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Oak Knoll PTO
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Otter Weekly
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March 9, 2014
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Tuesday, March 11
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MPAEF Board Meeting: 8:45-10:45am, TERC
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Cantor Arts Center Trip, Cotter/Wood: 8:45-11:00am
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Signed forms and check due for 5th Grade Outdoor Education Program
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Walking Field Trip to Hillview, Wizard of Oz, All Grades
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Panoramic Photos for 5th Grade and Multi-Age
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Cantor Arts Center Trip, Hogan/Howard: 8:45-11:00am
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Mission San Juan Bautista Trip, 3-5 Multi-Age: 8:15am-2:00pm
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Walt Disney Museum Trip, Johnston: 8:45am-1:00pm
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SF Zoo Trip, MLB Multi-Age: 8:45am-2:00pm
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Mayer Theater Trip, All Kindergarten: 9:45am-12:30pm
- Walt Disney Museum Trip, Brewbaker: 8:45am-1:00pm
Monday, March 24 - Friday, March 28
- San Juan Bautista Mission Trip, All 4th Grade: 8:15am-2:30pm
Tuesday, March 25 and Wednesday, March 26
Monday, March 31
- NO SCHOOL: Staff Development Day
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Oak Knoll Presents...Wizard of Oz!
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"We're off to see..." the most magical adventure of them all.
Follow the yellow brick road over the rainbow and into Hillview Middle School PAC, starring Oak Knoll 4th and 5th grade students. Produced and directed by Mrs Tee and Mr Hairston, drama teacher at Hillview, this stage show is an enchanting adaptation of the all time classic. Click your heels together and join all your favorite characters as you rediscover the magic of OZ in this fun-filled musical treat for all the family.
Event Dates : March 27 at 3.30pm and March 29 at 7:00pm.
Please note when purchasing tickets that Oak Knoll students will ONLY perform on these dates/times.
Buy Tickets Online here: $8 per adult / $5 per child
Please note: Hillview PAC seats 300 people. Seats are not assigned and are sold on a first come first serve basis. If either show sells out, up to 100 floor seats may be added and sold at the door.
Ticket sales will go towards covering all the major costs of production.
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5th Grade Outdoor Ed Forms Due This Friday
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5th grade parents need to have completed and signed Outdoor Ed forms turned in to your teachers, with the check, by this Friday, March 14. Make your check payable to MPCSD (not Oak Knoll).
If you have any questions about the Outdoor Education program, please feel free to contact their office or ours.
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Mark your calendar for another Safety Intervention Day!
Given the positive feedback from our last Safety Intervention Day, we are planning to do it again. Our goal is to remind the community that getting our students to school safely is our priority.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please come to the office on Wednesday, April 23 at 7:30am. We will distribute volunteers wearing traffic vests to as many intersections of our neighborhood as we can. Our hope is to have at least 15 volunteers.
If you can help us out on April 23, please email me at: kgracia@mpcsd.org
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5th Grade Fitness Test - Volunteers Needed
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5th Grade Fitness Testing will be held March 27, April 2, April 4
Volunteers are needed to help supervise and record student test scores for the 5th grade fitness test. Dr. Westfall needs 6 to 8 volunteers for each class. The test will be given in each of the 5th grade PE classes. This is the state mandated fitness test, the FitnessGram. If you can help, please click here to signup. Specific class time slots are as follows:
Tom (Multi-Age 5th grade): Thursday, March 27 - 12:30 to 1:15pm
Cline: Wednesday, April 2 - 8:15 to 9:00am
Becker / Emmert: Wednesday, April 2 - 9:00 to 9:45am
Nulman: Friday, April 4 - 8:15 to 9:00
Murphy: Friday, April 4 - 9:00 to 9:45
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Volunteer Opportunities - For School Year 2014-15
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Are you wondering how to get more involved at school? This post is for you!
The search for new volunteers is in full swing, but we haven't asked everyone in our community (yet!). If you have been looking for a way to get more involved at Oak Knoll but don't know where to start, keep reading! Whether you are looking for a lot of hours or a few hours we have a volunteer opportunity that is right for you.
Oak Knoll PTO Board - The nominating committee is currently looking for new Board members for the 2014-2015 school year. Please contact Allison Chao if you are interested in any of the board positions. Click here for additional information on what the Board positions entail.
Oak Knoll Committee Chairs - Did you know we have over 50 committees at Oak Knoll with a huge variety of different volunteer opportunities? Click here to read more about each committee. If you would like to volunteer on a committee but aren't sure what would be a good fit for you please contact Oak Knoll's Vice President Jill Wurster to discuss the positions available next year. Many of our committees have more than one chair, so talk with a friend and chair a committee together.
Otter Weekly Editor: This position entails coordinating with parents, staff and third parties connected to the school and District, and organizing/formatting of content for weekly electronic newsletters. No previous experience in editing or publishing is required, though basic computer skills are needed. For more information, please contact Kristi Rawlinson.
