February 5, 2017 
 

District

Honoring PVSD Volunteers - Accepting Nominations Now

Honoring PVSD Volunteers - Accepting Nominations Now
Founder's Day is a biennial, PTO-sponsored award ceremony honoring those who have gone above and beyond in volunteering for the Portola Valley School District. We typically honor the parent volunteers who are in their last years with the school district because of graduating children (7th and 8th grade parents or those leaving PVSD earlier for other reasons). This is a wonderful event to celebrate some of the parent volunteers that make our school district truly special.  This year the ceremony will be on Tuesday, April 18th.

We are now accepting nominations for individuals you think should be honored. Individuals who left the school district last year are eligible as we celebrate Founder's Day every other year. Please submit your nominations in writing or email, citing reasons your nominee should receive a PTO Honorary Service Award, to CMS PTO President, Shannon Basch at shannon.basch@gmail.com. Or, you may also drop a note into either ORM or CMS PTO boxes. The deadline for nominations is Friday March 3rd. Should you have any questions, please email. Thank you so much for taking the time to nominate!
Challenge Success: Making Homework Work

February 13th 6:00-7:30, Ormondale MUR

Homework is the one place where school and home come together, and there's no guidebook for how to make this union work. We want to support our children without stifling their sense of responsibility and autonomy.  Learn why the dynamics of homework have changed in recent years, what you can do to minimize homework stress, and how to establish healthy homework habits without being the homework police. 

Student Services Parent-Only Coffee - Feb. 10th

The Student Services Parent Group is a collaborative group of parents and staff dedicated to serving the unique social and emotional needs and learning differences of students in Portola Valley School District through the activities of the Student Services Group. 

The 3 overarching goals of the group are

Curriculum: Ensuring that the curriculum is delivered in a way that works for each student and that the environment on each campus focuses on inclusion, where possible.

Communication: Improving communication from school to home and home to school to enhance each child's learning experience across environments

Culture: Encouraging a culture that accepts and celebrates all children where they're at now.

Knowledge Sharing - Sharing parenting knowledge outside of the school environment,eg sports teams for kids with certain challenges, special diet knowledge, etc. 

The group meets several times a year with parents and district staff and teachers. 

There will be a parent-only coffee facilitated by Amod Setlur (Student Services Parent Group representative for 2016-17 school year) and hosted by Sarah Wernikoff at her residence (145 Bear Gulch Drive, Portola Valley) on February 10, 2017 between 8:30 AM-9:30 AM to provide an opportunity for parents to network with other families, and to discuss what's working well and what needs improvement so the group can work collaboratively with district administration.

Important: Please RSVP sarahwernikoff@gmail.com if you plan to attend so that we may have an accurate headcount for planning purposes.
Raise $ for our Schools With Amazon Smile

 

Think of how much we can earn for our schools if we all use the this Amazon Smile link every time we shop!   Your purchase will not be affected by using this link - you will still get the benefit of your Prime membership and your purchase information will not be shared. 

Just bookmark this  PV PTO Amazon Smile link and use this link every time you shop at Amazon!


Use the AMAZON SMILE site every time
Earn $$$ for PV schools
Get more information about AMAZON SMILE  at www.pvpto.com
 

Ormondale Upcoming Events


February 7-10th - ORM Teacher Conferences

February 15th - Ormondale Super Staff Lunch

March 6th - 10th - Ormondale Second Harvest Food Drive

March 2nd - PTO Mtg. at CMS; 9:00am

March 10th - Bingo Night 6pm

March 20th -24th - Ormondale Staff Appreciation Week

March 31st - Viajando en Espanol

View the full PTO calendar  here
 
Ormondale Super Food - Cauliflower


Cauliflower Power
By  Mrs. Wong's Class
 
What super food has curds and is a flower?  If you guessed cauliflower, you're right! There are four different colors of cauliflower to choose from; purple, white, yellow, and green. 
 
There are many benefits for eating this healthy vegetable, like it helps your heart, lowers cholesterol levels, fights cancers, it's high in fiber, and has vitamins C, K, B6 and A.  One cup of cauliflower has more vitamin C than an orange.
 
Cauliflower needs rich soil to grow.  It starts off with four leaves and then it  develops a flower in the middle.  It takes eight weeks to be fully grown.  Once it is the size of a tennis ball, farmers will band it.  Banding is when a farmer takes the four big leaves that are on the outside of the flower and puts a band around them.  If it is not banded, the cauliflower will turn yellow.  People can eat cauliflower when it is yellow, but people don't realize that.  People prefer eating a cauliflower that is white, green, or purple.  Yellow cauliflower actually has more vitamin A than any other color.
 
Did you know that China, India, and California grow the most cauliflower?  Also, there are five different ways to cook cauliflower?  You can roast, boil, steam, bake, or keep it raw.  Lastly, did you know that when you are eating a cauliflower that you are eating a FLOWER?

Click here for full article and yummy cauliflower breadstick recipe!


Corte Madera
CMS Upcoming Events


February 9th -  Super Staff Lunch

February 10th- Valentine's Dance for 6-8th Grade, 7-9pm

March 2nd - PTO Mtg. at CMS; 9:00am

March 3rd - BBQ Lunch 6-8th, 11:43am

March 10th - Bingo Night 6pm

March 13th -17th -  Staff Appreciation Week


View the full PTO calendar  here .

