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WELCOME to the 2016-17 School Year!
This is the weekly PTA eNews, which you are receiving according to information filled out by you at the time of registration. If you wish to unsubscribe, scroll down to the bottom of this email and click "SafeUnsubscribe."
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Calendar
Fri, Aug 26
Freshman Parent Network Meeting, 8 AM, Staff Lounge
Football vs. El Camino, JV 4 PM, Varsity 7 PM
Tailgate BBQ, 5 PM
Thu, Sep 1
Back to School Night, 6-8:40 PM (see Calendar for schedule) Fri, Sep 2
Mon, Sep 5
NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
Tue-Fri, Sep 6-9
Wed, Sep 7
Freshman Parents Information Night, 6:30 PM, Spangenberg
Sophomore Parents Information Night, 7:45 PM, Spangenberg
Thu, Sep 8
PTSA Meeting, 8:30 AM, Staff Lounge
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
HELP Need Grillers and Food Prep Help for Student Appreciation BBQ
Fri, Sep 9, 10 AM-2 PM
The PTSA is continuing the tradition of appreciating Gunn students by sponsoring a school-wide "Back To School BBQ" during the lunch hour on September 9th. This is free for the students, and we need our parent community to help us out with set-up, light grilling, serving, and clean up. Hope you can join us, you'll get to experience a very happy and energized student body! To volunteer please click here. Questions? Please email Keri Wagner at keriwagner@gmail.com.
Academic Center Lunchtime Monitor Needed, Alternate Thursdays
Close to 200 volunteers helped with essential tasks to get the new school year off to a smooth start. We are grateful for their service. We still need ongoing noontime assistance in the Academic Center on alternate Thursdays. (All other days are filled.) In this position you are THE adult in the room. The main tasks are to have students know of your presence, to watch over the automatic textbook check-out and return system and to monitor appropriate use of the 30 computers in the room. If no one is available the Center must be closed to disappointed students who may need to check out a text or print off an assignment. Compensation: Joy of interacting with our great students, familiarity with what goes on at Gunn, a cup of tea, and heartfelt appreciation from the students, the AC staff (Michelle and Pam) and me (nhesterman@pausd.org).
Tutors Needed NOW in the Gunn AC
The Academic Center is recruiting Gunn students to tutor their peers. Student tutors will earn community service hours, learn through teaching, and will have the gratification of knowing they're helping someone else succeed in school. Special call for AP Tutors: If you took an AP course last semester WE NEED YOU! Apply now in the Gunn AC!
Invitation to Form Gunn Persian Parent Network Group
We wish to form a Persian Parents Network group, to share information and to pursue our objectives together in a more consistent way. It would be appreciated if you provide us with your email address and phone number to arrange a gathering. Thank you! -- Farideh Bonakdar, f.bonakdar@icloud.com or (650) 720-8291.
به اميد ديدار
فريده بنكدار
How To Get A Bike License
In Palo Alto bicycle licenses are required. Bike licenses help PAPD connect recovered stolen bikes to their owners and also can help emergency responders connect a bicyclist with family after an accident if the cyclist isn't carrying ID. Gunn PTSA recently hosted PAPD bike licensing on campus. If you missed it, you can get a license at any Palo Alto Fire Station between 4:00-5:00 pm. As long as they are not out on an emergency call, someone will be available to issue a license to you. For info on Gunn commutes, go to http://gunn.pausd.org/transportation.
Check Your Student's Helmet!
Bicycle helmets should be replaced every five years, even if they appear undamaged because the rigid foam in the helmet will break down with time and won't protect your head in a collision. Helmets with cracks in the outer plastic shell should be replaced, as should helmets that are too small. (The helmet should touch the top of your student's head. To find out if it touches, put your finger in an air vent at the top of the helmet.) For tips on getting the helmet adjusted properly, see our new helmet flyer.
What Do the Sports Boosters Do?
Did you know that the Athletic participation donation for sports does not go to Boosters? It goes to help pay for referees, coaches fee, etc., to allow us to provide all the sports we offer at Gunn. We want to thank all of the parents for their support of Boosters. Here is what we have been able to provide to our athletes:
* We now have really nice sports chairs for both our team and the visiting team for BOTH gyms.
* We also have a new high tech sports score board (like in college) which we can use to generate additional money through advertising.
* You will have to come to the first football game on August 29 to see what we are so proud of and will generate a lot of school spirit.
* At our first football game we will have a concession stand, so come eat dinner and watch our Titans rule! We will also be tossing out Gunn swag at the game, so don't miss the game and all the excitement!
