Greetings Fairmeadow Community,

 

Last Friday at our whole school assembly, all firebirds reflected about authentic kind and thoughtful acts that friends and classmates carried out for each other in our community, and of the small acts of kindness that we can easily complete for each other daily. Our social and emotional learning curriculum, Second Steps (K-2) and Steps to Respect (3-5), help children build empathy and problem-solving skills through lessons and role-play scenarios in our classrooms, and reinforce the positive ways we interact. Discussions and modeling at home and at school about the intentional ways that we treat one another can help to deepen this learning and to strengthen our welcoming and inclusive school climate!

 

Hundreds of students raced around the Walkathon course with friends, teachers, and parents during last Sunday's Rock the Walk fall fundraising event, celebrating our community and supporting our school. Thank you to the many community members who planned, organized, and participated in this year's Walkathon, with record-breaking student and parent involvement defining this entertaining community gathering. Our Fairmeadow community grows stronger each year thanks to your participation, creative ideas, and inclusive spirit! Oh, and what a fantastic flash mob, a true Fairmeadow first!

 

This Wednesday, October 5th Fairmeadow students will join millions of children from countries around the world through participation in International Walk to School Day. Palo Alto's Walk and Roll to School Day this Wednesday encourages students to choose physically active and environmentally friendly means of travelling to and from school. Special guests at Fairmeadow Wednesday will include City Council member Liz Kniss and Palo Alto Safe Routes to School Specialist Rosie Mesterhazy, greeting children as they arrive. Whether walking, biking, scooting, skateboarding, riding a bus, or carpooling, students can show their commitment to making environmentally friendly and safe transportation choices. If you do need to ride in a car on Wednesday, consider parking a few blocks away and walking to campus to show your support. Remember, share the roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks with others, and always wear a helmet on your bicycles, scooters, skates and skateboards. Our school website includes a helpful drop down menu labeled 'Getting to School' with many important resources!

 

This Friday, Fairmeadow teachers and support staff will participate in a Staff Development Day entitled Powerful Practices 4.0 - STEAM Edition along with their elementary colleagues from all 12 PAUSD elementary schools. This conference-style professional development is a day of learning for teachers by teachers including a wide variety of teacher led sessions emphasizing Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math. Sessions are designed to deepen application of the Common Core State Standards, promote methods that build inclusive classrooms, and provide strategies to engage and inspire our students with design thinking and Next Generation Science Standards practices. The keynote speaker at this year's event is Chris Fitzgerald Walsh, experienced K-12 educator, media producer, and entrepreneur. So, while this Friday, October 7th is not a school day for students, there will still be a lot of learning happening for Fairmeadow!

 

Next Monday, October 10th, the school day will extend for our youngest learners, with kindergarten dismissal at 2:40 pm along with the primary grades on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and at 1:40 pm on Wednesdays. We look forward to spending the afternoons continuing learning with our kindergarteners.

 

Thank you for your ongoing support of teaching, learning, and community at Fairmeadow Elementary School. I look forward to seeing you on campus soon!

Grant Althouse

Principal

If you're new to walking or biking to school, consult Fairmeadow's  Walk & Roll Map for the best route (it's likely different from the route you drive) or contact our Safe Routes to School rep,  Christy Moision, who is more than happy to help you find a great route.

Find more information about Palo Alto PTA Safe Routes to School programs at  saferoutes.paloaltopta.org.  The PTA thanks the City of Palo Alto and PAUSD for their support of this event.  

Don't miss out on the opportunity to celebrate our children's art while raising money for our school. Items  such as picture stickers, note cards, personalized greeting cards, note pads, gift tags, and more are available for purchase and will feature your own child's artwork and signature. Proceeds are donated to our PTA.

Your order form, art card, and check should be paper-clipped together and are due to your teacher or the office by this Thursday, October 6th by 4:00 pm.  If you have questions, please contact Linda Eltherington (650-460-9431). Extra order forms and art cards are available in the office.

Tues, Oct 4, 6:30-8:30 pm, Barron Park School MP Room, 800 Barron Ave, Palo Alto

All interested Palo Alto Voters and PAUSD parents are invited to come and hear from the school board candidates! Barron Park, Ohlone, and Fairmeadow PTAs are co-hosting this K-5th grade-focused forum with all candidates. If you'd like to submit a question to have the candidates respond to, email your question to  k5october4forum@gmail.com  by Oct 3. Please keep your questions related to K-5th issues. There will be separate forums for Special Ed issues on Sat Oct 1st 10a-12p (location TDB) and possibly a forum for 6-12th grade issues (Day, Time, Location TBD).

Oct 17 or 24, 6:30-8:30 pm, Media & Arts Center at Palo Alto High School

To rename or not to rename any of Palo Alto's schools, that is the question the Renaming Schools Advisory Committee will begin to answer during its first town hall meeting in October. Renowned historians and educators with expertise in the Eugenics era, some of whom have actively provided their expertise in renaming efforts at other schools, will discuss if there is a rationale to consider renaming PAUSD schools whose namesakes were actively involved in Eugenics. The panelists will discuss how to evaluate a person's controversial legacy in historical context, the learning opportunities this debate provides, and how renaming or not renaming might affect the school community. The town hall meeting is intended to stimulate community discussion on this important topic, and will close with a Q&A session. Everyone in the community is welcome, please invite your friends and neighbors.

