Fairmeadow Elementary School eNews

Where Learning is a Team Sport!
February 6, 2017
Fairmeadow News
Family Math Night!
Thu, Feb 9, 5-6:25 pm (K-2) & 6:30-8 pm (3-5), MP Room
This week, Fairmeadow's math-lovers and math-skeptics unite to play a huge selection of fun, challenging, even surprising puzzles and games!  Explore the fun of math through logic, strategy, patterns, spatial skills, geometry, pre-algebra, topography, and more. There is something for everyone - all ages, all skill levels. So don't be shy! Come and be part of this beloved Fairmeadow community event. 

Math Night is still FREE to attend and you don't have to RSVP. Just come and play!

Want to do more? We still need volunteers to help keep the game stations tidy between players. Sign up for volunteer duties on Konstella or contact  Nadia Priestley ( 650-665- 3066) with your questions.
Winter E.L.A.C. Meeting
Fri, Feb 10, 9:15-10:00 am, MP Room 
You are invited to attend the winter E.L.A.C. meeting at Fairmeadow! E.L.A.C. is the acronym for English Learner Advisory Committee. The purpose of this E.L.A.C. meeting is to provide parents of English Learners opportunities to:
  • Learn more about the support that is offered to their students.
  • Advise the principal and school staff on the most positive and effective actions to improve learning of English Learners.
Topic to be discussed:  Learn how to support your child in academic areas at home.
Important Dates for Fifth Grade Parents
Choice Program Evenings

Connections - Mon, Feb 6, JLS, Cafetorium, 7pm

Spanish Immersion - Tue, Feb 7 - Jordan, 7pm

Direct Instruction - Thu, Feb 9 - Terman, 7pm

 

Parent Visitation Day at JLS - Mon, Apr 17, 8:30-10am. 
Please call Joan Scherer at (650) 856-5182   after  April 7 to reserve a space for the special 6 th  grade tour. Space is limited.

PTAC News
Nominate Great People for Awards
Each year the Palo Alto Council of PTAs may bestow one of several California State PTA Honorary Service Awards to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service to children and youth in our community. The individuals or organization nominated must make far-reaching, notable contributions. The PTA Council HSA Committee selects persons or groups who have benefited children and youth on a district-wide or Palo Alto community level.

If you know of someone or an organization that deserves to be honored at this level, please complete the form on our website. You can also find the list of past recipients there.  Recipients will be announced at our Honorary Service Award Reception on April 27th. Questions: Contact Pat MarkevitchDeadline for nominations is February 15th.
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.

Community  News
Sing in the Rain During Winter Weather Commutes
Even in the rainy season, students should walk, bike, ride a bus or shuttle, or participate in a rainy day carpool whenever possible. If you're not confident that your children have the necessary skills or equipment to safely ride through wet weather, you may want to participate in a Safe and Confident Winter Biking class offered at Stanford. Details about the event can be found on the flyer. This is not a learn to ride class, and is open only to parents, as well as high school students and middle schoolers accompanied by their parents. Register here (put "bike" in registration search bar).
 
If you must drop off your children in a vehicle, please ensure that they exit the car on the passenger side, in the lane closest to the curb. Never double park, block access to ramps, drop off in the passing lane, or stop where prohibited, as these are ticketable offenses.
PALY Choirs "Sounds Like Teen Spirit" Concert
Feb 14 & 15, 7 pm, Paly Performing Arts Center 
PALY Choirs and Rise Together Education present a celebration of 90's Song, Dance and Style! The February 15th show will feature special teacher performances, a raffle, and a silent auction with partial proceeds to benefit the Rise Together Foundation. Tickets available on the website or at the door for $10 adults; $5 seniors & kids.
FREE Family Science Night at the JMZ
Wed, Feb 8, 5:30-7:30 pm, Junior Museum & Zoo, 1451 Middlefield Rd
On Wednesday evening, February 8, the award-winning JMZ science teachers invite all PAUSD families to Family Science Night. This free after-hours special night of learning and fun is a celebration of science in schools. Join in for exciting hands-on science activities, animal encounters, and experience a sampling of what is taught in local elementary schools. There is no admission charge for Family Science Night at the JMZ. All local families and teachers are welcome!
Stanford MBSR Parenting Class (2-Part)
Thu, Feb 2 & Feb 23, 6.30-8 pm, Palo Alto High School Library (EWC), 50 Embarcadero Rd
This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to continue the conversation that was had with Dan Siegel in November in terms of the day-to-day applications of mindfulness and the implications for parenting.
Session 1: 2/2 The Science of Mindfulness, Guided Meditations, and Home Practice
Session 2: 2/23 - Bringing Openness, Curiosity, and Non-judgment to Parenting; Mindfulness Toolkit and Resources

Class Instructors are Corinne Collins RN, FNP, mindfulness and MBSR instructor teaching in Monterey and the South Bay area and Moira Kessler, MD, Child Psychiatrist and Clinical Instructor at Stanford Children's Health. 
More info here.
Paly Speech and Debate Summer Camp 
Session 1: June 13-17; Session 2: July 31-Aug 4
The Paly Speech and Debate 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. Register here.
The 2017 Gunn Choir Staff Musical: And Then There Were Nuns
Feb 7, 8 & 9, 8 pm, Palo Alto High School Performing Arts Center, 50 Embarcadero Rd
Students, families, and the whole community are invited to join the 160-voice Gunn Choir and your favorite Gunn staff members for the fabulous 2017 Choir Staff Musical! Join in the fun as Dorothy and Toto set off for the Big Apple to audition for a Broadway musical. Despite stumbling into a mob hit and getting spirited away to a nunnery as part of the NYPD Witness Protection Program, nothing can keep our heroine from her ambition to make it in show biz. Tickets ($20 for adults, $10 for students) are on sale on the website, at the Gunn Student Activities Center, and at the door. Proceeds benefit the Choir's scholarship fund for a singing tour to Ireland in June. The JLS choir will be featured on the 8th, and the Terman choir on the 9th.

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
Feb 9 Principal's Coffee
Family Math Night
Feb 10 E.L.A.C Meeting
Feb 16-20 No School
Quick Links