| From the Las Lomitas Education Foundation | 
 Announcing The 2010-2011 Challenge Grant
58 district families have increased their donations above and beyond their gift last year by $330,000 to create this year's Challenge Grant Fund -- our largest ever!
This Grant challenges each and every one of us to make a greater donation than we did last year. Here's how the Challenge Grant will work:
- $250,000 of the fund is earmarked to match all new and incremental donations given by December 31st, 2010. Specifically, for repeat donors, the Grant will match every dollar which exceeds your contribution last year. For new families and first time donors, your entire donation will be doubled!
- $80,000 will be granted when 80% of all District families give a gift of any size.
Given this powerful incentive to increase our previous donations, the Challenge Grant can bring in an additional $580,000 to benefit our schools. Let's do it! You can easily make your one-time or monthly donation now.
The Foundation's support is more critical than ever to help the District maintain its historically high standards for educational excellence. The Challenge Grant can help us sustain these high standards by maximizing our donations.
- The District estimates that we need to hire at least 11 more teachers just to "catch up" with growth and to replace teachers who have left or retired over the past two years.
- We need to scale our basic infrastructure to meet the growth, including adding portables for additional classrooms, as well as lunch tables, lockers and computers.
And, we need to do this at a time when state revenues and local property taxes are declining, or at best, flat. The Challenge Grant families have stretched and have each given a larger gift this year to help us meet these critical educational needs. Please join the effort and help earn the grant by donating more than last year. Remember, any dollar increase you give will be matched. This grant is a powerful tool to allow your gift to make a huge impact. The deadline for any new or increased gift is December 31, 2010. Remember, Every size donation counts! Easy monthly payment options are available. Give early to allow for maximum planning by the governing school board. Donate online today. Together we can meet the challenge! Together we can make a difference!
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PTA News
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Hello!
As our focus turns away from the popular and light-hearted concerns of our children--costumes and candy-and onto parent teacher conferences and wetter weather, we'd like to highlight a couple of the more serious programs that the PTA supports.
Book Fair: Beginning Friday and continuing through conferences,the Book Fair will be will be open in the MUR with a great selection of books from Kepler's. All profits support the acquisition of books and materials for the Library and classrooms. Consider volunteering at the Book Fair; working a shift is a great way to support the Book Fair and gives you a chance to peruse the selection.
Tutoring: Many children in the district are ready learners. However, there are some children who could use additional support on a short-term or long-term basis. There is a critical need for adults to tutor those students needing help. Tutors are needed right after school. How can you make this work with your own child? You could tutor while your child attends an after school class or sport at LE or they could attend the after school homework center. Tutoring is one of the most selfless volunteer opportunities available, and one of the most rewarding. Please contact Renee Greenstein at wnay@greensteinfam.com for more information. Grandparents and high school students also make great tutors.
With the a quarter of the school year past, it is remarkable to note how much our volunteers have done to enhance our school community. These super volunteers have spent countless hours providing programs and activities to our school community. We would like to thank the following volunteers and those that supported them:
Anna Ralston and Melissa Jordan for overseeing the Art Notecard program that provides critical funds to support art education and materials.
Leslie King and Karen Fryling for planning a spooktacular Halloween Event at school last Friday.
Valorie Friedsam for organizing the lunch bunch volunteers during the 4/5 lunch.
Terry Aguiar for her diligent stewardship of the La Entrada PTA membership drive.
LeeAnn Yasukawa for organizing the MA information night for 8th grade parents with Principal Matt Zito.
Gudrun Enger for leading the district -wide efforts for International Walk to School Day.
School Board Candidate Forum Volunteers: Keri Tully, Lauren Schoenthaler, Diana Sunshine, Gudrun Enger and her cookie bakers, and those who helped with chairs and tables. A special thanks to Karen Fryling for providing waters and Peets Menlo Park El Camino for providing coffee. And to our candidates who have volunteered to provide their insight and wisdom that evening and over the next four years if elected.
