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.

Calendar:

Wednesday, October 21:  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:

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!

Sally Foster®/Cookie Dough Fundraiser

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.

A View of Youth Stress: Warning Signs and Strategies for Coping and Dealing with Stress from the Experts

Wednesday, October 21, 6:30pm, Cubberley Auditorium, 4000 Middlefield, Palo Alto
The Palo Alto Council of PTAs will host a program on middle- and high-school stress, removing the pressure to be perfect and opening up about depression in conjunction with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and Adolescent Counseling Services. The panel will include Frances Wren, MD and Shashank Joshi, MD from Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Philippe Rey, Psy.D, Adolescent Counseling Services; and a Student Panel of middle and high school students. Resource fair 6:30pm, panel discussion and Q&A 7-8:30pm.
Flyer: http://info.paloaltopta.org/docs/091021StressForumFlyer.pdf
Info: PTA Web site: www.paloaltopta.org.

Santa Clara County H1N1 Flu Update:  October 1, 2009

As you may know, pandemic influenza (flu) is a world-wide outbreak caused by a new flu virus.  Because this H1N1 virus is a new flu strain and people have little or no immunity and it has spread world-wide, it has been declared a pandemic. At this time the virus seems to be no more severe than what is normally experienced with seasonal flu. But even if this virus does not become more severe, it will infect larger numbers of people, more than we typically see with seasonal flu.

On September 29, the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency in response to the pandemic H1N1 virus. The declaration supports the Public Health Department’s response to pandemic H1N1 flu in our community, it makes it possible to redirect and gather additional resources to protect the health of Santa Clara County residents.  The Board’s action included allocating $500,000 in funds for flu emergency response efforts.

October is the beginning of the flu season and flu strains are circulating in our community – both seasonal flu strains and the pandemic H1N1 flu. The symptoms of seasonal flu and pandemic H1N1 flu are similar. Symptoms include fever plus other symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Many people with the pandemic H1N1 flu, especially children, also have diarrhea and vomiting. It is important to

remember most people who get sick with the pandemic H1N1 flu will get better without any medical attention and will recover at home.

Currently, human cases of flu have been increasing in the United States, including more than 2,000 reported cases of pandemic H1N1 in California. As of October 1st, there have been 159 hospitalized cases and 9 deaths attributed to H1N1 in Santa Clara County. The majority of these patients had underlying medical conditions.

Response and Planning

The overall response to the upcoming flu season will be challenging for the entire community. There will be particular challenges for the Public Health Department, hospitals and clinics, and the medical community. The Public Health Department, working with the entire Health & Hospital System and other partners, has organized the work at-hand into three major areas:

1. Surveillance, epidemiology and laboratory testing.

The Public Health Department continues to receive and monitor reports of pandemic H1N1 infections, especially in populations at highest risk.  The Public Health Department staff continues to investigate outbreaks and clusters of reported flu infections in settings where people gather together, all across our community.

2. Medical Intervention & Vaccination.

H1N1 vaccine manufactures will eventually produce enough vaccine to meet the nation’s need. But at first, vaccine supplies will be limited. The Public Health Department is working with the local medical community on the distribution of the H1N1 vaccine to local medical providers.

The department will also run several targeted vaccination clinics for people who do not have access to a medical provider and are at-risk for illness or serious illness.

The federal government has set priorities for those at highest risk for illness or for serious complications from H1N1:

• Pregnant women;
• People who live with or provide care for infants under 6 months;
• Healthcare and emergency medical services workers;
• Children and young adults between the ages of 6 months to 24 years of age; and
• People from 25 – 64 years old who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

3. Risk Communication and Community Information.

Good information and clear messages will be critical in preparing the public for the potential impact of pandemic H1N1 flu. Because pandemic H1N1 is striking our school-age population, staff is working with school districts and has recently launched a H1N1 student awareness and education campaign. While this age group is a focus of these educational efforts, other information and tools will be made available for the parents of all school-age children and the Santa Clara County community at-large.

The emphasis of early communication activities will include information about preparing for this potential public health emergency, and how important it is that each and every one of us do all that we can to limit the spread of this disease – at work and at home.

What You Can Do

It is important to remember that most or the people who have been sick with pandemic H1N1 flu, have been taken care of at home and have fully recovered without any special medical attention.

If you do get the flu or have flu-like symptoms, it is important to stay home until you no longer have fever for at least 24 hours (after you stopped taking medication). The exception is people working in the healthcare setting, for them the period of time to stay home will be for 7 days from the time symptoms began, or until 24 hours after symptoms have stopped, whichever is longer.

Because so many people may become sick with this new flu virus, each individual and family should prepare and have they supplies they may need. As we saw during in the spring, pandemic influenza can have an affect on everyday life. Schools may have to be closed again, business may experience high absenteeism, and there may be spot shortages of supplies. Have a plan for yourself and your family in case any of these things happen. By preparing now, you can help protect yourself and your family later. Go to www.sccphd.org and look for the Home Care Guide for the information you need to prepare at home.

It will be important to stay informed. Information about prevention and control actions will be shared in a number of ways. Visit the Public Health Department’s web site at www.sccphd.org and by the CDC at www.pandemicflu.gov for the latest. On the Public Health Department site you can now subscribe to the e-newsletter which will send new information about H1N1 and other Public Health Department activities as it becomes available.

H1N1:  When to Call the Doctor

You may be wondering why the pandemic H1N1 “flu” is getting so much attention. A pandemic flu is a new flu virus that spreads easily from person-to-person, and causes illness worldwide.  Since it’s new, people have no or little immunity – or protection – against it.

What’s also different is this new flu is affecting large numbers of young people between the ages of 5 and 24 years old. It’s important to know that most young, healthy people will recover at home without any special medical attention.

What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Exposed to H1N1

• If you feel fine and have no symptoms you do not need to call or see a doctor, and you don’t need to miss school or work.
• Watch for flu-like symptoms. Monitor yourself for a fever over 100 ºF plus a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue.

What to Do If You Are Sick with Flu-Like Symptoms

• If you’re sick, stay home and keep away from other healthy people. If you have a fever plus another symptom stay home. Stay home until you no longer have a fever for at least 24 hours – without taking any fever medications.
• Get plenty of rest and make sure to drink lots of water and other healthy clear liquids.
• Treat fevers and aches with over-the-counter flu medicines. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

When to Call or Go to a Doctor

• You have an underlying medical condition.
• Your symptoms get worse.
• You have trouble breathing.
• You get dehydrated from vomiting and/or diarrhea.

When to Go to the Emergency Department

• Go to the emergency department if you have any of the following symptoms:
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing
• Continued vomiting
• Seizures
• Confusion

To Help Prevent the Spread of Flu

• Get your flu vaccines. If you haven’t gotten your seasonal flu vaccine – get it now.  Once the H1N1 vaccine is available, get that too.
• Keep up good health habits. Wash your hands and cover your cough.
• Stay informed. Get the latest updates by visiting our website at www.sccphd.org and becoming a fan of our page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sccpublichealth or on MySpace at www.myspace.com/sccpublichealth

PAUSD Announcements:

Measure A Neighborhood Meetings

Wednesday, October 21, 6:30-8 PM, Staff Lounge, Gunn High

The Palo Alto Unified School District will hold a Gunn High School Neighborhood Meeting to present an update on the Group 1 projects of Measure A: Classroom Buildings A & B, an New Gymnasium, Portable Relocation Plans, and the Interim Parking and Drop-Off plan.  The presentation will be given by Deems Lewis McKinley Architecture.

