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From the Principal's Office
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A Letter from Sonya Dineen, Assistant Principal
I hope that this message finds you and your family relaxing and reminiscing about your Thanksgiving Holiday celebrations. This time of year is a special time when I like to pause and reflect on all that I am grateful for. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with such an amazing community and student population. I'm grateful for working with talented individuals who are passionate about educating the youth and embracing the needs of the middle school years. I'm thankful for my loving and supportive husband and family who support my work in education.
On Campus Last Week: Today, Tuesday, 11-26-13, was the 7th grade Multicultural Celebration and it was a day filled with cultural pride, storytelling and interdisciplinary lessons that included public speaking on one's heritage, as well as learning dances from around the world. It is a lovely tradition here at La Entrada that was started years ago by our beloved former 7th grade teacher, Eric Kruger, and continues to promote each student's cultural pride to date. I will post pictures on School Loop soon.
Digital Citizenship Education: Our 6th, 7th and 8th graders all participated in an assembly last week on the subject of digital citizenship. The company, My Digital TAT2, provided informative and high-interest assemblies to all our middle school students. I encourage parents to ask about this assembly the next time you are talking about school with your child(ren). There was a parent education session held on Monday, November 25, and many parents were in attendance. As parents were leaving the session, they did share that they found the session to be terrific! Mark your calendars for the next Parent Education Session on Digital Citizenship: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 6:30pm in the MUR. Please rsvp your intent to attend to: mrudge@llesd.org or by calling in at 854-3962 so we can ensure sufficient seating. This parent education session will focus on discussing the technology world of our youth and how we, as parents, can best maneuver through this digital world along with our children. The digital world is here to stay and a reality for our youth, something the presenters do a great job of discussing. The evening will be followed by a Q & A session so please attend, if you can.
New Yard Duty Staff:
Please join me in welcoming Mr. Antonio Dillon, our new Yard Duty Staff for both 4/5 and 6/7/8 Lunch. Antonio has attended Mills High School and is a San Francisco State student. He is currently coaching football & basketball at Mills High School, as well as being a Sports Trainer at Nothing But Hoops in Burlingame. His goals are to become a juvenile probation officer and a head coach at a high school. Antonio enjoys working with youth and we are proud to have him as part of our Yard Duty Staff. Please say hello to Antonio the next time you are on campus during lunch recess.
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#GIVINGTUESDAY - DECEMBER 3
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School News
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La Entrada SERVICE CLUB GIVING TREE
The La Entrada Service Club is looking for "elves" to provide a boy or girl a gift in The Family Giving Tree this holiday! We believe that income levels should not interfere with what it means to be young & experience the joys of the holidays. In addition, we will be initiating an ongoing project that will provide much needed materials for a Belle Haven Classroom in East Menlo Park. Additional items such as pencils, copy paper, markers, etc will be added to the Giving Tree as special ornaments.
The Family Giving Tree collects thousands of specific wishes for 280 local social service partners. Sadly, one in four Bay Area children is currently living below the poverty line. Dealing with that reality during the holiday season, a time typically reserved for joy, is especially disheartening for the children. You can give a child that moment of excitement and joy as they open their wished for gift. So the LE Service Club will be putting together a GIVING TREE in the La Entrada Main Office where kids can choose a child to shop for and make their gift wish come true! There is also a virtual tree on the following website: https://vgt.familygivingtree.org/laentradamiddleschool
where kids and their families can choose something to give online or just make a donation!
For questions, please contact a parent volunteer: Molly Drewes, molly@drewes.net, Amy Harber, amyharber@aol.com, Monica Albers, monica.albers@gmail.com, Katie Evans, evanskat@hotmail.com, or Shari Guggenhime, guggenhime@att.net.
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Computer Science Education Week 2013
by Mr. Parker Kelly
Computer Science Education Week will be from December 9th to 15th.
