Apr 1-8
NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
Mon, Apr 11
Site Council, 4 PM, Staff Lounge (see Agenda)
Thu, Apr 14
PTSA Meeting & Elections, 6:30 PM, Staff Lounge
Fri, Apr 15
Junior & Senior Parent Network Meeting, 8 AM, Staff Lounge
Orchestra Chamber Music Concert, 7:30 PM, Spangenberg
Sat, Apr 16
Prom, 7:30 PM
Wed, Apr 20
Sports Boosters Meeting, 6 PM, Bow Gym PE Classroom
Thu, Apr 21
Freshman Parent Network Meeting, 8:30 AM, Staff Lounge
Wed & Fri, Apr 20 & 22
Alternate Schedules (see Calendar)

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

Gunn

Joint Parent Network Meeting with Parents of Juniors and Seniors

Fri, Apr 15, 8-10 AM, Staff Lounge

Come grab a cup of coffee and mingle with fellow Junior parents and Senior parents. Discussions will start around 8:30am with Heidi Trilling guiding us in order to prepare our teenagers for Prom. Then senior parents will share their experience, tips, and tricks for parents to mastering the senior year at Gunn. Linda Kirsch from the College and Career Center will join us at 9:30am as we continue our discussion.

If you have any questions, please email Ani_Gnanalingam@hotmail.com

Freshman Parent Network Meeting

Thu, Apr 21, 8:30 AM, Staff Lounge

Our next meeting is with Sophomore parents who will answer questions from the audience and address issues like workload, courses, living skills, maturity, etc. We meet at 8:30 AM in the Staff Lounge (hospitality begins 30 minutes prior). You may submit questions in advance at: http://tinyurl.com/hegc3uh.

Gunn 2016 Community College Fair: It's Your Mission...Should Community College Be Your First Step?

Wed, Apr 27, 7 PM, Library

Meet representatives, learn about popular programs, and get current transfer information from Canada, College of San Mateo, DeAnza, Foothill, Mission, Skyline, and West Valley colleges. Whether you're looking to save $40-80,000 while you find an appropriate major, need to boost low high school grades, or simply take more time moving away from home, our local community colleges are highly rated in California. Like our other attendees, DeAnza (#1 large CC) and Foothill (#1 medium CC) offer honors college courses, close academic relationships, and excellent transfer rates. Knowing you have a quality back-up plan can relieve stress from those heading off to 4 year and summer courses can keep students on track to graduate on time. Parents are encouraged to accompany their students for support. Doors open at 7 PM. Questions? Contact College & Career counselor Linda Kirsch or parent Star Teachout.

Freshman Parent Meeting with Linda Kirsch

Thu, Apr 28, 7 PM, Library

Fri, May 13, 8:30 AM, Staff Lounge

Freshman parents are invited to meet Linda Kirsch, who will introduce herself and Gunn's College & Career Services. Come to either presentation: Thursday, April 28, at 7:00-8:30 PM, in the Library or Friday, May 13, at 8:30-10 AM in the Staff Lounge (hospitality begins 30 minutes prior). You may RSVP and submit questions in advance at: http://tinyurl.com/j5wctby.

Principal's Coffee with All-Grades and Parent Networks

Fri, May 6, 8 AM, Staff Lounge

Our final Principal's Coffee of the year will be on Friday, May 6 (hospitality begins at 8:15 AM; Dr. Herrmann will join us at 8:30 AM). Please RSVP here so there is enough coffee, and remember to pick up a parking pass from the office. The online Parent Feedback form remains open for anonymous comments/questions.

IN THE GUNN CONNECTION EXTRA: Spotlight

Let's Talk: For Parents of Students with Special Needs (Apr 4)...read more.

Parent Ed Event: Parent Fatigue/Stress (Apr 20)...read more.

FROM THE PREVIOUS ISSUE:

Make Your Voice Heard! Vote for 2016-2018 Site Council TODAY!

Vote by Mon, Apr 11

Each year, two of the four parent representatives serving on Site Council come up for re-election. According to Site Council bylaws, incumbent representatives can only serve two consecutive terms (four years). This year, Stacey Ashlund and Jyoti Sahdev will retire their seats. Thanks to Stacey and Jyoti for graciously offered their services to our community. We are pleased to present the following slate of parent-candidates for the 2016-2018 Site Council: Ani Gnanalingam, Swati Mittal, Jen Schultz, Kathy Veit, and Sunita Verma (read the candidates' statements here).

Please vote for TWO (2) candidates by the Monday, April 11, deadline.

Click link below to submit your ballot electronically OR paper ballots will be available in the front office. NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE A STUDENT ATTENDING GUNN THIS YEAR TO VOTE. ONLY ONE BALLOT PER HOUSEHOLD ACCEPTED. ALL BALLOTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY APRIL 11. If you have any questions about the election process or the Site Council, please call the office (650-849-7932) or email to rhart@pausd.org. Election results will be announced in next month's Gunn Connection. VOTE NOW!!! http://goo.gl/forms/BVeHMJANZT.

New to College in the USA?

Two dates added: Thu, May 5 & 12, 7 PM, Staff Lounge

The March 24 and 31 events are full. Linda Kirsch will be running another two nights of this 90-minute presentation on May 5 and 12 at 7 PM in the College & Career Center portable. If you are new to the USA college system and would like to attend, please send your name to her (lkirsch@pausd.org) with your student's name and grade.

Proposed Candidates for 2016-17 Gunn PTSA Executive Board

Election on Thu, Apr 14, 6:30 PM, Staff Lounge

The slate of candidates for the 2016-17 Gunn High School PTSA Executive Board is below. Members may nominate additional candidates from the floor before the vote at the April meeting. We encourage all Gunn PTSA members to attend the April meeting and vote in the election of next year's officers: 6:30 PM, Gunn Staff Lounge, April 14, 2016.

