This Community News and Information page is provided to give families information about programs, events, and happenings outside of our school organizations. The Menlo Park City School District and its affiliated schools andorganizations do not endorse the information included on this page and are not responsible for any aspect of the products and services provided by others.
To request that we include your information, send your posting by email to communitynews@mpcsd.org. Please send by Wednesday at noon to be included in the weekend's newsletters.
Summer Camps
Please visit our SUMMER CAMP PAGE to see listings for camps. All information is provided by the camps for your convenience. We have not evaluated this information or endorsed any of the camps, and the District is not responsible for any aspect of these camps.
Events
Western Ballet Spring Programs
Atardecer en Sevilla on Friday, May 24, at 7 p.m., at the Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center
Coppelia on Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26, 1p.m., at the Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center
Atardecer en Sevilla (5/24 at 7pm) is a mixed program of classical and contemporary ballet fused to Spanish music and features guest artists from Ballet San Jose and Diablo Ballet. Coppelia (5/25 & 5/26 at 1pm) is a comedy ballet in three acts which revolves around the characters of the village girl Swanhilda, the dollmaker Dr.Coppelius, his doll Coppelia and the village boy Franz (performed by Ballet San Jose principal dancer Maykel Solas) and is ideal for school-age children.
General admission for all shows is $15. For more information call Western Ballet at (650) 968-4455 or visit our website at http://www.westernballet.org/documents/performances_youth.html.
“The Anonymous People” – Exclusive West Coast Film Preview with Filmmaker Greg Williams
Tuesday, May 28, 7 p.m. at the Menlo-Atherton Center for the Performing Arts
A feature documentary film about the 23.5 million Americans living in long-term recovery, and the emerging public recovery movement that will transform how alcohol and other drug problems are dealt with in our communities. Parents and students welcome.
6:30 pm (Refreshments and chance to meet the filmmaker)
7:00 pm (Feature film begins)
8:30 pm (Q & A with the filmmaker begins)
Admission is free, but RSVP is requested: http://theanonymouspeopleca.eventbrite.com
For more information, contact Charlene Margot at cmargot@csmconsulting.net
Menlo Park Library Storytelling in the Park
Sunday, June 2 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Fremont Park (Corner of Santa Cruz Ave. and University in Menlo Park)
Join the Menlo Park Library and Peet’s Coffee and Tea for a special morning in the park in celebration of the library’s 2013 Summer Reading Program! Bring along a picnic if you like, and enjoy FREE Peet’s hot chocolate for the kids as Storyteller John Weaver shares some fun stories we think everyone in the family will like! The Summer Reading Program begins June 10. Register to read books, win prizes and see excellent entertainment. Registration begins June 1 at the Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St or at www.menloparklibrary.org We have special Summer Reading Programs and prizes for every age children, teens and adults!
Green Kids Conference
Saturday, June 1, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus, 1065 La Avenida St, Building 1, Mtn View
This is a conference for children 5 to 18 years old. Come with your family and friends, explore your passsion, and be inspired to take action! Free Admission. Register now at http://greenkidsconference.org/.
Legally Blonde Auditions for Peninsula Youth Theatre
June 1 and 2
Students ages 13-18 are invited to audition June 1 and 2 for Peninsula Youth Theatre's summer teen production, Legally Blonde. This hit musical features lots of great roles for both young men and women. For more information and to reserve an audition time, please visit www.pytnet.org.
Estudiantes que tienen 8-13 años están invitados a audicionar 1 de junio y 2 para la producción de verano para adolescentes de Peninsula Youth Theatre, Una rubia muy legal. Esto golpeó características musicales montón de papeles, tanto para hombres y mujeres jóvenes. Para obtener más información y para reservar un horario de audición, visite www.pytnet.org.
Menlo Park Library Storytelling in the Park
Sunday, June 2 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Fremont Park (Corner of Santa Cruz Ave. and University in Menlo Park)
Join the Menlo Park Library and Peet’s Coffee and Tea for a special morning in the park in celebration of the library’s 2013 Summer Reading Program! Bring along a picnic if you like, and enjoy FREE Peet’s hot chocolate for the kids as Storyteller John Weaver shares some fun stories we think everyone in the family will like! The Summer Reading Program begins June 10. Register to read books, win prizes and see excellent entertainment. Registration begins June 1 at the Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St or at www.menloparklibrary.org We have special Summer Reading Programs and prizes for every age children, teens and adults!
Friends of the Menlo Park Library Book Sale
Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, June 16, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Menlo Park Library
The Friends of the Menlo Park Library will be hosting a book sale with great books for the entire family. Come early and stock up for summer! The sale will be located in the downstairs meeting room and outdoors in front of the library.
