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September 2, 2012
Encinal PTO / La Organizasión de Padres y Maestro
Boletin en espanol - haga clic aqui
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Welcome from Principal Burns
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|  Dear Encinal Families,
Welcome to the start of the 2012-2013 school year! It was so wonderful meeting families at Friday's Meet and Greet for those who were able to attend. Most students are excited to return on Tuesday, but we also recognize that some students may be a bit nervous. Rest assured, our amazing staff will go out of their way to make sure every child will be greeted with a smile and will feel welcomed.
During our opening week, each grade level will be attending a Welcome Back assembly where students will meet all of the grade level teachers and learn a few of the grade level highlights for the year to come. We're also going to launch our new "Encinal Eagles SOAR" program that will evolve over time, but it will highlight Safety, Organization, Achieving Goals, and Respect as our big themes for the year. A few lucky winners will also come home with some Eagle spirit wear as well!
I hope to continue meeting families at the Back to School Coffee on Tuesday morning, and at Back To School Night. I'll be in the courtyard between sessions on Thursday evening so I can meet as many parents as possible. Please enjoy the remainder of your Labor Day weekend!
Sincerely, Principal Burns |
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Things to Do
Important Dates
- Sept 4 - First Day of School, 8:05am (K-2), 8:15am (3-5)
- Sept 4 - Back to School Coffee & Volunteer Sign-up, 8:30-10:30
- Sept 6 - Head Room Parent Training, 8:45-10am in the TERC
- Sept 6 - Back to School Night, 5:30-6:30pm (3-5), 7-8pm (K-2) & Meet Principal Burns in center courtyard 6:30-7:00 (Parents/guardians only, please plan accordingly)
- Sept 19 - Principal's Coffee, 8:30am, small multi-purpose room
- Sept 21 - Fall Family Picnic & Bike Rodeo, 4:30-7:30pm
Review all upcoming events on Encinal events calendar
Review 2012-2013 MPCSD calendar click here
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Encinal PTO and MPAEF are Working Together to Support Our School
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Can you believe tomorrow is the last day of summer vacation before our kids return to Encinal? Our campus is now buzzing with activity. Students have met their teachers, teachers have readied their classrooms, and everyone is excited for the first day of school.
On behalf of Encinal's Joint Campaign team, we welcome all of you back to school! We are excited for all that we can accomplish together this year.
With thanks,
Katie Ferrick Scott Hinshaw and Clint Chao
PTO President Encinal MPAEF Co-Presidents
Robin Soran, Fiona Ashley Jodi Robbins, Laurie Scott
& Susan Masetti & Tracy Gray
PTO Membership Team MPAEF School Team
 Cross an item off your Back-to-School "To Do" List . . . Join the Encinal PTO today! The first 200 families to sign up get a FREE Encinal shopping bag. Our goal is to have 100% participation from Encinal families and to raise $140K by September 28th. Help us get there by becoming a member of the Encinal PTO. Learn more here.
Did you notice something different about our logo? Our Foundation is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year! For 30 years, the Foundation has supported our schools with supplemental funding. As the need has grown bigger over the years, so have our goals. Help us reach them this year -- $4 million and 80% participation of District families - by donating or pledging today. Learn more here.
 Sign up for eScrip and 10% of many of your grocery and other purchases will go directly to the Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation. Get details on how to sign up here. Back to Top |
What Should My Student Bring the First Day of School? 
- Their well-rested self
- Full-size backpack labeled with your child's name (tall enough to fit a folder in it)
- Snack in a separate container to eat at morning recess
- Lunch (or pre-order from Choicelunch)
Click here for a list of general school supplies listed by grade level that are optional to send with your student during the first week of school that will be shared with the class. A class-specific supply list will be provided by your teacher at Back to School Night, Thurs Sept 6th.
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Make Your Transportation Plan
Parking at Encinal can be a challenge, especially during the first week of school when many parents like to drop their students off in person. Please remember to allow extra time for getting to school the first week and consider carpooling, walking, or biking. If you do drive, look closely at the "no parking" signs on Encinal Ave and the nearby neighborhoods.
For more info on transportation options to and from Encinal, click here.
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 Tips for A Safe & Efficient Carpool Lane
For Morning Drop Off:
- Pull your car all the way forward so cars behind you can move up
- Have your student(s) exit on the right side (sidewalk side) of the car for safety for a quick, easy exit
- Make sure they have shoes on and backpacks on their lap so they can get out quickly and safely
- Parents, please stay in the car (give hugs & kisses at home). Staff will be there to help kids exit the car
For Afternoon Pick Up:
- Place your Pick Up Card number in right, front windshield (this is the card you got in your folder at Meet & Greet, or you will get this the first day of school.)
- Tell your student to listen for their number while waiting in pick up area
- Pull your car all the way forward
- Please don't park in the pick up lane and leave your car unattended between 2:25 and 3:15 p.m. (1:15-1:55 on Thursdays)
- If you are early, please turn your engine off until the bell rings
- If you are picking up students in grades 3-5, please don't arrive in carpool lane until just before 3:00 p.m. so you don't block carpool traffic for the earlier dismissal time for grades K-2
- Thursdays only: Grades 3-5 are dismissed at 1:20 which is before early grades, so parents picking up students in K-2, please don't arrive early for carpool on Thursdays (K-2 Dismissal on Thursdays is at 1:40)
- Patience is a must to ensure safety for all
For more info on student pick up and drop off, click here.
