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From the Principal's Office
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Dear La Entrada Community,
Spring Conferences are scheduled for March 10-13
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 spread over the 4 scheduled minimum days. Each teacher will either pass out a schedule or have their availability on the online system. 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 6-8...3rd Quarter Ends March 28th
There are approx. 45 spots for conferences during March 10-13. 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 10-13.
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 26.
- 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
New Families to La Entrada are invited to campus for an orientation and tour. They will be held at 10am on March 6, March 24, April 28 and May 15.
Warm regards,
Shannon Potts
Principal, La Entrada Middle School
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| PTA News |
District Level Reflections Award Results: And the winners are...
Reflections is a national PTA Arts Competition based on a theme. This year's theme was Dream, Believe, Inspire. For 2014 La Entrada had a record number of entries at the school and District level. Here is a sample of some our school's creative work: Reflections Video
In January the creations from winners of our school were judged at the District level to compete with 15 other schools. Though our students have garnered 10 awards, ONLY the 3 winners of 'Awards of Excellence' will advance to the State level. Here are the results:
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Cooper G.
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Award of Excellence
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Photography
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Katie N.
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Award of Excellence
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Visual Arts
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Andy M.
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Award of Excellence
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Film Production
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Vivienne W.
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Award of Merit
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Dance Choreography
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Marc M.
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Award of Merit
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Music Composition
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Amrita B.
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Honorable Mention
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Literature
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Christie W.
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Honorable Mention
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Photography
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Georgia W.
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Honorable Mention
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Literature
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Maha M.
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Honorable Mention
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Visual Arts
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Natlie S.
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Honorable Mention
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Visual Arts
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Congratulations Cooper, Andy and Katie. And good luck at State!
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Project Cornerstone Update
This month's book is The Empty Pot by Demi. This Chinese tale is about Ping, a boy who enters a flower growing contest to become the next Emperor. Even though he worked hard to grow the seed, it never turns into a flower. Using courage, he presents the Emperor with his 'empty pot' while the other children bring in beautiful flowers. It turns out that the Emperor boiled all the seeds, so none of the flowers could have grown at all. Ping is rewarded for his honesty and becomes the next ruler.
Talk to your children about the many developmental assets from this story, which have the acronym CHIRP:
C for Courage - acknowledge accomplishments, even if they fall short of the goal
H for Honesty - tell the truth even when it's not easy
I for Integrity - have a personal moral code; do the right thing
R for Responsibility - take ownership for your own behavior and actions
P for Perseverance - work hard at a task until the end
When was the last time you displayed these character traits? You are role models for your family and the children are listening and watching. Can you look for these values in your children and celebrate them when you see them?
Last, talk to your family about how making mistakes and learning from them builds integrity and honesty. Children are faced with many challenging decisions every day, such as about being a good friend, being an Upstander to a person in need, being truthful when the odds are not in their favor. Ask them about it.
Thank you from the PC Readers
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School News
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TechEase (monthly Technology insights, ideas & updates)
Sharing/Learning with Your Children About How Electronics Work
Your child may spend hours a day staring at varied forms of screens, but have you ever talked with them about what's behind the tech, or wanted to explore those answers with your children? Stimulating curiosity about the tech behind the devices can be a wonderful adventure. Not only do children gain new respect for their favorite devices, but it peeks their curiosity, fuels that interest into building and constructing devices, and is something you can share as a family.
Maker Faires, "The Greatest Show & Tells on Earth": Share a Maker Faire weekend with your children which are held yearly in San Francisco and New York City. These attract nearly 50,000 kids and adults, who learn how to solder, take apart and put together gadgets, figure out how they function, and more (for info, visit MakerFaire http://makerfaire.com/. The San Francisco Maker Faire is May 17-18 at the San Mateo Event Center.
Ask questions that peek curiosity to "googling answers": "I wonder how that works?" "What do you think would happen if there you added an extra of this or that". All conversation openers and ways for children to want to explore answers using tech. How about exploring the website of "How Stuff Works" together, try projecting that to your TV for interesting learning and fun family times.
Tech can get some bad reputations as a babysitter in restaurants or a way to kill time on long drives, and in fact it is used as distractions often at the compromise of family conversation time. (Does anyone under 8 even know the license plate game now?)
But. It can also be used to build family conversations and shared experiences. I'll hope you try some of the above, or please share out other ways you find tech enriches your family on this google doc (http://tinyurl.com/n447fs3). It'd be great to share all the positive activities our families enjoy with their children.
Enjoy!
Suzanne Mitchell, Director of Technology
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La Entrada Student Art Show
Saturday, March 15th from 10:00am-5:00pm
At Allied Arts Guild
75 Arbor Road at Cambridge Avenue in Menlo Park
Admission: $10 per person, $5 for children age 14 or under.
Free admission for student artists who have a submission in the show.
