MLK Holiday, NO SCHOOL
Tue-Fri, Jan 19-22
Alternate Schedules (see Calendar)
Wed, Jan 20
Sports Boosters, 6 PM, Bow Gym PE Classroom
Thu, Jan 21
Financial Aid Night, 7 PM, Library
Fri, Jan 22
TEDx Presentations, 8:25 AM, Spangenberg
Wed, Jan 27
Summer Opportunities Presentation, 7 PM, Library
Thu, Jan 28
Orchestra Concert, 7:30 PM, Spangenberg
Fri, Jan 29
Jazz Guest Artist Concert, 7:30 PM, Spangenberg

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

Gunn

Sixth Annual MLK Jr. Family Day of Service

Mon, Jan 18, 11 AM-2 PM (rain or shine!), Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Rd, 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 youth performing groups including hip hop music, dance, and poetry; activity tables; a children's reading corner and art projects; face painting; and information about local service opportunities. Food trucks will be present as well as local vendors selling crafts, clothing, and jewelry. Student volunteer opportunities are also available. For more information visit www.youthcommunityservice.org or call (650) 858-8019. Co-sponsored by Youth Community Service (YCS) and the City of Palo Alto.

Gunn World Language Placement Tests

Mon & Thu, Feb 1 & 4, 3 PM, Room G-5

The Gunn World Language Dept will offer its first round of placement tests on Monday, February 1, and Thursday, February 4, at 3 pm in G-5, the World Language lab. The test will be proctored by Krissy Ludemann the World Language secretary. This first round of tests is designated for heritage language speakers of our 5 languages (Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, and German) and students who have been enrolled in an immersion program. Although we will accommodate walk-ins, we would prefer that students sign up in advance. Please email Krissy Ludemann, kludemann@pausd.org, to sign up for a placement time.

We will have further placement tests in May and August before school begins for all other students needing to determine proper placement. For more information, please contact Liz Matchett (lmatchett@pausd.org).

Advanced Authentic Research (AAR)

"Exploratory Experience - Advanced Authentic Research" (8429) is a new course for 2016-17. It provides opportunities for 10-12th graders to do original research in an area of their choosing. Students are paired with mentors, who facilitate students' work off-site, and are supported and guided by the AAR process-driven curriculum. The AAR program strives to ignite passion through real world, hands-on research. Commitment is ~60 hours/semester (3-4 hours/week). Can be 7th or 8th period class, and students will receive five CTE credits/semester (Pass/Fail). For more information, go to http://aar.pausd.org/. Current students' projects (STEM, English, Government, Sports, Music, Social Science, and more) are viewable at https://aar.pausd.org/projects.

Gunn Athletics Needs Your Support! Make Your Athletic Participation Donation Today!!

The Athletic Participation Donation is the sole income of the Athletic Department and covers the expenses so our student/athletics can compete. The goal is 100% participation for all teams. Currently, the Winter team percentage is 50%....50% needed to reach our goal. You can make your donation on line at www.GunnSportsBoosters.com or by check payable to Gunn Sports Boosters. The suggested donation is $200 per athlete/per sport played but all donations are accepted and appreciated. Please include your athlete's name and sport played when donating. Questions? Contact Jill M. Spain at spainsdj@comcast.net.

FROM THE PREVIOUS ISSUE:

Financial Aid Presentation

Thu, Jan 21, 7-8:30 PM, Library

The College & Career Center will be hosting our annual Financial Aid Presentation with guest speaker Karen Cooper, Director of Financial Aid office at Stanford University. She will discuss terminology and process of FAFSA, Cal Grant, and CSS Profile.

Tutors Needed in the Gunn Academic Center

The Academic Center is recruiting student tutors for second semester. We especially need tutors in World History, Algebra 2/Trig, and AB Calculus. If you can tutor in these subjects please apply in the AC or contact Pam Steward, psteward@pausd.org. Thank you.

