Oak Knoll PTO
Otter WeeklyBacktotop
May 4, 2014
In This Issue
Article Headline
To Do

This Week

Monday, May 5 - Thursday, May 8
  • Star Science Testing, 5th Grade only

Monday, May 5

  • Bing Concert Hall, 3rd Grade: 9:20am-2:30pm

Wednesday, May 7

  • National Bike to School Day
  • Roaring Camp, 4th Grade: 7:00am-4:00pm
  • Davies Symphony Hall, both K-2 Multi: 8:45am-12:15pm

Thursday, May 8

  • MPAEF Board Meeting: 8:45-10:45am, TERC
Friday, May 9
  • Green Commute Day
  • Coffee with Confidence: 12:15-1:15pm, Oak Knoll Library

Saturday, May 10

  • Q&A&Play, incoming Kindergarten: 10:00am-12:00pm, Kinder Yard

Looking Ahead

Monday, May 12
  • Last day to buy Spring Picnic tickets
Wednesday, May 14
  • History San Jose, McCulloch: 8:45am-2:00pm
  • PTO Board Meeting

Friday, May 16

  • Spirit Day for Are You In RUN
  • Spring Picnic: 5:30-7:30pm, Oak Knoll Upper Playground
Sunday, May 18
  • Last day to order 5th grade graduation t-shirts
 
See the Oak Knoll calendar for more important dates and events.

New Vice Principal

We are pleased to announce that Ms. Leah Leff has been appointed by Superintendent Maurice Ghysels as Oak Knoll's new Vice Principal for 2014-15. Ms. Leff was chosen from among 33 very qualified candidates. Since receiving her B.A. and Masters degrees, as well as her teaching credential from Stanford University, Ms. Leff has been teaching 3rd and 4th grades at Encinal School. Leah has been a teacher leader, a promoter of Design Thinking, and a participant in the MPCSD Leadership Academy. Ms. Leff will begin work at Oak Knoll August 1, 2014. We are very excited to welcome Leah to the Oak Knoll family!

 

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Blood Drive for Encinal 5th Grader

We need our community's support! An Encincal 5th grader has been diagnosed with cancer. She is an amazing little girl with the fight of a lion. Her family, along with Stanford Blood Bank, have put together a blood drive May 5 to May 10 and we would love to support their efforts. Each blood donation can help up to 3 patients.  Please view the flier on how to sign up.

 

In addition, Encinal teacher, Janet Meister, and her class are participating in Relay for Life in Redwood City.

 

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Coffee with Confidence

Coffee with Confidence returns!

 

One of our school goals is for every student at Oak Knoll to become a courageous citizen. We believe that courageous citizens have confidence. As part of our Confidence Theme and continuing with our Parent Ed. series, we are planning another Coffee with Confidence Parent Workshop, on Friday May 9, from 12:15-1:15pm in the Oak Knoll library. We are launching a Free Range Kids project at Oak Knoll on May 12, based on the book Free Range Kids, by Lenore Skenazy. Come find out about the Free Range Kid philosophy, mingle with other parents in an interactive workshop, and learn about this optional school-wide project!

 

Please RSVP to the school office.

 

Thanks,

Kristen Gracia (VP), Nicole Scott (Counselor), Jenny Ryan (Psychologist)

 

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Bike to School & Green Commute Day

Parents and children - ride a bike to school for National Bike to School Day, this Wednesday May 7. Need to increase your child's visibility to drivers? Pick up a safety vest at the school office. Join us in the bike ride!

 

Thursday May 8 is the Bay Area's Bike to Work Day. Menlo Park will host nine "energizer" stations located all over the city where participants. Check out their website for the location nearest you.

 

Here at Oak Knoll, we will celebrate getting to school in an environmentally friendly way on the following day, Friday May 9, for Green Commute Day. Come by the table at morning drop off, get a high five for being a green commuter, and pick up a few freebies. Take a minute to enter OLLIE'S GREEN COMMUTER RAFFLE while you're there (or enter at the office during the day). Entries are FREE for anyone who gets to school that morning by riding a bike, taking a bus, or walking from home. This event is brought to you by the Bike and Pedestrian Safety Committee.

