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From the Principal's Office
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Dear La Entrada Community,
We have several important announcements for you this week.
School Safety First: La Entrada's parking lot Drop-Off/Pick-Up Lane is one area where parents must drive more slowly, look out for students crossing through the parking lot and remember to use the center "drive through" lane only after having dropped off or picked up your child. Neither parents nor students are allowed to walk into or out of the parking lot via the Parking Lot Entrance Driveway.
Parent Volunteer Opportunities:
1. PALS ( Parents at Lunch Supervision): If you would like to volunteer a half hour a day or more to monitoring our playground, please contact Mrs. Dineen. We have a brief training to support you, a beautiful neon vest for you to wear so students see the adults out and about, and an opportunity for a part-time position ($16.00-$17.00/hour for 1.5 hours/day) if you find the task enjoyable! Mrs. Dineen is in need of both a steady part-time employee, as well as numerous adult volunteers to help with playground supervision.
2. Parking Lot Supervision: If you would like to volunteer for 15-25 minutes before and/or after school, Mrs. Dineen will train you and provide you with an attractive neon vest for visibility. Increasing the adults out at drop-off and pick-up times will help with our safety goal.
3. Peer Tutoring: We are hoping to begin this program in October and need adults willing to commit to either a day or two per week from 2:45-3:35pm. Peer tutoring supports 4th/5th/6th graders by providing older students, parents and/or grandparents as tutors in multiple subjects. Your commitment can be a little as one day/week or as much as 2-3 days/week. If you have a 4th/5th/6th grader who needs extra help you can bring him/her along, or can send him/her to the homework center - our silent after school study hall. 6th-8th graders can peer tutor and receive leadership credit. All volunteering adults need to be fingerprinted, and the district will cover that cost. If you would like to volunteer to work with Emily McDonough in supporting our Peer Tutoring program, please email Mrs. McDonough at emcdonough@llesd.org or click HERE.
4. La Entrada Lunch Enrichment: LELE is a lunch-time club that meets once per month, with a different club meeting each week. This year LELE will be on Mondays at lunch so if you have time between 11:15am and 1:00pm, you could participate in a fun club! If you have an idea for a fun lunch-time activity "club", please contact Esther Dicks at estherd@kff.org or Ginny Rader at ginnyrad@me.com or click HERE. We currently have opportunities for parents to support our existing Book Club, and welcome parents with new ideas.
Project Cornerstone ABC Program:
This parent volunteer program trains parents to read aloud a book each month to their assigned 4th, 5th or 6th grade classroom and hold informal discussions on the book's theme. In this month's book, Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, the main character is empowered by a caring adult, her grandmother, to stand up to bully behaviors. As her grandmother fills her bucket, Molly Lou gains self-confidence. Molly Lou models positive self-talk to other students in the class and shows how positive energy can change negative behavior. Later on in the month, please ask your 4th, 5th or 6th grader if they have had their ABC Reader visit their core class yet and to share with you the story of Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon.
Project Cornerstone Asset Teams: Last year's staff reviewed our school's Project Cornerstone Survey results and decided to focus on three areas in support of building student assets. If you are unclear of what an Asset is, please visit the Project Cornerstone website at: www.projectcornerstone.org.
The three Asset Teams of focus this year are:
1. School Engagement/Parent Involvement: This team will be working with Emily McDonough, students and teachers. The first task for this team will be to grow our school's Peer Tutoring Program mentioned above. Contact Emily at: emcdonough@llesd.org to help.
2. School Climate: This team will be working with Jeannine Medina, students and teachers. The focus of this team will be to develop the New Student Buddy Program. Contact Jeannine at: jmedina@llesd.org to help.
3. Service to Others: This team will be working with Sonya Dineen, students and teachers. The focus of this group will be to educate the campus on recycling and the importance of garbage-free lunches. Contact Sonya at: sdineen@llesd.org to help.
