|
| 
Click here for extended versions of articles from the Gunn Connection |
| |
Parent Networks
| |
Senior Class
Junior Class
Sophomore Class
Freshman Class
Spanish Language
Chinese Language
Korean Language
|
|
Please Support
 |
|
|
|
Sponsored by
|
|
|
|
|
Calendar
Fri, Feb 26
Winter Dance, 7 PM, Mitchell Park Community Center
Wed-Fri, Mar 2-4
Alternate Schedules (see Calendar)
Wed, Mar 2
YCS Service Day
Thu, Mar 3
International Potluck Lunch
Fri, Mar 4
Principal's Coffee, 8 AM, Staff Lounge
Mon-Thu, Mar 7-10
Alternate Schedules (see Calendar)
Mon, Mar 7
Site Council, 4 PM, Staff Lounge
Wed, Mar 9
Band & Orchestra Boosters, 7:15 PM, Staff Lounge
Thu, Mar 10
PTSA Meeting, 12 PM, Staff Lounge
Fri, Mar 11
NO SCHOOL - Holiday
For a complete calendar of all school events, go to the Gunn Calendar. For corrections or additions to the Calendar, contact Martha Elderon. |
|
Gunn
Service Day is Imminent! Four Chaperones Still Needed!
Wed, Mar 2, 8 AM-2 PM
Indoor and outdoor sites open. The students need you! 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. GET YOUR SPOT here, to show the kids you want to help. Also let Norma Hesterman know at nhesterman@pausd.org as soon as possible.
Gunn PTSA International Potluck Lunch
Thu, Mar 3
The Gunn PTSA International Potluck Lunch is almost here! Students pay $5 each and can choose food from any of five regional tables. Free tickets are available for students in the free and reduced-price lunch program. Please support our school and our students by donating money via PayPal or volunteering to help setup/serve or bring your favorite dish to share. Click here to donate or to volunteer. Proceeds of the event will be donated by the PTSA to Greater Good Haiti, a non-profit chosen by our students. Greater Good Haiti provides remedial education for Haitian children who have otherwise no means of attending school along with with a feeding program and health, wellness and environmental education.
Gunn Theatre Presents William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
Opening Night Gala (Lecture and Reception): Thu, Mar 17, 6 PM, tickets $20
Other Evening Performances: March 18,19, 24, 25, 26, 7:30 PM, tickets $10 Students/$12 General
Matinees: Wed, Mar 23, 4 PM, and Sat, Mar 26, 2 PM, tickets $5
This lyrical and magical exploration of love, dreams, and the
supernatural is boldly re-imagined in 1996 Los Angeles at the impending merger of two music publishing houses! When concert-goers and roadies venture into the woods for their love or art, enchantment happens, transforming all who leave the safe confines of Downtown. This is a more musical Midsummer than you may be familiar with, but all the joy, humor and poetry are left gloriously intact. Join us as we both celebrate and poke fun at the musical styles of the nineties. Tickets available at gunntheatre.org, the Student Activities Center, or at the door.
SAVE THE DATE: Spice Up 2016! Eat at Spice Kit to Support Grad Night
Sat-Sun, Mar 19-20, 11 AM-9 PM, Spice Kit, 340 California Ave, Palo Alto
Spice Kit will be hosting a fundraiser to benefit Senior Grad Night. Eat in or take out. Simply identify yourself as a Gunn student/parent and 20% of your purchase will be donated to help support the Class of 2016.
Donate Your Gently Used Beanie Babies to the SAC
The Student Activity Center (SAC) is asking for donations of gently usedBeanie Babies or other small cute stuffed animals. They are sold to students as part of the $5 balloon bouquets kids can buy for birthdays and other occasions. (They act as the weights for the balloons.) Donations are a great way to keep the cost low and in keeping with our "clean out the closet" bandwagon we're all on. If you have any to get rid of, have your student (or you!) bring them to the SAC at any time.
Attention Senior Students and Families
NOW is the time to register for the Senior Picnic and Grad Night, the last two amazing end-of-year events at Gunn. Click on the Registration Form link for more information. Paper Registration Forms are also available in the SAC. Please mail in your signed (by parent and student) registration form and check right away! Don't miss the raffle for 4 free event tickets on March 31 from the submitted forms. Space is limited and the price increases each month of delay. Both events are voluntary. And remember to check the Senior Class Information tab in Student Events and Activities on the Gunn Website. It will take you to a page of important dates and descriptions of graduation information.
IN THE GUNN CONNECTION EXTRA:
SELPA 1 CAC Support Group: Let's Talk (Mar 14)...read more.
SELPA 1 CAC Parent Ed: The Anxious Worried Child (Mar 16)...read more.
FROM THE PREVIOUS ISSUE:
Only One Week Left Until the 20th Annual Juana Run
Sat, Feb 27, 8-11:30 AM
Thanks to everyone who has volunteered! We still need 26 course monitors or we can't have the race. Being a course monitor is fun! Bring your cowbells and your pom pons and cheer on all the runners and walkers! We also need about 40 more volunteers for 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; f or the race day volunteers http://tinyurl.com/JR2016-vol. Thank you!
