From the Editors
| The Leopard's Spot is published by the La Entrada PTA as a service to the La Entrada families and community. Before submitting an article, please read our newsletter policies.
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From the PTA Co-Presidents
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Hello Everyone! We hope everyone is feeling a little more rested today with the extra hour of sleep last night. The days are becoming shorter now but our amazing volunteers continue to work long hours to support our PTA programs. Please join us in thanking the following volunteers when you see them: Maureen Goody and Wendy Malecek for the wonderful games and activities that all the students were thrilled to be a part of on Halloween. It was a fa-boo-lous event! LeeAnn Yasukawa for organizing the very informative information night for 8th grade parents with principal Matt Zito. Margaret Perrone for organizing the grade level parties and for all of the host families. Lisa Reid for spearheading the challenging task of putting together the school directory. You're enjoying those aren't you? Anne Longo and Laura Glader for keeping us well informed and up to date with our PTA events on the bulletin boards near the Jensen Hall entrance. Way to go Co-Vice Presidents! Terry Aguiar has championed a valiant effort to encourage all La Entrada families to join and support PTA this year. You can still join and support the PTA at http://laentradapta.org/membership.html. If you would like to get connected with our PTA and want to volunteer your time, we would love to connect with you so please contact us at lesliehintonking@gmail.com or libbyb@gmail.com. Please be sure and visit the La Entrada Used Book Fair during conferences this week. We are excited about our new format and there are sure to be many high quality books for all! Have a wonderful short week and hopefully we will all be able to enjoy some extra time with our families.
Libby Beasley and Leslie King
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| PTA News |
 THE USED BOOK FAIR OPENS TOMORROW MORNING IN THE MUR!!!
La Entrada students donated thousands of books to the Used Book Fair, open Monday through Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the MUR. Come and shop...we have incredible books at incredible prices. All books are $1, $3, or $5...CASH AND CHECKS ONLY. 4th, 5th, and 6th grade art is on display as well!
Take care of all of your holiday shopping online at www.barnesandnoble.com/bookfairs. Shop with the code 10595437. Almost everything counts toward your total purchase...books, movies, music, toys, games...10% of your total purchase comes back to La Entrada. Be sure to share the code with all your family and friends. We still need volunteers to work the Used Book Fair. Sign up to volunteer at http://lebookfair.qlubb.com . Enter your email as your User ID; the password is books2011. Shifts are short and workable ... we need all hands on deck! We are accepting help from responsible students as well. All students who volunteer will receive a free book. You can use your email to sign up your student, just specify who is working in the notes section. Adults are needed for each shift. Please sign up to volunteer now! A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who shopped our In Store Event at Barnes and Noble Hillsdale this weekend. 25% of everything that was purchased is coming back to La Entrada!!! Artwork that was on display will be returned to students during art class with Ms. Ostrom.
LA ENTRADA SCIENCE FAIR - JANUARY 18, 2012
Kids - Get ready for the Science Fair! The Science Fair is a fun event that allows you to work in groups with your friends, to experiment and present your ideas. This self-driven project gives you the opportunity to be creative and think out of the box. Start imagining what you would like to discover and what friends you would like to work with. Please register your project online at www.laentradasciencefair.org.
Parents - The La Entrada Science Fair prepares kids for more complex projects and team work. The format of the event aligns with the Strategic Planning outcomes and Learning for the 21st Century speaker series. The Science Fair allows for teamwork, posing questions, problem-solving, experimentation and communication. These are all skills all our children need to be successful in our ever-changing world. The Science Fair is a fun, no-pressure way to start mastering these skills. Please encourage your child to participate.
Please note that the Science Fair date is dictated by the San Mateo County Science Fair. All 6th - 8th grade finalists will go to the San Mateo County Science Fair. The finalist from the San Mateo County Science Fair will go to the California State Science Fair. In the past, La Entrada students have been selected to participate in the California State Science Fair - a very prestigious commendation.
Since the La Entrada Science Fair is in January, please have your child begin their project in early Fall. Advance planning makes the process more fun and avoids the need to work over the holiday breaks. AND advanced planning is a skill that will serve all our kids for their entire academic and professional lives.
To learn more, to go www.laentradasciencefair.org.
If you have any questions, please email Diana Sunshine, Bardia Pezeshki, PJ Utz or John Bargar.
LA ENTRADA GEOGRAPHY BEE
Calling all geography lovers on Nov 18th, Friday, from 3 PM -5 PM.
Parents are invited to watch the event hosted by Mr. Dumbra .
In the preliminary round each grade will be asked 10 A or B questions.
Participants who answer 70% correct answers will move on to the semifinal round.
Again each grade will be asked 10 write in questions in the semifinal round.
10 finalists will be chosen for the final round who will then answer 10 questions.
Everyone gets a participation certificate.
