Paly Link

A PTSA publication 

Sunday, October 5, 2014
tower building drawing

The Paly Link is distributed on Sundays, except during school breaks and holidays.  Changes will be highlighted as New/Updated/Corrected.  To submit an article, see Submissions Guidelines.
Calendar
Calendar Quick Links:  Paly.net | Semester One Summary | Paly Google Calendar | Bell Schedule
Weeks of
Oct. 6 &
Oct. 13
College Rep. Visits, College and Career Center (C&CC)
Monday
Oct. 6
Paly Special Ed Parent Network mtg., 6pm, room 302 (PTSA) 
Tuesday
Oct. 7
District Parent Ed: Feeling Out of Sync With Your Teen?
Bridging Cultural Gaps, 7pm, Cubberley Theatre (PTSA) 
TuesdayOct. 7
Friends of Paly Choirs Meeting, 7:30pm, Paly Library (Paly)
Wednesday
Oct. 8
Ask the Superintendent! Live TV Show, Channel 28, 6:30pm (PAUSD)
Wednesday
Oct. 8
Junior Parent Night, 7pm
ThursdayOct. 9Palo Alto Walks and Rolls (PTSA)
Friday
Oct. 10
No School - Staff Development Day 
Monday
Oct. 13
2013 Palo Alto College Fair, 6-8:30 pm, Bow and Titan Gyms, Henry M. 
Gunn High School, (C&CCNew
Monday
Oct. 13
Paly Robotics Parents/Boosters Mtg, 7:30pm, Paly Robotics Lab (Rm 903)
 New (Paly)
MondayOct. 13
Site Council Meeting, 3:30pm, MAC Boardroom
Wednesday
Oct. 15
Deadline to submit Senior Photo to Yearbook
Wednesday
Oct. 15
Paly PTSA Parent Ed: Global Lives and the New Social Justice Pathways Program 7pm, Media Arts, Center New  (PTSA)
Wednesday
Oct. 15
PTA Council hosts Elementary Ed-Focused School Board Candidate Forum, 7-9pm, Fairmeadow Elementary School (PTSA) 
Thursday
Oct. 16
PTSA Executive Board Meeting, 8:30am, SSRC 
Sunday
Oct. 19
Paly Choirs Fall Concert: Ritual, 4pm, Grace Lutheran Church,
Palo Alto (PalyNew
Wednesday
Oct. 22
Paly Media Arts Boosters, 7pm, Media Arts Center (MAC)  (PalyNew
ThursdayOct. 23
Senior Parent Network Evening Meeting, 7-8:30, MAC Atrium , (PTSA) Updated
Thur,Fri
Nov 6,7
Paly Theater Presents: A Server of Two  Masters, 7:30pm, Haymarket (PalyNew
Thurs-Sat
Nov 13-15
Paly Theater Presents: A Server of Two  Masters, 7:30pm, Haymarket (PalyNew


PTSA and PTA AnnouncementsPTA.PTSA
PTSA logo
PiE Thanks You
Thank you to all the families who donated or pledged during the PiE Back to School Campaign. PiE earned our biggest challenge grant of $500,000. We are almost halfway toward our annual goal to help provide additional caring adults and innovative learning programs for all students in our school district. For more information or to donate, please visit papie.org.

Paly PTSA Seeks Parent Volunteer for Short-Term Website Project
  
The current Paly PTSA website, built on Dreamweaver, needs to be transitioned to WordPress, an easier-to-maintain platform. We are seeking a parent volunteer with WordPress experience to lead the project. The goal is to create a user-friendly site that communicates PTSA information and announcements to the Paly community. The parent volunteer will be supported by student volunteers, as needed. Target completion date: December 2014. Contact: [email protected]