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Back to School Coffee & Volunteer Sign Up
 Sept 4th, 8:30am-10:30am in Large Multi
Meet up with friends old and new, meet Principal Burns, grab a cup of coffee, and check out all the great ways to get involved at Encinal. You can invest your time in the classroom, around campus, from home, and in community-building positions. No matter how much or how little, every minute counts in meaningful ways. Be part of the team!
Can't make this event? Click here to learn more the ways you can volunteer at Encinal.
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 Registration Open For After-School Activities
There are many wonderful after-school programs offered every day of the week for every grade on the Encinal campus. Each program is run by an outside vendor. Most vendors will be at the Back to School Coffee on Thurs Sept 4th to answer questions and tell you more about their programs. You can also click here for all the registration info and other details (schedule, price, grades offered, scholarship opportunities, etc.) Please note that most of the programs will begin the second or third week of school.
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 Come Play Encinal Girls Volleyball!
The eleventh season of Encinal School 4th and 5th grade Girls Volleyball is here! The girls play in the Menlo Park Recreation (Burgess) League competing against other area schools. Teams will be comprised of 4th and 5th grade girls with balanced skills and experience levels. No experience necessary! All coaches are parent volunteers.
Registration is open now through September 11th. For more information and to register, click here.
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Show Your Eagle Pride with Encinal Spirit Wear
We have a wide variety of Encinal-themed products for both students and parents. You can buy items online or visit the Spirit Wear store on the stage at the Back to School Coffee on Sept 4th. Please bring cash or check for in-person purchases.
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PTO Volunteer Opportunities
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Help Preserve Our Encinal Garden Program!
 If you've volunteered in the Encinal garden in years past, then you know what a worthwhile and exciting program it is, and how much Encinal kids love it.
We are still seeking a Garden Coordinator for the 2012-2013 school year, as our wonderful, previous coordinator is taking a well-earned break after leading this program for several years. Without a Coordinator(s), we won't be able to offer garden to students this year.
All of the materials are in place, a freshly streamlined curriculum exists for each grade, and the beds are laid out and ready for planting. We just need a dedicated and knowledgeable volunteer (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin - you name it!) to step up and lead the Garden program. Alternatively, each grade could have its own coordinator, and the six volunteers could work together to run the program.
Please consider taking on this important role. You'll reap a bountiful harvest of gratitude and satisfaction!
Interested? Email Julia, PTO Volunteer Coordinator
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Volunteer once a month at Lunch!
Pick which day of the week works for you; shifts offered daily from 11:15 am-12:30 pm.
This is a great way to serve the school, meet other parents, see your child for a moment, and get a peek at what school is like during lunch! Volunteers also get one Choice Lunch credit for a free lunch for their child for each shift completed. Please contact Kim and Sue, Hot Lunch Co-chairs, to get added to the schedule if you can help once a month or more often: Hotlunch@encinalschool.com.
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Wanted: Head Room Parents
This is a great way to get to know your child's teacher and the other families in his/her class. Please mark your calendar for the Head Room Parent (HRP) training on September 6th at 8:45am in the TERC where you will learn everything you need to know for this position. |
Library Beautification
Encinal librarian, Denise Healey, is looking for help on Tues 9/4 and Wed 9/5 to get the library organized and beautiful after the remodel. Interested? Email Lianne, PTO Library Coordinator, for more info.
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Community News & Events
For complete listings click here
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New Community Listings
For full listings, click here.
Community Events
Kids 4 Sports Foundation 3rd Annual Fall Dash 5K, Sunday, September 16, 9 a.m., starting and finishing at Burgess Park in Menlo Park. Help Kids 4 Sports fund after-school team sports programs, coaches, and referees, and purchase sports equipment to give to local sports programs. Sign up now!
Sports, Classes, and Other Opportunities
Children's Cooking Classes offered through Menlo Park Recreation, Tuesdays starting September 12 at Burgess Recreation Center. Come join professional Chef Susan de Leon (an Encinal parent) with age appropriate recipes with a nutrition theme of the day. Register through Menlo Park Recreation Center.
Kidizens Fall Program 2012, September through December, Los Altos or Belmont. Fall program is a fourteen-week session where kids build, manage and govern an entire LEGO city, while learning about important civic and economic concepts, in a fun, social and highly engaging learning environment. Contact: info@kidzzinc.com or 650-384-0412, Website:thekidizens.com/ Love and Logic Parenting Course, with Janada Clark, 5-Week Course Begining 9/25, Free Introduction 9/18, Redeemer Lutheran School, 468 Grand Street, Redwood City
Woodside Vaulters Equestrian Vaulting Club, Trial classes for Ages 3-12, Vaulting combines elements of gymnastics and dance, performed to music on a moving horse! Contact info@woodsidevaulters.org to try a free class.
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Encinal PTO Communications
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This email and the Encinal School web site are delivered to you by the Encinal PTO Communications committee. For more information about Encinal School, please visit www.encinalschool.com.
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Join the PTO Mailing List - Text "SUBSCRIBE" to 42828
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