6 FebrUARY 2015

Le Journal 



A message from our head of school

Fund-A-Need at Work!

Dear Acad�mie Lafayette Parents,

 

Everyone likes to hear good things about their children - and the Head of School is no exception.

 

Last week our 6th grade students visited the Nelson Atkins Museum to 6th grade field trip to nelson reinforce their studies of ancient Egyptian and Chinese civilizations, the discovery of King Tut's tomb and ancient civilizations use of calendars.  They also visited the modern art galleries.  While it is always impressive to hear that our students are expanding their knowledge at the museums it is even more impressive to hear reports of their exemplary behavior.  According to Mr. Sprehe:

 

"All of the students represented Academie Lafayette in fine fashion as they were attentive scholars and asked numerous perceptive questions. After browsing for ten minutes, students wrote descriptive journal entries while looking at modern art, Picasso, and African displays among others. 6th grade at Nelson  It was quite amazing for the other visitors to observe 40 6th graders lying on the floor and writing in complete silence for ten minutes. Later everyone also had a wonderful time at Winstead's

6th grade at Winsteads


 


 
Thank you to the parents and teachers who served as chaperons, and thank you to the PTSO for providing the funding for the transportation.


 

I am also pleased to share with you that we have two students that are Silver Key Award recipients in the 2015 Missouri Writing Region of the Scholastic Writing Awards Contest.  They are: Ella Norton, a 7th grader in Ms. McCreary's class, and Harper Dziedzic, an 8th grader in Mrs. McDowell's class. Their pieces were selected from nearly 1,000 submissions from Missouri and the Kansas City, Kansas, area.  Both pieces will be published in Missouri Youth Write, an online publication that will be available in June 2015.  The pieces are also currently being judged at the national level; national winners will be notified in mid-March.

 

Both students and their teachers will be recognized by the Language Arts Write to Learn Conference on Friday, February 27, 2015.  

 

Many thanks to Mr. Sprehe, Ms. McCreary and Mrs. McDowell.

 

With this good news I wish everyone Bon Weekend.

 

Elimane Mbengue 


A message from our cherry street principal

Cherry Campus News

Cherry still needs parents and grandparents to be volunteer readers!

Last week in the newsletter, we asked for volunteers who can commit to reading (in English) to 2nd graders- once a week for approximately 45 minutes.

We will provide orientation and training, but we do need volunteers to get a background check done. 

Please email me at [email protected], Diane Balagna at [email protected], or call the main office at Cherry (888-7400) for more information.

Madame Heather
K-2 Principal

in this issue

* Leadership Notes 

* Calendar

* PTSO events

* In the Spotlight

* Sports 

* Info Share

* Fundraising 

 

Deadlines for the newsletter are Wednesdays at noon (for a five day week).

Advertisements and payments must be turned in Wednesdays by noon.



calendar

Upcoming Events

February 9
Board Meeting - Oak Campus, 6pm


February 23 
PTSO General Meeting - Cherry Campus, 6pm
February 13
Valentine's Day Parties - Cherry 2:15pm
Oak, 2:30pm

February 25
NO SCHOOL - 
Staff In-Service

February 16 
SNOW MAKE-UP DAY - President's Day - School will be in session

February 26-27 
NO SCHOOL - Parent- Teacher Conference


February 18
AL Open House - Cherry Campus, 5-7pm

Summer School Dates for Students: Wednesday, June 10th, to Thursday, July 23rd. Summer School will not be in session on Friday, July 3rd. 

Download the 2014-15 School Calendar by clicking here.


info sharing

Have an Article for the Newsletter?  

Send to: [email protected]
Deadlines are each Wednesday at noon (for a regular five day week.) Please put "Newsletter Article" in the subject line. 

Art or photos should be in .jpg format. Ads in .jpg format. AL reserves the right to approve all items for the newsletter. 
info sharing

PTSO: Upcoming events

PTSO General Meeting - Monday February 23, 6pm, Cherry Campus.  Agenda topics will include Evening in Paris update, fundraising, PTSO budget process for upcoming year and PTSO executive board election process.  Both budget and new officers will be voted on in May meeting.  Past meeting notes can be found here: http://www.academielafayette.org/parent-association/
info sharing

The Yearbook Needs Your Pictures!

Parents, did you attend class events, field trips, class presentations, special ceremonies, assemblies, or other school events this year? Did you take pictures of your child(ren), the class, or event performers? If so, please consider sharing them so that all children can enjoy them! 
Photos taken on cellphones often work quite well with the program, so they do not have to be taken with a fancy camera. 
Help make this yearbook the best one yet, email all of your school and event pictures to Jodi Brown, [email protected]. Thank you so much for your help! 