Each of these three Asset Teams will hold an initial meeting for the adults team members only on September 26, 2013 at 12:15pm.
Have a great week!
Sonya Dineen
Assistant Principal
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| PTA News |
As a reminder, the PTA supports Field Trips, the Directory, Holiday Faire, Science Fair, Family Picnic and the Halloween Event...go to www.laentradapta.org for a full listing!
Many thanks to the following 77 families who joined this past week.
We really appreciate the support...
Almgren, Amor, Arozqueta, Battista, Behrens, Bergan, Berkowitz, Bijan/Johnson, Biscevic/Diez-Canseco, Bluvas/Chen, Bryer/Pezeshki, Castelein, Chang/Kau, Chin, Churchill, Crouch, De Lope Friedeberg, Doherty, Doktorczyk, Falcinelli, Fitch, Flores, Fujii, Galen, Gani/Chew, Garrett, Glader, Gundel, Hanson, Jack, Kelmar, King, Koenig, Komadina, Kopansky/Prober, Kueter, Kurtz/Hershberger, Le, Lee, Lim/McDonough, Liston, MacDonald, Mailar, Makris, Malecek, McGeever, Medaglia, Mester, Molitz, Morishita, Murphy, Neumann, Noble, Norris, Oguchi, Pan, Parvin, Perkocha, Peters, Pinto, Portugal, Powers, Radford, Rudd, Salinger-Brown, Scioscia/Zack, Shashahani, Shepard, Stewart/Love, Thurston, Tiedens, Virsik, Waller/LeClerc, Williams, Wong, Wrenn, Zhu
We need 4 more volunteers for each of the Hot Lunch shifts below, or Hot Lunch will be cancelled on the following days:
We are currently short volunteers to serve hot lunch on Mondays, the 4/5 shift Tuesdays and the
6-8 shift on Thursdays. We will not be able to provide this service without volunteers. Please consider signing up through the link above now! Questions about Hot Lunch? Contact co-chairs Stacy Molano or Stacy May at molano@pacbell.net or stacy.may1967@yahoo.com.
We are also in need of:
- 12 Family Picnic volunteers to help Thursday, September 26
- Lunchtime Enrichment Volunteers (listed above in "From the Principal's Office")
- Tutoring Center Volunteers (listed above in "From the Principal's Office")
- A Chair or Co-Chairs for the Science Fair
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CONSIDERATION!
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HOLIDAY WORKSHOP PLANNING MEETING -
Come join us at our opening meeting this Thursday at 9:00am in the MUR to prepare for this fun event! Plan for the fun projects our kids will enjoy making at the workshop, lead a table, lend a hand, or just hear more about the workshop. If you have a craft, bring a sample to share...ideas are welcome! However, you do not have to have a craft idea to lead a table. We will provide the projects. No creativity is required, but your leadership is needed. There are many opportunities!
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or want to lead a craft table but are unable to attend the planning meeting. To volunteer with this fun day sign up via the PTA website at www.laentradapta.org.
Meanwhile - Save the Date: The Holiday Workshop is Friday, December 6.
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We are excited to announce that the Apple for the Classroom program will be available online on September 3, 2013.
The Apple for the Classroom program is a way for parents to support their children's teachers directly. All the teachers and specialists at La Entrada have been invited to create a "wish list" of items that would help to further enrich their classrooms. Wishes may include art supplies, gift cards, books, or donations toward a special activity or field trip.
To view the lists, please visit our website at www.laentradapta.org or click here.
Once at the site, select the list you want to view. This is where you can then "pick an apple" -- teachers' lists are divided into two sections, so you can choose to bring an item directly to the classroom or you can choose to make a donation via PayPal. All donations are tax deductible.
Feedback is appreciated. Please contact Julie Chandik with questions or comments about the Apple for the Classroom program. For questions about the Apple for the Classroom website, please contact webmaster@laslomitaspta.org.
