Every year our district is lucky enough to have parents, teachers, staff, and community volunteers give of their time, skills, and creativity to our schools. Many programs would not exist if it was not for this formidable group of volunteers, "the Pillars of our Community." Honorary Service Awards (HSAs) as well as the School Service Awards (SSAs) are our way of recognizing those individuals who have contributed in an extraordinary way to our District and/or our school.

Please take a moment to nominate someone you know who goes above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference. You can complete a nomination form and email it back to Leslie Burke at pto_president( at )laurealpto.org, or drop it off in the school office. Nominations are due Friday, April 17, 2009. Please refer to the Menlo Park Honorary Service Awards Selection Criteria as a guide.

Business Alliance News

PIZZA MY HEART NIGHTS!

From March 30th through April 1st, plan to participate in this popular fundraiser where 30% of dollars spent will go to the Laurel/Encinal PTO. Stay tuned for more details!

Announcing the 2009/2010 Laurel PTO Slate of Officers

We are pleased to announce the nominees for the 2009-2010 PTO Executive Board. This slate of proposed officers will be placed before the PTO membership for approval at the General PTO Meeting on April 24. Please join us in thanking these parents for taking on these important volunteer positions!

President: Carla Posthauer
Vice-President: Alisa Francis
Treasurer: Gina Ryan
Financial Secretary: Stacy Jones
Recording Secretary: Sara Richter
Corresponding Secretary: Debi Rice
Historian: Johanna Cookson
Auditor: Susan Fekete
Head Room Parent Coordinator: Jeanne Simonian
Parliamentarian: Tracy Uyeki

Questions? Contact Darcy Leschly at darcy( at )leschly.com.

PTO Council Call!

The Menlo Park City School District is looking for volunteers to serve on the 2009-2010 PTO Council. The Council includes representatives from each of the four district schools with the purpose of fostering cooperative relationships among the PTO's, the MPAEF, the District and the School Board. The PTO Council creates the district wide speaker event, recognizes PTO volunteers at the end of each school year, and coordinates the completion of the school directories. Nominate yourself or someone you know to serve as: President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Parliamentarian, VP of Programs, or VP of Recognition. Nominations will be received through April 1. Click here for a description of each position. Email Katie Ferrick at katieferrick( at )comcast.net or Alys Smith at legalmommyof2( at )aol.com with your nomination.

MPAEF News

Rock the Foundation!

The word is out: Rock the Foundation is coming on Saturday, April 25th and we're going to "Let the Good Times Roll!" Be sure to check out all the event website has to offer at www.mpaef.org/springevent, including information about this year's multiple ticket packages, the music line-up, rockin' raffle prizes, hot event t-shirts, and babysitting. Questions? Contact the MPAEF office at foundationoffice( at )mpaef.org. More information about the silent auction will be coming soon!

Lost and Found

Parents PLEASE take time to look through the huge pile of lost coats, sweaters, shirts, gloves and lunch boxes in the Laurel Multipurpose room. You may find one of your child's missing belongings. Thank you!

Save the Date: Laurel/Encinal Pancake Breakfast

The family won't want to miss this annual Laurel/Encinal tradition! You'll enjoy lip-smacking pancakes, gourmet bacon/sausages, delicious fruit, and hot/cold beverages -- all happily prepared by volunteers.

Saturday, May 16

8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Encinal School Arbor

Volunteers are needed for the event! Anyone interested in helping to set-up, flip pancakes, serve or clean-up, please contact Rebecca Wang at rebs1( at )aol.com or 888-8085. Encinal students with accompanying parent may also volunteer. All volunteers receive a free meal!

Board of Education Meetings

The Board of Education meets on the second Tuesday of the month, unless noted otherwise. Regular meetings start at 6:00 pm, and Special Meetings start at 7:00pm. Meetings are open to the public, and are held in the District Office at 181 Encinal Ave. Please check the District website for updates and details at www.mpcsd.org.

Ongoing Events

Survey: Chinese After-School Language Program - We are conducting a survey to assess the interest in a Chinese after-school language program at Laurel School. If you are interested, please send an email to April Tan at apriltan( at )pacbell.net.

Art & Science Fair - Volunteers are still needed for this fabulous event on April 23rd. Contact Carolee Hazard at carolee1( at )yahoo.com or (650) 324-8019.