 

City of Menlo Park El Camino Real Corridor Study Project - MPCSD Parent Input Invited

MPCSD is helping spread the word to parents about Menlo Park's efforts to collect citizen input for the El Camino Real Study Project. The City of Menlo Park is inviting MPCSD parents to give their ideas and feedback on how El Camino Real can become a more safe and accommodating transportation resource for all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Please click here to submit your thoughts and get notified about community meetings.

 

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Kinder Q&A&Play

Attention Fall 2014 Kindergarteners! Please join us at Oak Knoll's Kinder Q&A&Play event this Saturday, May 10 from 10:00am-12:00pm on the Kinder Playground.

 

If you are a current Oak Knoll family with an incoming Kinder, please come along to help answer questions for our new families. This is an informal event, where the children can play on the Kinder playground while parents chat with each other.

 

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Spring Family Picnic

Friends, Family, Food and Good Times...

It's the Oak Knoll Spring Family Picnic!

 

Friday May 16, 5:30-7:30pm

Oak Knoll Upper Playground

Catering by Top Dog

Games, Karaoke, Photo Booth & lots of fun!

Tickets are $10 per person

 

Buy your tickets online or print the form and deliver to the office by Monday, May 12.

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED.  If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please contact Tiffany Wolf or Sara Leslie.

 

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2014 MPCSD Service Award Winners

Please join us in congratulating our 2014 Menlo Park City School District service award winners. These are parents, teachers and staff who have gone above and beyond to help our schools and district. Many school programs would not exist were it not for this talented and dedicated group of volunteers.

 

CONGRATULATIONS to this year's winners:

 

Oak Knoll Elementary School

Honorary Service Awards:

Cathy Petersen, Joanne Lofthouse, Airel Tinajero, Aparna Bhardwaj

Continuing Service Award:

Barbara Snow

President's Award:

Tracy Watt

 

Hillview Middle School

Honorary Service Awards:

Maria Mills, Bill Hairston, Hilary Holmquest

Continuing Service Awards:

Mini Course Team: Pam Fernandes, Katie Angioletti, Pam Larkin, Parke Treadway, Monica Mosch, Mary Murphy, Katrien Burlinson

Golden Oak Awards:

Harry Bell, Susan Brochin, Debbie Devoto, Nancy Kessler, Aimee Paquin, Lina Pebet, Sharron Thomspon, Marleen Zwiers

President's Awards:

Valerie Ambwani, Dean Wilkins

 

District Council

Measure W Team:

Continuing Service Awards: 

Katie Ferrick, Tricia Barr

Honorary Service Awards: 

Stacey Jones, Stephanie Chen, Andrea Potischman

Additional Honorary Service Awards: 

Sam Bacic Suzanne Pellican, Lisa Lajous, Stephanie Thomases

Golden Oak Awards:

Laura Rich, Elizabeth Katz, Andrea Palmer, Shari Conrad

President's Awards:

Allison Chao, Stacey Jones

 

Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation

Honorary Service Awards:

Diane Sonsini, Karen Dearing, Cyndy Hogan, Chrisie Wendin, Omar Kinaan

President's Awards:

Scott Hinshaw, Kristin Seuell

 

Encinal Elementary School

Honorary Service Awards:

Bernice van der Meer, Rachel Knight, Robin Soran, Kari Riedel, Janet Meister

Continuing Service Awards: 

Kim Nguyen

President's Awards:

Carolyn Lynch, Rick Bentley

 

Laurel Elementary School

Honorary Service Awards:

Desiree Vogt, Steele Harris, Marcus Blunt, Fiona Walker, Monty Gong, Staff Team: Michelle Vivar, Gina Andrignetto

Golden Oak Award:

Gail Bradley

President's Award:

Jenny Freiermuth

 

 

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Silicon Valley Gives

It's coming May 6! And we're thrilled to be a part of Silicon Valley Gives, a 24-hour online fundraising event designed to inspire our local community to support philanthropic causes.

 

Thank you to our families and community for your incredible support of our schools this year! As we join other local non-profits in this special day of giving, please consider our request:

 

Support our MPAEF Endowment with a donation of just $10: Any size donation helps us qualify for matching funds!

 

Donate Now!