Thank you for supporting our teachers and enriching your children's experience at La Entrada!
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Attention math whiz kids in grades 5 through 8! La Entrada is piloting a math team to compete in the MathCounts.org competition in February. Although the MathCounts competition is only open to 6th through 8th graders, 5th graders will have a chance to join La Entrada's team and start practicing early. Tryouts for the team will be by written test. Parents and students are invited to an introductory meeting Wednesday, Sept 18 at 6:30 pm in the MUR. Come learn about the new math team!
Questions? Contact Janelle London: jlondon@stanfordalumni.org.
********************************************************************************* GRADE LEVEL GATHERINGS Grade Level Gatherings are festive, adult-only, cocktail parties hosted by families in each of the different grades. These social events are a great opportunity for the the parents in each grade to get to know each other better outside of school. Evites are coming soon! We still need a few hosts - please contact Kelly Holzrichter if you are interested.
4th Grade
· Saturday, September 21, 7:00-9:00 pm - NOTE DATE CHANGE
· Hosted by Takacs, Guggenhime, Lim and Holzrichter families
· At the home of Lynn and Neil Takacs, 128 Northgate Drive, Woodside
· Last names A-M please bring wine or beer, last names N-Z bring appetizer or dessert
· Please RSVP via Evite - COMING SOON
If you did not receive an electronic invitation it means the school does not have your email. Please email: Kelly_holzrichter@yahoo.com.
5th Grade
· Saturday, October 26, 7:00-9:00 pm
· Hosted by McGeever and Chandik families - one more host family needed
· At the home of Linda and Jim McGeever,191 Duranzo Way, Portola Valley
· Last names A-M please bring wine or beer, last names N-Z bring appetizer or dessert
· Please RSVP via Evite - COMING SOON
6th Grade
· Saturday, October 12, 7:00-9:00 pm
· Hosted by Liston, Enger and Holley families
· At the home of Kathleen and Alex Liston, 2319 Crest Lane, Menlo Park
· Last names A-M please bring wine or beer, last names N-Z bring appetizer or dessert
· Please RSVP via Evite - COMING SOON
7th Grade
· Friday, October 18, 7:00-9:00 pm
· At the home of Tina and Michael Casolo - two more host families needed
8th Grade
· Friday, September 20 7:00-9:00 pm
· Hosted by Abbott, Bergan and Rarick families
· At the home of Marsha and William Abbott, 241 W. Floresta Way, Portola Valley
· Last names A-E please bring dessert, F-N savory appetizer, O-Z wine or other beverage
· Please RSVP via Evite - COMING SOON
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| YES on S 2013 |
Dear Las Lomitas & La Entrada Families,
Our School District is going out for a bond on the November 5th election!
Please Support "Friends of Las Lomitas and La Entrada Schools - YES on S 2013"!!!
Why a bond?
The Las Lomitas Elementary School District is very successful and our schools continue to attract more students - a 40% increase over 10 years. In fact:
- 10 years ago, La Entrada had 550 students. In two years, it will have 800 students
- 25% of our students attend classes in portables
The $60M bond will fund permanent classrooms to accommodate increased enrollment and allow us to continue educating our children at the highest levels.
Who we are?
We are "Friends of Las Lomitas and La Entrada Schools - YES on S 2013", a Citizen's Bond Campaign Committee composed of parents, school board members, administrators and teachers, who are all volunteering their time to run a successful campaign. To see a complete list of committee members go to: http://www.classroomsforourkids.org/campaign_committee.
There are four ways that you can help us win YES on S 2013!
2. Help us campaign. Sign up to help make calls to the voters in our district. We are holding 31 phone banking nights, Monday through Thursday, from 5:00-8:00pm beginning September 5th. Please volunteer at http://yesons2013.ivolunteer.com/phonebank.