Art and collectible, biography, children's, cooking, fiction, history, literature, mystery, religion and philosophy, and science fiction books will be included along with a variety of other subjects. DVDs, VHS Tapes, Music CDs will also be featured. Prices start at 50 cents for mass market paperbacks and $1 for trade and hardcover titles. On Sunday, all items are half price or buy a bag and fill it for $5.00.
If you cannot attend this sale, please drop by the Friends Bookstore located inside the library and open during library hours. It is restocked daily with books for all ages and interest. All proceeds benefit the Menlo Park Library and Belle Haven Library.
Teen Summer BBQ and Water Games – Teen Summer Reading Kickoff Party!
June 21st at 12:00 PM at Burgess Park, between the tennis courts and the Little League fields
Menlo Park Library’s 2013 Teen Summer Reading Program (ages 12-18) runs from June 10th to August 16th. Sign up for summer reading by coming into the library or registering online. Read books, write reviews and enter weekly raffles for some awesome prizes.
Family Volunteer Opportunities
Gardening at Alemany Farm – Spring is in full effect at Alemany Farm. We've dug up our first garlic crops, the squash are bursting with fruit, and our spring onions are big and sweet. Come on out and get your hands dirty at these upcoming workdays. Monday, May 27, 12-5pm and Sunday June 2nd, 1-5pm. Alemany Farm is located at 700 Alemany Blvd. in San Francisco.
Encinal Garden Workday - Come on out, Sunday May 19th, from 3-5pm to the Encinal Garden to help clear beds and plant seeds for next year's Harvest Festival. Ice cream treats will be provided for all workers. All ages welcome. Sign up here or contact Garden@encinalschool.com for more details.
Wednesday Weed Warriors– May 29th and every Wednesday, Work alongside expert weed warriors to remove invasive plants at the Arastradero Preserve located at 1530 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. All ages are welcome. Must RSVP here.
My New Red Shoes - This organization provides new shoes and clothing to homeless and low-income children around the Bay Area to help them look and feel confident before starting a new school year. They offer Volunteer Opportunities for kids of all ages or they will help create a custom volunteer opportunity for your class or other group. Engaging kids in a service project is a great idea for an end of the year class event. Want more info? Contact Becca Moos at becca@mynewredshoes.org.
InnVision - There are many ways to volunteer to help our organization end homelessness on the Peninsula. Click here to learn how your family (or a group of families) can help us make and distribute meals, collect needed donations, improve facilities, and more.
Save The Bay - You can have fun outdoors, learn about the Bay and help us protect it by joining one of our on-the-Bay programs. Click here to see a list of volunteer opportunities at several sites around San Francisco Bay.
Join the Furry Friends Visiting Program at Lytton Gardens! Donating just a few hours of your time with your wonderful pet can make a world of difference in the daily life of our residents. You can either visit in the rooms or take your pet to the lobby and outdoors during the warm weather. If you have questions or inquiries please contact Bethany Dinh in our volunteer dept. 617-7355 or email bdinh@lyttongardens.org.
There With Care is a non-profit based in Menlo Park that supports families of critically-ill children. We are currently serving families referred through Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford and we would love your help! We have many opportunities to volunteer directly with our families to deliver meals and groceries or provide childcare for patients or siblings. We also need administrative help sorting donations, helping in the office, or supporting special events. Kids of all ages can volunteer! For more info, visit our website bayarea.therewithcare.org to view our upcoming Volunteer Training Session dates and sign up for a one-time 90-minute session.
Bake a Dessert for kids at Ronald McDonald House
An easy way for your family or a group of families to help create a home-away-from home for families of children with life-threatening illnesses. Click here for more details on this and other "off-site" opportunities to support the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford, or contact Monica Makela at monica@ronaldhouse.net.
Decorate Brown Grocery Bags & Make Colorful Cards to Support the Fight against Hunger - Read this PDF brochure to learn more about these and other simple ways that kids under 14 can help support the work of Second Harvest Food Bank.
Haven House/InnVision Shelter Network - A nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness on the Peninsula. We depend on the generous time and talent of our community to help homeless families and individuals return to permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Click here to find a variety of ways you can engage with IVSN to support our mission. For more info, contact Lynnelle Bilsey at lbilsey@ivsn.org.
Riley's Place - Our Youth Volunteer Program offers kids aged 8 through 15, wonderful and meaningful opportunities to volunteer. Children gain hands-on experience and learn how to feed, exercise, groom, pet, socialize and care for all our animals, most of which were rescued. At Riley's Place, youth are very involved, have a whole lot of fun, and take pride in being the touchstone of our organization. For more information, contact Renette Rambeau at renhaugh@comcast.net.
