Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Fall Gizdich Ranch Pie Sale



Gunn’s Annual Fall Gizdich Ranch Pie Sale is underway!  All proceeds benefit the Class of 2013 Graduation Activities.  
Download order forms at http://gunn.paloaltopta.org/gizdichpies2012.pdf .  
Stock up on pies for your Holiday festivities! Get grandma and neighbors to buy pies too. Many parents bring these pies to the Turkey Feast, which in on Nov 15 this year—pie distribution is on November 9. Pies are made fresh in the farm kitchen of Gizdich Ranch of Watsonville. Pies are priced competitively with top bakeries and are unbelievably delicious. SALE ENDS OCTOBER 22, 2012.  Send any questions to Debbie Brown at dxxbrown@gmail.com
 
Ruta (on behalf of Debera Brown)
510-220-2935

PAUSD Board of Education Candidate Forum

Submitted by Karen Johnston

Sept 27, 7-9 pm.  PAUSD Board of Education Candidate Forum: co-hosted by PTAs of Gunn HS, Terman MS, Juana Briones ES and Barron Park ES, the 4 candidates for Board of Education will come together at a Question and Answer Forum at Terman Middle School. Questions for all candidates or for a partcular candidate may be sent now to paloaltoparents@gmail.com. Confirmed alternate forum nights for those who cannot attend are:


10/1   7-8:30 PM,  Walter Hays Multi-purpose room

10/3  8- 9:30 pm; League of Women Voters  (**co sponsored by PTA Council) 8-9:30PM  25 Churchill
        
10/8 CAC  7-9 PM @ 25 Churchill

10/10 Palo Alto High School, Library, exact time to follow (evening)

Friday, September 21, 2012

TRUE ADMISSIONS: What Colleges Want and Why


Submitted by Karen Johnston

TRUE ADMISSIONS: What Colleges Want and Why

The PTSA of Gunn and Palo Alto High Schools have partnered together to bring Christine VanDeVelde, co-author of the best-selling book “College Admissions: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step”,  to the Palo Alto community.  Ms. VanDeVelde will speak Monday, Oct 1, from 7-9:00 pm in Haymarket Auditorium (Palo Alto High School), and Tues, Oct 2, from 7-9:00 pm in Spangenberg Auditorium (Gunn High School). It will be the same presentation both evenings.

Ms. VanDeVelde will discuss such topics as finding the right college fit, understanding
the importance of high grades vs. tough courses, the role of testing, and the weight of
extra-curricular activities, such as athletics and music.  Much of the time will be devoted to Q & A with the audience so she can address the specific issues that concern our community.  In addition, a representative from each school’s guidance department will be on hand to add further advice and perspective.

The speaker, a former Palo Alto parent and free-lance journalist who has written for Parenting Magazine, USA Today and the New York Times,  joined forces with Robin Mamlet, former Dean of Admissions at Stanford, Swarthmore, and Sarah Lawrence, to write the book, which offers practical advice to students and parents in planning for college. In addition to the wisdom and expertise of the co-authors, their book also incorporates the wise counsel of more than 50 deans of college admission.

All high school parents and students are invited to these events, which are hosted by the PTSA.  In addition, Books Inc. will be at both sites for those who wish to buy the author’s book.

As an added bonus, Ms. VanDeVelde is also working with the Guidance Departments at both schools to put together a workshop for high school students. The workshop at Gunn High School will be on Monday, Oct 1, and interested students are referred to Leighton Lang for specific details (llang@pausd.org). Ms. VanDeVelde is working with Ms. Sandra Cernobori at Palo Alto High School, and it will be held Tues.Oct 2. The specific details are posted at paly.net/college.

If you have questions, please contact Karen Johnston at kj.squint@gmail.com (Gunn PTSA), or Jane Gee jane@geefamily.com or Mary Louise Ebinger theebingers@comcast.net (Paly PTSA).

Sunday, September 16, 2012

September Asset-Parent Involvement


Submitted by Terry Godfrey
September's Asset of the Month is Parent Involvement in Schooling.  Research shows that youth whose parents are actively involved in their schooling are more engaged in school; but, what does this mean?  We see plenty of parents on campus and at PTA events "being involved" but is that the only form it takes?  Every parent, every day can positively affect kids' lives.  It only takes a second. The National Network of Partnership Schools developed a framework for understanding different kinds of parent involvement:
·         Parenting: families establish home environments that support children’s learning
·         Communicating: families and schools engage in effective two-way communications about student expectations and progress 
·         Volunteering: parents directly support the classroom or school
·         Learning at home: families help students with homework and school-related decision-making and planning 
·         Decision making: parents are involved in school decisions
 
Parents whose schedules don’t allow volunteering can still support their children’s academic
success through parenting, communication, and learning at home.  However you can do it, do it.  Remember it only takes a second.
 
