| School News | |
Dear Las Lomitas Families,
Las Lomitas is doing its part to reduce, reuse and recycle. Two years ago we started our compost program during lunch. We reduced waste headed for the landfill from seven cans to two! Composting is now an integral part of our school life. Compost bins are not only out for students to use, but are also in the teacher's lounge and available for special events such as the Family Picnic and Pancake Breakfast.
Parents from the PTA's Green Team are out in force at lunch time to help students to sort their trash. Children's Choice packaging is almost 100% compostable, which greatly helps us reduce waste. For those who do not buy the hot food lunches, you can help by packing lunches that create minimal waste, such as reusable containers.
A big "thank you" goes to Monica Albers, coordinator, and the dedicated parents who are on this year's Green Team: Bobbie Salinger, Donna Hall, Cindy Tipton, Julie Chandik, Rachel Perlman, Heather Hopkins, Alina Halloran, Cheryl Pan, Susan Karnstedt, Jeni Mahon, Gianna Wrenn, Ozge Goker, Jenny Overholt, Lloyd Brown, Adrian Arozqueta and Michael Albers. This is surely the least glamorous parent volunteer opportunity, but one that is very important in that they model and teach good stewardship and responsibility for our environment. If you see any of these wonderful people, please let them know how much they are appreciated!
If you are interested in helping with the lunch compost program, please contact Monica and she'll get you started. It is exciting to provide this opportunity for children to take a personal role in caring for our planet Earth. Together we can make a difference!
Until next time,
Sue Sartor
Principal
Safety Tip: Put away your cellphone when you are in school parking lots and pick-up lanes. It is not only unsafe for our small students, but against the law to be on the phone when operating your vehicle!
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Parents of Third Graders
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Parents of Third Graders:
Save these dates regarding 4th grade orientation to La Entrada!
As you are well aware, third graders will be off to La Entrada in the fall. Several activities have been organized to address questions that you and your child may have about their "new school."
In an effort to make the transition to La Entrada comfortable for everyone, we invite you to attend the following events:
ORIENTATION FOR PARENTS OF THIRD GRADERS - Thursday, April 5th
All parents are invited to an orientation session on Thursday, April 5th from 7 - 8 p.m. in the La Entrada Library. Larry Thomas, Principal and La Entrada staff will provide information about LE and the 4th grade program in particular, so that your transition will be smooth and comfortable. The evening will allow ample time for your questions. Refreshments will be served. Please Note: This evening is for parents only. Students will visit La Entrada for their own special orientation the next day.
THIRD GRADE VISIT TO LA ENTRADA - Friday, April 6th
On Friday morning, April 6th, third graders will take a field trip to La Entrada. The students will already have corresponded with current 4th graders via a pen pal program. They will get to meet their pen pal and participate in an orientation planned by La Entrada staff and students to help your child become more comfortable and excited about his/her new school.
LA ENTRADA OPEN HOUSE - Thursday, May 24th
La Entrada teachers will hold Open House in their classrooms on Thursday, May 24th beginning at 6:30 PM. Incoming 4th graders and their families are welcome to attend this event. It's a great opportunity to meet the fourth grade teachers: Ms. Goldman, Room 30, Ms. Cummins, Room 31, Mrs. Strom, Room 40, Mrs. Montalvo, Room 41 Ms. Thelen, Rm 32 and Mr. Olds, Rm 34.
(NOTE: Next year's teacher assignments have not been determined as of this date.)
Questions? Call Kathy Ruwe, school counselor at Las Lomitas ext. 267 or Emily McDonough, school counselor at La Entrada, ext. 215.
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| PTA News | |
JOIN THE PTA BOARD! Would you like to make a difference at Las Lomitas? Meet new parents? Work with other parent volunteers and the school administration to plan enrichment programs for our children? Have you been wondering how to get "more involved" at school? We are looking for a couple of parents to join the PTA Board next year. It is a wonderful opportunity to make a big impact for our children and school community. Please contact Kelly Holzrichter (kellyh@sbcglobal.net) for more information.
A WONDERFUL YEAR FOR SCIENCE WONDERS
Bravo to our young scientists! Our participants wondered everything from "How crystals are formed?, "Why is there so much static electricity in Death Valley?" and "How do ants communicate?" Any unclaimed projects have been put on the side counter in Cano Hall. Please pick them up as soon as possible.
Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers who helped make the event a success: Melissa Almgren, Diane Appel, Katie Boland, Jonna Hunter, Chris Jones, Suzanne Portugal, Jill Ohline and Dolly Srivastava.