Gunn Teams Still Taking New Athletes
It's not too late to join a sport team! Gunn's Football, Cross Country and Girl's Water Polo teams are still looking for new athletes who are interested in joining. Joining a sport team is a great way to make new and lasting friendships, show your Gunn spirit and pride, and get some excercise in too! If you're interested in joining one of the sport teams, you can contact the team's coach or just show up at a practice and go for it!! The coaches contact information and team practice times are both listed on the Gunn website under the athletics tab. GO TITANS!!
Attention Parents of Seniors
Deadline: Oct 28
Every year, the yearbook staff sets aside a portion of the yearbook for Senior Baby Ads. These ads allow parents of seniors to honor their child and send them a supporting message. Graduation from high school is a noteworthy step in every child's life that surely makes every parent proud. As a long-standing tradition at Gunn, these Senior Baby Ads help celebrate this monumental achievement. See the attached form, and be sure to start putting this together for our October 28 deadline.
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PAUSD & PTAC
Partners in Education: Together We Strengthen Our Schools
Double your donation from now until Sep 6
PiE has launched its 2016-2017 fundraising campaign. We ask to you to join us as our kids need the support of the whole community. PiE funds go to every Palo Alto district school and give each principal the funding needed to staff many programs that make a difference for the students and families at each school location. From our classroom aides, to teachers for STEAM-focused electives, music and art, to caring counselors and mentors, PiE-funded staff make a positive impact on our kids every day. Between now and September 6, you can double your impact via the $500,000 Back-To-School Challenge Grant which matches every dollar donated to PiE. Please donate today! Click here to donate online.
A Public Forum for Candidates for the PAUSD School Board
Mon, Sep 22, 7-9 PM, PAUSD Offices, 25 Churchill Ave, Palo Alto
Be educated! The Palo Alto PTA Council and League of Women Voters have organized an opportunity for you to meet the the candidates for the PAUSD Board of Education. The Board of Education is the K-12 policy-making body for academic standards, curriculum, instructional materials, assessments and accountability. Thank you to the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto for sponsoring this forum that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League and PTAC neither supports nor opposes candidates. The Candidates Forum is organized to provide equal and non-preferential opportunities for each candidate for Palo Alto Unified School Board to make short prepared statements and to answer questions written by audience members on cards provided at the event. Volunteers help make the event run smoothly.
The entire Forum will be videotaped by Midpeninsula studios and broadcast later on community TV channels. All other recordings, visual and audio, are prohibited.
Gunn's PAUSD Board Liaison
Each year the PAUSD School Board members are assigned four or five schools with whom they will liaise for a year or two. This year, Terry Godfrey is the liaison for Addison, Gunn, Hoover and the Adult School. You can find her on campus a few times a quarter for special events, principal coffees and site council or PTA meetings. Her office hours and schedule of school visits can be found here. "I'd love to get to know staff, students and families better so that we can partner in creating the schools our students deserve. Please introduce yourself, tell me about your kids and let's make our schools a place where kids thrive. Also, you can always reach me at tgodfrey@pausd.org. Thanks! I look forward to meeting you." -- Terry Godfrey
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Community
Italian Street Painting Festival: Earn Community Service Hours & Benefit Youth Community Service!
Sat & Sun, Aug 27 & 28, 10 AM-6 PM, Tasso St, Downtown Palo Alto
As part of the annual Palo Alto Festival of the Arts, chalk artists will take to the streets to demonstrate their amazing talent and support YCS programs in our community. Students and their families can be part of the fun by volunteering to help run the event! Volunteers will be Artist Ambassadors, Set-up Team Members, assist kids in their own chalk drawing, and more! For more information or to sign up, please visit www.youthcommunityservice.org or call (650) 858-8019. Trail Closure/Tree Removal Along San Francisquito Creek
As part of the San Francisquito Creek flood control project, the Bay/San Francisquito Creek trail that runs from Geng and Embarcadero Road to the Friendship Bridge (through the Baylands Athletic Center, along the Golf Course) will soon be closed. The flood control project is scheduled to begin September 1, but the trail may be closed as early as mid-August. On the Palo Alto side of the creek, the trail is expected to be closed for the entire two-year duration of the project. Signs are being posted along the trail in advance to warn users about the upcoming closure and tree removals that are required for the construction project.
El Camino Youth Symphony Orchestra Fall Auditions
Aug/Sep, ECYS, 4055 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
Palo Alto-based El Camino Youth Symphony invites musicians ages 6-18 to audition for the 2016-17 season. Led by an internationally renowned faculty, ECYS offers six orchestras/ensembles for students at all levels of musical ability. Auditions are held in August and September. Apply online at www.ECYS.org. Call ECYS at (650) 213-7111 for more information.
