Calendar:

December 2:  Restaurant Night at Armadillo Willy’s

December 16:  Site Council Meeting, 3:30 PM

December 18:  Minimum Day, 1:25 Dismissal for ALL students

December 19 – January 3:  No School

January 4:  School Reopens

January 6:  Ice Skating Party at Winter Lodge, 5:30 PM

Palo Verde and PTA Announcements:

Book Fair Success!

Thank you to all the Palo Verde families who came to our Book Fair. This is a long-standing Palo Verde tradition and one we enjoy doing with Kepler’s. Kepler is a wonderful bookstore that is a community-based business that deserves our commitment and patronage. Through the book fair, the teachers now have some great new books in their classrooms and our library will soon have new additions, as well.

As a school community, we also need to thank the volunteers who organized this event. Alison Cormack and Gail Foelsch lead the charge, working closely with Kepler’s throughout the event and organizing the additional volunteers who worked shifts during the fair. Please join me in thanking Alison and Gail as well as the others who helped: Angie Rodriguez, Katharine Saunders, Shubha Ranga, Tracy Stewart, Joan Kusak, Irena Smith, Fidelia Wang, Lori Harrenstien, Joanna Schloss, Pat Hanley, Padmini Krishnan, Karen Wang, Diane Jakubowski, Mala Nayak, Heather Schultz, Jeanette Brisnan, Sophia Gu. Evelyn Guernsey

Family Giving Tree

Once again, Palo Verde is a proud host of The Family Giving Tree.  Please visit the office and select a gift tag.  All gifts must be returned to Palo Verde by Friday, December 11, 2009.  Please do not wrap your gift, just bring it in a bag with the tag securely attached to the bag or the gift.  Also, a new tooth brush would be greatly appreciated.  This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to select a gift for a child who is less fortunate.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Chris in the office (856-1672).

Palo Verde Kids Club

The Palo Verde Kids’ Club is an on-site child care program provided by Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC).  The program includes snacks, quiet homework time, craft activities, games, outdoor activities and special events. There is currently space available for all five days.  Part day schedules also available. Placement is given on a first come first served basis for both permanent and drop-in care. Hours are 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

For more information:  Raqiyyah Ikram, Director or Kari Taylor, Director, (650) 852-9475 or pvkc@paccc.com

Save The Date!

Palo Verde’s Annual Ice Skating Party
Wednesday, January 6, 2010, 5:30-7:30 PM, Winter Lodge Ice Rink

Sign Up Forms Will be sent home early December.  Volunteers needed to work the the front ticket desk,
pizza, and bake sale tables!
To volunteer, please call Lori Harrenstien, 856-3237 or iceturtles (at) gmail dot com

PAUSD Announcements:

Parent-Ed: Children’s Friendships: How Parents Can Help

Wednesday, December 2, 7 PM, Multipurpose Room, Hoover Elementary

A discussion with noted local expert, Dr. Louise Singleton.  This PTA Parent Ed program is free and open to all parents of PAUSD children in Young Fives or K-5th grade.  Dr. Singleton will discuss why friendships are important for elementary school children, how friendships change as children get older, and some ways to help children communicate and get along better with their peers.  Topics include shyness, bullying, assertiveness, and strategies to teach positive social skills.  They’ll discuss ways parents can help improve children’s peer relationships.  Questions and discussion are encouraged.

Building Blocks to Student Success
Tuesday, December 8,  6-8 PM, Boys and Girls Club, 2031 Pulgas Ave, East Palo Alto
The Parent Network for Students of Color and Hispanic Community (PNSCHC) with PTA Council and PAUSD invite you to join other Palo Alto Unified School District parents prepared to share what is or isn’t working for your child. Use this informal session to learn great strategies for raising highly successful children.  Childcare and light dinner will be provided.  You are welcome to bring a dish to share if you like.
Venga a reunirse con otros padres del Districto Escolar de Palo Alto (PAUSD) quienes participaran en lo que esta o no esta trabajando para sus niños.  Use esta sesión informal para a prender buenas estategias para cultivar niños exitosos.  Tendremos Guarderia.  Se serbira una cena ligera, pueden traed algo de comer si desean.
Info: Hilda Espinoza, 813-9556 (Español), Kim Bomar, 323-7845 (English), http://www.bigtent.com/groups/parentnet

Community Announcements:

French Afterschool Classes at Barron Park School

Come and play, read and write in French.  Second quarter starts Monday, November 30 – there is still time to register.

Non French Speakers:  K – 2nd Grade:  Tuesdays, 3:20 – 4:40 PM, 3rd – 5th Grade:  Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:40 PM, $20/hour; tuition is asked every quater.

Info:  efba.us or Judith Rapoport, judith.rapoport (at) gmail dot com

Palo Alto Art Center Holiday Family Day

Sunday,  December 6, 2-4 PM, Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road

An afternoon of free art activities for families with children ages 5 and up.  Make gifts, ornaments, cards, and more!  Activities will be led by artists and volunteers from the community and will be accompanied by live Mariachi music!  This free program is made possible by the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, www.paacf.org

Stanford Email Newsletter, Stanford For You

As a service to the community, Stanford recently launched a free monthly email newsletter, Stanford For You, about upcoming events on campus,  including information about concerts, sports, lectures, parenting and health resources, art exhibits and more.  All of these events are open to the public, and many of them are free.  To subscribe: http://4you.stanford.edu.  You can see the November newsletter at http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs061/1102638954456/archive/1102794696379.html.

Calendar:

November 25 – 27:  No School
December 2:  Restaurant Night at Armadillo Willy’s

Palo Verde and PTA Announcements:

Save The Date: Annual Ice Skating Party

Mark Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010 on your calendars for our Palo Verde Winter Lodge Skating Party! Strap on those skates and glide into the new year skating under the stars and holiday lights at Winter Lodge from 5:30-7:30pm. More details and sign-ups will be available after the Thanksgiving Break. 

The Family Giving Tree

Once again, Palo Verde is a proud host of The Family Giving Tree.  Please visit the office and select a gift tag.  All gifts must be returned to Palo Verde by Friday, December 11, 2009.  Please do not wrap your gift, just bring it in a bag with the tag securely attached to the bag or the gift.  Also, a new tooth brush would be greatly appreciated.  This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to select a gift for a child who is less fortunate. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Chris in the office (856-1672). Thank you for your continued support.

Palo Verde Kids’ Club Has Openings

The Palo Verde Kids’ Club is an on-site child care program provided by Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC). The program includes snacks, quiet homework time, craft activities, games, outdoor activities and special events. There is currently space available for all five days.  Part day schedules also available. Placement is given on a first come first served basis for both permanent and drop-in care. Hours are 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

For more information contact:
Raqiyyah Ikram, Director
Kari Taylor, Director
3450 Louis Road
(650) 852-9475
pvkc (at) paccc dot com

News from the Library – New Library Website

Did you know there is a new Palo Verde Library website?  It’s linked through the Palo Verde site (go to http://www.palo-verde.pausd.org/ then  click on ” Our Staff” and scroll down until you see my name – Laura Losier) but you can also get there directly at http://staff.pausd.org/~llosier/Palo_Verde/Welcome.html Here you will find useful links to the Palo Alto Public Library, Kidalog (Book Recommendations), Palo Verde Book Blog, the online catalog and district databases, booklists, and more.  I hope you and you child will find it very useful.