Back to School Donations and Purchases
  
We appreciate all of the support we are getting from the Paly community!  The PTSA has met our goal, but you can still keep giving to benefit our students.  Please keep the donations to boosters coming, too.  Your donations give programs the boost they need to be great.  Back to School Packet forms and payments/donations made by check can be returned to the "PTSA" box in the Main Office in the Tower Building. (PiE donations can also be dropped off with the Paly forms.)
All portions of the online payment options are now fully functioning. Donation options include:
  • Online:  Donations to PiE, the PTSA Annual appeal, Friends of Paly Choir, Media Arts Boosters, Robotics Boosters, Sports Boosters, Theater Boosters, and Fiery Arts can be made online (Checks are also accepted in the Main Office.)
  • Check only:  PTSA membership and senior tickets still require a check with a PTSA form, and donations to Music Boosters need to be made by check (made out to "Music Boosters")
  • Paly Web Store:  For Paly donations (library, journalism publications, community service day, career month speaker series) and to purchase yearbooks, and ASB cards, you may return the Paly form to the Main office with a check made out to Palo Alto High School.  Yearbooks and ASB cards can also be purchased via the NEW Paly web store http://palywebstore.myschoolcentral.com
  • Questions: Contact Linda van Gelder 
PTSA Positions Still Available
We are still looking for parents who are interested in the following positions. Contact Pat Markevitch or 415-640-5441: 
  • Paypal processing assistant
  • Sustainability Coordinator (help Paly be more environmentally correct)
  • Spirit Week Parents for the class of 2016 (two parents - Spirit Week is the last week of October)
Paly Special Ed Parent Network 
Mon, Oct. 6, 6-7:30pm, room 302
Join us for the first meeting of the school year for Paly parents with students with IEP's and 504's. Our guest will be Laura Marcus Bricca, IS for Special Ed at Paly, who will discuss the special education programs at Paly and answer questions. This will also be an opportunity to talk about what you would like from this network this year and meet other parents.  Questions? Contact: Paly special ed parent reps, Cindy Goral or Jere King.

Feeling Out of Sync with Your Teen?  Bridging Cultural Gaps

Tues, Oct. 7, 7-9 pm, Cubberley Auditorium, 4000 Middlefield Ave

Broadening the definition of culture and understanding how it affects your child and you. Learn how to have a better connection with your teen.  We will have a panel discussion about many different types of cultural gaps with 4 panelists including Anthony Ross, Outlet Program; Jomary Hilliard, Parent Educator; Rona Hu, Stanford Psychiatrist and Sami Hartley, School Mental HeatlhCoordinator (Stanford).  Dr Shashank Joshi will be our moderator. http://paloaltopta.org 

 

Palo Alto Walks & Rolls

Thurs, Oct. 9

Frustrated by limited parking and traffic getting to school? Paly students can join millions of others around the world who are choosing to walk, bike, ride the bus, and carpool instead of solo driving to celebrate International Walk to School Day, for safer streets, healthier bodies, and a greener planet. Check out this recent Campanile article about driving alternatives and find more information about Palo Alto PTA Safe Routes to School programs at www.saferoutes.paloaltopta.org. Also, don't miss Bike Palo Alto! on Sunday, Oct. 5, 1 to 4 p.m. at El Carmelo Elementary, 3024 Bryant Street. The PTA thanks the City of Palo Alto and PAUSD for their support of these events.  

 

Paly PTSA Parent Ed: Global Lives and the New Social Justice Pathways Program New 

Wed, Oct. 15, 7-8:30pm, Media Arts Center @ Palo Alto H.S.

 We are very excited to have the opportunity to share with the community the GlobalLives Project in the Media Arts Center . The Global Lives Project is a video library of life experience, designed to cultivate empathy across cultures through a collection of films that faithfully capture 24 continuous hours in the lives of individuals from around the world. Come experience the films and also learn about our new social justice pathway.

In honor of the multicultural theme of the evening, we encourage you to bring a dessert to share from your home country.  Beverages and dessert will be offered.

Please come.  This is an evening you won't want to miss. Check out the flyer.

Questions, contact Dawn Billman  or Louise Valente 

  
PTA Council hosts Focused School Board Candidate Forums Updated

Wed, Oct. 15, 7-9 pm, Fairmeadow Elementary School

On Wednesday, Oct 15 the School Board Candidate Forum will focus on Elementary School Issues.  Again, come meet the candidates and hear their priorities for elementary school education.Questions: [email protected]

Senior Parent Network Evening Meeting
Updated  

Thurs, Oct. 23, 7-8:30pm, MAC Atrium 

Now that the college app process is actually upon us, we are having a great panel of experienced parents who have successfully launched their Seniors into college. Their knowledge spans gap year decision-making, selective college entrance, the UC entrance process, athletic scholarships, arts applications and more. Learn what they are glad they did, what they wished they'd done, and other tips and tricks to ease the college app process this fall for you and your Senior. Please sign up if you plan to attend and submit a question (anonymously even, if you like) for the panel if you would like, via our Google doc. The panel we had last year was very popular so we need to get a headcount so we have enough chairs. Thank you. If you have any questions, please contact Jenn LeBlanc, [email protected] or Susan Gordon, [email protected]
Paly ItemsPaly
paly viking ship logo

 

New Embarcadero Shuttle Schedule  New 

This is to inform you of the upcoming changes to the Embarcadero Shuttle route in Palo Alto. Embarcadero Shuttle is a part of the Caltrain peak hour commuter shuttle program. The City currently contracts with the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB) for the Embarcadero Shuttle which also funds 75% of the operating costs. The remainder 25% is subsidized by the Palo Alto Shuttle Program.

