Thursday, February 25, 2010

The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra March 2010 Concerts

Kim Nguyen Publicity Chair, paco_publicity@yahoo.com

Saturday, March 13, 2010 – 8:00pm, the new Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Hall on the Taube Koret Campus, Palo Alto.
THE PALO ALTO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM AN UPLIFTING COLLECTION OF MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE AGES
Benjamin Simon, Conductor; Peter Lemberg, English horn
Mozart’s beautiful Adagio is paired with Vincent Persichetti’s masterful Concerto for English Horn (1977), surrounded by two authentically English works: Handel’s Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 6 plus the delightful English Suite by Hubert Parry. Tickets are $15/adult, $10/senior and $5/student. For more information call 650-856-3848 or visit http://www.pacomusic.org/.

Sunday, March 21, 2010 – 3:00pm, Cubberley Theater, Palo Alto
THE PALO ALTO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA’s SINFONIA TO PERFORM IN PALO ALTO
Michel Taddei, Guest Conductor
PACO’s Sinfonia will present Allegro for Strings, Op.47, by Edward Elgar, Steel City Strut a contemporary piece by Danny Seidenberg, Overture from Dardanus by Jean-Philippe Rameau, Viola Quintet No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 87, by Tchaikovsky and Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70 Allegro con Brio e Vivace by Mendelssohn. Tickets are $10/general, $5/senior and student. For more information call 650-856-3848 or visit http://www.pacomusic.org/.

Saturday, March 27, 2010 – 7:30pm, the Carriage House Theatre, Montalvo Arts Center, Saratoga
Sunday, March 28, 2010 – 4:00pm, the Valley Presbyterian Church, Portola Valley
THE PALO ALTO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (PACO) PRESENTS THE 26TH ANNUAL BACH CELEBRATION
KRIS YENNY, DIRECTOR; COLEMAN ITZKOFF, CELLIST AND PETER LEMBERG, OBOE
The theme “Bach to Italy” is to explore the music of Bach’s Italian contemporaries. A venetian-themed reception will follow the performance at the Valley Presbyterian Church. The program will feature members of PACO's accomplished ensembles and guest artists. Included in the program will be a special arrangement of Sonata in A Major by Boccherini with Coleman Itzkoff as soloist, Concerto for two cellos by Vivaldi, Oboe Concerto in D minor by Marcello with Peter Lemberg as soloist, Concerto a Cinque, Opus V, No. 5 by Albinoni. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for students under 21. For more information call 650-856-3848 or visit http://www.pacomusic.org/.

Community Presentation on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

March 9, 2010 Cubberley Center Theatre at 6 p.m.

This event is organized by Pamela Garfield, a local therapist specializing in working with families with children and adolescents struggling with a major loss, helping families grieve and reorganize their lives when a significant loved one is terminally ill or has died. She has spent several years working with foster youth and their families who struggle with behavior issues such as running away, substance abuse, aggression, self-harm and symptoms of depression.

Additional speakers:
Kevin Hines has been speaking across the country about mental health and preventing suicide since 2001. He shares the story of his battle with bi-polar disorder and surviving a suicide attempt off the Golden Gate Bridge and has spoken to over 180,000 people about his experiences and reached millions in media interviews. Kevin was featured in the film The Bridge and appeared on Larry King Live, Good Morning America and 20/20.

Dr. Dan Reidenberg is the Executive Director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education and speaks nationally on suicide prevention and grief support. He serves on the steering committees for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and is the U.S. Representative International Association for Suicide Prevention.

Support Group for Teenage Girls

Support Group for Teenage Girls
Begins March 4, 2010
10 sessions, Thursdays 6:00-7:15 P.M.

Offered by the After-School Counseling Program at Adolescent Counseling Services, this group will cover a range of topics facing teenage girls today, including:

  • Self-esteem/ body image issues
  • exuality and sexual health
  • Peer relationships/friendships
  • Dating and romantic relationships
  • Substance use
  • Family relationships
  • Academic pressure
Group meetings will be held at the main ACS offices located at 4000 Middlefield Road, Suite FH in Palo Alto. Cost is $50 per session, with scholarships available on a sliding scale basis. For more information, please contact Vicki Petropoulos at 650.424.0852, ext.115 or vicki@acs-teens.org

Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Preparing Our Children for Life

The Gunn High School PTSA and other sponsors bring to Gunn's Spangenberg Auditorium....

Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Preparing Our Children for Life
Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg

Thursday, March 25, 2010 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Admission is Free, no RSVP
Gunn High School Spangenberg Theatre
780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto

Dr. Ken Ginsburg will discuss how to raise resilient children who can deal with stress in an increasingly complex world. Dr. Ginsburg’s unique perspective emphasizes the developmental strengths of youth, equipping parents and educators with skills needed to better teach kids to help themselves.

Learn how to:
  • Support children and teens to develop positive coping strategies.
  • Recognize the red flags that may indicate when a youth is at risk.
  • Help youth develop the seven C’s: competence, confidence, connection, character, contribution, coping & control
Dr. Kenneth R. Ginsburg. M.D., MS Ed, FAAP, is a nationally renowned pediatrician, specializing in Adolescent Medicine at our nation’s largest adolescent health clinic in Philadelphia. He is also the director of Health Services at Covenant House of Philadelphia, a shelter for homeless and disenfranchised youth. His books include A Parent’s Guide to Building Resilience in Children and Teens, But I’m Almost 13; An Action Plan for Raising a Responsible Adolescent, and is co-author of Less Stress, More Success.

Thanks to our many generous sponsors: Palo Alto Council of PTAs & local PTAs, Challenge Success, Youth Community Service, Adolescent Counseling Services, SHARE (Student Heath Awareness through Resource and Education), Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, The Children’s Health Council, Palo Alto City Libraries, All Saints’ Episcopal Church of Palo Alto, Congregation Beth Am, St Mark’s Episcopal Church of Palo Alto, Grace Lutheran Church of Palo Alto, First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto, Nature’s Alley Floral Shop, Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council & local PTAs, Mountain View-Los Altos High School Foundation, Mountain View High School Challenge Success, Los Altos United Methodist Church, Marriott Courtyard Hotel, Kepler’s will sell books.

Directions and event details: http://info.paloaltopta.org/

Chaperones Needed: Gunn Service Day is right around the corner...March 4th!

Norma Hesterman, nhesterman@pausd.org

Up to 300 Gunn students are expected to participate. Groups of students will select from a variety of sites where they will lend a helping hand. We are in need of adult chaperones from 8 am to 2 pm to accompany the students. There is no driving requirement, as the groups will travel by bus. Chaperones are asked only to serve as bench strength for the trip coordinators, and to enjoy participating in this long-standing Gunn tradition!

Among the sites the students will visit are:

  • Canopy
  • Creative Montessori
  • Shelter Network
  • RAFT
  • Half Moon Bay Restore
  • Sacred Heart Community
  • Lytton Gardens
  • Acterra
  • Ecumenical Hunger
  • Rebuilding Together
  • Magic Inc
  • InnVision
  • Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
  • Milpitas Food Pantry

Please see the attached flyer for more details. Please contact Norma Hesterman (nhesterman@pausd.org) to sign up as a chaperone.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The PTSA International Food Court, February 19, 2010

Diane Downend, diane@edenbridgehomes.com

The purpose of life is not to be happy - but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all. ~Leo Rosten


The students at Gunn were stunned this afternoon when they arrived on the quad at lunchtime to find a vast array of food from around the world, all for their sampling, and all for the modest donation of $2 for Haitian earthquake relief. A small army of parent volunteers made the event the success it was, but special appreciation must be expressed for Ruta Puranik, Dulce Ponceleon and Francesca Lieb. Their leadership and inspiration moved mountains in a very short amount of time, bringing today's festivities to fruition. They assembled tables representing cuisines from around the world and associated local fare. The students enjoyed samosas, chicken biryani, and pilafs from India with delicious mango milk shakes to satisfy all. Trays and trays of pasta dishes from Italy accompanied by tossed green salad and garlic bread disappeared in minutes. From Latin America there were tamales, cheesy chips and salsa and flan for dessert. There were rice and noodle dishes and spinach tofu salad from Southeast Asia , pansit from the Phillippines and for an American touch, they devoured countless pizzas, Subway sandwiches, macaroni & cheese and the ever loved Krispy Creme donuts. The thank yous were flowing as the students enjoyed music and dancing on the quad on a gray day, but a welcome dry day. To everyone that lent a hand to Ruta, Dulce and Francseca, the PTSA sends a very warm thank you. Once the final tally of this effort is in hand, we'll follow up with the fundraising outcome.

