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Principal's Message
Greetings Fairmeadow Community,
What has eight legs and is hairy? What has eight eyes and fangs? A spider!
A proud second grade writer shared this introduction, as well as her whole informational book on spiders, with family and friends at her second grade writing celebration last Friday. Second graders just finished publishing their books from their informational writing unit. During the unit students learned to catch the interest of their readers through creative introductions, to include transition words and phrases when changing between ideas, to write facts, definitions, and details to elaborate on what they know, to use expert words, and much more! Writers across our school develop their writing abilities daily through the explicit, thoughtful, and sequential instruction provided by our teachers during Writers' Workshop. What genre and skills are your young writers working on? Ask about their work in Writers' Workshop!
This Thursday, November 9th marks the end of the first trimester of the school year. Following the end of the trimester, teachers will provide a summary of each child's progress through the first trimester progress report. First on the progress report, you will learn about your child's strengths and areas for growth in many social and emotional learning competencies. The academic sections of the progress report highlight key California Common Core Standards for each grade level and emphasize your child's areas of progress and challenge for each standard that has been covered during this first trimester of school. We hope that the first trimester progress report provides a helpful summary of the skills your child is progressing on this year, as well as areas to focus on in the coming months.
At our Tuesday staff meeting we will be joined by our school resource officer from the Palo Alto Police Department (PAPD) for our annual Code Red staff training. On Monday, November 13th at 8:45 am we will engage in our annual Code Red drill with our students and the PAPD. During this drill, we simulate how we would respond if there was a threatening situation on our school grounds. The language we use with our students is that an 'unwelcome and unsafe situation' is at our school and that we need to work together to keep each other safe. Students and staff will follow Code Red protocols to silently and safely barricade together in unseen parts of each classroom, and officers from the PAPD will assess how well each classroom is secured. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you may have about this important safety practice at our school.
A quick reminder to all parents, if your child remains on school grounds after school he or she must be actively supervised by a parent or guardian, or an adult who is specifically in charge. School supervision of the children ends at the conclusion of the school day. Also, there is no school this Friday in honor of Veterans' Day.
Thanks to all who contributed to making the Walkathon a huge success last weekend! I look forward to seeing you at Fairmeadow soon!
With kindest regards and appreciation,
Grant Althouse, Principal
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Bike Mobile -- Free Bike Repairs!
Bay Area Bike Mobile will be at Fairmeadow on
TODAY from 2:30 to 5:30 pm to provide
free tune-ups and bike repairs to the first 20 sign-ups! They will service kids or adult bikes, so please plan to take advantage of this great opportunity to get back on the road! If you have any questions, please contact Fairmeadow's Safe Routes to School Champion,
Christy Moision.
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PTA Coffee and Meeting - Location Change
The
PTA Coffee and General Meeting is on
Wednesday, November 8th
. Join us for coffee on the blacktop beforehand and come to the meeting held in portable 3 (located at the far back of our campus, behind the natural play space) at
8:45 am
!
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Walkathon 2017
If you were unable to make it to the Walkathon on October 29th,
you can still sign up for the many exciting parties advertised in our catalog. The following special offerings are also still available:
- 5th Grade Graduation - Four Reserved Seats + Principal's Parking Spot (starting bid $350)
- Reserved Parking Spot - August to December 2018 (starting bid $200)
- Pitcher for Noon Sports (starting bid $50)
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Deciphering Labels and Busting Myths: Healthy Eating Made Simple - a Talk by Christopher Gardner
Have you ever made a resolution to start eating healthier? Not sure where to start, or what to feed your picky kids? We're faced with an often indecipherable barrage of health claims and warnings: low carb, low fat, high protein, omega 3 (flax or fish?), trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup, glycemic index (or is it glycemic load?), gluten free, Paleo. What does it all mean and what's right for us?