 

info Sharing

Calling All 5th Grade Families for France Trip '16

The France trip informational meeting will be March 5th at 6 pm in the Oak auditorium. Anyone interested in learning about the trip is welcome to attend. If you plan on sending your 5th grade child to France next year, please come to the meeting, as crucial information and deadlines will be shared. The online registration and the first payment are due April 1 for next year's trip. The meeting usually only lasts an hour.
Questions? Contact Leslie Houfaidi  [email protected]


info Sharing

Seeking Middle School Boys for "Exploring Your Potential" Program

Benjamin Banneker Charter Academy of Technology is inviting 10-15 Acad�mie Lafayette students to join students from other schools for visits to three local businesses as a part of the Exploring Your Potential (EYP) program.   

EYP is for boys grades 6 - 10 and the program will take the students on a behind the scenes, hands-on look at what drives businesses and the jobs that come together to make a product or project come to reality.

 

The students will meet in the parking lot of Benjamin Banneker on three Saturday mornings where they will board a bus and be driven to the businesses.  The bus will return the students to Banneker usually around 12 or 12:30Students who participate in this program must agree to attend all three tours and their parents must commit to having the students arrive at Banneker for drop-off and pick-up of the students in a timely manner.

 

Dates and Businesses:

February 28 - High- Tech Automation

March 7 - Garmin

March 28 - UMKC Biological Sciences Group

 

If you are interested in participating, please contact Cathy Metcalf [email protected] as soon as possible. All registration forms must be completed by Tuesday, February 17th

info Sharing

Cherry Street Playground Award Winner

The Cherry Campus playground, designed by Kem Studio (click here to see the details of the design), recently won Interior Design Best of the Year Award in the Outdoor category for 2014. Click here to see the other designs that were also in the race! 


 

Fundraising

Trivia Night A Big Success

We had another full house last Saturday at Acad�mie Lafayette's 4th annual Trivia Night! A great time was had with emcees Jason Burton and Christian Hankel keeping the crowd entertained and challenged! Special thanks to Patrick Ottesen for donating his event space - Foundation. Once again, Johnathan Goss and his team took home the winning prize. Proceeds will go to the SMART Board fund at Oak Street. 
Thanks to everyone who attended and for making this another successful Trivia Night. See you next year!
info sharing

   
fundraising

EIP:  The Fun Begins

Join your friends at the Bier Station on Monday, Feb. 16 -- President's Day -- for the Evening in Paris: Studio 54 pre-party!  The fun begins at 4:00 pm!


fundraising

EIP:  Unique Silent Auction Item Returns!

Remember the great progressive dinner from last year?  
Well, it's back and better than ever!  BUT you should know that only the first 40 people who sign up will get a place at the table -- or multiple tables. REMEMBER to get you name on the list when the silent auction opens at Evening in Paris: Studio 54 on March 7, 2015!


fundraising

Volunteering Opportunities at "Studio 54"

Have you ever wondered what is An Evening in Paris? What do the volunteers do at An Evening in Paris?
This is your year to find out! The EIP Committee would like to have fun, energetic and ready to shake a tail feather volunteers. Volunteering at An Evening in Paris: Studio 54 is the best decision you could ever make for the school's largest fundraiser. So, parents, grandparents, neighbors, and friends: come set up the silent auction, work Qtego, serve food and drinks to our guests while having fun. Find a time and position that you will enjoy on Signup Genius http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a084fa4a928a75-2015 . Merci!

Leilani Grover-Marshall 
2015 An Evening in Paris; Studio 54, Volunteer Coordinator
816-694-0005 call/text
 [email protected] 
Info sharing

Students Organize Supply Drive for Jamaica 

Hello AL Families,

 

In February 2015 we are going to Jamaica with the Jamaica Medical Missions group.   Last year we had a great response from students and parents donating toothpaste and school supplies. This year we hope to take some supplies to the school nurse at Oberlin High in Jamaica who does just what our wonderful school nurses do and more! 


 

Unfortunately, her supply closet is nearly empty. Students must pay for even a Tylenol. To help them out we are taking supplies and over the counter medications. The Oberlin High school nurse in Jamaica and our school nurses have been in contact. If you would like to help out or would like to contribute to any of the needed supplies please contact either our mom (Katherine Haggard, [email protected]) OR you may send a check to Nurse Alexis Cook, or Nurse Mary Ammatelli made payable to Acad�mie Lafayette.


