From the Principal
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Dear Parents,
We are very excited to offer multiple parent education opportunities this year that include but aren't limited to Technology and Teens, Supporting Athletes, and Body Image and Teenagers. In addition to advertising and inviting you to the events held at Menlo-Atherton High School and Woodside High School, we will be hosting three events at La Entrada this year. Our first event, "Parenting the Always-On Generation" - with Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet and Erica Pelavin, My Digital TAT2 will be held on Thursday, October 15, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Our tweens and teens are "digital natives" -- they have grown up in a world of online access and ever-changing media devices. If you wonder how to teach your teen responsibility and ethics online, how to ensure they are aware of their actions, and how best to parent them in a digital age, please join us for an interactive workshop in "Parenting the Always-On Generation." This event is recommended for anyone interested in an overview of the digital landscape and learning about thoughtful ways to navigate media with your kids. You will come away with strategies that support both you and your student. You may register here. Questions? Email Charlene Margot, M.A., Founding Director, La Entrada Parent Education Series, or call (650) 868-0590.
Another parent education opportunity is scheduled for January 2016. Take It Personally group (Project Cornerstone- for parents) is a 6-week study group that is made up of interesting and informative discussions intended to provide strategies for parents to better understand and connect with your children. It is truly transformative for individuals and families. If you cannot meet the morning sessions at La Entrada, there are other local schools that offer the training at different times. Many parents join other schools for the 6-week study group. Sign up in the office or online here.
In addition to technology and asset development, we will be offering the parents an opportunity to hear a presentation on student athletes. On March 29th, Steve Smith, Ph.D., will speak to us on "Helping Young Athletes Reach their Potential." His presentations have been well attended and received by other parent audiences on the peninsula and we are excited to bring him to La Entrada. Stay tuned for more details on these three events and others being hosted at our local highschools. The details will be advertised in the SPOT, through email and on our website.
I have scheduled Curriculum Nights, Coffees and Evenings with the Principal, as well as Parent Tours throughout the year to keep the parent community informed of our efforts toward accomplishing the goals. We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events. Please check the school calendar on the LE website and through the SPOT for future event dates, times , and locations.
Upcoming Events:
High School Fair at Woodside Elementary School
Representatives from local high schools will be available to discuss shadowing details, open house dates and times, and program descriptions. Middle school students from La Entrada, Hillview, Woodside, and Corte Madera are encouraged to attend. The fair will be held on
Tuesday, October 6, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Woodside Elementary School Community Gym. High schools in attendance: Bellarmine, Castilleja, Crystal Springs, Everest, Menlo, Mercy, Notre Dame, Nueva, Sacred Heart, Serra, St. Francis, Summit, Woodside, and Woodside Priory. Additional schools may attend as well.
Las Lomitas Parent Information Meetings:
State Testing Michael O'Laughlin, LLESD's Curriculum and Instruction Director will be on both campuses on Monday, October 5, to discuss how to interpret students' California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test results. Dr. O'Laughlin will be in the La Entrada MUR from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., and at Las Lomitas, in Cano Hall, from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Please bring any questions you have about the CAASPP data sheet you received in the mail last week.
New Math Program
We invite you to attend a parent education evening on October 7th from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. This event will be held in La Entrada's MUR (the room just across from the office) and will help you get to know the philosophy behind our new K-5 math adoption, Math in Focus. Topics will include:
- the math adoption process
- the new curriculum adoption's strengths, including a "Singapore Math" approach
- how the new adoption builds problem-solving ability
- supporting your child at home
M-A Parent Education Series Menlo-Atherton High School, M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC) Cafe Marsha Rosenbaum, Ph.D. will present "Safety First: A Reality-Based Approach to Teens and Drugs" on Thursday, October 8, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Just say no or say nothing at all? This is the question that many parents face with regard to drug use in their teens-whether alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. How can you help your kids stay safe? Join us for an interactive workshop with Marsha Rosenbaum, PhD, founder of the Safety First drug education project at the Drug Policy Alliance and author of "Safety First: A Reality-Based Approach to Teens and Drugs." We look forward to seeing you at the events throughout the year.
Warm regards, Shannon
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PTA News
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GRADE LEVEL GATHERINGS
Grade Level Gatherings are festive, adult-only, cocktail parties hosted by families in each of the different grades. These social events are a great opportunity for the the parents in each grade to get to know each other better outside of school. Please save the date and plan to join us!
5th Grade
- Friday, October 9, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
- At the home of Sarah and Craig Bjorkman
- Please RSVP via Evite
The 2015-2016 Reflections theme is 'Let Your Imagination Fly'
The arts and National PTAŽ Reflections support student success and serve as a valuable tool for engaging families and building strong partnerships in the school community. Founded in 1969, Reflections engages nearly 300,000 students and their families in arts education activities each year by encouraging students to explore the arts for fun and recognition.
