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Sunday, November 15
- Ordering open for 2015-2016 Oak Knoll Yearbook
Monday, November 16
- Playing with Poetry (Quarre), 9:30-10:15am
Wednesday, November 18
- MPCSD Speaker Series, "Raising Your Teens Without Losing Your Mind," Erik Burmeister, 6:30pm, Hillview PAC
Thursday, November 19
- Native American Day (Stella, Andolina, C.Lopez), 10:45am-12:00pm
Friday, November 20
- Embracing Our Differences - Student Assembly: Dance Performance by College of Adaptive Arts, San Jose
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November 25-27
- NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
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Building A Growth Mindset Community
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Last Tuesday, parents gathered in the gym for the latest Coffee Talk with Leah Kessler (Assistant Principal), Jenny Ryan (School Psychologist), and Nicole Scott (School Counselor), and engaged in a discussion on Growth Mindset. This coincided with the launch of a free 30 minute online mini-course that offers parents a new way to get involved and guides them through how to help their children develop a growth mindset. Complete the course and get a super-cool Oak Knoll Mindset magnet for your car!
Three simple steps:- Access the Growth Mindset Course for parents
- Complete the two sections of the course, which include watching 3 short videos
- Collect your Mindset magnet from the Oak Knoll office.
Click here to read Kristen Gracia's note on the Growth Mindset course.
Mark your calendars for upcoming Parent Coffee Talks: 12/8, 1/12, 2/9, 3/8. All meetings are right after drop-off in the Gym, from 8:15-9:15am.
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Barb Snow's Retirement Celebration
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Our beloved Oak Knoll Office Manager, Barb Snow, is retiring after 42 years of working in the District! Mark your calendars and join her on Monday, December 14, 2:55-4:00pm on the upper playground (no rain) or in the gym (rain) to say farewell. Parents and kids will have the opportunity to sign a memory book, have a piece of cake and give Barb a hug!
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Independent Study Plan for Holiday Absences
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Please report any upcoming absences (ie. holiday travel) to the office and obtain an Independent Study Plan. Thank you!
Click here to read more about the Independent Study Plan for Planned Absences.
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Update on Embracing Our Differences Month
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What a fantastic set of events we had last week for Embracing Our Differences Month!
Your children attended an assembly where Dr. Alette Coble-Temple, Ms. Wheelchair America 2016 who has cerebral palsy (and her dog Ready), delivered an inspiring and entertaining talk on her life and achievements and showed the kids that there is no limit to what they can accomplish, no matter the circumstances! She also gave a thought-provoking presentation to our parent community on Monday night. Click here to view our EOD webpage and read Alette's presentation.
In their classrooms the kids learned all about cerebral palsy (the most common motor disability in childhood) and explored the idea that the biggest disability for the disabled is the attitudes of those around them. Click here to see a YouTube video they discussed. In addition, K-2 were entertained and educated on this topic through puppet shows and discussions in their classrooms. Thanks to all the parent volunteers who helped make this such a success!
This week we will be focusing on speech and language disorders. There will be classroom discussions (3-5 grades) and puppet shows (K-2 grades) on this topic. We are also looking forward to seeing students from the College of Adaptive Arts perform a Dance Ensemble at our Student Assembly on Friday.
The purpose of the month is to increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of different abilities, and most importantly to see beyond disabilities and recognize the similarities, strengths and abilities of all people. To see the ABLE in disabled, the difference NOT the deficit! We hope your kids will be bringing home information, ideas and topics for discussion from this informative and fun month!
For more information or to offer support or volunteering of any type, please contact Elaine Glynn.
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MPCSD Parent Education Series - Back by popular demand:
Erik Burmeister's "Raising Your Teens Without Losing Your Mind"
From mood swings, to puberty, to the complex life changes that are a result of growing up in the 21st century, raising a healthy and responsible teenager is a task that can boggle the mind of even the most seasoned caregivers. Join MPCSD Assistant Superintendent, Erik Burmeister, as he discusses the difference between how girls and boys react to their changing physical and emotional environments, the way in which our daily routines can affect how our kids grow and perform in and out of the classroom, and the boundaries and limits we can expect to have challenged as our kids strive to become more independent.
Part 2: Wednesday, November 18, 6:30pm
Missed Part 1? Watch it online at www.mpcsdspeakerseries.com
Location: Hillview PAC
Food and FREE onsite childcare!
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2015-16 Oak Knoll Yearbook Now on Sale
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The 2015-2016 Oak Knoll yearbook is now on sale through Monday, December 14, 2015. The yearbook is a great way to keep Oak Knoll memories alive for your kids, so don't delay in placing your order for this precious keepsake!
Orders are exclusively online for $25. You will also receive an email from our yearbook publishers, Jostens, with a link to purchase the yearbook. Please be sure to specify your child(ren)'s grade and teacher for each book.
Please contact Tamara Russel or Gina Skinner with questions.
