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| Next Week |
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Monday, 10/12
Parent-Principal Chat, 10:30 a.m., Laurel Multi
Tuesday, 10/13
Kids' Art Fundraiser Deadline
Menlo Park City School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 10/14
PTO Executive Board Meeting, 8:40 a.m.
Thursday, 10/15
MINIMUM DAY, 11:45 a.m. Dismissal for all Students
Friday, 10/16
NO SCHOOL, Staff Development Day |
| Upcoming Events |
10/20 Picture Day
10/23 Box Tops Fall Drive Deadline
10/30 Halloween Parade, 8:45 a.m.
Kindergarten All-Together Day (8:25 a.m.-12:25 p.m.)
11/2 Make-Up Picture Day
11/4 MPAEF Donation Day!
11/9 Menlo Park City School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
11/10 PTO Executive Board Meeting, 8:40 a.m.
11/11 No School - Veteran's Day
11/16-18 Minimum Days, 11:45 a.m. dismissal
11/25-27 No School - Thanksgiving Holiday |
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| MPAEF News |
 Bridge the Gap and Ensure our Children Receive a Great Education
We've all read the headlines and know the reality -- school funding is down and many of the basic activities in the K-8 education could be gone from our schools. The good news: we can help our schools by giving to the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation (MPAEF) and bridging the gap in our education budget. You have a choice to ensure that music remains, our library doors stay open, and we provide our teachers with the tools they need to keep our schools among the best in the state. Please make your voice heard this Donation Day, November 4th. All gifts are welcome and really do help bridge the gap!
New Jeanie Ritchie Grants at Laurel!
One way the Foundation "Bridges the Gap" in school funding is through Jeanie Ritchie grants, which bring creative new projects to the classroom. MPAEF's Jeanie Ritchie committee is pleased to announce that we'll be funding four new innovative teaching grants at Laurel during the 2009-2010 school year, as well as one district-wide grant that all students will experience. Stay tuned for more information regarding the following programs (and be sure to congratulate the fabulous teachers who are bringing these ideas to the classroom!):
Lifecycles Unlimited - An exploration of the lifecycles of different plants, insects, and animals sponsored by Sandra Horwitz, Andrea Mazzoncini, Andi Dehne, Jeriann Hirsch, Priscilla Seely, Steffany Cressey, Ruth Peterson, Emily Smith, Sue Booth.
Living the Diversity in Spanish Culture - Quarterly diversity celebrations sponsored by Andrea Vereau, Benjamin Salas-Velasco, Christen Snyder, Maribeth Andolina, Kristen Foley, Brynn Cahill.
Physical Physics - A hands-on investigation of physics concepts sponsored by Sandra Horwitz, Andrea Mazzoncini, Andi Dehne, Jeriann Hirsch, Priscilla Seely, Steffany Cressey, Ruth Peterson, Emily Smith, Sue Booth Amy Gee.
Shakespeare for Kids - An experiential introduction to Shakespeare sponsored by Jeriann Hirsch, Andi Dehne, Steffany Cressey, Sandra Horwitz.
Crosspulse: The Music Is Me - An artist-in-residence program with world-class percussion performers sponsored by Richard Vaughn, Bee Tee, John Ashfield, Bob Crabb.
Mark Your Calendar for the 2nd Annual MPAEF Community Education Night
- Po Bronson, NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children
- Wednesday, November 4, 2009
- 7:30 p.m.
- Hillview Gym, 1100 Elder Avenue, Menlo Park
Please join us to hear Po Bronson speak about his new book NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children. The central premise of NurtureShock is that many of modern society's strategies for nurturing children are in fact backfiring - because key twists in the science have been overlooked. The event is free and open to all members of the MPCSD Community (adults only, please). RSVP to bronsonrsvp@hotmail.com with the name(s) of the person(s) attending. You won't want to miss this one - get your babysitter booked today! |
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Kids' Art Fundraiser Deadline is Tuesday, October 13th |
All classes at Laurel have had a chance to work on pieces for the Kids Art Fundraiser. By now your child should have brought home a packet that includes your child's artwork, along with a price list and brochure from Original Works. These items make beautiful and unique holiday gifts while providing a terrific fundraising opportunity for our PTO!
All orders must be turned in by Tuesday October 13th - please return them to your child's classroom or the office. Please make checks payable to Laurel PTO.
You can find additional paper and order forms in the office in the hanging bins next to the check-in counter. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Sapountzis or marysapountzis@yahoo.com. |
| SUPERDOG Thanks You!! |
 The Laurel/Encinal PTO Membership Committee would like to extend a big thank you to all the Laurel families for helping the PTO strive towards excellence. Without your dedication and support OUR children would not experience such a rich educational environment. We reached 99% of our dollar goal!