REFLECT on the theme. CREATE art. BE RECOGNIZED! Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 students are encouraged to submit original works of art in one or more of the following categories:
- Dance Choreography
- Film Production
- Literature
- Musical Composition
- Photography
- Visual Arts
Students with disabilities may receive special accommodations by entering the special artist division.
To participate, please refer to the rules for each category and fill out the entry form and return it to the office with your submission by November 5th. The Reflections Gallery and Awards Show will take place on November 19th at 6:30 p.m. in Jensen Hall. All students and parents are welcome! To volunteer for this event, please contact volunteers@laentradapta.org.
The La Entrada PTA is pleased to announce the transition of our Art Notecard Project for the 4th and 5th Grade classes to Art to Remember which has been enjoyed by the 6th-8th parents for years! What is the difference ? Same great drawings by our very creative children, just a different vendor with color and more items to choose from! Please take a look online at some of the examples that make great art to share ! Children will be completing their drawings during their regular class times and the drawing form will be sent home during late November for you to approve and purchase for arrival in mid December.
Volunteers are needed to sort and pack art on Monday, December 7 for an hour or two in the MUR from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. We would be very grateful to have some parent assistance ( volunteers@laentradapta.org) for this popular event and look forward to seeing some amazing art!
La Entrada Used Book Fair  Please start SAVING your books (children's and adult) to donate to the La Entrada Used Book Fair! 100% of the proceeds from this fantastic event go directly to La Entrada School and PTA funded programs. And don't forget to mark your calendars for the November Used Book Fair (Nov 9th -14th). It's a great place to shop for new and like-new books for the whole family! Books will be collected from October 12 thru October 30 at both Las Lomitas and La Entrada.
 The Spelling Bee is coming up!
The La Entrada Spelling Bee will take place January 12, 2016. Here's how it works: All students will be given a spelling test in class during the period Oct 12 - 23 (if a student is absent, make-up testing should be coordinated directly with the student's teacher). Qualifying students are identified based on the test scores, invited to the Bee, and provided a study packet. The Bee champion advances to the KPIX-TV & KCBS Radio AM & FM Spelling Bee. The Bee follows the rules of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Ways to prepare:
- Watch the movies Akeelah and the Bee and Spellbound to get inspired.
- Check out the spelling words online.
- Quiz your family and friends on tricky words, and have them quiz you.
- Read, read, read!
NOTE: There is limited space available at the Spelling Test Grading Party: Tues, Nov 6, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in West Atherton. Snacks! Camaraderie! Laughs galore! Absolutely free! To sign up, email Jon Venverloh.
ATTENTION ALL READERS!
Our very popular Lunchtime Enrichment Book Clubs will have their first meeting on
Wednesday, October 7 during lunch in the library. Please encourage your child to bring their lunch--yes, it's okay to eat it in the library during these meetings--and join other book lovers to decide what to read and discuss this year. Didn't sign up at the Leopard's Faire? Don't worry--you're always welcome. For questions or more information, email Amy Harber.
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Las Lomitas League
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Basketball Season and Registration
Registration for the LLL Basketball Season is now open and closes at midnight on Thursday, October 15th. This is a very popular winter sport that is open to all students in 3rd through 8th grade. Register early before divisions are full. We will register 8-10 players per team. Once a division is full (based on number of coaches), we will start a wait-list and only add more players if we get more coaches to form another team. Register early and volunteer to coach!
Evaluations are the third weekend in October and coaches announce their teams a week later. Practices begin in mid-November, games begin in early December and the season ends in early March. Division coordinators will contact parents with more information towards the end of October. Additional information about the basketball program can be found on our website.
Coaches Wanted! We are a parent-run basketball league and we need coaches. You do not need a lot of experience to coach; we can pair you with a more experienced coach. We also provide an excellent coaching clinic. Please contact Kathleen Liston if you are interested in coaching.
Mark your calendars for the following dates:
- Wed, Oct. 21st at 6:30 p.m.: Mandatory Coaches Meeting in the La Entrada library. We will finalize practice times and review rules, expectations, evaluations, etc.
- Oct. 24th& 25th (Sat/Sun): Player Evaluation Days (schedule to be determined). Evaluations are used strictly to divide each grade level into fair and balanced teams. Your child's grade/division will be assigned a specific day and time closer to the date. Please check back here or on the LLL Basketball webpage in mid-October.
La Entrada Volleyball Program enjoyed an afternoon at Stanford last Sunday watching and exciting match between Stanford and USC. The girls met with gracious members of the team after the match, were able to ask questions and received autographs. Although Stanford lost a tough 5 set match and a great time was had by all!
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Las Lomitas Education Foundation
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The 2015-16 Annual Giving Campaign has launched!
and this year we have added a special boost. . .
