Fairmeadow eNews 10/24/16

October 24 , 2016

Fairmeadow News

Parents Night Out!

Fri, Oct 28, 6:30-8:30 pm, Fairmeadow MP Room

Buy your tickets online now for Parents Night Out this Friday, October 28th. $15/student includes pizza, fruit, water, popcorn, and cookie. We will be showing the movie "Kung Fu Panda 3" (PG). Bring a sleeping bag or blanket and pillow! PJ's if desired! $15 online or $25 pay at the door. Questions? Contact [email protected] or 203-918-2339.

Parent volunteers needed -- your child gets in FREE, email Melissa. Fairmeadow students only please. Scholarships available.

Fairmeadow's Fall Scholastic Book Fair is Just Around the Corner!

Nov 1-5, Fairmeadow MP Room

The Book Fair will be open at the following times:

Tuesday, November 1, 2:30-3:30 pm
Wednesday, November 2, 8-9 am and 1:30-3:00 pm
Thursday, November 3, 8-9 am and 2:30-3:30 pm
Friday, November 4, 8-9 am and 2:30-3:30 pm
Saturday, November 5, 9:30-11 am

Interested in helping out? Volunteers are needed for setting up, helping during the book fair's open hours, and packing up. You can sign up here. Questions? Contact Claire Kirner.

Reminder -- Walkathon Party Payments Due

Please make sure you have paid for the parties you signed up for at the Walkathon. Emails with payment information went out a few weeks ago. You can pay online or drop off a check in the office. If you have any questions, please contact Nirmala Patni or Karrie Chen.

Living Classroom Sees Students Blossoming!

Volunteers Wanted to Help Share Love of Nature with Children

Living Classroom, the garden-based science education program, is in its second year providing outdoor science lessons at Fairmeadow and five other Palo Alto schools - Duveneck, El Carmelo, Hays, Nixon and Hoover. At Fairmeadow, our lessons are serving students in grades K-3. Native habitat and edible gardens provide the setting for the lessons which cover important content in science, math, social studies, and nutrition. The lessons are aligned with the new Next Generation Science and Common Core Standards and are all hands-on to provide the most direct and engaging learning experience possible. Lesson topics this fall include:

photosynthesis
plant life cycles and plant part functions
producers and consumers (social studies standard)
decomposition and nature's recyclers
using the scientific method in a real live experiment to test a hypothesis
ethnobotany in the native garden
symbiotic relationships between plants
habitats
making bar graphs to represent data
nutrition and healthy eating-fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

We are able to provide over 400 of these valuable lessons this school year only with the support of our volunteer docents. We need more help! Docents are volunteers who receive training to assist with or lead lessons and in doing so, share their love of nature with children and come away with a very enriching and rewarding experience! The next docent training series starts Monday, December 5th from 9-12 for four weeks in December and January. If you are unable to attend the trainings, apprenticeship style training is also available involving lesson observation and one-on-one training with our program manager.

Come join us and learn more about our Three Sisters Native American garden lesson where 3rd grade students harvest corn, beans, and squash or our "Seed to Pretzel" three part lesson spanning the entire school year where 2nd graders plant winter wheat in the fall for a spring harvest. Or find out about 1st graders learning about photosynthesis and energy transfer from the sun to plants to us during their "Food Factories" lesson where they also plant fruits and vegetables to be harvested in the winter for the "Growing Vegetable Soup" lesson.

Founded 8 years ago, Living Classroom serves students in 23 schools in Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Mountain View. The hands-on, inquiry based science, math, nutrition, and social studies lessons take place in school gardens which provide a living laboratory where lessons are drawn from real-life experiences.

Please contact Shawn Shahin, Living Classroom Program Manager for the lessons covered and locations of the trainings or to arrange to observe a lesson, at [email protected] or by calling 650-933-5177. For more information, visit living-classroom.org.

Bicycle Licenses

Did you know that Palo Alto requires all bikes to be licensed? This helps the police identify stolen bicycles and return them to their owners, and identify riders in the event of a collision. You can apply for a license at any Palo Alto Fire Station, seven days a week between 4:00-5:00 pm. More information here.