It is observed each year in recognition of the birthday of the female computing pioneer, Admiral Grace Murray Hopper. In addition to raising awareness, Code.org, ( a website dedicated to promoting computer programming in schools), is organizing a massive campaign to get 10 million students, of all ages, to participate in the Hour of Code this December. On this site are some great videos and programming resources to get you motivated.
Here are some facts about computer science education from Code.org:
- The number of computing jobs is rising 3 times faster than the number of computer science graduates
- At this rate, by 2020, there will be 1 million computing jobs unfilled
- Students who learn introductory computer science show improved math scores
- 90% of K-12 schools in the U.S. do not teach computer science
- In many countries (including China, the United Kingdom and Australia), computer science is-or soon will be-required
All students can learn the basics, starting in elementary school, but fewer than 10% of students (and just 4% of female students, 3% of students of color) take computer science classes.
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Fifth Grade Band Notes
As the eighty band students prepare for their first-ever band concert on December 18th, they will be involved in two special rehearsals where they will all play together prior to the Winter Concert. The dates of these two rehearsals will be:
- Friday, December 13 7:30 - 8:05AM
- Monday, December 16 7:30 - 8:05AM Students are asked to come to the music room a few minutes early to locate their assigned seat and get their instrument ready to play.
A big Thank You goes out to Mr. John McGrory and his son for directing an hour-long trumpet clinic last week in the music room during minimum days. The students played a great deal of trumpet, learned the basics and had fun during the session. Mr. McGrory also helped out with a dozen or so 'one-on-one,' half-hour long, individualized trumpet sessions aimed at correct embouchure, breathing and tone production on the instrument.
Spring Musical News
Students and parents alike will be pleased to hear that our annual spring musical will be "Xanadu" and will be staged on Thursday, April 24th and Friday, April 25th at Woodside's PAC at 7:00pm. Here are the important dates to consider:
(Wed) February 5 (4/5 grade) Auditions in music room 3:00 - 5:00PM
(Thur) February 6 (6/7/8 grade) Auditions in music room 3:00 - 5:00PM
(Thur) February 6 Parent Musical Meeting in MUR 7:00PM
(Fri) February 7 Cast list up on music room outside door 7:30AM
(Fri) February 7 Cast read-thru in music room 3:00PM
(Mon/Wed/Fri) starting on Feb 10 *Spring Musical Rehearsals 3:00 - 5:00PM
(Thur) April 24 "Xanadu" show at Woodside's PAC 7:00PM
(Fri) April 25 "Xanadu" show at Woodside's PAC 7:00PM
*There will be no rehearsals on:
- Feb 17/19/21 ski break
- March 10/12 minimum days due to Parent-Teacher Conferences
- March 14 local spring recess
- April 14/16/18 spring break
Tech week (at Woodside's PAC) will run on Monday, April 21,Tuesday April 22 and Wednesday, April 23 from 3:30 - 6:30pm for three consecutive days.
Break a Leg!
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PTA News
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Special Thanks to Some Fabulous Committee Chairs!!!
In this season of joy we have so much to be joyful about! We are so grateful for our PTA volunteers and we have several that we would like to acknowledge for their dedication to our children.
Many thanks to the following fabulous volunteers:
Maggie Oren for our wonderful newly designed Directory!
Rebecca Grant and Julie Chandik for Apple for the Teacher - so great to be online!
Kelly Holzrichter for Grade Level Gatherings, such a huge success!
Marsha Abbott and Leslie King for their continued leadership and Hospitality!
Esther Dicks and Ginny Rader for Lunchtime Enrichment that SO TOTALLY ROCKS!
Shari Guggenhime for Membership - Woohoo!
Anne Carpenter for Website for always being there when we need you!
Sara Stremple for leading our Room Parents!
Diane Appel and Susan Fitch for leading another successful round of Art Notecards!
Susi Politi and Patricia Sullivan for providing yummy treats for our teachers during minimum week!
We couldn't do all we do without you. Many, many thanks!!!
