From the PTA Co-Presidents
|
Fall is in the air! As the days draw shorter and the nights cooler, it is hard to believe we are already starting the month of October! We are grateful for our wonderful volunteers who have spent countless hours making the PTA work more efficiently and who have provided programs and activities to our school community during these first six weeks. We are off to a great start thanks to all your help! We would like to thank the following PTA heroes and the amazing volunteers who have supported them: Lucia Tedesco - for spearheading and assisting with our "online first day packets", and for managing and updating our website Cecilia Pinto - for serving as Treasurer and tracking down all the details! Terry Aguiar - For skillfully leading our PTA Membership Drive Lisa Reid and Lucia Tedesco - for creating and formatting another great school directory. It will be distributed soon and helps keep us connected Karen Zupsic and Lucia Tedesco - For editing and distributing the Leopard's Spot newsletter, each and every week! Artis Montague - For revamping and fine-tuning our volunteer process, moving the PTA over to online sign ups and hosting the Volunteer Faire Beth Ann Lico - For providing the hospitality during the Volunteer Fair / PTA General Meeting, and for the Teacher's Welcome Breakfast Michelle Chapman-Barovich - for coordinating our after school Tutoring Center Julia Massa - For organizing the Hot Food Volunteers and implementing a more consistent composting program Kristin Galvin - for leading our Monday hot lunch crews Elizabeth Chitouras - for leading our Tuesday hot lunch crews Maryellen McCabe and Pam Easton - for leading our Wednesday hot lunch crews Dan Beatty - for leading our Thursday hot lunch crews Lakshmi Narayani - for leading our Friday hot lunch 6-8 crew Susanna Segre' and Patricia Sullivan - for providing a delicious dinner before PIN for our faculty and staff. Gloria Falcinelli and Dana Nunn - for organizing and planning another great series for Lunchtime Enrichment Alexis Delehanty and Margaret Scopazzi - for collecting wishlists and organizing the Apple for a Classroom program Liesl Noble and Maryellen McCabe - for planning and managing our rockin' family picnic - what a fun night for our school community! The D.J., Luttikins BBQ, Baskin Robbins ice cream, the chance to buy La Entrada spirit wear, and the tempting dessert table were enjoyed by all! Margaret Perrone - for coordinating our ever-festive and fun Grade Level Gatherings This is a wonderful community and we are grateful to be a part of it. Thank you all for your support! Libby Beasley and Leslie King PTA Co-Presidents
|
| PTA News |
Join PTA! Thank you to over 59% of our families who have joined our La Entrada PTA! Your membership dues help support the wide variety of activities and programs that the PTA provides each year to make our children's school experience more interesting and our parent community stronger. Those of you who haven't yet joined yet please consider joining today to support the great school directory, which is fully supported by the PTA, the fascinating lunchtime enrichment series your child keeps talking about, and the invitations starting to come for grade-level parent gatherings, just to name a few! It is easy to mail in the form and your check for dues and even easier to use PayPal for the entire process. Join today and reap the benefit of knowing you have supported an important community resource all year long.
School Directory Check your children's backpacks, the directory is coming home this week! Few things to know: - The school directory is provided by the PTAs of Las Lomitas and La Entrada schools as a service to the families of the Las Lomitas Elementary School District - We kindly ask for your contribution towards the cost of printing the directory in our membership form: it is not too late! - The directory is going home with your youngest students; if he or she is at Las Lomitas, your directory will be delivered there - If you have ordered more than one copy, all the copies will go home with your youngest student If you have any questions or corrections, do not hesitate to contact us at directory@laentradapta.org
Call for Volunteers - After-School Tutoring Center, Hot Lunch, and La Entrada Lunchtime Enrichment Programs need YOU!
La Entrada Lunch Enrichment Clubs Our La Entrada Lunch Enrichment Clubs ( LELE) will meet during lunch recess on Thursdays. We will offer four enrichment groups this year: Book Club, Youth Action Council (YAC), Spy Technology, and Around the World. The first club to meet with be the Book Club on October 6, 2011. Thank you, Book Club leaders, for facilitating this ever-popular group! Youth Action Council ( YAC ) Club is our community service project club. Counselor Mrs. McDonough and Art Teacher Ms. Gregori are the YAC Leaders of this club. YAC's first meeting will be October 13, 2011 in the MUR during lunch time. Students will be planning out community service projects for the year at the first meeting, putting our PAW Core Values into action. Thank you Mrs McDonough and Ms. Gregori! Our LELE Co-Leaders, Dana Nunn and Gloria Falcinelli, are in need of a few more volunteers for our remaining two clubs, "Spy Technology" and "Around the World". Please contact one of them if you are willing to help! Our "Around the World" Club continues to need three more volunteers to hold a fun cultural meeting during a Thursday lunch recess. The club currently has volunteers that will share cultural highlights from England and India. With such a richly diverse student population, we are excited to learn which additional three cultures will be featured this year through our Around the World Club. Craig Hirst is leading our "Spy Technology" group and needs volunteers to assist our young engineers in training with building spy technology projects. Sounds very 007! This is sure to be a popular group. Thank you, Mr. Hirst! Please contact Dana or Gloria if you can assist with these enriching programs this year!
