IT WAS AN OLYMPIC EFFORT, EVERYONE!

We want to THANK YOU for donating and soliciting so many fantastic items for our event this year!  We are so pleased with the offerings, and are now completing the most extensive and exciting auction catalog yet!

You've seen some of the incredible getaways - to the London Olympics and the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite - but we want to share some of the other amazing items being offered through the auction - thanks to you!

• Two lucky winners get to be Fighter Pilots for a day! Practice formation flying, basic maneuvers, and "G-pulling" dogfights - everything is real except the guns!
• Football passing clinic for twenty with Chad Hutchinson & Todd Husak, former NFL players and Stanford QB stars.
• Sailing adventures on San Francisco bay with Las Lomitas parents.
• Girlfriends Getaway to Pebble Beach!
• Personalized Andrew Luck autographed football and signed jersey!
• San Jose Sharks Tickets including a ride for one on the Zamboni!
• Valuable gift certificates for camps, lessons, classes and kids parties.
• Great tickets to the 49ers, Giants, A's, Warriors, and Stanford events.
• The finest wines, gourmet dining and fabulous wine-tasting events.
• Golf Rounds at these exclusive (and mostly private) golf clubs:  Olympic Club, Pebble Beach, Sharon Heights, Lake Merced, Palo Alto Hills, Cordevalle, Mayacama, Stanford, Green Hills, and the incredible Nanea Golf Club on the Big Island in Hawaii.

And...keep an eye out for your invitation to the Auction coming Monday, April 9.  Be sure to buy your tickets right away to secure your spot at the greatest party of the year!  Olympic glory can be yours...bring home the Gold for Las Lomitas!

Music by Colin Cooper

4th/5th General Music:

All the students were privileged to sing their 'African American' theme songs for the entire student body in an assembly in early February.

The 4th graders are now learning 'California Gold Rush' songs to tie in with this California history standard that fourth grade core teachers focus on. The fifth graders are singing a song entitled, "Fifty, Nifty United States" and are learning all of our state capitals as well as interesting facts about our states, which tie in with this social studie's standard that fifth grade core teachers are working on in class.

5th Grade Band:

This year, we are implementing a brand new curriculum with the fifth grade band members. This features state-of-the-art, 21st technology called IPS (Interactive Practice Studio) which allows the student to play along, at home, with their computer using the songs, with musical accompaniment. The music can be slowed down, to the speed that suits the performer, without losing the integrity of the pitches.  The student can practice as long as necessary at home and then, when ready, can record their performance and e-mail it to Mr. Cooper for evaluation. Within 24 hours,  Mr. C. will listen to their work and send back feedback through e-mail. This helps to free up valuable class time for standard-based instruction, rather than time-consuming evaluation. This IPS system allows students to practice and prepare their music as much as necessary without having to perform alone in front of their peers, which, for some students, can feel threatening.

6th Grade Concert Band:

The students are preparing for their spring concert as well as learning some aural theory. This theory involves learning all the major and perfect intervals within the octave (there are 8 specific intervals that the students learn to play and also to identify by ear.) After a few weeks of practice, the students are evaluated by every student in the class playing an interval of their choice on their band instrument and all the other students identifying the interval played by ear! This is a great evaluation tool since the students are involved in both creating the test individually and spontaneously and completing the test within the same class period.

7th/8th Grade Symphonic Band:

The students enjoyed performing late last month at M-A's 'Partner Concert.'  Our students also had the opportunity to hear Hillview Middle School and M-A High School Bands perform.

Besides preparing for our upcoming spring concert, the students are learning music appreciation this year by studying all of the 'music masters' of the Medieval, Baroque, Renaissance, Classical, Romantic and 20th century. For a new twist this year, students are completing their own music project where they highlight their favorite band/musician through an oral project. This includes a worksheet taught to the class and a video that is presented to the class using the interactive smart board and excellent sound system in the music room. To finish things off, a student-made quiz is administered and marked by the student completing the project.

6/7/8th Grade Jazz Ensemble:

The students are enjoying their spring semester of jazz band by performing some great charts including Glenn Miller's great swing chart, "In the Mood," Stevie Wonder's, "Superstition," Peter Green's, "Black Magic Woman," performed by Santana.

La Entrada ASB takes great pride in gathering a group of hard-working fourth through eighth graders committed to making their school a better place by serving others. ASB works during the end of summer, during school, after school, and in the evenings organizing activities for both the school and the community.

Stanford Splash, April 21-22

Splash is the program that brings high school and middle school students from everywhere to Stanford's campus for a two-day learning extravaganza. Classes are taught by Stanford undergraduates, graduate students, and other community members.  

Student registration is now open at http://www.stanfordesp.org/ 

Research-Based Parent Education Courses from Challenge Success

How much help is too much when it comes to homework?

How do I decide which extracurricular activities are best for my kid?

Is it okay for my 13-year-old to be on Facebook every day?

If you're not sure how to answer these questions, you're not alone. At Challenge Success, we hear regularly from parents who are trying to be the best parents they can be, but who aren't always sure what to do. Our first series of classes, Raising Well-Balanced Children in a Fast-Paced World, is now available in one of our in-person workshops and online. If you are the parent of an elementary or middle school-aged child and are wondering how to raise healthier, happier kids and help your family feel more connected, then these are the classes for you.

Online: Our interactive online course allows you to work at your own pace and on your own schedule. You may purchase our entire 7-session course or individual course sessions.

In-Person: This 6-week workshop is provided by a trained Challenge Success Parent Education Facilitator with guest appearances by the Challenge Success co-founders. Our next course begins at Stanford University on April 25th.

For more information about Challenge Success and the programs it offers, please visit our website at wwww.challengesuccess.org.

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