Fairmeadow Elementary School eNews

Where Learning is a Team Sport!
September 12, 2016 
Fairmeadow News
"Zumba Class": Join over a hundred parents and teachers who've signed up!
You've seen the signs all over school, now, come join in on the fun! "Zumba class" is our code word for our weekly (weeknight and weekend) practices of a dance routine that will be performed in a massive, surprise, 2-minute community flash mob at the Walkathon on Sunday, September 25.  Stun the kids, get in a workout, and get to know Fairmeadow parents and teachers!

Optional Rehearsals/Socials in  MP Room (except 9/18):
  • Wednesday, Sept 14, 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, Sept 18, 4:00 pm Happy Hour at Fairmeadow mom and instructor, Jaya Gummalam's home
  • Friday, Sept 23, 7:30 pm
  • Saturday, Sept 24, 10:00 am
  • Sunday, Sept 25 "The Big Day", no rehearsal but save this date (time TBD, maybe ~1pm)
Come learn the routine and stay for snacks and drinks! Wear comfy (or workout) clothes.  Sign up for info and updates.

Can't make class but want to join in? Learn the routine from this follow-along video and join us for the Walkathon! Represent your child's grade/s!

Can't make The Big Day but want some fun? Just come for class anyway! No sign-up needed.  More info here.  Watch the "trailer" here. Send questions to  schoolzumba@gmail.com .

Art Card Fundraiser
The Kids' Art Card Fundraiser is here again! Join us as we celebrate our children's art while raising money for our school. Items such as picture stickers, note cards, note pads, gift tags, and more are available for purchase and will feature your child's artwork and signature. Proceeds are donated to the Fairmeadow PTA.  Art Cards have already been distributed to every class. Watch for Order Forms and your child's Art Card to come home in the next week or so.  If you have questions, please contact Linda Eltherington ( linda@quenda.net ). Extra Art Cards are available in the office.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Please submit a packet containing your Order Form, Art Card(s), and Check to your teacher or the office by Thursday, October 6th.
Every Kid in a Park - Free National Park Passes for All Fourth Graders
The National Park Service's program "Every Kid in Park" offers free National Park passes to all fourth graders! Details on the program can be found here. Get your pass and plan your trip at everykidinapark.gov.
Get your walking shoes ready, Firebirds!
Sunday, September 25, 11am-3pm  

Our Walkathon is a fun, family event to raise money for a good cause: our school! Our goal is to have as many kids participate as possible. Everyone who attends gets a t-shirt. Everyone who walks earns prizes.  Everyone who participates will have a great time!  There will be a snow cone stand, face painting, tattoos, a bake sale, food trucks, bike tune-up/repair,  and so much more!
  • Want to earn bonus laps? Wear a hat (be sunsmart!) or donate socks (bring 4 or more new pairs of women's and/or men's socks size 10 and up) for the PA Opportunity Center.
  • Have you heard? If 200 kids come and walk, Mr. Althouse will buy ice cream for the entire school!
  • Don't forget! During the Walkathon, all parents can sign up for or bid on faculty events for kids and parties hosted by Fairmeadow parents. The catalog of faculty events and parties will be in this week's Friday folder. Check it out!
  • Want to help with the Walkathon? Click here to sign up. There are many different fun tasks to choose from!
  • Love to bake? Bring an item for the bake sale. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
PAUSD  News
Notice of Public Hearing: Sufficiency of Textbooks and Instructional Materials
Tues, Sept 13, 6:30 pm, Board Room, 25 Churchill Avenue, Palo Alto
The Board of Education will receive input from the public relative to certification that students have sufficient textbooks and/or instructional materials for the 2016-2017 school year. Additional information available through Educational Services at 650-329-3709.

