Gunn Connection - Friday, September 2, 2016

On Friday, September 2nd - minimum day 1:00 PM dismissal, School trippers will depart Vets Hospital at 1:08 PM (88M), 1:10 PM (88L). Regular scheduled N/B 88 will depart Vets Hospital at 1:05 PM. An additional N/B 88 trip to Middlefield/Colorado will depart Vets Hospital at 1:12 PM. Questions: Russell Anstadt, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Russell.Anstadt@vta.org, (408) 321-5694

Field Trip Driver Essential Insurance Coverage

Parents who drive for sports and other field trips must complete a special driver form and have it approved and signed by the principal BEFORE the trip. This form must be accompanied by: 1) a copy of the driver's license AND, 2) a copy of the declaration page of the driver's insurance policy showing AMOUNTS of coverage. The district requires minimum coverage of $300,000 bodily injury per occurrence and $100,000 property damage per occurrence. (Forms received often have no declaration page attached or show inadequate property damage coverage. Cost of raising coverage is minimal.) EACH driver must complete a new form each school year, which will cover all field trips for the present school year. Questions: Norma Hesterman, nhesterman@pausd.org

Order Your Farm Fresh Pies from Gizdich Ranch!

Now thru Oct 20

Order delicious Gizdich Ranch Pies before October 20th for your holiday gatherings and help raise funds for the Class of 2017 Senior Picnic, Grad Night Celebration, and scholarships for Seniors to attend those events. The pies come frozen and are made locally at Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville. Buy an extra pie and bake it for Gunn's Turkey Feast. Buy a pie and donate it to a special teacher or staff member! The pie sale is not limited to just Gunn families...ask your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to buy pies too! For the Gizdich Pie Order Form, click here. Any questions? Contact Cassandra Gencarella, mginx@sbcglobal.net. The class of 2017 thanks you!

Gunn Chinese Parents Network Back to School Picnic

Sat, Sep 10, 12 PM, Staff Lounge

Are you new to the Gunn community? Do you have lots of questions? Do you need help for translation? Please join us for back to school picnic. For more information, please contact Ann Xu at ann_xu@yahoo.com, Maria Mao at maria.mao@gmail.com, Liz Dong at lizjdong@yahoo.com, or Amanda Chi at amandachi@yahoo.com.

Gunn Senior Parent and Student Back to School Potluck

Sat, Sep 10, 6 PM, Puranik Residence

Let's kick off this year with a Back to School Potluck. Come meet and relax and share yummy delicacies over fun conversations and get to know each other better, as our kids embark on the senior year of High School. So PLEASE DO JOIN US EVEN IF IT IS FOR A SHORT TIME! Sign up for a dish and a drink! If you have any questions or suggestions please contact Ani_Gnanalingam@Hotmail.com or BarbaraBest@gmail.com.

New Families Potluck

Thu, Sep 15, 5:30-7:30 PM, Library

New Families are invited to attend the annual New Families Potluck and meet staff, SEC students, PTSA parents and representatives from the Parent Networks for an informal evening of socializing, food and fun. Please bring a favorite snack or dish to share, whether it is homemade or store bought. Dessert, coffee and tea will be provided. Childcare for children under 12 is provided free of charge. Please RSVP to gunnpotluck@gmail.com.

Gunn Fall Club Fair

Fri, Sep 16, 12:25-1:05 PM, Quad

The Gunn Fall Club Fair is 9/16 at lunch time; most clubs set up a table in the Quad so all students can ask questions or sign up. If your student wants to form any type of new club s/he should review the information on the Student Activities page under "Chartered Clubs-Basic Info". If it is a sports club, after approval by Lisa Hall (Student Activities Director) your student contacts the athletic director for field availability. Here are the deadlines:

Complete the ONLINE Club Charter Application by 09/06/16 at 4 PM.
Attend the MANDATORY Club President Meeting (09/09/16 after school in K-8).
Locate a teacher who is willing to be the club advisor.
Participate in Club Day and turn in Member Sign Up List (10 minimum) to SAC.

Gunn Sports Boosters--Did you know?

PAUSD provides stipends for our coaching staff and funds the Athletic Director position at (80%).

Gunn Athletic Department gets the sole source of money from the $200 voluntary participation contribution per student per sport. The ACTUAL cost of funding each student is higher. The money is used for league participation fees, purchasing equipment, medical supplies, transportation, and paying for officials at the games.