Join us in the MP Room on November 29th at 6:30 pm and learn from Fairmeadow dad Christopher Gardner, a PhD nutrition scientist and professor of medicine from the Stanford Prevention Research Center. Christopher is the father of Zachary (4th grade) and Joshua (7th grade) and the husband of Melissa Michelson.
Christopher will offer solutions and insights to your dietary conundrums with an engaging blend of science and humor.
Childcare will be provided for the elementary school-aged children of those attending.
Please RSVP here
by providing your name, email address and the number of children who will be with you. For any questions, please contact Tracy Ballard-Tal.
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 Rainy Day Commuting Tips
No matter how we come to school, we need to work together to keep all of our students safe. Have a rainy day plan!
- We all know traffic on Meadow backs up on bad weather days. Consider avoiding Meadow altogether by entering through the library parking lot on Middlefield and dropping off in Mitchell Park.
- Cut down on the increased congestion by planning a rainy day carpool in advance or leave a little early and walk to school.
- Plan for extra commute time so you don't feel rushed.
- Slow down and use extra caution when driving in school zones and along commute routes including the library and park parking lots.
- Bicyclists need to make an extra effort to make themselves visible with lights and reflective clothing.
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One Warm Coat Drive by Fairmeadow Girl Scouts
Collection Dates: Monday, 10/30 through Thursday 11/9
Please help Fairmeadow Girl Scouts keep our neighbors warm this winter!
Working with other Girl Scout troops in Palo Alto, Fairmeadow Girl Scouts will be collecting coats for One Warm Coat and you can help!
One Warm Coat is a national non-profit organization that works to provide a free, warm coat to any person in need and raises awareness of the vital need for warm coats. The coats we collect will be distributed here in our local community, to any person in need, without charge, discrimination or obligation.
You can help us spread warmth! Simply go through your closets, pull out your gently worn coats and warm jackets (including raincoats) and place them in the collection bin labeled 'One Warm Coat' next to the school office. During the first week of the collection time, the Girl Scouts will be holding an information table next to the collection bin to receive your donation and to answer any questions their fellow students may have. For any questions, please contact Dana Chung or your grade's Girl Scout leader at Fairmeadow.
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Superintendent's Weekly Message
We will re-post Karen Hendricks' Weekly Message here
each week, in case you missed it on her previous Infinite Campus email to you.
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February JLS Connections Meeting Change of Date
Mon, Feb 5, 7 pm, JLS Cafetorium
Attention 5th grade parents who attended the JLS-PiE Rising Information Meeting on October 19th. At that meeting, we informed you about our Connections informational night. There has been a date change. The Connections parent night will be held on Monday, February 5th at 7 pm in the Cafetorium.
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Healthy Brain Development - The Parent's Role
Tue, Nov 7, 6:30-8:30 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave
In this workshop parents will learn the basics of brain development and why early experiences are so important. We will discuss the crucial role parents play in building their child's brain as well as fun, easy activities to do at home. With Kelly Abrams, Parent Educator. Fee: $45. Register here.
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Parenting Children through Separation and Divorce-2 Sessions (Preschool/Elementary School)
Tue, Nov 7 & 14, 7-9 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave
Acquire information and effective skills on how to manage the challenging process of separation/divorce while keeping your child's best interests in mind. Open to individual parents only, please. No co-parents in attendance. A certificate of completion can be provided. With Diana Blank, LCSW. $90 for 2 sessions. Register here.
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Come watch 'Twas the Night Before Christmas!
Sun, Dec 3 & 10, 1 pm & 4 pm; Sat Dec 9, 3 pm, Woodside Performing Arts Center
Dancers Repertory Theatre presents 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, a delightful dance-theatre event that will enchant audiences of all ages. Based on the Clement C. Moore poem, the show includes Santa and his magical sleigh, prancing reindeer, dancing mice, twirling toys and a cast of over 80 children and adults. For Tickets and more information please visit our website or visit our Facebook page.
