Paly Link

A PTSA publication
Sunday, September 11, 2016
tower building drawing

The Paly Link is distributed on Sundays, except during school breaks and holidays.  Changes will be highlighted as New/Updated/Corrected.  To submit an article, see Submissions Guidelines.
Calendar
 

Sept 12-23
College Visits ( C&CC)
Monday Sept. 12
First Paly Site Council Mtg., 3:45pm, EWC  ( Paly)   New  
Monday Sept. 12 
Paly Fiery Arts Booster board and new member meeting, 6-7 pm, Art room 105, in between new and old Theatre  ( Paly)  Update
Monday Sept 12 Parking Enforcement Begins 
Tue/Wed Sept 13 & 14 Photo Make up's Student Center 8 a.m - 3 p.m
Wednesday Sept 14 Site Council Meeting 3:45 - 5:30 EWC (Library)
Wednesday Sept 14
Junior Parent Night, 7pm, PAC ( Paly)
Wednesday Sept 14
Free Speech in the Social Media Era  ( Paly )
Thursday Sept 15
College Application School Forms Workshop 7pm (CL-2)   ( C&CC )
Thursday Sept. 15
Friends of Paly Choir Social, 7pm, Paly PAC ( Paly)   New
Thursday  Sept 15 Senior Parent Network Meeting, 8:30am, Mudita Jain's home, 234 Walter Hays Dr. 
(PTSA) 
Monday Sept 19
Club Day
Wednesday Sept 21 Paly Sports Booster Meeting Anderson/Look Home 7 p.m (Paly)
Wed-Sat Sept 21-24 Camp Unity Trip
Friday Sept. 23 Junior Parent Network Mtg, 8:30am, Paly Library Conference Room (PTSA)    New 
Friday Sept 23
Fiery Arts Glass Sale, 3-6pm
Saturday Sept 24
Fiery Arts Glass Sale, 11-4pm
Saturday Oct. 1
Paly PAC Groundbreaking Gala Celebration, 2:30pm/7:30pm (Paly)   New 
 

PTSAPTSA Items

Class of 2017 Senior Parent Network Meeting 
Thursday, Sept. 15th, 8:30-9:45 am, home of Mudita Jain, 234 Walter Hays Drive.
Welcome parents of the Class of 2017! Guidance Counselor Selene Singares and Asst. Principal Jerry Berkson will attend to give us their thoughts on what our seniors will be facing this year.  We will also have a brief discussion on Paly's policy of reporting of only unweighted GPAs to colleges after Selene and Jerry Berkson are finished. 
Please contact Kathy Jordan ( kjordan114wh@gmail.com or Mudita Jain ( mudita@gmail.com ) with any questions.

Class of 2018 (Juniors) Parent Network Meeting New
Friday, Sept. 23, 8:30-10 am, Paly Library Conference Room (in the Library)
Our guidance counselor, Charles Taylor, will go over issues of importance to 11th graders and their families. This is a good opportunity to ask questions you may not have gotten a chance to ask at Junior Parent Night (see Paly Link for details). A representative of PiE (Partners in Education) will also speak briefly. Please note that we will begin promptly at 8:30 to accommodate Charles Taylor's schedule. We look forward to seeing you there! Questions? Contact Julia Kossack (JuliaPalyParent@gmail.com) or Julie Tomz (JulieTomz@gmail.com).

A Public Forum for Candidates for the PAUSD School Board
Mon, Sep 22, 7-9 pm, 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto
Be educated!  The Palo Alto PTA Council and League of Women Voters have organized an opportunity for you to meet the the candidates for the PAUSD Board of Education. The Board of Education is the K-12 policy-making body for academic standards, curriculum, instructional materials, assessments and accountability. Thank you to the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto for sponsoring this forum that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League and PTAC neither supports nor opposes candidates. The Candidates Forum is organized to provide equal and non-preferential opportunities for each candidate for Palo Alto Unified School Board to make short prepared statements and to answer questions written by audience members on cards provided at the event. Volunteers help make the event run smoothly.
The entire Forum will be videotaped by Midpeninsula studios and broadcast later on community TV channels. All other recordings, visual and audio, are prohibited.
https://www.pausd.org/explore- pausd/board-education

Spirit Week on Paly Campus     New
October 15-22nd; - Many shifts, many small tasks, lots of positive return for your time supporting the students with building floats.  Questions?  Please contact Susan Scheel at  susanischeel@sbcglobal.net  Sign up sheets below:

