Paly Link Sunday, January 14, 2017

Paly Link

A PTSA publication

Sunday, January 14, 2017

The Paly Link is distributed on Sundays, except during school breaks and holidays. Changes will be highlighted as New/Updated/Corrected. To submit an article, see Submission Guidelines at the end.

Calendar

Calendar Quick Links: Paly.net | One Page Fall Calendar | Paly Google Calendar | Bell Schedule

Wednesday	18, 25, Feb. 1, 15	Brainstorm Book Club: Continuing the Conversation about the Teenage Brain (PTSA) Choose Gunn or Paly campus
	Jan 17	Bell Schedule Review Committee Mtg New
	Jan 18	9th and 10th grade Latino Parent Night New
	Jan 25	8th Grade Parent Night (for 17-18 incoming students) New
Wednesday	January 25	PTSA Meeting, Principal Coffee,9 a.m Paly Library EWC New
	Jan 26	Winter Rally (Alternate Schedule) New
Saturday	January 28	27th Annual Black College Awareness (BCA) Fair 10 am - 3 pm, at Stanford's Tresidder Union
	Jan 30-31	Counselors at JLS for rising 9th grade presentation New
	Feb 1	Counselor at Terman for rising 9th grade presentation New
	Feb 1	Sophomore Parent Night New
Friday	February 3	Club Day 2
Tuesday	Feb 7	American Mathematics Competition New (Paly)
	Feb 6-7	Counselors at Jordan for rising 9th grade presentation New
	Feb 13-14	Counselors return to JLS for rising 9th grade course selection New
	Feb 15	Counselor returns to Terman for rising 9th grade course selection New
	Feb 21-22	Counselors return to Jordan for rising 9th grade course selection New
Tues. - Fri.	Mar. 28-31	Smarter Balanced testing for 11th graders (Schedule). 12th graders will be piloting the new State Science test called the CAST. Details will be sent soon.

PTSA Items

Brainstorm Book Club: Continuing the Conversation about the Teenage Brain Updated

Focusing on Part 2 of the book, "The Brain", same program offered morning and evening

Wed., Jan 18, 8:30-10:00 am, Paly EWC (in the library)

or Wed Jan 25, 7:00-8:30 pm, Gunn HS Library

Please come join us for a more in-depth discussion of Dr. Dan Siegel's book Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain. We will discuss the main ideas in the book and how to apply them to our own parenting, and try out some of Dr. Siegels "Mindsight tools". Please join us, whether or not you attended the first meeting! The morning sessions will be held at Paly and led by Cari Anderson (psychologist/Paly parent), and the evening sessions will be held at Gunn led by Kirsten Daehler (educator/ Gunn parent) and Maria Daehler (child psychiatrist/Gunn parent). You are welcome to attend either at Paly or Gunn, whichever is more convenient for you. Free, no registration needed, come when you can! We will have a few copies of the book for purchase ($18.50, cash or check only). Please contact Cari Anderson, cari@sundy.net , if you have any questions.

Future sessions:

Part 3: Feb. 1 8:30-10:00 am, Paly EWC (in the library) or 7:00-8:30 pm, Gunn HS Library

Part 4: Feb 15, 8:30-10:00 am, Paly EWC (in the library) or 7:00-8:30 pm, Gunn HS Library

Staff Latte Cart - Need Bakers New

January 18, 2017 Tower Building

Help set up, clean up and even bake treats for staff to enjoy with the latte cart. Please drop off the food between 7:15-8:30am on 1/18 in front of the main office. Please label your container. If you have further questions, please feel free to call Jessie at jessie1886@yahoo.com or Beth Martin at bmartin@pausd.org. Thank you! Sign up here: https://www.uptous.com/directSignup/rUIIXKzQkKZNULhG45m90iYAIS2YRY3pV0nBPxedxWI=

Principal Coffee & General PTSA Meeting

January 25, 2017 9:00 am Paly Library EWC

Please join us for the third PTSA meeting and principal coffee of the school year. Agenda located on uptous, under file sharing. We will be electing the nominating committee, asking for approval of the budget revision and hearing the latest updates from Principal Kim Diorio. There will be an open forum for questions. All welcome to attend.

Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed: Throughout the School Year

Looking for a way to support others in an impactful, immediate and easy way? Please consider being a Meals on Wheels Volunteer for our Paly community! The Meals on Wheels program brings emergency meals to Paly families in crisis. If you would like to volunteer, please sign up here:

Meals on Wheels Sign Ups Your kindness is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Are you a family in crisis and in need of help with some comforting dinners delivered to your door? That's what the Meals on Wheels volunteers are here for! They are ready and happy to help! Please contact Lori Merritt at lomerritt@yahoo.com or call 650-644-6876. Include any dietary restrictions.

Paly Items

Paly Speech & Debate! New

We're excited to announce the dates for the 13th annual Palo Alto Speech and Debate Camp!

Dates:Session 1: June 13-17

Session 2: July 31-Aug 4

Our camp centers around providing students with an introduction to speech and debate. The goal of our camp is to prepare students for competition in these activities once they go to high school.

On top of that, speech and debate are both life skills as they teach students to express themselves and be more articulate. Second year campers have the opportunity to be placed in a more advanced classroom setting, while first year campers will be given more of an introduction to speech and debate.

Here is the link to this year's registration: Paly Speech and Debate Camp 2017

Keep in mind that we do offer need based financial aid, if you have questions about this please send us an email.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us at palyspeechanddebatecamp@gmail.com!

FOOD COORDINATOR FOR THE PALY CAREER SPEAKERS SERIES DESPERATELY NEEDED!! New

The Career Speakers Committee (run completely by students) is in need of an adult to help organize the lunches for the Career Speakers Series. The Career Speakers Series is starting on February 28th and takes place every lunch period until March 9th. We need an adult to order the food and oversee the lunches (this could be 2 different people). This is a fabulous event. The students have lined up another great group of speakers from all different walks of life but they need help with this task. If you are available or would like more information please contact Beth Martin, Paly Volunteer Coordinator, at Bmartin@pausd.org. Thanks very much.

Band & Orchestra Winter Concert New

Thursday, January 19

7pm, Performing Arts Center

The Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Orchestra are performing their winter concert, conducted by Jeff Willner and Greg Miller. Come enjoy the evening of music!

PALY MEDIA ARTS CENTER - JOURNALISM OPEN HOUSE for Parents and Students New

Wed, February 1 7 - 8:30 pm

Location: Paly Media Arts Center

Please join us for the second annual Paly Media Arts Center (MAC) Open House and let your students show you their work and see where all the award-winning Paly publications are created. This is a great opportunity to see students' photography exhibits and to see Paly students busy creating their newspaper, The Campanile, and other publications. Drinks and dessert will be served. Flyer

For questions email : Kim Robins - korobins@yahoo.com

ALT schedule for AMC testing Tuesday 2/7/17

8:15 - 8:45 Dept. Meetings

8:50 - 9:55 Tutorial (except for Math)

10:00-11:35 2nd period

11:35 - 12:10 Lunch

12:15 - 1:45 Period 4

1:55 - 3:25 Period 6

Smarter Balanced testing for 11th graders (Schedule )

Mar. 28-Mar. 31. 12th graders will be piloting the new State Science test called the CAST. Details will be sent soon.

Student Design Contest for Paly 5K Fun Run

Designs Due January 26

Paly Sports Boosters are looking for students to create a t-shirt design for the first annual Paly 5K Fun Run. The Fun Run will be on Saturday, March 25, but we need to select a design long before then. The due date for design entries is January 26. If you are interested, send your design or any questions to roycraig@pacbell.net. The designs should be no larger than a 9-inch square, and should include the event name (Paly 5K Fun Run). The maker of the winning design will get free entry into the run, a free t-shirt, and a $50 visa gift card.

Calling all Freshmen, Sophomore and Junior Girls. Play field hockey for the Vikings!

Half of the schools in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League have girls' field hockey teams: Cupertino High School, Homestead High School, Los Altos High School, Los Gatos High School, Lynbrook High School, Monte Vista High School, and Saratoga High School. We would like Paly to have a girls' field hockey team too. If you would like to play field hockey for Paly, sign the online petition. We can only make this happen with your support, so commit to play today by signing up here: https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/palo-alto-high-girls-field-hockey-team.html

Attention senior parents: Baby Ads

If you turned in a yearbook baby ad, you should have received a PDF proof in your email already. If you submitted a baby ad but did NOT receive a proof, please email adviser Brian Wilson at bwilson@pausd.org. Also, if you missed the submission deadline but still want to submit an ad, we have a few slots left; please send an email if this is the case.