Thursday, October 22, 6:30-8 PM, Library Paly High

The Palo Alto Unified School District will hold a Palo Alto High School Neighborhood Meeting to present an update on the Measure A Group 1 projects: Math and Social Studies Building, Media Arts Building, Bleacher Replacement, and the Portable Relocation Plans.  The presentation will be given by Deems Lewis McKinley Architecture, who will also discuss the exterior concept design of the new buildings. .

Learn About the Connections Program at JLS Middle School

Thursday, October 22,  6:30-7:30 PM,  Ohlone MP Room

Are you a 5th grader or the parent of a 5th grader?  Come find out if JLS Connections is right for you at this informational meeting.  Open to all interested parents and current fifth grade children (please do bring your fifth grader).  The JLS Connections Program is open to all PAUSD 2010 Incoming 6th graders.  Connections is a learning community of students, teachers, and parents where hearts and minds are inspired through challenging, innovative, and relevant teaching practices, including project-based and hands-on learning, differentiated instruction, and leadership development.  Application to the program is through lottery, with applications due in March.

Info: Connections website:  www.jlsconnections.org or  Jen Hetterly, hetterly (at) sbcglobal dot net or Becky Epstein Epstein (at) meer dot net.

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 (at) papie dot 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).

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. http://paloaltopta.org/community_kiosk/kiosk_2009-10-16.pdf

Community Announcements:

Electrostatics and Electromagnetism

Sundays, October. 11, 18, 25 & November 1, 1-3 PM, (4 sessions) MOAH 351 Homer, Palo Alto

At this Museum of American Heritage Workshop, the students learn about static electricity, going back to the days of the Greek scientists and tribo-electricity (creating electricity by rubbing, e.g., cat’s fur on amber), and progressing to Michael Faraday’s monumental discoveries. Then, students discover magnetism and induction. Content includes the history of magnetism and explores modern theories and applications that underlie electric power generation and magnetic material physics. Class projects include the construction of an electromagnetically charged (no battery required) flashlight.  Ages 10 and up

Fee: $65 members/$75 non-members.  Instructor: Jim Wall  Info or to register: 321-1004 or www.moah.org/education

Parent Ed Program: I Think My Child Needs Help – Now What Do I Do?

Wednesday, October 21, 7-9 PM, Covington Elementary School Multi, 205 Covington Road, Los Altos

A presentation for Special Ed. parents just getting started. The first hour will be a panel presentation by a developmental psychologist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, and a speech pathologist who will cover how they assist families who are seeking initial help. Dr. Steve Newton, a Los Altos-based developmental psychologist will discuss private testing and evaluation as well as psychological therapies. During the second hour, the floor will be open for questions and concerns. Sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC (www.selpa1cac.org)

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

Calendar:

October 2-28: Sally Foster®/Cookie Dough Fundraiser
Wednesday, October 28:  Restaurant Night at Fresh Choice
November 17 through 20: Annual Book Fair with Kepler’s

From the PTA President….

The school year is well underway. And as our kids get more comfortable with their new classrooms, teachers and classmates, our lives get busier and busier. I would just like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to become members of the PTA. We have forms available in the office. Parents can join and so can grandparents. It’s open to anyone who may have a special interest in the well-being of your child.

With your membership and the funds raised through your annual dues and contributions toward classroom supplies and the library, we are able to provide a better experience for our children while at school. With the help of the PTA, teaches are able to purchase supplemental classroom necessities, such as reading materials, pencils, crayons and markers. We are able to purchase playground equipment and support activities such as Noon Art and Noon Games, which keep our kids entertained and active during recess and lunch. We also are able to support the Walking Club, Writing Club, Science and the Science Fair, which promote healthy minds and bodies.

We appreciate your continued support and hope, if you haven’t already, become a member of the Palo Verde PTA.

Harvest Fair Thank Yous

The Annual Palo Verde Harvest Fair was a huge success. Thank you to all the students, staff, families, parents and friends who gathered on campus to enjoy the games and goodies. I also want to thank all the volunteers (parents, students and staff, alike) who helped behind and in front of the scenes. Without them, the Harvest Fair could not happen. And a special thank you to Katharine Saunders who continues to orchestrate this event year after year.

Sincerely,
Kim Amsbaugh
PTA President

Palo Verde  and PTA Announcements:

Sunday Fun Day at the Harvest Fair

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this year’s Harvest Fair a big success!  Every year it’s wonderful to see the families of Palo Verde come together to enjoy themselves, and it would never have been possible without help from parents, teachers, family, staff and students who worked together to make it happen.

Special thanks go to Mala Nayak and Maria Zajac, who organized the bake sale and to all of the parent volunteers who donated their time manning booths and cleaning up, as well as donating amazing and delicious baked goods.  Because of your generosity, we raised enough money at the bake sale to cover our costs completely.  Thank you to Girl Scout Troop 60684 for handing out the prizes.  Thank you also to the generous folks, including many Palo Verde students, who stepped up to help out at the last minute, and to the fifth graders who ran after balls, strung beads, set up pins and got very wet in the name of family fun.

Big thanks go to two local businesses who continue to support the Harvest Fair year after year:  Palo Alto Bowl, who let us use their popular bowling game, and Rick’s Rather Rich Ice Cream, who donated half the cost of the icecream certificates.  Please consider showing your appreciation by patronizing these generous supporters of our school.

It took a lot of work from so many people to put on the Fair and I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by such generosity and enthusiasm.   

Thank you!
Katharine Saunders

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 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!

Sally Foster®/Cookie Dough Fundraiser

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^th.

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. Never approach strangers.

EPGY Available to Palo Verde Students

Enroll now for 2009-2010 School Year! The Stanford Educational Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY) is a web-based math and language arts tutorial program.  Although originally developed with gifted students in mind, Stanford has found that EPGY is valuable to students at all levels.   EPGY starts at the K-2 level and continues with course offerings through secondary school, including AP and college level, thus providing a runway that parallels potential academic trajectory in school.

EPGY is being offered to ALL STUDENTS as a parent-supported, extracurricular opportunity, in conjunction with Palo Verde PTA and PAUSD.  Cost is $135 PER SCHOOL YEAR. On your own, the cost would be around $165 PER MONTH.  Depending on the level of interest at Palo Verde, we can work together to design an EPGY club and/or work with the school and child care providers to find opportunities for extracurricular computer time. 

To ask questions or indicate interest in EPGY, please call Pak Panitchpakdi, Palo Verde EPGY Coordinator, at 650-424-6409 or send email to pakpanitchpakdi (at) hotmail dot com. Please include the following information in your email when you express interest: Your child’s or children’s names and grades, parent/guardian names and your phone number/e-mail. Please visit our Yahoo Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/paloverdeepgy/. To subscribe to our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/PaloVerdeEPGY.

