Feb. 5
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PTA Parent's Night Out |
Feb. 8
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Deadline for Annie artwork |
| Feb. 11 |
No school - Staff development day
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Feb. 12
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No school - President's Day |
Feb. 15
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No school - President's Day |
Feb. 22
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Fairmeadow's online auction starts |
Feb. 24
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Math night! |
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(click through to the website)
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Hi everyone! Keep your heads up for famous football players driving around town, and take note of the following key news items:
- Fairmeadow's Math Night is coming up on Feb. 24 -- and we need your help to make it run smoothly. Math night is a super-fun community event and a great chance to play fun games with your kids. See all the information below.
- Parent's Night out this Friday, February 5th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm in the MP Room. See the details below.
- If you know of things going on at Fairmeadow that we need to know about, please send us a note! See the instructions at the end of the newsletter.
Thanks all and have a wonderful week.
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Friday, February 5th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, MP room
$15/Student (includes pizza, fruit, water, popcorn and a cookie)
We will be showing the movie "Inside Out" (rated PG). Don't forget a sleeping bag (or blanket) and pillow! PJ's if desired!
Questions? Contact Melissa Peralta (
[email protected]). To sign up, please submit your form (from last week's Friday folder) with payment to the PTA drawer in the school office. Fairmeadow students only please. Scholarships available.
Parent volunteers are needed AND your child gets in for free! Contact Melissa for more information.
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| Artwork Contest for Annie |
Calling all artists! If you would like to submit your original artwork for the t-shirt and performance program cover for Fairmeadow's production of Annie, please turn in artwork by February 8th to the PTA drawer inside the front office. Please use a 8.5 x 11 piece of white paper with black ink only. Be sure to use your name and room number at the top of the blank sheet.
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You can now earn money for our school by registering for camps and kids' activities through ActivityHero! Be sure to use Fairmeadow's unique link (https://camps.activityhero.com/fairmeadow/) so the money is donated to us.
Don't forget that we will also have camps and activities for you to bid on through our online auction in February. Stay tuned for more details!
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Friendship Circle: Parent Support Group for Fairmeadow Kids with Special Needs
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*** Date & Venue Update ***
Where & When: Feb. 1, 2016, 10am - 12pm
Venue: 3713 Ortega Ct, Palo Alto
Dear families
The next informal gathering for parents will be held at Tam Truman's house. All are welcome. Please RSVP to Tam directly if you are able to
make it. Apologies for the short notice.
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Family Math Night: You Can Make it Mathtastic!
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Fairmeadow's
Family Math Night
is back by popular demand - and it's still FREE!
Our professionally hosted evening of math games, puzzles and brain-teasers is scheduled for February 24th.
We are recruiting parent volunteers to help as Station Leaders on the night.
Can you help?
When:
Wednesday, February 24th, 6 to 8pm
Where:
The MP Room
What:
We need ten to twelve volunteers to act as Station Leaders.
How:
Station Leaders will explain the rules and keep their activity table tidy.
...But why?Because it's FUN!
This is a low-stress once-a-year opportunity to be part of an awesome school community experience. We can't wait to meet you!
To volunteer / For more information,
contact:
Manali Doshi [email protected]
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Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of High Performing Students
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Wed, Feb 10, 6 - 8 PM, 25 Churchill (District Board Room), Palo Alto
Social and emotional learning is critical to the success of youth. It a process through which youth acquire and effectively apply knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and handle emotions, set and accomplish goals, feel and demonstrate empathy for others, and develop and maintain positive relationships. This discussion will be led by nationally renowned Dr. Tracy L. Cross and will help parents deepen their understanding of: How to communicate with their youth, How to develop home environment in which youth feel genuinely supported and accepted, How to help students develop a healthy work/life balance. Light refreshments and childcare (5 yr and older) available. Sponsored by PAUSD Student Service Office.
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Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age
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The Ohlone PTA is hosting a parent education talk on Monday
February 29th.
Richard Freed, Ph.D., child and adolescent psychologist and author of Wired Child, will speak on the surprising science of raising happy and successful children in a digital age. This thought-provoking presentation will cover:
* Technology's impact on the family
* The question of whether technology is addictive
* How entertainment technologies affect kids' success
* Who better understands technology: parents or children, and
*How to help kids use technology productively
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| PTAC Honorary Service Awards |
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Deadline for Nominations: Feb 12, 2016
Each year the Palo Alto Council of PTAs may bestow one of several California State PTA Honorary Service Awards to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service to
children and youth in our community. The individuals or organization nominated must make far-reaching, notable contributions. The PTA Council HSA Committee selects persons or groups who have benefited children and youth on a district-wide or Palo Alto community level. If you know of someone or an organization that deserves to be honored at this level, please indicate their name so that they may be put into nomination when the committee meets to choose this year's recipients. The chosen recipients will be announced at our Honorary Service Award Breakfast April 22, 2016. Please use this Nomination Form to submit a nomination. Questions? Contact [email protected].
