Weekly PTO Newsletter - Laurel School Home Page

In a Nutshell
Dates to Note
This week:
May 27: NO SCHOOL for Memorial Day
May 29, 6:30pm: Special MPCSD Board meeting
to discuss O'Connor plans
May 30, 8:30am School Service Awards and
Volunteer Brunch in the multi
Beyond:
June 2, 9am: Are You IN Run
June 3-7: Fine Arts Festival in the multi
June 6, 5-7:30pm: Spring Fling (kids arrive at
4:45pm)
June 6, 5:30-6:30pm: Open House in student
classrooms
June 11: Apple Valley Days for 2nd Graders
June 12, 10:30am: Parents invited to join the
Bubbly Goodbye for 3rd Graders. More info to come.
June 13: Last Day of School!
July 1: Last day to sign up for next year's Encinal
Shuttle
MPAEF News
Business Alliance
Community News
Quick Links
Calendar
Laurel School PTO
MPCSD Website
MPAEF
Word of the Week
Mrs. Bradley's word
of the week is irk.
Report an Absence
In This Issue
Click this button:
- An Author at Laurel
or call 324-0186
x3001.
- New Landscaping
- Laurel Library News
- Community Events in May
- Are You In RUN For Education
- Open House and Spring Fling
- Fine Arts Festival
- Last Chance for Lost and Found
- Last Chance for Lost and Found
- Laurel Service Award Recipients
- Newsletter Info
Special MPCSD Board Meeting to Discuss Growth Plans_
The MPCSD Board invites the community to its special Board
meeting on Wednesday, May 29th, to be held at 6:30 p.m. in the
Hillview Performing Arts Center.
Since last summer, the District has been working to plan for new enrollment
growth. While most California public school districts are experiencing flat or
declining growth, we are one of a select few high-performing districts that
families are flocking to -- we have grown 40% in the past decade.
As you likely already know, the Board has decided to meet this enrollment
challenge by opening a fourth elementary school on the District-owned O'Connor
site, in the Willows.
At the May 29 special Board meeting, the Board will:
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provide a comprehensive update on the overall work that has taken place
evaluate the cost/benefit analyses of the options for the O'Connor site
give direction on the desired size and scope of a potential bond measure
Please refer to Superintendent Ghysels' May 23rd Newsletter for more
information.
Check out our new landscaping!_
Two large, high traffic areas have been redesigned and landscaped in honor of all
volunteer service award recipients (HSA, CSA, SSA and Committee awards) by
Laurel Parent Amy Palmer. Every year, Laurel parent and community volunteers
spend more than 100,000 hours of their time helping our students and staff in
myriad ways. A volunteer brunch will be held on May 30th from 8:30-10:30am in
the multi to recognize their efforts. Thank you!
Laurel Library News_
A message from Teacher Librarian Gail Bradley:
CALLING IN ALL BOOKS!
All library books are due May 31st this year. That gives
me a week and a half to track down all missing books and
have volunteers help me get the books back on the shelves
in the correct order in preparation for a complete computer
inventory of all 12,000+ books in our library.
You may receive in your e-mail, or your child's blue folder,
a notice indicating he or she still has a book or more to
return to the library. If you feel the notice is in error and
that your child has indeed already returned the missing
item(s), please notify me as soon as possible ([email protected]; 650-3240186, extension 3830).
If you are sure the book is lost, you need to pay for the book ($20 for hardback,
$10 for paperback, and $40 for audiobook) with a check made out to MPCSD and
returned to me. Cash is also acceptable. If payment is an issue, please contact
me.
DO YOU LOVE READING TO CHILDREN?
Students will not be checking out any more books after May 24th, but students
will continue to come to the library for story time at their regular library times.
If you would like to come to the library during your child's library time and read a
book or two to the class, please let me know and I'll fit you in sometime
between May 27th and June 12th. You can read a childhood favorite of yours or
your child's, or a book that I pick out. Children love having parents and
grandparents and adult friends come read to their classes.
