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  2. Escondido eNews October 11, 2020
Escondido eNews October 11, 2020
Mon, Oct 12 1:30am

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Escondido News

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IMPORTANT DATES AND REMINDERS

  • Monday, October 12 - 3 Reminders:
    • KINDER FULL DAY FOR DISTANCE LEARNERS BEGINS
      If your child continues to distance learn for the remainder of the year they will begin to follow the full-day 1st grade distance learning schedule on Monday, October 12th.  
    • FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR HYBRID: Kindergarten and 1st Grade
    • DECISIONS DUE FOR HYBRID/DL: 2nd and 3rd Grade Families

SCHOOL EVENTS IN OCTOBER

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR RETURN TO CAMPUS PREPARATION

 

  • COMMUNICATIONS AND CLASS VOLUNTEERS - Due to re-grouping of classes with distance and hybrid learning, the PTA will be reorganizing Konstella over the next several weeks to enable communications to each group, and re-aligning our room parent volunteers with their kids’ new classes. We’ll be communicating with you over the upcoming weeks to let you know of new ways to connect with your fellow parents, and we welcome any new room parent volunteers - contact Rachel at croftr@gmail.com if you are interested in becoming a room parent for your class.

ELECTION

ESCONDIDO PTA is endorsing VOTE YES on Measure O!!! Measure O renews the existing parcel tax to support PAUSD schools. This parcel tax is CRITICAL as it provides over $15M of annual funding for Palo Alto schools. And, our schools need the certainty of this funding now more than ever as their budgets have been severely impacted because of COVID. Only 25% of Palo Alto residents have kids in schools, so visibility and your advocacy can help. If you are willing to put up a yard sign supporting Measure O, send an email with your address to croftr@gmail.com  and we’ll deliver and place the sign. For more information please visit:  http://www.supportpaloaltoschools.org/.  
Check that you are Registered to Vote! One quick action you can take RIGHT NOW is to make sure you are actually registered to vote. We have found that people THINK they are registered to vote but aren't. Grab your driver's license and head over to https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. When you're done, sign up for BallotTrax to make sure your vote was received and counted! Thank you for your civic engagement!

PiE: Counseling is Foundational

From classroom aides, to CASSY counselors, to college and career guidance, PiE funds support counseling, support, and wellness for every age at every PAUSD school. Every dollar makes a difference. Donate, pledge, or learn more about PiE today.

**NEW**Art Is Multi-Dimensional

Engaging with art develops a growth mindset, enhances confidence, and improves memory and concentration. PiE funds Spectra Arts for all elementary schools, and supports art electives at the middle and high schools. Every dollar makes a difference. Donate, pledge, or learn more about PiE. https://papie.org/donate/

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District News

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PTA/PTA Council News

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**NEW**FLU SHOTS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT THIS YEAR

With two serious respiratory viruses circulating this year it's especially important to protect ourselves and our families as much as we can.  Flu shots are now available, so speak to your family physician or pharmacist about getting your seasonal flu shot now. CDC message on the Flu Vaccine

**NEW**UPDATED - Vote Yes on Measure O  

Call to Action, Donate online, endorse, advocate!  Volunteers needed to place lawn signs in your school neighborhood. Be a volunteer to help get the word out to voters. Lawn Sign and precinct walkers (to get out flyers to each home/business) are needed. Please reach out to fellow parent volunteers: Randolph Tsien at tsien@yahoo.com or Laura Stark at laura.s.stark@gmail.com or https://supportpaloaltoschools.org/

The PTA Council supports Yes On O!  For almost 20 years, our local parcel tax has generated over $15 million in locally-controlled funding to keep our schools strong. This essential local funding is set to expire. Vote YES on Measure O, the parcel tax renewal measure that has been placed on the November 2020 ballot to ensure our schools continue receiving critical funding.

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month 

Do you have a reluctant or struggling reader or writer? 1 in 5 children have learning differences, and only a subset may be identified. Strong reading ability changes lives.

**NEW**PTAC School Board Candidate Forums 

Watch the recording of the 10/8 School Board Forum co-hosted with the League of Women Voters.

