The blackboard The blackboard (October 19, 2005)

KATRINA TOWN CARNIVAL . . .As part of the communitywide "Bridge of Caring" program to benefit schools in Louisiana's St. Tammany Parish ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, the Gunn and Palo Alto high schools Youth Community Service and Key clubs are hosting a town carnival from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in the Paly quad. Each of the 17 schools within the Palo Alto Unified School District will have a fundraising booth featuring a variety of games, music, crafts and food. For more information, visit www.paloaltopta.org.

A KID'S PERSPECTIVE . . .The Walter Hays Elementary School PTA is hosting a parent education program entitled "Helping your child take perspective" from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday at the school's Kid's Club Portable next to room 24. The program will highlight strategies to help both parents and children understand the consequences of their behaviors and actions. The guest speaker will be Sally Kerr, the school district's social cognitive behavioral coach. The school is located at 1525 Middlefield Road.

TEACHER HONORED. . . Diane Rolfe, a retired Palo Alto teacher, was honored recently with the 2005 Sally Siegel Friend of Education Award given annually by the Palo Alto Educators' Association. Rolfe has served as public policy chair for the American Association of University Women and in 2004 she developed the association's "Save Our Schools" campaign. She plans to devote her retirement years to promoting a quality education for all children.

THE BIG LEAGUE . . .Middle schoolers interested in joining a high school cheerleading squad or song and dance team are invited to the The Palo Alto High School Dance Studio for a dance and cheer clinic this weekend. Participants will learn the routine that will be performed when Paly's football team faces Mountain View's Oct. 28. The clinic, which will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, costs $15 and includes a hotdog and snack. Scholarships are available. For more information, e-mail Liz Simons at Liz@VLSICores.com.

GIFTED AND TALENTED . . . Shari Hills, of the California Association of the Gifted and mother of two highly gifted adults, will speak to parents about the social and emotional needs of gifted adolescents from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Palo Alto school district's main office, 25 Churchill Ave. Hills also serves on the Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted National Board of Directors and has counseled gifted children for more than 20 years. The program is entitled "Wish I Knew Then, What I Know Now." For more information, call 329-3773.

HALLOWEEN BASH . . .Creepy live animal demonstrations, Western music, ghost stories around the campfire, recycled crafts and a taste of the witches brew. The 16th annual Halloween bash at Foothill Park will feature all this fun and more Oct. 28 and 29. The cost is $7 per Palo Alto resident, $8 per non-resident and children under 3 years old are free. Costumes are optional. To register, visit www.paenjoy.org or call Ranger Erin Bennett at 617-3100, ext. 1697.

JEWISH DAY SCHOOL MEETING . . .The Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School is holding two small educational parlor meetings Oct. 27 and during the afternoon Nov. 13. For more information, call Audrey Fox at 494-8200 , ext. 104 or e-mail her at afox@hausner.com.

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