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Oak Knoll PTO
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Tuesday, September 2
- PTO On-Campus Campaign Begins
- School Picture Day
- School Board Study Session, 5:00pm
Thursday, September 4
- School Picture Day
- Kinder & New Parent Social, 7:00-8:30pm
Friday, September 5
- Free Obsolete Math Books, 9:00am-12:00pm, Little Multi
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Monday, September 8
- Balclutha Field Trip (Coldoff)
Tuesday, September 9
- Balclutha Field Trip (Sanchez)
- MPCSD Regular Board Meeting, 5:00pm
Wednesday, September 10
- Balclutha Field Trip (Veneman)
- PTO Board Meeting, 8:15-10:00am
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Oak Knoll's Theme of the Year - COMPASSION
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In prior years, we at Oak Knoll have focused on building emotional well being in our students. We started with "Courage" as our first theme because we wanted to have courageous learners who weren't afraid to try new things. Next, we focused on "Confidence." We wanted our students to have the confidence to believe in themselves and also to advocate for others. This year, we are having the students focus even more intentionally on others, as we begin our new theme of Compassion. This aligns with our mission statement " Every child an exemplary scholar, a valued friend and a courageous citizen" because a valued friend is a compassionate friend.
A recent staff survey reported that our teachers feel Compassion is the most important character trait to work on with our students.
We have broken Compassion into 3 parts. The first part of the year we are going to focus on Empathy, as in, "How do you think the other person feels?" It is easy in most situations for students to think about how they feel, but it is harder to consider the needs of those around them and how others feel.
The second part of the year we will focus on Listening and being Optimistic. To really be a compassionate friend we need to do more than just hear what other people are saying; we really need to listen. When we are considering other people it helps to think positively and to assume the best about one another.
The final part of the year we will concentrate on Generosity. We want the kids to feel the joy that comes from giving.
We also want to give parents a chance to be part of the compassion conversation. Nicole Scott and Jenny Ryan will be hosting a book club with parents using the book: "12 Steps to a Compassionate Life," by Karen Armstrong (dates and times TBD). In addition, along with our administrators, we will be hosting a few parent coffee talks throughout the year.
We are extremely excited about this year's theme. We know that it is going to be a great year on the Knoll and we look forward to growing as a community!
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Are You a Parent of a Kindergartner or New Student?
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Welcome to Oak Knoll School! Join us for the Oak Knoll Kinder & New Parent Social!
Hosted by MPAEF
Thursday, September 4, 7:00-8:30pm
at the Home of Nancy Lieberman & Keith Flaum
325 Ambar Way, Menlo Park
Parents of incoming kindergarteners and new students, we are excited to spend a few hours with you at a fellow Oak Knoll family's home. Also in attendance will be Superintendent Maurice Ghysels, Oak Knoll co-principals, David Ackerman and Kristin Gracia, and leaders from both the MPAEF and Oak Knoll PTO. They will each be present to share about our amazing school and our community-funded school district. This evening is all about meeting other parents and hearing about what is happening at Oak Knoll and in our district. We hope that you will join us for drinks, appetizers, and an engaging evening.
Please RSVP by evite. This is a parent-only event.
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BIKING:
It's great to see so many families in our school community biking to school. Please review these reminders that will help keep everyone safe:
- wear a helmet and set a good example for your children
- WALK your bikes through the crosswalks
- use hand signals
- ride on the RIGHT side of the road single file and NOT side-by-side
- STOP at stop signs
- remember that PEDESTRIANS have "right of way" in crosswalks - please stop and let them walk FIRST
- WALK your bike from the corner of Oak Knoll and White Oak when coming to school
When approaching the school from Oak Avenue, please dismount your bikes BEFORE the crosswalk and WALK bikes in the crosswalk to the bike racks. Although it is a tempting short-cut to the bike racks, biking across Oak Knoll Lane before the crosswalk cuts across cars leaving the drop-off line and can be dangerous.
CARLINE:
- There is NO LEFT TURN into the carline from Oak Knoll Lane
- Pull as far forward in the line as you can to make room for cars behind you
- Have children exit the car on the CURB side
A big THANK YOU to the Carline Volunteers who are helping our students get to school safely and on time!
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Volunteers Needed for Kinder Yard Duty
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We have an immediate need for volunteers for Kinder Yard Duty! Helping out during kindergarten snack and recess is a wonderful way to see how your child interacts with his/her peers, meet new parents and their children, and help keep our kinders safe and happy. Please consider volunteering during morning recess - the time commitment is from 10:20-11:10am, and you can volunteer as little or as often as your schedule allows. Contact Alison Buchanan for more information or to sign up.
