Paly Link

A PTSA publication

Sunday, October 16, 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 Submission Guidelines at the end.
Calendar
 

October 
College Visits ( C&CC)

Oct. 17 - 21
Spirit Week 
Wednesday Oct. 19
Paly Sports Boosters Meeting 7pm 
Wednesday Oct 19
PSAT for Juniors - No School for 9,10 and 12th grades. See attachment.
Friday Oct. 21
Freshman Parent Networking Meeting, 8:30-9:30am 
Saturday Oct. 22 Homecoming Dance
Sunday Oct. 23
Paly Choirs Fall Concert, 4:-5:30pm 
Monday Oct. 24
Minimum day for Students ( Paly)
Friday Nov 4 Principal Coffee and General PTSA Meeting (Ptsa)
Wednesday Nov 9 Latte Cart (Ptsa)
Wednesday Nov. 16
Dr. Dan Siegel:How Parent Can Best Support the Power and Purpose of the 
Teenage Brain 7pm to 8:30pm,  Paly Performing Arts Center
Friday Nov. 18
Turkey Feast, lunchtime 
 

PTSA
PTSA Items
Class of 2018 (Juniors) Parent Network Meeting New
Friday, Oct. 288:00-10 am, Paly Library Conference Room. Please walk, bike, or carpool, if possible.
We are beginning this meeting earlier, at  8:00  a . m . , for any  parents  who would like to have extra social time to talk with other  parents .   The meeting itself will begin promptly at  8:30 .  For the first 30 minutes, one of Paly's two School Resource Officers will speak about age - specific safety issues and answer parents' questions. Next, we will have a general discussion about topics on  parents ' minds so we can then share our collective concerns and suggestions with Paly and district staff.  
Meetings for the rest of the year are tentatively scheduled for the mornings of  Dec. 2Jan. 27Feb. 24March 24April 28. As always, please let us know if you would like to suggest topics/speakers.
Questions? Contact Julia Kossack ( JuliaPalyParent@gmail.com) or Julie Tomz ( JulieTomz@gmail.com).

Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed:  Throughout the School Year 
New
Looking for a way to support others in an impactful, immediate and easy way?  Please consider being a Meals on Wheels Volunteer for our Paly community!  The Meals on Wheels program brings emergency meals to Paly families in crisis.  If you would like to volunteer, please sign up here:   Meals on Wheels Sign Ups   Your kindness is greatly appreciated!  Thank you!
Are you a family in crisis and in need of help with some comforting dinners delivered to your door?   That's what the Meals on Wheels volunteers are here for! They are ready and happy to help!  Please contact Lori Merritt at   lomerritt@yahoo.com or call 650-644-6876.  Include any dietary restrictions. 

Principal Coffee & General PTSA Meeting New
November 4, 2016  8:30am Paly Library EWC
Please join us for the second principal coffee of the school year.  We will be hearing the latest updates from Principal Kim Diorio, and have an open forum for questions.  All welcome to attend.  If you would be so kind please rsvp in order for us to set up enough chairs and coffee.  Sign up here:    RSVP 10/4 Principal Coffee/PTSA Meeting

Staff Latte Cart - Need Bakers New
November 9, 2016  Tower Building 
Help set up, clean up and even bake treats for staff to enjoy with the latte cart.  Please drop off the food between 7:15-8:30am on 10/9 in front of the main office.  Please label your container. If you have further questions, please feel free to call Jessie at   jessie1886@yahoo.com or Beth Martin at  bmartin@pausd.org. Thank you!  Sign up here:   Latte Cart

Spirit Week on Paly Campus and Homecoming Dance 
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  or Mego Tracy at mego.tracy@gmail.com.  There is a long  sign up sheet below so make sure to keep scrolling until you find what looks like fun for you - lots of openings for parent support!
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.    
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
Help out with the Homecoming Dance on October 22nd:  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.  Any questions, contact Beth Martin,  Bmartin@pausd.org

Paly Sports Boosters Meeting 
W ednesday, October 19th , 7pm, Anderson/Look home, 1401 Parkinson Ave.
Please join us for the October Paly Sports Boosters meeting at the home of president, Melissa Anderson. We'll get an update from Athletic Director Kathi Bowers as we wrap up fall sports season and look ahead to winter, as well as ongoing fundraising efforts and a few new ideas geared towards the new Paly Gyms. Hope you can join us!

