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Oak Knoll PTO
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Monday, October 27
- Last FREE Bike Safety Inspection, 7:40-8:10am, Bike Racks
- Menlo Mandarin Immersion Charter School Petition Study Session, 6:00pm, TERC building, Encinal
- My Digital TAT2, Parent Talk, 7:00-8:30pm, Gym
Tuesday, October 28
- Embracing Our Differences Parent Night, 7:00-8:00pm, Library
Wednesday, October 29
- Halloween Scene (K1-K4), 8:30am, Playroom
- Site Council, 3:30pm, Staff Room
Thursday, October 30
- Last Day to Register for 3rd/4th/5th Grade Basketball
- Embracing Our Differences Kick Off Event - Student Assembly, Speaker Stephanie Faso
- Book Donation Drive Sorting, 1:30-3:30pm, Playroom
Friday, October 31
- Books Come Alive, 7:30am, Library
- Halloween Parade, 8:30am. Bring a change of clothes. NO scary masks, NO weapons.
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November 3-7
- Embracing Our Differences Week
Tuesday, November 4
Thursday, November 6
- MPAEF Board Meeting, TERC
Friday, November 7
- Last Day to Submit 5th Grade Yearbook Cover Artwork
November 10-11
See the Oak Knoll calendar for more important dates and events
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Attention Otters: Veteran's Day Honor Wall
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  Veteran's Day is approaching and Oak Knoll would like to honor our students' family members who serve or have served in the armed forces. Please send a 5x7 photo or smaller (do not send originals as the photos will not be returned), along with their name, military branch, rank, number of years served, tours/stationed and the students name and relation to service personnel and we will display it (this info should fit on an index card). Please see samples. If you have any questions, email Nicole Scott with Honor Wall in the subject.
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 Vincent Lopez, Kindergarten Teacher
Favorite thing about Oak Knoll: The positive attitudes and approaches to learning that everyone has. Students, teachers, administrators, and parents all value and appreciate the power of education.
Share a passion of yours: Guitar and music, motorcycles, rock climbing, 4x4 off roading.
A fun fact about yourself: I have over 50 pairs of fun socks that I wear to school, pizza socks, motorcycle, popcorn, superman socks, the kinders love to see my socks every day.
A favorite quote: "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin
 Jacqui Cebrian, Reading Specialist K-3
Favorite thing about Oak Knoll: I love our "kids can" attitude about everything. I value the leadership who believes that "teachers can". I've taught in different districts and in different states, but I've never loved a school like I love Oak Knoll.
Share a passion of yours: As a teacher, I love to help kids connect with books and stories - in whatever ways they can. I love the look on a child's face when they're excited about a book I helped them find or when I see them reading and walking. Brings a smile to my heart every time. I'm also on the Menlo Park Library Commission. And more recently have been involved in city efforts to improve the Belle Haven neighborhood - which just for the record is in northern Menlo Park.
A fun fact about yourself: I've been to 49 of the 50 states. I love to travel, camp, hike, and mountain bike (and sew and knit) on my off time.
A favorite quote: "You have brains in your head, and feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose." -Dr. Seuss
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Parent Talk: My Digital TAT2
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"Parenting in the Age of Social Media" presented by My Digital TAT2
Monday, October 27, 7:00-8:30pm, Oak Knoll gym
Our kids are "digital natives" - they are growing up in a world of online access and ever changing media devices. Do you wonder how to teach your child responsibility and ethics online, how to ensure they are aware of their actions, and how to best parent them in the digital age?
This PTO-sponsored presentation is recommended for all parents interested in an overview of the digital landscape and learning about thoughtful strategies to navigate media with their children. You can learn more about My Digital TAT2 at http://www.mydigitaltat2.com/
Please note that this is a parents-only event.
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Oak Knoll Basketball Registration Ends This THURSDAY
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OAK KNOLL BASKETBALL REGISTRATION ENDS THIS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30! NO LATE REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED!