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5th Grade Parents, the Yearbook staff have begun gathering your 5th grader's baby photo for inclusion in the yearbook. This is another long-standing Oak Knoll tradition. Please find a single, favorite photo of your child between the ages of 3-18 months - please, no photos of older babies as they get too easily recognizable. We want to ensure 100% participation with this special 5th grade tradition, so please start looking now and submit your photo asap.
You can provide a digital copy (preferred) OR a hard copy (will be returned) of the baby photo:
- Digital photos should be emailed to Andrea Potischman with the subject line "Oak Knoll -- Baby Photo [Child First and Last Name]".
- Hard copies should be clearly labeled and placed in the large manilla envelope marked "5th Grade Baby Photos" in the front office just outside Ms. Gracia's office.
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Cub Scouts Annual Canned Food Drive
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Last year in four short days, Oak Knoll students and their families rallied together to collect an incredible 1140 pounds of food, providing more than 1000 meals to local families in need! In support of Second Harvest Food Bank, Oak Knoll Cub Scouts Pack 222 is again organizing the school food drive for those in need in the community. We need your help! Please bring non-perishable food between Tuesday, November 17 and Friday, November 20 to the SHFB bins next to the Front Office. The most needed items are meals in a can (stew, chili, soup, etc.), tuna and other canned meats, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, low sugar cereals, and fruit juices. All contributions go directly to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties ( http://www.shfb.org). Thanks for your support! |
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MPCSD 2015-16 Safe Routes to School Parent Survey
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For the last three years we have worked closely with the San Mateo County Office of Education to implement a Safe Routes to School Program. A main objective of this program is to promote biking and walking to and from school. In addition, we aim to alleviate traffic congestion and emissions caused by school-related travel. We are proud to share that Menlo Park City School District has some of the highest participation rates for walking and biking to school in San Mateo County.
Together with the San Mateo County Office of Education, we are striving to further alleviate traffic congestion and emissions caused by school-related travel.
We value your input and insights and would appreciate your participation in the following survey by November 30:
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Please remind your students to wear proper shoes to PE. If it rains and your child is wearing rain boots please have them bring an extra pair of shoes for PE, the rain boots are slippery on the gym floor. We would love help volunteering in your child's PE class or with Otter Mileage before school or at lunch. Please email Hope Scheid if you have any questions about volunteering.
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Ollie Salutes Our Newsletter & Communication Team
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This week Ollie salutes our Newsletter Chair Michelle Ho and PTO Communications Chair Tamara Russel! Michelle and Tamara work together to publish our weekly e-newsletter, The Otter Weekly, so we can all stay informed about what is happening at school and with our Otters. Tamara also manages many other school communication channels to ensure that we get timely updates from the principal and other school staff as well as other important announcements and information. Without Michelle and Tamara, we'd all be in the dark!
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Connect to Each Other: School-wide this month, our focus is on Embracing Our Differences. Psychologist Jenny Ryan and Parent Elaine Glynn have planned an amazing month of activities that help our students understand that differences are not deficits, they are just differences. November/December Class lessons: In your child's classroom this month my lessons will focus on liking ourselves.  In Kindergarten, I will be reading the book Elmer by David McKee. Elmer is a patchwork elephant that thinks his friends are laughing at him but he learns they are actually laughing because he is fun to be around. I will do a fun activity with an Elmer Picture.  In 1st and 2nd grade, I will be reading I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont. In this book we follow a little girl who is super creative and listen to a fun rhyme about liking yourself we will also being doing a cute handout on why we like ourselves.  Finally, in 3rd-5th grades we will be reading the book Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy. Lucy is different and she has a boy named Ralph that picks on her. But Lucy finds the courage to be herself. After we read the story the class will do a fun partner activity about being different and the same.
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Poetry and Art Project: Connected
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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!
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Lacrosse Winter After-School Program
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SixFifty Lacrosse is offering an action-packed class for the months of December and January only! This program will teach kids lacrosse fundamentals, focusing on age-appropriate athletic development and movement, along with plenty of game time. The co-ed K-5 class will be held over six sessions - Tuesdays (3:00-4:00PM) on Dec. 1, 8, 15 and Jan. 12, 19, and 26. All equipment will be provided. If you are interested in signing your child up for after-school lacrosse, please visit sixfiftylacrosse.com/oakknoll or email Coach Matt Bond.
Please note: the lacrosse class is in addition to all other after-school program offerings, which will run from January 11-March 25, 2016. Registration for those other classes will open in early December 2015.
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MPCSD is hiring a Customer Service Receptionist
The Menlo Park City School District Office is looking for an individual with exceptional customer service skills to join our front office staff. This position's primary responsibility will be to provide assistance to visitors, parents, community members, and staff and to support the daily operations of the District Office. This position is part time, 10:00am - 2:00pm, Monday - Friday from August - June (10 months). To learn more about MPCSD's new Customer Service Receptionist position; specific duties, responsibilities, experience needed, or to apply, click here. Questions, please email the District's Human Resources Manager, Joan O'Neill. Thank you.