Paly Project 2020/ Freshman Parent Network Meeting 
Friday October 21, 8:30-9:30am, Paly Library EWC
Freshman parents gather to share experiences and ideas.  This month's topic is Academic and Socio-Emotional Transition: Dealing with rough spots, developing self-advocacy, when to get involved, what resources are available.   Organizers:  Liz Jones  LizMangeeJones@usa.net , Aviva Saitz  Aviva@saitz.com , Nerissa Wong-VanHaren  nerissa@stanfordalumni.org , Patricia Stayte  doc4soc@gmail.com .  

Support PALY Cheer and Dance fundraiser - Support Paly Cheer and Dance with our Holiday Pie Fundraiser! 
Mon. Oct. 24 (order deadline), Fri. Nov. 18 is pie pick-up at Paly 3:30- 6:30pm) Enjoy delicious farm fresh pies while supporting your 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 at: http://www.palycheer.net/holiday-pies.html

Save the date! 
November 16, 2016, 7pm to 8:30pm, Paly Performing Arts Center
Offered to parents of Paly and Gunn students, sponsored by both PTSAs.  
Brainstorm:  How Parents Can Best Support the Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain 
Dr. Dan Siegel,  http://www.drdansiegel.com/ 
Stay tuned for ticketing information and more details about the event. For questions, please contact Diana Pang ( dianapang@yahoo.com ), Jake Wellington ( jwellington@stanford.edu ) and Adrianne Chang ( Adrianne.shih@gmail.com )

Turkey Feast - Volunteers & Donations Needed!
Friday, November 18, morning food drop-off; event during lunchtime
Pies, turkey and cash donations needed for this student & staff favorite extended lunchtime event which benefits the Ecumenical Hunger Program. We need pies of all varieties (no nuts, please), roasted turkeys, and/or cash donations. Please deliver all food to the Student Center the morning of November 18th. Sign up to volunteer or bring pies and turkeys 
here. Too busy to volunteer or interested in making a cash donation? Please contact Melissa Anderson, melissa@lookfamily.org.

Americanized Chinese Parents of Paly
This is a group for Americanized Chinese Parents of Paly and Jordan students who embrace both the values of American culture and Chinese culture. Parents in this group speak English in their homes and value a balance of academics, social time, and extracurriculars. 
To be added to our mailing list, please email your name to:  americanized.chinese.parents@gmail.com

PiE Rally Days Challenge Grant 

Right NOW - Join us, and double the impact of your donation during PiE's Rally Days!  
Pledge or donate before October 17th and your donation will be matched by our Rally Day's Challenge Grant happening now.  
We need the support of the whole community in order to reach our goal and help our schools and students.  We know all families are different, 
so we have different giving options to meet the needs of every family:
·       Pledge now and pay in January 2017
·       Spread your gift over 10 months through installments
·       Company matching counts towards your gift
 
To learn more or to donate, please click here:  Donate to PiE


Paly ItemsPaly
paly viking ship logo

Paly Department of Theatre Arts Presents:Tea and a Show Fundraiser New

Sunday November 6th at Noon at the Palo Alto High School Performing Arts Center, 50 Embarcadero Rd. 
"Tea is the only simple pleasure left to us."  -Oscar Wilde
Please join the Paly Theatre Boosters Benefit tea and performance of The Importance of Being Earnest - a genuine English tea inspired by the many delicious tea items mentioned in the play. Why be peckish at the matinee when you can dine upon Algy's cucumber sandwiches, Jack's muffins, Cecily's lemon cakes and other scrumptious delicacies? Your ticket includes these delights plus the best seats in the house at this special performance of The Importance of Being EarnestTea is served at noon and you will be seated at tables in the PAC lobby, where you'll have ample time to nibble and chat. Theater doors will open at 1:30pm, when you're free to stroll to your reserved VIP seats - all with excellent views of the stage. 
Tickets are $40.00 Reserved seating at http://www.palytheatre.com/tickets/  

