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From Principal
Lynn Main
Last week was a whirlwind of activity as we welcomed our 700 students back to school. On schedule for the week was reviewing rules and procedures, meeting new classmates, getting used to new locations for classrooms and completing several assessments so that we know where to start with reading and math instruction.
> >Read more
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Mark Your Calendar
September 5 (Wednesday)
LSAT Meeting, 7:45 a.m.
Back-to-School Night I (pre-K, 1st, 3rd, 5th)
September 6 (Thursday)
Back-to-School Night II (K, 2nd, 4th)
September 13 (Thursday)
HSA Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
September 19 (Wednesday)
HSA Open Chat, 8:45 a.m..
September 27 (Thursday)
HSA General Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
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From the HSA
Jenny Murray & Gayle Moseley, co-presidents
Last week was a whirlwind of activity as we welcomed our 700 students back to school. On schedule for the week was reviewing rules and procedures, meeting new classmates, getting used to new locations for classrooms and completing several assessments so that we know where to start with reading and math instruction. First examples of work are now posted around the building.
We hope everyone has had a great first week of school. It's amazing how quickly our kids adapt to new surroundings and routine! One thing I always look forward to at the beginning of the school year is Back-to-School night (more information on that below). I always find it very helpful to meet my children's teachers and see their classrooms. It really helps to have a sense of how their day unfolds at school. I also like meeting new parents and reuniting with others I haven't seen all summer.
We've heard lots of positive feedback about the bright yellow envelopes your children received in their backpacks last week. We tried to make things easy to navigate and hope you found information that answered your questions or at least peaked your interest. It really makes our job worthwhile to learn something we've done was helpful - thank you letting us know!
Next week is Membership Week. If you haven't already joined the HSA (only $25!) or contributed to the Bear Fund, you'll have lots of opportunities to do so next week, face-to-face, as well as online. Contributions to the Bear Fund are voluntary, but so important to Lafayette's success. We encourage each Lafayette family to join the HSA and contribute what they can to the Bear Fund. Although we suggest contribution amounts depending upon the number of children enrolled at Lafayette, all levels of contributions are accepted and gratefully appreciated.
We hope to see you on Wednesday and/or Thursday at Back-to-School Night!
Jenny Murray & Gayle Moseley
Join the HSA
Jenny and Gayle want to emphasize our ongoing offer to listen to your suggestions, answer your questions, and help you problem-solve when needed. The HSA's virtual "suggestion box" is [email protected]. Gayle and I will check this regularly and get back to you ASAP.
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Back-to-School Nights This Week
Wednesday evening is for pre-K, 1st, 3rd and 5th. Thursday is for Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th. New families should arrive at 6:00 for an orientation. Returning families should arrive at 7:00. You will get an update from Principal Main and the HSA, and then head off to your child's classroom to meet the teacher and see what lies ahead for the school year. Limited childcare is available from 6-9pm through the Lafayette Aftercare Program (LAP). Please email [email protected] by Tuesday, 9/4, to reserve a spot in advance. No children will be accepted at the door. The cost is $15/hour. All questions about childcare should be directed to LAP Director Nadhege Raphael
>>See flyer
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Shop at Politics & Prose, Eat at Terasol and Comet Pizza to Support Wilson High School!
Plan to shop and eat March 3 & 4
Come shop at Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Saturday and Sunday, March 3 & 4 to help raise important funds for the Wilson PTSA. Politics & Prose will donate 20 percent of all book sales to the PTSA if you tell the cashier that you're a Wilson supporter. In addition, teacher and library "wish lists" will be available at the Wilson table, across from the children's section.
Afterward, dine at nearby Comet Pizza or Terasol Restaurant, identify yourself as a Wilson supporter, and the restaurant will donate a portion of your tab to the school. Please urge your friends and neighbors to shop and eat in support of Wilson! |
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Add or Update Your Family's Directory Information
The deadline for adding or verifying your info for the Lafayette Family Directory is September 10. Even returning families have to verify their information! Help us get the Directory distributed early this year by going to the online database today.
>> Family Directory Instructions
CALLING LAFAYETTE BABYSITTERS!
