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September 6, 2013
Vol. 14, #4
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
September 9
Board Meeting, 6pm Cherry campus

September 25
Early Release Day
(Spirit Day - $1)

October 4
NO SCHOOL-In service

October 16  
High School Fair  
(for 7/8 grade students)

October 19
Boo Bayou

November 2
Allez 5K  
SchoolLeaders
SCHOOL LEADERS

A Message from Our Head of School and Cherry Street Principal 

Contact: Elimane Mbengue, [email protected]

Heather Royce, [email protected]

 

Thank you so much to all the families who attended the Parent Information Nights at Oak on Wednesday and Cherry last night. We are fortunate to have such an involved parent community.  
Bon weekend!

Elimane Mbengue, Head of School
Heather Royce, K-2 Principal 
  
NewsNEWS

Parent Association News 

Contact: Janelle Sjue, [email protected]   

 

Thank you to all who attended the first PA meeting of the school year!As you know, we have exciting events planned for this year, and need volunteers. Remember this is a great way to get involved and make a difference at Acad�mie Lafayette.

 

Volunteer Opportunities:

Boo Bayou is October 19, and we need volunteers for help that night. Interested? Please contact Erika Moore: [email protected] / (816)679.0983

 

We are still searching for an Evening In Paris chair. Remember, you can co-chair this also. Interested? Please contact Janelle: [email protected] 

 

We are looking for a parent to coordinate Teacher Appreciation at Oak Street campus, inDecember and May. Interested? Contact Tufanza Primos: [email protected] or via mobile at 816.686.5419

 

And remember to check out the Repeat Boutique at either campus to donate or take gently used uniforms.

 

AL Begins a new Citizenship Program!  

Contact: Lara Troutner, [email protected]
 
Our new Citizenship program will be launched by bringing back our "student of the month" assemblies and a monthly focus on Character Traits and Values.

September character trait is RESPECT.

School Counselor, Mme, Troutner will talk with all students about what it means to have Respect for Yourself, Others and Authority. We have been discussing rights and responsibilities during counseling time and one such right is : I have the right to be respected and a responsibility to treat others with RESPECT. 

As part of our Citizenship Program, each homeroom class will have one student of the month that is celebrated at the assembly. This month the chosen student will have shown excellent abilities in demonstrating RESPECT.

 

 Our students are very excited about this new program. Talk to your kids about how they can show respect not only at school but at home too.
 

For Grades 3-5:
Turn in Your HealtheKids Forms! 

Contact: Alexis Cook, [email protected]   

Dear Parents/Guardians

The students in grades 3-6 received their permission forms for the HealtheKids school health screenings Wednesday this week.  Please fill out these forms and turn them in to your child's homeroom teacher as soon as possible. As an incentive, the first class in each grade to hand in 100% of their responses will win a pizza party!  The only part of this form that MUST be completed is the permission page (the second gray page in the packet.) The final two pages are demographic information and health history, this information is helpful to have, but is not required for your child to be screened.  If your child was screened by HealtheKids last year and this information has not changed, you may print "no changes" at the top of those pages.

During this process your student will receive a vision screening, hearing screening, Dental screening, vital signs, and a head-to-toe assessment School health screenings are often how health issues are identified in school aged children and help contribute to the overall health of our school.  These screenings are completed by registered nurses during the school day with minimal interruption to your child's day. When the screenings are completed, you will receive a personalized packet with all the results and health information obtained during your child's screening.   

If you choose to withhold your child from this screening process, please fill out the orange half sheet of paper that is attached to this packet and return it to your child's homeroom teacher in order to be included in the class total to win the pizza party. If you have filled out the orange sheet AND the other sheets which give permission, your child will be screened.

As of Thursday, we have a 26% return rate with 24% of eligible students already consenting to be screened.  This is a fabulous return so far! Keep it up! 
 
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or email.

Thank you,  
Alexis Cook, RN, BSN 
Oak Street Nurse 
 

Traffic Reminder: Oak Campus

Our clockwise traffic pattern is working beautifully! Keep it up!

Our problem area is on the south side of the building on 69th Terrace. Drivers, please adhere to the "No Parking" zone. This is a critical safety matter, as when cars are parked illegally, students cannot see to safely cross the street.

Cars leaving the parking lot, please drive slowly and cautiously, yielding to pedestrians. Thank you for helping to keep our students safe. 
 