Silicon Valley Boychoir Auditions
Thu & Fri, Sep 1 & 2 by appointment, First Lutheran Church, 600 Homer Ave, Palo Alto
Open to 2nd-12th grade boys. High school and middle school boys with experience may audition for upper levels. Auditions for the 2016-2017 season are held at the choir's rehearsal location near downtown Palo Alto (600 Homer Ave). SVB has four levels of choirs and provides a personalized approach to teaching singing, music theory, and sight-singing, and provides flexible scheduling for busy families. In addition to their own winter and spring concerts, SVB performs for local events including performances with West Bay Opera, Schola Cantorum of Mountain View, and at Stanford University. Email info@svboychoir.org or visit http://svboychoir.org.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
The following events are sponsored by Project Safety Net:
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (2-day training, ages 16+)
Tue & Wed, Sep 6 & 7, 3-7 PM, Mitchell Park Complex (9/6) & Cubberley Community Center (9/7), Palo Alto
Youth Mental Health First Aid USA is an 8-hour public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. RSVP here.
Question Persuade and Refer (QPR) Training
Sat, Sep 10, 2-4 PM, Palo Alto Community Health Fair, Mitchell Park Complex
Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) for suicide prevention is a FREE two-hour training available to anyone 18 years of age or older. QPR training helps you learn the signs of suicide, and what to do to help prevent this most preventable of deaths. For Thu, Sep 8, RSVP here. For Sat, Sep 10, RSVP here.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Silicon Valley Walk
Sat, Sep 17, Walk begins at 11 AM, Arena Green, San Jose
Put on your walking shoes -- on-site or virtually -- to join the Palo Alto Community and Project Safety Net for this important mental health awareness event. Your support will help change the perceptions about mental wellness, reduce mental health stigma, and promote suicide prevention. For more information, click here.
Community Discussion on Teen Suicide
Wed, Sep 7, 6:30-8 PM, CHC, 650 Clark Way, Palo Alto
CHC's (Childrens Health Council) Dr. Ramsey Khasho will present the findings of the recent CDC report and will lead an open discussion about its implications for teen mental health in Palo Alto and the neighboring communities. Additionally, Dr. Khasho will discuss the results from our 8-week McKinsey & Co. study, and how all these reports shape our Teen Mental Health Initiative. Register here.
Let's Talk: A SELPA 1 Support Group Mon, Sep 12, 7-9 PM, Orchard Community Room, Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, 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. For more information, see www.selpa1cac.org.
Puberty for Students with Challenges: A SELPA 1 CAC Coffee Talk
Wed, Sep 21, 7-9 PM, Santa Rita Elementary, 700 Los Altos Ave, Los Altos (new location!)
Dr. Jacob Towery will be discussing adolescents with challenges entering puberty, issues parents should be aware of, and common psychiatric medications and their effects on teenagers. There will be ample time for questions and answers. For more information, see www.selpa1cac.org.
PreSchool Family 70th Anniversary Celebration Sun, Sep 25, 3-5 PM, Greendell School, 4120 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto PreSchool Family is turning 70! Celebrate with classroom visits, alumni class photos, and refreshments. Alumni and Current Families welcome. Hosted by Friends of PreSchool Family. For more information, visit psf.pausd.org. Free Community Day at Gamble Garden Sun, Oct 2, 10 AM-2 PM, 1431 Waverley St, Palo Alto Gamble Garden celebrates our community with a FREE fun-filled all ages day. The day's festivities include fun children's activities, a gorgeous plant sale, horticultural resources, educational displays, garden demonstrations, food, entertainment, and of course...digging for worms! This is an opportunity for the community to spend some time at Gamble Garden, meet neighbors and enjoy some activities and hospitality. Please register at https://www.gamblegarden.org/event/community-day-oct/.
Classroom Volunteers Needed - An Hour a Week Could Change a Student's Life If you've enjoyed spending time in your child's classroom, please join other parents volunteering in east Menlo Park or East Palo Alto schools where there are virtually no parent volunteers. You'll help tutor kids in grades K-4. Over 80% of students are performing below grade level in reading and math. Work once a week in the same classroom for about an hour, building relationships with students. All Students Matter provides training and coordinates everything. We start in mid-September. You can make a real difference! To learn more or sign up, visit www.allstudentsmatter.org or contact Keri Tully at keritully@gmail.com.
Financial Aid for Students Have or know a college-bound student? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA will now open Oct 1, 2016, for the 2017-2018 school year for anyone seeking financial assistance. FAFSA offers grants, work-study funds and low-interest federal student loans. The program includes information on state funds that may be available to pay for a child's higher education. More info at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/.
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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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