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Oak Knoll PTO
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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
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Tuesday, September 23
- Balclutha Field Trip (Austin)
Wednesday, September 24
- Balclutha Field Trip (Fuller)
Friday, September 26
- Fall Family Picnic, 5:30-7:30pm, playground
September 29 - October 10
- Halloween Costume Donation Drive
October 13 - 24
- New & Used Book Donation Drive
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 Patti Kelley, 2nd Grade Teacher
Favorite thing about Oak Knoll: Oak Knoll is all about "the kids." It has a positive and nurturing climate and there are strong learning opportunities for all students. The feel of a community. We have a staff that is knowledgeable, professional, flexible, and adaptable. It warms my heart to see the smiles and hear the laughter of children throughout the day.
Share a passion of yours: I feel very passionate about the environment and have participated in beach and local park clean-ups. I have also participated in some walks and runs for charities.
A fun fact about yourself: I have two daughters and lots of siblings. I grew up in Redwood City. At home you may find me working in the garden, reading or creating a t-shirt quilt! I'm a life long "lair camper." I love to be outdoors. My favorite places always include a beach or a mountain with my family. I love to laugh! I have done some really neat open water swims and play water polo!!
A favorite quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." -Maya Angelou
 Aidee Torres, Paraeducator in Learning Center
Favorite thing about Oak Knoll: I like the sense of community and how students and families share with less fortunate students from other communities.
Share a passion of yours: I have volunteered at the food bank in San Carlos. I hope to volunteer at senior living communities.
A fun fact about yourself: I enjoy cooking, gardening, embroidery, but my passion is cooking.
A favorite quote: "Attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect, mirror what you admire." and "A smile is the prettiest thing you wear."
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PTO and Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation
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Ten Reasons to Support Your PTO and the MPAEF
10. Library books and our librarian, Ms. Bennion: Not only to our kids love going to library, it is good for them!
9. Community-building events: They're fun for the whole family and help make our Oak Knoll community stronger.
8. School communications: Helping you keep on top of everything with the weekly newsletter, District directory, website, and other types of communications throughout the school year.
7. Classroom supplies and teacher resources: Our teachers and staff are so appreciative of all that we do to help them so that they can remain focused on their top priority - the kids.
6. Lunchtime programs: Sports supervision and teacher-directed clubs allow kids to explore different activities during their free time.
5. Art: There may be a future Picasso at Oak Knoll thanks to Mr. Almquist.
4. Science: Most parents can't answer all of the "why" questions, which is why we have Ms. Solomon. Plus, science is just plain fun for kids!
3. Music: Did you know that children who have received music instruction scored higher marks on tests of their spatial and arithmetic skills? Mrs. Tee's music class is more than just a fun class for your child!
2. Field Trips and assemblies: What students learn in the classroom is reinforced in other meaningful ways.
1. More classroom teachers: Keeping our class sizes down helps build the relationship between the teachers and their students.
Imagine your child's day without these people, programs and events. It just wouldn't be Oak Knoll! All of this exists because of your support of the PTO and the MPAEF.
THANK YOU to all of those that have already made their contributions to the Are You In Campaign. Your support to our community-funded schools makes a tremendous impact. For more information on how your contributions make a difference, please watch our video!
Click HERE to donate to the Oak Knoll PTO by September 24!
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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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Otterwear Orders Due Friday, September 19!
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This is the last week to order Otterwear for the 2014-2015 school year! Give your kids a fall boost with bright new Otterwear in fashionable colors ranging from neon yellow to bright pink to classic Oak Knoll blue. In the Otterwear online store, you will find t-shirts, dry fit, shorts for boys and for girls, hoodies, pullovers (for you) and more. Don't forget to add a water bottle, magnet and hat to your order. These also make great gifts! 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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Ollie would like to thank the following Oak Knoll Parents for making the Back to School luncheon a special event for our faculty and staff: Page Curtin and Julie Pietrantoni, as well as Alexis Bjorlin, Nick Gracia, Cyndy Hogan, Carol Jensen, Andrea Potischman, Gina Preston, Diane Sonsini, Trisha Spivakovsky, Jenny Sullivan and Jill Wurster.