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 Sip, Stroll and Support our Schools on December 5
Join us for the 1st annual Menlo Park "Taste of the Mountains" on Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 2:00-5:00pm! "Taste of the Mountains" showcases wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains in your favorite Downtown Menlo Park businesses.
Participating wineries include: Thomas Fogarty Winery, Woodside Vineyards, Mindego Ridge Vineyards, Portola Vineyards, House Family Vineyards, Kings Mountain Vineyards, Bargetto Winery, Big Basin Vineyards, Burrell School Vineyards, Byington Vineyard and Winery, The Mountain Winery and Russian Ridge Winery
Space is very limited...get your tickets today! Sponsored by Greenheart Land Company, 100% of proceeds will benefit the Menlo Park - Atherton Education Foundation (MPAEF) to support the Menlo Park City Schools.
When: Saturday, December 5, 2015, 2:00-5:00pm
Where: Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park
Cost: Tickets $45 per person (21 and over)
Buy now! http://scmwa.com/event/taste-of-the-mountains/
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Oak Knoll is excited to add an additional yard supervisor 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 still looking to fill an additional yard supervisor position 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.
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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.
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Menlo-Atherton High School Canned Food Drive
November 9 - December 5
M-A is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank and with Facebook for its annual Canned Food Drive, and invites the whole MPCSD community to participate! You can drop off cans in the SHFB barrels at area grocery stores, donate online, and conduct food drives in your own neighborhood. Email the M-A Leadership class for more information.
Teen Night Candle Making Event
November 20, 6:30-8:30 pm, Menlo Park Library
Make your own eco-friendly soy wax candles! Snacks and supplies provided. Registration for this event is required.
Alpine Strikers Tryouts for Spring 2016
Is your child excited about soccer? Alpine Strikers is a community-based, competitive soccer club that strives for player development and retention of players. Our goal is to grow your child's passion for soccer with professional coaching in a fun and engaging environment. The club is holding its annual tryouts at the beginning of December for kids born between 2008 and 1997 (U8 to U18). Please go to www.alpinestrikers.org for tryouts dates and registration.
Menlo-Atherton Little League 2016 Spring Season
Registration opens November 16!
If you are a returning family please use your existing email to log in when prompted; this will save significant time when registering. M-ALL is offering seven playing divisions to players age 5 (as of 8.31.16) to 13. We are also registering YOUTH UMPIRES age 13-17 as of April 30, 2016. The M-ALL also offers a Challenger Division for special needs players age 6 to 18. For more information, visit our Registration FAQ or register through our website.
United States Youth Volleyball League
Early Registration Ends December 1
Mitchell Park, 600 E. Meadow Ave. Palo Alto
Our goal is to provide every child between the ages of 7 and 15 a chance to learn and play volleyball in a fun, safe, supervised environment. Early registration ($135) ends December 1; regular registration ends March 1 ($155). The season runs between April 12-June 4; Tuesdays 6-7 pm; Saturdays 9-10 am.
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 5, 7:30-11:30 am
Arrillaga Recreation Center, 700 Alma St.
The City of Menlo Park Community Services Department will be hosting the annual "Breakfast with Santa." Activities will include a pancake breakfast, letter writing to Santa, holiday crafts, balloon twisting, visiting and picture taking with Santa, and a fun time with friends and family. $7 for adults (13 and older) and $5 for children (12 and under). $1 OFF ticket price with donation of an unwrapped toy for the Fire Fighter Toy Drive. Reservations are required and are available online.
It's a Wonderful Nutcracker!
December 12, 13, 18, 19, 20; M-A PAC
Menlowe Ballet presents its inaugural full-length story ballet, It's a Wonderful Nutcracker. Conceived by Artistic Director Michael Lowe, It's a Wonderful Nutcracker will be set to the original Tchaikovsky score and updated with inspiration from the 1940s Frank Capra film It's a Wonderful Life. Tickets are available at http://www.menloweballet.org.
Come see Oak Knoll's own Lainey Egnal, Layla Gallon, Savannah Lang, Anna Sonsini and Helena Yassa!
2015 Holiday Showcase
Tuesday, December 15, 6-8 pm, M-A PAC
Come join the City of Menlo Park Community Services Department for the 2015 Holiday Showcase! Included in our collection of class offerings you will find dance, ballet, gymnastics, fitness, music, cooking, theater, martial arts, drumming, boot camps, and a magnitude of sports for all ages, levels, and abilities. Come see all that we have to offer in our fabulous collection of classes and programs where you, our talented community, enter into the spotlight. $5 for adults (13 and older) and free for children (12 and under). Reserve tickets online.
Research Subjects Needed
Research conducted at Stanford University is using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine the effects of stress on the developing brain. A typical session lasts about 90 minutes, and includes a series of self- and parent- report questionnaires, followed by a 30-minute NIRS scan. fNIRS is an FDA-approved, non-invasive, risk-free neuroimaging technique. Each participant will be compensated $50. If you are interested, please call the lab at (650) 497-6525 or email for more information.
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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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