To register for the program, go to the EPGY District Open Enrollment page at http://epgy.stanford.edu/district/signup.html. Fill out the registration form and select “Palo Alto” for the district then write or type in “Palo Verde”. It takes ten days or less to get accounts up and running.

A View of Youth Stress: Warning Signs and Strategies for Coping and Dealing with Stress from the Experts

Wednesday, October 21, 6:30pm, Cubberley Auditorium, 4000 Middlefield, Palo Alto
The Palo Alto Council of PTAs will host a program on middle- and high-school stress, removing the pressure to be perfect and opening up about depression in conjunction with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and Adolescent Counseling Services. The panel will include Frances Wren, MD and Shashank Joshi, MD from Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Philippe Rey, Psy.D, Adolescent Counseling Services; and a Student Panel of middle and high school students. Resource fair 6:30pm, panel discussion and Q&A 7-8:30pm.
Flyer: http://info.paloaltopta.org/docs/091021StressForumFlyer.pdf
Info: PTA Web site: www.paloaltopta.org.

Learn About the Connections Program at JLS Middle School

Thursday, October 22,  6:30-7:30pm,  Ohlone MP Room
Are you a 5th grader or the parent of a 5th grader?  Come find out if JLS Connections is right for you at this informational meeting.  Open to all interested parents and current fifth grade children (please do bring your fifth grader).  The JLS Connections Program is open to all PAUSD 2010 Incoming 6th graders.  Connections is a learning community of students, teachers, and parents where hearts and minds are inspired through challenging, innovative, and relevant teaching practices, including project-based and hands-on learning, differentiated instruction, and leadership development.  Application to the program is through lottery, with applications due in March.
Info: Connections website:  www.jlsconnections.org or Jen Hetterly, hetterly (at) sbcglobal dot net or Becky Epstein Epstein (at) meer dot net.

Town Hall — Live & Online — “Everything You Wanted to Know & Now Can Ask School Board Members Barb Mitchell and Dana Tom”

Monday, October 26, 7-8:30 PM, PAUSD Boardroom, 25 Churchill Avenue, 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.  Candidate questions can be emailed in before to TownHall@paloaltopta.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

PAUSD Announcements:

Pie Interview with Superintendent Kevin Skelly
Superintendent Kevin Skelly discusses the impending budget shortfall in our District and the ever increasing importance of PiE in the September PiE newsletter!  Read it at http://papie.org/newsletters/sept2009.html Will your employer match your PiE donation doubling its impact?  Check at www.matchinggift.com/papie.  Join the 1,340 families who have already given their support and donate today at http://papie.org/donPers.shtml 

Current Research on the Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Students
Wednesday, October 14, 7-8:30 PM, Board Room, 25 Churchill, Palo Alto
PAUSD’s Elementary and Middle School GATE Parent Presentation by Dr. Tracy Cross, Ball State Univ. The lives of students with gifts and talents are quite complicated. They grow up within many subcultures that have differing notions about giftedness. Consequently, they face dilemmas in their development that their non-gifted peers do not.  Most gifted students develop social coping strategies to help them navigate the complicated social waters of childhood and adolescence.  This presentation will report the recent research on the social and emotional development of our students with gifts and talents.  Flyer:  http://info.paloaltopta.org/docs/091014gate.pdf, Questions: 329-3769

Barron Park Family Fun Day and Silent Auction
Sun. Oct. 11, 1-4pm, Barron Park Elementary School
Barron Park Elementary PTA invites you to their Family Fun Day and Silent Auction.  All proceeds will benefit Barron Park Elementary School.  Flyer:  palylink.paloaltopta.org/enews/bpauction.pdf

For the Community Kiosk click here.

Community Announcements:

Parents Place Workshops
200 Channing, Palo Alto
Parents Place Fall Quarter 2009 workshops for elementary and middle school parents include:
Beyond Sibling Rivalry, Keeping the Peace (ages 3-8), Wednesdays, 9/23 & 9/30, 7-9 PM, $60
Creative Parenting (preschool-5th grade), Mondays, 10/5-11/2, 6:30-8:30 PM, $175
Connecting With Your Child Everyday (5-11 years), Thursday, 10/15, 7-9 PM, $35
Children Who Struggle With Homework (grades 2-6), Tuesdays, 10/20 & 10/27, 6:30-8:30 PM, $60
Pay Attention (Kindergarten-grade 6), Tuesday, 12/8, 6:30-8:30 PM, $35
Registration and full class descriptions: www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org 

Electrostatics and Electromagnetism
Sundays October 11, 18, 25 & November 1, 1-3 PM (4 sessions) MOAH 351 Homer, Palo Alto
At this Museum of American Heritage Workshop, the students learn about static electricity, going back to the days of the Greek scientists and tribo-electricity (creating electricity by rubbing, e.g., cat’s fur on amber), and progressing to Michael Faraday’s monumental discoveries. Then, students discover magnetism and induction. Content includes the history of magnetism and explores modern theories and applications that underlie electric power generation and magnetic material physics. Class projects include the construction of an electromagnetically charged (no battery required) flashlight.  Ages 10 and up
Fee: $65 members/$75 non-members.  Instructor: Jim Wall. Info or to register: 321-1004 or www.moah.org/education 

Parent Ed Program: I Think My Child Needs Help – Now What Do I Do?
Wednesday, October 21, 7-9 PM, Covington Elementary School Multi, 205 Covington Road, Los Altos
A presentation for Special Ed. parents just getting started. The first hour will be a panel presentation by a developmental psychologist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, and a speech pathologist who will cover how they assist families who are seeking initial help. Dr. Steve Newton, a Los Altos-based developmental psychologist will discuss private testing and evaluation as well as psychological therapies. During the second hour, the floor will be open for questions and concerns. Sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC (www.selpa1cac.org)

Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra 44th Season First Concert
Sat., Oct. 24, 8pm, 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

Calendar:

Friday, October 2:  Sally Foster Sales Start

Sunday, October 4:  Harvest Fair, 3 – 5 PM

Wednesday, October 7:  Walk & Roll to School Day

Wednesday, October 28:  Restaurant Night at Fresh Choice

Palo Verde and PTA Announcements:

The Palo Verde Harvest Fair is coming!

The Palo Verde Harvest Fair will be Sunday, October 4th, from 3 – 5 pm at Palo Verde School.  This is a fun family activity that offers carnival games with prizes for the kids, a bake sale with hot dogs and goodies made by our own Palo Verde families and the opportunity to meet and socialize with other Palo Verde families.  Admission is FREE – we hope to see you there!

Palo Alto Walks & Rolls Day 2009

Wednesday, October 7th is the annual citywide Palo Alto Walks & Rolls Day to promote safer streets, healthier bodies, a greener planet.  Palo Verde families let’s join in!  Give your car a break and Walk & Roll to and from school on October 7th.  If you have any questions or for more information contact Silvie and George Pierce at silviep (at) att dot net.

