|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monday, February 22
- School Resumes
- 2nd Annual Community Service Fair
- 5th Grade CA Healthy Kids Survey
February 22 - February 26
- Science Fair Participants Pick up Display Boards from Office
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)
Tuesday, March 8
- Parent Coffee Talk: Hillview's Principal Mr. Haug on the Transition to Middle School, 8:15-9:15am, Gym
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
Saturday, March 12
- MPCSD Wellness Fair, 9:00am-12:00pm, Hillview
|
|
On Monday, February 22 at lunchtime, Oak Knoll will be having its second annual community service fair for 1st-5th graders. Community service groups will have a table on the black top where students will get a chance to do a small service project and learn a little about the group we are helping. It is a goal of Oak Knoll to have every student do some sort of community service each year.
Thank you to the following groups for participating in our service fair:
My New Red Shoes Relay for Life Humane Society of the Peninsula There with Care Sunday Friends EPH Cares
|
|
5th Grade: California Healthy Kids Survey
|
Menlo Park's fifth through eighth grade students will be participating in the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) during February. This survey is recognized as the leading health data gathering survey currently available in the country. This very important survey will be given to Oak Knoll's 5th grade students tomorrow Monday, February 22, 2016. Participation in the survey is voluntary and we hope you have given permission. Consent forms to complete and return, as well as more detailed information, were sent home via your child's communication folder, but you can still click here to download and print a copy of the consent form and hand in to Cathy Petersen in the school office on Monday at drop-off latest.
You may review the CHKS survey in the school office or view the Elementary Survey in English or Spanish on line.
|
|
Science Fair - Registration Ends Wednesday
|
Calling all Oak Knoll Scientists! The annual Oak Knoll Science Fair is a chance for you to ask a science question you are curious about, propose an answer to experiments to test your answer, and present the results. Your family, friends and teachers are invited to go to the Science Fair, see your project, and learn some science! The Science Fair will be held on two evenings: Grades 2 & 3: Wednesday, March 9 from 6:00-8:00pm Grades 4 & 5: Thursday, March 10 from 6:00-8:00pm Register by this Wednesday, February 24 at the Oak Knoll Science Fair website. You can also find useful information there about the science fair, help on finding a topic and making your display board. Display boards can be picked up Monday - Friday this week (February 22 - 26) in the front office. Questions? Email the Oak Knoll Science Fair Team.
|
|
MPCSD Parent Ed Series - Julie Lythcott-Haims this Wednesday
|
This Wednesday, February 24, h ighly 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.
|
|
Music Man Cover Art Contest
|
 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!
|
|
Few Spots Only for Girls Leadership Institute Grade 4/5 Workshops
|
Last call for Girls Leadership Institute Workshops at Oak Knoll for 4th/5th Graders. Only a handful of spots remain - don't wait to register!
The Oak Knoll PTO has arranged to bring the Girls Leadership Institute to Oak Knoll again this year, so don't miss this opportunity to register the parent-daughter workshops on emotional intelligence offered by GLI. Parents and daughters will learn about identifying healthy relationships, finding their voices, and communicating more effectively. Girls will also develop resilient responses to conflict, challenges, and mistakes. Also new this year is the second part to the 4/5th grade workshop series.
Cost: $210 for 4/5 grade workshops
Dates: Wednesdays, March 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2016, 6:00pm-7:30pm at Oak Knoll.
Please note that the Oak Knoll PTO has facilitated GLI offering these workshops at Oak Knoll following several years of positive feedback from parents, but like other After School Programs, parents will register and contract with GLI as a private vendor.
|
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. The classroom visits will be 9:05-9:45am.
- Grades 3,4,5 (and 3-4-5 Multi-ages) Welcome Coffee starts in the gym at 9:30am. The classroom visits will be 9:50-10:30am.
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.
|
|
Don't Miss Out on the Parent Coffee Talks
|
 Earlier in February, parents gathered in the gym for a coffee talk on technology and digital citizenship. Mr. Coldoff joined Mrs. Gracia and Mrs. Kessler to share ways in which technology is being integrated into the Oak Knoll curriculum and used as a learning tool. With iPads in hand, parents were then taken through examples of the digital citizenship instruction taking place in every grade. If you missed this talk, have a read of Mr. Coldoff's presentation on digital citizenship.