Lytton Gardens - Whether you want to volunteer on your own or with a group, we can help you use your time and talents to enrich the lives of our seniors. Volunteers bring friendship, intellectual stimulation, and entertainment to the residents of Lytton Gardens. For more info, contactvolunteer@lyttongardens.org.
My New Red Shoes - Stop by with your friends or family to help us out in our office, sew a gift bag or sort shoes! We offer on-site volunteer opportunities the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tasks will vary based on our specific needs at the time. Private group volunteer opportunities available, too. For more info, contact Becca Moos at becca@mynewredshoes.org.
Ecumenical Hunger Program - our 35 year old, private, non-profit, community-based organization located in East Palo Alto provides emergency food, clothing, case management, and household essentials to families in need in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Palo Alto. We have a range of jobs including packing food boxes, interviewing clients, sorting food and clothing, and data entry. For more info, contact Melanie Jones-Carter at melanie@ehpcares.org.
Sports, Classes, and Other Opportunities
"Reading is So Delicious" Summer Reading Program
June 10th through August 17th at the Menlo Park Library
With live entertainment including animal presentations, puppetry, magic, music, storytelling, clowning & traditional Chinese lion dance, summer reading will be a celebration. Registration begins on June 1st via our website, www.menloparklibrary.org, where you can find a downloadable reading log, procedures and a calendar of events.
Stanford University Study - Typically Developing Twins Needed
Stanford University researchers are currently recruiting healthy same-sex twin pairs to participate in a research study comparing children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to typically developing twins so we can better understand the causes of this disorder.
To be eligible for this study your twins must:
►Be a same-sex twin pair between the ages of 3 and 14 years old
►Be in good medical health and not have a severe neuropsychiatric disorder
►Be willing and able to complete an MRI scan and behavioral testing
**Each twin will be paid $100 dollars for fully completing this study!
**There is no cost to participate in this research study
For more information and to see if your twins are eligible, please call today! (650) 723-7809
For general information regarding questions, concerns, or complaints about research, research related injury, or the rights of research participants, please call (650) 723-5244 or toll-free 1-866-680-2906, or write to the Administrative Panel on Human Subjects in Medical Research, Administrative Panels Office, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
Pop Warner Menlo Atherton Vikings Walk-Up Sign Ups
May 19 and June 16, 1 to 4 p.m., Arrillaga Gym, 600 Alma Street, Menlo Park
For more information, go to mapopwarner.com.
Stanford Lightning Field Hockey Club Beginner's Clinic for 7th and 8th Graders
Sunday, June 2, from 1:00 to 4:00pm. at Hillview Turf Field, 1100 Elder, Menlo Park
Learn about the sport of field hockey from our elite coaches, including fundamentals of the game, skill work (stick skills, ball handling and safety), and learn what field hockey has to offer. The coaches have playing and coaching experience from great programs such as Stanford, Berkeley, U.O.P. and Iowa. Please wear comfortable athletic clothing (such as an athletic shirt, shorts sport/running shoes and soccer length socks) and bring sunscreen and water/sports drinks to stay hydrated.
The $60 cost of the clinic will cover an equipment package (stick, shin guards, mouth guard and ball). Sign up runs through May 14. Please email Brian at brianjsapp@gmail.com for more information.
Menlo-Atherton High School FRESHMAN ONLY Football Team Parent and Player Information Meeting
Tuesday, June 11, 6:30 p.m. at Ayers gym
We don't want anyone to miss out on our Freshman team! Come to the parent and player information meeting on June 11. Register to play at www.menloathertonfootball.com.
For more information, please contact Steven Kryger at skryger@seq.org.
Circle of Friends Preschool
Circle of Friends Preschool offers a play-based program where children have opportunities to create, explore, problem solve, learn skills and concepts, and integrate knowledge in a small, hands-on supportive environment. Our goal is the development of the whole child: physical, emotional, social, language and intellectual. Providing detailed assessment of each child helps us to build partnerships with families to support emerging competencies. In Menlo Park
for children 3-5 years old, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm., Contact Debbie or Stephanie at cofpreschool@gmail.com, Website: https://sites.google.com/site/cofpreschool/
Ham Radio Class at the Museum of American Heritage
Saturday and Sundays, June 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 & 30 (8 Sessions), 1 to 3 p.m., at 351 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto
This class prepares you for the “No-Code Technician” test. Morse code is not required to get your ham radio license. The technician class Ham Radio license is your entry-level ticket to the exciting world of ham radio. Once you have your ham license, you never have to repeat the test! A bonus of being a ham radio operator is that you have the communication skills to help with disaster relief activities.
When you complete this class, you will know a little about the history of ham radio, and how to communicate with other hams all over the Bay Area using a radio relay station (repeater). You will also be familiar with terms (jargon) used in amateur radio, as well as proper operating procedures. You will be able to pass your Ham radio License test and get on the air!