Town Hall — Live & Online — “Everything You Wanted to Know & Now Can Ask School Board Members Barb Mitchell and Dana Tom”

Monday, October 26, 7-8:30 PM, PAUSD Boardroom, 25 Churchill Avenue, 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.  Candidate questions can be emailed in before to TownHall@paloaltopta.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

PAUSD Announcements:

Pie Interview with Superintendent Kevin Skelly

Superintendent Kevin Skelly discusses the impending budget shortfall in our District and the ever increasing importance of PiE in the September PiE newsletter!  Read it at http://papie.org/newsletters/sept2009.html Will your employer match your PiE donation doubling its impact?  Check at www.matchinggift.com/papie.  Join the 1,340 families who have already given their support and donate today at http://papie.org/donPers.shtml

Gunn Facilities Steering Committee Meeting

Wednesday, October 7, 12:30-1:30 PM, Gunn Teacher’s Lounge

The Palo Alto Unified School District will host a Facilities Steering Committee Meeting to begin Schematic Design development on the Gunn High School’s New Math and English Building, New World Languages

Building, New Gymnasium, Modernization of Existing Gymnasium, Portable Relocation, and the Parking and Drop-Off Plans.  The meeting will be conducted by Deems Lewis McKinley Architecture.

Dine Our For Packard

Thursday, October 8

Support your Children’s Hospital by joining the first-ever Dine Out for Packard day, benefiting the patients and families of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.  Participating restaurants throughout Palo Alto will donate a percentage of total sales to the Children’s Fund, which helps the Hospital meet its greatest needs each year. Info including list of participating restaurants: www.dineoutforpackard.org

“Raising Authentic, Courageous and Confident Daughters”  On Public Access Cable

Oct. 7, 9pm, Oct. 10, 10am and Oct. 11, 8pm, Channel 28

If you missed the recent live presentation by author/educator Rachel Simmons at Gunn’s Spangenburg Theater Sept. 24, organized by Palo Alto PTA Council Parent Education and the Los Altos PTA Council, the presentation will be featured soon on the Palo Alto Media Center’s local cable access Channel 28 (www.midpenmedia.org). In The Curse of the Good Girl, Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence, Simmons addresses how to boost a girl’s ability to manage interpersonal conflicts in a healthy way. She also offers girls advice on how to handle criticism constructively, and how to be true friends with peers. Her goal is to inspire and empower girls to be truly confident, courageous, authentic, and self-aware.

Info:  www.girlsleadershipinstitute.org, www.info.paloaltopta.org

Current Research on the Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Students

Wednesday, October 14, 7-8:30 PM, Board Room, 25 Churchill, Palo Alto

PAUSD’s Elementary and Middle School GATE Parent Presentation by Dr. Tracy Cross, Ball State Univ. The lives of students with gifts and talents are quite complicated.  They grow up within many subcultures that have differing notions about giftedness.  Consequently, they face dilemmas in their development that their non-gifted peers do not.  Most gifted students develop social coping strategies to help them navigate the complicated social waters of childhood and adolescence.  This presentation will report the recent research on the social and emotional development of our students with gifts and talents.  Flyer:  http://info.paloaltopta.org/docs/091014gate.pdf, Questions: 329-3769

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:

Great Glass Pumpkin Patch

Thousands of glistening glass pumpkins and other unique glass art objects return to Palo Alto, when the Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, and the Bay Area Glass Institute present the 14th Great Glass Pumpkin Patch.  Held at the Palo Alto Art Center, this beloved autumn event—and the largest glass pumpkin patch of its kind in California.  All glass pumpkins and other glass art are available for purchase only on Saturday & Sunday, October 3 & 4, from 10 AM – 5 PM, rain or shine.  For more information, call (650) 329-2366, or (408) 993-2244 or visit www.greatglasspumpkinpatch.com

Palo Alto Children’s Theatre Annual Costume Sale

Sunday October 4, 9:30 AM – 3 PM, Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

The Friends of the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre in cooperation with the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre will be selling costumes and accessories from past Palo Alto Children’s Theatre productions including animals, fantasy characters, and vintage clothing in a variety of sizes just in time for Halloween.  Flyer: http://palylink.paloaltopta.org/enews0910/costumesale.pdf Info: 463-4930

International Fair to Benefit Palo Alto’s Sister-City Projects

Sunday, October 4, 11 AM – 5 PM, Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

Family Fun Day, an international fair, will benefit children’s projects of Neighbors Abroad (NA) in Palo Alto’s Sister Cities in Oaxaca, Mexico, and Palo Leyte, Philippines.  Centerpiece of the event is an international store, along with games, crafts and storytelling for children.   Sharing the spotlight is an international fashion show. Admission to the courtyard is free.  All proceeds from activities at the international fair will go directly to NA’s support of a children’s orphanage and a Child-to-Child health program in Oaxaca and a children’s library in Palo Leyte.  Co-sponsored by Neighbors Abroad and the City of Palo Alto.  Donations for the international store welcome.  Questions: 493-3798.

Community Announcements:

Lecture on Century-Plus History of Woman’s Club of Palo Alto

Sunday, October 4, 2 PM, Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

Margaret Feuer, former president of the Woman’s Club of Palo Alto and co-author of A Walk Through History:  Women of Palo Alto, will trace the 115-year history of the organization at a free public meeting of the Palo Alto Historical Association (PAHA).  Feuer will discuss the activities of the Club through the years and its relationship to the history of women in America.  She promises to explain what Charles Dickens, who died in 1870, had to do with a Club which was founded in 1894.

Gamble Garden Community Day

Sunday, October 4, 10 AM-2 PM, 1431 Waverley Street, Palo Alto

Join for a day filled with children’s activities, a gorgeous plant sale, horticultural resources, garden demonstrations, food, entertainment, and much more.  This event is free of charge and is open to the community.   Throughout the day neighbors, friends, members, volunteers, and families will be entertained, educated, and inspired.  Info: 329-1356, ext. 212

Humane Planet Expo

Sunday, October 4, 12-4 PM, Cogswell Plaza (a park), corner of Lytton and Ramona, Palo Alto

Palo Alto Humane Society (PAHS) is putting on this community event in honor of World Animal Day.  This Humane Planet Expo will have children’s puppet shows at 1pm and 3pm, as well as (non-toxic) face painting, food, and other goodies.  The full announcement, showing details and partners, is on the PAHS home page: www.paloaltohumane.org

Parents Place Workshops

200 Channing, Palo Alto

Parents Place Fall Quarter 2009 workshops for elementary and middle school parents include:

Beyond Sibling Rivalry, Keeping the Peace (ages 3-8), Wednesdays, 9/23 & 9/30, 7-9 PM, $60

Creative Parenting (preschool-5th grade), Mondays, 10/5-11/2, 6:30-8:30 PM, $175

Connecting With Your Child Everyday (5-11 years), Thursday, 10/15, 7-9 PM, $35

Children Who Struggle With Homework (grades 2-6), Tuesdays, 10/20 & 10/27, 6:30-8:30 PM, $60

Pay Attention (Kindergarten-grade 6), Tuesday, 12/8, 6:30-8:30 PM, $35

Registration and full class descriptions: www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org

Electrostatics and Electromagnetism

Sundays October 11, 18, 25 & November 1, 1-3 PM, (4 sessions) MOAH 351 Homer, Palo Alto

At this Museum of American Heritage Workshop, the students learn about static electricity, going back to the days of the Greek scientists and tribo-electricity (creating electricity by rubbing, e.g., cat’s fur on amber), and progressing to Michael Faraday’s monumental discoveries. Then, students discover magnetism and induction. Content includes the history of magnetism and explores modern theories and applications that underlie electric power generation and magnetic material physics. Class projects include the construction of an electromagnetically charged (no battery required) flashlight.  Ages 10 and up

Fee: $65 members/$75 non-members.  Instructor: Jim Wall  Info or to register: 321-1004 or www.moah.org/education

Parent Ed Program: I Think My Child Needs Help – Now What Do I Do?

