Panther Tracks
JLS PTA eNews
November 19, 2018
JLS News
Important Dates:
November 19-23 - Thanksgiving Break
November 26 - December 14 - Holiday Book Drive
November 26 - Site Council Meeting
November 28 - Choir Concert
November 30 - Student Store Open
December 4 - PTA Executive Board Meeting
December 5 - Band Concerts
December 6 - Latte Cart | Connections Coffee | Orchestra Concert
Help Wanted: Staff Appreciation Latte Cart
1st Thursday: February - March 2019
JLS PTA hosts monthly staff appreciation latte carts. These events are organized by committee (ideally one coordinator per season). PTA is looking for someone(s) to help with the Spring Latte Cart(s). If you are interested in helping coordinate 1 to 3 morning event(s) in the Spring, please email jlsptaemail@gmail.com.
Tacolicious Restaurant Nights
Mondays in December
Tacolicious has partnered with all the Palo Alto schools this year to host weekly restaurant nights. For the month of December, Tacolicious will give 15 percent of proceeds from Monday sales to JLS and Palo Verde. More information to come!
Holiday Book Drive
The library at JLS is hosting a Holiday Book Drive for the non-profit organization Access Books Bay Area which uses the books it receives to establish school library collections in underfunded elementary and middle schools in the SF Bay Area. For their current drive, Access Books is asking for books for an elementary school library they plan to support in January. A PAUSD teacher librarian is the executive director of this organization in the Bay Area and a PAUSD parent is on the board. The upcoming book drive is for K-5 fiction and nonfiction books. In the past Access Books Bay Area has had success with book drives held at middle schools requesting elementary level books because a lot of students and their parents want to clean out the home library of all the picture books and early chapter books that their middle schoolers no longer look at. Please help us increase local schoolchildren’s access to books by dropping off your gently used K-5 fiction and nonfiction books at the JLS Library from November 26th - December 14th.
JLS Basketball Coaches Needed 2018-2019
We are in search of Girls Basketball Coaches for the 2018-2019 season. Practices have already begun and games will begin the week of November 26th. Two teams are in need of a coach and the open positions are for our JLS Girls 7B team and JLS Girls 8B team. Practices are approximately 1 hour and 30 mins Monday-Friday that can range from 3 pm - 7 pm. Games are after school on Monday-Friday. We are in urgent need to fulfill these positions so the girls on the team will be able to play this season. If interested please contact Kevin Virrey, JLS Middle School Athletic Director.
Commuters' Corner
If you notice an issue with our streets (potholes, street light out, debris in the bike lane) or have a suggestion for an improvement (more bike parking, new signage) the best way to reach the City is Palo Alto 311. You can make a request on the website, or download the app for iPhone or Android. Once you make a request, you can track it and will be notified of progress and resolution.
PAUSD News
Each Friday! Superintendent's Weekly Board Update
Read Dr. Don Austin's Weekly Board Update, published new each Friday on the District website.
Stanford 2018 GUP - Development Agreement Community Listening Meeting
Thursday, November 29, 6:30 pm, City of Palo Alto Council Chambers 250 Hamilton Ave
Come share the community benefits you believe should be included in a Stanford University and County of Santa Clara Development Agreement. Come share your ideas with County staff, Supervisor Simitian, and Supervisor Chavez. They will be there to listen to your input!
2e2: Teaching the Twice Exceptional Film Screening
Thursday, November 29, 7- 9 pm, Gunn High School, Little Theater (Studio Theater)
Are you the parent of or do you know a “2e” child - one who is bright yet struggles with learning differences? Curious to know how we can better leverage these children’s strengths to develop their talents and reach their full potential? Join us for a free screening and discussion of the newly released film, 2e2: Teaching the Twice Exceptional. Director Thomas Ropelewski will be on hand for the post-screening discussion and Q&A, where we’ll explore how to bring some of these strategies to our Palo Alto community. Brought to you by the Palo Alto Educators Association (PAEA), the Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee (CAC), and Resilience and Engagement for Every Learner (REEL). All are welcome: parents, community members, and educators.  Please RSVP here.
PTAC News
Measure Z Passed with Over 69% of the Voters Voting Yes!
It’s been over a week since the polls closed and we’d like to announce that Measure Z passed with over 69% of the vote! The Measure Z campaign committee would like to thank all the donors and volunteers who helped us pass this important bond measure, which allows us to execute on the second half of our critical plan to upgrade and update school facilities across the district. Your help and your YES vote made this happen! Thanks again for your support of Palo Alto students and strong Palo Alto schools!
Community News
Talk to Me: What Do You Need to Feel Connected to School, Family and the Community?
Wednesday, December 5, 7-8:30 pm, Mitchell Park Library, Palo Alto - Midtown Room
A conversation with adults and youth to raise the awareness of the importance of youth feeling like they belong and building relationships that help youth thrive. To attend, please register. For more information, visit here. Questions? Please contact Youth Connectedness Initiative - Parent Program Coordinator.
Holiday Extravaganza with TwoSet Violin
Sunday, December 9, 3 pm, Smithwick Theatre 12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills
Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra (PACO) is thrilled to host TwoSet Violin, Brett Yang and Eddy Chen, whose hilarious skits and classical send-ups have garnered over 200 million social media viewings worldwide. Our Holiday Extravaganza includes all five PACO orchestras performing separately as well as together for some Handel favorites. You never thought classical music would be this much fun. This concert is PACO's only ticket event ($30 general / $40 preferred seating). For details and to purchase tickets, visit pacomusic.org.
The Paly Sports Boosters Holiday Tree Fundraiser
Get a head start on your Holiday preparations and support the Paly Sports Boosters at the same time! Beautiful Oregon holiday trees will be on sale in the Paly front parking lot after Thanksgiving:
  • Friday, November 23, 4-9 pm
  • Saturday & Sunday, November 24 & 25, 9 am - 6 pm
  • Friday, November 30, 4-9 pm
  • Saturday & Sunday, December 1 & 2, 9 am - 6 pm  
Thank you for supporting the Paly Sports Boosters!
Creative Writing Club for Teens
Thursday, December 20, 4-5:30 pm, Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd
End of year pizza planning party. Join us while we work on our writing contest entries and plan activities for the upcoming year. Grades 6-12.
Parent Ed Workshop: Building Healthy Relationships and Creating a Culture of Consent 
Wednesday, November 28, 7-8:30 pm, Board Room, District Office, 25 Churchill OR Thursday, December 6, 7-8:30 pm, PAC, Palo Alto High School
Whether your child is 5 or 15, it is essential that they are given the understanding, language and skills to appropriately express their own boundaries, and at the same time show respect for those of others. National expert Anea Bogue will provide workshop attendees with practical tips and strategies to effectively communicate with your child about affirmative consent and healthy relationships in an age appropriate manner. Our parent education workshop will focus on providing you with expert insight on how to effectively broach these subjects with your students in ways that minimize resistance, risk and instead promote mutual trust and greater connection. Sponsored by the PAUSD RISE Task Force. Appropriate for parents/guardians of students of all ages (TK through 12).
AFS Exchange Students
Calling Elementary, Middle and High School Families: You are eligible to host an AFS Exchange Student.
Hosting helps a high school student from abroad become fluent in English and experience life in America. “Becoming a host family took us out of our comfort zone and provided many new experiences.”
Contact Veronica BuxtonAFS USA is a premier volunteer cultural exchange program approved by the State Department.
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eNews Publication Guidelines
JLS eNews is a publication of the JLS PTA. Previous editions and Publication Guidelines can be found at the JLS PTA website. If you have any questions or would like to make a submission, please contact Christy Moision, JLS's eNews editor.