Can We Get To 1,141 Cans? Yes we CAN!

As you probably know, our food drive has been going on since last week, and today is the last day. Clean out your cupboards with your student and bring in all of those extra cans of food. We have a lot of hungry people in Palo Alto and the Food Closet shelves are empty after the holidays. If everyone donated just one can of food we would have over 1100 cans of food. For those of you who travel a lot, bring in all those little soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions. All donations on Monday are worth triple points toward the winning team’s prize of a “Make your own ice cream sundae” party. We are only half way to our goal of 1140 cans, so PLEASE help us!!!!

Caring Committee

Sometimes JLS families need a little extra assistance due to illness, loss of family member, etc. If you are interested in helping out by providing a meal, running an errand and/or helping with student pick-ups or drop-offs, please let us know. Should your help be needed, you will be contacted by a JLS staff member.

Sign-up here: JLS Caring Committee.

Common Writing Assessment

During the week of January 28 through February 1, 6th-grade and 7th-grade JLS English teachers will administer a common writing assessment to all students. During the week of February 4 through February 8, 8th-grade JLS English teachers will administer a common writing assessment to all students. 

Students will have multiple periods to plan, draft, and write a multi-paragraph response to a grade-level, CCSS-aligned prompt. Teachers use these results to guide their writing instruction for the remainder of the school year. Scores will be available to view via Infinite Campus in early March. Parents will receive an email notification when the scores are ready to view.

Middle School Science Textbook Pilot

Middle school science classes will be piloting textbook materials. Students in piloting classes will be involved in piloting two textbook materials, one from Teacher’s Curriculum Institute (TCI) and one from McGraw Hill. Students and their parents will be asked to complete an evaluation form based on their experiences with the pilot materials. Students in non-piloting classes will address the same learning objectives using existing materials. Pilot materials will be displayed for examination and comments at the District Office and at JLS in the library. If you have any questions or comments about the textbook pilot, please send an email to the JLS Science Instructional Leader, Linda Luo.

French Culture Night

On Tuesday night, January 29th, please stop by the JLS cafe anytime between 6:30 and 8:00 pm. As you walk in you’ll be transported to the streets of Paris and its surrounding cities where French 1A "tour guides" will be on hand to impress you with their knowledge of their famous French landmarks. Stay long enough to meet French 1B students in character as famous French-speaking people from the past and present. From athletes and inventors, to historical figures and fashion designers, they will tell you, in French and English, all about their lives. Come for 15 minutes or stay for an hour. This evening is not just for French students. All JLS families are invited to attend. We hope to see you there.

JLS Science Club Presents: Artificial Intelligence Seminar

Monday, January 28, 7 pm, Room 400

Please join the JLS Science Club for a special presentation on Artificial Intelligence from an expert guest speaker. All JLS students are welcome to attend.

Commuters' Corner

$30 Bike Light Giveaway - Register with Bike Index by February 1st!

Register your student's bike with Bike Index under JLS Middle School by this Friday, February 1st and they will be entered to win a set of bike lights (rechargeable front white light and rear red light) worth $30! Click this link to get started and choose JLS in the drop down menu. Once you submit this online form, you will receive an email from Bike Index. You must confirm the registration by clicking "Finish It" in the email in order to be registered and eligible for the lights.

Bike Index is a national database that has been instrumental in reuniting over 5,200 stolen bikes with their owners. Take a few minutes to register now and save yourself a headache later! Registration is free. More information about the system here. JLS students can get a customized sticker in the office. Questions? Email your JLS PTA Transportation Safety Reps at [email protected].

Each Friday! Superintendent's Weekly Board Update

Read Dr. Don Austin's Weekly Board Update, published new each Friday on the District website.

Let's Talk - Easy Click to Send Your Comments  

PAUSD has announced a new online feature to allow parents, teachers, neighbors, and anyone to give direct feedback to our Superintendent, Don Austin. In case you missed it from the Superintendent Weekly Friday Communication, here is the link.