If you agree that these bus lines are important to Palo Alto residents, please click here to sign the petition.

As increasing numbers of families are walking and bicycling all over town, the call for bike and pedestrian route maps has increased. Check out Palo Alto's new Walk & Roll map with suggested routes to Palo Alto's libraries from every neighborhood citywide. The libraries are popular after-school destinations and they often are the center of fun family outings. Walking and bicycling are active, healthy, fun ways to get there! See the Walk & Roll to Libraries map here.

Fri, Oct 7, 7:30 pm, Mitchell Park Community Center, Palo Alto 

Documentary photographer Randy Olson has worked with National Geographic Magazine for 25 years, producing over 30 stories on issues of overpopulation, environmental degradation, resource extraction, and disappearing cultures. He will present his work, followed by an interview with moderator Kim Komenich and Q&A session with the audience. Light refreshments included.  Information and tickets here.  Contact:  info@paloaltophotoforum.org.

Sat and Sun, Oct 8-9, 10 am - 4 pm,  Cubberley Community Center (FOPAL Children's Sale Room)

More than 13,000 kids' books, games, puzzles, CDs, and DVDs will be on sale at incredibly low prices at Friends of the Palo Alto Library's monthly book sale -- everything from board books and picture books to school age fiction and nonfiction titles to early teen fiction. All items are lightly used or new and are sorted by age level and subject matter. Many books in foreign languages. Over 50,000 books for adults in FOPAL's Main and Bargain rooms.

Second Sundays, beginning Oct 9, 11 am - 4 pm, Stanford campus, off Palm Drive at Museum Way

The Cantor invites families to a day of wonder and learning at the museum. This is a free, family-focused day of art talks, hands-on art making, and gallery adventures for visitors of all ages. Explore the galleries and participate in programs designed to help families look and think about art in new ways. Curiosity is encouraged. The day is designed to be flexible with no registration required, no standing in line, and no waitlists. Families can plan a unique museum experience and join the activities in which they are most interested.

Thu, Oct 13 5:30-7:30 pm, Palo Alto Sheraton, 625 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

Kiwanis Angel Award recognizes an individual who has provided significant contributions to children and youth. Agent DuJuan Green is being honored for his exemplary work as a School Resource Office, Facilitator of the Parent Project which teaches enhanced parenting skills, and member of Project Safety Net. Program relevant for parents of students 6 grade to 12 grade. Cost $50 per person and sign up by October 6. Proceeds benefit children and youth programs. Register here.  Contact Gail Price.

Sun, Oct 16, 2-4:30 pm, The Fairmont (Crowne Room), San Francisco

Enjoy an afternoon tea for the whole family (all ages) and listen to tech leaders speak about the crucial role men play in supporting women and girls in STEM and other fields. Formal tea includes gourmet food and beverages. Fun activities for kids include raffle, photo booth, girl panel, temporary tattoos. More info here.

Mon, Oct 17, 9am - Noon, Jordan Middle School

PAUSD and Special Olympics Northern California have joined together in a new  Special Olympics Schools Partnership  program. Through sports, the program aims to provide opportunities for special education students and their peers to work together as teammates and to create inclusive opportunities in the school community. Come cheer on the students in their first event of the year. Elementary, middle, and high school students throughout the district will be participating and showing off their skills. For more information contact Angel Sheridan.

Now thru Oct 12

Order delicious Gizdich Ranch Pies before Oct 12 for your holiday gatherings, and help raise funds for the Class of 2017 Senior Picnic, Grad Night Celebration, and scholarships for Seniors to attend those events. The pies come frozen and are made locally at Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville. You can choose from  Apple, Two Berry (raspberry and blackberry), Pumpkin, or Apricot! Buy a pie and donate it to a special teacher or staff member! For the Gizdich Pie Order Form and more information click here.  Contact Cassandra Gencarella with questions.  Gunn's Class of 2017 thanks you!

Mon, Oct. 24 (order deadline), Fri, Nov 18 Pick up your pies at Palo Alto High School in front of the Tower Bldg. from 3:30-6:30 pm

Enjoy delicious farm fresh pies while supporting Palo Alto High School's Cheer and Dance teams! Apple, Two Berry, and Pumpkin Pies are available. They are flash-frozen from Gidzich Farms in Watsonville and are simply scrumptious! Get all the details here.

Mon, Oct 3, 7-8.30 pm, Ohlone Elementary School, MP Room, 950 Amarillo Ave.

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, click here for the flyer.

Sat, Oct 15 1-4 pm, Los Altos Hills Town Hall Council Chambers

This exciting afternoon for 3rd-5th graders investigates song, dance, folktales, and instrumental elements from the Music of West Africa. Featuring Cantabile's signature pedagogical approach of Kodaly, Orff and Dalcroze methods, this workshop will include both traditional folk songs and contemporary songs from current African artists. Through vocal warm-ups, singing games, and theatrical improvisation, singers will have a blast learning how to develop and express their natural singing voice, and will walk away with a starting toolbox to continue their journey as young singers.

Cost: 45.00 for non-residents, 50.00 for residents. Questions? Email  info@cantabile.org or call 650-424-1410. 

Register Los Altos   here.

C ontact:  jchew@losaltosca.gov or 650-947-2848.

Register Los Altos Hills  here.

C ontact:  sgualtieri@losaltoshills.ca.gov   or  650-947-2518.

• 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.com. Include 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.
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