Lisa Reid and Laurel Timpson
Co-PTA Presidents
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Project Cornerstone
In December and January, the ABC readers will read the book Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis. Students will learn how to name their feelings and show empathy as they recognize the feelings of others. They will realize that being sad and angry are legitimate feelings, but that they are only temporary. Children can empower themselves to change from having a 'blue day' into a 'new day' by using their 'lids' and making a positive decision to cheer themselves up.
What do you do when you are feeling blue? Which kinds of activities cheer you up?
1. Quiet activities: read, nap
2. Physical activities: run, walk, jump rope, play basketball
3. Creative activities: draw, sing, play piano
4. Talk it out: with a friend, parent, sibling, or pet
The children also recognize when someone else needs care and attention. They can show empathy by asking them how others feel and cheer them up. When you fill someone's bucket, you fill your own as well. Have a NEW DAY!
Your Project Cornerstone ABC Readers
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Are you searching for the perfect holiday gift for your child's teacher?
The Apple for the Classroom program provides a way for parents to support their children's classrooms 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. You can fulfill teachers' wishes by bringing an item to the school office or by donating via PayPal toward a special item of your choosing. Thank you for supporting our teachers!
Please click here to donate, or go to http://www.laentradapta.org/_programs/apple.html.
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Reflections Winners
Thursday November 21st the 2nd annual LE Reflections Awards Gala was held and this years winners were announced. It was an evening full of live performances, animation, dance and artwork all created by La Entrada students. The winners work will be advancing to the Regional Competition. Congratulations to the following students:
LITERATURE Intermediate: Winner, Georgia W.
LITERATURE Middle: Winner, Amrita B.; Runner Up, Maha M.
DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY: Winner, Vivienne W.; Runner Up, Sophia C.
FILM PRODUCTION: Winner, Andy M.
PHOTOGRAPHY Intermediate: Winner, Cooper G.
PHOTOGRAPHY Middle: Winner, Christina W.
MUSIC COMPOSITION: Winner, Marc M.
VISUAL ARTS Intermediate: Winner, Natlie S.
VISUAL ARTS Middle: Winner, Maha M.
VISUAL ARTS Special Artist: Winner, Katie N.
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Save the Date: The Holiday Faire, Friday, December 6
Please donate one or many brown shopping bags for the Holiday Faire. We need enough bags for each student to use the day of the Faire to hold the many wonderful projects they will make. A labeled box will be in front of the MUR for the shopping bag donations. Thank you!
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Sign up for the GeoBee by December 6!
Here's the form.
GeoBee Contest Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2014, 3:00 - 5:00pm, in Jensen Hall
Optional Lunchtime Practice Sessions: Nov. 20th, Dec. 4th, Dec. 18th, and Jan. 8th.
The National Geographic Bee (GeoBee) is a fun, educational, and nationwide geography competition for U.S. schools with any grades four through eight. During Lunch Enrichment Club, to prepare for the GeoBee, we will play games, review materials and use the GeoBee app from National Geographic. We'll also share some great online tools!
The top three La Entrada finalists will receive a GeoBee T-Shirt! The La Entrada 1st place winner will take a qualifying test that will be submitted to National Geographic for scoring. Qualifying students are invited to compete at the state level. State winners are invited to compete at the National level with an opportunity to win college scholarships up to $50,000!
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Las Lomitas Education Foundation
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Do you know if your company offers corporate matching for your donations to the Las Lomitas Education Foundation? Please take a moment and check!
Here are a few reasons why:
· Many companies have year-end deadlines for Corporate Matching
· Your company match counts towards your giving amount in our Donor Roll
· Every dollar counts - keep our schools strong!
Below is a sample of companies that have matched donations. It is not a comprehensive list. Our Matching Gifts Coordinator at matchinggifts@llef.org can help you find out if your company will match your contribution and is available to answer any questions. Thank you for supporting our schools!
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Abbott Laboratories
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Knight Capital Group
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Adobe Systems, Inc.
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Lam Research Corporation
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Advanced Micro Devices
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Levi Strauss & Co
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AIG (American International Group, Inc.)