Diana Sunshine, sunshine@onderdonk.net
If you'd like to volunteer to support one of the many events and programs the PTA sponsors each year, contact Cindy Tipton (vp@laslomitas.org). We have volunteer opportunities to suit almost everyone's interest and availability.
ORDER YOUR LAS LOMITAS MEMORY BOOK ONLINE TODAY! It's time to order your Memory Books (the books will be distributed the last week of school). Please use our new online ordering form at: www.laslomitaspta.org/programs/memorybook.html. Books are $30 each after March 24th.
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| Las Lomitas Education Foundation News | |
Inspiring the Scientists, Engineers and Innovators of Tomorrow
The Las Lomitas Education Foundation is proud to adopt as its 2012 Fund A Need, the creation of the Las Lomitas Science and Engineering Education Resource Initiative (SEERI). This is part of the effort to implement the new Strategic Plan adopted by the District this year. The mission of SEERI will be to instill in the students of the Las Lomitas School District the inspiration, confidence and foundation necessary to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) academic courses in secondary school and college. SEERI will be both a physical space on the Las Lomitas campus, and a district wide program of science enrichment supporting all K-8 students. At Las Lomitas, a remodeled classroom will serve as a resource center and be outfitted with equipment, technology, resources and supplies that will expand and enhance the teaching and learning opportunities for students and faculty.
Your donations, raised through Fund A Need will go toward:
* Supplementing and expanding the innovative science program at both Las Lomitas and La Entrada, sparking and nurturing students' enthusiasm for STEM learning
* Equipping our students with multiple learning strategies, fostering teamwork and teaching the application of theory in ways that will be useful for lifelong learning
* Providing advanced tools, equipment and professional development to teachers for expansion of existing curriculum and enrichment in new areas such as engineering and robotics
* Preparing students in K-5 for the rigorous and excellent middle school science program, enriching the 6-8 program
* Finding new ways to make science and engineering HANDS ON AND FUN!
We have an ambitious goal of raising $200,000. Your donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated. Please help us expand science education for our children!
For families new to the district, Fund A Need is an annual tradition linked to the Spring Auction. Typically, those who plan to attend the Auction bid on Fund A Need during the Live Auction at the main event, this year named "London 2012", scheduled for Saturday, May 19. Tickets for London 2012 go on sale April 6. Be on the lookout for your invitation as tickets sell out quickly! We also have a significant number of donors who prefer to contribute to FAN online. FAN is an extremely important part of our mission...last year FAN funded six new portable classrooms, contributing to the reduction of class sizes. FAN is a very powerful way for parents to make a specific and immediate difference in their children's education. Contributions are 100% tax deductible. We appreciate your continued support!
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| Memory Book Cover Winner! | |
We are proud to announce that Kari T,, a 3rd grader in Mrs. Harney's class, has won the 2011-2012 Memory Book Cover Contest! We had an amazing response to the contest and while Kari's drawing will grace the cover of our book, all of the other artwork submitted will be displayed on the back cover and autograph page. There were so many wonderful submissions that it was very difficult to make a decision and we thank the students for the time they spent in creating all the fantastic artwork. The drawings will be returned before the end of the year, but look for them first at the Student Art Exhibition at Open House on Thursday, May 31st!
Congratulations!
- The Memory Book committee
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| Lost and Found | |
THE LOST AND FOUND WILL BE DONATED THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 30.
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| Challenge Success Courses | |
Research-Based Parent Education Courses from Challenge Success:
How much help is too much when it comes to homework?
How do I decide which extracurricular activities are best for my kid?
Is it okay for my 13-year-old to be on Facebook every day?
If you're not sure how to answer these questions, you're not alone. At Challenge Success, we hear regularly from parents who are trying to be the best parents they can be, but who aren't always sure what to do. Our first series of classes, Raising Well-Balanced Children in a Fast-Paced World, is now available in one of our in-person workshops and online. If you are the parent of an elementary or middle school-aged child and are wondering how to raise healthier, happier kids and help your family feel more connected, then these are the classes for you.
Our interactive online course allows you to work at your own pace or you may join us in person for a six week workshop. Our next course begins at Stanford on April 25th. Please visit our website at www.challengesuccess.org for more information. |
| Hot Lunch FAQs | |
Hot Lunch FAQ
The Hot Lunch Program is a service of the Las Lomitas PTA, offering lunch five days a week to students in 1st through 3rd grades. A new FAQ has been added to the PTA web site to provide parents with more detailed information about the program and about the menus and features provided by our vendor, Choicelunch. For example, did you know that you can set up your account to automatically order lunches for your child, either by day or whenever their favorite foods are available? Have you ever used the Feedback feature, designed so your child can let our lunch vendor know which entrees are the yummiest? Are you interested in signing up as a hot lunch volunteer to help serve lunches to Las Lomitas students? Read the FAQ for information on these questions and more!
