Greetings Fairmeadow Community,

This week we celebrate our amazing Fairmeadow Firebirds and the effort, persistence, and perseverance that led to incredible student growth over the 2016/17 school year. I'm exceptionally proud of all of our students for the social and academic progress they've achieved this year, and I have the utmost confidence for all they will achieve next year and beyond. This week, I encourage us all to enjoy each other's company, appreciate one another, and to celebrate the conclusion of the school year and the start of summer vacation.

Two notable events this week include our annual Field Day on Wednesday and 5th Grade Promotion on Thursday. On Wednesday morning all students head outside to participate in a variety of field games and physical activities. K-2 students participate from 8:30-10:00 am and 3-5 students participate from 10:30-11:50 am. At 12:50 pm we all come together to watch the 5th grade water balloon toss on the field! On Thursday morning, we gather on the field for the 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony from 9-10 am. It promises to be a week full of activity, celebration, and commemoration.

As we prepare to transition our 5th graders to middle school, we also say ' good-bye for now' to a group of Fairmeadow staff members who will move on from Fairmeadow next year. Honore Lau will be retiring from teaching this spring after a long and successful career in education. Mindy Dodsworth will be leaving Fairmeadow as her family relocates to sunny Southern California. Esther Hollander has recently accepted a position teaching orchestra for a High School in San Francisco and will not be returning to Fairmeadow in the fall. Clubhouse Counselor Megan Lait will be pursuing a private practice this fall. Instructional aide Liz Mann retires from education this spring, and instructional aide Yogi Saxena will be pursuing a master's degree across the country. Each of these amazing educators has influenced our students in enumerable ways and we wish them all success in their next adventures!

For the next school year a number of our teachers are exploring new opportunities and challenges through changes in grade level assignments! Carolyn Jones and Kristi Van will contribute to our skillful kindergarten team. Heidi Deveau will move up one grade to join the experienced 1st grade team. Susan Hoff will also move up one grade to join the veteran 3rd grade team. Kristin Hart will bump up a few grade levels to round out the strong 4th grade team. These changes present wonderful opportunities for our staff and students, and create strong, knowledgeable teams at each grade level K-5.

This Thursday is the last day of school for students. Classes will be celebrating the conclusion of the school year in a variety of ways. Thursday is an early dismissal day for students, with Kindergarten through through 4th grade dismissing students at 1:40 pm.

For returning families, please mark your calendars for the following welcome back activities scheduled for the fall:

• Wednesday, August 9th - Fairmeadow 101 Parent Information Presentation, 5:00-6:00 pm, Fairmeadow MP Room
• Friday, August 11th - Class Assignments Posted, 4:30 pm, Principal's Office Window
• Tuesday, August 15th - First Day of School, 8:30 am, Classrooms
• Friday, August 18th - Welcome Back Social, 5:30-7:30 pm, Blacktop and Field

We wish our graduating class of 5th graders and their families a smooth and successful transition into middle school. For our returning and new Firebirds, we'll see you back at school on August 15th! May your summer season hold joyful activity and connection with those you love...and some special time set aside to enjoy many good books!

 

All my best,

 

Grant Althouse

Principal

All Schools/For the 2017-18 School Year

The Palo Alto CAC for Special Education and PTA Council are seeking parent volunteers at each school to facilitate parent-to-parent support and networking among parents of students with IEPs, 504 Plans, or special needs. We are especially looking for parents at JLS, Jordan, Addison, Palo Verde, El Carmelo, Duveneck, Briones, Nixon & Greendell. Small time commitment, no experience necessary, training and support provided. To volunteer or get more information please contact paloaltocac@gmail.com.  

All Schools/Ongoing

Have a child with an IEP, 504 plan, special need, disability or learning difference? Join the discussion group. The list is a forum for families to share resources and experiences, ask questions, and learn about relevant events. Hosted by the Palo Alto CAC.