10/24 Minimum Day Schedule
1st  8:15 - 8:45
2nd  8:50 - 9:20
3rd  9:25 - 10:00
Brunch  10:00 - 10:10
4th  10:15 - 10:45
5th  10:50 - 11:20
6th  11:25 - 11:55
7th  12:00 - 12:30


Paly Theatre presents: The Importance of Being Earnest New
Fri. Nov. 4, Thurs Nov. 10, Fr. Nov. 11, and Sat. Nov. 12  @ 7:30pm and Sun. Nov 6 @ 2pm at the Palo Alto High School Performing Arts Center, 50 Embarcadero Rd. 


Join Paly Theatre for the first Main Stage production in the stunning new Performing Arts Center.  Oscar Wilde's brilliant spoof, The Importance of Being Earnest, takes hilarious jabs at Victorian social conventions. Considered by many to be England's greatest comedy, Earnest is full of romance, hilarity and irony.  The play is as much fun now as when it was written. Two adorable young couples keep the hidden-identity twists coming, Lady Bracknell delivers high-born zingers, and there's even a surprise plot twist involving a baby and a handbag! Wilde's witty dialog bursts from his "Trivial Comedy for Serious People" and will leave you chuckling long after the final curtain. The Importance of Being Earnest is not to be missed!"

Students & Seniors $10.00, Adults $15.00, reserved seats are available at  https://www.palytheatre.com/tickets/ or at the door. 
Box office opens one hour prior to curtain. 
 

Call for Mentors!  Rise Together Education (RTE) 
relies on community members to inspire, motivate, and encourage students as they navigate the college preparation process. An RTE mentor may help a high school junior or senior: NEW
  • navigate nationalized testing (ACT or SAT)
  • edit essays
  • guide students through the application process
  • apply for scholarships
  • and other needs related to pursuing a college education

To ensure that students are able to foster strong relationships with their mentors, as well as to make sure students academic needs are met, we require all mentors to commit to at least 1-year with RTE. Of course, we'd love for mentors to follow students through the years and continue to provide support. Interested in Mentoring? Fill out this form so we can learn more about you. Or, please join us for an infomational/training session at the Paly LRC on:
 
  • Thursday 11/10 @ 4:00-5:00
  • Thursday 11/10 @ 6:00-7:00
  • Tuesday  11/15  @ 4:00-5:00
  • Tuesday  11/15  @ 6:00-7:00

Paly Choirs Fall Concert 
Sunday, October 23rd, 4 - 5:30 pm at the Paly Performing Arts Center
Missed the PAC Gala? Loved what you heard and just want more?? Come enjoy the Paly Choirs Fall Concert in the new Performing Arts Center featuring the Premier Choir, Concert Choir, Festival Choir, Spectrum Singers, the Vikings Mens Chorus, Madrigal Singers and various a capella groups. Tickets available at the door: $10 adults; $5 seniors & kids.



College & Career Center CCC
C&CClogo.jpg 


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 October 17:
Baylor University 10/17 8:15 AM
George Mason University 10/17 9:15 AM
Duke University 10/17 10:00 AM
Princeton University 10/17 10:45 AM
California Institute of the Arts 10/17 12:15 PM
Wesleyan University 10/17 1:00 PM
University of Puget Sound 10/18 8:15 AM
Stonehill College 10/18 9:00 AM
University of Wisconsin, Madison 10/18 10:00 AM
Rhode Island School of Design 10/18 10:15 AM room 106 (McKenzie) NEW
Bard College 10/18 10:45 AM
Tulane University 10/18 12:15 PM
Dartmouth College 10/18 1:00 PM
University of New Hampshire at Durham 10/20 8:15 AM
Carroll College (Montana) 10/20 9:00 AM
St. Lawrence University 10/20 10:00 AM
University College London 10/20 10:45 AM
Marquette University 10/20 12:15 PM
Santa Clara University 10/20 1:00 PM
Marymount California University 10/20 2:00 PM
American University 10/20 2:45 PM
University of California, Santa Barbara 10/21 1:00 PM