Over 55% of our students participate in sports at Gunn.

In order to cover the gap between funds needed and the Athletic Department Funds, we raise money through our fundraising events (such as the Donor Appreciation Wall), Booster memberships, eScrip and direct donations.

Check us out at www.gunnsportsboosters.com. Our next Boosters meeting is on Wednesday, September 21st at 6 PM in the Bow Gym PE Classroom. Questions: Pam Perez, (650) 223-9795, pep@pamperez.com

Attention Gunn MUSIC Lovers!

Please consider donating to our amazing, award-winning program (even if your student isn't a member of our Gunn music ensembles). Your much-needed funding would go toward guest conductors, musical tutors, music consultants, sheet music, new instruments, festival fees, scholarships. How can you donate? Go to www.gunnmusic.org. Click on the DONATE button at the bottom of the screen. Did you know? All six of the Gunn Ensembles received Unanimous Superior Ratings at last year's CMEA Music Festival! Questions? Contact Kat Alioshin and Kristen Lee, Gunn Music Boosters Co-Presidents (alioshin@me.com, klee@pausd.org)

FROM THE PREVIOUS ISSUE:

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.

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!

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.

Notice of Public Hearing: Sufficiency of Textbooks and Instructional Materials

Tue, Sep 13, 6:30 PM, Board Room, 25 Churchill Ave, Palo Alto

The Board of Education will receive input from the public relative to certification that students have sufficient textbooks and/or instructional materials for the 2016-2017 school year. Additional information available through Educational Services at (650) 329-3709.

A Public Forum for Candidates for the PAUSD School Board

Corrected date: THURSDAY, 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.

http://ptac.paloaltopta.org/

http://www.lwvpaloalto.org/

https://www.pausd.org/explore-pausd/board-education

Food Service Department Open Forums

PAUSD invites parents, employees, students, and community members to a series of Food Services Department Community Open Forums held throughout the 2016-17 school year. Please visit: www.pausd.org/food-service-department-open-forum.

Renaming Schools Advisory Committee (RSAC) Survey

The PAUSD School Board created a Renaming Schools Advisory Committee (RSAC) and charged this committee to explore and recommend processes for naming or renaming schools based on community input and feedback. The community consists of students, parents, alumni, former parents, community members, and PAUSD teachers and staff. With this short survey, we would like to get your initial input concerning the criteria you consider to be most important for the naming of any district school. Your input will help the RSAC understand the community's values, and alongside other data, help inform the Committee's discussions and recommendations to the Board. The survey is very short and we appreciate you taking two or three minutes to give your input by completing and submitting this seven question survey. Simply click here to begin.

PAUSD Seeks Parent Member for Board Policy Review Committee

Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) invites its parents to consider joining the Board Policy Review Committee (BPRC), a committee established to assist the PAUSD Board of Education in its thinking about District policies. The BPRC committee currently has an opening for a parent representative. Parents interested in the school district's process of developing policies should fill out the form online before the deadline of end of the business day on Wednesday, September 7, 2016. Click here for more information.

Community

Palo Alto Library -- Saturday Board Games Day

Sat, Sep 3, 10 AM-6 PM, Downtown Library, 270 Forest Ave

Attendees can bring their own games to play or jump-in with others. Please bring your own snacks and drinks to fuel an afternoon of marathon gaming in the Downtown Library program room.

Palo Alto Library -- Maker Sunday: 3Doodler Pen

Sun, Sep 4, 4:30-5:30 PM, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd

An interactive program for teens featuring different Maker related projects.

Palo Alto Library -- Knack 4 Knitting

Wednesdays starting Sep 7, 4-6 PM. Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd

This a great opportunity to share your love for knitting, meet new friends and help others with their projects. Meets every Wednesday each week. Grades 9-12 and adults. Please register for this event online.

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

Thu, Sep 8, 6-8 PM, Lucie Stern Community Center, Palo Alto

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.

Project Safety Net at the Palo Alto Community Health Fair

Sat, Sep 10, 2-4 PM, Mitchell Park Complex, Palo Alto

Come drop by the PSN table to get mental health resources

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.

PSN Collaborative Community Meeting

Wed, Sep 28, 4- 6 PM, Rinconada Library, Palo Alto

Join us at our next meeting to meet and hear from community members who are reducing youth mental health stigma and supporting youth voice. Register online.