Call for Mentors! Rise Together Education (RTE)

relies on community members to inspire, motivate, and encourage students as they navigate the college preparation process. An RTE mentor may help a high school junior or senior:

navigate nationalized testing (ACT or SAT)

edit essays

guide students through the application process

apply for scholarships

and other needs related to pursuing a college education

To ensure that students are able to foster strong relationships with their mentors, as well as to make sure students academic needs are met, we require all mentors to commit to at least 1-year with RTE. Of course, we'd love for mentors to follow students through the years and continue to provide support. Interested in Mentoring? Fill out this form so we can learn more about you.

Paly Sports Booster Passes for Winter/Spring Sports, reduced rates!

See http://paly.net/boosters/sports-boosters for more information. Reduced Rates! Available for purchase online. Students, $20, Single $25, Family $40; Seniors $15! Here is the new form.

College & Career Center

Connecting Lives Sharing Cultures New

AFS, the largest exchange program with the mission of promoting cultural understanding as a way to bring peace to the world, has an informal information event on Feb 11th. You and your family can learn about the global programs and scholarships available to you and talk to local students who have studied abroad. Bring a friend and your questions.

Event details: February 11th at 12pm at the Redwood City Roundtable Pizza. More info and RSVP: http://evite.me/tnPhBHFNGS

Out of State Colleges Presentation - Thurs., Feb. 2nd - 7 pm Library Conference Room New

Come learn more about out-of-state public colleges and universities. Especially in light of the State budget crisis and its impact on CA higher education, out-state-public colleges offer many benefits. Topics discussed will include:

- number of open spaces (compared to CSU and UC)

- more/different majors than CSUs/UCs

- weather and travel considerations

- Western Undergraduate Exchange program (participation and restrictions) and scholarships

- honors programs

Director of Admissions and Recruitment for Arizona State University, Brad Baertsch, will present.

27th Annual Black College Awareness (BCA) Fair

Saturday, January 28, 2017, 10 am - 3 pm, at Stanford's Tresidder Union.

- Meet representatives from HBCUs

- Meet representatives from local colleges and universities

- Attend workshops on college prep, admissions, and financial aid

- Listen to panel discussions by recent college graduates on life at an HBCU

- Obtain valuable college resource and scholarship information.

Free; continental breakfast and lunch provided. More info at www.bcafair.org RSVP: register@bcafair.org

ACE Mentor Program

Interested in learning more about career options in the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering fields? The ACE Mentor Program is a free after-school program where groups of high school students meet with a team of mentors (professionals from these fields) for 15 weeks. The Spring 2017 schedule includes: t ours of local construction sites and industry offices, p resentations about the ACE fields from guest speakers and mentors, g roup design challenges including the CIRT national design project. No prerequisites or special skills required.

Form more information about the ACE PEN1 p lease email to Cynthia Munoz at cynthia@ stoeckerandnorthway. com

If you would like to sign up for the program, you can register for this upcoming year at http://acementor.org/ students/new-student- registration/ .

Paly Community Scholarship Program application for Seniors due Jan. 20

The sponsors of various community scholarships ask Paly's Scholarship Committee to nominate and/or select students to be considered for/receive awards. To be participate in this scholarship program, students must complete the Paly Community Scholarship Application and return it to Ms. Cernobori (hard copy) by January 20th.

Please read this letter for more information about the program:
http://paly.net/sites/default/files/Letter%20for%20Commmunity%20Scholarship%20Application%2016-17.pdf

Students received a copy of the program application via Schoology from their TAs but can also access the application, here: http://paly.net/sites/default/files/PalyCommScholarApp17.pdf

A reminder that students who want to be considered for need-based scholarships in the program must provide family financial information on the last page of the application; in addition, these applicants are also required to submit a copy of the Student Aid Report (including the EFC) they receive after filing the FAFSA along with their scholarship application. This information is kept confidential. Samples of acceptable EFC documentation can be found here: http://www.paly.net/sites/default/files/EFC_docs.pdf

Please refer to my Nov. 28 email for information about applying for need-based financial aid using the FAFSA. Be sure to check each campus website for deadlines and other forms required in addition to FAFSA, if applicable.

