Oak Knoll School

1895 Oak Knoll Lane,

Menlo Park, CA 94025

 

      Phone: 650-854-4433

                  http://o http://oakknoll.mpcsd.https://oakknoll.mpcsd.org

 

August 10, 2014

 

Dear Oak Knoll Parents,

 

I hope this finds you enjoying some time together with your family. As summer comes to an end, I would like to welcome you back to Oak Knoll for another great year. For some of you, it will be the first of many! We welcome all of our new families and are confident that you will quickly feel at home.  

 

I can still clearly remember the feelings I experienced as a child preparing to start school each year. I was excited to meet my teacher, see who was in my class, use that fresh box of crayons, and wear my new pair of school shoes! For me, not a lot has changed because I have that same enthusiasm about returning to Oak Knoll this year as principal. I will still be wearing new school shoes, but the reasons for my excitement have evolved.

 

Here are my top 10 reasons why I am exhilarated about Oak Knoll for the 2014-15 school year:

  • Oak Knoll students make me smile, they work hard and impress me with their thinking, capabilities and great ideas. I look forward to seeing each and every bright face on Wednesday August 20th for our first day!
  • My good friend and co-principal, Mr.Ackerman's wise presence and incomparable experience.
  • Miss Leff, our new Vice Principal is joining the Oak Knoll team. Miss Leff comes to us from Encinal School where she was a classroom teacher. Miss Leff earned her B.A. and Masters degrees, as well as her teaching credential from Stanford University. Leah is a teacher leader, a promoter of Design Thinking, and a great addition to the Oak Knoll staff.
  • The energy, intellect, and determination of our AMAZING teachers and staff. Thanks to their efforts and skills, Oak Knoll is now a California Distinguished School!
  • The smiling faces of Mrs.Snow and Mrs.Petersen, our incredible office staff. If you ever have questions about anything, Barb Snow and Cathy Petersen are your answer!
  • Mr.Barraza's calm voice over the walkie-talking saying, "Sure, no problem." Victor Barraza is our custodian, and thanks to him and his team, our school sparkles!
  • The intellectual conversations and planning with staff, parents, and community members to ensure that we accomplish our school mission: every student an exemplary scholar, a valued friend, and a courageous citizen.
  • The innovative spirit of starting a new school year, and working with our School Site Council to devise a comprehensive Site Plan with academic goals that stretch all students.
  • Creating a strong home-school connection, because we all know it takes a village! Make sure to follow me on Instagram@oakknoll2014 for quick and easy snapshots of what's happening on campus.
  • Our dedicated and organized PTO and MPAEF parents who have been planning for our return, ready to run with the joint campaign! The PTO and the MPAEF continue their collaboration to make Oak Knoll the best it can be for our kids. Donating to the PTO provides our school with curriculum enrichment, field trips, community building events, and well-supplied classrooms. Your donations to the MPAEF place more teachers and specialists in our school. Without your support and the help from our PTO and the MPAEF, our school would not be extraordinary.

 

As always, my door is open to you as a school leader, an educator and a fellow parent. I look forward to our continued partnership. Please join me in the excitement that this year holds.

 

 

Sincerely,

                              

Kristen Gracia

Principal

Oak Knoll School