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Calendar
Fri, Jan 29
Jazz Guest Artist Concert, 7:30 PM, Spangenberg
Wed-Fri, Feb 3-5
Alternate Schedules (see Calendar)
Thu, Feb 4
Junior Parent Network, 7:30 PM, 3370 Louis Rd
Mon-Wed, Feb 8-10
Alternate Schedules (see Calendar)
Mon, Feb 8
Site Council Meeting, 4 PM, Staff Lounge
Tue-Wed, Feb 9-10
Choir/Staff Show, 8 PM, Spangenberg
Thu-Fri & Mon, Feb 11-12 & 15
NO SCHOOL
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
Spanish Language Parent Network Meeting
Reunión de Familias Hispanas de Gunn
Wed, Feb 10, 7 PM, Library
Miércoles 10 de Febrero, 7 PM, En la Biblioteca de la Escuela
El próximo miércoles 10 de Febrero a las 7:00 PM en la biblioteca de la escuela, tendremos nuestra reunión de familias hispanas en la que hablaremos acerca del Gunn Foundation y la beca que ellos tienen para los alumnos hispanos de la escuela. También se hablara acerca de la ayuda financiera que está disponible para los jóvenes que quieran ir a la universidad. Estas charlas están especialmente dirigidas para los alumnos de último grado y sus familias. Obviamente todos las familias están cordialmente invitadas, es importante estar informados de estos temas que son muy importantes para el futuro de nuestros hijos.
Senior Goodwill Donation Fundraiser
Now until 2/21/16, Student Activities Center and Main Office
Help us keep our graduation celebration costs low and fund scholarships. Through Sunday, February 21st, look for collection bins on campus in the Student Activities Center and Main Office where you can drop off clothing, shoes, E-waste, toys, small appliances and household items to be donated to Goodwill. (Note: No furniture, carpet, pet items, items >50lbs or large appliances are acceptable.) Clean your closets--maybe help your neighbor clean their garage--and bring it the Goodwill truck that will be here that Sunday, 12 noon-6 PM. Neighborhood donations welcome too!
20-25 Service Day Chaperones Needed
Wed, Mar 2, 8 AM-2 PM, various community sites
Parent chaperones are essential on Wednesday, March 2, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM to make Service Day happen. Over 300 students will be volunteering in local community agencies for this annual event. Chaperones will accompany teams of students on buses to service sites on the peninsula. They assist student team leaders in guiding students through their projects, possibly taking photos of the day, and ensuring that students leave and return in the same group. Volunteers may express a preference for a particular site. The sites are not yet confirmed but will be similar to last year (Half Moon Bay, Friends of the Library, Padua Dining Hall, Acterra, Full Circle Farm). There will be an online sign up sheet soon. If you can help our students make this day happen please contact nhesterman@pausd.org as soon as possible. Save the Date: PTSA International Potluck Lunch Thu, Mar 3 Please save the date for the Gunn PTSA Annual International Potluck Lunch, which will be held on Thursday, March 3rd. At the potluck, with the help of parent volunteers, we serve traditional foods donated by our community of parents and restaurants. Details and sign up sheets will follow soon. In the meantime, please email joyhhinton@gmail.com or rebscholl@gmail.com if you are interested in helping with the planning of this event.
Principal's Coffee
Fri, Mar 4, 8-10:30 AM, Staff Lounge
All grades are invited to the Principal's Coffee on Friday, March 4th, 8-10:30 AM. Join Principal Denise Herrmann, Superintendent Max McGee and Dr. Jeong Choe, Coordinator of PAUSD's AAR (Advanced Authentic Research) at our next Principal's Coffee on Friday, March 4th from 8-10:30am in the staff lounge. Learn more about the program here: https://aar.pausd.org/ Please RSVP so we have enough coffee and remember to pick up a parking pass from the office. The online feedback form remains open for anonymous comments/questions. Dr. Herrmann encourages parents to keep using it.
From the College & Career Center
Out of State Colleges Presentation
Thu, Feb 4, 7 PM, Palo Alto High School Library
Find out how you can afford to attend and why it may be a good idea to choose one of these colleges.
Gap Year Fair
Sat, Feb 27,1-3 PM, Los Altos High
Many booths where reps can talk with you about gap options and how some of these programs have a summer opportunity for high school students too.
National College Fair
Sat, April 30, 1:30-4:30 PM, Cow Palace
Jazz Guest Artist Concert: Kristen Strom Fri, Jan 29, 7:30 PM, Spangenberg Ready for an amazing night of jazz? Come hear the Gunn and Paly High School jazz bands featuring guest artist, saxophonist Kristen Strom! Charts by composers Frank Foster, Aaron Lington, Gordon Goodwin, Bob Berg, and Kristen Strom will be played. Tickets are $5/student, $10/adults and are available at the door. Learn more about Kristen Strom by visiting her website:http://kristenstrom.com/.