TEDxGunnHighSchool Conference

Fri, Jan 22, 8:25 AM-12:55 PM and 1:25-2:55 PM, Spangenberg

TEDxGunnHighSchool will be hosting its sixth annual conference on Friday, January 22, 2016 in Spangenberg Theatre. This year's theme is More than a Number. Registration is now open for students and community members. Almost 1,000 high schoolers and teachers will join over 10 distinguished speakers from all walks of life sharing Ideas Worth Spreading. Signups for TEDx are HERE, note this Sunday's ticket deadline for students and parents (who can sign up as "Community Partners").

Cash for College Workshop

Sat, Feb 20, 10 AM-12:30 PM, Academic Center

Henry M. Gunn HS will host its first "Cash for College Workshop" in the Academic Center. What to expect from the workshop? You will have access to computers to apply for financial aid and scholarships. You will receive hands on assistance completing FAFSA, Dream Act, and Chafee financial aid applications. You can bring your laptop. For more details see info.

IN THE GUNN CONNECTION EXTRA:

SELPA 1 CAC, Emotional Regulation, 1/20...read more.

Teen Heart Screening Event, 1/24...read more.

PAUSD / PTAC

Inclusion for All Students in Middle and High School in Electives and Extracurricular Activities: What does inclusion look like in middle and high school and what can be done to improve it?

Mon, Jan 25, 6:30-8:30 PM (hospitality starts at 6 PM), PAUSD Board Room, 25 Churchill, Palo Alto

Join the discussion on how to improve the inclusion of all students (including those with special needs and disabilities) in Middle and High School electives and extracurricular activities and share success stories and best practices that benefit all. Let's come together to make our PAUSD Middle and High Schools a better place for everyone. There will be a panel discussion with PAUSD teachers from Gunn, Paly, JLS, Jordan and Terman followed by a break-out in small groups where questions can be asked. Spanish translation will be available. Sponsored by Palo Alto CAC and PAUSD. Anyone is free to join in.

PAUSD Parent Information Session on IEPs & 504 Plans (Part 2) - SMART GOALS

Wed, Jan 27, 6:30-7:30 PM, SDC Room, 25 Churchill, Palo Alto

This session is the second in a series for parents whose children receive support under an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or 504 plan. Presented by PAUSD staff, including Director of Special Education Chiara Perry, Director of Student Services Brenda Carrillo, and Coordinator of Student Services Lissette Moore-Guerra. The first session provided an overview of IEPs and 504s. Come learn and have questions answered. Session 2 focuses on goal setting, and working with your IEP team to set smart goals. Translation provided; please rsvp if you need a translator to paloaltocac@gmail.com. Presented by the PAUSD Special Education Department, Student Services Department, and co-sponsored by Palo Alto CAC and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs.

12th Annual Sweetheart Awards - Call for Nominations

Nominations Due Feb 10

Is there a bus driver, friend, teacher, administrator, neighbor, aide, crossing guard, fellow student, therapist, physician, volunteer or relative that has done something (however large or small) for your special needs child? Honor that person by nominating him or her for a Sweetheart Award. Submit nominations using this online form. Nominations are due by February 10. For more information about the awards email: sweethearts.award@gmail.com or go to the Palo Alto CAC website for ceremony details.

PTAC Honorary Service Awards

Deadline for Nominations: Feb 12, 2016

Each year the Palo Alto Council of PTAs may bestow one of several California State PTA Honorary Service Awards to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service to children and youth in our community. The individuals or organization nominated must make far-reaching, notable contributions. The PTA Council HSA Committee selects persons or groups who have benefited children and youth on a district-wide or Palo Alto community level. If you know of someone or an organization that deserves to be honored at this level, please indicate their name so that they may be put into nomination when the committee meets to choose this year's recipients. The chosen recipients will be announced at our Honorary Service Award Breakfast April 22, 2016. Please use this Nomination Form to submit a nomination. Questions? Contact evp@paloaltopta.org.