President...........................................

Co-President.....................................

Executive Vice President..................

VP Community Activities...................

Co-VP Community Activities.............

VP Ways & Means............................

VP Communications..........................

Secretary...........................................

Co-Secretary.....................................

Treasurer...........................................

Auditor...............................................

Historian............................................

Parliamentarian.................................

Barbara Best
Keri Wagner
Ann Xu
Liz Dong
Paul Sakuma
Annie Bedichek
Kimberly Eng Lee
Cinnamon Chu
Heather Hadlock
Colleen Petersen
[no nominee]
Rachel Owens
by appointment

Gunn Athletics

Gunn Athletic Participation Donation: Support Gunn Athletics...Make Your Donation Today!!

Do you have a Spring Athlete? Have you made your Athletic Participation Donation? You can make your donation on line at www.gunnsportsboosters.com or by check payable to Gunn Sports Boosters and give the check to your athlete's coach or mail to Gunn High School. The suggested donation amount is $200 per athlete but all donation amounts are accepted. Please include your athlete's name and sport played when donating. Your donation counts...make your donation today!! Questions contact Jill Spain at spainsdj@comcast.net.

PAUSD / PTAC

Community

Counselor-In-Training Applications

Fri, Apr 1, 6 PM, Mitchell Park Community Center

For teens ages 13 and 14, the CIT (Counselor-in-Training) program is a fun and exciting experience for teens interested in working with children. The CIT Program emphasizes leadership, community service, safety, and initiative. If your teen will be 13-14 during Summer 2016 and is interested in becoming a CIT, please have them download and complete the 2016 Counselor-in-Training Application by 6 PM on April 1, 2016. For more information, contact ashabi.idris@cityofpaloalto.org.

Let's Talk

Mon, Apr 4, 10 AM-12 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. 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. Event is free and open to anyone who feels they might benefit. No registration is necessary.

Children's Used Book Sale To Benefit Palo Alto Libraries

Sat, Apr 9, & Sun, Apr 10, 10 AM-4 PM, Cubberley Community Center (FOPAL Children's Sale Room), 4000 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto

More than 10,000 kids' books, games, puzzles, CDs, and DVDs will be on sale at incredibly low prices at Friends of the Palo Alto Library's monthly book sale -- everything from board books and picture books to school age fiction and nonfiction titles to early teen fiction. All items are lightly used or new and are sorted by age level and subject matter. Many books in foreign languages. www.fopal.org

Informational Coffee for All Students Matter

Tue, Apr 19, 10 AM

If you've wondered what All Students Matter is all about, then please join other local parents who are already volunteering with us in the classroom of K-4th grade students to learn more. We invite you for coffee and refreshments while you hear about how you can make a true difference in the life of students in east Menlo Park and East Palo Alto by volunteering for an hour a week. Please e-mail jkc_kennedy@yahoo.com to RSVP and learn of the location. www.allstudentsmatter.org

Parent Fatigue/Stress - Parent Education Event Sponsored by SELPA 1 CAC

Wed, Apr 20, 6:45-9 PM, Santa Rita Elementary School Multi, 700 Los Altos Ave, Los Altos

Having a child with learning challenges or special needs puts stress on the entire family. This stress can lead to exhaustion and burn-out and increase conflict in the family. Managing stress makes it easier to apply all the great parenting strategies you've learned and children learn better when stress is less. Come learn how to notice your body's stress response and build a list of strategies for healthy stress maintenance. Our speaker is stress expert Brandy Vanderheiden, MFT, from the CHAC Family Resource Centers. Event is free and open to anyone who feels they might benefit. No registration is necessary.

Student-Run Fundraiser

Sat, Apr 23, 6-9 PM, Unitarian Church, 505 E. Charleston Rd, Palo Alto

In need of a date night? And interested in helping a teen's charity project at the same time? Gunn Sophomore Ember Lin-Sperry is in the process of starting a nonprofit called Project Birthday Box, which provides birthday celebration kits to hospitalized children. The first fundraiser will be a Babysitting night with plenty of adult supervision, and all proceeds go to the Birthday Box project. Click this Eventbrite link to see the details of this event, and to buy tickets for your kids.

Paly Robotics Summer Camp 2016 (for middle school students, incoming 6th - incoming 9th)

Jul 18-22, Jul 25-29, Aug 1-5, The Paly Robotics Lab, Room 903, Palo Alto High School, 50 Embarcardero Rd, Palo Alto

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). We are offering 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 our website at palyrobotics.com/summercamp.

Stanford University Sleep Study

The Stanford University Department of Psychiatry is currently conducting a study to help teens (14-18) go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. The treatment involves use of a light device that is placed by the child's bedside and flashes periodically throughout the night. Teens also meet for four sessions with a licensed psychologist or doctoral therapist under the supervision of a licensed psychologist at Stanford University to learn about sleep and strategies to improve sleep. The paid study requires completing a sleep diary daily for five weeks. Please contact the Teen Sleep Study at teensleep@stanford.edu or (650) 725-7767.

Teen Classes & Volunteering at the Palo Alto Art Center

Unleash the creativity in your teen by signing up for Art Classes. The Art Center offers classes in ceramics, painting and sculpture on Monday - Saturdays. Classes are held at the Art Center (1313 Newell Rd) and the Mitchell Park Community Center (3700 Middlefield Rd). Online Registration is open now! All Art Classes are listed at website. The Art Center is currently taking applications for Counselor in Training (CIT) positions for its summer camps. Click here for more information and the application packet. Questions? Please contact Rebecca Passarello, rebecca.passarello@cityofpaloalto.org or (650) 617-3509.

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