theotterweekly
Oak Knoll School News
January 3, 2016 
           En Espa�ol 
In This Issue
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This Week 


 Monday, January 4
  • NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, January 5
  • School Resumes

Looking Ahead  


Tuesday, January 12
  • Parent Coffee Talk, 8:15-9:15am, Gym
Wednesday, January 13
  • PTO Board Meeting, 8:15-10:00am

Thursday, January 14

  • Incoming Kindergarten Information Night, 7:00-8:00pm, Gym

Monday, January 18

  • NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Day

Thursday, January 21

  • MPAEF Board Meeting, 8:45-10:30am, TERC
See the Oak Knoll calendar for more important dates and events 
Happy New Year
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful 2016! See you back at school on Tuesday.

Mrs. Gracia's Monthly Update
Dear Parents,
 
One recent conversation prompted me to share our philosophy, and describe the resources that we implement when students make mistakes, related to behavior and social interactions. Although we have many proactive ways we manage student behavior, this article is about how we react when something happens or something is brought to our attention. First of all, I want you to know that our staff feels confident and passionate about this topic. We believe that school is the place for kids to make mistakes and that making mistakes is part of growing up.

To read Mrs. Gracia's full letter, "When Students Make Mistakes," please click here.  

2016 Event Dates
Check out the school calendar and the event dates to make a note of some remaining 2015-2016 school year key events.

Parent Coffee Talk
Join Ms. Gracia, Ms. Kessler and Mr. Coldoff, Oak Knoll"s Technology Coach, at the next Parent Coffee Talk on Tuesday, January 12, at 8:15am in the Gym, to hear about digital citizenship and technology at school.  
 
Regular informational meetings for parents on various topics of interest are held throughout the year. The remaining 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!
 
Hot Lunch Reminder
Have you placed your hot lunch order for the first days back to school and beyond? Remember to go to Choicelunch and order the lunches you want for your children.
 
Winter After-School Program Registration
Remember to register for after-school programs at Oak Knoll for 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!

ClassDayTimeGradeLocation
Bulldog Flag FootballMonday3:00-4:00K-5Field
Sparkiverse Creativity and CircuitsMonday3:00-4:001-3Classroom
Wizbots Creative Robotics LabMonday3:00-4:303-5Science
After School HoopsTuesday3:00-4:00K-2Blacktop
Bay Area ChessTuesday3:00-4:00K-5Classroom
Creative WritingTuesday3:00-4:003-5Classroom
Pacific Art LeagueTuesday3:00-4:00K-3Classroom
Sparkiverse Minecraft EngineeringTuesday3:00-4:303-5Classroom
TGA GolfTuesday3:00-4:00K-5Field
Bulldog Speed, Strength & Skill DevelopmentTuesday3:00-4:00K-5Field
Bulldog "Rookies" Fitness Fun ClassTuesday3:00-4:00K-5Field
Easy SpanishWednesday3:00-3:45K-5Classroom
Gorilla Play DayWednesday3:00-4:00K-2Field
LEGO Pre-Engineering (K-2)Wednesday3:00-4:30K-2Classroom
Starfire Design Thinking & EngineeringWednesday3:00-4:301-5Classroom
After School HoopsThursday1:30-2:30K-2Blacktop
Sparkiverse Coding 2/3Thursday1:30-3:002-4Classroom
Bulldog Youth Flag FootballThursday1:30-2:30K-5Field
MandarinThursday1:30-3:00K-5Classroom
Speech & DebateThursday1:30-2:501-5Classroom
Starfire MathThursday1:30-3:00K-5Classroom
LEGO Jedi Engineering (3-5)Thursday1:30-3:003-5Classroom
TennisThursday1:30-2:30K-5Blacktop
Young RembrandtsThursday1:30-2:30K-5Classroom
Green Room Musical Theater/DanceThursday1:30-2:302-5Classroom
Mad ScienceFriday3:00-4:00K-5Classroom
Junior Chef StarsFriday3:00-4:15K-5Kitchen
Soccer ShotsFriday3:00-3:35K-2Field
Bulldog Youth Flag FootballFriday3:00-4:00K-5Field

After School Program classes are provided by outside vendors - please confirm exact details and session dates with course provider.

Ollie Salutes our PTO Treasurer
Ollie would like to start off 2016 with a huge thank you to PTO Treasurer, Emily Record. Since last summer, Emily has worked tirelessly as our Treasurer, which is one of the the most demanding and complicated parent volunteer jobs at Oak Knoll. Please join Ollie in showing our thanks to Emily for her dedication to our school and Otters.

