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- Registration for Winter After-School Programs Open
Tuesday, December 8
- Parent Coffee Talk, 8:15am, Gym
- 4/5 Grade Spring Musical Auditions After School
- MPCSD Board Meeting, 6:00-7:00pm
Wednesday, December 9
- PTO Board Meeting, 8:15-10:00am
- 4/5 Grade Spring Musical Auditions After School
- Site Council Meeting, 3:30-4:30pm
Thursday, December 10
- MPAEF Board Meeting, 8:45-10:30am, TERC
- Room 6 Annual Feast, 12:00pm, Small Gym
Friday, December 11
- Spirit Day: Bed Hair Day
- San Juan Batista Field Trip (Bartlett, Nulman, Austin), 8:15am-2:30pm
- 4/5 Grade Spring Musical Audition Call Backs
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Monday, December 14
- Balclutha Field Trip (Austin), 11:30am - next day
- Barb Snow's Retirement Celebration, 2:55-4:00pm, Upper Playground (no rain) or Gym (rain).
- Last Day to Order Yearbooks
Friday, December 18
- MINIMUM DAY - 11:20am Dismissal for Winter Break
- Last Day to Submit 5th Grade Baby Photos for Yearbook
December 19 - January 4
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Parent Coffee Talk this Tuesday - Nurturing Reading
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The next Parent Coffee Talk will be held this Tuesday, December 8 at 8:15am in the Gym when Oak Knoll's reading leaders, Jane Bennion (Librarian), Jacqui Cebrian and Helga Dinning (Reading Specialists) will talk about how you can nurture reading and readers at home. You will leave with strategies and great book recommendations as well!
Mrs. Gracia and other members of the Oak Knoll Staff are holding regular informational meetings for parents on various topics of interest throughout the year. The next Parent Coffee Talks will be held on the following dates: 1/12, 2/9, 3/8. All meetings are right after drop-off in the Gym, from 8:15-9:15am.
Mark your calendars and come join Mrs. Gracia and her team for some good discussions. Come connect!
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This Friday, December 11, is Bed Hair Day at Oak Knoll! What a great excuse for your kids to rock a messy hairdo to school and celebrate this spirit day! School Spirit Days are held regularly and this time the theme was chosen by 3-5th graders from Calling All Kids, the school student leadership group. Enjoy!
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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!
You can add your family's rsvp response to the evite so we have an idea of numbers, but please feel free to come along either way.
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Kenyan Boys Choir Visits Oak Knoll
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 In the spirit of being connected to the world, all Oak Knoll students enjoyed a performance by the Kenyan Boys Choir at two assemblies last Monday. Our students got to hear a selection of traditional Kenyan songs, as well as a few words and videos about how the choir came together and some of their work with WE.org and performances on WE Day.
Originally started in 2004 to help boys from underprivileged backgrounds raise money to pay for their school fees, the choir is made up of high school and university boys from different Kenyan backgrounds and tribes. In partnership with various non-profits, including WE.org, they have toured and performed on the world stage for events such as Barack Obama's inauguration and at concerts and fundraising, community-building and social change initiatives with numerous classical and contemporary music acts.
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Building A Growth Mindset Community
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 Parents, reminder that you can take your free 30 minute online mini-course, offering guidance on how to help children develop a growth mindset. Once you have completed the course, remember to pick up your car magnet so that we have an idea of parent participation.
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 car magnet from the Oak Knoll office.
Click here to read Kristen Gracia's note on the Growth Mindset course.
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Extra Clothes: We need extra girls' clothes in the office - all sizes. Thank you!
Holiday Absences: Please report any upcoming absences (ie. holiday travel) to the office and obtain an Independent Study Plan. Click here to read more about the Independent Study Plan for Planned Absences.
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 The Oak Knoll Lost & Found is full of mislaid sweatshirts, jackets, hats and water bottles! Please come and check if there is anything of yours before Thursday, December 17.
Any remaining items will be given away to a charitable organization on Friday, December 18, prior to Winter Break.
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Ollie Salutes our Emergency Preparedness Team
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Thank you to Tara Carranza and Jinous Habibi for all of their hard work to make sure Oak Knoll is well-equipped in case of an emergency. They have spent countless hours inventorying, ordering, and updating all of our school emergency supplies in the classrooms and the school cache. The emergency plan is aligned to the county's Big Five protocol. We have now conducted earthquake, fire and lockdown drills, and will hold drills regularly throughout the year so that we are prepared in case of an emergency.
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Winter After-School Programs Registration Open
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Registration is now OPEN for after-school programs at Oak Knoll this upcoming winter session!
