Fairmeadow Elementary School eNews

Where Learning is a Team Sport!
April 24 , 2017
Fairmeadow News
Principal's Message
Greetings Fairmeadow Community,
 
The global community that defines our school gathered for an enjoyable Fairmeadow International Night last Friday evening. Featuring delicious cuisine, engaging performances, and delightful company, our 2017 International Night lives on as a community highlight of the year. Thank you to the many parent volunteers who helped to make International Night a resounding success, and for the many participants who shared a taste of home!
 
An engaged and creative group of parents and community members participated in last Friday's Principal's Coffee on design thinking and engineering. We met in our new Fairmeadow Design Studio and worked together to respond to a simple design challenge where participants designed and constructed a basic parachute.
 
During the last school year, our school community identified the need to create a space on campus where our students and teachers can engage in the design and engineering process, which led to the creation of our Design Studio. The implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards requires that students apply their scientific learning to solve problems and respond to challenges in our world. One of the four disciplinary core ideas in our new standards is engineering design, where even our youngest learners start to define engineering problems, develop possible solutions, and optimize design elements. Our design studio provides students and teachers with access to a variety of hands-on, simple materials with which to design and build in a dedicated space with appropriate tools and supports.
 
We opened our new Fairmeadow Design Studio in Room 27 in February, 2017 and many students K-5 have engaged in the design process in the room. Some design challenges that I've witnessed in the studio include designing a simple catapult, creating a device to reduce erosion, building a house to withstand significant wind force, designing vehicles, and extending marble runs. When children are asked to apply their learning and understanding in science to developing and optimizing a design solution, the results are remarkable. During simple design challenges it is common to hear students reference mass, volume, force, cause and effect, fractions, angles, impact, validity, data, and many more mathematical and scientific concepts in application around their solutions. Kids display active curiosity, applied interest, and genuine engagement, key ingredients for optimal learning!
 
At the end of our Principal's Coffee last week I practically had to pry the materials out of the parents' hands to get them to debrief the exercise with me! I wouldn't be surprised if a few of them were completing redesigns at home! If you have questions about the Design Studio, ideas to share, materials to donate, or thoughts about getting involved please email the Design Studio Planning Committee.
 
In our front office, Alicia and Mary Ann contribute to Fairmeadow in many, many ways. Help us appreciate Alicia and Mary Ann by celebrating Secretaries Week with us this week! Please consider bringing by a flower or a kind note for our two hard working front office leaders! The week of May 1st is Staff Appreciation Week at Fairmeadow, where we turn our attention to appreciating our teachers, aides, and other staff at school. Please contact your room parents for more information. Our teachers and staff work so incredibly hard for our children, please join me in appreciating them for their unwavering dedication.
 
Please check the Fairmeadow calendar on our website and on the eNews to stay up to date with upcoming events at our school. I look forward to seeing you at Fairmeadow soon!
 
Grant Althouse
Principal

Annual Spring Art Fair 
Calling all student artists! Join the Art Fair!  Get your crayons, paints, and pencils ready and submit your artwork for the Fairmeadow Annual Spring Art Fair sponsored by the Fairmeadow PTA. This is not a competition! All you have to do to be part of the show is submit your original artwork (two piece limit). The art can be work you've done in the classroom, at home, or in an outside art class. All Fairmeadow students are encouraged to participate!

An opening night reception will be held on Thursday, May 4th from 6-7:30 pm. All are welcome and refreshments will be served.

Guidelines for Submitting Artwork: 
  • Artwork can be of any media* (clay, paint, collage, pencil, etc.)
  • Artwork can be of any size
  • All artwork must have a label (name, grade, room number, title if any)
  • Mounting/Matting flat artwork is optional (please no glass frames)
*Fragile or breakable items will only be exhibited at the Opening Night Reception.

Please mark your calendars to bring your art to school either Thursday, April 27th or Friday, April 28th from 8-9 am in front of the MP Room. We'll see you there!  If you have any questions or would like to help please contact Patty Germanow .
Slate for Next Year's PTA Board
The Fairmeadow PTA Nominating Committee has presented the following slate for next year's board. The election will take place May 3rd. If interested in any of the open positions (as well as other PTA volunteer jobs), p lease contact Claire Kirner , Nominating Committee Chair.

