Fairmeadow Elementary School eNews

Where Learning is a Team Sport!
January 16, 2017
Fairmeadow News
Principal's Message
Greetings Fairmeadow Community,
 
During the first two Buddy Assemblies of 2017, students and teachers encouraged the audience to reflect upon their hopes and dreams for our world, through celebration of the work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The diversity of language, ethnicity, experience, background, culture, and interest at Fairmeadow is among our community's greatest resources, and a clear symbol of the progress ignited by this great American hero. While we have a long way to go to bring his vision for our world to fruition, we know that our children will play powerful roles in emphasizing the importance of diversity, inclusion, service, and equality, and I'm inspired by their ideas for our future.
 
This week parents have two unique opportunities to learn more about teaching and learning at our school and in our school district. On Tuesday, January 17th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm the PAUSD Department of Elementary Education presents a Parent Education Night to delve deeply into the Common Core Mathematics Practice Standards, as well as literacy and technology integration. Childcare and light refreshments will be provided. On Thursday, January 19th, please join me for this month's Principal's Coffee where we will explore and discuss writing instruction at our school.Thursday morning's coffee will be an interactive and enjoyable experience around engaging and motivating our young writers. I hope to see you at one or both of these important events!
 
Our Design Studio Planning Committee is hard at work preparing to launch an innovative space for our children to design and build. Our first donation day will be Monday, January 23rd from 8:00 to 9:00 am in Room 27, and we will be looking for the following materials that have been washed/cleaned, are label free, and are ready for constructing:  
  • Paper products: toilet paper rolls, wrapping paper rolls, paper towel rolls, shoe boxes, egg cartons, paper plates, paper cups, coffee filters
  • Plastic products: berry baskets, small plastic containers, straws
  • Craft supplies: yarn, fishing line, string/twine/rope, ribbons, buttons, fabric pieces, craft sticks, pipe cleaners, googly eyes
  • Misc.: rubber bands, paper clips, corks, straws, bottle tops (plastic and metal), disposable chopsticks
If you have any questions or additional ideas, please contact the Design Studio Planning Committee.
 
Last Wednesday, kindergarten through 2nd grade students took to the ice at Palo Alto's Winter Lodge for our annual ice skating party, and 3rd through 5th graders will have their turn this Wednesday! A huge thank you to our Parent Teacher Association as well as the many parent volunteers who contribute to making these events an annual event to look forward to and a great opportunity for our community to connect outside of school. While I continue to be shaky on my skates, I get a little better each year, and I always appreciate the time to play with our children and our parents.
 
May you enjoy progress with your own hopes and dreams for our world and for your children. Thank you for sharing your children with us, and for the many ways you support teaching, learning, and community at Fairmeadow.
 
Grant Althouse
Principal
Fairmeadow Annual Ice Skating Party
Wed, Jan 18 (3-5), 5:30-7:30 pm, Winter Lodge, 3009 Middlefield Rd
It's time for Fairmeadow's Annual Ice Skating Party! 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  here.
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
PTA Parent Conference Hosted by California Sixth District PTA (Free Event)
Sat, Jan 21, 1380 Rosalia Ave, Sunnyvale
Workshops include The Pitfalls of Social Media, Mastering Emotionally-Intense Conversations, Improving the Community By Expanding Early Quality Learning, How to Work with Principals & Superintendents, Post Election Workshop-Power of Parents in Era of Common Core Standards, and Supporting Schools with Quality Early Childhood Education. Registration/Continental Breakfast is from 8 to 9:15 am with workshop sessions beginning at 9:30. To register go to capta6.org.
Inclusive Resource Fair of Summer Camps, After-School Activities & Educational Resources
Thu, Feb 9, 6:30-8:30 pm, JLS Middle School Auditorium, 480 E Meadow Dr
Join us to meet 30+ providers of summer camps, after-school activities, and in-school programs who will present information about their programs and be available to talk 1:1 with parents. All providers can accommodate some students' special needs, either in an inclusive environment or a special program, and can discuss specific accommodations. Some offer on-site enrollment. Information on financial assistance available, and many providers offer fee waivers based on need.
 
Organized by the Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, and co-sponsored by Parent Advocates for Student Success (PASS), and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs. Childcare and snacks for kids will be provided, please RSVP for childcare to  here . For more information, including the complete list of vendors as it is finalized, go to  cacpaloalto.org.
Feria de Recursos de Campamentos de Verano, Actividades Después de Clases y Recursos Educativos
Jueves, 9 de febrero, 6:30 - 8:30pm, En el auditorio de la Escuela Media JLS, 480 E Meadow Dr
Acompáñennos a conocer a más de 30 proveedores de campos de verano, de actividades para realizar después de clases y de programas dentro de la escuela quienes estarán brindando información sobre sus programas y que también estarán disponibles para hablar 1:1 con los padres. Todos son proveedores que pueden admitir a niños con algunas necesidades especiales ya sea dentro de un ambiente incluyente o dentro de un programa especial y podrán conversar sobre ajustes especiales que su hijo/a pueda necesitar. Podrán existir opciones de inscribirse en el lugar. Habra información sobre asistencia financiera y muchos proveedores ofrecen becas que se adaptan a sus necesidades.
 
