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Calendar
Thu-Fri & Mon, Feb 11-12 & 15
NO SCHOOL
Tue-Fri, Feb 16-19
Alternate Schedules (see Calendar)
Wed, Feb 17
Sports Booster Meeting, 6 PM, PE Rm, Bow Gym
Thu, Feb 18
PTSA Meeting, 8:30 AM, 145 Main St, Los Altos
Winter Band Concert, 7:30 PM, Spangenberg
Fri, Feb 26
Winter Dance, 7 PM, Mitchell Park Community Center
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
Call for Site Council Parent Representatives
Application deadline: Fri, Feb 27
Site Council needs two (2) parent representatives to serve a two-year term, starting next August. Are you interested? Click here for FAQs and an application. Questions? Call the Site Council desk in the Main Office at (650) 849-7932. You may also send a fax to (650) 493-7801, mail to Gunn at 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306, or email Rene Hart: rhart@pausd.org.
22 Service Day Chaperones Still Needed! (We have only 3)
Wed, Mar 2, 8 AM-2 PM, for various community sites
Adult chaperones are essential to make Service Day happen. Student leaders are forming teams to volunteer in local community agencies for this annual event. Each team needs 1 to 3 adult chaperons to accompany students on buses (or walk to service sites). Adult chaperones will assist student leaders in guiding their teams through their projects, possibly taking photos of the day, and ensuring that students leave and return in the same group. Gunn has marvelous moms, but we encourage dads to consider helping students in this way also. Each volunteer may express a preference for a particular site. GET YOUR SPOT WHILE IT IS AVAILABLE here ( http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4daaaf2eaaf49-gunn), also let Norma Hesterman know at nhesterman@pausd.org as soon as possible.
Sign Up to Help With The International Potluck Lunch
Thu, Mar 3
Gunn PTSA will hold the annual International Potluck Lunch on Thursday, March 3rd. At this highly anticipated event we serve traditional foods donated by our incredibly diverse community. Foods are grouped by themed tables (Asia Pacific; Desserts; Europe, Middle East & Africa; Indian Subcontinent; Latin America and North America). Continue the tradition and celebrate the day! Please sign up for this event at http://vols.pt/BqNVuv. We also desperately need co-chairs for the Dessert, Indian Subcontinent and North American tables - so please help us by signing up for those positions!! Questions: Please e-mail joyhhinton@gmail.com or rebscholl@gmail.com. Without YOUR help in serving cooking and cleaning, we cannot make this happen. Please ask your friends to sign up too!
FROM THE PREVIOUS ISSUE:
Gunn Bicyclists Win Prizes
Pedaling for Prizes volunteers greeted and gave treats and prizes to 670 happy bicyclists yesterday morning. Happy winners who pulled Titan-red wrapped treats won Jamba Juice gift cards. Look for Pedaling for Prizes volunteers on random mornings throughout the year. Who knows? You may be a winner, too!...Gunn celebrates bicycling because every bike is one less car. Start your day getting exercise and reducing auto emissions and congestion. Thanks for biking to Gunn. Individual choices make a difference for us all. For more information on active and sustainable school commutes go to http://www.gunn.pausd.org/transportation.
NEW Gunn Course: 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. Current students' projects (STEM, English, Government, Sports, Music, Social Science, and more) are viewable at https://aar.pausd.org/projects. Students are paired with mentors, who facilitate students' work off-site. Students are supported and guided by the AAR process-driven curriculum. The AAR program strives to ignite passion through real world, hands-on research. *Commitment: ~60 hrs/sem (3-4 hrs/wk)
*Can be 7th or 8th period class
*5 CTE credits/sem (Pass/Fail)
Need Volunteers for 2016 Lunar New Year Teachers and Staff Appreciation Luncheon
Fri, Feb 19, 11:45 AM-2:45 PM
Volunteers Needed for Juana Run
Sat, Feb 27, 8-11:30 AM
Please sign up to volunteer for the 20th Annual Juana Run! 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 the Terman, Barron Park and Juana Briones Elementary PTA's, and Gunn Sports Boosters. Sign up here: for the course monitors (must be 18 or over) http://tinyurl.com/JR2016-course; for the race day volunteers: http://tinyurl.com/JR2016-vol. Thank you!
