Greetings Fairmeadow,

 

Teachers are implementing a new, comprehensive K-5 mathematics program called Bridges in Mathematics in classrooms across our school district this year. Fully aligned to the California Common Core State Standards in mathematics, Bridges presents students with a balanced combination of whole-group, small-group, and independent activities. Many lessons start with the Problems and Investigations component, where students think and work individually or in pairs on problems before sharing solutions and strategies with their whole class. Another curriculum component is Work Places, engaging exploration activities that reinforce and practice key skills. Number Corner revolves around the classroom calendar to provide daily practice in skill-building and broader mathematical concepts, a component of the curriculum that usually happens at a different time of day than the scheduled math lesson.

 

A highlight of my year so far has been watching our students talk about math, problem solve, observe, explain methods, and ask questions during each component of our new curriculum. It's been a significant change for our teachers and students as they learn to teach and progress within a new curriculum, and teachers are working exceedingly hard for our children. Through these rich experiences children are developing and honing their mathematical habits of mind, and truly living the famous quote, 'the only way to know mathematics is to do mathematics.' If you would like to do some mathematics of your own while learning about our Bridges in Mathematics curriculum, please plan on joining the PAUSD Department of Elementary Education for a Parent Night on Bridges in Mathematics tonight, Monday September 25th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the PAUSD District Office. I hope to see you there!

 

In reading, we have spent a significant amount of time and energy learning about each young reader this fall. It's been incredibly valuable to work to understand children's strength and challenges in their reading fluency and comprehension using our new reading assessment tool, the Benchmark Assessment System (BAS) by Fountas and Pinnell. There is great value in what our new assessment tells us about your child as a reader, and most importantly, the instructional steps that will nurture their continued growth this year. Teachers will be sharing more about your child's reading strengths and areas for growth at the fall parent/teacher conferences as well as on the first trimester progress report.

 

Shifting to health and nutrition, our community is working to implement PAUSD dietary guidelines which recommend the types of food that we provide for our children during the school day. We request that food brought for birthdays and class celebrations include natural, healthy choices with no added sugar whenever possible. Thank you for your efforts to promote health and wellness through food choices at Fairmeadow.

 

It's an exciting time to be a Firebird, as learning abounds in each and every classroom! I look forward to seeing you at Fairmeadow soon.

 

Grant Althouse

Principal

Please come join the Fairmeadow Flash Mob! This is a fun, unique Fairmeadow event and a great way to support and get to know your Fairmeadow community! And this time, KIDS are welcome to join in! It doesn't have to be perfectly reversed-just come join the fun and dance with us either at the Walkathon or beforehand. We will be holding free, optional rehearsals (dates and locations below), sign up for updates or just view the video then join in on Oct 15! Click here for more info.

• Friday, Sept 29, 3:15 pm (Fairmeadow Black top)
• Sunday, Oct 1, 5:00 pm (MP Room)
• Sunday, Oct 8, 5:00 pm (join us for wine and cheese at Anjali Joshi's house: 285 San Antonio Ave)
• Wednesday, Oct 11, 7:30 pm (MP Room)
• Saturday, Oct 14, 10:00 am (MP Room)
• Sunday, Oct 15 "The Big Day" no rehearsal but save this date (time TBD)

Please contact any of the following with questions: 

Mei-Hsia Tan,  Jaya Gummalam,  Manali Doshi, or   

Anjali Joshi.

The next big fundraising event for our school is called  PiE Rally Days and it's happening this week on   Thursday, September 28th  and Friday, September 29th . Please stop by our blue table outside the main office at Fairmeadow during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. You'll see us with balloons, free coffee, treats, and maybe even fresh baked mini pies to eat!!!

All donations received during PiE Rally Days will be matched by a community grant, so it's a huge opportunity for Fairmeadow to reach its PiE fundraising goal this year. Please consider donating before October 15th to take advantage of this matching grant. Any amount helps!!! No donation is insignificant.

If you have already donated to PiE--THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Your donations will keep Science Lab, Music, Spectra Art, and Teaching Aides at Fairmeadow.

Sunday, October 15th, 11 am - 3 pm

The Walkathon is a fun family event! Walk with friends, teachers, and Mr. Althouse!  There will be prizes, food trucks, a bake sale, and so much more!

Don't forget! All parents can sign up for or bid on faculty events and parties for kids during the Walkathon. Registration information to follow.  Want to help with the Walkathon? Contact  Nirmala Patni.

If you have questions about any of these events, please contact Fairmeadow's Safe Routes to School Champion, Christy Moision.

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.

Sun, Oct 1, 1-4 pm, Start at El Carmelo Elementary, 3024 Bryant St

Get ready to ride and explore Palo Alto's enjoyable bike byways from Los Altos to Menlo Park to the Baylands! Bring your helmet, a water bottle for filling at water fountains, and a small pack to hold your maps and other bike goodies.  Start at El Carmelo for registration, route maps, helmet fitting, and an ABC Quick Bike Safety Check. Choose from three routes with shorter and longer options with treats at special stops along the routes and start filling up a Frequent Rider Card that is redeemed later for a reward. For more details visit bikepaloalto.org or #bikepaloalto. O riginated 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. Bike Palo Alto encourages biking safely to more places more often and kicks off Walk & Roll week in PAUSD schools.

Thu, Sep 28, 6:30 pm, Foster Art and Wilderness Foundation, 940 Commercial St, Palo Alto

Parents and students are invited to join Acterra for a lecture with former California Controller Steve Westly. Now managing partner for the Westly Group, a sustainability venture firm in Menlo Park, Westly will discuss how developments in the clean energy economy are helping to address climate change. $10 for non-members. FREE for Acterra members. Register here.

Sat, Oct 21, 10 am - 12 pm; 555 Post Street, San Francisco

Hands-on, collaborative activities that inspire a love for math, for girls grades 4 through 9. Please plan to stay for the entire duration of the festival, to participate in a sequence of scheduled activities rather than a drop in format. For more information, click here.

Vote here until Monday, September 25th

Vote for your favorite photos that were submitted to the Enjoy! Palo Alto Photo Contest hosted by the City of Palo Alto's Community Services Department. The "Overall Audience Favorite" winner will be chosen based on the number of "likes." Enjoy and Happy Voting! Quick tip: Scroll down the page  to see photos.

Thu, Sep 28, 7:30 pm; Fri, Sep 29, 4 pm; Sun Oct 1, 2 pm and 7 pm; Palo Alto High School Performing Arts Center, 50 Embarcadero Rd

Please join Palo Alto High School Theatre as they present their first play of the year, the 1960 Tony Award for Best Play, The Miracle Worker. Immortalized on stage and screen by Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke, this classic tells the story of Annie Sullivan and her student, blind and mute Helen Keller. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 students/seniors. Reserved seating can be purchased online or at the Box office one hour prior to curtain.

Call for submissions of original artwork on the theme of the oneness of humanity. Entries open to students and residents of Palo Alto of all ages and artistic levels. Selected artwork will be displayed at the Rinconada Library and other Palo Alto venues, including an opening reception on November 5th. Submission details available here , deadline October 1st. Email:  [email protected] . Event sponsored by the Palo Alto Baha'i Community.

Tue, 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.

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).

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).

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!

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 [email protected] to reserve your spot with "Youth Clinic" in the subject line and include the child(ren)'s name, age and grade.

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.