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Hot Lunch Volunteers Needed!
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Register here to begin ordering hot lunch with the code "otters." The Choicelunch website offers a complete description 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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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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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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Start Clearing Out Your Closets & Bookshelves for a Great Cause!
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The Caring & Sharing Committee wants to announce two opportunities this fall to donate to those in need: A Halloween Costume Donation Drive and a New/Used Book Donation Drive. All donations will go to the Children's Fund of San Mateo County. The book drive will culminate in a book sort on October 30, 1:30-3:30pm in the small multi, in which Oak Knoll kids can help prepare the books for distribution. Everybody interested please come!
Halloween Costume Drive: As the Halloween season approaches, please consider donating your outgrown and gently used Halloween costumes. All costumes welcome, but please no wigs/masks, plastic guns, knives or anything that depicts violence.
Used/New Book Drive: Looking forward to Oak Knoll's October Book Fair? Let us help you prepare! When making room for those new books, please donate your previously loved books to the Oak Knoll book drive! Then, please consider buying a new book or two for the donation drive. All purchases help our school and donated new books will help children in need. All new books will be set aside and provided to needy children in San Mateo County as holiday gifts.
More details forthcoming as the time approaches. All donations will be collected in barrels in front of the school.
Note on the Children's Fund: The Children's Fund was established as a grassroots effort by social workers to assist foster and low-income children in San Mateo County and provide them with goods and services that are not available through public funds. The Children's Fund benefits low-income and foster children/teens who reside in San Mateo County. In 2014, the Children's Fund will serve more than 4,600 children in San Mateo County.
Questions? Please contact Meg McGraw-Scherer.
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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.
The San Francisquito Clean-up location in Menlo Park is now FULL!
Please sign up at one of the other locations: in Menlo Park at Bedwell Bay Front Park or in East Palo Alto at the Bay Trail or at another section of San Francisquito Creek. 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. Also, all children MUST be accompanied by an adult. This page also has great information about what to bring.
Any questions, contact Nicole Scott.
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Don't miss the upcoming MPCSD ParentEd Conference:
"What Parents Need to Know About the Common Core"
Sunday, October 12, 1:30-5:00pm
Hillview Middle School
This conference will give you an insider's view on important developments relating to your children's education. This year, we'll be covering the sweeping changes to the math curriculum lead by the Common Core, as well as new student assessments and report cards. There will also be workshops, taught by district teachers and staff, that will give you first-hand knowledge about what happens in the classroom, as well as tips and tricks for helping your student succeed in school. Free childcare will be available for children ages 2.5 through Middle School (special program for Middle School students) to allow as many parents as possible to attend, but advance registration is required in order to take advantage of this option.
"I learned so much by attending the District ParentEd conference -- it was really interesting and inspiring" - Lydia Lee, Encinal parent of 1st and 4th graders
Conference Details are on the MPCSD ParentEd Page.
Register online for Parents & Childcare by Monday, October 6.
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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.
Cub Scouts - Pacific Skyline Council
Wednesday, September 17, 6:00-700pm
Pack 565 Meeting
Laurel School - Multipurpose Room
Your local Cub Scout Pack (565) is inviting all interested families with boys ages 6-10 to our first Pack meeting of the year!
Torch Basketball Academy
Fridays, September 12 - October 24 (7 weeks)
Flexible Package 3rd - JV
Fall Basketball Clinics with Coaches Melanie Murphy and James Tesla at Sacred Heart Prep. Fall Training Clinics are developed with you in mind. Sign up now online.
City of Menlo Park
Wednesday, September 17, 7:00-9:00pm
Senior Center Ball Room @ 100 Terminal Avenue
The City of Menlo Park is beginning its General Plan Update of the "M-2" areas 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.
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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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