Youth Forum - February 27 and April 3

Submitted by Diane Downend, diane@edenbridgehomes.com

Youth Forum - February 27 and April 3

The second session of the Palo Alto Youth Forum is this Saturday, Feb. 27 from 1:45 to 5:00 PM at the Mitchell Park Community Center (registration opens 1:30). If you missed the meeting on February 6th at City Hall, be sure to come on Saturday so that your voice may be heard! All Gunn students are invited to join the dialogue with adult leaders from the school district, City of Palo Alto and business community. What changes are needed to better support our youth? Topics include school environment, community youth events, and youth-friendly business. A flyer with more information is attached.

Raffle prizes - Community service hours - Be the Change You Want to See.

(Parents are welcome as dialogue observers)

Questions contact Adam Howard at 650-329-2191 or
adam.howard@cityofpaloalto.org


A Midsummer Night’s Dream March 5-14

Submitted by Karen Karpen, kundk@ix.netcom.com

Paly Theatre Presents
A Midsummer Night’s Dream March 5-14

Paly’s spring play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare’s delightful comedy of thwarted romance, magical transformation, and mistaken identity, opens March 5 and runs through March 14.

The Palo Alto High school production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Kathleen Woods, will add touches of Victorian romance and a few surprises to Shakespeare’s popular, farcical tale of love, fairy magic, and confusion.

There will be four performances: March 5, 6, 13, at 7:30 p.m. and March 14 at 2 pm., Haymarket Theatre, Palo Alto High School.

Tickets are $7 for students and seniors, and $10 for adults. Tickets are available at the door one hour prior to performances, at Paly’s Auditor’s Office during school hours, or by calling (650) 329-3710 x7245 for reservations. Come enjoy the show!

For further information, please see http://web.me.com/palytheatre

Palo Alto Black & White Ball



Hold the date! Saturday, October 2, 2010 - Palo Alto "Masked " Black & White Ball

www.ThePaloAltoBlackandWhiteBall.org

Message from Noreen Likins

Dear Gunn Community

It is exceedingly hard to leave a job that I love and enjoy very much but after much soul searching I have decided that this will be my last year at Gunn. I have been here for twelve years, six as Assistant Principal with responsibility for Guidance Services and six as Principal. I have been privileged to work with a great staff, amazing students and a wonderful administrative team. And I could not have asked for a more supportive parent community. Through these twelve years, working together, I believe we have done a lot to make Gunn a more caring community and to improve what we do and how we do it. Of course it is the staff that has done the work that makes Gunn the great school it is, and to them the credit should go. I will, however, admit to turning over a few rocks along the way that have helped to clear the path. From my biased vantage point, Gunn is a great place to teach and to learn.

I have reached a time in my life that I have to move on. Life is too short not to stop and smell the roses and my job does not allow me the time to do that. As you all know events here at Gunn over the past nine months have been very hard on all of us but while all of this has been going on, I lost my beloved sister Liz to cancer in August, and her husband Malcolm, who was really a brother to me, also died suddenly in November. The impact of it all has left me deeply saddened and very much aware that life is unpredictable. Always waiting until tomorrow to do things you want to do is not wise. My husband, Tod, has been retired for thirteen years and is patiently waiting for us to do some of the traveling we keep talking about but don’t have time to do. I want to spend time with family and friends in England. I want to take some classes. I want time to read the newspaper! It is time for me to look forward to the rest of my life.

The only reason we are all here at Gunn is for our students and it has always been my goal to do that which is best for each of them. It is my hope that Gunn will always be a high school that puts students first. If I have a legacy, may it be just that.

