 |
|
Principal's Message
Greetings Fairmeadow Community,
The lengthening evening sunlight and blossoming trees remind us that spring is on the horizon!
The highlight of my week last week was time spent in second and first grade classrooms leafing through student writing folders and reading many writing samples from the current unit of study. In second grade, I learned about street sweepers in incredible detail through reading an informational text composed by a vehicle enthusiast. In first grade I learned about Israel from reading through a text that might as well have been a published travel brochure! Both students beamed with pride as they highlighted and explained different components of their writing. It is incredibly exciting to witness our students' ability in writing flourish as they write about topics of individual interest and share their accomplishments with others!
Thank you to all families who participated in the Fairmeadow Online Auction this winter. I sincerely appreciate those in our community who donated items up for auction, as well as those who participated through bidding online. By Sunday evening it got pretty competitive! The proceeds from this auction financially support many important elements of our school including school supplies, professional assemblies, campus supervision, noon sports, the design studio, our social and emotional learning curriculum, and much, much more!
This spring, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers will administer the
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), a testing system also referred to as the Smarter Balanced Assessment. This testing system assesses students in English Language Arts and Mathematics through a computer-based platform. Our testing schedule will run from April 11th through May 3rd with grade levels testing on different days in the morning. Prior to the testing window, teachers will be leading students through a practice test to familiarize children to the testing interface. Fairmeadow's detailed assessment schedule can be found in the 'features' section on our website.
3rd, 4th, and 5th grade families,
please mark your calendars for our testing window, April 11th through May 3rd, and please make sure that your children are present at school each testing day for your grade level. Testing sessions will all be held in the morning and are untimed. If you have any questions about your child's participation, please contact your child's teacher or the front office for more information.
As you may be aware,
Palo Alto Unified School District's department of elementary education is completing a pilot of three new mathematics programs in preparation for a new adoption of mathematics materials for the 2017/18 school year. A committed sampling of teachers from each school in the district is teaching parts of three new curriculum,
Bridges in Mathematics,
Eureka Math, and
Investigations with the intention of recommending a new curriculum for adoption by the Board of Education this spring. Would you like to learn more about this process and about math instruction at our school? Please join me at our next
Principal's Coffee, Friday, March 17th at 8:45 a.m. in the MP Room at Fairmeadow. Our mathematics Teacher on Special Assignment, Joe Young, will join us for a discussion of mathematics instruction, the mathematics curriculum pilot, and the upcoming Smarter Balanced assessment. I'll bring the coffee, please consider bringing a reusable mug!
Please help us celebrate our spring Walk and Roll to School Day by walking, riding, carpooling, taking a bus, or using other public transportation to get to school next Wednesday, March 22nd. Participating in this community event helps our environment and alleviates traffic congestion around our school. If you must drive to school next Wednesday, please consider parking at Mitchell Park or a surrounding street and enjoy the walk in to school with your child.
I look forward to seeing you at Fairmeadow soon, hopefully for this month's Principal's Coffee!
Grant Althouse
Principal
|
Spring Walk & Roll to School Day
Our Spring Walk & Roll to School Day is coming up on Wednesday, March 22nd! Please join us in walking, biking, riding the bus, or carpooling instead of solo driving to school.
If you're new to walking or biking to school, check out Fairmeadow's
Walk & Roll Map for the best route (it's likely different from the route you drive) or contact our Safe Routes to School rep,
Christy Moision, who is more than happy to help you find a great route.
Find more information about Palo Alto PTA Safe Routes to School programs at
saferoutes.paloaltopta.org. The PTA thanks the City of Palo Alto and PAUSD for their support of this event.
|
Thank You from PiE!
PiE is proud to announce that we'll be presenting a check for $5.5 million to PAUSD for use in the 2017-18 school year. This is a tremendous accomplishment, especially given the difficult fundraising year that we faced. Because of the hard work of our dedicated parent volunteers and excellent support of our donors, we were able to keep our gift on par with last year.