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Choicelunch provides nutritious and delicious lunch choices, Monday through Friday for all children who wish to enjoy a hot lunch.
Click here to register and begin ordering hot lunch. The registration code is "otters." The Choicelunch website offers complete descriptions of entrees, easy ordering and sends email reminders of your child's menu.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! Want to earn free lunches? Meet fellow Oak Knoll parents? Say hello to your child at lunchtime?? Hot lunch is a great place to offer your time!
In order to offer hot lunch to our students we rely solely on parent volunteers to serve the lunches. Volunteer as frequently as you'd like throughout the year, no experience necessary, no cooking, simply help distribute pre-ordered hot and cold lunches from Choicelunch and earn credits toward free lunches for your child(ren) for each shift worked. The more you volunteer, the more free lunches you get!
To join the hot lunch team please email Patti Buck, Melissa Coleman, or Emily Record Buck.
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Interested in Girl Scouts at Oak Knoll?
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If your daughter is interested in joining a Girl Scout troop at Oak Knoll, we are starting to form some new troops for Kindergarten and some of the younger grades. We are also looking for parents interested in co-leading a new troop. If you would like to find out more about the Girl Scout troops at Oak Knoll, please contact Allison Chao.
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Come join Oak Knoll's After School Program!
Registration for Oak Knoll's After School Program is now OPEN! Classes begin the week of September 22 and continue through mid-December. We have several terrific class offerings - some great new classes to Oak Knoll this year, and some good old favorites! Due to strong demand, several returning classes have recently been added to our fall lineup - Mandarin, Creative Writing, Stretch & Play Yoga. Please visit the ASP webpage for a detailed list of after school classes and registration information. For questions, contact Mark Baker.
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See Otterwear on Display & Shop the New Otterwear Online Store!
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See Otterwear on Display
Our new Otterwear is currently on display in the Oak Knoll office and display cases. See the full assortment of colors and styles in person or online. For kids, check out the newly designed pullover or zip hoodies - perfect for those soon-to-be chilly mornings. For parents, faculty and staff, take a look at the new performance pullovers and soft shell jackets - designed just for you. These go-to, lightweight basics are ideal for workouts, evenings at the ball park and even for work.
All orders are due by Friday, September 19, so don't delay! You can order online with Paypal or fill out an order form and place it, along with a check, in the Otterwear folder in the office. For all questions, please contact Jenny Buddin.
Shop the New Otterwear Online Store
We just launched a brand new online store to make it even easier for you to shop for and buy your Otterwear (by September 19)! For those who haven't placed orders yet, this is a fast and easy way for you to get that BTS "to do" off your list. If you've already placed your Otterwear order, check out the new online store and be inspired to pick up a new water bottle or two, a mesh hat or Ollie car magnet. All items will be hand delivered to your child's classroom.
   
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Free Obsolete Mathematics Textbooks
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Friday, September 5 9:00am-12:00pm
Little Multi
Bring a bag or box and help yourself to old Everyday Math materials K through 6th grade!
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Did you miss out on buying a 2013-14 Yearbook? There is a limited number remaining available first come first serve at $25 per book. Please contact Tamara Russel. Thanks!
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Newton Center is an educational non-profit providing ON-SITE after-school care to MPCSD students. Newton operates each school day (including Minimum Days) from dismissal until 6pm, according to the school's calendar.
The daily program focuses on play, homework, reading, and more play. Newton staff is carefully selected and trained to offer a safe environment where a child can get the help they need with their studies. Newton emphasizes promoting self-esteem and socializing skills while achieving academic goals.
For more information, please contact info@newtoncenters.org or (650)345-4043, or register by faxing this form to (650)286-9585.
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California Coastal Clean Up
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In our first Compassionate act as a school, we would like to participate in the California Coastal Clean Up on September 20 from 9:00am-12:00pm. We will be working at the San Francisquito Park at the corner of Alma Street and East Creek Drive in Menlo Park. Children must come with an adult. Click here to sign up.
There is a limit to the number of participants per site. If San Francisquito gets full, there is another Menlo Park location and an East Palo Alto location. More information here.
All participants must have a waiver - please bring the waiver with you for easy registration on the day of the clean up. This page also has great information about what to bring.
Any questions, contact Nicole Scott.
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The Hillview Speaker Series
Please join us for another year-long series filled with great topics and engaging speakers discussing important parenting issues facing us today. Click here for this year's line up and put the dates on your calendar now. These events are open to all district parents and community members and take place in the Hillview Performing Arts Center. Free childcare is provided for all potty trained children. You won't want to miss the kick-off event with our own Hillview Principal, Erik Burmeister.