We are compiling listings of neighborhood babysitters for the Lafayette Family Directory. As in previous years, this is intended for sitters--mostly neighborhood students and often Lafayette alums or siblings--who will be available for weekend, evening, and other casual babysitting. The listings are free, but please only submit a listing if you expect to be reasonably available and limit the entry to a few sentences at most. Include your name, age, and at least one contact such as a phone number or email address, as well as any particular restrictions (such as days or neighborhood or what age group you want to babysit). Please email submissions (or any questions) as soon as possible to Holly Idelson. |
Extra Curricular Clubs and Activities at Lafayette
There are many different after school clubs and activities for your children -- all take place right here after school at Lafayette. Dance (jazz, ballet and hip hop), chess, math enrichment, science and Step Team to name just a few. Check out the following link to see what this fall's offerings are, fees, and how to sign up
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Volunteer Sign Up
Thanks to the many people who have already signed up for various volunteer tasks around the school. More volunteers are always needed. Make yourself feel good today - check out the online sign-up sheet and find something that interests you. Or, if you have a special talent, please let us know (artist, programming skills, writer, carpentry, musician, etc.). Please consider helping out with our annual school auction - there are many different jobs and the auction chairs can work with you to find something that fits your interests and availability. There will also be sign-up sheets at both Back-to-School Nights next week, so stop by and have a look. The volunteer coordinator and auction chairs will be there to answer questions. Thanks!
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Bear's Den School Store
 Looking for some Lafayette gear? Our parent volunteers will be setting up the "Bear's Den" school store at both Back-to-School Nights this week. Bring your checkbook (or cash) and get your hoodie jacket, pencils, ball caps and more! |
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New School Logo!
While we've always been the Lafayette Bears, we've never had a formal logo for our school. We'd like to introduce our new logo featuring our school bear (affectionately called "Gilbert" by some, after Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette). Gilbert will be finding his way onto our website, t-shirts and many other things in the near future.
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Quick Drop-off
Quick drop-off started this morning on Northampton St. This se
 rvice is available from 8:30-8:45 a.m. You must head west (from 33rd St toward Broad Branch) on Northampton in order to pull up in the drop- off line. Please have your child sit on the passenger side of the car so that they can exit easily to the sidewalk, and pull your car all the way to the front of the line. Thank you! |
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"The Counselor's Corner"
Hot off the press from the Oasis. Greetings Lafayette parents and family! Welcome back to another exciting school year. We are
glad to be back and are just bursting with new ideas and plans for our students this year. Again this year we will be sharing the load. Ms. Diesner will be responsible for PK-1 st grade, Ms. Nickel,
Ms. Breslin, and Ms. Harn's second grade classes. Ms. Mosby will be responsible for Mr. King's second grade, Ms. Cobb's second grade and grades 3-5.
>>see Flyer
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Cross Country News
 The cross country team is starting its season this week, with practices after school Monday through Thursday. Fourth and fifth graders are eligible and invited to participate. The runners train for races over varied terrain, from 1.5 to 2 miles in length. The first meet of the season will be the Lafayette Invitational, held at Colmar Manor Park in Bladensburg on October 4. The season runs through November 3, the date of the City Championships. If your 4th or 5th grader missed getting a letter and the forms to sign up, you can get the forms from Mr. Thurston directly, or from his mailbox or the math center on Team 3. Ms. Powell (formerly Tepfer) and Mr. Catapano will be coaching the team as well. If your child is not in 4th grade yet, they won't have long to wait-Ms. Shapiro and Mr. Thurston will be launching a lunchtime running program, open to 2nd through 5th graders. Keep tuned for information about that.
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From the Art Room
 Laurie McLaughlin, Grades 1-5 I'm looking forward to meeting all my new to Lafayette and first grade parents at Back-to-School night this week! Please pick up the Art Room newsletter "IMAGINE" located in the Nurse's Office hallway for a quick glance at the "NEED TO KNOW" art room news. Please remember to sign up in your child's classroom at Back-to-School night or call your room parents to volunteer in the art room sometime during the year. Grandparents and au pairs are also welcome and appreciated! Training on the job- no experience necessary:) Remember to have your child wear old or dark colored clothes on art days as even washable" paints sometimes stain. And please save and send in newspapers, yogurt and other containers, extra hand soap or baby wipes, or other interesting materials you think we could use in the art room (no styrofoam please.) Finally, check out the art room blog at or link through the LHSA website for photos and juicy tidbits on what's happening in the art room. I try to post about 4X a month with the latest news and updates.