The La Entrada Geo Bee winner will take a written test at a later date to see if he/she qualifies to move on to the next level.
National winners receive a scholarship of $25000, $15000 and $10000.
To register for the Geo Bee please contact Katie Boland at kboland@gmail.com who has kindly taken charge of registration.
Parents who would like to volunteer for Geo Bee please contact alka at alkasehgal@gmail.com.
We need a volunteer to get snacks for the kids - you will be reimbursed by the PTA. The kids will thank you for it and they will enjoy the event much more.
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!
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
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School News
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Reminders for the week of November 7-10
- Minimum Days all week. School is out at 11:30am. No lunch is provided.
- No Study Center will not be open.
- There are no late buses.
Mock Newbery Group
Please check the La Entrada Library website for an update on our October meeting. Last month's books: Okay for Now and Inside Out and Back Again were uniformly enjoyed. We were pleased to note that both of these books are on the National Book Award's Finalist list for 2011. Now, we are reading three new 'contenders' this month. These three books are more varied and already our 'verbal chatter' here at school is more 'lively'. Please feel free to ask us!
Calling all HP Parents!
HP's Employee Product Giving Program reopens this Tuesday, November 1st . Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to donate HP products at 25% of list price to the Las Lomitas and La Entrada schools! Funds are available on a first come, first served basis so you'll need to apply quickly. Details on how to donate are available at here. The school is particularly looking for HP TouchSmart 9100 PCs for the classrooms. If you have any questions, please contact smitchell@llesd.k12.ca.us or bob.wrenn@hp.com.
Washington DC 8th Grade Trip
The 8th grade class is raising money for their trip to Washington DC. Please support this worthy cause by eating at
Amici's East Cost Pizzeria
880 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park
650-329-8888
Monday, November 7th 11 am - 10 pm
Dine in or Take Out (No deliveries)
Click here for the flyer or pick one up in the office!
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Foundation News
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LET'S DO IT AGAIN!!!
A big THANK YOU to the families who have already donated to the Foundation this year! For those of you that have yet to give, give now and join our growing list of donors.
Last year, we made a huge difference. It was only through the shared commitment of all district families that enabled us to give the district $2.4M. We hope you see and feel the difference: smaller class sizes; and more music, art, and language classes.
We have less than three weeks before we break for Thanksgiving and we need everybody to give before the holidays.
Next week launches our Giving Week where our parent volunteers will be calling families who have not yet donated. Please GIVE NOW BY CLICKING ON http://www.llef.org/_donate/paypal_donate.html and save yourself a telephone call!
EVENTS AND ADVENTURES
 MOTHER/DAUGHTER HOLIDAY TEA
Please join us for the event of the season! Dress in your finest attire for an afternoon of festivities as mothers, daughters, aunts, and grandmothers celebrate the holidays in style at the Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club. Champagne and hot cider will greet our guests at the door as music of the season fills the air. Surprise entertainment will precede an elegant tea and hot chocolate service with a menu that will include every treat of the season imaginable.
Valet parking is included. Outreach is available for this event.
Donors: MJ Crousore, Julie Clugage, Manprit Lalia, Lisa Reid
Date: Sunday, December 11, 2011 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Check out our full listing of Events and Adventures at http://www.llef.org/_auction/events.html. Tickets for all open events are on sale now!
 
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rom the Governing Board
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What is 21st century learning? How can parents learn more about this District initiative?
Visit our Leading Education web site: http://www.leadingeducation-llesd.org
This site contains some wonderful background, links to resources, and lists of upcoming events. And if you missed any of the events we've hosted this fall, go to the web site's "Events" page and scroll down to read summaries. We hope you will join us in helping to shape the future of your child's education in the Las Lomitas Elementary School District.
And speaking of events, Sir Ken Robinson, Ph.D., considered one of the world's leading thinkers on creativity, innovation, and 21st century learning, will appear at Sacred Heart School in Atherton on November 9, 2011, at 7 pm. Part of the Common Ground Speaker Series, Robinson will present on the topic: "Creative Edge: Inspiring Innovative Thinkers." The promotional materials describe the presentation as follows: "A witty and incisive speaker, he challenges parents and educators to rethink their expectations for today's youth and to embrace a new paradigm of passion-based learning that enhances talent, achievement and a sense of personal fulfillment. Sir Ken's visionary plan includes practical steps to help families and schools harness the power of creativity and innovative thinking." His books include The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything and Out of Our Minds: Learning to Be Creative. The cost to attend is $20/ticket. For more information, click here: http://www.commongroundspeakerseries.org/2011/09/10/sir-ken-robinson-ph-d/
Thanks for supporting our District students. |
Las Lomitas Sports & After-School Activities League
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Information about the League can be found here.
