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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. |
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Calendar
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| Sept 1-Sept 9 |
| | Tuesday | Aug 30 | Flex Time Begins New | | Wednesday | Aug 31 | Restaurant Fundraiser for Sports Boosters at Kirks 4 p.m (Paly) | | Thursday | Sept 1 |
Back to School Night, 6:30 - 9pm ( Paly) | | Friday | Sept 2 |
Minimum Day for students - 12:30 dismissal
| | Wednesday | Sept 7 |
Senior Parent Night, 7pm, PAC ( Paly) | | Thursday | Sept 8 | Sophomore Parent Meeting, 8:30 - 10am EWC in library (Paly) | | Wednesday | Sept 14 |
Junior Parent Night, 7pm, PAC ( Paly) | | Wednesday | Sept 14 |
Free Speech in the Social Media Era New
| | Monday | Sept 19 |
Club Day
| | Friday | Sept 23 |
Fiery Arts Glass Sale, 3-6pm
| | Saturday | Sept 24 |
Fiery Arts Glass Sale, 11-4pm
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 Join us! Together we strengthen our schools
PiE has launched its 2016-2017 fundraising campaign. We ask to you to join us as our kids need the support of the whole community.
PiE funds go to every Palo Alto district school and give each principal the funding needed to staff many programs that make a difference for the students and families at each school location. From our classroom aides, to teachers for STEAM-focused electives, music and art, to caring counselors and mentors, PiE-funded staff make a positive impact on our kids every day.
Between now and September 6, you can double your impact via the $500,000 Back-To-School Challenge Grant which matches every dollar donated to PiE. Please donate today!
Donate online to support the Paly PTSA - it's easy! Your contributions support important programs that benefit students, teachers and administrators. Please help us reach our goal for this school year!
Online links as follows:
Paly Club Day, All student BBQ Lead Volunteer Needed for Monday, September 19th
Paly is looking for a parent or team, to lead the student Club Day. This event is a campus wide student BBQ. The students showcase their clubs while students enjoy a simple picnic menu. This event is held on Monday, September 19th in the Paly quad. Staff help with the grilling, and they order of food. We need a parent to lead a team of enthusiastic volunteers who will coordinate the parent volunteers at various stations of food prep, serving, and clean up. Please contact Beth Martin (bmartin@pausd.org) for more information, or to help find other parents to lead this activity with you!
A Public Forum for Candidates for the PAUSD School Board
Mon, Sep 22, 7-9 pm, 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto
Be educated! The Palo Alto PTA Council and League of Women Voters have organized an opportunity for you to meet the the candidates for the PAUSD Board of Education. The Board of Education is the K-12 policy-making body for academic standards, curriculum, instructional materials, assessments and accountability. Thank you to the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto for sponsoring this forum that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League and PTAC neither supports nor opposes candidates. The Candidates Forum is organized to provide equal and non-preferential opportunities for each candidate for Palo Alto Unified School Board to make short prepared statements and to answer questions written by audience members on cards provided at the event. Volunteers help make the event run smoothly.
The entire Forum will be videotaped by Midpeninsula studios and broadcast later on community TV channels. All other recordings, visual and audio, are prohibited.
Save the Date! Challenge Success Fall Parent Event at Stanford University
Fri. Sept 30, 7-8:30pm, Memorial Auditorium, Stanford University
Media Rules. Healthy Connections in the Digital Age. Details and tickets here.
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Paly Items
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Back to School Night
Thurs., Sept 1
Paly's annual BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT. It will be a full day of school for both students and staff. On Back-to-School Night, you will have an opportunity to meet your student's teachers by following an abbreviated class schedule. Each period will be 10 minutes long with 5 minutes allowed for passing between classes. Please find the Back to School Night schedule here. It would be helpful to have your student(s) fill out this schedule before the event so we can start on time. Please be prepared to move quickly between periods. Lastly, During Back to School Night , we will be collecting Back to School packets which were sent this summer. Packets can be dropped off near the Student Center. Otherwise, packets can be dropped off in the main office any time. Donation Forms and Checks: It's not too late to return your Back to School Forms for PTSA, PALY, and Boosters! Drop them off in the Admin Office (Tower Building) or bring them on Back to School Night (9/1).
Flex Time (formerly tutorial) officially starts on Tuesday, August 30. New
Students choose how and where to spend the Flex Time but should remain on campus since it is considered instructional minutes. Students should check their schedules in Infinite Campus for their Flex Time teacher and location. Check in with the Flex Time teacher happens at the end of the period. For questions, please check the Flex Time FAQs.