3. Like us on Facebook! http://www.classroomsforourkids.org/blog
4. Donate. By State law, district funds cannot be used to promote this bond. We need to raise funds to run our marketing campaign - informational mailings/pamphlets, direct voter contact, signs - and other essential campaign expenses. Follow this link to donate https://classroomsforkids.nationbuilder.com/donate. Please consider this an additional donation to your annual memberships to the Las Lomitas and La Entrada PTAs and your annual donation to the Foundation - all are critical organizations in enriching our students' education.
If you have any questions about Yes on S 2013, please email Diana Sunshine at sunshine@onderdonk.net or Josh Becker at becker.josh@gmail.com. You can find our FAQ at http://www.classroomsforourkids.org/issues.
Sincerely,
Friends of Las Lomitas and La Entrada Schools - YES on S 2013
A note to our community from the PTA: The La Entrada PTA endorses YES on S 2013.
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| Las Lomitas Education Foundation | |
The kids are in class (whew!) and fall is here.
Now's the time to add a few important to-dos to your back to school list!
 Renew or register your Safeway or other grocery cards with escrip here- our grocery stores will donate to our schools every time you shop!
Shopping online? Make llefshopping.com your starting point! By clicking through to other retailers (Amazon!) from our website, a percentage of your total purchase will be donated to our schools at no cost to you. Bookmark us!
Make sure your grandparents are connected to receive an invitation to Grandparent's Day in the Spring, and our newsletter just for them! Register them here.
Are we having fun yet? We are if we're at a fall party with our friends and neighbors! There are still spaces available in some fantastic upcoming parties for parents and kids alike! Click here, register and come out and play. Coming up in the next few weeks for adults:
Mexican Fiesta Progressive in University Heights - Sept. 14
3rd Annual Ladies Tennis Round Robin - Sept. 22
7th Annual Camino a los Cerros Progressive - Sept. 28
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| Las Lomitas League | |
CLASSES START THIS WEEK!
By now, you will have received a welcome letter from instructors requesting dismissal plans for your children. You can find detailed class information, including contact information for instructors and League policies such as how to cancel a class under the "Classes" tab at http://www.laslomitasleague.com/templates/LECLASS.html.
Volleyball starts this week! By now, players should have heard from their coaches and are ready to start practicing. Games begin the week of September 23 and are played at Arrillaga Family Gym in Menlo Park. The League Rules and Player Behavior Contract can be found at http://www.laslomitasleague.com/templates/DOCUMENTS.html. Have a great season!
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| Community News |
Host an AFS Exchange Student. Gain a global family member for a lifetime!
To learn how you can host please visit www.afsusa.org. We are currently seeking a host family for MA's Exchange Student from Chile, Agustin Marinovic, who is a senior. Agustin is thrilled to be here after preparing for over a year to be an exchange student and he is embracing his stay with many interests and goals. He is a strong student who loves math and physics, an athlete going out for the football team and he is looking forward to playing soccer and learning lacrosse. Please contact Irene Searles, at ivsearles@gmail.com if you have any interest in being a host family this year.
Volunteers Needed in East Palo Alto - An Hour a Week Could Change a Student's Life
We are looking for parents willing to volunteer in a K-4 classroom this school year. Assist teachers with tutoring and individualized instruction much like you may have done in your own child's classroom, but these classes have no parents helping...no PTA. The schools are located in East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park. It's one hour per week with training starting September 6th. Our organization coordinates everything. To learn more about us, visit www.allstudentsmatter.org. Have questions or want to sign up? Contact Carolyn Blatman at CBlatman@aol.com.
We are a small informal group of La Entrada students that gets together on occasional weekend mornings at La Entrada to fly radio-controlled airplanes and helicopters. If you would like to join us, e-mail me: kao.russell@gmail.com and I'll put you on our mailing list. Beginners are welcome. We always bring a trainer aircraft and a buddy box system so anyone can try.
Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory (PVTC) offers THEATRE CLASSES this fall!
