Introducing Mr. Jones, Assistant Principal:

I am honored to join La Entrada's leadership team this year, and would like to express my sincere appreciation for the warm welcome I have received from the Las Lomitas community since my arrival four years ago. Together we can successfully support your children's journey through their upper-elementary and middle school years.

I believe the classroom is, and will always be, the place where the most important work happens in any school. In fifteen years as a certificated teacher, I taught classes traversing much of the curricular spectrum: English-Language Arts, Social Studies, Physical Education, Speech and Debate, Journalism, Reading Support and Math Support. I draw on these diverse instructional experiences to understand how to best support teachers in all content areas.  Having taught every grade level from four to eight affords me a unique opportunity to connect meaningfully with all La Entrada students. For those who have experience with me as your child's teacher or Summer School Principal, please know that I will carry my beliefs of kindness, respect,  and positivity into my new role. These traits are the core of the positive school culture we can sustain by working together to support your children. 

A National Blue Ribbon School Award recipient, La Entrada represents academic achievement of our country's highest order. I know well our students' desire to succeed academically, and understand the kinds of critical thinking skills we foster in our classrooms. Balancing this academic rigor with a focus on students' social and emotional well-being is critical to understanding and promoting the whole child. I have found that meeting students' social and emotional needs contributes significantly to their academic success, and will dedicate myself to this end.

As a parent who works full-time, I appreciate the commitment of all parent volunteers affiliated with La Entrada, whose willingness to be part of their children's lives strengthens our school community. Organizations such as the Las Lomitas Educational Foundation, PTA, and Las Lomitas League are driving forces behind creating the innovative curricular offerings we see on our campus and in our district. I am excited to continue working with such fabulous organizations that provide valuable and varied experiences to enrich our children's lives, and will support these parent-driven functions in any way possible. You are the backbone of the school!

I am aware of the incredible trust we place in educators when we send our children to school each day. As my daughter enters fifth grade at La Entrada, I appreciate the dual role I serve in our district. As both parent and administrator, I am able to see clearly the opportunities and challenges of each stakeholder, equipping me with the tools to better address the needs of our students and their families. Meeting your children's needs to help them succeed is my primary responsibility.

In addition to my ten-year-old daughter, I have a two-year-old son who is a tornado of joy and unbridled energy. My wife and I met at U.C. Berkeley, where our idealism took shape and swept us both into the world of education. She is an amazingly talented teacher who has been in Palo Alto Unified for the last eight years. I feel privileged to take on a leadership role at our school, and look forward to forging productive and healthy relationships with your children, and with those of you I have yet to meet. I feel SO fortunate to be integrated into this community. Here's to a great year together!-Mr. Jones

Safety Reminders

Dogs on Campus

I am a dog lover, and I have a beloved dog, Duke, that is part of my family.  However, at La Entrada, we ask that people not bring their dogs onto campus during school hours (7:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.), or to school events, like our upcoming picnic.  The reason for this is safety.  Even the best trained dog can behave in an unexpected manner when around 800+ kids.  There may be a special time when a teacher invites furry friends for a visit, but please keep them off campus on a daily basis.

Drop off and Pick Up

Our community has done a superb job with the drop off and pick up procedures. Please remember that we can only make a right turn out of our parking lot.  If you are picking up your student, it is always good to let them know where to look for you.  It can be quite crowded when all the students get out, and it will keep things moving if students can find their parents quickly. We hope that as many as possible will come to school on a bus, bicycle, or by walking.  If you do have to drive your child to school, please be sure to review the drop off procedures outlined in our handbook, available inside every student's Student Planner and on our website.  

We are aware of the recent concerns about the Altschul Ave. Drop off/Pick up area. This area will continue to be a valid Drop off/Pick up area until further notice.

 

Bicycle/ Skateboard / Scooter Safety Tips

• Wear a helmet at all times.  Anyone coming on campus without a helmet will be required to bring in a helmet before they can ride their bike, skateboard or scooter again.
• Be predictable.  This means following the same rules of the road as car drivers do.   This includes obeying all stop signs, traffic signals, and other traffic laws.
• Ride on the right.  Please be sure to ride in the same direction as traffic.  Stay visible to traffic by not weaving in and out of parked cars.
• Wear your helmet and buckle it every time.
• Make eye contact with drivers.  This is particularly important at intersections and driveways.  Don't assume drivers see you.
• You always have the option of getting off your bike/scooter/skateboard and becoming a pedestrian.  This may be the safest thing to do at busy intersections.  Remember that anytime you use a crosswalk, you are a pedestrian.  You must walk your bike/scooter/skateboard in crosswalks.
• Do not carry things in your hands.  This includes iPods and cell phones.
• All bikes, skateboards and scooters are to be walked on the sidewalk both coming and going via Altschul Avenue.  This is a one-way street with many parents dropping off and picking up students so safety dictates that students walk on the sidewalk from the District Office's driveway up to the bike rack and vice versa.
• Bikes are to be locked up on our various bike racks and skateboards are to be locked up in the skateboard lockers located in the front of the school.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

• Be alert: look for cars coming in all directions before crossing a street.  Also watch for cars backing out of driveways.  The drivers can't always see you.
• Don't assume drivers see you: make eye contact with drivers at intersections and driveways.
• Be predictable: follow the rules for crossing streets and intersections.  Wait until it is your turn.

Forgotten Lunches/Instruments/Homework 

• Forgotten lunches/instruments/homework can be dropped off in the front office.  Students are to check the office for their forgotten items, which will be stored on the shelf next to our communication boxes. Students are to check in the office either during a recess period or a passing period to pick up their items.  Instructional time will not be interrupted with classroom deliveries.
• Access to classrooms:  It is our practice to not have custodians unlock classrooms for any reason after school.  If your child has forgotten something in a classroom, they will need to wait until the next day to retrieve their item.  

Procedures for Requesting Homework When Absent Due to Illness

When a child is at home sick, we believe that s/he should rest at home and get well so that s/he can return to school as soon as possible. We also recognize that once a child is on the mend but not quite well enough to return to school, the child may want some work to do at home. 

If your child has been out ill for 3 or more days and is still too ill to come to school but feeling well enough to do some light homework, we can assist in compiling appropriate missed homework. Please call or email our office staff, Gina Parisi or Marie Stosz, by 9:00 a.m. on the day you wish to pick up the work. Requests made after 9:00 a.m. will not be available on the same day.  Any work provided by a teacher will be in a box in the office after 3:00 p.m. If someone other than a parent or sibling is going to pick up the homework, please let Mrs. Parisi or Mrs. Stosz know when the request for homework is made. 

Please do not request homework for absences less than 3 days.  Classroom teachers will make missed homework available to students upon their return.

As per our new Board Policy on Homework, BP 6154, "Student will have a minimum of 2 days for every 1 day of absences to make up assignments."

Parents are asked not to email teachers individually to request missed homework.

We feel these procedures will be more efficient for both parents and teachers - parents will not have to individually contact teachers, and teachers will get only one request a day from the office instead of many requests scattered throughout the day. 

Again, the highest priority is for the student to return to school healthy and able to participate fully in class. In order to not overburden a child with make-up work, teachers will only request make-up work that is necessary in order for the student to be able to continue to be successful in class.  

The office phone number is 854-3962 ext 0. 

Email: gparisi@llesd.org , mstosz@llesd.org