PiE funds are allocated to all 18 PAUSD school locations for principals to apply as discretionary funding for programs and staff beyond what is possible with public funding alone. At PiE, we look forward to inspiring even more families to join us so that we can continue to enhance the education of every PAUSD student.
|
|
SAFE Student Panel Discusses Self-Advocacy, Learning & Attention Differences
Thu, Mar 30, 7-8:30 pm, Palo Alto High School, Haymarket Theatre
This panel will discuss the challenges they face and strengths they bring as students with learning and attention difficulties. They will explain and demonstrate strategies for self-advocacy. Questions will be posed by a facilitator and by the audience. All panelists have learning and attention difficulties and are members of SAFE, the student branch of Parents Education Network. SAFE is a student community (between the ages of 13-19) which meets monthly to organize events, coordinate their mentoring program, and prepare for presentations such as this. They strive to educate, mentor and support students, parents and teachers, and spread awareness on the importance of cognitive diversity. Recommended for middle and high school students and their parents. This event is co-sponsored by the Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, the Parents Education Network, and PAUSD. For questions contact paloaltocac@gmail.com.
|
Free Parent/Guardian Technology Education
Wed, Mar 22, 10-11:30 am & 7-8:30 pm, Jordan Middle School Multipurpose Room
Free parent/guardian technology education event in partnership between PAUSD and Common Sense Education. This event will cover the realities of parenting in the digital age, bigger issues and data as well as tools and resources for families. Two identical sessions are available for all PAUSD parents, however due to adult content, this is an adult only event. Babysitters and translators will be available. Contact Emily Garrison, Coordinator of Educational Technology and Libraries with questions. Please register here.
|
Advocating for Your Child: Learn How to Help Your Child Get Their Needs Met in School
Sat, Mar 25, 2-4 pm, East Palo Alto Academy High School, Multi-Purpose Room, 1050 Myrtle St, East Palo Alto
Are you concerned that your child needs more help in school? Learn how to talk to school staff about your concerns. Please join special education attorneys Tara Ford and Michelle de Blank for a workshop about your rights as parents, and learn advocacy strategies that can be effective. Participants will have opportunities to practice advocacy ideas presented and to talk with other parents. This workshop will be useful to parents of children with an IEP or 504 plan, and any parent with concerns about their child. Spanish translation will be provided. Refreshments and childcare will also be provided. Questions? Contact paloaltocac@gmail.com. Sponsored by the Palo Alto CAC for Special Education and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs.
|
Defendiendo a su hijo: Conozca cómo poder ayudar para que su hijo pueda cubrir sus necesidades en la escuela
Dom 25 de mar, 2 - 4 PM, Salón de Usos Múltiples de la Escuela Secundaria Academy del Este de Palo Alto, 1050 Myrtle St., East Palo Alto
¿Le preocupa que su hijo necesite mayor ayuda en la escuela? Aprenda a hablar con el personal escolar sobre sus preocupaciones. Por favor acompañe a los abogados de educación especial Tara ford y Michelle de Blank, en un taller sobre los derechos como padres y aprendan estrategias de defensa que pueden ser efectivas. Los participantes tendrán oportunidad para practicar las ideas de defensa que sean presentadas y podrán hablar con otros padres. Estos talleres serán útiles para padres con hijos dentro de los planes IEP o 504, y para cualquier padre que tenga alguna preocupación sobre sus hijos.
Se brindará traducción en español. Habrá refrigerio y cuidado para niños.
¿Preguntas? Contacte
paloaltocac@gmail.com.