Se contará con servicio de guardería y refrigerios para niños, por favor RSVP para el cuidado de los niños a  paloaltocac@gmail.com . Para mayor información, incluyendo la lista de proveedores cuando está esté completa, ingrese a:  cacpaloalto.org . Organizado por el Palo Alto Comité Asesor Comunitario para la Educación Especial y co-patrocinado por Parent Advocates for Student Success (PASS) y el Consejo de Palo Alto de PTAs.
2017 Annual Sweetheart Awards - Call for Nominations
Is there a bus driver, friend, teacher, administrator, neighbor, aide, crossing guard, coach, fellow student, therapist, physician, volunteer, or relative that has done something (however large or small) for your special needs child with an IEP or 504? Honor that person by nominating him or her for a Sweetheart Award. Submit nominations using our online form by February 10th. The Awards Ceremony will be on Wednesday, February 22nd from 6-8pm at Nixon Elementary School. For more information or questions email or go to cacpaloalto.org. Co-sponsored by Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs.
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

PAUSD News
Springboard to Kindergarten
Jan 30 - June 1
Will your child attend Kindergarten in the Palo Alto Unified School District in August 2017? If your child turns 5 on or before September 1, 2017 and if your child has not attended preschool, PAUSD invites you to apply for Springboard to Kindergarten. Springboard to Kindergarten is a free program for children who have not had a high quality preschool experience and whose family meets the City of Palo Alto Income Ceiling Criteria. For more information please call Greendell School at 650-856-0833 or see our flyer in English and Spanish.

Community  News
Perform with the Paly Cheer & Dance Teams After Participating in Winter Clinics 
Mon, Jan 16, 9 am - 2 pm, Tue, Jan 17, 3:30-5:30 pm, Thu, Jan 19, 3:30-5:30 pm
Performance at game on Fri, Jan 20, 7-9 pm
The Palo Alto High School Dance & Cheer teams are fundraising for their Nationals competitions in March. Three clinics are offered: a one-day clinic for beginners who want to learn how to Cheer & Dance (grades K-5), and 2 three-day middle school clinics for cheerleaders and dancers with some experience (grades 6-12) who want to experience what it's like to be part of a high school Varsity team. Participants will be invited to cheer and perform at the Varsity basketball game following the clinics at the end of the week. $100 per clinic; please signup through Activity Hero or email Alanna Williamson for questions.
Palo Alto Art Center Children's Fine Art Classes
Children's Fine Art Classes begin on January 19, and there is still space available in several courses, including Storybook Art, Clay for Preschooler and Parent, Drawing Discoveries, and Drawing Comics. For more information and to register, click here.
Immigrants and Allies in 2017: Feeling Safe in a New Era / Inmigrantes y aliados en 2017: Sentirse Seguro en Una Nueva Era
Thu, Jan 19, 7-9 pm, Cubberly Theatre, 400 Middlefield Rd/ Jueves, 19 de Enero, 19:00 a 21:00, Teatro Cubberley, 4000 Middlefield Rd
Moderator/Moderador: Manny Santamaria Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Grantmaking, Silicon Valley Community Foundation. If you are an immigrant in our community we will provide tools, resources for you-and you will meet others who care! If you are an ally, we will provide ways to offer your support and meet your neighbors. Our distinguished panel will respond to concerns about possible changes in policy and laws that may affect families in our community. Interpreters and childcare available.  
Si usted es un inmigrante en nuestra comunidad, le daremos herramientas y recursos y conocerá a otros que le apoyan. Si usted es un aliado, le enseñaremos maneras de ofrecer su apoyo y de conocer a sus vecinos. Nuestro distinguido panel responderá a las preocupaciones sobre los cambios posibles en la política y en las leyes que puedan afectar a las familias de nuestra comunidad. ¡Aprenderá lo que significa ser un aliado, las formas concretas de hablar y cómo hacer una diferencia!  Habrán Intérpretes y Niñeras
Palo Alto Nursery School Open House
Sat, Jan 28, 11 am - 1 pm, 957 Colorado Ave
Palo Alto Friends Nursery School, a play-based nursery school for 3 and 4 year olds, invites potential students and their parents to an Open House. Stop by anytime between 11-1 to meet with teachers and see the school. Children who are 3 or 4 by November 1, 2017 are eligible for the programs. For more information, visit us at our website or call 650.856.6152 to schedule a tour. 
Violin Masterclass with Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, David Kim
Fri, Feb 3, 7 pm, Tateuchi Hall at the Community School of Music and Arts, 230 San Antonio Cir, Mountain View
Free event! Distinguished musician and educator David Kim, of the Philadelphia Orchestra, will conduct a violin masterclass on Feb. 3. Mr. Kim started playing the violin at the age of three, began studies with the famed pedagogue Dorothy DeLay at the age of eight, and later received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Juilliard School. As a highly sought-after pedagogue, Mr. Kim has presented masterclasses at schools and institutions such as Juilliard, the New World Symphony in Miami, Yale, the Korean National University of Arts, and universities and colleges across the United States. The masterclass will feature five ECYS Senior Symphony violinists. Enjoy the free performance and observe a master teacher at work as he helps the students polish their pieces. For more information, call ECYS at 650-213-7111 or visit ecys.org.

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.
In This Issue
Important Dates
Jan 16 Martin Luther King Day - No School
Jan 18 3-5 Ice Skating Party
Jan 19 Principal's Coffee
Jan 26-28 Aladdin Children's Theatre Production
Quick Links