Raising Your Teens Without Losing Your Mind - Part 1
Erik Burmeister, Principal
Hillview Middle School, PAC
Monday, September 15
6:30 - 8:30pm
From mood swings, to puberty, to the complex life changes that are a result of growing up in the 21st century, raising a healthy and responsible teenager is a task that can boggle the mind of even the most seasoned caregivers. Join Hillview Principal, Erik Burmeister, as he discusses the difference between how girls and boys react to their changing physical and emotional environments, the way in which our daily routines can affect how our kids grow and perform in and out of the classroom, and the boundaries and limits we can expect to have challenged as our kids strive to become more independent. For more information, contact Jennifer Allen.
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PTO and Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation
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PTO On-Campus Campaign Starts This Week!
 
One of the most frequently asked questions is Why does my family need to support both the PTO and the MPAEF? These two organizations both support Oak Knoll in complementary ways.
The PTO funds curriculum enrichment, field trips, community-building events and classroom supplies - all of which are important to Oak Knoll's community of students, teachers, and parents.
The Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation raises money for the District's operating budget. The MPAEF's grant to the District funds more that 32 teachers this year - including classroom teachers; credentialed librarians; art, drama and music teachers; and elementary science aides. This funding is essential to maintaining small class sizes and a comprehensive curriculum.
If you have other questions about the PTO, the MPAEF, our fundraising, or school funding in general, click HERE for the answers.
To donate to the Oak Knoll PTO, click HERE.
To donate or pledge to the MPAEF, click HERE.
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All Students Matter
Volunteer Opportunity in the Classroom
One hour per week for the school year
East Menlo Park/East Palo Alto Schools
We are looking for a limited number of parents willing to volunteer in a K-4 classroom in East Menlo Park and East Palo Alto this year. Tutor students in a structured reading program or assist teachers in the classroom with tutoring and individualized instruction much like you may have done in your own child's classroom -- these classes have no parents helping and there's no PTA. The schools are a short drive away and it's for one hour a week starting the week of September 22. Our organization, All Students Matter, coordinates everything including an orientation on September 5. To sign up or learn more, please contact Carolyn Blatman or visit www.allstudentsmatter.org.
Youth Dance and Fitness at Studio Rincon in Menlo Park
Fall Youth Dance schedule begins the week of 9/8. Youth classes from 3yo to teen - Hip Hop, Pre-ballet, Pre-tap. Teens welcome in Yoga & Fitness classes. Studio Rincon is a Dance, Yoga and Fitness studio at 3536 Alameda de las Pulgas in Menlo Park, just down the street from Oak Knoll. Schedule and signups at www.studiorincon.com. Classes are filling up fast!
Play Tennis with Player Capital!!!
Happy Fall Everyone! We're looking forward to our fall session of group clinics starting 8/25 at Holbrook-Palmer Park in Atherton. Here is a link to the schedule.
Please email admin@playercapital.com to register or to find out more! Starting in Oct. we will be starting a 2:30pm class on Thursday's for early dismissal. See you on the courts!
Train Like a Ninja with Martial Arts!
You Have Seen The Movies, Now It's Your Turn To...Train Like a Ninja with Martial Arts
With classes for kids ages 4 and up, you too can learn how to move like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Get 6 weeks of classes plus a free uniform for only $69! See our website for more details! http://menloparkmartialarts.com
Host a foreign exchange student:
AFS (American Field Service) is looking for host families for high school foreign exchange students for this school year. AFS has students awaiting news of their host family in our area, and needs to quickly identify hosts and secure school spots. If you have ever considered the rewarding experience of hosting an exchange student, please step up now to welcome on of these students.
To learn more and review a list of students and their profiles, click here and enter your zip code to see the students who will be coming to the Bay Area.
All AFS exchange students are honors students who have been selected for the program based on their academic success, responsibility, adaptability and optimism. Host families provide a bedroom (they can share a room with a child of the same gender), meals, and transportation to/from school and activities. The student's family pays for their travel and other expenses.
To learn more about hosting, please contact Troy Henri at646-381-3289
Bulldog Sports and Fitness
Bringing fitness and fun to Menlo Park since 2009
Afterschool flag football, co-ed ages 5-11.
Competitive league flag football on Sundays.
Youth and teen fitness classes throughout the week.
For more information and to register please visit our website:
http://www.bulldogsportsandfitness.com/
Souls4Souls
On October 10, make a choice to live one day without shoes. Go barefoot to represent someone who has been affected by wearing inadequate footwear, and be the voice of those in need. Be Barefoot4Them.
Use social action to raise awareness for the 400 million children who live in extreme poverty. For more information, please visit our website:
http://soles4souls.org/barefoot4them
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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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