Panther Tracks
JLS PTA eNews
February 4, 2019
JLS News
Important Dates:
February 4-8 - Common Writing Assessment (CWA) for 8th Graders
February 4-5 - Gunn & Paly Counselors at JLS
February 5 - PTA Executive Board Meeting
February 6 - 6th/7th Grade 2019-20 Registration Materials Distributed | Paly Course Selection Workshops
February 7 - Latte Cart | Special Ed Resource Fair | 6th Grade Basketball Parent Meeting
February 8 - PTA Lunar Staff Appreciation Lunch | Student Store Open
February 11 - Site Council Meeting
February 13 - Signed Registration Forms Due | Connections Coffee | Gunn Course Selection Workshop
February 14-18 - No School
PG&E Gas Pipeline Replacement Work on Loma Verde
Mid February - Mid April
PG&E will be working on the 400 block of Loma Verde Avenue, between the intersections of Kipling and Waverley tentatively beginning February 19th. The project will involve trenching in the street to excavate and replace parts of the pipeline. Student commuters should avoid the area, and can take Cowper or Bryant to JLS (the regular recommended routes). Click on the picture to see the full JLS Walk & Roll map.

For more information on the PG&E project, please see the City of Palo Alto's website. Any timeline changes or delays will be noted there.
JLS Student Store Open This Friday 
Is your teen interested in buying a JLS hoodie, t-shirt or sweatpants against cost, or does he/she needs a pen, pencil, eraser or any other useful school supplies? The JLS Student Store has it all. The JLS Student Store is a small store on the JLS campus and is a joint cooperative effort by the Student Council, Students, Parent volunteers and the JLS administration. The JLS Student Store sells at cost. The JLS Student Store on campus will be open  this Friday during lunchtime Cash or checks only. The store is run by JLS students as a club, if your student is interested in participating have them contact  Tom Jacoubowsky. If you are interested to volunteer at the store email the  JLS Student Store Folks. Opening dates: February 8 & 22, March 8 & 22, April 12 & 26, May 10.
Caring Committee
Sometimes JLS families need a little extra assistance due to illness, loss of family member, etc. If you are interested in helping out by providing a meal, running an errand and/or helping with student pick-ups or drop-offs, please let us know. Should your help be needed, you will be contacted by a JLS staff member.
Sign-up here: JLS Caring Committee.
Middle School Science Textbook Pilot
Middle school science classes will be piloting textbook materials. Students in piloting classes will be involved in piloting two textbook materials, one from Teacher’s Curriculum Institute (TCI) and one from McGraw Hill. Students and their parents will be asked to complete an evaluation form based on their experiences with the pilot materials. Students in non-piloting classes will address the same learning objectives using existing materials. Pilot materials will be displayed for examination and comments at the District Office and at JLS in the library. If you have any questions or comments about the textbook pilot, please send an email to the JLS Science Instructional Leader, Linda Luo.
Commuters' Corner
Do you ever wonder why so many bicyclists ride in the center of the travel lane? Curious if it's safer to ride on the sidewalk than in the street? Get answers to those questions and more in our new FAQ sheet on Sharing the Road.

With our intermittent sunny mornings, it's a good time to bone up on Sun Glare Safety Tips. Whether you're a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian, find out how to be safe when the sun's low in the sky.

Bike Light Giveaway / Bike Index Registration Deadline Extended to February 8th!
Lots of registrations are coming in and we have five sets of lights to give away! See last week's eNews for all the details on how to register. If you started the process, make sure to click on the email from Bike Index and finish the registration!
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.
Let's Talk - Easy Click to Send Your Comments  
PAUSD has announced a new online feature to allow parents, teachers, neighbors, and anyone to give direct feedback to our Superintendent, Don Austin. In case you missed it from the Superintendent Weekly Friday Communication, here is the link.
PTAC News
PTAC Calling Special Meeting
Wednesday, February 6, 10 am, 25 Churchill Ave
A Special General Association meeting is being called to focus on the Stanford GUP and Development Agreement.
2019 Annual CAC Sweetheart Awards - Call for Nominations 
Is there a bus driver, friend, teacher, administrator, neighbor, aide, crossing guard, coach, fellow student, therapist, physician, volunteer or relative that has done something (however large or small) for your special needs child with an IEP or 504? Honor that person by nominating him or her for a CAC Sweetheart Award.  Submit nominations using this online form before Thursday, February 14th (early submissions welcome). The Awards Ceremony will be on Wednesday, February 27th from 6-8pm at Nixon Elementary School. For more information or questions contact sweethearts.award@gmail.com or go to cacpaloalto.org. Co-sponsored by Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs.
Palo Alto PTA Council: Every Child One Voice 
Check out our new banner in front of District Office!! We kicked off the year with our January 2019 General Association Meeting on Wednesday. PAUSD Board Member, Dr. Jennifer DiBrienza provided key information from the PAUSD Board of Education Meeting.  Click here to read more. Dr. Don Austin spoke about the "Big Plan" a continuing discussion from last Saturday's Family Leadership Summit. The PTA Council urges you to be an informed advocate for your own student about the Stanford General Use Permit using resources listed on our website. Welcome to PTA Council meetings (25 Churchill Ave) and you will be impressed how much parent volunteers are doing for your children. Thank you to all. Upcoming PTAC Meetings - Save the Date:
  • February 13 - PTA Council General Association Meeting
  • March 20 - PTA Council General Association & Elections
Inclusive Resource Fair of Summer Camps & After-School Activities
Thursday, February 7, 6:30-8:30 pm, JLS Middle School Auditorium, 480 East Meadow Dr
Join us to meet 30+ providers of summer camps and after-school activities, who will present information about their programs and be available to talk 1:1 with parents. All providers can accommodate some students' special needs, either in an inclusive environment or a special program, and can discuss specific accommodations. Some offer on-site enrollment. Information on financial assistance available, and many providers offer fee waivers based on need. Organized by the Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, and co-sponsored by the Palo Alto Council of PTAs. Childcare and snacks for kids will be provided. Please RSVP for childcare to paloaltocac@gmail.com. For more information, including the complete list of vendors as it is finalized, go to cacpaloalto.org.

