|
|
|
|
|
Oak Knoll PTO
|
|
Otter Weekly
|
March 16, 2014
|
|
|
|
-
SF Zoo Trip, Chan/Poole/Jagelka: 8:45am-2:00pm
-
De Anza Planetarium Trip, All 3rd Grade: 9:15am-1:00pm
-
Mission San Juan Bautista Trip, 3-5 Multi-Age: 8:15am-2:00pm
-
Walt Disney Museum Trip, Johnston: 8:45am-1:00pm
-
SF Zoo Trip, MLB Multi-Age: 8:45am-2:00pm
-
Mayer Theater Trip, All Kindergarten: 9:45am-12:30pm
- Walt Disney Museum Trip, Brewbaker: 8:45am-1:00pm
- Report cards go home
|
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
-
Playing with Poetry: 8:15-11:30am, Gym
-
Wizard of Oz, with Oak Knoll Students: 3:30pm, HV PAC
-
California Distinguished School Validation Visit
-
Playing with Poetry: 8:15-11:30am, Gym
-
Walt Disney Museum Trip, Kelley: 8:45am-1:00pm
Monday, March 31
- NO SCHOOL: Staff Development Day
|
|
The Oak Knoll SITE Council would like your feedback in an anonymous survey that is open now and will close on Tuesday, April 1 no fooling! This survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Please complete one survey per child. Your constructive and actionable feedback will be reviewed by Principal Ackerman and Vice Principal Gracia. They will share your feedback with the teachers. A summary of results will be shared in the Otter Weekly in April. Past responses in this survey have lead to improvements and new programs being implemented at Oak Knoll.
We value your input! To complete the parent survey please click here.
|
|
Lost and Found: Please check the Lost and Found for lost garments, lunch-boxes, water-bottles, etc. Items not claimed by Friday, April 11 will be given to a local charity.
Carline:
In support of our neighbors and environment, please be mindful of the following recommendations:
- Please turn off your cars while waiting for dismissal.
- Be aware of driveways while waiting in car-line. Please don't block them.
- If you have time, park and walk in to pick up your kids.
Safety Intervention Day:
Please email Kristen Gracia if you are able to assist on Wednesday, April 23 at 7:30am. Our goal is to remind the community that getting our students to school safely is our priority. We will distribute volunteers wearing traffic vests to as many intersections of our neighborhood as we can. We would like to have at least 15 volunteers.
|
|
Oak Knoll Presents...Wizard of Oz!
|
"We're off to see..." the most magical adventure of them all.
Don't forget to buy your tickets to see our Oak Knoll 4th and 5th grade students in their adaptation of this 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
|
|
Call for Service Award Nominations
|
Every year our District is fortunate to have parents, teachers, staff and community volunteers give generously of their time, skills and creativity to our schools. Many programs would not exist if it was not for this formidable group of volunteers, "the Pillars of our Community." Honorary Service Awards (HSAs) as well as the School Service Awards (SSAs) recognize those individuals who have contributed in an extraordinary way to our District.
Please take a moment to nominate someone you know who goes above and beyond to make a difference in our schools. To nominate an individual, please complete an online nomination form by Friday, April 4.
|
|
MPAEF Auction Tickets Now on Sale!
|
A Night in Monte Carlo Tickets On Sale Now!!
Save $35 per ticket by purchasing before Friday March 28
Buy your tickets for the party and auction at A Night in Monte Carlo at the Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club online today! Buy before March 28 to save $35 a ticket. Tickets available here. Early bird prices are $125/guest for general admission; $75/guest for teachers & staff.
New: All Adult Parties Offered During The Online Auction March 28 - April 3
Whether or not your plans include attending A Night in Monte Carlo, you can support MPAEF and our schools by purchasing raffle tickets on campus March 24 - 28 and by participating in the online auction March 28 - April 3. New this year, all buy-a-spot events and parties for adults will be offered online.
Back to top
|
|
Oak Knoll Otters Basketball Playoff News
|
As basketball heads into the playoffs, congratulations are due to the Purcell/Galles 5th grade boys' team for placing in the top tier of the 5th grade playoff bracket. The Purcell/Galles team has a chance to go for the overall 5th grade championship. The Oak Knoll 5th grade girls' basketball teams will be competing in their group's 2nd & 3rd tier playoffs. The Levey/Lundh, Castagna/Ljunggren, Ebstein/Segal, and Jeffrey/Sartorio teams will all be vying to win their playoff brackets. Ollie wishes the best to all the Oak Knoll playoff teams. Go Otters!!!
|
|
Top Injuries for Kids on Bikes: Running Stop Signs
|
The top cause of injuries for children on bikes is getting hit by a car after the child fails to stop at a stop sign. Please do everything you can to get bike-riding family members to obey stop signs and to make the defensive assumption that drivers will not see them crossing a street. Also, please make sure your child understands that riding in the street against traffic all but guarantees a driver will not look for them. (It is illegal to do it anyway.)
-Susannah Hill
Traffic Safety Coordinator
Back to top
|
|
Learn What is Happening to Improve Street Safety for MPCSD Students
|
Review the Community Response document on the District's transportation page to learn what is happening as next steps from the transportation town hall meetings in January. We will post updates all school year.
Already, as a result of the Transportation town hall meetings, the City of Menlo Park installed new paved waiting areas on Bay Rd for students to wait for the bus safely. Questions? Email commutes@mpcsd.org.
