| Jan. 29 |
Principal's coffee |
| 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 |
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(click through to the website)
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Hi everyone! Happy 100th day of the school year (this Wednesday, Jan. 27). In celebration, here's your e-news!
- It's inclusion week in the Palo Alto School District, and Fairmeadow will be doing a lot to mark this week's theme. Join Mr. Althouse at this Friday's Principal's coffee to learn more about what Fairmeadow is doing for inclusion -- Friday, Jan. 29 at 8:45 am in the MP Room.
- On Thursday, Jan. 28, the whole school will participate in an emergency drill. See Mr. Althouse's letter for more information or contact Grant if you have questions.
- Fairmeadow needs your help to make our spring fundraiser a success! Please see the notice below describing how you can help contribute to Fairmeadow's online auction, scheduled for Feb. 22 - March 7 2016.
- We've extended the deadline to contribute your recipe and art to Fairmeadow's cookbook. See below for all the details and more information about the cover art contest.
That's it! Have a wonderful week, everyone!
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From the Principal's Desk
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Dear Fairmeadow Community,
This week's Monday morning bell marks the start of Inclusive Schools Week at Fairmeadow.
Inclusive Schools Week is practiced all over Palo Alto Unified School District and many districts in the United States to celebrate the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population. Throughout the week teachers, students, and staff will engage in activities and experiences to acknowledge our current inclusive practices, and to deepen our collective understanding of what it means to include all students, everyday.
At Fairmeadow our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Our student body is made up of individuals with a wide range of abilities, an even wider range of interests, and a wealth of family experiences. Students at our school speak over twenty-five languages, and represent countries across the globe. One student's greatest strength is another student's challenge...one student's expertise, another student's emerging interest. We all benefit from this diversity of experience, culture, interest, and ability, and it is our shared responsibility to foster an environment where each child feels valued and that he or she belongs.
Inclusion, acceptance, and community are themes we explore all year through our Second Steps and Steps to Respect programs, though this week provides us with the opportunity to emphasize the importance of inclusive school practices at Fairmeadow. Events throughout the week will include lunchtime activities, classroom discussions, school-wide announcements, and shared readings, all with the purpose of enhancing our safe and welcoming school for all students. Please mark your calendars for this Friday, January 29th at 8:45 am for an Inclusive Schools Week Principal's Coffee focused on themes of the week. Come to this week's Principal's Coffee to meet the many spectacular members of our specialist team, and learn how the teams' expertise enriches our inclusive school efforts.
This Thursday, January 28th Fairmeadow students and staff will participate in a full-scale emergency drill to practice our emergency response procedures. Students and adults will evacuate classrooms and gather on the field to take attendance to account for all individuals in our school community. During this drill, we will simulate a large-scale emergency that requires the initiation of our emergency response teams: Search and Rescue, Transportation, First Aid, Food and Water, Sanitation, Student Release, and Student Supervision. All staff members are responsible for specific tasks to ensure the safety and well-being of all students in the case of a serious disaster during the school day. This experience will help us all to improve and refine our process, and create a stronger sense of preparedness as we walk through our procedures and protocols. Teachers will work to prepare students for what to expect during the drill, and to debrief following. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
This Wednesday, January 27th marks the 100th day of school for the 2015/16 school year! It's been a full 100 days of discovery, learning, and growing for all of our students at Fairmeadow. Imagine what our children will accomplish over the remaining 80 days! Onwards and upwards we go!
Grant Althouse
Principal
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Help support Fairmeadow through ActivityHero!
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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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The annual Fairmeadow online auction is coming (02/22 to 03/06) -- but we need more stuff!
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Do you have any gift cards you're not using? A service or item you can donate? Good connections???
We'll have lots of awesome items for you to bid on or buy -- our school cookbook, summer camps, food, entertainment and experiences -- but we still need more stuff to raise enough money for our school! If you have anything to contribute, please go to our website to enter the donation details. Any questions? Please contact Tracy Ballard-Tal at [email protected].
Auction proceeds will be used to fund programs, materials and community events at Fairmeadow.
The auction will take place from February 22nd until March 6th.
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Recipes and "Fairmeadow-licious" cover design entries are due this Friday!
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Thank you to everyone who has submitted recipes to our
"Fairmeadow-licious"
cookbook and entries to our student cover design contest so far!
You have until this Friday, January 29, 2016 to submit your recipes and your children's cover designs.
"Fairmeadow-licious" Cookbook Cover Design Contest
All Fairmeadow students may enter by drawing a picture in color and dropping it off at the office by January 29, 2016. The winning entry will be featured on the cover of "Fairmeadow-licious" and other entries will be chosen for the section and recipe pages. Pictures should be food/cooking related.