Laurel's super dog participation results are Kindergarten at 89%, 1st grade at 83%, and 2nd grade at 76% with an overall participation of 82%.
If you have not yet joined the PTO, you still can by filling out a Membership Form, or donating online (click the "Join Your PTO Now!" button). Thank You!!
2009/2010 PTO Membership Committee |
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Laurel News |
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Lunch Time Yard Duty Needed: Laurel School is looking for someone to provide lunch time yard duty. This is a one hour paid position for each school day. If you are interested, please contact Kathryn Christopherson at the Menlo Park City School District Office at 321-7140 x5602.
Boys' Clothing Needed: Do you have any boys' clothing you would like to donate to Laurel School? We are looking for used, clean boys' clothing to keep in the Laurel office for when students need a change of clothes during the school day. Shirts, underpants, socks and pants (size 5-8) are all needed.
Free Organ: We'd like to create more space in the Laurel Multi by giving away the organ stored there. First come, first serve - if you can move it, you can have it!! |
| Business Alliance |
 Clip, Save and Send in Box Tops by the Fall Drive deadline, October 23. Collection efforts will help support programs like recess activities, music, field trips and more! Our goal is to submit 15,000 Box Tops for $1500. You can check our progress on the school posters during each drive. For more details and a list of participating products, click here. Any Questions? Contact Joan Solari at mrssolari@yahoo.com.
Support Our Schools While You Shop Again this year we have partnered with Kepler's to give back to our schools when we support their business. When you shop at Kepler's or Keplers.com please remember to mention (or click on) Laurel or Encinal School at checkout, and they will give 10% of your purchase to our PTO! |
| Volunteers Needed for Picture Day on October 20th |
| We need several volunteers to help the kids comb/fix their hair and neaten their appearances on Picture Day on October 20th. Volunteer slots are available from 9am to 10am and again from 10:30am to 12pm. There's a bonus for volunteering: if you volunteer during the time your child's class is taking pictures, you can immediately view the digital image and ask the photographer to take another shot if you're unhappy with the image(s). Please email Bernice van der Meer at sewbee73@yahoo.com if you'd like to help. Thank you! |
| Holiday Boutique Committee Needs You! |
| Tis the season of giving or it will be soon. How about giving a bit of your time and talent to the Laurel community by joining the holiday boutique committee. We are looking for a couple of volunteers to help organize the event held on the same day as winter sing, Friday December 11th. The team will solicit and collect donations from local businesses, encourage bakers and run the event. Please contact Mary Sapountzis at marysapountzis@yahoo.com if you are interested. |
| Walk & Bike to School Day a Success! |
| Wow! How exciting to see so many children biking or walking to school this past Wednesday morning! There were many more than we had expected which was an amazing surprise. It looked like everyone enjoyed themselves as well! If you are interested in joining a yahoo group for parents who like to walk and bike, please click here. This group includes a people map where parents that like walking/biking to Laurel can interact, exchange information, make walk or bike trains, etc. Thank you all! |
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Community News |
Kepler's Family Event
- Story Time, Where the Wild Things Are
- Sunday, October 11, 2009
- 11:30 a.m.
- Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino, Menlo Park
**Remember to mention Laurel School at the register and 10% of your Kepler's purchases comes back to our PTO.**
Friday Night Fun at Burgess Recreation Center
This is a chance for parents to drop off their child(ren), ages 8-13, at the Burgess Recreation Center in Menlo Park and enjoy a Friday evening out! Our enthusiastic staff will facilitate various themed activities for your child and in addition, they will be provided with a snack for the evening. Due to limited space, advance registration is recommended. Please click here to learn more. Call 650-330-2200 to register.
Redwood National Junior Basketball
Registration for National Junior Basketball (for boys and girls grades 1-8) is now open! Go to www.redwoodnjb.org to find out more information and to register (now through mid October). The NJB season runs from November through February.
Peninsula Seahawks Youth Rugby Football Club
Open to boys and girls ages 5 to 16, no experience necessary. For more information, please visit the team web page at www.seahawkyouthrugby.com.
Free screening of "Speaking in Tongues" Documentary
- Tuesday, November 3rd
- 7:00pm
- Gunn High School's Spanenberg Theatre
Co-hosted by MPCSD Spanish Immersion parents and PAUSD's Spanish Immersion Parent Association (SIPAPA). No RSVP is required. For more information please see flyer. | |
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Submit Friday newsletter items by Wednesday at noon or flyers by Tuesday at noon to newsletter@laurelpto.org. Please write concisely and proofread your submissions. For past issues of the Laurel Newsletter click here. | |
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