|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monday, April 27
- Deadline for Parent Input Forms
Tuesday, April 28
- Redwood City Century Theaters Field Trip (Rooms 1/2/3), 9:15am-12:15pm
Wednesday, April 29
- Redwood City Century Theaters Field Trip (Rooms 8/9/10), 9:15am-12:15pm
Thursday, April 30
- 5th Grade Graduation T-Shirt Orders Due
Saturday, May 2
- Incoming Kinder Q&A & Play, 10:30am-12:00pm, Kinder Yard
Wednesday, May 6
- Roaring Camp Field Trip (Becker/Emmert), 7:00am-4:00pm. NOTE EARLY DEPARTURE TIME!!
- History San Jose Field Trip (McColloch), 8:45am-2:00pm
Thursday, May 7
- Running Day - wear running gear
Tuesday, May 12
- Parent Coffee Talk, 8:15am, Gym
- Huddart Park Field Trip (Rooms 8/9/10), 8:45am-1:45pm
Wednesday, May 13
- Site Council, 3:30pm
- PTO Board Meeting
- History San Jose Field Trip (Guerra), 8:45am-2:00pm
Thursday, May 14
Friday, May 15
- Spring Fair, 5:00-7:00pm, Oak Knoll Field
See the Oak Knoll calendar for more important dates and events
|
|
|
Monthly Highlights from the Principal
|
Dear Oak Knoll Parents,
Writing to wish you a wonderful spring break with your kids! Before I unplug for the week, I thought I would update you on some of the great school happenings. We are so fortunate to live and be part of the connected community of Menlo Park and the MPCSD school district. Just this past weekend was the Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation auction event and it was nice to see so many Oak Knoll parents in attendance supporting our district and the education of our kids. If you didn't go, make sure to join us next year!
Here are some of the highlights from the past month... Please click here to read Ms. Gracia's full message.
|
|
Message from Mrs. Gracia on Class Placement
|
Spring has barely sprung and already we're planning for the fall, but thoughtful planning is one of the secrets to our success. It's hard to believe that it's time to begin our placement process for the 2015-16 school year! Our placement process begins with the classroom teachers, specialists, intervention team and administrators using our full range of expertise and intimate knowledge of our students. The entire Oak Knoll team works to create heterogeneous groups that prevent racial isolation, group to effectively provide services, balance social and academic needs, and ensure that students have a familiar face in the class. There is no reason for parents to gather information about teachers, or lose sleep over placement. This is our job, we know our students and we feel confident in our abilities.
This year we have an optional Parent Input Form, due by April 27.
To read the full message from Mrs. Gracia on class placement please click here.
|
|
Memory Keepsake for Principal Ackerman
|
To celebrate Principal Ackerman's retirement and commemorate the years he has dedicated to the Oak Knoll community, we are putting together a VERY SPECIAL surprise AwesomeBox for him! AwesomeBox is way to collect photos, messages and memories from a group that get printed into a beautiful keepsake of custom cards to tell a group story of why Mr. Ackerman is awesome. We would love as many families and teachers to participate as possible to make this a truly memorable gift that will be presented to Mr. Ackerman at the May 15th picnic. Don't miss out to include your tribute! Please add your name and email address here by May 4 if you would like to receive an invitation to participate in this special keepsake gift (there is no cost to you!).
|
Portfolio Night Schedule:
- K-2 Multi: May 26, 7:00pm
- Kindergarten: May 28, 7:00pm
- 1st Grade: May 20, 7:00pm
- 2nd Grade: May 21, 7:00pm
- 3rd Grade: May 27, 7:00pm
- 4th, 5th, and 3-5 Multi, June 4, 7:00pm
|
|
Room Parent Sign-Ups Open For Next Year
|
Can you believe that it's already time to sign up to be a room parent for next year?! Don't miss out! Sign up now for one of the most rewarding volunteer roles at Oak Knoll. It's a great way to know firsthand what's going on in your child's class, and to get to know other parents and your child's teacher. Room parents play a critical role at Oak Knoll, coordinating parent volunteers for parties, field trips, and in-class volunteering for the teachers. Being a room parent is fun and rewarding, typically having 4 room parents per classroom (or 3 in each multi-age homeroom), and doesn't require much on-campus time - so, even if you have little ones at home or you work full-time, this is a great way to get involved! Please remember that all current room parents must also sign up again for next year, including the looping 4th/5th grade classes.
|
Attention 5th Graders:
Remember to order your Class of 2015 Graduation T-Shirt! Orders due to teacher or office by April 30. Also, Save the Date for 5th Grade Field Day - Monday, June 8 at Burgess. Details coming soon!
|
|
Kinder Q&A and Play for Fall 2015 Incoming Kinders
|
Kinder Q&A and Play for Fall 2015 Incoming Kinders on May 2, 10:30am-12:00pm
Incoming Kindergarten families (parents and children) are invited to this informal event at the Oak Knoll Kindergarten playground. Come meet other incoming Kinder parents and chat with current Oak Knoll parents and PTO Board members while your children play on the playground. Parents can also learn about and/or sign up for the Kindergarten Summer Playgroups, Kindergarten Yard Duty (Playground) volunteering, Girl Scouts, the Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation (MPAEF), and more. We hope to see you there!