Announcing the Giving by Grade Challenge!
The grade with the highest giving level WINS $200 per classroom for extra supplies and activities!
Donate before November 13th and help your child's grade level WIN!
Donate online now at
Hula over to the annual Sweetheart Dance
Friday, Oct. 16th 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Jensen Hall at La Entrada
Aloha dads, grandpas, uncles and friends!
Don your Hawaiian shirts, leis and grass skirts. Grab your favorite little wahine and hula on over to La Entrada for the much anticipated Sweetheart Dance.
Share a special evening with your beautiful daughters* at this beloved annual event held in Jensen Hall at La Entrada. Both Las Lomitas and La Entrada families are welcome. Tickets are $75 per father/daughter couple, $25 for additional children. Get your tickets by clicking here.
* we welcome all Las Lomitas and La Entrada girls and their adults, but sadly we can not accommodate boys at this event. For a special "boys only" event, please join us for the mother/son bowling event on November 7th by clicking here.
 Coming up very soon:
Click here, register and come out and play. . .
- 6th Annual Gentlemen's Hold'em Tournament Party - Oct 24
- 6th Annual Mother/Son Bowling - Nov 7
- "What's in a Movie?" Workshop for 6th - 8th Graders - Nov 10
If you have a Target credit card, you can enroll in TCOE and designate a school. 1% of all your purchases are donated to the school. Click here
Make sure your grandparents are connected to receive an invitation to Grandparent's Day in the Spring, and our newsletter just for them! Register them here.
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School News
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Requesting Homework Procedures
When a student is absent due to illness, it is best to focus on resting and getting well. After three days of excused absences, parents may request homework from the front office if the following methods are not sufficient:
- Check SchoolLoop for homework assignments and due dates. Check resources such as weekly or monthly assignment sheets or websites or call a friend in class to find out what work was assigned
- Call or email our front office staff by 9am on the day you wish to pick up missed homework. Requests made after 9am will not be available on the same day.
Any work provided by a teacher will be in the homework cubby 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 Ms. Parisi or Mrs. Stosz know when the request for homework is made so they can be helpful.
Preferred Practice: Get make-up work from teachers upon return to school. Students are allowed two days to make up homework for each excused absence.
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Parent Education
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THE PARENT EDUCATION SERIES ON FACEBOOK
Now you can Like us on Facebook! The SUHSD Parent Education Series Facebook page will keep you posted about upcoming parent education events, articles on parenting, schools and education, community parent events and more!
 M-A PARENT EDUCATION SERIES
"Safety First: A Reality-Based Approach to Teens and Drugs" - with Marsha Rosenbaum, PhD
Thursday, October 8, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
M-A Performing Arts Center, PAC Cafe
Menlo-Atherton High School
Just say no or say nothing at all? This is the question that many parents face with regard to drug use in their teens-whether alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. Most drug education programs are aimed solely at preventing drug use. After instructions to abstain, the lesson ends. No information is provided about how to avoid problems or prevent abuse for those teens who do experiment. How can you help your kids stay safe?
Join us for an interactive workshop with Marsha Rosenbaum, PhD, founder of the Safety First drug education project at the Drug Policy Alliance and author of "Safety First: A Reality-Based Approach to Teens and Drugs." Dr. Rosenbaum earned her doctorate in medical sociology at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). She is the author of numerous scholarly articles about drug use, drug treatment, and drug policy. Her opinion pieces have appeared in USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, and San Jose Mercury News. In addition, Dr. Rosenbaum is a proud graduate of Menlo-Atherton High School.
M-A Parent Education Series events are free, sponsored by the M-A PTA, the Sequoia Healthcare District, and the Sequoia Union High School District. This event is open to parents, students, faculty/staff, and community members.
Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available.
 LA ENTRADA PARENT EDUCATION SERIES
"The Psychology of Technology: Parenting the Always-on Generation" - with Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet and Erica Pelavin, My Digital TAT2
Thursday, October 15, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
La Entrada School, MUR
How are tweens and teens using technology today? Our children are "digital natives" -- they have grown up in a world of online access and ever-changing media devices. Every parent knows that it's hard to keep up with kids and social media. How can you teach your tweens and teens responsibility and ethics online? What is the best way to parent the "always-on" generation?
Join Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet, PPSC, LCSW, Erica Pelavin, LCSW, PhD, from My Digital TAT2 for a highly interactive workshop on digital trends, psychological responses to social media, and the impact of social media on the adolescent brain. My Digital TAT2 has worked with over 14,000 students throughout the Bay Area. They recently formed focus groups of middle and high school students who support MDT2 and keep their work on the cutting edge, sharing student perspective and voice.
LE Parent Education Series events are free and open to parents, students, faculty/staff, and community members. This event is sponsored by the La Entrada PTA.
