Gunn Connection - Friday, September 9, 2016

The Gunn Counseling Department will join us at 9 AM to review the slides to be presented on September 21ST at the Parent Information Evening and answer questions. If you are unable to attend the September 21ST event, try to attend this one. We will start with coffee and chats at 8 AM, and review Parent Network plans for the year (including Grad Night!) at 8:30 AM. If you have any questions or suggestions please contact Ani_Gnanalingam@Hotmail.com or BarbaraBest@gmail.com.

WANTED: Accepting B-Period Tutor Applications in the Gunn AC!

The Academic Center is recruiting Gunn students with a B PREP to tutor freshmen-level: Algebra, Geometry, Biology 1, and Chemistry 1. Student tutors will:

1. Volunteer at least 1 hour per week (up to 3 B periods per week).

2. Earn community service hours.

3. Learn through teaching.

4. Share knowledge of subjects you know.

5. Help another student succeed in school.

Apply now in the Gunn AC!

What's Gunn Site Council?

Site Council is a valuable forum where Gunn's staff, students and parents are all present to discuss issues related to the school - it brings a unique and broad perspective which we value greatly! Meetings are almost monthly and anyone is welcome to visit. Read on about how Site Council differs from other school bodies: gunn.paloaltopta.org/gunn-site-council/

FROM THE PREVIOUS ISSUE:

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)

PAUSD & PTAC

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.

Community

El Camino Youth Symphony Orchestra Fall Auditions

Aug/Sept, Palo Alto

The El Camino Youth Symphony is inviting young, motivated musicians with at least one year of private lessons to audition for our preparatory orchestras! ECYS offers after-school music programs for all levels of ability, from our Chamber Players Orchestra for students just beginning their musical journey to the Senior Symphony, where players challenge themselves with professional-level repertoire. The orchestra program begins in the fall and runs through the spring, and groups meet weekly for rehearsal. Contact loribingham@ecys.org to learn about setting up an audition. Visit www.ecys.org for more information.

Sanskrit Classes

Classes begin Sun, Sep 11, 4 PM, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto

Samskrita Bharati Palo Alto is organizing Sanskrit Classes for children (K-7th grade) and adults for the school year 2016-17. For more information, visit: www.SBbalakendram.org

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cult Movie Series: Airplane

Thu, Sep 22, 7-9 PM, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd

Join us for a classic cult movie in the beautiful Embarcadero Room at Rinconada Library the 4th Thursday of the month. Romance! Near disaster! Unlimited silliness! We will be watching the 1980 comedy Airplane! Rated PG. Snacks will be provided.

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.

Project Safety Net Meeting

Wed, Sep 28, 4-6 PM, Rinconada Library, Embarcadero Room, 1213 Newell Rd, Palo Alto

Are you interested in reducing youth mental health stigma and supporting youth voice? Please join us at our next Project Safety Net (PSN) meeting where you will have the opportunity meet and hear from members in our community who have the same interest. At this month's meeting, PSN is honoring September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We will be featuring a Crisis Text Line that provides free crisis intervention via SMS message. You will also hear about upcoming events and trainings. RSVP here. Project Safety Net is a collaborative community network held together by a common interest of fostering youth well-being in Palo Alto. Sign-up for its newsletter.

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.

VTA Clipper Card

You don't have to pay cash or get a monthly pass to get a youth discount on the VTA 88 bus, or other buses or Caltrain, etc. Sign up for a Youth Clipper Card. Bus fares for the 88 bus for youth are 75 cents each way and $1.25 for adults. Click here or here for how.

Tween and Teen Art Classes at the Palo Alto Art Center!

Unleash the creativity in your student by signing up for one of our Teen & Tween Art Classes. We have several classes with openings for students ages 11-18. Registration is open for classes focusing on Ceramics, Drawing, Photography and Watercolor. Register here. 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 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