From the PTA Presidents
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November is a Month for Thanks
 The La Entrada PTA would like to extend a big shout-out to the Committee Chairs that have made our events successful and our lives just a little more fun.
Our Family Picnic chairs, Patrina Mack, Cara Whittaker and Priya Matthews organized a memorable night for our families to connect and reconnect at the beginning of the school year.
Julie Chandik and Sladana Veljkovic for getting Apple for the Classroom organized and on track.
Manprit Lalia for quietly collecting Box Tops for Education to support a number of possible PTA projects. There is a box in the LE Office that she checks every week and ensures all of our box tops are counted and submitted.
Debra Ver Ploeg for tirelessly organizing all of the Grade-Level Gatherings, 4th-8th grades, for us this year and to the hosts for opening their homes so we could get to know each other better.
Amy Harber, our dynamic Lunchtime Enrichment coordinator who asks kids what they want in a lunch activity and then sets out firing off multiple emails and finding parents and staff to make the student requests reality.
Stacy May and Stacy Molano for their attention to detail when providing our kids with Hot Lunch every day and making sure when we might forget to pack or order, Stacy and Stacy have us covered.
Most recently, Jeni Mahon put on a doozie of a Halloween Carnival complete with Bucket o' Guts and Bowling for Bones. A great time was had by both parents, staff and students and put us all in the Halloween spirit for sure!! Behind the scenes of each of our events, the Volunteer & Staff Appreciation Committee has been cooking up a storm for our staff to make sure they have snacks, goodies, coffee and salads to keep them nutritionally fueled for those long days. A recent note from a staff member stated, "Dear PTA [Lisa Reid, Sarah Leake and Pam Wright], Thank you so much for the special treats on Halloween! We really appreciate the quiche, fruit, cookies and kitchen supplies. You really take care of us." - LE Staff Member And coming up this month, Monica Albers & Tracy Shields Williams are crazy busy organizing books for our annual Used Book Fair and Maggie Oren, Ashley Banks, Sarah Chai and Ashley Jack are tenaciously making sure each family is represented in our Directory. Tinu Kotecha and Dominique Smallcombe will be transforming Jensen Hall into a gallery on Nov. 19th for the Reflections Arts Event that keeps getting bigger every year! And an ENORMOUS thanks for all the volunteers who generously put in time at each of these events to ensure our kids, staff and community are supported and cared for. If you would like to be a part of this impressive bank of volunteers, just email Julie Herlihy. Coming up is the Holiday Faire, Spelling and Geo Bees and the Science Fair! More updates and kudos to come in the New Year. La Entrada PTA Co-Presidents, Molly Drewes and MJ Crousore
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Las Lomitas League
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We invite the school community to see Alice in Wonderland performed by La Entrada students in Peninsula Youth Theatre's after-school class Play in a Box.
When: Tuesday, November 10, at 4:00 p.m. in Jensen Hall. The performance is free and should last approximately 30 - 40 minutes.
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From the Principal
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Dear La Entrada Community,
Used Book Sale:
Also coming up quickly is the Used Book Fair. A huge thank you to the community for the donations and to the volunteers that have worked at organizing and pricing the books. I look forward to seeing the fair setup with the 5,000+ books Nov 9-13.
Private School Recommendations:
The season of private school applications is upon us. If your child will be applying to a private school for next year, please make sure that we have any recommendation forms that need to be filled out by a teacher or administrator by Wednesday, December 3. Please also have your student complete a brag sheet so we can make sure to highlight their accomplishments. The Brag sheet can be found in the counselor's office in room 7 and the front office. Most forms this year are coming to us electronically. We are keeping a master copy of the recommendations requested and will be keeping track of the letters as they are processed. If for some reason you are applying to a school that does not use the electronic system, all forms and stamped envelopes must be given to Gina Parisi (in the main office) and she will make sure they get to the correct people. In addition to the requests for electronic letters of recommendation, each parent will have to provide the school with a transcript release request. If the school to which you are applying does not accept electronic transcripts, please provide the office with a stamped envelope that can be mailed to the school or to the company processing the school's applications. For questions or clarification, please contact Kim Witthaus, 8th grade counselor, or Gina Parisi in the front office.
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Any requests for recommendations received by Gina Parisi after December 4, 2015 are not guaranteed to be completed by the private school's published deadline.
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All Private School Recommendations are confidential and completed on a voluntary basis.
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Parents are to refrain from discussing the recommendations with the La Entrada staff.