Week of October 24
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 10/24 8:15 AM NEW
Trinity University 10/24 9:25 AM
Green Mountain College 10/24 11:25 AM NEW
Willamette University 10/24 12:00 PM
Simmons College 10/25 9:00 AM
University of Massachusetts, Amherst 10/25 10:00 AM
The College of Idaho 10/25 10:45 AM
Bentley University 10/26 8:15 AM
University of Washington 10/26 9:00 AM
University of Michigan 10/26 10:00 AM
Mills College 10/26 2:00 PM
DePauw University 10/27 8:15 AM
Case Western Reserve University 10/27 9:00 AM NEW
Grand Canyon University 10/27 10:00 AM
Drew University 10/27 10:45 AM NEW
Arizona State University 10/27 12:15 PM
Emerson College 10/27 1:00 PM
Vassar College 10/28 8:15 AM
Biola University 10/28 9:00 AM
Dickinson College 10/28 10:45 AM NEW
Saint Mary's College of California 10/28 12:15 PM
The University of Montana, Missoula 10/28 2:00 PM NEW

OFF CAMPUS:
Week of October 17:
Bard College 10/18 6:00 PM San Francisco NEW
Georgetown University 10/20 7:00 PM San Francisco NEW
California State University, Chico 10/22 Chico Campus
University of CA, Irvine 10/22 Irvine Campus
University of the Pacific 10/22 9:00 AM UOP
San Francisco Performing and Visual Arts Fair 10/23 1:00 PM South SF



Scholarships and contests/competitions expiring through October 24, 2016:

Davidson - Belk Scholarship: Deadline 10/24 NEW


PAUSD PAUSD
Special Olympics Soccer Competition 
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 at   asheridan@pausd.org

Renaming Schools Advisory Committee Community Townhall Meeting
Mon, Nov 7, 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Media Arts Center at Palo Alto High School ** New date/time**
 
TO RENAME OR NOT TO RENAME any of Palo Alto's schools, that is the topic distinguished historians and ethicists with expertise in Eugenics will discuss. The panelists will share their views on how to evaluate the legacy of those Palo Alto school namesakes that were also some of California's leading Eugenicists. They will look at Eugenics in the context of its time, the lasting impact Eugenics has in the US, and what learning opportunities a school renaming would provide our public school district. The panelists are: Mary Rorty, Clinical Associate Professor at the Stanford University Medical Center and a Fellow of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Milton Reynolds, Senior Program Manager of the 'Facing History and Ourselves' non-profit organization with focus on how historical events shape today's society, and Tony Platt, Prof Emeritus of American History, Public Policy and Social Science; University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, Cal State University Sacramento, San Jose State University. The townhall will be moderated by Ken Yale, and a representative from the Palo Alto Historical Society will share relevant events from Palo Alto's and our schools' history.

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   

Unity Day 2016 - When We Stand Together, No One Stands Alone 
Wednesday, October 19th, all PAUSD schools
 
PAUSD will celebrate Unity Day 2016 to promote kindness towards all students and unity in our school communities. Each school will participate in its own special way, so find out what your school is doing and join us in sending a united voice by wearing Orange on Wednesday, October 19th!

Local Control Accountability Plan Community Meeting 
Tuesday, Oct 25, 8 - 10 AM & 5 - 8 PM, District Office, Board Room, 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto
The Palo Alto Unified School District is updating the Local Control and Accountability Plan as required by the California Department of Education. Development of the plan must include input from key stakeholders. The District would like to invite you to return and participate in the LCAP Community meeting. At this meeting we will share progress on this year's plan and solicit feedback on 16-17 goals, actions and measurements as we began to develop the 2017/18 plan.  Spanish and Mandarin translation provided

October is National Bullying Prevention Month 
Awareness events are sponsored by PAUSD, the Palo Alto Council of PTAs, the Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education (CAC), Parent Advocates for Student Success (PASS), and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Questioning (LGBTQQ) Committee. Contact  jgonzalez@pausd.org  for more information.

