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- Talent Show & Tech Crew Info Meeting for Students (4th/5th Grade), Lunchtime, Gym
- 3/4/5 Multi-Age Tour for Parents, 12:45pm
- Spring Family Picnic tickets go on sale
Tuesday, April 26
- Multi-Age Tour for Parents, 12:30pm
- Site Council, Election, 3:30pm, Teachers' Staff Room
Thursday, April 28
- SBAC Testing Begins, Dates Vary by Grade (See Below for by Grade Specific Dates)
- Last Day for MPAEF Online Auction
Friday, April 29
- "Continents" Spring Concert (1st Grade), 8:30am, Gym
- Last Day to Order Fifth Grade Graduation T-Shirts
Saturday, April 30
- MPAEF Auction "The Wild Wild West," 6:30-10:00pm, MacArthur Park
Sunday, May 1
- Last Day to Complete Optional Class Placement Form
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- Exploratorium Field Trip (Fujimoto, Lavezzo, Boatright), 8:30am-2:30pm
- Exploratorium Field Trip (Chan, Poole, Jagelka), 8:30am-2:30pm
Friday, May 6
- Spring Family Picnic, 5:00-7:00pm, Big Playground
Tuesday, May 10
- Blood Drive, 8:30am-12:30pm, Oak Knoll
Friday, May 13
- Mini Relay for Life, 9:00pm-12:00am, Hillview
Saturday, May 14
- Kinder Q&A and Play (incoming Kindergarten), 10:00am-12:00pm, Kinder Yard
Monday, May 16
- Parenting in the Digital Age, 7:00-8:30pm, Gym
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Please be reminded that your mail-in only ballot is due by May 3, 2016. On the ballot are two measures that impact our schools - Measure A and Measure C. You can find information about Measure A and Measure C online from the Official Election Site of San Mateo County at www.shapethefuture.org. Every vote counts.
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It will soon be time to start the class placement process for the 2016-2017 school year. Once again, this year we have an optional Parent Input Form, due no later than May 1. There is no reason for parents to gather information about teachers, or lose sleep over placement. Please do not lobby your child's current teacher for preferential teacher choice or placement information; instead fill out the form! This is our job, we know our students, we see the big picture, and we feel confident in our abilities to do this well.
This process went extremely well last year and we expect the same this year. We appreciate your trust and support in our process and look forward to this work.
To read Mrs. Gracia's full letter on class placements please click here.
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Incoming Third Grade Class Placement - Multi-Age or Traditional
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Attention Parents of current 2nd Graders (incoming 3rd Grade). At Oak Knoll, we have two upper grade programs. All parents get to request either our Multi-age or our Traditional program for their soon-to-be 3rd grader. If you have a preference, you MUST put in a request on the Parent Input Form. If you do not complete an input form we will place your child(ren) in a program. Both programs are subject to lottery based on the program demand.
For those of you who have no experience with a multi-age classroom, we have been hosting information tours of the 3rd-5th multi-age classrooms - the remaining tours will be held this coming week of April 25. Please call the office to sign up for a time.
Before this school year ends, we will let you know if your child will be in Multi-age or Traditional.
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2016-17 School Year Calendar
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As the winter weather gives way to spring sunshine, many of us are getting out of our cars to commute to school. Thinking about commuting to Oak Knoll by bike? The Oak Knoll Bike Committee has put together a handbook for those bike-curious and looking for tips on riding to school with your child. Check out the new "Insider's Guide to Riding Your Bike to School." Check out the handbook here.
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Office Reminder - Snacks & Lunch
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Please remember to send your student to school with a snack for first recess as well as a lunch. Hot lunches may be ordered from Choicelunch. In an emergency, Choicelunch can provide a lunch for a student. This requires parent and office permission. Please only rely on this in an emergency because the available emergency lunch supply is very limited.
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Teacher Appreciation Week
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It was another great week at Oak Knoll as our students and families showed their appreciation for our wonderful teachers and staff, who work really hard each and every day to make our school and our children's experience exceptional. Hopefully all of our teachers and staff could feel how grateful the community is for their work - thank you so much!