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The Las Lomitas School District is supportive of the process by providing time for staff to complete Private School Recommendation forms submitted by the due date of December 4, 2015.
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Gina Parisi will inform parents when the Private School Recommendation forms have been processed.
We look forward to seeing many of you at conferences this week.
Warmly,
Shannon
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PTA News
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The La Entrada Used Book Fair
is now open!
Please join us at La Entrada for our annual Used Book Fair! With over 6,000 new & "like-new" books to choose from, we have a great selection of authors and titles for children, young adults and adults alike. 100% of the proceeds from this event directly support La Entrada School and PTA funded programs.
Location:
La Entrada MUR (across from the Office)
Hours:
Monday, November 9th - 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 10th - 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 11th - (closed for Veteran's Day)
Thursday, November 12th - 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday, November 13th - 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Book Prices:
$1, $3, $5, $8 (cash & checks only)
 Sign Up for the La Entrada Geo Bee Contest! 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 drawstring backpack, 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!
Join us for three Tuesday lunchtime practice sessions: Nov. 17, Dec. 8, and Jan. 12. in the MUR
Geo Bee Contest Date and Time: Thursday, January 28th, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., in Jensen Hall
The 2015-2016 Reflections theme is 'Let Your Imagination Fly'
The arts and National PTA® 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.
Please submit your box top coupons and keep collecting more every week!
Our earnings goal this year is $500, together we can make that happen!
Thank you so much for your continued support!! 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 in office for collection. Please do not submit the expired ones.
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. LE Teachers and staff are also welcome to participate.
The class that collects most by Nov 13th will have a surprise class party!
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Las Lomitas Education Foundation
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2015-16 Annual Giving Campaign
There's no better time to give than now!
Last chance to help your grade win the Giving By Grade Challenge! The grade with the highest participation rate by Nov 13th will win $200 per classroom for enrichment activities and supplies.
As of Wednesday, November 4th, 3rd grade continues the lead with 1st closing in and 2nd and 5th grades close behind.
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School News
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4/5 Winter Concert
Thursday, December 3, 2015
6:00 p.m.(dress-rehearsal); 6:45 p.m. doors open; 7:00 p.m. Concert
La Entrada Gym
Concert Attire: White shirts or blouses with black pants, slacks or skirts. Please wear the darkest (black is ideal) shoes that your child owns.
If your child cannot attend the concert, please email Mr. Cooper ahead of the concert.
*Extra Info For 5th Grade Band Parents:
Since all the band students meet weekly in their 'like instrument groupings' it will be necessary to have a couple of full-band rehearsals where the students perform all together prior to the Winter Concert. These two rehearsals will be in the music room starting promptly at 7:30AM (please come a few minutes early to assure all the students get their instruments ready to play and are seated on time- the music room will be open by 7:15 a.m.) on the following two mornings:
- Friday, November 20
- Monday, November 30 (Please note: there is a full week student holiday, including two PD Days and Thanksgiving, between the two full-band rehearsal dates!)
If you get the opportunity, please download IPS (Interactive Practice Studio) on a home computer using the 16 digit code located on the back, inside cover, of your child's "Tradition of Excellence" instrument method book. Please see the attachment on instructions for this procedure. This will give your child the opportunity to play along with all of the concert songs including #19, 18, 20, 22(four soloists will be picked to perform), 23, 24, 27(four soloists will be picked to perform), and #33. Please go to the following link to download your IPS:
 We would like to encourage the use of reusable water bottles at all school events. For teachers and parents holding parties and other events at school, please discourage using single-use plastic water bottles by doing the following: - Encourage students to bring their own reusable water bottle on the day of the event.
- For any who forget, have paper cups available. They can be filled at the water fountain or faucet.
Thanks for helping La Entrada protect our environment!
Halloween Candy Wanted!
Parents, here is a gentle reminder that extra Halloween candy donations are being collected by the Expect Respect Club members before school through Friday. Candy donations will be sent to our troops and homeless shelters.
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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!
Las Lomitas PTA Parent Education Event
"Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age" with Richard Freed, Ph.D.
Monday, November 16, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Cano Hall at Las Lomitas Elementary
The Las Lomitas PTA invites you to hear Richard Freed, Ph.D. speak on the surprising science of raising happy and successful children in a digital age. While technology has ushered in dramatic changes to our lives, research is revealing that the most important contributor to children's well-being is still their connection to family and school. This thought-provoking talk will help you see through destructive tech myths and will provide practical strategies to build a strong family and foster kids' school success in an age of distracting devices.
