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Oak Knoll PTO
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Monday, September 8
- Balclutha Field Trip (Coldoff)
Tuesday, September 9
- Balclutha Field Trip (Sanchez)
- MPCSD Regular Board Meeting, 5:00pm
- Volleyball Coaches Meeting, 600pm, small multi
Wednesday, September 10
- Balclutha Field Trip (Veneman)
- PTO Board Meeting, 8:15-10:00am
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September 15-19
- Bring helmets to PE (ALL 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders)
Wednesday, September 17
- Balclutha Field Trip (Shirly/Tom)
- Filoli Field Trip (McColloch/Yob/Guerra)
Friday, September 19
- Last Day to Order Otterwear
Friday, September 26
- Fall Family Picnic, 5:30-7:30pm, playground.
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One of our goals this year is to provide better communication about our programs and to connect you with our staff more often. This section of the Otter Weekly will be focused on highlighting our outstanding staff throughout the year so you can put a face to a name. At Oak Knoll we have over 75 people on our staff. We start this week at the center of the school with our amazing staff in the office, Barb and Cathy.
I hope you enjoy learning about our staff throughout the year!
Kristen Gracia
Principal
 Barb Snow, Office Manager
Favorite thing about Oak Knoll: I love the kids and enjoy working with wonderful and supportive parents. There are never two days alike. Every day is a new experience when working around children. I enjoy working with a dedicated staff that puts students first. "Everyone Loves Oak Knoll!" I am so proud to be part of the Oak Knoll Family.
Share a passion of yours: Family is extremely important to me, caring for my parents to my grandchildren. i love traveling with my husband and enjoy visiting my grandchildren. I have been involved with my parish community in various events. Some of my missions are arts and crafts projects, scrapbooking and trying new recipes. I love to take interesting walks and love to shop.
A fun fact about yourself: I have worked in the Menlo Park City School District since 1973 and the last 34 years at Oak Knoll!
A favorite quote: The Golden Rule: "Treat others like you would like to be treated."
 Cathy Peterson, Administrative Assistant
Favorite thing about Oak Knoll: My favorite thing about Oak Knoll is definitely the community of people. I love how we feel like one big family here. Teachers, staff, parents and students continually show compassion toward one another. Not only is this my favorite thing, but I feel it is the essence of what makes our school so special.
Share a passion of yours: I have been involved with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts, working in conjunction with various organizations including InnVision Shelter Network, Second Harvest Food Bank, Pets In Need, and My New Red Shoes. Currently, I lead a troop of 10th grade girls who started as kindergarteners! I volunteer at my daughter's school, Menlo-Atherton High School, and I also help at Peninsula Youth Theater making costumes, props and sets which is a lot of fun. I also have served as a small group leader for 4th and 5th graders at my church, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, for several years.
A fun fact about yourself: I am very creative and make lots of things! I made the new Ollie mask that you may have seen at the Are You In Run. I enjoy trying new recipes for my family's dinner. I collect antique teacups and handkerchiefs. I love to hike with my family and my dog, Buster. I have a twin sister!
A favorite quote: I have two. "Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and do it all over again." Jiminy Cricket. "Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7
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Please join us for the Fall Family Picnic on Friday, September 26 from 5:30-7:30pm. There will be games, karaoke, and lots of fun! This year we are having hot dogs from Top Dog.
You must purchase tickets before Monday, September 22. Tickets are $10.00 per person. We would like all families to attend. Please consider purchasing sponsorship tickets.
To buy tickets online, please click here; or print off and fill in the order form and put it in the Fall Family Picnic folder in the school office before September 22.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Nancy Lieberman or Katherine Hochstetler.
Thank you!
The Fall Family Picnic Co-Chairs
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Tip of the Week: September is Bike Safety Month here at Oak Knoll School. Students will participate in bike safety programming as part of physical education all month long. For those of us at home, go to the Oak Knoll website and check out the recommended walking and cycling routes to school. Also, talk with your child about the bike safety announcements made weekly on KNOL.
ALL 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students are to bring their helmets to PE the week of September 15. We will be learning to fit our helmets in class.
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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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Last Chance to Order Otterwear!