My grateful thanks to you all.
Noreen Likins

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Notes from PAUSD School Board Meeting and Special Study Session February 9, 2010

Prepared by Lauren Janov, PTAC Advocacy Chair

Board Packet accessible at:
http://pausd.org/community/board/downloads/brd_packet/item_011.pdf

A. Staff Overview and Proposal

Overview

PAUSD staff explained the review process and budget situation outlining efforts already undertaken:
  • $2 million of staffing savings for the current school year through lower enrollment growth, increased K-5 class sizes (K-3:21, G4&5:23), soft hiring freezes, and tighter secondary staffing.
  • $450,000 miscellaneous savings (lowering legal, consulting and summer school costs by increasing tuition)
Assuming passage of the higher parcel tax this May, increased revenues by permanent transfer of deferred maintenance to general fund and PiE funding Spectra Arts, as well as, using $2.1 of estimated surplus, PAUSD will still need to make $3.7 million in cuts (the total structural deficit is $7.6 million) for 2010-11. Not factored in to these cuts are the additional cuts that PAUSD will need to make if the federal government does not bail out CA to the tune of $7 billion. We will know this school year whether this will happen or not.

2011-12 expect an additional $2.6 deficit, including 14% increase in classified staff pension costs because of 25% market decline. Open questions are whether parcel tax will pass, what the increased cost for certificated staff pension costs will be (Cathy Mak: "may be drastic"), and health benefit, enrollment and state budget adjustments.

Cuts:

What PAUSD does not recommend:
  • March 15 pink slips
  • Reductions to major programs
  • Reductions to professional development
  • Furlough days
What PAUSD recommends be cut:

Operations ($1.67 million), including:
  • Transfer $35/student of site discretionary funds to district (decrease from $105/student) ($402,500 savings)
  • Transfer 25% site rental income to district ($125,000 savings)
  • Close middle school pools November to March
  • Reduce subsidies to summer school and food service (retaining $172,000 food service subsidy caused by extra staffing at 4 hours with 100% benefits because of extra time needed for off site food preparation). ($150,000 savings)
  • Anticipated health benefit savings caused by employee open enrollment selections this year (increase in 12 employees who opted for $2,500 cash instead of the $12,800 average/employee health benefit costs (previously 51 employees) and switching to different plans) ($286,000 savings)
  • Anticipated savings generated by encouraging employees to take vacation days instead of cashing them out ($20,000 savings)
  • Anticipated enrollment savings over projections (anticipate 299 new students, 58 fewer than projected) ($300,000 savings)
Staffing ($1.56 million), including:
  • Increase class sizes (from 09-10 class sizes)
  • Increase elementary by 1 student (K-3: 22, G4 & 5: 24) ($60,000 savings)
  • Increase middle school 6th grades by 2 students (G6:26, G 7 & 8: 26, G 7 & 8 Math and English: 24) ($240,000 savings)
  • Increase 9th and 10th grade math and English classes by 1 (from 22 to 23) ($80,000 savings)
  • .8 FTE reduction in district personnel (position not specified) ($120,000 savings)
  • 5.75 FTE classified support reduction (positions not specified, some at sites) ($320,000 savings)
Other ($92,500) - reducing primary language tutors to serve only the neediest students (being more selective about when hourly employees are called in by sites, continue to serve free and reduced lunch kids). Impact will mostly be felt in primaries, because of the pressing need in secondary schools for students to understand content and stakes for college. Anticipate that parents will pay privately.

Areas they will study/focus on for future potential savings**
  • Energy savings
  • Special Education
  • District office reorg (will depend on skills of new people they hire)
  • Further review of health benefits
  • Residency verification (i.e., proof of residency for all incoming 9th graders- employee announced that they were ready to do this as soon as they get the word). PAUSD supported retaining staff's ability to enroll their children in district.
  • Continue soft hiring freeze
  • Continue to manage employee overtime
  • Delay adoption of new instructional materials
  • Examine technology savings (i.e. electronic v. printing)
B. Impression of Effect of PTAC Survey

Scott Bowers thought the PTAC survey was extensive and provided "wonderful" input. Without the survey PAUSD would not have been able to reach as many people. Melissa Caswell thanked the PTA for the survey.

No support for PTAC's most popular idea - going online with classes - because of impression that it would not save money and the administrative investment needed to get the o9f State of California sign off on required classes.