Hot LunchMondays, 6-8, 11:45 - 12:30 Thursdays, 6-8, 12:00 - 12:45 Hot lunch is parent run and cannot operate without your help. You can volunteer weekly, biweekly or monthly ...... WE NEED YOU! Contact Julia Massa if you can help at gershenberg@gmail.com
After School Tutoring CenterVolunteers are also needed to help after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for one hour. With approval from our school counselor, Mrs. McDonough, select seventh and eighth graders may also serve as tutors to both help their fellow students and also gain valuable community service experience. Please contact our wonderful Tutoring Center Coordinator, Michelle Chapman-Barovich, for more details.
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 for fellowship and fun!
4th Grade
- October 21st from 7:00 to 9:30
- Hosted by Kathleen and Alex Liston, Stacey and Brett White and Gudrun and Tom Enger
- At the Liston home, 2319 Crest Lane, Menlo Park
- Last names A-M please bring appetizers and last names N-Z please bring soda, wine or beer
- Please RSVP to Kathleen at rsvp@listons.net
5th Grade
- October 21st at 7:00
- Hosted by Pam and Steve Ellingson and Libby and Allen Beasley
- At the Ellingson home, 941 Continental Drive, Menlo Park
- Last names A-M please bring appetizers and last names N-Z please bring soda, wine or beer
- Please RSVP to Pam at pamela.ellingson@cna.com
6th Grade
- December 2nd from 6:30 to 9:00
- Hosted by Grace Mercer and Greg Schott and Inger and Kevin Rarick
- At the Mercer/Schott home, 120 Escanyo Way, Portola Valley
- Last names A-M please bring appetizers and last names N-Z please bring soda, wine or beer
- Please RSVP to Inger at irarick@yahoo.com
7th Grade
- October 28th (DATE CHANGE) from 7:00 to 9:30
- Hosted by Margaret and Pete Perrone and Keri and Griff Tully
- At the Perrone home, 2323 Crest Lane, Menlo Park
- Last names A-O please bring appetizers and last names P-Z please bring soda, wine or beer
- Please RSVP to Margaret at margaret.perrone@gmail.com
|
School News
| Additional Counselor Hired for La Entrada
Thanks to the generous gift from the Foundation, we have been able to hire a part time counselor (in addition to Emily McDonogh).
We look forward to the benefits this will bring our students, and we know you will join us in welcoming Jeannine Medina to our campus and community. (Please see the note below from Jeannine.)
Dear La Entrada Community,
My name is Jeannine Medina, and I am so glad to be here! I look forward to being part of such a dynamic staff and community as we work together to meet students' needs to the fullest extent possible. Before my husband and I moved to the bay area, I served as a school counselor for Ocean View School District in Huntington Beach, CA. My school counseling career began in Hacienda La Puente Unified School District near La Puente, CA, and in Fulton County Schools in Atlanta, GA.
While I will have a number of counseling duties, my student case load will focus on the 5th and 6th graders.
I will be on campus on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
My office is located in room 7 (across the room from Emily McDonough), and I can be reached at jmedina@llesd.org; feel free to contact me with any questions or to stop by and say hello!
Jeannine Medina
Art To Remember
This Monday, October 3rd, all art, drama and music students in 6th through 8th grades will be bringing home their order forms for Art To Remember. Art To Remember is the Visual and Performing Art Department's annual fund raiser. All proceeds from the sales of this event go towards purchasing supplies and materials for the art, drama and music classes. Any items ordered through Art To Remember will arrive mid-November, so it's the perfect holiday gift giving opportunity for you and your family. Just remember that all order forms and checks must be returned to Ms. Gregori, Ms. Ostrom or Mr. Cooper by Monday, October 10th. Thanks for your support!