Two final comments...please vote on Tuesday if you are able. We have on our ballots a school board election whose results will directly impact our school community as well as more universal measures and elections.
Also, thanks to those families who have joined the PTA. The La Entrada PTA has made a conscientious decision not to fundraise this year beyond the membership drive. All of the programs noted above, both fun and serious, are supported by PTA memberships. Please join at www.LaEntradaPTA.org.
Marsha Abbott and Lucia Tedesco
La Entrada PTA Co-Presidents
THE 2010 BOOK FAIR STARTS THURSDAY!
Volunteers! Volunteers! Volunteers! We desperately need to fill several shifts at the Book Fair, so if you'd like to work a shift or two, go to: laentradapta.org and click on the volunteer link. You'll not only help the school, you get to hang out with the kids and teachers, learn about the hottest middle school books, and you may even pick up a good book for yourself! If you have any questions please contact Linda Waissar.
The book fair hours are as follows:
Thursday, November 4th: 11:20 am to 4:00 pm
Friday, November 5th: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday, November 6th: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Monday, November 8th: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Tuesday, November 9th: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Wednesday, November 10th: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Thursday, November 11th: CLOSED
Friday, November 12th: 7:30 am to 12:30 pm
Start shopping for your favorite books and gifts this Thursday, November 4th! If you missed the deadline to purchase your pre-paid Kepler's gift cards, we've extended online sales to Wednesday, November 3rd. You can also buy gift cards at the Book Fair. If you've already bought one, your card can be picked up at the Book Fair checkout stand in the MUR throughout the fair. We can even hold the card for you and your child for multiple uses (and safekeeping) throughout the week.
And why not get a jump on your holiday shopping-- a Kepler's gift card makes a great gift for teachers, friends and family too. And speaking of gifts for teachers, be sure to check out your child's teachers' wish lists.
Attention avid readers and aspiring artists! Have your kids showcase their art skills and love of reading by making a poster of their favorite book cover or book series. We'll use the posters to decorate the MUR for the Book Fair and your child will be entered in a drawing to win a free Kepler's book certificate. Please make posters standard poster board size (with child's name on back) and drop them in the library by Wednesday, November 3rd.
2010-2011 STUDENT DIRECTORY
We are please to announce the arrival of the new 2010-2011 Las Lomitas School District PTA Student Directory. Please let us know if you do not receive your copy. The Las Lomitas and La Entrada PTAs provide each family and staff member with one copy of the directory. Additional copies can be purchased in the school offices. If you preordered additional copies, they can be picked up in the school offices that you purchased them from.
All student information within the directory is directly from current information provided by parents on the Student Emergency Form. If you find any misinformation on your student or in your family information, please update your student's Emergency Card in your school site office(s).
Please note that parents could elect to not have their child entered in the directory and also to not have their own e-mail information published, per a choice on the Student Emergency Form. Therefore the information in this directory may not reflect the total student enrollment or complete contact information.
This directory is provided by the PTAs of Las Lomitas and La Entrada schools as a service to the families of the Las Lomitas School District. This directory is for the exclusive use of parents, students and teachers for school-relate needs only, and may NOT be used or distributed for any other purpose. We ask that you respect and protect all family information and to remember to please dispose of the old directory in a safe and efficient manner.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to Suzanne Mitchell, Directory of Technology, for providing the database and expertise. It was a huge job. THANK YOU, SUZANNE! And a big thank you to all the students who provided the beautiful artwork. There are quite a few of them and we would like to acknowledge the 2009-2010 Art Note Card Program for their inclusion.
Thanks from you directory team!