Senior Parent Night
Wed., Sept 7, 7pm, Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Come join us for an informational evening about senior year. Topics will include:
- Post High School Options
- College Application Process
- How an applicant is evaluated
- Teacher Advisor Letter vs Teacher Letter
- Early Decision vs Early Action
- Selecting Colleges and more...
Junior Parent Night Corrected
Wed., Sept 14, 7pm, Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Come join us for an informational evening about junior year. Topics will include:
- Graduation vs 4 Yr College Eligibility
- Available support for all students
- Post High School Options
- How college applicants are evaluated
- Teacher vs Teacher Advisor Letter
- Timeline for Juniors
- Testing sequence
- GPAs and more....
10th Grade Parent Meeting New
Our first parent meeting as 10th grade will be with Kim Diorio and Paige Johnson, on Thursday morning, Sept 8 from 8:30-10:00 am in the English Writing Center (EWC -- in the Library). We are also working on topic ideas for future parent meetings, so please let us know! We want to make sure that we stay as connected as possible as the kids move forward. Karen Ambrose Hickey (kahickey@yahoo.com), Reshma Singh (greshmasingh@gmail.com), Daxue Xu (daxuexu@hotmail.com)
Paly Robotics Student Info Day
Tuesday, August 30, 3-5pm, in the Paly Library LCR
Paly students interested in joining the Paly Robotics Team are encouraged to attend this information session. This event will include an informational presentation, robot demo, lab tour, and details on how to apply to join the team. Contact Kenny Cheung at kcheung@palyrobotics.com for questions. Paly Robotics Parent Info Night Tuesday, August 30, 7-9pm in the Paly Library LCR
Parents of prospective robotics members are encouraged to attend this introduction to the Paly Robotics Team. The evening will include an introductory presentation, robot demo, lab tour, application details, and information on how parents can help support the team. Please note that the Schoology post that went out a couple days ago stated the outdated and incorrect date for this event. Contact Kenny Cheung at kcheung@palyrobotics.com for questions.
Restaurant Fundraiser benefitting Paly Sports Boosters
Wednesday, August 31st, 4PM to closing
Join Paly Sports Boosters and enjoy a juicy burger at Kirk's Steakburgers located in Town & Country Village. 20% of your purchases after 4PM till closing will benefit all sports at Paly. Eat in or order out! Great place for a team dinner! Thanks for supporting Paly Sports Boosters and Paly Athletics. More Information? Click here for flyer.
Real Food Fun: A conversation on the Health Impacts of Sugar
Thursday, September 8, 2016, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Paly Media Arts Center
Bestselling authors Gary Taubes and Dr. Robert Lustig discuss health impacts of sugar with New York Times journalist Anahad O'Connor and childhood obesity expert Dr. Janet Wojcicki.
Paly Sports Boosters Passes
Help support a vibrant Paly athletic community by purchasing a Sports Boosters pass! Passes are good for admission for Paly regular season home games for all sports during the 2016-2017 school year. New this year: free VIKING SQUAD t-shirt with every Student Booster Pass (while supplies last). Order online: http://palysportsboosters.org/booster-passes/ or by mail.
Class of 2017 Yearbook Senior Portraits and Baby Ads
Deadline: October 13, MAC 101
If you haven't yet set up an appointment with a photographer, it would be a good idea to do that now to ensure making the deadline. All the additional specifics about both ads and portraits can be found at palymadrono.com. Feel free to contact adviser Brian Wilson at bwilson@pausd.org if you have questions.
Latte Cart: Rotating schedule New
Paly Tower Building
Help with set up, clean up, serve or bake goods. All shifts open and we need your help. The Paly staff look forward to this treat. Thank you for signing up. Please click here to sign up:
Volunteer Needed: Club Day BBQ Coordinator New
Monday, September 19, 2016, all shifts open, Paly Quad
Volunteers are needed to help in the Paly Library New
This is a wonderful place to be at Paly. If you are interested in helping out in the library please email Debbie Henry, Dhenry@pausd.org. They would love to have volunteers start right away so the sooner you can email them the better.
The Danger of Sugar & the Importance of Eating a Healthy Diet New
Thursday, September 8, 2016 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. Media Arts Center
Fabulous real food Heavy hors d'oeuvres (Healthy food can taste great)
* Real Food Hackathon: "Iron Chef meets Real Food" Chefs will compete for the Golden Fork award
* DISCUSSION
* Anahad O'Connor of the New York Times
*Dr. Robert Lustig, Neuro-endocrinologist, author of Fat Chance: Beating The Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease
*Gary Taubes, noted author of Why We Get Fat and Good Calories, Bad Calories and soon-to-be-released The Case Against Sugar
*Dr. Janet Wojcicki , UCSF expert on childhood obesity
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College & Career Center
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College Rep Visits for Seniors (and Juniors, if space is available)
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 atadmit-class-form-college-and-career-center . 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; click on the "Colleges" tab then click "view all upcoming college visits" within the "my colleges" section. Or, you can check the calendar on www.paly.net/college .
