Dear Las Lomitas families,

As I walk through classrooms I am continually impressed with the breadth of curriculum and quality of instruction that I see. Each and every day the classrooms are humming with children learning. Below is a sampling of what's been going on recently at Las Lomitas:

Kindergarten: Teachers continually provide opportunities to help students make friends and play cooperatively with others in and outside the classroom. Recent science lessons were about the Ecosystem and farm animals. Language arts lessons offer literacy centers, comparing versions of favorite nursery rhymes, Writer's Workshop and Overnight Books to read at home. Math lessons emphasize counting, 1:1 correspondence, pattern and creating number stories.

1st Grade - Reading skills are a primary focus at this grade level. Regular lessons in phonics, sight word recognition, decoding and comprehension are being taught, as are elements of literature such as character description, mood and metaphor. Math skills currently focus on number bonds, the communicative property and model drawing to solve word problems. Studying the properties of matter, "Solids and Liquids" is the current science unit being explored in several classes.

2nd Grade - Math lessons center on place value, math facts, "renaming" (formally called regrouping), expanded notation and "decomposing" numbers to solve problems. Language arts periods include learning about compound words and contractions as students read leveled texts in small groups or write in journals. Some classes are involved in an earth science study of Rocks & Minerals, while others are learning about dehydration as part of their thematic unit on Apples.

3 - Math concepts focus on place value, graphing, multiplication, geometry, money, rounding numbers and estimating. Language arts periods provide time to read and analyze realistic fiction, write stories about pets and animals, and make regular journal entries. All students are improving their skill in writing complete paragraphs with detail. A science unit on Stars & Constellations is being taught in several classrooms.

In addition to all of the above, Mrs. Ruwe teaches social skills lessons in many K and 1st grade classrooms using the Second Step curriculum. All the students make regular visits to the library, computer lab, music and physical education classes. Most by now have enjoyed painting lessons with Donine Ettinger our Artist-in-Resident, and the annual Book Fair begins soon! As you can see, our students experience comprehensive, engaging learning experiences every day. It is a joy to watch the teachers and children in action.

Until next time,

Sue Sartor, Principal

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Tip of the week:  Please refrain from talking on your cell phone while in the drive up lane. 

PTA News

The PTA strongly believes in the promotion and support of literacy through positive reading environments, both in the classroom and at home.  We offer three distinct programs and events that provide for literacy enrichment; Book Fair, Read-A-Thon and Adopt-A-Book.  The Book Fair provides access to high quality children's literature that is made available for the benefit of building our school library as well as those in our own homes and student classrooms.  The Read-A-Thon provides a fun and engaging opportunity to encourage a passion for reading with both students and families.  Let you child choose new titles at the Book Fair that they find interesting and engaging to provide plenty of reading material for the Read-A-Thon.  When they've depleted their own selections at home, encourage children to check out books at the Las Lomitas Library.  Did you know parents can check out books as well?

Finally, all throughout the year, families are encouraged to take advantage of the Adopt-A-Book program as a way to continually supply quality literature to our school library.  Sharon Kelly and Kim Fliege carefully select new titles and make sure favorites are well maintained and replaced when necessary.  Adopt-A-Book is an excellent way to honor a child's birthday, graduation, favorite teacher, or just for fun. 

Please join us in supporting positive reading environments through each of these PTA programs.  The Book Fair commences in less than two weeks.  We'll be gearing up for Read-A-Thon before the winter break and you're always welcome to support Adopt-A-Book at any time of the year.

Thanks for your support!

David Berkey, Adopt-A-Book committee chair

Dana Nunn, Read-A-Thon committee chair

Anna Plume, Book Fair committee chair

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It has been a busy and exciting few months in our District as we explore what "Learning for the 21st Century" might look like in our schools.  Even if you haven't been able to attend any events, you can follow what has been going on from your home computer.  Click here  http://www.leadingeducation-llesd.org/events.html

to go to our Leading Education web site where you can read summaries of what happened at various events.  The presentation by Dr. Lit was video-recorded and copies are available for borrowing at each school office. In addition, you can click here http://www.llesd.k12.ca.us/StrategicPlanning.html

to go to our Strategic Planning web page where you can read summaries of the ideas LLESD students, parents, faculty, and administration have put forward to help shape the new Strategic Plan.  Also on this web page is a list of members on the Strategic Planning Committee and information on how to contact them to share your ideas.

If your child is going to be absent from school, please, please, please, notify us by calling the attendance line, 854-5900 ext. 1.  If you want to email the teacher, that's fine but, you must call the attendance line as well. 

Thank you,  Beverley and Carol 

ART NOTECARD ORDER FORMS ARE DUE THIS FRIDAY OCTOBER 21st

Order Forms are due Friday October 21st

(Please return forms to the box in the school office)

Please support the arts at Las Lomitas by purchasing cards made from our children's drawings.  Funds from this program are used by classrooms for field trips, visiting artists, musicians and speakers, special art supplies and literature about art and music.

The note cards make terrific gifts for friends and families, thank you notes, and even enclosure cards for birthday presents. The printed note cards (with matching envelopes) will be delivered to the classrooms in late November.

Order forms must be returned to the school office no later than the end of the day on Friday, October 21st.  Unfortunately, late orders cannot be accepted.

Thank you for supporting the creative arts and music at Las Lomitas!

Questions?? Contact Ginny Rader (ginnyrad@me.com), Jane Worden (jane.worden@gmail.com) or Sook Jung (sook_cho@yahoo.com)

Have you been saving your Box Tops? Turn them in now, and your student may win a prize!