Webmaster: This position entails maintaining the school's website, gathering information to publish, and ensuring information is up to date. The position No previous experience in editing or publishing is required, though basic computer skills are needed. For more information, please contact Kristi Rawlinson.
Hillview PTO Volunteers - The Hillview PTO is looking for volunteers to serve on the PTO Board and in other key volunteer roles for the 2014 - 2015 school year. The Board, along with other parent volunteers, work with Hillview's administrative and teaching staff to create and support vital school programs and events. Check out the volunteer opportunities here. Get involved and become a part of the Hillview movement! Work up close with Mr. Burmeister and his amazing staff! Please email your nominations to volunteer@hillviewpto.org
District Council - The Menlo Park City School District Council is seeking candidates for its officer and administrative chair positions for 2014-2015 school year. Please click here for more details or contact Kate Kennedy.
There are so many ways to help our community and hopefully one of the options above will fit what you are looking for. If you have any questions on volunteering at Oak Knoll, please email our current PTO President, Tracy Watt, who will happily help you find that right opportunity.
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3rd Grade Speech and Debate Program
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3rd Grade Students and Parents:
Save the weekend of April 26-27 for Oak Knoll School's Speech and Debate Tournament!
More information, including registration, will be coming out soon.
If you are interested in joining our S&D Planning Committee, email Kristen Gracia.
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Update on Transportation Town Hall Meetings
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Click here to see the new "Community Response" document that outlines the issues raised in the Transportation Town Hall meetings in January, along with the responses and next steps by Atherton and Menlo Park as well as MPCSD. Thank you to all participants. And watch for more updates as progress continues. Questions? Email commutes@mpcsd.org.
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After School Programs - Bulldog Flag Football
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Bulldog Flag Football will be back at Oak Knoll this spring by popular demand! Click here for details. We can only take 30 kids per class so sign your child and their buddies up now to hold their spot! Kids will be divided into age appropriate groups.
Bulldog Flag Football = Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Leadership skills and FUN!
Coach Law and the Bulldog Team
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Thank you to all the friends and family members who came to Oak Knoll on Friday for our annual Friends and Family Day. Special thanks to the very organized Committee Chairs who kept the event running seamlessly from start to finish: Catherine Dacey, Elizabeth Lorenz and Alison Matthews. Many other volunteers helped out by setting up the room, organizing the ambassadors, registration and check in and clean up at the end. An Ollie high five goes to: Janelle McCombs, Eliza Dunn, Courtney Gillette, Siobhan Masteller, Teri Bettinger, Erin Dolinko, Christine Keefer, Tracy Watt, Gina Skinner, Mary Karen Lundh, Tamara Russel, Veneta Kanelakos, Kathy Maghool, Kelly Dixon, Jill Wurster, Beth Cobos, Chantal Ferrini, Carolyn Bowsher, Allison Chao, Jody Buckley, Patricia Champfailly, Marieke Arizini, Mark Baker, Steph & Sherwin Chen, Amy Thornborrow and Leigh Anne Bandet.
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California Distinguished School Award
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Earlier this school year, Oak Knoll School was invited by the California Department of Education to apply for the 2014 California Distinguished School Award. The 2014 program is directly focused on schools that have demonstrated educational excellence for all students and have successfully narrowed the achievement gap. Oak Knoll's application has been reviewed by a team of educators from across the state under the direction of the California Department of Education and is moving forward. On March 28 the Site Validation Team will be visiting Oak Knoll to validate the full implementation of the submitted Signature Practices.
For David Ackerman's full note and more information regarding this award please click here.
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Do You Want to Learn About the Impact of Design Thinking at Hillview?
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Lisa Solomon in conversation with Hillview School Principal Erik Burmeister
Wednesday, March 12, 7:00 p.m. at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park
Moments of Impact: How to Design Strategic Conversations that Accelerate Change
We're so pleased to welcome local Menlo Park resident Lisa Kay Solomon, coauthor of Moments of Impact, who will share insights from her new book in conversation with Hillview Middle School Principal Erik Burmeister.
This lively exchange will explore Principal Burmeister's unique approach to building conversations through the use of design thinking to engage students, teachers, parents and school board members. Lisa will use key practices from Moments of Impact to highlight the leadership choices and cultural conditions that spark new experiments in education and drive conversations with the potential to generate meaningful change in public schools.
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Do You Have Coding/Video Game Design Expertise?
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I am looking for a resource in the parent community to help me with a special project/intervention for some of the students I support. Does anyone have any expertise in Beginning Coding and/or video game design? Please contact me via email.
Thanks,
Jenny Ryan
Oak Knoll School Psychologist
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Counselor's Corner - Book of the Month for March
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During the month of March, all Grades will read In My Shoes. Grades 3-5 will also read Say Something and grades K-2 will read Juice Box Bully.
