Panther Tracks
JLS PTA eNews
April 8, 2019
JLS News
Important Dates:
April 10 - International Dinner | Open House
April 10-19 - Pets in Need Donation Drive
April 11 - Latte Cart | Connections Coffee
April 12 - Student Store Open
April 15 - Site Council Meeting | 7th Grade Health Connected Parent Info Meeting
April 16 - PTA General Meeting
April 17 - PTA High School Transition Panel
April 24 - Spring Walk and Roll to School Day
April 25-27 - Drama Production
April Staff Appreciation Latte Cart
Thursday, April 11, Room 40
PTA hosts a monthly staff appreciation breakfast. To make these mornings a success, we ask our parents to contribute breakfast foods, homemade or store bought. Please sign-up here. Items can be dropped off in room 40 between 7:15 - 9:30 am on Thursday, April 11. Non-perishable items may be brought the day before to the Main Office. 
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. We are still low on volunteers. Volunteer here: JLS PTA International Dinner and Social.
Pets in Need Donation Drive -- April 10-19
The Sixth Grade Student Council is sponsoring a donation drive for Pets in Need. The following kinds of items would be appreciated:
  • Unopened canned dog or cat food (no prescription or expired food)
  • KMR kitten formula (powder or ready to use)
  • ESBILAC puppy formula
  • Puppy and kitten bottle feeding kids
  • Gift cards from pet supply stores
  • Stainless steel food dishes
  • Dog toys such as rope toys and balls (no KONGs)
  • New cat toys and wands
  • Small, medium, or large crates (no x-large crates)
  • Clean or unused towels (not frayed or torn)
  • Non-clumping litter
  • Litter boxes
  • Non-electric heating pads/discs
  • Small fleece blankets
Donations can be brought to Room 820. Questions? Contact Jenifer Nevels.
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
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: April 12 & 26, May 10.
Commuters' Corner
Like to bike? Love to bike? One of the best ways you can help keep Palo Alto bike fun and friendly is to volunteer for this year's May 9th Bike to Work [and School] Day. Help celebrate at one of Palo Alto's four Energizer Stations by setting up, greeting cyclists, counting cyclists, handing out giveaway items, re-stocking refreshments, taking photos, and breaking down stations. No prior experience needed. Sign up for the whole four hours, for just an hour, or something in between. If you would like to help out, please fill out the Volunteer Signup form. Volunteers will receive a much coveted I Bike Palo Alto t-shirt (with a new e-bike design!) and bask in the joy of seeing people of all shapes, styles and sizes riding bikes of all shapes, styles and sizes! More information about the event is available on the City of Palo Alto's website or click here to sign up to volunteer.
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.
Youth Art Show at the Palo Alto Art Center 
April 27 - May 19
Annual Exhibition of Artworks by Palo Alto Unified School District Art Students. Youth Art celebrates the imaginative spirit of the students from the Palo Alto Unified School District, featuring work from students in grades K-12. Instructors have selected work that demonstrates accomplishment and innovation in the classroom. Please visit the Palo Alto Art Center website for more information. You can preview this amazing collection of art work while enjoying the PTA Council Honorary Service Awards reception on Thursday, April 25th from 4-6 pm.
Mandarin Parent Workshops - Inter-cultural Dialogue  
Thursdays through May 16, 6:30-8:30 pm, Greene Middle School Library
Wellness & Support Services Dept. and Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) are offering a ten-week parenting workshop series, “Inter-Cultural Dialogue,” in Mandarin. An AACI Therapist facilitates the research-based workshops designed to help families navigate the generational and cultural differences in their families.
April 11 – Providing structure and reinforcement
April 18 – How to use rules, consequences and punishment
April 25 – Review and practice listening, empathy, and build connection
May 2 – Parenting skills in practice
May 9 – Parents managing their stress and emotions
May 16 – Revision, celebration, and completion
Spaces are still available. For more information or to save your place, please RSVP on Eventbrite.