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LinkedIn Corporation
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Amgen
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Logitech, Inc.
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AOL Inc.
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Loral/Space Systems
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Applied Materials, Inc.
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Macy's, Inc.
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Bank of America Corporation
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MasterCard International, Inc.
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Barclay's Capital, Inc.
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McAfee, Inc.
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Boeing
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Medtronic, Inc.
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British Petroleum
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Mentor Graphics Corporation
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C.R. Bard, Inc.
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Micron Technology, Inc.
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CA Technologies, Inc.
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Microsoft
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Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
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Morgan Stanley & Company, Inc.
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California Healthcare Foundation
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Motorola Solutions,
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Charles Schwab & Co, Inc.
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New York Life
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Chevron Corp
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Nomura America Foundation
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Cisco Systems, Inc.
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Northrup Grumman
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Citrix
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Nvidia
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CNA
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Office Depot, Inc.
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Coinstar, Inc.
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Oracle
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Computer Associates
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Piper Jaffray & Co.
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Cornerstone Research, Inc.
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PNC Bank
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D.E. Shaw & Co.
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Qualcomm Inc.
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Dell Corporation
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Quest Diagnostics, Incorporated
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DemandTec, Inc
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Ratheon Missile Systems
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Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
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Rockwell Collins
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EA Electronic Arts, Inc.
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Salesforce.com
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eBay Inc.
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SanDisk Corporation
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Eli Lilly & Company
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SAP America, Inc.
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Ericsson, Inc.
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Silicon Valley Bank
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Esurance Ins. Services, Inc.
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Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
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Fidelity Investments
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Symantec
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Franklin Templeton Investments
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Synopsys, Inc.
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Gap, Inc.
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Textron Inc.
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Gartner, Inc
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The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
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Genentech, Inc.
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The Vanguard Group
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Goldman Sachs and Co.
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The Walt Disney Company
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Google, Inc.
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The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
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HP Hewlett-Packard
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TIBCO Software Inc.
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IBM Intl. Business Machines Corp.
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Toyota InfoTechnology Center
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Insperity, Inc.
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UBS AG
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Intel Corp.
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Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
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Intuit, Inc.
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Visa Inc.
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Jones Lang LaSalle
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VMWare, Inc.
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JP Morgan Chase
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Warburg Pincus
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Juniper Networks, Inc.
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Wells Fargo Bank & Co.
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Kaiser Permanente Campaign
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Yahoo!
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KeyCorp
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http://www.llef.org
Excellence is built one donation at a time.
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Las Lomitas League
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Families can plan for next semester's after-school classes before winter break. Spring classes will posted the first week of December on the LLL website under the "classes" tab at www.laslomitasleague.com.
We will be offering another new class - Studio Art Exploration on Wednesdays, as well as all the old favorites, including Cooking, Jazz Band, Robotics etc., with the Advanced Cooking class now offered on Wednesdays. Registration will open on January 7th at 7:00pm.
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Sequoia Union High School District News
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Open Enrollment at M-A for 8th Graders
If you are a La Entrada 8th grader who would like to attend Menlo Atherton High School but do not live in the MA attendance area, you WILL be granted permission to attend MA High School as a 9th grader but you MUST fill out an open enrollment form and submit it to the high school district. Open Enrollment allows for parents/guardians to apply for a transfer from one school in the district to another for any reason. Open Enrollment ends January 17th so please go to the SUHD website. http://www.seq.org/+pages/file_137.php to fill out the form.
For questions or concerns about open enrollment contact:
Cynthia Guerra
Administrative Secretary
(650) 369-1411 ext. 2211
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Common Core Standards at M-A High School
Are you interested in learning more about the Common Core Standards and what they mean for future students of M-A High School? Please join us for coffee as the M-A PTA hosts Principal Zito and speakers from the District Office for a discussion about the new Common Core Standards.
- What are the Common Core Standards?
- What do the Common Core Standards mean for parents and students?
