|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 5 - October 9
- Halloween Costume Drive
- MPAEF Double Your Donation Dollars Week
Wednesday, October 7
- International Walk to School Day
- Auction Kickoff Meeting, 11:30am (lunch provided), TERC
- Filoli Gardens Field Trip (Yob, V.Lopez), 9:15am-1:30pm
- Hillview Speaker Series Talk, 6:30pm, Hillview PAC
Friday, October 9
- Free Bike Inspection (2 of 3), 7:40-8:10am, Bike Racks
Sunday, October 11
- Class Picnic (Chan/Poole/Jagelka), 5:00-7:00pm
|
- MINIMUM DAYS, dismissal at 11:20am. NO after school programs.
- Parent Conferences
October 12-23
October 13-14
- MPAEF Dine Out for the Kids
Tuesday, October 13
- MPCSD School Board Meeting, 6:00-10:00pm, TERC
Wednesday, October 14
- PTO Board Meeting, 8:15-10:00am
Thursday, October 15
- Hidden Villa Field Trip (Cotter, San Filippo), 8:30-11:00am
October 15-26
Friday, October 16
October 19-23
- Book Fair, MTWF 7:45am-3:30pm, Th 7:45am-2:00pm
Tuesday, October 20
- Author Talk: "How to Raise an Adult," 9:00am
Wednesday, October 21
- PTO General Meeting, 8:15am, Gym
- District Strategic Directions, Parent/Community Input Session, 8:15-9:15 am, Gym
- Book Fair Family Night: "It's a Small World," 6:00-8:00pm, Gym
Thursday, October 22
- MPAEF Board Meeting, 8:45-10:30am, TERC
Friday, October 23
- Free Bike Inspection (3 of 3), 7:40-8:10am, Bike Racks
- Last Day to Order Noteworthy Art cards
- Ardenwood Field Trip (Yob, V.Lopez, McColloch, Guerra), 9:00am-2:30pm
- Pastorino Farms Field Trip (Andolina, Stella, C.Lopez), 8:45am-12:00pm
|
|
|
MPAEF & PTO Joint Campaign - Oak Knoll News
|
The PTO membership drive has come to a successful close! The Oak Knoll PTO would like to say THANK YOU to all our families and teachers who have donated and made a real difference to the education and experiences our children receive.
 Students and staff came together on Wednesday in a spirit rally to celebrate the end of the PTO campaign (and the rain!) with KNOL broadcast from the playground, a message from Mrs. Gracia and some dance moves led by Ms. Bennion.
81% of Oak Knoll families have become members of the PTO! All grades are well above 75% participation, unlocking an extra 10 minutes of recess one day. And the highest % participation recognition goes to 2nd grade which will earn them a special assembly this week!
If you have not yet joined the Oak Knoll PTO, please consider doing so with any amount, and be part of making Oak Knoll the special place it is.
The MPAEF sends grateful thanks to our Oak Knoll families and teachers who have already pledged, donated and supported the MPAEF during the Joint Campaign. If you haven't done so already please make your contribution by our campaign close date of November 6th.
|
Do you want to stay up on the day-to-day news and excitement at Oak Knoll? Follow Oak Knoll on Twitter @OakKnollOtters. Take a peek into classrooms and stay current on the research and information behind our best practices!
|
|
Independent Study Plan (ISP) for Planned Absences
|
Your child's attendance matters. All students who are out on an unexcused absence, without and Independent Study Plan (ISP), will affect our school rating according to the state. When an ISP is put into place, the student is not considered absent and therefore it will not be an unexcused absence.
How do families obtain an ISP? If your child(ren) will miss consecutive school days because of a trip, please contact your classroom teachers prior to the planned absence so the school can put the ISP in place. The ISP must be completed and returned to school once you return, otherwise the absences are considered unexcused. Please note that absences should also be reported to the school office as usual.
