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October 28, 2012
Encinal PTO / La Organizasión de Padres y Maestro
Boletin en espanol - haga clic aqui
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Principal's Spotlight on Learning
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Dear Encinal Families,
 Our annual Book Fair will be coming to Encinal at the end of this week. Thank you to Lynn Cox and Mary Sapountzis for the countless hours that they have already put into planning this event and for the hours they will log in November!
As we have been planning for this event one question that came up was if students would be allowed to bring money to school during the fair when they visit during their regularly scheduled library times. For older children, this is a great opportunity for families to have discussions with their children about the responsibility of carrying money to school and making good choices with their money. Giving children opportunities to practice being responsible is one way to encourage their personal growth and independence.
If your family is thinking of sending money with your older children during the Book Fair without a parent or other adult being there, here are a few scenarios or parameters to discuss ahead of time as a family:
- Is your child allowed to have free choice in how they spend the money?
- Are they able to purchase books for their friends?
- How will they handle losing their money if it unfortunately falls out of their backpack?
- What will they do if their friends approach them to borrow money?
Having a plan for all of these scenarios will help your child navigate through some of the common pitfalls that happen when children bring money to school. If you feel your 2nd-5th grade child is ready to handle this responsibility, then they may bring money to spend at the Book Fair. You will then have an opportunity to debrief with them at home about how they handled the responsibility and to celebrate their success. Please note that teachers and Book Fair staff will not have the capacity to enforce individual stipulations from parents about their child's choice of spending.
Please do not send money with kindergartners or first graders. When kindergarten and first grade classrooms visit the Book Fair during their scheduled library time, the Book Fair staff will read a story to their class. There will not be an opportunity for purchasing books during class time for these grade levels. But, please do make arrangements to accompany them to the Book Fair after school, at the Thursday evening Family Movie Night or on Sunday afternoon.
The Book Fair is always an exciting time on campus. We've asked our supplier to include mentor texts to support our writing program, and we plan on having titles that promote our S.O.A.R program as well. There will be lots of great titles to choose from, and we thank parents for their ongoing generous support of our programs. For more details about the Book Fair, click here.
Sincerely,
Principal Burns
sburns@mpcsd.org
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Week at a Glance
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Things to Do
Upcoming Dates
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See Your Students in the Halloween Parade
Wed October 31, K-1st - 11:20am; 2nd-5th - 1:15pm  Families and friends are invited to watch Encinal students as they show off their costumes in the annual Halloween parade.
Classroom teachers will provide specific instructions regarding if students should wear and/or bring costumes to school that day. Please do not bring any fake weapons to school!
Please note:
In the event of rain, the Halloween parades will be cancelled.
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Last Chance to Join Parent Study Class
Wednesdays 8:45-10:15am thru Dec 5th
 Take It Personally, a 6-week parent study class developed by Project Cornerstone began last Wednesday. It addresses questions such as: What is most important in helping my child succeed in school academically AND in life? and How can I show my child I support their efforts and dreams?
The parents who participated in the first session had rave reviews. There are still a few slots left if any families want to come for the next five sessions.
When: October 24-December 5 (no class November 21)
Where: Hillview Performing Arts Center
Cost: $10 donation for the workbook
Please RSVP to Pam Larkin. Spanish Translation also available, please request when you RSVP. See you there!
Please note, there is another 6-week session planned for January that will be held in the evening to better serve people who are not available during the day.
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Calling All 3rd, 4th, & 5th Graders
Register for Boys & Girls Basketball Before Nov 2
The Afterschool Athletics Program is holding registration for Boys and Girls Basketball from Oct 17-Nov 2. Teams play against other area schools as part of the Menlo Park Recreation League. This is a fun, developmental league. No previous basketball experience is necessary. Coaches are parent volunteers. Practices will start in mid November and teams practice 2x/week. Games begin the week of Dec 10th and go through March. More information is available on the Encinal School Website under Afterschool Athletic Teams.
To register, click here. You must register by November 2nd to be guaranteed a spot on a team. All those who register will play. A waitlist will be formed for late registrants. Scholarships are available. Please contact the Athletic Program Coordinators for scholarship requests.
Volunteers Needed
We are still in need of volunteer coaches from families of all grades (3rd-5th) to make this program successful! Please contact us at afterschoolathletics@encinalschool.com if you are interested in coaching.
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The Book Fair is Coming!