3rd, 4th & 5th grade Oak Knoll students can now register to play basketball! But, HURRY - registration closes Thursday! This is a recreational league offered by the city of Menlo Park and organized by the After School Sports Program. All practices are held at Oak Knoll facilities, and games are held against other schools in the Arrillaga Gymnasium in Menlo Park. Most games will take place on Saturday mornings and afternoons, with the exception of 5th grade girls' basketball games, occurring Monday afternoons and evenings. No prior experience is necessary.
To register your child, please visit TeamSnap. All teams are coached by parent volunteers, and COACHES ARE NEEDED. So, if you are interested in coaching, please email Stefano Baldassi.
For more information about the basketball program, visit the website.
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Book Donation Drive Wrap-Up & Book Sort
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Thanks to everybody who donated to our book donation drive. We got a TON of wonderful books. The drive will culminate this upcoming Thursday, October 30 with a book sort from 1:30-3:30pm in the Small Multi. Everybody is invited to come and help prepare the books for delivery to the Children's fund. All children must be accompanied by an adult to participate.
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Last Free Bike Safety Inspection
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Bike Inspections: Last FREE bike inspection on Monday October 27 before school, 7:40-8:10am. Come by the bike rack area and let the professional mechanics from Menlo Velo look over your child's ride. They will check brakes, pump up tires, adjust helmets, and provide a general safety check. Due to popular demand, bike inspections for student bikes will be prioritized. This event brought to you by the PTO Bike Safety Committee.
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Let's give a huge THANK YOU and Ollie Salutes to Jennie Lang and Shannon Atkinson and their team for a hugely successful Book Fair! The kids had a blast picking out new books amidst the awesome beach theme and the teachers got some great new books for the classrooms. Thank you also to Alison Fleming, Mary Speiser, Jenny Sullivan, Kris Swanson, Tamara Russel, Christy Ericson, Jody Buckley, Christie Connaghan and Meredith Walsey for their hard work on Book Fair as well!
And thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time during the week to help set up, restock, clean up, cashier and ultimately pack up - all much appreciated contributions to a successful event!
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Upcoming Board Meetings Re: Charter School Petition
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Thank you to all those who attended and voiced their opinions at the Public Hearing on the Menlo Mandarin Immersion Charter School (MMICS) petition. Read some of the press coverage on the hearing in the Mercury News and the Almanac.
We encourage parents and community members to attend the following public School Board Meetings:
- Study Session on Monday, October 27 at 6:00pm (MPCSD Office, TERC Building, 181 Encinal Ave., Atherton)
- Final Decision on Wednesday, November 12 at 6:30pm (MPCSD Office, TERC Building, 181 Encinal Ave., Atherton)
On September 12 our District received its first Charter School petition from the parents of the Menlo Mandarin Immersion Charter School. Click here to see the entire Charter petition including petition signatures. A presentation on Charter School fundamentals was presented to the Board on September 3, and is accessible, click here.
Click here to read Charter Petition FAQs from the MPCSD website.
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Parent Book Club - DATE CHANGE
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Nicole Scott, School Counselor, and Jenny Ryan, School Psychologist, invite you to join our parent book club. We will be reading All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood by Jennifer Senior. The book club meets at Kepler's on TUESDAYS at 9:00am (except for 10/29 we will start at 10:00am). Come enjoy time with other parents that are all trying to do the best we can. Each week we will discuss a portion of the book. The dates we will be meeting are October 28, November 4, November 18, December 2 and December 9.
The book may be purchased at Kepler's - tell them it's for the MPCSD parent book club and get a 15% discount! If you are interested in joining us, please email nscott@mpcsd.org.
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Survey for Safe Routes to School
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MPCSD has a County grant for Safe Routes to School program such as traffic safety assemblies, bike/walk rodeos, KangaDo carpool smartphone app, expanded yellow school bus routes, International Walk/Bike to School Day and web resources. Click here for info. Start the SurveyPlease tell the County your thoughts about the Safe Routes to School programs in MPCSD. Complete this survey before Halloween :-) Questions? commutes@mpcsd.org.
