SPARK Week

Beginning March 18th through March 22nd, JLS is being treated to a week of fun activities designed to remind everyone to “Take a moment” to attend to overall mental, emotional and physical health. The SPARK Team has worked hard to incorporate activities and events that will enhance wellness and promote a cohesive and fun environment. SPARK is a short acronym for all of the things needed to help increase overall health and sense of well-being. It will focus on helping explore ways to decrease stress and increase happiness. Each day will be focused on a theme and there will be activities throughout the week. 

 

We will be starting  Monday with the letter  S, which stands for  Stress Management. This day will focus on relaxation techniques that help reduce the tension felt when you’re stressed. Activity Highlights: Bubbles, Pinwheels and Therapy Dogs! Tuesday will be the letter  P, which stands for  Passion. When we do the activities that we enjoy, it helps us relax and recharge. Activity Highlights: Slime Making and 101 Ways to Have Fun! Wednesday will be the letter  A, which stands for  Attitude. When we let go of negative emotions and feelings, this will open opportunities for happiness. Activity Highlight: WIP presentation encouraging forgiveness based on the work of Nelson Mandela. Thursday is the letter  R, which stands for  Relationship. It’s important to develop good relationships with people to reduce our stress and boost our overall health. Activity Highlight: Snacks with Staff! Lastly, on  Friday is the letter  K, which stands for  Kinesthetic. We will celebrate and kick-off the weekend with an outdoor dance party hosted by  DJ Aaron David. Physical activity and exercising is a powerful tool that increases positive mood and provides many health benefits.  Everyone is invited to wear their sparkly clothes and bring their dance moves!

JLS Science Fair

Tuesday, March 19, 7:00 pm, JLS Cafetorium

Join the JLS community for a fun-filled evening of science, with students proudly showing off their work in poster sessions and some fun science and technology-related demonstrations. All JLS students are invited to participate.  Register by Thursday, March 14.

The Science Fair is a great way for students to develop and apply an interest in science and the scientific method. Participants exercise their curiosity, approach real world problems in a systematic and scientific way, and apply creativity towards questions that interest them. Students should have heard more details about the fair from their science teachers, and be thinking about their projects. Once research is complete, students will present their work in poster format (poster boards generously donated by Synopsys). Each participant will be interviewed by a JLS parent or other member of our community, and participate in peer reviews. All student presenters will be able to exchange their peer reviews for a participation prize, and will be entered into a prize drawing for a number of terrific items (books, museum passes, food, etc).

The Science Fair cannot happen without lots of parent (and other community) volunteers, especially interviewers who are willing to listen to students sharing their projects and provide constructive positive feedback during a brief non-competitive, informal interview. Want to help?  Sign up online. In addition to Synopsys, the Science Fair is sponsored by the JLS PTA, and also supported by donations from a number of local businesses. Questions? Contact Maria Derrick, Science Fair Chair.

2019 JLS Service Day

Wednesday, March 20, 1:30-5:00 pm (adult chaperones), 1:45-5:00 pm (student volunteers)

The JLS PTA and YCS (Youth Community Service) have organized service projects for student and adult volunteers.  We have room for a few more student volunteers. Registration will close on March 6th. We are looking for 17 more parent volunteers to make this event happen. Please consider joining your student in an afternoon of service!  Parent chaperone sign-ups are here. In order to participate, your student must submit a signed PAUSD permission slip.  Permission slips are available here. Permission forms are due by March 6th. Students will be removed from their signups if they have not returned their permission forms by March 6th. Please let us know if you have any questions. For more information on JLS Service Day, click here. Questions? Email JLSServiceDay@gmail.com.

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: March 22, April 12 & 26, May 10.

Middle School Parent Ed Event: “Sources of Strength”

Monday, March 25, 7-8:30 pm, JLS Cafetorium

Gunn’s Sources of Strength team will be hosting an event focused on how parents, educators, and students can work together at home and in our schools to prevent the epidemics of bullying and suicide. Research has shown we can do this by creating a preventative culture in our community—one that fosters an epidemic of Hope, Help, and Strength. The evening will provide an overview of the Sources of Strength program and give attendees an opportunity to learn more about a few specific aspects of the Sources of Strength wheel. Student and staff leaders will talk about ways to spread positive messages throughout the community. Key to the success of the Sources of Strength program is developing awareness and a shared vocabulary at home and in our community so that families can support the work we are doing in our schools.