 

Caltrain is adjusting its timetable that will be effective October 5, 2014. City Staff has worked with Caltrain staff to revise the Embarcadero Shuttle to better accommodate new train timings and maintain bell timings for Jordan Middle School and Palo Alto High School. The revised Embarcadero Shuttle Schedule which will be effective October 6th, 2014 and can be found at City's shuttle website at the following link.

http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=212&TargetID=107

Spirit Week is just around the corner! Volunteers Needed: Students & Parents! New
All float building will be in Auto shop
Sat-Sun, Oct. 18-19, 9-12pm: Build base of 2 floats. Adult help needed with tools please!
Sat-Sun, Oct. 25-26,  9am-3pm: Float building all day!! Help needed here also!
Mon-Thur Oct. 27-30, 4-9pm: Each class will be in charge of a day, more info to come.
Fri, Oct. 31, 3:45pm: Rally followed by football games!

A Junior parent chair or co-chairs are needed asap! 
Contact Mego Tracy [email protected] and Susan Scheel [email protected]
Matt Hall (Paly) [email protected]

Latte Cart Volunteers Needed
 
Nov. 12, Jan. 14, Mar. 18, Apr. 15
The PTSA provides for a Latte Cart vendor to come to Paly each month for faculty and staff. There are five events including Nov. 12Jan. 14Mar. 18, and Apr. 15. Parents provide treats for the faculty and staff from 7 - 10:30 am. If you would like to volunteer to bring in snacks ranging from breakfast baked goods, fruit, juice, water, etc., email [email protected]. Your help and support for this tradition is greatly appreciated!

School Photos Ready for Pickup  
Please stop by the Attendance Office to pick up school photos.  If you ordered online, they will be directly mailed to the address you provided. More info: Karla Larson [email protected] 

English Teachers tutoring at Writing Center  

Mon & Wed 3:30-4:30pm; Tues during Tutorial 1:50-2:55 pm   

Paly students who would like some help with college essays or essays for English classes may stop by the Writing Center during the hours listed above. Format: drop-in only, no appointment necessary. Bring specific writing-related questions and all necessary materials, including a hard copy of your paper, prompts, outlines, or research.  More info: Shirley Tokheim, Paly English I.S.  

 

Paly Traffic

Due to construction, we have made several change at Paly.  To learn more about the safest and best pedestrian and bike routes to school, please visit the following link: http://paly.net/getting-to-paly  or check out the Access and Circulation Map.

 

Friends of Paly Choir Monthly Meeting  

Tues, Oct. 7, 7:30-8:30pm, Paly Library

Parents/guardians of all choir students are welcome and encouraged to come to our monthly meeting. Agenda this month includes planning for upcoming events - the Fall concert and the Madrigal Feaste. Friends of Paly Choir (FOPC) is a community of choir student families and other fans of the Paly choral program. We help to organize choir performances and events and help the choir directors with many behind-the-scenes tasks. For more information, email [email protected] or visit the choir website palychoirs.com.

 

October National Geographic Issues Needed  
Through Oct., drop off in Main Office, mailbox for WIXSOM
Please contribute your October issue of National Geographic (dinosaur cover - substory on the Drought in the West) to the Paly Photo program. We need a class set for a Water Conservation project. Thanks for your support - just leave magazine in Main Office mailbox for WIXSOM.

Paly Robotics Parents and Boosters Meeting  New 

Mon, Oct. 13, 7:30 pm, Paly Robotics Lab (Room 903)

Parents, come to our October meeting to find out how Team 8 did at CalGames and to hear about progress on our Fall Fundraising and Publicity Drive.  The team has been laying the groundwork for the upcoming competition season, which kicks off in early January.  The Boosters are also making plans and we could use your help with everything from providing meals to arranging transportation, in addition to the ongoing fundraising and publicity drive.  If you have questions email [email protected].

Play Media Arts buildingMedia Arts Center Opening Celebration-
You are Invited 

Fri., Oct. 17, 4:30-8:30pm, Paly Media Arts Center
Celebrate the Palo Alto High School publications Campanile, Verde, Viking, InFocus, Voice and C Magazine. All Palo Alto alumni, Palo Alto residents, students, and parents and their friends are welcome! Tours, snacks, talking with alumni, teachers, students and viewing the building.
Featuring - Global Lives Project. Please RSVP here.

Paly Choirs Fall Concert: Ritual  New
Sun, Oct. 19, 4pm, Grace Lutheran Church, 3149 Waverley Street, Palo Alto
The Palo Alto High School Choral Program presents "Ritual" - a Fall Concert exploring the music of rites, customs and ceremonies, featuring the music of Britten, Bardos and arrangements of folk songs and spirituals. The award winning 80 Voice Concert Choir will be joined by our Madrigal Singers, Spectrum Singers, Beginning Choir and Men's Chorus. Tickets at the door - $10 adults, $5 students and seniors, children under 12 free.