If you have questions regarding any parent education events listed above, please contact Charlene Margot, M.A., Founding Director, The Parent Education Series, by email or call (650) 868-0590. For Spanish, contact Mayela Ramirez, Parent Center Coordinator, 650-369-1411 x 63105.
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Community News
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 Participate in the 7th Annual Ride and Yoga For Ravenswood in Atherton on Sunday, October 11th!
Help fundraise for the Ravenswood Family Health Center, a community health center providing medical services to Silicon Valley's low-income residents, by participating in a 30- or 50-mile bike ride ($100 registration), or a 90-minute yoga class ($30 registration). We all prosper when everyone has access to healthcare - Ravenswood prevents thousands of ER visits every year, saving Silicon Valley hospitals and taxpayers millions of dollars. Event includes breakfast, coffee, and lunch for all, and a jersey (for bikers) or hand towel (for yogis) with advance registration. Helmets and yoga mats are bring-your-own. Visit www.4ravenswood.org or email jwurtz@ravenswoodfhc.org for more information or to register!
 Halloween Costume Drive
Please help the families of Haven House Family Shelter have a great Halloween week, participating in their school and many other Halloween events, by donating new or gently used costumes in all sizes (infant through adult). The Girl Scout troops of Las Lomitas and La Entrada are working together with Suzanne Mitchell (LLESD Technology Director) to collect costumes at both schools. (The bins will be out at both schools from 10/7 - 10/21.)
Haven House, part of Innvision/Shelter Network, offers emergency and transitional housing for homeless families. Each night almost 100 kids (infants to teens) call the shelter home while their parents are working to move them back to permanent housing. Your donation of Halloween costumes will offer that these families can participate in the fun of the season at a very difficult time in their lives!
Any questions: contact Suzanne Mitchell. Both school sites support and encourage your support.
Are you a parent of a 10 - 14 year old?
A team of students at the Stanford Graduate School of Business are passionate about disrupting the way students are being exposed to STEM. They'd like to get a better understanding of the current state of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning in and out of school.
If your son or daughter is available for a 20 - 30 minute conversation, in person, please fill out this form with your contact info as they would love your help in order to help our children's future.
 Be a facilitator at M-A's Challenge Day - Be the Change!
Join us one day - Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, October 26, 27 or 28 for this memorable workshop that helps freshmen break down barriers and create new leels of empathy and respect. Thisis one of the most meaningful volunteer opportunities at M-A and a great way for parents to gain insights into M-A. Volunteer facilitators lead students through games, activities and trust building exercises and are guided by a professional, trained Challenge Day leader. The time frame is 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
To volunteer, email Julie Quinlan. Please note "Challenge Day Volunteer" in your email subject line.
 Interested in being a mentor for a high school student?
The Academy program is a small school environment which targets at-risk students. During their Junior year, students may request a Community Mentor that works with them on both academic & career goals. The students career interests are widespread from law enforcement and medicine to environmental planning and video game design.
The commitment is approximately 2 hours per month, with most interactions via email and four face-to-face meetings over the course of the school year. The first meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 30, 9:00 a.m., and the program wraps up in early May.
Any questions, please email the Mentor Coordinator, Faith Velschow, or call
(650) 591-7502.
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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. Open enrollment information for the 2015-2016 school year can be viewed here.
Get to Know M-A High
School
Interested in what's going on at Menlo Atherton High School? Sign up for M-A's BearNotes to receive the weekly newsletter here.
Shadowing
A visit can be very important in helping students determine which high school will be the best fit for them. Shadowing takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from October through February. Shadowing is very popular and appointments fill fast, so sign up early to reserve your spot. Available dates are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
View and request shadow dates here.
Come and learn about Menlo-Atherton High School, Wednesday, October 21
8th Grade Information Night is a wonderful opportunity for parents and students to get to know M-A. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. with a Principal's welcome and performances by our Jazz Band and Dance Team. At 6:30 p.m. groups will rotate through various sites on campus to learn more about our excellent academic programs from our teachers. M-A students will also be on hand to share their experiences.
Campus Tours, Saturday, October 24 M-A Leadership students will lead informal campus tours, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Please meet in front of the library. The last tour is at 11:30.
Get to Know Woodside High School
Interested in what's going on at Woodside High School?
Sign up to receive the Woodside High School weekly newsletter here.
Shadowing
We look forward to giving you a glimpse of a day in the life of Woodside High School student. We understand that students have a choice. We encourage you to give Woodside High School strong consideration. Shadowing occurs on B-days during 2nd- and 4th- periods, brunch, and lunch. The shadow program is run in conjunction with the leadership program at Woodside. Leadership students will be the guides for the shadows coming to visit Woodside.
View and request shadow dates here.
Be a part of a public education reform movement that prepares students for 21st century success in college, career, and life!
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 Sunday 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 or .png attachment for all pictures and graphics.
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