Library Volunteers Needed

The library is looking for more volunteers.  Please contact our school librarian, Laura Losier, if you are interested would like to help:

Mondays:   9-10 AM to help with book check-in and shelving
Thursdays:   10:30-11 AM Room 1 kinders need an adult to come assist with checkout
TBA:  Book Repair Person

Gently Used Children’s Magazines Requested

Do you have children’s magazines at home that you no longer want but are still in excellent condition? The library is interested in copies of the following magazines: Sports Illustrated for Kids, American Girl, Boys’ Life, Dog Fancy, Nickelodeon, National Geographic Kids, Young Rider, Kids Discover, Muse, Ask, Dig, or Zoobooks.  I know the students at Palo Verde would enjoy reading these.

Thank You,
Laura Losier, Palo Verde Librarian

PAUSD Announcements:

Everyday Math: Building Basic Facts Fluency (Grades K-5)
Monday, November 23, 7-9 PM, Palo Verde School, 3450 Louis Road, Palo Alto
A Parent Information Night on Everyday Math.  Spanish interpreting will be available.
Questions?  Linda, 329-3709

For the Community Kiosk click here.

City of Palo Alto Announcements:

Palo Alto Art Center’s Children’s Fine Arts Program Late Fall Classes
The Palo Alto Art Center’s Children’s Fine Arts Program has a few late fall classes starting soon.  In “Secret Saturdays Workshop”, kids 7-12 years old will make the gifts, decorations and cards kids need for holiday fun–a Palo Alto holiday tradition.  Classes start Saturday 11/21 at the Art Center.  For preschoolers, “Active Arts for Parents and Tots” provides excellent preschool art experiences for little ones aged 18 months to 5 years. Classes start Wednesday 11/18 at Mitchell Park Center.  Info and to register: see the Enjoy! Catalog found at any City of Palo Alto facility or by calling the Palo Alto Art Center, 329-2366 and online: http://enjoyonline.cityofpaloalto.org

Community Announcements:

Willy Wonka at Cañada College
November 13-22, Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM & 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, Cañada College Mainstage Theater 4200 Farm Hill Road, Redwood City
The Bay Area Educational Theater Company presents the Bay Area premier of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.  Join the fantastic fun as Willy Wonka, The Candy Man, and the Oompa Loompas lead Charlie and his friends on a delicious, candy-filled adventure.  Based on the Roald Dahl book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Special flying effects by ZFX.
Info and to order tickets, www.bayareaetc.org or call 802-8423
Flyer: palylink.paloaltopta.org/enews/willywonka.pdf

Parents Place Winter Workshops
200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto
Parents Place is offering workshops of interest to elementary and middle school parents in their Winter 2010 Quarter. Winter Quarter 2010 workshops include: Empowering Your Daughter to Look Confidently at Herself, Her World, Her Future (for mothers of girls in middle school), $90 for 3/sessions, Bridging the Digital Divide: A Cyberspace Workshop for Parents and Teens (ages 11 up), $35/person, $50/family of 2 or more, For Dads Only – The Joys and Challenges of Fatherhood (all ages), $35, and Setting Limits- Raising Responsible Children Through Choices and Consequences (grades 2 – 8) , $35
Info / Registration: www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org.

Stanford Email Newsletter, Stanford For You
As a service to the community, Stanford recently launched a free monthly email newsletter, Stanford For You, about upcoming events on campus,  including information about concerts, sports, lectures, parenting and health resources, art exhibits and more.  All of these events are open to the public, and many of them are free.  To subscribe: http://4you.stanford.edu.  You can see the November newsletter at http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs061/1102638954456/archive/1102794696379.html.

Stanford Study Seeks Mothers and Daughters
Stanford Psychology Department’s Mood and Anxiety Disorders Laboratory is currently conducting a study of mothers who have suffered from depression in the past and their 9-15 year old daughters to better understand how they think and process information.  The long term goal of the study is to better improve treatments for emotional disorders.  The study involves visiting Stanford University a few times to participate in interviews, game-like computer tasks and fill out questionnaires.  Most girls also have a brain scan and take home a picture of their brain as a souvenir.  $40/hour for 3-10 hours over up to three visits.
Info: Jessica Gallagher, 736-2318, jgallagh (at) stanford dot edu, mood.stanford.edu

Dear Palo Verde Family and Friends,

Once again, Palo Verde is a proud host of The Family Giving Tree.  Please visit the office and select a gift tag.  All gifts must be returned to Palo Verde by Friday, December 11, 2009.  Please do not wrap your gift, just bring it in a bag with the tag securely attached to the bag or the gift.  Also, a new tooth brush would be greatly appreciated.  This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to select a gift for a child who is less fortunate.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Chris in the office (856-1672). Thank you for your continued support.

Wednesday Book Fair Events!

• 8 AM – 12 PM:  Book Fair Open
• 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM:  PTA Coffee and Parent’s Book Talk with the Kepler’s Staff (book club books, new titles for adults, etc.)
• 1 PM – 4 PM:  Book Fair Open
• 5 PM – 8 PM:  Book Fair Open
  • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM:  5th Grade Fundraising Dinner
  • 6 PM:  Mr. Garcia’s Story Hour
  • 7 PM:  Miss Laura’s Story Hour

Wednesday Night Dinner!

What:  Pizza Dinner — Pizza,salad,drink and dessert for $7.00 or Individual slices for $2.00

When:  Wednesday, November 18,  5:30-7:30 PM

Where: Palo Verde MP Room

Why:  5TH Grade Fundraiser!

 

Calendar:

November 17 – 20: Annual Book Fair with Kepler’s

November 18:  PTA Coffee and Kepler’s Book Talk, 8:15 – 9:15 AM

November 18:  Site Council Meeting, 3:30 PM

November 25 – 27:  No School

December 2:  Restaurant Night at Armadillo Willy’s

Palo Verde and PTA Announcements:

PiE NEWS:  THE CHALLENGE GRANT IS HERE!

Your PiE donation will be DOUBLED between Nov. 2nd and Nov. 20th, through a generous $250,000 matching grant provided by the PiE Board and Advisory Council.

Take advantage of this opportunity to stretch your dollars and retain critical school programs and staff funded by PiE!  Suggested donation is $650 per child, although we welcome any contribution that is meaningful for your family.  All schools will sponsor “Donation Days” events during the last week of the Challenge Grant, Nov. 16th-Nov. 20th.  Meet your PiE representatives, ask your burning PiE questions, and make your tax-deductible donation count…twice!  Online donations welcome: http://www.papie.org/donPers.shtml

5 Reasons to Visit the Book Fair:

1. Teachers will have wish lists for books so you can purchase one as a gift for your child’s classroom
2. A Kepler’s staff person will always be available to answer questions and help you find a great book
3. The money raised from the book fair will be used for our Palo Verde library
4. It’s a great place to get gifts!
5. It’s fun!

