Fairmeadow Elementary School eNews

Where Learning is a Team Sport!
February 13, 2017
Fairmeadow News
Principal's Message
Greetings Fairmeadow Community,
 
Students at last Friday's Buddy Assembly honored influential African American leaders through a lively presentation that included songs, artwork, and powerful quotes. Words from Frederick Douglas to Barack Obama, George Washington Carver to Rosa Parks, captured themes of community, inclusion, power, and hope to celebrate Black History Month. The first and third graders on the stage commanded the audience's attention through their confident and passionate performance, and following the presentation many children shared with me what they had learned about the person responsible for their assigned quote.
 
Buddy Assemblies at Fairmeadow provide wonderful opportunities for our children to share their energy and passion, to practice speaking and performing to an audience, and to work hard with their 'big' and 'little' buddies to present a show for their peers. I'm proud of the firebirds who have performed their assemblies thus far, and I'm excited for the performances to come in the final weeks of winter.
 
Thank you to the many volunteers and organizers who helped to make Family Math Night at Fairmeadow a huge success. Children and parents alike persevered through challenging puzzles and engaging problem solving. I spent the majority of my time trying to conquer a math puzzle called 'Line Up', where black and red pegs are to be moved across a game board following specific patterns and rules. To be honest, last year I attempted this puzzle and ultimately gave up prior to solving it. This year, I was determined to solve the puzzle, and with a little help and encouragement from a 3rd grader, Summer, I eventually solved the puzzle!
 
This experience brought the 8 Standards for Mathematical Practice to mind, especially standard 1, make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Through this simple math puzzle I experienced standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7! Summer and I reasoned abstractly and quantitatively, we looked for and made use of structure, we modeled with mathematics, and much more during a simple, engaging exercise with a wood block and pegs. Students and parents across the room had similar experiences throughout the night. The 8 Standards for Mathematical Practice drive math experiences and instruction in our classrooms across the K-5 continuum, and while the domain standards require greater depth than a wood board and pegs can provide, we strive to create that same sense of engagement, excitement, and curiosity through experiences with mathematics in our classrooms.
 
This coming Thursday teachers, administrators, and staff across the school district will engage in a day of professional learning with colleagues. At the elementary level, we will continue our learning about the Next Generation Science Standards, as well as learn to use a new reading assessment system. So while Thursday is not a school day for students, there will still be a lot of learning going on at Fairmeadow! This will lead in to the long Presidents' Day weekend, with school resuming on Tuesday, February 21st.
 
Do you know a student or family who will join the Fairmeadow kindergarten community for the 2017/18 school year? Please encourage family participation in our Kindergarten Visitation Day next Friday, February 24th from 9:15 to 10:15 am in the Fairmeadow MP Room. I'm excited to meet next year's kindergarten parents for this initial introduction to kindergarten at Fairmeadow.
 
Enjoy the Presidents' Day weekend, and keep an eye out for information from our PTA about our plentiful online auction, starting February 19th! I look forward to seeing you at Fairmeadow soon!

Grant Althouse
Principal
For 5th Grade Parents / Incoming JLS Parents
As a 5th grade parent, you may already have JLS Middle School on the mind! Know that the JLS PTA has a number of fun events and activities that help 6th graders make a happy transition and have a fantastic year.  If you are interested in staying involved and meeting new families, volunteering with the PTA is a great opportunity.

The JLS PTA Nominating Committee is currently looking for people to volunteer for  several roles for the 2017-18 school year including:
  • 6th Grade Parent Network-Staff Appreciation Week -Panther Pride Helper
  • Fall Book Fair
  • Walk and Roll Week
If you are interested in coordinating a PTA event, or getting involved as a volunteer at any level, please contact nominating committee members: Christine Hodson or Patty Germanow to learn more. Thank you and we'll look forward to seeing you at JLS next year!
Important Date for Fifth Grade Parents
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.

PAUSD News
How Does Sugar Affect Your Health and What You Can Do About It?
Wed, Mar 1, 6:30-8:30 pm, SDC Room, District Office, 25 Churchill Ave
Join us for an educational night on sugar. Learn how sugar came to be ubiquitous in everything we eat, and became a number one health issue due to its harmful effects on the human body. As parents, you will also get some great tips on how to combat sugar in your household and diet, and reintroduce great nutrition to your kids. Patricia Caldera, Ph.D. will be presenting on behalf of the Institute of Responsible Nutrition, an organization dedicated to changing the way food is produced, marketed, and distributed, ending food related illnesses, and promoting good health. We encourage parents to bring their children.

