PTA News
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Hello La Entrada Parents and Friends,
Have you ever wondered what happens at lunch with our students?
La Entrada has nearly 740 students this year and they seem to dissipate into classrooms leaving an echo of their coming and goings each day... until lunch, when hundreds of children make a beeline for the blacktop and food. There are kids standing in line for hot lunch, others claiming tables, and still more grabbing something quickly so they can go to a lunchtime gathering. After eating, students can be found playing pickup games on the blacktop and grass, gathering to socialize on benches and tables, or engaging in a variety of lunchtime programs. The two lunches vary in activities, but don't vary in energy. How does the PTA support this important social period in our children's day? Every day, as many as 10 PTA volunteers staff the distribution for hot lunches, handing out hundreds of lunches in two very short periods so the students can sit down and socialize with their friends. There are two shifts: one for the 4/5 little lunch and another for the 6/7/8 big lunch. Volunteering at lunch is a great way for parents to get a feel for the social landscape at La Entrada. Last week, the administration opened a new lunch space for the big lunch and there was a noticeable difference in tone with one-third of the bodies sitting somewhere else. Tuesday and Thursday, during the 4/5 lunch, PTA volunteers assist with Lunch Bunch activities. The goal for this program is to provide a place for children to go if the blacktop bustle isn't for them. There are games and activities assisted by adult volunteers. This can be especially helpful for fourth graders making the transition from Las Lomitas. Volunteers are always needed for Lunch Bunch.
The Lunchtime Enrichment (LELE) series rotates through four different programs on Wednesdays all supported with PTA funds and lead and developed by dedicated PTA volunteers, librarian Doe Meyers and counselor Ericka Lowe. These individuals dedicate a considerable amount of time and creativity towards making these programs possible.
 Historical Weapons & Wars: Science's Role in World Conquest, lead by Bardia Pezeshki, presents a new concept in war craft every session followed by hands on experimentation or building. In October, the participants studied and built trebuchets and learned a little about physics in the process.
Book Clubs average eight to ten students in a single grade level and meet once a month to discuss an appropriate piece of literature. One group of sixth-grade students are reading the The Sisters Grimm series. A seventh-grade group finished reading the Graveyard Book, a Newberry Award winning retelling of Kipling's Jungle Book. Each group is lead by a PTA volunteer who, with the help of Mrs. Meyers, guides the students to new stories and leads their discussions. Perspectives in Medicine is a lecture program organized by Elizabeth Blair. Parents and community members in the medical field come speak to the students on topics in the medical field. This is an excellent opportunity for children interested in science to learn more about career opportunities. Youth Action Council is a community-service oriented program lead by Ericka Lowe. This LELE activity gives students a chance to give back to their communities. As you may have noticed, the common thread is PTA support through funding, organization and volunteers. These remarkable programs support the community of students at La Entrada and would not be possible without parent support. Please, if you haven't yet joined the PTA, consider these activities as a good reason to join. And consider volunteering for a lunchtime activity...it is a great time to be on campus.
Lucia Tedesco and Marsha Abbott
PTA Co-Presidents
If you missed the deadline to purchase your pre-paid Kepler's gift cards, you can still buy them 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.
Want another reason to shop at the book fair? Don't forget that Kepler's generously donates a percentage of the book fair proceeds back to La Entrada. And if you are unable to stop by the book fair, there's still a way to benefit La Entrada. How? If you shop at the Kepler's store or Kepler's online during the La Entrada book fair (through 11/12), Kepler's will donate 20% (instead of the normal 10%) to La Entrada. Why not shop online for holiday gifts now! Click here to shop online and help La Entrada. We're still looking for volunteers!
The book fair hours are as follows:
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 1 pm
BOOK DRIVE AT THE BOOK FAIR
Please come by the book fair and look for the book drive table, filled with books that would be such a blessing to these very at risk students who currently do not have a library or access to high quality literature. Girl Scout Troop 31652 collecting book for a new K-8 school library in the Terderloin in downtown San Francisco. This school ministers to the at-risk group of kids who are still full of promise, and just starting out.