The students do all the work, we need parents to provide support (food, light supervision, and encouragement).  Witness the energy of classes working together, competing for the title of spirit champion.   Sign up here:   https://www.uptous.com/uptous.htm?_flowId=directLink-flow&communityId=5306&extraId=17519&action=opp

Are you handy with power tools, enjoy building things?  We need you at the start of the week ( October 15 and 16) Sign up here:   https://www.uptous.com/uptous.htm?_flowId=directLink-flow&communityId=5306&extraId=17519&action=opp

Chaperone the Dance:  Will not be able to have the dance without your help:  Sign up here: https://www.uptous.com/uptous.htm?_flowId=directLink-flow&communityId=5306&extraId=17518&action=opp 

Latte Cart: Rotating schedule 
Paly Tower Building 
Help with set up, clean up, serve or bake goods.  All shifts open and we need your help.  The Paly staff look forward to this treat.  Thank you for signing up.  Please click here to sign up:

Volunteer Needed: Club Day BBQ Coordinator  
Monday, September 19,  2016,  all shifts open, Paly Quad
We need a team of fun lovin volunteers to lead the school wide Club Day BBQ.  Staff and student leaders will be part of the dynamic team, your organization and flare will make all the difference to make this event a success!  If you are interested, please contact Beth Martin at bmartin@pausd.org .  For other shifts during the event, please click here to sign up:  https://www.uptous.com/uptous.htm?_flowId=directLink-flow&communityId=5306&extraId=17463&action=opp

Volunteers are needed to help in the Paly Library 
This is a wonderful place to be at Paly. If you are interested in helping out in the library please email Debbie Henry,  Dhenry@pausd.org . They would love to have volunteers start right away so the sooner you can email them the better. 

Save the Date! Challenge Success Fall Parent Event at Stanford University
Fri. Sept 30, 7-8:30pm, Memorial Auditorium, Stanford University
Media Rules. Healthy Connections in the Digital Age. Details and tickets here.

Donate online to support the Paly PTSA - it's easy! Your contributions support important programs that benefit students, teachers and administrators. Please help us reach our goal for this school year!
Online links as follows:
Paly PTSA:  http://palyptsa.paloaltopta.org/donations/
Palo Alto High School: (ASB, Yearbook, etc.):  
https://palywebstore.myschoolcentral.com/asbworks/(S(jqv0ghy0ikvoe4z0s05whhg1))/apps/webstore/pages/WebStore.aspx
Lost your back to school forms?  All back to school forms (and online links) are located in the Paly PTSA Back to school forms page:  http://palyptsa.paloaltopta.org/back-to-school-packets-2016-2017/
Thank you for your continued support!
Paly ItemsPaly
paly viking ship logo

Photo Packets are available for pick-up in the Auditor's Office   New

What is Paly Site Council? New
Site Council is a valuable forum where Paly's staff, students and parents are all present to discuss issues related to the school - it brings a unique and broad perspective which we value greatly! Meetings are monthly and anyone is welcome to attend. Our first meeting is Monday, September 12th at 3:45 pm in the EWC. For more information, please visit our website at  http://www.paly.net/site-council

Flex Time (formerly tutorial) officially starts on Tuesday, August 30.
Students choose how and where to spend the Flex Time but should remain on campus since it is considered instructional minutes.  Students should check their schedules in Infinite Campus for their Flex Time teacher and location.  Check in with the Flex Time teacher happens at the end of the period.  For questions, please check the Flex Time FAQs.

Paly Fiery Arts Booster board and new member meeting   Update
Monday. Sep 12, 6-7 pm, Art room 105, in between new and old Theatre
Join us to learn about the amazing Paly Fiery Arts Glass studio and Sculpture program. Help support the upcoming Fall Sale Sept. 23-24. This is the first booster meeting of the school year. 
Steve Ferrera will be there. Contact Nancy Kawakita, Booster Chair at  PalyFieryArts@gmail.com for more information.

