From the Principal
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Dear La Entrada Community,
Welcome back! I hope you all had a restful Thanksgiving vacation. This time of year is a special time when we like to pause and reflect on all that I am grateful. 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. Parents are very important members of our school community. A hearty thank you goes out to these parents who dedicated many hours of their time to make the events on campus unforgettable for the students and staff. Their commitment and hard work are integral to our school's success.
Spot Light on Campus Events:
Multicultural Celebration:
Friday, November 21, 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. Thank you to the students and families for the hard work on your family history reports and all the great food!
Professional Development Days:
While the community was on vacation during Thanksgiving week, the teachers and staff were working hard on updating curriculum, collaborating and planning for their next few months of instruction. The teachers valued the time together to get to know each other better and build both professional and personal bonds, which makes for a positive learning community. Some highlights of the work: New Science Engineering Units, Solidified Writer's Workshop Units, Small Group Reading Instruction, CPR Training for all PE and office staff, Potential New Electives for 6th - 8th graders, Math Pilot Review and Visitations to Exemplary Classrooms in the area.
Parent Ed Series: We had a over 100 parents sign up for the speaker event on December 3rd, We were honored to have Dr. Leah Weiss and Dr. Lisa Medoff speak to parents about
"Raising Resilient Teens with Self-Compassion." The talk was full of good reminders on how much of learning to be resilient needs to be modeled and taught by all the adults in a child's life.
Holiday Fair: Thank you to all the volunteers who made this year's Holiday Workshop a great success! We hope you and your children enjoyed the event. It is a challenge to have projects that cross 5 grade levels, so a special thank you goes out to the differentiation of projects geared specifically for the older students. This event is a perfect example of the community we have. Moms, dads, and grandparents were on hand to help the children with their creations.
Don't Miss the Upcoming Events:
Computer Science Education Week starts next Monday, December 8th, and to kick off this world-wide event, both Mr. Kelly and Mr. Van Dyck would like to invite you and your family to learn more about computer science and the Hour of Code. Please meet at La Entrada's multi-use room at 6:30 p.m. for treats and an overview on how to participate in a variety of engaging programming activities and games. Don't worry, no coding experience is necessary, just bring your iPad and we will code until 8:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!
Talent Show: Next Thursday evening, December 11th, will be the Annual Talent Show at 6:30.m. in Jensen Hall. It is a very fun event for the entire family. Come see la Entrada students' hidden talents.
Concerts: Our 6th - 8th grade concert band students will be performing at their Winter Concert at the Woodside High School Performing Arts Center on Monday, December 15th at 6:30 p.m. Our 4/5 students will be performing in their annual Winter Concert on Wednesday evening, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. Something new to the concert this year will be the addition of the 5th grade band which will start off the concert.
Warmly,
Shannon Potts
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Las Lomitas Education Foundation
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The Season of Giving is here! If you have yet to make your gift, please donate now.
The annual LLEF gift to our District is essential to the achievements of our schools and students.
We need to raise an average of $2,000 per student, with 100% participation, to reach our fundraising goal of $2.8 million. Every donation counts. And if you can, please GIVE MORE this year - There are still funds available to double the increased portion of your gift with a dollar-for-dollar match from the $200,000 Challenge Grant.
PLEASE DONATE TODAY!
Click-through to any of the online stores and shop as you normally would... the retailers donate a portion of every purchase to the Foundation. It's free money for our schools!
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PTA News
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Thank You To Our Fabulous PTA Volunteers!
We are so grateful for all of the time and energy that our volunteers give to make our PTA programs run so smoothly. Huge shout outs of thanks to the following parents who planned and organized our fall programs and events:
Molly Drewes and Cheryl Cho-Phan - Art Note Cards
Monica Albers and Tracy Williams - Used Book Fair
Maggie Oren - School Directory
Patrina Mack - Back to School Picnic
Jeni Mahon - Halloween Party
Leslie King - Grade Level Gatherings
Tracie Nelson and Jean Long - Holiday Workshop
Jung Eun Lee - Reflections
If you see them, please be sure to thank them for their hard work and dedication.
Happy holidays to everyone in the La Entrada community. We are grateful to be a part of such an amazing team.
Ashley Banks and Sandie Timm
PTA Co-Presidents
Join us for the La Entrada GeoBee! 