Support Paly Media Arts 

Journalism, Photography, Graphic Design and Video Production = Paly Media Arts! The Media Arts Boosters provides advisory and financial support for Paly's nationally recognized Media Arts Program.  Whether you have one of the 500+ students in one of these classes/programs or your family just enjoys the many publications, please consider donating to this enriching program.  There were some issues making these donations at the beginning of the school year, but everything is up and running now.  Donate here online through PayPal or send a check made out to Paly Media Arts Boosters, Palo Alto High School 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA  94301. Donation questions: Gretchen DeAndre or Monisha Bhutani.

 

Paly Media Arts Boosters  New
Wed, Oct. 22, 7pm, Media Arts Center (MAC)
We need parents from all Publications and Media Arts Disciplines represented to best support our Media Arts at Paly! Come and see the MAC, hear about fundraising opportunities, a new Speakers Series and many other exciting committee opportunities.  This is going to be an exceptional year in the MAC!  Questions?  Contact:  Debbie Crouch deborah.b.crouch@mac.com or Carol Chalmers  caroltchalmers@yahoo.com 

Fiery Arts Glass Workshops

Oct. 18-19, Nov. 15-16, Dec. 20-21, 9am-3pm at Paly's Glass Studio

Open to the public, students and parents. Here's your chance to learn to blow glass at Paly. Yes, we have a glass studio. Workshops do fill up fast, so, do not hesitate, sign up for a date. The 2 day weekend workshop will focus on beginning glass blowing techniques. It's an incredible, fun, hands-on experience. Repeating students progress from their last session. Advanced Sign up required. Class limit is 4. Teens and adults. $375 per person. Proceeds benefit the Palo Alto High School Fiery Arts. To sign up, contact: David Camner, founder of Paly Glass, [email protected].

 

Paly Theatre presents A Server of Two Masters  New
Thurs-Fri, Nov. 6, 7, 7:30pm and Thurs, Nov. 13 to Sat, Nov. 15, 7:30pm, Haymarket Theatre, 50 Embarcadero Rd.

1 GUY

2 BOSSES

3 VISITORS

4 BEATINGS

5 WEDDINGS

What happens when an adorkable guy arrives in Silicon Valley with empty pockets, an empty belly, and an empty head? Well, duh. He is immediately hired as an unpaid intern - twice!

Hop on your bike and come out to the Haymarket Theater to see an adapted and updated version of Carlo Goldoni's 1745 Commedia dell'arte play, The Servant of Two Masters. Warning: This is a live performance. Very little of it will be exhibited on an electronic screen. Students & Seniors $7.00, Adults $10.00, reserved seats are available at http://palytheatre.seatyourself.biz  or at the door. Box office opens one hour before curtain.   

 

Know the Friends  

Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) blog provides valuable clinical information and resources on a range of adolescent issues. ACS is a community non-profit providing counseling services at no charge to students and their families. More info: www.acs-teens.org or Merrett Sheridan, Paly Site Director (650) 833-4244.  Read http://www.acs-teens.org/know-the-friends/.

College and Career CenterCCC
C&CClogo.jpg
Keep up-to-date with Paly College and Career Center news and events by "liking" us on Facebook. The C&CC holds an open-house after each parent night in the Fall. There is also a wealth of information in Naviance and on the C&CC page. 

2014 Palo Alto College Fair at Henry M. Gunn High School  New 

Mon, Oct. 13, 6-8:30 pm, Bow and Titan Gyms, Gunn High School 

6:00 Gunn & Paly students ONLY; must show ID to get in

6:30 Students from other high schools admitted

6:45 Parents & public admitted

Over 140 college and university representatives will be present and ready to answer your questions about their institutions.  Get general information, ask questions and gather brochures. Plan to attend valuable workshops on topics that include: PAUSD students & college, writing college admissions essays and learning how to apply for financial aid.  Please plan to walk, bike or carpool. 

Flyer: http://paly.net/sites/default/files/2014%20College%20Fair%20Flyer%209%20Gunn.pdf 

List of participating colleges: http://paly.net/sites/default/files/PACF%202014%20COLLEGE%20LIST%20AS%20OF%20SEP29%20for%20PALY-GUNN.pdf

For more information contact Leighton Lang, College & Career Center, Gunn High School.  [email protected] 


Please Take Summer Enrichment Survey   New 

Paly families, have you (or your student) participated in a summer program (including internships)? If so, please take a few moments to take a quick survey to provide feedback about the program. Your insight will be shared to help other Paly families make better choices about which summer programs students consider participating in. Click Summer Enrichment Survey to complete the survey. Feel free to do the survey for multiple programs. We will make summarized survey results available to the Paly community before January 2014.

