren) grade and teacher for each book. Books are $20 each and a great way to keep Oak Knoll memories alive for your kids. Please contact Rhonda Bucklin if ordering online is not an option. Again, we want to eliminate or minimize paper payments.
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Parent Education Night and ELAC meeting - This Wednesday
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All English Learner (EL) and OKCO families are invited to a Parent Education night on Wednesday, November 13, from 5:30-6:15pm. The Parent Education night is for families of transitional kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade students only. After the Parent Education night we will enjoy pizza. Please RSVP to Cheryl Marelich at (650) 854-4433 ext 4138 or cmarelich@mpcsd.org.
The English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) meeting for ALL English Learner (EL) families will also be Wednesday, November 13 from 6:45-7:45pm. Come early to meet new families and enjoy some pizza! Childcare will be available at both events. Please RSVP to Cheryl Marelich at (650) 854-4433 ext 4138 or cmarelich@mpcsd.org.
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Spirit Day - This Friday!
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Attention Otters: November 15 is spirit day. Do you have the Confidence to dress goofy? Come with crazy hair and fun clothes. Celebrate who you are and Stand Out in the crowd! We will also have a Fun Spirit Rally in the Gym with KNOL live!
Please check out my newly updated Counselor's Corner webpage. It includes my contact details, the days I am at Oak Knoll, and information about the current book of the month.
Nicole Scott,
School Counselor
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Coming Soon - MPAEF "Chic Boutique" November 21 & 22 benefiting our school
This is the LAST WEEK to make a date to have brunch/lunch and do some seasonal shopping while benefiting our schools. The "Chic Boutique" at the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park has seatings available but they are going fast! Click here now to make your reservations . Advanced reservations are required by November 15. Entry is free during Boutique hours on Friday, November 22 from 8:30 to 2:30 pm. Bring your friends and neighbors.
Specialty vendors include Janet Falkner Designs, M&M Bling, Mindy Rosenberg Floral, Bubble, Man Crates and Poco Dolce Chocolates. But wait, there are more! See the full list of fabulous vendors click here. If you would like to volunteer, we would love to have you! Contact Carolyn Bowsher. All proceeds go toward the Foundation's annual grant to the MPCSD.
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2nd Grade Girls - Interested in Brownie Girl Scouts?
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A new 2nd grade Brownies troop is forming and is inviting new girls! It will be meeting monthly on Tuesdays right after school from 3:00-4:00. If your daughter is interested in joining Girl Scouts this year, please contact Allison Chao, Oak Knoll Girl Scouts Liaison, at ajchao@gmail.com.
For more info about Girl Scouts, please go to: www.girlscoutsnorcal.org.
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Speech and Debate Program
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The Speech and Debate program is being taught to all third grade students at Laurel, Encinal, and Oak Knoll this school year. It is run by a Speech and Debate expert who has extensive experience with elementary students. The instructor, Brier Buchalter, works in each third grade classroom weekly alongside the core teacher, utilizing the benefits that the small class setting provides.
For more information check out this flyer.
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Hillview-sponsored Parent Ed Monthly Series - Upcoming Events
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:
Sleepy Students, The Adolescent Circadian Shift
Devin Prouty, Ph.D., Researcher/Expert
Wednesday, January 6 at 6:30pm at the Hillview Performing Arts Center (PAC).
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M-A Parent Education Series
The M-A Parent Education Series offers a unique, school-wide program designed to educate parents about critical issues related to the academic, physical, mental and social-emotional health of their students. For more information and a detailed description of each event, please click here.
Next Event: "Under Pressure: Helping Your Teen Find Balance, Reduce Stress, and Build Resilience" with Lisa Medoff, Ph.D., Stanford University. Panel Q & A with Linda Silvius, Project Cornerstone
Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Refreshments from 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.
M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Lisa Medoff is a developmental psychologist who specializes in adolescent mental health. She teaches courses on adolescent development in the Program in Human Biology at Stanford University and is research consultant for Acknowledge Alliance (formerly The Cleo Eulau Center), where she provides workshops and trainings on social and emotional issues. Her books include the Stressed Out Students Guide To series and Resilience in the Classroom: Helping Students with Special Needs.
