Fairmeadow Elementary School eNews

Where Learning is a Team Sport!
October 17 , 2016
Fairmeadow News
Principal's Message
Greetings Fairmeadow Community,
 
This past week I had the fantastic opportunity to spend an entire school day shadowing one of our second grade Firebirds, so that I could gain deeper insight into the student experience at our school. What an amazing experience it was! In one short day I learned to solve 'tricky' words applying four different strategies during reading workshop, I explored algebraic thinking through a function machine model in math, I practiced three narrative ending strategies for a story I composed during writing workshop, and I even rehearsed my reading expression and dance moves through a GoNoodle dance, 'Don't Read Like a Robot'. GoNoodle wasn't my only chance to get physical, kickball at recess, tag at lunch, running, jumping jacks, and stretching during PE all provided for quite the work out!
 
I felt more tired than usual after my shadow day, and full, not just from the veggie burger I ordered for school lunch. I felt full of pride and appreciation for the thoughtful community experiences that our teachers created for my fellow students and me. I felt full of respect for the children I worked with all day, for the attention, focus, and determination they committed to their work, and for the nurturing, support, and guidance they provided for each other. It was hard to leave my carpet square behind and return to the office on Thursday, but the deep appreciation I have for our students and teachers will surely serve to improve my work as principal.
 
Make it orange, make it end, wear orange on Wednesday to show your support of Unity Day, 2016! Unity Day, this coming Wednesday October 19th, highlights the importance of healthy peer relationships, with a focus on preventing bullying behavior at school. Students, staff, and community members are encouraged to wear orange, the Unity Day color, to show a commitment to this important message. The Unity Day slogan for 2016 reads together for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion, a theme that explicitly connects with our year-round work on social and emotional health through the implementation of the Steps to Respect and Second Step curriculums. Throughout the day, teachers will be reading a touchstone book with students to launch into a discussion about kindness and upstanding behavior, and commitments we can all make to support the social and emotional well-being of all students at Fairmeadow. Students are encouraged to participate in our Unity Day lunchtime activity, the building of a Fairmeadow Unity Day Tree. Please consider ways to reinforce the messages of Unity Day through conversations at home. For more information about Unity Day, please visit the pacer.org website linked here.
 
Please join me for our monthly Principal's Coffee this Friday October 21st starting at 8:45 am in the Fairmeadow MP Room. During this month's coffee we will explore and discuss reading instruction at Fairmeadow. Our presentation will feature an in depth tour through Reading Workshop, including a review of key objectives K-5, a sample reading workshop mini lesson, instructional materials and book review, and ample time to discuss participant questions. Our resident expert, Literacy Teacher on Special Assignment, Heather Cleland will join us for the morning! I look forward to seeing you for this important discussion!
 
On Monday, October 31st Fairmeadow will celebrate Halloween with our annual Halloween parade from 8:35-9:10 a.m. on the blacktop and field. Students are welcome to come to school in costumes if they wish on Halloween, however costumes must be school appropriate. Please do not send your child to school in a costume that includes any sort of weapon, or a costume that includes fake blood. While the Halloween parade is a fun opportunity to celebrate a fall tradition, October 31st is still a school day and costumes must not present a major distraction to student learning in the classroom. I look forward to seeing you at the parade!
 
This Monday, October 17th concludes Partners in Education (PiE) Rally Days at Fairmeadow! A very special surprise performance on Monday morning before school will serve to celebrate our community's amazing generosity and commitment to our students. A donation to PiE before the end of the day Monday will still qualify for the PiE matching grant, doubling your donation! PiE supports teaching and learning across our school by funding Spectra Art, Science Lab, Living Classroom, Classroom Aides, part of our Reading Specialist, and much more! Thank you for your contribution to PiE!
 
I hope to see you at Fairmeadow soon!
 
Grant Althouse
Principal
PiE Rally Days Challenge Grant ENDS TODAY!!
Join us right now and double the impact of your donation!
Fairmeadow! Join Us for our BIG push to meet our goal for PiE (Palo Alto Partners in Education). We're well on our way, but want to increase our participation to help all our kids thrive!

Please know any contribution is meaningful and GREATLY appreciated. PiE donations are the majority of our flexible spending budget at Fairmeadow. If you have already donated to PiE, thank you so much. If you have not, now is a great time to donate.  If you pledge or donate before October 17th, your donation will be matched by PiE's Rally Days Challenge Grant.  Click here to donate!

Want an inside look at one way in which PiE dollars enrich your child's school experience? Click here!
Do You Recognize this Bike?
This bike has been locked up at Fairmeadow for a long time. If you know who it belongs to, please contact Christy Moision. Thank you!