What is the Book Fair?

This is a fabulous event when Kepler’s sets up a store just for us in the Palo Verde multi-purpose room, bringing tons of books just right for our elementary students and some for their siblings and parents as well.

How do I pay for things?

We take cash, checks, and credit cards

More questions?

Email Gail Foelsch at foelschg (at) hotmail dot com or Alison Cormack at acormack (at) sbcglobal dot net

To sign up to help click here.

Book Fair Events:

Tuesday, November 17

• 8 AM – 12 PM:  Book Fair Open!
• 1 PM – 4 PM:  Book Fair Open!
• All classes will come to the Book Fair during the day to hear the Kepler’s Staff talk about age appropriate books for each grade level.  Parents are welcome too!

Wednesday, November 18

• 8 AM – 12 PM:  Book Fair Open
• 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM:  PTA Coffee and Parent’s Book Talk with the Kepler’s Staff (book club books, new titles for adults, etc.)
• 1 PM – 4 PM:  Book Fair Open
• 5 PM – 8 PM:  Book Fair Open
  • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM:  5^th Grade Fundraising Dinner
  • 6 PM:  Mr. Garcia’s Story Hour
  • 7 PM:  Miss Laura’s Story Hour

Thursday, November 19

• 8 AM – 10 AM:  Book Fair Open
• 2 PM – 4 PM:  Book Fair Open

Friday, November 20

• 8 AM – 10 AM:  Book Fair Open
• 10 AM – 1 PM:  Pack up books

Wednesday Night Dinner at Palo Verde!

Where: Palo Verde, MP Room

What: Pizza Dinner — Pizza,salad,drink and dessert for $7.00 or Individual slices for $2.00

Why: 5TH Grade Fundraiser!

When: Wednesday, November 18,  5:30-7:30 PM

Who: Anyone and everyone!

News from the Library

New Library Website

Did you know there is a new Palo Verde Library website?  It’s linked through the Palo Verde site (go to http://www.palo-verde.pausd.org/ then  click on ” Our Staff” and scroll down until you see my name – Laura Losier) but you can also get there directly at http://staff.pausd.org/~llosier/Palo_Verde/Welcome.html Here you will find useful links to the Palo Alto Public Library, Kidalog (Book Recommendations), Palo Verde Book Blog, the online catalog and district databases, booklists, and more.  I hope you and you child will find it very useful.

Thanks Kepler’s!

On October 29, 2009 Kepler’s Books treated the 2nd – 5th grades to a visit from Marissa Moss (author), Carl Angel (illustrator), and Maggie Gee.  (Pat Hanley made a surprise visit too!)  Our guests were promoting their new book called Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee. This inspiring story is about Maggie Gee, one of two Chinese American women to fly as part of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during the height of WWII.  This year President Obama presented her with the Congressional Medal of Honor for her service.

Award-winning author Marissa Moss has published over 50 books including the famous Amelia’s Notebooks series (www.marissamoss.com).   Carl Angel’s website is also very interesting (www.carlqangel.com).  I enjoyed looking at his beautiful sketchbook to see the various stages of his artwork.  You might also like to watch one of Maggie’s interviews on YouTube.  (Go to the Library website and then look under Blog.)

Marissa, Maggie, and Carl all worked hard to achieve their dreams.  They never gave up, despite the many obstacles and rejections they faced. (It took Marissa ten years to convince a publisher that this book was worth publishing!)

Volunteers Needed

The library is looking for more volunteers.  Please contact me if you are interested.

Mondays:   9-10 AM to help with book check-in and shelving

Thursdays:   10:30-11 AM Room 1 kinders need an adult to come assist with checkout

TBA:  Book Repair Person

Gently Used Children’s Magazines Requested

Do you have children’s magazines at home that you no longer want but are still in excellent condition?  The library is interested in copies of the following magazines: Sports Illustrated for Kids, American Girl, Boys’ Life, Dog Fancy, Nickelodeon, National Geographic Kids, Young Rider, Kids Discover, Muse, Ask, Dig, or Zoobooks.    I know the students at Palo Verde would enjoy reading these.

I hope to see you at the Book Fair.

Laura Losier, Palo Verde Librarian

PAUSD Announcements:

PiE NEWS: CHALLENGE GRANT- WEEK 2!

Remember that all PiE donations made between Nov. 2nd and Nov. 20th are DOUBLED through our generous $250,000 matching grant provided by the PiE Board and Advisory Council.  Don’t wait another day–donate today to retain our valuable PiE programs next year!  http://www.papie.org/donPers.shtml

Everyday Math: Building Basic Facts Fluency (Grades K-5)

Monday, November 23, 7-9 PM, Palo Verde School, 3450 Louis Road, Palo Alto

A Parent Information Night on Everyday Math.  Spanish interpreting will be available.

Questions?  Linda, 329-3709

For the Community Kiosk click here.

City of Palo Alto Announcements

Palo Alto Library Commission Openings

Applications due Friday, November 20

The Palo Alto Library Commission is looking for three volunteers to serve in unexpired terms.  The Commission meets once a month and is responsible for advising the City Council on a variety of matters including reviewing budgets, receiving community input, commenting on fund raising efforts, and more.  If you wish to apply to serve on this committee contact the City of Palo Alto City Clerks Office at 329-2267 or Ronna.Gonsalves (at) cityofpaloalto dot org.  More information can be found at www.cityofpaloalto.org.

Community Announcements:

PACO Sinfonia Concert

Sunday, November 15, 3 PM,  Cubberley Theater, 4000 Middlefield, Palo Alto

Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra’s Sinfonia will perform their first concert of the 2009-2010 season ounder the direction of PACO music director Benjamin Simon. This challenging program includes movements of four primary pieces and a variety of masterpieces of the chamber music repertoire performed by small ensembles comprised of Sinfonia members.  $10 for general admission and $5 for seniors and students.

Info: http://www.pacomusic.org, 856-3848.

Willy Wonka at Cañada College

November 13-22, Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM & 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, Cañada College Mainstage Theater 4200 Farm Hill Road, Redwood City

The Bay Area Educational Theater Company presents the Bay Area premier of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.  Join the fantastic fun as Willy Wonka, The Candy Man, and the Oompa Loompas lead Charlie and his friends on a delicious, candy-filled adventure.  Based on the Roald Dahl book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Special flying effects by ZFX

Info and to order tickets, www.bayareaetc.org or call 802-8423

Flyer: palylink.paloaltopta.org/enews/willywonka.pdf

Menlo Park Library and Kepler’s Books Present Barbara Kingsolver

Wednesday, November 18, 7 PM, Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Rd., Atherton.

