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Principal's Message
Greetings Fairmeadow Community,
This final week before spring break will be full of engaging, inspiring, and exciting activities and learning experiences for our students! A few examples include the conclusion of our winter season of Noon Sports, a Special Olympics basketball competition featuring our Fairmeadow unified team, the 5th grade Colonial Day simulation, and the final Buddy Assembly of the year. It promises to be an exciting week of learning, community, connection, and celebration that I'm thrilled to share with your children.
Thank you to the engaged group of parents who joined me for our March Principal's Coffee on mathematics instruction and our mathematics curriculum pilot process. Our math Teacher on Special Assignment, Joe Young, and I responded to many questions and inquiries about the three curricula that our district is actively considering for adoption this spring. I'm excited to share that the
Elementary Math Committee invites all elementary school parents for a preview of the mathematics pilot curricula on April 13th from 3-5 pm at the PAUSD school district office. During this open-house-style presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to preview and interact with Eureka Math, Bridges in Mathematics, and Investigations curriculum, the three programs being considered for adoption. Please
click here for more information and to register to attend.
Eventually this spring the clouds will part and we will enjoy many days of sustained California sunshine in Palo Alto. When we come back from spring break on
April 10th, Fairmeadow will participate in Sun Smart Week, a week designed to educate our community about the harmful effects of over exposure to the sun, and to introduce strategies to ensure sun-safe behavior at school and at home. Dust off those sun hats and get ready to model sun-safe choices for our students!
I hope that your children are prepared to enjoy a well-deserved spring break from school the week of April 3rd. A quick trip to the library could be a proactive strategy to ensure that there are a few good books around for your children to read over break. Also, a small notebook for daily diary entries would be a great strategy to catalog events of the week and to keep daily writing as a part of your child's routine. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on April 10th to launch into what promises to be a spring full of learning and fun and Fairmeadow!
Grant Althouse
Principal
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Sun Smart Week
April 10th - 14th
is S
un
S
mart W
eek at Fairmeadow. The aim of the week is to encourage kids to protect their skin when outside either by wearing a hat, their own sunscreen, or seeking shade. If you'd like your child to participate in
Sun
Smart
week, please make sure they have a
sun
hat in their bag. We'll be giving out prizes for
sun
smart
hat wearers!
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and yet it's the most preventable. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lives. The main reason people get skin cancer is that they were exposed to too much
sun
on their skin, especially when they were young.
We'll display the UV level each day outside the office, and you can check it online here.
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Fairmeadow Spirit Day - Show Your Fairmeadow Spirit!
On Friday, April 14th, wear your Spirit Wear (or red) and and show your school spirit! Need new Spirit Wear? Order here! Parents, would you like to show your spirit, too? Great news -- we have adult sizes available!
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Spring Walk & Roll to School Day
Thank you, Fairmeadow families, for lots of enth
usiasm on our wet Walk & Roll morning last Wednesday!
Click o
n the image to see larger photos of the kids' draw
i
ngs on our "Adventures on my Way to School" poster. It's very interesting to see what they notice on their way to school!
We have much better weather coming up this week, so if you didn't brave the rain but want to give active commuting a try, now is a good time! As always, if you have any questions about your route or the Safe Routes to School program, please contact Christy Moision.
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Volunteer with the Fairmeadow PTA!
Our PTA is recruiting volunteers for next year. We have opportunities to help in many ways, both big and small!
Job openings include:
- Co-President (or Executive Vice President)
- VP of fundraising
- Representative to the PTA Council
- Membership chair
- Walkathon co-chair
- Family dine-out coordinator
- Safe Routes to School co-chair
- Art Cards coordinator
- Room parent coordinator
- Ice skating party co-chair
- Book fair coordinator and many more!
Please contact Claire Kirner, Nominating Committee Chair, for more information.
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Scholastic Book Fair
The Fairmeadow Spring Scholastic Book Fair will run from April 18th-21st. Volunteers are needed to set up, run the registers, help kids browsing for books, and pack up the fair. If you can help, please click here to sign up.
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Project Cornerstone - for Parents and Caregivers!
Join this parent/caregiver group to learn tips and tools to keep up with the fast changing growth of our children, tweens, and teens. Each week, we explore new ways to build stronger kids, stronger families, and stronger neighborhoods. Data collected from our own Santa Clara county youth shows us 8 ways to help kids succeed in school, in relationships, and in life, while supporting parents!
Join us as we learn the 8 Keys To Success for young people, and for their parents!
- What are the 8 Keys To Success? What specific things can parents and caregivers say and do to help young people succeed?
- Tools for building stronger family communication. Tips for building responsibility and trust in our family.
- Setting and keeping safe boundaries/rules that teach. Tips for discipline that strengthens relationships.
- What do we stand for in our family? Passing along our values like lifelong learning.
- Skills for growing, living and connecting with others. Ways our strong family builds confident kids.
- Taking every moment as an opportunity to build stronger relationships with youth.
Class Title: Take It Personally
Dates: *4/13, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, *5/11, 5/19 (Skip spring break week)
(*Thursday session - Please note that two of the sessions are on Thursdays while four are on Fridays due to space and continuity.)
Time: 8:30-10:00 am
Place/Host: El Carmelo Elementary School Library: 3024 Bryant St (Parents/adults from all schools welcomed)
Spanish interpretation available if needed.
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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.
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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 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!