Inaugural Palo Alto Swing Dance
Sat, Mar 5, 6:30-10 PM, Lucie Stern Ballroom
Get your tickets to swing into spring! Have a fun night out while supporting Gunn Music. The Inaugural Palo Alto Swing Dance, a fundraising event for the Gunn music program is coming up Saturday, March 5th, 6:30-10 PM in the Lucie Stern Ballroom. Bring your friends and dance to live music played by the Gunn High School jazz bands. Light food, non-alcoholic drinks, and free swing dance lessons provided throughout the evening. Tickets available now online at http://www.paloaltoswingdance.eventbrite.com/
Tutors Needed in the Academic Center
Tutors really, really needed:
*AB Calculus Thursdays at 2:50 PM
*AP Bio
*Bio Honors
*G Prep-only Spanish 3 tutor
Tutor during B or D Prep: If you have a B or D Prep Period and can tutor Science and Math for our Focus on Success classes, apply in the Academic Center. Write "FOS" on the tutor application.
Apply to be a tutor in the Gunn Academic Center. Earn Community Service Credits for your College Resume. Thank you!
Band and Orchestra Honor Ensembles
Congratulations to the following Gunn Band & Orchestra Students for representing Gunn in various honor ensembles!
CSU East Bay Honor Band (November)
Gaya Gupta (9), string bass
Noah Kuehn (9), bassoon
Emily Springer (10), horn
California Orchestra Directors Association Honor Orchestras (December)
Gaya Gupta (9), string bass
Chelsie Park (9), violin
Anand Chandra (10), violin
Santa Clara County Honor Band (January)
Miranda Shum (12), flute
Lydia Tsai (10), clarinet
Grace Tan (11), clarinet
Madeleine Speagle (9), clarinet
Cameron Most (10), trumpet
Yael Cohen (11), trumpet
Nikhil Ghosh (12), trombone
Anthony Su (12), trombone
Lauren Sheu (10), percussion
California All State Ensembles (February)
Symphony Orchestra
Gaya Gupta (9), string bass
Seena Huang (12), horn
Chelsie Park (9), violin
String Orchestra
Matthew Chan (10), viola
Michael Lu (11), violin
Wind Symphony
Miranda Shum, (12) flute
Symphonic Band/Concert Band
Yael Cohen (11), trumpet
Nikhil Ghosh (12), trombone
Lauren Sheu (10), percussion
Oscar Syu (12), clarinet
IN THE GUNN CONNECTION EXTRA:
WANTED: Parent Reps for 2016-18 Site Council...read more.
Holi Celebration...read more.
New Course: Advanced Authentic Research Project...read more.
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Gunn Athletics
As the league season for winter sports comes to a close, many teams hosted senior nights to honor their seniors. Last Friday was senior night for girls' and boys' basketball as they faced off against Los Gatos. The girls fell 54-47 in a tight game to drop to 3-6 in league. Junior Tiazha Jackson had 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals in the loss. The boys also played a nail biter and came out on top, 64-59. Senior Alex Gil led the way with 19 points and 9 rebounds as the Titans remain in first place in league with a 7-2 record...Wrestling hosted their senior night on Tuesday against Monta Vista. The Titans won 66-18 as every match ended in a forfeit or pin. The team finished the league season 3-3...Girls' soccer faced off with Cupertino on Wednesday for senior night and won 2-0. Sophomore Natalie Hill scored in the first half and senior Annie Vesey scored in the second as the team moved to 7-3-1 in league and 9-6-1 overall...Boys' soccer traveled to Los Gatos on Wednesday night and fell 3-1. The Titans kept the game tied after the first half but Los Gatos pulled away late for the victory.