Bicycle Licenses
Did you know that Palo Alto requires all bikes to be licensed? This helps the police identify stolen bicycles and return them to their owners, and identify riders in the event of a collision. You can apply for a license at any Palo Alto Fire Station, seven days a week between 4:00-5:00 pm. More information here.

PAUSD  News
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.
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 Friday morning at Art Education, 25F Churchill Ave.  For more information, contact Emily at Art Education (650) 329-3939  or  emarshall@pausd.org.
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.
Local Control Accountability Plan Community Meeting
Tues, 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.  The timeline for the LCAP process is:
  • Oct 25, 8-10 am, Community Meeting, District Office
  • Oct 25, 5-8 pm, Community Meeting, District Office
  • Nov 30, 5-8 pm, Community Meeting, District Office
  • Feb 1, 5-8 pm, Community Meeting, District Office
  • Mar 1, Presentation of LCAP to DELAC
  • Apr 19, 5-8 pm, Community Meeting, District Office
  • Jun 6, Board LCAP Presentation
  • Jun 20, Final Board Presentation
Renaming Schools Advisory Committee Community Town Hall 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 who 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 town hall 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.

Community  News
Special Education 101 Presented by Parents Helping Parents
In Spanish: Tue, Oct 18, 7-9 pm, Castro Elementary, Mountain View (Childcare available)
In English: Wed, Oct 19, 7-9 pm, Santa Rita Elementary, Los Altos
Back by popular demand: This free training 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. Co-sponsored by SELPA1 CAC and Palo Alto CAC. Contact paloaltocac@gmail.com with questions or visit cacpaloalto.org.

Educación Especial 101, por Parents Helping Parents (Padres Ayudando a Padres)
Estaremos teniendo dos sesiones, una en español el martes 18 de octubre de 7-9 PM en la Primaria Castro (Cuidado de niños disponible. La clase es gratis), y otra en inglés el miércoles 19 de octubre de 7-9 PM en la Primaria Santa Rita en Los Altos.  Esta capacitación ofrecerá una visión general de los derechos educativos de los padres, cuando un niño tiene una discapacidad. Los temas incluirán apoyos en educación general, juntas del equipo de estudio para el estudiante, Sección 504, referencia para la educación especial, cronología de las evaluaciones, elegibilidad y los derechos clave importantes que tienen padre e hijo.  Preguntas?  paloaltocac@gmail.com  o  cacpaloalto.org.
Project Safety Net: AFSP Out of Darkness Walk, Sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Sun, Oct 23, Opening Ceremony at 9:30 am, Walk Ends at 12:30 pm, Arena Green East, San Jose, CA
Join the Project Safety Net team as we walk to fight suicide in the Out of the Darkness South Bay Walk. This is a great opportunity for community partners to unite to change the perceptions about mental wellness, reduce mental health stigma, and promote suicide prevention. Register for free  as a walker or virtual walker. We are joining the community of nearly 250k people walking in hundreds of cities across the country in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