Totally Gone with the Wind: The Gunn Choir/Staff Musical
Tue & Wed, Feb 9 & 10, 8 PM, Spangenberg
Join a cast of nearly 200 for the 20th annual Gunn High School Choir/Staff musical! Don't miss this unforgettable evening of rockin' music and sublime satire in this original musical of unbalanced proportions. Designed to out-produce The Producers, Totally Gone with the Wind--presented two nights only--is the story of two lovable scoundrels who set out to create a Broadway flop by turning an American literary classic into a 1970s musical disaster. All proceeds benefit the Gunn Choir Tour Scholarship Fund, providing financial assistance so that all choir students can participate in the concert tour to New York City in April. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for adults, and are available online at www.gunnchoir.org or at the door. Questions? Contact Choir Board Co-Presidents Liz Matchett (lizmatchett@yahoo.com) or E.J. Hong (ej@ejhong.com).
Volunteers Needed for Juana Run
Sat, Feb 27, 8:30-11:30 AM
Please sign up to volunteer (and to run!) in the 20th Annual Juana Run (at Juana Briones School). We need lots of volunteers for course monitoring, registration, set up, finish line timing, passing out t-shirts, food table, etc. As always, proceeds will benefit Gunn Sports Boosters, Terman, Barron Park and Juana Briones Elementary. Sign up here:
The Inaugural Palo Alto Swing Dance
Sat, Mar 5, 6:30-10 PM, Lucie Stern Ballroom
For all parents, teachers, and Palo Alto community members: buy your tickets now for the inaugural Palo Alto Swing Dance, a fundraising event for the music program. Live music will be played by the Gunn High School jazz bands, and light food, non-alcoholic drinks, and free swing dance lessons will be offered throughout the evening. Tickets available now online at www.paloaltoswingdance.eventbrite.com. For more information, see our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/797783626998473/.
News from the AC: Tutors Needed!
1. If you live near Bol Park and want an after school tutoring job for a Gunn Freshman student in Biology H and Geometry A, contact Pam Steward (psteward@pausd.org) in the Academic Center. Please complete the tutor application and write "Isabelle" on the top. 2. If you have a B or D Period and can tutor Science and Math for our Focus on Success classes, apply in the Academic Center and write "FOS" on the top. Earn community service credits for your college resume! 3. Tutors needed in the Academic Center. If you can tutor any of the following subjects, please apply in the Academic Center or contact Pam Steward, psteward@pausd.org: Mondays or Wednesdays at 2:45:
CHEM H
SPANISH 2
Thursdays at 2:50:
AB CALC
CHEM H
WORLD HISTORY
Any day after school:
PHYSICS H IAC
Rainy Day School Commutes
Rainy weather drives many school commuters into cars, and this leads to severe traffic congestion at PAUSD schools. Here are strategies to beat this problem:
- Waterproof your commute with bicycling rain gear, or walk with an umbrella and stylish rain boots. (Bright colors increase visibility.)
- Ride the bus (see http://www.gunn.pausd.org/transportation for route and schedule information )
- Plan ahead. Organize a rainy day carpool, so when the clouds burst you'll be ready.
Reducing car trips by only 1-5% makes a noticeable difference in congestion. Make your rainy day school commutes safer and more efficient.
STOP!
The law requires bicyclists to come to full stop at STOP signs. This is especially important in rainy weather when cars cannot stop quickly on wet streets. Bicyclists who fail to stop put themselves and others at risk. Remember to signal your intent to stop (especially if you are riding in a pack). Come to a full stop behind the stop line and look for a safe gap in traffic before proceeding. Share the road safely. For more information on safe school commutes, go to http://saferoutes.paloaltopta.org/index.shtml a nd http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/pln/transit/saferoutes.asp.
IN THE GUNN CONNECTION EXTRA:
ACS Article: Understanding and Coping with Anxiety...read more.
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Gunn Athletics
 Last Friday, boys' soccer faced off against Homestead and tied 2-2 after a back and forth match. The two goals came from freshmen Eric Tang and Juan Bello, assisted by seniors Cristobal Gonzalez and Jake Mantin. Girls' soccer took on Los Altos at home Wednesday night and won 2-1. The Titans surrendered an early goal but came back in the second half to win 2-1. Senior Lisa Hao converted the game-winning goal with 15 minutes to play to move the team to 5-2 in league...Boys' basketball also played Los Altos Wednesday night and jumped out to an early advantage, leading by 12 at the half. After having their lead cut to 4, the boys finished strong and won 55-37. The victory was a combined team effort as nine different Titans scored to improve their league record to 5-1. Another Gunn team took care of Los Altos as girls' basketball defeated the Eagles 57-46 on Tuesday to move to 2-4 in league. Junior Tiazha Jackson had a huge double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds and junior Archer Olson added 14 points and 10 rebounds of her own. Both basketball teams take on rival Palo Alto Friday night, with tip-off for the girls set for 6:15 and 7:45 for the boys...Wrestling sent six wrestlers to last weekend's Mid Cal Invitational at Gilroy High School. The Titans finished 55th out of 87 teams with solid performances by juniors Ido Enav and David Abramovitch.