All La Entrada students, grades 4 - 8, are invited to participate in the La Entrada Geo Bee. Our top 10 finalists will receive a cool water bottle, the top two finalists will receive t-shirts, and the winner will take a qualifying test for a chance to compete at the National level! Join us for some fun and share your passion and knowledge of geography! Important dates and resources:
Geo Bee Contest Date and Time:
Tuesday, January 27th, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Lunchtime Practice Sessions (for both lunches):
Wed., Dec. 17th in Room 5
Wed., Jan. 7th in Room 5
Resources:
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| School News |
Computer Science Education Week
starts this Monday, December 8th, and lasts all week. To kick off this world-wide event, both Mr. Kelly and Mr. Van Dyck would like to invite you and your family to learn more about computer science and the Hour of Code. All 4-8 families interested can meet at La Entrada's multi-use room at 6:30 p.m. for treats and an overview on how to participate in a variety of engaging programming activities and games. Don't worry, no coding experience is necessary, just bring your iPad and we will code until 8:30pm. Hope to see you there!
 Please bring your family & friends and join us in a PIZZA and PASTA FUNDRAISER for the upcoming Washington D.C. trip of our 8th graders!
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria
880 Santa Cruz Avenue Menlo Park (650) 329-8888 Tuesday, December 16th 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Dine in OR take-out (no deliveries)
Present this flyer and Amici's will generously donate 25% of your food, beverage and GIFT CERTIFICATE purchases to help support the Washington DC trip of our 8th graders!
This fundraiser event is only valid at Amici's Menlo Park. Amici's cannot promise seating together for large groups.
La Entrada 8th Grade Parent's Multi-family Yard Sale & Bake Sale
Saturday, December 13, 2014, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
All Proceeds from this event will go directly to the 8th grade Washington DC Scholarship Fund that will support students who would otherwise be unable to participate in this historical enrichment trip.
We are looking for customers to shop at this event as well as YOUR DONATIONS. If you have any merchandise you do not need or want any longer, that you can donate to this event for us to include in the yard sale, please drop it off any time after 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 12th at 2030 Ashton Avenue, Menlo Park.
If you have any questions, please email lsnyders63@gmail.com or call (650) 714-7585.
Music Notes  December brings the 4th and 5th grade Winter Concert! New this year will be the fifth grade band performing with the 4/5 chorus. This will all take place on Wednesday evening, December 17 in our school gym at 7:00 p.m. The chorus students are working on a fun, educational concert with the theme, "Americans All" which is a celebration of America's multicultural heritage. The students will be singing eleven songs in the concert featuring some home-grown music including "The Winding Trail" (Native American), "Der Volkstanz" (German), "Siyahamba" (South African), "Come Dance a Jig" (Irish), "Zum Gali Gali" (Israeli), "Bell Song" (Korean) and much, much more including a toe-stomping finale. This concert will also feature some young, confident narrators who have finished auditioning for the right to represent their class at the concert. The young band will also perform favorites including "Good King Wenceslas," "In a Minor Mood," "Stepping Stones" and other fun songs. Our annual Winter Band Concert, featuring all the instrumentalists from our 6th, 7th and 8th grade bands, will take place on Monday, December 15th over at Woodside High School's Performing Arts Centre. The sixth graders will perform pieces including the "1812 Overture" and "William Tell" while the 7th and 8th grade Symphonic Band will perform "Sabre Dance," "Chant and Jubilo" and accompaniment to a silent movie featuring Charlie Chaplin entitled, "Masters of the Silent Screen." Our Jazz Band will perform a swing classic, "Moon Dance," a funk standard, "Superstition" and a rock classic, "25 or 6 to 4."
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Are you interested in La Entrada's after school Sports and Class programs? Then Join the LLL Board of Directors!
Join the team that provides enriching and fun after-school activities and sports for Las Lomitas and La Entrada students! The Las Lomitas League (LLL) is a parent-led, non-profit organization and we are expanding our board of directors. We have the following open positions:
President-in-training - Shadow the current president and learn about the programs and responsibilities of the LLL President. Lead the board beginning in June 2015.
Basketball Co-Director (in-training) - Work with the current directors to learn about our successful recreational basketball program. Co-lead the program in 2015-2016.