- What is the district's plan for implementing the Standards?
The speakers will answer these questions and more. The SUHSD will be making important decisions on math pathways in January. Parent input is important. Please come to this informative discussion on Wednesday, December 4 at 9:30 a.m. in the PAC Cafeteria behind the Performing Arts Center on M-A's campus. If you are unable to attend the discussion at M-A, but are interested in learning more about Common Core, you are welcome to join any of the District High School meetings:
Woodside December 3rd at 7 pm
Sequoia December 3rd at 7 pm
Menlo-Atherton December 4th at 9:30 am in the PAC Cafeteria
Carlmont December 10th at 7 pm in the Student Union
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Sequoia Union High School District Registration
OPEN ENROLLMENT
Open Enrollment is a period of time when you may request a high school other than your home school for your child to attend. You must complete an Open Enrollment Transfer Application to be eligible. Open Enrollment has begun on October 1st, 2013 and closes on January 17th, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. (There are no late exceptions.) Applicants will receive a letter in the mail around the first week of March letting them know if their request was approved or if they were put on a wait-list. Applicants have until March 14, 2014, to rescind the transfer request should they decide to do so. Please do this in writing. The sooner they let the district know, the sooner it opens up a spot for someone else who might want it. For more information, click here.
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.
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
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
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.
GET TO KNOW OUR CHARTER SCHOOLS
Summit Preparatory Charter High School and Everest Public High School
Summit and Everest are part of Summit Public Schools - an organization of public, tuition-free, charter high schools. Our schools strive to provide students with a small and personalized educational experience with guaranteed college preparation in a physically and emotionally safe environment. Our students, parents, and teachers describe why they choose Summit schools: https://vimeo.com/57639234 Open Houses are held together for both of our schools. Please join us:
Thursday, Dec 5, 7-9 pm
Summit Preparatory Charter High School
890 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063
Saturday, Feb 8, 10 am - 12 pm
Everest Public High School
455 5th Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94063
At our Open Houses, you will:
* Learn more about our rigorous, college-preparatory program
* Meet current students, parents, and faculty
* Be able to pick up and submit an application
* Be able to sign up for Shadow Days and Parent Tours
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Community News
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Please Recycle Your "Yes on S" Yard Sign and Stake
Thank you everyone for sponsoring a Yes on S yard sign for the campaign--it was critical to the success of the measure! The less glamorous job now is to properly dispose of the signs. If you haven't already, please place the sign in your recycle bin. The metal stakes can be donated to the Foundation for their use. Please drop off the metal stakes at your earliest convenience at the Ver Ploeg home at 2061 Camino Al Lago (across the street from Las Lomitas School). Thank you again!
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Urgent - Reading Volunteers Needed for East Palo Alto 3rd Graders
All Students Matter needs parent volunteers for a structured reading program called Reading Scholars at Brentwood Academy in East Palo Alto (behind Home Depot). Volunteers help 3rd graders who are reading below grade level. For one hour a week you will meet with the same child and read books together. We will provide the training, supplies and coordinate the time. You'll see specific changes in your student's reading over time and enjoy getting to know an enthusiastic and motivated student. Have questions or want to sign up? Contact Jeanette Kennedy at jkc_kennedy@yahoo.com or Carolyn Blatman at CBlatman@aol.com. ********************************************************************* 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Presented by Dancers Repertory Theatre and Menlo Park Academy of Dance and reviewed as a "charming alternative to the Nutcracker." Come see La Entrada's own Greta, Maddie, Amelia, Tara, Ava, Elena, Leben, Katherine and Sophia! Performances at Woodside Performing Arts Center on Saturday December 7 (4:00pm), Sunday December 8 (1:00pm and 4:00pm) Saturday, December 14, (1:00 and 4:00), and Sunday, December 15 (1:00 and 4:00). Tickets available at www.twasthenight.org or by calling 650-323-5292. ***********************************************************************
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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.
- 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 pictures and graphics.
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