The classes will run from January 11 to March 25, 2016. These enrichment classes are wonderful opportunities for your child to try a variety of new activities and sports, or continue the current classes they have been enjoying this fall. Check out the After-School Program listings below and go to the schedule online to learn more and sign-up for classes.
Classes fill up quickly, so please register early!
| Class | Day | Time | Grade | Location | | Bulldog Flag Football | Monday | 3:00-4:00 | K-5 | Field | | Sparkiverse Creativity and Circuits | Monday | 3:00-4:00 | 1-3 | Classroom | | Wizbots Creative Robotics Lab | Monday | 3:00-4:30 | 3-5 | Science | | After School Hoops | Tuesday | 3:00-4:00 | K-2 | Blacktop | | Bay Area Chess | Tuesday | 3:00-4:00 | K-5 | Classroom | | Creative Writing | Tuesday | 3:00-4:00 | 3-5 | Classroom | | Pacific Art League | Tuesday | 3:00-4:00 | K-3 | Classroom | | Sparkiverse Minecraft Engineering | Tuesday | 3:00-4:30 | 3-5 | Classroom | | TGA Golf | Tuesday | 3:00-4:00 | K-5 | Field | | Bulldog Speed, Strength & Skill Development | Tuesday | 3:00-4:00 | K-5 | Field | | Bulldog "Rookies" Fitness Fun Class | Tuesday | 3:00-4:00 | K-5 | Field | | Easy Spanish | Wednesday | 3:00-3:45 | K-5 | Classroom | | Gorilla Play Day | Wednesday | 3:00-4:00 | K-2 | Field | | LEGO Pre-Engineering (K-2) | Wednesday | 3:00-4:30 | K-2 | Classroom | | Starfire Design Thinking & Engineering | Wednesday | 3:00-4:30 | 1-5 | Classroom | | After School Hoops | Thursday | 1:30-2:30 | K-2 | Blacktop | | Sparkiverse Coding 2/3 | Thursday | 1:30-3:00 | 2-4 | Classroom | | Bulldog Youth Flag Football | Thursday | 1:30-2:30 | K-5 | Field | | Mandarin | Thursday | 1:30-3:00 | K-5 | Classroom | | Speech & Debate | Thursday | 1:30-2:50 | 1-5 | Classroom | | Starfire Math | Thursday | 1:30-3:00 | K-5 | Classroom | | LEGO Jedi Engineering (3-5) | Thursday | 1:30-3:00 | 3-5 | Classroom | | Tennis | Thursday | 1:30-2:30 | K-5 | Blacktop | | Young Rembrandts | Thursday | 1:30-2:30 | K-5 | Classroom | | Green Room Musical Theater/Dance | Thursday | 1:30-2:30 | 2-5 | Classroom | | Mad Science | Friday | 3:00-4:00 | K-5 | Classroom | | Junior Chef Stars | Friday | 3:00-4:15 | K-5 | Kitchen | | Soccer Shots | Friday | 3:00-3:35 | K-2 | Field | | Bulldog Youth Flag Football | Friday | 3:00-4:00 | K-5 | Field |
After School Program classes are provided by outside vendors - please confirm exact details and session dates with course provider.
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Hour of Code is coming to Oak Knoll the week of December 7-13!
Our school is one of nearly 100,000 worldwide Hour of Code events registered this year. The Hour of Code is a one hour introduction to computer science designed to demystify code and teach anybody the basics. Students will have opportunities to complete their hour of code in their classrooms, but are also encouraged to continue their own coding journey by taking advantage of the many online tutorials available all the time at https://hourofcode.com/us. New this year are tutorials based on the very popular sandbox game Minecraft.
If you have any questions please contact Jonathan Coldoff, Oak Knoll's Technology Coach. He will be helping to bring the Hour of Code to every Oak Knoll student. Happy coding!
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Auditions This Week for 4/5th Grade Musical
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 All 4th and 5th graders are invited to try out for Oak Knoll's Spring Musical, THE MUSIC MAN. Auditions will be held in Ms Tee's Music room after school on December 8 and 9 with callbacks on December 11.
The Music Man Junior is a toe-tapping crowd pleaser that the children will find loads of fun to be in. It will be cast and directed by Oak Knoll's Music Specialist, Bee Tee, and Hillview's Drama Director, Bill Hairston.
Rehearsals will begin Tuesday January 5 and will be held every Tuesday (3:00-4:30pm), Wednesday (3:00-4:30pm) and Thursday (1:30-3:00pm).