Community Discussion on Teen Suicide

Wed, Sep 7, 6:30-8 PM, CHC, 650 Clark Way, Palo Alto

Children's Health Council (CHC) and the Findings from the CDC Preliminary Report on Teen Suicide: A Community Discussion. CHC's 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.

Palo Alto Library -- Graphic Novel Book Club

2nd Thursday of month, 7-8:30 PM, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd

Monthly book discussion on a graphic novel selected by the group! This program is for readers age 16 and up. Sep 8: "Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?", by Roz Chast.

Mindfulness for Teens - Fall 2016 Series

Saturdays, Sep 10-Oct 15, 10-11:30 AM, 1059 El Monte Ave, Ste B, Mountain View

Myndtree's "Mindfulness for Teens" 6-week series introduces our teens to the practices of mindfulness and meditation. These powerful practices have been shown to help teenagers (and adults) develop a sense of acceptance and ease with who they are and work with their daily challenges with confidence. They help bring down stress levels, while increasing self-awareness and the ability to make good decisions. Teens will participate in individual and group activities and will have a safe and supportive environment. For teens 13-19 years. Fee: $180, or $200 after 9/4. Scholarships available. Details and registration. Questions: Gayathri, gayathri@myndtree.org, or Sharon, sharonmfcc@gmail.com.

Let's Talk, A SELPA 1 Support Group

Mon, Sep 12, 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. All are welcome, participants must respect confidentiality. For more information, see www.selpa1cac.org.

Palo Alto Library -- Yoga with Surfer Mike

Tue, Sep 13, 5:30-6:30 PM, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd

Come and learn mindful meditation and yoga movement. Join us at the Rinconada Library on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, as Surfer Mike teaches techniques of mindfulness meditation and yoga movement with awareness. Michael Kintz has been teaching meditation and yoga since 1997. More information: www.yogawithMike. Sponsored by the Friends of the Palo Alto Library. For grades 9-12 and adults.

Palo Alto Library -- Teen Writing Club

1st and 3rd Thursday of month, 4-5:30 PM, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd

Share your passion for writing with other teens. Writing prompts, activities, and light snacks provided. Meets 1st & 3rd Thursday of every month. Grades 6-12. Please register for this event online.

Community Service Opportunity: Coastal Clean Up Day

Sat, Sep 17, 9 AM-noon, Baylands (Matadero or Adobe Creek)

The City of Palo Alto is hosting two clean-up sites (Matadero and Adobe creeks) to clean up litter in the Baylands. To sign up: Please go to www.cleanacreek.org (scroll down to Palo Alto) to sign up and be sure to bring your waivers. Three hours of community service will be available.

Puberty for Students with Challenges, SELPA1CAC 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 www.psf.pausd.org.

Media Rules: Healthy Connections in the Digital Age

Fri, Sep 30, 7-8:30 PM, Memorial Auditorium, 551 Serra Mall, Stanford University

Do you feel that media is all-consuming and rules your family life? Navigating technology can feel like uncharted and unprecedented territory for parents. How can we effectively manage media use when the rules of engagement seem to be constantly changing? Join us to explore how adults and kids can establish healthy connections and positive relationships in the digital age. Adults $10; students free. Details and tickets.

TAKEOVER: Teen Creativity Party

Fri Oct 7, 6 -9 PM, Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto

Teens, celebrate peace, love, and artmaking with a Teen Creativity Party, complete with live performances, hands-on art activities, raffle prizes and more! During the event, attendees will be able to check out our upcoming exhibition, The Butterfly Effect: Art in 1970s California, and see a new side of the Palo Alto Art Center. A valid high school ID is required to enter. For more information, contact Lauren Baines, Family, Teen and Outreach Programming Coordinator, lauren.baines@cityofpaloalto.org.

Love Art and Art History?

Interested in O'Keeffe, Rivera, Thiebaud, or Jacob Lawrence? Volunteer docents needed to give presentations about the lives and work of Master Artists to PAUSD elementary students. Training provided by Arts Coordinator, Sharon Ferguson. Art History background preferred but not required. Flexible hours. Volunteer docent meetings/training held at Art Education, 25F Churchill Ave. For more information contact Emily at Art Education, (650) 329-3939, emarshall@pausd.org.

Gunn Connection Publication Guidelines:

The Gunn Connection is published once a week, every Friday. Deadline is noon on Thursday, 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