--Tim Sun, The Oracle
Support Your Gunn Student/Athlete
Make your Athletic Participation Donation today! The overall participation percentage for Fall/Winter sports teams is 68%..32% needed to reach the 100% goal! The Athletic Participation Donation is the sole income for the athletic department to cover the expenses so our athletes can compete. Without this donation, they do not have the funds necessary to cover expenses which could result in cuts to our athletic program. The suggested donation amount is $200 per athlete/per sport played but all donations are accepted. To make your donation online, go to www.gunnsportsboosters.com or donate by check payable to Gunn Sports Boosters. Please include your athlete's name and sport played when donating. Your donation counts, make your donation today! Questions email spainsdj@comcast.net. |
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PAUSD / PTAC
Mindful Moms Group for PAUSD Moms of Teens and Pre-teens
Wednesdays, Feb 17-Apr 13 (8 weeks, no class Apr 6), 7-9 PM, Rm V-24, Gunn High School
As moms of adolescents, we're often so focused on our teens and their challenges that we neglect ourselves. To support our teens we must invest in our own health and wellbeing. This 8-week group will empower you with evidence-based mindfulness tools to reduce stress so you can be more centered through the turbulent time of raising teens. The moms group incorporates mindfulness meditation, mindful movement/dance, mindful parenting of teens, authentic sharing and mindful listening. Andrea Castillo, PhD, has been teaching mindfulness since 2007 and is a mom of a Gunn High School graduate. Cost: $299. Scholarships are available for low-income moms. Pre-registration required. To register, please email Jaclyn Long, Founder & Director of Mind Body Spirit Moms, at jaclyn.k.long@gmail.com.
12th Annual Sweetheart Awards
Wed, Feb 24, 6-8 PM, Nixon Elementary School Theater, 1711 Stanford Ave, Palo Alto
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: goo.gl/HIHtkO. Deadline for nominations extended to February 17th. For more information about the awards email: sweethearts.award@gmail.com or go to www.cacpaloalto.org for ceremony details. Sponsored by the Palo Alto Committee of SELPA 1(CAC) and the Palo Alto PTA Council.
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Community
Donations for Costaņo Elementary's Library in East Palo Alto
Help to sponsor the refurbishment of the school library at Costaņo Elementary in East Palo Alto! This project is organized by the library at Jordan Middle School, in partnership with Access Books Bay Area, a new non-profit started by Jordan librarian Amanda Marchand. In order to complete the library refurbishment, Access Books needs to raise $20,000! So far, they have raised a little over $6,000. You can help them to reach their goal by donating at http://www.store.accessbooks.net/collections/access-books-bay-area, and you can double your impact through your employer's matching donation program. All funds will be used to purchase new hardcover books for the Costaņo school library, paint and supplies to repaint the walls, and new colorful furniture to make the library an inviting and comfortable place for children to spend time and explore new worlds. For more information, please visit http://www.accessbooks.net, or email amarchand@pausd.org.
Design Tours at Ronald McDonald House
Thursdays-Mondays, Feb 13-28, 10 AM-3 PM, 510 Sand Hill Rd, Palo Alto
The Ronald McDonald House at Stanford is offering complete tours of the newly-constructed House. As a result of "Where Hope Has a Home," a year-long philanthropic partnership with the San Francisco Design Center, some of the Bay Area's top design firms have been hard at work to ensure the new House provides the perfect environment to support families in crisis. Their collective efforts are transforming the new structure into an oasis of hope and love, from the paint and flooring, to the fixtures and furniture, including everything in between. Tickets: $35 for adults; $10 suggested donation for children under 12. Purchase 25 tickets and receive a $5 discount per ticket. Purchase tickets here.
Youth Community Service Annual Luncheon -- Celebrating 25 Years of Changing Lives Through Service
Fri, Feb 19, 11:30 AM-1PM, Mitchell Park Community Center, Palo Alto
All community members are invited to attend this year's annual luncheon sponsored by Youth Community Service. To honor the 25th anniversary of YCS in the community, YCS will be featuring a number of our visionary founders, YCS alumni, and current participants as speakers. There is no cost to attend. For more information, and to RSVP online, click here.
Palo Alto Chinese New Year Fair
Sun, Feb 21, 2-5 PM, Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
This festive event will showcase Chinese art, culture and foods through performances and exhibition booths, including Chinese music and dance, brush painting, calligraphy, dumpling making and more. Organized by the Palo Alto Neighborhood WeChat group and the Palo Alto Chinese Parents' Club, the event aims to facilitate communication and friendship among Palo Alto residents. Free admission. Food tasting tickets sold at the door.
