Fairmeadow Elementary School eNews

Where Learning is a Team Sport!
September 11 , 2017
Fairmeadow News
Principal's Message
Greetings Fairmeadow,
 
In our classrooms, teachers work daily to create a safe and nurturing space for children to learn, interact, problem solve, and grow. This intentional focus on building empathy, establishing positive relationships, understanding and managing emotions, and practicing responsible decision making is called Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and is arguably one of the most important elements of our instructional program.

To address the social and emotional needs of our students, our school applies SEL strategies from three effective SEL methods. The Second Step program in K-2 and the Steps to Respect Program in 3-5 provide teachers with a menu of SEL lessons starting with recognizing emotions in oneself and leading to problem solving challenging social conflict with others. Teachers choose from lessons in these evidence-based programs to prepare students for positive interactions inside and outside of the classroom, and to address social challenges as they arise. Secondly, many teachers implement components of The Responsive Classroom approach. Responsive Classroom is an approach to daily instruction that emphasizes positive classroom community, collective responsibility, and social plus academic skills. Important Responsive Classroom practices include daily morning meetings where the entire classroom gathers together to greet each other, share, and prepare for the day, as well as shared responsibility for classroom rules and routines. Thirdly, this year we partner with the YMCA of Silicon Valley to implement the Project Cornerstone ABC (Asset Building Champion) Reader Program at Fairmeadow. Focused on growing positive relationships between children and a wide net of adults in the community, the ABC reader program features parent volunteers reading one picture book in classrooms across the school each month. The intentionally chosen books focus on the theme of empathy, and provide a common language and common experience for all of our students that adults across the school can refer to in daily interactions both inside and outside of the classrooms.
 
Our children need to learn about themselves and each other, as well as social responsibility and problem solving, and our approaches to Social and Emotional Learning work to set students up for success in their social interactions as well as their academics. If you'd like to learn more about SEL at Fairmeadow, please plan to join me for our first Principal's Coffee of the year this Friday, September 15th from 8:45 to 10:00 am in the Fairmeadow MP Room. I'll bring the coffee, please consider bringing a reusable mug!
 
This coming week marks the conclusion of our first month of school, and I am exceedingly proud of our children and teachers for the purposeful goals they have set, and the collaborative ways they have started their year of learning together. I look forward to seeing you at Fairmeadow soon.
 
Grant Althouse
Principal
Picture Day!
Tuesday, September 12th is Picture Day at Fairmeadow. This year, iClickSmiles will be photographing our students. There are no forms to fill out before Picture Day, but be on the lookout for an email from iClickSmiles with order information once the photos have been taken.
Notes of Support for Mrs. Easton
Our second grade teacher, Mrs. Easton, is finishing her final rounds of chemo. We want to shower her with love and give her strength during her final push. A "mail" box will be in the office and we hope to fill it with notes from students, parents, and teachers to show her the love we all feel for her and support her through this rough time. Please drop your letters off this week!
Luncheon Hosted by 5th Grade Families
The staff luncheon this month is on Thursday, September 21st , and is being hosted by 5th grade families . These monthly luncheons give us a chance to show our 
appreciation for all that the Fairmeadow staff does for our children. It allows the  entire faculty and staff to come together over a meal and they really enjoy it and  look forward to it. This month's theme is Taco Bar.

Please consider signing up to contribute food to the luncheon. In addition, we need a few people to come to the luncheon to help with setup and cleanup. These jobs do 
not take long. Click here to sign-up to contribute a dish or help out!

If you have trouble accessing the google doc in the link, please email Sachi Messerian  with the dish you would like to bring.

Is your child not in 5th grade? Click here for a list of staff luncheons scheduled for this school year.
Bringing Up Bicyclists Class
Wed, Sep 27, 6-8 pm, Hoover MP Room
Hoover and Fairmeadow PTAs are teaming up to present the inaugural "Friends Across the Field" event: Bringing Up Bicyclists! This class is for parents only and will be taught by City of Palo Alto Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Sylvia Star-Lack. Get the information and skills necessary to get your student biking to school! See our flyer to learn more and RSVP to our Facebook event! If you have any questions, email Fairmeadow Safe Routes to School Champion, Christy Moision.
Support Fairmeadow and Get $15 of Free Groceries!
Get $15 off your first order, and for every order you place during October and November  Good Eggs will donate 10% of the value to Fairmeadow!  Participation is easy:
  1. Fill your basket with all the best food (meal kits, fresher than fresh produce, sustainable meats and seafood, kid-friendly staples and more) for same day delivery on goodeggs.com.
  2. At checkout enter the code FAIRMEADOW to get $15 off and automatically enroll.
  3. Enjoy! You just discovered the easiest and most delicious way to support Fairmeadow.
All your orders during October and November will automatically count toward the fundraiser that gives 10% back to our school. *Sign up by October 15th and enter to win a week of free dinners.*

For any questions, contact Shae Hill.