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Palo Alto Council of PTAs Sports Page
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As you may be aware, the Bay Area will host Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. This national event will bring thousands of visitors to the Bay Area including Palo Alto. We recently learned that one of the NFL teams will be having closed practice sessions at Stanford University next week leading up to the event (Mon., Feb. 1. - Fri., Feb. 5).
We wanted to make you aware that practice sessions will be held at Stanford as the Office of Emergency Services tells us we can expect heavy traffic and activity in Palo Alto. In addition, here are some other important tips to consider for next week:
- If you drop off or pick up your children at our schools, law enforcement officials advise that you give yourself plenty of time to drive to and from the school.
- If your child walks or rides a bicycle to and from school, please have a conversation with your child to be extra careful due to the additional traffic.
- It is also recommended that motorists be extra vigilant and careful as pedestrians visiting Palo Alto might not be familiar with the area.
- If you plan to visit us any time next week at our District Office on Churchill Ave. or any of our facilities and schools in close proximity to Stanford, please note that we can expect heavy traffic and limited parking.
- We also want to provide to you information regarding a text notification system created by law enforcement specifically for Super Bowl 50. The City of Santa Clara Police Department encourages citizens to text SB50 to 888777 for important updates throughout Super Bowl 50. Subscribers will receive safety, weather, traffic, and emergency alerts during the week leading up to the Super Bowl.
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DreamCatchers - Looking for Adult Volunteers
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Want to help close the achievement gap? DreamCatchers runs a free after-school tutoring program for low-income PAUSD middle school students, pairing them with volunteers. We are looking for adult volunteers for hands-on tutoring and back office support (data, communications, handbooks). A few hours a week, work with Excel, Word, Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, or tutor a student.
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Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work after Children
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Tue, Feb. 23 & Mar. 1, 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto
Based on the seminal book by John M. Gottman, PhD, this two-part workshop offers an overview of the research, principles, strategies, and skills needed by couples to strengthen their relationship and manage conflict after they become parents. Participants will be invited to engage in class discussion and participate in exercises during the class and between sessions. While this relationship enhancement class is not a substitute for couple's therapy, it builds on the strengths of each couple, as they apply the principles and move closer to having the relationship they want. With Elizabeth Eastman, LCSW, therapist. Fee: $170 per couple for two sessions. For more information and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seven-principles-for-making-marriage-work-after-becoming-parents-2-sessions-registration-19386195633
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Gunn Music Dept's Community Swing Dance
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After having organized two wildly successful dances for high schoolers, the Gunn Music Department is hosting its first community swing dance exclusively for adults. The much awaited event is on March 5th at 6:30pm in the Lucie Stern Ballroom. All details and ticket sales information can be found using the links below. Be sure to purchase your tickets online in advance! Proceeds go to the Gunn Music Department.
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Submit Your Art to Public Alchemy Exhibit
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| The Cubberley Artist Studio Program invites artists to submit work for their inaugural 2016 no-fee entry, open exhibition, Public Alchemy. This open-ended theme is intended to encourage and draw upon a broad range of community perspectives, aesthetic responses, and media. Cubberley Community Center exists to support and cultivate a diverse range of community interests and groups. Public Alchemy seeks to build upon this foundation and make space for artistic exchange and dialogue within and between our neighboring communities. This exhibition is non-juried, and all forms and media are encouraged and will be exhibited, as space allows. Exhibition dates are Feb. 27-March 12. For more information and eligibility requirements, visit http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/50493 |
Mothers of Boys (3 - 8 years)
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Wed, Feb. 24, 7 - 9 PM, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto
Explore this special relationship between mothers and sons and learn what boys need from their moms. Discuss how to handle boy energy and foster long-lasting communication and closeness. Fee is $45
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Managing Anger Series (3 - 8 years)
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Thur, Feb. 11 & 25, 7 - 8:30 PM, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto 94301
They're Driving Me Crazy: Parent Anger - Session 1 - We will explore triggers to your anger, your positive and negative responses to it, and productive management techniques to help when triggers arise in the future.
