Laser Tag Party- March 2, 2019

We have another great Family Fun party coming up in March!

Bring the whole family to Gardner Bullis for laser tag, pizza, and a game truck on Saturday, March 2 from 6-8:00 pm!  Tickets are $25 per student.  This is NOT a drop off event.  Please email tarynmerkley@gmail.com with any questions. 

Tickets are available at https://fs10.formsite.com/GardnerBullis/form33/index.html

_________________________________________________________________

JUNIOR OLYMPICS!

Every 4th, 5th and 6th grader in Los Altos School District is invited to participate in the annual Junior Olympics on Saturday, April 27th!  This event brings together the seven LASD elementary schools for a friendly track & field competition, in which everyone is encouraged to strive for their personal best and cheer on their classmates as they compete.  Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult.  More information and important Junior Olympic dates are available at https://lasdjo.com/.

Pertussis Booster for Students in 6th grade: 
Students currently in 6th grade must have proof of a Tdap or Dtap (Pertussis or Whooping Cough) booster given after their 7th birthday in order to begin 7th grade in August of 2019. Please provide a copy of your child’s immunization record to your school office as soon as possible!
 
Please refer any questions regarding this requirement to our District Staff:  Clare Luna 302-1448 and Sandy Anderson 302-1449.
 
Thank you for your cooperation!
 
Health Services Staff
_________________________
Monica Sidher, MSN, RN, BA
Supervisor of Health Services
(650) 537-8119 
https://www.lasdschools.org/District/Department/145-Health-Services

________________________________________________________________

NEW ADDITIONAL ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE

We have an additional way to leave a message about your child's absence. Please go on to the Gardner Bullis website and on the right side of home page under ATTENDANCE. Please fill out form:
Your name and relationship to student
Student's full name
Date of Absence
Reason for Absence

All four areas must be filled out to submit this form.

**If your child is not sitting in their chair at 8:30am every morning; please call the attendance line (650-559-3232) OR fill out this new form by 9:00am.

____________________________________________________________

Gardner Bullis School Blood Drive- Friday, March 8 (9:00-3:00pm)
 

To schedule your appointment or for more information visit redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code:  GBS or call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
 
Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment.
 

If you have traveled outside of the U.S. in the past 12 months, and have questions regarding your eligibility to donate blood, please call 1-866-236-3276.
 
Identification is required. Thank you for donating! See you in the Multipurpose room.

St. Paddy’s Beer Stroll

Join the merchants of Downtown Los Altos for an evening of tasting great beers and strolling Downtown Los Altos at the St. Paddy’s Beer Stroll, Friday, March 15, 2019 from 6 – 9 pm. Presented by the Los Altos Village Association.

Ticket sales are limited and will go on sale in January through Eventbrite.

Advance tickets are $35 each (plus applicable taxes and Eventbrite fees). If you are purchasing 10 or more advance tickets for a group then tickets are $30 each (plus applicable taxes and Eventbrite fees). If there are any tickets still available the day of the event they will be $40 (plus applicable taxes and Eventbrite fees).

Laser Tag Party- March 2, 2019

We have another great Family Fun party coming up in March!

Bring the whole family to Gardner Bullis for laser tag, pizza, and a game truck on Saturday March 2 from 6-8:00 pm!  Tickets are $25 per student.  This is NOT a drop off event.  Please email tarynmerkley@gmail.com with any questions. 

Tickets are available at https://fs10.formsite.com/GardnerBullis/form33/index.html

————————————————————————————————————-

Dear Gardner Community,

The Auction is set for April 6, 2019.  Mark your calendars.   You won't want to miss it.
Can you help in donating an item, experience, tickets, vacation home, party, dinner or whatever you may have to offer?
 

Do you know someone who owns a business that might be willing to donate an item and you can ask them to help our community?
 

Please email all donations to me at GBauction2018@yahoo.com.  All donations received by February 10 will be entered into a raffle to receive an auction ticket ($125 value).
 

Examples of past donations and donations we’d love to have:
Vacation homes and time shares
Tickets to local sporting events
Tickets to local shows, concerts and speakers
Hotel stays
Cool experiences (sky diving, balloon flights, sailing trips)
Specialty dinners
Services (financial, flowers photography, orthodontics)
Parent parties (mom’s night out, dad’s poker night, themed events)
Kid parties (pool parties, father/daughter dance, mother/daughter tea)
Gift baskets and gift certificates (restaurants, spas and salons, local retailers)

We appreciate your consideration.   We are looking forward to seeing you all at this exciting event!
 

Heidi

_________________________________________________________________

JUNIOR OLYMPICS!

