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November 25, 2012
Encinal PTO / La Organizasión de Padres y Maestro
Boletin en espanol - haga clic aqui
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Week at a Glance
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Things to Do
Upcoming Dates
- Dec 3-5 -Minimum Days, 11:20am Dismissal for all grades
- Dec 7 - Emergency Drill at Encinal
- Dec 19 - Encinal Winter Sing
- Dec 24 - Jan 6 - Winter Break, No School
- Jan 11 - Encinal Spelling Bee Finals
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What Prop 30 Means For Our District
- Our District does not expect to receive additional state funding from Prop 30 because we are a Community Funded - or "Basic Aid" - District.
- The passage of Prop 30 has protected many other California school districts that are not Community Funded, including some of our neighboring districts, from significant funding cuts.
- Our District will continue to rely on community support through our Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation to fund over 10% of the budget, so we need your support as much as ever. If you haven't already, please click here to donate or pledge to the MPAEF to maintain the quality educational programs that benefit our students.
For additional information on Prop 30 and our District funding, click here to read the letter from School Board President Laura Rich. For an explanation of Community Funded - or Basic Aid - districts, click here.
Further questions? Please contact newsletter@mpcsd.org
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Emergency Lock Down Drill
At Encinal - Friday, December 7th
 Encinal School practices regular emergency procedures throughout the year, including fire, earthquake and lock down drills. On December 7th, the school will have a lock down drill. Students will be informed of the behavior/ procedure expectations of the drill, and will practice the drill under the guidance of their classroom teacher. The whole school will participate in the drill at the same time.
There are several factors that could require the need for a school to be locked down. Sever weather/wind, a loose dog or other animal, and a person behaving unsafely are reasons we share with the students. We suggest at home you use these reasons with your younger students to help them understand why we may need to have the students remain or return to their classrooms immediately and until we can declare the outside safe.
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 The Board of Education is seeking candidates to fill three positions on the Finance/Audit committee to facilitate public understanding of the District's financial reporting processes. Committee members will meet quarterly or as needed for a term of three years. Candidates should have expertise in financial, budget and/or accounting procedures. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the Menlo Park City School District. If interested, please submit a letter of interest as well as background information by November 30 to Carol Metzler, cmetzler@mpcsd.org. To see the full description of role and responsibilities, please visit mpcsd.org.
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Register Now for Winter After-School Activities
 After-School Activities for the Winter (January - March) are now open for registration. Click here and scroll down to see the upcoming schedule. We have several new vendors and offerings for the new session, including:
- Legos
- Young Rembrandts Art
- Hope Theater
- Dance Expressions
- Speech and Debate
- Yogi Birds
Get more info on scholarship opportunities here.
We Need Your Feedback on After-School Activities
Did your kids participate in After-School Activities this Fall? Please fill out this online survey to give us your feedback so we can continue to improve our programs.
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Support Our School With These Great Offers
Encinal receives 15% of your purchase price at HONEY BEAR TREES from 11/20-12/24.
Simply bring this flyer when you purchase your tree and wreath. (If you happen to forget it, there will be extra flyers on the lot). All our trees are of the finest quality and freshness, grown on the Cocco Tree Farm in Oregon's beautiful Cascade foothills. www.honeybeartrees.com. 955 Woodside Rd. in Redwood City. Open 7 days a week from 9am until 9pm until 12/24.
 Encinal receives 10% when you shop at CHEEKY MONKEY TOYS from 11/23 - 12/7. Shop in-store and simply mention the fundraiser for 'Encinal School' at the register (no flyer needed) or shop online, www.cheekymonkeytoys.com, select "Fundraisers and Gift Cards" and add Encinal School. Free gift wrapping and assembly. Offer applies to gift card purchases as well. 640 Santa Cruz Avenue, Downtown Menlo Park, 650-328-7975.
 Encinal receives 6% when you shop in-store or online at KEPLER'S BOOKS all year round. Shop in-store and simply mention 'Encinal School' at the register (no flyer needed) or shop online www.keplers.com, select 'Encinal School' at their community partners link. Pick-up purchases in-store for free or FREE UPS ground shipping on orders for $50 pre-tax. 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-324-4321. |
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We are so grateful for the outpouring of support before Thanksgiving to our Encinal families in need. Participating in Encinal's Caring & Sharing Gift Drive is another great way to help make the holidays special for our Encinal families.
The Gift Drive will run from November 26 - December 11. How you can help:
- Choose an ornament from the Giving Tree located in the front office after checking the list under the tree for the child's request. On the back of the ornament is a family code (e.g. 4E).
- Enter the family code, your name and contact information on the Giving Tree Intake Form (located on the table next to the Giving Tree) and ask Pam or Kat in the office for the corresponding label.
- Mark your gifts with the appropriate family code. Bring your UNWRAPPED gifts back to Encinal and place in the container in the front office by Tuesday, December 11.
You can also donate funds online here.
Thank you so much for help and support during this Holiday Season!
