|
|
 
April 28, 2013
Encinal PTO / La Organizasión de Padres y Maestro
Boletin en espanol, haga clic aqui
|
|
Week at a Glance
|
3rd Graders: Instrument Selection Night
Wednesday, May 1, 6-7pm 
Third grade students and their families should plan to attend this information session on Wednesday, May 1st in the Encinal Large Multi.
Encinal music teachers, Mrs. Chiet, Ms. Knight, and Mr. Ashfield, will each talk a little bit about their specific branches of the music department. Mrs. Chiet will play the orchestral stringed instruments and Ms. Knight will play the band instruments so that students can hear how each one sounds.
Students will learn about their choices, the commitments involved in each choice, can then indicate their top 3 choices for music participation next year.
|
Important Changes to Choicelunch Begin May 1st
In order to be compliant with the new federal food guidelines, we are making some important changes that your children will notice starting May 1st.
Snacks
Many children will continue to be able to take any snack they like. However, starting May 1st, children will be required to take a snack that has extra protein or extra grain if they order one of the following items:
a) For children ordering entrees high in grains (macaroni and cheese, pesto pasta, pasta marinara, spaghetti, ravioli, buttered noodles, bagel, veggie burger, rice and veggies, or potstickers), their snack must be high in protein (either string cheese or sunflower seeds.)
b) For children ordering entrees high in protein (BBQ chicken, herb chicken, chicken tenders, chicken strips, chicken salad, chef salad, noodle soup, meatball soup, beef chili, or shepard's pie), their snack must be high in grain (either a cookie, cheddar bunnies, bunny grahams, or toasted corn.)
These children will not be able to choose an additional snack.
Cookies
Cookies will only be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Audit coming in May
Our schools are audited once every 3-5 years, and our next audit is coming up this May. Passing this audit saves the school district $65,000 each year, so it is very important that these changes are implemented. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
If you have any questions, please contact parent volunteer Carolyn Bowsher at csbowsher@aol.com.
|
STAR Testing is May 6th - May 17th For 2nd-5th graders
 STAR (California Standardized Testing And Reporting) Testing takes place between May 6 and May 17 for most students. Note: students who need to take the test in Spanish will be tested the week before, from April 29 - May 3.
Take a moment to look at the detailed schedule (click here) and make note of the days your children will be tested. Please be sure they are well rested and have a good breakfast on testing days. If possible, please try to avoid scheduling dentist and doctor appointments during your child's Star Testing times. Click here to view the schedule.
|
Nominees for Encinal PTO Executive Board
We're proud to introduce the proposed slate for the 2013-2014 PTO Executive Board:
* Co-Presidents - Carolyn Lynch and Rick Bentley
* Co-VPs - Erin Reyes and Winnie Root
* Treasurer - Bernice Van der Meer
* Financial Secretary - May Matsui
* Secretary - Laurel Holman
* Community Coordinator Co-Chairs - Lisa Cope and Liz Hove
* Volunteer Coordinators - Claire Thompson (HRP Coordinator) and (Julia Molise Volunteer Coordinator)
* Communications Coordinator - Emily Robinson
* Auditor - Kari Riedel
Thank you to all the nominees for being willing to serve. Also, a special thank you to those parents who served on the PTO Nominating Committee: Marla Bischoff, Hillary Easom, Laurel Holman, Lisa Lajous, and Gina Watkins.
The slate will be voted on by all interested parents and teachers at the PTO General Meeting on Thursday, May 23rd at 8:30am in the TERC. We will also present the proposed PTO budget for next year. Please plan to attend!
|
The PTO is Looking for Volunteers for Key Positions in 2013-2014
We have openings for the following PTO lead volunteer roles for next year. These are great opportunities to develop relationships with other Encinal families, get to know Encinal staff & teachers, and give back to our school.
- After School Activities Coordinator - Manages, schedules, and contracts for all the after school programs (math, chess, foreign language, art, drama, hoops, etc.); ensures program compliance with school safety and protocol requirements.
- Cultural Arts Day Chairs - Remember the amazing China day this year? Help determine next year's country. Plan and organize volunteers to produce a full day of fun and activities highlighting the culture of one area of the world, including guest speakers, music and dancing, food tasting, a cultural museum, crafts and more.
- Newsletter Editors - Opportunities to compile and edit the e-newsletter once a month (or more, if desired!)