Wednesday, October 21, 7-9 PM, Covington Elementary School Multi, 205 Covington Road, Los Altos

A presentation for Special Ed. parents just getting started. The first hour will be a panel presentation by a developmental psychologist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, and a speech pathologist who will cover how they assist families who are seeking initial help. Dr. Steve Newton, a Los Altos-based developmental psychologist will discuss private testing and evaluation as well as psychological therapies. During the second hour, the floor will be open for questions and concerns. Sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC (www.selpa1cac.org)

Calendar:

Friday, September 25:  NO SCHOOL
Monday, September 28:  NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, September 30: 3rd Grade Bike Rodeo
Sunday, October 4:  Harvest Fair, 3 – 5 PM
Wednesday, October 7: Walks and Roll Day

From the PTA President:

Purchase a reusable lunch kit at www.citizenpip.com

Did you know that the average school-age child generates 67 lbs of lunch waste each school year?  Help us reduce waste at school by packing a waste-free lunch for your kids. Palo Verde School has partnered with citizenpip, a company that sells reusable lunch kits designed to be fun and stylish for kids, and practical and convenient for parents. When you purchase a reusable lunch kit at www.citizenpip.com, Palo Verde received 15% of each purchase.

Everything in the kits is made from eco-friendly and lab-tested materials that are lead-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free, and BPA-free.  Kits include an insulated lunch bag, stainless steel water bottle, BPA-free airtight food containers, stainless steel insulated food jar, stainless steel fork and spoon, and 100% cotton napkins.

Purchase a reusable lunch kit at www.citizenpip.com. During checkout, enter school code ilovePALOVERDE and 15% of your purchase will be donated to Palo Verde School.  Spread the word to family and friends, Palo Verde School benefits from any purchases with the school code.

Walk-a-thon Great Success

Thank you Palo Verde Families! This year’s Walk-a-thon was an incredible success. Thanks to the generosity of our Palo Verde families, we have $4500 to spend on new playground equipment for all the students. We will keep the community updated on our purchases – and hopefully so will your kids as they tell you about the new equipment they play with during recess and lunch. The Walk-a-thon certainly could not have been such a success without the help of our staff and the many parents who volunteered their time during the morning of the Walk-a-thon. And special thanks to Lauren Aspegren, who’s annual Walk-a-thon and ongoing Walking Club inspires the kids to get moving!

Kim Amsbaugh
PTA President

Palo Verde PTA News and Events:

The Palo Verde Harvest Fair is coming!

The Palo Verde Harvest Fair will be Sunday, October 4th, from 3 – 5 pm at Palo Verde School. This is a fun family activity that offers carnival games with prizes for the kids, a bake sale with hot dogs and goodies made by our own Palo Verde families and the opportunity to meet and socialize with other Palo Verde families.  Admission is FREE – we hope to see you there!

Harvest Fair Help Needed

Interested in baking goods for the Bake Sale? Helping at a booth? Setting up the Fair? Please contact Katharine Saunders, saunderz (at) earthlink dot net, if you are interested in volunteering. The Harvest Fair is Sunday, Oct. 4th, 3-5 pm.

Palo Alto Walks & Rolls Day 2009

Wednesday, October 7th is the annual citywide Palo Alto Walks & Rolls Day to promote safer streets, healthier bodies, a greener planet.  Palo Verde families let’s join in!  Give your car a break and Walk & Roll to and from school on October 7th.  If you have any questions or for more information contact Silvie and George Pierce at silviep (at) att dot net.

PAUSD Announcements:

Important Reminder about Bike Helmets
If your student bikes, please remind him or her to wear a helmet, properly adjusted and fastened.  It’s the law for those under 18, and may save them from serious injury.  If you ride with your children, please model this safe practice.

Dine Out For Packard
Thursday, October 8
Support your Children’s Hospital by joining the first-ever Dine Out for Packard day, benefiting the patients and families of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.  Participating restaurants throughout Palo Alto will donate a percentage of total sales to the Children’s Fund, which helps the Hospital meet its greatest needs each year.  Info including list of participating restaurants: www.dineoutforpackard.org

Google and the Power of Doodles
Thursday, October 8, 7:30pm, Boardroom, 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto
The Palo Alto PTA Council’s ArtSpeak! program begins its ‘09-’10 season with this talk by Dennis Hwang, International Webmaster and Logo Designer, Google.  Dennis Hwang is known for his creative reinventions of the Google logo, developed for all kinds of special and offbeat occasions. He’ll tell how he got started doing his designs, show some examples, and talk about the challenges juggling this creative pursuit with his full-time job (he’s the international webmaster at Google, overseeing all content development). He’s also a driving force behind Doodle 4 Google—a nationwide competition for K-12 students to reinvent the Google logo. He’ll talk about this exciting program and why Google believes so strongly in it. Info: http://artspeak.paloaltopta.org

CAC Meet the School Board Candidates: Barb Mitchell and Dana Tom
Monday, October 12, 7:30-9pm, Conference Room A, 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto
Barb Mitchell and Dana Tom are two incumbents running unchallenged for Palo Alto School Board this year.  They graciously offered their time to meet with parents of children with special needs and teachers working with children with special needs. Take the opportunity to meet them and let them hear your concerns and issues or just come and share your story.  This is an informal Parent Meeting sponsored by Community Advisory Committee for Special Education.

Current Research on the Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Students
Wednesday, October 14, 7-8:30 PM, Board Room, 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto
PAUSD’s Elementary and Middle School GATE Parent Presentation by Dr. Tracy Cross, Ball State Univ. The lives of students with gifts and talents are quite complicated. They grow up within many subcultures that have differing notions about giftedness. Consequently, they face dilemmas in their development that their non-gifted peers do not.  Most gifted students develop social coping strategies to help them navigate the complicated social waters of childhood and adolescence.  This presentation will report the recent research on the social and emotional development of our students with gifts and talents. 
Flyer:  http://info.paloaltopta.org/docs/091014gate.pdf, Questions: 329-3769

Parenting children with special needs: Finding the balance between the joy and the sorrow
Monday, November 16, 7:30-9pm, Boardroom, 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto
Parent Education Seminar sponsored by Community Advisory Committee for Special Education.  When you have a child with special needs, it is normal to be traumatized and have a range of difficult feelings which can impact all of the relationships within a family.  Dr. Susan Markowitz reminds us through her presentation to recognize the complexity of family dynamics and to work on each relationship within the family in order to strive toward finding a balance between joy and sorrow.  She defines achieving balance as a movement toward what is missing in your repertoire within any of the relationships in your family.  Dr. Markowitz is a licensed psychologist with a practice in Menlo Park. She has been working with families with special needs children for many years.