President Tiffany Aubin
EVP/Co-President
OPEN
Secretary Denise Johnsen
Treasurer Laura Yu
Financial Secretary Li Dao
Auditor Karrie Chen
Historian
OPEN
VP Programs Josette Domokos
VP Fundraising
OPEN
Technology Chair
OPEN
Parent Ed Chair Tracy Ballard
PTAC Rep Kristen Podulka
PiE Rep
OPEN

PAUSD News
Special Olympics Schools Partnership: Track Meet
Fri, Apr 28, 9:30 am-Noon, Gunn High School, Athletic Fields, 780 Arastradero Rd
PAUSD and Special Olympics Northern California have joined together in a new Special Olympics Schools Partnership program. Through sports, the program aims to provide opportunities for special education students and their peers to work together as teammates and to create inclusive opportunities in the school community. Come cheer on the students in their last big event of the year. Over 125 student athletes from PAUSD elementary, middle, and high schools and surrounding areas will be participating and showing off their skills in track and field events: running, throwing and jumping.  Parent volunteers from all PAUSD schools are needed to ensure a successful meet. Please sign up here for setup, cleanup, lunch, and event stations (round-trip student transportation is already provided) . For more information, contact Angel Sheridan  or the Palo Alto CAC.

PTAC News
Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast
Wed, Apr 27, 8 am 
Each year, the Palo Alto CAC honors the bus drivers who play a vital role in transporting students to and from school. We will serve breakfast to the bus drivers at their office. If you want to show your support for the dedication and kindness demonstrated daily by your child's bus driver, please email a a thank you note with your message If you would like to donate a breakfast item or gift card/money, please let us know as well. Please send your messages by Sunday, April 23rd. Sponsored by  CAC Palo Alto.