There were no cuts specified that were on the rest of PA PTAC survey's most popular cut list - reducing top administrative staff (put in “focus” area) and requiring supplemental programs like lunch and summer school to be fully self-funding (PAUSD proposed reducing the costs but not eliminating district subsidies).

On the other hand, there were no cuts that were specified on PA PTAC least favorite cut list either - guidance/college/career counseling, parent teacher conferences, reading specialists, janitorial, and traveling music and PE, other than middle school class size increases mentioned above.

C. Topics of Concern:

1. Transfer $35/student of site discretionary funds to district

Staff reported that principals supported this, but this was of concern to 4 board members (Barb Mitchell, Barb Klausner, Camille Townsend and Melissa Caswell). Camille Townsend was particularly concerned about the impact of this on the middle and high schools. Staff will come back with more details on impact to classroom. Melissa Caswell wanted to see how it would feel in the classroom without this money.

Kevin Skelley said that the increased PiE funding will results in approximately $15-$20/student extra at the sites (amount will depend on the actual enrollment numbers for 2010-2011)
PA PTAC Survey: 31% recommended $20 reduction

2. 25% reduction in site rental income

Camille Townsend was particularly concerned about the impact of this on the middle and high schools. Melissa Caswell wanted to see how it would feel in the classroom without this money.
PTAC 62% recommended 50% reduction

3. Increase class sizes

Increase elementary by 1 student (K-3: 22, G4 & 5: 24)
[PTAC Survey: 61% recommended increase from 21 to 22]
Increase middle school 6th grades by 2 students (G6:26, G 7 & 8: 26, G 7 & 8 Math and English: 24)
[PTAC Survey: 26% recommended increase by 3]
Increase 9th and 10th grade math and English classes by 1 (from 22 to 23)
[PTAC Survey: 36% recommended increase by 2]

Dana Tom was concerned that the current class size in 9th and 10th grade English was too large already and Barb Klausner agreed that care should be taken when increasing these classes. A Gunn English teacher spoke very eloquently against increasing English class sizes too - noting the impact on teachers who tend both to the intellectual as well as social and emotional needs of their students - a life and death matter. Camille Townsend said she too would hate to increase high school class sizes. Melissa Caswell was particularly concerned about middle school.
Kevin Skelly said he would revisit the middle and high school cut decisions; initially staff wanted to spread the a pain.

4. Focus area

Examine technology savings (i.e. electronic v. printing)
Did not offer online classes as an option for cost savings now or later. Staff did not feel it would generate much savings because of staff's continued involvement. PTAC rep mentioned that Gunn and Paly already had a private pay model in place where HS credits could be offered for certain off site and online classes; they agreed that that model would generate savings. Scott Bowers thought courses would need state approval first, and wanted IS and principals to weigh in on this.

Barb Klausner, Melissa Caswell and Camille Townsend all inquired further about this.
In PTAC survey this was supported by 83% - the most popular option.

5. Reducing primary language tutors to serve only the neediest students

Melissa Caswell wanted to know what the impact on kids would be. Three staff members (2 ELD tutors and 1 librarian) spoke out against this cut, one saying that kids specifically come to our district because of this program and another saying parents have said they are willing to contribute toward its costs.

Kevin Skelly said he was open to suggestions; he wants to keep the tutors for the middle and high school students as well as low income elementary students.

6. Professional Development

Camille Townsend expressed concern about continued investment in professional development for elementary math program that has not yet been shown to work. People who contacted her want to be assured that money spent on professional development will be beneficial. We need to make sure it is the best curriculum. We need to keep our eye on it.

Barb Klausner said that she is a strong proponent of professional development and wants to see where PAUSD is now with its professional development plan.

7. Cuts at 25 Churchill’s Administrative Offices

Barb Klausner wanted to see an organization chart.
Kevin Skelly said most hiring decisions will be driven by the kinds of people they find.

8. More info needed

Barb Mitchell: Wants a list of PAUSD expenses that have grown faster than enrollment and inflation and wants the list of 25 cuts to be ranked in order of importance, incase revenues pick up and items restored.
Dana Tom: Wants suggestions now about what to cut if Parcel Tax does not pass.