Please click here to read the full explanation on the Oak Knoll website about the Independent Study Plan and why it is important.
|
During September, the school counselor visited every classroom and taught the kids about the four square apology. In the Kindergarten through 2nd grade classes they read the book Zac Apologizes by William Mulcany. The book follows there Character Zac as his mother walks through all the steps of a 4 square apology. In 3rd, 4th and 5th grade Mrs. Scott read the book Sorry by Trudy Ludwig. Students discussed how the words Sorry are not enough and that you have to do more to show you are sorry. They also learned the 4 steps to a 4 square apology. If you want to practice the 4 square apology here is the poster all the classes where given.
In October, the lesson will be about I messages. Usually when students gets upset they use a you message "you are mean", "you cheated", "you bumped into me" which can make the other person feel defensive. An I message helps it be a more positive outcome. An I message work sheet can be found here. Mrs. Scott in the Kinder, 1st and 2nd will be reading the book the Peace Rose by Alicia Jewel and the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades she will be read the book One by Kathryn Otoshi.
Click here for Mrs. Scott's webpage to read more about current activities and initiatives around school.
|
|
Poetry and Art Project: Connected
|
Oak Knoll Otters, we want to hear from you! Our theme this year is "Connected" and we are interested in what the theme means to you. We are asking students of any age to write a poem or draw or paint a picture related to the theme of "Connected." Use your imagination and express yourself. Please submit what you have created to the big box in the library marked "Poetry and Art" during the months of October and November, and Ms. Scott and Ms. Ryan might pick your poem, picture or project to share on KNOL!
|
|
International Walk to School Day
|
Wednesday, October 7 is International Walk to School Day, so leave the car at home and walk or bike to school! This is a global event which began in 1997 as a movement for year-round safe routes to school and now involves communities from more than 40 countries and thousands of schools across the US.
Oak Knoll will be giving out reflectors to all participants that morning. Click here for safe routes to Oak Knoll.
|
|
Oak Knoll Basketball Registration Open - 3rd/4th/5th Grade Boys & Girls
|
If your son or daughter is a 3rd, 4th or 5th grader, he or she can now register to play basketball using TeamSnap. This is a recreational league offered by the City of Menlo Park and organized by the Oak Knoll After School Sports Program. Each team will learn the basic skills of the game in a fun and encouraging environment on teams coached by parent volunteers. Practices will be held twice a week at Oak Knoll and will be scheduled once teams are formed in early November. Weekly games will be played at Arrillaga Gym in Menlo Park on Saturdays, beginning in early December and continuing through mid-March 2016.
New this year, we will be holding a MANDATORY Skills Assessment Day on Sunday, November 1 (Make up day Saturday, November 7) for players only, which will be run by 1 on 1 Basketball.
To register your child, please visit TeamSnap. Registration is open now and will close on Wednesday, October 28. The cost for the season is $120. Scholarships are available - please contact Kristen Gracia.
Parents, become a coach and help make this an unforgettable season! No coaching experience is necessary. The Oak Knoll School Basketball program is run entirely by parent volunteers. Email Julie Gosler to learn more.
For more information regarding Oak Knoll basketball, visit Oak Knoll After School Sports/basketball.
|
|
Noteworthy Art Ordering Begins This Week
|
Our children have all submitted their memorable drawings. Please watch your child's backpack this week for the Proof and Order form.
Noteworthy Art cards feature your child's original drawing, reproduced on high-quality note cards, and packaged with envelopes in sets of 12. They make great thank-you cards as well as holiday gifts for relatives and friends.
This is your ONLY chance to order cards - reprints are not available after the order period.
Please fill out the order form and deliver with payment ($15 per package of 12 cards) to the office no later than Friday, October 23.
For more information, contact Sora Choe.
|
This month, the Bike Safety Committee is hosting its annual FREE bike inspection event for Oak Knoll students. The remaining 2 inspections will be on held on Friday, October 9 and 23 before school, 7:40-8:10 am. Stop 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. Reservations are not required- just come over and say hello to one of the friendly parent volunteers. Due to popular demand, bike inspections for student bikes will be prioritized.
|
|
Caring & Sharing Committee News
|
The Caring & Sharing Committee is sponsoring two opportunities this month to donate to those in need. All donations will go to the Children's Fund of San Mateo County.