 

The deadline for sending supplies is Wednesday, February 11thAnything you can do would be greatly appreciated! With gratitude to you for your kindness and in service of helping others,

Jack & Ella Perry


AL community members spotted

AL Students to Celebrate Chinese New Year

Anthony Eppelheimer, 3rd Degree Brown Belt (4th Grade, Mme. Corinne Charruau), Grace Eppelheimer, Yellow Belt (2nd Grade, Mme. Julie Valluet) and the STORM team (Special Team of Role Models) will be participating in a show celebrating the Chinese New Year on February 19th at AKKA Karate-Westport (4030 Broadway, KCMO).  

AKKA Karate has been a part of the midtown community for almost 50 years and offering classes in Karate and Tai Chi. The classes are suitable for all ages, making it a wonderful place for families to get fit while also learning this ancient art together. Join the Chinese New year celebration to experience the vibrant community, and even sign up for an introductory class!

There are a lot of Acadmie Lafayette students training there. 

Report your sightings of Acad�mie Lafayette parents or students accomplishments to [email protected].  

 

AL community members spotted

Student and Mother Raise Money for Operation Breakthrough

Cora Jones and her mother will be raising money for Operation Breakthrough on Thursday, February 12th, from 5pm to 8pm. The benefit is a cash and carry event where 30% of proceeds will go directly to Operation Breakthrough. There will also be an art raffle and a diaper drive, where those bringing a package of size 5 or 6 diapers will be given 5 tickets for the raffle. Featuring a new craft maker Cora Jones, a 2nd grader at Acad�mie Lafayette, will be selling her We Are Going To France Designs' handmade gifts and accessories along side five other local female artists.

Report your sightings of Acad�mie Lafayette parents or students accomplishments to [email protected].  

 

sports

Girls' and Boys' Basketball Schedule 

The basketball season has begun! Come out to support the teams and see the exciting games first hand! Ticket prices are $1 at the door (cash only). Girls play first and boys' games follow.


 

Fundraising

Please, and Thank You! 

Dear parents, please consider the ALFrance15Cards to be Acad�mie Lafayette School Property and doing the buyout/return if you aren't going to sell the discount cards. Please, at least return them if you are not going to sell them. We need to account for each and every card. Acad�mie Lafayette can still sell them, as they are very coveted and of great benefit to the buyers. So don't throw them away, and if you have, please consider a donation or buyout. It benefits all of the students at our school, by keeping the travel pathways open and the connections strong.

A HUGE thank you to the families that have participated in the Discount card campaign, the Trash Bag sales and Chipotle nights. We look forward to helping your classes out as well. We are all one WONDERFUL school.

Info sharing

Will You Have an Incoming Kindergarten Student in 2015-16? 

It's that time of year again, the time when we collect names from our families for next year's Kindergarten class!

If you have a sibling of a current (or graduate) AL student, please let our Cherry Street Office Manager, Diane Balagna ([email protected]) know, by sending an email with "K sibling" in the subject line with the following information:

-the incoming child's name and birth date
-parent name and address (including city, state and zip) and phone number
-sibling name and grade

To be eligible for the 2015-16 school year, applicants MUST be 5 before September 1, 2015.
**ALL SIBLINGS MUST HAVE AN APPLICATION TURNED IN DURING THE OPEN APPLICATION PERIOD IN ORDER TO SECURE THEIR SPACE FOR KINDERGARTEN.

The open application period will begin on January 20, 2015 and end on March 5, 2015.

Children of current full-time Acad�mie Lafayette staff members who meet the above criteria are also eligible for enrollment. Please forward the same information to Diane Balagna. Thank you!
 
 
FUNDRAISING



info sharing

School Reach Message Retrieval Line     

We use the School Reach system to alert families via phone or text about important announcements. If you miss a School Reach message, please do NOT call the school. Instead, use the Message Retrieval number from a phone that gets calls from the system.

advertisement

Looking for a Great Preschool?    


Ward Parkway Preschool is accepting applications for the 2015-2016 school year beginning February 9th. Accredited by the Missouri Center for Accreditation of Early Childhood Education Programs, Ward Parkway Preschool offers a stimulating program for children ages about 3 to pre-kindergarten. Classes are 9:00-2:30 or 9:00 to 12:00. Before and after care is available. Partial week summer camp is also available. Enrollment for summer camp 2015 begins March 23rd. 

Address: 7406 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114    Phone: (816) 361-2201



advertisement




Oak Street Campus
6903 Oak Street
Kansas City, MO 64113
816-361-7735

Cherry Street Campus
3421 Cherry Street
Kansas City, MO 64109
816-888-7450

www.academielafayette.org