 

Learn more about how to schedule your donation today and the best times and ways to give here. We'll receive 1% matching if you pay via PayPal, and don't miss out on dollar-for-dollar matching during the hours of: 12:00am, 7:00am, 8:00am, 12:00pm, 6:00pm, and 7:00pm.

 

Why support the MPAEF Endowment? If has contributed over $500,000 to our District's schools and is a fund designed to benefit the District for generations. As a restricted revenue source, the Endowment is solely dedicated to fostering academic excellence, especially in the areas of writing, math, science, and music through professional development, particularly teacher leadership and design thinking innovation.

 

On behalf of the MPAEF Board, District administration, and all students, THANK YOU in advance for committing your support!

 

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Room Parent Sign-Ups for 2014-15

BE AN EARLY BIRD! SIGN UP NOW TO BE A 2014-15 ROOM PARENT!

 

Don't miss out! Sign up now for one of the most rewarding volunteers roles at Oak Knoll! It's a great way to know firsthand what's going on in your child's class, and to get to know other parents and your child's teacher. Room parents play a critical role at Oak Knoll, coordinating volunteers for class parties, field trips, and in-class volunteering. Being a room parent is fun, typically having 4 room parents per classroom, and it doesn't require lots of on-campus time - so, even if you have little ones still at home or you work full-time, this is a great opportunity for you to get involved! 

 

Click here to sign up now!

 

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Vote on Measure A

Vote on Measure A: a bond for the Sequoia Union High School District - including Menlo-Atherton High School - to build additional classrooms and other facilities to alleviate overcrowding and accommodate the district's growing student population. Enrollment has increased by 20% in the last 12 years and is expected to grow another 20% in the next 7 years. Absentee voters should receive ballots this week to vote on Measure A, so please vote as soon as you receive your ballot. For more information on Measure A and to register to vote, please visit www.greatsequoiahighschools.org.

 

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Proposed PTO Board Slate

At our PTO Board meeting on April 9, 2014, the PTO Board approved the following slate of executive officers for our 2014-2015 PTO Board.

 

Proposed PTO Board Slate 2014-2015:

Vice President - Stephanie Chen

Secretary - Page Curtin

Financial Secretary - Emily Record

Auditor - Aarti Chandna

Communications - Tamara Russel

 

PTO Board Officers 2014-2015 (automatically filled):

President - Jill Wurster

Parliamentarian - Tracy Watt

Treasurer - Gina Skinner

 

We will be voting on the PTO Board slate at the PTO General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, May 28 at 1:00pm in the Gym.

 

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MPCSD Council Slate

The Menlo Park City School District Council Nominating Committee is proud to present the slate for the 2014-15 District Council.

 

Co-Presidents: Tracy Watt & Carolyn Baigorria Lynch

Secretary: Chris Sewell

Treasurer: Teresa Bergeron

Auditor: Stacy Dekshenieks

Campaign Coordinators: Jenny Freiermuth & Fiona Walker

Recognition Coordinator: Allison Chao

Directory Coordinators: Tricia Barr & Monty Gong

Community News Coordinator: Sharon Dauskardt

District Lunch Program Coordinator: Desiree Voigt

Programming Coordinator: Jennifer Allen

 

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Are You In RUN for Education 2014

 
Are You In RUN Spirit Day
 
On your mark, get set, GO! Friday May 16 is the kick-off event for the Are You In RUN for Education! Show your spirit by wearing your favorite sports gear, past RUN t-shirts or the color orange. Fun activities will be planned during lunch on the upper playground, so be sure to wear your sneakers.

________________________________________
 
Are You In RUN for Education Presented by Nelson Roberts Investment Advisors 
-- Support MPCSD Schools --
 
The Are You In RUN for Education 2014 is fast approaching on June 1! We are looking for family sponsors to help support our fundraising efforts benefitting the four district PTOs and MPAEF.
 
Why become a Family Sponsor? With each $500 sponsorship, you will receive a discount code for 4 FREE race entries. You will also be recognized on the race website and see your family's name in print on our fantastic new and improved race t-shirts! You don't want to miss out on this fun tradition and opportunity to support our school. Family Sponsorship closes May 15!

 

To register to run, click here.
To become a Family Sponsor, click here.
For more information, click here.

