Gunn Connection 

Friday, December 11, 2015
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Gunn 2013
Calendar

Fri-Fri, Dec 11-18
Alternate Schedules (see Calendar)
Sun, Dec 20
Chamber Singers Holiday Concert, 5:30 PM, Grace Lutheran Church
Dec 21-Jan 4
NO SCHOOL - Winter Break


For a complete calendar of all school events, go to the Gunn Calendar.  For corrections or additions to the Calendar, contact Martha Elderon.
Gunn

Lost and Found
Collect your lost and found items in the SAC and library before December 18, when they get donated to charity.

Gunn Chamber Singers Holiday Concert
Sun, Dec 20, 5:30 PM, Grace Lutheran Church, 3149 Waverley St, Palo Alto
Fa la la and Happy Hanukkah and more! Kick off your winter break and join the Gunn Chamber Singers for a festive evening of holiday songs. All proceeds will go toward the scholarship fund for the Gunn Choir trip to New York City this spring. Tickets are $10 general admission and will be available at the door or in advance from any member of the group. Questions? Contact E.J. Hong ([email protected]) or Liz Matchett ([email protected]). 

Noon Time Monitor for Academic Center Needed, Alternate Fridays
If you would enjoy spending an hour with our delightful Gunn students every other Friday, you would enjoy being THE adult in the Academic Center. Your main duty would be to monitor the textbook checkout system. You may have a cup of tea and bring a favorite book, if you wish. Begin January 8, 12:00 to 1:00. Please contact Norma Hesterman at[email protected].

Light Up the Holidays: Gift Ideas for Safer Student Bicycling  
In winter, students commute at dusk or in the dark. Bicycle lights and reflectors are required by law at this time of day, and they make great holiday gifts! A headlight makes a bicycle visible to others and illuminates the road so the rider can see. Tail lights are superior to reflectors, so a red light on the rear is recommended for maximum visibility. Bike shops carry an array of products to insure after-dark visibility.  Include bike safety items on your student's gift list this year. Be safe. Be seen!

Athletic Participation Donation
Winter team rosters have been set. If your student/athlete is playing on a Winter team, please support Gunn Athletics with your Athletic Participation Donation today! The APD covers the expenses (transportation, league fees, referees, etc) so our athletes can compete. Suggested donation amount is $200 and you can donate online at www.GunnSportsBoosters.com or by check payable to Gunn Sports Boosters (include your athlete's name and sport played when donating). The goal is 100% participation from all Winter teams so all donation amounts are accepted and appreciated. Questions, contact Jill Spain at [email protected].

Gunn Staff Celebrates!
On Friday, December 4th, approximately 75 Gunn staff members gathered for the first annual Staff Holiday/Winter party. The party was co-sponsored by Gunn PTSA and Gunn Administration, and took place at Indo Restaurant in Palo Alto. Over the course of two hours, the staff had the opportunity to mingle, get to know each other better, play games for door prizes, relax and celebrate a great first semester. Gunn parents donated many amazing door prizes that we were able to give away through the use of a "How well do you know Gunn?" quiz. The staff would like to thank the PTSA for their continued support! Happy holidays! 


FROM THE PREVIOUS ISSUE:

Another Successful Turkey Feast!
On November 19, Gunn students enjoyed a favorite school-wide event: the Gunn PTSA Turkey Feast. The feast raised over $3000 and collected over 200 cans of food for the Ecumenical Hunger Project. A big thank you to all the volunteers who made it such a huge success; the Gunn SEC officers who kept the food flowing; and special thanks to our wonderful leaders Donna Pioppi and Mary Catherine Williams. To see a photo show of the event please click here.
PAUSD / PTAC

"Surviving and Thriving during the Holiday Season and Beyond" Holiday Coffee for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities, Special Needs and Other Challenges 
Fri, Dec 11, 8:30-9:45 AM, Lucie Stern Community Center, Palo Alto 
Parents are invited to join in this community gathering for an interactive discussion led by Shari Grande, MSW, a Clinical Social Worker, Certified Parent Coach and Special Needs Mom. Shari will focus on the extra stress that the holiday season can present for children (and their families) with challenges and provide strategies to help us survive and thrive during the holiday season and beyond.This event is open to all Palo Alto parents and caretakers. Translation provided for Spanish and Mandarin speakers. Sponsored by the PTA Council, PTA Inclusion Representatives and the Palo Alto CAC. For additional information please email Christina Schmidt at [email protected], or visit our website: www.cacpaloalto.org.