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Whole-Hearted Parenting: Strengthening Balance and Connection with Emotional Intelligence
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Thur, Feb 4, 7 PM, Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto
Joshua Freedman, author and co-founder and CEO of Six Seconds, discusses his new book Whole-Hearted Parenting: How to Use Emotional Intelligence to Create More Peace, Collaboration and Joy. He draws on 16 years as a parent and decades as an educator and expert in the field of emotional intelligence to show parents ways to connect with their children so that both parents and children find more happiness and peace in their relationships. How can we be more intelligent with our own emotions and our children's? And how can we teach them the essential skills to be more aware, intentional and purposeful? In an engaging, interactive session, Josh will help parents transform breakthrough neuroscience into practical tools. For tickets ($15 in advance or $20 at the door): http://paloaltojcc.org/Events/whole-hearted-parenting
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| Parents Night Out & Valentine's Day Party |
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Sat, Feb. 13, 6 - 10 PM, Lou Henry Hoover (Girl Scout) House, 1120 Hopkins Dr., Palo Alto
Hosted by Palo Alto 9th grade Girl Scout Troop 61420. We realize this is the long President's weekend but thought if you were in town, this could be a great break for the parents & kids!!
The cost is $30.00 for 1st child, $10.00 for each additional sibling (children must be 4 yrs. old and potty-trained). Pizza dinner & healthy snacks PLUS lots of fun Valentine's Day party games and activities to keep your little ones entertained!! The troop is saving for a Service trip and appreciates your support. To register, please go to http://tinyurl.com/nt284qd. For more Information, please contact Darcy Huston, Troop Leader at [email protected].
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Introducing the new Palo Alto Children's Theatre Choir
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Jan 25 - Apr 18
, Ages 5-8: 5:30 - 6:30 PM, Ages 9+: 6:30 - 7:35 PM at Mitchell Park Community Center
Register today to join the Children's Theatre Choir. No experience or audition required. The choir is open to all kids who love to sing! Sign-ups are first-come, first-served. For more information and to register online, visit choir.brownpapertickets.com .
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Mon Feb 8, 10 am - 12 pm - in the Orchard Community Room, Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road
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.
This parent education event is sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC (www.selpa1cac.org) an all-volunteer group of parents of children with special needs. All of our events are free and open to anyone who feels they might benefit. No registration is necessary.
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| Palo Alto's Libraries has many cures for the winter blues! |
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S.T.E.A.M. Lab Saturday
First Saturday of the Month, 2:30-3:30 PM OR 4-5 PM (two sessions), Palo Alto Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St., Palo Alto
Friday Fun
First Friday of the month, 3:30 - 5 PM, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd. AND Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St.
Drop in for board games, simple crafts, and Bingo!
Lunar New Year Celebration
Sat, Feb 6, 2-4 PM, Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Rd.
Enjoy crafts, snacks, and a music performance by the fantastic Firebird Youth Chinese Orchestra.
Exploring Happiness through Meditation & Movement
Wed, Feb 10 & 24, 5:30 - 6:30 PM, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd.
Learn mindfulness through meditation and yoga-middle and high school students are welcome to join us! We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of the month.
Knack-4-Knitting
Wed, Feb, 3, 10, 17 & 24, 4 - 6 PM, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd.
Share & learn knitting skills at this weekly program!
Meet Author Kathy Price
Wed, Feb 3, 3:30 - 5 PM, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St.
Kathy Price, author of The Bourbon Street Musicians, will visit the library to tell stories, play music, and make crafts.
Parenting Program: Boys & Discipline
Thu, Feb 4, 7 - 8:30 PM, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Ave.
This month's topic teaches parents how to guide a boy's energy in a positive and productive manner. Our Parenting Programs are held the first Thursday of every month at Rinconada Libraries through May.
Saturday Board Games
Sat, Feb 6, 10 - 6 PM, Downtown Library, 270 Forest Ave.
Enjoy a day of modern board-gaming in the Library! Teens and adults welcome--and bring your own snacks to keep fuelled throughout the day! This monthly program is held the 1st Saturday of every month.
Tai Chi
Feb 7, 14, 21 & 28, 10 - 12 P.M, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Ave.
You will begin with simple stretching and breathing exercises to create awareness of your body movements and to calm your mind. This class is open to beginners as well as those who have previous Tai Chi experience. People of all ages are welcome.
Group meets every Sunday.
VITA: Volunteer Tax Assistance
Saturdays,, Feb 6 through Apr 9, 10 AM - 3 PM. Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd.
Free Income Tax Preparation by VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) IRS-certified volunteers will provide free basic 2015 income tax return preparation to qualified individuals who earned $54,000 or less. First come, first served. Last files accepted no later than 2PM.
Family Date Night Presents "Family Prom!"
Fri, Feb 19, 7 - 8:15 PM, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd.
Put on your dancing shoes because we've got DJ Kevin lined up for an evening of fun. Formal attire is encouraged but not required. Register
here.