PTAC News
Opa! GiveBack Campaign
Opa! Authentic Greek Cuisine, 140 University Ave
Opa! Authentic Greek Cuisine in Palo Alto is proud to invite you and your family to dine at the Opa! location in downtown Palo Alto as a part of the Opa! GiveBack Campaign. When one hears the word Opa!, it usually brings with it a sense of excitement and happiness! When dining at Opa! Palo Alto, mention your relationship to the Palo Alto Unified School District to your server and a percentage of your bill will be given back to the Palo Alto Council of PTAs . At the end of each month, Opa! Palo Alto will write a check to PTAC! Dine out, and help GiveBack to the Palo Alto PTA community at the same time!
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.

Community  News
Understanding the IEP: Development & Process
Feb 16, 6-8 pm, Santa Clara County Office of Education 1290 Ridder Park Dr, San Jose
Training for Parents of Students with Special Needs. This workshop will help participants better understand the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for children and youth who receive special education services, and the basic IEP components and how they work together. For families of children/teens/young adults with disabilities or learning challenges. Learn about: The present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP), writing measurable goals and objectives, support services, and plan implementation. Childcare is available upon advanced request, contact (408) 453-6542.
La Comprensión del IEP (Programa de Educación
Individualizado) : El Desarrollo y el Proceso
16 de febrero de 2017 de 6 a 8 pm, Oficina de Educación del Condado de Santa Clara, 1290 Ridder Park Dr, San Jose
Un Curso para Los Padres de los Estudiantes con Necesidades Especiales.  Este taller le ayudará a entender mejor el Programa de Educación Individualizada (IEP) para los niños y jóvenes que reciben servicios de educación especial. Comprender los componentes básicos de IEP y cómo trabajan juntos.  Infórmese sobre: Los niveles actuales de logro académico y rendimiento funcional (PLAAFP), Redactar objetivos mensurables y objetivos, Servicios de apoyo y Plan de implementación. El servicio de niñera está disponible a aviso (408) 453-6542.
Stanford University Sleep Study for Youth 18-21
The Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University is again recruiting 18-21 year-old youth with bipolar disorder to participate in a paid research study on sleep and mood. For more information about this study, email, call  650-736-2689  or visit the website.
Classroom Volunteers Needed Next School Year in East Palo Alto and Eastern Menlo Park
Have you enjoyed helping in your child's classroom? Consider volunteering in a classroom in eastern Menlo Park or East Palo Alto where there are virtually no parent volunteers. You'll help tutor kids in grades K-5 where 88% are low income and 40% are homeless. Work once a week in the same classroom for about an hour, with students on reading, writing, or math. All Students Matter provides training and coordinates everything. Sign up now to start in September. For more details or to sign up, visit the website or contact Keri Tully. 
Mindful Moms Group for Moms of Kids with Special Needs
Group 1: Every other Thurs (12:30-2:30 pm Mar 3 thru Jun 8)
Group 2: Once a month on Sat (1:30-3:30 pm Mar 18 thru Jul 15)
St. Mark's Church, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto
Join our nurturing group for moms who have kids (of all ages) with special needs, from sensory processing challenges, to dyslexia, to Asperger's or autism. Moms will gather together for two hours on a regular basis to support each other, learn mindfulness practices, and practice mindful yoga together. Mindfulness and yoga have been shown to reduce stress, boost mood, improve overall wellbeing, and studies show that a central factor in maternal wellness is social and emotional support - in particular, having a sense of belonging. Join our Mindful Moms group today by emailing Jackie Long  or visit the website to find out more.
Family Date Night:  Puzzle Swap and Game Night
Fri, Feb 17, 7-8:15 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Bring the family to the library for an evening of games and a puzzle swap! Bring your gently used and complete puzzles to the library to exchange with other families. Please register for each family member in attendance.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Sat, Feb 18, 11-2 pm, Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 MIddlefield Rd
Join us in celebrating the Chinese New Year! This event features lion dancing, crafts and more! All ages are welcome. Stop by wearing your new lucky red clothing and we will see you there. 
Society of Bookworms Book Club - The Underground Abductor (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales)
Wed, Feb 15, 4-5 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Discuss a great book with your friends at the library! Grades 4-6.
Afternoon Adventure: Dumpling Workshop
Wed, Feb 22, 3:30-5 pm, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd
Put on your aprons for this special afternoon adventures, Chinese New Year edition. We will learn how to make and fold dumplings. Take them home to cook and eat!  Grades K-5 only.  Registration required.
Creative Writing Party
Fri, Feb 24, 7-8:30 pm, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd
All are invited to celebrate! 2017 writing contest winners to be announced. Join us for cake, crafts, and fun!
Musical Group Charged Particles
Wed, Mar 1, 3:30-4:30 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Charged Particles blends jazz styles with elements from Latin music, classical music, funk, and more. No registration required.
STEAM Lab Saturday
Sat, Mar 4, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Each month we'll engage in maker projects utilizing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math concepts. See the library website or calendar for details. For grades 1-6. Registration required.
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.
Stanford MBSR Parenting Class (Second Part)
Thu, 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 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.

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 16-20 No School
Mar 1 PTA Coffee and General Meeting
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