In The Lacuna, her first novel in nine years, Barbara Kingsolver, the bestselling author of The Poisonwood Bible and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, takes us on an epic journey from the Mexico City of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to the America of Pearl Harbor, FDR, and J. Edgar Hoover. The Lacuna is a poignant story of a man pulled between two nations as they invent their modern identities.

Parents Place Winter Workshops

200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto

Parents Place is offering workshops of interest to elementary and middle school parents in their Winter 2010 Quarter. Winter Quarter 2010 workshops include: Empowering Your Daughter to Look Confidently at Herself, Her World, Her Future (for mothers of girls in middle school), $90 for 3/sessions, Bridging the Digital Divide: A Cyberspace Workshop for Parents and Teens (ages 11 up), $35/person, $50/family of 2 or more, For Dads Only – The Joys and Challenges of Fatherhood (all ages), $35, and Setting Limits- Raising Responsible Children Through Choices and Consequences (grades 2 – 8) , $35

Info / Registration: www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org.

Stanford Email Newsletter, Stanford For You

As a service to the community, Stanford recently launched a free monthly email newsletter, Stanford For You, about upcoming events on campus,  including information about concerts, sports, lectures, parenting and health resources, art exhibits and more.  All of these events are open to the public, and many of them are free.  To subscribe: http://4you.stanford.edu.  You can see the November newsletter at http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs061/1102638954456/archive/1102794696379.html.

Stanford Study Seeks Mothers and Daughters

Stanford Psychology Department’s Mood and Anxiety Disorders Laboratory is currently conducting a study of mothers who have suffered from depression in the past and their 9-15 year old daughters to better understand how they think and process information.  The long term goal of the study is to better improve treatments for emotional disorders.  The study involves visiting Stanford University a few times to participate in interviews, game-like computer tasks and fill out questionnaires.  Most girls also have a brain scan and take home a picture of their brain as a souvenir.  $40/hour for 3-10 hours over up to three visits.

Info: Jessica Gallagher, 736-2318, jgallagh (at) stanford dot edu, mood.stanford.edu

The Kepler’s Book Fair is Coming!

5 Reasons to Visit the Book Fair:

1. Teachers will have wish lists for books so you can purchase one as a gift for your child’s classroom
2. A Kepler’s staff person will always be available to answer questions and help you find a great book
3. The money raised from the book fair will be used for our Palo Verde library
4. It’s a great place to get gifts!
5. It’s fun!

What is the Book Fair?

This is a fabulous event when Kepler’s sets up a store just for us in the Palo Verde multi-purpose room, bringing tons of books just right for our elementary students and some for their siblings and parents as well.

How do I pay for things?

We take cash, checks, and credit cards

More questions or to Volunteer a Shift at the Book Fair

Email Gail Foelsch at foelschg (at) hotmail dot com or Alison Cormack at acormack (at) sbcglobal dot net or go directly to the sign up page at:  http://www.jooners.com/guest?t=help&p=none&l=-517e749b:124a3221ece:-3a1f

Book Fair Events:

Tuesday, November 17

• 8 AM – 12 PM:  Book Fair Open!
• 1 PM – 4 PM:  Book Fair Open!
• All classes will come to the Book Fair during the day to hear the Kepler’s Staff talk about age appropriate books for each grade level.  Parents are welcome too!

Wednesday, November 18

• 8 AM – 12 PM:  Book Fair Open
• 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM:  PTA Coffee and Parent’s Book Talk with the Kepler’s Staff (book club books, new titles for adults, etc.)
• 1 PM – 4 PM:  Book Fair Open
• 5 PM – 8 PM:  Book Fair Open
  • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM:  5^th Grade Fundraising Dinner
  • 6 PM:  Mr. Garcia’s Story Hour
  • 7 PM:  Miss Laura’s Story Hour

Thursday, November 19

• 8 AM – 10 AM:  Book Fair Open
• 2 PM – 4 PM:  Book Fair Open

Friday, November 20

• 8 AM – 10 AM:  Book Fair Open
• 10 AM – 1 PM:  Book Fair Clean-Up

Wednesday Night Dinner!

Why:  5TH Grade Fundraiser!

When:  Wednesday, November 18,  5:30-7:30 PM

Where: Palo Verde MP Room

What:  Pizza Dinner — Pizza,salad,drink and dessert for $7.00 or Individual slices for $2.00

Calendar:

November 11: NO SCHOOL
November 17 – 20: Annual Book Fair with Kepler’s
November 18: PTA Coffee and Kepler’s Book Talk, 8:15 – 9:15 AM
December 2:  Restaurant Night at Armadillo Willy’s

From the desk of Lupe Garcia:

Dear Palo Verde Parents and Community,

We are definitely into our school routines and students, parents, and teachers are working to ensure we maximize the results of our collective efforts.  Parent/Teacher conferences have already begun and continue through the rest of November. Teachers spend countless hours reviewing your child’s work in order to complete the progress report card and to prepare for the conference with you.  Do drop by your child’s classroom to get informed about what your child is doing in his/her class.

Here are some of the things to expect at your parent-teacher conference:

• The teacher will review your child’s strengths and areas for continuing development.
• Samples of your child’s work and the results of various assessments will be shared.
• The teacher will refer to the report card and will indicate your child’s progress toward meeting the standards that we expect students to know and be able to achieve by the end of the school year.  Is s/he making expected progress?  Is s/he making limited progress? If so, is there a need to put increased attention on a particular skill or concept? Has s/he already met or exceeded the standard?
• Conference topics will include academic growth and performance, as well as study skills and social/emotional development.
• The teacher may suggest ways in which you can assist and support your child’s progress at home.
• The teacher will give you an opportunity to ask questions and share reflections about your child’s growth and achievement.   

It is our common goal, as parents and teachers, to work together in the best interest of all our children. 

I want to express my personal gratitude for your thoughtful, kind and generous support, all of which directly benefits our children.  As such, the PiE Fundraising drive that will benefit our school next year is currently taking place.  For those of you who have already donated to PiE this year, I say Thank You.  If you haven’t donated yet, you can double your donation from now through November 20th, thanks to a Challenge Grant made possible by the PiE Board and Advisory Council members.

As you might know, your PiE donations from last year are allowing us to offer Spectra Art lessons and instructional aides in every classroom and some classroom support through the Palo Alto Junior Museum.  Thank you in advance for any and all donations, which will make it possible for us to maintain the level of support we currently offer our students at Palo Verde.

Again, we are most grateful for your active and supportive role in helping Palo Verde School provide a strong educational foundation for all our children.

Warmest regards,
Lupe Garcia

Palo Verde and PTA Announcements:

PIE News: The Challenge Grant is Here!

Your PiE donation will be DOUBLED between November 2nd and November 20th, through a generous $250,000 matching grant provided by the PiE Board and Advisory Council. Take advantage of this opportunity to stretch your dollars and retain critical school programs and staff funded by PiE! Suggested donation is $650 per child, although we welcome any contribution that is meaningful for your family. All schools will sponsor “Donation Days” events during the last week of the Challenge Grant, Nov. 16th-Nov. 20th. Meet your PiE representatives, ask your burning PiE questions, and make your tax-deductible donation count…twice! Online donations welcome: http://www.papie.org/donPers.shtml

The PTA NEEDs You!

