Fairmeadow Elementary School eNews
topWhere Learning is a Team Sport
January 4, 2016
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome Message
Box Tops
Friendship Circle
Fairmeadow-licious
PAUSD News
Community News
Laugh o' the week
eNews (Guidelines and Archive)
IMPORTANT DATES

Jan. 4
First  School Day After Winter break
Jan. 5 School site council meeting
Jan. 18 No school - MLK Jr. Day
Jan. 21 PTA staff luncheon
Jan. 29 Principal's coffee
Feb. 11 No school - Staff development day
Feb. 12
No school - President's Day
Feb. 15
No school - President's Day
QUICK LINKS

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Click here to join the Fairmeadow Elementary Community group on Facebook.
   

Fairmeadow News
Happy New Year! Time to change out of your pajamas and gear up for some exciting months of learning ahead. Here's this week's top news stories:
  • See below about contributing your favorite recipes to Fairmeadow's cookbook -- deadline extended to January 22, 2016.
  • California's immunization laws have changed. See the description below under PAUSD for more information.
That's it! Keep reading for more news below.
Box Tops for Education

Please continue to contribute your Box Tops in the drawer in the Main Office under the staff mailboxes.  Questions?  Contact Susan Sather, Box Tops Coordinator,  sksather@yahoo.com.
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Friendship Circle:  Parent Support Group for Fairmeadow Kids with Special Needs

Where & When:  Jan. 5 2016; time and location TBD (please contact Tam Truman; see email below)
 
Does your child have special or unusual learning needs, social or emotional needs that cause a struggle at school and or at home? Do you have questions, advice, or experience you'd like to give or hear from other parents?  If so, please join our friendship circle and support group.  Meeting dates are below; please contact Tamara Truman at   tamaratruman@gmail.com the day before to let her know you are coming and to verify timing and location.  Feel free to send Tamara any questions you'd like answered beforehand.

Future dates:

2 Feb 2016
1 Mar 2016
5 Apr 2016
3 May 2016

Fairmeadow's Special Ed/Inclusion representative  Tam Truman 
Fairmeadow-licious

Got a favorite family recipe? A good ol' go-to when you can't think of anything else to make? Now's your chance to share it with your Fairmeadow community!

We're compiling a cookbook of our community's favorite recipes to raise money for our awesome school! It will be sold through the online auction in February.

Categories will include: Soups & Salads, Appetizers, Kid favorites, Quick and Easy, Comfort Food, Healthy, American classics, International and Desserts.

If you'd like to include a recipe in our Fairmeadow cookbook, click here for further instructions. Please submit your recipes by January 22, 2016 Any questions? Please contact Tracy Ballard-Tal.
  
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PAUSD News 
New Laws Affecting Immunizations Beginning January 2016
New Law (SB 277) Effective in 2016

Governor Brown signed Senate Bill (SB) 277 on June 30, 2015. Starting in 2016, SB 277: 
  • Will no longer permit immunization exemptions based on personal beliefs for children in child care and public and private schools;
  • Will permit personal belief exemptions filed at a school or child care facility before January 1, 2016 to remain valid until a pupil reaches kindergarten or 7th grade;
  • Will remove immunization requirements for:
    • Students in home-based private schools
    • Students enrolled in an independent study program who do not receive classroom-based instruction
    • Access to special education and related services specified in an individualized education program
Medical Exemptions
 
Only a medical exemption can be accepted and this has to be signed exclusively by a California licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.)  A parent or guardian must submit a written statement from a licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) which states:
  • That the physical condition or medical circumstances of the child are such that the required immunization(s) is not indicated.
  • Which vaccines are being exempted.
  • Whether the medical exemption is permanent or temporary.
  • The expiration date, if the exemption is temporary.
  • Student name and date of birth.
  • Physician signature and clinic stamp.
Once this expiration date has occurred, the child may continue in attendance only after the school or child-care center receives documentation of the immunizations now due.

These above laws will apply to any student entering Kindergarten or 7th Grade in the fall of 2016. For more information:  http://www.shotsforschool.org/

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PAUSD Video Operator Needed
All School Board Meetings, Board room at PAUSD
 
Do you have a keen interest in the proceedings of the Palo Alto Unified School District Board meetings AND have a talent for video production?  Midpen Media Center, the Palo Alto-based non-profit public access cable TV station, is looking for individuals to serve as part-time PAUSD Video Operators. http://midpenmedia.org/about-us/jobs/
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PTAC
Palo Alto Council of PTAs Sports Page 