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.
College campus visits for the first week of SeptemberON CAMPUS: University of California, Los Angeles 9/1/16 8:15 AM
The University of Iowa 9/6/16 9:00 AM University of Idaho 9/7/16 8:15 AM Davidson College 9/7/16 9:00 AM Hamilton College - NY 9/7/16 10:00 AM Boston College 9/7/16 2:00 PM Pace Institute 9/8 8:15 AM NEW
Concordia University - Irvine 9/8/16 10:00 AM
Mount Saint Mary College 9/8 10:45 AM NEW
University of Missouri Columbia 9/9/16 8:15 AM
Seton Hall University 9/9/16 9:00 AM
Connecticut College 9/9/16 10:00 AM
High Point University 9/9 1:00 PM NEW
Rutgers University-New Brunswick 9/9/16 2:00 PM
University of Glasgow 9/9/16 2:45pm
Scholarships and contests/competitions expiring through September 15, 2016:
North Carolina State University - The Park Scholarships: Deadline 9/15 NEW
Questbridge National College Match: Deadline 9/13 NEW
Davidson - Bryan Athlete Scholarship: Deadline 9/6 NEW
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PAUSD
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Community Service and Service-Learning
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Community
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Westly Foundation Prize for Young Innovators Solving Community Problems
Applications due 9/15
The Westly Foundation is offering $20,000 prizes to innovators under age 28 with novel solutions to community problems. Applications are due on September 15th for the Westly Prize for Young Innovators of California. The Prize rewards committed and creative changemakers making the world a better place. Innovations must be prototyped, and can be non-profit or for-profit with a strong social purpose. High school students are eligible to win! Learn more and apply at www.westly.org.
Classroom Volunteers Needed - An Hour a Week Could Change a Student's Life New
If you've enjoyed spending time in your child's classroom, please join other parents volunteering in east Menlo Park or East Palo Alto schools where there are virtually no parent volunteers. You'll help tutor kids in grades K-4. Over 80% of students are performing below grade level in reading and math. Work once a week in the same classroom for about an hour, building relationships with students. All Students Matter provides training and coordinates everything. We start in mid-September. You can make a real difference! To learn more or sign up, visit www.allstudentsmatter.org or contact Keri Tully at keritully@gmail.com.
Financial Aid for Students New
Have or know a college-bound student? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA will now open Oct 1, 2016 for the 2017-2018 school year for anyone seeking financial assistance. FAFSA offers grants, work-study funds and low-interest federal student loans. The program includes information on state funds that may be available to pay for a child's higher education. More info at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/
Kids.gov New
Kids.gov is the official kids' portal for the U.S. government. It links kids, parents and teachers to information and services on the web from government agencies, schools, and educational organizations, all geared to the learning level and interest of kids. Kids.gov is organized into four audiences: Kids (Grades K-5), Teens (Grades 6-8), Teachers and Parents. Each audience tab is divided into educational subjects like Arts, Math, and History. For more information, go to kids.usa.gov.
Let's Talk, A SELPA 1 Support Group New
Mon, Sept 12, 7-9pm, Orchard Community Room, Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos
A chance to ask questions and share ideas, resources, and support with other parents of students with IEPs, 504s, learning differences, mental health challenges, etc. All are welcome, participants must respect confidentiality. For more information, see www.selpa1cac.org
Trail Closure/Tree Removal Along San Francisquito Creek New
As part of the San Francisquito Creek flood control project, the Bay/San Francisquito Creek trail that runs from Geng and Embarcadero Road to the Friendship Bridge (through the Baylands Athletic Center, along the Golf Course) will soon be closed. The flood control project is scheduled to begin September 1, but the trail may be closed as early as mid-August. On the Palo Alto side of the creek, the trail is expected to be closed for the entire two-year duration of the project. Signs are being posted along the trail in advance to warn users about the upcoming closure and tree removals that are required for the construction project
Silicon Valley Boychoir Auditions New
Thurs Sept 1/Fri, Sept 2 by appointment, Palo Alto
Open to 2nd-12th grade boys. High school and middle school boys with experience may audition for upper levels. Auditions for the 2016-2017 season are held at the choir's rehearsal location near downtown Palo Alto (600 Homer Ave). SVB has four levels of choirs and provides a personalized approach to teaching singing, music theory, and sight-singing, and provides flexible scheduling for busy families. In addition to their own winter and spring concerts, SVB performs for local events including performances with West Bay Opera, Schola Cantorum of Mountain View, and at Stanford University.
