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Monday, February 8
- Last Day to Complete Parent Survey
- Oakland Zoo Field Trip (Chan, Poole, Jagelka),8:15am-1:45pm
Tuesday, February 9
- Parent Coffee Talk, Digital Citizenship & Technology, 8:15am, Gym
- Oakland Zoo Field Trip (Fujimoto, Lavezzo, Boatright), 8:15am-1:45pm
- Third Grade Ohlone Programs
February 10 - February 11
- Sports Equipment Drive, Morning Carline
Wednesday, February 10
- Unclaimed Lost & Found Items Donated
Thursday, February 11
- Last Day to Order Yearbooks
Friday, February 12
- NO SCHOOL, Collaborative Planning Day
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February 15 - February 19
Monday, February 22
- School Resumes
- 2nd Annual Community Service Fair
Wednesday, February 24
- Last Day to Register for Science Fair
- MPCSD Parent Ed: Julie Lythcott-Haims Presents "Throw out the Checklisted Childhood", 6:30pm, Hillview PAC
Friday, February 26
- Artwork Submissions Due for Music Man Playbill Contest
Friday, March 4
- Friends and Family Day (see times below)
Wednesday, March 9
- Science Fair (Grades 2 & 3), 6:00-8:00pm, Gym
Thursday, March 10
- Science Fair (Grades 4 & 5), 6:00-8:00pm, Gym
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The next Otter Weekly will be on Sunday, February 21. Have a great February break everyone!
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Oak Knoll Invited to Present at Learning & the Brain Conference
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We are excited to share that Mrs.Gracia is taking a team to present at the upcoming Learning and the Brain conference. The conference topic is Shaping Student Mindsets: Promoting Academic Attitudes, Persistence and Performance. Joining Mrs.Gracia will be Mrs.Scott, Ms.Ryan, Mrs.Cebrian, Mr.Cline and Ms.Chan! Our team will be sharing the mindset work that has been happening at Oak Knoll, and provide ways in which other schools can create a mindset culture at their school and in their classrooms. Way to go Oak Knoll!
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Notice to Parents/Guardians: Vaccine Personal Beliefs Exemptions
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Most students will not be affected by a new California law, SB 277, effective January 1, 2016, because they have already received the required vaccinations for school. SB 277 states that exemptions based on personal beliefs, including religious beliefs, will no longer be an option for the vaccines that are currently required for school. PBEs on file for a child already attending school will remain valid until the child reaches the next immunization checkpoint at Kindergarten or 7th grade.
For more information about school immunization requirements and resources, please visit the website for the California Department of Public Health at www.shotsforschool.org, or contact your local health department or county office of education.
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Last Day to Complete Parent Survey
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Please complete the annual 5-minute parent survey to help Oak Knoll's Site Council, teachers and administrators understand how well Oak Knoll School is performing so far this year. Your input is critical for us to understand fully what is working well and what needs improvement. We would like your constructive and actionable feedback now so that we have time to respond to the survey results during this school year. All responses are anonymous and all results will be shared with Principal Gracia, Assistant Principal Kessler and specific classroom related responses will be shared with the relevant teacher(s).
There are a couple changes to the survey this year that we would like to highlight: - We are asking you to complete ONE survey for your entire family at Oak Knoll. - If your child is in a multi-age program, please focus your responses on your child's GRADE LEVEL teacher.
Click here to complete the 5-minute survey by tomorrow, Monday February 8.
The Oak Knoll Parent Survey is a great opportunity to get your feedback on the big picture of Oak Knoll School each year. If you have specific feedback or concerns, the best way to resolve them is to contact the classroom teacher and/or Mrs. Gracia and Mrs. Kessler. Our teachers and staff are dedicated to making it work for students throughout the year.
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Parent Coffee Talk on Tuesday
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Don't miss this opportunity to hear about digital citizenship and technology at school! Join Mrs. Gracia, Mrs. Kessler and Mr. Coldoff, Oak Knoll's Technology Coach, at the next Parent Coffee Talk this Tuesday, February 9, at 8:15am in the Gym.
Regular informational meetings for parents on various topics of interest are held throughout the year. The remaining Parent Coffee Talks will be held on March 8 and April 12. 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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 Please check the lost & found! All unclaimed items will be donated on Wednesday, February 10. Thank you.
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Girl Scout Troop 62178 is holding a Sports Equipment Drive for gently used sports equipment, clothing and cleats during the morning carline on February 10 and February 11. Get out those bats, balls, mitts, cleats, shin guards, etc. that don't fit and bring them to school. All equipment will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula.