Ticket Registration: https://underpressure2013ma.eventbrite.com/
This event is free and sponsored by the M-A PTA and the Sequoia Healthcare District. Parents, students, and SUHSD community members welcome.
Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be offered.
For information, please contact Charlene Margot, Parent Education Series Program Director, at cmargot@csmconsulting.net or 650-868-0590.
For Spanish, contact Lilly Quinonez, Parent Center Coordinator, 650-322-5311, Ext. 5255
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Project Cornerstone's Take It Personally Class - Winter Session
Register now for the winter Take It Personally class. This six week series starts on January 7 and ends on February 11. The class is from 7:00-8:30pm. To register email Robin Soran or visit the MPCSD Parent Ed website for more information.
For a complete listing of all the parent education events in and around our community, please visit the district's ParentEd webpage.
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SPORTS, CLASSES, ETC.
Little Pim - Language Learning Program for Children ages 0 to 6. Now there's Mango for even the youngest language enthusiasts! Mango Languages partnered with Little Pim to create an online language learning system for ages 0-6. It's the fun, easy, and effective way for kids to learn a foreign language. Just like the rest of the Mango system, it's free and accessible anywhere you get online, right through the library website! Try it now from our library webpage at menloparklibrary.org.
Softball registration open for Spring 2014! RCGSL offers a coach pitch/tee ball division for 7 year old beginners and players as young as 5, and a girl/coach pitch division for players 8 years and under. More advanced defensive play and rules are introduced in the 10U and 12U divisions. RCGSL is very similar to the M-A Little League in its organization and size. Each division includes 6-10 teams, allowing for intra-league games, including play-offs for 10U and 12U divisions. Players interested in playing more competitively can try out in May for the summer travel teams (Wicked program), similar to select or all-star teams. The RCGSL home is Woodside High School, a few minutes from Menlo Park and Atherton. Registration is open with early registration discount through 12/1/13. For more information, visit us at www.rcgsl.org, or email Laurel and Hillview mom, Celine Sanie, at registration@rcgsl.org.
Free Family Yoga Classes @ Athleta in Town & Country. YogiBirds led by Encinal mom, Robin Soran, as we learn and practice yoga poses, play yoga-themed games, and wind down together at the end so that grown-ups and kids alike feel relaxed and refreshed. Classes are for children ages 2-5 and their family members or caregivers. Classes will be from 9-9:45am on Wednesdays Nov. 6th, 13th, 20th at the Athleta Store in Town and Country Village in Palo Alto. On November 27th, we will have a special, all ages family class from 9-9:45am. Registration is limited to the first 15 families that sign up. To register email, yogibirds@yahoo.com.
Palo Alto Girls Softball. Registering players ages 5 to 16 for the 2014 season. Our Spring recreational league has an emphasis on participation, instruction and safety, and lots of games, with pre-season clinics and special programs for beginners. Our youngest players begin with T-ball and grow and develop with us to meet the challenges of competitive fast pitch softball (we are a part of the Amateur Softball Association). Please join us for an exciting - and fun - 2014 season. Those who register by November 28 can take advantage of our $20 Early Bird discount. Scholarship assistance is available. For more information and to register, visit http://www.paloaltogirlssoftball.org/.
EVENTS Children's Holiday Party. Sunday December 8, 2013: 12:30 to 3:00pm, Allied Arts Guild Sunset Room, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. Exciting Holiday Entertainment for children ages 4-9. For more information and to purchase a $25 ticket with a check made payable to Friends of Allied Arts (FAA), please contact Sally Knorp, 1000 Trinity Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Mark your calendar and come shop for favorite books!
Dates: Tuesday, November 12th - Friday, November 15th
Time: 7.30 am - 4 pm
Where: La Entrada, in MUR, across the from school office
Cost: $1, $3, $5, $8
Cash and checks only accepted
100% of the proceeds go directly the La Entrada PTA For more information on events/opportunities listed above or events listed in prior newsletters, visit the District's Community Links page. |
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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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To read past Oak Knoll PTO newsletters, please visit our archives.
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