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Arts Integration
Jackie Snowden
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 Community Activities at Lafayette
Spanish Classes
The Lafayette Foreign Language Program offers Spanish classes three mornings per week to children in grades 1-5. The program will begin again starting in late September. Registration forms will be in the next issue of the Tuesday Bulletin. Thanks for your patience.
Mandarin Lessons
>> see Flyer Mad Science This fall, Mad Science will be offering NASA: Academy of Future Space Explorers. This program has been co-designed with NASA. Students will learn many amazing aspects of space technology, rocket propulsion and the experience of living in space. Classes will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The Monday class will run from 10/1-12/10 and the Tuesday class from 10/2 -11/20. Registration is first come first serve, so register now to secure your spot. Visit the Mad Science website to learn more and to register online at www.madscience.org/dc. Time: Mondays and Tuesdays at 3:30-4:30 p.m. Place: Team 2 Classrooms Contact: Laura Lindsley (202-369-4858) or [email protected] or Mia Diaz at 310-593-4777 Cost: $104.00
For ages K - 5th
Lafayette Lunchtime Tennis
Lunchtime Tennis is starting this week. Lafayette students in grades 1-5 are welcome to try out tennis this week with their classmates with no commitment. Tuesday - 2nd Graders, Wednesday - 1st Graders, Thursday - 3rd Graders and Friday - 4th and 5th Graders. 2nd through 5th grade players meet Paul Rosenbaum and/or Syd Butler at the top of the stairs above the baseball field near the old trailers when they come out for recess. 1st graders will be picked up in the cafeteria after they eat lunch and taken up to the tennis courts.
The Lunchtime program for 1st-5th graders will begin on September 4 and run for 10 weeks ending on November 9. The fee for the 10 weeks is $100. Schedules will be set for each class based on other activities such as band practices that take place during lunch recess. Students may take only one class per week. Click here for a registration form. Additional copies of the registration form can be picked up in the information rack in the Great Hall or on the website www.lafayettetennis.org. Lunchtime Tennis is a great way for school friends to enjoy a fun physical activity together during their lunch recess. You can always contact me, Paul Rosenbaum, with questions at [email protected] or 202 441-0925. Drop the forms off in the orange tennis box in the Great Hall.
Lafayette Afterschool Tennis
Afterschool Tennis - there are still several openings in the 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 (teens) sessions.
Check www.lafayettetennis.org for space availability and to get the registration form. Call me with questions or to sign up at 202-441-0925 or email me at [email protected]. These classes run for 9 weeks and cost $135.
Lafayette Adult Tennis
Morning and Evening Adult Tennis - Interested in learning tennis or rekindling that old high school game? Come play after dropping the kids off at 9:15 or when your spouse gets home at 6:30PM. Tennis is the game you can play with your kids for the rest of your life.
for space availability. Fee is $240 for 12 sessions. Call me to find out where you fit into one of these clinics at 202 441-0925.
Girls on the Run
Welcome to another season of Girls on the Run at Lafayette! Girls on the Run is a life-changing, character development program for girls in 3rd through 5th grade. The mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. GOTR combines training for a 5K (3.1 miles) event with healthy living education. We use exercise, positive reinforcement, and encouraging role models to help girls discover the confidence they need in the critical pre-teen years and beyond.
Details for the fall program at Lafayette:
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm-4:30 pm
Starts on Sept. 18. Ends with a 5k on December 2
Coaches: Lafayette teachers Ms. Diesner and Ms. Breslin
Limit 15 girls, grades 3-5
Cost: $165
Registration is online this year and if your daughter is interested, please sign up now because the class is limited to 15 girls. We will not be adding a second team this year as we have done in the past.