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Learn About All Students Matter
Wed, Apr 19, 11 am, email for venue (in Palo Alto)
Learn about All Students Matter from current parent volunteers who work in the classrooms of K-5th
grade students. You can make a true difference in the life of students in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park by volunteering for an hour a week in the same classroom to tutor students in reading, writing, or math. A light lunch will be served. RSVP to Jeanette Kennedy
.
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Sponsorship Director for Juana Run
The Juana Run is looking for a Sponsorship Director. The Juana Run is the 5k/8k Race that runs through Barron Park Neighborhood in February. The proceeds usually benefit Gunn Sports Boosters, Terman PTA, and Juana Briones PTA. We are looking for a new sponsorship director, and if you join our team, up to 30% of the JR proceeds will go to your school or PTA! Time commitment is about 20 hrs between August and February, and day of race help. Please email
heypalermo@aol.com if interested.
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Distinguished Lecture Series: Courtney Martin "The New Better Off"
Fri, May 12, 10-11 am, Li Ka Shing Conference Center, Paul Berg Hall, 291 Campus Drive, Stanford
Courtney Martin is an author, entrepreneur, and weekly columnist for On Being. Her latest book, The New Better Off, explores how people are re-defining the American dream (think more fulfillment, community, and fun, less debt, status, and stuff). The lecture is free and open to the public. More information here.
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iSing Girlchoir of Silicon Valley
The iSing Girlchoir of Silicon Valley is now enrolling girls in 1st-4th grade for the 2017-2018 season. iSing is a choir of over 300 girls in grades 1st-12th based in Palo Alto. If you love to sing, iSing is the perfect place for you to discover and develop your passion for music! Our mission is to provide young women with an exemplary choral music education that will foster artistry, leadership, and community in a creative and supportive environment led by nationally acclaimed teachers. To sign up for an audition, visit our website
and click on the "join" tab.
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Children's Classes at the Palo Alto Art Center
Unleash the creativity in your child by signing up for one of our children's classes. We offer classes in ceramics, painting, and sculpture on Monday - Saturday. Classes are held at the Art Center (1313 Newell Road) and the Mitchell Park Community Center (3700 Middlefield Road). Registration is open now. All of our art classes are listed on our website.
Questions? Please email Rebecca Passarello
or call
650-617-3509.
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BEAM Program Survey on Summer Camps
Gunn students who are part of the BEAM (Business, Entrepreneurship, and Mathematics) Program are currently reaching out to the parents of elementary school students for their business research project. The
group is working on a project that focuses on summer camps for elementary school students, and is currently gathering data about the different summer programs offered in the area. They would greatly appreciate it if you would take five minutes to complete the survey on your child's summer activities.
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Paid Research Study at SRI International in Menlo Park
The ABCD Study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, is being conducted by researchers across the country. You may be eligible to participate at a Study Site in your area. (ABCD) Study will enroll 10,000+ healthy children and follow them from ages 9 and 10 into early adulthood to understand how children's experiences affect brain development and other aspects of their lives-including academic achievement, social development, and behavioral and overall health. To participate in the study, or if you would like more information please contact a member of our team by email ABCD@sri.com, phone/text (650) 687-7742.
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TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's Characters @ Play Spring Break Camp
Mon-Fri, Apr 3-7, 9 am - 3 pm, Nixon Elementary School
- Learn acting, movement, and stage craft skills in a fun, playful, and engaging way.
- Make new friends and work together in a team.
- Learn from professional Teaching Artists who are experienced artists and educators.
- Create a new character to bring to life with their new theatrical skills.
- Show off all that they have learned during a final presentation for family and friends.
To take advantage of the Characters @ Play sibling discount when registering online, please use the following discount codes:
Two children in family: 2SBSIBS ($40 off)
Three children in family: 3SBSIBS ($80 off)
Extended Care available 8-9 am and 3-6 pm, with ONLY morning care on Friday.
Tuition: $350. Extended Care: $100. Need-based scholarships are available.
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El Camino Youth Symphony Orchestra Spring Auditions for New Members
Palo Alto-based El Camino Youth Symphony invites musicians ages 6-18 to audition for the 2017-18 Season. Led by an internationally renowned faculty, ECYS offers six orchestras/ensembles for students at all levels of musical ability. Members are challenged with professional-level repertoire, receive support from professional coaches, and perform in concerts throughout the Bay Area. Auditions are held in March/April for the season that begins in August/September. Apply online
. Call ECYS at 650-213-7111
for more information.
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Tai Chi (Chinese Martial Art) Class
Saturdays, Mar 25-Jun 3, 2:15-3:15 pm (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 here
or contact
svyouth1@gmail.com.
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MOAH Build Your Own Crystal Radio
Sundays, Apr 16-30, 1-3.30 pm, MOAH, 351 Homer Ave
Join MOAH for a 3-day class and learn how to build your own crystal radio! Students (10y and above) will explore the history of radio dating back to Tesla and Marconi. Basic radio theory, modulation, headphone function, and reading radio schematics will also be taught. Cost: $75 Museum Members, $85 Non-members. Please register here.
Questions: admin@moah.org or fax 650-473-6950. We hope to see you there!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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| 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.
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| Apr 3-7 |
Spring Break - No School |
| Apr 10-14 |
Sun Smart Week |
| Apr 14 |
Spirit Day |
| Apr 18-21 |
Book Fair |
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