Community  News
Community Service Opportunity: Coastal Clean Up Day
Sat, Sept 17, 9 am-noon, Baylands (Matadero or Adobe Creek)
The City of Palo Alto is hosting two clean-up sites (Matadero and Adobe Creeks) to clean up litter in the Baylands. To sign up: Please go to  cleanacreek.org  and scroll  down to Palo Alto. Be sure to bring your waivers. Three hours of community service will be available.
Media Rules: Healthy Connections in the Digital Age
Fri, Sep 30, 7-8:30 pm, Memorial Aud., 551 Serra Mall, Stanford
Do you feel that media is all-consuming and rules your family life? Navigating technology can feel like uncharted and unprecedented territory for parents. How can we effectively manage media use when the rules of engagement seem to be constantly changing? Join us to explore how adults and kids can establish healthy connections and positive relationships in the digital age.  Adults $10; students free. Details and tickets at  challengesuccess.org/media-rules/.
El Camino Youth Symphony Orchestra Fall Auditions
Aug/Sept, Palo Alto
The El Camino Youth Symphony is inviting young, motivated musicians with at least one year of private lessons to audition for our preparatory orchestras! ECYS offers after-school music programs for all levels of ability, from our Chamber Players Orchestra for students just beginning their musical journey to the Senior Symphony, where players challenge themselves with professional-level repertoire. The orchestra program begins in the fall and runs through the spring, and groups meet weekly for rehearsal. Contact  loribingham@ecys.org to learn about setting up an audition. Visit ecys.org for more information.
Sanscrit Classes
Classes began Sept 11, 4 pm, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto
Samskrita Bharati Palo Alto is organizing Sanskrit Classes for children (K-7th grade) and adults for the school year 2016-17.  For more information, visit:  SBbalakendram.org .
Let's Talk, a SELPA 1 Support Group
Mon, Sept 12, 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. For more information, see  selpa1cac.org .
PreSchool Family 70th Anniversary Celebration
Sun, Sept 25, 3-5 pm, Greendell School, 4120 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto 
PreSchool Family is turning 70. Celebrate with classroom visits, alumni class photos, and refreshments. Alumni and Current Families welcome. Hosted by Friends of PreSchool Family. For more information, visit   psf.pausd.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Silicon Valley Walk
Sat, Sept 17, Walk begins at 11 am, Arena Green, San Jose 
Put on your walking shoes -- on-site or virtually -- to join the Palo Alto Community and Project Safety Net for this important mental health awareness event. Your support will help change perceptions about mental wellness, reduce mental health stigma, and promote suicide prevention. More information here .
Project Safety Net Meeting
Wed, Sept 28, 4-6 pm, Rinconada Library,
Embarcadero Room, 1213 Newell Rd., Palo Alto
Are you interested in reducing youth mental health stigma and supporting youth voice? Please join us at our next Project Safety Net (PSN) meeting where you will have the opportunity meet and hear from members in our community who have the same interest. At this month's meeting, PSN is honoring September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We will be featuring a Crisis Text Line that provides free crisis intervention via SMS message. You will also hear about upcoming events and trainings. RSVP at goo.gl/gUZS4B.
Project Safety Net is a collaborative community network held together by a common interest of fostering youth well-being in Palo Alto. Sign-up for its newsletter here.
Effective and Joyful Discipline With Your Strong-Willed Child (7 - 11 years old)
Tues, Sept 20, 7-9 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto 
Strong-willed children want to cooperate, yet they need to be approached differently than easygoing children. Rather than ending up in power struggles, break this cycle and learn how to win cooperation effectively. You can bring out the best in yourself and your children. With Cynthia Klein, BA .  $45; $30 additional parenting partner. Register here goo.gl/n0BLdx.
What is Sensory Motor Development? An Introduction to Occupational Therapy (all ages)
Tues, Sept 27; 7-9 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto 
Occupational therapy (OT) can help kids with various needs improve their cognitive, physical, sensory, and motor skills and increase their confidence and sense of accomplishment. Come meet our occupational therapist and learn how OT can help your child's development. We will discuss: What is occupational therapy? What is sensory processing disorder? What does a motor skill delay look like? How can occupational therapy help my child? With Lisa Matudio, MS, OTR/L. $45; $30 additional parenting partner. Register here: goo.gl/ODIfpG.
Juggling Two: Your New Baby and Older Sibling (2nd trimester-newborns)
Thu, Sept 29, 7-9 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto 
Growing your family can be a big adjustment. Discuss the emotions and preparations needed for juggling the individual needs of two children. Learn strategies for before, during, and after the new baby comes home. Anticipate older child behaviors and nurture a healthy sibling relationship right from the start. With Heidi Emberling, MA, parent educator. $45; $30 additional parenting partner. Register here: goo.gl/ltQC9w.
Palo Alto Library LEGO Friday
Fri, Sep 16, 3:30-5 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St.
Let your imagination soar and come build with us! No registration required. For all ages.
Palo Alto Library Family Date Night - Fort Making Pajama Party
Fri, Sep 16, 7-8:15 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St.
Wear pjs. Build forts. Eat snacks. Have fun. Please register for each family member who will be attending.
Society of Bookworms Book Club - Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs
Wed, Sep 21, 4-5 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St., Palo Alto
Discuss a great book with your friends at the library! Grades 4-6.
Bringing up Bicyclists Parent Ed
Mon, Oct 3, 7-8:30 pm, Ohlone Elementary School, MP Room, 950 Amarillo Ave., Palo Alto
This class is for parents of elementary aged children who want to teach their students bike safety skills. Presented by Sylvia Star-Lack, City of Palo Alto Safe Routes to School Coordinator and League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor. No children, please. For more information, see the flyer at the following link:  tinyurl.com/OhloneBUB2016

eNews Publication Guidelines
Previous editions of eNews can be found at the  eNews archive page.

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 contact information. Items submitted by Sunday 2 pm will appear in the Monday Edition.
  • Announcements relevant to other schools in the PAUSD district can be sent 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 submissions from nonprofit organizations will be considered for placement in the 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, please contact Christy Moision, Fairmeadow's eNews editor, at fairmeadow.enews@gmail.com.

In This Issue
Important Dates
Sep 25
Walkathon
Oct 5 Walk & Roll to School Day

PTA Coffee and General Meeting
Oct 7 No School - Staff Development Day
Quick Links

Fairmeadow Elementary School | 650-856-0845 | fairmeadow.enews@gmail.com | http://www.fairmeadow.pausd.org/
500 East Meadow Drive
Palo Alto, CA 94306