To register, send email to admin@moah.org. Class Fee: $130 (This includes manual). A parent and child team can split the class fee and share the study manual. Phone: 650-321-1004
Class Content Includes:
*Introduction to amateur radio
*Operating an amateur radio
*Basic electronics
*Antennas and antenna theory
*Demonstrations
*Selecting your equipment
*Circuit safety
*Common technical problems
*FCC Regulations
*Preparing for the test (practice exam)
Alpine Strikers Soccer - New Age Group Forming
Alpine Strikers FC is forming a new 05 age group for our youngest competitive soccer players - with birth dates between August 1, 2005 and July 31, 2006. If your child is passionate about soccer and would like to play competitively with professional coaches, please bring them out for evaluations. All interested kids will be able to join the Academy. Teams will form based on the number and caliber of interested players. To read more about whether your child is ready for competitive soccer, please read the FAQs. Alpine Strikers is also hosting various soccer camps this summer. Check out the website www.alpinestrikers.org for details.
Ladera Community Church Preschool Openings
Ladera Community Church Preschool has openings in the 2s and Pre-K classrooms for Fall 2013. The Preschool was founded in 1966 by the Ladera Community Church, and has for the last 47 years offered a Developmentally Appropriate, Play Based, Emergent learning environment for children two to five years of age. The facility is nestled in a lovely, woodsy area above the church, which encourages ample and varied explorations, both inside and outside.
The teaching staff is well educated and greatly experienced in the natural development of young children and their learning styles. And, most importantly, they excel at developing the nurturing, trusting relationships that guarantee your child’s sense of safety and excitement about discovering their world. All of the children have ample opportunities to development expertise in all domains: (Social/Emotional, Cognitive, Physical, and Ethical). The curriculum offers relevant, long term projects, based on the children’s interests, as well as incorporating all necessary concepts to be ready for, and successful in, Kindergarten.
Contact Katherine Rhames at laderapreschool@sbcglobal.net for more information.
4/24
Music & Movement, Ragazzi’s NEW Early Learners Class, Spring Session
Ragazzi’s Music and Movement, for boys 5 through 7 years old, meets in central Redwood City on Tuesday afternoons from 4 PM to 4:45 PM. For more information, call 650-342-8785 or email ragazzi@ragazzi.org.
4/17
Classroom Volunteers Needed in East Palo Alto – Start in September
We are looking for parents willing to volunteer in a K-4 classroom next school year. Assist teachers with tutoring and individualized instruction much like you may have done in your own child’s classroom. These K-4 classrooms are in schools located in East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park. It’s one hour per week and we’d like to add more volunteers to assist in classrooms this coming Fall. Our organization coordinates everything. To learn more about us, visit www.allstudentsmatter.org. Have questions or want to sign up? Contact Carolyn Blatman at CBlatman@aol.com.
4/7
Free Lacrosse Clinic by Atherton Lacrosse
Sunday, June 2, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Holbrook Palmer Park
For Boys and girls ages 5 - 14. All equipment provided. Pre-register and learn more at 888-526-3330 or www.athertonlacrosse.com.
Stanford Study Subjects Needed
Stanford University is currently looking for healthy participants ages 10-17 for a research study. We are particularly in search of families in which neither the child nor parents have received psychiatric diagnoses. Participants will be paid for completing oral and written questionnaires, an MRI of the brain (no radiation involved), and a blood draw. All children will receive pictures of their brain and a letter from Stanford acknowledging their successful time volunteering in the research.
We are located at 401 Quarry Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94305. Please call or email us if you are interested in participating in this research! Phone: 650-725-6760, email: stanfordhealthystudy@gmail.com.
The SamTrans Summer Youth Pass is back!
The 2013 Summer Youth Pass goes on sale May 21 and we’re letting you know about this great travel bargain. The Summer Youth Pass costs $40 and is good for unlimited travel for kids 17 years and younger from June 1 through August 31, a significant savings compared to purchasing a Monthly Pass for each summer month.
The Summer Youth Pass offers kids and teens independent, safe and affordable transportation to summer destinations. Details about this year’s Summer Youth Pass program are online at www.samtrans.com/syp.
If you have any questions, please call 650-508-6292 or e-mail youthpass@samtrans.com.
SamTrans wishes you a happy and safe summer!
Menlo Tennis Academy
Come join the fun on the courts at Burgess Park with Menlo Swim and Sport's new Tennis Academy, a beginning program for kids age 6-10 based on the dynamic US Tennis Association 10/Under program, designed to build a foundation of essential skills important to the development of youth tennis players. Novice and advanced novice levels available; lessons Monday and Wednesday afternoons. More information www.menlotennisacademy.com.
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