PTAC News
Healthy Habits, Healthy Lives
Wed, Oct 4, 6:30-8:30 pm, SDC Room, District Office, 25 Churchill Ave
Navigating and understanding nutrition guidelines can be challenging and confusing. At this talk, Dr. Jeanne Rosner will help to clear up some of this confusion. She will discuss healthy eating guidelines, as well as, healthy habits. Finally, she will provide ways to incorporate these suggestions into our daily lives and leave us empowered with the knowledge to lead a healthy life. Dr. Rosner is a board certified anesthesiologist who practiced at Stanford Medical Center for nearly 20 years. Since retiring from anesthesia, she has been a nutrition educator at middle schools throughout the Bay area and started a venture called SOUL (seasonal, organic, unprocessed, local) Food Salon.

Community News
8th Annual Bike Palo Alto!
Sun, Oct 1, 1-4 pm, Start at El Carmelo Elementary, 3024 Bryant St
Explore Palo Alto's enjoyable bike byways from Los Altos to Menlo Park to the Baylands! Free treats are offered at rest stops along each ro ute. Originated and organized by neighborhood green team volunteers, this free event provides a fun way for the community to learn about Palo Alto's great bicycling routes and resources. Bring your helmet, a water bottle for filling at water fountains, and a small pack to hold your maps and other bike goodies. Free registration,  along with any sort of bike help,  is from 1-3 at El Carmelo Elementary. Riders choose among three self-guided routes of various distances and can start filling up a Frequent Rider Card that is redeemed later for a reward.  Preregistration is recommended. Details here .
Navigating Boyhood (Elementary)
Sat, Sep 26, 7-9 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave  
Let's face it. Boy behavior can be challenging. In this workshop, you'll learn how to meet your son's basic internal needs so that cooperation, confidence, and connection come easily in every area of his life. You'll gain practical tools for discipline that will help him cooperate before, during, and after any challenge. With Rachel Sklar, MSW. Register here.
Children's Classes at the Palo Alto Art Center
Unleash the creativity in your child by signing up for one of our children's classes. Classes in ceramics, painting and sculpture are offered on Monday - Saturdays. Classes are held at the Art Center. Registration is now open. All of our Art Classes are listed here. Questions? Please contact Rebecca Passarello (650-617-3509).
Stanford ADHD Study
Looking for children ages 7-11 with a diagnosis of ADHD or with no diagnoses to participate in a study exploring changes in brain function in response to a novel neurofeedback training. Participation involves 6 sessions of cognitive training and 2 sessions of behavioral assessments. Contact Lindsay Chromik ( 650-724-2939)  for more information or to enroll. For general information regarding participant rights, contact 1-866-680-2906 .
Community Service Opportunity -- Volunteer on Coastal Cleanup Day
Sat, Sep 16, 9 am - 12 pm, Baylands (Matadero or Adobe Creek)  
The City of Palo Alto is hosting two Cleanup sites (Matadero: site 16 and Adobe: site 17) to clean up litter in the Baylands.  Please click here to sign up and be sure to bring your waivers.
Palo Alto Library -- Day of the Dead Altar
Sun, Oct 15 - Sun, Nov 5 Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd
Submit a photo of a loved one who has passed on to honor them at the entrance of the library's altar. Display created by Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB).
FREE Women's Wellness Workshop: A Taste of the Season
Fri, Sep 15, 10-11 am, Blossom Birth, 505 Barron Ave
In this FREE workshop, Jalene Salus will offer an introductory taste of Integrative Nutrition as she shows you some sweet and simple ways to nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Enjoy a little taste of some seasonal fall bites while we discuss foods to support your unique body - and your family - this autumn. Jalene will show you how aligning your self care with the rhythm of the season can guide you on your path of women's wellness as she engages you in fulfilling dialogue with other thoughtful, wise women. Registration is required for this FREE workshop as space is limited!
FREE Mindful Moms Class with Krassi Harwell
Tue, Sep 26, 12-1:30 pm, 67 Encina Ave
Join our community of wise and caring moms as we navigate the rich and rewarding journey of raising kids into adults. We will practice yoga, meditate, and tap into the healing power of togetherness as we share stories, strength, and support. This FREE class is for moms who have kids of all ages - particularly helpful for moms who have toddlers thru teens! Registration is required for this FREE workshop as space is limited!
Titans Youth Cheer Clinic
Sat, Sep 30, 10 am - 2 pm, Gunn High School Titan Gym
Come join the Gunn High School Varsity Cheerleaders for a fun-filled Cheer Clinic for kids K-8th grade. Kids will learn cheers and a dance that they can later perform alongside the cheerleaders at the Gunn HS Football game on Friday, Oct. 13. Lunch, water, and snacks are provided at the clinic. Check-in time is 9:30 am, cost is $40 per child ($30 for siblings after the first registration), cash or check payment at the door. Email gunntitans.cheer@gmail.com to reserve your spot with "Youth Clinic" in the subject line and include the child(ren)'s name, age and grade.
Volunteers Needed for Adopt-a-School and Adopt-a-Teacher Programs at the Ravenswood School District!