ASB News Thank you to all of the families who have donated monies to the Student Activities for the year. Your donations will take the place of money we used to raise from the Magazine Drive. The Executive ASB has approved the purchase for two more tether polls for the black top. Dance: Our first dance was a neon explosion of success! Thank you to all the students who attended the dance. In addition, we greatly appreciate the following adults for their support: Mr. King, Mrs. Dillabough, Mrs. Powell, Mrs.Ostrom, Mrs. Hanson, Mrs. Westly, Mrs. Garcia, and Mrs. "Grandma" Burdos. Mark your calendars for our next dance: December 9, 2011. Upcoming Spirit Day: Friday, October 14th Grade Level Color 4th grade is white 5th grade is red 6th grade is yellow 7th grade is blue 8th grade is green |
 From the Governing Board
|
On Monday, October 3rd , at 7 pm in Cano Hall, the Governing Board will hold a "study session" Special School Board Meeting for all parents, teachers, staff and community members to discuss the book The Global Achievement Gap, by Tony Wagner. This meeting is part of the District's efforts to educate the community about 21st Century learning, and to help us develop a Strategic Plan to meet the needs of our District students. In The Global Achievement Gap, the author asserts that even the best schools in the United States need to improve, and they must teach the seven survival skills that children will need to be ready for college and career success in the 21st Century. Please RSVP by clicking here: http://www.leadingeducation-llesd.org/book.html, and plan to join us for a lively discussion that will help inform our Strategic Planning process. The book is available at local bookstores and online at Amazon.
Thanks for supporting our District schools.
|
CAMPUS News
|
Internationally renowned parenting expert
Dr. Michele Borba. Ed.D
7 PRACTICAL WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN ATTAIN JOY, BALANCE AND SUCCESS.
Thursday, October 20th
7 - 9 p.m.
Menlo Atherton High School Center for Performing Arts
Does it seem as if your children are forced to shortcut today's freedom for tomorrow's success? Would you like them to have the space to enjoy unstructured exploration and discovery without fear of losing ground? Don't miss Dr. Michele Borba, award-winning author, speaker and educational consultant, as she shares specific skills to help you teach your children how to survive and thrive in today's play-deprived and standards-driven world. With the same warm, humorous, realistic and straightforward approach you've seen in her appearances on the Today Show, Dr. Phil, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC, Dr. Borba will help you learn simple, effective, research-based strategies to prepare your children for the future without sacrificing their well-being or your own.
CAMPUS -- Consortium of Atherton & Menlo Park United Schools -- is pleased to sponsor Dr. Borba's presentation to our community without charge. No reservations so please come early as seating is limited. For further information contact Jennifer Le at campus@laentradapta.org.
The CAMPUS program features outstanding speaker presentations on a variety of parenting issues. CAMPUS programs are hosted at Menlo-Atherton High School and sponsored by a consortium of public schools in Menlo Park and Atherton, including the La Entrada PTA. The CAMPUS program is distinct from the LLESD's "Learning for the 21st Century" program which is hosting speakers, book discussions, and forums to help our LLESD community explore ways to improve curriculum, teaching, and learning within our District schools.
|
Foundation News
| |
Enroll in Your Employer Matching Program and Increase Your Donation to the Foundation
It's the right time of year to check into your employer's matching gift policy. You can increase your gift, possibly even doubling it, simply by notifying your employer of your donation and providing them with contact information for our Foundation (see below).
Some employers require you to open an account during health benefits open season, while others require you to direct your donation directly to them or through payroll deductions, so its important to check into your employer's policies today!
For a list of companies that matched donations last year, click the "donate" link on our website, www.llef.org, and select Employer Matching Gifts. If you have any questions, contact our matching gift coordinator, Cecilia Pinto, at matchinggifts@llef.org.
Here is the information you will need:
Las Lomitas Education Foundation
PO Box 7282, Menlo Park CA 94026
EIN/Tax ID Number: 94-2952818
Grandparents Group Sign Up The Grandparents' Group was organized several years ago to connect the grandparents of children in our District to our schools. The Foundation is striving to help the grandparents feel connected to their grandchildren. Our group is now over 1,000 grandparents strong! We invite you to register today by clicking here! Parents, you can register on behalf of the grandparents in your family.
 
|
League News
| |
For information about the Las Lomitas League, please go to http://laslomitasleague.com/
BASKETBALL SEASON AND REGISTRATION
Basketball registration is quickly approaching. This is a very popular winter sport at La Entrada that 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:
Oct 10th (Monday) at 7pm: Basketball registration opens
Oct 31st (Monday, Halloween!) at 7pm: Basketball registration closes
NOTE: We cannot accept any late registrations. Please be sure to register during the open registration dates.