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| Menlo Atherton High School News |
M-A EVENTS FOR 8TH GRADERS
Shadowing at M-A
Is your 8th grader interested in shadowing at M-A with a current freshman? Applications are being accepted for shadowing spots now. Shadowing starts in November but spots fill quickly so turn in your application soon. For more information and to download an application, please see the M-A Shadowing page at http://www.sequoiadistrict.org/21442017185110943/site/default.asp
Donate Old Computers, Printers, Digital Cameras, Flash Drives to M-A Students
WANTED: old computers or parts, working or not, for M-A High School PTA computer donation program. Your old computer equipment will be securely erased, refurbished, and sent home with a needy, hard-working student. Our goal is for every student at M-A High School to have a working computer at home to assist them with their homework. We welcome donations from individuals or corporate donations from companies that are upgrading their equipment. Donations are tax-deductible. We also need other types of electronic gear, such as USB flash drives and digital cameras (include manual, battery charger and memory card if you have them). For more detailed information, visit www.suekayton.com/MAHigh/computerdonations.htm or contact Sue Kayton (650) 853-1711 or email kayton@alum.mit.edu.
Menlo-Atherton Big Band Dance and Fundraiser
Jazz up your night life! Join us at the annual Menlo-Atherton Big Band Dance and Fundraiser, coming up Friday, Nov. 18th, from 7 - 11 pm at Ayers Gym (the old gym on Ringwood Ave. on the MA high school campus, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton).
This is a special night of jazz, swing and romantic ballads, all performed by the award-winning Menlo-Atherton jazz bands, concert band and orchestra.
Cost is $20 for general admission, or $10 for students & senior citizens. Children welcome.
Even better, relive the golden era of jazz for just one night: Pre-buy a table of 10 and invite friends and family to join in the fun. Send a check to the "MA Band Boosters" C/O Tina Witham at 845 Windsor Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025, or email Tina at thwitham@yahoo.com.
Come in jazz-era costume if the mood strikes you.
And, of course, we welcome anyone who prefers to sit and listen. (Dancing is not required.)
Snacks, desserts, & soft drinks for sale.
THE ROAD TO STARDOM LEADS RIGHT TO "STAGE DOOR"
Would you follow your dream or sell out? Go for IT or give up? Coming to grips with these Big Life Decisions is at the heart of the M-A Drama production of "Stage Door," by Edna Ferber and George Kaufman. This fast paced, dramatic comedy is coming to the Performing Arts Center on Thursday, November 3rd. A lively New York City 1930's boarding house is the setting for this classic story of aspiring actresses struggling to make it big on Broadway, and the men they become involved with along the way.
At the Menlo-Atherton High School Performing Arts Center, Ringwood Avenue entrance, just off Middlefield Road
Thursday, November 3rd at 7:30 PM
Friday, November 4th at 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 5th at 2 PM and 7:30 PM
Thursday, November 10th at 3:30 PM
Saturday, November 12th at 7:30 PM
Adults $12, Students/Staff/Seniors $8
$4 Student tickets on Thursdays!
Purchase tickets at the Box Office before shows or online at:
"Stage Door" tickets (https://www.ticketturtle.com/index.php?ticketing=cama)
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| Community News |
These programs are not supported by or affiliated with the La Entrada School or the La Entrada PTA.
Twas the Night Before Christmas - Tickets on Sale Now! Come support your fellow students!!!
Presented by Dancers Repertory Theatre and Menlo Park Academy of Dance and reviewed as a "charming alternative to the Nutcracker", this is a holiday tradition you won't want to miss. 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. performances will be given at Woodside Performing Arts Center on Sunday December 4th, Saturday December 10th, and Sunday December 11th. Tickets are available at www.twasthenight.org or by calling 650-323-5292. Dancers from Las Lomitas are Juliana B., Sophia C., Riley J., Leben K., and Tedi P. La Entrada dancers are Sophia B., Annie C., Sarah E., Greta H., Madeline O., Amelia T., Caroline T., Katie T., and Sasha W.
ONLINE EDUCATION WITH STANDFORD EPGY OPEN ENROLLMENT PROGRAM
EPGY is a continuing program at Stanford University dedicated to enhancing learning for students of all levels of interest and ability through multimedia, computer-based distance-learning courses. Through School Open Enrollment, students benefit from EPGY's courses in K-7 Mathematics and Language Arts and Writing Courses, with the option of adding Beginning Algebra and/or Reading and Writing about Literature. Students learn at home, with parents providing tutoring support and guidance. Las Lomitas Elementary and La Entrada Middle School have been added to the Stanford EPGY Open Enrollment Program under the Las
Lomitas Elementary district, and interested families may now register their children at the http://epgy.stanford.edu/district web page. The 2011-2012 session runs from June 1 through May 31. For more information, please contact Gudrun Enger, gudrun@gmail.com.
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Business Sponsors News
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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.
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