Halloween Costume Drive This Week: Please consider donating your outgrown and gently used Halloween costumes. All costumes welcome, but please no torn costumes, wigs/masks, plastic guns, knives or anything that depicts violence. The Halloween costume drive is this week only from October 5 through October 9. All donations can be placed in the marked barrels in front of the office and Multi.
Used/New Book Drive Coming Next Week: Looking forward to Oak Knoll's October Book Fair? Let us help you prepare! When making room for those new books, please donate your previously loved books to the Oak Knoll book drive! Then, please consider buying a new book or two for the donation drive. All purchases help our school and donated new books will help children in need. All new books will be set aside and provided to needy children in San Mateo County as holiday gifts. The book drive will be from October 12 through October 23.
Note on the Children's Fund: The Children's Fund was established as a grassroots effort by social workers to assist foster and low-income children in San Mateo County and provide them with goods and services that are not available through public funds. The Children's Fund benefits low-income and foster children/teens who reside in San Mateo County.
Questions? Please contact Meg McGraw-Scherer.
|
|
Book Fair 2015 - It's A Small World! Beginning October 19
|
Get your passport stamped from lands near and far during the Book Fair, October 19-23!
- Come visit the Book Fair during opening hours that week, MTWF 7:45am-3:30pm, Th 7:45am-2:00pm.
- Parents, join us at our Author Talk on Tuesday, October 20 at 9:00am featuring Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of How to Raise an Adult.
- Travel the world with your kids on Family Night, Wednesday, October 21,6:00-8:00pm where there is sure to be epic fun on a global scale!
Our wonderful world gets even smaller when people are connected! We are looking for volunteers to help. Please contact Tamara Russel if you are interested in decorating, setting up, cashiering, working Family Night, or helping with book fair in general.
The Oak Knoll Book Fair has been a hugely successful event each year, with proceeds from sales getting more books into our classrooms, and a fun community-building week which students, parents and teachers alike enjoy!
Questions? Please contact Jennie Lang or Mary Speiser.
|
|
District Strategic Directions - Input Sessions
|
Championed by Superintendent Ghysels and facilitated by Assistant Superintendent Burmeister and school principals, MPCSD will be engaged in a four-month long process from August to December to identify our "Strategic Directions" for the next six years.
The process began with an interactive "working session" of the Board and District Leadership Team on August 26. The Strategic Directions will become the foundation of the district's Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) -- the new accountability plan required by the state. Joining the two affords us a great opportunity to streamline and focus districtwide.
We are committed to receiving an abundance of input and having the results reflect the priorities of our stakeholder groups. As such, we are advertising the following opportunities for parents to provide their valuable input:
- Oak Knoll Parent/Community Input Session: Wednesday, October 21, 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. @ Oak Knoll Gym.
- Community EVENING Input Session: Wednesday, October 14, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. @ Hillview PAC. Open to ALL.
- English Learner (EL) Parent Input Session: Thursday, October 8, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. @ District Office TERC. DELAC Meeting to follow. Dinner and Childcare provided.
- Tinsley Family EVENING Input Session: Tuesday, October 20, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. @EPA Senior Center. During Hillview Parent Conferences. Dinner provided.
|
Ollie Salutes the Fall Family Picnic Team!
This week Ollie wants to say a huge thank you to the Fall Family Picnic Co-Chair team of Andrea Auerbach, Marla Powers Griesedieck, Katherine Hochstetler, and Nancy Lieberman. Thanks to their efforts, we all enjoyed a delicious and super fun school picnic on Friday night. Who didn't love the photo booth and karaoke?! And no one had to wait in line for food - how great was that?!