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Last Chance to Order Yearbook
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The 2015-2016 Oak Knoll yearbook is on sale until this Thursday, February 11. The yearbook is a great way to keep Oak Knoll memories alive for your kids, so don't miss out on this last chance to order this precious keepsake!
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Register for 2016 Science Fair
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Is your child a curious explorer? Do you get interesting questions about nature, physics, chemistry, biology, human or animal behavior from your child that you'd like to help them answer? Want to help introduce the scientific method to your child in a relaxed and engaging way? Then the Oak Knoll Science Fair is for you! Forget everything you know about the mandatory and awful science fairs of your youth. The Oak Knoll Science Fair is all about encouraging children's natural curiosity while teaching the scientific method in a supportive and noncompetitive environment. We are committed to keeping science fun and accessible for your child and your family! Save the dates: Grades 2 & 3: Wednesday, March 9 from 6:00-8:00pm Grades 4 & 5: Thursday, March 10 from 6:00-8:00pm See more details and register now through February 24 at the Oak Knoll Science Fair website. Questions? Email the Oak Knoll Science Fair Team at oakknollsciencefair@gmail.com
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Music Man Cover Art Contest
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 We need your creativity for the cover art for the Playbill for Oak Knoll's rendition of The Music Man, Jr! Oak Knoll 4th and 5th graders will perform the musical on Thursday, March 24 and Saturday, March 26. Your artwork could become the program's cover!!
Help us get going on a high note, no pun intended! Give us your best artistic rendition of The Music Man, Seventy-Six Trombones, Wells Fargo Wagon, and the Pick-a-Little Ladies, use your imagination!
Artwork submissions are due Friday, February 26 to the front office. The art competition is open to all Oak Knoll students. Please present your drawing vertically on a piece of 8x11 paper. Remember to include your name on the back of your drawing.
Contact Andrea Auerbach with questions. Thanks for participating!
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Friday, March 4 is Oak Knoll's 18th annual Friends and Family Day. Invite a friend or family member to come to school to get a glimpse of our campus and classrooms.
- Grades K,1,2 (and K-1-2 Multi-ages) Welcome Coffee starts in the gym at 8:45am. These classroom visits start at 9:05am.
- Grades 3,4,5 (and 3-4-5 Multi-ages) Welcome Coffee starts in the gym at 9:30am. These classroom visits start at 9:50am.
You can print the following invitation to give to your friend or family member. Additional invitations are also available in the office. Click here for a Spanish version of the invitation.
If you have questions or can help volunteer for the event please contact Alison Matthews.
PLEASE NOTE PARKING: We have a limited number of special parking spaces in front of the school office reserved for individuals with limited mobility. If your friend or family member does not need assistance, please have them park on the surrounding streets and enjoy the walk to campus.
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MPCSD Parent Education Series
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There are still two great upcoming talks in the MPCSD Parent Education Series. Mark your calendars!:
February 24: Julie Lythcott-Haims - Highly sought after speaker and author, former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford University, and acclaimed author of How to Raise an Adult, Julie Lythcott-Haims joins the Menlo Park community to present, "Throw Out The Checklisted Childhood." Whether you've wanted to see her and haven't been able or whether you have seen her several times already, you don't want to miss this presentation prepared especially for Menlo Park families. Bring your friends and neighbors. Light refreshments provided. Free onsite childcare available for potty-trained children. Wednesday, February 24, 6:30pm, Hillview PAC.
March 9: Most Likely To Succeed - Movie Screening + Panel Discussion. You've heard the buzz, now come see what it's all about. Are public schools in need of a drastic overhaul? Where is MPCSD in the continuum of innovation? Join us for a screening of the thought-provoking documentary followed by a panel discussion of education leaders. Light refreshments provided. Free onsite childcare available for potty-trained children.Wednesday, March 9, 6:30pm, Hillview PAC.
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Ollie Salutes the Chairs for Family Math Night, Teacher Luncheon & OKCO
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Last week was a fun and busy week for our Otters! On Thursday night, our Otters were able to attend Family Math Night, which was organized by Suzanne Gallie. Thanks to Suzanne's efforts and her team of parent volunteers running the activity tables, our students were able to participate in a fun, low-key evening of math games and activities. Who doesn't love that?!
We followed that up with our annual Teacher Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, a Mexican-themed luncheon organized by Andrea Potischman, to show our parent community's appreciation for our amazing teachers and staff. Teachers and staff enjoyed tacos and treats, with everything brought in by Andrea and her many parent volunteers. Thank you to all of the parents who helped with this delicious luncheon.