Our Palo Verde parents contribute thousands of volunteer hours to benefit our school. In many cases, the PTA helps coordinate the efforts of behind the scenes volunteers who help keep our school running happily. We still have several open positions that need generous parents to volunteer to fill.

Some jobs are smaller and easier than others. Some jobs can be completed almost entirely at home or in the evenings. Some jobs give you an extra opportunity to interact with students. Some jobs involve a year long commitment, some last only one day. Some jobs will give you a stronger understanding of how the school or even the district function. Any time and energy you choose to give can be valuable.

If you are interested in any of the following positions, please contact me. If you know you would love to help more but aren’t sure what could be a good fit, I’ll be very happy to help you find a role that both you and Palo Verde will find gratifying. Thank you very much! -Heather Schultz, PTA, VP of Social Events, at (650) 424-8380 or hschultz (at) @hotmail dot com

ONCE/TWICE PER MONTH or LESS
PTA Parent Coffee Hour Coordinator
Noon Games Coordinator
EScrip Fundraising Coordinator
Lost and Found Organizer
Lice Check Records Keeper
School Board Representative

PTA BOARD POSITIONS and COMMITTEE CHAIRS
International Fair Co-chairs
Parliamentarian
VP of Fundraising

Five Reasons to Visit the Book Fair:

1. Teachers will have wish lists for books so you can purchase one as a gift for your child’s classroom
2. A Kepler’s staff person will always be available to answer questions and help you find a great book
3. The money raised from the book fair will be used for our Palo Verde library
4. It’s a great place to get gifts!
5. It’s fun!
What is the Book Fair? This is a fabulous event when Kepler’s sets up a store just for us in the Palo Verde multi-purpose room, bringing tons of books just right for our elementary students and some for their siblings and parents as well.
How do I pay for things? We take cash, checks, and credit cards
More questions? Email Gail Foelsch at foelschg (at) hotmail dot com or Alison Cormack at acormack (at) sbcglobal dot net
To sign up to help go to http://tinyurl.com/ylojode
(or http://www.jooners.com/guest?t=help&p=none&l=-517e749b:124a3221ece:-3a1f)

Two Easy Ways to Raise Funds for Palo Verde

eScrip is the fastest and easiest way for you to give funds to our schools. All you need to do is register your credit card(s) and store cards (like your Safeway Club card) and every time you make a purchase a percentage will be given back to Palo Verde. In past years the PTA has earned as much as $12,000 this way! If you are not already a member, please visit www.escrip.com and today to start contributing to our school when you shop online and around town. It’s safe, easy, powerful and FREE!

Another way to donate to the school without any cost to you is if you start your online shopping trips at OneCause. When you use OneCause you will contribute as much as 20% of every eligible purchase to Palo Verde PTA, at no extra cost to you. Hundreds of well-known merchants such as Amazon.com, Apple iTunes, Lands’ End, Pottery Barn and Travelocity participate. If you are not already registered, please take time to register at www.escrip.com and/or www.onecause.com today.

Palo Verde Auction

Mark the date of Saturday March 13, 2010 on your calendars for the Palo Verde Silent Auction. Your chance to support your school and bid for some fabulous items. This year we have a new venue and enchanting theme, and will also offer a babysitting service…more details to follow! In the meantime if you’d like to be part of the team organizing this year’s event please get in touch with Sheri Tye (sherilyn.tye (at) stanfordalumni dot org or (510) 219-0969) or Jackie Cook (Jackie.cook (at) live dot com or (650) 391-9258), your auction chairs. We need help in lots of different areas…see below:

Donations:

 Can you help contact merchants for donations? We need people in the next few weeks to follow up a letter we have already sent out. We’ll provide you with all the details you need to follow up. Maximum two hours work at times that suit you.
 Do you own your own business or have a favorite business you use often? Can you solicit a donation directly from them? Please just let us know who it is and we can provide you with a letter and tax details (remember all donations are tax deductible).  Lastly do you have a special skill you could turn into an auction item (e.g. photography, cookery, sewing, fitness instruction, etc), or own something that you can donate (holiday homes, plane rides, season passes to sports venues, etc), or do you just love organizing parties? These donations are great fun to bid on and take part in. Please start thinking now about what you could pull together and contact us if you need help.

Organizing the event:
 Let us know if you’re interested in helping nearer the time on the event itself. We’ll need people to help promote and advertise the event, sell tickets, coordinate babysitting, decorate and set up the venue.  Thanks for your support and we look forward to hearing from you! Jackie & Sheri

Listen to Town Hall with Board Members Barb Mitchell and Dana Tom

If you missed PTA Council’s October 26 Town Hall with Board Members Barb Mitchell and Dana Tom, you can listen to the recorded session on the Web or over the phone. See instructions at http://info.paloaltopta.org/parent_ed.shtml#community.

PAUSD Announcements:

EVERYDAY MATH
Building Basic Facts Fluency (Grades K-5) Monday, November 23, 7-9 PM, Palo Verde School, 3450 Louis Road, Palo Alto A Parent Information Night on Everyday Math. Spanish interpreting will be available. Questions? Linda at 329-3709

RAINY DAY COMMUTES
Even if it is predicted to rain, families can still choose safe, environmentally friendly transportation alternatives. Remember that forecasted rain in the Bay Area usually lasts only for a short while, leaving school commute times sunny and dry. If the weather is clear in the morning, students can set out on foot or on bikes. If the weather is particularly bad in the afternoon, parents still can opt to pick up then.

Gear Up for Rain!
Rainy day walks to school are a fun adventure and a good learning experience for young children. On your way, point out how the world changes in the rain. Enjoy the sounds, smells and sights that come with these natural changes. Gear up to enjoy a little puddle jumping on the way. Dressing children in brightly colored umbrellas, boots, ponchos and/or raincoats insures they will be comfortable and safely visible in inclement weather.

Safety Tips for Slick Streets
Teach your child to be more cautious and alert than usual. Drivers are often frustrated and in a hurry because of the extra congestion that comes with rain. Also, since wet streets are slick, young children should be taught that it takes vehicles longer to stop. Learning and practicing these fundamental rainy day street skills now prepares children to navigate streets safely when they become more independent. When you drive on rainy days, please allow yourself extra time so you can reduce your speed to avoid slipping. All road users should be vigilant in these conditions.