This LL Parent Education evening is free and open to parents, faculty/staff and community members. Adults only please.
M-A PARENT EDUCATION SERIES
"Finding the Right Fit - A Conversation about the College Search"
Maria Furtado, Executive Director, Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL)
Thursday, November 19, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Menlo-Atherton High School
Join Maria Furtado, Executive Director of Colleges That Change Lives, for a conversation about helping your student find the "right fit" for college.Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. (CTCL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. CTCL supports the goal of each student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college.
Maria Furtado has worked in higher education for over 20 years. Ms. Furtado speaks all around the country to students, parents, and counselors about college rankings and popular misperceptions about college admission, the strength and worth of a liberal arts education, and offers tips for students and parents on how to manage the college search.
Parents, students, faculty/staff and community members welcome! Free admission.
Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available.
M-A Parent Education Series events are sponsored by the M-A PTA, the Sequoia Healthcare District, and the Sequoia Union High School District.
Questions? Email Charlene Margot, M.A., Founding Director, The Parent Education Series, or call (650) 868-0590. For Spanish, contact Lilly Quinonez, Parent Outreach Coordinator, (650) 322-5311, Ext. 50255.
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Community News
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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
Monday, November 9th
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.
 Adopt A Teacher Who Needs Your SupportMake a real difference for a teacher and his/her students by "adopting" a K-8 teacher in East Palo Alto or east Menlo Park for a school year. Provide the teacher with encouraging notes and/or small gifts of appreciation, school supplies and support for two class parties. Financial commitment $500 - $ 600, time commitment very flexible. It's easy and fun to adopt a teacher with friends. Learn more or sign up on the Adopt a Teacher web page or by contacting Jennifer Wythes Vettel.
 SWEET!La Entrada 8th graders registered to attend the 8th grade trip to Washington DC are excited to be fundraising with See's Candies!
At our kick off meeting last week, participating students were provided with colorful brochures to use when advertising the candies for sale. The two items that earn the highest profit for students are the holiday candy boxes, followed by peanut brittle and walnut squares. There are lots of options for holiday gift shopping for friends, family, and co-workers. Safety is always a priority and door-to-door sales are not encouraged. Many students elect to donate 25% or 50% of their profits towards the DC Scholarship Fund while others choose to keep their profits to offset their own DC trip costs.
All See's Candies orders must be paid for at the time of the order with cash or check. Checks are to be made out to "La Entrada".
All order forms (with the cash/checks included in the white envelope) are due in the front office by December 2, 2015. Students and families will be informed when orders are ready for pick-up, sometime during the week of December 7th.
 The Menlo Park Library PresentsTeen Night: Candle Making
Date: November 20th Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Location: Menlo Park Library. Teens, join us at the library for our first-ever candle-making program:- Just for Teens (13-18!)
- Registration required (check here for the registration link)
- After-hours event
- Snacks
- Supplies provided
- Make & take home your own eco-friendly, soy wax candles.
All registered attendees will be sent a Teen Night Registration Form, prior to the event. This form is required to gain entry into the library. Feel free to invite friends!
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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 2016-2017 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.
Menlo-Atherton High School Music Program Fundraiser -- Big Band Dance !!
Are you curious to see the amazing musical talent awaiting your middle-school student at M-A?
Please come to Menlo-Atherton's Big Band Dance to hear all music ensembles (Concert Ban, Orchestra, Jazz Bands) perform on stage. Dance to jazz, swing, and blues tunes, enjoy delicious snacks and drinks at the café, and meet M-A parents, students, and musicians. For more information about the event, go to: http://www.mabandboosters.org/WHAT: M-A's annual Big Band Dance !!
WHEN: November 21, 2015,
7:00-8:00 p.m.
early opening for seniors only (65+) -- admission FREE, although donations very welcome :-)
8:00 to 11:00 p.m. for students ($10) and general adult admission ($25)
WHERE: Ayers (old) Gym on M-A High School Campus
*FREE: Dance Lessons included during the event
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. The shadow program is designed for all students, including transfer students, who are interested in attending Woodside High School. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people; we are sure that you will find Woodside students to be friendly, welcoming, and fun.
Shadowing occurs on B-days during 2nd and 4th periods, brunch, and lunch (click here for the Woodside block schedule.) The shadow program is run through the leadership class and the students in leadership are the shadow leaders. Click here to register to shadow at Woodside.
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 our website for sign ups and more information.
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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