PAUSD News

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

Awareness events are sponsored by PAUSD, the Palo Alto Council of PTAs, the Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education (CAC), Parent Advocates for Student Success (PASS), and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Questioning (LGBTQQ) Committee. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Local Control Accountability Plan Community Meeting

Tues, Oct 25, 8-10 am & 5-8 pm, District Office, Board Room, 25 Churchill Ave, Palo Alto

The Palo Alto Unified School District is updating the Local Control and Accountability Plan as required by the California Department of Education. Development of the plan must include input from key stakeholders. The District would like to invite you to return and participate in the LCAP Community meeting. At this meeting we will share progress on this year's plan and solicit feedback on 16-17 goals, actions and measurements as we began to develop the 2017/18 plan.

Spanish and Mandarin translation provided.

Renaming Schools Advisory Committee Community Town Hall Meeting

Mon, Nov 7, 6:30-8:30 pm, Media Arts Center at Palo Alto High School ** New date/time**

To rename or not to rename any of Palo Alto's schools, that is the topic distinguished historians and ethicists with expertise in Eugenics will discuss. The panelists will share their views on how to evaluate the legacy of those Palo Alto school namesakes who were also some of California's leading Eugenicists. They will look at Eugenics in the context of its time, the lasting impact Eugenics has in the US, and what learning opportunities a school renaming would provide our public school district. The panelists are: Mary Rorty, Clinical Associate Professor at the Stanford University Medical Center and a Fellow of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Milton Reynolds, Senior Program Manager of the 'Facing History and Ourselves' non-profit organization with focus on how historical events shape today's society, and Tony Platt, Prof Emeritus of American History, Public Policy and Social Science; University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, Cal State University Sacramento, San Jose State University. The town hall will be moderated by Ken Yale, and a representative from the Palo Alto Historical Society will share relevant events from Palo Alto's and our schools' history.

Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) and Special Olympics Northern California

Basketball Tournament, 9:30 am - 12 pm, Mar 15 (Elementary) & Mar 22 (Secondary), Terman Middle School, 655 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto

Track & Field Event: TBD, Gunn High School, 750 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto

PAUSD and Special Olympics Northern California have joined forces in a new Special Olympics Schools Partnership program. Through sports, the program aims to provide opportunities for PAUSD special education students and their peers to work together as teammates and to create inclusive opportunities in the school community. Click here for more information.

PTAC News

Make Your Voice Heard for Your Child and School

November 8 is Election Day in California and across the nation

Laws enacted by local, state, and national bodies are primary sources of public policy. Securing adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth is one of the purposes of PTA. As a non-partisan association with a long track record of speaking up for all families and connecting families, schools and communities, PTA never comments on, endorses, or supports individual candidates for office. However, the association does take positions on issues that impact the education, health, and well-being of California's children and families. California State PTA takes positions based on our authorities: resolutions and position statements adopted by our members. PTAs also can sponsor and hold candidate forums and share resources. Find out more about how the California State PTA takes positions . This election day the California State PTA is supporting five statewide ballot initiatives . We encourage everyone to take the opportunity to register and vote in this election! Learn more with these resources and information: PTA support on statewide ballot initiatives. Research your local ballot and polling place.

Community News

Dance Connection's 18th Annual Nutcracker Ballet

Fri, Dec 2, 7 pm & Sat, Dec 3, 4 pm, Smithwick Theater, Foothill College

Mark your calendars for Dance Connection's 18th Annual Nutcracker Ballet! An entertaining, child-friendly, and professionally executed production the whole family will enjoy! Tickets go on sale through the Dance Connection website beginning October 24th. Reserved seating. More info here.

