Class Placement for 2014-15

In May, the Oak Knoll teachers will begin their work creating tentative classes for next year.   For more information about this process please review the email sent out by Principals David Ackerman and Kristen Gracia on April 2.

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MPCSD 3rd grade Speech and Debate Tournament hosted by Oak Knoll!

The upcoming MPCSD 3rd Grade Speech and Debate Tournament is scheduled for April 26 (8:30am - 5:00pm) and April 27 (finalist rounds: 9:00am-3:00pm approx.)

Online registration is now open!  Registration closes on April 17 at 4pm. Late registrations will not be accepted, under any circumstance.  Click here for more information and to register!

Volunteers Needed! Please email Mrs.Gracia if you can help.

In efforts to run a smooth tournament, we still need volunteers for the following responsibilities.

Unless otherwise noted, all volunteers will also be available to judge the debate rounds.

• Food: 3 volunteers to purchase and manage a HEALTHY SNACK STATION during the tournament on April 26 and/or April 27.
• Tournament Check-in: 8 volunteers to check-in parents and students the morning of April 26 and/or April 27 from 7:30-8:30am
• Tournament Set-up: 8 volunteers to help with set-up on Friday, April 25 from 3:00-6:00pm
• Data Management: 3 volunteers to manage the scoring data during the tournament on April 26 and/or April 27 (these volunteers will NOT be able to judge rounds)   

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Parent Book Club - Starts This Week

Please join School Counselor Nicole Scott and School Psychologist Jenny Ryan for a parent book club.  We will be reading The Good Enough Child: How to Have an Imperfect Family and Be Perfectly Satisfied by Dr. Brad Sachs.  Each week participants will read parts of the book and join other district parents in a lively discussion. 

The dates of the Book Club are all Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 at Keplers April 9th, April 23, April 30th, May 7th and May 14th.

To RSVP please email Nicole Scott or Jenny Ryan.

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Are You In Run for Education 2014

Ollie Salutes

Ollie would like to send out a huge high five and a massive cheer to our wonderful 4th and 5th graders who took part in Oak Knoll's very own production of The Wizard of Oz.  If you were lucky enough to attend one of our sold out shows you will know what he's talking about.  The students were both courageous and confident on stage!  A special thanks go out to Oak Knoll's own music teacher, Mrs. Tee who spent many hours getting our 65 children ready for their performance - over lunch, after school and at weekends!  THANK YOU!!!  We would also like to thank Dr. Westfall, Mr. Hairston and Mr. Crabbe for their help with the production.  Ollie would also like to thank the Committee Chairs:  Overall and Volunteers - Page Curtin; Promotions - Sonia Domeyko, Francesca Pei, Gale Sasagawa; Costumes - Diane Glasser; and Concessions/Tickets/DVDs - Carolyn Bowsher.  As always at Oak Knoll, it takes a village and it certainly did to put on this show!  Thank you to ALL the parents who stepped up multiple times from sourcing and creating costumers, to overseeing the costume fittings.  From chaperoning the rehearsals and shows to getting the right children on stage at the right time, in the right costume!  From baking items for concessions to managing the concessions sales and ticketing.  We had around 30 parent volunteers throughout the rehearsals and show and are grateful for every one of them!  THANK YOU!!!

Ollie would also like to thank Jenny Sullivan and Kris Swanson who organized the Teacher's Luncheon.  Many thanks to their wonderful assistants Kelly Brennan, Nancy Witeck, Julia Dunn, Michelle Box and Mira Olson!  

MPAEF News 

Oak Knoll's New Buddy Benches

After School Programs - Spring Schedule Now Available

Traffic Safety - Important Reminders

Parents please be respectful of our crossing guard, Victor.  Recently we have had a number of parents in their cars ignore his signal to stop when he is on the crosswalk.  This is dangerous to Victor, our children and other pedestrians on the crosswalk.  Please do not ignore Victor.

Also, please make sure you obey the 'No Stopping/No Parking' signs around school - even when it's raining or when you are late.  

• Do not stop your car to drop off your child(ren) in the 'No Stopping' areas.  If you don't want your child to get wet, leave for school earlier and drop your child off in the carline. 
• Do not let your children jump out of the car while you are in line at a stop sign.  You could be putting your child in the path of a biker.  Yes - some students do still bike in the rain!   

Thanks for keeping our students and staff safe! 

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Hillview-sponsored Parent Ed Monthly Series

Next Event:  The Media's Influence  

'Miss Representation' Film and Katie Cotton, VP Worldwide Corporate Communication Apple Inc.

Wednesday April 9, 6:30pm 

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

Teen Spring Contest: Let Your Creativity Flower

April 7-18.  Enter the library's spring contest for ages 12-18.  Submit your spring themed entry (paintings, drawings, and sculptures welcomed) to the Children's Area with your name, age, contact info and the name of your school between April 7-18. Visit the TAG website for the flyer and further details.

Teen Scavenger Hunt

April 11 at 6:30pm. Teen Nights are back and we're kicking it off with a scavenger hunt!  Teens (12-18) can put their research skills to use to win prizes at Menlo Park Library on April 11 from 6:30-8:30pm.  Visit the TAG website for details on how to register.

Teen Spring Book Club

Meetings: April 26 & May 17 from 3-4:30pm.. Spring into reading by joining our Book Club program for ages 12 to 18. Teens vote for the book the club reads and then meet again to talk about it over food. Book options are wide open and we encourage you to bring your book suggestion to the first meeting. The Friends of the Menlo Park Library will provide free books and snacks to participants, so sign up today! To register for the Spring Book Club, send an e-mail to Irish. 

Menlo-Atherton Foundation Auction!

There are some really exciting auction items, including things specifically for middle school families, such as:

• Class of 2018 Parent Party - If you have an incoming M-A freshman, you won't want to miss this traditional freshman parent party held the evening of the Welcome Dance.
• Lacrosse Clinic for Middle School Boys - Coach Kryger, M-A's boys varsity lacrosse coach, will offer a clinic for middle school boys. 
• Volleyball Clinic for Middle School Girls - Coach Ron Whitmill, M-A girls varsity volleyball coach, will offer a volleyball clinic for middle school girls.

Family and Friends of Lacrosse

Free Clinic in Atherton April 13th & June 1st for ages 5-14 @ Holbrook Palmer Park, 150 Watkins Ave, Atherton, CA. 3:30pm--4:30pm.

City of Menlo Park Annual Egg Hunt 

Saturday, April 19 10am to 12pm.  Burgess Park, 701 Laurel Drive.  The City of Menlo Park Community Services Department present Egg Hunt! The Bunny visits Burgess Park with toys and candy filled eggs for girls and boys ages 8 and under. The festivities include bounce houses, crafts, and pictures with the Bunny. Activities are co-sponsored by the Menlo Park Firefighter's Association and the Menlo Park Fire District. Come join the fun! Event is FREE for everyone!

Girl Scouts - Spring Break "Fairy Magic" Camp

April 14-16 (K-2nd graders). Join us for making new friends, games, and fantastic crafts as you discover what magical fairy powers YOU have! Make your own fairy wand, crown, and so much more! For girls in grades K-2nd who are currently not registered in Girl Scouts: Monday, April 14 - Wednesday, April 16, 9:00 a.m. - Noon at the Lou Henry Hoover House, 1120 Hopkins Ave., Palo Alto, CA  94301. $30 per girl (includes registration, snacks, and materials)

To register or for more information, please email Niesha Jones or call 800-447-4475 ext 3012. If your daughter cannot attend this event but is interested in joining a Girl Scout troop, please contact Niesha.