The Out of the Darkness Walks are proof that when people work together they can make big changes in the world. They are AFSP's largest fundraiser - they produce millions for suicide prevention programs, unite those who have been affected by suicide, and create communities that are smart about mental health. We hope you can join us.
Paly Choirs Fall Concert
Sun, Oct 23rd, 4-5:30 pm, 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 cappella groups. Tickets available at the door: $10 adults; $5 seniors and kids.
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 handmade theatre costumes (kids' and adults' sizes) from previous productions will be for sale.
Palo Alto Art Center Artist Led Nature Walk
Sat, Oct 22, 2-4 pm, Palo Alto Art Center, 1330 Newell Road, Palo Alto
Artist Mari Andrews invites members of the public to join her in a series of free Palo Alto nature walks as participants collect branches, twigs, leaves, pine cones, tree bark, and other natural objects that will be turned into wire-based sculptures during her residency at the Palo Alto Art Center beginning in October.
Family Date Night: Tricks and Treats
Fri, Oct 21, 7-8:15 pm, 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.
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 Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, 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. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.
Emergency Preparedness & Home Safety Fair
Sun, Oct 23, 2-4 pm, Addison Elementary School, 650 Addison Ave, 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, PAUSD, 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
Project Safety Net Community Collaborative Meeting
Wed, Oct 26, 4-6 pm, Rinconada Library, Embarcadero Room, 1213 Newell Rd, Palo Alto
Are you interested in reducing youth mental health stigma and supporting youth voice? Please join 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 here.
Jordan Middle School Drama Presents 'Willy Wonka Jr.'
Thu, Oct 27 & Fri, Oct 28, 7 pm; Sat, Oct 29, 2:30 pm, Jordan Middle School, 750 N. California Ave, Palo Alto
Come support Jordan Middle School Drama in their newest musical, Willy Wonka Jr., Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir. The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder in addition to a host of fun new songs, Willy Wonka Jr. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. Tickets: $5 for Student / Child; $10 for Adult.
Halloween Zoo Night at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo
Fri, Oct 28, 5:30-8 pm, 1451 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
Join friends for a special, members-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  friendsjmz.org.   For more information see the flyer.
Cal Ave Trick or Treat and Blossom Halloween Carnival
Sun, Oct 30, 10 am - 2 pm, S California Ave (between Birch Street and Park Blvd), Palo Alto
This Silicon Valley tradition for over 22 years in Palo Alto provides a kid friendly, fun, festive start to Halloween for 0-12 year olds. Event includes Trick or Treats at participating businesses on California Avenue, costume contest, carnival games, live music, and toddler friendly activities. Free Event. All proceeds raised from the event support Blossom Birth Services a nonprofit resource center for expectant and new families. Lead Sponsors: City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Recreation Foundation. More info here.
Spooky Theme for Halloween Family Concert
Sun, Oct 30, 3 pm, Main Theater at Cañada College, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City
Violinists in witches' black, a cellist as Snoopy and Maestro Eric Kujawsky in pirate's stripes will greet the children (pre-schoolers through middle-schoolers) as they arrive for the Halloween Family Concert of Redwood Symphony. The afternoon event begins with a Tour of the Orchestra. Then the symphony will play Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain and the finale from the Organ Symphony by Saint-Saens, both noted for their high spookiness quotient. A raffle will determine 10 children who will take the baton to direct the symphony in a Sousa march. Adults, $25 (pre-sale), and children $15 at RedwoodSymphony.org. Free and ample parking. Usually sells out.
Society of Bookworms Book Club - Wild Wings by Gill Lewis
Wed, Oct 19, 4-5 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Discuss a great book with your friends at the library! Grades 4-6.
Beat the Street for Little Feet - Fall Fun Run and Tot Trot at Friends Nursery School
Sat, Oct 22, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, Friends Nursery School, 957 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto
Come join us for a 1 mile run/walk (strollers welcome) and Tot Trot 50-yard dash for children 8 and under. The Fun Run includes free lunch, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and music. Costumes optional but encouraged. All proceeds benefit the Friends Nursery School scholarship fund. For more information, see pafns.org.
Building Your Child's Self-Esteem and Personal Power (5 - 10 years)
Thu, Oct 20, 7-9 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave, Palo Alto (plenty of free parking)
Your children's feelings of self-esteem and personal power are influenced by beliefs and actions that they learn from you. Explore ways to build children's self-esteem and avoid the unsuspecting parental communication blocks. With Cynthia Klein, BA, certified parent educator Cost: $45 and $30 second parenting partner. Register here.
Parenting The Positive Discipline Way (3 - 10 years)
Wed, Oct 26 - Nov 16 (4 sessions), 7-9 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave, Palo Alto (plenty of free parking) 
During this series of four sessions, based on Jane Nelsen's Positive Discipline books and interactive activities, discover how better to understand your child's behavior; discipline with friendship, love, and respect; and find common-sense solutions to everyday challenges. With Bridget Bertrand, MFT Cost $160 and $100 second parenting partner. Register here .

eNews Publication Guidelines
Previous editions of eNews can be found at the  eNews archive  page.  Fairmeadow eNews Publication Guidelines:
  • Fairmeadow eNews is a publication of the Fairmeadow PTA. It is sent out each Monday morning, with special editions sent out as required.
  • If you want to publish an announcement relevant to Fairmeadow, send an email to fairmeadow.enews@gmail.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.
  • Announcements relevant to other schools in the PAUSD district can be sent to enews@paloaltopta.org
  • Our PTA has a noncommercial policy, which states that we do not associate with any commercial activities of other organizations including, but not limited to, the promotion of their goods and services. Only submissions from nonprofit organizations will be considered for placement in the eNews.
  • Announcements will generally be published in two consecutive issues. To have further announcements made after that, please submit your announcement again.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact  Christy Moision, Fairmeadow's eNews editor.
In This Issue
Important Dates
Oct 18 Picture Make-up Day
Oct 19
Unity Day - Wear Orange!
Oct 21
Principal's Coffee
Oct 31 Halloween Parade (8:35-9:10)
Quick Links