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| LLESD Governing Board |
The Governing Board web page (www.llesd.k12.ca.us.board.html) now lists all scheduled Board meetings and their location, and includes links to agendas for upcoming meetings and approved minutes for past meetings. The site is updated when new information is available, so please visit it regularly. Materials discussed at Regular Meetings (held monthly) are available in both school offices Monday through Wednesday prior to the meeting. Materials from past meetings are available at the District Office by contacting the Superintendent's Secretary at 854-2880.
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Business Partners News
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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.
- Panthers Camp - Summer 2012 Looking for a summer experience that inspires movement and builds confidence - Panthers Camp is an ""All Sports"" camp held at Corte Madera School and directed by Dan Flahavan during the 2012 summer. For more information and to register, the link to the Panthers Camp website is www.pantherscamppv.com. I look forward to another great summer with your kids at Panthers Camp. For any questions, please email Dan Flahavan (dflahavan@pvsd.net).
- Aspire Lacrosse Aspire Lacrosse is building the ultimate off-season lacrosse training and player development program in the West for youth players of all abilities. This summer, we're bringing our four day camps to Menlo College June 18-21 and July 16-19, running 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily (with a half day option for beginners) for boys and girls ages 5-15. We are excited about our great line-up of instructors being added every day - all who were great players and are even better teachers of the game. Our camps are teaching camps, focused on player development with innovative, up-tempo drills for maximum touches, personalized attention, low coach to player ratio, in a fun and stimulating environment. Register by March 31st to take advantage of our Early Bird Rates! Visit www.aspirelacrosse.com or contact us at info@aspirelacrosse.com or 888-995-5155.
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Community News | |
The Las Lomitas PTA and the Las Lomitas School do not endorse, warrant or recommend any of these businesses.
SOLO Aquatics Swim Team -- Children Ages 3 - 18 Burgess Pool and MA High School Pool, Menlo Park Serving Menlo Park families for two decades, SOLO swim team is unique from all other swim programs because of the outstanding quality of its coaching and instruction, the individual attention each swimmer receives, the focus on technique, and its commitment to inspiring kids to fall in love with swimming. Led by SOLO Head Coach Tom McRae whose educational background is in Physical Education specializing in developmental motor patterns in children, our experienced coaching staff will help children learn outstanding stroke technique, endurance, and personal accomplishment in a safe, FUN environment! Check out our Summer Sharks, Racer and Dynamo programs for young children aged 4-8 on our website: www.soloaquatics.com. For more information contact registration@soloaquatics.com or (650) 851-9091.
Can Technology Successfully Assist Our Schools in Closing the Achievement Gap?
Tuesday, March 27, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Woodside High School, 199 Churchill Avenue, Woodside.
Join us for an intensive discussion on this compelling and timely topic with some of the nation's EdTech leaders. Doors open at 6:30; seating is first-come, first-served. No charge for admission.
PANEL PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE:
- Karen Cator, Director of the Office of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education
- Neeru Khosla, Founder, CD-12 Foundation
- Alan Louie, Partner, Imagine K12
- David Reilly, Principal, Woodside High School
- Betsy (Elizabeth) Corcoran, Co-founder, EdSurge; Moderator
This special event is hosted by Peninsula College Fund and sponsored by Woodside High School and Kepler's Books. The Peninsula College Fund, www.peninsulacollegefund.org, is a non-profit dedicated to serving low income, first generation college students.
Creative Art for Young Children is offering spring classes at the Portola Valley Town Center. Registration forms are available at the Town Center, 765 Portola Road, online at portolavalley.net or call 851-1700 ext. 200.
Come into the Las Lomitas office and visit our new Parent Information Corner! You'll find lots of information about programs for children such as Camp Galileo, iD tech Camps, Hi-Five Sports Club, Bulldog Sports and Fitness, Las Lomitas Summer Program and many more!
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| Newsletter Submissions | |
The Lion's Roar is published every Monday. To submit items for inclusion in the newsletter:
· Email submissions by noon, Wednesdays, to Carol Clark at cclark@llesd.org.
· Include a brief description of the item in the subject line of the email.
· Please include the text (in 10pt Arial) in an attachment to your email.
· Flyers will be summarized briefly in the email newsletter, with a link provided to access the complete flyer. Flyers must be provided electronically to enable online access.
Please note: Community announcements are for local children's events only. The title, date and contact number will be listed with a one-two sentence descriptor.
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The Lion's Roar 