Questions? Please contact Amy or Julie, Caring & Sharing Coordinators
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Please Donate Gently Used Soccer Uniforms
 The PTO Caring & Sharing committee is working with Menlo Park/Atherton AYSO Region 109 to collect slightly used uniforms and equipment to pass on to less fortunate soccer players and organizations who could use them to start a team of their own.
If you would like to help, please gather your child's gently used soccer gear (soccer jerseys, shorts, socks, shin guards and cleats). Please bundle any sets with rubber bands or string and drop them in the AYSO box in the Encinal's office by December 14th.
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Order Your 2013 Encinal Yearbooks Now
 Congratulations to the student winners of the Yearbook Cover contest. 2013 Yearbooks will feature the design of Megan Miller (shown on left.) Runners up (shown on right) included:
Samantha Cotto - top left
Sarah Davenport - top right
Isabella Stuart - bottom left
Kimberly Alarcon - bottom right
Click here to order your 2013 yearbook online.
Yearbooks cost $25 and scholarships are available. Please see Pam in the office. |
Introducing the Encinal Spelling Bee!
First written round week of Dec. 17, Final on January 11 
Calling all super spellers - Encinal School is going to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee this year! The week of Dec. 17, all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will be given the opportunity to participate in a written Spelling Bee. The top finishers at each grade level as well as overall best spellers will be invited to participate in Encinal's first ever Oral Spelling Bee on January 11. The winner will not only receive a free one-year subscription to Britannica Online for Kids (a $69.95 value) from Encyclopedia Britannica, but they will also have the option of competing in the Bay Area written semi-final bee at the Lawrence Hall of Science on Saturday, February 16, 2013. If they do well in the semi-final, they will then compete in the local final (sponsored by the San Francisco Chronicle) in March 2013 at Pier 39. The local final winner will then be invited to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee near Washington, D.C. on June 2013.
To prepare for the Bee, students can study words from the attached "2013 Encinal Bee Study List". The list contains a subset of the words from the 2013 Scripps Spelling Bee recommended study lists for grades 3 through 8 which will be used in the Encinal School Spelling Bee.
For more information, email one of the class representatives:
3rd grade: Katie Ferrick
4th grade: Mary Sapountzis
5th grade: Lynn Cox
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 The Eagle Express, Encinal's student post office, is up and running! It is operated by 2nd and 3rd grade students with the help of parent volunteers. But, all Encinal students can send and receive mail. It is a great way for students to practice their writing and kids LOVE getting mail. Family and friends of students can also send mail through the Eagle Express.
Mail stamped letters via USPS to:
Encinal School c/o Eagle Express Post Office
195 Encinal Ave.
Atherton, CA 94027
ATTN: Student Name
Atherton, CA 94027
To learn more about the Eagle Express, click here.
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An Ode to Morning Carpool
By Nicole Scott, Encinal counselor and Carpool Staff
Morning Carpool is a duty the staff must do
But we thought we would give you some tips to help you through
As we stand in the frigid air
Please have your child all prepared
Say your goodbyes ahead of time
Having backpacks on laps would be just fine
If possible have the child sit on the right
We might even shout OUT OF SIGHT!
Kids climb out and parents stay in
With a wave and a grin
Parents pull out again
Watch the flow of the cars in line
Pull up to the front you have plenty of time
If a car is stopped in the middle
Have your child wait just a little
Until you can pull all the way up
Watch the staff we will tell you what's up
We are waving our hands to help direct you
We appreciate hellos and smiles too!
Our goal is to get you in and out quick
We appreciate your patience, preparedness and logic
This will make our job a breeze
As we stand outside and freeze!
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Thanks For Your Ongoing Support
 Happy Thanksgiving to all of the families, teachers and staff in our District. One of the many things we are thankful for is this community's investment in our schools. To date, 42% of our families have helped raise $2.11 million towards meeting the District's $4 million need. Because our schools depend on parents' donations to the MPAEF, we hope that all of our families will make a pledge or donation to the MPAEF that is meaningful to them. Every gift matters and is an important investment in the one thing we can all agree is critical to our children's futures - their education!
Best wishes,
Clint Chao & Scott Hinshaw
MPAEF Co-Presidents
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Shop Your Favorite Stores at the eScrip Online Mall & Earn Money For Our Schools
 This holiday season, shop online at your favorite merchants and earn money for our schools through the eScrip Online Mall. Popular merchants like Amazon, Nordstrom, Apple, Target, and many more will donate up to 10% of purchases. Get started by registering for eScrip here, then each time you shop, start here at the eScrip Online Mall. You'll still be able to access your store specific account (e.g. your Amazon account). You can also automatically track and earn by downloading the Auto Earn app here.
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Thank You for Supporting the MPAEF Holiday Boutique
 Thank you to the 68 volunteers, countless shoppers, and supportive vendors who helped to make this year's MPAEF Holiday Boutique a huge success! Together, our efforts raised $20,000 for the MPAEF! Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the tireless co-chairs Carolyn Bowsher, Janet Falkner, Margie Klapper, and Gretchen Thomas, along with our VP of Events, Calla Griffith. Thanks also to the school volunteer coordinators, Elizabeth Ouren, Maria Mills and Tamara Russel, as well as Jenny Sullivan and Kris Swanson for co-chairing the luncheons and Meagan Carabetta for providing all the artwork. Your support -- as a volunteer, shopper or vendor -- is an important part of the Foundation's efforts to support our schools! THANK YOU!!!