You can help in two ways:
- Buy new books at the fair and place them in collection baskets
- Donate your gently used books, hardbacks are specially coveted.
This is a great opportunity for our students to share the love of reading!
Please contact Kristin Eberwein or Leslie King if you would like us to pick up any additional books from your home or if you have any additional questions.
LA ENTRADA GEO BEE
Nov 19th 3-5 PM at Jensen Hall
Get to know your beautiful country! Did you know?
Hundreds of miles of limestone caverns lie beneath the central portion of which state- Louisiana or Kentucky? Which state has swampy bodies of water called bayous- Massachusetts or Louisiana? Find out the answers and much more! Join us for practice session on Nov 15th Lunch time Room 50. First 3-4 rounds are about US geography, US cities, traveling around US, state nick names, State geographic comparisons, and historic places in United States.
Last 3 rounds are about continents, cultural geography, and physical geography.
To register, download the form located here.
For more information contact Marciahakanson@yahoo.com or alkasehgal@gmail.com.
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School News
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LUNCH TIME NEWS AT LA ENTRADA
There is an additional lunch area for 6-8 students to sit and enjoy their meal, "the Grove".
Located on the rocky section of the blacktop, next to room 41 and the play structure, picnic tables and garbage cans are arranged so a complete grade level of students can eat their lunch together. This has freed up space in the regular lunch area and provided everyone with a bit more room to maneuver.
This past week, all 6th graders were assigned to "the Grove" section. The 7th grade will use "the Grove" during the week of November 15th. 8th graders will have their "Grove" time the week of November 22nd. 6th graders will then return to the Grove the week of November 29th with the rotation continuing throughout the year.
The tables found in the Grove were relocated from common areas in front of classrooms. It is our hope that we will soon be able to restore tables in front of classrooms.
Lunch time activities have been numerous and popular. If you are here for lunch recess, you may find yourself overbooked in interesting activities or tasks. We regularly have PAW meetings, Intramural sports, Lunch Enrichment clubs, Lunch Bunch activities, Student Body contests, Washington D.C. meetings, tryouts or other planning meetings to attend, classrooms to visit for teacher assistance or homework completion, as well as a library visit or time in the computer lab to fit in. Let's also not forget the all-popular Friday snow cone sales! In addition to all of these organized lunch activities, students can also be found enjoying a quiet read on a bench, talking with buddies at the tables, playing a pick-up game on the field or at the hoops or simply swinging, hanging or climbing on the play structure.
WASHINGTON DC TRIP FUNDRAISING NEWS
The See's Candy Washington DC Trip Fundraiser order deadline is November 15th. Please encourage and help your 8th graders to collect as many orders as possible by then. We earn about $3.00 for every item we sell, and See's candy makes great holiday gifts! Here are some important instructions and dates:
- Order forms were distributed to interested 8th graders; they can also be downloaded and printed, here.
- Payment must be turned in with the order form, by Nov. 15th to the school office.
- Orders will be available to pick up and distribute to customers on Dec. 6th at La Entrada.
PLEASE WELCOME MRS. MCDONOUGH TO LA ENTRADA
We are very pleased to introduce our long-term substitute academic counselor, Mrs. McDonough. Emily McDonough comes to us from the Palo Alto School District where she spent time working as the intern counselor in several schools. She has recently completed her Masters in Counseling from San Jose State and also just married the man of her dreams, Mr. McDonough, three weeks ago ( she is getting used to her new name, pronounced "McDunna".)
Mrs. McDonough will be here on campus working with both teachers and students for the duration of Mrs. Lowe's maternity leave.
Any student wishing to talk with a counselor for any reason is encouraged to stop by room 7 and fill out the blue slip requesting an appointment. Mrs. McDonough will make arrangements to speak with the student(s) in a timely manner.
We feel fortunate to have located Mrs. McDonough and invite you to stop by room 7 to say hello.