For more information about March's books of the month, please check out the Counselor's Corner webpage.
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Hillview-sponsored Parent Ed Monthly Series
Raising Happiness: Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids & Happier Parents
Wednesday, March 19 @ 6:30 pm in the Hillview PAC
Christine Carter, Ph.D., is a happiness expert, sociologist, and the author of RAISING HAPPINESS: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents. Best known for her weekly "Happiness Tips" and her happiness advice, Dr. Carter draws on psychology, sociology, and neuroscience, and uses her own chaotic and often hilarious real-world adventures to demonstrate happiness do's and don'ts in action.
Hillview is providing free childcare at these events. Click here for the complete Hillview Speaker Series program, and video recordings of past speakers. If you have any questions, email Jessica Raines.
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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Donated Already to the MPAEF? Thank You! Still Need to Donate? Please Do!
Everyone who donates has the chance to win a great prize
Already donated to the MPAEF? You have our sincere thanks! You are automatically eligible.
Haven't donated yet? Knowing that every dollar matters and with just 5 days to go, please show your support here and help us reach our 80% family participation goal! You could be the lucky winner!
All donations received by March 14 will be entered into a drawing for two tickets to the upcoming Spring Event & Auction (A Night in Monte Carlo!) on April 5, 2014 or four tickets to the Are You IN Run for Education on June 1, 2014. The winner of the drawing gets to choose their prize.
We still need 91 more families to reach 80% participation. The past two years, more than 80% of our families have shown their commitment and we know we can reach this milestone again. Together, we will support our children and our schools!
(Current MPAEF Board members are ineligible for the drawing. Only donations, not pledges, are eligible for the drawing.)
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AUCTION PREVIEW
Auction donations are in! Thanks to all who donated. We've got an impressive catalog of parties for kids and adults, unique experience and of course, the popular Getaways and Sports items. Here's a sneak peek at a few of those offerings:
- Thanksgiving week, Christmas week, or spring break at Squaw Valley
- Luxury oceanfront condo for a week in Cabo San Lucas
- Warriors floor seats and VIP parking for a game during the 2014-25 season
- Private Tour of the all new Levi Stadium led by former 49er, Guy McIntyre
- Kennolyn Family Weekend (August 22-24)
- Football clinics with the coach of the MA Bears and with former Stanford and NFL QB Chad Hutchinson
- And back for a second year, the Kids In Training category!
Key Dates
- Catalogs coming home in your child's backpack this week
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- On-campus raffle ticket sales March 24 - 28
- Online auction March 28 - April 3
Event Details
Saturday April 5, 2014 at the Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club
We hope to see you there!
Karen Dearing and Cyndy Hogan
2014 MPAEF Spring Auction Co-chairs
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Special Introduction and Thank You to MPAEF's newest Business/Realty Partner
 MPAEF would like to give special recognition to our new Business & Realty Partner DeLeon Realty. We are very excited to announce their groundbreaking contribution of $50,000 to the Foundation.
On behalf of the entire Menlo Park City School District community, MPAEF thanks DeLeon Realty for their historic donation and philanthropic leadership in support of our schools.
Ken DeLeon
Kim Heng
Michael Repka
Rachel Repka
Alex Seroff
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Thank You To Our New and Returning Business and Realtor Partners
Please support those businesses and realtors who support our schools! Thank you to these new 2013-14 business and realtor sponsors:
Business Partners
Blue Sky Outdoor
RGM and Associates
SRI International
Stanford Hospital & Clinics
Yoga Source
Cheeky Monkey Toys
Fishman Vision
Genesis Building Services
Habibi's Salon
Marshall Construction
Texture Hair Design
Realtor Partners
Elyse Barca, Pacific Union
Judy Citron, Alain Pinel Realtors
Keri Nicholas, Coldwell Banker
Anonymous, Coldwell Banker
Louise DeDera, Coldwell Banker
Colleen Foraker, Alain Pinel Realtors
Mary Gilles, Alain Pinel Realtors
Jennifer Gonzalez La'O, Oliver Luxury Real Estate
Michael Hall, Alain Pinel Realtors
Anonymous, Coldwell Banker
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Spring Break LegoŽ Camp
April 14 - April 18. At Oak Knoll Elementary Grades K-5. BrainVyne - Providers of LEGOŽ education: Spots are filling up fast! Scholarships are available - please complete the form by March 7th here. Register by the day or sign up for the entire week at a discounted price. See registration details here. Questions? 650-469-3409
Turning Craziness into Calmness: Avoiding Power Struggles (6 - 11 years).
Discover how to defuse your intensity so you can turn a potentially crazy time into a calm one. Learn from brain research the keys and solutions to your emotional turmoil. Take control of yourself so you can create the cooperative and harmonious family you desire. With Cynthia Klein, BA. Thu., Mar. 20, 7:00 - 9:00 pm. $40. Register here.