SUMMER READING
Don't forget to visit the local public libraries to take advantage of their wonderful
summer reading programs and events -- and you can borrow books, e-books,
CDs and movies for free (in most cases)! The local public library will have a
table at the Spring Fling/Open House on June 6th to take applications for library
cards and for their summer reading programs. Be sure to visit!
I wish you all a wonderful summer full of great books.
Last Chance!_
This week is kids' final opportunity to visit La Hacienda to not only find paper
squirrels hiding on the shelves, but to thank our steadfast Laurel sponsor,
who will be donating 1% of their total sales for the entire month of May!
Spring has sprung, and it's time to RUN!_
Be a part of the new district-wide are you in RUN for
education on June 2, 2013 at 9am!
After 18 years of success with the Oak Knoll Otter Run, the
entire District community of Laurel, Encinal, Oak Knoll, and
Hillview will now come together to raise crucial funds for our
community-supported schools.
Register and sign up to be a family sponsor today!
(First 40 families to sign up at the $500 sponsorship level will get their names on
the race t-shirt and 4 free race entries!).
Open House and Spring Fling - June 6_
Open House - 5:30-6:30pm
Laurel students are excited to show their family members all the amazing work
they've done this year! While you're here for the Spring Fling, be sure to attend
the Open House, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, held in your child's classroom. You're sure
to be impressed with the growth your child has made since September (but
arrive early, because classrooms will close promptly at 6:30pm).
Spring Fling - 5-7pm
The last school-wide event of year, the Spring Fling is a musical performance, led
by Mrs. Beckstrom, of songs that our students have learned all year long. There
will also be a special send-off to our graduating third graders.
Bring a picnic or enjoy a Food Truck meal (10% of food truck proceeds go to
Laurel!). Parking along the fire road will be:
Sneakers
The Melt
Hill Country BBQ
Oaxacan Kitchen
Queen Bee Ice Cream
Neighborhood Ice Cream Truck
Cash Only
Schedule:
4:45pm - kids need to arrive
5-5:30pm - singing with Mrs. Beckstrom
5:30-6:30pm - Open House in your child's classroom
6-7:30pm - dinner
Please be prepared for a great deal of traffic and congested parking, because our
neighbors at Menlo Atherton High School will be celebrating their graduation on
the same night. If at all possible, we suggest walking or biking to school!
Laurel School Fine Arts Festival - June 3-7 _
Come to the Laurel Multi to experience amazing pieces of artwork, created by
every single Laurel student. Art pieces on display were either created in Ms.
Donecho's Art Classroom, or at Art in Action lessons taught by dedicated parent
volunteers.
Bring along the whole family and enjoy the fascinating and wonderful
masterpieces created by our children!
The Multi will be open during school hours, June 3 through June 7, and from 57:30pm on June 6 for the Spring Fling! Please be sure you accompany your
children into the multi. many fragile pieces will be on display.
LOST AND FOUND ITEMS TO BE DONATED ON LAST DAY
OF SCHOOL_
Please remember to check the racks outside of the Multi for any Lost and Found
items that might belong to your child. All remaining items will be laid out in the
plaza on the last day of school. Any remaining items will be donated that
afternoon.
Any of these items look familiar? The office will be donating these after the last
day of school as well.
ASIST Shuttle: Transportation to Laurel - Sign up by June
1st_
If you will have children at both Laurel and Encinal this fall, one
way to solve the problem of picking them up in two places at the
same time is to sign up for ASIST (After School Intra-School
Transportation). This free service is offered for Encinal 3rd, 4th
and 5th graders who are dismissed at 3:00pm. Click here
for more information and to sign up for this free service by July 1st.
If you would like to have a guaranteed seat for your child on the shuttle this fall,
volunteer for the ASIST committee by emailing Jessica Rancourt.