Save the Date: International Dinner and Social

Wednesday, April 10, 5-7 pm

JLS PTA is preparing for the International Dinner and Social on Wednesday, April 10 just before the JLS Open House. We look forward to seeing you and your families! Come enjoy a light dinner with foods from various regions around the globe and meet up with other JLS families. Tentative plans:

  5-5:15 pm Staff will be served so they can prepare for Open House

  5:15-6:45 pm Dinner will be served in the cafetorium. Dessert and refreshments outside. 

  6 pm Entertainment by JLS students at the outdoor stage (weather permitting).

  6:45-7 pm Winding down dinner service in the cafetorium (last chance for seconds).

  7-8 pm Open House

To make this event a success, we will need help from our families. Please sign-up here: JLS PTA International Dinner and Social.

Save the Date: JLS PTA Elections

Please join us for coffee at the final JLS PTA General Meeting. We will be voting in the new Executive Board for 2019-2020, reviewing our financials, and more. The annual election meeting will be held on April 16, 2019, at 8:30 am in Room 40. The JLS PTA Nominating Committee submits its report of 2019-2020 Nominations for Office to the PTA membership:

President - Julia Jacobsen

Executive VP - OPEN

1st VP (Programs) - Janet Owen

2nd VP (Membership) - Suzanne Quo

3rd VP (Communications) - Anjani Sarma

4th VP (Community Service) - Bryna Chang 

5th VP (School Support) - Tina Mondragon

Secretary - Claire Kirner

Treasurer - Maria Derrick

Auditor - Emily Jaquette

Historian - Melanie Gurunathan

Parliamentarian - Christina Schmidt

Commuters' Corner

Would you like to help your student join the huge numbers (over 50%!) of middle schoolers who bike to school? To ensure students acquire the bike handling skills needed to safely navigate the roadways, Wheel Kids Bicycle Club, Inc. has teamed up with the City of Palo Alto’s Safe Routes to School Program to offer a Middle School Bike Skills Class. Among other topics, students (and accompanying parents) will learn: basic traffic laws, how to navigate busy intersections, the most common types of bike crashes and how to avoid them, and how to position yourself on the road. This half-day class is offered in June, July and August. Registration is open; click here for details.

Each Friday! Superintendent's Weekly Board Update

Read Dr. Don Austin's Weekly Board Update, published new each Friday on the District website.

PTA Council Invites You to the 97th Annual May Fete Parade & 125th Palo Alto Birthday Celebrations

Saturday, May 4, 10 am (Parade start time), Downtown Palo Alto

Each year our students and staff, as well as neighbors, are invited to participate in the City of Palo Alto 2019 May Fete Parade. This is our small, hometown parade right here in the heart of Silicon Valley. Many PAUSD students participate in the parade by way of the bands, amazing music programs, club projects that funded by PiE and PTA. Downtown University Avenue is closed that day and the nearby streets and parking lots are transformed with schools' kids, floats, marching bands, electric model cars, etc. New this year is the celebration of the 125th Birthday of City of Palo Alto. Happy Birthday! Don’t miss it. Carpool and bike.

Watch the Video of Dr. Robert Lustig’s Real Food for Thought Talk from 3/6/19  

Did you miss the talk on why eating real food matters for our children? Watch it here on Youtube. Would you like to get involved with bringing more real food to our schools? Email health@paloaltopta.org for more information. Brought to you by PTAC Health and Wellness.

PTA Council Annual Elections

The election of the PTA Council Officers will take place at the General Association meeting on Wednesday, March 20th at 9:00 am at the district office 25 Churchill, Board Room. All PTA members are invited. Please visit the PTAC website for the proposed slate of officers for the 2019-2020 term.

PTA Council Seeks Volunteers

The PTA Council Nominating Committee is currently seeking expressions of interest from individuals in the community who would like to learn more about becoming a member of the PTA Council Executive Board and Collaborative Committees for the 2019-20 school year. We are looking for community members who have a passion for improving the educational experience of all students and preferably have experience on their school PTA or site council. Talk to us about stepping into a leadership role or how you can participate on a committee. Contact the Nominating Committee at: evp@paloaltopta.org.

PTAC - Teacher Housing Project - Supervisor Joe Simitian 

At the Wednesday, General Association Meeting, Supervisor Joe Simitian spoke on the Teacher Housing Project to help build affordable teacher housing near California Ave/Caltrain Station. Five local school districts, including PAUSD, are being asked to contribute funds to help power the project's funding. PAUSD Board of Education has held a meeting on this. County land has already been secured. Additional funding is being negotiated. Please help spread the word and send comments to PAUSD Board of Education and the County of Santa Clara if you are supportive of our schools, our children, and our teachers. We are the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and "T" for Teachers is in our middle name. Contact: Micaela.hellman-tincher@bos.sccgov.org.