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Parent Ed Opportunities
For a complete listing of events,
visit the district's Parent Ed webpage.
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Mindset Book Club for Parents
Dec 5 - Jan 24, Kepler's Bookstore
Have you heard that praise can actually be bad for your kids? Come learn why and more with Jenny Ryan, MPCSD School Psychologist, and Nicole Scott, MPCSD School Counselor, as we read and discuss the bookMindset by Carol Dweck (available at Kepler's). All meetings will take place at Kepler's Book Store from 9:30-10:30 am: - Wednesday, December 5
- Wednesday, December 12
- Thursday, December 20
- Thursday, January 10
- Wednesday, January 16
- Thursday, January 24
Space is limited to 20 people. Please email Nicole Scott to RSVP.
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MPCSD Parents of Children With Learning Differences
AIM4MP is an organization of MPCSD parents who are interested in Advocacy, Information and Mutual support to help our children succeed in school and in life. If you want to connect confidentially with other parents of children with learning differences and keep up on what's going on in our schools, contact mpparents@yahoo.com to join our email group.
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Take it Personally, Parent Ed Study Group
Wednesdays, Jan 23 - Feb 27, 6:30-8pm, Hillview PAC
If you were not able to attend the first 6-week session, mark your calendar for the second session of Take It Personally Study Group with Project Cornerstone.
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Youth Friendly Service Opportunities
For complete listings click here |
Looking for a way to get your kids involved in community service? Check out these opportunities.
Free the Children Open House, November 30th, 5-7PM, Ohlone Multipurpose Room. KIDS ENCOURAGED TO COME! They will be giving an overview of FTC, updates to their outreach, and a presentation by Wilson and Jackson, two Maasai Warriors and graduates of a Free The Children school. Please RSVP here. For more info, contact Robin Buckley.
My New Red Shoes - Stop by with your friends or family to help us out in our office, sew a gift bag or sort shoes! We offer on-site volunteer opportunities the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 4pm-5:30pm. Tasks will vary based on our specific needs at the time. Private group volunteer opportunities available, too. For more info, contact Becca Moos.
Lytton Gardens - Whether you want to volunteer on your own or with a group, we can help you use your time and talents to enrich the lives of our seniors. Volunteers bring friendship, intellectual stimulation, and entertainment to the residents of Lytton Gardens. For more info, contact volunteer@lyttongardens.org.
Ecumenical Hunger Program - our 35 year old, private, non-profit, community-based organization located in East Palo Alto provides emergency food, clothing, case management, and household essentials to families in need in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Palo Alto. We have a range of jobs including packing food boxes, interviewing clients, sorting food and clothing, and data entry. For more info, contact Melanie Jones-Carter.
Questions? Know other service opportunities? Contact Kari Riedel
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Local Community News & Events
For complete listings click here
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New Community Listings
For full listings, click here.
Community Events & Speakers Breakfast with Santa (City of Menlo Park), Saturday, December 1, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Arrillaga Family Recreation Center at 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park. Activities will include pancake breakfast, letter writing to Santa, holiday crafts, visiting and picture taking with Santa, and a fun time with friends and family. Reservations are required. Adults $7, Children $5.
Children's Holiday Party at Allied Arts, Sunday, December 2, 12:30 to 3 p.m., Allied Arts Guild Sunset Room, 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. Includes a visit with Santa and photo op for the parents, cookies and juice, "Puppylocks and the 3 Bears" by Magical Moonshine Theater, and more.
"Just Believe" Holiday Boutique at Sacred Heart Preparatory, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on December 5 and 6, and 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on December 7, 150 Valparaiso Avenue, Atherton. Offerings from fresh seasonal greens and flowers, to stationery, children's clothes, hostess gifts, and jewelry.
The Caltrain Holiday Train, December 1 and 2. Decorated with 60,000 glittering lights, the dazzling show-train will visit 10 Caltrain stations between San Francisco and Santa Clara over two nights in December, providing free holiday entertainment and collecting donations of toys for local children who otherwise might not receive a gift during the holidays. For stations and times, or to help spread the word, go to Holiday-Train.org. Friends of the Menlo Park Library Mini Book Sale, Sunday, December 2, 12 to 4 p.m., Downstairs Meeting Room, Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma Street, Menlo Park. Beautiful gift quality books for the entire family will be featured. All proceeds benefit the Menlo Park Library and the Belle Haven Library.
Children's Holiday Tea, Sunday, December 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please join the Holbrook-Palmer Park Foundation Atherton Dames for their annual Children's Holiday Tea, where children will enjoy a visit with Santa, a holiday themed puppet show and craft activity. For more information please visit www.athertondames.org.
Sports, Classes, and Other Opportunities
Ragazzi Music and Movement Class, Tuesday sessions, Jan 15 - March 19, Redwood City. An engaging Kodály-based class for active young boys (ages 5-7) with little or no previous musical experience - no auditions necessary. $20 per class. Register online here.
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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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