LA ENTRADA HOLIDAY FAIRE! Preparations are underway for the La Entrada Holiday Faire on Tuesday, December 7th. We have some great projects for the kids this year. If you are available to join us for our last prep day on Tuesday, November 16th (note date change) in the MUR, we would love to have you. It is a great way to do some mind-less tasks and catch up with other parents...good treats and coffee too! We will be working 9-12, but feel free to stop in for any amount of time that works for your schedule. Also, we are still in need of volunteers for the Faire day. If you have not signed up, please visit the Jooners web page and sign for a time that works for you. It is a great day to see La Entrada in action! Any questions, please contact Kristin Galvin, Libby Beasley or Carla Sakrison.
FLU SHOT CLINIC ONLINE-SIGN-UP CLOSES TUESDAY!
This Tuesday, November 1 is the last day to sign-up for the Flu Shot Clinic!
On Tuesday, November 9, 2010 from 11:30 to 2:00, the La Entrada PTA will host a Flubusters Flu Shot Clinic in Jensen Hall at La Entrada open to all school families as well as any member of the community. The vaccine will include both the seasonal and H1N1 flu this year. Flu-Mist (spray application) will also be available. The cost will be $30 for the shot and $35 for the flu-mist. Your health insurance may reimburse you for the cost. All insurance coverage questions should be directed to your carrier.
GRADE LEVEL GATHERINGS
Grade Level Gatherings are a chance for the parents in each grade to get to know each other better.
They are festive adults-only cocktail parties, hosted by families in the different grades. Please come!
4th Grade
* November 5th from 7:30-9:30
* Hosted by Dani and Larry Kelmar and Colleen McDonough and James Lim
* At the Kelmar's home, 1203 Bellair Way, Menlo Park
* Last names A-M please bring wine and last names N-Z please bring a dessert or an appetizer
* Please RSVP to Dani or 234-1124 by October 30th
6th Grade
* November 12th at 7:00
* Hosted by Gretchen and Rob Mathews, MaryEllen and Chris McCabe and Brian McGarry and Lorraine McDonough
* At the Mathew's home, 230 Dedalera Drive, Portola Valley
* Last names A-M please bring an appetizer and last names N-Z please bring wine or beer
* Please RSVP to Gretchen or 279-0282
JOIN US FOR THE LA ENTRADA GEO BEE
When: Nov19th 3-5PM
Where: Jensen Hall
Expand your knowledge of the world's continents, countries, cities, oceans, cultures, languages, and land forms!
Here is a sample of questions you could get at the Geo Bee:
What is the capital of New Hampshire?
What language is most widely spoken in Brazil?
On what continent is the Vinson Massif located?
What term refers to the shape or configuration of landforms on Earth's surface?
Practice makes perfect!
Get help preparing for the Geo Bee by joining some group practices on
Monday, Nov 1, Room 42 Lunch time
Monday, Nov 15, Room 42 lunch time
For sample test questions, visit: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee
Additional challenges can be found at: http://www.geographyzone.com
To enter, complete the permission slip found here and email it to Alka Sehgal or leave the form in the office. Questions? Contact Marcia Hakanson or Alka Sehgal
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School News
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QUARTERS/TRIMESTERS/AND CONFERENCES
Our fourth and fifth graders' school year is divided into three, 12-week trimesters. Our sixth through eighth graders' school year is divided into four, 9-week quarters. Because both the first quarter and first trimester are getting close to ending, it is time to start thinking about teacher/parent conferences.
Conferences are during the week of November 8-12. The teachers are excited and looking forward to spending time with you discussing your child's progress in class. Students will be released from school at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of that week.
Thursday, November 11th, is a holiday.
4th and 5th Grade Conferences
These conferences are scheduled through the individual teacher. If you have not already had communication regarding conferences, please contact your child's teacher.
6th - 8th Grade Conferences are scheduled Online!
Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on November 8, 9, 10, and 12. As you can imagine, with each student having up to 8 different teachers, and the teachers only having four half days for conferencing, it would be impossible to have enough time slots for every teacher to meet with every parent of the students s/he teaches. Please keep this in mind as you are scheduling your conferences.
