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REMINDER: There will be no school during Winter Break, Dec 21-Jan 4. School resumes on Tue, Jan 5, 2016 with an alternate class schedule; alternate bus schedule TBA.
This is the last Gunn Connection of 2015; the next regular issue will be Fri, Jan 8, 2016.
ENJOY THE BREAK! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
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Calendar
Fri, Dec 18
Sun, Dec 20
Chamber Singers Holiday Concert, 5:30 PM, Grace Lutheran Church
Mon-Mon, Dec 21-Jan 4
NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
Mon, Jan 4
Site Council Meeting, 4 PM, Staff Lounge
Tue-Fri, Jan 5-8
For a complete calendar of all school events, go to the Gunn Calendar. For corrections or additions to the Calendar, contact Martha Elderon.
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Gunn
"Titan Cafe" A Success!
The Gunn TOSA team transformed the Gunn Staff Room into "Titan Cafe" for Finals. A place where staff could go to relax, connect with colleagues, work, grade and get some caffeine and snacks. The PTSA generously provided the coffee and snacks. It was the perfect end to a great first semester! See photos.
Printed Directory Now Available
Gunn PTSA's 2015-2016 Printed Directory is now available for pickup by students or parents in the SAC (Student Activities Center, open Mon-Fri, 8:45 AM-4 PM). Many families already pre-paid at the beginning of the school year, but additional copies are available for $10. Make checks payable to Gunn High School PTSA. All proceeds go to the Junior class fund. The online eDirectory can still be found at https://gunn.tangledir.com/.
IN THE GUNN CONNECTION EXTRA: 
Photos of "Titan Cafe"...read more.
SELPA 1 CAC, Let's Talk...read more.
SELPA 1 CAC, Emotional Regulation...read more.
FROM THE PREVIOUS ISSUE:
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 ( ej@ejhong.com) or Liz Matchett ( lizmatchett@yahoo.com).
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 nhesterman@pausd.org.
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 spainsdj@comcast.net.
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!
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PAUSD / PTAC
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.
New Laws Affecting Immunizations Beginning January 2016
Senate Bill 277
Governor Brown signed Senate Bill (SB) 277 on June 30, 2015. Starting in 2016, SB 277:
* Will no longer permit immunization exemptions based on personal beliefs for children in child care and public and private schools;
* Will permit personal belief exemptions filed at a school or child care facility before January 1, 2016 to remain valid until a pupil reaches kindergarten or 7th grade;
* Will remove immunization requirements for:
-Students in home-based private schools
-Students enrolled in an independent study program who do not receive classroom-based instruction
-Access to special education and related services specified in an individualized education program
Medical Exemptions
Only a medical exemption can be accepted and this has to be signed exclusively by a California licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.). A parent or guardian must submit a written statement from a licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) that states:
* That the physical condition or medical circumstances of the child are such that the required immunization(s) is not indicated.
* Which vaccines are being exempted.
* Whether the medical exemption is permanent or temporary.
* The expiration date, if the exemption is temporary.
* Student name and date of birth.
* Physician signature and clinic stamp.
Once this expiration date has occurred, the child may continue in attendance only after the school or child-care center receives documentation of the immunizations now due.
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Community
Home for the Holidays -- $15 Adoptions!
Palo Alto Animal Services, 3281 E Bayshore Rd, Palo Alto
Palo Alto Animal Services believe there's someone for everybody. That's why they are offering $15 adoptions for all animals this holiday season! So stop by Palo Alto Animal Services to meet your new best friend. (Each adoption includes a raffle ticket to win a ¼-size stuffed Koko the Gorilla!) For a list of available animals, and adoption hours, please go to City of Palo Alto Animal Services.