Free Speech in the Social Media Era
Wednesday 9/14, Paly MAC 6-8pm
Esther Wojcicki, Newseum trustee, and Jeffrey Herbst, Newseum president and chief executive officer, invite you to a program discussing Free Speech in the Social Media Era.
Panelists include Geoffrey Brigham, YouTube's director of trust and safety,Peter Stern, Facebook's head of policy risk management, and Vivek Wadhwa, distinguished fellow and professor at Carnegie Mellon University Engineering at Silicon Valley.  Link: http://www.newseum.org/event/free-speech-in-the-social-media-era/

Join Us for the Friends of the PALY Choir (FOPC) Social   New
Thursday, September 15th, 7pm, PALY's beautiful Performing Arts Center
Dessert in the foyer followed by mini-performances by the PALY Choirs and tours of the new PAC.

Paly Sports Boosters Passes New Pricing on September 4th    Updated
New pricing in effect on September 4th.  Please visit the link for the updated flyer and order your passes online:  http://palysportsboosters.org/booster-passes/  or by mail.  Remember your support h elps ensure a vibrant Paly athletic community! Passes are good for admission for Paly regular season home games for all sports during the 2016-2017 school year. New this year: free VIKING SQUAD t-shirt with every Student Booster Pass (while supplies last).   Form

Paly Sports Boosters Meeting
Wednesday, September 21st, 7pm, Anderson/Look home, 1401 Parkinson Ave.
Join us for the September Paly Sports Boosters meeting at the home of president, Melissa Anderson. We'll get an update about the fall season from Athletic Director Kathi Bowers plus hear Paly Sports Boosters' plans for the year. We're a fun group (and all the big jobs are already taken!) - please join us!

Paly Glass Fall Fiery Arts Fall Sale
Fri, Sep 23, 3-6 pm and Sat, Sep 24, 11-4 pm, 50 Embarcadero Rd, near the new Performing Arts Theatre.
Come see exquisite new glass designs hand-blown by instructors, alumni and students.  Over 1000 unique glass pieces - pumpkins, pears, apples, fish, hearts, cats, seashells and more on sale to benefit the school's Fiery Arts program. Live glass blowing demonstrations. www.tinyurl.com/paloaltoglass   

Important Yearbook Dates for Seniors and Parents  New
Senior portrait sessions will be held on the quad on Tuesday September 27 and Thursday September 29. These sessions are free and will provide seniors with a yearbook-quality portrait to be used in the 2017 edition of Madrono. These sessions are free and don't require prior sign-up; seniors who are interested should be on the quad (wearing the clothes they want for the photo!) any time between 11:30-1:30 on either date. We'll have our yearbook photographers ready to go. Portraits are due October 13; palymadrono.com has more information. Email adviser Brian Wilson at bwilson@pausd.org with any questions.

Workshop sessions for senior parents who are turning in baby ads will be held on Thursday October 6 and Tuesday October 11, from 12:30-5:30 each day. These sessions are a great way to get your baby photos scanned, craft a message to your child, and work with one of our students on design ideas. Bring all materials with you and plan on anywhere from 10-30 minutes, depending on how detailed you want to get. Senior ads are due October 13; palymadrono.com has more information. Email adviser Brian Wilson at bwilson@pausd.org with any questions.

Paly PAC Groundbreaking Gala Celebration  New
Sat. Oct. 1, 2:30pm & 7:30pm at Paly Performing Arts Center, 50 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto
Come celebrate Paly's new Performing Arts Center! The Groundbreaking Gala will showcase students from Paly's drama, vocal music and instrumental programs as they all perform together in this beautiful space- for the first time. Every student who is involved in Paly's performing arts program will have at least one opportunity on stage at this very special opening. In addition, there will be several guest speakers and performers, plus intermission refreshments in the soaring main lobby. The gorgeous new facility, built thanks to a bond measure endorsed by the citizens of Palo Alto, is a state-of-the-art 25,100 square foot theatre. Designed to accommodate the three performing arts groups at Paly, it will support all 450 students per year that participate in the school's performing arts programs. Tickets $25-$100 at http://www.palytheatre.com/tickets/ Any remaining tickets sold at the door one hour before curtain.

Paly Performing Arts Presents: A Gala Celebration of the Performing Arts
Saturday  October 1st at 2:30 PM & 7:30pm   
Palo Alto High School Performing Arts Center, 50 Embarcadero Rd.  
Celebrate the grand opening of our new spectacular theatre as nearly 300 students from the choral, music and theatre departments take to the stage to deliver a groundbreaking evening of the performing arts. The Opening Gala includes after-show dessert and refreshments. Tickets are $25.00, $50.00, $75.00 & $100.00. R eserved seating at   http://www.palytheatre.com/tickets/   


 
Junior Parent Night
Wed., Sept 15, 7pm, Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Come join us for an informational evening about junior year.  Topics will include:
- Graduation vs 4 Yr College Eligibility
- Available support for all students
- Post High School Options
- How college applicants are evaluated
- Teacher vs Teacher Advisor Letter
- Timeline for Juniors
- Testing sequence
- GPAs and more....