Set Up a Rainy Day Carpool
If you can’t walk or bike, consider carpooling to help reduce overcrowding in the school parking lot and surrounding street systems. Talk with the families you see on your walking or bicycling school route. Make an arrangement in advance and have the phone numbers of rainy day carpool partners ready so it is easy to find someone to share a ride when the clouds burst. Let’s each do our part to reduce congestion and support safe, environmentally friendly school commutes. Thanks for your support! Penny Ellson PTA Council Traffic Safety Committee

Community Information…

Volunteer Track Watch
A volunteer track watch group which has been organized to deter suicides. You can help by signing up for a short shift watching the tracks. The effectiveness of a presence at a site that is a suicide hot spot has been researched and documented. Prevention by deterrence at a hot spot is likely to not only stop a suicide there, but may also prevent the suicide altogether. Volunteers must be over the age of 21. Volunteers monitor the tracks by sitting or standing on the sidewalk with a cell phone to call the police. They do not attempt to take anyone from the tracks. For current information or to sign up for a shift, email hopepaloalto@gmail.com or visit paloaltotrackwatch.weebly.com. Please indicate that you are a parent interested in participating.

American Girl Doll Fashion Show and Tea Benefit for Packard Hospital
Fri, Nov. 13, 4pm and 7pm, Sat. Nov. 14, 10:30am, 1:30pm and 4:30pm, The Los Altos Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road, Los Altos Tickets are now available for the American Girl Doll Fashion Show and Tea, a wonderful way to spend quality time with your daughter. The event supports the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital. Info: http://www.paloaltoauxiliary.com

Dine For Kids
Thursday, November 12 Dine For Kids is an annual community event that raises funds to provide quality child care to low-income families. Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC) families, supporters and the community at large will dine out at participating restaurants, enjoy some delicious food and share a wonderful evening. Participating restaurants will then donate 10 – 25% of their evening’s proceeds to PACCC. All funds raised by Dine For Kids directly support the 150-plus children currently enrolled in the PACCC Child Development Subsidy Program. Please check the PACCC website (www.paccc.com) for updates on participating restaurants and sponsors. Also included in the event is an on-line auction that runs Nov. 5-16 and is located at http://paccc.cmarket.com. Flyer: palylink.paloaltopta.org/enews/dineforkids.pdf

PACO Sinfonia Concert
Sunday, November 15, 3pm, Cubberley Theater, 4000 Middlefield, Palo Alto Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra’s Sinfonia will perform their first concert of the 2009-2010 season under the direction of PACO music director Benjamin Simon. This challenging program includes movements of four primary pieces and a variety of masterpieces of the chamber music repertoire performed by small ensembles comprised of Sinfonia members. $10 for general admission and $5 for seniors and students. Info: http://www.pacomusic.org, 856-3848.

Parent Ed Program:
Movement to Motivate Wednesday, November 18, 7-9 PM, Covington Elementary School Multi Purpose Room 205 Covington Road, Los Altos Come hear how you can use movement to enhance academic and physical learning as well as self esteem. Learn some practical strategies that you can put into practice immediately. Programs presented include Brain Gym, Pilates for Kids, and Dance in the Classroom. Speakers include Teresa Maldonado Marchok MPT, a Physical Therapist and mom of a special needs child, Ehud Krauss, founder of IndepenDANCE — applying the benefits of dance education to academic improvement — and Rose Nolen, a third grade teacher integrating movement into her curriculum for the last 15 years. Event geared for parents and teachers. Sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC (www.selpa1cac.org)

Menlo Park Library and Kepler’s Books Present Barbara Kingsolver
Wednesday, November 18, 7 PM, Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. In The Lacuna, her first novel in nine years, Barbara Kingsolver, the bestselling author of The Poisonwood Bible and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, takes us on an epic journey from the Mexico City of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to the America of Pearl Harbor, FDR, and J. Edgar Hoover. The Lacuna is a poignant story of a man pulled between two nations as they invent their modern identities. For the Community Kiosk click here.

City of Palo Alto Announcements:

Palo Alto Library Commission Openings
Applications due Friday, November 20 The Palo Alto Library Commission is looking for three volunteers to serve in unexpired terms. The Commission meets once a month and is responsible for advising the City Council on a variety of matters including reviewing budgets, receiving community input, commenting on fund raising efforts, and more. If you wish to apply to serve on this committee contact the City of Palo Alto City Clerks Office at 329-2267 or Ronna.Gonsalves (at) cityofpaloalto dot org. More information can be found at www.cityofpaloalto.org.

PiE NEWS: THE CHALLENGE GRANT IS HERE!

Your PiE donation will be DOUBLED between November 2nd and November 20th, through a generous $250,000 matching grant provided by the PiE Board and Advisory Council.  Take advantage of this opportunity to stretch your dollars and retain critical school programs and staff funded by PiE!  Suggested donation is $650 per child, although we welcome any contribution that is meaningful for your family.  All schools will sponsor “Donation Days” events during the last week of the Challenge Grant, Nov. 16th-Nov. 20th.  Meet your PiE representatives, ask your burning PiE questions, and make your tax-deductible donation count…twice!  Online donations welcome: http://www.papie.org/donPers.shtml

Calendar:

November 11:  NO SCHOOL

November 17 – 20: Annual Book Fair with Kepler’s

November 18:  PTA Coffee and Kepler’s Book Talk, 8:15 – 9:15 AM

Palo Verde and PTA Announcements:

Got Books?

Donate your books to our reading and English language program and help Palo Verde’s young readers.  Natalie Bivas would like your gently used picture books, early/easy readers, and easy chapter books for the students learning to read.  If you have books your children have outgrown (new books welcome too), please drop them off at the office or in room 10.

Save the Date – Palo Verde Book Fair

The annual book fair is coming in November, just in time for the holidays. This is a fabulous event when Kepler’s sets up a store just for us in the Palo Verde multi-purpose room, bringing tons of books just right for our elementary students and some for their siblings and parents as well.  As you might expect, it is a fundraiser for the PTA and provides books for our super library and our new librarian.  The prices you pay are the same as in the store, and the convenience just can’t be beat.  So, mark your calendars for November 17 to 20. Please e-mail Gail Foelsch at foelschg (at) hotmail dot com or Alison Cormack at acormack (at) sbcglobal dot net if you can help with set-up, clean-up or work a two-hour shift at the cash register.

P.S.  Working is fun because you get to talk with the Kepler’s staff, and they always have wonderful recommendations!

Palo Verde Green Team

The Palo Verde Green Team, is looking for parent-volunteers this year to join the team and help with upcoming projects and meetings. Come join the team and see how Palo Verde’s 4th and 5th graders are taking the lead in making our campus and our community GREENER.

All meetings are held on Thursdays at lunch (12:00 PM) in room 18, unless otherwise noted:

November 20th ( Friday)

December 10th

PAUSD Announcements:

Partners in Education Offers Middle School Tours

Fifth-grade parents are invited to visit the district’s middle schools in a private tour offered by Partners in Education (PiE). Adults only, space is limited, advanced reservations are required. Please e-mail PiE at info@papie.org with your name and the one school you’d like to visit.   All tours will last about 2 hours and start about 8:30 AM.

Tour Dates: JLS – November 4, Jordan – October 27 and Terman – October 28 or November 6 (choose one).

