Oak Knoll PTO
Otter Weekly
November 23, 2014
   En Espa�ol 
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In This Issue
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This Week 


Tuesday, November 25
  • Report Cards Sent Home

November  26-28

  • NO SCHOOL

Looking Ahead  


Tuesday, December 2   

  • 3rd Grade Debate Parent Night, 7:00-8:30pm, Gym

Wednesday, December 3

  • 4th Grade Debate Parent Night, 7:00-8:30pm, Gym
  • Levi Stadium Field Trip (MLB), 9:00am-2:30pm

See the Oak Knoll calendar for more important dates and events 

MPAEF News
 
We Are Thankful for Our District Families' Support; Final Campaign Tallying Continues

THANK YOU to all of the District families who donated or pledged during the 2014-15 MPAEF annual parent campaign! Thanks, too, for helping our district community celebrate on "Are You IN?" Day -- it was wonderful seeing the activities across all four school campuses that brought to life our collective commitment of creating extraordinary education for our children. 
 
We continue to tally up all the donations, pledges and stock transfers that came in this past week -- thank you! When we return from Thanksgiving, we will announce our final participation number and dollars raised. We will also then announce whether as a district we were able to unlock the $80,000 challenge gift.  

For those of you who have not committed your support -- it's not too late! Click here to do so.

This Thanksgiving, please know how grateful our students, teachers, and community are for your financial support. 
 
With appreciation,

Calla Griffith & Kristin Seuell, Co-Presidents 
Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation  
 
Note from Principal Gracia Re: Common Sense Media
Parents, check out this resource! As a parent and educator, I use Common Sense Media's resources as I navigate the world of media and technology with my kids and our Oak Knoll students.

"Common Sense Media is dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology.  We empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids' lives."

I have also shared this resource with our Oak Knoll teachers and counselor and have plans to use it more within our classrooms, throughout the year. Take some time to check out the Common Sense Media parent resource pages.

Take care,
Kristen Gracia

Office Reminders 
Please donate extra kids' clothing to our office - especially needed before (hopefully) rainy days! All kids' sizes welcome.

Also, as you finalize holiday plans, please report planned absences by filling out this online form, emailing Cathy Petersen, or calling the school office at 650-854-4433.  Thank you! 
       
Staff Highlights
Teri Murphy, 4th Grade Teacher

Favorite thing about Oak Knoll: I love the student's enthusiasm for learning every morning as I walk on campus. I also appreciate the collaborative atmosphere and camaraderie among the staff as we work together to make Oak Knoll the best it can be.  Oak Knoll wouldn't be what it is without the amazing contributions from the parents and families who put in hours of volunteer work, and provide such generous support.

Share a passion of yours: My family and I have been members of the same church for the past 20 years. I have served as a Sunday School Teacher, Eucharistic Minister, Lectern, and Stage Manager for plays and productions. As a family, we make it a point to serve at St. Anthony's Dining Room in San Francisco, and provide regular food delivery to our sister church in East Palo Alto.

A fun fact about yourself: I love to hike, especially with my Women's Hiking Group as we explore trails in the Peninsula Open Space Preserve. I'm also a San Francisco native, and a big fan of all our local teams - Giants, Warriors, Niners, and Sharks!

A favorite quote: "Happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather recognizing and appreciating what we do have." -Frederick Koenig

Janice San Filippo, 1st Grade Teacher

Favorite thing about Oak Knoll: I love the diversity of Oak Knoll. It's so much fun having children from all areas of the world and the United States in one classroom. I have learned so much about different cultures and customs.

Share a passion of yours: I have always been involved with organizations that raise awareness and funds to help children with special needs. I have been a member of the Children's Home Society and PCA, an organization that benefits the Peninsula Children's Center.

A fun fact about yourself: I am addicted to Garage and estate sales. I love to purchase interesting antique pieces of furniture and refinish them!

A favorite quote: "What if the Hokey Pokey really is what it's all about?"
     