Interested in a health profession?
   
Attend the UC Davis Pre-Health Alliance conference in October! There are over 300 workshops offered so there's bound to be a topic relevant for you. This national conference always sells out so register now: www.ucdprehealth.org. For more info:  http://tinyurl.com/majudnd  

College Rep Visits

Students must have their teacher's permission one day in advance if missing class. Pick up a form in the C&CC, or download it.  Bring the signed form the day of the visit to ensure the absence from class is cleared and marked as an activity rather than a truancy.  College visits scheduled for the next two weeks are listed below.  For a full list of all visits through Spring, login to Naviance using your user ID and password or login as a Guest with no password.  Click on the "Colleges" tab then click "view all upcoming college visits" within the "my colleges" section. Due to increased student attendance and limited space in the College Center, we are no longer able to permit parents to attend college representative visits, please click to read more information about this policy.  


On-Campus Visits Week 10/6

Carleton College   10/6/14    8:15 AM

University of Michigan   10/6/14   9:00 AM

Santa Clara University     10/6/14   10:00 AM

Hobart & William Smith Colleges   10/6/14   12:15 PM NEW

University of Rochester   10/6/14    1:00 PM

Lesley University   10/7/14    8:15 AM

Connecticut College   10/7/14    10:00AM

Franklin W. Olin College of Eng.   10/7/14   10:45 AM

Southern Methodist University   10/7/14    12:15 PM

Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst    10/7/14   1:00 PM

Worcester Polytechnic Institute    10/8/14   8:15 AM

Case Western Reserve University   10/8/14    9:00 AM

Pomona College   10/8/14    10:00 AM

Pitzer College   10/8/14   10:45 AM

University of Connecticut   10/8/14   12:15 PM

University of Colorado, Boulder   10/8/14    1:00 PM

Ecole H�teli�re de Lausanne, Switzerland    10/8/14    2:00 PM

Babson College    10/8/14   2:45 PM

University of Utah   10/9/14    8:15 AM  

Gonzaga University   10/9/14   9:00 AM 

United States Naval Academy   10/9/14   10:45 AM NEW

 

On-Campus Visits Week 10/13

College of Charleston   10/13/14    8:15 AM

Hampshire College   10/13/14   9:00 AM

Arcadia University   10/13/14   10:00 AM

University of Redlands   10/13/14   10:45 AM

Mount Holyoke College   10/13/14   12:15 PM

Tulane University   10/13/14   1:00 PM

University of Vermont   10/13/14    2:00 PM

University of Washington  10/13/14   2:45 PM

Villanova University   10/14/14    8:15 AM

Pace University, New York City   10/14/14    9:00 AM

Haverford College   10/14/14   10:00 AM

Claremont McKenna College   10/14/14   10:45 AM

Tufts University   10/14/14   12:15 PM

University of Southern California   10/14/14    2:00 PM

Boston College   10/16/14   10:00 AM

Fashion Inst. of Des. & Merchdsg.,SF   10/16/14    12:15 PM

DePauw University   10/16/14    1:00 PM

Bentley University   10/17/14     8:15 AM

University of Calgary   10/17/14   10:00 AM

Univ. of Toronto, Undergraduate Only    10/17/14   1:00 PM

Knox College   10/17/14    2:00 PM

Rhode Island School of Design   10/17/14   2:45 PM

 

Off-Campus Visits 

Washington Univ., St. Louis   10/5/14   7:00 PM  Walnut Creek

Tufts University   10/7/14    7:00 PM   San Francisco

Worcester Polytechnic Institute   10/8/14   San Jose

Georgetown University   10/8/14   7:00 PM    San Francisco

Tufts University   10/9/14    7:00 PM    San Jose NEW

University of Washington  10/9/14  7:00 PM  Santa Clara

U.S.  Naval Academy   10/11/14   9:00 AM  Oakland NEW

Pomona College   10/12/14   Oakland

University of Puget Sound   10/12/14   2:00 PM   Sunnyvale  NEW

  
Scholarships and contests/competitions expiring through October 17, 2014:
Paly deadlines may be 2-4 weeks prior to public scholarship deadlines to allow for Paly TA and Guidance lead times. To learn about scholarships listed below and others login to Naviance using your user ID and password or login as a Guest with no password.  Click the "Colleges" tab, scroll to the  "scholarships and money" section, then click on the "scholarship list" link.    
 
