Dear La Entrada Community,

We are about to start the official planning phase for the 2013-14 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 weeks of February 25 - March 8, 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 4 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 13-15. 

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 4 and 5

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 6-8

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 13-15.  

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 Wednesday, 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.

Technology in the Classroom

As some of you may be aware, we are looking for ways to increase the use of technology at La Entrada by staff and students.  In line with District Strategic Plan, increased technology use  is our next step toward creating 21st Century Classrooms and learning experiences for our students.  Since the beginning of the 2nd semester we have done the following:

• Some 6th grade teachers have been experimenting with different devices in their classrooms. 
• The District leadership and I called together a student focus group to ask the students questions about technology use. 
• We met recently with a parent focus group.
• I spoke to parents at the Principal's coffee about the use of a "tablet" in the classrooms and how the technology supports the new state assessment (replacing STAR in2014).
• The Superintendent and other District Office staff met with multiple parent groups.
• Teachers and administrators attended multiple trainings and conferences focused on "One to One devices" most recently a "Tablet Showdown" held at the San Mateo County Office of Education. 

As a result of the experimentation and the conversation around increased technology use, questions around the security and access to the internet in classrooms and on campus have been raised. Until we have an articulated plan for a pilot program, the rules for technology use at La Entrada are to remain as outlined in the handbook, "Personal Electronics such as cell phones, compact disc players, Game Boys, iPods, pagers, and radios are not allowed to be used or out during the school day. If a device is needed for a class assignment, it must be used only in the classroom with teacher permission."  If you have any concerns about the technology use or the interpretation of the handbook, please don't hesitate to contact your teacher, Ms.Dineen or me.

In the meantime, stay tuned as we continue to meet over the next month with groups of teachers, students and parents.  The Superintendent, Lisa Cesario, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Deborah Roden, Director of Technology, Suzanne Mitchell, and the LE staff are all excited to see where and how increased technology use will impact learning.  

Warm Regards,

Shannon Potts

Principal

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT (ELD) PROGRAM RE-DESIGNATION CELEBRATION 

Please join us as we celebrate the success of our English Learners who have graduated from the ELD Program and are now Re-Designated Fluent English Proficient (RFEP) on Thursday March 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the MUR.  There will be a presentation followed by refreshments. All English Learners and their families are invited to attend. Come and meet your fellow English Learners!

Please RSVP if you plan on attending to Mimi Sabo at msabo@llesd.org or (650) 854-3962 ext. 151.

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ADOLESCENT COUNSELING SERVICES (ACS) WANTS YOU!

Do you care about local teens and families?  Are you interested in making sure accessible mental health services are available to the community?  ACS is currently looking for individuals to serve on our Board of Directors.  For more information, please contact Janet Chaikind, ACS Vice President, at governance@acs-teens.org. 

FREE Prevention Offerings from ACS

M-A PARENT EDUCATION SERIES

"The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of It"

Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., Lecturer

Stanford University

Thursday, March 7, 2013, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

M-A Center for the Performing Arts (PAC)

Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University and a leading expert in the new field of "science-help." Her most recent book, The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of It (Penguin, 2012) explores the latest research on motivation, temptation, and procrastination, as well as what it takes to transform habits, persevere at challenges, and make a successful change. 

Tickets will go quickly for this event! Parents, students, faculty/staff, and SUHSD community members are welcome to attend. 

Ticket Registration: http:/kellymcgonigalmenloatherton.eventbrite.com

M-A Parent Education Series events are FREE and sponsored by the

Menlo-Atherton PTA and the Sequoia Healthcare District.

For more information, please contact Charlene Margot, M-A Parent Education Series Program Director, at cmargot@csmconsulting.net or 650.868.0590.

Atherton Mat Club

Boys and girls who are interested in an energetic, social, and fun after-school activity should consider the Atherton Mat Club! Starting April 5 and running through May 3, the Menlo-Atherton High School wrestling team will introduce middle schoolers, 6th through 8th grade, to various mat exercises and activities. Some of the activities include wrestling, relays, mat ball, and various team challenges. Sessions will be held on Fridays, 4-6 pm, and Saturdays, 8-10 am in the M-A High School wrestling room. In a positive and fun atmosphere, sessions will help participants develop good strength and fitness habits and instill positive character traits: self-confidence, leadership, good sportsmanship and perseverance.  For more information, contact Don LaHaye

at don@matclub.org or visit our website www.matclub.org.