For Las Lomitas League class schedules, please see their website at www.laslomitasleague.org

This Week

• 4/26 Incoming K parent orientation - 7 p.m. - Cano Hall
• 4/27 Kindergarten Round-Up - 10 a.m.

 Coming Soon

• 4/30 STAR Testing Begins
• 5/2 PTA Bd. Mtg. - 9 a.m. - room 20B
• School Bd. Mtg. LE MUR - 7 p.m.
• Volunteer and Staff Appreciation Week begins May 7
• 5/9 Morning with the Principal - 9 a.m. - Cano Hall
• 5/9 School Bd. Mtg. - 7 p.m. - LE MUR
• 5/11 Appreciation Luncheon

Dear Las Lomitas Families,

I get many questions this time of the year asking how we create classes for the next academic school year. This article outlines the placement process.

In May the faculty spends three afternoons putting together the following year's classes. Each grade level team makes up the classes for the next grade. The Placement Committee members place incoming Kindergarten students into classes.

The teachers work carefully to create classrooms that are evenly balanced in terms of:

• Gender
• Sessions (K-2)
• Academics - high, medium and low performing students
• Special needs - students who work with our many specialists such as Language Lab, Speech & Language, Resource Program, Reading Recovery, Reading Groups and Math Lab.
• Health and other special factors

Teachers' names are not assigned until after the class configurations are complete.

In order to maintain balance in class size we often have multi-graded classes. This year we have K/1^st multi-grade class. We also have job shares on our campus. This is when two teachers decide to co-teach a single class. Multi-graded classes and job shares at Las Lomitas are of the same high caliber as all other classes. These classes are formed using the same process described above.

In August, the teachers on the Placement Committee volunteer to come in to review and finalize class lists to accommodate students who have enrolled or moved away over the summer.

We put tremendous effort into creating balanced classes to best meet the needs of all our students. We are continually refining the process and are proud of our results. I will review this process and answer questions at the last Morning with the Principal on

May 9th at 9:00 in Cano Hall. I hope you can attend to discuss this and any other topic of interest you would like me to address.

Until next time,

Sue Sartor

Principal

Many students bring pre-packaged seaweed to school for lunch or snack. Inside the package there is a small packet of silica gel that might be mistaken for candy or topping for the seaweed. Please remove this silica gel packet before sending the seaweed to school with your child. Thank you.

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.   

Did you remember to order your Memory Book?????  There is now a binder in the office of all orders we have received to date.  If you have questions or a problem please contact Kristin Spindt (kspindt@msn.com).   Thanks you in advance for your cooperation.
The Memory Book Committee  

The 2012 PTA Nominating Committee is pleased to present the new slate for the 2012-13 PTA Executive Board:

President: Cindy Tipton

1^st VP: Christy Chin                                                 

Treasurer: Julie Herlihy

Secretary:  Linda Mills

2^nd VP, Volunteer Coordinator: Cindy Anderson

3^rd VP, Hot Food:  Stacy May

4^th VP, Membership:  Jennifer Williams

Parliamentarian:  Donna Hall  

Please click here (hyperlink Click here to: http://www.laslomitaspta.org/programs/vote.html) to vote to approve the 2012-13 PTA Executive Board

A HUGE thank you to the 2012 PTA Nominating Committee:
Melissa Almgren
Shari Guggenhime
Cynthia Norris
Cindy Tipton

If your child is going to be absent, please call the attendance line, 854-5900 ext. 1 with the information.  If you email the teacher, the information is not always transferred to the office.

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We are in need of sweatpants for really tiny bodies - kindergarten sized.  Thank you! 

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. 
• 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.
• JEFF ARONS' YOUTH TENNIS CAMPS AT SACRED HEART SCHOOLS   
  Jeff Arons is the director of tennis for Sacred Heart Schools.  His coaching experiences include founding/directing the East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring Program and coaching a Wimbledon doubles champion.  His morning camps offer the beginning/intermediate level player the opportunity to develop their skills in a child friendly and fun environment.  His afternoon camps are geared towards improving the performance of intermediate to advanced players.
  Grades: 1st through 12th at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ten one week sessions beginning June 11 and ending August 17.  For more please go to www.jeffaronstennis.com

Take the 2012 Drive Less Challenge!
April 22 - May 5th, 2012
The Drive Less Challenge is a fun way that you can try alternatives to driving your car to work, school, shopping, and other local places.  Walking, biking, and taking transit instead of driving are great ways to improve your health, protect our environment, reduce car traffic (the largest source of CO2 emissions in the Bay Area). and to promote local commerce.  Use our on-line Challenge application to share your stories, and to join or form groups - including friends, co-workers, neighbors, and others - to compete for fun and prizes from local businesses.
Participate, volunteer, or sponsor the DLC at: http://www.drivelesschallenge.com

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!    

Ladera Community Church Preschool still has openings in the Threes MWF class and the Pre-K classes (MWF and T/Th) for the 2012-2013 school year. We are a NAEYC-accredited preschool for children ages 2 - 5 years, and we're located in a lovely setting in Portola Valley. LCC Preschool excels at creating stimulating, developmentally appropriate curriculum in an engaging play-based environment. Come observe our teachers and visit our wonderful facility at 3300 Alpine Road in Portola Valley. To find out more, visit our website at www.laderapreschool.org or contact Director Sandi Snider at 854-0295.

Vision Volleyball Club "Futures" Spring Session  Vision Volleyball Club is proud to announce the return of our "Futures" volleyball program. The Vision "Futures" program is designed to introduce and teach young, beginning players (girls ages 7-12 years old) the sport of volleyball in a fun and positive environment by experienced Vision coaches. All events will be held at Los Gatos High School gymnasium.
Dates: Every Sunday, April 15 - May 27 (excluding May 13)
Times: 2pm - 4pm (April 15th session will be from 6pm - 8pm)
Fees: $225 - Fees will be prorated if joining a session already in progress. Each participate will receive a camp T-shirt. Registration can be done online at www.visionvolleyball.com or may be completed on the first day of camp. Space is limited and will be offer on a first come first served basis. For additional information go to www.visionvolleyball.com or contact Joe Ripp at (408-356-9181.

AYSO Region 25 provides soccer for grades K-12 in the communities of Portola Valley, Woodside, La Honda, Ladera, and Las Lomitas.  Registration for Fall-2012 is online only Apr-15 thru May-31 at http://ayso25.org.  For up to date details, you can also find us at facebook.com/ayso25, or call Commissioner Don Yates at 650-851-2690.  AYSO is an all-volunteer organization.  Safe, fun, affordable, and memories that last a lifetime.  Every child plays at least half of every game.