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

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

Arts Education Volunteers Needed
The Palo Alto Council of PTA's  http://ptac.paloaltopta.org/  seeks Arts Education Volunteers to support high quality arts education for all students and to share best practices and programs.  Goals might include communicating about visual and performing art programs taking place at PAUSD schools and encouraging collaborative opportunities.  All PTA members (both parents and teachers) are welcome to volunteer.  Please contact PTAC President Audrey Gold  ( president@paloaltopta.org ) if interested.

Community Service and Service-Learning CommSvc 


Looking for an opportunity to help kids in need?  Volunteer for DreamCatchers!
DreamCatchers runs an after-school enrichment program for low-income PAUSD middle school students - right here at Paly in the afternoons and evenings  Monday through Thursday.  We are looking for the following:
- One-on-One Tutors (high school students) or Classroom Assistants (like a classroom aide - we need adults as well as high school students):  contact Miguel Fittoria at  miguel@dreamcatchersyouth.org
- Adults or experienced high schoolers interested in helping with graphic design, web design, curriculum support, or general non-profit help, please contact Barbara Klausner at  barbara@dreamcatchersyouth.org
Thanks so much for your support!  Visit our website at  dreamcatchersyouth.org.


Community  
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. New
Awareness events are sponsored by PAUSD, the Palo Alto Council of PTAs, the Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education (CAC), Parent Advocates for Student Success (PASS), and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Questioning (LGBTQQ) Committee. Contact jgonzalez@pausd.org for more information.

Unity Day 2016 - When We Stand Together, No One Stands Alone New
Wednesday, October 26th
Paly will celebrate Unity Day 2016 to promote kindness towards all students and unity in our school communities. Each school will participate in its own special way, so find out what your school is doing and join us in sending a united voice by wearing Orange on Wednesday, October 26th!

Right NOW - Join us, and double the impact of your donation during PiE's Rally Days! New
Pledge or donate before October 17th and your donation will be matched by our Rally Day's Challenge Grant happening now. We need the support of the whole community in order to reach our goal and help our schools and students. We know all families are different, so we have different giving options to meet the needs of every family: You can Pledge now and pay in January 2017 or Spread your gift over 10 months through installments or Company matching counts towards your gift To learn more or to donate, please visit http://papie.org/donate/

Literary classic The Diary of Anne Frank comes to life at Palo Alto Players New
Nov 4 - 20, Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto
Palo Alto Players presents one of the most powerful stories of the 20th century, The Diary of Anne Frank, adapted by Wendy Kesselman from the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. Based on the personal memoirs of Anne Frank about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic, The Diary of Anne Frank is a timeless testament to the human spirit that resonates through generations. Recommended for ages 11 and up. For more information or to purchase tickets ($25-52): www.paplayers.org or by calling the Box Office at 650-329-0891. Students/Educators enjoy $10 off regular priced tickets to any performance, except preview night. Additional discounts available for groups of 10 or more.

Talking to Kids About Risky Behavior (11 - 18 years) New
Tue, Oct 25, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Parents Place- 200 Channing Ave Palo Alto
94301- Plenty of free parking
Discuss roadblocks to communicating with teens on critical topics such as smoking, drinking, sexual behavior, and drug use. Learn effective strategies for how to listen and support teens to make responsible decisions regarding risky behaviors. With Susan Stone, BSE.
Cost $45 and $30 second parenting partner. Register here.:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talking-to-kids-about-risky-behavior-11-18-years-registration-26427683914?ref=ebapi&utm_source=Oct+2016+Palo+Alto+Highlights&utm_campaign=PP+PA+Highlights+Oct+2016&utm_medium=email

Project Safety Net Community Collaborative Meeting New
Wed, Oct 26, 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 Project Safety Net at their next 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 will feature two presentations. The first presentation will feature the high school wellness staff and students describing the inspiration for and launch of the new wellness centers. For the second presentation, in honor of October is National Bullying Prevention Month, Executive Director Anne Ehresman from Project Cornerstone will talk about the 41 Developmental Assets program for youth. You will also hear about upcoming community events. Light drink and snacks served. Project Safety Net is a collaborative community network held together by a common interest of fostering youth well-being in Palo Alto. RSVP at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/project-safety-net-community-collaborative-meeting-october-26-2016-tickets-28201170460