Feria de Recursos de Campamentos de Verano y Actividades Después de Clases
Jueves, 7 de febrero, 6:30 - 8:30pm, En el auditorio de la Escuela Media JLS, 480 East Meadow Dr
Acompáñenos a conocer más de 30 provedores de campos y actividades de verano y por la tarde para después de clases, quienes estarán dando información sobre sus programas y que también estarán disponibles para hablar 1:1 con los padres. Todos son proveedores que pueden admitir a niños con algunas necesidades especiales ya sea dentro de un ambiente incluyente o dentro de un programa especial y podrán conversar sobre ajustes especiales que su hijo/a pueda necesitar. Podrán existir opciones de inscribirse en el lugar. Habra información sobre asistencia financiera y muchos proveedores ofrecen becas que se adaptan a sus necesidades. Se contará con servicio de guardería y botana para niños, por favor RSVP para el cuidado de los niños a paloaltocac@gmail.com. Para mayor información, incluyendo la lista de proveedores cuando está completa, ingrese a: cacpaloalto.org. Organizado por el Palo Alto Comité Asesor Comunitario para la Educación Especial y co-patrocinado por el Consejo de Palo Alto de PTAs.
Adolescent Vaping Discussion
Did you miss or want to review the Adolescent Vaping: From Theory to Data to Prevention Discussion from January 22?  You can watch it here. In this talk, organized by the Palo Alto PTA Council, Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher provided detailed information on the new tobacco/nicotine products available, including e-cigarettes/ vapes and Juuls and other pod-based systems, as well as the e-juices that accompany these products. Get equipped with evidence-based resources and intervention ideas that can be used to help prevent and reduce youth use of these novel products.
Community News
Nominate Great People for Awards (Due March 1)  
Call for Nominations for HSA 2019. Each year the Palo Alto Council of PTAs may bestow one of several California State PTA Honorary Service Awards to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service to children and youth in our community. The individuals or organization nominated must make far-reaching, notable contributions. The PTA Council HSA Committee selects persons or groups who have benefited children and youth on a district-wide or Palo Alto community level. We also have awards that honor exceptional PTA volunteers at the unit (school) level. If you know of someone or an organization that deserves to be honored, please complete this form. Recipients will be announced at our Honorary Service Award Reception on Thursday, April 25th, 2019.  Visit here past recipients. Deadline for Nominations is March 1st.
Calling All Girls Who Like Outdoor Adventures and Learning New Skills!
Tuesday, February 5, 7.30 pm, Fellowship Hall Covenant Presbyterian Church, 670 E. Meadow Dr (next to Mitchell Park)
Come to our organizational meeting and become a charter member of Troop 4014, a female troop in Scouts BSA. You'll go camping and hiking, make new friends, learn leadership and Scout skills, and have an opportunity to earn the Eagle Scout award. All young women in 6th grade through age 17 are welcome to join. Youth and parents should be ready to ask questions and start planning adventures. This is not a Girl Scout troop; this is a troop in the Boy Scouts of America. For more information, send email to scoutmaster@troop4014pa.org or visit us at troop4014pa.org.
Calling All Future Chefs! Enter the Future Chef Competition Now!
Entry deadline: Friday, February 8
Final contest: Thursday, Mar 7, 6:30-8:00 pm, JLS Middle School 
Hey students – Can you cook? We’re looking for your favorite healthy Mexican recipe! Lucky winners from each school will be chosen as finalists to compete in our contest at JLS Middle School on Thursday, March 7th. As an added bonus, the winner of this event will be entered into a National Competition for some great prizes! Pick up your entry form today! They’re available in the Cafeteria and in the School Office! Turn them in to the Cafeteria or School Office by Friday, February 8th.
Quick Links
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.