All proceeds from this fundraiser will go to Family Connections, a tuition-free parent participation program for low-income families, educating over 400 individuals each year at three sites in San Mateo County. Any student who wishes to participate in the show may get entry forms from Ms. Gregori in Room 4 (6th-8th graders) or Ms. Ostrom in Room 3 (4th and 5th graders). All entry forms must be completed and returned to Ms. Gregori and Ms. Ostrom by Thursday, February 13th to ensure a spot in the show. Student artwork may be oil or acrylic paints on canvas, or artwork that is framed using any other materials such as paints, charcoal, pen and ink, collage, pastels, etc. We cannot accept any unframed artwork or canvases that cannot stand alone on an easel. While student artwork doesn't have to be created specifically for this exhibit, it should be a recently created piece done entirely by the student. Questions? Contact Ms. Gregori at jgregori@llesd.org.
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Conversation with Hillview Principal Erik Burmeister:
The public is invited to a conversation with Hillview's principal about addressing the opportunities and possibilities of middle school education. Lisa Solomon, author of Moments of Impact, will discuss with Principal Burmeister the work he is doing to engage the community of teachers, parents and students of Hillview Middle School in a collaborative design thinking process to improve the overall quality and experience of education. This talk will discuss the process of innovation and the early outcomes inspired by this collaborative and visionary project, including concerts efforts to reduce the overall stress load and scheduling challenges that many middle schoolers face.
http://www.keplers.com/event/lisa-solomon-conversion-hillview-principal-erik-burmeister
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Las Lomitas Education Foundation
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Help make this our best auction ever
by donating an item, service, or event!
www.llef.org/auction
We are seeking your support through donated items. Your generous gift of an auction item will help support our schools high quality teachers, small class sizes and enhanced curriculum. The opportunities are endless here are some suggestions:
- Tickets (sports, concerts, theater, etc.)
- Travel (vacation homes, airline tickets, local getaways, etc.)
- One-of-a-kind events or getaway sponsors
- Parent or kid party hosts
- Behind-the-scenes experiences
- (host one where you work or with an organization you support)
- Gift certificates from local businesses
If you're not sure what to donate, we can help!
Email us at auction@llef.org.
Excellence is built one donation at a time
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Sequoia Union High School District News
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M-A's Cheer and Mascot Program Tryouts March 19-22
Information Meeting:
Tuesday, March 4th at M-A High School in room E-26, 5:30 p.m.
Mandatory Clinics:
March 19-21, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at M-A (Old Dance Room)
Tryouts:
March 22, 9:00 a.m. at M-A (Old Dance Room)
Contact Coach Katharine Keigher for questions or further information! kkeigher@seq.org
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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.
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. For more details or to sign-up see our website: mabears.org, About Us, Get To Know M-A.
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.
For more information and to request a shadowing date click here.
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Community News
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Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory
"The Diviners"
March 13-23
Evening and matinee performances
Tickets $10-$40
(650)851-8282 ext. 105
Set during the Depression, "The Diviners" is the story of a 14 year old boy named Buddy Layman who is deathly afraid of water, but who has a gift: He can divine water, which is crucial for his drought ridden town.
Haunting and beautiful, this powerful play has echoes of "Our Town" and "Of Mice and Men", but is definitely a fresh face that will have you laughing one minute, crying the next. Gorgeous gospel/spiritual style music richly underscores the production. Long after the curtain lowers, "The Diviners" will have you thinking about its poignant story and the deep questions it raises about law and grace, and the differences between blind faith and genuine love. Suitable for grades 6 and up.
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Community Sports Programs
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Please enjoy this information on local sports programs. These announcements are not endorsements from the La Entrada PTA.
Creighton School of Wrestling
Now at Sports House, Redwood City! Come get Creighton trained by two-time National Champion and Wrestling Hall of Fame Coach Braumon Creighton! Spring wrestling classes are available for ages 8 and up, all skill levels are welcome. We offer training for beginner through advanced wrestlers on Mondays and/or Wednesdays beginning March 10. Register now at www.creightontrained.com! Summer camps will be posted soon.
Palo Alto Midnight Basketball
Palo Alto Midnight, one of the most successful AAU basketball programs in the west coast, is holding open tryouts for their Spring/Summer session. Regardless of experience level, we offer programs for all levels, from skills sessions to players new to the game, along with national traveling teams for the highest skilled players. The session runs from mid-March through the end of July, and includes participation in 6-8 local tournaments, along with 2+ practices per week. Select individuals may be invited to participate in away tournaments, including college viewing events. Tryouts for 3rd - 8th grade are February 5 and 6. Please go to our website for more information and to register: www.pamidnight.org. Interested high school players should register online and a tryout will be arranged once the high school season is over.
Junior All Terrain Runners (Jr-ATR)
Join us for an exciting new program for kids age 7-14! Through our fun, non-competitive curriculum, kids will work on all aspects of movement using confidence (obstacle) courses, core & strength work, and running. http://www.menloswim.com/menlo/junior_atr.html
Mavericks Youth Water Polo
Little League Umpires Wanted
Alpine West Menlo Little League is looking for youth umpires for the 2014 baseball season. Earn $22-32 per game. Season runs March -June. Minimum age--12. Flexible schedule--work when you can. Experienced baseball players preferred. The last training session will be held on Sunday, March 9 from 3:00-5:30pm in the MUR. If interested, please email Anna Plume at aplume@alpinelittleleague.com for more information.