Patrocinado por Palo Alto CAC para Educación Especial
y el consejo PTA de Palo Alto.
|
March Madness of Books
Librarians and the Teen Library Advisory Board have come up with 16 book titles all competing to be 2017's Book Champion! Play along and fill out a bracket to see which classic book wins it all for a chance to win prizes! Vote here.
|
Author Visit: Kate Schatz
Sat, Mar 18, 11 am - 12 pm, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd
In honor of Women's History Month, come hear Kate talk about her two books: Rad Women A-Z and Rad Women Worldwide. Learn about some lesser known but truly rad women!
|
Disney Movie Night: Cool Runnings
Thu, Mar 23, 7-9 pm, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd
It's Throwback Thursday, Disney style! Fans of all ages are invited to join us in the Embarcadero Room to watch a classic Disney film. There will be snacks and opportunities to win prizes! This month: 1993's Cool Runnings (rated PG).
|
Third Annual Cubberley Community Day
Sat Mar 25, 9 am - 1 pm, Cubberley Community Center
This free event is open to all ages. Celebrate community by planting trees with Canopy starting at 9 am. Enjoy a wide range of performances and Artist's Open Studios between 10 am and 1 pm. Kids Activities to include a bounce house, face painting, jugglers, and many fun games. Come out for a fun day of play, entertainment, and food while learning about the exciting opportunities provided by the tenants of Cubberley Community Center. For more information, visit: the website or contact Karen Pauls.
Co-sponsored by Canopy, Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto, and CASP.
|
May Fete Parade!
Deadline to sign up is April 19, Parade will be on May 6, 10:00 am
Calling all kids! It's time to sign up for the 95th Annual May Fête Children's Parade. Don't miss this time-honored Palo Alto tradition to showcase your school, neighborhood, team, youth group, or extracurricular activity. All children are welcome to walk in the parade, so if you don't have a group, come join the open categories. Dress up like your favorite hero! Build a float, march with your school band, decorate your bike, walk with your pet, or bring a flag from your favorite place. Let's enjoy the day and celebrate our heroes! For more information, please click here.
|
The Wave: Palo Alto's 1967 Experiment in Fascism (Film and Discussion)
Wed, Mar 22, 7 pm, Cubberley Theatre, 4000 Middlefield
Palo Alto History Museum presents "The Lesson Plan" - a world-renown documentary never before shown in Palo Alto. It happened here - 50 years ago. New Cubberley High School teacher Ron Jones sought to teach his students how people could accept the actions of the Nazi regime during WWII by creating "The Third Wave," a series of exercises modeled on certain characteristics of the Nazi movement. The experiment was successful - too much so.
Producers (and former students) Mark Hancock and Philip Neel will join their former teacher (Ron Jones) for a post-film conversation and reception following the program. Free. Space is limited. RSVP here
.
Caution: some material may be unsuitable for young children. Parents, please accompany your children.
|
Paly Theatre and Music Programs Presents: Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Click here for performance dates and times, at Palo Alto High School Performing Arts Center, 50 Embarcadero Rd
Beauty and the Beast,
the internationally beloved, classic musical fairy-tale, hits the boards at Paly's Performing Arts Center stage. Bring your whole family and be swept away by the story of Belle, her dream of finding something more exciting than her small town life, and how it lands her captive inside the dark walls of a hideous beast's magical castle populated by living, talking knick-knacks including the beloved teapot, Mrs. Potts. Do come and "Be Our Guest." Tickets are $15.00 adults, $10.00 students/seniors. Reserved seating here.
For an extra treat, join the "Be Our Guest" family benefit on 3/26, before the 2:00 show. Feast on cupcakes, tasty treats, Mrs. Potts' tea, and more while you and your family create crafts inspired by the Beast's magical castle and meet members of the cast. The fun begins at 12:30 in the Palo Alto High School Performing Arts Center lobby. Tickets (including VIP seats for the show) are $25 for children and $30 for adults.
|
Lego Friday
3rd Friday of Every Month, 3:30-5 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Let your imagination soar and come build with us! No registration required. For all ages.
|
Science Day at Museum of American Heritage
Sat, Apr 1, 1-2.30 pm, 351 Homer Ave
This is a special family event. School-aged siblings, grade 1 and up, are welcome with parental supervision. The event will include an introduction and presentation, Q & A, and hands-on activities. MOAH will set up arrays of science gadgets and devices to let participants to try out. Children and adults will get to try out Tesla coils, van der Graff Generator, Jacob's Ladder, and electromagnet devices. Hands-on activities including static electricity, electromagnetic games and toys, theremins, and many more! For more information, click here.