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Near the lost and found a compassion tree has started to grow. If your family participates (or has already participated this year) in an act of compassion (a clean up, delivering food, a run for charity), please get an apple from the office and let us know about it. Turn in apples to the office and we will share this act with your child's classroom and some will be shared on KNOL. Let's help our tree grow! Any questions, please email Nicole Scott with "Compassion Tree" in the subject line.
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Calling All 5th Grade Yearbook Cover Artists
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Your 5th grader has the opportunity to have their artwork displayed on the front or back cover of the 2014-2015 Oak Knoll Yearbook. The tradition of having the children create artwork for the yearbook covers is in it's 5th year! There are five winners total.
Beginning this week, in art class, all 5th graders should have the following guidelines from Mr. Almquist:
- Use an 8.5 x 11" piece of what paper (vertical orientation only)
- Include the name of the school in the drawing, Oak Knoll in the drawing
- Include Ollie the Otter, the school's mascot, somewhere in the drawing. He can be large or small.
- Include the school year, 2014-15 or 2014-2015 in the drawing
- Include your First and Last names on the bottom, right-hand side of the drawing (drawings without a name will not be judged)
- No violence or brands in the drawing
Cover Artwork is due to the homeroom teacher ONLY and absolutely NO later than Friday, November 7.
Artwork will be judged by Oak Knoll staff only. Winners will be announced at the end of the school year, when yearbooks are delivered.
Happy drawing!
Contact Rhonda Bucklin with questions.
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Music Notes from Bee Tee: Fall 2014
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and instrumental playing. The students are also learning to solfege with hand signs and will soon be improvising in the pentatonic modes. We will be presenting the program "I See Fall" in December.form of action song. Right now, the students are working hard on a piece of music called," Canon In C, composed by the 17th century English composer, Henry Purcell.
What do you do after an unforgettable show like the Wizard of Oz? You follow it up with Willie Wonka Jr! And that's what the 4th and 5th graders will be doing next spring.
"Willie Wonka Jr" is the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's story "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," a story which is no doubt familiar to all Oak Knoll students. We're excited about this upcoming production. Stay tuned for more information regarding auditions and rehearsals that will be announced soon in our weekly Oak Knoll newsletter.
Please click here to read Bee Tee's updates by grade level.
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Embracing Our Differences Week, November 3-7
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Our Kick Off Event will be a Parent Night on Tuesday, October 28, 7:00-8:00pm in the Oak Knoll Library, with two great speakers - Stephanie Faso & Michael King - who will share their experiences of having a disability from childhood through to adulthood, the challenges they met and the experiences they gained. Both speakers will also be talking with Oak Knoll students at two separate assemblies.
Event Schedule:
- Embracing Our Differences Parent Night: Tuesday, October 28, 7:00-8:00pm, Oak Knoll Library, Speakers: Stephanie Faso & Michael King
- Student Assembly Event Kick Off: Thursday, October 30, Speaker Stephanie Faso
- Embracing Our Differences Week, November 3-7
- Student Assembly #2: during Awareness Week, Speaker Michael King
- In-classroom modules: Monday through Friday, to encourage students to discuss and think about differences and abilities
- Art, Music, Physical Education & Library Programs will be incorporating this theme into their work with students in imaginative and fun ways!
- Abilities Hall of Fame: Monday through Friday, a look at famous people (some are surprising!) that have disabilities
- Spirit Day & KNOL TV - Embracing Our Differences Theme
We hope your kids will be bringing home information, ideas and topics for discussion from this informative and fun week!
For more information or to offer support or volunteering, please contact Elaine Glynn or Shannon Garrow.
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Shop MPAEF: Get Ready for Halloween
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Stock up on Halloween supplies while earning money for our schools. Find children and adult costumes, party supplies, decorations and crafts. And don't forget the candy! Shop now!