For the Community Kiosk click here.

City of Palo Alto Announcements:

Great Glass Pumpkin Patch
September 29 through October 4
Thousands of glistening glass pumpkins and other unique glass art objects return to Palo Alto, when the Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, and the Bay Area Glass Institute present the 14th Great Glass Pumpkin Patch.  Held at the Palo Alto Art Center, this beloved autumn event—and the largest glass pumpkin patch of its kind in California, will be on display Tuesday & Wednesday, September 29 & 30, from 10 AM – 9 PM, and Thursday & Friday, October 1 & 2, from 10 AM – 5 PM.  All glass pumpkins and other glass art are available for purchase only on Saturday & Sunday, October 3 & 4, from 10 AM – 5 PM, rain or shine.  For more information, call (650) 329-2366, or (408) 993-2244 or visit www.greatglasspumpkinpatch.com

Palo Alto Children’s Theatre Annual Costume Sale
Sunday October 4, 9:30 AM – 3 PM, Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
The Friends of the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre in cooperation with the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre will be selling costumes and accessories from past Palo Alto Children’s Theatre productions including animals, fantasy characters, and vintage clothing in a variety of sizes just in time for Halloween. Flyer: http://palylink.paloaltopta.org/enews0910/costumesale.pdf.  Info: 463-4930

International Fair to Benefit Palo Alto’s Sister-City Projects
Sunday, October 4, 11 AM – 5 PM, Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
Family Fun Day, an international fair, will benefit children’s projects of Neighbors Abroad (NA) in Palo Alto’s Sister Cities in Oaxaca, Mexico, and Palo Leyte, Philippines. Centerpiece of the event is an international store, along with games, crafts and storytelling for children.  Sharing the spotlight is an international fashion show. Admission to the courtyard is free.  All proceeds from activities at the international fair will go directly to NA’s support of a children’s orphanage and a Child-to-Child health program in Oaxaca and a children’s library in Palo Leyte.  Co-sponsored by Neighbors Abroad and the City of Palo Alto.  Donations for the international store welcome. Questions: 493-3798.

Parent Ed Program: I Think My Child Needs Help – Now What Do I Do?
Wednesday, October 21, 7-9 PM, Covington Elementary School Multi, 205 Covington Road, Los Altos
A presentation for Special Ed. parents just getting started. The first hour will be a panel presentation by a developmental psychologist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, and a speech pathologist who will cover how they assist families who are seeking initial help. Dr. Steve Newton, a Los Altos-based developmental psychologist will discuss private testing and evaluation as well as psychological therapies. During the second hour, the floor will be open for questions and concerns.  Sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC (www.selpa1cac.org)

Community Announcements:

Challenge Success:  Broadening our Vision of Success for Our Children
Friday, September 25, 7:30-9:30 PM, Memorial Auditorium, Stanford
Two keynote speakers, psychologist Michael Thompson and Facebook executive Chris Kelly.  Also participating, Challenge Success co-founders:  psychologist and author Madeline Levine and Stanford educator and author Denise Clark Pope.  In addition, student panelists will share their perspectives on primary stressors in middle schools and high schools, as well as strategies for coping. Free and open to all. Info: www.challengesuccess.org

Lecture on Century-Plus History of Woman’s Club of Palo Alto
Sunday, October 4, 2 PM, Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.
Margaret Feuer, former president of the Woman’s Club of Palo Alto and co-author of A Walk Through History:  Women of Palo Alto, will trace the 115-year history of the organization at a free public meeting of the Palo Alto Historical Association (PAHA). Feuer will discuss the activities of the Club through the years and its relationship to the history of women in America.  She promises to explain what Charles Dickens, who died in 1870, had to do with a Club which
was founded in 1894.

Square Dance Classes
Sunday, October 4, Fairmeadow School, 500 E Meadow, Palo Alto
Sunday, October 11 and 18, Covenant Church, 670 E Meadow, Palo Alto
Modern square dancing combines music with mental and physical exercise suitable for all ages – teens and families welcome.   The Stanford Quads are offering free intro nights, Sundays 7-9pm.  No previous dance experience of any kind required, no special clothing (but wear comfortable shoes), and you don’t need to come with a partner.
Info: www.stanfordquads.org/class, 948-4935

Parents Place Workshops
200 Channing, Palo Alto
Parents Place Fall Quarter 2009 workshops for elementary and middle school parents include:
Beyond Sibling Rivalry, Keeping the Peace (ages 3-8), Wednesdays, 9/23 & 9/30, 7-9 PM, $60
Creative Parenting (preschool-5th grade), Mondays, 10/5-11/2, 6:30-8:30 PM, $175
Connecting With Your Child Everyday (5-11 years), Thursday, 10/15, 7-9 PM, $35
Children Who Struggle With Homework (grades 2-6), Tuesdays, 10/20 & 10/27, 6:30-8:30 PM, $60
Pay Attention (Kindergarten-grade 6), Tuesday, 12/8, 6:30-8:30 PM, $35
Registration and full class descriptions: www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org.

Electrostatics and Electromagnetism:
Sundays Oct. 11, 18, 25 & November 1, 1-3 PM, (4 sessions) MOAH 351 Homer, Palo Alto
At this Museum of American Heritage Workshop, the students learn about static electricity, going back to the days of the Greek scientists and tribo-electricity (creating electricity by rubbing, e.g., cat’s fur on amber), and progressing to Michael Faraday’s monumental discoveries. Then, students discover magnetism and induction. Content includes the history of magnetism and explores modern theories and applications that underlie electric power generation and magnetic material physics. Class projects include the construction of an electromagnetically charged (no battery required) flashlight.  Ages 10 and up
Fee: $65 members/$75 non-members.  Instructor: Jim Wall. Info or to register: 321-1004 or www.moah.org/education

Afterschool French Classes at Barron Park School
Have you ever dreamed of speaking French?  Do you have French roots and wish to keep the language in your family?  Did you just arrive from France and do not want to lose French?  Come to EFBA’s (French Education Bay Area) after school program.  $20/hour.
French Speakers: K – 2nd Grade: Monday 3:10-4:40pm, 3rd – 5th Grade: Monday  3:10-4:40pmNon-French Speakers: K – 2nd Grade: Tuesday 3:10-4:40pm, 3rd – 5th Grade:Thursday  3:10-4:40pm.
Info: efba.us or Judith Rapoport, judith.rapoport (at) gmail dot com.

