| Las Lomitas Education Foundation |
The Annual Giving Campaign is Underway!
Donate today - Click here.
 Your donation makes the critical difference. Academic performance is strongly correlated to smaller class sizes and the amount of individualized attention teachers are able to provide each student. Your donation contributes to salaries for teachers, aides and counselors and supports vital programs, including drama, art, foreign languages and computer science. The continued excellence of our schools is made possible through your support. For more information please see our Community Report online here. Excellence is built one donation at a time. 
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| YES on S 2013 |
GREAT NEWS...76% of voters we have called support "Yes on S"
--but everyone needs to vote!
Dear Las Lomitas and La Entrada Families,
We are encouraged by the large percentage of support we have received through our phone calls (thank you volunteers!), but we will only pass this critical measure if everyone votes on November 5th. If you "vote by mail", please vote early! Otherwise, please visit your polling place on November 5th--it's a great learning experience for your child(ren) so take them along (plus they might get a sticker)!
Here are a couple things we can all do to make this a successful measure:
1. Vote!
We look forward to seeing you!
Friends of Las Lomitas and La Entrada Commitee
A note to our community from the PTA: The La Entrada PTA endorses YES on S 2013.
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| From the District Office |
October 3, 2013 Test of our Global Connect Broadcast Communication System
Dear Parents,
On Thursday, October 3, 2013, we will conduct a test of our Global Connect communication software. The system enables us to quickly send out phone calls, text messages or emails to any selected groups of parents. We plan to start using this tool for important time-sensitive communication, such as bus issues, but also to have immediate contact to you in an emergency.
If your text phone number is the same as the home phone number you provided us, you may receive either the text or the call, but not both, depending on your phone service provider. Please note that the email contact may be from Global Connect, but will reference our district in the subject line so you can recognize the sender.
If we have all your correct contact information, you should receive at least two contacts from us on Thursday; email, home phone and/or text message. To update or confirm that your contact information is correct before the test, or if you do not receive the contacts Thursday, please visit the new online form for LLESD, InfoSnap: Year Round Update form.
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| PTA News |
Save Your Books for the La Entrada Used Book Fair!
Hold on to those books! The La Entrada Used Book Fair is coming to town on November 12th - 15th and We Want Your Books! Donations accepted October 14th-November 4th. Details will soon follow.
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Project Cornerstone Parent Education Opportunity
"Take it Personally" Training. This six-session workshop helps adults understand and make a stronger commitment to supporting young people and provides tools, exercises and strategies to help parents make the biggest impact on our kids and other kids in our communities.
Start Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Time: 9:30am to 11:30am
Place: MUR
Six sessions: 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29 and a final date to be determined by group.
Fee: $10.00, one time donation includes workbook
For details contact: Pam Von Weigand at pamvon1@gmail.com or Sonya Dineen at sdineen@llesd.org.
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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.
5th Grade
· Saturday, October 26, 7:00-9:00 pm
· Hosted by McGeever, Chandik, and Rader families
· 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
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
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| High School News | |
SEQUOIA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD CANDIDATE FORUM
The League of Women Voters will provide a candidates forum for the upcoming election of Sequoia Union High School District board members. It will be held October 3 at 7:00pm in the district board room, Birch Conference Room, 480 James Avenue, Redwood City.
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GET TO KNOW M-A
Campus Tours
Come tour the beautiful M-A campus on a Wednesday afternoon while school is in session. Current M-A students and an M-A staff member will guide you around campus and answer all your questions. Wednesday Tours are the first Wednesday of the month (October to April). See the Get to Know M-A Events Calendar for specific dates. The tour is one hour. Please reserve your tour spot online here.
"Special" Saturday Campus Tours
Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 2. Middle school students and their parents are invited to an informal outdoor walking tour of our campus. Tours will be led by M-A Leadership students who will share their enthusiasm for the school and answer questions. Meet at the library. Tours run from 10:00-11:15. The last tour departs at 11:15.
8th Grade Information Night
Come learn more about our academic program offerings and graduation requirements on Wednesday, November 6. Our Information Night includes a Principal's welcome, small-group tours led by students and PTA parent volunteers, and presentations by M-A teachers from core subject areas. Prospective students and parents are welcome. The program runs from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Shadowing
Our Shadowing program pairs prospective 8th graders with a 9th grade host so they can attend classes during a typical day at M-A. Our program runs from October 4 through March 28. Please click here for full program details and frequently asked questions. New this year, sign-ups will be done through our website. Shadowing is very popular and appointments fill fast, so sign up early to reserve your spot. The appointment window for the first semester will open September 3rd. Second-semester appointments will be available after December 9th.