There are numerous other scholarship opportunities that students can pursue on their own; refer to the handout distributed Advisory or visit: http://www.paly.net/college/scholarship_resources

Lunchtime Speaker Needed

The Paly Career Month Lunchtime Speaker Series Team is in the process of planning the March 2017 Career Month! As always, we need speakers from various fields so if you know anyone who you think would make a good speaker please email us at palycareermonth@gmail.com with recommendations and their contact information.

Additionally, an important part of the Career Month Speaker Series is the fact that we supply a free lunch to students who attend these talks. Unfortunately, this food is not free, so we need donations from parents to make this a possibility. The recommended donation is $10, but we appreciate any contribution.

Please make a donation at https://goo.gl/sohdKj

For more info about this event, please visit this page and click on "Career Education."

College Rep Visits for Seniors (and Juniors, if space is available)

Students must have their teacher's permission one day in advance if missing class. Pick up a form in the C&CC, or download it at admit-class-form-college-and-career-center . Bring the signed form the day of the visit to ensure the absence from class is cleared and marked as an activity rather than a truancy. College visits scheduled for the next two weeks are listed below. For a full list of all visits through Spring, login to Naviance using your user ID and password; click on the "Colleges" tab then click "view all upcoming college visits" within the "my colleges" section. Or, you can check the calendar on www.paly.net/college .

Due to increased student attendance and limited space in the College Center, we are no longer able to permit parents to attend college representative visits, please click to read more information about this policy.

Scholarships and contests/competitions expiring through January 18, 2017

University of Dayton - Leadership in Service Scholarship--Deadline 1/15

Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX)--Deadline 1/15

Yale Bassett Award for Community Engagement--Deadline 1/15

DePauw University - High School Essay Contest--Deadline 1/16

University of Michigan - Geisinger Scholarship--Deadline 1/17

Ronald McDonald House Scholarship Program--Deadline 1/18

PAUSD

Renaming Schools Advisory Committee (RSAC) Survey

The PAUSD School Board created a Renaming Schools Advisory Committee ( RSAC ) and charged this committee to explore and recommend processes for naming or renaming schools based on community input and feedback. The community consists of students, parents, alumni, former parents, community members, and PAUSD teachers and staff. With this short survey , we would like to get your initial input concerning the criteria you consider to be most important for the naming of any district school. Your input will help the RSAC understand the community's values, and alongside other data, help inform the Committee's discussions and recommendations to the Board. The survey is very short and we appreciate you taking two or three minutes to give your input by completing and submitting this seven question survey . Simply click the following link to begin https://pausd.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8JuFGmlO3CJ3Qgd

Food Service Department Open Forums

Palo Alto USD invites parents, employees, students, and community members to a series of Food Services Department Community Open Forums held throughout the 2016-17 school year. Please visit: https://www.pausd.org/food-service-department-open-forum

Arts Education Volunteers Needed

The Palo Alto Council of PTA's http://ptac.paloaltopta.org/ seeks Arts Education Volunteers to support high quality arts education for all students and to share best practices and programs. Goals might include communicating about visual and performing art programs taking place at PAUSD schools and encouraging collaborative opportunities. All PTA members (both parents and teachers) are welcome to volunteer. Please contact PTAC President Audrey Gold ( president@paloaltopta.org ) if interested.

Community and Volunteer Service

Community Service Online Class. Earn President's Award
Looking for opportunities to match your student's interests and earn service hours with community impact? Check out Get Involved Palo Alto's free calendar, database of organizations and inspiring projects at Getinvolvedpa.com. NEW: Online Community Service Class "Youth Changing the World." Winter cohort starts Feb. 1st. Students have up to one year to complete course and earn the President's Award for Volunteer Service. Involves personal and community assessments and reflection. Create a high-quality project, learn how to use project management tools, develop an electronic portfolio, receive personalized coaching for your project and how to write about it in college essays! SIGN UP TODAY. Tuition waivers for students with free or reduced lunch.

Questions? Getinvolvedpaloalto@gmail.com

President's Volunteer Service Awards (ongoing)

This year 200 students volunteered over 24,000 hours in a 12 month period. Congratulations! A big thank you to all the parents that supported the President's Award distribution. Students that haven't picked up their awards can stop by Karla Larson's office in Guidance.