**NEW**School Board Candidate Forum - Elementary Education 

Wednesday, Oct 14, 6:30-8:30pm

Join us and learn about the candidates for PAUSD school board.  Now is your chance to have your questions answered by every candidate - Submit your questions here.  Join the webinar here: Board Candidate Forum Elementary Education 

Passcode: 764564  iPhone one-tap : US: +16699006833,,89742868223#  or +13462487799,,89742868223# 

Need Translation: Click here to tell us what language you would like Questions/Information contact: council@paloaltopta.org 

**UPDATED** School Board Candidate Forum on Educational Equity & Access:  The Achievement Gap and Special Education 

Saturday, Oct. 17, 3:00-5:00pm

Join the webinar: Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

Passcode: 510864  Or Dial by Telephone: +1 669 900 6833  or +1 408 638 0968 

Webinar ID: 851 4292 5155 Passcode: 510864

For questions, contact paloaltocac@gmail.com or council@paloaltopta.org

The event is jointly sponsored by PTA Council (PTAC), Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee for Special Education (CAC), the Latino Parent Network (LPN), and Parent Advocates for Student Success (PASS).

**NEW** Workshop on Special Education Rights during COVID-19 Distance Learning

Saturday, Oct 24, 10:00am-12:00pm 

Join Zoom here: Special Ed Rights Workshop

Meeting ID: 979 2531 8745 Passcode: 003019

FREE. This workshop covers the basics of special education in the IEP process including some solutions and suggestions during COVID-19 Distance Learning. There will be a discussion about IEP goals, accommodations and parental rights, and a Q & A session during this workshop. Organized by Palo Alto CAC (cacpaloalto.org), presented by a Senior Advocate, Vanessa Ochoa of Disability Right California, and co-sponsored by PTAC.

Taller sobre Derechos de Education Especial durante COVID-19 y Educacion a Distancia Sábado, Oct 24, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm información: IEP Workshop

星期六, 10月 24日, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 信息: IEP Workshop

**UPDATED**CENSUS DEADLINE EXTENDED TO OCT 31.

A judge has ordered the Census Bureau to continue counting people for a few more weeks, so if you and your family haven't yet been counted, please fill out the simple form right away, at 2020census.gov. And please remind others!  It's important, and it's safe and secure for everyone. Questions: advocacy@paloaltopta.org.

SAFE USE OF TECHNOLOGY - Children and Distance Learning

Navigate the challenges of increased and unavoidable digital usage during distance learning: Click Here to learn a few, easy-to-use tips to safeguard children’s health by maintaining safe use of technology at home. Fact sheet, references and research from best practices from children’s digital study environments: American Academy of Pediatrics, Mayo Clinic, Harvard health study, Environmental Health Trust, Parents for Safe Technology, Children’s Screen time Action Network, Commonsense Media, Apple and Microsoft Support.  For questions email: selearning@paloaltopta.org

PTA SUPPORTS PROPS 15 AND 16

As an advocacy organization, PTA often takes positions on legislation and ballot measures; it does not support or oppose candidates for office. California State PTA supports Prop 15, which would provide billions of extra dollars for our schools & local government services.  State PTA also supports Prop 16, which would restore affirmative action in California.

Please register, inform yourself, and don't forget to vote! Election day is Tue Nov 3.  Vote early if you can!  Prop 15 & 16 info:  https://capta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/state-ballot-measures/

Questions? Erwin Morton, advocacy@paloaltopta.org. 

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Community News

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**NEW**CHC Webinar - Coping with Constant Change & Uncertainty

Tuesday, Oct 20, 6:30-8:30pm

In this time of constant change, it's important to develop some coping strategies so that you can stay resilient during these anxiety-filled times. Attend this webinar to learn some valuable strategies that you can use as you cope with the constant change and anxiety in your life right now. Presented by Patrice Crisostomo, PhD, Clinical Program Manager and Licensed Psychologist at CHC and Cara DiClemente, MA, Doctoral Psychology Intern at CHC. Webinar - Coping with Constant Change & Uncertainty - CHC  https://www.chconline.org/events/webinar-coping-with-constant-change-uncertainty/?mc_id=1975

**NEW**Join Palo Alto's First Scouts BSA Girls Troop

Great opportunity for girls aged 11-17 to join Palo Alto’s Troop 4057, which started in February 2018 as one of the first girl-only troops within Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scouts).  Our scouting program consists of outdoor activities and meetings under the following four aims: Leadership Development, Citizenship Training, Character Development and Personal Fitness. We typically meet every Wednesday during the school year.  We are now open for new registrations for both Fall 2020 and Spring 2021.  If interested, please email David Kim at dkimmer@gmail.com.  For more information, please visit www.Troop57.net, and www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/.