Back to top
|
|
Ollie gives a big high-five to all of the players, volunteers and parents whose participation and commitment to the Oak Knoll After School Sports Program made it such a huge success. This year for volleyball, there were 66 4th & 5th grade players on 6 teams coached by 12 parent volunteers. For basketball, there were 212 3rd, 4th & 5th grade players on 20 teams coached by 40 parent volunteers. Behind the scenes, there were four After School Sports coordinators who pulled the whole program together. Looking ahead to next year, there are three after school sport coordinator positions open for the 2014-2015 school year. If you are interested in helping the program continue please contact Laura Huber. This program can not run without you!
Below are this year's amazing parent volunteers listed in alphabetical order.
2013-2014 After School Sports Coordinators
Stefano Baldassi, Noelle Carpenter, Laura Huber & Nancy Witeck.
2013-2014 Basketball Coaches
Jevan Anderson, Kristine Ball, Steve Bowsher, Craig Carpenter, David Castagna, Beth Cobos, Michael Dacey, Rodney Ebstein, Dan Galles, Julie Gosler, Steve Henn, Steve Henry, Joe Hogan, Andy Jeffrey, John Knoll, Peter Lamb, Gregg Letsinger, Brian Levey, Vesna Ljunggren, Scott Lohmann, Erik Lundh ( 2 teams), Mark Meyer, Ravi Mhatre, Betsy Muhlner, Michael Newman, Ben Paul, Hilary Perry-Smith, Ted Purcell, Sharon Purcell, David Roman, PJ Sartorio, Larry Segal, Lalit Shahani, Colin Stewart, Thomas Sullivan, Kirt Thomson, Tom Weeks, Rick Wurster, & Gerard Zell
2013-2014 Volleyball Coaches
Stefano Baldassi, Michelle Box, James Cebrian, Daisy Jo DuBois, Linda Druell, Steve Henn, Laura Huber, Margie Roginski, Larry Segal, Jenny Sullivan, Kristen Swanson & Rick Wurster.
|
|
5th Grade Fitness Test - Volunteers Needed
|
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 9:00am
Murphy: Friday, April 4 - 9:00 to 9:45am
|
|
Volunteer Opportunities - For School Year 2014-15
|
|
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.
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.
|
|
3rd Grade Speech and Debate Program
|
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.
|
|
After School Programs - Bulldog Flag Football
|
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
|
|
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.
|
|
Thank You For Supporting Our Annual Parent Campaign
A huge thank you to all the families who donated or pledged to the Annual Parent Campaign this year. We are still tallying the donations and will announce the result of the drawing next week.
Together, our community's support of our children, our teachers and our schools is amazing and we are very grateful for that support!
There are many more opportunities in the coming months to show your support and have a lot of fun while doing it. So get ready to celebrate at the upcoming Spring Event & Auction (A Night in Monte Carlo!) on April 5, 2014 and to have some good family fun at the Are You IN Run for Education on June 1, 2014.
___________________________________________________________
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:
Realtor Partners
Doug Andrew Gonzalez, Coldwell Banker
Mary Gullixson Brent Gullixson, Alain Pinel Realtors
Michael Johnston, Alain Pinel Realtors
Omar Kinaan, RE/MAX Distinctive Properties
Carol MacCorkle, Pacific Union
Debbie & Manny Ojeda, Intero Real Estate Services
Karin Riley, Coldwell Banker
Annette Smith, Dreyfus Sotheby's International Realty
Leslie Woods, Sereno Group Real Estate
Anonymous, Coldwell Banker
|
|
SamTrans 2014 Summer Youth Pass
On sale May 21, cost is $40. We're reaching out to schools and other partners to help spread the word about this great travel bargain. The pass costs $40 and is good for unlimited travel for kids 17 years and younger from June 1 through Aug. 31, a significant savings compared to purchasing a Monthly Pass for each summer month. Get Out & Explore: Details about this year's Summer Youth Pass program are online at www.samtrans.com/syp. We've developed a package that includes a short news blurb, announcement, poster and flyer order form that you may utilize. If you would like us to deliver flyers, posters or have any questions, please call 650-508-6201 or e-mail youthpass@samtrans.com. SamTrans wishes you a happy and safe summer!
Spring Break LegoŽ Camp
April 14 - April 18 @ Oak Knoll Elementary Grades K-5. BrainVyne - Providers of LEGOŽ education: Just a few spots left! Register by the day or sign up for the entire week at a discounted price. See registration details here. Scholarships have been awarded. Questions? 650-469-3409
Menlo-Atherton High School Open House
Thursday April 3, 2014, 6:00 - 8:30PM
6:00 Welcome
6:15 Principal's Message
6:45 - 8:30 Classrooms will be open to visit and meet teachers
Woodside Parent Education Series
Thursday, April 3, 7:00 p.m.. Woodside Performing Arts Center (PAC). "THE COLLEGE SOLUTION" with Lynn O'Shaughnessy, College Financial Expert. Come hear expert information on the following topics - and more! Strategies to increase admission chances. How to evaluate colleges and universities academically.
For more information on events/opportunities listed above or events listed in prior newsletters, visit the District's Community Links page. |
|
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.
|
To read past Oak Knoll PTO newsletters, please visit our archives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