PTAC News
Palo Alto PTA Council - Share the Cost Rally at City Hall - a Community Coming Together for Our Kids: Full Mitigation
On Thursday, March 14th, 120+ people came out to City Hall to give voice to all PAUSD students. We spoke with one voice, stressing the importance of full mitigation by Stanford University. We are simply asking Stanford University to take care of our children. See PAUSD Resolution. We sincerely appreciate everyone doing their part for our kids. For more, please go to paloaltopta.org. Thank you to all PTA members, PTAC council members, PAUSD employees and school board members, students, parents and guardians, City of Palo Alto Safe Routes to School (SRTS), the PTAC SRTS Collaborative Committee, Palo Alto residents, and neighbors for coming out to the School Rally. The PTA Council would like to thank Supervisor Joe Simitian and Supervisor Cindy Chavez who graciously attended our school rally. The strength of our community is evident when we come together and we work together, this includes Stanford University. The Palo Alto PTA Council is pleased that many of our PTAs and PTSAs have written letters to Stanford University stressing full mitigation. Our 6th District PTA Council and schools in various parts of Santa Clara County are also sending letters to Stanford University. Please continue write to your supervisors and join our on-line petition. And download the Click-My-Cause App, or find your own creative way to help communicate with elected county officials letting them know you care about Palo Alto kids. Thank you.
PTAC Honorary Service Awards
Thursday, April 25, Palo Alto Art Center 
You’re Invited!! This is our amazing and fun Spring social event to honor our volunteers and to network. Lots of food, student art, and celebrating amazing work! We’re looking for official photographers and Twitter/social media connectors. Evites are going out on Monday.
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.
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.
Community News
Peninsula Hike for Hope  
Sunday, May 19, Check-in: 8:30 am, Hike Begins: 9:30 am, Hike Ends: 3 pm, Huddart Park, Woodside
Join AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) for the 1st ever Peninsula Hike for Hope event. Suicide prevention starts with everyday people like you. Money raised goes to critical research, education programs, advocacy, and support for those affected by suicide. Join us to help create a culture that’s smart about mental health. The hike will be a relatively easy 2-3 mile loop at Huddart Park in Woodside. Parking is $6 per vehicle. Please see visit our website to learn more about registration/donations. Any Questions? Email Jaclyn Petty.
Parents: Help Students Who Need You Most - Learn about All Students Matter
Wednesday, April 24, 10 am, Menlo Park location given when you RSVP
Come learn about how adults can volunteer next school year, once a week in a K-5th grade classroom in eastern Menlo Park and East Palo Alto. These students, who face many challenges, are eager for your support to help build their academic and social/emotional skills. Hear about the impact you can have by joining us in Menlo Park at the home of a current volunteer. To RSVP, please contact Keri Tully, Program Director to receive location details. Learn more about us at allstudentsmatter.org.
Free Project Cornerstone 6-Week Parenting Workshop "Take It Personally" 
Wednesday, April 17, 24 & May 1, 8, 15, 22, 5:30-6 pm dinner, Workshop 6-7:30 pm, Colorado Park Apartments
You do not need to be a parent/resident from the Colorado Park Apartments. Open to all parents & caregivers at no cost. Each week a facilitator will lead sharing, discussion, and teaching tools you can use now to strengthen your family connections. You'll leave with new ways to show caring, give support, set boundaries, and build strong relationships. Workshop paid for by PAH (Palo Alto Housing). Questions? Contact Ziem Neubert. Sign Up today.
Recruitment and Career Advancement Fair for PAUSD  
Saturday, April 13, 10 am - 3 pm, Peery Family Center at Palo Alto High School
PAUSD Human Resources is hosting its first Recruitment and Career Advancement Fair for PAUSD. Some of our best employees are parents and family members from the PAUSD community. Come hear about jobs, benefits, and working at PAUSD.
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.