Congratulations to Laurel Service Award Recipients!_
Please join us in congratulating our 2013 Menlo Park City
School District service award winners. These are parents,
teachers and staff who have gone above and beyond to
help our schools and district. Many school programs would
not exist were it not for this talented and dedicated group
of volunteers - the Pillars of Our Community.
CONGRATULATIONS to this year's winners!
Thank you
volunteers!
Laurel Elementary School
Honorary Service Awards:
Neddie Barnett, Rossana Buigas, Lisa Lajous, Melanie Wagner, Tiara Moske
Continuing Service Awards:
Traci Christie, Heather Goudey, Kristl Wong
President's Award:
Jenny Freiermuth
Other Laurel Parent HSA Recipients include:
Amanda Bower (CSA, District Council)
Steve Shaw (HSA, MPAEF)
Stephanie Thomases (HSA, District Council)
Robyn Wheeler (HSA, MPAEF)
Laurel School Service Awards:
Anneliese Abdella
Jacob Averbuck
Sam Bacic
Jill Baker
Liz Balena
Chrissie Blair
Marcus Blunt
Lora Christen
Kristin Duriseti
Kirsten Freitas
Rena Hafeez
Steele Harris
Laura Hamilton
Hillary Hasselman
Alice Hom
Flavia Herrod
Chantel Maussenet
Natalie Maynes
Charlotte Mazur
Dani Muto
Amy Palmer
Suzanne Pellican
Carol Pistorino
Renee Pyle
Deanna Schroeder
Stephanie Seeger
Jenn Shoup
Holly Thompson
Cathy Tokic
Bernice van der Meer
Amy Venuto
Fiona Walker
Ken Wang
Committee and Community Awards:
Laurel Leadership Committee:
Brynn Cahill, Emily Chen, Sheila Warren, Priscilla Seely, Bets McKnight
Community Volunteers:
Sara Faulder, Kelsey Fowle, Christiana Freed, Mao Mei Sonkin, Cherie
Lamoreaux, Nick Sharma from Willows Market
Hot Lunch Committee:
Neddie Barnett, Amanda Bower, Traci Christie, Sandra Ewers, Jenny Freiermuth,
Lauren Geller, Laura Hamilton, Stacey Jones, Val Laird, Bee Loon Lim, Angie Lin,
Michelle Marini, Charlotte Mazur, Susan Patrick, Carol Pistorino, Alice Riley,
Winnie Root, Emily Smith, Bernice van der Meer, Melanie Wagner, Ken Wang,
Rebecca Wang, Linda Ong, Robyn Wheeler, Grace Zales
Click here to see the full list of MPCSD service award winners.
MPAEF News _
Thank you to MPAEF's Business and
Realtor Partners!
Please support those businesses and realtors who support our schools! Thank
you to these local 2012-13 business partners:
Business
Northwestern Mutual
Omega Teaching
DLM
Tavarez Orthodontics
RGM and Associates
C. Overaa & Co.
Realtors
Veronica Kogler, Coldwell Banker
Omar Kinaan, RE/MAX Distinctive Properties
Mary & Brent Gullixson, Alain Pinel Realtors
Ken Glidewell, Alain Pinel Realtors
Michael Johnston, Alain Pinel Realtors
Tom LeMieux, Coldwell Banker
Community News_
CLICK HERE to see more details on our community opportunities.
SUMMER CAMPS
Now is the time to learn about some of the exciting camp opportunities in our
community! The Summer Camp Website will be updated as new information
arrives, so check back often. (Please note that we have not evaluated this
information or endorsed any of the camps, and the District is not responsible for
any aspect of these camps.)
FAMILY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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Gardening at Alemany Farm
Spring is in full effect at Alemany Farm. We've dug up our first garlic crops, the
squash are bursting with fruit, and our spring onions are big and sweet. Come on
out and get your hands dirty at these upcoming workdays. Monday, May 27, 125pm and Sunday June 2nd, 1-5pm. Alemany Farm is located at 700 Alemany Blvd.
in San Francisco.