AMA Softball Registration Now Open!
Girls from K-7th grade are invited to join us for the 2014 AMA Softball season. Everyone plays and teams are organized by schools. Volunteers are always welcome, especially coaches. Register today! http://www.amasoftball.com/.
Studio Rincon Youth Dance and Yoga Classes
Studio Rincon on Alameda in Menlo Park is now taking signups for the winter session of youth dance and yoga classes. Signup here! Preballet, ballet, hip hop, yoga are all taught in a fun and positive atmosphere after school for ages 3-Teen. View the youth schedule at http://www.studiorincon.com/youth-classes/.
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Summer Camps
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Please enjoy this information on summer camps. These announcements are not endorsements from the La Entrada PTA.
Camp Menlo Summer Camp
Camp Menlo Summer Camp registration is now open for camps starting June 2, including our award-winning Camp Menlo Aquatics camp for kids age 4.5-9, Jr Lifeguard for age 9-14, Tennis and Swim for age 7-14, Performance Swim for age 9-18, and two Water Polo camps for beginners and more experienced players. www.campmenlo.com
The Legends Baseball Camp Experience
Ages 6-12, all levels, with the Menlo Park Legends collegiate/semi-pro baseball team!
The Legends Baseball Experience is a one of a kind summer program, which connects campers, with semi-professional baseball players from across the country who play on the Menlo Park Legends summer team. Our infamous 5:1 camper to coach ratio promotes the most intimate learning environment possible and enables campers to develop meaningful relationships with their baseball heroes. Our innovative and proven coaching methods integrate small group instruction with drills, games and exciting competitions to ensure your child is building confidence while simultaneously developing new baseball skills. It's more than a camp - It's an EXPERIENCE!
Captivating Dance by Nona Summer Dance Camp Learn/improve dance techniques for Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary, Tap, Ballet, and more! Additional fun activities included throughout the week. Great opportunity to learn from Nona Ybarra, multi-award winning choreographer/instructor, CDBN competition dance instructors, as well as some of Nona's Elite winning CDBN dance team members. For advanced campers only - a different special guest choreographer will teach a master class during one day of each weeklong session! Ages: boys and girls 4-17 Location: 1923 Menalto Dance Studio (Beginning/Intermediate) or 1919 Menalto Dance Studio (Advanced) Times: Monday-Friday: 9-4 (Beginning/Intermediate); 10-2:30(Advanced) Sessions: June 16-July 28; three to four weeklong sessions, depending on level Fees: $385/week (family and multi-week enrollment discounts available) Contact: admin@captivatingdancebynona.com for registration forms or visit our website: www.captivatingdancebynona.com Encore Lacrosse Camp Encore Lacrosse is excited to host the most FUNdamental lacrosse camp for introductory and intermediate players! Sign up to play the "fastest sport on two feet!" No previous experience is needed for beginners as safe soft balls are used, and lacrosse sticks can be purchased ($30) and delivered at camp. Equipment rentals are available for the intermediate division. For more information visit the intro/intermediate tab of the lacrosse section at www.EncoreLacrosse.com or e-mail at info@EncoreLacrosse.com. Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp Founded in 1973, YSSC offers two-week summer camp experiences for children 8 to 16 years old. A faith-based, adventure program with outstanding staff, YSSC provides a fun and nurturing environment through which campers grow in character, skills, relationships, and faith. Activities include water skiing, hiking, ropes course, volleyball, archery, crafts, marksmanship, team games, campfires, skits, and so much more. Through these activities and a community of caring role models, campers come away from YSSC with increased confidence, independence, friendship and problem solving skills. Check out www.yssc.com. Young Outliers Young Outliers is a summer learning company offering weekly courses linking academics with design entrepreneurship. Each course focuses on a theme and praxis in a field (learning from practice, e.g. science, social sciences, song, creative writing). Participants are formed into project and business teams. They create products driven by insights from what they learn.Participants learn how products influence people's lives and way of thinking and vice-versa. They create products driven by insights from what they learn. Every team's goal is to create products that make this a better world. These learning products are sold and distributed online at the Young Outliers Marketplace. Targeted to children ages 9-13, participants learn-by-doing through improv, arts, physical and social games, simulations, experiments, and social interactions. No worksheets and no lectures. Lessons are immersive and fun. Participants experience social, meaningful, and insightful ways of learning. This year 2014 summer camp will be at the JLS Middle School campus in Palo Alto. Register today. Avail of the early bird discount and save your space at www.YoungOutliers.com.
Summer Camp in PV: Programming Java with Minecraft
This is a great way for kids (grades 5-8) who love games to learn programming and build their own Minecraft mods. We use a real programming language - Java - on a real world server that your child will setup and configure. In its second season, the camp is run by local CMS graduate and current Priory student, Jack Youstra, with assistants (and adult oversight) for a 3:1 student:teacher ratio. There are two week-long sessions available: 7/6 and 7/13. Camp days are 9AM-3PM with an optional extended day plan that covers 3-5PM. To learn more about the camp, email Jack Youstra at jack@youstra.com or call 644-7519.
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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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