From the Principal
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Dear La Entrada Families,
Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful vacation and are ready to get back into the school routine.
We have many upcoming events this month. We are celebrating the Drama Class on 1/22 at 6:30 p.m. Please join us! In addition, you are all invited to join us at the GeoBee and invited to participate in the La Entrada Science Fair.
With the jam-packed schedules of today's families, why would either a student or a parent want to add one more major activity? Clearly, any school project assigned to a student should meet a stringent test for usefulness. Surprising to some, a science fair project is one of the best learning experiences a student can undertake. And, if it is taken seriously, it can be an excellent way to earn significant prizes, qualify for scholarships, and distinguish a college application.
Conceptually, a science fair project is very straightforward. A student chooses a scientific question he or she would like to answer. Then, library and Internet research on the question give the student the background information he or she needs to formulate a hypothesis and design an experiment. After writing a report to summarize this research, the student performs the experiment, draws his or her conclusions, and presents the results to teachers and classmates using a display board.
What makes a science fair project such a great learning experience is that it involves so much more than science. While library research is still important, these reports are a great way to hone computer research skills, as well as to learn the ins and outs of common office programs, such as word processors and spreadsheets. Most projects also involve a good deal of math, and all students get an opportunity to enhance their presentation skills when they prepare their display boards and discuss their projects with the judges. A science fair project even provides an opportunity for the discussion of ethical issues, such as plagiarism and falsification of data. Indeed, such a discussion is highly recommended. The ease of copying information from the Internet is hard to resist, and many students are far ahead of their teachers in understanding what is possible.
The La Entrada Science Fair is February 4-6. Please have your child sign up today! To learn more, go to www.laentradasciencefair.org. If you have any questions, please email the La Entrada Science Fair Committee: Diana Sunshine, Bardia Pezeshki, John Bargar, Chris Jones or Eric Ver Ploeg.
Best regards,
Shannon Potts
Principal
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PTA News
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The La Entrada GeoBee Contest is January 27th!
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!
Geo Bee Contest Date and Time:
Tuesday, January 27th, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Contact GeoBee co-chairs Sheriene Saadati or Cindy Tipton with any questions.
Please submit your box top coupons every week and keep collecting more!
Don't forget that your everyday online purchases can also help our school. Please visit the box top website and designate La Entrada as the school you wish to support. Then, every time you shop online, as long as you enter through the Box Tops web page, a percentage of your purchase will be credited to our school. Please check for the various participating products. Every coupon is valuable and worth 10 cents. Please submit your box tops in a small ziplock bag with your child's full name and core teacher to the school office. There will be a cereal box there for collection. The classroom that collects the most Box Tops by March 1st will earn an ice cream class party!! Have friends, grandparents, families, office staff, etc. collect Box Tops and bring them in to raise money for our school. We will keep tallying the coupons every week, so please send them as you collect.
Thank you!
Judy Nayebi and Manprit Lalia
Box Tops for Education Co-Chairs
 La Entrada Science Fair - February 4-6, 2015 Students - Get ready for the Science Fair! The Science Fair is a fun event that allows you to work in groups with your friends, to experiment and present your ideas. This self-driven project gives you the opportunity to be creative and think out of the box. Start imagining what you would like to discover and with which friends you would like to work. Please register your project online. Parents - The La Entrada Science Fair prepares kids for more complex projects and team work. The Science Fair process includes posing questions, problem-solving, experimentation and communication. These are all skills all our children need to be successful in our ever-changing world. The Science Fair is a fun way to start mastering these skills. Please encourage your child to participate. You can find a more information about projects and how to's online. All 6th - 8th grade finalists will go to the San Mateo County Science Fair. The finalist from the San Mateo County Science Fair will go to the California State Science Fair. In the past, La Entrada students have been selected to participate in the California State Science Fair - a very prestigious commendation. The La Entrada Science Fair is February 4-6. Please have your child begin thinking about their projects now. Advance planning makes the process more fun AND advanced planning is a skill that will serve all our kids for their entire academic and professional lives. To learn more or to register, please visit our website. If you have any questions, please email the La Entrada Science Fair Committee: Diana Sunshine, Bardia Pezeshki, John Bargar, Chris Jones or Eric Ver Ploeg.