Parent Ed Night: Learn the Basic ABCs About LGBTQ+ Youth 

Wednesday, March 13, 7 pm, Fletcher Middle School Café

This Parent Ed event is organized by the Fletcher Middle School PTA and staff, and is open/relevant to anyone, not just Fletcher families. Our event will be about understanding gender identities, sexual orientation, how to support LGBTQ+ youth in our community, and more. Open to all families with the purpose of supporting youth so we can be an inclusive and welcoming community. Translation (Spanish and Mandarin) available if requested 3 days in advance. Please email [email protected] to request. Special guests include Miriam Stevenson (PAUSD’s Director of Student Services), Valerie Royaltey-Quandt (Greene Middle School Principal), Melissa Howell (Fletcher Middle School Principal), Diana Hernandez and Ryan Fouts (Project Outlet Education Coordinator and Program Director), Shounak Dharap (PAUSD Board of Education member), Sally G. (former PAUSD parent), and Julian G. (former PAUSD student). Also available: City and school library resource tables and great prizes! Have a question you’d like addressed?  Fill out this anonymous form by Monday, March 11th..

2019 Annual CAC Sweetheart Awards - Call for Nominations 

Is there a bus driver, friend, teacher, administrator, neighbor, aide, crossing guard, coach, fellow student, therapist, physician, volunteer or relative that has done something (however large or small) for your special needs child with an IEP or 504? Honor that person by nominating him or her for a CAC Sweetheart Award.  Submit nominations using this online form before Thursday, February 14th (early submissions welcome). The Awards Ceremony will be on Wednesday, February 27th from 6-8pm at Nixon Elementary School. For more information or questions contact [email protected] or go to cacpaloalto.org. Co-sponsored by Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs.

Palo Alto PTA Council: Every Child One Voice 

Check out our new banner in front of District Office!! We kicked off the year with our January 2019 General Association Meeting on Wednesday. PAUSD Board Member, Dr. Jennifer DiBrienza provided key information from the PAUSD Board of Education Meeting.  Click here to read more. Dr. Don Austin spoke about the "Big Plan" a continuing discussion from last Saturday's Family Leadership Summit. The PTA Council urges you to be an informed advocate for your own student about the Stanford General Use Permit using resources listed on our website. Welcome to PTA Council meetings (25 Churchill Ave) and you will be impressed how much parent volunteers are doing for your children. Thank you to all.

Upcoming PTAC Meetings - Save the Date:

Stanford General Use Permit Update - January 2019

PTAC supports PAUSD, Teachers, Staff, and City of Palo Alto Safe Routes to School.  Please write to anyone you know who is a Stanford parent, alumni, graduate students, faculty, staff, trustee, and friend. Our schools would like to continue to enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship with Stanford University. However, if Stanford expects PAUSD to absorb hundreds of new students for the next 17 years who will reside on Stanford lands that do not pay property taxes, such as rental housing -- then our classroom sizes will have to increase, staff/teachers will have to be laid off, and school programs suspended due to lack of funding. Click here for the PTAC Fact Sheet, the PAUSD Briefing Book, and the PAUSD Board Resolution to read more. Call to Action: message the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and Stanford now with just two taps on your iPhone via Click My Cause (select Palo Alto PTA Council). PLEASE DO NOT WAIT. Waiting may adversely impact your child's classroom size, teachers and aides, and the quality of PAUSD education that we sacrifice so much for. ACT NOW!! Questions: email [email protected].

Inclusive Resource Fair of Summer Camps & After-School Activities

Thursday, February 7, 6:30-8:30 pm, JLS Middle School Auditorium, 480 East Meadow Dr

Join us to meet 30+ providers of summer camps and after-school activities, who will present information about their programs and be available to talk 1:1 with parents. All providers can accommodate some students' special needs, either in an inclusive environment or a special program, and can discuss specific accommodations. Some offer on-site enrollment. Information on financial assistance available, and many providers offer fee waivers based on need. Organized by the Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, and co-sponsored by the Palo Alto Council of PTAs. Childcare and snacks for kids will be provided. Please RSVP for childcare to [email protected]. For more information, including the complete list of vendors as it is finalized, go to cacpaloalto.org.

