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August 16, 2013
Vol. 14, #1
Calendar for 2013-2014
Contact Us
K-2 campus:
3421 Cherry Street
KC, MO 64109
P 816-888-7400
F 816-888-7410

3-8 campus:
6903 Oak Street
KC, MO 64113
P 816-361-7735
F 816-361-5788


Alumni Check in Here
CHECK IN HERE!  
Contents
News 
Sports
Fundraising
Wanted
Calendar
June 7
Raffle Kickoff


August 28
Early Dismissal
(Cherry 12:45, Oak 1:00)

September 2
NO SCHOOL - Labor Day 

September 3
NWEA Testing begins 
 
September 6 
Casual Day

November 2
Allez 5K  
SchoolLeaders
SCHOOL LEADERS

A Message from Our Head of School

Contact: Elimane Mbengue, [email protected]

 

The challenge of scheduling

We are off to another exciting school year! I cannot believe how fast the summer went. We have had a smooth start: the building was very clean, classrooms ready and the buses on time. It's wonderful to see so much enthusiasm!

 

The first day of school for the Middle School saw some confusion due to a more complex scheduling approach.  We adopted a new organization of the middle school day giving more instructional time to Math, French and English while introducing a different approach to grouping the 8th graders.  So we went from traditional 50 min periods for all subjects to more instructional times for Math, French and English aligned to DESE recommendation.

 

In 8th grade we have now a different grouping of students depending on whether they are in the End of Course Exam classes, support classes, science or social study classes. We have also relocated the Middle School onto the 3rd floor so that the students are closer to their lockers to minimize disruption.

 

In division 2 (3rd to 5th grade), the biggest change was made in 4th grade with a math / science team on one hand and French and social studies team on the other hand.

 

Thank you all for your continued support! 

 

Elimane Mbengue, Head of School  

 

A Message from Our Cherry Principal

Contact: Heather Royce, [email protected]

 


We've had a great first week at the Cherry Campus.  It was wonderful to see so many families and to get hugs from our new and returning students.  Thank you for your patience with the minor bus delays and the the heavy traffic at arrival and dismissal.  Here are a few reminders to help keep our kids safe and to make the beginning and end of the day go smoothly for students, staff, and parents.

1.  Doors open at 7:30am on Cherry only.  Please do not park on the right side (school side) of the street, as that is where the buses unload.  Any student arriving between 7:30 and 8:00am will be directed to the cafeteria.
2.  Doors open at 8:00am on Kenwood for parents who want to drop off there. Again, please do not park on the right side because we need to keep the line of cars moving.
3.  Remember there is parking in the church lot on the east side of Kenwood.
4.  At dismissal, we ask parents who arrive on Kenwood to wait until the buses are loaded before entering the east doors to pick up students from classrooms. The doors on Cherry will be opened at 3:15pm.

Beginning Wednesday (8/21), we will ask all parents to begin dropping their children off at the curb or to say their goodbyes at the school door.  Parents will not be able to walk their kids to the classrooms.  We want students to become independent and to transition smoothly to their school routines.  We have plenty of staff on hand to escort kids and make sure they get to their classrooms.  If you need to bring snacks or talk to the nurse, please come in the main entrance on Cherry and check in at the reception office.  Remember, mornings are not a good time to try to conference with a teacher, as they have 20 students to supervise.  If you have information to share, please send a note or an email.  If there is an urgent matter, please visit with the social worker (Beth Walker), the nurse (Mary Ammatelli) or the principal.

Thank you again for your support. We look forward to a fantastic year!

Madame Royce
Cherry Street Principal 

 

NewsNEWS

Parent Association News

Contact: Janelle Sjue, [email protected]
816-216-1565

 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

On behalf of Acad�mie Lafayette and in my capacity as incoming President of the Parent Association (PA), allow me to welcome all of our returning students as well as
new students. I hope your summer has been relaxing and fun. We, as the newly-elected PA, are looking forward to reconnecting with returning families, teachers, and staff and meeting new friends.

Let me introduce myself, I am mom to Nora who is in 6th grade, Finn who is a 4th grader, and Duhn, a kindergartner this year. This is my first venture as a PA officer and I am excited to get started!

I am honored to be able to partner with Acad�mie Lafayette to promote an excellent educational experience for our children. My family's experience has been enriched by our interaction with the Acad�mie Lafayette community. The more active we are with
the school has given us opportunities to get to know many of the school's amazing teachers, students, staff and other parents. I am always wowed by the creativity and warmth that our community possesses.

I know you are busy with the activities of everyday life, but even a small gift of your time and talent can significantly fortify the success of Acad�mie Lafayette. Whether it is supporting our teachers and staff by being a room parent or volunteering for the main PA fundraising event, An Evening In Paris, your contribution matters. The money generated underwrites Acad�mie Lafayette events, field trips, extracurricular activities, and even classroom materials. We as the PA would love to be able to connect your talents and resources with service opportunities. Please, consider volunteering.

One of our goals this year is to keep the Acad�mie Lafayette community informed on the ongoing successes and challenges our school faces in the development of a great school. To reach this goal we urge you to engage with us by attending meetings,
volunteering and utilizing input opportunities. The date of the first PA meeting is approaching and I hope to see you there! Contact me or any of the PA board members with questions, ideas or observations.

Warmly,
Janelle Sjue
Parent Association President 
 

Parent Handbook for 13-14 

This year's Parent Handbook is available for downloading here, or on the Parent Resources page of the school website.

Paper copies will be available at each campus on Monday.

Oak Traffic Reminder

Contact: Katie Hendrickson, [email protected] 

 

Thanks to everyone who has been following the clockwise traffic pattern at Oak. Keep it up!  