From the College & Career Center: Don't Forget!
Gap Year Fair
Sat, Feb 27, 1-3 PM, Los Altos High
Will include some summer ops for teens.
Community College Panel and Mini Fair
Wed, Apr 27, 7 PM, Gunn Library
Please come and find out how they differ from each other and what the new rules are for entering a Community College.
College FairsSat, Apr 30, 1:30-4:30 PM, Cow Palace Thu, May 5, 6-8 PM, Mission College These two are the big end of year events that are good for juniors.
Fri, Mar 4, 8-10:30 AM, Staff Lounge
All grades are invited to 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. Learn more about the AAR 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.
Gunn Foundation Scholarship
Application deadline: Fri, Mar 4
The Gunn Foundation, launched in 1968, raises funds to provide need-based scholarships to Gunn High School seniors. Last year, we awarded scholarships to 26 students, many of whom are first-generation college students who have overcome significant personal and financial challenges to pursue further education. Visit us at www.gunnfound.org to find out if your student is eligible for this need-based scholarship or to make a donation in support of our students. The application is available at www.gunnfound.org/application/.
The Palo Alto Swing Dance: A Gunn HS Music Fundraiser
Sat, Mar 5, 6:30-10 PM, Lucie Stern Ballroom, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
Adults 21 and over are invited to have a fun night out at the Inaugural Palo Alto Swing Dance, a fundraiser for the Gunn High School Music Department. Live music will be provided by the Gunn jazz bands. Each ticket includes swing dance lessons, light food, and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the evening. Multiple ticket options are available. Tickets & information can be found at www.paloaltoswingdance.eventbrite.com or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/797783626998473. Contact Keith Hunter (khunter@pausd.org) if you have any questions.
Gunn Athletics Needs Your Support!
Athletic Participation Donations are down but the number of athletes participating in sports is up! If you have a Fall, Winter or Spring athlete and have not made your donation, please donate today. The suggested donation amount is $200 per athlete/per sport played but all donation amounts 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.
|
|
Gunn Athletics
Winter sports entered CCS play over the past week, with many Gunn teams in action. Last Friday and Saturday, wrestling sent 16 athletes to the CCS Championships at Independence High School. Junior David Abramovitch led the way with a 6th place finish, going 5-3 and taking home the only medal for the Titans. Juniors Andy Maltz and Ruby Robinson, along with senior Miya Miller, placed 7th to give the team four top-8 finishers. Girls' soccer made it to the CCS playoffs for the second consecutive season for the first time in 13 years, and faced off against top seeded Menlo-Atherton on Wednesday night. The Titans started strong but were stifled by a strong M-A defense and lost 3-0, finishing the season at 10-8-1. Girls' and boys' basketball both made it back to the CCS playoff as well, seeded 7th and 2nd respectively, and look to make strong runs in the upcoming week. Moving into the spring season, boys' lacrosse started their season off strong with a 16-5 win against Washington last week. Senior Sal Giovannotto scored 5 goals and senior Blake Axtell had 6 saves to lead the Titans. --Tim Sun, The Oracle |
|
PAUSD / PTAC
Join the Palo Alto Council of PTAs
The Palo Alto Council of PTAs is looking for a few good candidates to help fill some vacancies on our roster for the 2016-17 school year. The Council works with the district staff, the Board of Education, community partners and the PTAs at all 17 schools to support the students and families of our district. It offers a great opportunity for individuals to get a broader view our district and build bridges between schools/PTAs in service of the broader community. The current 2016-17 roster is posted at http://ptac.paloaltopta.org/2016-17-ptac-board-nominees/. If you are interested in any of the open positions, send an email to ptacouncil@paloaltopta.org and specify the position that you are interested in.
Mindful Moms Group for PAUSD Moms of Teens and Pre-teens
Wednesdays through Apr 13 (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.
|
|
Community
Become a Summer Camp CIT
Apply now
Applications to become a Summer Camp Counselor-in-Training (CIT) are available now, and spaces fill quickly! CITs are volunteers, 12-17 years old, who assist art instructors in the day-to-day running of the Art Center summer camps. They offer support in classroom management, encouraging campers, prepping art supplies, and more. This is a great way for teens to earn service hours and develop leadership skills. For more information, contact Grace Abusharkh at grace.abusharkh@cityofpaloalto.org.
What's Going On @ the Library
For more information on these events and to sign up, go to the Palo Alto Library Events Calendar. March Madness Book Edition
Month of March, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
In the Teen Zone, we will be having a book competition where you can vote for your favorite YA book for a chance to win prizes. Teens in grades 6-12.
Opera San Jose presents "The Barber of Seville"
Wed, Mar 2, 3:30 PM, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd, Palo Alto
A condensed one-act production of The Barber of Seville.
ACT Practice Test
Sat, Mar 5, 1-5 PM, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd, Palo Alto
Students in 7th grade and up are invited to come and take a practice ACT test.