Feria de Recursos de Campamentos de Verano y Actividades Después de Clases

Jueves, 7 de febrero, 6:30 - 8:30pm, En el auditorio de la Escuela Media JLS, 480 East Meadow Dr

Acompáñenos a conocer más de 30 provedores de campos y actividades de verano y por la tarde para después de clases, quienes estarán dando información sobre sus programas y que también estarán disponibles para hablar 1:1 con los padres. Todos son proveedores que pueden admitir a niños con algunas necesidades especiales ya sea dentro de un ambiente incluyente o dentro de un programa especial y podrán conversar sobre ajustes especiales que su hijo/a pueda necesitar. Podrán existir opciones de inscribirse en el lugar. Habra información sobre asistencia financiera y muchos proveedores ofrecen becas que se adaptan a sus necesidades. Se contará con servicio de guardería y botana para niños, por favor RSVP para el cuidado de los niños a [email protected]. Para mayor información, incluyendo la lista de proveedores cuando está completa, ingrese a: cacpaloalto.org. Organizado por el Palo Alto Comité Asesor Comunitario para la Educación Especial y co-patrocinado por el Consejo de Palo Alto de PTAs.

The 2019 Gunn Choir Staff Musical Extravaganza: I Want to Hold Your Babushka!

Tuesday-Thursday, February 5-7, 8 pm, Spangenberg Theatre, Gunn High School

It is 1964 and the Beatles are poised to make their first Ed Sullivan appearance and to begin what we now call the British Invasion. Back in the USSR, General Klandestinov, head of the KGB, and Comrade Bullshetski, his Minister of Propaganda, concoct a scheme to subliminally invade America themselves, and what better way than to kidnap the Beatles and replace them on the Ed Sullivan Show than with Russian imposter Beatles! It’s a completely wacky and wonderful story starring the amazing Gunn Choirs and dozens of your favorite Gunn staff! Tickets are available at the Gunn Student Activities center or online at gunnchoir.org. All proceeds will support the Gunn Choir Scholarship Fund, making it possible for all students in the choir to participate in this year’s singing tour to Rome and Florence.

Family Science Night at JMZ

Thursday, February 7, 5:30-7:30 pm, PAJMZ, Cubberley Community Center, 4050 Middlefield Rd

Come experience a taste of the fun, hands-on, standards-based science lessons that the Junior Museum brings to PAUSD elementary schools every week. Chat with science teachers from our award-winning education department. Meet zoo animals, identify geologic specimens, try out scientific equipment, and more. This free event is a "thank you" to PiE and our fabulous community that values and supports science for all ages. Please note that the Junior Museum is currently housed in a temporary location in Cubberley Community Center. See you there! More details at:  cityofpaloalto.org/jmz.

Calling All Future Chefs! Enter the Future Chef Competition Now!

Entry deadline: Friday, February 8

Final contest: Thursday, Mar 7, 6:30-8:00 pm, JLS Middle School 

Hey students – Can you cook? We’re looking for your favorite healthy Mexican recipe! Lucky winners from each school will be chosen as finalists to compete in our contest at JLS Middle School on Thursday, March 7th. As an added bonus, the winner of this event will be entered into a National Competition for some great prizes! Pick up your entry form today! They’re available in the Cafeteria and in the School Office! Turn them in to the Cafeteria or School Office by Friday, February 8th.

4-Hour Kidpower On Your Own for 9-12 Year-Olds with Their Adults 

Saturday, February 23, 9 am - 1 pm, location given after you register

Families practice personal safety skills together for handling every day emotional and physical safety problems and self-defense skills for stopping emergencies with focus on the transition to more independence for older kids.  Visit the registration page, call (800) 467-6997 ext. 0# or email [email protected] for information. Classes fill up quickly, so let us know right away if you're interested!

Quick Links

eNews Publication Guidelines

JLS eNews is a publication of the JLS PTA. Previous editions and Publication Guidelines can be found at the JLS PTA website. If you have any questions or would like to make a submission, please contact Christy Moision, JLS's eNews editor.