Fairmeadow Elementary School eNews

Where Learning is a Team Sport!
January 9, 2017
Fairmeadow News
Deciphering Labels and Busting Myths: Healthy Eating Made Simple - a Talk by Christopher Gardner
Tue, 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 6:30 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 (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 tomorrow (Monday, January 9th) if you are planning to bring your children with you, so we can ensure we have enough supervision.  For any questions, please contact Tracy Ballard-Tal .
Fairmeadow Annual Ice Skating Parties
Wed, Jan 11 (K-2) and Wed, Jan 18 (3-5), 5:30-7:30 pm, Winter Lodge, 3009 Middlefield Rd
It's time for Fairmeadow's Annual Ice Skating Parties! Please click here for the flyer for all details and signups. If you have any questions, please contact Amber Chang.

We need volunteers! If you can help, please sign up below:
Annual Fairmeadow Online Auction
The Annual Fairmeadow Online Auction is coming (February 19th to March 5th) -- but we need more stuff!  Do you have any gift cards you're not using? A service or item you can donate? Good Connections???

We'll have lots of awesome items for you to bid on or buy -- summer camps, food, home cooked meals, entertainment, and experiences -- but we need more stuff to raise enough money for our school! If you have anything to contribute, please go to our website to enter the donation details. If you have any questions or if you'd like to help our auction committee gather business donations, please email  fmauctiondonations@gmail.com.

For those of you who are not familiar with our online auction, the PTA gathers donations of tickets, gift cards, services, and special one of a kind items from businesses and generous parents. We then place the items up for bid on our Fairmeadow auction websiteAnyone interested in the offerings can sign into the auction site during the two week window, create a pseudonym, and bid on any number of items. Bids can be challenged by others in order to "win" the item. When the auction closes the highest bidder gets the item. All proceeds go directly to our school to help fund PTA programs. This years auction will take place from February 19th until March 5th.

PTAC News
Palo Alto Chinese New Year Fair
Sun, Feb 12, 2-5 pm, Mitchell Park Community Center
The Palo Alto Chinese Community cordially invites you to join our 2017 Chinese New Year Fair, which will feature performances of Chinese folk music, instruments, and dances by local talents as well as students from Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD). Many facets of Chinese culture will be exhibited such as Chinese brush painting, Mahjong, dumpling-making, fung shui, board games, and crafts. The event is free to all Palo Alto residents, and food will be sold for fund-raising to support Palo Alto schools. This event is co-sponsored by City of Palo Alto and the PTA Council, and the goal is to promote friendship among residents of different cultures and contribute to the vibrancy and health of our diverse community. Hope to see you all there! Questions please contact Hannah Lu or Sheena Chin
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
Children's Classes at The Palo Alto Art Center!
Unleash the creativity in your child by signing up for one of our children's classes. We offer classes in ceramics, painting, and sculpture Monday - Saturday. Classes are held at the Art Center (1313 Newell Road) and the Mitchell Park Community Center (3700 Middlefield Road). Online registration is open now! All of our Art Classes are listed on our website.
Questions? Please contact Rebecca Passarello (rebecca.passarello@cityofpaloalto.org or 650-617-3509). 
They're Driving Me Crazy! Parent Anger (3-8 yrs old)
Tue, Jan 10, 7-9 pm, Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave
We will explore triggers to your anger, your positive and negative responses to it, and productive management techniques to help when triggers arise in the future. With Jenny Ward, MFA. Fee: $45; $30 additional parenting partner. Register here.
Silicon Valley Boychoir Auditions
Fri, Jan 13 & 20, by appointment, Palo Alto
Auditions for the spring semester are held at the choir's rehearsal location near downtown Palo Alto (600 Homer Ave). Open to 2nd-5th grade boys. High school and middle school boys with 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 performs for local events including performances with Stanford University, West Bay Opera, singing at sporting events, retirement homes, and local churches.  Email  info@svboychoir.org , call  650-424-1242  or visit  svboychoir.org
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.

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 10 Healthy Eating Parent Ed
Jan 11 K-2 Ice Skating Party
Jan 16 Martin Luther King Day - No School
Jan 18 3-5 Ice Skating Party
Jan 19 Principal's Coffee
Quick Links