Screening: Speaking in Tongues

Tuesday, November 3, 7-8:30 PM, Spangenberg Theatre, Gunn High

Speaking in Tongues explores the provocative notion that being bilingual can be a national asset.  Taking us beyond rote arguments and stereotypes, this intimate film witnesses the joys and challenges of four diverse children on their journey to become global citizens.  Enter their world and ask, today, is knowing one language enough?  Free screening of 2009’s San Francisco International Film Festival Audience Award winner.  Sponsored by: PAUSD, SIPAPA (Spanish Immersion Parents Association of Palo Alto) and Menlo Park Spanish Immersion Parents.  Trailer: www.speakingintonguesfilm.info.

Dine For Kids

Thursday, November 12

Dine For Kids is an annual community event that raises funds to provide quality child care to low-income families. Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC) families, supporters and the community at large will dine out at participating restaurants, enjoy some delicious food and share a wonderful evening. Participating restaurants will then donate 10 – 25% of their evening’s proceeds to PACCC. All funds raised by Dine For Kids directly support the 150-plus children currently enrolled in the PACCC Child Development Subsidy Program.  Please check the PACCC website (www.paccc.com) for updates on participating restaurants and sponsors.  Also included in the event is an on-line auction that runs Nov. 5-16 and is located at http://paccc.cmarket.com.

Flyer: palylink.paloaltopta.org/enews/dineforkids.pdf

Volunteer Docents Needed

O¹Keeffe, Rivera, Thiebaud, Lawrence – Interested?  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, at Art Education, 25 Churchill, Portable C.  Art History background preferred.  For more information contact Emily at Art Education 329-3939, emarshall (at) pausd dot org.

For the Community Kiosk click here.

City of Palo Alto Announcements:

Day of the Dead Celebration

Sunday, November 1, 12-5 PM, Stern complex/Rinconada area

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos in conjunction with the Art Center’s exhibition, “Treasures from the Mexican Museum: A Spirited Legacy.” Activities will be a four venues:

• Palo Alto Art Center: art making and traditional music and dance performances co-sponsored by Raices de México starting at noon.
• Children’s Library: storytelling with Olga Loya at 1:30 and 2:30 PM.
• Main Library: teen workshop decorating sugar skulls at 3 PM.
• Junior Museum and Zoo: contribute to an altar commemorating extinct animals or in memory of your own special animal friend starting at 1 PM.

Participants in Children’s Theatre’s Night of the Living Dead will guide visitors between venues throughout the day—a festive and spooky procession for kids of all ages.  Food will be available for purchase at the Palo Alto Art Center and at Palo Alto Children’s Library.

Info: www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/lib/news/details.asp?NewsID=1318&TargetID=266

Palo Alto Library Commission Openings

Applications due Friday, November 20

The Palo Alto Library Commission is looking for three volunteers to serve in unexpired terms.  The Commission meets once a month and is responsible for advising the City Council on a variety of matters including reviewing budgets, receiving community input, commenting on fund raising efforts, and more.  If you wish to apply to serve on this committee contact the City of Palo Alto City Clerks Office at 329-2267 or Ronna.Gonsalves (at) cityofpaloalto dot org.  More information can be found at www.cityofpaloalto.org.

Community Announcements:

Dia de los Muertos and Full Moon Hike

Monday, November 2, 5-8 PM, Pearson-Arastradero Preserve

Join Acterra Stewardship staff for Dia de los Muertos activities and enjoy a rare opportunity to explore the sights, sounds and smells of the Pearson Arastradero preserve after dark. Meet at 5 at the Gateway facility, enjoy burritos, Mexican hot chocolate, decorate cookie skulls, make tissue paper marigolds, and learn about the human history of the preserve. At 6pm, join one of several hikes of varied length and venture out and learn first hand about the natural history of the preserve.  Cost $10.  Recommended for kids 8 and up.   Hike to be postponed with heavy or steady rain, call our rain-out line at 962-9876 ext. 347 on that day. To registert: www.acterra.org/stewardship

Menlo Park Library and Kepler’s Books Present Barbara Kingsolver

Wednesday, November 18, 7 PM, Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Rd., Atherton.

In The Lacuna, her first novel in nine years, Barbara Kingsolver, the bestselling author of The Poisonwood Bible and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, takes us on an epic journey from the Mexico City of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to the America of Pearl Harbor, FDR, and J. Edgar Hoover. The Lacuna is a poignant story of a man pulled between two nations as they invent their modern identities.

Calendar:

Wednesday, October 28:  General PTA Meeting, 8:20 AM

Wednesday, October 28:  Sally Foster Orders Due

Wednesday, October 28:  Restaurant Night at Fresh Choice

Friday, October 30:  Halloween Parade & PTA Coffee, 10:30 AM
November 17 – 20: Annual Book Fair with Kepler’s

Palo Verde and PTA Announcements:

Walk & Roll Wrap-Up

The Walk & Roll on October 7 had a great turnout. The foot power won,  69% of students walked & rolled to school and 31% of students came to school by gas power.

Other days the average is 54% foot power to 46% gas power. You can see the big difference in numbers. When we focus on the task ahead the positive numbers go up and negative go down.

Our hopes for this school year are:

a) to stay focused on being healthier and gentler to our environment by using more foot power

b) to try to get closer to 69% of foot powered students on any given school day

Congratulations to all the raffle winners! Don’t forget to put your prizes to some good use soon.  The raffle prizes came from Cardinal Bike Shop in Palo Alto. Thank you for your support.

A big thank you to all parents, students, and school staff, who participated in Walk & Roll.

Safety reminder: Always wear your helmet when riding and rolling! It is the law for children under 18.

Way2Go Palo Verde!

George and Silvie Pierce

PTA Traffic/Bike Safety Reps

Got Books?

Donate your books to our reading and English language program and help Palo Verde’s young readers.  Natalie Bivas would like your gently used picture books, early/easy readers, and easy chapter books for the students learning to read.  If you have books your children have outgrown (new books welcome too), please drop them off at the office or in room 10.

Save the Date – Palo Verde Book Fair

The annual book fair is coming in November, just in time for the holidays. This is a fabulous event when Kepler’s sets up a store just for us in the Palo Verde multi-purpose room, bringing tons of books just right for our elementary students and some for their siblings and parents as well.  As you might expect, it is a fundraiser for the PTA and provides books for our super library and our new librarian.  The prices you pay are the same as in the store, and the convenience just can’t be beat.  So, mark your calendars for November 17 to 20. Please e-mail Gail Foelsch at foelschg (at) hotmail dot com or Alison Cormack at acormack (at) sbcglobal dot net if you can help with set-up, clean-up or work a two-hour shift at the cash register.

P.S.  Working is fun because you get to talk with the Kepler’s staff, and they always have wonderful recommendations!

Palo Verde Green Team

The Palo Verde Green Team, chaired by 5th grade teacher Jennifer Aza is soliciting help from our school community and parents this yearto join the team and help with upcoming projects and meetings.  The Green Team meetings will be (all dates are a Thursday at lunch unless otherwise noted):

October 22nd

November 5th

November 20th (a Friday–5th graders have their State Fair the day before and lunch time will be very precious to them)

December 10th

Sally Foster/Cookie Dough Fundaiser Orders Due!

