| From the Principal |
Dear La Entrada Community,
We are about to start the official planning phase for the 2012-13 school year. One of the first things we do in this phase is have the students (who will be in 6th-8th grade next year) sign up for their elective courses. The information we get from this allows us to start planning our master schedule.
During the week of February 27 - March 2, I will meet with all current 5th-7th grade students and provided them with a "Course Catalog" which includes important registration information.
If your child will be in 6th grade next year, you are invited to come to an "Incoming 6th Grade Parent Information" meeting on Monday, March 5 at 7pm in the MUR. At this meeting, I will be talking about the structural transition between 5th and 6th grade. In addition, I will go through the registration process.
Spring Conferences are scheduled for March 14-16.
Parent-teacher conferences are designed so that information and questions can be shared. Open and ongoing communication is highly valued by our staff and community. For the spring, we are allotted three days for conferencing. To make the most of this time, spring conferences are considered optional and can be requested by the teacher or the parent.
Conferences in grades 4th and 5th
Your child's teacher will contact you regarding conferences. The teacher may request a conference with you, or you may request a conference with the teacher. Whether you conference or not, you will receive an updated report card that outlines important information regarding your child's progress.
Conferences in grades 6th-8th
There are 45 spots for conferences during March 14-16. Teachers may have three times as many students as there are conference slots. (For example, a math teacher may have 150 students, but still only has 45 conference slots!) Conferences are optional and we ask that you keep in mind the limited slots and only sign up for a conference if you feel it very necessary.
6th - 8th Grade Teacher Conference Sign Ups will be Online!
Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on March 14-16.
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, February 27.
- 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.
- 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.
Best wishes for a fabulous February,
Larry Thomas
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| PTA News |
LA ENTRADA WINS BIG AT THE SAN MATEO COUNTY SCIENCE FAIR
At least 3 La Entrada students win finalist position at San Mateo County ScienceFair. One wins honorable mention.
7th grade:
1st place: Kaveh P., Ethan F., JaredP., "Measuring sweetness in drinks using an I pod and sunglasses."
6th grade:
2nd place in Engineering category: Andrew Z., Thomas E., "Houdini's Bathtub"
They designed a solar water heater so that the 6th grade science room snakes, Houdini and Jesse, can have warm baths at school, which will improve their health. Andrew and Tommy also won a Special Award from San Mateo County's Outdoor Education program.
6th grade
1st place in Physical Sciences category: Mani S. and John K., "Long live wind energy".
The purpose of their experiment was to see which blade shape of the wind mill rotor gave the maximum power output. They found that the important factors in blade shape were aerodynamic profile, large surface area, and an optimal angle of attack on the blades by the wind.
Honorable mention :Joel B. "Rubberband, where will you land?"
The Finalist will be moving on to Bay area science competition and the State Science competition to be held in Los Angeles.
Many many Thanks to Ms Tinkham for helping, encouraging and motivating the 6th graders.
Go La Entrada!
DADS LUNCH CLUB
Thank you to everyone who came out for our first Dads At Lunch last Friday. We hope that you had fun! We know the kids really appreciate having you come.
The next Dads At Lunch will be held on March 2nd. Please put it on your calendars now and plan to attend. 4th and 5th grades eat from 11:30-12:15 and 6th-8th grades eat from 12:15-12:50. It means a lot to the kids to have you make a special lunch date with them!
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| School News |
Students on Campus after 3pm
Students are to be off campus after 3pm unless they are in a supervised class. If students have a sports practice that starts at 4pm, they are to either report home and return at 4pm for their practice or to go to our Homework Center in our Library until 3:45pm.
Parents are Invited to learn about Project Cornerstone
All parents are invited to an informational evening on March 14, 2012 at 7pm in our MUR ( multi-use room). Linda Silvius, the School's Partnerships Director for Project Cornerstone, will present an overview of this free program to parents . The School Partnerships program empowers all members of the school community - students, parents and caregivers, teachers and staff -to reduce bullying, promote achievement and help all students feel valued and respected. The "cornerstones" of this program are the Developmental Assets, a powerful framework for positive youth development.