Afternoon Adventure: Superhero Training Academy
Wed, Feb 24, 3:30 - 5 PM, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd.
Do you have what it takes to be a superhero? Create an alias, make a costume, and train so you're ready to fight crime! For grades K-5 only. Register
here.
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| Palo Alto Philharmonic Association Orchestra Concert III |
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Sat Feb 20, 8 PM, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
Come join the Palo Alto Philharmonic for a night of classics, both old and new.
Pianist Daniel Glover
will perform Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, written by their own composer-in-residence, Lee Actor. Glover, who debuted the work in 2013.
The concert will also feature
Johannes Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 1 and
Symphony No. 7
by
Antonin Dvorak
General admission tickets are: General Admission $24, Seniors $20, and Student tickets $12. Tickets are available in advance from www.paphil.org or at the door one half-hour before the performance. This concert venue is wheelchair accessible. For more information, please contact Geri Actor ( [email protected])
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| Learn about the challenges and opportunities faced by Asian American children, teens and young adults |
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Wed Feb 3, 7 - 8.30pm (Q&A 8:30 - 9pm) at CHAC, 590 W El Camino Real, Mountain View
Free talk: Growing up Asian in America: Balancing emotional health and success. Come learn about the special challenges and opportunities faced by Asian American children, teens and young adults, and what their parents can do to help them. Dr. Hoai-Thu Truong and Dr. Vickie Chang are psychologists who work with high achieving professionals. Due to the difficulties they see with their Asian clients, they were inspired to promote emotional wellness starting at an earlier age. This talk is for Asian parents (all grades, but especially grades 6-12), Asian American high school teens and young adults, and educators.
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| 12th Annual Sweetheart Awards - Call for Nominations |
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Is there a bus driver, friend, teacher, administrator, neighbor, aide, crossing guard, fellow student, therapist, physician, volunteer or relative that has done something (however large or small) for your special needs child? Honor that person by nominating him or her for a Sweetheart Award. Submit nominations using this online form:
goo.gl/HIHtkO
Nominations are due by February 10th.
For more information about the awards email:
[email protected]
or go to the CAC website for ceremony details,
www.cacpaloalto.org
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| Birds and the Bees (3 - 10 years) |
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Wed, Feb 3, 7 - 9 PM, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave Palo Alto 94301
Learn effective ways to provide your kids with age-appropriate answers to those uncomfortable questions about our bodies and sex. We will discuss when to have the talk, how to prepare for it, and why this kind of open communication is beneficial. With Torrey Freeman, MS, certified parent educator. $45
For more information or to register, click here.
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| Parenting Young Children Through Separation and Divorce ( birth - 10 years) |
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Tues, Feb 2 & 9, 7 - 9 PM, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave, Palo Alto 94301
Acquire information and effective skills on how to manage the challenging process of separation/divorce while keeping your child's best interest in mind. Open to individual parents only, please. NO co-parents in attendance. A certificate of completion can be provided. With Diana Blank, LCSW. $90 for 2 sessions
For more information or to register, click here.
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Paly Cheerleaders and Dancers Cheer, Stunt & Dance Clinic
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Feb 1 - 4, 3:45 - 5:00 PM, Palo Alto High School
The Paly Cheerleaders and Dancers are hosting a cheer, stunt and dance clinic for local middle and elementary school students. On February 6th the clinic participants are invited to perform at the Varsity Basketball game, which will take place at Gunn High School. Please visit palycheer.net for more information or the registration form. If you have any questions contact Hilary McDaniel at [email protected].
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One of the best super bowl ads of all time -- for your Monday morning laugh (by the way, this is in no way an endorsement of whatever they're trying to sell).
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| eNews Publication Guidelines and Archive |
| For old versions of eNews, go to the eNews archive . Fairmeadow eNews Publication Guidelines:
- Fairmeadow eNews is a publication of the Fairmeadow PTA. It is sent out each Monday morning, with special editions sent out as required.
- If you want to publish an announcement relevant to Fairmeadow, send an email to [email protected]. Include the following information: title, date, time and location of the event, a brief description and who to contact. Information submitted by Sunday 2 pm will appear in the Monday Edition.
- Announcements relevant to other schools in the PAUSD district can be send to [email protected]
- Our PTA has a noncommercial policy, which states that we do not associate with any commercial activities of other organizations including, but not limited to, the promotion of their goods and services. Only information from non profit organizations will be considered for placement, if submitted to eNews.
- Announcements will generally be published in two consecutive issues. To have further announcements made after that, please submit your announcement again.
If you have any questions or suggestions, e-mail Susan Leech, Fairmeadow's eNews editor.
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