Dear La Entrada Community,

6th-8th Grade 2nd Quarter Ends on January 20

When the Board decided to move our winter break a week later (Dec 23 - Jan 6), we moved the end of 2nd quarter from January 13 to January 20.  This is because we didn't want students to come back from break and have only one week left in the Quarter.  Some of the original calendars that went out, however, still showed the January 13 end point.  That has now been rectified, and the calendar on the district website is correct.

While some teachers may cut off grading earlier, the formal end to 2nd Quarter is January 20.  Grades will be mailed out a week later, and should arrive home around January 30.

We have just finished our fall week of conferences.  All told, our teachers spent about 450 hours conferencing over the course of the week!  I want to thank our teachers for the time and effort that goes into preparing for, and facilitating, these conferences.   

Conferences are a very important opportunity for parents, teachers (and sometimes students) to sit together and discuss how a student is progressing.  It is a good reminder to all of us about the importance of face to face communication.  Sometimes I feel as if we have all become too comfortable with email, texting, and voicemail.  These technologies have certainly increased our ability to communicate, but nothing truly takes the place of face to face communication.

Given that, I thought I would devote just a little space in this article to communication.  We all know that it is very easy to communicate when things are going well.  Verbal praise, a high five, a nice note, and even a thank you are all easy to deliver.  Communication is harder when things are not going as we would hope.

La Entrada is a very special place.  I am thankful every day for the students, staff, and community that we work with.  This does not always mean, however, that things are perfect.  I make mistakes, staff members make mistakes, students make mistakes, and parents and community members make mistakes.  Life doesn't come with handbook that shows us exactly the right things to do at all times.  Most things are puzzles that need to be figured out...and mistakes are the things that happen as we are figuring things out.

It is very important that we always communicate directly with people when things aren't going as expected.  It is equally important that we keep the communication going until things are resolved.  While we all try to be as proactive and responsive as we can be, sometimes it can take more than one communication to solve a situation.  

Sometimes people aren't sure who to talk to, so here are the "front-liners" for different types of issues.

Direct communication with people will solve 99% of all situations.  What about the last 1%?  That's where the Principal and Assistant Principal come in.  You should always let us know when you have been communicating about an issue that has not been resolved.  We will then be able to act as another resource in solving the situation.

 Our school vision states: 

La Entrada is an inclusive community of dedicated staff, students, and parents engaged in maximizing the academic, social, ethical and physical growth of every student.  Our collaborative community embraces the ideals of critical thinking, life-long learning, and global responsibility in a safe and respectful environment.

Communication is key to reaching this vision.

We are always striving to increase communication.  Every year, more and more teachers send out class emails/newsletters to help families know what is going on in class.  More and more teachers are using websites and blogs as a tool.   

We will continue on this trek for the best communication possible, and with your help, communication (and our community) will just continue to strengthen. 

Private School Recommendations

The season of private school applications is upon us.  If your child will be applying to a private school for next year, please make sure that we have any recommendation forms (that need to be filled out by a teacher or administrator) by Friday, December 2.  All forms can be given to Marja Rudge (in the main office) and she will make sure they get to the correct people.

Annual Trip to Washington, D.C.

I thought it would be good to write a little about our upcoming 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C.  I am writing this in the Leopard Spot (as opposed to just the 8th grade families) because this is really information that people should know before getting to 8th grade.

Here is some basic information about the trip:

• We go during our Spring Break. (This year we leave on April 14 and return on April 20.)
• The trip is optional.
• This year the trip costs $2,265.
• We use an outside tour group, Apple Tours, for planning and scheduling the trip.
• We visit Williamsburg, Jamestown, Monticello, Mount Vernon, and Washington, D.C.
• For a more detailed itinerary, or additional information, you can go to https://sites.google.com/site/laentradadc/

The 8th graders are currently working on a number of fund raising projects for this year's trip.  The funds raised go into a scholarship fund so that we can try to make the trip a possibility for any student that wishes to go.  This year, we are trying to raise around $10,000 in scholarship money.

Whether or not you currently have an 8th grader, I encourage you to help us be sure that financial circumstances don't stand in the way of a student's participation by:

• Supporting one of our fund raisers currently underway:
• Thanks to everyone who ate at Amici's on November 7.  We raised almost $1,000 that night.  We will have another Amici's night in December....date to still be determined.
• Sees Candy Sales.  The candy sales end on November 22.  If you know an 8th grader (and you like candy), ask about placing an order.

• Making a direct donation to the scholarship fund.  If you would like to make a direct donation, checks can be made out to Las Lomitas League and placed in the D.C trip box in the office.  Because the Las Lomitas League is a 501(c) non-profit organization, your donations are considered a charitable donation for tax purposes.  

Upcoming Events:  Here are some upcoming events at La Entrada that you won't want to miss!

• November 28 - December 2:  Canned Food Drive
• November 30:  Talent Show (6:30pm in Jensen)
• December 8:  Drama Performance (6:00pm in Jensen)
• December 9:  6th-8th Grade Dance
• December 12:  Winter Band Concert at Woodside High School (7pm)
• December 21:  Winter Choir Concert (7:00pm in our Gym)  

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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.