Spanish Program Update
What a great first half-year it has been for the Oak Knoll Spanish program. The Spanish program at Oak Knoll School is a conversation-based program. By engaging the children in conversation, dramatic skits, stories, movement, and song, the children actively learn and retain the language. Through study of Spanish-speaking cultures, the children develop a framework that can help them understand and internalize the language.

In the K-4 Spanish program, we have been working on  simple greetings, number identification and counting, color identification, and parts of the body using movement, music  and TPR (total physical response).  We have also been reading children's literature in Spanish  that complement each theme and introduce a cultural component for each lesson. I have really enjoyed the enthusiasm I experience in each of the K-4 classrooms and the attempts I see to use Spanish in and around the Oak Knoll campus!

In the 5th Grade we have been incorporating the various themes we are studying into more complicated skits and dialogues. This has let us build on basic conversation using more complex vocabulary and situations.  So far we have covered basic greetings, numbers 1-100, classroom objects,  days of the week, months of the year, seasons, descriptions of the weather, clothing and colors and the family.  We also celebrated and studied Hispanic Heritage Month, Mexican Independence, and Dia de los Muertos and have explored the traditions and cultures of  the Hispanic speaking world through literature and song.

KNOL has been an excellent avenue for the fifth graders to show leadership in their growth in Spanish through weekly presentations that share their knowledge to the rest of the school. It has been thrilling to see the younger kids learn through the older children's example! 

The Spanish Club meets every Friday in Room 13 and has activities that involve the cultural arts of the spanish speaking world. So far we have made pi�atas, Dia de los Muertos masks, Aztec Sun paintings and Poinsettia sponge paintings based on the Mexican winter flower. All grades from 3- 5 are invited to share in the fun.

In this new year, we look forward to building on the knowledge and experience the students have gained and continuing the journey of language learning and cultural understanding!
 
Summer School Program Dates
The District's 2016 Summer School Program will provide a variety of intervention programs for teacher recommended students as well as some enrichment programs. This year, the K-5 program will be held at Laurel Elementary School and the 6-8 program will be held at Hillview Middle School. The four-week summer program will start on Monday, June 27 and will end on Friday, July 22. There will be no school on the 4th of July holiday.  More information to come!
 
MPCSD News
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. 
   
Community Sponsored News
Menlo-Atherton Little League 2016 Spring Season
M-ALL is offering seven playing divisions to players age 5 to 13, as well as a Challenger Division for special needs players age 6 to 18. We are also registering YOUTH UMPIRES, age 13-17 as of April 30, 2016. Register now, as late fees will be assessed starting January 8. If you are a returning family please use your existing email to log in when prompted. For more information, you can visit our Registration FAQ.
 
Avenidas Tech Faire
January 16, 10 am-2 pm
Enjoy a free and interactive day filled with new gadgets, engaging presentations, food, and fun! Bring your family to explore innovative technologies that will shape our future. Don't miss out on Tech Talks with industry experts and check out the exhibits of Apple watches, 3D printers, robots, and more! Free and open to the public; all ages welcome! For more information, click here or email [email protected].
 
Ragazzi Boys Chorus Free SingFest Minicamp
January 16, 9:30 am-1 pm
Let your 7-10 year old boy test-drive this 'best choir of the Peninsula' for himself at a free half-day SingFest minicamp. Low-key, no-obligation auditions are integrated into the morning; no previous singing experience needed. Boys offered Ragazzi membership will start rehearsing in January. Minicamp is free, but advanced registration is required. If you can't make it to SingFest but want to audition, click here. Email [email protected] for more information.
 
Ragazzi Boys Chorus:  Music and Movement Class
February 1 - May 9; Mondays 4:15-5 pm
This engaging class is tailored for boys ages 5-7 with little or no previous musical experience. A child-developmental approach fosters boys' creativity and curiosity. Students explore rhythm games, channel their energy through music learning, and learn concepts they can apply in any musical setting. $260 for 13 weeks; early-bird and sibling discounts. Register here; contact [email protected] for more information.
 
Creative Art for Young Children: Winter Session
January 13 - March 26
Each day there is a story and a theme to go with our art projects. We will be learning about penguins dancing in black tuxedos, making dragon puppets for Chinese New Year, and creating to the sounds coming from Kandinsky's colors, just to name a few. Click here for more information. 
       
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.