theotterweekly
Oak Knoll School News
October 11, 2015 
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This Week 


October 12-15  
  • MINIMUM DAYS, dismissal at 11:20am. NO after school programs.
  • Parent Conferences
October 12-23
  • Used Book Drive
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
  • Last Day to Buy Book Fair Gift Certificates for Teachers.
Thursday, October 15
  • Hidden Villa Field Trip (Cotter, San Filippo), 8:30-11:00am
October 15-26
  • Gym Closed
Friday, October 16
  • NO SCHOOL

Looking Ahead  


October 19-23
  • Book Fair, MTWF 7:45am-3:30pm, Th 7:45am-2:00pm
Monday, October 19
  • Spirit Day to Kick off "It's a Small World" Book Fair, Wear National Dress or Tourist Clothing
Tuesday, October 20
  • Author Talk: "How to Raise an Adult," 9:00am, Gym
Wednesday, October 21
  • PTO General Meeting, 8:15am, Gym
  • District Strategic Directions, Parent/Community Input Session, 8:15-9:15 am, Library 
  • 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
  • Last Day for 5th Grade to Submit Yearbook Cover Art
  • Ardenwood Field Trip (Yob, V.Lopez, McColloch, Guerra), 9:00am-2:30pm
  • Pastorino Farms Field Trip (Andolina, Stella, C.Lopez), 8:45am-12:00pm
See the Oak Knoll calendar for more important dates and events 
Oak Knoll is on Twitter
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! 
       
Otterwear is Here
Otterwear has arrived! We will be delivering any items you ordered to your child's classroom tomorrow (Monday, October 12). 
 
If you have more than one child at Oak Knoll and placed one order, we will deliver the entire order to the classroom of your oldest child. If you placed separate orders for each child, we will deliver each order to each child. Please note that it may take a day or two for the teachers to distribute the items.

We are looking forward to seeing all the Otterwear on kids around school!

For questions about your order, please contact Jenny Buddin.

Calling All 5th Grade Yearbook Cover Artists
Your 5th grader has the opportunity to have their artwork displayed on the front or back cover of the 2015-2016 Oak Knoll Yearbook. The tradition of having the children create artwork for the yearbook covers is in it's 6th year!

Beginning this week, in art class, all 5th graders should have the following guidelines from Mr. Almquist:
  • Use an 8.5 x 11" piece of what paper (vertical orientation only).
  • Include the name of the school in the drawing, Oak Knoll in the drawing.
  • Include Ollie the Otter, the school's mascot, somewhere in the drawing. He can be large or small.
  • Include the school year, 2015-16 or 2015-2016 in the drawing.
  • Include your First and Last names on the bottom, right-hand side of the drawing (drawings without a name will not be judged).
  • No violence or brands in the drawing

Cover Artwork is due to the homeroom teacher ONLY and absolutely NO later than Friday, October 23.

Artwork will be judged anonymously by Oak Knoll staff only. Winners will be announced at the end of the school year, when yearbooks are delivered.

Happy drawing!    

 

Book Fair 2015 - It's A Small World
Book Fair Gift Certificates for Teachers and Staff
No one knows more than teachers that "it's a world of laughter and a world of tears"! Please watch for flyers soon in your child's backpack to purchase a Books, Inc gift certificate for the special teacher in your life to use at our upcoming book fair. Order forms will be due in the office on Wednesday, October 14

Spirit Day
To kick off It's a Small World book fair, we are having Global Day on Monday, October 19. Students can dress up in traditional clothing from any country, or wear shorts, hat, and a fanny pack to be a worldwide tourist!

Book Fair Hours and Events
We will be visiting lands near and far during Book Fair from October 19-23! Students will receive an Oak Knoll passport that they can bring to the fair to get stamps from a different country each day! MTWF 7:45am to 3:30pm, Th 7:45am to 2:00pm.

Parents, please come to the Author Talk on Tuesday, October 20 at 9:00am featuring local author and former dean of freshmen at Stanford, Julie Lythcott-Haims. Ms. Lythcott-Haims will speak about her recent book How to Raise an Adult. Coffee will be provided right after drop-off; questions and book signing to follow talk.

Bring your whole familia, famille, familj, cemya, kazoku for Family Night Wednesday, October 21 from 6:00-8:00pm where there is sure to be fun on a global scale!

Helping at Book Fair
Our wonderful world works best when people are connected! We are looking for would-be diplomats to help. Please contact Tamara Russel if you are interested in decorating, setting up, cashiering, working Family Night or helping in general.

Questions? Please contact Jennie Lang or Mary Speiser
      
Caring & Sharing Committee - Book Drive
The Halloween Costume Drive was a success! A big thanks to all the families that donated!

Used/New Book Drive THIS/NEXT WEEK: With one week to go until Oak Knoll's October Book Fair, it is definitely time to start making room for those new books by donating your previously loved books to the Oak Knoll book drive! Then, please consider buying a new book or two for the donation drive during the book fair. 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 is two weeks long and will be from October 12-23.  