Project Safety Net Community Collaborative Meeting

Wed, Oct 26, 4-6 pm, Rinconada Library, Embarcadero Room, 1213 Newell Rd, Palo Alto

Are you interested in reducing youth mental health stigma and supporting youth voice? Please join Project Safety Net at their next meeting where you will have the opportunity meet and hear from members in our community who have the same interest. At this month's meeting, PSN will feature two presentations. The first presentation will feature the high school wellness staff and students describing the inspiration for and launch of the new wellness centers. For the second presentation, in honor of October is National Bullying Prevention Month, Executive Director Anne Ehresman from Project Cornerstone will talk about the 41 Developmental Assets program for youth. You will also hear about upcoming community events. Light drink and snacks served. Project Safety Net is a collaborative community network held together by a common interest of fostering youth well-being in Palo Alto. RSVP here.

Discover the Bureau of Suspended Objects

Thu, Oct 27, 7-8 pm, Palo Alto Arts Center, 1313 Newell Rd, Palo Alto

Join Creative Ecologist artist Jenny Odell for a free walkthrough of the Bureau of Suspended Objects exhibition. Each object features a descriptive tag that provides information on the former owner's "guilt level" in discarding the item, plus a QR code. The QR code can be scanned easily using a smartphone and takes the viewer to a web page with more photos and a history of the object. The information is also available in a binder at the exhibition and online.

Jordan Middle School Drama Presents 'Willy Wonka Jr.'

Thu, Oct 27 & Fri, Oct 28, 7 pm; Sat, Oct 29, 2:30 pm, Jordan Middle School, 750 N. California Ave, Palo Alto

Come support Jordan Middle School Drama in their newest musical, Willy Wonka Jr., Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir. The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder in addition to a host of fun new songs, Willy Wonka Jr. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. Tickets: $5 for Student / Child; $10 for Adult.

Halloween Zoo Night at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo

Fri, Oct 28, 5:30-8 pm, 1451 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto

Join friends for a special, members-only Halloween Zoo Night at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo. Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume; meet animals from Wildlife Associates, Bay Area Amphibian and Reptile Society (BARS), and JMZ; enjoy pizza, drinks, and other treats in the zoo; and much, much more! This is a Club JMZ members-only event. Join at the door or online at friendsjmz.org. For more information see the flyer.

PreSchool Family Fun Day

Sat, Oct 29, 9:30 am -2 pm, PreSchool Family Campus at Greendell School, 4120 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto

PreSchool Family invites you to our 33rd annual Family Fun Day. Fun for ALL Ages! Raffle, train rides, carnival games, magic shows, live concert by Asheeba, food and bake sale, used book sale, costume sale, and more! Free admission. Info: 650-856-0833 or psf.pausd.org.

Cal Ave Trick or Treat and Blossom Halloween Carnival

Sun, Oct 30, 10 am - 2 pm, S California Ave (between Birch Street and Park Blvd), Palo Alto

This Silicon Valley tradition for over 22 years in Palo Alto provides a kid friendly, fun, festive start to Halloween for 0-12 year olds. Event includes Trick or Treats at participating businesses on California Avenue, costume contest, carnival games, live music, and toddler friendly activities. Free Event. All proceeds raised from the event support Blossom Birth Services a nonprofit resource center for expectant and new families. Lead Sponsors: City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Recreation Foundation. More info here.

Project Safety Net: Conference on Children's Grief

Thu, Nov 3, 9 am - 2 pm, Webcast, 457 Kingsley Av, Palo Alto

The National Alliance for Grieving Children (NAGC) will conduct a free webcast on Grief and Urban Youth. This event is sponsored by Kara Grief Services. More information here. Click here to register.

Parenting The Positive Discipline Way (3 - 10 years)

Wed, Oct 26 - Nov 16 (4 sessions), 7-9 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave, Palo Alto (plenty of free parking)

During this series of four sessions, based on Jane Nelsen's Positive Discipline books and interactive activities, discover how better to understand your child's behavior; discipline with friendship, love, and respect; and find common-sense solutions to everyday challenges. With Bridget Bertrand, MFT. Cost $160 and $100 second parenting partner. Register here .

Archives and Publication Guidelines

Fairmeadow eNews is a publication of the Fairmeadow PTA. Previous editions of eNews can be found at the eNews archive page. Please see the PTA website for the eNews Publication Guidelines. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Christy Moision , Fairmeadow's eNews editor.