El Camino Youth Symphony Orchestra Fall Auditions New
Aug/Sept Palo Alto
Palo Alto-based El Camino Youth Symphony invites musicians ages 6-18 to audition for the 2016-17 season. Led by an internationally renowned faculty, ECYS offers six orchestras/ensembles for students at all levels of musical ability. Auditions are held in August and September. Apply online atwww.ECYS.org. Call ECYS at 650-213-7111 for more information.
PreSchool Family 70th Anniversary Celebration New
Sun, Sept 25, 3-5pm, Greendell School, 4120 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
PreSchool Family is turning 70. Celebrate with classroom visits, alumni class photos, and refreshments. Alumni and Current Families welcome. Hosted by Friends of PreSchool Family. For more information, visit psf.pausd.org.
Free Community Day at Gamble Garden New
Sun, Oct 2, 10AM - 2PM, 1431 Waverley St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Gamble Garden celebrates our community with a FREE fun filled all ages day. The day's festivities include fun children's activities, a gorgeous plant sale, horticultural resources, educational displays, garden demonstrations, food, entertainment, and of course... digging for worms! This is an opportunity for the community to spend some time at Gamble Garden, meet neighbors and enjoy some activities and hospitality. Please register athttps://www.gamblegarden.org/event/community-day-oct/
Community Discussion on Teen Suicide New
Wed Sept 7, 6.30-8PM CHC, 650 Clark Way. Palo Alto 94304
CHC (Childrens Health Council) and the Findings from the CDC Preliminary Report on Teen Suicide: A Community Discussion. CHC's Dr. Ramsey Khasho will present the findings of the recent CDC report and will lead an open discussion about its implications for teen mental health in Palo Alto and the neighboring communities. Additionally, Dr. Khasho will discuss the results from our 8-week McKinsey & Co. study, and how all these reports shape our Teen Mental Health Initiative.
Following events are sponsored by Project Safety Net. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month:
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (2-day Training, Ages 16+) New
Tues, Sept 6 and Wed, Sept 7, 3-7pm, Mitchell Park Complex (9/6) & Cubberley Community Center (9/7), Palo Alto
Question Persuade and Refer (QPR) Training New
Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) for suicide prevention is a FREE two-hour training available to anyone 18 years of age or older. QPR training helps you learn the signs of suicide, and what to do to help prevent this most preventable of deaths.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Silicon Valley Walk New
Sat, Sept 17, Walk begins at 11am, Arena Green, San Jose, CA
Put on your walking shoes-on-site or virtually-- to join the Palo Alto Community and Project Safety Net for this important mental health awareness event. Your support will help change the perceptions about mental wellness, reduce mental health stigma, and promote suicide prevention. For more information, visit http://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=9367
Puberty for Students with Challenges, SELPA1CAC Coffee Talk
Wed, Sept 21, 7-9PM, Santa Rita Elementary, 700 Los Altos Avenue, Los Altos (new location!)
Dr Jacob Towery will be discussing adolescents with challenges entering puberty, issues parents should be aware of, and common psychiatric medications and their effects on teenagers. There will be ample time for questions and answers. For more information, see www.selpa1cac.org
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About the Paly Link
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The Paly Link is a Paly PTSA publication, emailed on Sundays, except during school breaks and holidays. Changes will be highlighted as New/Updated/Corrected.
Deadline for submissions: noon on Saturday, the day before publication. Flyers must be submitted by noon on Thursday. Items run no earlier than 3 weeks before the event.
To submit an item, send to palylink@paloaltopta.org. See submission instructions here. Include a header or title line, then a line listing the date, time and location of the event. Follow with a brief (2-4 sentence) description of the activity, with the most important information first. List email, contact information and web links last. Items are published at the discretion of the editors.
--Shuchi Grover, Pavan Bakshi, and Anh Quan Paly Link Editors
--Bala Aiyar, Paly Link List Manager and Gordon Craig, Paly Link Webmaster
Click Here to sign up a new email address to receive the Link. Click on the "Update Profile/Email Address" link below to update an existing address.
Paly Link on the Web, Paly PTSA Web Site,
Paly Web Site, Paly Sports
Palo Alto PTA Council Web Site, Parent Education Events,
Community Service, Community Sports |  |
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