Every 4th, 5th and 6th grader in Los Altos School District is invited to participate in the annual Junior Olympics on Saturday, April 27th!  This event brings together the seven LASD elementary schools for a friendly track & field competition, in which everyone is encouraged to strive for their personal best and cheer on their classmates as they compete.  Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult.  More information and important Junior Olympic dates are available at https://lasdjo.com/.

Pertussis Booster for Students in 6th grade: 
Students currently in 6th grade must have proof of a Tdap or Dtap (Pertussis or Whooping Cough) booster given after their 7th birthday in order to begin 7th grade in August of 2019. Please provide a copy of your child’s immunization record to your school office as soon as possible!
 
Please refer any questions regarding this requirement to our District Staff:  Clare Luna 302-1448 and Sandy Anderson 302-1449.
 
Thank you for your cooperation!
 
Health Services Staff
_________________________
Monica Sidher, MSN, RN, BA
Supervisor of Health Services
(650) 537-8119 
https://www.lasdschools.org/District/Department/145-Health-Services

________________________________________________________________

NEW ADDITIONAL ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE

We have an additional way to leave a message about your child's absence. Please go on to the Gardner Bullis website and on the right side of home page under ATTENDANCE. Please fill out form:
Your name and relationship to student
Student's full name
Date of Absence
Reason for Absence

All four areas must be filled out to submit this form.

**If your child is not sitting in their chair at 8:30am every morning; please call the attendance line (650-559-3232) OR fill out this new form by 9:00am.

____________________________________________________________

Gardner Bullis School Blood Drive- Friday, March 8 (9:00-3:00pm)
 

To schedule your appointment or for more information visit redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code:  GBS or call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
 
Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment.
 

If you have traveled outside of the U.S. in the past 12 months, and have questions regarding your eligibility to donate blood, please call 1-866-236-3276.
 
Identification is required. Thank you for donating! See you in the Multipurpose room.

___________________________________________________________________

6th Grade Orchestra Students from Almond, Covington, Gardner Bullis and Santa Rita will be featured in a performance with Egan and Los Altos High School Orchestras. Come to see the progression of string students from elementary to high school. It is a free concert, everyone is invited!
 

Strictly Strings Concert
‪Thursday, Feb. 14th
7:00 PM
Los Altos High School Eagle Theatre

________________________________________________________________

MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series
 
Please mark your calendars with these updates and additions to the MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series in 2019.  Registration will be available the month prior to the event.
 

***FEBRUARY 13TH***
Katie Hurley

Raising Resilient Kids in a Stressful World
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019 - 7:00 - 9:00 pm

MVHS Spartan Theater |3535 Truman Ave., Mountain View,  CA
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-date-katie-hurley-raising-resilient-kids-in-a-stressful-world-registration-53322575258
 

In a world that runs on stress, pressure, and competition, it can be difficult to build resilience in children. Katie Hurley, LCSW, gives parents the tools they need to:
·identify and understand the obstacles their kids face
·enable their kids to learn how to cope with setbacks
·equip their kids to bounce back from stress.
 

By understanding how children internalize stress and pressure and learning how to empower kids to work through the ups and downs of childhood and adolescence, parents can raise kids who lead with confidence, compassion, and empathy.
 

Katie Hurley, LCSW, is a child and adolescent psychotherapist, parenting expert, and writer. She is the founder of “Girls Can!” empowerment groups for girls between ages 5-11. Hurley is the author of No More Mean Girls (2018) and The Happy Kid Handbook.  Her work can be found in The Washington Post, PBS Parents, and US News and World Report, among other media. She practices psychotherapy in the Los Angeles area and earned her BA in psychology and women’s studies from Boston College followed by her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania.  She splits her time between Los Angeles, California, and coastal Connecticut with her husband and two children

_______________________________________________________________

Grizzlies! Calling all Dancers or anyone who wants to try!

Have you ever wanted to dance on stage? Have you ever wanted to dance to Bollywood Music? Here's your chance! Mrs. Ahuja is coordinating a Bollywood Dance to be performed at the Friday Assembly to kick off The Multicultural Fair on March 22!

If you're interested in joining the dance troupe, email Mrs. Ahuja at ahuja_mona2001@yahoo.com by February 11. Boys and Girls are very welcome!!!

We will begin practices during the week of Feb. 25th, right after Winter Break.

This month’s ABC book: “Mr. Peabody’s Apples” by Madonna is inspired by a 300 year old Ukrainian tale. The story is about a respected man who is a role model in his community. Once a rumor starts, he is quickly ostracized and excluded by both adults and children in his small town. The story cautions students to choose their words wisely so as not cause harm to others.
 