Feedback Requested Soon:
2013 Summer Camp
   

Please watch your email inbox next week for a "Summer School Survey." We'll be gathering parent opinions and responses to the 2013 summer camp in order to to strengthen and continue to improve our programming. 
 

Cherry Street is Getting Greener!  

If you hang out at the Cherry Street playground, you may have noticed something new! A compost bin has been hand-constructed by parents of 1st grader Liam Witte. Jenni and Jacob heard about the need to manage garden waste, grass clippings, and coffee grounds. (Our teachers drink quite a bit of coffee!) They took action and now we have this awesome bin. Special thanks to Jenni, Jacob and Liam!

 
 

Student Agendas: $10 

If you have not paid for your student's agenda, please send your payment in now. Students in first through eighth grades received agendas. 
 

AL Themed Sweatshirts for Sale! 

It's hot now but before you know it a chill will be in the air.  Order your Academie Lafayette logo sweatshirts and t-shirts now!  Sweatshirts may be worn to school any day over a collared uniform shirt.  T-shirts may be worn for gym class and on causal days.  Orders will be accepted through September 16th with delivery expected in early October.  Forms are available here and can be turned into the office at either campus.
Download the order form here. 
 

Music News: Band and Choir 

Contact: Steve Swanson, [email protected]

Welcome back to school! It's time to begin after school music. Beginning band will be on Tuesday this year from 3:45 to 4:30. Beginning band is open to 4th to 8th grade students. The instruments include: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, electric bass, and percussion (bells).

Beginning band will start on Tuesday, Sept. 17th. Advanced band will be on Thursdays this year, from 3:45-4:30. 

 

Luyben music has a rent to own program, as does Meyer music in Blue Springs. Because of the cost of these instruments, rent-to-own comes in handy.

Contact numbers: Meyer - 816-228-5656, Luyben, (43rd & Main) - 816-753-7111. You will also need to purchase the book "Standard of Excellence" Book 1 for your child's instrument.

 

Choir will begin on Monday, September 23rd. Choir is on Mondays from 3:45-4:30 and is open to 3rd-8th grade. The number of choir students is limited to 50. If your child is interested in choir, send them to the first rehearsal on the 23rd. They must be picked up PROMPTLY AT 4:30. New 3rd grade choir members will begin on Monday, October 14th.

 

Lastly, I'm very excited that all middle school music will now be guitar class! We have 23 guitars here at school. They are � size nylon string Lyons guitars. If your child does not have a guitar at home, and would like one for practicing at home, these guitars go for $49.95 and come with a carry bag. I don't know of a better deal. With 10 minutes a day practice at home, I can guarantee your child will succeed

 

The guitars can be ordered through the Woodwind Brasswind at wwbw.com. The item # is 474704 902.

If you need to get in touch with me, please email me at [email protected].

 

Have a great year!

Steve Swanson

 

Suzuki Group Violin Lessons!    

Contact: Anne Calvert, [email protected]

Group violin lessons are starting soon. Beginning lessons are open to all 2nd and 3rd grade students with no previous violin experience. The cost of lessons at Academie Lafayette is less than $10 per lesson! Continuing lessons are open to all students who have successfully completed beginning group lessons. All lessons are after school on campus. Please check your child's backpack for an application form. Forms will also be available in both offices. If you have any questions, please contact Anne Calvert at [email protected]. Happy playing! 

Orchestra News
Beginning Orchestra will be on Wednesdays after school starting September 18. Beginning orchestra is open to all string musicians with no experience and with no audition necessary. Rehearsals are from 3:35 to 4:35 in the music room. Please contact Anne Calvert at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Advanced orchestra is by audition and will begin the week of September 23, day and room TBD. Auditions for advanced orchestra are on September 11 at 3:35 in the band room. Bring a prepared piece and be ready to do some sight reading for the audition. Please contact Anne Calvert at [email protected] if you have any questions.  
 

Spring 2014 France Trip Info  

Contact: Leslie Houfaidi, [email protected]

Next meeting date for the current school year's trip for 6th graders:
* Tuesday, September 17, 6pm Oak Auditorium
If you haven't applied yet, you can get your form that evening.

Payment Schedule for France 2014
Next payment due: October 1 - $800

A total of $1,700 should be paid by October 1st.
1st payment  - March 20, 2013 - $400 (plus app & photo)
2nd payment - May 24, 2013 - $500
3rd payment - Oct. 1, 2013 - $800
4th payment - Nov. 15, 2013 - $800
5th payment - Jan. 8, 2014 - $500
Final payment - March ? - Balance

A link to the "Frequently asked questions" page on the website can be found here.