Emergency Preparedness & Home Safety Fair New
Sun Oct 23, 2 - 4PM, Addison Elementary School. 650 Addison Av., Palo Alto
Are you prepared when an emergency occurs? How do you protect yourself and your family if a catastrophic earthquake, a pandemic disaster, or a fire rampage occurs? How do you deal with a robbery? How do you ensure that your child(ren) ride their bicycle(s) safely? How do you stay connected in an emergency when your phone does not work? Come to the Emergency Preparedness & Home Safety Fair to learn, share and save lives! Event highlight: Mr. Andy Huang, Chief of Red Cross, Silicon Valley, will deliver an ER demo on site. This annual event is sponsored by the Palo Alto (PA) Chinese Parents' Club, PA School District, PA Police  Station, PA Fire Station, PA Utilities, Children's Hospital and City of Palo Alto. Free admission! In addition to secret raffle prices, the first 100 attendees will win free gifts.

Paly Choirs Fall Concert - New
Sunday, October 23th, 4-5:30pm at the Paly Performing Arts Center, Palo Alto High School
Missed the PAC Gala? Loved what you heard and just want more?? Come enjoy the Paly Choirs Fall Concert in the new Performing Arts Center featuring the Premier Choir, Concert Choir, Festival Choir, Spectrum Singers, the Vikings Mens Chorus, Madrigal Singers and various a capella groups. Tickets available at the door: $10 adults; $5 seniors & kids.

The Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University Family Sundays Program
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 s 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.

Theatre Costume Garage Sale supporting the Palo Alto Children's Theatre 
Sun Oct 23 2:30 - 5:30 PM, Lucie Stern Community Center (Community Room) 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto
 
Theatre Costume Garage Sale is a fundraising event produced by the Friends of the Palo Alto Children's Theatre, supporting Children's Theatre performing arts programs which reach more than 50,000 community members annually. A large collection of hand made theatre costumes (kids and adults' sizes) from previous productions will be for sale.

Special Olympics Soccer Competition 
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 at  asheridan@pausd.org

Special Education 101, SELPA1CAC Coffee Talk
Tue Oct 18, 7-9 PM, Castro Elementary, Mountain View (Spanish Language)
Wed Oct 19, 7-9 PM, Santa Rita Elementary, Los Altos (English Language)
 
These trainings will offer a brief overview of the educational rights of parents when a child has a disability.  Topics will include general education supports, student study team meetings, Section 504, special education referral and assessment timeline, eligibility, and important key rights held by the parent and child.

Family Date Night: Tricks and Treats 
Fri, Oct 21, 7-8:15pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St.
 
Join us for Halloween party fun after hours at the Children's Library! We will have monstrous music, ghoulish games, terrifying treats, and a creepy costume contest. Please register online for each family member attending. Register at  http://califa.evanced.info/paloalto/lib/eventcalendar.asp?dt=mo&Lib=ALL
 

Palo Alto Philharmonic Season Opening Performance 
Sat, Oct 22, 8 PM, Cubberley Theatre, 4000 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto
 
The Palo Alto Philharmonic opens it 29th concert season with "Russian Masters," an exciting program featuring StravinskyTchaikovsky and Prokofiev. The Philharmonic is pleased to invite the audience backstage after the concert, to meet Music Director Thomas Shoebotham, Assistant Conductor Lee Actor and our musicians at our annual season-opening reception.  For more information or to purchase tickets http://www.paphil.org/pages/concerts/orch1.php
 

Emergency Preparedness & Home Safety Fair  New
Sun Oct 23, 2 - 4PM, Addison Elementary School. 650 Addison Av., Palo Alto
 
Are you prepared when an emergency occurs?  How do you protect yourself and your family if a catastrophic earthquake, a pandemic disaster, or a fire rampage occurs?  How do you deal with a robbery? How do you ensure that your child(ren) ride their bicycle(s) safely?  How do you stay connected in an emergency when your phone does not work?  Come to the Emergency Preparedness & Home Safety Fair to learn, share and save lives!  Event highlight: Mr. Andy Huang, Chief of Red Cross, Silicon Valley, will deliver an ER demo on site.  This annual event is sponsored by the Palo Alto (PA) Chinese Parents' Club, PA School District, PA Police Station, PA Fire Station, PA Utilities, Children's Hospital and City of Palo Alto.  Free admission!  In addition to secret raffle prices, the first 100 attendees will win free gifts.
 