Goals of lesson:
· Identify qualities of good role models.
· Understand that each student can be a role model.
· Role model responsible ways to behave while online and in the real world.
· Demonstrate that everyone has the power to stop a rumor.
 
To reinforce this lesson at home:
· Remember that you are a role model in your home and community.
   Children watch everything you do and say.
· Remind your child the strategies discussed in class:
      o Refuse to listen when friends are gossiping.
      o Don’t repeat rumors or gossip to others.
      o Question the accuracy of the rumor.
      o Say something positive about the target of the rumor.
      o Tell a trusted adult and discuss the options.
 
Today, rumors and gossip are often spread beyond the bathroom walls and into the digital world, which makes it possible for rumors to spread even further and even more quickly. To learn how to help your kids navigate this online world, visit the website of Common Sense Media at www.commonsensemedia.org.
 

When you “catch” kids modeling positive behaviors... Notice, Name it, and Celebrate it!

St. Paddy’s Beer Stroll

Join the merchants of Downtown Los Altos for an evening of tasting great beers and strolling Downtown Los Altos at the St. Paddy’s Beer Stroll, Friday, March 15, 2019 from 6 – 9 pm. Presented by the Los Altos Village Association.

Ticket sales are limited and will go on sale in January through Eventbrite.

Advance tickets are $35 each (plus applicable taxes and Eventbrite fees). If you are purchasing 10 or more advance tickets for a group then tickets are $30 each (plus applicable taxes and Eventbrite fees). If there are any tickets still available the day of the event they will be $40 (plus applicable taxes and Eventbrite fees).

February 1, 2019

Los Altos School District Families and Community Members,

As Los Altos School District PTA Presidents and leaders, we wanted to communicate some information jointly to all of our communities in light of this week’s facilities offer to Bullis Charter School. This letter is not intended as an official PTA endorsement of one view or another, it merely serves to disseminate information to our communities so each family can engage at the level with which they are comfortable.

The PTA Presidents are receiving many questions such as how community members can find out more information on the current issues, who they can contact with questions and concerns, how can they help market LASD schools, and more. It has also come to our attention that several school communities are forming various committees/groups/initiatives in regards to the same issues. 

The support our schools have shown one another over the last few weeks has been amazing.  Our entire district will be impacted by any long-term site solution for Bullis Charter School. It is imperative for us to continue to work together for the good of our schools and the community as a whole, and we are committed to doing so.

The below is a collection of information the PTA Presidents are passing on to our communities.  To reiterate, this is not an official PTA endorsement of any initiative or point of view but intended to be an informative document that answers some of the frequently asked questions we have received.
  
What Can LASD Community Members Do to Get Involved/Informed about Prop 39, LASD and BCS Facilities Issues, and Advocating for LASD?

1. Continue to share feedback with the LASD Board. Parents can write the entire LASD Board at trustees@lasdschools.org or write individual board members at their LASDschools.org emails. When you write a board member at the lasdschools.org email, it becomes part of the public record.

2. Share feedback with the Bullis Charter School Board as well by attending Bullis Charter School board meetings or by sending your questions and/or concerns to the Bullis Charter School Board.

3. Set up time to meet with LASD Board President Jessica Speiser at https://calendly.com/jessica-100.

4.Continue going to LASD board meetings and reading emails from LASD. 

5. LASD Advocating - LASD is launching a multi-faceted marketing approach to promote its excellent schools to incoming and current parents. If you feel passionate about grassroots marketing for LASD, you can join the LASD Ambassadors program by filling out this form. The kick-off meeting is February 13 at the district office. Also, you can contact LASD Communications Director, Sarah Stern-Benoit at ssternbenoit@lasdschools.org and she can point you in the right direction.

6. Learn more about Proposition 39 on the California Department of Education’s web site.

7.  If you are in the process of leading up any other initiatives, please fill in this google doc so schools can coordinate and avoid duplication of efforts and have maximum effectiveness.

Thank you for your continued support and passion.


Sincerely,

Marcsi Elovson, President, and Andrea Bocking, EVP, Almond PTA
Gina Estrada and Cindy Zinn, Co-Presidents, Blach PTA
Trish Carballar, President, and Fionnuala Loughran EVP, Covington PTA
Michelle Lee, President and Nicole Gilliard, EVP, Egan PTA
Margaret Pettit and Jody Vandergriff, Co-Presidents, Gardner Bullis PTA
Sameer Merchant, President, Nina Hinrichs and Jeannie Tsai, Loyola PTA
Tara Williamson, President, Oak PTA
Eileen Tse and Gayle Mujica, Co-Presidents, Santa Rita PTA
Rachel Michelson, President and Kirsten Tashev, EVP, Springer PTA