Media Moms & Digital Dads, Screens & Children-Separating the Facts from Fear
Wed, Feb 24, 7:30 PM, OFJCC, 1921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
This program provides an overview of the digital media landscape in which our kids live, learn and play. We'll discuss media usage, social science research, opportunities and challenges presented by digital media, and how parents can navigate this rapidly evolving landscape with their kids. Dr. Yalda T. Uhls will offer expert advice on how parents can guide their kids to make responsible, respectful and safe media choices. Tickets here.
Project Cornerstone Annual Campaign
Donate Now Until Mar 2
Project Cornerstone recently launched its annual giving campaign. By March 2, they need our help to raise $1 per child to reach 80,000 youth across Silicon Valley. The funds raised will go directly to sustain and expand the ABC and Los Dichos programs; empower youth through the Expect Respect program; and train school and nonprofit staff to build assets with youth. Your gift is 100% tax deductible and goes directly to Project Cornerstone. You can donate on-line at http://www.projectcornerstone.org and click on the Make a Gift button. Project Cornerstone is an initiative of the YMCA of Silicon Valley. Be sure to designate Project Cornerstone as your "branch."
Barron Park Association Annual Meeting and Potluck
Sun, Mar 6, 2-4 PM, Multi-Purpose Rm, Barron Park Elementary
Our featured topic this year is climate change. Hear from two local leaders about issues of local concern, such as extreme weather events, sea level rise, and the city's plan of action: Matt Brennan, Senior Coastal Engineer, Environmental Science Associates; and Gil Friend, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Palo Alto. After the presentations, there will be time for Q&A. Feel free to bring cookies and snacks to share, the BPA will bring coffee and tea, and we'll make a potluck out of it! There will be free babysitting available. If you are interested, please let us know how many children you will be dropping off by sending an email to GLuce@cbnorcal.com.
Parent-Child Communication Workshop
Mon, Mar 14, 7-8:30 PM, Paly Haymarket Theater, 50 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto
Mon, Mar 21, 7-8:30 PM, JLS Middle School Cafetorium, 480 E Meadow Dr, Palo Alto
The workshop will begin with scripted vignettes about teen stressors. Moderators will guide discussion to provide parents with different strategies, skills and advice for communicating and connecting with their child. Mandarin translation provided. Sponsors: Stanford Department of Behavioral Sciences and PAUSD. Questions: Harrison123@stanford.edu
Holi Celebration at Bol Park
Sat, Mar 26, 12-3 PM, Bol Park, Laguna Ave (between Matadero and Barron), Palo Alto
Barron Park Association celebrates Holi at Bol Park. Come have some fun with colors. Tickets (includes colors): Free for BPA members & kids under 10 yrs; $10 (BPA non-members). Food available for purchase onsite. No outside color allowed. Questions? Contact bpa.community@gmail.com. We are looking for few volunteers to help out in the event. Interested folks please sign up here. If you have any questions about the event please email bpa.community@gmail.com. We are looking forward to have fun with you all and celebrate the festival of colors. Holi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi Thanks! -Holi Barron Park Team "
Paly Robotics Summer Camp 2016 (for middle school students, incoming 6th-9th)
Jul 18-22, Jul 25-29, Aug 1-5, The Paly Robotics Lab, Rm 903, Palo Alto High School
Do you want your child to experience what it is like to design and build robots? Or how about learning how to program and create 3D animations? What about creating a business plan and promoting it with a website? This year, Paly Robotics will be hosting our annual summer camp for incoming middle school students (incoming 6th-9th). There are three sessions to choose from - Robot Design and Hardware; Programming and 3D Animation; and Entrepreneurship and Website Design. For more information about our camp and the different sessions, visit palyrobotics.com/summercamp.
Stanford Daily REST Study
The Daily REST Study at Stanford University invites you and your child to participate in a study exploring the relationship between sleep and mood in adolescents with and without bipolar disorder. Understanding this link could help advance new treatments to improve life quality for adolescents with bipolar disorder. This observational study pays up to $215. After eligibility interviews, they will send your child brief text message surveys asking about their mood, sleep, and activities. They also use at-home measures that assess your child's natural sleep quality and patterns. For more information contact: dailyrest@stanford.edu or (650) 736-2689.
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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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