Calling all 8th Grade Families!
It is time to start planning for that special day in our 8th graders lives....Graduation! We are looking for ideas regarding the theme of the event and all input is considered. We are also looking for volunteers to help the chairs. Meeting is Wednesday, January 21st at 10:00 a.m. in the MUR.
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Las Lomitas Education Foundation
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We are so grateful for the support of a majority of our District Families already, and will be publicly recognizing our donors with Yard Signs this week. Thank you to all who have contributed!
If you have not yet given,
PLEASE DONATE TODAY!
Corporate Matching Gifts
Inquire about your employer's matching gifts program to increase your donation to the District. Our Matching Gifts Coordinator can help you determine if your company will match your contribution.
 Join or Update eScrip - It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!- Visit http://www.eScrip.com
- Register or renew your Safeway Club Card and credit cards at the eScrip website and then designate Las Lomitas Education Foundation (Group ID# 125673324)
- Start Shopping!
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School News
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Our SchoolMessenger tool for email/text/voice communication proved invaluable in communicating with our families during last month's storms. Via email, we reached 100% of our families, but 50% our text messages were blocked. The system is configured to send text messages to the cell phone numbers which you submitted into InfoSnap, but only to the recipients who have agreed to receive them, or are not blocked via corporate phones or provider filters.
On Tuesday, January 20, we'll run a test-message so you can confirm you have "opted-in" to our SchoolMessenger system. Parents can easily opt-in by simply sending the word "Yes" or "Y', to the text message number 68453. If you are not sure if you did this previously, it's ok to do it again. It does not affect anything to do a second time. You will receive a confirmation text immediately when successful.
When we run the test on January 20, you'll then be able to confirm if you have successfully "opt-ed in". If you previously tried to "opt-in", and do not receive our test-text, please check with your provider and confirm it's not filtered via a corporate ownership, or contact me for additional assistance.
Thank you.
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Spring Registration is OPEN
Detailed class descriptions are on our website. Classes for Spring include Chess, Chinese, Digital Photography, Jazz Dance, Cooking and more. Please note for the Spring semester STEAM is meeting on Mondays and Kellydroids:Robotics is meeting on Fridays.. Spring registration closes Monday, January 19th at 11:59 p.m.
Does your child enjoy our after-school sports and classes? 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! Co-coordinators for next year's Las Lomitas classes are needed. It's a perfect opportunity for you and a friend! Contact Maureen Goode to learn more. The Las Lomitas League ( LLL) is a parent-led, non-profit organization.
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Parent Education
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M-A and La Entrada Parent Education Series - Special Collaboration!
"The Well-Balanced Student," with Denise Pope, PhD, Stanford University, Challenge Success
Tuesday, February 3, 2015, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Please join us for an outstanding presentation by Dr. Denise Pope, nationally and internationally recognized educator, award-winning lecturer at Stanford University, and co-founder of Challenge Success, Stanford Graduate School of Education, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the well-being, engagement, and integrity of our students.
Today's high-pressure, fast-paced culture can interfere with healthy child development. When we are too focused on test scores, performance, and grades, we may deny kids the time and energy they need to effectively tackle the demanding work of growing up. This workshop examines the tensions that can occur between students, parents, and educators over issues such as homework, grades, and the culture of competition. We'll offer parents research-based strategies to create healthier home and school environments.
In this presentation, you will learn:
- How students today are coping-or not-with the academic pressure they face
- Ways you can reduce academic stress without sacrificing achievement or engagement in school
- Strategies to increase resilience, creativity, and well-being for your child
M-A Parent Education Series events are free, sponsored by the Menlo-Atherton PTA, the Sequoia Healthcare District, and the Sequoia Union High School District. This event is also made possible by a grant from the La Entrada PTA.
For more information, email Charlene Margot, The Parent Education Series, Founder/Program Director, or call (650) 868-0590.
Parents, students, faculty/staff, and community members welcome!
Spanish interpretation will be available.
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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.
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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
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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