Fairmeadow Elementary School eNews

Where Learning is a Team Sport!
November 21 , 2016
Fairmeadow News
Lost & Found and One Warm Coat Drive
This Tuesday we will donating all items in the lost and found.  Please make sure to stop by the lost and found to claim your missing things. We will spread the items out Monday morning so they are easier to view. Whatever is left at the end of the day on Tuesday, November 23rd will be donated to One Warm Coat. They have been supporting coat drives for more than 20 years.

This is also a great opportunity to go through your closets for any  new or gently worn coats, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, hats, or mittens of ALL sizes. Please bring your donations to school on Monday or Tuesday and simply add them to the lost and found pile.   All items collected will be donated locally to our neighbors in need. For more information on One Warm Coat you can view their website If you have any questions, please contact Gerrie Phillips, who  will collecting donations through December 9th.
After School Activities
As we near the end of 2016, please check in with our After School Activities page for updated flyers and information on available programs.

PAUSD  News
PAUSD Code Fest Version II
Sat, Dec 10, JLS Middle School, 480 E Meadow Dr, Palo Alto
The second version of PAUSD Code Fest comes for you and your students on Saturday, December 10th during Computer Science Education Week (all free). The number of offerings has doubled, and we have several excellent presenters including a few experienced Gunn students. You do not need to have any Computer Science experience to register for the event. This is an entirely volunteer-driven operation, so I am looking for parents who can help and for students who may be interested in community service hours helping with logistics on the day of the event. Please email Smita Kolhatkar  if interested. For more information and registration, click here.

Community  News
Be Safe. Be Seen. Bike Lights are Required by Law for Riding After Dusk
With shorter days, students are bike commuting in the dark when bicycle lights and reflectors are required by law. Visibility begins to decline at dusk, so bicyclists should turn on their lights as soon as light begins to fade. A handlebar headlight makes a bicycle visible to others and illuminates the road so the rider can see. Higher powered lights do a better job. Tail lights and reflectors should be mounted on something stable where they won't be obscured by bags, panniers, or other gear on the bike. Lights are vastly superior to reflectors, so a rear red light is recommended for maximum visibility.  Outfitting student bikes for a safe and legal ride is a smart investment (and a great holiday gift!). For information about safe school commutes, visit  saferoutes.paloaltopta.org.
Project Safety Net Community Collaborative Meeting
Wed, Nov 30, 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 its next community collaborative. At this month's meeting, local youth will talk about the Palo Alto Art Center's teen programs and representatives of Kara will talk about its grief services for children, teens, families, and adults. Please register here for this event. For more information, visit psnpaloalto.com.
Open House for Neighborhood Traffic Safety & Bicycle Boulevard Projects
Tue, Nov 29, 6:30-8:30 pm, Mitchell Park Community Center, Adobe Room, 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
The City of Palo Alto is hosting an open house to present final design progress on several neighborhood traffic safety projects throughout the City. These projects are designed to reduce traffic speeds and improve connectivity for people biking and walking. City Council has approved these concepts. This is a review to comment on the accuracy of the plans for construction. 
Safe Routes to School Partnership Celebrates Ten Years!
2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the official birth of the Palo Alto Safe Routes School Partnership. In 2005, the National Safe Routes to School Partnership Consensus Statement was endorsed locally by the Executive Board of the Palo Alto Council of PTAs. In February 2006, the PAUSD School Board and the Palo Alto City Council followed suit, joining the PTA as partners working together to reduce risk to school commuting students and their families and to encourage more families to walk, bike, or use alternatives to driving more often. Palo Alto Safe Routes to School has since become one of the most successful programs of its kind in the nation with thousands of PAUSD school children choosing active, sustainable school commutes each school day.
Family Holiday Volunteering
If you're looking for a way to get your family into the holiday spirit by helping others, check out Family Holiday Helpers, a non-profit website created by a mom of two PAUSD students to help families find local volunteering opportunities during the holiday season. There are a variety of local opportunities for families, such as prepping/serving food for Thanksgiving, working a shift at a food bank or holiday warehouse, or donating food or gifts for those in need. Happy volunteering!
Make a difference: Tutor Low Income East Palo Alto 5th Graders in Reading or Writing (8 one-hour sessions)
If you've enjoyed helping in your own child's classroom, or just love literacy, please consider tutoring 5th graders at Brentwood School in East Palo Alto (near IKEA). It is a special project to work with low income students from February 6th to March 31st. Volunteers would work in the same classroom one day per week for an hour, either at 9:45 am (reading) or 11:40 am (writing). All Students Matter provides a brief training in January and coordinates all details. You can make a real difference! To sign up, visit allstudentsmatter.org or to learn more contact Keri Tully.
Afternoon Adventure Movie Showing: Zootopia!
Wed, Nov 23, 3:30-5 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Relax and enjoy a movie and snacks at the Children's Library. Grades K-5. No registration required.
Friday Fun
1st Friday of Every Month, 3:30-5 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Drop in for board games, simple crafts, and a couple of rounds of Bingo!
Lego Friday
3rd Friday of Every Month, 3:30-5 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Let your imagination soar and come build with us! No registration required. For all ages.

Archives and Publication Guidelines
Fairmeadow eNews is a publication of the Fairmeadow PTA. Previous editions of eNews can be found at the  eNews archive  page.  Please see the PTA website for the eNews Publication Guidelines If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact  Christy Moision , Fairmeadow's eNews editor.
In This Issue
Important Dates
Nov 23-27 Thanksgiving - No School
Dec 6 Principal's Coffee
Quick Links