Calendar:

Friday, September 25:  NO SCHOOL

Monday, September 28:  NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, September 29:  3rd Grade Bike Rodeo

Wednesday, September 30:  General PTA Meeting, 8:30 AM

Sunday, October 4:  Harvest Fair, 3 – 5 PM

Palo Verde and PTA Announcements:

Dear Palo Verde Parents, Students and Community,

It’s September and we’re off to school!  Thank you for helping us get-off to a relatively smooth start to the year.  I want to recruit your help to ensure that the focus at school and at home is on teaching, learning and growing up to be wholesome and productive citizens.

Think Safety: Let’s make SAFETY a top priority around Palo Verde School.  Daily at drop-off and pick-up times there is a confluence of motorists, cyclists and pedestrian traffic.  It is CRITICAL that all adults work together to ensure the safety of all children, regardless of the means of transportation.  Please head the following suggestions:

• Leave home with sufficient time. Quite often, if in a hurry and we are NOT as careful or as aware of our surroundings, thereby putting others and ourselves in danger.
• The drop-off zone on Louis Road:
  • Please drive forward as far as possible in the drop-off lane.  This allows 6-8 additional cars to drop off child/ren at any one time.
  • Have your child/ren disembark the automobile on the sidewalk closest to the school.  Remember: NO U-TURNS ALLOWED!
  • Please note the NO PARKING signs across the street from the school.  Violators will be cited.
• Drop-Off on Rorke: please drive slowly and with caution. The street is quite narrow and there are many parked vehicles along both sides of the street, which creates congestion every morning.  Do note the following suggestions:
  • If at all possible, enter Rorke from Ames on the west entrance and keep the school on your right as you drop-off or pick up your child/ren.
  • Use the drop-off zone closest to room 1 and have your child/ren disembark the automobile on the sidewalk closest to the school.
  • DO NOT double park or stop in the middle of the street to drop off your child.  This is extremely unsafe for your child, as well for other vehicles trying to drive past your car.

All of us want our children to be safe.  However, we must model that SAFE behavior on a daily basis.  Children are watching—and they will emulate what they observe.  Let’s work together to keep them safe!

Primary Parents, we need your help right after dismissal (2:00–2:50 PM) When PRIMARY students in grades 1, 2, 3 are dismissed, they must leave campus for home or childcare, unless accompanied by an adult.  Some of you pick up your child and stay around to chat with friends and neighbors while the children play.  That’s perfectly fine, as it’s one of the benefits of a close-knit community.  However, you must stay close to your child/ren and make sure play is appropriate and that they do not disrupt upper grade classes. Please closely supervise your child/ren’s play! If you are picking up your child and know that you are going to be late, have him/her wait in the office, NOT on the playground.  In addition, please make sure your child/ren do not ride their bikes or scooters on campus, while school is still in session.  In the morning, a child may ride his/her bike or scooter to his/her classroom, but then must secure it by leaving it in his/her classroom.  After school, especially for a primary student, a child may ride his/her scooter or bike, if leaving for home.  Otherwise, riding it on campus while school is still in session is not allowed, as it creates unsafe situations for children.

After School Activities: some activities began this past week and others will begin soon.  If you would like to know more about what after activities are available at Palo Verde, please contact our office.  In the past, we’ve offered a variety of things, including Jr. Museum Science, Chess, Spanish, One-On-One Basketball, and others.  Drop by and check out the list of options.

The staff and I are quite excited about the year ahead.  Join us in our efforts to provide the most enriching experiences for all our students.  Let’s stay in touch!

Warmest regards,

Lupe García

Potluck Thank Yous

Thank you to everyone who attended our annual Back to School Annual Potluck. It was a record-attending event and we hope that everyone had the opportunity to enjoy some great food, meet some new Palo Verde families and catch up with old ones. A special Thank You goes out to Dipti Joshi who organized the whole affair. And thanks to those who helped along the way, both behind the scenes and on the day of the event, setting up and cleaning up. Those individuals included Bina Shah, Girish Joshi, Heather Schultz, Susan Fineberg, Kala Mehta and Xia Guan. And finally, thank you Carlos, our night custodian, who helped immensely by setting up the tables and doing more than his fair share of breaking everything down and cleaning up the school so it looked perfect for the kids the next day.

Kim Amsbaugh and the PTA Executive Board

The Palo Verde Harvest Fair is coming!

The Palo Verde Harvest Fair will be Sunday, October 4th, from 3 – 5 pm at Palo Verde School.  This is a fun family activity that offers carnival games with prizes for the kids, a bake sale with hot dogs and goodies made by our own Palo Verde families and the opportunity to meet and socialize with other Palo Verde families.  Admission is FREE – we hope to see you there!

Harvest Fair Help Needed

Interested in baking goods for the Bake Sale? Helping at a booth? Setting up the Fair? Please contact Katharine Saunders, saunderz (at) earthlink dot net, if you are interested in volunteering. The Harvest Fair is Sunday, Oct. 4th, 3-5 pm.

Palo Alto Walks & Rolls Day 2009

Wednesday, October 7th is the annual citywide Palo Alto Walks & Rolls Day to promote safer streets, healthier bodies, a greener planet.  Palo Verde families let’s join in!  Give your car a break and Walk & Roll to and from school on October 7th.  If you have any questions or for more information contact Silvie and George Pierce at

PAUSD Announcements:

Parent Ed Speaker:  Rachel Simmons, The Curse of the Good Girl

Thursday, September 24, 7-9 PM, Spangenberg Theatre, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto

The Los Altos, Mountain View and Palo Alto public school PTAs are pleased to present best selling author and expert on girls’ development Rachel Simmons as she kicks off her national book tour for The Curse of the Good Girl: Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence.  Parents and daughters (grades 5 and up), teachers, administrators and medical professionals are invited to hear this highly acclaimed girl expert speaking from The Curse of the Good Girl, the follow up to her international bestseller, Odd Girl Out, providing practical strategies to empower girls and their parents to be confident, courageous, authentic and self-aware.  Free, no registration required. Limited Parking, please carpool.

Flyer:  http://palylink.paloaltopta.org/enews0910/rsimmons.pdf

Info:  http://www.girlsleadershipinstitute.org, or Maureen Griffin m_a_griffin (at) comcast dot net

Dine Our For Packard

Thursday, October 8

Support your Children’s Hospital by joining the first-ever Dine Out for Packard day, benefiting the patients and families of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.  Participating restaurants throughout Palo Alto will donate a percentage of total sales to the Children’s Fund, which helps the Hospital meet its greatest needs each year.  Info including list of participating restaurants: www.dineoutforpackard.org

Current Research on the Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Students

Wednesday, October 14, 7-8:30 PM, Board Room, 25 Churchill, Palo Alto

PAUSD’s Elementary and Middle School GATE Parent Presentation by Dr. Tracy Cross, Ball State Univ. The lives of students with gifts and talents are quite complicated.  They grow up within many subcultures that have differing notions about giftedness.  Consequently, they face dilemmas in their development that their non-gifted peers do not.  Most gifted students develop social coping strategies to help them navigate the complicated social waters of childhood and adolescence.  This presentation will report the recent research on the social and emotional development of our students with gifts and talents.  Flyer:  http://info.paloaltopta.org/docs/091014gate.pdf, Questions: 329-3769

For the Community Kiosk click here.