Summer Camps Info Now Available on PTAC Website

Looking for a summer camp in your neighborhood or at one of our Palo Alto Unified school sites? Now you can find it at the PTAC website. Camp providers listed on this page host activities/summer camps at PAUSD Schools, and pay rental fees to our district. These rental fees help to defray the cost of running our schools while providing local opportunities for our kids. PTA Council does not endorse one camp over another. This service is offered to give parents an easy way to find out what is being offered and where. Please contact the PTAC Webmaster to recommend updates to this information. There is no charge to providers to be listed.

Bringing Body Confidence Home - A Parent Ed Event 

Monday, March 18, 7:00-8:30 pm, Fairmeadow Elementary School, MP Room

Licensed “Body Positive Facilitator” Katie Winnen will show us the importance of positive body image, body confidence, and healthy relationships with food for ourselves and our children. Join us for an important conversation about how to be a role model for our kids, the dangers of diet-culture, and how to listen to and love our bodies. This is a free event, open to all PAUSD families. Free babysitting provided - event is adults only. For questions, contact: Kristen Podulka.

Connecting Palo Alto: Learn About Separating Palo Alto’s Rail Crossings 

Wednesday, March 27, 6-8 pm, Mitchell Park Community Center, El Palo Alto Room

Help Design the Future of Palo Alto’s Rail Corridor. Please join us at our next community meeting on as we continue to talk about options to separate Palo Alto’s rail crossings from street traffic. Though High-Speed Rail will likely be limited to the Central Valley, the electrification of Caltrain is still on schedule to be completed by 2022, which means we can expect many more trains to run through Palo Alto along the rail corridor. Come learn more and help us gather information about how to improve connectivity, increase bicycle and pedestrian safety, and reduce traffic. Railroad crossing ideas to be discussed: Churchill Avenue and Citywide Tunnel. For more information visit the Connecting Palo Alto website.

Chinese Railroad Workers Photos Exhibit

Now through March 31, Mon-Thu 10 am - 9 pm; Fri-Sun 10 am - 6 pm, Palo Alto Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Road 

Please come to view a special photos exhibit as 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of the first American Transcontinental Railroad built by the Chinese Railroad Workers. More information can be found on the website. Questions? Contact Monica Yeung Arima.

Listen to Me: What Do I Need to Feel Connected to School, Family and Community?

Tuesday, March 26, 7-8:30 pm, Mitchell Park Community Center - Adobe Room

To raise the awareness of the importance of youth feeling a sense of belonging, Susan Stone Belton will share reflective listening tools that parents and adult allies can use to build healthy relationships that help youth thrive. Also, featured will be a service learning project by the youth peer leaders. Parents, students, and adult allies are welcome! Free admissions and light refreshments will be served. To attend, please register here. For more information, visit here. Questions? Please contact: lily@youthcommunityservice.org.

Eschuchame: Que es que necesito para sentirme conectado a la escuela, familia y comunidad?  

Martes, el 26 de marzo, de 7-8:30pm Mitchell Park Community Center (Cuarto Adbobe) 

Para elevar la consiencia de la importancia del sentido de pertenecia de jovenes, Susan Stone Belton, compartira instumentos en como padres y educadores pueden fortalecer relaciones saludables con jovenes. Padres, estudiantes y aliados son beinvenidos. Admision es gratis y habra refrescos. 

Para asistir por favor inscribirse. Para mas informacion o preguntas contacten lily@youthcommunityservice.org.

倾听我：我需要什么才能感受到学校，家庭和社区的联系？

3 月 26 日，星期二， 7-8:30p.m. ， Palo Alto  米切尔公园社区中心  — Adobe 会议室

为了提高人们对青少年有归属感的重要性认识， Susan Stone Belton 将分享反思性的倾听工具。父母和成年盟友可以利用这些工具建立健康的关系，帮助青少年茁壮成长。此外，值得关注的将是青少年同辈领导人的服务学习项目。欢迎家长，学生和成年盟友参加！   免费入场并有点心提供。

欲参加者， 请注册 。   有关更多信息， 请访问此处 。若有问题，   请联系： lily@youthcommunityservice.org.

A Community Day To Swim with PASA at Rinconada

Saturday, April 13, 1-2:30 pm ages 6-9, 2:30-4 pm ages 10-13, Rinconada Pool 

Kids in the Palo Alto Community will be given a free swim lesson from the coaches and swimmers of Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics. Signups will close when the maximum of 30 children per session is reached.  Info and signup here.

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.