Hillview's principal, Mr. Haug, will be joining us at Oak Knoll for the next Parent Coffee Talk on Tuesday, March 8 at 8:15am in the Gym! Take advantage of this opportunity to hear first-hand from him as he gives insights on Hillview and the transition to middle school.
Regular informational meetings for parents on various topics of interest are held throughout the year. The final Parent Coffee Talk of this school year will be held on April 12 at 8:15am - mark your calendars and come join Mrs. Gracia and her team for some good discussions. Come connect!
|
|
Outdoor Instruments Bring Music to the Playground
|
 The New Year brought music to the playground at Oak Knoll School. Under a large oak tree in the upper yard one can find a collection of musical instruments designed to inspire the love of music and joyful play. Freenotes Harmony Park, the company that has designed and builds these instruments, began putting them in public places sixteen years ago. They are colorful and artfully designed. They are esthetically appealing and built of materials that can withstand the elements and years of use while never going out of tune.
Playing these instruments takes the fear out of learning music. There is no need to learn notes and anyone can walk up and begin playing sounds, rhythms and patterns that sound pleasing to the ear. There are "no wrong notes".
Please click here to read the full piece from Oak Knoll's Mrs. Tee (Music Teacher) and Mrs. Solomon (Science Teacher).
|
|
Seeking Volunteers for Oak Knoll PTO Positions
|
We are reviewing candidates to serve on the Oak Knoll PTO Executive Board for the 2016-2017 school year. Being on the PTO Board is a great way to get involved and make a difference at Oak Knoll. The Board works closely with the school staff and administration, as well as the parent community, to create and support vital school programs and events. Positions available for nomination are Vice President, Financial Secretary, Secretary. Please email any nominations or questions to Jill Wurster by March 10.
In addition, the Oak Knoll PTO is looking to fill other key committee chair/co-chair roles for the 2016-2017 school year. Our parent volunteers organize and run our after school programs, after school sports, book fair, car line, hot lunch program, spirit-wear, weekly newsletter, family picnics, and numerous other events and programs that are invaluable to Oak Knoll. Get involved in a PTO committee and help support the education our children receive and the community spirit that defines our school. Click here to see a full list of current PTO committees and to find out more or volunteer, please email Janelle McCombs.
|
|
Attention Incoming Hillview Parents
|
Want to get involved with Hillview next year, get to know Mr. Haug and his amazing staff, and support your kid's school?
The Hillview PTO is actively looking for volunteers to serve on the PTO Board and in other key volunteer roles for the 2016-2017 school year. The Board, along with other parent volunteers, works with Hillview's administrative and teaching staff to create and support vital school programs and events. Interested in learning more? Or know of some great people who are just too shy to raise their hands? Feel free to nominate them as well! Email here to find out how you can get involved.
|
|
Hillview's "Debate to Discover" Scrim
|
Come join us for Hillview's "Debate to Discover" Scrim!
When? Sunday, March 13, 2016 Check In starts @ 8:30am & Awards start @ 5:15pm
Registration Deadline: Sunday, March 6, 2016. Participation Fee: $15 per Student
Who can register? Any 1st - 8th grader with Speech & Debate experience/understanding of Parliamentary Debate. All students will compete for 5 rounds, followed by "Best Speaker" awards and an optional "Exhibition Match" between the top teams.
New!!! Tournament of Champions (TOC) Points: 3 points per win, 1 point per loss
- 1st - 3rd graders will need 19 points to enter the TOC. You will likely need to attend 2 or more tournaments to reach 19 points.
- 4th - 8th graders will need 29 points to enter the TOC. You will likely need to attend 3 or more tournaments to reach 29 points.