|
|
Oak Knoll Gardening Workshop
|
Gwen Solomon will host a garden workshop in collaboration with The San Mateo County Master Gardener's on May 2 from 9:00-11:00am. We'll begin the morning in the science lab with instructional time talking about easy summer crops for schools and home gardens and ways to prep garden areas and beds for summer solarizing and and cover crops. Because we are presently in the fourth year of a serious drought and water rationing on the horizon, we will address ways to optimize the little water we have. We'll then move outside to the beautiful learning garden to weed, plant, dig fava beans into the soil and set up solarizing in the beds that won't be planted this summer. Space is limited and registration is required. Please send an email to gsolomon@mpcsd.org and save your space for a fun and informative morning! Refreshments and take homes provided.
|
|
2015 Tenth Annual Big Bear 5K Run
|
2015 TENTH ANNUAL BIG BEAR 5K RUN Menlo-Atherton High School, Menlo Park May 3, 2015, 9:00am Who: The Menlo-Atherton Athletic Boosters invite you to join 1,000 runners to our annual community fundraising event. Kid's Welcome! No dogs or Bikes. Cost: - Early registration: $15.00/students and $25.00/adults until April 26
- On-line registration: www.active.com or m-aboosters.org (reference M-A Big Bear Run 2015 - 10th Annual): $18.00/students and $28.00/adults until April 30
- Race-day registration: $20.00/students and $30.00/adults ending at 8:45am.
Bib Info: Pick up your bib until 8:45am sharp on race day. Goodies: Receive a T-shirt and water bottle with your bib pick-up. Refreshments following the race: water, fruit, and snacks. SUPPORT MENLO-ATHERTON ATHLETES AND SIGN UP TODAY!!!
|
|
Principal David Ackerman's Farewell Celebration & 2015 Spring Fair
|
Join us on Friday, May 15 at Oak Knoll from 5:00-7:00pm to wish our beloved Principal Ackerman well on his retirement! The event will include BBQ Food by BBQ Boy, Inflatable Slides, Bungee Runs, Field Games, Karaoke and lots more!
To purchase tickets online please click here or print out this form and hand it into the office along with a check. Orders are due by Friday, May 8. Sorry, no late orders can be accepted.
We would like everyone to attend, so if you would like to request a scholarship, please email and let us know how many tickets you would like. If you have any questions, including about the school's gift, please email DavidAckermanRetirement@gmail.com.
VOLUNTEER: If you would like to volunteer your time for some of the event, please click here.
|
The next Parent Coffee Talk is the last in the 2014-15 series and will be held on Tuesday, May 12 at 8:15am in the Gym. Erik Burmeister will join Kristen Gracia in a discussion on Hillview Middle School.
|
|
Hillview's First Annual Relay For Life
|
ANNOUNCING THE FIRST ANNUAL RELAY FOR LIFE, HILLVIEW EDITION!!
Friday, May 15, 9:00pm-12:00am, following the 6th & 7th grade dance, at the Hillview Track.
Relay For Life events comprise the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Communities across the globe come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much. Our 'Hillview Edition' is tailored to the age and awareness level of our students and their families, and is accessible for everyone! We already have FOURTEEN teams of students signed up to participate!! Encourage your student, and/or your family and friends, to put a team together to support the cause. There will be music, fun, and Block H points for participation!! Please go to www.hvserviceclub.com for more information, or email Robin Buckley. We also need chaperones/helpers for the event!! Please email Robin to sign up!!
|
|
Are You IN Run for Education - Early Registration Open!
|
Early online registration for the Are You In RUN for Education is now OPEN. Register prior to May 10, 2015 to secure the discounted entry fee of $25.00. After May 10, the entry fee will rise to $40.00. The run will take place at Oak Knoll School on Sunday, May 31, 2015. You can enter either the 2.5K (1.5 mile) family walk/ run, or the competitive, chip-timed 5K. Both runs will start at 9:00 a.m. and the course will wind through the streets of Menlo Park. A Wellness Fair will occur after the run at Oak Knoll School. There will be a stretching station, food, family fun and awards. Consider becoming a Family Sponsor. With a donation of $500 you will receive:
- five race entries,
- your family's name will appear on the RUN t-shirt and
- an invitation to our casual, family-style pasta dinner, held on the eve of the race. The RUN's presenting sponsor, Nelson Roberts Investment Advisors, is generously providing the dinner.
The Are You In RUN for Education is being organized by the MPAEF, as well as the PTO's of the Menlo Park City School District: Encinal, Laurel, Oak Knoll and Hillview schools. Funds raised will support our children's education. To register and learn more about the RUN, visit our website, areyouin.mpcsd.org.
|
|
Newton Registration Now Open
|
Registration for Newton 2015-2016 is now open! This year's registration process will be completely online.
In order to register your child, please visit www.newtoncenter.org and follow the Menlo Park Enrollment link. The Newton system will allow you to select your program, complete medical forms and waivers, make payments, and even print receipts.