ART AND DRAMA NEWS
Hello from Mrs. Ostrom and Room 3, the world of Art and Drama! I'd like to take a moment to let you sneak a peek into our colorful and creative world.
Fourth Grade Art has started their Weaving unit. The students were shown Navajo blankets as inspiration, and created their own looms to weave small blankets. Most children will have stripes for a pattern, but a few will achieve more complex designs.
Fifth Grade Art is in the middle of their paper quilt squares. We have discussed the pioneers and how quilting came about. They have already designed their own patterns with colored pencils, and will next piece them together.
Last week, Sixth Grade Drama crafted paper bag puppets and performed a short puppet show for their class. The puppet shows are especially popular because they can push their characters a little farther as puppets instead of as themselves.
7/8 Grade Drama Production is well into rehearsals for their show, "Mystery at Shady Acres". It's a story about a little hotel in England full of wacky characters, and a very expensive necklace. They will perform December 9 at 9:50 AM and at 6PM, both in Jensen Hall. See you there!
7/8 Grade Art 3, otherwise known as Ceramics, celebrated Day of the Dead last week. Day of the Dead is a Mexican celebration honoring their ancestors. The students created calacas, or skeletons, in different poses. We have skateboarders, shoppers, dancers, and even a bride and groom. The class ofrenda featured candles and marigolds, and the kids enjoyed pan de muerto and other tasty treats.
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 Las Lomitas Education Foundation | 
SHOP THE FOUNDATION!
Visit the Foundation Online Shopping Portal -- Support our Schools When You Shop!
With the holidays approaching, it is easy to convert your online shopping dollars into contributions to the Foundation... through our new Foundation shopping portal located at www.llefshopping.com
Just access many of your favorite online merchants' web sites via the Foundation shopping portal, and between 2-10% of your total purchase value comes back to the Foundation and your kids' schools! Direct links to leading merchants like Amazon, Kepler's, Cheeky Monkey Toys and wine.com are already available with more coming soon. And, our link to the eScrip Online Mall lets you earn contributions from over 800 online stores such as Gap Kids, Nordstrom, Apple Store, Best Buy and just about all your other favorites.
There are no additional forms to fill out- all you need to remember is to start your online shopping at www.llefshopping.com.
Family and friends can also support our schools by shopping through www.llefshopping.com -- spread the word!
Take note: Kepler's donation doubles from 10% to 20% during the week of the Book Fair
Here is the punch line: if each Las Lomitas Family spends $500 with these merchants, we will earn over $25,000 for our schools.
Be sure to bookmark www.llefshopping.com
WE NEED YOU TO MEET THE CHALLENGE GRANT!
Thank you to everyone who supported the Foundation with a gift during our Giving Days last week! For those who haven't yet donated, please join us in meeting the Challenge Grant, which can bring in an additional $580,000 to benefit our schools. You can easily make your one-time or monthly donation online. Donate Now. Learn More.
GRANDPARENT'S DAY AT LA ENTRADA
Tell your child's grandparents to Save the Date! We are pleased to announce that Grandparents' Day will be held at La Entrada School on Friday, March 25, 2011. Grandparents' Day is a special and memorable opportunity for grandparents to join their grandchildren during a portion of the school day. Have grandparents mark their calendars and make travel plans. More details will be coming soon.
HARRY POTTER EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE SCREENING
Date: Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 10:00 a.m
Click here to sign up.
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| Sequoia Union High School News |
M-A 8th Grade Information Night
November 10, 6 p.m., PAC
Incoming 8th graders and their parents, please plan to participate in this event. You will learn about a variety of activities and resources M-A offers to help plan and prepare for the transition to high school.
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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. For ticket and show information, please visit www.paloaltoauxiliary.com.
Theatre classes! Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory has posted new after school classes for winter 201. Visit our website at www.pvtc-ca.org or email info@pvtc-ca.org for more information. Online registration begins November 16th. Classes begin the week of January 3rd.
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 3:15-4:15pm at Portola Valley Town Center, and 12/4 from 9-10:30am at Woodside HS. 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
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