PTC Wizard is a web based parent/teacher conference scheduling system. Parents can create and manage their conference schedules in an easy and time efficient manner.
Here is what you need to do to schedule a parent/teacher conference:
- Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, October 25.
- Login to https://llesdms.ptcwizard.com
- You will first need to register and enter the names of your 6th-8th grade children.
- Follow the steps and the program will instruct you on how to choose a child, choose a teacher and set a time for the conference.
- When you have finished scheduling, a confirmation email will be sent to you.
- Conference availability closes at 2pm on the school day prior to the conference. Registration for conferences on Monday, November 8 closes at 2pm on Friday, November 5. Registration for conferences on Tuesday, November 9 closes at 2pm on Monday, November 8. Registration for conferences on Wednesday, November 10, closes at 2pm on Tuesday, November 9. Registration for conferences on Friday, November 12 closes at 2pm on Wednesday, November 10.
- If a teacher's time slots are full, please call the office. We will keep a wait list.
- If for any reason the online system does not seem to be working for you, please call the office and Mrs. Rudge or Mrs. Stosz will assist you.
- Because space is limited, please login and cancel any conference that you will not be able to attend. If you need to cancel after registration has closed for that day, you will need to call the school office.
- The school office number is 650-854-3962.
Special Note for 8th grade Parents:
Fehmeen Picetti (English), and Patrick Kelly (Social Studies) will be holding conferences together. On the online teacher list, they are listed as "8th Grade Team".
CAR WASH THIS SATURDAY IN OUR PARKING LOT!
Students who are going to Washington D.C. this February are having a Fundraiser this Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010.
Come get your car washed for only $7.00!! What a bargain. There will also be a Bake Sale for our customers, as well as a Book Fair going on in the library.
Tickets on sale in our office beginning Monday, Nov. 1, 2010 for only $7.00. Tickets will also be for sale Saturday.
Tell your friends and neighbors to bring their cars to our parking lot this Saturday and help the kids raise funds for their D.C. trip.
6TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME
There was a funny film many years ago entitled If This is Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium. If the 6th grade Social Studies teachers could borrow from that clever title, we'd be saying, "If this is Halloween, it must be Mesopotamia."
The 6th grade Social Studies standards, which focus on the study of ancient civilizations, are the most far-reaching and expansive of all the grades. Both teachers and students have our work cut out for us in each academic year. We need to cover many millions of years: from prehistory and the emergence of early humans, all the way to the rise of the Roman Empire! Along the way to Rome, we are given the directive to analyze some of the greatest civilizations of all times: Egypt, Kush, India, China, Hebrews, and Greece. Each of these could easily be a year's worth of study, but in the 36 weeks we have, we highlight each civilization in as much depth as time allows. We want students to consider why civilizations developed where and when they did, why they became dominant, and why they declined. This requires students to make historical interpretations about central issues shared by all civilizations across the ages, including present day.
As students analyze the important and enduring contributions of each civilization and the link, despite time, between the contemporary and ancient worlds, they are understanding that this link is the common thread that unifies all areas of Social Studies. No matter how long ago the civilization, there is a connection and an association to today. The British author Aldous Huxley said, "The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different." Our students understand this curious nature of history. They realize that all humans share common experiences. An adolescent from the Paleolithic Era was still an adolescent, just without an X-Box!
Nancy Olson, Tanya Rianda, and Wally Powell
6th Grade Core Teachers
And in 8th Grade Social Studies...
In 8th grade social studies, students are studying the issues surrounding the development and evolution of the United States government after the American Revolution. Students will learn how political and economic struggles during the nation's first decade eventually led the founding fathers to call for a convention in Philadelphia where our United States Constitution was created in 1787.