All book donations will go to the Children's Fund of San Mateo County: 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.   
      
Noteworthy Art Orders
Our children have all submitted their memorable drawings. Please watch your child's backpack 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
       
Oak Knoll Basketball Registration - 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 28The 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.

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.
  • Tinsley Family EVENING Input Session: Tuesday, October 20, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. @EPA Senior Center. During Hillview Parent Conferences. Dinner provided. 
For details of all the input sessions, please see the MPCSD websiteIf you have any questions about the Strategic Directions process, please don't hesitate to email Superintendent Ghysels and/or Assistant Superintendent Burmeister.
       
Free Bike Inspections
This month, the Bike Safety Committee is hosting its annual FREE bike inspection event for Oak Knoll students. The last inspection will be on held on Friday, October 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. 

MPCSD Blood Drive
Most of us know someone who has had cancer. But did you know many cancer patients need blood transfusions as they undergo treatment? In the last 3 years two MPCSD kids have battled cancer. This year the nephew of an Oak Knoll teacher is fighting this disease. In situations like this we can feel helpless. But we can make a difference. Not just to cancer patients but to anyone in need of blood. Each blood donation you make can help up to 3 people. One hour of your time and you get to make a difference in 3 people's lives. It is an amazing gift.  

The MPCSD event will be held at the Menlo Park Center, 445 Burgess Drive, all day on Tuesday, November 3; Thursday, November 5; and Saturday November 7.  

The Menlo Park center is open for whole blood donations on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00-7:30pm and on Saturdays from 7:30am-3:00pm.

Walk-ins are welcomed, but you are encouraged to make an appointment either online or by calling 650-723-7831.  The Blood Center accepts donors aged 17+ (or 16 with parental consent).  For the full list of donor requirements, visit the Eligibility page of their main website.

Counselor's Corner
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! 
      
Ollie Salutes
Ollie Salutes the Bike and Pedestrian Safety Team!

Did your kids get their bikes inspected in the past few weeks? Have they learned bike safety tips on KNOL? For their part in helping our students get to school safely on bikes and on foot, we owe a thank you to Katie Behroozi and Janet Bellantoni, our Bike and Pedestrian Safety Co-Chairs. They have been working to make sure that our Otters that are walking and biking are safe. And, Ollie also salutes Allison Chao, who worked with the Menlo Park Bicycle Commission over the summer to make sure our new green bike sharrows on Oak, Oakdell and Olive were ready for back-to-school. Ollie says, "keep following those safe routes to school, everyone!"
    
Yard Supervisors Added
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! 
      
Kinder Yard Volunteers
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.  
      
MPAEF News


We have one month to go until the MPAEF Campaign close date on November 6th!  Here's what's coming up... 

Last Chance! Double Your Donation Dollars Week ends Tomorrow 
 
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 through tomorrow, 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 



Dine Out for the Kids This Tuesday and Wednesday, October 13 & 14
 
Two days to Dine Out! Leave the planning and clean up of either lunch or dinner or both to someone else for one day, or even two! This year MPAEF brings you TWO days to dine out at local, favorite restaurants. A percentage of proceeds from participating restaurants will be generously given to the MPAEF to support our four schools.  Dine at such restaurants as Bistro Vida, Mama Coco, Bradley's Fine Diner, Lutticken's, Carpaccio, Freewheel Brewery, Gourmet Lunch, Jeffrey's, Mardini's, Namesake Cheesecake, Sultana, Trellis, and Yogurt Stop. With minimum days on the calendar this 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! Please remember to tell the waitstaff or cashier that you are there for the "MPAEF Dine Out." 

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.

Community Sponsored News
Boy Scout Troop 206 Bicycle Donations
As one of their Eagle Scout projects, Atherton's Boy Scout Troop 206 is collecting and repairing donated bikes, and redistributing them to local community members who are unable to buy them. To donate bikes, unused helmets, bike locks, and money for repair parts, email Joe or call (650)327-6337.
 
Oak Knoll and Menlo Park Cub Scout Registration
October 15, 7-8:30 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. Live music by Menlo-Atherton sophomore jazz combo, The Blues By Five. Click here or email Karen for more info.   

2015 Halloween Hoopla!
Saturday, October 31
The City of Menlo Park Community Services Department proudly presents the 2015 Halloween Hoopla! Come in costume and participate in the annual parade to Fremont Park starting at 11:45 am. The parade will start in the Maloney Street parking lot off Santa Cruz Avenue. After the parade, from 12:30-3:00pm, trick-or-treat in downtown Menlo Park at stores that display trick-or-treat signs on their door. Entertainment, crafts, and carnival games will also be available at Fremont Park. Don't forget to pick-up your free trick or treat bag at Fremont Park while you're there! For more information, please call 650.330.2220 or visit this website.
       
Newsletter Details
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. 

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