Lastly, on Saturday night, our Oak Knoll Community Outreach (OKCO) committee, co-chaired by  Jenni Djafari, Alma Maldonado, Mari Molina, and Wendy Valencia, put on their annual Winterfest party to bring together out-of-district families and in-district families for a fun night of food, carnival games, and dancing led by Oak Knoll's own Ms. Bennion! Everyone had a great time while continuing to build on the wonderful community spirit that is one of the best parts of Oak Knoll. Let's give the OKCO and all of the Winterfest parent and Hillview volunteers a huge Ollie salute for such a fun night!
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5th Grade: California Healthy Kids Survey
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Menlo Park's fifth through eighth grade students will be participating in the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) this February. This survey is recognized as the leading health data gathering survey currently available in the country. This is a very important survey will be given to Oak Knoll's 5th grade students on February 22, 2016. Participation in the survey is voluntary and we hope you will give permission. Consent forms and more detailed information are being sent home via your child's communication folder. Please complete & return the consent form to your child's teacher as soon as possible. Need another copy? Click here to download and print a copy of the consent form.
You may review the CHKS survey in the school office or view the Elementary Survey in English or Spanish on line.
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Donate to the MPAEF Auction today!
Are you an adventurer, sports fan or wine spectator?
Make our 2016 MPAEF Auction the best yet by donating a destination trip, sporting event or memorabilia, or Wine Experience! The deadline to give is this February 11! Event details coming soon.
Destinations, Adventures and Getaways
Give district families or couples the opportunity to take a break by spending time in a place you find special. A condo by the beach, a cabin in the woods, a salt box by the ocean -- all places welcome! Your generosity will benefit not only all our kids but also a family needing a getaway. Work personally with the winning bidder on a mutual time or set your own dates. An escape item is an easy way to make a significant donation to the district, while sharing the joys of your special place.
Sporting Events and Memorabilia
Donate your box seats, courtside seats, or a trip to Augusta, all to raise money for our students and our schools! Accepting Giants, Sharks, and 49ers tickets, plus tickets to PGA tournaments or Grand Slam tennis events! Link a district family into a round of golf at one of the prestigious courses or clubs in the Bay Area! Donate unique memorabilia as a great way to share the passion of sports and raise money for stronger schools!
Exceptional Wines and Wine Experiences
Open up the riches of our region by offering up a unique bottle of wine or a wine experience. Create a personal trip to a vineyard for a couple or a group or fill their wine bar with elite vintages. Exclusive wine clubs offer award winning wines and champagnes, so donate a case or two from your membership. Bring enjoyment, cultural adventure and appreciation to district families and raise money for our schools!
Click here to submit your donation via our online donation form. Deadline is February 11.
Thank you in advance for your generosity! We can't wait to see you in April.
Krista Rosa Brennan, Mary Grundy, Cyndy Hogan and Flavia Herrod
MPAEF Spring Event Auction Co-Chairs
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Make a Difference with MPAEF!
We are looking for interested parent volunteers to join the MPAEF Board for the 2016-2017 school year. There is a place for everyone, so whether your interests are in event planning, donor or business stewardship, graphic design or campaign leadership, we'd love to hear from you. To get an idea of who we are and see a list of current positions and board members, click here. Please email nominating@mpaef.org if you are interested in investing in education. Together.
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Thanks to Our Realtor and Business Partners
We want to take the opportunity to shout out some appreciation to just a few of our many realtor and business partners in the community. Thank you for your support!
Platinum Level
Mary & Brent Gullixson, The Gullixson Team - Realtor Partner
Gold Level
Pollock Financial Group
Silver Level
Menlo Partners Staffing
Bronze Level
Peninsula Pet Hospital
Mary Gilles - Realtor Partner
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Menlo-Atherton High School Presents "Into the Woods"
February 26-27 and March 3-5, 7:30 PM, M-A PAC
Into the Woods takes the audience on a musical adventure featuring favorite familiar characters in a lyrically rich re-telling of classic Brothers Grimm fables. Curses, quests, romance, and surprises abound in these woods. Tickets are available at the door or online. $14 for adults, $10 for students/seniors.
Volunteers Needed: Los Robles Magnet Academy Library
The Ravenswood schools are starved for volunteers, and the Los Robles Magnet Academy Library relies on volunteer staff. The job involves helping children find books, checking books in and out, shelving returns, and occasionally reading aloud.
Shifts are Mondays: 9:20-11:10 and 1:00 - 2:40; Tuesdays 10:00-11:10; Thursdays 8:45-11:00 and 1:00-2:40; Fridays: 9:20-11:10 and 1:00-2:40. For more information, please contact Nancy Ryde or Barbara Neumann.
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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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