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Monday, April 27
- School Resumes
- Deadline for Parent Input Forms
Tuesday, April 28
- Redwood City Century Theaters Field Trip (Rooms 1/2/3), 9:15am-12:15pm
- Smarter Balanced Testing Begins
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
- Gardening Workshop, 9:00-11:00am, Science Lab
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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
Sunday, May 10
- Last Day for Are You In RUN Early Registration
Tuesday, May 12
- Parent Coffee Talk, 8:15am, Gym
- Huddart Park Field Trip (Rooms 8/9/10), 8:45am-1:45pm
Wednesday, May 13
- 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
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News From Superintendent Ghysels
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When Do the Smarter Balanced Assessment Begin?
Our new State assessments begin this Tuesday, April 28 at Encinal and Oak Knoll, and Wednesday, May 6 at Laurel. Click here for the entire schedule of assessments. The assessments run through May 15 followed by "make ups." You can find more information on the Smarter Balanced Assessment by visiting MPCSD's Parent Pages.
What's the latest on MPCSD's 2014-2015 K-8 Learning Standards and Adoptions?
Learning Standards
This year we have been reviewing all of our Teaching and Learning Standards for grades K-8. At Board meetings we frequently present for discussion and approval all of these essential Standards. These Standards span every subject area from English Language Arts and Mathematics to Physical Education and World Language. Please see our revised timeline of when we'll address each Standard.
At our last Board meeting we presented a brief overview of the recent collaborative work with teachers of our K-8 PE Course of Study and the development of the proposed MPCSD Mission for Physical Education. Also discussed were the California Physical Education Model Content Standards and its Framework.
Also at the last Board meeting, the Board officially adopted the World Language Content Standards for California Public Schools, K-8. We will be providing the Board an update on May 12 that will describe the World Language prototypes that each school will launch in the fall.
Adoptions
This year we conducted an extensive curriculum review and a teacher-led piloting process for K-5 mathematics content and materials. We discussed the results of these pilots at the March 10 and April 14 Board meetings, and we have officially adopted our Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Math Expressions Common Core curriculum and materials for grades K-5. Based on this decision, all K-5 students will have access to Math Expressions next year. For more information please visit Agenda Online.
How Does MPCSD Develop and Evaluate Programs?
As we strive to continuously improve the educational experience for our students, we ask guiding questions that help make our decisions for a start-up program and how it's evaluated. While we have always asked questions about the future impact of a new program, this new tool will help guide our future initiatives.
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Message from Mrs. Gracia on Class Placement
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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.
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Memory Keepsake for Principal Ackerman
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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!).
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Please make a note of the 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
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Room Parent Sign-Ups Open For Next Year
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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.
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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!
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Kinder Q&A and Play for Fall 2015 Incoming Kinders
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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!
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Oak Knoll Gardening Workshop
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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.
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Principal David Ackerman's Farewell Celebration & 2015 Spring Fair
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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.
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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.
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Are You IN Run for Education - Early Registration Open!
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 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 9:00am 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. Thank you to all of our generous sponsors! The 2015 run, presented by Nelson Roberts, is sponsored also by: DeLeon Realty, Greenheart Land Company, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Scott Kaloust DDS, Fleet Feet Sports, Magnussen Toyota, Magnussen Lexus, Mary Gilles Real Estate, Vivre, AMR, 24 Lost Soles, Alkalign, Axis Personal Trainers, Bulldog Sports, Cameron Aboudara DDS MS, Gold Arrow Camp, Curious.com, Pacific Peninsula Custom Group, Penelope Jones Interior Design, Principia, Stanford University Real Estate, Studio Rincon, and Z-Ultimate Karate.
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Newton Registration Now Open
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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
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Come Lead the Oak Knoll Composting Efforts
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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.
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Calling All 5th Grade Parents
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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!
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Ladera Oaks Community Fiesta
Sunday, May 3 4:30-7:30pm
To learn more or to RSVP, call 650-854-3101 x1020 or email General Manager Dan Chapman at danc@laderaoaks.com or visit www.laderaoaks.com.
RELAY FOR LIFE, HILLVIEW EDITION
May 15th, 9pm-Midnight, 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!!
Tuolumne River Film and Culture Fest
Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 6:30-9:00pm
Menlo Atherton Center for Performing Arts
555 Middlefield Rd, Atherton, CA
Adults: $12, Seniors & Students: $8
Click here for details and tickets.
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.
$15.00/students and $25.00/adults until April 26th
On-line registration at www.active.com or
$18.00/students and $28.00/adults until April 30th
Race-day registration:
$20.00/students and $30.00/adults ending at 8:45am
Bib Info: Pick up your bib until 8:45am sharp race day.
Goodies: Receive a T-shirt and water bottle with your bib pick-up. Refreshments following the race: Water, fruit, and snacks.
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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.
To read past Oak Knoll PTO newsletters, please visit our archives.
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