Community  News
Jordan Middle School Drama Club Presents "You Can't Take It With You"
Thu and Fri, May 4 and 5, 7 pm, Jordan Middle School, MP Room, 750 N California Ave
Please join the Jordan Middle School Drama Club as they present "You Can't Take It With You." This student-directed production is an American classic comedy that revolves around an avant-garde family of wannabe artists, fireworks makers, a patriarch who doesn't believe in income tax, and an array of eccentric guests trailing in and out of their chaotic household. They may appear mad at first but when daughter Alice invites her boyfriend's rich, snobby parents to dinner we learn that it might be everyone else in the world that is mad. After all, money doesn't buy happiness and we all know you can't take it with you! Tickets are $5 for students/$10 for adults and can be purchased at the door.
Night of the Robots hosted by Gunn High School Robotics and BrainVyne
Fri, Apr 28, 5:30-8:30 pm, Gunn Robotics Lab, Room L-1, 780 Arastradero Rd
The Gunn Robotics Team (GRT) is proud to collaborate with BrainVyne - LEGO® Camps & Birthday Parties to offer a fun-tastic evening for your pre-school to middle school children. Kids will build BrainVyne's highly rated LEGO® Zoom creations and will also have a chance to play with GRT's award-winning Switchback Robot. Have a delightful date night while your kids enjoy pizza between building and playing with robots. Tickets are $45 per child and $40 for additional siblings. A portion of the proceeds from this event will help GRT buy robotics components and supplies. Reserve a spot now. Questions? Email Gunn Robotics or BrainVyne.
Cultivating Courage and Resilience - YCS Annual Fundraising Luncheon
Thu, Apr 27, 11:30 am - 1 pm, Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, Palo Alto  
Come hear Steve Young, former San Francisco 49ers Quarterback and NFL Hall-of-Famer, speak about his formidable personal struggles and how he cultivated his own courage and resilience to persevere. Support YCS by buying an individual ticket, host a table or place an advertisement. For information, please click here or email us.
Silicon Valley Boychoir Auditions
Fri, May 12 by appointment, 600 Homer Ave
Auditions for the 2017-2018 season are held at the choir's rehearsal location near downtown Palo Alto. Open to 2nd-5th grade boys in the fall. High school and middle school boys with experience may audition for upper levels. SVB provides a personalized approach to teaching singing, music theory, and sight-singing, and provides flexible scheduling for busy families. In addition to their own winter and spring concerts, SVB has performed for local events including performances with West Bay Opera, Stanford University Symphonic Orchestra and Chorus, Schola Cantorum of Mountain View, and singing the national anthem at sporting events. 
Email  or visit our website for information.
2-day Digital Logic Workshop!
Sat, May 13 and 20, 10 am - 12:30 pm, Museum of American Heritage, 351 Homer Ave
Students will learn about Binary mathematics, Boolean logic, and a variety of discrete digital logic circuits including: AND gates, OR gates, flip flops, counters, and timers. They will also learn to assemble and solder a human reaction timer built from discrete digital logic devices! 2-day course is $70.00 for members and $80.00 for non-members. Registration is required This event is for ages 10 and up. No exceptions.
Enjoy! Palo Alto Photo Contest
Now until Oct 31
Calling all photographers! Submit your favorite photos to the Enjoy! Palo Alto Photo Contest that showcases all the great things that Palo Alto offers and win prizes! The contest calls on photographers across Palo Alto to celebrate the community parks, open space, special events, public art, theatres, and museums managed by our Community Service Department. Winners will be chosen in 11 different categories. The City of Palo Alto Community Services Department is proud to offer programs, activities, and parks to meet all the needs of your family and to sustain a positive quality of life! For more information and to submit your photos, click  here.
Free Lecture: Media Moms & Digital Dads
Thu, April 27, 7 pm, JLS Cafetorium, 480 E Meadow Dr
Yalda Uhls, Ph.D., author of  Media Moms & Digital Dads , will talk about the digital media landscape in which our kids live, learn, and play. She'll discuss media usage, social science research, opportunities and challenges presented by digital media, and how parents can navigate this rapidly evolving landscape with their kids. And, she will offer expert advice on how parents can guide their kids to make responsible, respectful, and safe media choices. Books will be available at the event or at  Books Inc. in Palo Alto and Mountain ViewOpen to all PAUSD parents, guardians, and caregivers, especially of students currently in or entering middle school. Sponsored by PTAC, JLS PTA, and Ohlone PTA.
Use Your Feet for Freedom 5k
Sat, May 6, 8 am, Mitchell Park, 600 E Meadow Dr
It is a difficult thing to realize that slavery is still happening in this world. It is happening in other countries, as well as right here in the United States. It is happening in the form of human trafficking, domestic servitude, unpaid labor, and sexual exploitation. The statistics with regards to human trafficking are sobering, but everyone can help fight this tragedy. The Palo Alto Vineyard Church is hosting a 5k at Mitchell Park, the proceeds of which will be given Freedom House  which is committed to helping survivors of human trafficking. Register here.
Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study
The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study will enroll 10,000+ healthy children and follow them from ages 9 to 10 into early adulthood to understand how children's experiences affect brain development and other aspects of their lives. Researchers at SRI International in Menlo Park are conducting the ABCD study, which is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health across the country. Financial compensation for participation: families can earn up to $300. For more information: call  Dr. Aimee Goldstone  (650) 859-3320,  e-mail  ABCD@sri.com, or visit the website .
Narnia: The Musical is Coming to a Stage Near You!
Apr 20-30; Cañada College Theater, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City
Come experience the enchanted world of Narnia presented by Bay Area Educational Theater Company. As siblings travel through a magical wardrobe, they encounter mythical creatures, battle good vs. evil, and learn lessons of courage, unselfishness, and wisdom Tickets here. Student and Senior tickets only $16; Adult tickets $21.
Afternoon Adventures: Fingerprints & Forensics
Wed, Apr 26, 3:30-5 pm, Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Rd
Kids in grade K-5 are invited to become honorary detectives as they learn about the science of forensics, including how to lift fingerprints from a crime scene. Registration is required.

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
May 1-5 Staff Appreciation Week
May 3 PTA Coffee & General Meeting
May 9 Whole School Learning Celebration and Science Fair
Quick Links