Spring Musical - Audition Sign-Ups Now Open
All 4th and 5th graders are invited to try out for Oak Knoll's Spring Musical, Willy Wonka Jr.  

The show will be cast and directed by Oak Knoll's Music Specialist, Bee Tee, and Hillview's Drama Director, Bill Hairston. Students will rehearse after school Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week beginning in January.  Ten weeks of rehearsals will culminate in two performances at Hillview on Thursday, 3/26 and Saturday, 3/28 followed by a school assembly on Tuesday, 3/31.  

Auditions will be held after school on Tuesday, December 9 and Wednesday, December 10.  Please visit Mrs. Tee's Fusion Page to sign-up for an Audition time.  Details on what to prepare for the audition as well as important rehearsal and parent volunteer requirements are provided.

Please contact Page Curtin with any questions. 
      
After School Programs - Winter Registration Now OPEN
Registration for Oak Knoll's Winter After School Program is now OPEN!  Classes begin the week of January 12 and continue through mid-March.  We have many terrific class offerings - some great new classes to Oak Knoll this year, and some good old favorites! Please click here to be directed to the ASP webpage for a detailed list of after school classes and registration information. For questions, contact Mark Baker
      
Oak Knoll Yearbook
Oak Knoll's 2014-2015 Yearbook is on-sale through December 31! The yearbook is a great way to keep Oak Knoll memories alive for your kids. And this year, yearbooks will be in full color!

Orders are exclusively online for $25. You should also have received an email from Jostens with a link to purchase the yearbook.  Be sure to specify your child(ren)'s grade and teacher for each book.

Next up: 5th grade parents, please start searching for a favorite baby photo of your child between the ages of 3-18 months. Inclusion of baby photos is a 5th grade tradition. You can provide a digital copy (preferred) or a hard copy (will be returned). Hard copies should go to your child's homeroom class. There will be a manilla envelope in the front office too. Paula Da Cruz Griffin, Yearbook Baby Photos, will assist in collecting the photos beginning after the Thanksgiving break.

Please contact Rhonda Bucklin with questions.

Grades 2/3 Spots Still Open for Girls Leadership Institute Workshops
There are still spots open in our Girls Leadership Institute Workshop for grades 2/3 during February. Parents and daughters will learn about identifying healthy relationships, finding their voices, and communicating more effectively. Girls will also develop resilient responses to conflict, challenges, and mistakes. The program is interactive, fun, and enlightening for parents and daughters! Workshops for K/1, 2/3 in January, and 4/5 are full at this time.
 
Click here for details, including cost and specific dates, and to register online!

If you have any questions, please email Stephanie Chen.
                     
Substitute Teachers Needed for District Pool
Looking for a way to contribute to your child's school district and earn yourself a few dollars? Why not try substitute teaching a couple of days a week? Substitutes without a California Teaching Credential are employed on a short term basis (meaning day-to-day subbing vs long-term leave subbing). We often need substitutes for roving purposes, meaning  substitutes release teachers for special meetings or trainings for a few hours during the day. In order to sub in California, we need to see a passing CBEST score and transcripts showing a BA or higher. For more information, contact our district office.  
      
MPAEF Spring Auction - Come Join the Team! 
Have you enjoyed taking part in the MPAEF Spring Auction year after year? Are you new to the District and excited to get involved? Join us and help us raise $250K+ for our schools!!
 
We are currently seeking a parent volunteer to be the Auction Co-Chair for the 2015 MPAEF Spring Auction to be held on Saturday, April 11 at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club.  Cyndy Hogan is returning as the Event Co-Chair so you'll be working with a seasoned partner. We are seeking an auction-side co-chair to oversee the online and event-night auction. If you are someone who has good project management skills, data management skills, and an interest in organizing a large-scale event to support our schools, we need you!
 
If you are interested in learning more about this important and fun role, please reach out to Calla Griffith at 650-906-7960. 
      