10th Grade Parent Meeting 
Our first parent meeting as 10th grade will be with Kim Diorio and Paige Johnson, on Thursday morning, Sept 8 from 8:30-10:00 am in the English Writing Center (EWC -- in the Library). We are also working on topic ideas for future parent meetings, so please let us know! We want to make sure that we stay as connected as possible as the kids move forward. Karen Ambrose Hickey ( kahickey@yahoo.com ), Reshma Singh ( greshmasingh@gmail.com ), Daxue Xu ( daxuexu@hotmail.com )

Real Food Fun: A conversation on the Health Impacts of Sugar
Thursday, September 8, 2016, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM, Paly Media Arts Center
Bestselling authors Gary Taubes and Dr. Robert Lustig  discuss health impacts of sugar with  New York Times journalist Anahad O'Connor and childhood obesity expert Dr. Janet Wojcicki.

Class of 2017 Yearbook Senior Portraits and Baby Ads 
Deadline: October 13, MAC 101 
If you haven't yet set up an appointment with a photographer, it would be a good idea to do that now to ensure making the deadline. All the additional specifics about both ads and portraits can be found at palymadrono.com. Feel free to contact adviser Brian Wilson at  bwilson@pausd.org if you have questions.

Sign up for Paly Glass Weekend Workshops 
Sat & Sun.  Nov. 12-13, Dec. 3-4, Jan. 7-8, Feb. 4-5, March 4-5, April 1-2, May 6-7, June 3-4  9-3 pm at Paly's Glass Studio.   The workshop will focus on beginning glass blowing techniques. It's an incredible, fun, hands-on experience and it benefits the Paly Fiery Arts Program. Repeating students progress from their last session.  Advanced Sign up required. Class limit is 4. Teens and adults. $425 per person. Open to the public.
Co ntact: David Camner, founder of the Paly Fiery Arts,   dcamner@pausd.org
College & Career Center CCC
C&CClogo.jpg
*Free* College Essay Help for Seniors from Kenyon College, Reed College & Sarah Lawrence College   New
Get writing advice and help directly from admissions professionals! In these interactive workshops, admissions experts from national liberal arts colleges that deeply value writing will share what makes a successful college essay. Explore topics, strategies and approaches to essays that will authentically convey who you are. Even if you consider your essay "done," you may gain new perspectives that will help ensure you've done your very best.
The workshop dates and locations are listed below. Interest in these specific colleges is not required:
East Bay Workshop (Offered by Reed, Sarah Lawrence, and Kenyon)
Monday, September 12th, 6:30pm, Berkeley High School, 1980 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, 94704
Register here: https://apply.slc.edu/portal/writingworkshops?id=0ddf2991-40ec-4e87-b7ac-726338340954

Marin County Workshop (Offered by Reed, Sarah Lawrence, and Kenyon)
Tuesday, September 13th, 6:30pm, Tamalpais High School, 700 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Register here: https://apply.slc.edu/portal/writingworkshops?id=7ff654e6-ca2f-4d0e-a453-609eb283167b

Stanford Health Care Nursing Career Night New
Wed, Sept. 28 6:30 - 8:30 at Packard Children's Hospital Main Auditorium
You will have the opportunity to hear from some of the best nurses in the Bay Area speak about their careers in nursing. There will be speakers from many different areas of nursing. Come explore the different nursing career opportunities and learn how to achieve your dream of becoming a nurse. RSVP by September 20, 2016 to kmedina@stanfordmed.org

NCAA Informational Night for Prospective Collegiate Athletes   New
Wednesday 9/28 @ 7pm in the PAC.
Paly's Athletic department will host and informational evening for students and parents to learn more about collegiate athletics and the recruiting process. A representative from NCSA (National Collegiate Scouting Association) will present as well.