Secretary - Take minutes at board meetings. Maintain records of board policies, actions, etc. Edit LLL articles for Spot/Roar newsletters.
Member-at-Large - Join the LLL board to learn about our programs and help in small ways. We would like an at-large member from each school.
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$1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest
"My territory as a writer is exploring the unknown." - Leyla Beban
The contest is open to aspiring young authors in grades 6 - 12. Entries must be submitted no later than February 1st, 2015 and must be *exactly* 1,000 words. Contest winners at each grade level will win a $100 cash prize, and the best entry from each of middle school and high school will win a $1,000 scholarship. All winners plus a number of honorable mentions will be published in the 2015 edition of Bluefire. To read excerpts from the winning work from last year, please visit the 2014 Award Celebration page. Last year over 300 entries were received and 22 young authors were published. Help spread the word with the 2015 Contest Flyer. Print it out and help spread the word at your school.
Camp Menlo Holiday Camps 
When: December 22-23, 29-31, January 2, 19
Where: Burgess Pool, Menlo Park
Register now for December and January day camps at Burgess Pool for kids age 5-9! Each day includes a 45 minute swim lesson and out of the pool, campers enjoy various group games and activities that encourage self confidence, growth, teamwork, and fun! More information available online.
Registration for the AMA Softball 2015 season is now open!
AMA Softball is a community softball league for girls ages 5-12. The season runs from late February through early June and focuses on learning the game and having fun. Teams are set up by school, so recruit your friends! For league information and registration, please visit us online.
'Twas the
Night Before Christmas
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Sequoia Union High School District Open Enrollment Policy:
New changes to 9th Grade Open Enrollment were approved by the Board of Trustees effective for the 2015-16 school year. The open enrollment policy for the 2015-2016 can be viewed here.
Get to Know M-A High
School
Campus Tours:
M-A leadership students will guide you around campus and answer any questions. Tours take place on the first Wednesday of the Month from October to February, some additional dates in January. See the website for sign ups and more information.
Shadow Days:
Shadow dates are now available online. The programs pairs prospective 8th graders with a 9th grade host to attend classes during a typical day at M-A. Sign up to shadow here.
Interested in what's going on at Menlo Atherton High School?
Sign up for M-A's BearNotes to receive the weekly newsletter here.
Get to Know Woodside High School
Woodside High School Open House - Take a Walk in Our Paws
Saturday, January 10, 9 a.m. - 12 noon
Register for a 40-minute guided tour led by a current student or parent, visiting a variety of open classrooms on campus. End in the cafeteria to meet Principal Burbank, other campus staff, and parent leaders. Wildcat Wear available for purchase. Allow a bit over an hour for a comfortable visit. Visit the Woodside High School website to sign up.
Parent Tours:
Our 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. See the website for sign ups and more information.
Shadow Days:
Shadowing will take place between mid-September till early February of the school year. This 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. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people; we are sure that you will find Woodside students to be friendly, welcoming, and fun. Register here to shadow at Woodside.
The Freshman Video:
Are you wondering what it is like to attend Woodside High School? What makes Woodside High School special and different from other high schools? Well, wonder no more...go to our website and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Interested in what's going on at Woodside High School?
Sign up to receive the Woodside High School weekly newsletter here.
Get to know Summit Prep and Everest Charter High Schools
Be a part of a public education reform movement that prepares students for 21st
century success in college, career, and life!
8th Grade Open House Dates:
At Summit Public Schools we believe that all students should be prepared to be successful college students and career professionals for the 21st century. With our small and personalized environment, we focus on the whole child and foster the growth of critical thinking skills and habits of success. Please join us as we walk you through the day in the life of a Summit Prep student. Shadow day sign-ups are only be available at Open House events. Sign-ups for Open House events are not necessary.
- Saturday, February 7th at 10:00 a.m. @ Everest (455 Fifth Avenue in Redwood City)
For more information on Summit Schools, click here.
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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. To submit an item, email it to the editor at leopardsspot@llesd.org by 12:00 midnight on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication date. Submissions to personal email accounts are not accepted.
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 an original email: submission sent as Word doc or other attachment will be rejected.
- Provide a .jpg attachment for all pictures and graphics.
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