Please click here to register. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Steve Dolge at [email protected].
Tiny Chefs Afterschool Cooking Classes
Grades K-2 meet on Mondays in the cafeteria/kitchen for 9 classes:
September 24, October 1 & 29, November 5,19 & 26, December 3,10 & 17
From 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Fee is $190. Register online now at http://tcatlafayette.eventbrite.com
Grades 3-5 meet on Fridays in the cafeteria/kitchen for 9 classes:
September 28, October 5, 12, 19 & 26, November 9, 16 & 30, December 7
From 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Fee is $190. Register online now at http://gcatlafayette.eventbrite.com
Questions: [email protected]
Professional Soccer Coaching For First Graders
by Darryl Gee Academy. Mondays @ 3:30 at Lafayette. The fall season for Darryl Gee soccer for first graders starts Monday, September 10, 2012 up on the hill. No Saturday matches, just a fun soccer session with a professional coach and lots of great drills, age-appropriate games and mini-scrimmages. Sign up at https://darrylgeesoccer.com/programs and click on "sign up now" next to Fall 2012, coordinator is Kitson Jazynka. $120/eight sessions.
Community Notices Looking for Lafayette Family to Host a Teacher from Thailand in October. Lafayette Elementary school will be hosting a teacher from Thailand through a teacher exchange program organized by the American Council. This teacher works at a language school in Thailand and will be shadowing Ms. Pereira our English Language Learners teacher from October 15th-26th. She will be staying with Lafayette teachers for most of her time, but we would like to have her experience the hospitality of the Lafayette parent/student community as well. We are looking for her stay with a Lafayette family from October 24-27th. These four nights could be with one family or divided between a couple families. If you enjoy meeting people from other cultures and enjoy being a hostess please consider having this wonderful teacher stay at your home. For more information contact Erika Pereira at [email protected]
Tutoring. Laura Pajor, former Lafayette teacher (now stay at home mom), is accepting new students for tutoring and enrichment. She has worked with students one-on-one and in small groups to provide support for building confidence and skills. For more information please email: [email protected]. Benefit Golf Tournament. If you are a golfer and want to help a good cause, the Wilson High School Benefit Golf Tournament wants you! The Wilson High School PTSA will host a scramble format golf tournament Friday, September 14, at the University of Maryland Golf Course. The $115 per player entry fee includes player gifts, prizes, dinner, and more. Shotgun start. Tee time is 8 a.m. Beginners and experienced golfers are all welcome. This is a major fundraiser for the year; all proceeds will help support programs at Wilson High School. For more information and to register, visit www.wilsongolf.golfreg.com Questions? Contact David J. Williams at 202-486-3543 or [email protected] Arts Market. If you like great homemade food and arts and crafts, especially with a green and Earth-friendly approach, think about coming to Circle Yoga's Arts Market. This is a great opportunity to do some of your Christmas or birthday gift shopping! It is low key, family friendly, and fun, as well as being conveniently located just off Connecticut Avenue on Northampton (next to Ramer's shoes.) There will be jewelry, food, yarn, knitted items, mixed media art, dresses and such for little people, photography, stationary, baby goods, handmade artisanal pasta sauces, and more. * Some vendors are not able to accept credit cards. Please bring checks and cash. All the goodies are made by Circle Yoga students, teachers, and friends. Circle Yoga Arts Market. Saturday, September 8 1:00-4:00pm. Art Classes. The Children's Art Studio, a local nonprofit,invites your child to join us for Fall Classes. The studio is located on Wisconsin Ave in Tenleytown. Classes start the week of September 10th. Please see our website for further details: www.childrensartstudio.org Music instruction available. Instrumental in-home music lessons in piano, recorder, flute, saxophone, oboe, clarinet and bassoon from a professional and seasoned musician and pedagogue. Lessons carefully designed and implemented according to each student's individual level and interest to make this a fun yet purposeful experience. For more information Please call Dilyana @ 202-352-4430 or email: [email protected]
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Thank You Lafayette Sponsors!
These organizations support Lafayette through a generous annual donation- please support them!
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Make a Submission
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. |
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