College Rep Visits for Seniors (and Juniors, if space is available)
Students must have their teacher's permission one day in advance if missing class. Pick up a form in the C&CC, or download it at admit-class-form-college-and-career-center . Bring the signed form the day of the visit to ensure the absence from class is cleared and marked as an activity rather than a truancy. College visits scheduled for the next two weeks are listed below. For a full list of all visits through Spring, login to Naviance using your user ID and password; click on the "Colleges" tab then click "view all upcoming college visits" within the "my colleges" section. Or, you can check the calendar on www.paly.net/college .
Due to increased student attendance and limited space in the College Center, we are no longer able to permit parents to attend college representative visits, please click to read more information about this policy.


ON-CAMPUS VISITS:

Week of Sept. 12:
Whitman College  9/12/16 9:15 AM 
Chapman University 9/12/16 10:15 AM 
DePaul University 9/12/16 11:15 AM 
University of St Andrews 9/12/16 12:45 PM 
Harvey Mudd College 9/12/16 1:45 PM 
Franklin & Marshall College 9/12/16 2:30 PM 
Brandeis University 9/13/16 8:15 AM 
Carnegie Mellon University 9/13/16 9:00 AM
California Institute of Technology 9/13/16 10:00 AM  NEW
Long Island University, Brooklyn 9/14/16 8:15 AM 
Miami University, Oxford 9/14/16 9:00 AM 
University of Chicago 9/14/16 10:45 AM 
Wellesley College 9/14/16 12:15 PM 
Portland State University 9/14/16 2:00 PM 
Trinity College 9/14/16 2:45 PM 
Washington University in St. Louis 9/15/16 8:15 AM 
University of California, Merced 9/15/16 9:00 AM 
Union College 9/15/16 10:00 AM 
United States Coast Guard Academy 9/15/16 10:45 AM 
The University of Arizona 9/15/16 12:15 PM 
Wagner College 9/15/16 1:00 PM 
Gettysburg College 9/16/16 8:15 AM 
Oregon State University 9/16/16 9:00 AM 
College of Charleston 9/16/16 10:00 AM 
Hofstra University 9/16/16 10:45 AM 
Colgate University 9/16/16 12:15 PM 
Barnard College 9/16/16 1:00 PM 

Week of Sept. 19:
Clark University 9/19 8:15 AM
Whitworth University 9/19 9:00 AM 
University of California, Santa Cruz 9/19 10:00 AM
University of Delaware 9/19 11:00 AM
University of CA, San Diego 9/19 2:40 PM 
Goucher College 9/20 8:15 AM 
Boston University 9/20 9:00 AM 
Tufts University 9/20 10:00 AM 
Sciences Po - Columbia University Dual BA Program 9/20 10:45 AM 
Amherst College 9/20 12:15 PM
Hobart and William Smith Colleges 9/20 1:00 PM 
Berklee College of Music 9/21 10:00 AM 
Rider University 9/21 10:45 AM
Scripps College 9/21 1:00 PM
Salve Regina University 9/21 2:00 PM
New York University 9/21 2:45 PM 
University of Vermont 9/22 8:15 AM 
Indiana University at Bloomington 9/22 12:15 PM
Merrimack College 9/23 8:15 AM 
Tel Aviv University 9/23 1:00 PM 
Colorado College 9/23 2:00 PM 
Skidmore College 9/23 2:45 PM

OFF CAMPUS VISITS
For more information and to RSVP (if required), login to Naviance and click the 'information' hyperlink.

Weeks of Sept. 12 & Sept. 19:
University of St. Andrews 9/12 6:30 PM Crystal Springs  NEW
DePaul University 9/12/16 7:00 PM San Mateo
Emory University 9/13/16 7:00 PM Santa Clara
Johns Hopkins University 9/13/16 7:00 PM Santa Clara
University of Notre Dame 9/13/16 7:00 PM Santa Clara
University of Virginia 9/13/16 7:00 PM Santa Clara
Carnegie Mellon University 9/14/16 7:30 PM San Jose
Carnegie Mellon University 9/15/16 7:30 PM San Jose  NEW
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 9/18/16 2:00 PM San Jose
Washington University in St. Louis 9/18/16 2:00 PM Palo Alto
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 9/22/16 6:30 PM Menlo Park

PAUSD PAUSD
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.
 