Community Sponsored News
Twas the Night Before Christmas

Saturday December 6, 4:00pm

Sunday December 7, 1:00pm and 4:00pm

Saturday, December 13,1:00pm and 4:00pm

Sunday, December 14, 1:00pm and 4:00pm 

Presented by Dancers Repertory Theatre and Menlo Park Academy of Dance Located at the Woodside Performing Arts Center - Tickets . Some of our very own Oak Knoll students will be dancing in the performances of Twas the Night Before Christmas! Savannah Lang, Isabella Arizini, Soleil du Bois, Olivia Matthews, Carolina Arizini, Ella Skinner, Mary Gaughan Curtin, Alaina Egnal, Meghan Feick, Bridgid Cutright, Sadie Evans, Chelsea Feick, Annabelle Johnson, Helena Yassa.  

 

Family Gift Tag Workshop

December 14, 1:00-4:00pm

Downstairs Program Room 

800 Alma St, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Free to the Public

Personalize your gifts this year with tags you create in a fun workshop for the whole family! Artists Betsy Halaby and Susie Peyton will bring their materials and...... Read on

 

Registration for the AMA Softball 2015 season is now open

AMA Softball is a community softball league for girls ages 5-12. For league information and online registration, please visit  http://amasoftball.com/ 

 

Palo Alto Girls Softball

Spring recreation league for all girls ages 5-14                                                

Registration closes January 20, 2015

Click here to  Register

 

Redwood City Girls Softball League

Menlo Park and Atherton girls 5-14

Sign up for the 2015 spring season This league is organized the same way as the M-A Little League, with trained coaches, play-offs for 10U and up, and All-Star tournament teams for the summer. For more information, visit www.rcgsl.org, or email [email protected].

 

The Nutcracker

Sunday, December 7th at 1:00pm and 4:00pm

At the Fox Theater in Redwood City on.  Tickets are available via the website

 

Friends of Allied Arts

Children's Holiday Party

Sunday, December 14 at 12:30 pm until 3pm.

At Allied Arts Guild

75 Arbor at Cambridge Ave., Menlo Park

Exciting entertainment for children ages 4-9 accompanied by an adult. ($25 per person) Visit alliedartsguild.org for details.

 

"Adopt a Grandparent"

Girl Scout Troop 32217 is so excited to kick off our troops "Adopt a Grandparent" program for Christmas 2014!  

Each $25 donation will "adopt" a grandparent & provide a special gift for a resident. For questions: [email protected] or 650-644-7750

Click here to register.

 

Hoopsters Basketball

Starting Dec 29, 30, 31, Jan 2

Time 9:30-12.00

Instructor: T. Bowler, Location: Arrillaga Family Gymnasium

Code 4112.202                                    

Ages 5-12  

Young hoopsters will learn the fundamental skills of dribbling, catching and shooting, as well as basic rules, while having a great time. Coach Tim Bowler is a National Board Certified Physical Education Teacher and Coach at Menlo Atherton High School.  [email protected] and 650-996-3308

 

The Gryphons/FORCE North Soccer Club

Fall Try-outs for ALL CLUB TEAMS!

For detailed information, interest parties can visit the ForceNorth website.  

 

Caltrain

Caltrain is expanding its youth category from 17 to 18 years old.  The change goes into effect Dec. 21, 2014.  Youth fall into the "Eligible Discount" category that allows them to ride at a 50 percent discount off the adult fare.  Customers using the Clipper Youth cards on Caltrain don't have to do anything different because the Clipper system will be adjusted to recognize 18 year olds as "youth".  Caltrain fare information is available at www.caltrain.com/fares  

 

Quick Links

Newsletter Submissions
Please submit announcements and flyers to [email protected] for Oak Knoll events. For the Community Corner, send submissions to [email protected].

The deadline for both email addresses is by noon on the Wednesday 
prior to publication dateGuidelines for submission are available online. 

Newsletter Archives
To read past Oak Knoll PTO newsletters, please visit our archives.