Fundraising
FUNDRAISING/DONATIONS/SALES

Merci: Walton Family Foundation  

The Walton Family Foundation recently provided a $5,000 donation to support our school's needs and ongoing programs. The donation was facilitated by Arvest Bank. Arvest Bank representatives Mark Larrabee (President) and Michelle Fittro (Vice President of Marketing) visited the Oak Street Campus to present the funds. Accepting the check on behalf of the school are our lucky students: Cyrus Words and Louisa Gear.

 

Raffle Time! 

Did your student bring home raffle tickets and instructions last Friday? If not, check that backpack! Students who sell 20 tickets by 9/18 win an awesome, one-of-a-kind t-shirt IN FRENCH! We plan to have t-shirts delivered to students within a week of receiving 20 ticket stubs and money. Please remember to indicate the appropriate size. This year's shirts run large but we ordered extra youth sizes. 
 
REMEMBER THAT EVERY TUESDAY IS T-SHIRT TUESDAY! Students may wear this year's raffle t-shirt (but not prior year's shirts) with their uniform bottom. The earlier you get those tickets in, the sooner they can start wearing the shirt!
 
If you're feeling overwhelmed, please check the SignUp Genius link  for places and times to sell with others. It is frequently updated with new dates and locations so check it often! 
 
You can find this link and lots of other important raffle information on the AL website under the CASH RAFFLE tab.
 
Lastly, if you don't plan to sell tickets, please return them to the front office of either campus. 
 
Thank you for supporting our school!

Merci, et bonne chance!
--
Shelly Doucet
Development Director

 

Painless Fundraising Really Works! Thanks TARGET and PARENTS! 

Contact: Alise, [email protected]

Wouldn't you like to receive a $1600 check from Target? WE DID! And it's thanks to YOU! Those of you who have Target Red Cards (credit or debit cards) save 5% on store purchases but also can designate 1% of your purchases to our school! (This is also a great idea on how to get extended family - aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. - to support our school)
 
If you shop at Target and don't have a Red Card, get one and designate our school as your beneficiary! Get on the Target website (click here) and learn about it!
 
It's painless fundraising!
 

 

Get 80 BONUS BOX TOPS!  

Contact: Alise, [email protected]

Get 80 Bonus Box Tops when you buy ANY 12 General Mills Box Tops for Education products in a single visit between 7/6/13 and 9/8/13 at Price Chopper. Click here to download the mail-in form or pick one up from Customer Service at your local Price Chopper. Look for the Box Tops coupon on your favorite General Mills products to find items that qualify for this offer.

 

SpottedAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS...SPOTTED
For the month of September at One More Cup, the illustrations of AL parent, Steve Willaredt, (daughters Lucy in 3rd & Zoe in 1st) will be featured. They are Harry Potter themed, and absolutely wonderful! There will be a reception on Thursday, September 19, from 5-8 p.m. and a chance to purchase prints of some of the pieces that evening.  One More Cup's Facebook page, has an image and invitation for the event.

Sixth grade student and talented illustrator, Gaston Meya, will be showing and selling his artwork at the Westport Art Fair, Friday Sept. 6th - Sunday Sept. 8th, in his mom's booth #43. All proceeds from the sale of his drawings are going towards his 6th grade trip to France. In August Gaston had a show of his artwork in the Crossroads Arts District and sold 45 drawings.

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

SportsSPORTS
Allez 5K 
Contact: Carrie Ross, [email protected]

Allez 5K registration is open!  Please visit www.allez5k.net to sign up to run (or walk) the beautiful 5K course through Brookside.  Race starts at 9 am Saturday, November 2 from the Oak St campus.  Finishers get a medal and everyone who enters gets a t shirt.  All ages can participate in this event.  Entry fee is only $25.

Still not convinced to run?  You can volunteer!  Please see the "contact us" page at the website for information on volunteering. 

 

WantedVOLUNTEERS/WANTED/CLASSIFIEDS
Guitar Lessons Offered  
Contact: Franck Brichet, [email protected], 913-645-6529

This year again, Mr. Brichet will be giving guitar lessons to children and adults.

 

Lessons include: 30 minutes once a week of teaching music, reading exercises, guitar playing and singing.