To read more about these or other committees that interest you, please click here. If you can volunteer with any of the committees, please email Carolyn Lynch, Incoming PTO Co-President.
|
Annual Encinal Art Festival
Thursday, May 30, 5:30-8pm 
The Annual Encinal Art Festival is coming up on May 30, 5:30 to 8pm during the Encinal Open House. This is a chance for the kids to show off their best work from their year of Art with Ms. Noon or Ms. Beroske.
Talk to your home room parent or class art coordinator if you would like to help selecting or mounting the art, which starts next week. We also could use help with the festival setup itself.
Volunteers: Sign up in the Art Room or email Ed Vail.
|
Are You In Run for Education June 2, 2013, 9am, Oak Knoll  This first-ever, district-wide event will be a 1.5K walk/fun run and a competitive, chip-timed 5K on Sunday, June 2, at Oak Knoll School starting at 9:00 am. This year's event will include Encinal, Hillview, Laurel, and Oak Knoll and help to raise crucial funds for our community-supported schools. After the event, there willbe a Wellness Fair to promote health with fitness sponsors, along with local business support, providing fun for the entire family! Don't be left behind! Follow these 5 simple steps to get ready to RUN! Step 2: Shop and gear up at Fleet Feet Sports of Menlo Park on Saturday, May 11, when 5% of their gross sales will benefit the Menlo Park City School District.
Step 3: Sign up to volunteer! There are plenty of opportunities to help out before, during and after the race. Contact your school ambassador, Jennifer Bartle with any questions.
Step 4: Support our sponsors! This event would not be possible without the support of our wonderful sponsors.
Step 5: Sign up to be a FAMILY Sponsor! First 40 families to sign up at the $500 sponsorship level will get their name on the race t-shirt and includes 4 free race entries!!
|
Your Input Needed: Transportation Survey
Please take a few minutes to fill out a quick survey about transportation. It's similar to the transportation survey many of you filled out in September -- but with fewer questions this time! This data is extremely valuable to the district's Safe Routes to Schools program. The survey can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sr2sparent. Questions? Please Contact Kathy, Transportation Coordinator. Thanks in advance for your help! |
New on the Encinal Website: Suggestion Box! Do you have a question? A suggestion or a complaint? Or do you want to give a little compliment to someone that did something special for you or your child? The Encinal website (www.encinalschool.com) has a brand new Suggestion Box. You may leave your name or stay totally anonymous. Come check it out!
|
|
|
Encinal Shout Outs
|
Thank You to the Amazing MPAEF team!!
A big thanks to everyone involved in putting together this year's fabulous Auction and Raffle fundraising events. Karen Dearing and her team did an incredible job. A special thanks to the Encinal School team - Tracy Gray, Laurie Scott, and Jodi Robbins - and all the other parents who helped sell raffle tickets, promote the auction, and gather the auction items. Your time, energy, and dedication are much appreciated!
|
|
Thanks to Teachers & Parents for the Fantastic Kinder Performances of Where The Wild Things Are
 Each of the Kinder classes performed their own interpretation of Where The Wild Things Are on stage in the Multi last week for families and their buddy classes. It was wonderful to see the kids' enthusiasm and their great performances. Thanks to all of the dedicated Kinder teachers and parents who spent MANY hours working with the students, making costumes, and other prep work for the plays.
|
|
MPAEF News
|
THANKS TO OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY!
You did it! You made the MPAEF Auction, Raffle and Spring Event a huge success! Thank you for donating amazing parties, events, items, and experiences to the auctions. Thank you for being out there in front of the schools selling and buying raffle tickets. Thank you for participating in the online auction. Thank you for toasting 30 years of MPAEF with us at Cheers! Champagne and Wine Tasting. Thank you for Dancing through the Decades with us on Saturday night. Thank you for donating so generously to the Fund-a-Need in support of the MPCSD Summer School Programs. Thank you to all those in the community who have volunteered time, resources, or energy to make the Spring Auction and Event such a huge success. Thank you for being part of the MPAEF spirit and for supporting our schools. Thank you for being IN!
For 30 years, the MPAEF has provided the Menlo Park City School District with an annual grant, which becomes part of the District operating budget. This year, the MPAEF grant makes up more than 10% of the District's budget. For 30 years, the Foundation has relied on our community of parents, teachers, local businesses, and neighbors to raise these crucial funds. Thank you for 30 years of financial and volunteer support from families like you. Once again, the success of our fundraising events -- and the quality education we can provide to all students -- is because of YOU!
|
|
Thank You to MPAEF's Business and Realtor Partners!