Nov 3rd (Thursday) at 6:30pm: Basketball Coaches Meeting in the La Entrada library. Required for all coaches. We will choose practice times as well as go over rules, expectations, evaluations, etc. Practice times will be selected based on coaches' availability and a lottery system.
Nov 5th (Saturday): Basketball Evaluation Day in LE Gym for 5th Boys, 6th Boys, 7th Girls & Boys, 8th Girls & BoysNov 6th (Sunday): Basketball Evaluation Day in Jensen Hall for 3rd Girls & Boys, 4th Girls & Boys, 5th Girls and 6th Girls Evaluations are used strictly to split up each grade level into fair and balanced teams. Your grade will be assigned a specific time closer to the date. Please check the LLL Basketball webpage later in October.
COACHES ARE NEEDED!!! This activity is run by parents. We need parent coaches so we can offer fair playing time to all the kids. (Fewer coaches mean fewer teams with a lot of players. The larger the team, the less playing time for each player.) You do not need a lot of experience to coach; we can pair you with a more experienced coach. Also, we provide a coaching clinic. Please contact Inger Rarick at irarick@yahoo.com or Sue Bartalo at sbartalo@mac.com if you are available to coach. |
| Community News |
These programs are not supported by or affiliated with the La Entrada School or the La Entrada PTA.
Outgrown Gently-Used Halloween Costumes Needed
Haven House of Shelter Network in Menlo Park is in need of ANY size costume donations for these childrens' school events and for their mega-Halloween party at Haven. Between your kind donations and Crocker School of Hillsborough, we "dressed" over 100 kids (and parents) last year. We look forward to another spook-ta-cular event and seek your continued support--plus, it cleans out your closet! :)
Please drop any costumes to Suzanne Mitchell in the Tech Office at LE, or the LL front office (a wonderful scout troop is collecting there).
Questions? Email suzannemitch@gmail.com
Volunteers Needed in the Classroom and for Tutoring in the Ravenswood District ALL STUDENTS MATTER is a grassroots organization working as part of the Ravenswood Education Foundation to serve East Palo Alto students and we need your help! Volunteer in a 2nd-4th grade classroom weekly or bi-monthly. Tutor children after school at Green Oaks Academy, a K-4 school. Volunteer opportunities for both students and adults. Our web site is www.allstudentsmatter.org and please contact Ann Carter at annscottcarter@gmail.com or Sharon Purcell at sharonpurcell4@gmail.com .
Attention all American Girl Fans! To benefit Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford join us at the American Girl Fashion Show in Los Altos on November 11th and 12th for a great time with your daughters. The five shows feature girls in historical and contemporary clothes with matching dolls. Refreshments are served. For reservations and tickets see www.PaloAltoAuxiliary.com or email AmericanGirlFashionShow@gmail.com. All proceeds benefit Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. Don't Miss "Amelia Lives" at the Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory!
"Amelia Lives" is a 90-minute exploration into the community and events that shaped a young girl into an explorer, champion of women's rights, and philosopher. You are invited to peek into the world of Amelia Earhart through events, stories, letters and quotes from this larger than life lady from the 20th century. Performances are Oct 21st and 22nd at 7:30 and Oct 23rd at 2:00 at Lane Hall Theatre, 945 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Tickets and information at www.pvtc-ca.org. HALLOWEEN COSTUME RENTAL EXTRAVAGANZA!
For the first time ever, Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory is opening its racks for Halloween costume rentals! We have all kinds of fun costumes from fairy wings to animal masks, pirate gear to Renaissance dresses, 50s attire, cheerleading uniforms, suit coats, hats --all sorts of fun garb. We will also have a special appearance from a make-up artist who can help design
face paint, scary make-up, princess make-up, animal make-up, and other fun faces.
Ages PreK - Adult, Saturday, Oct. 8 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 945 Portola Road Portola Valley
|
Business Sponsors News
|
The La Entrada PTA and the La Entrada School do not endorse, warrant, or recommend any of these business.
Kepler's Bookstore
Remember to mention La Entrada at the register and Kepler's donates 6% back to our school.
|
| 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;
- When submitting an article, please refer to our newsletter policies.
- Put all content in the body of the email, do NOT send an attachment;
- Do NOT send flyers but provide a link to them;
- Do NOT send pictures but provide a link to them;
- Do not use embedded links in submissions: be sure all email addresses and URLs are visible, not hidden behind linked text;
- Please write concisely and proofread your submission.
|
|
