topTuesday Bulletin
Lafayette Elementary Home & School Association 
Zelda Caldwell, editor
May 1, 2012
In This Issue
From the HSA
Spring Fair News
Spring Fair T-Shirts
Fundraiser at Jake's
HSA Speakers
Arts Integration Open House
Arts Nights I & II
Peace Club
Psychologist's Newsletter
Oasis Book Group
Community Notices
Lafayette Sponsors
Submissions

From Principal
Lynn Main

 

 

It's time for our youngest students at Lafayette to take center stage.  For the past few weeks, Ms. Perll has been busy helping each child select one piece of art to showcase at their Arts Night on May 9.  That was just the first step.  Each piece has now been mounted and labeled.  This week, the bulletin boards on the first floor will start to be covered with all of this work as we get ready to open our doors to you, letting you see just how much work our students have completed this school year.
 
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Mark Your Calendar

 May 1 (Tuesday)
Class Picture Day
  
May 3 (Thursday)
HSA Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Parents' Night at Jake's American Grille, 7 p.m.- Midnight

 

May 5 (Saturday)
Spring Fair, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

  

 May 7 (Monday)          

 Arts Integration Open House (Pre-K and 3rd), 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 

May 8 (Tuesday)

Arts Integration Open House (K-2nd and 4th-5th), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Group/Club/5th Grade Picture Day  

 

May 9 (Wednesday)

Arts Night I (Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade; Bands, Ensembles), 6 p.m.

 

May 10 (Thursday)
HSA Election Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Speaker: Hidden Connection Between Food and Childhood Ailments, 7 p.m.   

May 21 (Monday) 

No School, Conference Day

May 23 (Wednesday)

Arts Night II (Grades 2-5), 6 p.m. 
 

 See full school calendar

   

school sign  

From the HSA 

Dan Aladjem & Jenny Murray, co-presidents

 

First, in case it's snuck up on you... Spring Fair is THIS weekend! Sign up to volunteer and buy your KidPass(es) online at www.lafayettehsa.org.

 

On Wednesday evening parents gathered to hear Rue Zitner, a fellow Lafayette parent, speak about helping our kids be good digital citizens. Screens are such a big part of our kids' lives, and, as a parent, it's not easy to know if you're doing the right things. One of Rue's key guidelines is to "go where your kids go." The only way to know which shows, movies, online games and websites are appropriate is for you to personally test them out. If you don't know how to access a site or how to play a game, ask your child to help you. Another great tip is to consider using the "Family Media Agreement" found at www.commonsensemedia.org (an all-around great site for movie and game reviews). This is a 2-way pledge signed by parents and children with details about how to respect each other's media usage and details about using all types of media responsibly. Thank you to Rue for giving her time and knowledge - we all learned a lot! 

 

HSA and LSAT Elections

The annual election meeting for the HSA board and LSAT representatives will be held on Thursday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m. Please plan to attend and cast your vote. If you cannot be there in person, you can still cast your vote using a paper proxy ballot. All voters must be HSA members and only one vote per family. Fill out the ballot, sign it, and return it to the HSA Secretary's drawer in the grey file cabinet in the Great Hall. You may also send your ballot along with a friend who's attending the meeting in person. Thanks!


 

Spring Fair is this Weekend!
Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

moonbounceWe're really looking forward to seeing all of you this coming Saturday. Please spread the word to our newer families, friends and neighbors about the great "Luau" fun that is shared by all at this annual event. The Spring Fair has always been a success and it attracts families from all over the community.  The Spring Fair features arts and crafts activities, rides, custom t-shirts, and great food. The Spring Fair could not be a success without your support, so we cordially invite you join us in making this a great family day!

 

Also, if you have an hour or two to donate, we're still looking for volunteers, especially for the food tables, face painting and a few other places. Please contact Marilyn Kitzes, Julie Maner, Barbara Noguera, Kristi Teems. 

Thanks!

 

Don't forget:

  • Buy a Kidpass               
  • Bake for the Bake Sale
  • Donate an hour
  • Collect and donate books, CDs and DVDs
  • Collect small toys to donate - items to give as prizes
  • Bring the family and enjoy the Fair!