Wellness and Support Services Parent Workshop
September 29, 2016 at the District Office, 25 Churchill Avenue, Palo Alto
Our first Wellness and Support Services parent workshop of the school year will be presented by Health Connected on September 29, 2016 at the District Office.  This workshop will help parents begin the conversation about healthy boundaries and sexual health with their teen.  Please share this information with all parents of tween and teens  Please click here  https://www.pausd.org/talking-your-adolescent-about-sexual-health for details and registration information.  A  flyer  is also attached.  For further questions, don't hesitate to contact our office.
Brenda Carrillo, Ed.D.
Director of Wellness & Support Services
 
Food Service Department Open Forums
Palo Alto USD invites parents, employees, students, and community members to a series of Food Services Department Community Open Forums held throughout the 2016-17 school year.  Please visit:  https://www.pausd.org/food-service-department-open-forum

Renaming Schools Advisory Committee (RSAC) Survey
The PAUSD School Board created a Renaming Schools Advisory Committee ( RSAC ) and charged this committee to explore and recommend processes for naming or renaming schools based on community input and feedback.  The community consists of students, parents, alumni, former parents, community members, and PAUSD teachers and staff.  With this short  survey , we would like to get your initial input concerning the criteria you consider to be most important for the naming of any district school.  Your input will help the  RSAC  understand the community's values, and alongside other data, help inform the Committee's discussions and recommendations to the Board.  The  survey  is very short and we appreciate you taking two or three minutes to give your input by completing and submitting this seven question survey . Simply click the following link to begin   https://pausd.co1.qualtrics. com/SE/?SID=SV_8JuFGmlO3CJ3Qgd   
 
PAUSD Seeks Parent Member for Board Policy Review Committee
Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) invites its parents to consider joining the Board Policy Review Committee (BPRC), a committee established to assist the PAUSD Board of Education in its thinking about District policies.  The BPRC committee currently has an opening for a parent representative.  Parents interested in the school district's process of developing policies should fill out the form online (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PFqb2N2x7pwx5Lp1XVFtWHuZdKuAb4zvojnwMye-iYM/viewform?edit_requested=true) before the deadline of end of the business day on Wednesday, September 7, 2016.  For more information, go to https://www.pausd.org/explore-pausd/news/pausd-seeks-parent-member-board-policy-review-committee-bprc
Community Service and Service-Learning CommSvc 
Community Service Recognition New
Deadline: September 16th
Anyone wanting to submit Volunteer hours for community service recognition, including transcript hours and President's Award, can do so by checking Schoology.
You will fill out a google form to begin the process and all forms are now accepted online. Deadline is September 16th. For questions, contact klarson@pausd.org

Matemagos Math Tutoring in Spanish: Help Kinder & 1st Graders with Math, Gain Valuable Experience Volunteering   New
Tutor Orientation October 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Escondido Elementary, Room 1
1st Tutoring Session October 20 - December 1, Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:30pm, at Escondido Elementary, Palo Alto
Matemagos provides a great opportunity to work with Kinder and First Grade Spanish Immersion students in math through fun and engaging games. Tutors gain valuable experience through service while using their Spanish language skills, building a relationship with the students, and giving back to the community. Contact matemagos.tutor@gmail.com for details.
Community  
Media Rules: Healthy Connections in the Digital Age
Fri Sep 30, 7 to 8:30 p.m., 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 & tickets: http://www.challengesuccess.org/media-rules/
More Information- Click here  

Community Service Grants
The Tutor Corps Foundation awards grants to support innovative student projects that make a sustainable impact in the community. Projects may address issues such as poverty, education, health or the environment.
Who: Students in grades 6 to 11 may apply
Deadline: October 1, 2016
Awards: $250 - $750
  Tutor Corps Foundation was established by Tutor Corps, an educational services company that provides personalized, one-on-one tutoring for students. The Foundation tutors under-resourced students, offers community service scholarships and provides educational expertise to nonprofits.
Apply for a Grant today!

How To Get A Bike License
In Palo Alto bicycle licenses are required. Bike licenses help PAPD connect recovered stolen bikes to their owners and also can help emergency responders connect a bicyclist with family after an accident if the cyclist isn't carrying ID.  You can get a license at any Palo Alto Fire Station between 4:00-5:00 pm.  As long as they are not out on an emergency call, someone will be available to issue a license to you. 

Check Your Student's Helmet!
Bicycle helmets should be replaced every five years, even if they appear undamaged because the rigid foam in the helmet will break down with time and won't protect your head in a collision. Helmets with cracks in the outer plastic shell should be replaced, as should helmets that are too small. (The helmet should touch the top of your student's head. To find out if it touches, put your finger in an air vent at the top of the helmet.) For tips on getting the helmet adjusted properly, see our new helmet  flyer.

