8th Grade Graduation
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 Dear La Entrada 8th Grade Parents, It's hard to believe that the 8th grade graduation celebration is just around the corner! Our kids, many of whom have been together for the past 9 years, will be saying good-bye to La Entrada on June 8th.
To celebrate this milestone, the Graduation Committee has been working very hard to plan festivities for our graduates. Although we are fortunate to receive funds from the PTA and Student Council, to make this event a highlight of their La Entrada years, we need to raise additional funds. Your contribution will help cover the cost of the graduation ceremony/reception, the dance party immediately following the ceremony and a pool party at Ladera Recreation Center. Contributions will also help keep the ticket price per student affordable for every family.
Please consider donating to help offset the cost of this wonderful year-end celebration! We need to raise approximately $5,000. Once we have the donations, we will be able to determine the per-student ticket price. Every bit helps as we need to cover the cost of dinner, the D.J., other entertainment, decorations and pool rental for over 100 graduates.
As time is short, we would appreciate receiving your donation by April 1st.
1. Login to your Paypal account
2. Select 'Pay or send money'
3. Select 'Send money to friends or family'
5. Enter the dollar amount you would like to donate and enter your name in the comments field, select Continue
6. Confirm the account from which you want to send the donation (note, if you select to charge to your credit card, you will incur a service fee. You also must select 'Send money to friends' in order to avoid a service fee)
Or send a check to our Treasurer:
Kimberly Sweidy
93 Broadacres Road
Atherton, CA 94027
Thank you for your generosity and support! We look forward to putting together a memorable graduation celebration for our children as they say farewell to La Entrada.
Sincerely,
The Graduation Committee
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From the Principal
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Dear La Entrada Community,
Class Placement for 2016-17: This article outlines our class placement process for La Entrada students in grades 4-8. The faculty spends considerable thought and attention formulating classes that will work best for students. The teachers and administrators consider three major perspectives as we work together to develop class groupings: the needs of the individual child, the need to create balance within each classroom, and the need to create balance among classrooms at a grade level. The teachers work carefully to create classrooms that are evenly balanced in terms of: -
Gender, social maturity, interest, student background
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Academics-high, medium, and low performing students
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Special needs-students who work with our many specialists such as English Learner Support, Speech and Language, the Resource Program, Reading and/or Math Intervention
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Health and other special needs
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Social relationships
For Students Entering Grades 4-5: The process for composing classes involves all teachers at a grade level working together to develop classes for the next grade. As they work together during several meetings, the administration and support staff also provide perspectives based on their knowledge of the children. As appropriate, input from prior teachers is tapped. We believe that your child's current teacher possesses the necessary information and understanding concerning your child to make an appropriate grouping for the coming school year. Teachers' names are not assigned until after the class configurations are complete.
In order to maintain balance in class size we may have multi-graded classes. For the 2016-17 school year, we do not anticipate a 4/5 multi-grade class, but want you to understand the process in case that changes. Multi-grade classes are of the same high caliber as all other classes. These classes are formed using the same process described above.
We do expect that parents will trust and respect the judgment of staff in making classroom placement decisions. We do not accept requests for specific teachers because such requests would compromise our ability to develop balanced classes - which would impact all children. Since requests for specific teachers are not helpful to this process, we ask that you do not formally or informally make requests for specific teachers.
While we do not accept teacher requests, it is helpful for us to know if you have had an older child in a specific classroom that did not work well for him or her. If you wish to provide additional perspectives about your child that you believe we are not aware of and that could be useful to us as we engage in the grouping process, we offer that opportunity through a Google Form. Remember, this is optional. There is no expectation that you fill in the form. It is simply our way of offering an additional opportunity for those of you who want to provide more input. Please note that while we do our best to accommodate student needs in the classrooms.
For Students Entering Grades 6-8: The process for these grade levels is much more "technology" dependent because we offer students a wide variety of courses in a manner that is more typical of a high school. We use a computer system to do the scheduling of students in grades 6-8. The process looks like this: -
The students fill out their registration forms, listing their elective choices for the following year. (This has already happened.)
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We develop a master schedule that has the highest probability of meeting the highest percent of student requests. This is a list of classes, what periods of the day the classes will take place, the teachers for each class, maximum number of students for the class, and the room where the classes are held..
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Students' elective choices are entered into the system, as well as a list of the required courses they must take.
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The computer places the students into a schedule which allows for the closest match of the student getting his/her top elective choices as well as the required courses.
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The computer generates a list of students who were unable to be scheduled completely. We then look at the students' other elective choices to see how to make the schedule work. The 7th and 8th graders choose six electives because it may not be possible to give the students their 1st elective choice even though we try to do so. Each 6th grade student chooses three language courses because it may not be possible to give the students their 1st language choice even though we try to do so.
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We print out a list of all classes and make necessary adjustments to try to balance the class groupings.
In August, the administration and counselors review and finalize class lists to accommodate students who have enrolled or moved away over the summer. We put tremendous effort into creating balanced classes to best meet the needs of all of our students. We are continually refining the process and are proud of our results. If you have important information about your child's placement for next year, please submit that information to me via the Google Form before April 15, 2015.
Any placement information received after this date may not be considered due to our placement schedule, unless there are extenuating circumstances. If you've sent information in prior years that is still relevant, please include that information as well. Thank you for your cooperation in adhering to this deadline.