Please take some time to look through the catalogs sent home last week and share them with family, friends and co-workers. We strongly recommend online ordering this year. It is fast, easy and your order gets delivered to your home. It also makes it easy for out-of-town friends and family to participate. If you do want to order by paper form, please return the order form and money to school by October 28.

Our school earns up to 50% profit on all purchases, making it a very important fundraiser for our school.  As always, students should sell only to people they or their parents/guardians know. Remember:  Never approach strangers.

PAUSD Announcements

Fairmeadow Elementary School’s 16th Annual Harvest Fair

Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, Fairmeadow, 500 E. Meadow Dr., Palo Alto

The 16th annual Fairmeadow Elementary School Harvest Fair features an array of family fun activities, a scrumptious barbeque cooked by seven award-winning chefs from Facebook’s CaféX, and a bone-rattling new graveyard attraction in the ever-shape-shifting, always hair-raising Scaremeadow Haunted House.   The Harvest Fair and Facebook Chef Barbeque is on Saturday, October 24, 12-4 PM.  The Scaremeadow Haunted House is open on Friday, October 23 6-10 PM and during the Harvest Fair on Saturday, October 24 12-4 PM and then later that night from 6-10 PM.

School Board Town Hall Meeting:

Ever wondered. . . ?  Now you can ask in person (or by email (TownHall (at) paloaltopta dot org)) at the PTAC’s first ever School Board Town Hall meeting and see what School Board members Dana Tom and Barb Mitchell have to say.  The PTAC Town Hall series gives you a very different kind of access to our school board members – one where you can ask whatever is on your mind, easily, informally and anonymously if you wish.

Monday, October 26, 7-8:30 PM, PAUSD Boardroom, 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto.

Join as Moderator PTA Council President Terry Godfrey asks School Board members Barb Mitchell and Dana Tom audience questions about education matters that matter before election day.  Can’t leave home?  Watch live over the internet; plug in your speakers or headphones and go to  https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/intercalldemo/join?id=TQ3K44&role=attend&pw=InterCall to download Microsoft Office Live (free) and view.  Questions can be emailed in before to TownHall (at) paloaltopta dot org or posed during the meeting live or via InterCall’s “Q&A” tab.

This event is open to the entire community and hosted by the Palo Alto Council of PTAs.

Flyer: palylink.paloaltopta.org/enews/townhall.pdf

Partners in Education Offers Middle School Tours

Fifth-grade parents are invited to visit the district’s middle schools in a private tour offered by Partners in Education (PiE). Adults only, space is limited, advanced reservations are required. Please e-mail PiE at info@papie.org with your name and the one school you’d like to visit.   All tours will last about 2 hours and start about 8:30 AM.

Tour Dates: JLS – November 4, Jordan – October 27 and Terman – October 28 or November 6 (choose one).

Screening: Speaking in Tongues

Tuesday, November 3, 7-8:30 PM, Spangenberg Theatre, Gunn High

Speaking in Tongues explores the provocative notion that being bilingual can be a national asset.  Taking us beyond rote arguments and stereotypes, this intimate film witnesses the joys and challenges of four diverse children on their journey to become global citizens.  Enter their world and ask, today, is knowing one language enough?  Free screening of 2009’s San Francisco International Film Festival Audience Award winner.  Sponsored by: PAUSD, SIPAPA (Spanish Immersion Parents Association of Palo Alto) and Menlo Park Spanish Immersion Parents.  Trailer: www.speakingintonguesfilm.info.

Dine For Kids

Thursday, November 12

Dine For Kids is an annual community event that raises funds to provide quality child care to low-income families. Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC) families, supporters and the community at large will dine out at participating restaurants, enjoy some delicious food and share a wonderful evening. Participating restaurants will then donate 10 – 25% of their evening’s proceeds to PACCC. All funds raised by Dine For Kids directly support the 150-plus children currently enrolled in the PACCC Child Development Subsidy Program.  Please check the PACCC website (www.paccc.com) for updates on participating restaurants and sponsors.  Also included in the event is an on-line auction that runs Nov. 5-16 and is located at http://paccc.cmarket.com.

Flyer: palylink.paloaltopta.org/enews/dineforkids.pdf

Volunteer Docents Needed

O¹Keeffe, Rivera, Thiebaud, Lawrence – Interested?  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, at Art Education, 25 Churchill, Portable C.  Art History background preferred.  For more information contact Emily at Art Education 329-3939, emarshall@pausd.org.

For the Community Kiosk click here.

City of Palo Alto Announcements

Day of the Dead Celebration

Sunday, November 1, 12-5 PM, Stern complex/Rinconada area

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with a full afternoon of storytelling, dancing, and food.  Participants in Children’s Theatre’s Night of the Living Dead will guide visitors between venues throughout the day–a festive and spooky procession for kids of all ages.  Food will be available for purchase at the Art Center and at the Children’s Library.   Presented by the Palo Alto Library, Art Center, Jr. Museum and Children’s Theatre.  Details: www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/lib/news/details.asp?NewsID=1318&TargetID=266

Community Announcements:

Emergency Prepareness Fair

Saturday, October 24, 10 AM-1 PM, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3865 Middlefield, Palo Alto

Come to this free, informative Emergency Preparedness Fair to educate yourself on home storage, evacuation planning, water storage, first aid and many other aspects of preparedness. The Red Cross, Fire Department and PANDA associations will all be at the fair with demonstrations and important information. You’ll feel good leaving the fair knowing how to keep your family safe.

 

Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra 44th Season First Concert

Saturday, October 24, 8 PM, Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Hall on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto

The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra will perform their first concert of the 2009-2010 season, featuring the founder and first violinist of Quartet San Francisco, Jeremy Cohen.  PACO will present the world premiere of Cohen’s new jazz violin concerto, with Respighi’s lovely Ancient Airs and Dances and the dark, powerful Chamber Symphony based on Shostakovich’s famous String Quartet No. 8.  Also on the program will be chamber music featuring the young musicians of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra.  $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 students.

Info: 856-3848, www.pacomusic.org

 

Museum of American Heritage: Bill Lane Remembers Sunset

Monday,  October 26, 6:30 PM, MOAH,  351 Homer, Palo Alto

The Lane family molded the character of Sunset Magazine and the Western lifestyle from the Depression era until nearly the end of the 20th century.  Hear Bill Lane’s insider perspective on the changes, influences and personalities that created the uniquely Western institution that shaped the life and daily activities of generations of Westerners.  Free for Members/$5 for Non-members. Info: 321-1004, www.moah.org

Menlo Park Library and Kepler’s Books Present Barbara Kingsolver

Wednesday, November 18, 7 PM, Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Rd., Atherton.

In The Lacuna, her first novel in nine years, Barbara Kingsolver, the bestselling author of The Poisonwood Bible and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, takes us on an epic journey from the Mexico City of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to the America of Pearl Harbor, FDR, and J. Edgar Hoover. The Lacuna is a poignant story of a man pulled between two nations as they invent their modern identities.