The PiE 2017-2018 fundraising campaign is happening now! Please join us in making a difference in the education of all kids in our community. PiE funds go to every PAUSD school and help principals to staff programs that deliver a well-rounded education. PiE's funding provides enrichment and support in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), the Arts, and Wellness and Support. PiE-funded staff make a positive impact on our kids every day.

Double your impact! Between now and September 5th, gifts and pledges will be matched by a $500,000 Back-To-School Challenge Grant.  Please donate today!

Greetings Fairmeadow,

 

On Monday, August 21st our school community observed the partial solar eclipse at Fairmeadow together. This rare celestial event piqued the interest of students and teachers alike, and many 'oohs' and 'ahhs' erupted from participants upon our first glimpses of the eclipse. For me, perhaps even more interesting than the partial solar eclipse was the way in which many of our children responded to experiencing it. As the initial excitement and awe passed, children began making interesting observations about changes they observed in our surroundings. Why do shadows look strange? Why is the light dim across the playground? How do solar eclipse glasses work to block harmful sun rays? The authentic, curious, and thoughtful questions asked by our students inspired further investigation and further questioning from those around them. Students returned to their classrooms having witnessed a rare phenomenon, but also practicing and learning careful observation and questioning. This served as a great reminder for all of us to slow down, encourage each other to observe our world, and to explore interest and inquiry through asking and exploring our many questions about our world.

 

Breakfast Club returns to Fairmeadow starting this Monday, August 28th. Every day starting at 8:00 am a piece of fruit and breakfast snack are available for any student who would like food to eat before the start of the school day. Breakfast Club runs from 8:00 am to 8:25 am daily by the office on the red top. Mr. David Carlson, our Breakfast Club supervisor, is excited and ready to welcome students back for breakfast starting Monday!

 

Come join us to find out more about what this year will hold for your child at Back to School Night, this Tuesday, August 29th. The kindergarten, first, and second grade presentations will run from 6-7 pm in classrooms, with the third, fourth, and fifth grade presentations running from 7-8 pm. Back to School Night is a wonderful opportunity to learn about your child's teacher, the instructional program and curricular approach for the school year, fun and engaging activities on and off school grounds, and volunteer opportunities. I look forward to seeing you all there. Please remember to bring your PTA one-check form to Back to School Night if you have not yet returned it!

 

It's been an absolute pleasure to welcome each one of your children to this important year of growth and learning at Fairmeadow!

Grant Althouse

We're doing it again this year -- Flash Mob at the walkathon, October 15! This is a fun, unique Fairmeadow event and a great way to support and get to know your Fairmeadow community! And this time, KIDS are welcome to join in! Please come to the free, optional rehearsals in the MP Room (dates below) or sign up and view the video then join in on Oct 15!  Hope to see you, bring the kids, and please SHARE (and Like) this video link .  Visit  bit.ly/thrillerfaq for more info.

Rehearsal dates:

In MP Room until further notice, subject to change ( sign up  to stay updated):

Come learn the routine and stay for snacks! Bring water and wear comfy (or workout) clothes.

Fairmeadow is using Konstella as its online directory platform and community messaging. Konstella is password protected and you have control over your information viewable by others. When registering your student this year, you indicated via Infinite Campus your preference to be included in emails from PTA or in the school directory.  

You should have received an invitation email to 'JOIN'. To access the directory:

• Please use the email address that you received the invitation from. This will be the same email address that you provide to PAUSD during Infinite Campus registration.
• If you are already an existing Konstella user from last year, you can use back the same password. Otherwise, you will need to create a new password.

Please verify the accuracy of your information and set your privacy filter. Fairmeadow PTA will regularly use Konstella for volunteer signups. If you are not on the directory and wish to be included, please send us an email.

Fairmeadow Online Directory is replaced each year, so any changes you make are not shared with PAUSD's database. To make permanent changes to your information or preferences, please change it by logging into Infinite Campus. Volunteers who produced the directory have made every attempt to ensure the data are accurate and reliable. Online Directory information is available to families and Fairmeadow staff and may only be used for school related activities. It may not be used for commercial, political or marketing purposes.

Interested in having a great time while raising money for Fairmeadow AND getting to know other fabulous Firebird families? Now's your chance! We are currently looking for parents to host fundraising parties. Multiple families can co-host to divide expenses/work. Parties can be for kids, parents, or the entire family. Best selling parties from the past include Oktoberfest, Japanese Dinner, Cocktail Party, Camping Weekend, Kickball Party, Bollywood Dance Party, Spanish Tapas Party, and Wine Tasting. New ideas are welcome! We are also looking for parents to host 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade parties (party theme will be your choice). Last year's parties raised $26,736 for the PTA, which was almost 80% of the entire Walkathon earnings. Thank you former party hosts for your generosity and awesome parties!