Community Service and Service-Learning for High School Students

Get Involved Palo Alto is a 501(3)c organization that helps local students connect to their interests via community service, service-learning, internships, and career education. Looking for an organization that matches your student's interests? Check out our vetted lists of nonprofits by interest category. Need to find an opportunity that matches your student's schedule? See the Calendar of current projects. Visit the Get Involved Palo Alto website for more helpful resources: Getinvolvedpa.com

Looking for an opportunity to help kids in need? Volunteer for DreamCatchers!

DreamCatchers runs an after-school enrichment program for low-income PAUSD middle school students - right here at Paly in the afternoons and evenings Monday through Thursday. We are looking for the following:

- One-on-One Tutors (high school students) or Classroom Assistants (like a classroom aide - we need adults as well as high school students): contact Miguel Fittoria at miguel@dreamcatchersyouth.org

- Adults or experienced high schoolers interested in helping with graphic design, web design, curriculum support, or general non-profit help, please contact Barbara Klausner at barbara@dreamcatchersyouth.org

Thanks so much for your support! Visit our website at dreamcatchersyouth.org.

Community

Spring Break Service Trip to Costa Rica New

Several members of the Paly YCS Club will be taking a service trip to Costa Rica this year over spring break through a local non-profit called Dream Volunteers. This trip is open to other Paly students who have an interest in taking a meaningful service and cultural immersion trip during spring break. No Spanish is required. The group will engage with local teens, focusing on sustainable development projects in a small, rural mountain village in Central Costa Rica. To learn about this trip, watch this video presentation and visit the dream volunteers website . Dream Volunteers has organized service trips since 2007 for several local schools including Gunn, Keys Middle and Summit Prep. For questions, contact Brian Buntz at brian@dreamvolunteers.org or 415-317-0884.

Oxbridge Academic Programs - Friday, Jan. 20 - 11:35 am Student Center New

Oxbridge Academic Programs are aimed at academically advanced students in grades 8-12 who have the desire to enrich their studies through experiential learning. They offer programs in Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, Montpellier, Barcelona, and New York. Their courses span all disciplines, including the sciences, the arts, the humanities and of course languages, as well as business, politics, creative writing, and many others. For more information please visit www.oxbridgeprograms.com

Inclusive Resource Fair of Summer Camps, After-School Activities & Educational Resources New
Thu, Feb 9th, 6:30 - 8:30pm, JLS Middle School Auditorium, 480 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto

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 paloaltocac@gmail.com . For more information, including the complete list of vendors as it is finalized, goto www.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 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto

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: www.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.

Palo Alto Chinese New Year Fair New

Sun, Feb 12, 2-5 pm, Mitchell Park Community Center (3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto).

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 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 hannahlu00@gmail.com or Sheena Chin sheenachin@gmail.com .

2017 Annual Sweetheart Awards - Call for Nominations New

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 this online form by February 10th: http://tinyurl.com/ 2017Sweethearts . The Awards Ceremony will be on Wednesday, February 22nd from 6-8pm at Nixon Elementary School. For more information or questions email: sweethearts.a ward@gmail.com or go to www.cacpaloalto.org . Co- sponsored by Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs.

Perform with the Paly Cheer & Dance Teams After Participating in Winter Clinics New

Mon, Jan 16, 9AM - 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 at https://www.activityhero.com/widgets/935 or email Alanna Williamson at awilliamson@pausd.org for questions.

Palo Alto Art Center Children's Fine Art Classes New

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, go to http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/csd/artcenter/classes/children.asp

Immigrants and Allies in 2017: Feeling Safe in a New Era/Inmigrantes y aliados en 2017: Sentirse Seguro en Una Nueva Era New

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., Palo Alto

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

Violin Masterclass with Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, David Kim
New

Fri, Feb 3; 7pm Tateuchi Hall at the Community School of Music and Arts, 230 San Antonio Circle, 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 www.ecys.org .

Meditation & Watercolor (Palo Alto Library Event) New

Sun, Jan 15, 4-5 PM, Midtown Room, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd

Artist Lisa Solomon will engage local teens in one-hour artmaking and visualization workshop. In this workshop, Lisa will discuss cultural, scientific, and historical ideas about color, then lead participants in a Color Meditation exercise. Registration required.

Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) Training New

Tues, Feb 7, 6-8pm, Mitchell Park Community Center

Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) for suicide prevention is a FREE two-hour training available to anyone 18 years of age or older. QPR training helps you learn the signs of suicide, and what to do to help prevent this most preventable of deaths. Sponsored by the City of Palo Alto and Project Safety Net . Register via the City of Palo Alto at http://bit.ly/2j5YWIX

Blind Date w/a Book (Palo Alto Library Event) New

Month of February, Teen Zone, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd

If your blind date with a book doesn't work out, then check out a new one. No hurt feelings! Review your book date for a chance to win prizes.

Anti/Valentine Party (Palo Alto Library Event) New

Tue, Feb 7, 4:30 p.m. Midtown Room, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd

Join us for lit up cards, button making, pencil duct tape roses, contests, and chocolate! Whether you loathe the holiday or not, there is something for you to make for everyone. Registration required.

Sign up for Paly Glass Weekend Workshops

Sat & Sun. Jan. 7-8, Feb. 4-5, March 4-5, April 1-2, May 6-7, June 3-4 9-3 pm at Paly's Glass Studio. The workshop will focus on beginning glass blowing techniques. It's an incredible, fun, hands-on experience and it benefits the Paly Fiery Arts Program. Repeating students progress from their last session. Advanced Sign up required. Class limit is 4. Teens and adults. $425 per person. Open to the public.

Contact: David Camner, founder of the Paly Fiery Arts,

dcamner@pausd.org

Port in a Storm: Parenting Through the College Years New

Sun Jan 22, 10 AM - 4 PM

Paly students and families welcome at MLK Celebration on Jan. 16

Paly students and families are invited to attend the MLK, Jr. Celebration on Monday, Jan. 16 at Mitchell Park Community Center, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Join Youth Community Service and City of Palo Alto in celebrating diversity through the words and inspiration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There will be youth-led music and dance, entertainment, guest speakers, service organizations, youth and teen activities, MLK Legacy Walk Display and Stanford King Paper's Project. For more information, contact Leif Erickson, leif@youthcommunityservice.org 650-858-8061 www.youthcommunityservice.org .

College for Students with Special Needs: What You Need to Know
Wed, Jan 18, 7-9pm , 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. www.cacpaloalto.org

COLEGIO PARA ESTUDIANTES CON NECESIDADES ESPECIALES: LO QUE NECESITA SABER

Miércoles, Enero 18, 7:00 pm - 9:00 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). www.cacpaloalto.org

Tai Chi (Chinese martial art) Class

Sat, Jan 7-Mar 11, 2:15-3:15PM (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. Details/Sign up: http://www.siliconvalleyyouth.com/classes/2017/taichi.php. Contact: svyouth1@gmail.com

Tickets Now Available for Anne Lamott

Sat Mar 4, 9:30am-12:30pm, Dinkelspiel Auditorium, Stanford University, Palo Alto

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. For tickets and information visit http://www.motherssymposium.org/

A Place For Your Child to Publish Their Writing! Scribere Online Literary Journal

Is your child aged 11 to 18? Do they love to write fiction, nonfiction, or poetry? Do they want to publish their writing? Then check out http://www.scribere.org/. Scribere is a non-profit, online literary journal for youth ages 11 to 18. Scribere's editorial board is comprised entirely of youth who are passionate about writing. Scribere is harnessing the power of the web to make the submission process simple, sustainable, efficient, and transparent. We are currently seeking submissions for our inaugural issue!

All Online. All Free. Our mission? To inspire youth creativity.

Check out our welcome video at http://www.scribere.org/blank

Questions? email us at info@scribere.org .

Be Safe. Be Seen. Bike lights are required by law for riding after dusk.

With shorter days, students are bike commuting in the dark when bicycle lights and reflectors are required by law. Visibility begins to decline at dusk, so bicyclists should turn on their lights as soon as light begins to fade. A handlebar headlight makes a bicycle visible to others and illuminates the road so the rider can see. Higher powered lights do a better job. Tail lights and reflectors should be mounted on something stable where they won't be obscured by bags, panniers or other gear on the bike. Lights are vastly superior to reflectors, so a rear red light is recommended for maximum visibility.

