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Oak Knoll PTO
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Tuesday, December 9
- Parent Coffee Talk with Principal Gracia, 8:15-9:15am, Gym
- San Juan Bautista Field Trip (Cline/Murphy), 8:15am-2:30pm
- 4/5 Grade Auditions for Spring Musical After School
Wednesday, December 10
- PTO Board Meeting
- Coffee Cart
- Levi Stadium Field Trip (Chan/Poole/Jagelka), 8:30am-2:30pm
- 4/5 Grade Auditions for Spring Musical After School
Thursday, December 11
- MPAEF Board Meeting, 8:45-10:30am, TERC
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Thursday, December 18
- 2nd Grade Performance, Gym
- Fire Station Field Trip (Becker/Cline), 8:30-10:30am
Friday, December 19
- MINIMUM DAY - all students dismissed at 11:20am
December 22 - January 5
See the Oak Knoll calendar for more important dates and events
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Coffee Talk with Principal Gracia - ON TUESDAY!
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Parents,
I look forward to seeing some of you in the Gym this Tuesday, December 9 at 8:15am for an informal chat about Oak Knoll. I plan to share our proposed school goals and areas of focus for the year. Also, I plan to gather feedback from you about the topics you are most interested in so I can tailor future Coffee Talks to your interests and needs. The Coffee Talk series is a small venue for informal conversations regarding Oak Knoll and a time for me to connect with you over a cup of coffee! As a working parent, I realize that this timing might be tough for some of you. My hope is to expand this idea, in the future, to include some evening chats too.
As always, I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 12/9 at 8:15am in the Gym or at a future event. Remember the other Coffee Talks will be held on 1/13, 3/10, 4/7, and 5/12.
Kristen Gracia
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 Kristen Gracia, Principal
Favorite thing about Oak Knoll: Oak Knoll is a school like no other! Our students amaze and impress me each day. I love it when they have an idea, plan it out, and work to implement it...all by themselves! Our teachers and staff work hard and collaborate, always working to make Oak Knoll even better for our students. The partnership we have with our parents and community is one-of-a-kind. It's like a team at the beginning of a big game. All hands in, working together to make our school a place where all kids feel empowered to grow their brain, be a better friend, and help others. Go team!
Share a passion of yours: As much as I LOVE Oak Knoll, family is the most important thing to me. I love spending time with my family. I enjoy their company, their humor, and their faces. I am married to a great guy and we have two wonderful kids. We have lived here in Menlo Park for the past 12 years and our kids are students at Oak Knoll. If we are not off doing something active, chances are, we are probably at Oak Knoll! I like living in the community where I work. It just makes sense.
A fun fact about yourself: I have a good arm and can throw a football and baseball much farther and faster than it may seem. Once in awhile I will surprise the kids on the field and play a little catch with them. I was a competitive athlete throughout my life and always loved to blur the lines between boys' and girls' sports. In fact one year in high school I tried out for the boys soccer team, just because they didn't have a girls team. I truly wanted to make a point that not having a girls' team wouldn't stop girls from playing a sport like soccer. I made the team, although softball was always my sport of choice.
A favorite quote: I love quotes, and this simple one could make huge positive impact if everyone, no matter their age, lived by it: "Work hard and be nice."
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DO NOT park or stop on Oak Knoll Lane right outside school and sit in your cars on rainy days. Several cars have been spotted doing this even when it's not raining and it's a safety hazard for pedestrians and bikers and causes excess congestion.
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!
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Compassion Project with My New Red Shoes
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CALLING ALL PARENTS! We are looking for parents to be on a committee to help us put together a Compassion Project with My New Red Shoes. In early February, we will be partnering with My New Red Shoes to make gift bags and collect new shoe donations. How much time you give to the committee and project will be completely up to you. If you are interested, please email Meg McGraw-Scherer. A big part of the project will be fabric collection, so we are asking for any and all fabric donations for construction of the gift bags. Fabric should be 100% cotton or cotton-poly blends in solid colors or any kid or teen-friendly print. Fabric sizes must be no smaller than 44" x 17." However, we will happily accept larger pieces of fabric as well. Many fabric stores have sales around the holidays so this is the ideal time of year to purchase fabric. Additionally, any donations of fabric store coupons would be greatly appreciated! Please keep in mind the bags are going to girls and boys so the fabric choices should be ones that all kids (even teens) might enjoy. All Donations can be turned into Mrs. Scott in Rm 7. Thanks so much for considering!
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World Language Review at MPCSD Board Meeting
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At its upcoming December 9 meeting, the Board will begin a discussion about World Language Standards, and hear findings from the District's evaluation of the Spanish Immersion program. The agenda will include presentations from staff on possible directions and planning for World Language for 2015-16 and beyond. Also during this meeting, the Board will continue its discussion and plan to take action on the District's Guiding Principles, and how they relate to the upcoming Strategic Planning process. If you would like to comment on any of these topics the Board meeting begins at 6:00pm at the District Office TERC building, 181 Encinal Ave., Atherton or please feel free to write the Board at board@mpcsd.org.
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Spring Musical - Last Call For Auditions!
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 LAST CALL FOR 4TH AND 5TH GRADERS TO SIGNUP FOR WILLY WONKA, JR. AUDITIONS!
Sign up by 3pm on Monday, December 8 for an audition time on either Tuesday, December 9 or Wednesday, December 10.