Admission is $10 per person
. Please RSVP: admin@moah.org or 650-321-1004.
|
Afternoon Adventure: Airplane Olympics!
Wed, Mar 22, 3:30-4:30 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Experiment to make the best paper airplane, and then test it out to see how far and high it can fly. Grades K-5. Please register for this event online.
|
Steve & Kate's Camp Storytelling Lab
Wed, Mar 29, 3:30-5 pm, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd
Steve & Kate's Camp staff will provide all the tools you need to make your own short film. For grades K-5. Registration is required here.
|
Society of Bookworms - Greenglass House by Kate Milford
Wed, Mar 15, 4-5 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Discuss a great book with your friends at the library! Grades 4-6. Sponsored by The Friends of the Palo Alto Library.
|
Family Date - Making Torn Paper Art
Fri, Mar 17, 7-8:15 pm, Children's Library, 1276 Harriet St
Bring the family for a crafty evening at the Children's Library! Create landscapes, portraits, or abstract art from torn paper. Please register online each family member who will attend.
|
Palo Alto Summer Camp Fair
Tue, Mar 14, 5-6:30 pm, Addison School Multi-Purpose Room
Discover terrific summer camps (for grades K-12) all around Palo Alto, meet camp vendors in person, and get help planning a summer your entire family will love. Free to attend. Exclusive discounts, enter to win a free week of camp, free pizza for the first 100 to arrive, hands-on activities, and giveaways and prizes. More info here.
|
Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (PACO) Auditions
Sat, Apr 22 and Sun, Apr 23, Mitchell Park Library
Award-winning youth orchestra PACO's new member auditions will take place on April 22 and 23. Sign up here.
|
Trans Talk - Social and Medical Transition for Children and Youth
Thu, Mar 16, 6:30-8 pm, Medallia (AOL Building), 395 Page Mill Rd
Dr. Benjamin Huang Laniakea and Dr. Tandy Aye from Stanford Children's Health, as well as Outlet Program Director, Anthony Ross, will present information and answer questions from the community about transition based on the Gender Affirmative Model of care for transgender and non-binary youth. For parents/guardians of young children and teens, as well as Middle School/High School/College students. Spanish translation available.
|
How and When to Explain Your Child's Disability to Him or Her and Self-Advocacy SELPA 1 CAC Coffee Talk
Wed, Mar 15, 7-9 pm, Santa Rita Elementary School, 700 Los Altos Road, Los Altos
Do you ever wonder how and when you will explain your child's disability to them? Do you have questions surrounding emotional outcomes and how to teach them self advocacy once they become aware? Please join us and John Brentar, Executive Director at Morrissey-Compton, for a night for parents to ask questions and listen to one of this area's highly regarded psychologists in this subject.
|
Parent Chat Support Group for Parents Concerned about Emotional Well-Being of Teens
Tue, Mar 14, 7-8:30 pm, Los Altos Library, 13 S San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
Are you concerned about the emotional wellness of your child? Join the free "Parent Chat" group for peer to peer support, a new group hosted by the Mental Health Subcommittee of SELPA 1 CAC. Under the professional guidance of Monique Kane, LMFT, all parents are welcome to talk about their children age 14+. This program will take place the second Tuesday of each month.
|
Young Minds Require Creative Discipline
Thu, Mar 23, 7:30-9 pm, Cubberley Community Center Theatre, 4000 Middlefield Rd
Sylvia Ford, M.A., an Early Childhood Consultant in the Bay Area will speak on Young Minds Require Creative Discipline. This workshop highlights the aspects of early brain development that help us understand why young children can't always do the right thing or control their behavior. Discussion will include information that can help adults be more creative and effective with limit setting, along with strategies and techniques that can promote positive self-guided behavior in children from approximately two to five years old. This event is free and is sponsored by Friends of PreSchool Family. For more information, click 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.
|
|
|
|