**NEW**YCS offers meaningful service, learning, and connection. 

Open House Recording

Youth Community Service (YCS) welcomes you to learn about our offerings to engage PAUSD youth and parents,  in meaningful service, learning, and connection. Watch the recording from our recent Open House, and discover our robust online offerings for our service-based projects, guided and supported by YCS staff. As always, all YCS offerings will be tailored to the specific need of each PAUSD middle school and high school. You can find the recording here: https://youtu.be/jMYxXR-PEDcQuestions? Email Ashley at ashley@youthcommunityservice.org

**NEW**Virtual Halloween Scare Faire

Sunday, Oct 25, 1-3:30pm, Online 

Join Transition Palo Alto for a Halloween-themed Share Faire - an afternoon of short, bite-sized classes. You can: Learn Laughing Yoga, Learn a new kitchen skill from a Chef, Get a tour of a real local farm, Participate in a Holiday Storytelling Circle, Learn how you can help rebuild forests after the fires, and more demos.  Come in a costume and celebrate together in the spirit of Halloween play! Learn something new, share your stories, and join the community. RSVP by emailing transitionpaloalto@gmail.com All ages welcome.

**NEW**CALLING ALL CREATIVE GHOSTS, GHOULS, GOBLINS!! 

Come forth and show off your best carved jack-o-lantern at our first ever, Jack-O-Jaunt! 

Jack-o-lanterns will be judged on three categories: the scariest, most creative, and cutest  jack-o'-lanterns. Each winner will receive a $50 gift card to a Palo Alto restaurant of their choice. All carved jack-o-lanterns will be displayed on Friday evening October 30th downtown (University or California Ave) for folks to stroll by and enjoy the creativity of our community.  Registration is free but space is limited. To get more information or to sign up your jack-o-lantern for this fun event, please visit: www.cityofpaloalto.org/enjoy. Please note that this will be a safe, physically distanced event.  

Flu Vaccine and Pandemic

Because of the pandemic this year, it's more important than ever to consider getting the flu vaccine for your children and family members.  For more information on the influenza vaccine CLICK HERE.

Pumpkin Decorating with Gamble Gardens
Saturday, Oct 24, 10-11am, via Zoom
No trick-or-treating this year has your kids in a Halloween slump?  Do something fun.  Learn to decorate a pumpkin using the beautiful Indian art of mehndi.  This live Zoom class is taught by Priti Aggarwal, an acclaimed mehndi artist.  Design an unbelievable Halloween pumpkin using custom-made henna paste free from chemicals or dyes. No carving required.  $40/student.  Recommended ages 8-18, but fun for the entire family. All supplies (pumpkin and henna) provided and must be picked up at Gamble Garden in Palo Alto.

Register Today:  https://www.gamblegarden.org/event/halloween-henna-2020-online

Palo Alto High School Dance Team Fundraiser-Gizdich Ranch Pies

Order through Sunday, October 18. Pick-up: Wednesday, November 11, 3;30-6:30pm

The Paly Dance Team is selling farm-fresh, ready-to-bake holiday pies from Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville. The Apple, Very Berry, and/or Pumpkin pies are $20 each, or 3 for $55. They will be available for contactless drive-through pickup in front of the Peery Athletic Center (enter on Churchill) on Wednesday, November 11th, from 3:30-6:30pm, or can be delivered (Palo Alto deliveries only) for an extra $5. Supplies are limited so order early through the ASB Webstore at Paly Pies! Deadline is Sunday, October 18th. For more information visit https://www.palydance.com/fundraisers. Thank you for your support. 

Educational Assessment and Dyslexia

Monday, October 19, 6:30-8 pm, via Zoom

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Join this presentation on the topic of Educational Assessment by Ashley Koedel, Director of Educational Services at Morrissey Compton Education Center. Organized by the North Peninsula Dyslexia Support Group, a part of the statewide nonprofit Decoding Dyslexia CA. Free and open to the public. RSVP to ddcanorthpeninsula@gmail.com and the Zoom link will be emailed to you before the meeting.