El Camino Youth Symphony New Member Auditions
By appointment only, throughout the month of September
The award-winning El Camino Youth Symphony is holding new member auditions for its 2016-17 program! Orchestras and Ensembles rehearse weekly in Palo Alto and perform in 3-6 concerts during the season. Bassoon, French Horn, Double Bass, Tuba, and Viola players are encouraged to audition! Visit  http://www.ecys.org/?pageAuditions for a complete list of open positions and to apply. ECYS supports school music programs! To schedule an audition or to receive more information, contact Lori Bingham at  loribingham@ecys.org.
 
Film Acting Workshop for Teen Actors
Sunday Sept. 25, Sunday Oct. 2, Sunday Oct. 9, & Sunday Oct. 16 from  1:00pm - 3pm
Held at Cubberley Community Center (Room D-1)  4000 Middlefield Road Palo Alto California 94303
The acclaimed A Theatre Near U's Fall Film Acting Workshop focuses entirely on the craft of the actor. In our course you'll learn techniques that can transform your screen performance into something special.
For more information and to register go to:  http://atheatrenearu.org/home/category/slate

Love Art and Art History?
Interested in O'Keeffe, Rivera, Thiebaud, or Jacob Lawrence?
Volunteer docents needed to give presentations about the lives and work of Master Artists to PAUSD elementary students.  Training provided by Arts Coordinator, Sharon Ferguson.  Art History background preferred but not required. Flexible hours.  Volunteer docent meetings/training at held at Art Education, 25F Churchill Ave.  For more information contact Emily at Art Education (650) 329-3939 
 
Palo Alto Library -- Knack 4 Knitting
Wednesdays, 4-6PM. Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd.
This a great opportunity to share your love for knitting, meet new friends and help others with their projects. Meets every Wednesday each week. Grades 9-12 and adults. Please register for this event online.
 
Community Service Opportunity: Coastal Clean Up Day
Sat Sept 17, 9AM - 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  www.cleanacreek.org  (scroll down to Palo Alto) to sign up and be sure to bring your waivers.  Three hours of community service will be available.
 
Palo Alto Library -- Yoga with Surfer Mike
Tue, Sep 13, 5:30-6:30PM, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd.
Come and learn mindful meditation and yoga movement. Join us at the Rinconada Library on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, as Surfer Mike teaches techniques of mindfulness meditation and yoga movement with awareness. Michael Kintz has been teaching meditation and yoga since 1997. Please see yogawithMike.com for more information. Sponsored by the Friends of the Palo Alto Library. For grades 9-12 and adults.
 
Palo Alto Library -- Graphic Novel Book Club
2nd Thursday of the month, 7-8:30PM, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd.
 Monthly book discussion on a graphic novel selected by the group! This program is for readers age 16 and up. Sept. 8: Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant? (by Roz Chast).

Westly Foundation Prize for Young Innovators Solving Community Problems
Applications due 9/15
The  Westly Foundation is offering $20,000 prizes to innovators under age 28 with novel solutions to community problems. Applications are due on September 15th for the Westly Prize for Young Innovators of California. The Prize rewards committed and creative changemakers making the world a better place. Innovations must be prototyped, and can be non-profit or for-profit with a strong social purpose. High school students are eligible to win! Learn more and apply at   www.westly.org.
 

Classroom Volunteers Needed - An Hour a Week Could Change a Student's Life  
 
If you've enjoyed spending time in your child's classroom, please join other parents volunteering in east Menlo Park or East Palo Alto schools where there are virtually no parent volunteers. You'll help tutor kids in grades K-4. Over 80% of students are performing below grade level in reading and math. Work once a week in the same classroom for about an hour, building relationships with students. All Students Matter provides training and coordinates everything. We start in mid-September. You can make a real difference!  To learn more or sign up, visit www.allstudentsmatter.org or contact Keri Tully at keritully@gmail.com. 
 