Patrick Kelly, 8th Grade Social Studies
RECYCLE FOR KIDS
Dear La Entrada Parents,
Just a reminder to all parents, that La Entrada does collect old ink cartridges, large and small, cell phones also. They get shipped off to Recycle for Kids and we do receive some reimbursement. Kids can bring them into the Computer lab Room 8, (wrapped in a baggie or paper) or the drop off box will be outside the lab during conference week.
Thanks for your support!
Michelle Pitt Media Center Technician La Entrada School
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From the Assistant Principal
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Pumpkin Love
by Mrs. Dineeen
It all started with an impulse buy at Safeway, any pumpkin for $2.99. How could I resist! My hand reached for an oblong shaped pumpkin. Wouldn't it look sweet on the counter top in La Entrada's front office? Little did I realize that this impulse buy would be the beginning of pumpkin love.
While walking my rounds on campus, an idea popped into my head. Would Ms. Gregori have an idea on how best to decorate that little oblong pumpkin? I walked over to room 4 and posed the question. Without a moment's hesitation, Ms. Gregori shared that she would ask her art students for some ideas for the little oblong pumpkin. Before too long, a call came through to my office asking if I could please stop in room 4 to look over some pumpkin designs the student had created. I smiled to myself as I envisioned jack-o-lantern drawings aplenty waiting for me to choose one lucky winner to adorn the little oblong pumpkin.
Ms. Gregori had turned this idea into an art assignment for students to create a pumpkin design. To my delight and surprise, the drawings showed such personality and creativity. I couldn't choose just one. I grabbed well over 12 drawings and returned to the office. The office and support staff rallied to help me make an impossible decision - to choose one final design. We finally agreed on 8 designs to be the finalists. It was too hard to vote for just one! Since we needed more pumpkins, Suzanne Mitchell contacted the Webb Ranch owner, a former LLESD parent, Lyndell Webb Hubbard, and asked if she would donate the pumpkins. Mrs. Hubbard loved the idea. Ms. Mitchell drove up to the ranch later that evening, walked the fields and hauled in 8 beauties of all shapes and sizes.
Students soon began to show up in room 4 during lunch recess to paint a pumpkin of their choice. Slowly our front office counter was decorated with festive artwork of all styles; a fat red M&M pumpkin sat next to a formally attired fellow who escorted some ghosts, as well as a dragon design. Artwork to behold, the office never looked so interesting! The original little oblong pumpkin, now painted as a rainbow of fall colors with beautiful leaves floating throughout is cleverly displayed on Mrs. Stosz' desk amongst her wig plant.
Although the office was now royally decorated, we all felt that so many lovely pieces of artwork should really be shared. Once again, Ms. Mitchell had a contact. Another former LLESD parent, Janet Storz, suggested a donation to the Stanford Hospital's neonatal clinic where she works. The students willingly agreed to spread the love and even volunteered to bring the pumpkins to the clinic. Janet Storz is grateful. She picked up the pumpkins herself after learning of restrictions on visitors. All are pleased that the pumpkins will continue to brighten up a counter or two.
The day finally comes as we bid a fond farewell to all but two pumpkins. The clinic pumpkins will be raffled off during the Halloween party for the families of preemies to have or take home. But our office still needs to keep up appearances, so two beauties remain behind at La Entrada, the red M&M man and the little oblong pumpkin, cleverly hiding out on Mrs. Stosz' desk.
So, from one pumpkin idea the "seed" spread to our La Entrada campus on to the Stanford neonatal clinic and forward to the families who will win them as raffle prizes. Smiles continue. Parents and children coming to the office still their child for comment on the decorated pumpkins still on display. Such lovely creations crafted with the love of a middle schooler, quite impressive for only $2.99.
Thank you to the following pumpkin decorators:
8th graders: Catherine P., Amanda W., Nicole S., John C., Sarah S., Max Chapman, Shannon A., and Nicole S .
7th graders: Max C. and Elizabeth M.