Palo Alto Adult School Winter Quarter New ESL Student Testing Dates and Information
Testing for DAY classes: Wed, Jan 6, 9 AM-12 PM, and Fri, Jan 8, 9 AM-12 PM, Greendell Campus, 4120 Middlefield Rd, Rm P2 and P3
Testing for EVENING classes: Mon, Jan 4, 6:30-9:30 PM, and Wed, Jan 6, 6:30-9:30 PM, Palo Alto High School. 50 Embarcadero Rd, Rm 218
New students must take a placement test to enroll in our free English classes. Unfortunately there is no childcare. Please call (650) 329-3752 to make an appointment to take a placement test. Choose one of the testing dates listed in this section. Testing and classes are free.
Language Immersion Opportunities for High School Students in Oaxaca, Mexico and Albi, France (Summer 2016)
Application Deadline: Jan 6, 2016
Is living in a beautiful and historic city, improving your language skills, learning about another culture, and building new friendships something you'd like to do? Neighbors Abroad, Palo Alto's sister city organization, has sponsored summer student exchanges since 1965. Applicants should be high school students at least 15 years old by June of 2016 who are studying Spanish (for Oaxaca) or French (for Albi) at any level. For questions and an application packet, contact Marion at marionb@sonic.net or Lynne at lynnerussell1@gmail.com (parent of a Gunn HS senior who participated in the exchange). For more information about Neighbors Abroad, visit www.neighborsabroad.org.
Sixth Annual MLK Jr. Family Day of Service
Mon, Jan 18, 11 AM-2 PM, Mitchell Park Community Center, 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 as well as local vendors selling crafts, clothing, and jewelry. Student volunteer opportunities are also available. This is a rain or shine event. For more information visit www.youthcommunityservice.org or call 650-858-8019.
SELPA 1 CAC Programs
These parent education events are sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC ( www.selpa1cac.org) an all-volunteer group of parents of children with special needs. All of their events are free and open to anyone who feels they might benefit. No registration is necessary.
Mon, Jan 11, 7-9 PM, Orchard Community Room, Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd, 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.
Wed, Jan 20, 7-9 PM, Covington Elementary School Multi, 201 Covington Rd, Los Altos
Do you experience intense emotions or have children with behavior issues and wish you could cope better? Dr. Yael Enav will present evidence-based strategies to help parents regulate both their emotions as well as their children's.
Introducing the NEW Palo Alto Children's Theatre Choir
Ages 5-8: 5:30-6:30 PM, Ages 9+: 6:30-7:35 PM, Jan 25-Apr 18, Mitchell Park Community Center
Register today to join the Children's Theatre Choir. No experience or audition required. The choir is open to all kids who love to sing! Sign-ups are first-come, first-served. For more information and to register online visit choir.brownpapertickets.com.
PAUSD Video Operator Needed
All School Board Meetings, PAUSD Board Room
Do you have a keen interest in the proceedings of the Palo Alto Unified School District Board meetings AND have a talent for video production? Midpen Media Center, the Palo Alto-based non-profit public access cable TV station, is looking for individuals to serve as part-time PAUSD Video Operators. http://midpenmedia.org/about-us/jobs/
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Gunn Connection Publication Guidelines:
- The Gunn Connection is published ONCE a week, every Friday. Deadline is noon the day before publication.
- Please submit ANNOUNCEMENTS ONLY to the Gunn Connection at gunnconnection@paloaltopta.org. Only announcements specific to the Gunn community will be published. Any other announcements from outside the Gunn community must first be submitted for review to the PTA eNews (enews@paloaltopta.org), which will then distribute it to the relevant schools in the district.
- Announcements will be limited to 100 words or less. Any lengthier or more in-depth articles or news should be submitted to the Gunn Connection Extra (GunnNews@gmail.com).
- Announcements will be published in two consecutive issues. To have further announcements made after that, please submit your announcement again.
- Please use the words "Gunn Connection" in the subject line. Items should include a title, the date, time and location of the event, and a brief (100 words or less) description of the activity. List email, contact information and web links at the end. Content should be in the body of your email as unformatted text. Attachments subject to approval by the editors.
- Items are published at the discretion of the editors.
Thank you,
Shari Arensdorf & Rita Lee
Gunn Connection Editors & Parent Volunteers
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