Here's how to enter the drawing: 

1.        Write your name (first and last, please) and room number on the back of each Box Top.

2.        Place your Box Tops in the collection box located in the school office by

           Tuesday, Oct. 18.

3.        The drawing will be held later that week, and the lucky winners will receive their prizes 

          (gift certificates to local businesses).

Box Tops received later than the 18th will be saved for our February submission. So keep saving - they will never go to waste! Thank you for supporting Las Lomitas!

Good luck!

Margie Stehle

Boxtops4education Chair

Basketball registration is now open. It closes Monday, October 31 (Halloween!) at 7 p.m. and we cannot accept late registrations. Please be sure to register during the open registration dates. This is a very popular winter sport at La Entrada that is open to all students in 3rd through 8th grade.  All children registered are guaranteed a place on a team. Please mark your calendars for the following dates: 

Oct 31st (Monday) at 7 p.m.: Basketball registration closes
Nov 3rd (Thursday) at 6:30 p.m.: Basketball Coaches Meeting in the La Entrada library. Required for all coaches. We will choose practice times as well as go over rules, expectations, evaluations, etc. Practice times will be selected based on coaches' availability and a lottery system.
Nov 5th (Saturday) & Nov 6th (Sunday): Basketball Evaluation Days

Evaluations are held in order to create fair and balanced teams, which is required for Burgess League participation. The schedule is listed below.If your child has a conflict with their scheduled evaluation time, please notify Inger Rarick or Sue Bartalo of their absence so they can still be placed on a team.

COACHES ARE NEEDED!!!  This activity is run by parents. We need parent coaches so we can offer fair playing time to all the kids. (Fewer coaches mean fewer teams with a lot of players. The larger the team, the less playing time for each player.) You do not need a lot of experience to coach; we can pair you with a more experienced coach. Also, we provide a coaching clinic.  Please contact Inger Rarick or Sue Bartaloif you are available to coach.

The Las Lomitas PTA and the Las Lomitas School do not endorse, warrant or recommend any of these businesses.

• Remember to mention Las Lomitas at the register and Kepler's donates 6% back to our school. Please check the website www.keplers.com for upcoming events.

BUY A PUMPKIN, GIVE A PUMPKIN

The Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Pumpkin Patch is Wednesday, October 19th from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. at Webb Ranch 2720 Alpine Road, Portola Valley. Join us for a fun, family friendly afternoon picking pumpkins at Webb Ranch. Buy a pumpkin for your family and one to donate to the patient families at Lucile Packard children's Hospital. Half of proceeds from this event will be donated to the hospital. There will be a family photographer at the pumpkin patch, so bring some smiles.

Saturday, October 29 at 1:00 p.m. - It Came From Outer Space - Space-themed music with John Schott and Michael Dionne at the Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park.  Mars Needs Guitars and  John Schott and Michael Dionne have them. John and Michael will perform space-themed songs - from "Fly Me to the Moon" to "Space Oddity". Join us in the library's downstairs meeting room for an afternoon of space music. Part of this year's One Book One Community festival - San Mateo County reads "Packing for Mars". More events and info at onebookreads.com.

ATHERTON DAMES' CHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN PARTY Sunday, Oct. 30,  2 - 4 p.m. at Holbrook-Palmer Park, 150 Watkins Ave., Atherton. Children are invited to come in costume and enjoy a fun-filled ventriloquist show.  Win exciting prizes; enjoy our gourmet coffee and candy bar.  For more details or to make reservations, email HalloweenParty@AthertonDames.org.  All proceeds benefit Holbrook-Palmer Park.  

Join us at the AMERICAN GIRL FASHION SHOW  at Christ's Church in Los Altos, November 11 and 12 to benefit Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.  Shows are 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Friday and 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday.  Refreshments will be served.  For reservations and tickets see www.PaloAltoAuxiliary.com or email AmericanGirlFashionShow@gmail.com.   

 
The Las Lomitas PTA and the Las Lomitas School do not endorse, warrant or recommend any of these businesses.

SOCCER  - ALPINE STRIKERS

Is your child excited about soccer? So are we! Alpine Strikers FC offers professionally coached preschool and kindergarten soccer classes. Session 2 will start the week of October 17th at Burgess Park in Menlo Park and Rossotti's Field in Portola Valley. Please click here for program information and registration details.  We hope to see you on the field!

SIGN UP NOW - SOLO AQUATICS SWIM TEAM  

SOLO Aquatics offers a year-round program in which swimmers learn excellent swim / stroke technique through outstanding coaching in a fun environment. SOLO, a non-profit USA Swimming organization, has been serving Menlo Park for over 19 years and has over 100 year-round swimmers ranging in age from 5 to 18. Swimmers are grouped by age and ability levels. For practice schedules and fee information, please visit our website at  www.soloaquatics.com or call us today at (650) 851-9091.

NJB WINTER BASKETBALL

Registration is now open at www.redwoodnjb.org. This Redwood Chapter is starting its 9th year and many former players are playing for area High School teams including St. Francis, MA, and Menlo School. Come join us this year for a positive experience in competitive basketball. We offer a rookie league (D4) for grades 1-2 with the ability to form your own team (note friends during registration).  There are no boundary restrictions for D4/rookie league. For grades 3-8 we offer 3 leagues D1 (grades 3-4), D2 (grades 5-6), and D3 (grades 7-8). D1-D3 utilizes a draft to ensure equality on every team and players are restricted to Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, Woodside, or East Palo Alto. All teams are parent coached and the league affords pre-season coaching clinics. All Divisions (D1-D4) will play a 9-game schedule with a one or two weekend playoff.