And, Ollie knows that it couldn't have been done without all of the parent volunteers and volunteers from Hillview, so thank you to all of those amazing helpers as well! Coming together to celebrate our community is part of what makes being an Oak Knoll Otter so special!
|
|
Come to the Auction Kickoff Meeting
|
Contribute to our schools in a fun, creative, and meaningful way by joining the MPAEF Auction team this year! The auction is a wonderful community-wide event that raises much-needed funds for the Foundation and our schools. We have many roles open this year, both large and small. Find our more about these roles and the auction as a whole at our kickoff meeting on Wednesday, October 7 at 11:30 in the TERC (by Encinal Elementary). A light lunch will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information please email auction@mpaef.org.
|
Oak Knoll is excited to add two more yard supervisors during lunch on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, in addition to our current staff, to support us providing more varied options for our students and coverage. We are looking to fill additional yard supervisor positions Tuesday/Thursday 11:40am-1:00pm. If you enjoy working with our amazing students, and are looking for part-time work, please contact Leah Kessler for more information.
|
|
Art Project: Newspaper Needed
|
On Wednesdays at lunchtime, 4th and 5th graders are working on a fun art project that will need a lot of newspapers. If you have newspapers you would like to recycle into an art project, please bring them to the Art Room. We can't wait to show the school what we are making!
|
|
Want to see your Kindergartener in action on the playground? Volunteer for playground/yard duty! We need your help with short 45 minute shifts supervising the kindergarten yard from 10:00am to 10:45am (updated time!) daily. If you can help out once a week or even once a month, please contact Tara Carranza for more information.
|
We have one month to go until the MPAEF Campaign close date on November 6th! Here's what's coming up...
Double Your Donation Dollars Week
For those who have not yet made a pledge or donation to support our schools, this is a great week to give! For those that have, we thank you! Contribute or pledge starting on Monday, October 5 through Monday, October 12 , and your gift to the MPAEF will be matched dollar for dollar up to $75,000 by a campaign challenge gift. To make your donation dollars double, please click here: MPAEF
Let's Practice Design Thinking and Innovation
Wednesday, October 7, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Hillview Performing Arts Center
Sponsored by MPAEF in partnership with MPCSD
Partner up with your K thru 8 student, or come explore on your own, and bring your open mind for an evening of design thinking workshops! Experience what teachers are doing in our district schools to employ the innovative ideas they learned through professional development programs at Stanford's d.school. Through hands-on exercises focused on family dynamics and experiences, teachers from your schools will engage you and your kids in stages of design and encourage you to flex your design muscles
MPCSD is leading the way in educational innovation in its focus on design thinking. Your contributions to MPAEF are making this kind of professional development for district teachers possible. So join MPAEF, district teachers, and your student(s) on October 7 to learn how your dollars make it possible for teachers to crack open the design thinking code and learn how to teach with innovative principles that are changing the way we think about problem solving in education.
Special introductions from: Branko Lukic, Designer, Author, and Founder of Nonobject Inc. Suzanne Pellican, Vice President of Design at Intuit, Erin Raab, Design Coach and PhD candidate at Stanford University, and Lisa Kay Solomon, author of Moments of Impact
MPCSD Faculty Faciltators:
Erik Burmeister: Assistant Superintendent, Willy Haug: Principal, Hillview Theresa Fox: Tech Coach, Laurel, Heidi Hendrickson: 5th Grade, Encinal, Mary Martin: Associate Principal, Hillview, Laura Olson: 6th Grade and Maker Space Teacher, Hillview
Susan Sanchez: 4th grade Oak Knoll, Parke Treadway: Mini-Course Coordinator, Hillview, Lela Ward: 4th Grade, Encinal, Gina Watkins: Kindergarten, Laurel and Heidi Yamada: 4th Grade, Laurel
Please RSVP and indicate what grade your child(ten) are in so we can be best prepared.
Note: Free on-site child care for all potty trained children.
Save the Date: Dine Out for the Kids on October 13 & 14
Back by popular demand, Dine Out for our Schools!
Support your schools by dining out on Tuesday, October 13 and/or Wednesday, October 14th and a percentage (as much as 20%) of the proceeds will benefit our four schools. We are proud to partner with these participating restaurants:
Bistro Vida
Mama Coco
Bradley's Fine Diner
Lutticken's
Carpaccio
Freewheel Brewery
Gourmet Lunch
Jeffrey's
Mardini's
Namesake Cheesecake
Sultana
Trellis
Yogurt Stop, and more to come!
