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December 2, 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
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Reminder: Minimum Days This Week
Dec 3rd, 4th and 5th -- 11:20am Dismissal for all grades
 Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are Minimum Days this week. All grades will be dismissed at 11:20am. Parking will be tight and carpool will be crowded, please be patient and plan accordingly!
After-school activities are cancelled on minimum days, but after-school care (Newton and MCC) will pick up students at the early dismissal time. |
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. Severe weather/wind, a loose dog or other animal, or 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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Safe Moves Presents Commute Tips, Coffee & Treats
Monday, December 10, 8:30 a.m, Small Multi
After dr op-off, stick-around for coffee and nibbles and get your toughest commute issues addressed. Want to bike in the rain? Want to learn how to teach your kids safe commute habits? Safe Moves, the organization that leads some of the district's great bike rodeos and safety assemblies, has a special program for parents.
Coffee and treats served starting at 8:10am. Program starts at 8:30.
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Bring Your Presents for the Encinal Giving Tree by Dec 11th
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 your help and support
during this Holiday Season!
Questions? Please contact Amy or Julie, Caring & Sharing Coordinators
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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 December 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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Mark Your Calendar for the Encinal Winter Sing
Wednesday, December 19th
 Families and friends are invited to join Encinal students in the annual Winter Sing. Come hear the great holiday inspired songs your student has been learning to sing and play this year. Everyone will be invited to sing along. Check out the song list along with lyrics and MP3 downloads here. Are you a guitar or ukelele player? Bring your instrument and play along!
Specific times for the Winter Sing will be announced next week.
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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). 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. 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. 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-324-4321. |
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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. |
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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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Support Our Schools With Your Donation Before the Year Ends -- Here's Why!
There a  re just 29 more days until 2012 comes to a close! With the end of the calendar year comes two important deadlines related to charitable contributions, like your donation to the MPAEF. If you've waited to make your donation, please don't wait any longer!
Earn a 2012 Charitable Contribution Deduction The Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation is a non-profit organization. Your gift is fully tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations. When you make a donation, you will receive written documentation for tax purposes.
Qualify for Employer Matching Many companies will match their employees' charitable donations, which extends your donation considerably. You can find out if your company matches by clicking here or contact your company's HR representative. But many companies require that you submit your request for matching before the end of the calendar year. Don't miss out on this incredible employee benefit by donating and requesting the match before it's too late.
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MPAEF Auction Volunteer Coffee
Save the Date for 12/11, 9am at the TERC
Our annual spring auction is coming up in April, and w  e are gearing up for an incredible event celebrating 30 years of the Foundation supporting our schools. We'd love your help! There are many ways to get involved -- auction solicitations, event planning and support, decor, marketing, raffle, and more. You will have a great time, make new friends, and, of course, raise crucial dollars for our schools.
Interested in learning more? Please join us for an informational coffee hosted by event chairs Karen Dearing and Cyndy Hogan on Tuesday, December 11, 9:00am at the TERC on the Encinal Campus.
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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. Or automatically track and earn by downloading the Auto Earn app here.
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Parent Ed Opportunities
For a complete listing of events,
visit the district's Parent Ed webpage.
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How to Raise Your Teenager Without Losing Your Mind
-- A Three Part Series --
Come hear our own Hillview principal, Erik Burmeister, as he provides valuable tips and insights into raising teenagers. During the course of three different sessions, Erik will discuss a variety of topics including gender differences, brain development, rewards and consequences, setting boundaries and Internet reality and safety. Attend as many as you like - each part will cover a different set of topics.
Part 1: Tuesday, 12/4 - 6:30-8:00 pm - Hillview PAC
Part 2: Monday, 12/10 - 6:30-8:00 pm - Hillview PAC
Part 3 with Q&A: Thursday, 12/13 - 10:00-11:30 am - Hillview PAC
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Mindset Book Club for Parents
Dec 5 - Jan 24, Kepler's Bookstore
Still a few spots available! 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 highly-acclaimed book Mindset by Carol Dweck (available at Kepler's). All book club 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. Mindset author, Carol Dweck, will be speaking to the general public at Hillview on January 29 at 7pm.
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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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Family Community Service Opportunities
For complete listings click here |
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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Donate A New Toy to Sick Children at the Ronald McDonald House
The 4th & 5th grade student members of the Accepting Our Differences Student Advisory are conducting a holiday toy drive for the Ronald McDonald House. All donations go to kids who are sick with diseases or to kids who are stayin  g at the "House." Our Encinal students are working hard to make a difference in our community. Please help by making a donation of a new toy. You can drop off your donation in one of the many red boxes located around the Encinal campus or at Room 21.
To learn more about the Advisory program, click here. Questions? Please contact Karen Strohmaier, Teacher Representative for the Accepting Our Differences Advisory |
| Looking for a way to get your kids involved in community service? Check out these opportunities
Flood Park Playground Work Morning - December 8, 9:00 a.m. to noon, 215 Bay Road, Menlo Park. Families are encouraged to show up ready to work on spreading bark mulch and possibly other park projects. If you have work gloves, please bring them. Organized by Friends of Flood Park and the San Mateo County Parks Department. Contact: Kristin Cox.
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
"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.
Sports, Classes, and Other Opportunities
Menlo-Atherton Little League, Registration for the upcoming 2013 Little League Season is open from now until January 13. Late fees and wait lists will apply after that. To register, follow this link.
M-A Holiday Basketball Clinic, for 4th-8th Grade Boys, Thursday, December 27, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Menlo-Atherton Ayers Gym. All basketball abilities are welcome. Please sign up on the M-A Boys Basketball website at www.maboysbasketball.com/communityclinic, and bring the liability form (downloaded from the website) and a $30 check, made out to M-A Boys Basketball, to the clinic.
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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