PVTC's classes are open to students of all skill level, novice to experienced in Pre-K through high school. Our fall theme is "Folktales, Myths, and Legends," so all of our short plays will center on classic stories of adventure and heroism. Thursday classes begin September 5. All other classes begin the week of September 9. Register online at www.pvtc-ca.org. Saturday September 14, 2013 at Webb Ranch. Drop off 1:15pm-1:30pm. Pick-up 3:00pm-3:15pm. Single riders are okay, but volunteer ratios apply. Nut-free snack and participation badge provided. Price contingent on number of riders but will be under $52. Advance registration required; No walk-ins accepted. Open to registered Girl Scouts ages 7 and up. Contact Ginny Rader at ginnyrad@me.com for more info.
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| Sports News |
As the La Entrada tennis coach these past 2 years (and current year), I'm running a weekly program this fall/winter starting now and lasting until the start of the actual tennis season in March. Kids will get two practices a week in addition to the occasional match against other clubs/schools. This would be a great opportunity for kids to come into the actual middle school season prepared and ready to play. They will be divided into two groups based on level which will practice at different times. Currently, I'm taking 4th-8th graders. Please contact me for more information on the schedule or for any questions you may have. Thanks and I'm looking forward to seeing the kids out there on the courts! josh.capelle@gmail.com 650-208-7317
National Junior Basketball League
Winter Basketball registration is now open at www.redwoodnjb.org. Our focus is on skills-based instruction, personal growth, and positive competition for kids from 1st through 8th grades in Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, Woodside, or East Palo Alto. The season runs from November through February.
Stanford's Mel Murphy Presents: Torch Basketball Academy Fall Clinics
Torch Basketball Academy is committed to creating better people through better basketball. Our mission is to illuminate the path to greatness through core basketball and life fundamentals. Sunday(s): September 1st - November 23rd 10 am - 12pm at Gunn High School Grades 5 - 8. Sign up here: http://bit.ly/18dnOBA. Questions? Email: mmurphy3233@gmail.com.
SmartFit Kids at Menlo Swim and Sport
Acclaimed for coaching excellence, Menlo Swim and Sport's SmartFit Kids is an after-school homework and tutoring program at Burgess that provides academic coaching and homework oversight for students from first to fifth grades. Open Monday - Thursday, 3:30-5:30pm. Visit our website for more details http://www.menloswim.com/menlo/camp_menlo/smartfitkids.html.
5th Annual Menlo Atherton Volleyball Community Clinic
The 2013 Volleyball skills clinic will be a ton of fun! Meet and play with the current JV and Varsity squads at MA. P layers will learn new skills and hone their game under the supervision of head coach Ron Whitmill. Last year the response was so great that this year we be decided to split up the age groups to ensure more productive clinics and games. Friday, September 27th we welcome 4th/5th/6th grades and Friday, October 4th we welcome 7th/8th grades. Clinics are from 4:00-6:30pm in Ayers Gym on the MA Campus. $30 in cash or check made out to MA Girls Volleyball will be accepted. Boys are most certainly welcome too! If you have any questions please contact kspindt@msn.com or ron_whitmill@comcast.net. Thank you!
Alpine Strikers FC - Pre-Competitive Soccer Programs
Alpine Strikers FC is a competitive soccer club based in Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside - devoted to player development of the community's future soccer players! The fall season has started and there is still room in the pre-competitive programs for preschoolers and kindergarteners. If your child is excited about soccer and wants to develop soccer fundamentals in a fun-filled environment, please visit www.alpinestrikers.org to register or find out more.
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From the Editor
| 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. (Newsletter policies are under review by the PTA for the 2013-2014 school year.)
To submit an item, email it to the editor at leopardsspot@llesd.org by 12:00 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.
- Send the article in the body of the email: submission sent as Word doc or other attachment will be rejected.
- Clearly indicate the title of your submission.
- Provide a link for all flyers.
- Provide a link for all pictures and graphics.
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