Colgate University Multicultural Open House (Visit Program) - Deadline 10/10   
Good Tidings Foundation Community Service Scholarship - Deadline 10/10  
Community ServiceCommSvc

Paly Community Service Updates and Information New

Students looking for meaningful opportunities to get involved in the community? Check these helpful Paly resources and calendar of opportunities, also located at Paly.net/Service

Webpage: http://getinvolvedpaloalto.weebly.com/

Calendar: http://getinvolvedpaloalto.weebly.com/community-service-opportunities-calendar.html

Twitterhttps://twitter.com/GetInvolvedPa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GetInvolvedPaloAlto

Students looking for ways to get involved in your areas of interest? Stop by the Career & Community Engagement Center in the library. Student drop-in hours 11am-1pm daily.   


Boys and Girls Club volunteer sign up and Ice cream social 
Sat Oct 4,  from 2 - 4pm,  EPA Clubhouse-2031 Pulgas Ave, East Palo Alto
Come learn about the vast array of volunteer opportunities at Boys and Girls Club and how to get involved. This event is open to all middle and high school students  who are interested in helping younger students. Get a tour of the club house, sign up for different volunteer opportunity, enjoy an ice cream sundae and  play pool or fooseball. RSVP to [email protected]

Fun Volunteer Opportunity - Walter Hays Elementary Fall Fest New
Fri, Oct. 24 and Sun, Oct. 26, Walter Hays Elementary School
Walter Hays PTA is looking for energetic, student volunteers to help with set-up and clean-up for its annual Fall Fest.  Fall Fest is a family event with games, food and fundraising sign-ups.  Grab a friend, bike over and earn Community Service credit while having fun.  You can sign up for just one hour-long slot, or multiple hour-long slots.  Any questions please get in touch with Meredith Martin, Volunteer Coordinator, Walter Hays PTA, [email protected].  Please sign up here:  Walter Hays Fall Fest Volunteer 2014

Upcoming Community Service Opportunities: See details here.
Watch the Paly Link for Community Service Events for students.
PAUSD NewsPAUSD

PAUSD praised in new report from Education Trust West:"The Language of Reform:  English Learners in California's Shifting Education Landscape".  The report identified Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) as one of eleven districts with exemplary practices.  The link to the report:

 

Palo Alto's Walk & Roll Week For Safer Streets, Healthier Bodies, and a Greener Planet  New
Week of October 5-9
During the week of October 5-9, thousands of Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) students, parents, and staff will celebrate Palo Alto's Walk & Roll Week by choosing physically active ways to get to school like walking, biking and scootering, carpooling, or taking shuttles or buses. We are joining over four million children from over 40 countries around the world in celebrating International Walk to School Day, which is October 8. Students will be joined by parents, teachers, and community leaders in campus and community activities.
For more info: http://tinyurl.com/ksu4jyk

Education Update Meeting  New
Sat, Oct. 11, 10-11:30 am Board Room, 25 Churchill
Please join Assemblyman Rich Gordon for a discussion on K-12 education in California, the Local Control Funding Formula, and Common Core implementation. Please RSVP online or at 650.691.2121 

Primary Language Tutoring Jobs
  
PAUSD is looking for tutors who speak Mandarin, Korean, Spanish, Russian, Dutch and Italian. Tutors work 15 hours per week, Flexible Hours and $15/hr. Email Judy Argumedo, English Language Learner, Coordinator.

Ask the Superintendent! Live TV Show  
Wed, Oct. 8, 6:30-7:30pm on Channel 28
Have a question that you would like to ask our new Superintendent Max McGee?  We are collecting questions to use during Dr. McGee's first live TV show. This will be a live, call-in TV show, and we will also use the questions we receive prior to the show to inform our community.
Students, parents, and community members are welcome to send questions to: Tabitha Kappeler-Hurley, Communications Coordinator, PAUSD, 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306 or via email at [email protected].  Questions must be received by October 1, 2014.  Questions may be blended, if a prominent theme emerges.  Depending on volume, we may not be able to ask all the questions we receive.  Please contact Tabitha Kappeler-Hurley if you have any questions. 
Community Announcements

Youth and Government 

Weekly, Weds 7-8:30pm, Palo Alto Family YMCA and 3 weekend conferences around California
Youth and Government, or Y&G, is a fun program for high school students designed to teach leadership, public speaking, civic engagement skills and more. Meets weekly within Palo Alto to prepare for three conferences, where California government (and related functions) are simulated. Actual state capitol and courtroom used! Meet over 3,000 other diverse teens from around the state. Learn more at calymca.org, come to a meeting, or email Senior Program Director Erika Buck, or Lead Advisor Paige Smith

 

Adolescents ages 14-18 Needed for Stanford University Study on Mood and Sleep  New 

Ongoing
My name is Anda Gershon, Ph.D., and I am a researcher in the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University. I am currently conducting a research study that investigates how sleep dysregulation might influence mood in adolescents with and without bipolar disorder. I am recruiting adolescents ages 14-18. This is a paid study that will involve a visit to the Stanford Psychiatry department with a parent, two nights of sleep assessment at home, and three weeks of short daily questionnaires about mood and sleep. Participants will also wear a special watch that measures movement. Participants will be compensated up to $215 for participating in this study.
For more information, please contact the Daily REST Study team at  [email protected]  or    650-736-2689. 