Please support those businesses and realtors who support our schools!
Thank you to these local 2012-13 business and realtors:
Business
Menlo Partners Staffing
Paul Gerber, DDS
Riviera Partners
European Styling Parlour
Habibi's Salon
Gould Jacobson Dermatology
Kennolyn Camps
Bohannan Foundation
DLM
Tavarez Orthodontics
Realtors
Penelope Huang, RE/MAX Distinctive Properties
Carol MacCorkle, Coldwell Banker Previews
Annette Smith, Dreyfus Properties
Debbie & Manny Ojeda, Intero Real Estate Services
Stephanie Savides, Savides Real Estate
Leslie Woods, Sereno Group Real Estate
Nancy Goldcamp, Coldwell Banker
Lyn Jason Cobb, Coldwell Banker
Tom LeMieux, Coldwell Banker
|
|
Parent Ed Opportunities
For a complete listing of events,
visit the district's Parent Ed webpage.
|
"Keeping Kids Safe: Whether at Home, School, Online Or in the Community, There are Things You Can Do To Protect Your Child!"
 Presented by Kidpower When: Tuesday, April 30, 7:00pm 9:00pm Where: Parent's Place, 200 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto Cost: $40
During this workshop, learn how to practice with your child important, age appropriate "People-Safety Skills" to help them follow "stranger safety" rules, be and act aware and confident, set clear boundaries, deal with other kids bullying behaviors and much more.
For more information, click here.
|
|
"The Culture of Perfectionism"
Presented by CAMPUS (Consortium of Atherton and Menlo Park United Schools)
When: Thursday, May 2, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Where: M-A Performing Arts Center
Speaker: Ana Homayoun, Founder of Green Ivy Educational Consulting and Author of The Myth of the Perfect Girl and That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week
Ana Homayoun has become a nationally recognized innovator of motivational organization and time-management strategies for junior high and high school students. In her new book, Ana sheds light on the challenges facing our teens today in light of today's ever-increasing mix of technology, socialization, and learning. In our achievement-based culture, many of our teens are doing remarkably well, excelling in honors classes and sports and attending top colleges in ever greater numbers-but beneath the surface, many are stressed-out, overwhelmed, and burnt-out as they strive to achieve an unobtainable sense of "perfection."
Kepler's Books, a Community Partner of CAMPUS, will offer copies of The Myth of the Perfect Girl
at the event. Sign up now - tickets will go quickly!
To register, click here.
|
|
Green Kids Conference
Saturday, June 1, 11am-3:30pm, Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus, 1065 La Avenida St., Bldg. 1, Mountain View
This is a conference for children 5 to 18 years old. Come with your family and friends, explore your passsion, and be inspired to take action! Free Admission. Register now at http://greenkidsconference.org/.
|
Family Community Service Opportunities
For complete listings click here |
Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, Saturday, May 4, 8:30-11:30am, Help spruce up the Historic Orchard in the Guadalupe River Park, 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose. To sign up or find out more, click here.
Click here for a list of ongoing service opportunities.
Questions? Know other service projects? Contact Kari Riedel
|
|
Local Community News & Events
For complete listings click here
|
Summer Camp Information is Here
Click here and check back often - new camps are being added every week!
|
Kite Day, Saturday, May 4, 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Bedwell-Bayfront Park located on Marsh Road at Bayfront Expressway. For $6 you will receive a kite, hotdog, drink and chips or an apple. All ages are welcome.
8th Annual M-A High School Big Bear Run, May 5 at 9:00 a.m. This professionally-timed, fun-filled, 5K race/walk starts at M-A High School and benefits all M-A sports teams. On-line registration is available at active.com and on the M-A Boosters website www.m-aboosters.org. Additionally, new or gently used athletic shores will be collected the day of the race for donation to charities.
Your Career in Gaming, Saturday, May 18 at 12:00 p.m., Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma Street, Menlo Park . Zynga Lead Game Designer and Career Advisor Brice Morrison will talk about careers in the games industry: how games are made, the jobs and people involved, and how you can learn to make your own games at home! Contact: Michelle Burnham 650-330-2530.
Sports, Classes, and Other Opportunities
|
|
Encinal PTO Communications
|
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.
|
Join the PTO Mailing List - Text "SUBSCRIBE" to 42828
Back to Top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Need to report an absence or tardy? Click 