Cookbook
We are still looking for recipes for our Fairmeadow cookbook. It would be great to get some recipes for our new sections -- "gluten-free", "vegetarian" and "snacks & smoothies"-- but please continue to fill our other categories as well.
Cookbook categories will include:
Soups, Salads, & Appetizers, Snacks & Smoothies, Faculty Faves, Kid Favorites, Quick & Easy, Slow Cooking, Vegetarian, International Eats, Gluten-Free and Something Sweet
If you have a recipe to share, there are a four different ways to do it:
2. Write it out on a piece of paper and put it in the PTA auction drawer in the office.
3. Photocopy/photograph a recipe from a book and put it in the PTA auction drawer in the office. Please include your email address (in case we need to contact you with questions), the contributors' names (e.g. The Tal Family or Noam and Ella Tal), and a quote from someone in your family about the recipe (e.g. Ella from kindergarten says, "It's so yummy!").
4. If it's from an online source, you can send a link to [email protected]. Please include the contributors' names (e.g. The Tal Family or Noam and Ella Tal), and a quote from someone in your family about the recipe (e.g. Ella from kindergarten says, "It's so yummy!").
Again, please submit your recipes by January 29, 2016.
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PAUSD Parent Information Session on IEPs & 504 plans (Part 2) - SMART GOALS
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Wed, Jan 27, 6:30 - 7:30 PM, SDC Room, 25 Churchill, Palo Alto
This session is the second in a series for parents whose children receive support under an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or 504 plan. Presented by PAUSD staff, including Director of Special Education Chiara Perry, Director of Student Services Brenda Carrillo, and Coordinator of Student Services Lissette Moore-Guerra. The first session provided an overview of IEPs and 504s. Come learn and have questions answered.
Presented by the PAUSD Special Education Department and Student Services Department, and co-sponsored by Palo Alto CAC,
http://cacpaloalto.org/
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| Inclusion for All Students in Middle and High School in Electives and Extracurricular Activities |
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What does inclusion look like in Middle and High School and what can be done to improve it?
Mon, Jan 25, 6:30-8:30 PM (hospitality starts at 6pm), PAUSD Board Room, 25 Churchill, Palo Alto.
Join the discussion on how to improve the inclusion of all students (including those with special needs and disabilities) in Middle and High School electives and extracurricular activities and share success stories and best practices that benefit all. Let's come together to make our PAUSD Middle and High Schools a better place for everyone. There will be a panel discussion with PAUSD teachers from Gunn, Paly, JLS, Jordan and Terman followed by a break-out in small groups where questions can be asked.
Spanish translation will be available. Sponsored by
Palo Alto CAC
http://cacpaloalto.org/
and PAUSD.
Anyone is free to join in.
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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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Hope Musical Theatre's 2016 Summer Camps
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2016 SUMMER CAMP!
"This is a unique program with high energy, high expectations and amazing results!"
This summer....
Come explore the world of singing, dancing and acting!!
Everyone will get their chance to shine.
In just 2 weeks we will put on an entire Broadway style musical:
Offering programs for ages Kindergarten - 8th grade.
CIT program for 9th graders and up.....
**NEW THIS SUMMER**
Junior Campers (Kinder - 2nd grade)
Behind-the-Scene Campers (4 - 8th grade)
Also our classic Camper Program (3 - 8th graders)
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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 |
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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Sat. Jan 30, 10 AM - 5 PM, Santa Clara Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara
Your Free Ticket to STEM. Families can enjoy learning about the future of immersive technology:
virtual reality, augmented reality, telepresence robots, computer vision, 3D video, and gaming (recommended for grades 6 and up). Younger grades will enjoy the
Innovation Stations
---hands-on areas---where kids can learn about circuit boards, build with blocks and straws, create mosaics using math, interact with robots and launch rockets.
Sign up for your FREE tickets at santaclaraca.gov/innovation.
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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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The Palo Alto Children's Theatre presents Mo Willems' ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S WE ARE IN A PLAY
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Join the Palo Alto Children's Theatre for "Elephant & Piggie's 'We are in a Play,'" based on the classic stories by Mo Willems and featuring a cast of local theatre professionals. Elephant and Piggie, with the help of the nutty backup singers The Squirrels, take the audience on a madcap musical romp about friendship. Running time: approximately 60 minutes. View full performance schedule and purchase tickets at
www.cityofpaloalto.org/childrenstheatre
or call
(650) 463-4970
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| Building Your Child's Self Esteem and Personal Power 9 (Ages 7-12) Parent Education Workshop at Parents Place |
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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.
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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!
Minigame Madness
Wed, Jan 27, 3:30-5:00 PM, Palo Alto Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St., Palo Alto
Game on! Come to the library for an afternoon or fast-paced games and friendly competition. Grades K-5th. Register
here.
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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| 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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