 

High School Seniors and Parents Needed for University of Michigan Study on Applying to College 

Ongoing

I am a doctoral candidate at the University of Michigan working on my dissertation, which is an exploration of how high school students and their families prepare for college. I am recruiting high school students who will be applying to college in Fall 2014 to participate in this study. Participation involves three personal interviews, each 1 � to 2 hours long, spaced out over the school year. Students will be compensated $20 for each interview. At least one parent or guardian must also agree to be interviewed three times during the school year.

For more information about this study, please contact Johanna Mass� at [email protected] or 310.488.4670.

 

Want to improve the futures of local children in 1-2 hours a week?  

Help them learn to read by volunteering in a school library.  (A student living in poverty who cannot read at grade level by third grade is 13 times less likely to graduate high school on time.  However, if children are proficient in reading, their graduation rate soars to 90%.)   School library volunteers are seriously needed to work with students in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park: reading with children, helping them find books they love, checking-out books, and providing much-needed encouragement.  Learn more and/or sign-up, or email [email protected]  

  
The League of Women Voters of Palo Alto presents Pros and Cons (Nov 4 election, Ballot Measures & Propositions)  
 
Mon, Oct. 6, 7 pm, Channing House, 850 Webster St.

Sun, Oct. 12, 4 pm, Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills

Thurs, Oct 16, 2 pm, Stevenson House, 455 E Charleston Rd.

The ballot includes 3 Palo Alto measures & 6 State Propositions. At these events, trained volunteers from the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto will present the arguments for and against.

 

Does Your Child Struggle with Making & Keeping Friends? Impulsivity? Anxiety?

Groups for Kids are Starting in October

In small groups, kids will practice social skills such as recognizing feelings in themselves and others, strategies for calming down and thinking before reacting. Learning will occur through discussion, games, interactive activities and role play. Groups meet for 12-week sessions at Morrissey-Compton Educational Center, 595 Price Ave., Redwood City.  Contact Sue Garber at [email protected] or (650) 322-5910 for more information.

 
Palo Alto Art Center presents The 2014 Great Glass Pumpkin Patch�  
Exhibition dates: Oct. 7-8, 10 am-7 pm, and Oct. 9-10, 10 am-5 pm
Sale dates are Oct. 11-12, 10 am-5 pm
The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch will rise again as 10,000 hand-blown glass pumpkins will be exhibited. More than 20 prominent glass artisans have created a dazzling array of one-of-a-kind glass pumpkins and other unique glass art objects.  Proceeds from the sale of the glass pumpkins support the three presenting organizations: the Bay Area Glass Institute; Palo Alto Art Center; and Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, as well as participating artists. For a complete list of pumpkin patch artists, please go to: http://www.greatglasspumpkinpatch.com/2014-participating-patch-artists.html.

Palo Alto Children's Theatre Auditions: A Year with Frog & Toad

Tues-Wed, Oct. 13-14,3:45pm, Palo Alto Children's Theatre

Open to youth ages 8 - high school.  For more information visit the Children's Theatre website: www.cityofpaloalto.org/childrenstheatre

 

Mindful Parenting: An 8-Week Parenting Series

Tues, 10am-noon, Oct. 14-Dec. 2, Wed, 7-9pm, Oct.15-Dec. 10 (no class on Dec. 3)

First Baptist Church, 305 N. California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA

This 8-week series is focused on helping parents connect to a deeper part of themselves using practices of meditation, mindfulness and empathy. These practices allow parents to bring a level of conscious awareness into their interactions with their children. This, in turn, helps them transform their relationship with their children from one of stress, control, manipulation and conflict to one of ease, understanding, connection, love and respect. The classes are interactive and include group and individual activities, group discussions, role-playing exercises, and some theory. Topics include connecting communication, setting and holding limits, recognizing and managing anger, principles of nonviolent parenting and more.  Contact Info: Gayathri Narayanan  [email protected], 310-994-3727, www.myndtree.org 

 

Meeting the Challenges of the Twice-Exceptional Child

Wed, Oct. 15, 7-9pm, Covington Elementary School Library, 205 Covington, Los Altos

Do you have a gifted learner who also struggles with learning or social challenges?  Ms. Weistart will discuss how to meet the academic and social needs of a gifted learner with special needs, how to parent your unique child, and how to find support for both of you.  For more information, see www.selpa1cac.org.