Be a part of the exciting new things happening in Ravenswood! The Ravenswood Education Foundation (REF) is kicking off its annual Adopt-a-Teacher program for the Ravenswood City School District! The program offers the opportunity for individuals or small groups to help teachers in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park purchase much-needed supplies. REF is also launching a teacher appreciation program with an opportunity for volunteers to provide two meals honoring faculty and staff at a school. If interested, please contact Jazmin Sosa  or visit REF's website to learn more about other volunteering opportunities.
Ride, Drive & Be Green: A National Drive Electric Week Celebration
Sun, Sep 17, 1-4 pm, 3921 E. Bayshore Rd (Park on Elwell Ct)  
Take a FREE Test Drive in an Electric Vehicle on September 17! Did you know that the single biggest way to lower your personal carbon emissions is to drive an electric vehicle? Find out more by taking a FREE electric vehicle test drive on Sep 17. This is your chance to view and drive several models all at once, without having to visit multiple dealers. Participating vehicles will include the Chevy Bolt, Kia Soul EV, Nissan Leaf, Tesla S, and more! Adults and students 17+ years with a valid driver's license may take test drives; younger students may ride as passengers (please bring car seats if required). Questions? Contact arianee@acterra.org.
Pre-registration is not mandatory but appreciated!
Music Classes at Cantabile Youth Singers Start this Week!
Registration is open now for classes beginning week of September 11, 2017 for kids in grades Pre-K - 4. Auditions for choirs for singers in grades 4-8 are ongoing. See attached flyer for more information or visit Cantabile's website  here .
Let's Talk, A SELPA 1 CAC Support Group
Mon, Sep 11, 10 am - 12 pm, Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
A chance to ask questions and share ideas, resources, and support with other parents of students with IEPs, 504s, learning differences, mental health challenges, etc. All are welcome, participants must respect confidentiality. Click here for more information.
Parent Chat, Mental Health Subcommittee SELPA 1 CAC Event
Tue, Sep 12, 7-8:30 pm, Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos  
Are you concerned about the emotional well being of your child? Come to Parent Chat, peer to peer support for parents of teens. Hosted by the Mental Health Subcommittee of SELPA 1 CAC.
Challenges of Dyslexia, SELPA 1 CAC Parent Education Event
Wed, Sep 20, 7-9 pm, Santa Rita Elementary, Los Altos 
Join Lindamood-Bell Center Director, Leila MacCurrach, for a conversation about how intensive instruction that builds the imagery-language foundation can enable students of all backgrounds and prior diagnoses to learn to read and comprehend to their potential. Lindamood-Bell's intensive, one-to-one, process-based instruction has been used to strengthen the sensory-cognitive functions needed for reading and comprehension. The method has been proven successful for individuals with learning challenges, including dyslexia, hyperlexia, ADHD, and ASD.
Family Date Night - PLAY! Fort Building
Fri, Sept 22, 7:00-8:15 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Join your friends and neighbors at the library for an evening of fort building fun in collaboration with The Art Center's PLAY! exhibit. Please register each family member separately. Sponsored by the Friends of the Palo Alto Library.
5th Annual Fiery Arts Fall Glass Sale at Palo Alto High School
Fri, Sep 15, 3-6 pm, Palo Alto High School Between Old and New Theatres
Sat, Sep 16, 11 am - 4 pm, Palo Alto High School Next to the Performing Arts Center
Come see exquisite new glass designs hand-blown by instructors, alumni, and students. Over 1000 unique glass pieces - pumpkins, pears, seashells, elephants, acorns, vases, and more on sale to benefit Paly's Fiery Arts program. Come learn about the craft with live glass blowing demonstrations. For more information, contact PalyFieryArts@gmail.com or click here.
Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Sponsored by Project Safety Net and the Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Program
Wed, Sept 13, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Palo Alto Art Center Auditorium, 1313 Newell Rd
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to young people showing signs of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care. All materials will be provided. Space is limited, so please register .
Society of Bookworms - The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Levy
Wed, Sept 20, 4-5 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Discuss a great book with your friends at the library! Grades 4-6. Sponsored by The Friends of the Palo Alto Library. Register here.
Palo Alto Library - Afternoon Adventure: The Science of Leaves
Wed, Sept 27, 3:30-4:30 pm, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd
Calling all kid scientists! Come to learn about different types of leaves, and do an experiment to find out why some leaves change color in the fall. Registration required. Grades 2-5 only.

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 would like to make a submission, please contact  Christy Moision , Fairmeadow's eNews editor.

In This Issue
Important Dates
Sep 12 Picture Day
Sep 15 Principal's Coffee
Sep 27 Bringing Up Bicyclists Class
Quick Links