 

MPAEF News 

 

Thank You To Our New and Returning Business and Realtor Partners

 

Please support these businesses and realtors who support our schools! Thank you to these new 2013-14 business and realtor sponsors:

 

Business Partners

 

Realtor Partners

 

Ken DeLeon, DeLeon Realty

Ken Glidewell, Alain Pinel Realtors

Kim Heng, DeLeon Realty

Michael Johnston, Alain Pinel Realtors

Veronica Kogler, Coldwell Banker

Tom LeMieux, Coldwell Banker

Michael Repka, DeLeon Realty

Rachel Repka, DeLeon Realty

Nathalie de Saint Andrieu, Pacific Union

Alex Seroff, DeLeon Realty

  

ParentEd

 

Are We Pushing Too Hard?

Race To Nowhere Film and Panel

Wednesday May 14, 6:30pm

Hillview Performing Arts Center

 

In an age where our kids are over-scheduled and pressured to perform at increasingly higher levels, Race to Nowhere highlights the growing issues of cheating, anxiety-induced illness, and withdrawal from academics, leading to a new generation of underprepared college students.  With the help of world-renowned Psychologists and Education experts, this film is aimed at helping to change the broken system so that we can raise students to be excited and inspired not only in our schools, but beyond as well. The film will be followed by an expert panel discussing the difficult balancing act of raising teens in today's high-stakes world.

 

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

    

Community News

Library Volunteers Needed in East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park

Students in the K-8 Ravenswood School District are working hard to learn to read in spite of many challenges, and your support can make all the difference. We're looking for volunteers to work with students when classes visit their school libraries - reading with children, helping them find books they love, checking-out books, and providing much-needed encouragement. Want to learn more? Please join us for a coffee on Thursday, May 15 at 9:00am in Menlo Park. To RSVP, please visit this link or email. More information about our programs is available on our website.

 

Paid Emotion Regulation Research at Stanford

Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), ADHD, and Controls Needed - earn up to $200. We are recruiting children with ASD, ADHD and typically developing children (i.e., children without a diagnosis of ASD, ADHD or any other psychiatric illness) between the ages of 8 and 22. The study consists of up to 5 sessions and participants will be reimbursed $30 for each session and an additional $30 if the online components are completed. US Citizens only (must have social security number to receive payment). Please email us if you are interested in having your child participate. If you would like to read more about our study, please visit our website.

 

Ragazzi Boys Chorus Auditions

By appointment May through Summer, 178 Clinton St., Redwood City. 

The Ragazzi Boys Chorus will teach your boy to sing! Call to schedule a no-stress audition for boys ages 7-10; no previous singing experience or prepared piece required. Boys offered membership begin in September and perform during the 2014-15 season, which aligns with Bay Area school calendars. Beginning singers meet one evening per week for choral singing and theory instruction. Ragazzi offers a complete music education which progresses through a proven, award-winning choral program. Ragazzi performs its own concert series, sings the National Anthem at a spring Giants game, tours domestically and internationally, and collaborates with other prestigious Bay Area arts organizations. Schedule appointments via online, email, or phone (650-342-8785). For more info, please view the website, flyer and video.

 

Alpine Strikers FC Tryouts for Fall 2014

Want fun competitive soccer for the fall? Join the Alpine Strikers FC!!! High quality professional coaching and fun play in local league games. Tryouts for all age groups, 6 years old and up, will be starting the week of May 13. Please visit our website for more information and registration.

 

City of Menlo Park: Mamma Mia! Mother's Day Sing-along!

Saturday May 10, 2:30-4:30pm, 555 Middlefield Rd., Atherton. The CIty of Menlo Park Community Services Department has teamed up with Guggenheim Entertainment to bring you an interactive fun-filled afternoon at the Menlo-Atherton PAC. Join us in a sing-along to ABBA's greatest songs at our Mamma Mia! Mother's Day Sing-along! Sing-along events are presented with a pre-show introduction including explanation of the sing-along elements. Guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Mamma Mia! character. This sing-along event is highly interactive with in-movie antics and a special "Fun Pack" for advance ticket buyers (limited quantities); $5.00 per person (FREE for Moms!). Purchase your tickets in advance to ensure that you are not left out of the fun! For more information, please visit this link.


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.