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Learn How to Exercise the Power of Your Voice (2/3 Grade Girls)
Wed, Nov 8, 15, 29, & Dec 6; 6-7:30 pm, Duveneck Elementary
Registration is now open for "2/3: Nine Tools for True Friendship," a workshop for pairs of one adult plus their 2nd or 3rd grade girl.
In the workshops, adult and girl pairs will learn about identifying healthy relationships, finding their voices, and communicating more effectively.
Girls also develop resilient responses to conflict, drama, challenges, and mistakes.
The series costs $220 per girl/adult pair.
Register online. Password: duveneck23. Scholarships are available.
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Paly Theatre performs "Heaven Can Wait"
Nov 3-11, Palo Alto High School Performance Arts Center
A romantic comedy and delightful fantasy rolled into one. Joe Pendleton, an aspiring young boxer, is taken to heaven before his time and then forced to switch bodies in order to live out his destiny back on earth, where he finds true love. You're invited to laugh, sympathize, cheer, and celebrate as murder, ambition and greed meet their match in lighthearted and unexpected ways. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. $15 adults, $10 students/senior.
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Play Palooza - The Children's Theatre Ten Minute Playwriting Contest
Submission Deadline: Fri, Dec 22
The Children's Theatre is pleased to announce the 2017-18 Play
Palooza Ten Minute Playwriting contest
. Play Palooza gives young writers an excellent opportunity to showcase their talents. Students can submit original work in three categories: Elementary School (3rd-5th grade), Middle School (6th-8th grade), and High School (9th-12th grade). Winning plays receive a staged reading at the Children's Theatre, and winning playwrights receive prizes donated by the Friends of the Palo Alto Children's Theatre. To submit work, visit the website or contact
Christopher Lucian.
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Cantabile Chorus Registration and Auditions (Grade K-9)
Cantabile is a community-based children's chorus serving the greater Silicon Valley area, striving to bring the highest quality musical education in a choral setting to young singers from ages 4 to 18. Singers in grades 3-9 should call 650-424-1410 immediately to arrange an audition, while singers in grades K-2 may register for a class beginning November 15. To audition or to learn more about the chorus levels and the upcoming semester, contact info@cantabile.org or 650-424-1410
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Silicon Valley Boychoir Auditions
Fri, Nov 3, 10, and 17 by appointment, 600 Homer Ave
Auditions for the January semester will be held at the choir's rehearsal location near downtown Palo Alto. Open to 2nd-5th grade boys. High school and middle school boys with choral experience may audition for upper levels. SVB provides a personalized approach to teaching singing, music theory, and sight-reading, while providing flexible scheduling for busy families. In addition to their own winter and spring concerts, SVB performs for local events including appearances with Stanford University Symphonic Chorus and Orchestra, West Bay Opera, Schola Cantorum of Mountain View, and singing the national anthem at sporting events. For more information, email
info@svboychoir.org
or visit the website.
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Palo Alto Players present Peter Pan
Nov, 3-19, Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Rd
Fly along with that mischievous sprite to the second star to the right and straight on 'til morning as Palo Alto Players presents one of Broadway's most beloved family musicals, Peter Pan. Based on J.M. Barrie's classic story of the boy who refused to grow up and featuring dazzling flying effects by ZFX, Inc., Palo Alto Players' annual family offering will surely "hook" all those who truly believe. Recommended for all ages. Tickets ($25-55) can be purchased online or by calling the Box Office at 650-329-0891. Students/Educators enjoy $5 off regular priced tickets to any performance, except preview night. For more information, including show times, visit our website.
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| 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 would like to make a submission, please contact
Christy Moision
, Fairmeadow's eNews editor.
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| Nov 6 |
Third Grade Bike Rodeo
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Bike Mobile at Fairmeadow
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| Nov 8 |
PTA Coffee and General Meeting |
| Nov 10 |
Veterans Day - No School |
| Nov 13 |
Code Red Drill |
| Nov 20-24 |
Thanksgiving Break |
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