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The deadline is fast approaching. You have less than two weeks to submit your Otterwear order for the 2014-15 school year. Show your spirit and outfit your Otter or yourself in our top sellers this season: Ollie Tie Dye T-Shirts (3 colors), Neon Ollie T-Shirts (2 colors), Dry Fit Athletic T-Shirts (3 colors) and Girls Fitted Heart T-Shirt (3 colors). Questions about size or color? See samples in the office or detailed descriptions online.
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.
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Be A Student For The Night
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Please join us on Wednesday, October 8 from 7:00-8:15pm for a very special evening as our ART, LIBRARY, MUSIC, and P.E. teachers let us "walk in our children's shoes." Mr. Almquist, Ms. Bennion, Ms. Knight, Ms. Chiet, Ms. Tee and Dr. Westfall have planned a fun, interactive night that will allow parents to see what our children experience every day at Oak Knoll. All parents are encouraged to come meet their children's teachers. This night is a great opportunity to experience the programs at Oak Knoll that our community's donations to be Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation (MPAEF) make possible.
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MPCSD's Water Conservation Efforts
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Our schools have been designed and built with water conservation in mind. The schools are equipped with programmable irrigation and drip irrigation systems throughout. Bathrooms are equipped with hand-activated faucets, ultra low flush urinals, and dual flush toilets. Encinal School irrigation is fed from an on-site well and Hillview boasts a synthetic field that uses no water!
Because of the severity of the current drought, the District is taking further steps to reduce water usage by 20%. The following steps are being taken:
- Reduction of landscape irrigation timing by 20% and capping of sprinkler heads where irrigation is not needed
- No washing down of concrete or pavement except for spot cleaning as needed
- Reduction of water used in cleaning of facility floors
- Reduce washing of school buses and vehicle to once a month
- Request staff and students to be mindful of their water usage
Working together as a team we can reduce waste and help our State during this drought period. Thank you!
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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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El Camino Real Corridor Study and Survey deadline is September 12!
The study will review potential transportation and traffic improvements to El Camino Real between Sand Hill Road and Encinal Avenue. We heard from many at the first workshop in April 2014, but tell us what you think! We have a 10-minute survey on the project website - fill it out and give us your thoughts on El Camino. Stay tuned to the project website for future updates, including our next workshop in Fall 2014, where we will be discussing improvement options.
Menlo Park General Plan Update - Community Input Meeting
The City of Menlo Park is beginning its General Plan Update of the "M-2" area surrounding 101 and including the Belle Haven and Suburban Park neighborhoods, and we are seeking input from residents.
The General Plan is a legal document, required by state law, which serves as the City of Menlo Park's "constitution" for development and the use of its land. It is a comprehensive, long-range document, detailing proposals for the physical development of the City, and of any land outside its boundaries but within its designated "sphere of influence."
The City's current General Plan (specifically the Land Use and Circulation Elements) was updated in 1994 and includes outdated land use and traffic projections to the year 2010. The Update would focus on the Land Use and Circulation Elements and would include items such as Complete Streets and a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy.
Your participation is a critical part of the update, and I encourage you to attend one of the Community Workshops.
Thursday, September 11
7:00-9:00pm
Menlo Park Presbyterian Church Social Hall
700B Santa Cruz Avenue
Wednesday, September 17
7:00-9:00pm
Senior Center Ball Room
100 Terminal Avenue
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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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WE'RE OFF TO A GOOD START!
Thank you to all of our Oak Knoll families who have donated to the PTO during the first two weeks of school. We appreciate your support!
So far, together we have raised $68,500, which gets us 38% of the way to our $180,000 goal!
If you haven't had the time to donate yet, there's still two more weeks to help us reach our goal - just click HERE to donate today!
Last year's shortened Annual Parent Campaign was an all-around success, so we've made it permanent! We are asking families to make their commitment by November 20. Your commitment can take the form of a donation - either in full or set up in monthly payments - or a pledge made now to be fulfilled at a later date. If you're wondering what difference your support makes ... a HUGE difference! This year, your donations funded more than 32 teachers, including classroom, music, art, drama, elementary science, and library teachers. Your support means smaller class sizes and a comprehensive education program for all students in our District. So make your commitment today by clicking HERE.