 

Let's all remember to keep our traffic around the Oak Street campus moving smoothly by driving in a clockwise rotation around the campus.

Enter from Oak on 69th STREET and exit onto Oak from 69th TERRACE. Drive clockwise around the campus, and please do not park illegally. 

 

 

When dropping off at the bottom of the north stairs (on 69th St.) please do not park and leave your car. When using the parking lot drop off, please pull forward so that several cars may unload riders at the same time.  

 

Thanks for your cooperation!   

 

We're looking for crossing guards for morning and afternoons. If you, a grandparent, neighbor, etc. would like to volunteer, please contact Katie Hendrickson. 

 

Computer Class Reminder

Contact: Alix Lasker, [email protected]

Dear parents and students, welcome back! We have many new things coming to computer class this year, including a new classroom and new robotics and programming lessons.

All students need to bring headphones in a ziplock bag with their name written on the bag so that head lice is easier prevented. The headphones will be stored by class in the lab to avoid mix-ups.

After their first computer class, students will bring home the "Computer-user agreements". Please fill them out and sign, and return them to me. It is extremely important, as students will not be allowed on the computers until I have received a complete form.

Also, remember to check out www.lemondedal.com for learning resources. Thank you for your support in your child's education! If you need to get a hold of me, email is the best way: [email protected].

Alix Lasker
Computer teacher
(816) 361 - 7735

Early Dismissal Reminder

Our first early dismissal day is coming up on Wednesday, August 28th. Cherry Street will release at 12:45 and Oak will release at 1:00.

For parents who need childcare on these days, the YMCA will offer the service. Pick up a registration form from either campus, or download the form here.

Spots are limited, so call ahead to reserve. Costs are as follows:
* $25 annual registration fee
* $25/Wednesday (or $5 for Free/Reduced Lunch)

The $25 daily fee also includes 3 days of "drop in" care afterschool (good only in same month as the Wed.) Parents should alert Y of their drop in days 24-48 hours in advance so adequate staffing can be arranged.

Call Nick Fleeman with questions. 913-387-2410

Uniform Repeat Boutique  

Contact: Diane Rizzo, [email protected]

Did you know FREE uniform pieces are available for any student? A uniform boutique, with gently used pieces is located at both Cherry and Oak campus. Oak campus has hundreds of khaki pieces in all sizes, for boys and girls.  Oak also has dozens of red and white and blue shirts and some sweaters. Cherry has many khaki pieces, as well as red and blue and white shirts and sweaters.  PLEASE TAKE AS MANY PIECES AS YOU NEED. Make this work for your family. TAKE, DONATE, EXCHANGE! 

I am in the process of stocking even more uniform pieces so check periodically for sizes you need. If you have any questions or need help locating something specific, contact me at [email protected]

Cub Scout Information 

Contact: Erik McCarthy, [email protected]

Interested in joining Cub Scouts? Pack 50 is having their annual parent orientation meeting Monday, Aug. 19th, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Broadway Methodist Church at 74th and Wornall. Any boy going into the 1st-5th grade is able to join Cub Scouts.

This meeting will give an overview of the Cub Scouting program.
If interested in joining, we will be accepting registrations at that time. Pack 50 is the official Cub Scout Pack for Acad�mie Lafayette. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Cub Scout Master Erik McCarthy at [email protected]. Hope to see you Monday!

Fundraising
FUNDRAISING/DONATIONS/SALES

Hold Onto Your Hats! It's Raffle Time! 

What? Didn't we just do that? Yes, last year we moved the raffle to the spring to help with 6th grade fundraising. We found that the fall season is best for this event, and plan to kick it off on Friday, August 23rd. Watch backpacks for tickets, instructions, and details on student seller prizes!

 

Birthday Fun Benefits School 

How do you and your family celebrate birthdays? Maybe you have an important tradition or simply enjoy a homemade cake. For AL parent Becky Smith's milestone birthday, her family hosted a party in the tap room of Waldo Pizza. 20% of that night's proceeds will be allocated to the Cherry Street playground and Becky received many other cash donations for the same in lieu of gifts.
Maybe you heard about a birthday party for two little girls, both named Grace. They raised money for the school at their party too.

If you decide to support our school and celebrate at the same time, please let us know! Contact Shelly Doucet, Development Director at 816-886-8760.

 

Call for Photos! 

Do you have a special photo of your student in uniform or at school from last year? Would you like to have it considered for inclusion in the 2011-2012 Annual Report? If so, please send it to Shelly Doucet at [email protected].

 

SpottedAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS...SPOTTED
Report your sightings of parents or students accomplishments to Katie Hendrickson at [email protected].

SportsSPORTS
Soccer Registration Open 
Registration is open at Brookside Soccer Club 
Click here brooksidesoccer.org to register. 

 

Volleyball  
Contact: Stephanie O'Sullivan, 816-679-5700

If your child is in middle school (6th to 8th grade) and is interested on playing volleyball this fall, contact 
Stephanie O'Sullivan at 816-679-5700 for a co-ed team competing through the YMCA league as soon as possible. Places are limited. The games take place on Saturdays from September 21 through October 26.  Practice will be once per week in the evening at the Oak Street campus beginning the first week of September; time and day to be determined.  

Allez 5K 
It's on! Mark your calendars for the 2nd annual Allez 5K to benefit the 6th Grade class.  The race will be held Saturday, November 2, 2013.  It is open to all ages and abilities (walkers welcome!).  We will start and finish at the Oak St. campus.  We will need volunteers and could always use some sponsors.  Please contact Carrie Ross ([email protected]) if you would like to learn more.  Or visit the website for course info, photos from last year's event and registration: www.allez5k.net

 

WantedVOLUNTEERS/WANTED/CLASSIFIEDS