• Aug 21 (Tue.): Meet the Teacher, 9:30 am - 10:30 am
• Aug 22 (Wed.): First Day of School, 6th-8th graders at 8 am, 4th/5th graders at 8:10 am
• Aug 22 (Wed.): Governing Board Meeting, 7 pm
• Aug 23 (Thu.): PTA General Meeting and Volunteer Fair, 9:15 am, MUR

• Aug 29 (Wed.): Hot Lunch begins
• Aug 30 (Thu.): Parents Info Night, 6:45 pm
• Aug 30 (Thu.): 5th Grade Band Parent Meeting, 5:00 pm - 6:45 pm, Band Room

Greetings La Entrada Community!

It is my pleasure and honor to be your new Principal at La Entrada School.  I am thrilled to begin the new school year in Las Lomitas and look forward to meeting students, staff, parents, and community members. As I make this transition to La Entrada, I am aware of the anticipation and eagerness that accompanies new leadership in any organization. It is my goal to spend time at the beginning of the year learning about our school and all of its stakeholders. I eagerly await the opportunity to get to know the community, and learning about your hopes and dreams for your children and our school.

I am a native Californian who grew up in the Central Valley and moved to the Bay Area to attend Santa Clara University.  After spending a couple of years in Mexico City, I returned to live in Santa Clara with my husband and three children; all three will be attending college this fall.  Professionally, I have been an administrator since 2002.  I worked in Santa Clara Unified School District as the Coordinator of Assessment and Instructional Materials.  Prior to administration I worked in the Middle Schools in Santa Clara as a Literacy and Technology Support teacher.  I have taught bilingual elementary school, middle school and adults throughout my 20 years in education.  During my years as a teacher, I spent a great deal of my time working on district committees, supporting new curriculum initiatives and student growth opportunities. As an administrator I was a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet, Educational Services Division and supported the school sites on using data to inform school improvement.  Throughout my years in education, I have continued to stay current on best practices for students and successful schools.

I believe that my job as Principal at La Entrada is to ensure to all stakeholders that the school maintains its safe, orderly and inviting learning environment.  I aim to build solid relationships with students, families and teachers.  It is my practice to "lead with my feet."  It will be very important to me to be in the hallways, classrooms and on the playground getting to know each child at La Entrada.  It is my sincere desire to provide expanded opportunities for our students to acquire the skills to become productive citizens in our vastly changing society.  Through increased use of technology in the classroom and within the community, we will grow together toward becoming responsible global citizens.

Genuine collaboration fosters ownership of a rich school culture. Working together, we will support our children to do well at school and in their lives.  I am honored to have been selected to serve this community and will work hard to gain your trust and respect as La Entrada's principal.  I thank you in advance for welcoming me as a part of this great community!

Respectfully,

Shannon Potts

PTA GENERAL MEETING

Please join us for our first general PTA meeting and Volunteer Fair on THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 from 9:15-11:15 a.m. in the MUR.   

This is the perfect opportunity to connect with old friends and meet new friends, hear from key people in our district and participate in our short meeting.   

We will also have computers set up to allow you to sign up for the wide variety of volunteer opportunities available at La Entrada.

PLEASE JOIN THE PTA

Your membership form and dues can be completed online using Paypal or you may still download the membership form and pay by check. Additional forms are also available in the office.

As the La Entrada PTA does not fundraise during the year, it is of utmost importance that we receive necessary funding for vital programs through your membership support.

VOLUNTEER!

Already looking to nail down your schedule after the kids are in school?

Click over to the La Entrada PTA website and volunteer!

As always our greatest volunteer need is for Hot Lunch Servers! This is a perfect volunteer commitment to keep you in touch with the life of the school and a chance to meet those kids your student keeps talking about. 

Are you a working parent? Volunteer ever week or every other week during your lunch hour.

Do you have a group of friends who like to chat but don't always find the time? Volunteer to help with hot lunch as a group once a week and calendar those chats for the remainder of the year.

Like to meet new people or you are new to the community? Serving hot lunch regularly introduces you to new people. 

Do you rely on hot lunch to keep your child fed? We need volunteers to run the program... no volunteers, no hot lunch!

Hot lunch begins on Wednesday, August 29. Sign up http://www.laentradapta.org/volunteer.html to help with hot lunch, or contact Julia Massa at gershenberg@sbcgloabl.net.

Career Day is an opportunity for the kids to get some exposure to a range of careers that might be available to them when they are ready to join the workforce. The format will most likely be a tradeshow setting in which an assortment of working parents will showcase what they do and what it takes to do it. 

This is the first year for this event - we are open to your ideas to make a success . If you would like to help coordinate or be a part of the career day, please contact Linda Itskovitz at litskovitz@gmail.com. 

Lunchtime Enrichment is looking for a co-chair! If you are willing to help with this unique and award-winning program, please contact Esther Dicks at bobby.esther@gmail.com. We need a co-chair and parents are needed to run the book clubs, YAC, and Latin club (new program.)

FAMILY PICNIC

The school year is off to a great start! It's not too early to sign up for the 2012 La Entrada Family Picnic, Thursday, September 20th from 5:30 to 7 PM on the school playgroud. Please click here if you would like order dinner from Lutticken's or mail a check and order form directly at the address listed on the bottom of the form. 

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Family Picnic Co-Chairs Maryellen McCabe and Liesl Noble at picnic@laentradapta.org. 

GRADE LEVEL GATHERING

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!

4th Grade 

• October 6th from 7:00-9:00 pm
• Hosted by Julie Clugage and Richard Hardegree, and Katharine Moir and Steve Westermann
• At Julie and Richard's home, 14 Shasta Ln, Menlo Park
• Last names A-M please bring dessert or an appetizer and last names N-Z please bring wine or beer
• Please RSVP to Julie at clugage@pacbell.net or 233-9377

• September 14th from 7:00-9:00 pm
• Hosted by Kathleen and Alex Liston, Stacey and Brett White, and Gudrun and Tom Enger
• At the Liston home, 2319 Crest Ln, Menlo Park
• Last names A-M please bring wine or beer and last names N-Z please bring appetizer or dessert Please RSVP via evite

6th Grade

• October 27th from 7:00-9:00 pm
• Hosted by Ashley Banks and Doug Laird, and Sandie and Aaron Timm
• At Ashley and Doug's home, 39 Sneckner Ct., Menlo Park
• Last names A-M please bring wine or beer and last names N-Z please bring appetizer or dessert
• Please RSVP to Ashley at fosterbanks@yahoo.com or 650-544-8968

• September 21 from 7:00-9:00 pm
• Hosted by Melissa and Rian Jorgensen, Melissa and Albert Jordan, and Suzy and Doug Galen
• At the Jorgensen home, 1341 Orange Ave, Menlo Park
• Last names A-M please bring an appetizer and last names N-Z please bring wine or beer
• Please RSVP to Melissa at Melissab.jorgensen@gmail.com or 854-2116

• October 5th from 7:00-9:00 pm
• Hosted by Pam and Stephen Ellingson
• At the Ellingson home, 941 Continental Drive, Menlo Park
• Last names A-M please bring wine or other beverages and last names N-Z please bring an appetizer
• Please RSVP to Pam at pamela.ellingson@cna.com or 234-9934