Frente a los Retos del Ni�o Doblemente Excepcionales

Mi�rcoles, 15 Oct, 7-9 pm en la Escuela Primaria Covington Multi, 205 Covington, Los Altos

�Tiene un estudiante talentoso que tambi�n lucha con el aprendizaje o los problemas sociales? Sra Weistart discutir� la forma de satisfacer las necesidades acad�micas y sociales de un estudiante dotado con necesidades especiales, la forma de criar a su hijo �nico, y c�mo encontrar apoyo para los dos. Nuestro orador tiene m�s de 20 a�os de experiencia como profesor de los estudiantes superdotados, muchos de los cuales eran doblemente excepcionales. Ser� presentado en Ingl�s.  Para m�s informaci�n, consulte www.selpa1cac.org 

 

Donate to Goodwill at Gunn

Oct  18 & 19,  9am-4pm, Gunn High School

Doing some fall cleaning...Donate your items to Goodwill & money raised will benefit the Gunn Boys Lacrosse team! Thank you for contributing to Goodwill, your community and the Boys Lacrosse Team!! The truck will be located near Gunn's main office to provide easy access for you to drop off your items.  If you have any items weighing over 50 lbs., contact Cassandra Gencarella mailto:[email protected]and we can arrange a Goodwill truck to come to your home. (Goodwill cannot take individual items weighing 50 lbs. or over at Gunn)

 

PEN-Silicon Valley & Learning Ally present Experience Dyslexia: A Learning Disabilities Simulation & Discussion

Tues, Oct. 21, 7-9 pm, Palo Alto Preparatory School, 2462 Wyandotte St, Mountain View

Experience Dyslexia is  the latest version of the Northern California Branch of the International Dyslexia's (NCBIDA) popular learning disabilities simulation.  The simulation is a hands-on activity that lets participants experience some of the challenges and frustrations faced by people with this language-based learning disability.  Cost: Free!  Space is limited - reserve your spot today!

 

The Museum of American Heritage Presents Electrostatics & Electromagnetism

Sat, Oct. 25, Nov 1 & 8, 10-12pm, at 351 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto, California

Geared for children 10 and up, students will learn the basics of the early electrical sciences (starting from early experiments with static electricity up through the discovery of electromagnetism) by integrating science and history, and via many hands-on demonstrations and the construction of take-home projects. Cost is $70 for members and $80.  for non-members. For more info: [email protected] or call  (650) 321-1004.

 

Daumier; The Art World in the 17th and 18th Centuries  
Oct. 15-Mar. 16, 2015 at Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University
Honor� Daumier made numerous prints for the popular press that deal with art theory, the public reception of painting, and the performing arts. With sharp wit and a keen understanding of the complexities of modern life, Daumier turned his critical eye on the artists, musicians, dancers, and singers in the spotlight as well as their audience.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, European artists increasingly rendered in prints and drawings the new and traditional spaces in which people could view, buy, and converse about art. The 15 images in this exhibition depict different sites in the rapidly evolving art world-some real and some more imaginary-where art was created, displayed for the public, sold, or discussed.
 
Join Adolescent Counseling Services for an Open House!  New
Sun, Nov 2, 3-6pm Adolescent Counseling Services' offices, 1717 Embarcadero Rd, Ste 4000, Palo Alto,
Join Adolescent Counseling Services for an open house. Drop by for fall treats, beverages and the opportunity to experience our programs from a client's perspective with interactive stations and mini-workshops. This event is open to all ages, no admission. For questions contact [email protected] or call 650.424.0852 ext. 105 for more details.

The Museum of American Heritage presents
Beginning Electronics

Sun, Nov. 2, 9, & 16, 1-3:30pm, 351 Homer Avenue

Instructor Larry Pizzella will lead this hands-on class teaching students about electricity, how to control it to do useful things, and how to read a schematic diagram. Each student will then incorporate these ideas to assemble, wire, and solder an electric circuit that will be capable to send and receive Morse Code. Cost is $70 for members and $80.  for non-members. For more info: [email protected]  or call  (650) 321-1004.

 

The Palo Alto Philharmonic Association's Concerto Movement Competition for Bay Area Youth
Submission deadline Dec. 31
The Palo Alto Philharmonic is sponsoring a Concerto Movement Competition open to school-aged music students, both instrumentalists and vocalists. Applicants must be students from the greater Bay Area who have not yet graduated from high school as of December 31, 2014. Each applicant should submit an unedited and unaccompanied CD of his or her performance of a movement from a concerto or concert piece for soloist and orchestra, of approximately 5 to 15 minutes. Applications, along with the audio CD and a non-refundable fee of $30 must be postmarked by December 31, 2014. For more info: www.paphil.org
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