 

Seeking Parents to Help with the "Coin Man" at the Fair  

 

Bill Mullan has been selling coins at the Lafayette Spring Fair - and donating all his proceeds to the school - for nearly 40 years! He's asking if there are 1 or 2 parents who'd be willing to lend a hand by helping him watch over the stand and making sure that coins don't "wander away" - those shiny coins are very attractive to curious little ones. He (and his 84 year old wife) will be on hand to answer any questions about the coins. If you can help please contact Jenny Murray  and she will put you in touch with Mr. Mullan. Thanks! 

 

 

Start planning what flavors you will bring to the SPRING FAIR BAKE SALE!!! We can use all kinds of baked goods, so ask YOUR kids about the treats THEY would spend their allowance on!!!

Are you famous for your Salad?
Salads wanted for the popular salad table at the fair. Fruit, lettuce, pasta, etc. Use your imagination. We can also use people to help man the table, especially from 11:30-1:30. If you can make a salad, or wield some salad tongs, please email Lisa McLish

Calling all Volunteers!
If you haven't yet signed up for a shift at the fair, click here.
Spring Fair T-Shirts for Sale 
spring fair t-shirt design
 

Get your 2012 Luau Spring Fair T-Shirt!

 

We will be selling the new T-shirts the week prior to the fair!

WHEN: April 30 - May 4

TIME: 3:15 - 3:45 p.m.

WHERE: Flagpole in front on school

 

Lafayette Parents' Night at Jake's May 3rd
 
Join us on Thursday, May 3 from 7 p.m. to midnight for
Lafayette Night at Jake's Boiler Room. Jake's is donating 10 percent of the proceeds to Lafayette. An
y questions, call 202- 441-0925 or click here for more info.  
HSA Speaker Series 

What's Eating Your Child? The Hidden Connection Between Food and Childhood Ailments.   Thursday, May 10, 7-8:30 p.m., Lafayette cafetorium.

 

Join us to talk about the connections between food and common childhood ailments such as anxiety, recurrent ear infections, stomachaches, picky eating, rashes, ADHD, and more. Our speaker, Kelly Dorfman, is a respected nutritionist who has specialized in the connection between children's health and behavior and the food they eat. Ms. Dorfman has been called a nutrition detective who integrates information from many sources to find practical solutions for even the most complex ailments and symptoms. She is also a popular speaker and workshop leader and author of the book, What's Eating Your Child? The Hidden Connections Between Food and Childhood Ailments, which was published last year.This HSA-sponsored session, which is the last of the school year, will follow the HSA election meeting.    

  

Arts Integration Open House Schedule

 

Join us for our first Arts Integration Open House on Monday, May 7 and Tuesday, May 8 from 9 a.m -12 p.m. The schedule is here. Please click here for recent changes to the schedule. Each classroom teacher will be teaching an arts integrated lesson for you to see for yourself one of the many ways we are integrating the arts at Lafayette. Please feel free to email Jackie Snowden with any questions or comments. 

 

>>See invitation to Arts Integration Open House and Arts Nights I and II 

Schedule for Arts Night I and II   

 

Arts Night I - May 9

 

Grade/Ensemble

Time to Gather in Ms. Stinson's music room

Time of Performance

Location

Pre-kindergarten

5:45

6:00

stage

Kindergarten

6:00

6:15

stage

1st

6:15

6:30

stage

Step Team

Gather in Ms. Perll's trailer at 5:30

6:45

Green Top

Beginner Band and Advanced Band

6:45

7:00

Inside of Cafeteria

Strings

6:45 in Upstairs Library (where strings normally practice)

7:25

stage

Guitar

7:00

7:35

stage

Percussion

7:00

7:45

stage

 

 Arts Night II - May 23

 

Grade/Ensemble

Time to Gather in Ms. Stinson's music room

Time of Performance

Location

Choir

5:45

6:00

stage

2nd grade

6:00

6:15

stage

3rd grade

6:15

6:30

stage

4th grade

6:30

6:45

stage

5th grade

6:55

7:10

stage

 

>>More information on Arts Nights I and II 

Peace Club in the News

Linda RydenOur very own Linda Ryden was in the news recently! Ms. Ryden, Peace teacher at Lafayette, was featured on ABC 7's evening news. The segment was about Mayor Gray's plans to address bullying. Ms. Ryden's lunchtime Peace Club is highlighted as one effort to eliminate bullying in our local schools. Peace Class was also featured in multiple radio segments on WNEW. Lafayette's Peace Class and lunchtime Peace Club are unique and valuable curriculum offerings that are helping to teach our children how to be kinder, more responsible members of the community. 
>>Watch now  
>>Learn more about Teaching Peace at Lafayette

 

Newsletter from Your School Psychologist

This week Lafayette School Psychologist Kimberly Williams offers tips on increasing reading comprehension and helping children who show signs of having ADD or ADHD. Click here for the complete newsletter.
 