June 5-9: Sessions for PreK, K-2nd, 3rd-5th, and 6th-8th available, Full Day 9-3, Half Day 9-12, and Extended Care 3-5 options

Cheer/Dance Camp - Campers will be taught cheerleading motions and technique, cheer jumps, stunts, gymnastics, sideline cheers, dance technique, and a dance routine. There will also be games and crafts. Lunch is provided for full day campers. All campers receive a t-shirt. Campers should wear athletic shoes and clothing. Sunscreen is also recommended, as some of our sessions will take place outside.

Our Arts & Crafts camp focuses less on cheer and dance and more on fun creative activities, such as friendship bracelets, face painting, poster making, slime/playdough and will also include fun games for all. This camp is an important fundraiser for the Spirit Team at Paly, accounting for a significant portion of our budget. We are non-profit. For more information, find us on Activity Hero. Questions: Contact Hilary McDaniel.

Incoming JLS 6th graders have a super fun two-day orientation program called Panther Camp on August 17th and 18th. Sign up now to get involved!  Questions? Email Keva Dine or  Maria Abilock.

Sun, Jun 4 & 11, 1-3 pm, Museum of American Heritage, 351 Homer Ave

Beginning with some of the first industrial designs, such as for cars and trains from nearly 100 years ago, students discover the continuing influences of design in today's world. Students will learn that many of today's video game designs and superhero characters were created some 70 years ago. Work on design challenges for objects such as banks, lunch boxes, bridges, and secret enemy bases. This 2-day workshop is appropriate for students age 10-16. Enrollment is $40.00 per student. Registration is required by June 3.

Sat, Jun 10, 5 pm, First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto

Not sure about auditioning? Hear our youngest singers! The boys of Ragazzi Boys Chorus, from small to tall, sing in their end-of-the-year Spring Recital. Many levels of the chorus are showcased, at levels from beginners through boys preparing for summer touring. The choristers are at their finest at this recital. Experience the artistry of our young singers; we're delighted to share their beautiful choral accomplishments. Sung by Primary Groups, Ragazzi Premiere and Avanti. Buy tickets here.

Sun, Jun 11, 5 pm, Aragon High School Theater, San Mateo

Hear our most accomplished artists at this fun season-closer. Ragazzi presents music prepared for our upcoming tours to the Baltics and Arizona. Concert highlights will include a focus on American music, featuring gospel, spirituals, and pop music. Each of our touring groups, Avanti, Concert Group, and Young Men's Ensemble, will do at least one choreographed song with the help of our dance master and choreographer, Karl Kuehn. Enjoy the excitement of live performance and celebrate the boys' artistry before they go. Buy tickets here.

By appointment through June, 178 Clinton St, Redwood City

Ragazzi Boys Chorus, a CBS news 'best choir of the Peninsula,' will teach your boy to sing! Schedule your 7-10 year old boy for a fun group audition. He'll learn a song and have a blast; no prior experience or preparation needed to try out. Boys start slow, then grow. Ragazzi's opportunities include singing the National Anthem at a San Francisco Giants game, Opera roles, collaborations with Stanford's choruses and the San Francisco Symphony, and even worldwide touring. Appointments and more info here. Watch us on YouTube or check us out on Facebook.

Sun, June 18, 3-7:30 pm, University Ave (closed to traffic)  

The City of Palo Alto has declared June 18 as World Music Day. World Music Day is a free music festival that takes place in cities around the world every year around the Summer Solstice. Now for the eighth year in Palo Alto, 50 professional and amateur musical groups will perform a wide variety of musical genres: jazz, pop, rock, classical, world music, choral, etc. All performances are free and open to the public. This is a fun and unique family event not to be missed. Book the date now and tell your friends. The organizers are also looking for musicians and event volunteers from our community, including students from our schools. For information, click here or email info@pamusicday.org. World Music Day is presented by the Stanford Federal Credit Union and organized by the Palo Alto Recreation Foundation. Event sponsors include: The City of Palo Alto, the Palo Alto Weekly, Palo Alto Online, the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, the Palo Alto Downtown Business and Professional Association, Live SV, and News for Chinese.