We are asking families to commit by Friday, Sept. 1st.

Why do we have this tradition of paying to attend parties at Fairmeadow?

1. Community building -- The parties are a great way to get to know other families within the community.
2. To raise funds for our school -- Monies raised for the PTA help to fund: computers and science equipment; noon sports and activities; school-wide bully prevention program; additional playground supervision; our new design studio; all new books for the school and classroom libraries; our spring theatrical production; the school garden; Green Team; many community events, plus much more.

To sign up to host a party and for party ideas and more info, please contact Tracy Ballard-Tal.

Advocacy is core to PTA's mission to positively impact the lives of all children and families. Several critical bills are before the California Legislature this session, and PTAC has an easy way for you to speak up - with just a click of a button! The California legislature is back in session will be voting any day now - this August only - on California education bills through August 31.

PTAC has partnered with local organization ClickMyCause to provide a FREE iPhone app to receive Palo Alto PTA Council mobile alerts. When you receive your alert:

These bills are up for vote in the coming days: pupil suicide prevention, mental health services, special education services, protecting our immigrant students, banning guns in school zones, and helping our homeless students. Please help amplify PTA's advocacy by lending your voice to these important initiatives.

For more information, please click here or download the app here.

Duveneck Elementary (which has a dedicated art room) for Grade 2, three classes every other Friday. 16 art sessions per school year TBD with classroom teacher. Classified position, credential not required. Artist with teaching experience preferred. Paid training available. September start time.  $30.95/hour, plus one hour paid prep time for each three hours of teaching time.  Contact PAUSD Art Coordinator, Li Ezzell (650-329-3939).

Mon-Fri, Aug 28-Sept 1 by appointment, Palo Alto

Auditions for the 2017-2018 season are held at the choir's rehearsal location near downtown Palo Alto (600 Homer Ave). Open to 2nd-5th grade boys in the fall. High school and middle school boys with choir experience may audition for upper levels. SVB provides a personalized approach to teaching singing, music theory, and sight-singing, and provides flexible scheduling for busy families. In addition to their own winter and spring concerts, SVB has performed for local events including performances with Stanford University, West Bay Opera, Schola Cantorum of Mountain View, and singing the national anthem at sporting events. For information, email us or visit the website.

Tue, Sep 26, 7-9 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave

Let's face it. Boy behavior can be challenging. In this workshop, you'll learn how to meet your son's basic internal needs so that cooperation, confidence, and connection come easily in every area of his life. You'll gain practical tools for discipline that will help him cooperate before, during and after any challenge. With: Rachel Sklar, MSW. Register here.

By appointment through September, 178 Clinton St, Redwood City

Ragazzi Boys Chorus, a CBS news 'best choir of the Peninsula,' will teach your boy to sing! Schedule your 7-10 year old boy for a fun group audition. He'll learn a song and have a blast; no prior experience or preparation needed to try out. Boys start slow, then grow. Ragazzi's opportunities include singing the National Anthem at a San Francisco Giants game, Opera roles, collaborations with Stanford's choruses and the San Francisco Symphony, and even worldwide touring. Appointments and more information here or  watch us!

Register Now; Mondays, Sept 18 - Dec 4, 178 Clinton St, Redwood City

Ragazzi Boys Chorus' engaging class for active young boys is now open. It's a great option for boys not quite old enough for Ragazzi's main program. This class is tailored for boys ages 5-7 with little or no previous musical experience. A child-developmental approach fosters boys' creativity and curiosity. Students explore rhythm games, channel their energy through music learning, and learn concepts they can apply in any musical setting. $264 for 12 weeks; sibling discounts. Contact  [email protected] , 650-342-8785. More info and registration here.

Two Sessions: Thu, Sept 7 & 14, 7-9 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave

Strong-willed children want to cooperate, yet they need to be approached differently than easygoing children. Rather than ending up in power struggles, break this cycle and learn how to win cooperation effectively. You can bring out the best in yourself and your children. With Cynthia Klein, BA. Fee:$90 for two sessions. Register here.

St. Marks Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave

Samskrita Bharati Palo Alto is organizing Sanskrit Classes for children (K-3rd grade) and adults for the school year 2017-18. Beginners are welcome. Classes will begin Sunday, September 10th at 3 pm. M ore info here.

Now until August 31, 2017

Calling all photographers! Submit your favorite photos to the Enjoy! Palo Alto Photo Contest that showcases all the great things that Palo Alto offers and win prizes! The contest calls on photographers across Palo Alto to celebrate the community parks, open space, special events, public art, theatres, and museums managed by our Community Service Department. Winners will be chosen in 11 different categories. The City of Palo Alto Community Services Department is proud to offer programs, activities, and parks to meet all the needs of your family and to sustain a positive quality of life! Click here for more info or to submit your photos.