D. PiE Announcement

PiE announced $2.9 million collected for 2009-2010, $330,000 over goal. It will be picking up the cost of K-5 Spectra Arts resulting in $65,000 PAUSD savings.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

2010 California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)

James Lubbe, Dean of Students 650-354-8260
jlubbe@pausd.org

The 2010 California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) will be administered on March 16th and 17th to all sophomores. Juniors and seniors who have not met the requirements will also take the test.

On March 16th and 17th, Gunn High School will administer the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)to all sophomore students. All students, except eligible students with disabilities, must satisfy the CAHSEE requirement in addition to meeting District graduation requirements in order to receive a high school diploma. Students who score 350 (or higher) for both the English Language (ELA) and Mathematics sections meet the CAHSEE requirement. Students planning to attend a college or university may have additional requirements to meet.

On both days, students taking the test will report to their assigned testing room with their Gunn ID. Testing room assignments will be posted soon on InClass and around campus.

Study guides are available in the Math and English Departments. Students who feel they need help preparing for CAHSEE should speak to their English and Math teachers and attend tutorial on a regular basis. In addition, Gunn will be offering free preparation classes for both the English Language and Mathematics sections of the test. Theresa Diola will teach the English preparation session and Chris Bell will teach the Mathematics preparation session. See the table below for dates, time, and room.
















English Language Arts

Mathematics

Room L-11, 3:30-5 pm

Room M-4, 3:30-5 pm

Tuesday, February 23

Tuesday, February 23

Tuesday, March 2

Tuesday, March 2

Tuesday, March 9

Tuesday, March 9

Recently released test questions may also be reviewed on the following CAHSEE website:
www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/resources.asp

Due to this examination, the class schedule for all Gunn students will be changed during the testing week of March 15-19. Changes for the week of testing will be posted on InClass and around campus.

Students should see their counselor or Mr. Lubbe, Dean of Students, in the Main Office, if they have any questions.

James Lubbe, Dean of Students 650-354-8260
jlubbe@pausd.org

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Recap of January 30th WBC Picketers

Dear Gunn Community,

Because most parents and students were not here on Friday January 30, several of you have asked that I send out a brief summary of what occurred when Fred Phelps's WBC came to picket the Gunn campus. Here is that summary.

We had a late start to school on Friday so that students and teachers would not have to run the gauntlet of the WBC hate signs and shouted slogans. Most students and parents heeded the recommendation that the best response to this group is really no response (because they crave publicity and they get it when the press turns up in force to cover counter-demonstrations), and chose to stay home. Thank you for your cooperation. It really helped. However, there were students who wanted to exercise their right to free speech and who let us know that they would be coming to counter the picketing.

About 30 staff turned up at 7:00 am to monitor the front of the school and make sure that any Gunn students who chose to come to counter-demonstrate stayed safely on our campus, and to monitor the Georgia and Miranda entrances to make sure that non-students did not enter. By 7:15 am they were all in place ready for the picketers and the school marquee was displaying appropriate quotations. PAPD was present on campus and police cars were on Arastradero.
At about 7:15 am quite a large number of students from local high schools (Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Fremont) arrived with signs and banners. A sizable number of Gunn alumni as well as members of local community groups showed up, including a contingent from a church in Los Gatos. All these people arranged themselves on the sidewalk in front of the library and along the edge of the road. Thus, the faces that were shown on the news and on the videos posted on Youtube are not only those of Gunn students and staff. Gunn students were all, by prior agreement, on the grass (i.e. on campus) behind them. At 7:15 am the Gunn GSA students (Gay Straight Alliance members) marched out with signs and began to sing. Many people joined them as they sang songs such as "Give Peace a Chance," "Lean on Me," and "This Little Light of Mine." Most students and staff were wearing T-shirts with slogans that supported and celebrated our diversity and unity. That was also true for many, many of the students at school that day. There was a great sense of camaraderie. All those who turned up to support Gunn were friendly and peaceful. At no point did any Gunn student cross the street to engage the picketers although a group of students with a camera from Los Altos High school did so, as did some adult community members.

