Fairmeadow Elementary School eNews

Where Learning is a Team Sport!
December 19 , 2016
Fairmeadow News
Deciphering Labels and Busting Myths: Healthy Eating Made Simple - a Talk by Christopher Gardner
Jan 10, 6:30 pm, Fairmeadow MP Room
Is one of your new year's resolutions to start eating healthy? Not sure where to start or 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 January 10th at 6:30PM 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 (3rd grade) and Joshua (6th 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.

PTAC  News
College for Students with Special Needs: What You Need to Know
Wed, Jan 18, 7-9 pm , Santa Rita Elementary School (MP Room) , 700 Los Altos Avenue, Los Altos
Many high school students with special needs, learning challenges, or disabilities (on an IEP or 504) will consider post-secondary education. Options include community college, 4-year college, and universities with a variety of options and support. It can be overwhelming at first. Come find out more about what's available and how you can help prepare for your student's education after high school. Panelists: Sandra Cernobori (counselor from Paly), Foothill Community College and Kevin Shields (disability services at UCB). Jointly sponsored by SELPA1 CAC and Palo Alto CAC. cacpaloalto.org
Colegio para Estudiantes con Necesidades Especiales: Lo Que Necesita Saber
Miércoles, Enero 18, 7-9 pm, Santa Rita Elementary School, salón MP, 700 Los Altos Ave., Los Altos  
Únase a nosotros! Muchos de los estudiantes de la preparatoria con necesidades especiales, retos de aprendizaje, o discapacidades ( en un PEI o 504) van a considerar educación postsecundaria. Opciones incluyen colegio comunitario, colegio de 4 años, y universidades con una variedad de opciones y apoyo. Ven infórmate mas sobre lo que esta disponible y como puedes ayudar preparar la educación de tu estudiante después de la preparatoria. Panelistas:  Sandra Cernobori (consejera de Paly), Foothill Community College, Kevin Shields (servicios de discapacidades en UCB). cacpaloalto.org

Community  News
2nd Edition of Palo Alto Roots Literary Magazine Looking for E ditors and Submissions
Wed, Dec 21, 3:30-5 pm, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd
Palo Alto students, come to learn about how to join PA Roots, Palo Alto's teen literary magazine, as an editor and staff member. Gain real-life publication experience, get your work published, and support teen literature and arts in the Palo Alto community. PA Roots is supported by a grant from Bryant Street Garage Fund and the City of Palo Alto, and was featured in a July article of Palo Alto Weekly. Dinner will be provided. For RSVP, questions, and submissions of written or art work, email paloaltoroots@gmail.com.
21st Annual Juana Run 8k/5k Run & Walk Races!
Sat, Feb 25, 8:30 am, Gunn High School
Early online registration discount! Get $5 off any race registration with promo code EARLY2017 now until December 31. Register here. You can choose from 8K run, a 5K fun run and walk (costumes encouraged!), a 1-mile race, and kids races. All the races are through the streets of the Barron Park neighborhood. Pancake breakfast and cool t-shirts! Proceeds donated to West Valley Track Club, Gunn High Sports Boosters, and Juana Briones and Terman PTAs. Other race info here.
Tai Chi (Chinese Martial Art) Class
Sat, Jan 7 - Mar 11, 2:15-3:15 pm (10 classes total), Dance Studio, Gunn High School
This course is taught by a junior at Gunn High School. As a member of the US team, she won two gold medals and one silver medal at the 2nd World Taijiquan Championships in Warsaw, Poland. She will teach 24 simplified Tai Chi styles. All profits will be donated to the Ravenswood City School District, East Palo Alto. Click here for details and registration. Contact: svyouth1@gmail.com. 
Tickets Now Available for Anne Lamott
Sat, Mar 4, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, Dinkelspiel Auditorium, Stanford University
Join us in conversation with award-winning author Anne Lamott. Tickets on sale now for the 2017 Mothers Symposium, a morning retreat for mothers with children of all ages to reflect on the profound undertaking of motherhood. Special Early Bird pricing: "Bring a Friend" and save $20 when you buy two tickets. Co-sponsored by the Palo Alto Council of PTAs. Click here for tickets and information.
Let's Talk: Monthly Parent Support Meetings
Mon, Jan 9, 10 am - 12 pm,  Los Altos Library (Conference Room), 13 S San Antonio Road, Los Altos
A chance to ask questions and share ideas/resources with other parents of students with IEPs, 504s, learning differences, mental health challenges, etc. Parents with students of all ages are welcome, participants must respect confidentiality. More info here.
Afternoon Adventure: Winter Craftertoons
Wed, Dec 21, 3:30-5 pm, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd
Teen Join us for an afternoon of crafts, snacks, and winter themed cartoons. Please register for this event on the library website.
Harry Potter Yule Ball
Fri, Dec 30, 6:30-8:30 pm, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd
Ring in the New Year with a Harry Potter-style Yule Ball! DJ Kevin will be spinning great tunes all evening. Formal attire is encouraged but not required. Please register for this event on the library website.
Ongoing Brain Study on Executive Function Skills
Looking for children ages 7-11 with a diagnosis of ADHD or with no diagnoses to participate in a study exploring changes in brain function in response to a novel neurofeedback training. Participation involves 6 sessions of neurofeedback training and 2 sessions of behavioral assessments. Email Lindsay Chromik or call 650-724-2939 for more information or to enroll. For general information regarding participant rights, contact 1- 866-680-2906.
Strengthening Families Program (SFP)
Weekly, Jan 11 - Mar 22
SFP is an evidence-based parent, youth, and family skills-building curriculum that helps prevent teen substance abuse and other problem behaviors while improving parent/child relationships. Advent Group Ministries is offering this free program designed for parents and their children ages 6 to 11 or 12 to 17. This is a non-religious based program. After a complimentary family meal, parents and youth meet in separate groups for one hour then come back together to practice the skills they've learned. Sessions are highly interactive and include role-playing, discussions, learning games, and family projects. Sponsored by Santa Clara County, Santa Clara County Substance Use Prevention Services (SUPS). Click here to see the flyer or register here.

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
Jan 3 Return from Winter Break
Jan 4 PTA Coffee and General Meeting
Quick Links