With minimum days on the calendar that week, what a perfect way to make the most of lunch or dinner with your kids, for you kids! And with a second Dine Out day, plan a dinner with friends! To kick off Dine Out, please join us at Amici's on Monday, October 12, when 20% of their proceeds go to our schools!
Shop MPAEF
With every back-to-school purchase you make via MPAEF's shopping portal, you earn money for smaller classrooms, credentialed arts and science specialists, and our teachers'professional development. Simply start at Shop.MPAEF.org and then:
CLICK on your favorite merchant to activate our referral bonus. We have more than 80 great merchants including Amazon, Target, Nordstrom, and many more.
SHOP and pay for items as you normally would.
EARN up to 10% of your purchase total for our schools. It's that EASY!
We don't collect any personally identifiable information, so no new IDs or passwords to remember. Just start at Shop.MPAEF.org, click, shop, and earn for all our schools every time.
We've got scads of participating merchants, but start by getting your pens and pencils at Target, your new togs at Gap/Old Navy, and fall sports equipment at Sports Authority.
|
|
4-H Youth Development Program
Sunday, October 4, 12:00-2:30pm, Burgess Park
Not Just Cows and Cake! Discover what 4-H offers youth in the 21st century. From Python Programming to Poultry, there's something for everyone. RSVP here for our potluck BBQ/information session invitation, and come to our next meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 7:00pm at Laurel School. Ready to join? Enroll online here. 7th Annual Ride/Yoga for Ravenswood
Sunday, October 11, 8:00am, 210 Park Lane, Atherton
Choose from a 50-mile ride to the ocean or a 30-mile ride in Portola Valley led by seasoned cyclists and local spin instructors, or an outdoor yoga session led by a well-known local yogi. Proceeds help pay for high quality healthcare services for low income families at the Ravenswood Family Health Center in East Palo Alto. This event includes gourmet coffee, breakfast, a light lunch, and refreshments after the ride. Sign up or donate at 4Ravenswood.org and contact Julie Brody with any questions. Family Day at the Pumpkin Patch with Ambassadors for LPCH
Wednesday, October 14, 1:00-6:00pm
Webb Ranch, 2720 Alpine Rd, Portola Valley
Join the LPCH Ambassadors for a fun, family afternoon picking pumpkins at Webb Ranch. Buy a pumpkin for your family and one to donate to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital pumpkin patch. 100% of the day's proceeds will be donated to LPCH! Enjoy jumpy houses, train ride, pony rides, face painting, haunted house and pumpkin slingshot. See www.AmbassadorsLPCH.org for more information. Oak Knoll and Menlo Park Cub Scout Registration
Thursday, October 15, 7:00-8:30 pm
Menlo Church Fellowship Hall, 950 Santa Cruz Ave.
Want to learn about Cub Scouting? All interested families with boys in grades 1 through 4 are invited to join us at Menlo Park's Pack 222 kick-off meeting. The Lizard Lady (and her many reptiles) will be there. For further questions contact Jim Knox, Dave Korn, or Bob Freeman, or visit the Pack 222 website. KIDS DAY at the United Nations Association Film Festival
Saturday, October 17, 10:30am-1:00pm, Cubberley Theater
Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.
FREE ADMISSION. We will screen three kid-appropriate films about the effects of climate change. After the screenings, parents and kids are invited to participate in a special event outside the theater with light snacks and activities focused on the environment and climate change. Click here or email Karen for more info. Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research (CIBSR)
Stanford University
Looking for 8-12-year-old mother-son and mother-daughter pairs to participate in the Social Brain Investigation research study, exploring brain function during social interactions using brain imaging via safe and non-invasive fNIRS scans. We are offering $30, access to ongoing updates about the study, and information from behavioral assessment results. Contact Sharon Bade Shrestha for more information. MSx Program, Stanford Graduate School of Business
Are you the parent of a 10-14 year old? A team of students at the Stanford Graduate School of Business would like to get a better understanding of the current state of STEM learning in and out of school. If your son or daughter is available for a 20-30 minute conversation, in person, please fill out this form. |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