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PAUSD / PTAC
Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of High Performing Students
Wed, Feb 10, 6-8 PM, 25 Churchill (District Board Room), Palo Alto
Social and emotional learning is critical to the success of youth. It is a process through which youth acquire and effectively apply knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and handle emotions, set and accomplish goals, feel and demonstrate empathy for others, and develop and maintain positive relationships. This discussion will be led by nationally renowned Dr. Tracy L. Cross and will help parents deepen their understanding of: How to communicate with their youth, How to develop a home environment in which youth feel genuinely supported and accepted, How to help students develop a healthy work/life balance. Light refreshments and childcare (5 yr and older) available. Sponsored by PAUSD Student Service Office. Info: gdasilva@pausd.org or (650) 833-4208
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.
Special Board Meeting: Budget Study Session
Tue, Feb. 23, 8:30-10:30 AM, 25 Churchill
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Community
DreamCatchers - Looking for Adult Volunteers
Want to help close the achievement gap? DreamCatchers runs a free after-school tutoring program for low-income PAUSD middle school students, pairing them with volunteers. We are looking for adult volunteers for hands-on tutoring and back office support (data, communications, handbooks). A few hours a week, work with Excel, Word, Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, or tutor a student. Contact Barbara Sih Klausner at Barbara@dreamcatchersyouth.org. www.dreamcatchersyouth.org
Teen Arts Council's Second Poetry Jam of the 2015-2016 Season
Fri, Jan 29, 8-9:30 PM, Palo Alto Children's Theatre (indoor Castle Theatre), 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
Come share and listen to poetry at this non-judgmental environment--the perfect place for anyone that's a verse novice to a poetry expert. Come join us for amazing poetry and swell vibes. This event is for High School Students (ages 13-18) and attendance is completely free. If you would like to perform a poem, please contact Claire Eberhart or Teddie Stewart or the Teen Arts Council at teenartscouncil@gmail.com. This event is created and funded by the Teen Arts Council and The Palo Alto Children's Theatre. Challenge Success Presents: The Well Balanced Student Sat, Jan 30, 9-11 AM, Palo Alto High School, MAC Atrium Dr. Denise Pope, Challenge Success Co-Founder, hosts this interactive video presentation for parents of high school students who seek a healthy and more balanced approach for their children. During this video presentation, parents will: engage in an activity that explores the unique demands placed on children's time today, examine how today's high-pressure, fast-paced culture can have unintentional but damaging effects on adolescents, discover ways your family can reduce academic stress and promote engagement with learning, and explore research-based strategies to increase resilience, creativity, and overall well-being for children.
Palo Alto Strong: A Teen Movement to Promote Resilience and Empathy
Sat, Feb 6, 6-10 PM, Mitchell Park Community Center
The City of Palo Alto in partnership with Palo Alto Youth Council will host its second annual teen forum. During this student-centered forum, teens will have the opportunity to participate in a series of dialogue circles, led by teen-selected adult facilitators, about topics that teens have identified as important to them and critical to their well-being. Topics will include: Dealing with Stress; Building Strong Relationships; Tackling Mental Illness; Helping a Friend in Need; and Daily Life Choices. The purpose of the dialogue circles is to encourage teens to have open and honest dialogue in a safe environment with trusted adult facilitators. Teens can share ideas on maintaining the social, mental, and physical well-being of Palo Alto youth, while contributing to the community's commitment to elevate the teen voice. To RSVP or for more information go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1057563444283339/.
Let's Talk
Mon, Feb 8, 10 AM-12 PM, Orchard Community Room, Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Rd
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. 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. All of our events are free and open to anyone who feels they might benefit. No registration is necessary.
Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work After Children
Tue, Feb 23 & Mar 1, 6:30-8:30 PM, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave, Palo Alto
Based on the seminal book by John M. Gottman, PhD, this two-part workshop offers an overview of the research, principles, strategies, and skills needed by couples to strengthen their relationship and manage conflict after they become parents. Participants will be invited to engage in class discussion and participate in exercises during the class and between sessions. While this relationship enhancement class is not a substitute for couple's therapy, it builds on the strengths of each couple, as they apply the principles and move closer to having the relationship they want. With Elizabeth Eastman, LCSW, therapist. Fee: $170 per couple for two sessions. For more information and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seven-principles-for-making-marriage-work-after-becoming-parents-2-sessions-registration-19386195633
New Parent Mental Health Support Group
Tue, Feb 23, 7-8:30 PM, Los Altos Library Orchard Room, 13 S. San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
Are you concerned about the emotional wellness of your child? Join Parent Chat, a new peer-to-peer support group hosted by the Mental Health Subcommittee of the SELPA 1 CAC and facilitated by Monique Kane, LMFT. All parents are welcome to talk about children aged 14 and over. Questions? Contact Donna Soo, (650) 823-0997, or Trudy Palmer, (650) 208-9116.
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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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