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Panther Tracks Dec 2012 The newsletter for Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School Volume 2012-2013 Issue 2 Inside Principal’s Column Principal’s Column . 1 Dear JLS Families, PTA Presidents’ Column . 2 The older I get the more I truly believe that Music Note . 3 time really flies! Can you relate? I think many of Fall News - Athletics . 3, 4 you might feel the same way. During this time of Reducing East Meadow Congestion . 5 year, I often find myself short on this most precious Waste-free lunch . 5 commodity. There is so much to do in so little time that I feel it is easy to overlook the most important Science Fair . 6 messages of the season … gratitude and new begin- International Potluck . 6 nings. Everything about 7th Grade . 7,8 I often share that I love my job and that I am thankful to work at JLS JLS Guidance Counselors . 9 with the JLS community. Being a PAUSD graduate certainly contributes Help Wanted . 10 to my connection to Palo Alto as well as my interest in being meaningfully Youth Service Day . 10 involved in helping the next generation of Palo Altans to grow and develop into happy, successful, and contributing members of our town. I focus a Panther Pride . 11, 12 lot of my time at JLS working on cultivating a caring school climate and an Thankyou Volunteers . 12 environment that fosters a deep appreciation for people who are different Project Safety Net . 13 from us. Ideas for Parents . 14 It is safe to say that I am the person I am today, just like you, as a Course Selection for 2013 - 2014 . 15 result of the sum of my experiences. Recently, the yearbook staff asked me Parent Input Survey . 16 - 19 what I was like in middle school. I struggled with what to say. I attended a different school for every grade, 6th though 8th, and each school was Calendar . 20 dramatically different from the next. In each of the schools I went to, I had to learn how to be liked, how to be accepted, how to make friends. What I Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School learned was that you can be liked and you can be accepted, but that doesn’t 480 East Meadow Drive mean you have developed true friendships. Friendship means having peo- Palo Alto, CA 94306 ple you can trust and confide in when you are having a problem as much as it means having someone to hang out with, even when bored, or call when Website: www.jls.pausd.org something awesome and exciting happens to you. Phone: 650-856-5188 With the advancement of technology, navigating the social scene cer- tainly has changed since I was in middle school, but I don’t believe the Principal: qualities of a good friend have. Good friends don’t gossip or spread rumors Sharon Ofek about each other, they don’t criticize each other, they don’t judge each other, and, most of all, they don’t make you compromise your morals and values Assistant Principals: in order stay your friend. Ryan Fletcher & It sounds strange, but I believe I learned about the qualities of what Pier Angeli LaPlace I believe to be true friendship through rejection. Whether it was broken promises about hanging out together, being pressured into doing something PTA Presidents: Nancy Smith Continued on page 2 VP Communications: Jane Lathrop Stanford (JLS) is a diverse learning community We seek to provide a safe, Faith Brigel creative, and inclusive learning environment. We respect and embrace the uniqueness of every individual. We strive for academic excellence, individual responsibility, and lifelong learning. Editor: Through compassion, connection, courtesy, complimenting, and community, we support the Smita Kolhatkar intellectual, social, physical, and emotional growth of our children. The mention of any business, service, or organization in this newsletter does not imply an Layout: endorsement by JLS Middle School, JLS PTA, or PAUSD. Maya Venkatraman Distribution: Submissions to: [email protected] Heike Enders Next deadline: Friday, 22nd February Continued from page 1 CONSTRUCTION I wasn’t really interested in doing (possibly naughty!), or being included but feeling left out of the group I was I am sure that those of you who are new to JLS with, I was always able to rebound. Through this series have figured out that we are in the midst of a massive of trial and error experiences I learned a bit more about construction project at JLS. Our Measure A funds were who I was, who I wanted to be, and who I wanted to earmarked for adding classrooms – a 10 classroom wing, have as my friends. addressing drainage problems, and improving some aspects of existing classrooms. Throughout the design By now you must be wondering why on earth am phase we communicated that we would like the addition I sharing all of this with you? Well, in reflecting on of a new building to also help create a ‘center of campus’. the past semester at JLS I have identified areas of pride As a result, virtually every inch of JLS will have been and joy as well as areas I think we, through partnership worked on in some capacity by the end of this project. with one another, can improve upon in our community. Through stories I have heard and conversations I have I am happy to share that as we end the seventh had, I believe that we can do a better job with address- month of construction, that the structural steel installa- ing discrimination and social exclusion. We can improve tion and framing for the ground floor of the new building upon how we accept one another in a manner that hon- has been completed. The second floor structural steel has ors the richness of our backgrounds. been installed and the framing has begun. The plumb- ing for the new wing is also underway. The renovated The Developmental Asset Framework for raising Rally Courtyard is nearly complete and work is ongoing thriving children identifies 40 items that communities can in other areas of the campus as well. Feel free to come by work on to cultivate and encourage asset-rich youth. In and check out the progress. Silicon Valley, through community input, a 41st asset was added – Positive Cultural Identity. Positive cultural iden- Finally, there is a feeling in the atmosphere that sets tity means that a young person feels comfortable with in as winter arrives … the crisp morning air that shock- and proud of his/her identity, including but not limited ingly awakens you, the changing colors of the leaves to disabilities, ethnicity, faith/religion, family status, gen- that eventually drop to the ground, the pitter patter of der, language and sexual orientation. rain washing away everything in its path, the comfort- ing smell of firewood burning that invites you inside, the Given that JLS has students that reflect such broad condensation of your breath when you greet someone on diversities, every one of the aforementioned categories in a cold morning. Please take some time to enjoy or mar- the 41st asset, it is critical to emphasize the importance of vel in the beauty of each transformation that this season a positive cultural identity within our community. I ask offers. that each of you make the time to have a family conversa- tion about what you stand for in relation to friendships Sincerely, and acceptance of others, and how those values contrib- ute to the school and learning environment that we all Sharon Ofek, Principal have a part in creating. It is, after all, the time of the year to reflect, regenerate, and rekindle lost ties. Here are some other items that are likely to be of PTA Presidents’ Column interest as well: As we head into the winter break, I want to wish CALENDAR AND REPORT CARDS all of you a healthy, happy holiday season and a This year the semester will end in sync with the start peaceful start to the new year. What a perfect time to of the winter vacation. At JLS we are striving to have a strengthen your family’s commitment to this month’s work free vacation for everyone. This means that the Developmental Asset, ‘Positive Cultural Identity’ (see deadline for teachers to turn in grades will be after we our Asset article below). As you enjoy family celebrations return from winter vacation, the week of January 15th. this month and throughout the year, consider asking Please honor this effort to provide a relaxing vacation for your kids one or two of the following questions to find everyone. out what they feel strongly about. Research shows that s strong perception of cultural identity brings self-assur- In addition, we will be going paperless for our report ance and a positive view of the future (I’m curious as to cards this year. We will be posting all grades/report cards how my own kids will respond!). through the Infinite Campus Portal. If you have ques- tions about access to your account, please contact Infinite • What are some things that you value about our Campus Tech Support at [email protected]. A culture? message to families will go out when grades are posted • What are some things about our culture that you and are available through the parent portal. would like other people to know? • How can you share your cultural differences in a positive, nonjudgmental way? Page 2 JLS Panther Tracks Dec 2012 When we return to school in January, what better way to share aspects of your culture than to attend and Music Notes participate in our amazing “Many Faces of JLS” potluck Congratulations to the Bands, Orchestras, and Choirs on January 16th? This year our organizers are involving for very successful winter concerts held in November and our kids more fully than ever, so if your student would December.5 am.

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