From the homemade cards and flowers to lunch deliveries and treat bags, Teacher Appreciation Week would not happen without the efforts of the Room Parent Coordinators (Amy Thornborrow, Janell Sanford, and Julie Cline), the Coffee Cart Co-Chairs (Andrea Potischman and Julia Dunn), the GLCs and GLLs, the Lead Room Parents and Room Parent teams, and all the parents who volunteered to arrange flowers, bring in lunch/treats, and offered their time for additional volunteering. Thank you to all of our families for joining in and showing their appreciation.
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The Oak Knoll Talent Show is an annual tradition for the upper grades, with students showcasing any skill from singing or dancing, to magic or juggling, to put on a fun performance produced by students. All 4th and 5th graders are invited to participate in this year's Talent Show which will be held Thursday, June 9. An informational meeting will be held in the gym tomorrow Monday, April 25 at lunchtime. Students may participate as: talent (either solo or in a group) or tech crew (5th grade only). Contracts will be handed out at the April 25 meeting and must be turned into the office by April 29. If you have questions please email Jenny Ryan or Cathy Petersen.
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Nominations have been received ant the Oak Knoll Site Council will hold an election for the one open parent position on Wednesday, April 27th at 3:30pm in the teacher's staff room at Oak Knoll.
All parents of Oak Knoll students, or of incoming students for the 2016 - 2017 school year, who are in attendance at the meeting, are eligible to vote.
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The Spring Testing schedule is up for our 3rd-5th graders under "School Information" on the website. Please mark the dates on your calendar.
3rd Grade: 5/4, 5/5/, 5/6, 5/9, 5/10, 5/12
4th Grade: 4/28, 4/29, 5/2, 5/3, 5/4
5th Grade SBAC: 5/16, 5/17, 5/18, 5/19, 5/20
5th Grade Science: 5/5, 5/6
We ask that you make every effort to avoid appointments and missing school on these days, so that your child does not miss additional class time for makeups.
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Portfolio Nights & Musical Performances
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Please add the relevant upcoming dates to your calendar for portfolio nights and musical performances. Portfolio nights take place in your child's classroom and art will be on display in the Art Room (rather than in the old multi-room like some years). Please note that all children on campus must be in the classroom during portfolio nights, and not on the playgrounds.
Friday, April 29, 8:30-9:30am 1st Grade Spring Concert
Tuesday, May 24, 7-8pm Kindergarten Portfolio Night
Wednesday May 25, 7-8pm 1st Grade Portfolio Night
Thursday May 26, 7-8pm K-2 Multi Age Portfolio Night
Tuesday May 31, 7-8pm 2nd Grade Portfolio Night
Wednesday June 1, 7-8pm 3rd Grade Portfolio Night
Thursday June 2, 6-7pm 4th Grade Concert
Thursday June 2, 7-8pm 3-5 Multi and 5th Grade Portfolio Night
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5th Grade Graduation T-Shirt - Last Week to Order
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Fifth Grade Parents! You should have received a half-sheet flyer in your fifth-grader's backpack with information to fill out about the Hanes T shirts the 5th graders will wear for their graduation Clap Out on June 14. Please return the form to your teacher no latter than Friday, April 29 with a check made out to the Oak Knoll PTO for $12 For question, please contact Elizabeth Lorenz.
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Join us at the Oak Knoll Spring Family Picnic on Friday, May 6, 5:00-7:00pm, for a memorable Springtime celebration with old and new friends on the Upper Play Yard! Break out your picnic blankets and get ready for a gourmet hot dog menu from Top Dog Catering, bounce houses and inflatable obstacle course, karaoke, face painting, and field games organized by Bull Dog Sports!
Tickets are $10 per person for a meal including a choice of dog, chips and drink and are available to buy online . If you would like to pay by check instead, please download the form here and return to the office to the "Spring Picnic" folder. Please purchase your tickets by Tuesday, May 3.
New this year: Local Menlo Park neighborhood Rainbow Ice Cream Truck will make an appearance at the Picnic! Don't forget to bring a few bucks for dessert. Rainbow Ice cream truck will have a large selection of popsicles and ice cream - perfect to celebrate springtime with our amazing Oak Knoll family and friends.
Please note there are no dogs or alcohol allowed on school campus.
Hope to see you there!