Student Nutrition Services Update
* Food Service Open Forum is being held on Fri, Dec 11, from 3-4 PM in the board room at the district office. This is for students, parents and community members to come ask questions, give feedback and learn about the Student Nutrition Service Department.
* 3rd Annual Future Chef Competition Coming Soon! Recipe submission card will be available in January. The theme this year is Health Breakfast recipes.
* New Street Eatz format opened at Gunn High School. This format offers made from scratch rotating choices featuring flavors from several retail styles including Sunset Chicken strips, Main Street Tacos, Olvera Street Tortas and more. Build-to-Order Bars added to Middle School. Pasta, pizza and potato bars were what the students asked for and now they are here.
* More info: Student Nutrition Services | Palo Alto Council of PTAs

PAUSD Code Fest for K-12 Students, Educators & Families
Sat, Dec 12, 1-5 PM, JLS Middle School, 480 E. Meadow Dr, Palo Alto
Bringing you PAUSD's Code Fest during the week of the Hour of Code. Everyone is welcome. The event will contain thirty hands-on sessions and challenges to choose from during three 50 minute sessions, ranging from computers to robots to iPads and phones. Registration & FAQ: bit.ly/PAUSDCodeFest Questions? Contact Smita Kolhatkar: [email protected].

California School Parent Survey 
Available until Dec 18
Please help our school district by participating in the California School Parent Survey. This year Palo Alto Unified School District invites ALL parents and guardians to participate in a school-specific survey, the California School Parent Survey (CSPS). Its purpose is to obtain parent perceptions of student behavior and attitudes, school programs and policies, and the overall school climate as they relate to student well-being and learning. It deals with such issues as truancy, safety, harassment, substance use, school connectedness, and learning supports. The survey is a companion to the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) for students in grades 5, 7, 9, and 11, and the California School Climate Survey (CSCS) for staff. This year, PAUSD is administering all 3 surveys, student (CHKS), staff (CSCS), and parent (CSPS). Please look for Infinite Campus reminder message this week which will include your school link and access code for participating in the parent survey. For more information, please contact Soula Nikolakopoulos, (650) 329-3986.
 
Palo Alto Council of PTAs Sports Page
PAPTAC maintains a web page featuring calendars, clinics, tryouts and camps for Peninsula sports teams of interest to students. Web page: http://ptac.paloaltopta.org/sports-and-activities/
Community

CA - South Bay Orange Walk
Sun, Dec 13, 11:30 AM, Lytton Fountain @ University & Emerson, Palo Alto 
Join a walk in memory of all victims of gun violence. Participants will gather at Lytton Fountain and walk through downtown Palo Alto. DON'T FORGET TO WEAR SOMETHING ORANGE, the color of the Gun Violence prevention movement.

Sixth Annual MLK Jr. Family Day of Service
Mon, Jan 18, 11 AM-2 PM, King Plaza at City Hall, Palo Alto
Join YCS and its partners in celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his teachings on community and service. This annual event includes speakers, local performing groups, activity tables, a children's reading corner and art projects, face painting, and information about local service opportunities. Food vendors will be present.  Student volunteer opportunities are also available. This is a rain or shine event.Location may change due to possibility of rain. Check website for updates. For more information visit www.youthcommunityservice.org or call 650-858-8019. Co-sponsored by Youth Community Service and the City of Palo Alto. 

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  • The Gunn Connection is published ONCE a week, every Friday. Deadline is noon the day before publication.
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  • Items are published at the discretion of the editors.

Thank you,

Shari Arensdorf & Rita Lee

Gunn Connection Editors & Parent Volunteers