Please take a moment to preview their website and peek at the developmental assets: projectcornerstone.org
Technology Resources You Just Have To Check Out
Take a moment to investigate resources available to all district parents and students on our website. On our district's Home Page, click on the tab For Parents and scroll down to Learning Assistance 24/7 for numerous links. One of the best resource is free access to the San Mateo County Portal: ed1stop link. The free access codes for our families may not be published electronically but both your child's teacher and the school's office managers can provide you with these codes over the phone or in person. Look at Discovery Streaming on the portal or BrainPop, both high-interest and excellent resources. Located just below the "Home" tab on the district's website is a convenient Google Translate option that will assist families in translating our website information in their native language. The "SEARCH the LLESD website" box located just below the Google Translate is another new techie tool for users to better navigate our website topics through keyword input. Enjoy these resources open to you here in Las Lomitas School District.
Typing Pal School
The fastest typing speed ever recorded was 216 words per minute, achieved by Stella Pajunas-Garnand from Chicago in 1946. While we don't expect our students to replicate that feat, we do know that the ability to use technology effectively is vital for students of the 21st Century. Despite logging a substantial amount of daily time on keyboards, most of our students are not skilled at "touch typing." To address these keyboarding needs, La Entrada has added Typing Pal School to our repertoire of learning tools.
Typing Pal School is a great new web service our students can access via their school internet accounts. It is easily reached via Mr. Kelly's Computer Power website. Students can access lessons, interactive games, and timed typing tests. The exercises are designed to develop skills in keyboarding proficiency, touch keyboarding techniques, and accuracy and speed.
Some teachers are having their students use Typing Pal School for 10-15 minutes a day, and they report that keyboarding progress is being made. The students say that they like the short exercises and the instant feedback. They really like the games that list the top ten keyboarders, because then they can compete against their friends. It's amazing how a little competition can gird the loins of even reluctant keyboarders!
If you would like an introductory tour, here's the website.
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Foundation News
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Las Lomitas is Going for Gold!
Citius, Altius, Fortius: "Faster, Higher, Stronger!"
Let the Olympic Creed inspire you on May 19 at the 2012 Spring Auction, where we will be GOING FOR GOLD! The road to London and Olympic Glory begins at Portola Farms. Join us for the biggest party of the year, featuring music from last year's hit band, Pop Rocks!
This year we celebrate the spirit of the Olympic Games, which recognizes that "the most important thing is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle." Live the Creed, join the fun, and give it your best - at the bidding tables and on the dance floor. Help us bring home the Gold for our schools!
Join the spectacle by channelling your inner Michael Phelps, Misty May, or Bruce Jenner. Come as an athlete, a torch runner, a Royal, a London local, or sport the Opening Ceremony digs from the country of your ancestors. The global village will come together as one. Get ready to rock the night away at Portola Farms in Woodside on May 19, 2012
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
www.llef.org
 
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 Las Lomitas Sports & After-School Activities League
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For information about the Las Lomitas League visit our website at www.laslomitasleague.com
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| Sequoia Union High School District News |
SUMMIT AND EVEREST OPEN HOUSE
Summit Preparatory Charter High School and Everest Public High School are public, tuition-free, charter high schools in Redwood City. Our schools strive to provide students with a small and personalized educational experience with guaranteed college preparation in a physically and emotionally safe environment. Summit and Everest would like to invite parents and students to learn more about their schools and the admission process at their upcoming Open House:
Saturday, February 11th, 2012 at 10:00 AM, Everest, 455 5th Ave., Redwood City.
Please visit both websites, www.summitprep.net and everestphs.org to learn more.
M-A PTA FASHION SHOW
M-A PTA Fashion Show, M-AGIC 2012, is Saturday, February 25
Is your student headed to M-A next year? There is no better way to experience the true M-A Spirit than to attend the beloved annual M-A Fashion Show, an exciting event that seniors anticipate for all four of their high school years. This spirited affair is sure to enthrall all La Entrada students, as 240 M-A Seniors strut their stuff in the beautiful Performing Arts Center. Student tickets range from $10 to $20. Tickets to the three shows are available online here. Questions? Email fsticketsales@mabearspta.org.
THE M-A PTA NEEDS YOU!