For more details or to sign-up see our website: mabears.org, About Us, Get To Know M-A
GET TO KNOW SEQUOIA HIGH
8th Grade Information Night
Come and take a closer look at a wonderful place for students to grow and learn on Thursday, November 7. See why Sequoia High School is an award-winning, high performance school. Come to Carrington Hall for an overview of Sequoia High. Hear from students and alumni and see a scene from the fall musical. Choose what you'd like to see: dance performances, practical art demonstrations. Visit with extracurricular leaders, department chairs and coaches, and experience Sequoia High in action. Program runs from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Shadowing
Individual 8th grade students will be able to shadow a Sequoia 9th/10th grader on most week days between October 1, 2013 and March 1, 2014. Shadow days are designed to allow students to get a feel for their future alma mater through spending the day attending classes, walking through the halls from class to class, and eating lunch.
8th graders may choose whether they'd prefer to spend the day with a Sequoia student taking primarily college prep mainstream classes or one taking primarily ICAP classes designed to prepare 9th/10th grade students to take higher level IB courses in the 11th/12th grade years. Preferences can be indicated at the time of registration.
If you have questions about shadowing at Sequoia, please contact Lauren Reibstein at lreibste@seq.org.
GET TO KNOW WOODSIDE 7th/8th Grade Information Night Come and meet the Woodside administration, teachers, counselors, support staff, and current students and parents on Wednesday, October 2 at 7 p.m. Learn about Woodside's academic and extra-curricular programs, and have all of your questions addressed by our staff.
Parents Tours The Parent Tours offer an intimate look at Woodside High School. Talk to the principal and a member of the administrative team, ask as many questions as you like in a small group setting, visit classes, walk through the campus during passing periods, get a sense of the friendly and academic culture of this exemplary comprehensive high school. Sign up for a parents tour here. Shadowing The shadow program is designed for all students, including transfer students, who are interested in attending Woodside High School. The shadow program is run through the leadership class and the students in leadership are the shadow leaders. Shadowing will take place between September 17, 2013 and March 7, 2014. We look forward to giving you a glimpse of a day in the life of Woodside High School student. Enjoy the vibrant campus, rich in activities and opportunities to grow. Get a feel for the springboard to such universities as Cal Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford, MIT, NYU, and others. Woodside High School offers a rigorous academic program geared towards the completion of the UC/CSU A-G Requirements and a solid preparation for the next level of scholarship and disciplinary study.
We understand that students have a choice. We encourage you to give Woodside High School strong consideration. We are confident that our comprehensive high school experience, comprised of clubs, competitive athletic teams, leadership organizations, spirit rallies, field trips, work-experience opportunities, and mentorships, offers all students a unique opportunity to express their individuality, creativity, and spirit. Programs such as the School Ambassador Program, Kids Learning Empathy and Respect (KLEAR), and Students Offering Support (SOS) strive to foster an environment in which all students feel welcome to express themselves and in which all students respect one another. For more information and to request a shadowing date click here. *****************************************************************
M-A PARENT EDUCATION SERIES
"College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step" with Robin Mamlet and Christine VanDeVelde/Introduction by Alice Kleeman, M-A College Advisor
Wednesday, October 9, 2013, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Come hear from the experts! Don't miss Robin Mamlet and Christine VanDeVelde, co-authors of College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step! College Admission is the ultimate user's manual and go-to guide for any student or family approaching the college application process. Featuring the wise counsel of more than 50 deans of admission, no other guide has such thorough, expert, compassionate, and professional advice.
Let's be honest: applying to college can be stressful for students and parents. But here's the good news: students have many great options. Robin Mamlet has been dean of admission at Stanford, Swarthmore, and Sarah Lawrence, and journalist Christine VanDeVelde has been through the process firsthand as the parent of a college applicant.
At this event, you'll get clear, comprehensive, and expert answers to all your questions:
* The role of extracurricular activities
* What it means to find a college that's the "right fit"
* What's more important: high grades or tough courses
* What role does testing play
* The best candidates for early admission
* When help from parents is too much help
* Advice for athletes, artists, international students, and those with learning differences
* How wait lists work
* Applying for financial aid
Tickets almost sold out! Parents and students welcome.
This event is free and sponsored by the M-A PTA and the Sequoia Healthcare District.
Refreshments from 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. in the PAC Foyer.
Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be offered.
For more information, please contact Charlene Margot, Parent Education Series Program Director, at cmargot@csmconsulting.net or 650.868.0590.
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Community News
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Halloween Costume Drive - Give Families in Need a Special Treat
Please help the families of Haven House Family Shelter have a great Halloween by donating new or gently used costumes in all sizes (infant through adult). The Girl Scout troops of Las Lomitas and La Entrada are working together with Suzanne Mitchell (La Entrada Technology Director) to collect costumes at both schools. Look for the bins and Girl Scouts during morning drop off the week of October 7th through October 22nd. No need to even get out of your car, we will take it to the bin for you! ( bins will be out until 10/22).
Haven House, part of Innvision/Shelter Network, offers emergency and transitional housing for homeless families. Each night almost 100 kids (infants to teens) call the shelter home while their parents are working to move them back to permanent housing. Your donation of Halloween costumes will ensure that these families can participate in the fun of the season at a very difficult time in their lives!
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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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