Rehearsals will run weekly (excluding February break) until the production performances at the Hillview PAC on Thursday 3/24 with a 3:30pm show, and the final show on Saturday 3/26 at 7:00pm.  Please visit Mrs. Tee's Fusion Page to sign-up for an Audition time and complete the audition form. Details on what to prepare for the audition as well as important rehearsal and parent volunteer requirements are provided. |
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Order Your 2015-16 Oak Knoll Yearbook
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The 2015-2016 Oak Knoll yearbook is on sale through Monday, December 14. 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, thank you to those who have already submitted photos. For those that have not yet done so, please note the deadline to submit photos is Friday, December 18.
What we need:
-One favorite photo of your child between the ages of 3-18 months - please, no photos of older babies as they get too easy to recognize.
What we want:
-100% participation, as this is a special 5th grade Oak Knoll tradition.
What you need to do:
- Email a digital photo (preferred) to Andrea Potischman with the subject line "Oak Knoll -- Baby Photo [Child First and Last Name]" OR
- Place a hard copy of the photo (clearly labeled) in the large manilla envelope marked "5th Grade Baby Photos" in the front office just outside Ms. Gracia's office. Photos will be returned.
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MPCSD Long Range Planning
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At the November 10 School Board meeting we discussed the latest report on Enrollment Projections and provided financial and background information on our Measure C Parcel Tax, which expires next year. Click here to review more Board agenda items.
To provide parents, staff and our community more information about the enrollment projections, financial plan and potential renewal of our Measure C Parcel Tax, our Board's Long Range Planning Ad Hoc Committee will be providing information at the meetings listed below. We encourage you to attend one of these sessions. Additionally, the Board will be discussing the Parcel Tax at Board meetings on the evenings of December 8 and 15, which we also encourage you to attend.
Open Oak Knoll Sessions:
PTO Board Meeting: Wednesday, December 9, 8:15-8:45am
Site Council: Wednesday, December 9, 4:00-4:30pm
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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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Shop Online at Shop.MPAEF.org this Holiday Season and Earn Money for Our Schools!
Avoid the crowds and finish your holiday shopping online while earning money for our schools at great merchants like, Amazon, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Gap, GameStop, Lego, Best Buy, Petsmart, Expedia, Saks Fifth Avenue, ProFlowers and Many More.
Visit www.shop.mpaef.org, click on the link to your favorite merchant, pay for items as you normally would, and earn up to 10% of your purchase total for our schools! It's that easy!
**we don't collect any personally identifiable information**
Many Thanks!
We want to thank you for your generous support of the MPAEF Endowment on #GivingTuesday! The MPAEF Endowment for Excellence in Teaching is a permanent fund intended to support excellent teaching in MPCSD in perpetuity. The Endowment grows through donations and investment gains, and the income it generates funds professional development, partnerships, and programs to foster 21st century teaching in our schools. Visit the Endowment website to learn more.
First Annual Taste of the Mountains
It was so wonderful to see so many of you Sipping, Strolling and Supporting our Schools at the First Annual "Taste of the Mountains" in downtown Menlo Park on Saturday. The event was a great success and 100% of the proceeds benefit the MPAEF! Thank you to our community and to Greenheart Land Company for sponsoring the event.
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M-A Grizzlies Lacrosse Try Lacrosse this Spring! M-A Grizzlies has openings for boys and girls ages 7 to 13 for teams this spring. The season is February to May. Lacrosse is a fast paced-game that young players can learn quickly and has similar skills to soccer & basketball. Come on out for some FUN! Click here for more information and to register.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas!
December 6, 12, 13; 1 and 4 pm, Woodside Performing Arts Center
Once again, Dancers Repertory Theatre presents 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, a delightful dance/theatre event guaranteed to delight all ages. With dancing mice, prancing reindeer, and toys that come to life, this magical holiday production has become a family tradition-make it a part of yours! Click here for more information and tickets.
Come See Oak Knoll's own Carolina Arizini, Isabella Arizini, Penelope Chapman, Mary Gaughan Curtin, Brigid Cutright, Sadie Evans, Talulah Evans, Melinda Matthews, Olivia Matthews, Brinley Pickett, Ella Skinner, and Elsa Sonsini.
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.
Traditional Holiday Christmas Party for Children
Sunday, December 13, 12:30-2:30 pm
Allied Arts Guild Sunset Room, 75 Arbor Rd.
Exciting entertainment for children ages 4-9, accompanied by an adult. Fascinating juggling act and engaging puppet show, followed by a visit from Santa and refreshments. $25 per person donation. Check out our website for details.
Samaritan House Coat Drive
If you have old coats in the closet, consider giving them to neighbors who need one. Samaritan House provides free services and supplies to the friends and neighbors in need throughout our county. Donated coats (all sizes including adult) will be delivered to Samaritan House throughout the winter. Please contact Neela Gentile to arrange a local drop off.
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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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