The Menlo-Atherton PTA needs more than 50 volunteers to chair or co-chair more than 30 active committees during the 2012/2013 school year. It's a great way to learn how M-A works, get to know many teachers, and keep up-to-date with school activities. If you'd like to be part of this dynamic and diverse group, let us know.
Committee Chair/Co-Chairs 2012/2013
Admin/Volunteer Support
BearNotes
Directory
8th Grade Information Visits (2)
eScrip
PTA Membership Drive Co-Chairs (2)
Staff Appreciation
Board Level Positions 2012/2013
PTA Co-Vice Presidents - 3 year c ommitment (2 parents)
Financial Secretary (Accounting knowledge helpful) - 2 year commitment (1 parent)
If you are interested or have a nominee, contact any of the nominating committee members for more information: Karen Fryling, karen.fryling@cbnorcal.com; Ann Stoner, astoner@mindspring.com; Becky Flanagan, menlobecky@gmail.com; Elizabeth Katz, el_katz@yahoo.com; or Ellen Mouchawar emouchawar@yahoo.com.
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| Community News |
These programs are not supported by or affiliated with the La Entrada School or the La Entrada PTA.
CLASSROOM AND TUTORING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN RAVENSWOOD DISTRICT
ALL STUDENTS MATTER is a grassroots organization working as part of the Ravenswood Education Foundation to serve East Palo Alto and east Menlo Park elementary school students and we need your help! Volunteer in a specific classroom weekly or bi-monthly. Or, tutor children after school. We have volunteer opportunities for both students and adults. To sign up, please visit our web site www.allstudentsmatter.org and click on contact us. Have questions? Contact Ann Carter at annscottcarter@gmail.com.
SILLY SHENANIGANS SKI WEEK CAMP
Grades 1-8, February 20-24, 9am - Noon. Register online at www.pvtc-ca.org. Shel Silverstein's goofy rhyming lines will inspire games and performances for this quirky mid-winter camp. Performers will create a short collaborative show using tableau, movement, voice, and improvisation. Final performance Friday, Feb. 24 at 11:30 a.m.
Alpine Strikers FC Spring and Summer Soccer Programs
Alpine Strikes FC offers a variety of fun developmental soccer programs for school age (and preschool) kids. The spring after-school soccer program begins the week of February 27th. Summer soccer camp registration is also open now for 6-10 year-olds! Visit www.alpinestrikers.org for more information and to register online.
Girls Only! - Give Hockey a Try Free!
Is your daughter interested in trying the great sport of Ice Hockey? Ally T. and Zoe O. in fifth grade play for the San Jose Jr. Sharks Girls' U10 team and love it.
Here is a free and easy way for your daughter to check it out! For girls ages 5 to 12
Saturday, March 3, 2012, 9:45am & 12:15 pm
Sharks Ice San Jose
1500 South 10th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
- Skates, sticks and hockey equipment are provided
- Space is limited
- To register, please click Here: and follow these instructions
- Press the "Click Here to Register" Youth League link
- From the "Season" drop down menu, select "Girls Hockey a Try"
- From the "Level" drop down menu, select appropriate time
- Click the "Continue" button and follow the on screen menus. If this is the first time using our online payment system, you will have to create an account.
LITTLE LEAGUE UMPIRES WANTED
Minimum age--12. Flexible schedule--work when you can. Earn $22-32 per game. Season runs March through June. Experienced baseball players preferred. Must attend mandatory training session at beginning of season. If interested, please email cmolumphy@frk.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.
STUDIO RINCON CAMPS
SPRING BREAK CAMP (Teen) AND DANCE OR YOGA SUMMER CAMPS (ages 3-17) at Studio Rincon - grab a friend or a group and sign up asap, limited class sizes.
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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.
To submit an item, email it to the editors at leopardsspot@llesd.org by 12 noon
on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication date.
Submission Requirements:
- In the subject line of the email, please include the section in which you wish your item to be placed (see our newsletter policies for the list of our regular sections); for example, the subject may read "PTA News" for any item related to PTA programs;
- DO NOT send the article as an attachment but in the body of the email: submission sent as Word doc will be rejected;
- Clearly indicate the title of your submission;
- DO NOT send flyers but provide a link to them;
- DO NOT send pictures but provide a link to them;
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