Outfitting student bikes for a safe and legal ride is a smart investment (and a great holiday gift!). For information about safe school commutes, visit http://saferoutes.paloaltopta.org/index.shtml

Make a difference: Tutor Low Income East Palo Alto 5
^th
Graders in Reading or Writing - 8 one hour sessions

If you've enjoyed helping in your own child's classroom, or just love literacy, please consider tutoring 5th graders at Brentwood School in East Palo Alto (near IKEA). It is a special project to work with low income students from February 6th - March 31st. Volunteers would work in the same classroom one day per week, for an hour either at 9:45 am (reading) or 11:40 am (writing). All Students Matter provides a brief training in January and coordinates all details. You can make a real difference! To sign up, visit www.allstudentsmatter.org or to learn more contact Keri Tully at keritully@gmail.com .

Walk & Roll to Palo Alto Libraries -

NEW Suggested Walking & Bicycling Routes Map

Check out City of Palo Alto 's new Walk & Roll map with suggested walking and bicycling routes to Palo Alto libraries from every neighborhood citywide. Palo Alto libraries are popular after-school destinations and they often are the center of fun family outings. Walking and bicycling is an active, healthy, fun way to get there! See the new Walk & Roll to Libraries brochure with map here http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/documents/PASRTL_Map_Brochure_092116.pdf

Sleep Study for Youth 18-21

The Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University is recruiting 18-21 year old youth to participate in a paid research study on sleep and mood. You and your youth will receive up to $215 for completing the study. For more information about this study, please contact dailyrest@stanford.edu or (650) 736-2689 or go to http://med.stanford.edu/psychiatry/research/dailyreststudy.html.
For general information about participant rights, contact 1-866-680-2906.

How To Get A Bike License

In Palo Alto bicycle licenses are required. Bike licenses help PAPD connect recovered stolen bikes to their owners and also can help emergency responders connect a bicyclist with family after an accident if the cyclist isn't carrying ID. You can get a license at any Palo Alto Fire Station between 4:00-5:00 pm. As long as they are not out on an emergency call, someone will be available to issue a license to you.

Check Your Student's Helmet!

Bicycle helmets should be replaced every five years, even if they appear undamaged because the rigid foam in the helmet will break down with time and won't protect your head in a collision. Helmets with cracks in the outer plastic shell should be replaced, as should helmets that are too small. (The helmet should touch the top of your student's head. To find out if it touches, put your finger in an air vent at the top of the helmet.) For tips on getting the helmet adjusted properly, see our new helmet flyer.

Classroom Volunteers Needed - An Hour a Week Could Change a Student's Life

If you've enjoyed spending time in your child's classroom, please join other parents volunteering in east Menlo Park or East Palo Alto schools where there are virtually no parent volunteers. You'll help tutor kids in grades K-4. Over 80% of students are performing below grade level in reading and math. Work once a week in the same classroom for about an hour, building relationships with students. All Students Matter provides training and coordinates everything. We start in mid-September. You can make a real difference! To learn more or sign up, visit www.allstudentsmatter.org or contact Keri Tully at keritully@gmail.com.

Trail Closure/Tree Removal Along San Francisquito Creek

As part of the San Francisquito Creek flood control project, the Bay/San Francisquito Creek trail that runs from Geng and Embarcadero Road to the Friendship Bridge (through the Baylands Athletic Center, along the Golf Course) will soon be closed. The flood control project is scheduled to begin September 1, but the trail may be closed as early as mid-August. On the Palo Alto side of the creek, the trail is expected to be closed for the entire two-year duration of the project. Signs are being posted along the trail in advance to warn users about the upcoming closure and tree removals that are required for the construction project

About the Paly Link

The Paly Link is a Paly PTSA publication, emailed on Sundays, except during school breaks and holidays. Changes will be highlighted as New/ Updated/ Corrected.

Deadline for submissions: noon on Saturday, the day before publication. Flyers must be submitted by noon on Thursday. Items run no earlier than 3 weeks before the event.

To submit an item, send to palylink@paloaltopta.org. Include a header or title line, then a line listing the date, time and location of the event. Follow with a brief (2-4 sentence) description of the activity, with the most important information first. List email, contact information and web links last. Items are published at the discretion of the editors.

--Shuchi Grover, Pavan Bakshi, and Anh Quan Paly Link Editors
--Bala Aiyar, Paly Link List Manager and Gordon Craig, Paly Link Webmaster
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