Palo Alto  紧急救援及防范展
时间: 10/23 周日下午 2:00-4:00
地点: Addison 小学, 650 Addison Ave  Palo Alto
 
大地震 发生了怎么办?火灾时怎么逃生?碰到入室抢劫的强盗怎么应对?怎么让你的孩子骑车更安全?茫茫黑夜在外避难,手机没法用,怎么与外界联系?宝贵生命只有一次,灾难面前无法 " 时试试看 " 请参加我们一年一度的紧急救援及防范展会!活动亮点:将特邀红十字会硅谷分会负责人  Andy Huang  现场做 ER 讲座。本活动由以下团体及机构赞助支持: Palo Alto (PA)  华人家长会,  PA 学区 , PA  警察局, PA 消防局 , PA  公用事 业单位 儿童医院及 Palo Alto 市。免 费入场。现场抽奖,头一百名到访者还有免费礼物

Support Paly Cheer and Dance with our Holiday Pie Fundraiser
Mon. Oct. 24 (order deadline), Fri. Nov. 18 Pick up your pies at Palo Alto High School in front of the Tower Bldg. from 3:30-6:30pm.
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 at:   http://www.palycheer.net/holiday-pies.html

Halloween Zoo Night at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo 
Fri, Oct 28, 5:30-8pm, 1451 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
 
Join friends for a special, member-only Halloween Zoo Night at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo. Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume: Meet animals from Wildlife Associates, Bay Area Amphibian and Reptile Society (BARS), and JMZ; Enjoy pizza, drinks, and other treats in the zoo; And much, much more! This is a Club JMZ members-only event. Join at the door or online at http://www.friendsjmz.org   For more information see the flyer at http://friendsjmz.org/event/halloween-zoo-night/
 
 

Walk & Roll to Palo Alto Libraries  - 
NEW Suggested Walking & Bicycling Routes Map 
 
Check out City of Palo Alto 's new Walk & Roll map with suggested walking and bicycling routes to Palo Alto libraries from every neighborhood citywide.   Palo Alto libraries are popular after-school destinations and they often are the center of fun family outings. Walking and bicycling is an active, healthy, fun way to get there!  See the new Walk & Roll to Libraries brochure with map here  http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/documents/PASRTL_Map_Brochure_092116.pdf
 

Palo Alto Philharmonic Concerto Movement Competition
The Palo Alto Philharmonic is sponsoring a Concerto Movement Competition open to school-aged music students including both instrumentalists and vocalists. Each applicant should submit an unedited audio CD (5-15 minutes long) of his or her performance of a movement from a concerto or concert piece for soloist and orchestra. Applications, along with the demo CD and a non-refundable fee of $30 must be postmarked by December 31, 2016.  For more information or to download an application form: http://www.paphil.org/pages/about/cmc.html
 
Sleep Study for Youth 18-21    
The Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University is recruiting 18-21 year old youth to participate in a paid research study on sleep and mood.  You and your youth will receive up to $215 for completing the study. For more information about this study, please contact   dailyrest@stanford.edu   or (650) 736-2689 or go to   http://med.stanford.edu/psychiatry/research/dailyreststudy.html.  
For general information about participant rights, contact 1-866-680-2906.

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.
Contact: David Camner, founder of the Paly Fiery Arts,   dcamner@pausd.org

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.

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.
 
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.
 

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
 
 

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
 
 
 
 


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The Paly Link is a Paly PTSA publication, emailed on Sundays, except during school breaks and holidays. Changes will be highlighted as New/ Updated/ Corrected.

Deadline for submissions: noon on Saturday, the day before publication. Flyers must be submitted by noon on Thursday. Items run no earlier than 3 weeks before the event.

To submit an item, send to palylink@paloaltopta.org. Include a header or title line, then a line listing the date, time and location of the event. Follow with a brief (2-4 sentence) description of the activity, with the most important information first.  List email, contact information and web links last.  Items are published at the discretion of the editors. 

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