Financial Aid for Students 
 
Have or know a college-bound student? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA will now open Oct 1, 2016 for the 2017-2018 school year for anyone seeking financial assistance.  FAFSA offers grants, work-study funds and low-interest federal student loans. The program includes information on state funds that may be available to pay for a child's higher education.   More info at  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/
 

Sea Scouts Open House Cruise - Sept 24 New
Come cruise the San Francisco Bay with Sea Scout Ship Intrepid on our boat, the Olympic Venture. We'll meet at the Port of Redwood City, 675 Seaport Blvd, at 10AM, returning at 2PM. Lunch will be provided. The Intrepid Crew is open to young men in 8th ­to 12th grade. RSVP officers@sssintrepid.org

Let's Talk, A SELPA 1 Support Group 
Mon, Sept 12, 7-9pm, Orchard Community Room, Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, 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 www.selpa1cac.org
 

Trail Closure/Tree Removal Along San Francisquito Creek 
 
As part of the  San Francisquito Creek flood control project, the Bay/San Francisquito Creek trail that runs from Geng and Embarcadero Road to the Friendship Bridge (through the Baylands Athletic Center, along the Golf Course) will soon be closed. The flood control project is scheduled to begin September 1, but the trail may be closed as early as mid-August. On the Palo Alto side of the creek, the trail is expected to be closed for the entire two-year duration of the project. Signs are being posted along the trail in advance to warn users about the upcoming closure and tree removals that are required for the construction project
 
 

El Camino Youth Symphony Orchestra Fall Auditions 
Aug/Sept Palo Alto
 
Palo Alto-based El Camino Youth Symphony invites musicians ages 6-18 to audition for the 2016-17 season. Led by an internationally renowned faculty, ECYS offers six orchestras/ensembles for students at all levels of musical ability. Auditions are held in August and September. Apply online atwww.ECYS.org. Call ECYS at 650-213-7111 for more information.
 

PreSchool Family 70th Anniversary Celebration 
Sun, Sept 25, 3-5pm, 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 . 
 

Free Community Day at Gamble Garden 
Sun, Oct 2, 10AM - 2PM, 1431 Waverley St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Gamble Garden celebrates our community with a FREE fun filled all ages day.  The day's festivities include fun children's activities, a gorgeous plant sale, horticultural resources, educational displays, garden demonstrations, food, entertainment, and of course... digging for worms!  This is an opportunity for the community to spend some time at Gamble Garden, meet neighbors and enjoy some activities and hospitality.  Please register athttps://www.gamblegarden.org/event/community-day-oct/
 

Community Discussion on Teen Suicide 
Wed Sept 7, 6.30-8PM CHC, 650 Clark Way. Palo Alto 94304
 
CHC (Childrens Health Council) and the Findings from the CDC Preliminary Report on Teen Suicide: A Community Discussion.  CHC's Dr. Ramsey Khasho will present the findings of the recent CDC report and will lead an open discussion about its implications for teen mental health in Palo Alto and the neighboring communities. Additionally, Dr. Khasho will discuss the results from our 8-week McKinsey & Co. study, and how all these reports shape our Teen Mental Health Initiative. 
 
 

Following events are sponsored by Project Safety Net.  September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: 
 
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (2-day Training, Ages 16+) 
 
Tues, Sept 6 and Wed, Sept 7, 3-7pm ,  Mitchell Park Complex (9/6) & Cubberley Community Center (9/7), Palo Alto
 
Youth Mental Health First Aid USA is an 8-hour public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and  teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge.  RSVP at    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-mental-health-first-aid-training-palo-alto-tickets-26960741303  
 
 

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Silicon Valley Walk 
Sat, Sept 17, Walk begins at 11am ,  Arena Green, San Jose, CA 
 
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 the perceptions about mental wellness, reduce mental health stigma, and promote suicide prevention.  For more information, visit http://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=9367

Puberty for Students with Challenges, SELPA1CAC Coffee Talk 
Wed, Sept 21, 7-9PM, Santa Rita Elementary, 700 Los Altos Avenue, Los Altos (new location!) 
 
Dr Jacob Towery will be discussing adolescents with challenges entering puberty, issues parents should be aware of, and common psychiatric medications and their effects on teenagers. There will be ample time for questions and answers.  For more information, see www.selpa1cac.org

Project Safety Net Meeting   New
Wed, Sept 28, 4-6PM, 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 ( http://www.crisistextline.org/) that provides free crisis intervention via SMS message.  You will also hear about upcoming events and trainings.  RSVP at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/project-safety-net-community-collaborative-meeting-september-28-2016-tickets-26987778171
Project Safety Net ( http://www.psnpaloalto.com/) is a collaborative community network held together by a common interest of fostering youth well-being in Palo Alto. Sign-up for its newsletter  http://psnpaloalto.us10.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=ad6a7bca6265d8553ffcf6de9&id=1cba511e15


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