PAPTAC maintains a web page featuring calendars, clinics, tryouts and camps for Peninsula sports teams of interest to Fairmeadow students. Web page: http://ptac.paloaltopta.org/sports-and-activities/ Return To Top Image
Community News
Sixth Annual MLK Jr. Family Day of Service Co-sponsored by Youth Community Service and the City of Palo Alto

Mon, Jan 18th, 11 AM - 2 PM, King Plaza at City Hall, Palo Alto
 
Join YCS and its partners in celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his teachings on community and service. This annual event includes speakers, local performing groups, activity tables, a children's reading corner and art projects, face painting, and information about local service opportunities. Food vendors will be present.  Student volunteer opportunities are also available.  This is a rain or shine event.  Location may change due to possibility of rain.  Check website for updates. For more information visit www.youthcommunityservice.org or call 650-858-8019


Introducing the new Palo Alto Children's Theatre Choir

Jan 25 - Apr 18 Ages 5-8: 5:30 - 6:30 PMAges 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 .

 SELPA 1 CAC Programs

These parent education events are sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC (www.selpa1cac.org) an all-volunteer group of parents of children with special needs.  All of their events are free and open to anyone who feels they might benefit.  No registration is necessary. 

Emotional Regulation

Wed, Jan 207-9 PM, Covington Elementary School Multi, 2.5 Covington, Los Altos
 
Do you experience intense emotions or have children with behavior issues and wish you could cope better?  Dr. Yael Enav will present evidence based strategies to help parents regulate both their emotions as well as their children's.
 
Let's Talk

Mon, Jan 11, 7 - 9 PM, Orchard Community Room, 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.
 
Building Your Child's Self Esteem and Personal Power 9 (Ages 7-12) Parent Education Workshop at Parents Place
Wed, Jan 27, 7 - 9 PM, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave Palo Alto 94301 - Plenty of free parking
 
Your children's feelings of self-esteem and personal power are influenced by beliefs and actions that they learn from you.  Explore ways to build children's self-esteem and avoid the unsuspecting parental communication blocks. By  Cynthia Klein, BA certified parent educator.


Stanford Men's & Women's Basketball
Discounted prices for Fairmeadow Elementary students, family and friends: use promo code "FAIRMEADOW" at www.gostanford.com/promo-code.  Enjoy the family-friendly environment at Maples Pavillion!   Select your own seats!
 
Stanford Men's Basketball
Sunday, December 27 @ 6pm vs. Carroll
Friday, January 1 @ 6pm vs. Utah
Saturday, February 13 @ 1pm vs. Oregon
Saturday, February 27 @ 1:30 vs. UCLA
 
Stanford Women's Basketball
Saturday, December 19 @2pm vs. Cornell
Sunday, January 10 @ 12pm vs. Colorado
Sunday, January 31 @12pm vs. Washington St.
Sunday, February 28 @ 11am vs. Oregon

Questions? Please contact Mike Stryker: mstryker@stanford.edu; 650-724-7314
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Raising A Spirited Child (3-8 Years) - Parent Education Workshop at Parents Place

Tues, Jan 12th & 19th, 9 PM, 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto
 
Understand children who are persistent and intense and learn how to avoid power struggles and improve communication. Based on the work by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. $90 for 2 sessions. With Karen Friedland-Brown, MA, Director of Parents Place of the Peninsula.   To register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raising-a-spirited-child-3-8-years-2-sessions-registration-19364312179

Adopt A Teacher Who Needs Your Support

Make a real difference for a teacher and his/her students by "adopting" a K-8 teacher in East Palo Alto or east Menlo Park for a school year.  Provide the teacher with encouraging notes and/or small gifts of appreciation, school supplies and support for two class parties. Financial commitment $500-600, time commitment very flexible. It's easy and fun to adopt a teacher with friends. Learn more or sign up at http://ravenswoodef.org/adopt-a-teacher/ or by contacting Jennifer Wythes Vettel at jwvettel@yahoo.com.
Palo Alto Adult School Winter Quarter New ESL Student Testing Dates and Information
Testing for DAY classes  Weds, Jan 6 @ 9am-12pm Fri, Jan 8 @ 9am-12pm Greendell Campus 4120 Middlefield Road, Room P 2, 3

Testing for EVENING classes Mon, Jan 4 @ 6:30-9:30pm Weds, Jan 6, @ 6:30-9:30pm Palo Alto High School 50 Embarcadero Road, Room 218

New students must take a placement test to enrol in our free English classes.  Unfortunately there is no childcare.  Please call (650) 329-3752 to make an appointment to take a placement test.  Choose one of the testing dates listed in this section.  Testing and classes are free.

Laugh o' the Week

 
   

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 fairmeadow.enews@gmail.comInclude 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  enews@paloaltopta.org 
  • 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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