Each child is asked to prepare a 30-second monologue and a 30-second a cappella number from a musical other than Willy Wonka, Jr. Monologues are available in Mrs. Tee's room.
Please have your child report to Room #28 at least 10-minutes before their scheduled audition time.
Please contact Page Curtin with any questions.
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This week Ollie salutes Tamara Russel, Jo Lofthouse, Kris Swanson and Ashley Montulli for all their hard work and contribution to another fun and successful Holiday Boutique! Thank you to all the families and Oak Knoll staff who visited the event. This has become a fun tradition for our District each year. Thanks again to Tamara, Jo, Kris and Ashley and all the other volunteers who helped sell raffle tickets and run check in at the event!
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After School Programs - Winter Registration Now OPEN
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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 - lots of good old favorites (Sports, LEGO, Math, Languages, Cooking, Debate, etc), some returning classes (Tennis and Yoga) and a few NEW additions too (Introduction to Computer Coding and Advanced Computer Coding)!
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.
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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.
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Grades 2/3 Spots Still Open for Girls Leadership Institute Workshops
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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.
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Directories & Information Corrections
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By now you should have received a copy of the MPCSD directory, compliments of the PTO, sent home with your youngest child in the district. Directories were delivered to teachers the week of November 10.
Extra directories or mini-versions of the Directory (they fit in your glove compartment!) are available on a first-come, first-served basis in your Front Office for $10 each.
The data in the directory comes from the PowerSchool Program. PowerSchool is populated with information from district registration forms filled out by parents. Parents are asked annually to update/verify that information through the InfoSnap website. If the information printed in the directory is incorrect, or if you're not listed in the Directory and wish to be, please email DistrictDirectory@mpcsd.org. The corrections will be made in the PowerSchool database and you will be asked to verify them next summer.
Thanks also to parent John Kelly and Blackstone Discovery for their continued outstanding service in publishing the District Directory!
Questions? Please contact DistrictDirectory@mpcsd.org
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MPAEF Spring Auction - Come Join the Team!
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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.
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 Earn money for our schools when you shop online for holiday cards and gifts through Shop.MPAEF.org. Start your holiday shopping at Amazon, Best Buy, bloomingdale's, Picaboo and many more stores. Just go to Shop.MPAEF.org, click on a merchant link, shop like you normally would, and earn up to 10% of your purchase total for our schools when you shop. Happy shopping!
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MPAEF Annual Parent Campaign Results: 79% Participation
The Annual Parent Campaign (APC) came to a rainy finish on November 21 and the MPAEF would like to sincerely thank all the donors and volunteers who supported us throughout the campaign.
The results are in: the APC brought in commitments worth $3.2 million and parent participation totaled 79% - just 15 families short of reaching our 80% participation goal. Because our community did not reach the 80% participation goal, we cannot unlock the additional $80,000 challenge gift.
The APC results do represent tremendous generosity, community spirit and growth. We increased participation by 5% over last year. There was also an increase in donations at or above the $1500 per student need.
Please continue supporting the MPAEF in the coming weeks by fulfilling your pledge if you made one ( click here), and by doing your online holiday shopping through shop.mpaef.org to earn up to 10% for our schools at no cost to you. Best wishes for a happy holiday season,
Calla Griffith & Kristin Seuell, MPAEF Co-Presidents on behalf of the 56 parent volunteer MPAEF Board members
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Holiday Movie for the Family
Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center on Friday, December 19 at 7:00pm
Sponsored by the City of Menlo Park Community Services Department
Come dressed as your favorite Holiday character! Please visit www.menlopark.eventbrite.com to RSVP and for more information.
Holiday Showcase
Saturday, December 13, 2014 - 4:00-6:00pm
Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center (PAC)
555 Middlefield Road, Atherton, CA 94027
$5.00 per person (13yrs and above) or FREE (12yrs and below)
The 2014 Holiday Showcase presents the City's best programs and classes of the year! The City of Menlo Park Community Services Department has a dynamic array of classes and programs throughout the year. www.menlopark.eventbrite.com
Studio Rincon
Winter dance signups are now open! Classes begin the week of January 5. Signup here. Pre-ballet, pre-tap & hiphop are all taught in a fun and positive atmosphere after school for ages 3-teen. Now offering additional classes at Alpine Hills Tennis & Swimming Club in Portola Valley.
M-A Grizzlies
Come out for Lacrosse this Spring! Registration for boys & girls ages 7 - 9 for U9 teams this spring. The season is Feb to May. This is a great age to get started in lacrosse, we out the FUN in Fundamentals!! More info and Register online
Teen Night
Winter Wonderland Crafts Friday, January 9th from 6:30-8:30pm
Teens ages 12-18 take a break and come on over for some winter crafts. Snacks & hot drinks provided. Please see our Teen Library webpage for registration.
Teen Winter Book Club
Saturday, January 24th from 3:00-4:30pm
Menlo Park Library's Book Club program for ages 12-18 is set to meet during the winter. Meeting dates are on Saturdays, January 24th and February 28th from 3:00-4:30 PM. To register for the book club, please send an e-mail to Sydnee Mardell .
Teen Winter Contest
Make Your Own Comics/Manga January 1st - February 28th
Do you love graphic novels? Teens ages 11-18 are welcome to enter their own comic or manga into the winter contest. The public will vote for their favorite. Come by the library or email Sydnee Mardell for more information, including dimensions of the comic. http://menlopark.org/556/Teens
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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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