Pennies for Peace Campaign - Thanks to everyone for their support of our great Pennies For Peace program! We have collected approximately 60,000 pennies to date! Thanks also to Mollie Stone's Markets for donating the use of their coin machine. Please keep the pennies coming through April 1. Donation containers are in the classrooms. Contact Amy Hamilton Kratzer at adkratzer( at )yahoo.com with any questions.

MPAEF Brick Campaign - You can still order your personalized bricks which will be placed in walkways and courtyards of our new school campuses. Check out inscription examples online at www.mpaef.org. It's a great opportunity to leave a lasting impact while supporting our schools!

Community News

All Stars Helping Kids: Community Walk and Soccer & Track Clinics

Join former Olympians Brandi Chastain, Kate O'Neill and Erica McLain for a Community Walk and Soccer & Track Clinics
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Community Walk starts at 8:30 a.m. and the Clinics (13 years and younger) run from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Stanford's PAC 10 Plaza

Don't miss this day of fun for the whole family. Sign up for the race, walk or clinics by visiting www.lifelongiftnessalliance.org/race. $10 per person. Call 650-363-1395 with any questions or email at Jessica( at )allstarshelpingkids.org.

Kepler's Family Events

Crazy About Cats Story Time, There Are Cats in This Book and If You Give a Cat a Cupcake

Sunday, March 22, 2009

11:30 a.m.

Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino, Menlo Park

GreenSTART Challenge

Last week your child(ren) brought home a GreenSTART Challenge Worksheet to inspire you and your family to live a greener life. How about trying to get as many families involved as possible, and have the Laurel community stand out in a GREAT, GREEN way?

Parents: Please read the information on the front of the Challenge Worksheet. If your family wants to participate, sign the Challenge Worksheet and have your child return the raffle slip.

Kids: If you sign up and return the raffle slip, you will be enrolled for prizes in a weekly drawing. Your first prize will be a cool silicon signature GreenSTART bracelet.

You can communicate through the blue folder or send an e-mail to greenstart( at )hotmail.com.

M-A on eBay

The Foundation for the Future's on-line auction, starts Sunday March 22! Every dollar raised goes directly to Menlo Atherton High School. Check out the online catalog at www.maauction.org for more information.

Parent Education Lecture

Andrea Shor, "Study Strategies for Success: Meeting the Challenges of Learning with Your Child"

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

7:30 p.m.

Round Table Pizza, 1225 El Camino, Menlo Park

Ms Shor will address study skills, writing skills, time management, technology, test taking, and communication with home and school. Olivia Mandilk, MPCSD Director of Student Services, will present an overview of district services as well. Click here for more information.

The Annual Atherton Dames Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, April 11, 2009

10:00 a.m. - noon

Holbrook-Palmer Park, 150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton

This fun event is for children in 3rd grade or younger and is $5 per person. Bring your own baskets and camera! Easter egg hunt (10:15 a.m.), Gerald the Magician, photos with the Easter Bunny, police car and fire truck viewing and breakfast food and drinks (specialty coffees for adults) for all! To reserve your spot, email Veronica at vkogler( at )yahoo.com or call 853-0503.

'Hoops for a Cause' Spring Clinic

The Menlo College Men's Basketball program is sponsoring 'Hoops for a Cause', which will consist of a series of Springs Clinics with 25% of proceeds being donated to the Autism Society of America. Clinics are open to all boys and girls, grades K - 8. Clinics will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 12, April 26, May 3 and May 10. For detailed information please click here or contact Chris Cobb at (650) 543-3760 or menlobasketball( at )aol.com.

Kidz Love Soccer

Signups are now underway for Kidz Love Soccer's Spring class session through the City of Menlo Park's Community Services Department. These are non-competitive instructional soccer classes for children 2-12 years of age. Visit www.kidzlovesoccer.com to learn more or click here to register.

Spring Down Horse Camps

Learn quality riding instruction, groom your horse and learn how to be safe around and on horses. Under our careful guidance of instructors and helpers, we group you according to experience. We are offering a week long camp over spring break as well as one day mini camps on March 21, April 25 and May 30th. Visit www.springdown.com for more information.

SOLO Aquatics

Located at Burgess and MA High pools, SOLO Aquatics announces sign-ups for two four-week spring and one seven-week summer swim sessions. This seasonal swim program is designed to improve stroke technique and conditioning in a fun environment. Prices have been reduced in response to the economic climate. For more information or to register please visit www.soloaquatics.com or call Coach Tom at 851-9091.