Please contact Newton with any questions at: office@newtoncenter.org or at: (650) 345-4043
|
|
Come Lead the Oak Knoll Composting Efforts
|
Are you passionate about composting and interested in leading the composting efforts at Oak Knoll? If so, the PTO would love to have you on our team! If you are interested, please email Stephanie Chen.
|
|
Calling All 5th Grade Parents
|
If your child is going to Hillview next year and you're wondering whether you'll be able to stay connected as a volunteer, rest assured that your contributions will be just as valued at Hillview as they always have been at Oak Knoll! The Hillview PTO sponsors community building and staff appreciation events throughout the school year, thanks to a small army of enthusiastic volunteers, and there are currently openings on the Back to School Luau, Camp Hillview (perfect for incoming 6th grade parents!), Staff Appreciation, Campus Activities, Student Enrichment, and Parent Education teams. Any of these opportunities would be a great way for you to get to know the Hillview community and feel more closely connected with your child's Hillview experience. If you're interested, please contact Michelle Box or Kate Kennedy, 2015-2016 Hillview PTO Co-Presidents. Thank you!
|
Thank You for Being IN for Over 30 YearsYou did it! You made a big success of "A Night in Old Hollywood", the online auction, the raffle and Fund-A-Need for Music and Performing Arts! Thank you for donating amazing parties, events, items, and experiences to the auction. Thank you for being out there in front of the schools selling and buying raffle tickets. Thank you for participating in the online auction. Thank you for celebrating over 30 years of MPAEF with us at "A Night in Old Hollywood". Thank you for donating so generously to the Fund-a-Need program for music and performing arts. Thank you to everyone in the community who volunteered time, resources and energy to make "A Night in Old Hollywood" a night to remember Thank you for being part of the MPAEF spirit and for supporting our schools. Thank you for being IN! For over 30 years, MPAEF has provided the Menlo Park City School District with an annual grant, which becomes part of the district operating budget. For over 30 years, the foundation has relied on community volunteers to achieve the financial goals for this grant. Thank you for 31 years and counting of commitment and dedication from families like you! ============================================Click on Shop.MPAEF.Org to Have Your Online Shopping Support Our SchoolsShopping for your family, home, pets, and office can turn into money for our schools. Just go to Shop.MPAEF.org, click on your favorite merchant, shop, and earn money for our schools. Find everything you need from over a hundred merchants including Amazon, Petsmart, Babies r Us and Office Depot. Shop now!=============================================Special Recognition for our Diamond Level ($10,000) Partner - DeLeon RealtyDeLeon Realty, Inc. is an innovative Silicon Valley-based real estate company that is home to one of the nation's top realtors, Ken DeLeon. This company has revolutionized the home-selling process by offering clients a full suite of services through its specialists, who include licensed contractors, interior designers, and an in-house marketing team. Tailoring their services to meet the needs of their clients, DeLeon Realty's real estate agents are salaried professionals who are motivated to help their clients find the best home investments without the distraction of commission-based sales incentives. For more information, please call (650) 543-8500 or visit DeLeon Realty's website. ===============================================Thank You to Our New and Returning Business Partners Please support those businesses who support our schools! Peninsula Pediatric DentistryBow Wow MeowCheeky Monkey ToysEuropean Styling Parlour Habibi's SalonRiviera PartnersTexture Hair DesignThank You to These New and Returning Realtor PartnersMary Gullixson & Brent Gullixson, Alain Pinel RealtorsNathalie de Saint Andrieu, Pacific UnionKeri Nicholas, Alain Pinel RealtorsMandy Safka, Alain Pinel RealtorsMichael Hall, Alain Pinel RealtorsPenelope Huang, RE/MAX Distinctive PropertiesCarol MacCorkle, Pacific UnionDoug Andrew Gonzalez, Coldwell BankerJuliana Lee, Keller Williams Realty
|
Menlo Park Library
Friday, May 8 from 3:00-4:30pm
Teen Night: Henna & Cultural Potluck
Menlo Park Library
Come celebrate cultures with other Teens (12-18 years old). Bring food and dress up the way you want. Learn how to draw, receive a henna tattoo, and eat plent of tasty food! Please see our Teen Library webpage for registration .
Kite Day 2015
Saturday, May 2 from 12:00-3:00pm
The City of Menlo Park Community Services Department will be hosting its Annual Kite Day at Bedwell-Bayfront Park. Bring your own kite or buy a kite from us. For $6 you will receive a kite, hotdog, drink, and chips or apple. All ages are welcome. This event is a conjunction with San Mateo County's annual Streets Alive! Parks Alive! festivities. For more information, please call the Community Services Department at 650-330-2220 or visit us online.
The Pillowcase Project
An educational program sponsored by Disney that teaches youth in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades about emergency preparedness and coping skills. The aim of this program is to help students understand the science of hazards, empower them take action by practicing how to prepare for emergencies, and encourage students to share what they have learned with family and friends in order to help create a prepared community.
For questions please call (650) 740-2454.
|
|
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.
To read past Oak Knoll PTO newsletters, please visit our archives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