Friday Fun
First Fri/Month, 3:30-5 PM, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd, AND Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St, Palo Alto
Drop in for board games, simple crafts, and Bingo.
Saturday Board Games
First Sat/Month 10 AM-6 PM, Downtown Library, 270 Forest Ave, Palo Alto
Enjoy a day of modern board-gaming in the Library. Teens and adults welcome-and bring your own snacks to keep fueled throughout the day.
Knack-4-Knitting
Wednesdays, 4-6 PM, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
Share and learn knitting skills at this weekly program.
Bay Area Quiz Club
Second Sun/Month, 2-6 PM, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
Join the Bay Area Quiz Club! Please arrive promptly at 2 PM, so that we can draw lots and form teams. Students 8th grade and up are welcome to join!
Graphic Novel Book Club
Second Thu/Month, 7-8 PM, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
Join the group on March 10 for a lively discussion on Contract with God by Will Eisner. For adults and teens (age 16+).
Compose Yourself: New Teen Program at Palo Alto Art Center
Thursdays, 6-8:30 PM, Now through April 21
COMPOSE YOURSELF is a new teen initiative structured in modules that offer participants access to a range of workshops around a central theme or concept over a two-month period. The first Compose Yourself module, Shape Your Story, focuses on visual storytelling and provides workshops in photography, book-making, graphic novels and more. The module is comprised of seven art-making workshops Thursday evenings at the Art Center, a weekend field trip, an artist statement workshop, and an opportunity to display work at a public reception at the Art Center. Students can enroll in the entire module or pick and choose the workshops that interest them. Students must be at least 13 years old and in 8th grade to participate in the current module. For more information or to register, click here.
Auditions: Palo Alto Children's Theatre Production of "James and the Giant Peach"
Mar 1 or Mar 2, 3:45-6 PM, Palo Alto Children's Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
Announcing auditions for James and the Giant Peach, part of the 2015-16 Main Stage Season at the Palo Alto Children's Theatre. Auditions are open to youth ages 8 to high school. For more information about what to prepare, rehearsal and performance dates, as well as FAQ's, please visit: www.cityofpaloalto.org/childrenstheatre and click the AUDITIONS link. The Palo Alto Children's Theatre is a program of the City of Palo Alto's Community Services Department, Arts and Sciences Division.
World Water Monitoring Challenge
Thu, Mar 3, 4-5:30 PM, Bol Park, Palo Alto
Come join Acterra Stewardship to learn more about the watershed in which you live, how watersheds work, and what you can do to protect important creek habitat. Volunteers are invited to come test the quality of water in Matadero Creek and have the opportunity to learn about watersheds and do a bit of biomonitoring by looking at which aquatic bugs live in this part of the creek.
City of Palo Alto Community Meetings (Fall 2015 Palo Alto Shuttle Community Survey) Thu, Mar 10, 3-4:30 PM, Embarcadero Room, Rinconada Library, 1213, Newell Road, Palo Alto or 6-8 PM, Community Room, Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto Some of the items to be discussed: * New service concepts for Palo Alto Shuttle Program * New or modified shuttle routes * Possible shuttle rebranding & awareness campaign * Possible renaming of routes TAB Trivia Night
Thu, Mar 10, 6-10 PM, El Palo Alto Room, Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
Have a fun night with your friends at the Teen Adivsory Board's second annual trivia night. The event is free for all high schoolers in Palo Alto. There will also be food, music, and prizes.
Let's Talk - Sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC Mon, Mar 14, 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. Sponsored by SELPA 1 CAC, an all-volunteer group of parents of children with special needs whose service area includes all public school districts in Los Altos, Mountain View, and Palo Alto. All are welcome and participants must respect confidentiality. The Anxious Worried Child - Parent Education Event Sponsored by SELPA 1 CAC Wed, Mar 16, 6:45-9 PM, Santa Rita School Multi, 700 Los Altos Ave, Los Altos Challenging academic expectations, advances in technology, and social pressure are all contributing to an increase in anxiety among our children. As a result, we are seeing a rise in behavioral issues, poor social interactions, and an inability to function at school. What are typical worries for children and when should you be concerned that your child is worrying excessively? Led by Dr John Brentar, a licensed psychologist who conducts evaluations and provides therapy to children and adolescents, and Amy Keezer, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. Sponsored by SELPA 1 CAC, an all-volunteer group of parents of children with special needs whose service area includes all public school districts in Los Altos, Mountain View, and Palo Alto.
Announcing DesignFarm's First-Ever Design-a-Thon: DesignDaze 2016
Apr 22, 23 and 24, Palo Alto High School, 50 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto
7th to 12th Graders: exercise your creativity, network and compete for a chance to win cash prizes! Adults: sign up to be a mentor/coach or champion a need or problem. Students will identify issues and engage in creative problem solving while connecting with local builders, coders and mentors. Over an action-packed weekend, they'll apply design thinking and build cool things that matter! The weekend culminates with team presentations to a VIP panel and awarding of two grand prizes: one for most socially beneficial idea and one for best product/service idea. Visit www.thedfarm.org for event details and registration.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
