Notes From Oak- Early Edition

September 5, 2019

Important Dates to Remember

Thursday, September 5th, - Walk to School Day
Thursday, September 5th, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Back to School Night

6:00-6:30 pm -Kindergarten
6:30-7:15 pm 4th through 6th grade
7:15-7: 30 pm Introduction of staff and announcements- Playground
7:30-8:15 pm 1st through 3rd grade

Friday, September 6th, Minimum Day- 12:15 Dismissal for students in grades 1-6
Wednesday, September 11th, 6:00-7:00 pm New Parent Orientation
Wednesday, September 11th, 7:00-8:30 pm PTA Meeting
Monday, September 16th Full Day of Kindergarten starts today!
Monday, September 23rd-27th, Walden West for Sixth Grade
Tuesday & Wednesday, September 24 & 25- Picture Day- Stay tuned for more details
Friday, September 27- No School for Students- Professional Development for teachers

Back to School Night is for adults only. Please do not bring your children. Child Care for Back to School Night is available through the YMCA on campus if you need it. Please contact Mariflor Flores (mariflor.flores@ymcasv.org) to make arrangements. The YMCA is not charging for this service, however, if you would like to give a donation, they would appreciate it. Unfortunately, they are unable to provide dinner, but they can provide a snack. They will only take kids who are potty trained for this event.

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Procedures- How do we get started in Reader's Workshop?

Students noticing and observing how others get started with a procedure. In Mrs. Arkley's first grade class, students model the routine of reading to self before the rest of the class gets started.

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How do we read a book and look at illustrations in a book?

It is important in Kindergarten to learn how to read and look at pictures to understand the story of the book. Mrs. Kim models this routine for students before they get started.

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Mrs. Arkley demonstrated the reading mat

Part of the beginning weeks of instruction to setting expectations and routines firmly in place to make sure learning time is optimal.

Message from the principal

Communication is a district goal for the year. We realize that with changes in curriculum and technology tools over the years, understanding how your child is progressing can be a challenge. This year we will send home regular communications about your child’s progress through Key Observations, Key Assignments, and Assessments. These documents will be going home printed on turquoise-colored paper. When you see a turquoise-colored document, pay close attention, as it will help you understand how your student is progressing.

Back to School night is tomorrow and our staff can’t wait to see you here at Oak! This night will help communicate what school is like for your student, what your child will be learning and how instruction will be provided. It’s also an opportunity to understand teacher expectations and the best ways to be in touch.

Other ways to keep up to date at Oak School are to watch for this weekly “Notes from Oak” newsletter, come to first-day-of-the-week flag salutes, attend PTA meetings (even for only a few minutes), attend informational Coffees with the Principal, check out our website and sign up for UP to Us communication (coming soon).

I encourage you to especially watch for communications directly from your child’s teacher. Our teachers spend a lot of time crafting the messages that go to you; some teachers even provide regular talking points to inform after school and dinner time conversation. Rather than hearing that your child did “nothing” all day, you will be armed with information for a thrilling discussion about new math topics, a recent STEM experience, what’s happening in Starting Arts, and/or the Star of the Week!

Your child’s safety, social, emotional and academic growth are our biggest priorities. Please keep in touch with your child’s teacher, and me, as needed throughout the school year. We’d like to partner with you about your concerns, and we are always thrilled to share successes. As we’re building new relationships together, please always assume positive intent! We all have had those experiences with email, in particular, where it is so easy to misread tone and intention. Some conversations are better “live!”

BTS Forms and Direct Ask Campaign

We are asking all families to complete the online BTS Campaign Forms. Thank you to those of you who have already taken the time. If you have not yet had a chance, take a moment to…

...Join the Oak PTA.

...Contribute to the PTA funded programs that benefit our kids every day.

...Donate to the Library Birthday Book Club and the Birthday Marquee

...Purchase a yearbook

We are almost half way to our $100K Campaign Goal. You can help us cross the finish line!

PTA Notes

Hello Oak Families--

We’re looking forward to seeing you at Back to School Night on Thursday. Even though we are only a couple of weeks into the school year, we will still see some of the amazing work our students and teachers have done in their short time together.

Artists Wanted!

Our Walk-a-thon team is hard at work planning a great event, and we need our kids’ help! This year, we would love to have students design our Walk-a-thon t-shirt. Young artists can submit their original t-shirt design by Monday, September 9 at 3:00 pm to the envelope in the office. Designs must be black and white drawings (pen or pencil is ok, but no coloring). Our Walk-a-thon will have a sports-related Team Oak Walks theme. We can’t wait to see the creative designs our kids come up with!

Oak Apparel

Oak Apparel is back, and you can get it delivered straight to your doorstep! Visit the Oak Apparel store and order your shirts, hats, and sweatshirts today!

Save the Date!

First PTA Meeting

Wednesday, September 11 at 7:00 in the Oak Multi.

Join us for our first meeting of the year. In addition to regular PTA business, LASD Board Members Shali Sirkay and Bryan Johnson will be present to talk about the LASD Community Engagement Plan for facilities. This is a chance to learn about the history of the LASD facilities issue and ask any questions you may have.

Oak’s Annual International Festival and Potluck

Friday, September 20, 5:00-7: 00 pm, Oak Blacktop

Don’t miss this annual event where we celebrate and learn about countries and cultures from around the world! Interested in showcasing a specific country? We are still looking to add more country booths. Please contact Leena Faerber (lfaerber@gmail.com) for more information.

This week’s lifesavers are…

Amie Wang and all of our wonderful yard duty volunteers who make sure our kids stay safe at recess.

Pam Bayer and Christina Selle, our outgoing and incoming PTA treasurer for a smooth transition, keeping our PTA up and running over the summer and into the school year.

The Oak custodial staff for getting the campus spruced up for BTS night.

Sara Payne

Oak PTA President

oakptapresidents@lasdschools.org

Shred Dog Fundraiser

For all of you outdoorsy Oak families: Shred Dog, a new kid’s outdoor apparel brand for kid’s age 4-14, is offering 20% off all apparel and giving 20% back to Oak Avenue School’s PTA. Use discount code OAK20X20 through the end of September to donate 20% of your purchase back to Oak School.

LAEF welcomes you to the 2019-20 School Year!

We are proud to support the Los Altos School District (LASD) to provide a well-rounded education for your student this school year. Visit LAEFonline.org and watch our new 2-minute video, “Funding an Excellent Public Education”. Learn why our local public schools need your financial support, and how LAEF and your school’s PTA work together to support your student.

This school year, with your support, LAEF will fund teachers and staff for STEM, Wellness, Literacy, and Arts for every LASD student in grades TK-8. LAEF is also a co-sponsor of the MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series, which had over 1,100 LASD attendees in the past school year. Whether your student’s favorite part of the day is PE, art, music, STEM, computer science, library, or a junior high elective, your donations to LAEF help make that possible.

Parents are encouraged to donate $1,200 per student to LAEF this school year. We welcome and encourage donations of any amount. Our goal is to raise $3.4 million for LASD, and 100% participation from our parent community.

Visit LAEFonline.org to learn more about LAEF and Donate Today!