The WBC pickets turned up promptly at 7:25 am as expected. They demonstrated for 30 minutes and then packed up and moved to the Stanford campus. By then, other Gunn students had started to arrive at school and were drawn to the entrance of school. We allowed them to gather and continue singing. The students were appropriate and supportive of each other. We began to shepherd them to class at about 8:20 am. By 8:25 am all was quiet at the front of the school and we started a normal day. We had an excellent rally at lunch time in the quad. The theme was "All you need is love" and many students performed. All in all, what began as negative and hateful turned into a truly great celebration of unity and diversity! It was the best community-building activity I have experienced in twelve years at Gunn.

The Gunn community is very grateful to PAPD, District Office staff, OUTLET and many community members for the support we received. The picketing passed without incident. It was a great "teachable moment" for us and the incident sparked great conversation and discussion.

Noreen Likins

Here is a link to a Youtube video of the event
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hTjRuSlVM8

ORDER YOUR GIZDICH RANCH PIES NOW ‘TIL MARCH 4

Marilyn Putney, putneym@gmail.com

*ORDER YOUR GIZDICH RANCH PIES NOW ‘TIL MARCH 4 *

Orders now being taken for farm fresh pies from Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville. Choose from Apple, Sugar Free Apple, Olallieberry, and Pumpkin. The pies are $16 each or $15.00 each for 3 or more.

Two simple ways to order:
Email Ronda Breier at ronda@breiers.com
or
Order Forms are available in the SAC and Gunn front office or print one:
http://gunn.pausd.org/~activities/sac/index.htm

Pies come frozen – you bake at home
Place your order by Thursday, March 4th. Plan to PICK UP PIES Thursday, March 25th, 4-6 pm in front of the Gunn office/Bat Cave.
Please ask your friends, co-workers, family, and neighbors to buy PIES.
All proceeds benefit Gunn’s Senior Class Graduation Activities.

Questions? Contact Marilyn Putney at putneym@gmail.com

Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra

Kim Nguyen, Publicity Chair, paco_publicity@yahoo.com

PALO ALTO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM AN UPLIFTING
COLLECTION OF MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE AGES

March 13th Concert features Double Reed Virtuoso, Peter Lemberg
Benjamin Simon, Conductor

PACO’s most senior of its five youth orchestras will perform an uplifting collection of classical and contemporary music under the direction of PACO music director, Benjamin Simon, on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. This dynamic program includes movements of four primary pieces plus chamber music performed by small ensembles of PACO members. PACO favorite Peter Lemberg returns with the oboe’s larger cousin, an instrument that is neither English nor a horn. Mozart’s beautiful Adagio is paired with Vincent Persichetti’s masterful Concerto for English Horn (1977), surrounded by two authentically English works: Handel’s Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 6 plus the delightful English Suite by Hubert Parry. The concert will take place at the new Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Hall on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Tickets are $15/adult, $10/senior and $5/student. For more information call 650-856-3848 or visit http://www.pacomusic.org/.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

PTA Council Nominating Committee Member Needed

Diane Downend, Diane@edenbridgehomes.com

PTA Council of Palo Alto is looking for a Gunn parent to join its Nominating Committee

It is PTA leadership recruitment time of year. The governing council for the seventeen PTAs in Palo Alto is looking for a Gunn parent to join it's Nominating Committee for the 2010-11 school year. The chairperson estimates a ten hour time commitment for meeting attendance and outreach. By February 18 please contact Diane Downend diane@edenbridgehomes.com if you are ready, willing and able to lend a hand to fill the remaining open positions for next year. Thank you!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Race to Nowhere Film Viewing

Diane Downend, diane@edenbridgehomes.com

RACE TO NOWHERE - Film to air February 23, 2010 at 7pm, Oshman Family Jewish Center, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303

RACE TO NOWHERE is a close-up look at the pressures on today's students, offering an intimate view of lives packed with activities, leaving little room for down-time or family time.

Parents today are expected to raise high-achieving children, who are good at everything: academics, sports, the arts, community-service. The film tackles the tragic side of our often achievement-obsessed culture, with interviews that explore the hidden world of over-burdened schedules, student suicide, academic cheating, young people who have checked out. RACE TO NOWHERE asks the question: Are the young people of today prepared to step fully and productively into their future? More information available at www.racetonowhere.com

Tickets available until sold out online at http://racetonowherepaloalto.eventbrite.com/