Nov 2-9 in Small Multi
It's that time of year! The Encinal PTO will be hosting the annual Book Fair Friday, Nov 2nd - Friday, Nov 9th We are working with BananaSeed, Inc. again this year to offer lots of great books. Please plan on stopping by the fair and don't forget, books make great holiday gifts!
Ms. Healy will be bringing all students to the fair during their regularly scheduled library time. Families are welcome to join students at the fair and browse together.
All proceeds will benefit the library and literacy programs at Encinal. See you at the fair!
Book Fair Hours of Operation
Fri Nov 2: 8am-4pm
Sun Nov 4: 2pm-5pm
Mon Nov 5: 8am-4pm
Tue Nov 6: 8am-4pm
Wed Nov 7: 8am-4pm
Thu Nov 8: 8am-2:30 pm & Family Movie Night: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Fri Nov 9: 8am - 12pm
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Family Movie Night!
Thursday November 8, 6:00-7:30pm
Put on your PJs, bring your sleeping bag and come and enjoy a free showing of "How to Train Your Dragon" in the Encinal large Multi. The Book Fair will be open late to allow you to shop before or during the movie (just bring an adult to be with your kids in the movie, please!) Popcorn and drinks will be served. Don't miss the fun!
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Make Thanksgiving Special For Another Encinal Family
Please Help Provide Funds For Groceries
Beginning October 29, the Encinal PTO's Caring & Sharing Committee will collect gift cards and donations to help families in our district have happy Thanksgiving and December holidays. Over 50 families will benefit. Our goal is to provide a Thanksgiving/Holiday grocery gift card to each of our families in need. Please help make the drive a success! 
Here is how you can donate:
- Put a check or cash for the Encinal PTO in an envelope marked Caring & Sharing Thanksgiving/Holiday drive in the box in the Encinal office.
- Drop off gift cards for Trader Joe's or Safeway (any amounts) in the box in the Encinal office.
- Donate via PayPal. We'll have information on this method in next week's newsletter.
Stay tuned for information on our December Giving Tree program, which provides holiday gifts to Encinal families.
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Help Sell Encinal Spirit Wear During Book Fair
 Please consider volunteering 30 minutes of your time to help the Encinal Spirit Wear Team during the Book Fair on Sunday, 11/4, between 1-5pm or on Thursday, 11/8, between 4:30-8pm. Help with setting up the Spirit Wear table display, selling Spirit Wear, or help break-down the Spirit Wear table during the Book Fair.
If interested, please sign up here to choose the time slot(s) that work for you. It's really fun and it's easy to help before or after shopping! Thank you!
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Meet the Music, Art, PE & Library Teachers, Tues Nov 13, 7:00-8:15 p.m.
Please join us on the evening of Tuesday, November 13th at 7:00 p.m. as our Art, Library, Music and PE teachers let us "walk in the shoes of our kids." The Encinal specialist teachers have planned a fun, hands-on, interactive night that will allow parents to see what our kids experience every day here at Encinal. All Encinal parents are encouraged to come meet their children's teachers. Come see your donations at work at Encinal.
Please note this event is for adults only, so do make arrangements for your child.
Questions and to RSVP, contact Stephanie.
Q
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Take A Trip to Lost & Found!
Items left after Nov 9 will be donated to local shelters
Ever wonder what happened to your child's jacket that's been missing for a few days? As this picture shows, there are LOTS of jackets and other items just waiting to be found in Encinal's Lost & Found.
There are two Lost & Found areas to check:
- Hooks and table across from the Large Multi
- Plastic bin located between the Kinder classrooms on the Kinder play yard
If items are not collected by Friday, November 9, they will be donated to local shelters. Please make a point to visit Lost & Found next time you're at school.
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Traffic Safety Tip #23
No Parking or Drop Off on Prior Lane
 Many families are parking or dropping off on Prior Lane which compromises safety for residents and kids walking to school. Please remember the following: - There is no parking allowed any time on the street -- please see posted signs. Police are enforcing these regulations.
- If you drive down the street, turn around in the cul-de-sac at the end; this is safer than pulling into a driveway and backing out
- Watch carefully for pedestrians and take your time when traffic is heavy
- Do not stop at the entrance of the street
- Do not park blocking the street or driveways
- Please respect the walking children
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Thanks for the Box Tops!
 Thank you to everyone who turned in your box tops. If you forgot to turn them in don't worry, we'll have another collection in the spring! Please save your box tops while you are doing your holiday baking.