Parent Ed Options: Parents that prefer an evening parenting class here is your opportunity. The class is about Explorations in Parenting Teens. The city of Belmont Diversion Program and the StarVista counseling center are co-sponsoring a free four week series on issues related to raising teens in today's stressful and chaotic word. The group will meet each Tuesday March 1 through March 22nd from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. to learn from youth mental health counselors and explore topics that trouble many parents and teens. You are welcome to come to any or all of the sessions. Please RSVP to counselingcenter@star-vista.org. Limited to 50 participants so respond today! The meetings will be held in the Belmont City Hall, 2nd floor, 1 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont , CA
There are flyers in the front office that give greater details of what is happening each session or you can email counselor Kim Witthaus and she can email it to you.
Upcoming Events:
- March 2: PTA General Meeting, 9:00 a.m.
Join us for our spring general meeting in the MUR. Eric Holm, LLESD's Bond Supervisor,
will update us on the new facilities coming to La Entrada. The designs are exciting!
- March 4: 6th-8th Grade Dance, 7:00 p.m.
We hope your child can join us for the La Entrada Dance next Friday, March 4th, at 7:00p.m. in Jensen Hall. Permission slips will be coming home today. Tickets will be sold next Monday and Tuesday at lunch for $3.00 ($4.00 without student ID), and Wednesday at lunch for $5.00. Students must bring signed permission slips to obtain dance tickets. Should you misplace your permission slip hard copy, please click the link below for a digital copy, located in the Student Life tab of the La Entrada webpage.
Warmly, Shannon
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PTA News
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Lunchtime Enrichment Book Clubs meet this Wednesday, March 2 in the library.
It's never too late to join, so please encourage your child to come to the library with his/her lunch to join a group and help select the book for next month. We do love our readers at La Entrada!
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Las Lomitas Education Foundation
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Thank you to all of our donors. We still need your help to reach our 80% participation goal. It's not too late to donate! PLEASE DONATE NOW.
Can you help us make the Auction Catalog awesome?
We rely on parents like you to help make our auction catalog one of the best around. If you think you have something to offer, we would love to work with you.
Here's a partial wish list of things we are looking for: Sports tickets, special experiences, getaways/vacation homes, fine wine, party hosts, cooking classes, memorabilia - get creative!
Don't have anything to donate? Consider underwriting items that we can't get for free. At Las Lomitas, we especially need sponsors and hosts for the most popular grade-level parties such as the 3rd grade graduation party and incoming grade level parties. Please let us know if you would like to help sponsor or underwrite an event - it's a fun and meaningful way to get involved.
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Las Lomitas League
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Reminder-Mandatory meeting for all those signed up or interested in playing Tennis in the Spring. Meet the new coach and get information on the upcoming season on Wednesday, March 2nd at 7:30 p.m. in the MUR.
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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!
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Community News
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 The Broadway Production of Disney's The Little Mermaid
Woodside High School is proud to be one of the first local productions to present Disney's The Little Mermaid in its full Broadway version.
Dates:
Friday, March 11 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 12- 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 13- 2:00 p.m.
Friday, March 18- 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 19- 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 20 - 2:00 p.m.
Click here to buy tickets. Woodside productions are always sold out!
Senior Fashion Show "Be aM-Amazing" on March 19
Mark your calendars now for the 2016 M-A Fashion Show on Saturday, March 19, in the Performing Arts Center. There will be three performances: 1 :00 p.m. (preceded by a catered luncheon), 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The fashion show is a professionally choreographed, high-energy production that stars our incredible senior class.
For over 35 years, the fashion show has been an M-A tradition and the PTA's largest fundraiser, providing funding for many of the important student and school services we have come to expect at Menlo-Atherton. The show helps the seniors bond and celebrates their last year at M-A while bringing the community together to celebrate the spirit that is M-A. If you have never been to one of our fashion shows, this is the year to attend. Don't miss it!
Tickets go on sale here Tuesday, March 1!
2016 M-A Foundation Auction Party! Early Bird Tickets on Sale!
Buy your tickets now and keep M-A Rocking! Saturday, March 12, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. A night of unforgettable music and dancing at the Fox Forum in Redwood City.
This new, fun, club setting is the perfect place to party...where the music (high-energy party band Pulse) and company will rock you and the live auction items will make you roar! #MARocknRoar
Friends of the Menlo Park Library Needs Volunteers
We're looking for help on a regular basis (3-4 hours per week for at least 6 months) at the main Library located at 800 Alma Street. Our volunteers turn 200,000 donated books per year into dollars that support our Library's programs and events. Our Library is a vital community resource for students, alums and parents so please consider joining our team. We offer plenty of training and support plus flexible hours and a congenial environment. Must be eighteen or older. We're reachable by phone at ( 650) 330-2521 and by email at info@friendsmpl.org .
Classroom Volunteers Needed - An Hour a Week Could Change a Student's Life
Have you enjoyed volunteering in your child's classroom? Then consider visiting a classroom in east Menlo Park or East Palo Alto where there are virtually no parent volunteers. Our All Students Matter volunteers work once a week for about an hour on reading and math skills with kids in grades K-4. Sign up now to start in September. We provide training and coordinate everything. To learn more or sign up, visit us online or email Keri Tully.
FAMILY SKATING PARTY
Community-building event sponsored by the Northern California Debate League
Whether you are a debater or non-debater, skater or non-skater, you are invited and will have a great time! Enjoy snacks and skating in a friendly atmosphere and meet other families in our community. Debate coach extraordinaire Brier Buchalter will also join in the fun!
When: Sunday, March 20th, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Who: Everyone in the school community is welcome. NOT A DROP OFF EVENT, so at least one parent/guardian needs to be present.
Cost: $16 per skater, $5 per non-skater (includes: entry fee, snacks and skate rental for skaters)
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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.
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. 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.
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