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Parent Place Palo Alto
200 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto
Parent Education Workshops:
- Navigating School District Services: Children with Special Needs (all ages). Wednesday, September 10, 7:00-9:00pm.This workshop is for parents who have children with any type of special needs or suspected special needs. With Diana Blank, LCSW. $40. Register here.
- Unplug Your Family: Managing Media and Recipes for Creating Meaningful Traditions (birth - 10 years). Monday, September 15, 7:00-9:00pm. During this exciting, thought-provoking workshop, you will gain concrete ideas that you can implement immediately to create more healthful homes amid the media frenzy in our lives. With Pam Worth. $40. Register here.
- The Joys and Challenges of Raising Daughters (all ages). Tuesday, September16, 7:00-9:00pm. We will discuss the many ways dads model for and guide their daughters, provide information about child development, and suggest father-daughter activities that can help men increase their knowledge and satisfaction in their role as fathers. $40. With Kirk Stuepfert, MSW. Register here.
- Raising a Highly Sensitive Child (all ages). Tuesday, September 30, 7:00-9:00pm. Learn more about supporting your child's intense reactions to the environment and strategies for teaching coping skills. With Denise Salin, MFT. $40. Register here.
After School Lacrosse
Grades 3rd - 5th, Beginner to Intermediate Level
Wednesdays 3:00-4:15pm, September 24 - November 12.
$240/8 session, includes t-shirt
Oak Knoll fields
Back for another year, our After School class at Oak Knoll offers boys and girls a chance to learn the hottest new sport in West Coast Schools. This class is taught by Menlo-Atherton Grizzlies Director and founder of SixFifty Lacross, Matt Bond. Beginners bring a mouth guard to participate with no-contact. Experienced players bring your gear bag with stick, pads & helmet (girls need stick, goggles & mouth guard). Questions? Please email Matt. Thanks!
Grizzlies Fall Lacrosse
Join us for Grizzlies Fall Ball - Sunday afternoons September 28 - November 16. Boys and girls ages 5 - 15 are welcome and the program is open to all Peninsula towns. Fall is a great time to come out and try Lacrosse or work on stick skills before Spring Season. All U11 - U15 players must try out in the Fall for spring team placement. Players age 5 - young 9s do not need to try out. See our website for more information or email us.
Boy Scouts of America
Cub Scout 2014-15 Registration and Ice Cream Social
Sunday, September 14, 1:00-3:00pm
Oak Knoll School
All interested families with boys entering grades 1 through 4 are invited to join as at Menlo Park's Pack 222 Ice Cream Social. We'll have a fun, activity filled kickoff event! See how far you can shoot the Water Balloon Catapult! If you have further questions, please email Robert Freeman (this year a co-Cub Master and proud parent of two Cub Scouts) and visit the Pack 222 website.
Menlo Park Martial Arts & Character Development Academy
We are sponsoring a community wide collection of non-perishable food for the 2nd Harvest Food Bank. The collection barrel is located in the lobby of the Arrillaga Recreation Center at Burgess Park at 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park. Menlo Park Martial Arts is in the Sequoia Room inside the Rec Center with classes for kids ages 4 and up. See our website for more details!
Menlo Tennis Academy
Fall Tennis Lessons
Monday and Wednesday, 3:45-4:35pm (Level 1) and 4:45-5:45 (Level 2)
Burgess Park
Menlo Tennis Academy offers year-round weekly group tennis lessons for kids age 6-12 years, right in Burgess Park. Head Coach Jake Vu uses a dynamic style of instruction designed to keep kids engaged, while building a foundation of essential skills important to the development of youth tennis players.
Menlo Mavericks
Swim and Water Polo Teams
Monday - Saturday, various times
Burgess and Belle Haven Pools
Now accepting new members for year-round Menlo Park swim and water polo teams! USA Swimming-certified swim team for youth age 5-18, plus Water Polo for boys and girls, 13 and under. www.menlomavericks.com
Alpine Strikers Girls Under 9
Mon/Wed/Sat or Sun
Think it's too late to join Alpine Strikers soccer? Think again. Girls Under 9 (05 birthday) team is looking for more players. We have an awesome (female!) coach and a great group of girls, a mix of 3rd and 4th grades from Oak Knoll and local schools. Practices on Monday & Wednesday, games Saturday or Sunday. For more information, please contact the team registrar, Lisa Guevara 650-208-8146.
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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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