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.
Safety and School Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Please build in some extra time into your morning routines to allow for a less stressful and a safer school drop-off experience. All parents driving students to school are encouraged to please use Altschul or our school parking lot for student drop-off and pick-up. These two designated areas are well-known by parents and the community, which assists drivers in being aware of student pedestrians.
There is a need for all drivers to be mindful of safety when dropping off or picking up students by the Monte Rosa alleyway. The crosswalk next to the alleyway is not to be blocked in any way and drivers are not to drop off students in such a manner that they are blocking the view of the driveway. This school entrance is intended to be a pedestrian entrance. If you are going to drive your child to school, please use Altschul Ave. or our school parking lot to do so.
Thank you for being part of the solution to keep all students safe during the hectic school drop-off and pick-up times.
Project Cornerstone active in downtown Menlo Park -- "Menlo Park Loves Kids"
As many of you are aware, La Entrada is actively engaged with Project Cornerstone as an initiative to promote positive school climate and increase parent involvement with our youth. We currently have the ABC Reader program where parent volunteers read aloud books to our 4th and 5th graders on the subject of anti-bullying and empathy. Our counselor, Mrs. Witthaus, and several parent volunteers oversee the Expect Respect Student Club whose goal is to improve campus climate through student run activities.
Mrs. Dineen recently met with Menlo Park's Council Member and fellow La Entrada dad, Ray Mueller,to discuss some recent developments with Project Cornerstone and Menlo Park City.
Mr. Mueller has met with many downtown businesses and shared with them the developmental assets in Project Cornerstone that focuses on community and youth. Each business listed below has taken a pledge to take positive steps to increase the developmental assets in our young people. Some of the assets these businesses have committed to include:
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To learn the names of children and teenagers who frequent their business and to greet them by name.
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Offer internships for youth with concrete learning opportunities, good supervision and plenty of support and guidance.
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To train employees in the social competencies assets as well as in the competencies ad skills required for their business.
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Support local youth development programs through financial donation, human resources, and in-kind contributions.
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Participate in mentoring programs that pair adults and young people.
You will find an attractive window decal that says, "Menlo Park Loves Kids", signifying that they have taken the Project Cornerstone Pledge, in the front window of the following downtown businesses:
Left Bank, Cheeky Monkey, Cafe Zoe, Keplers Books, The Pet Place, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, Studio Cake, Habibi's Salon, Luttickens, Avanti Pizza, Country Club Cleaners, Village Stationers, Plantation Café, West Bay Cleaners, Twigs and Petals Florist and Mardini's Deli.
Thank you, Council Member Mueller, and all the businesses listed above for agreeing to support our youth and promote positive community relationships!
Best regards,
Shannon Potts
Principal