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Thank You to Our Amazing PTO Volunteers!
Tricia Barr, District Directory Coordinator, and Marc Drucker, Encinal Directory Coordinator for the countless hours spent compiling, editing, reviewing and managing all the details to put together our wonderful district directories.
MaryAnn Shinn, Business Alliance Coordinator, for her fabulous work organizing our Box Top collection drive and other business partnerships that help raise funds for Encinal. |
Encinal's Global Student Body
Did you know that Encinal students come from 30 different countries? Check out this cool map that notes the countries represented at Encinal.
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OUR ANNUAL CAMPAIGN...IT'S IN YOUR HANDS!
 Our campaign is in full swing and our school communities are really stepping up. If you are one of the 698 families who has already donated or pledged to the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation - THANK YOU! For the other 1085 families, our kids need your support.
Here's how can you join our efforts:
PLEDGE NOW! You can choose to fulfill your pledge by December 31, 2012 or January 15, February 15 or May 1, 2013. By pledging now, you commit your support and will get a reminder email in advance of your fulfillment date.
GIVE STOCK! If you have appreciated stock, gifting it to the Foundation has additional tax advantages for you! EMPLOYER/CORPORATE MATCHING! There are many employers who will match your personal donation, thereby making it even more impactful! Your employer gives and you get all of the credit.
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 Support Our Schools For Free Sign up for eScrip We need everyone to sign up, so we can maximize the donations that merchants like Safeway give to our schools. It's a free, easy way to support our schools -- just go to www.mpaef.org or www.escrip.com.
Create a free eScrip account and enter Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation (group ID 126417042). Register your Safeway card number (or call Safeway at 1-877-SAFEWAY to retrieve it) and all credit and debit cards you typically use for purchases. That's it! Participating merchants will donate a percentage of your purchases to our schools.
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Local Community News & Events
For complete listings click here
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Girl Scouts at Encinal
Parent Interest Meeting: November 1, 7:30pm
Calling all girls and parents interested in the Girl Scouts. Come to a parent interest meeting on November 1 at 7:30pm and we'll review what the Girl Scouts troops do and how to create new troops. For more information about Girl Scouts and the Nov 1st meeting, click here.
Questions? Please contact Tiara Moske, Encinal Coordinator for Girl Scout
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Get your tickets now for 'Twas the Night Before Christmas presented by Dancers Repertory Theatre and Menlo Park Academy of Dance and reviewed as a "charming alternative to the Nutcracker."
Performances at Woodside Performing Arts Center on Sunday December 9th, (1:00pm and 4:00pm), Saturday December 15th, (1:00pm and 4:00pm) and Sunday December 16th, (1:00pm
Encinal dancers include: Angelina B., Cecily P., Charlotte S., Helena H., Henry S., Isabelle B., Jemma S., and Talya D.
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Don't Forget Election Day is November 6th!
Given the upcoming election, many teachers will take the opportunity to teach their students about democracy, voting and elections. You can help enrich this classroom work by taking your child with you to your local polling place. Create a lasting, meaningful memory and take your children when you vote.
If you are interested in learning more about some of the statewide propositions that may affect our public schools, here are two nonpartisan resources that you may want to check out:
- For the KQED nonpartisan guide to Props 30-40, click here.
- For EdSource's infographic comparison of Prop 30 and 38, click here.
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New Community Listings
For full listings, click here.
Community Events & Speakers
U-Me Halloween Party, Monday, October 29, 3355 Edison Way, Menlo Park. 10:30-12:30 Musical Costume Parade, 3:00-5:00 Magic Show and Spooky Art. Day Pass Rates Apply, Free for Members.
Shakespeare's The Tempest at Menlo-Atherton High School, October 26-November 2, M-A Performing Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton, Friday, October 26, through Saturday, November 3. Adults $12, Students/Seniors $8. Bay Area Science Festival, October 25 to November 3, over 100 events and activities located throughout the Bay Area. All events are free and many are designed for kids and families. More information here.
Sports, Classes, and Other Opportunities
Holiday Camp Menlo: Open for registration! Holiday Camp Menlo offers professional swim instruction in a fun-filled camp format for all levels, ages 5-10. Camp available Monday, November 12 (Veterans Day), December 26-28, January 2-4, and Monday, January 21 (MLK, Jr. Holiday). Register today at www.campmenlo.com
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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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