Wednesday Weed Warriors
May 29th and every Wednesday, Work alongside expert weed warriors to remove
invasive plants at the Arastradero Preserve located at 1530 Arastradero Road in
Palo Alto. All ages are welcome. Must RSVP here.
My New Red Shoes
This org provides new shoes and clothing to homeless and low-income children
around the Bay Area to help them look and feel confident before starting a new
school year. They offer Volunteer Opportunities for kids of all ages or they will
help create a custom volunteer opportunity for your class or other group.
Engaging kids in a service project is a great idea for an end of the year class
event. Want more info? Contact Becca Moos at [email protected].
EVENTS
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Western Ballet Presents Two Spring Programs: Atardecer en Sevilla
Friday, May 24, 7 p.m., and Coppelia on Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26,
1p.m. Both are performed at the Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center. General
admission for all shows is $15. For more information call Western Ballet at (650)
968-4455 or visit our website.
"The Anonymous People" - Exclusive West Coast Film Preview with
Filmmaker Greg Williams
Tuesday, May 28, 7 p.m. at the Menlo-Atherton Center for the Performing Arts. A
feature documentary film about the 23.5 million Americans living in long-term
recovery, and the emerging public recovery movement that will transform how
alcohol and other drug problems are dealt with in our communities. Parents and
students welcome. Admission is free, but RSVP is requested:
http://theanonymouspeopleca.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact
Charlene Margot at [email protected].
Green Kids Conference
Saturday, June 1, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus, 1065 La
Avenida St, Building 1, Mountain View. This is a conference for children 5 to 18
years old. Come with your family and friends, explore your passsion, and be
inspired to take action! Free Admission. Register now at
http://greenkidsconference.org/.
Menlo Park Library Storytelling in the Park
Sunday, June 2 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Fremont Park (Corner of Santa Cruz
Ave. and University in Menlo Park). Join the Menlo Park Library and Peet's Coffee
and Tea for a special morning in the park in celebration of the library's 2013
Summer Reading Program! The Summer Reading Program begins June 10.
Register to read books, win prizes and see excellent entertainment. Registration
begins June 1 at the Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St or at
www.menloparklibrary.org.
Friends of the Menlo Park Library Book Sale
Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, June 16, from 12 p.m. to
2 p.m. at the Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma Street, Menlo Park. The sale will be
located in the downstairs meeting room and outdoors in front of the library.
SPORTS, CLASSES, AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
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"Reading is So Delicious" Summer Reading Program
June 10th through August 17th at the Menlo Park Library. With live entertainment
including animal presentations, puppetry, magic, music, storytelling, clowning &
traditional Chinese lion dance, summer reading will be a celebration. Registration
begins on June 1st via our website, www.menloparklibrary.org, where you can
find a downloadable reading log, procedures and a calendar of events.
Stanford University Study - Typically Developing Twins Needed
Healthy same-sex twin pairs between the ages of 3 and 14 years old are needed
to participate in a research study comparing children with Autism Spectrum
Disorder to typically developing twins. Each twin can earn $100. Contact: (650)
723-7809.
Pop Warner Menlo Atherton Vikings Walk-Up Sign Ups
May 19 and June 16, 1 to 4 p.m., Arrillaga Gym, 600 Alma Street, Menlo Park. For
more information, go to mapopwarner.com.
Circle of Friends Preschool
Circle of Friends Preschool offers a play-based program in Menlo Park for children
3-5 years old, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm. Contact [email protected] or go to
sites.google.com/site/cofpreschool/.
For past community news, click here.
Business Alliance _
Support Businesses that Support Our School!
Newsletter Information _
Please submit announcements and flyers to [email protected] for
Laurel School events. For the Community Corner, send submissions to
[email protected]. The deadline for both email addresses is by
noon on the Wednesday prior to publication date.
Missed it last week? Check out our Newsletter Archive for past news.
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Laurel Elementary School | 95 Edge Road | Atherton | CA | 94027