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5th Annual MPAEF Gift Boutique
Thursday, November 13 & Friday, November 14
Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park
Featuring well-known designers and much-loved local vendors, there will sure to be something for everyone on your shopping list. We invite you to preview our vendors here. And, recommended, purchase advance tickets to our special events here. Sips, Sweets & Shopping: Enjoy wine and sweet treats while you shop the boutique. Thursday, November 13, 6:00-9:00pm $30 per person advance purchase $40 per person at the door An Evening with the Experts: We've partnered with the highly-regarded caterers and masterful mixologists of Palace Cafe and Catering, and fabulous florist Amanda Thorne to teach you the tricks of the trade and turn you into the hostess with the mostess. Thursday, November 13, 6:30-7:30pm $75 per person which includes entrance into MPAEF Gift Boutique- limited to 30 guests Boutique Brunch and Lunch at the Blue Garden Cafe Seating available Friday, November 14 at 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm $50 per person, space is limited, advance purchase required Boutique Shopping Friday, November 14, 8:30am-2:30pm Complimentary Entrance Invite friends and family! All are welcome! 20% of boutique proceeds benefit the public schools of Menlo Park and Atherton through donations to the MPAEF.Learn more about this event here.
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Sleepy Students: The Adolescent Circadian ShiftDevin Prouty, Ph.D., Researcher/ExpertHillview Middle School, PAC Monday, November 3, 6:30pm Join local researcher Dr. Devin Prouty, Ph.D. as he discusses practical strategies for dealing with adolescent sleep changes and how to help your whole family get enough sleep. Additionally, he will detail the biological mechanisms that affect sleep, biological changes that affect adolescent sleep patterns, the importance of sleep to overall health and academic achievement, and the problems that are associated with insufficient sleep. Dr. Prouty is a local clinical psychologist ( www.granitepsychology.com) who also studies adolescent brain development through NCANDA, the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence ( www.ncanda.org). Free childcare is provided on-site for all potty trained children. For more information, contact Jennifer Allen. ___________________________________________________________________________________ MPAEF Presents: "Apply a Powerful Design-Thinking Mindset to Your Everyday"Wednesday, November 5, 6:30-8:00pm Hillview Performing Arts Center A design-thinking mindset has the powerful potential to change many aspects of our personal, family and professional lives, as well as the personal, emotional and academic lives of our children. In fact, our kids have already been discovering its positive impact in classroom and school activities. Since 2012, our school district has been collaborating with design-thinking influencers and innovation-focused leaders. And now the MPAEF has brought together these individuals to engage district parents and the greater Menlo Park-Atherton community in a panel discussion about how this innovations-based, problem-solving practice is applicable and purposeful to all of us. Come learn these key pillars of design thinking as our children experience them in their classrooms. Discover how they extend and apply to areas of our every day: Empathize first! Yes, and... Design for delight Fail fast; fail often This is event is free and open to the entire community! Seating is limited! Be sure to reserve your spot today! Click here for your online ticket.
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La Entrada Middle School Used Book Fair
Menlo Park
Books can be dropped off from October 13 thru November 1 at either Las Lomitas Elementary School or La Entrada Middle School. Large blue recycling bins are in front of each Office for book collection. Contact Monica Albers with questions.
Fun Private Piano Lessons by Opus Piano Studio
www.opuspianostudio-sf.com
We are currently accepting students for the new school year of 2014-15. If you are interested in signing up, please contact us.
Strikers
Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Woodside
Strikers has tryouts for all age groups in early November for Spring soccer. Please go to www.alpinestrikers.org to learn more and find specific age group tryout dates.
Bulldog Sports and Fitness
Menlo Park
Fitness at The Bulldog Gym!
http://youtu.be/kF0okp8Nr7A
Bulldog Youth Flag Football Fun!
For more information and to register, please visit our website:
http://www.bulldogsportsandfitness.com/
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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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