Community

Grand Opening of "Fridays at The Drop'"

Fri, Jan 22, 6-9 PM, Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto

High school students are invited to the Grand Opening of Fridays at The Drop. There will be food, prizes, art activities, music by DJ Magic Matt from Wild 94.9, gift bags and more. This event is free for high school students with valid Palo Alto ID. For more information, visit cityofpaloalto.org/TheDrop or call (650) 329-2390.

Learning Challenges Resource Fair

Fri, Jan 22, 6-9 PM, Crittenden Middle School, 1701 Rock St, Mountain View

Have a child who needs some extra help? Come to the Learning Challenges Resource Fair! Sponsored by the Learning Challenges Committee and the SELPA 1 CAC. A wide variety of providers will be attending the Fair, including everything from summer camps to speech therapists, social skills to transitional services, tutoring to financial planning. The Regional Center, Parents Helping Parents and several school districts will have representatives there. This parent education event is sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC (www.selpa1cac.org) an all-volunteer group of parents of children with special needs. Our service area includes all public school districts in Los Altos, Mountain View, and Palo Alto. Event is free and open to anyone who feels they might benefit. No registration is required. E-mail lcc@lamvptac.org or call (650) 387-6745 if you have any questions.

City of Palo Alto Sustainability and Climate Action Summit

Sun, Jan 24, 12-5 PM, Jordan Middle School, 750 N. California Ave, Palo Alto

Join us for a conversation on the future of our City, and help craft solutions to the critical issues facing us now and into the future, such as Transportation, Electrification, Water, Climate Adaptation, and Becoming a Carbon Neutral City. Keynote address will be from Marine Lt. Col. (ret.) Mark Mykleby, who led the development of climate and national security strategy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, examining how the nation can thrive in the face of climate change. Event is free but registration required. Details and registration: http://paloaltoclimatesummit.eventbrite.com/.

Pediatric Weight Control Program

When kids and families need more support to maintain a healthy weight, joining a program can be a life-changing step. The Stanford Children's Pediatric Weight Control Program is a six-month program to help kids aged 8 to 15 and their families develop life-long healthy habits. The program is now enrolling for January, with scholarships available for those who qualify. No referrals necessary, just call (650) 725-4424. Flier (English) | Flier (Spanish) | Website

Growing Up Asian in America: Balancing Emotional Health and Success

Wed, Feb 3, 7-8:30 PM (Q&A 8:30-9 PM), CHAC, 590 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View

Free talk: Learn about the challenges and opportunities faced by Asian American children, teens and young adults and what their parents can do to help them. Dr. Hoai-Thu Truong and Dr. Vickie Chang are psychologists who work with high achieving professionals. Due to the difficulties they see with their Asian clients, they were inspired to promote emotional wellness starting at an earlier age. This talk is for Asian parents (all grades, but especially grades 6-12), Asian American high school teens and young adults, and educators. For more information and to register, see www.drhttruong.com/asian-parent or email contact@drhttruong.com. Sponsored by CHAC www.chacmv.org.

Whole-Hearted Parenting: Strengthening Balance and Connection with Emotional Intelligence

Thu, Feb 4, 7 PM, Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto

Joshua Freedman, author and co-founder and CEO of Six Seconds, discusses his new book, Whole-Hearted Parenting: How to Use Emotional Intelligence to Create More Peace, Collaboration and Joy. He draws on 16 years as a parent and decades as an educator and expert in the field of emotional intelligence to show parents ways to connect with their children so that both parents and children find more happiness and peace in their relationships. How can we be more intelligent with our own emotions and our children's? And how can we teach them the essential skills to be more aware, intentional and purposeful? In an engaging, interactive session, Josh will help parents transform breakthrough neuroscience into practical tools. For tickets ($15 in advance or $20 at the door): http://paloaltojcc.org/Events/whole-hearted-parenting.

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