Please visit the website for the full details and to register.
|
|
MPCSD Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 12
|
Spring into wellness with good health and attend MPCSD's first WELLNESS FAIR on Saturday, March 12 from 9:00am - 12:00pm at Hillview Middle School. This exciting event will focus on the physical wellness of our children and parents and will include vision screenings, hearing tests, CPR/AED information, blood pressure screenings and more. This event is completely free and is open to the entire community.
|
Hillview Summer Drama's 4th annual Camp is offering 3 separate two-week camps this summer between June 27 and July 22-- Jungle Book for incoming 4th and 5th graders, Peter Pan and High School Musical 2 for incoming 6th graders through exiting 8th graders. Each camp is two weeks long with a performance at the end. Please go to http://www.hillviewdrama.org/ and click on the Summer Drama 2016 page for details and registration!
|
|
Notice to Parents/Guardians: Vaccine Personal Beliefs Exemptions
|
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.
|
MPAEF Spring Auction
EXTENDED DEADLINE for DONATIONS: March 1st
The Spring Event & Auction raises critical funds to help support our schools. Without this revenue, the MPAEF will not be able to provide the district with the $3.6 million dollars it needs form us. Please consider helping this effort by donating to the auction today.
Offer time at your favorite getaway, join friends to throw a party, show a student your professional day, share season tickets or a favorite bottle of wine. Look at the following categories, pick one and commit!
Destinations/Adventures/Getaways: Give district families or a couple the opportunity to take a break by spending time in a place you find special!
Parties, Events, and Experiences for Adults: Organize an over-the-top bash or an intimate dinner to highlight a favorite cuisine. Donate as a single family or make a party out of your party by donating with friends.
K.I.T. - Kids In Training: Teach kids what makes your profession fascinating. Designers, technologists, scientists, medics, doctors, chefs, artists, entertainers, or public servants, open your office doors and show a student what happens after the kids go to school.
Parties, Events and Experiences for Kids: Whether fitness, art, cooking, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience, donate a chance for kids to break from reading, writing, and arithmetic to play and simply be kids! Whatever the idea, just bring them together!
Sporting Events and Memorabilia: Donate your Giants, Sharks, 49ers, premier PGA tournaments, Grand Slam tennis, or NASCAR event tickets or link up district families to a round of golf!
Exceptional Wines and Wine Experiences: Reveal the riches of our region by offering up a unique bottle of wine or a wine experience at surrounding vineyards. Create a personal trip to a vineyard or fill a wine cellar with elite vintages.
Questions about what or how to donate? Email the Auction Solicitations Chairs, Krista Rosa Brennan and Mary Grundy at auction@mpaef.org.
Ready to donate? Click here for our online donation form.
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
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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!
Gold Level
Cameron L.Aboudara DDS MS
Hessler Plastic Surgery
Pollock Financial Group
Tom LeMieux Associates - Realtor Partner
Silver Level
DLM Architecture
Bronze Level
Roebbelen Contracting Inc.
Judy Citron - Realtor Partner
|
|
|
Summer Camps
Please visit MPCSD's new Summer Camp webpage with updated information about available camp programs in the community.
Menlo-Atherton High School Presents Into the Woods
February 26-27 and March 3-5, 7:30pm, 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 on-line. $14 for adults, $10 for students/seniors.
Galileo Innovation Camps Registration Open
Sign up for Galileo Summer Camp and the MPCSD benefits! Galileo's summertime silliness is backed by thoughtful curriculum and an audacious educational approach that inspires kids to become bold, visionary innovators. Camp Galileo (pre-K - 5th graders) offers art, science, and outdoor activities wrapped in four fresh weekly themes for 2016. Galileo Summer Quest (5th - 8th graders) offers 12+ majors that let kids realize their personal vision in the subject of their choice. Extended care and an optional healthy lunch program are also offered.
Just like last year, Galileo is offering a camp conveniently located at Hillview. Need-based scholarships are available for MPCSD students; for more information, please contact your child's school counselor. In addition, a portion of your registration at the Hillview location will benefit the MPCSD. To sign up, or to learn more, visit www.galileo-camps.com.
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.
Classroom Volunteers Needed - An Hour a Week Could Change a Student's Life
Have you enjoyed volunteering in your child's classroom? Then consider visiting a classroom in east Menlo Park or East Palo Alto where there are virtually no parent volunteers. Our All Students Matter volunteers work once a week for about an hour on reading and math skills with kids in grades K-4. Sign up now to start in September; we provide training and coordinate everything. To learn more or sign up, visit our website or contact Keri Tully.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