 
To get involved in the Palo Alto Developmental Assets Initiative of Project Safety Net contact us at devassetspaloalto@gmail.com
 

Parent Ed - From Application to Acceptance

Submitted by Karen Johnston

PTSA Parent Ed - Mark your calendars now. Tuesday, Oct 2, 7-9 pm, Spangenberg Auditorium. Christine VanDeVelde, co-author of the best-selling book College Admission, From Application to Acceptance, will be speaking to the Gunn community. Parents and students welcome. Contact: kj.squint@gmail.com 

Sports Update-Aug/Sept 2012


Submitted by Miriam Rotman
Girls water polo - Gunn 10-3 over host Los Altos.
 
Elizabeth Anderson and her sister, Caroline, provided the Gunn girls' water polo team with a solid one-two punch last season. The result was a SCVAL De Anza Division title, playoff crown and a berth in the Central Coast Section semifinals. The Titans have only half that knockout blow this year, but it may prove to be enough. Caroline Anderson (Jr.) scored half of the Titans' goals in the 10-3 match as the two teams opened the SCVAL De Anza Division girls water polo campaign Tuesday. It was a rematch of last year's De Anza Division title match, also won by the Titans 17-8. Anderson scored three of her goals in the first half. Anderson, who is getting attention from Div. I colleges, impressed Eagles first-year coach Seth Tasman, "Anderson is very good," Tasman said.
"Anderson is very explosive," Hernandez said. "She's creative with the ball with good instincts and good fundamentals."
Next home Game - Thursday, Sept. 20 5:45 Gunn V. Los Gatos

Gunn Football - Gunn 28- 6 over Carlmont
Gunn Football is off to its best start since the 2002 team started the season 6-0. Thanks to big plays by Kevin Sharp and Andre Guzman, the Titans extended their winning streak to four games as in addition to the opening two wins they won the last two of 2011 campaign. The four-game win streak is also the longest win streak since the 2002 season. The game started with a bang as Sharp took the opening kickoff, and went untouched for a 95-yard touchdown and a 6-0 lead. In an additional play Gunn with great defense prevented Carlmont from scoring and then Andre Guzman hit Sean Lydster on a screen pass and Lydster went 93 yards for the touchdown -- thanks again to great blocking. Guzman ran the ball in for a two-point conversion.
Guzman finished 13 of 16 for 274 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His three touchdown passes gives him four for the season with no interceptions. Gunn has not committed a turnover while collecting three opponent turnovers.

Next Game - Please come and cheer as the Titans will host Capuchino at 7:30 PM. Let's make it 3-0 to start the season!!

Gunn Girl’s tennis team Gunn Girl’s tennis team had a good opening week. In its first league match Gunn beat Fremont 6-1 @ Cubberley (Gunn’s current home), following that with a close loss to a good Mountain View team 4-3.
Gunn Girl's Volleyball - Started the season in spectacular fashion winning the blue division at Spikefest 1!.
After some first-match jitters, the Gunn varsity volleyball team settled down and played some intense volleyball to win the Blue Division. Seniors Nitika Johri, Lena Latour, Mika Munch, Dionna Jacobson and Lisa Yan all played key roles throughout the day, along with Juniors Erica Johnston and Miranda Crothers, and Sophomores Tahra Knudsen and Meghan Mahoney.
Next Game - at Palo Alto on Tuesday, September 18 at 6:45. Next home game - Thursday V Lynbrook at 6:45.

Gunn’s Annual Fall Gizdich Ranch Pie Sale


Submitted by Ruta Puranik


Gunn’s Annual Fall Gizdich Ranch Pie Sale is underway!  All proceeds benefit the Class of 2013 Graduation Activities.  
Download order forms at http://gunn.paloaltopta.org/gizdichpies2012.pdf .  
Stock up on pies for your Holiday festivities! Get grandma and neighbors to buy pies too. Many parents bring these pies to the Turkey Feast, which in on Nov 15 this year—pie distribution is on November 9. Pies are made fresh in the farm kitchen of Gizdich Ranch of Watsonville. Pies are priced competitively with top bakeries and are unbelievably delicious. SALE ENDS OCTOBER 22, 2012.  Send any questions to Debbie Brown at dxxbrown@gmail.com.