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Blood Drive & Relay for Life
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Oak Knoll is participating in two upcoming events in support of the fight against cancer. Most people have someone in their circle who has battled cancer. Oak Knoll families we can work together to help stomp out this disease.
Blood Drive:
On May 10 from 8:30am-12:30pm, Oak Knoll will be hosting a mobile blood bank from the Blood Bank of the Pacific. Many cancer patients who are undergoing treatment need blood transfusions. Members of the community who are eligable to donate can sign up.
Relay for Life:
On May 13 Hillview is hosting a mini Relay for Life event and Oak Knoll is putting together a team. This event is from 9pm -12am (the normal relay for Life is 24 hours).
Each kid who participates must have a parent accompany them and remain on the site but the parents do not have to walk. If both parent and child want to participate great, just register each one separately. Each person who is registered and raises $100 will earn a t-shirt.Would you like to join our team? Click here to sign up. The page will say August 6 because that is when the Menlo Park 24-hour relay is, but our event will be on Friday, May 13 at Hillview from 9pm-12am.
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Kinder Q&A and Play for Fall 2016 Incoming Kinders
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Incoming Kindergarten families (parents and children) are invited to an informal Q&A and Play at the Oak Knoll Kindergarten playground on Saturday, May 14, 10:00am-12:00pm. Come meet other incoming Kinder parents and chat with current Oak Knoll parents and PTO Board members while your children play on the playground. Parents can also learn about and/or sign up for the Kindergarten Summer Playgroups, Kindergarten Yard Duty (Playground) volunteering, Girl Scouts, the Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation (MPAEF), and more.
Please pass this information on to any friends with incoming Kinders who are not yet at Oak Knoll.
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Parenting in the Digital Age - Save the Date
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In response to parent feedback in the annual Site Council Survey, Oak Knoll would like to invite all parents to join Mrs. Gracia and staff to discuss parenting in the digital age! Save the date: Monday, May 16, at 7:00-8:30pm in the Gym.
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Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
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Thank you on behalf of the teachers, staff, and PTO for your hard work this year! Once again, the amazing parent volunteers in our school community have helped make this another banner year for Oak Knoll!
To show our appreciation for your efforts and support, all school volunteers are invited to attend Oak Knoll's annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, May 20, from 11:45am to 1:00pm in the large gym. Whether you volunteer in the library, on the playground, at hot lunch, at a community event, in the classroom, as a room parent, as a committee chair, on a committee, or in any way that supports our school and community, we invite you to attend our annual luncheon. At the luncheon, we will also recognize this year's Golden Oak, Continuing Service Award (CSA), Honorary Service Award (HSA), and School Service Award (SSA) recipients.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP by May 12. We hope to see many of you there!
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For your information these are the dates for each grade's Field Days this year.
Kindergarten Field Day: Tuesday, June 14, 10:00-11:00am
1st Grade Field Day: Friday, June 10, 8:10-10:10am
2nd Grade Field Day: Friday, June 10, 10:35am-12:00pm
3rd Grade Field Day: Monday, June 13, 12:30-3:00pm
4th Grade Field Day: Friday, June 10, 12:30-3:00pm
5th Grade Field Day: Monday, June 13, 8:45am-12:30pm (Burgess Park)
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 Wild Wild West Event & Auction MacArthur Park, Palo Alto April 30, 6:30-10:00pm Howdy, pards! Are you ready to dance, dine, drink, and donate with your school friends this weekend? Because we can't wait to see y'all Saturday at the big event! Buy your tickets and sponsorships here. Tickets are available online through Thursday, April 28 and then at the door on Saturday night for $115 per person. Remember the Premier Silent Auction items are available only at the event, so don't miss out on those, either! Also, the online auction closes on April 28th and that's just a few short days from now so git 'long little doggies and ogle some stuff! You can register and start bidding right here. Be especially sure to check out the parties for adults and the kids-in-training items. We are grateful to our donors for creating amazing parties, experiences, getaways, items and more for us bidding folk so now it's time for all of us to start bidding, bidding, bidding! There are two ways to bid at the online auction: 1. Bid up to this amount - Maximum Bidding (aka Proxy Bidding) 2. Bid this exact amount (Straight Bidding) More information and explanation is available at the link above. Oh, and did we happen to mention that there will be a mechanical bull at the event? We didn't? Well, space is limited for the event, so if you're planning on showing off your bucking bronco skills, you better hightail it to get your tickets! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++  Schoolhouse Rocks 5K and Community Fun Run Register Today! May 22, 2016 at Oak Knoll Elementary Last Week for Discounted Entry Fee The early bird entry rate for the Schoolhouse Rocks 5K is about to fly away! Register prior to May 1, 2016 to secure the discounted entry fee of $30.00. After May 1, the entry fee will rise to $40.00. The run will take place at Oak Knoll School on Sunday, May 22, 2016. You can enter either the 2.5K family walk/ run, or the competitive, chip-timed 5K. Both runs will start at 9:00 a.m. and the course will wind through the streets of Menlo Park. A Wellness Fair will occur after the run at Oak Knoll School. There will be a stretching station, food, family fun and awards. Family SponsorConsider becoming a Family Sponsor. With a donation of $500 you will receive:
- five race entries,
- your family's name will appear on the race t-shirt, and
- an invitation to the Night Before family party on Saturday, May 21
VolunteerInterested in being part of the fun but don't feel like walking or running? Why not volunteer to help on the day? To learn more about volunteer opportunities please email schoolhouserocks@mpaef.org. The organizers of The Schoolhouse Rocks 5K are the MPAEF as well as the PTO's of Menlo Park City School District: Encinal, Hillview, Laurel, and Oak Knoll schools. All money raised will support the education of our children. For more information about the MPAEF go to www.schoolhouserocks5k.com. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Thanks to Our Realtor and Business PartnersWe 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! DiamondNelson Roberts Investment AdvisorsPlatinumMary and Brent Gullixson, The Gullixson Team - Realtor Partner GoldCameron L.Aboudara DDS MSChris Lindsey DDSHessler Plastic Surgery Pollock Financial GroupNathalie de Saint Andrieu - Realtor Partner SilverRGM AssociatesDLM ArchitectureBronzeFrederickson Pribula Li HR Executive Search and Consulting
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Collage Springs to Life at Menlowe Ballet
April 29, April 30, May 1, MA-PAC
After the stunning success of our recent Nutcracker debut, we are back to work in the studio preparing for Collage. Our new program promises to be spectacular. We have brought together three remarkable choreographers to create three distinct new works, and expanded our company to include 19 dancers, four of whom come to us from a major ballet company. Purchase tickets here, or call 800-549-4849.
11th Annual Big Bear Run
May 1, 9:00am
For the past 10 years, Menlo-Atherton Athletic Boosters has held the Big Bear Run (a 5k fun run) with participants from around the world. This fun community event directly benefits our amazing M-A student-athletes, but most importantly, brings our school and outside community together for a very fun event. Please join us!!! Click here for more information and to register.
Kite Day
May 7, 12:00-3:00pm, Bedwell-Bayfront Park - Marsh Road & Bayfront Expressway
Join us at Bedwell-Bayfront Park, the best place to fly a kite in Menlo Park, and enjoy a afternoon with kite flying, food, music, bounce houses, and a hot dog lunch. If the wind is just right, you might see the return of "Mega Fish," a 46' giant kite. Volunteers from the Menlo Park Kiwanis will barbecue the hotdogs while Menlo Park staff and volunteers will help you assemble your kite and get it up in the air.
Puppet & Magic Show
May 13, 6:00-7:30pm, M-A PAC
All ages are welcome to attend a free Puppet & Magic Show featuring two outstanding Bay Area performers: Steve Chaney and Dante. Steve will delight children with his comedic puppeteering and voices, while Dante will amaze everyone with an award-winning magic performance.
Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research (CIBSR)
Stanford University Medical Campus
Looking for 8-12-year-old sons and their mothers to participate in the Social Brain Investigation, involving brain imaging with fNIR. Scans are safe, non-invasive and do not use X-rays or radiation. Dates and times can be scheduled depending on participant availability as soon as possible. For your participation, we offer a payment of $30, access to ongoing updates about the study, and upon request, information from behavioral assessment results. Please contact Sharon Bade Shrestha 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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