CMS Valentine's Dance


C M S will hold a Valentine's Day dance on Friday, February 10th for students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade . The dance will be in the MUR from 7 - 9 pm. Guests are allowed with signed permission slips. Cost is $10 and snacks will be available for purchase. 

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4th & 5th Grade Super Staff Lunch


Dear 4th and 5th Grade Parents!

On Friday, February 9th, the 4th and 5th grade parents will host the Super Staff Lunch!  

This is a terrific way to let our teachers and staff know how much we appreciate the work they do with our children.  Below, please find a link to Sign-up Genius. Please click on the link and sign up for items/effort that you are able to donate!
 


Contact Nina Villalba at   nwferrari@yahoo.com with any questions!
Thank you!

CMS Tennis (6-8 Boys and Girls) Information and Registration

To register your child for CMS After School Tennis, please complete the registration form below. In order to finalize your enrollment in a sports program, payment must be received. Upon submitting your form, you will be directed to the CMS After School Athletics Payment page within the PTO website to complete the payment process using Paypal.

Tennis Registration is now open from 1/30 & closing 2/8.
CMS Tennis 6-8 Practice and Match Information
  • Coach: Tracy Cowperthwaite
  • 2 Teams: Varsity and JV (Development Team)
    • Maximum 30 players total
  • Days: Monday - Thursday
    • Varsity Clinic Days on M/W & Matches on T/Th
    • JV - Clinics on T/Th & Matches on M/W
    • Clinics: With Alpine Hills Staff
  • Time: Right after School - 5:30
  • Cost: $350
  • Season: 3/13 - 5/15
To register, click on this link

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Flahavan ( dflahavan@pvsd.net ).


Portola Valley Schools Foundation
2017 Foundation Spring Benefit - Sponsor the FANfare


FANfare Spring Benefit
Saturday, April 22, 2017
 
  • Would you like to make an early commitment to the "Engagespace" Fund-A-Need?

  • Would you like to sit with friends and enjoy additional perks & recognition?

  • Would you like to be front and center at the Spring Benefit? 

Individual tickets to go on sale February 27th.

This spring's "FANfare" will mark the start of a new tradition as we're planning a fun, laid back event the whole community will enjoy right on the tented grounds of Corte Madera  with beautiful Windy Hill as the backdrop.  

The FANfare will focus specifically on raising money for the "Engagespace" Fund-a-Need (FAN), and our goal is to raise  $300K for the amazing new playspaces being envisioned by focus groups of teachers, administrators and kids at both schools!   

Event highlights include: 
  • Garden-to-table themed, sit-down dinner
  • Open bar and craft cocktails (no drink tickets!) 
  • Live music and dancing
  • Sign-up parties for adults and kids
  • Exciting raffles
  • Live Auction culminating in the Fund-a-Need (FAN) paddle raise
Click here for more information  on the FANfare Benefit  and the EngageSpace. 

Business Partner Program


Did you know that the PVSF has a vibrant business partner program perfect for small businesses that are owned by PV parents? We are closing out the program for 2017 and would love to include your business. 

Check out our perks here a nd contact Erin Sanders at:  Erin.sanders@yahoo.com


Community News
 
Young Inklings Book Contest - Enter by March 15th

Take your writing to the next level and submit your story or poem for our 9th annual Inklings Book!   Enter by March 15th!

The Society of Young Inklings, a local non-profit, publishes an annual anthology of the stories and poems of talented young writers, and each year we hold a contest to see whose pieces will be included. We are looking for fresh new voices to publish in our anthology. Your kids could become published authors!  

Young writers in grades 1-8 with stories or poems are encouraged to enter the contest. Submissions must be in final draft and students must commit to completing an editing process if their piece is chosen. Pieces that are chosen will go through a traditional revision process similar to how publishing houses get books ready for publication. Young writers will be assigned a mentor to guide them through the process. For submissions that are not chosen, those students will receive a letter that gives some concrete and encouraging feedback. 

Panther's Camp 2017


We are excited to offer the 22nd year of Panthers "All Sports" Camp.  Located at Corte Madera School during the summer, Panthers Camp is directed by Dan Flahavan, CMS Athletic Director and physical education teacher.   Campers participate in a core group of physical activities which inspire self-confidence, cooperation, sportsmanship, lifelong fitness, and an appreciation for movement.

Registration for Panthers Camp 2017 will be available online on Monday, January 9th  - www.pantherscamppv.com.  

We are now offering  optional EXTENDED CARE and FUN FRIDAY for sessions 2 and 3.   Session 1 will continue with our traditional Monday - Thursday 8:45 - 3:00 format.  Session 4 will be Monday - Friday with no camp on Tuesday, July 4th.

2017 Panthers Camp:  
    • Session 1: June 12-15
    • Session 2: June 19-22
      • Optional Extended Care (M-Th) 3:00 - 5:30 & Fun Friday  (8:45 -3:00)
    • Session 3: June 26-29
      • Optional Extended Care (M-Th) 3:00 - 5:30 & Fun Friday  (8:45 -3:00)
    • Session 4: July 3-7 (Session 4 runs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday)
       
      • Camp will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th
I am looking forward to another great summer working with your kids at Panthers Camp!
Camp Galileo

It's that time of year again - summer's approaching fast, and Galileo is preparing to unveil dozens of new experiences for students across the Bay Area.