From the School Counselor's Office 
Jillian Diesner, School Counselor
Cydney Lewis, School Counselor Intern

Childhood Roots of Adult HappinessFrom the Oasis:  We are halfway through our book discussion on The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness.  It is absolutely NOT too late for anyone to join in, as the discussions are online and can be found here: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en&fromgroups#!forum/the-oasis-at-lafayette  

 

We will be looking at Chapters 10-11 this week, which discuss the concepts of Mastery and Recognition.  I like to think of this as a "book distilling" as I am taking out the salient points and posting them online, then anyone who has or hasn't read the book can share their thoughts about what the author says.  However, if you'd like to still buy the book, Child's Play has some in stock and will give you 20% off if you mention it's for Lafayette's discussion group.  Also, anyone who is able is invited to come into the Oasis on Thursdays at 2:30 to be a part of the live discussion.  We still have two meetings left: May 3 and May 10, and would love to see more parents join us!

 

 

Community

Community Notices 


Deal Parent Education Workshop - How To Help Your Kids Cope With Bullying -  Monday, May 7 at 7 p.m.

Dr. Richa Bhatia, a child  and adolescent psychiatrist at National Children's Medical Center in D.C., will offer parents a guide to addressing and preventing bullying. A program sponsored by Speak Up for Kids, Dr. Bhatia will help parents and teachers recognize bullying behaviors, risks for being bullied or bullying others,  and offer tips for prevention. This program is brought to you by the Deal PTA.  

 

Join Children's Chorus of Washington (CCW) 

Auditions for the Children's Chorus of Washington's 2012-13 season are happening now! No preparation or experience needed, just the love of singing! Girls and boys with unchanged voices, ages 9-16 can try out for placement in our Treble, Bel Canto and Concert Choruses. Boys with changed voices can try out for our Young Men's Ensemble. Just call now to schedule an appointment for a simple individual hearing with Artistic Director, Ms. Joan Gregoryk. Tuition scholarships are provided to all students with demonstrated financial needs. Auditions are held by appointment only. They are held on selected dates in May and June at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church in NW Washington, DC. For more information, please visit http://cchorus.homestead.com/.      

 

Wonderful nanny looking for new family in August.

Teresa, our nanny for the past two years, is looking for a new job, starting fall 2012 as both our families are moving abroad. Teresa has been taking care of our two toddlers in Chevy Chase (in a nanny-share) for the past 1 1/2 years. Teresa has also provided exceptional infant care for one of our children since he was three months old. Our kids have benefited greatly from Teresa's extremely caring, warm and calm nature.  She speaks Spanish and basic English, and she has taught our two Scandinavian children Spanish. Feel free to contact Tove at 202-368-8804 or Stine at 571-594-7253 with any questions, or and you can contact Teresa directly at [email protected].

  

2012 High School Graduate Seeks Summer Job. My name is Moira Sims.  I'm 17 and about to graduate from high school in Istanbul, Turkey, where my parents worked for the U.S. Consulate.  I went to Lafayette Elementary School and Alice Deal Junior High.   I am looking for a summer job in a bookstore, video store, caf� or restaurant.  I have applied to several places, but it's been challenging to job search from 5,229 miles away.  I am also an experienced babysitter and dog-walker.  If anyone has any advice on summer jobs or is interested in hiring me, please let me know!  I am hardworking, reliable, friendly and creative. I will be back in DC by July 1 until the end of August.  My email is [email protected] and I can interview via Skype.

  

 

sponsor banner with kids

Thank You Lafayette Sponsors!

 

These organizations support Lafayette through a generous annual donation- please support them!

 

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Submissions for next week's issue should be emailed to [email protected]. Submissions are due by 3:15 p.m. on Friday. Submissions received after this time will be included in the following issue, unless instructed otherwise. Please keep submissions brief. Longer articles may be truncated at the editor's discretion, with a link to the full text.