City of Palo Alto Announcements:

Library Home Connection Seeks Volunteers

Library Home Connection is a service of the Palo Alto City Library that provides a visit and delivery of materials to people who cannot get to the library because of an extended illness or long-term disability.  The Palo Alto Library is seeking individuals who could use this service, and individuals who would like to volunteer.  This could even be a great family acitivity–sharing the joy of reading with those folks in our community  in need of a little hands-on help.  Info: Anita Delaney, Volunteer and Connection Coordinator, 617-3100 ext. 3215, anita.delaney (at) cityofpaloalto dot org.

Palo Alto Art Center’s Children’s Fine Art Classes

Registration is now underway for the Palo Alto Art Center’s Children’s Fine Art Classes beginning September 23.  Class titles include “Illustration and Manga”, “Japanese Brush Painting” “Invention: Vehicles” and “Clay for Preschooler and Parent”.  Children’s Fine Art provides exceptional art experiences to 2,000 children annually, from the ages of 18 months to 18 years. Classes are held at the Palo Alto Art center, the Junior Museum and Zoo, and Mitchell Park Teen Center.  For information and to register for upcoming classes see the Enjoy! Catalog found at any City of Palo Alto facility or by calling the Palo Alto Art Center at 329-2366 and online: http://enjoyonline.cityofpaloalto.org

To join the CFA email list or for even more info: Larnie Fox, larnie.fox (at) cityofpaloalto dot org

Great Glass Pumpkin Patch

Thousands of glistening glass pumpkins and other unique glass art objects return to Palo Alto, when the Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, and the Bay Area Glass Institute present the 14th Great Glass Pumpkin Patch.  Held at the Palo Alto Art Center, this beloved autumn event—and the largest glass pumpkin patch of its kind in California, will be on display Tuesday & Wednesday, September 29 & 30, from 10 AM – 9 PM, and Thursday & Friday, October 1 & 2, from 10 AM – 5 PM.  All glass pumpkins and other glass art are available for purchase only on Saturday & Sunday, October 3 & 4, from 10 AM – 5 PM, rain or shine.  For more information, call (650) 329-2366, or (408) 993-2244 or visit www.greatglasspumpkinpatch.com

Palo Alto Children’s Theatre Annual Costume Sale

Sunday October 4, 9:30 AM – 3 PM, Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

The Friends of the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre in cooperation with the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre will be selling costumes and accessories from past Palo Alto Children’s Theatre productions including animals, fantasy characters, and vintage clothing in a variety of sizes just in time for Halloween. Flyer: http://palylink.paloaltopta.org/enews0910/costumesale.pdf.  Info: 463-4930

International Fair to Benefit Palo Alto’s Sister-City Projects

Sunday, October 4, 11 AM – 5 PM, Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

Family Fun Day, an international fair, will benefit children’s projects of Neighbors Abroad (NA) in Palo Alto’s Sister Cities in Oaxaca, Mexico, and Palo Leyte, Philippines.  Centerpiece of the event is an international store, along with games, crafts and storytelling for children.   Sharing the spotlight is an international fashion show. Admission to the courtyard is free.  All proceeds from activities at the international fair will go directly to NA’s support of a children’s orphanage and a Child-to-Child health program in Oaxaca and a children’s library in Palo Leyte.  Co-sponsored by Neighbors Abroad and the City of Palo Alto.  Donations for the international store welcome. Questions: 493-3798.

Community Announcements:

Challenge Success:  Broadening our Vision of Success for Our Children

Friday, September 25, 7:30-9:30 PM, Memorial Auditorium, Stanford

Two keynote speakers, psychologist Michael Thompson and Facebook executive Chris Kelly.  Also participating, Challenge Success co-founders:  psychologist and author Madeline Levine and Stanford educator and author Denise Clark Pope.  In addition, student panelists will share their perspectives on primary stressors in middle schools and high schools, as well as strategies for coping. Free and open to all. Info: www.challengesuccess.org

Lecture on Century-Plus History of Woman’s Club of Palo Alto

Sunday, October 4, 2 PM, Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

Margaret Feuer, former president of the Woman’s Club of Palo Alto and co-author of A Walk Through History:  Women of Palo Alto, will trace the 115-year history of the organization at a free public meeting of the Palo Alto Historical Association (PAHA).  Feuer will discuss the activities of the Club through the years and its relationship to the history of women in America.  She promises to explain what Charles Dickens, who died in 1870, had to do with a Club which was founded in 1894.

Parents Place Workshops

200 Channing, Palo Alto

Parents Place Fall Quarter 2009 workshops for elementary and middle school parents include:

Beyond Sibling Rivalry, Keeping the Peace (ages 3-8), Wednesdays, 9/23 & 9/30, 7-9 PM, $60

Creative Parenting (preschool-5th grade), Mondays, 10/5-11/2, 6:30-8:30 PM, $175

Connecting With Your Child Everyday (5-11 years), Thursday, 10/15, 7-9 PM, $35

Children Who Struggle With Homework (grades 2-6), Tuesdays, 10/20 & 10/27, 6:30-8:30 PM, $60

Pay Attention (Kindergarten-grade 6), Tuesday, 12/8, 6:30-8:30 PM, $35

Registration and full class descriptions: www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org.

Electrostatics and Electromagnetism:

Sundays Oct. 11, 18, 25 & November 1, 1-3 PM, (4 sessions) MOAH 351 Homer, Palo Alto

At this Museum of American Heritage Workshop, the students learn about static electricity, going back to the days of the Greek scientists and tribo-electricity (creating electricity by rubbing, e.g., cat’s fur on amber), and progressing to Michael Faraday’s monumental discoveries. Then, students discover magnetism and induction. Content includes the history of magnetism and explores modern theories and applications that underlie electric power generation and magnetic material physics. Class projects include the construction of an electromagnetically charged (no battery required) flashlight.  Ages 10 and up

Fee: $65 members/$75 non-members.  Instructor: Jim Wall  Info or to register: 321-1004 or www.moah.org/education

Parent Ed Program: I Think My Child Needs Help – Now What Do I Do?

Wednesday, October 21, 7-9 PM, Covington Elementary School Multi, 205 Covington Road, Los Altos

A presentation for Special Ed. parents just getting started. The first hour will be a panel presentation by a developmental psychologist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, and a speech pathologist who will cover how they assist families who are seeking initial help. Dr. Steve Newton, a Los Altos-based developmental psychologist will discuss private testing and evaluation as well as psychological therapies. During the second hour, the floor will be open for questions and concerns.  Sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC (www.selpa1cac.org)

Just a reminder that training for this year’s lice checkers will be held on Friday, September 18 at 8:15 am in the Staff Lounge. This is a good refresher course for our returning checkers as well as a good opportunity for our new volunteers to learn the ropes on how to check and identify those critters we know and love!

While not as fun and exciting as meeting Brad Pitt or George Clooney, lice checking does play an important role in preventing the spread of lice throughout a classroom or even our school. I greatly appreciate those who have signed up and hope more can step in to help out. We definitely could use more volunteers, as our goal is to have at least 2 lice checkers per classroom.