What To Do With The Mad You Feel
Tuesday, Mar. 25, 12:00 - 1:00 pm. FREE Webinar! (all ages). It's a myth that you can be a perfect parent and will always feel love toward your child. The reality is babies cry, you don't get enough sleep, toddlers say "no," kids disobey, and brothers and sisters fight. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, out of control, and, at times, angry. Anger is a normal reaction that can help us understand a situation we're in, but it can be hard to know how to deal with it so we don't hurt those we care most about. Explore perspectives on anger and self-control for both yourself and your child and learn ways to respond that leave everyone feeling better. With Claire Marie Beery, MA. Free, but preregistration required. Register here.
Estate Planning for Families with Special Needs
Wed., Mar. 26, 7:00 - 9:00 pm. FREE! Planning for the future is essential once we have children. A properly crafted estate plan can provide the protection your family needs if and when something happens to you. During this presentation, you will learn about the following topics: why and how to create a revocable living trust, the difference between a trust and a will, how to protect your children's inheritance, choosing the right trustee, nominating guardians for your minor children, planning if you become ill or disabled or if your extended family is overseas, and specialized planning if a child or loved one has special needs. With Ellen S. Cookman, attorney, Lakin Spears, LLP. Free, but preregistration is required. Register here.
Raising Your Only Child (2 - 8 years)
Thursdays, Mar. 27, and Apr. 3, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. $70 for two sessions.
We will discuss the joys and challenges of raising an only child and provide practical strategies to avoid spoiling, foster independence, and encourage positive social relationships. With Karen Friedland-Brown, MA. Register here.
Face processing Stanford Research
Stanford Vision lab is looking for participant for a research study on Face processing. We are currently looking for typically developing children from 7 to 12 years old as a control group for our research on Autism Spectrum Disorder. In our lab we record brain electrical activity in response to visual stimulation. The recording session will last about 1 hour including filling up forms and questioners requirement. We are located in Jordan Hall, we will provide a parking permit and a 20 dollars gift card. If you are interested in having your children participate and take a look at a real science lab, please contact me at fpei@stanford.edu.
Torch Basketball Academy TRYOUTS!
Sunday, March 16: 10am - 11am (check-in 9:30am). At Gunn High School. For more information please visit here. Torch is founded by ex Stanford player and Gunn High School girls varsity coach Melanie Murphy. We are committed to creating better people through better basketball regardless of skill level. Torch is looking for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade girls who are really looking to improve their skills, take their game to another level, and play on a tournament team.
After School Track Program
Registration Deadline is Friday, April 4. The after school track program is open to all Hillview students regardless of experience or perceived ability. The Hillview track team is a co-ed program for students in the 4th-8th grades (Oak Knoll and Encinal Students are welcome). There will be WORKOUTS and TRACK MEETSwhere students will compete in individual and team competitions with other neighboring schools (La Entrada/Corte Madera). This program is a developmental one that focuses on participants being introduced to various track and field events and improving personal skills. Events include: relays, 50 yd dash, 100 yard dash, 220, 440, 880, mile, hurdles, shot put, discus, high jump, long jump. Our well qualified coaching staff will be headed by La Entrada teacher, Tanya Rianda trianda@llesd.org, and includes Oak Knoll teachers, Michelle Tom, Hillview Basketball Coach Bob Beckstrom, as well as others. Students are expected to participate in these workouts and meets consistently. The 12 day schedule is as follows: Mon April 21/28, May 5/12/19,Tues May 27, Wed April 23/30 May 7/14/21/28, 6:00-7:30 @ Menlo Atherton High School (except May 12/14 will be Hillview School). Optional parent meeting on the MA track bleachers @7:30 following the first practice (4/21). We may also be invited to other optional meets (date/time TBA).
Menlowe Ballet Reaches New Heights with "Transcendence"
April 4-6. Following an acclaimed fall season, Menlowe Ballet returns to the stage with
Transcendence, April 4-6 at the Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center. Featuring works by Artistic Director Michael Lowe and guest choreographer Dennis Nahat the program includes Lowe's Tribute (audience favorite from last season, including live musical performance), Nahat's Pas de Cinq from Swan Lake and the world premiere of Lowe's Transcendence, a Chinese cultural contemporary work. In response to completely sold-out 2013 performances, the company has added a fourth show to its 2014 spring season. Tickets may be purchased at www.menloweballet.org, or by calling 800-595-4TIX (4849).
Peninsula Youth Theatre
Auditions for "Oliver!" March 8 and 9. Students ages 8-18 are welcome, and all who audition will be cast. Performances will be held May 10-18 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts with a live orchestra and professionally designed sets and costumes. For more information and to reserve an audition time, please visit www.pytnet.org.
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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