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| From the Las Lomitas League | |
BASKETBALL SEASON AND REGISTRATION
Basketball registration WILL CLOSE ON WEDNESDAY NOV 3rd at 7pm. THERE WILL BE NO LATE REGISTRATIONS. (YOU CANNOT REGISTER ON EVALUATION DAY.) So be sure to register before it closes. This is a very popular winter sport at La Entrada and 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:
Nov 3rd (Wed) at 7pm: basketball Registration Closes
NOTE: We cannot accept any late registrations. So please be sure to register during the open registration dates above.
Nov 7th (Sunday): Basketball Evaluation Day (Your grade will be assigned a specific time closer to the date. The "evaluation day" is strictly to split up each grade level into fair and balanced teams.)
Nov 16th (Tues): Basketball Coaches Meeting (Required for all coaches. Practice times will be selected based on coaches availability and a lottery system.)
COACHES ARE NEEDED!!! This activity is run by parents. We need parent coaches so that we can offer fair playing time to all the kids. (Fewer coaches means fewer but larger teams. The larger the team, the less playing time for each player.) You do not need a lot of experience to coach. We can help pair you with a more experienced coach and we provide a number of training courses. Please contact Inger Rarick at irarick@yahoo.com (3rd, 4th and 5th grade basketball director) or Jim Bohac at J-bohac@sbcglobal.net (6th, 7th and 8th grade basketball director) if you are available to coach or if you have questions about coaching.
To Register please click here.
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| Community News |
Remember to mention La Entrada at the register and Kepler's donates 10% back to our school.
Attention all American Girl Fans!
The Palo Alto Auxiliary for Children will host the annual American Girl Fashion Show to benefit Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford on November 12th & 13th at the Los Altos Christ Episcopal Church. The show features historical and contemporary girls' clothing, refreshments, goody bag, raffles and prizes! For ticket and show information, please visit www.paloaltoauxiliary.com.
Registration is now open for Peninsula Seahawks youth rugby for boys and
girls ages 5-14. Registration/Demo Day Nov. 7, practices start Nov. 21.
http://www.seahawkyouthrugby.com/registration.php or contact John Foster
The Alpine FC Hawks are holding tryouts for their spring soccer team. The Hawks are a BU10 team (boys born between 8/1/2000 and 7/31/2001) that plays in the CYSA league and draws players from Menlo Park, Portola Valley and Woodside. Tryouts will be held 11/16 and 11/18 from 3:45-5:00pm at Portola Valley Town Center, and 12/4 from 9-10:30am at Woodside High School. Please contact dananunn@yahoo.com if you are interested. For more information about the Alpine FC Club go to www.alpinefc.org. Twas the Night Before Christmas
Several students from La Entrada will be performing in 'Twas the Night Before Christmas this holiday season. Presented by Dancers Repertory Theatre and Menlo Park Academy of Dance. Performances are at the Woodside Performing Arts Center on Sun., Dec., 5th (1pm and 4pm), Sat., Dec., 11th, (1pm and 4pm) and Sun., Dec.,12th, (1pm and 4pm). Tickets are available at www.twasthenight.org or call 650-323-5292. All seats are reserved. Used Musical Instruments Needed East Palo Alto Kids Foundation is partnering with For Youth By Youth to provide elementary band instruction to students in East Palo Alto. FYBY seeks band instruments in fair condition for this program and can make minor repairs to the instruments. Please notify La Entrada parent Jeannette Kennedy or EPAK board member Julie Mahowald if you have one of the following instruments to donate: Trumpet, Altos Saxophone, Baritone horn or Euphonium (not baritone sax),Tuba or Sousaphone |
| Leopard's Spot Submissions | The Leopard's Spot is published every Monday (except Mondays following holiday weeks). To submit items for inclusion in the newsletter:
- Email submissions by Wednesday 12 Noon to be published the following week;
- Put all content in the body of the email, do NOT send an attachment;
- Do NOT send flyers but provide a link to them;
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- Please write concisely and proofread your submission.
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