The Lion's Roar  

The Las Lomitas PTA Newsletter  
                                                                         Week of October 15, 2012     
In This Issue
School News
Las Lomitas Education Foundation
PTA News
Las Lomitas League
Community News
Business Sponsors News
Donations Wanted
Newsletter Submissions
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links

 Calendar

 

This Week: 

 

Friday               Father/Daughter Dance 7:00 p.m. - La Entrada  

   

 

Coming Soon:

 

Oct. 25 - 31        Book Fair - Cano Hall 

 

Oct. 26              Basketball registration closes 7:00 p.m.

 

Oct. 31              Halloween Parade 10:45 a.m. - blacktop 

 

Nov. 1                Mandatory basketball coaches meeting 

   in the La Entrada Library: 6:30 p.m.

 

Nov. 3 - 4            Basketball evaluation days (see details below)    

 

 News

Dear Las Lomitas Families,

 

Fall is in the air, which means that Halloween is not far behind. I'd like to share our plans and how you can help make this a safe, special day for children.  

 

The students love to dress up in a variety of costumes, parade at school and then take to the streets, knocking on doors in search of special treats. On Wednesday, October 31, we will have our Halloween parade at 10:45 a.m. on the blacktop. We ask that children not wear masks (they impede vision), bring weapons or wear blood as any part of their costume. Children will be seated in a large oval with their class. Three to four classes will parade at a time so all can see and be seen. We ask that parents stand outside the oval. Please do not wear masks.

 

I want you to understand the school's policy regarding photographs. At any school event, you should only take photos of your own child. No photos of children, other than your own, may be shared over the Internet, either by email or posted on websites. Posting photographs of children other than your own on photo-share sites such as Shutterfly or social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube is not allowed. Some families have specifically asked that their child's photo not be distributed in any way other than in the classroom. It is our legal responsibility to honor this request.  

 

We also ask you to please not send candy to school for snack or lunchtime. With your support and cooperation, I'm sure we'll have another safe and colorful Halloween at Las Lomitas.

 

Until next time,
Sue Sartor, Principal

 

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MINIMUM DAY INFORMATION

 

We will be on a minimum day schedule November 13, 14, 15 and 16. All students will arrive at 9:00 a.m. and be dismissed at 12:20 p.m..  

 

To minimize the chaos this creates, please note:

 

Flagpole Pick-up

  • Kindergarten and first grade students will wait in designated locations.
  • Drivers must stay in their car and pull through the pick-up lane.
  • Display name cards in the window.
  • Leave dogs at home.
  • Bicyclists must walk bikes until you are away from the front gate area.
  • Traffic and parking enforcement will be present. Park in designated locations only.

 

Bus Riders

  • Students may not ride home on the bus for a play date. Only regular riders may ride. We are at capacity. Pick up play dates at the flag pole.
  • If students go to the bus for a play date, we will bring both students (regular rider and guest) to the office for pick up.
  • Buses may be a bit late as it takes longer to load and unload on minimum days.
Las Lomitas Education Foundation

 

foundation logo  

 

  

 

  

DID YOU KNOW?

 

The Foundation is currently supporting 19 out of 80 teachers at the schools!


Your support to the Foundation will help keep our classroom sizes small next year.  

 

Donate to the Foundation today! 

  • Double your new gift or  increase  in donation from last year, with a dollar-for-dollar match by the Challenge Grant 

 

Give by 10/30 and be entered into raffle for your chance to be one of three sets of parents to lunch with our new Superintendent, Lisa Cesario, or the new La Entrada Principal, Shannon Potts!

 

               vampire/bushels  

 

The 2012-2013 Challenge Grant explained:  

 

An astounding opportunity to earn an incremental $600,000 for our schools! To motivate participation and increase donations, 95 District families have created the largest Challenge Grant ever to match every new or increase in donation. 

 

This Challenge Grant will help ensure that our children receive the best education the District can offer.  However, this incremental money is contingent upon your new or increased donation over last year. 

  • If you are an existing parent, please consider increasing your gift by 25%
  • If you are a new parent, please consider donating $2,000 per student

so that our kids can continue to have small class sizes and benefit from educational excellence and innovation. Note that every donation, that is meaningful and significant for you, counts for our children.

 

Please join the Giving Family at Las Lomitas District by
 


BECOME AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION!                                 

 

Many people tell us how much they would like to volunteer for the Foundation, but not as a board member.  Now you can help your children's schools by serving as a Friend of the Foundation!   As a Friend of the Foundation, you will have three responsibilities: 

 

  • Stake yards near your neighborhood with thank you signs at the end of October, and then collect them when we're done campaigning.  This is a 1-2 hour time commitment in the Fall.
  • Volunteer to work at either Grandparents' Day or the Auction...which ever suits your schedule the best.  Grandparents' Day is one of the most fun events of the year and happens on a weekday!  Auction is a great chance to work with other parents and will be an evening or weekend opportunity to help.  This will be a 2 hour time commitment in the Spring.
  • Be on call to help other fun volunteers stuff letters, assemble flyers or support the Fun Run - according to your schedule and only when you want!!!  This is no additional time commitment, unless you choose to give additional time.

Your help and volunteer spirit is needed!  Email Shari Guggenhime ([email protected]) to become a Friend of the Foundation today.

 

 
Father-Daughter Dance
outreach

Friday, October 19, 2012. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

 

Calling all fathers and their gorgeous daughters to Jensen Hall at La Entrada!  Dance the night away with your daughter to some great music.  This festive event is open to all grades.  $75 per father/daughter pair and $25 per additional sibling.

 
**Kindergarten dads, this is a wonderful opportunity to start the tradition of a special father/daughter evening.**  (Outreach is available.  Please contact the La Entrada school office for details.)                                                                                
PTA News

LITERACY PROGRAMS  

 

The PTA strongly believes in the promotion and support of literacy through positive reading environments, both in the classroom and at home.  We offer three distinct programs and events that provide for literacy enrichment; Book Fair, Read-A-Thon and Adopt-A-Book.  The Book Fair provides access to high quality children's literature that is made available for the benefit of building our school library as well as those in our own homes, student classrooms as well as other schools in need within our community.  The Read-A-Thon provides a fun and engaging opportunity to encourage a passion for reading with both students and families.  Let your child choose new titles at the Book Fair that they find interesting and engaging to provide plenty of reading material for the Read-A-Thon.  When they've depleted their own selections at home, encourage children to check out books at the Las Lomitas Library.  Did you know parents can check out books as well?

 

Finally, all throughout the year, families are encouraged to take advantage of the Adopt-A-Book program as a way to continually supply quality literature to our school library.  Sharon Kelly and carefully selects new titles and makes sure favorites are well maintained and replaced when necessary.  Adopt-A-Book is an excellent way to honor a child's birthday, graduation, favorite teacher, or just for fun.     

 

Please join us in supporting positive reading environments through each of these PTA programs.  The Book Fair commences in less than two weeks.  We'll then be gearing up for Read-A-Thon when we return from winter break and you're always welcome to support Adopt-A-Book at any time of the year.

 

Thanks for your support!

  

Sheriene Saadati, Book Fair committee chair

Cheryl Cho-Phan, Read-A-Thon committee chair

David Berkey, Adopt-A-Book committee chair

 

 

UPCOMING BOOK FAIR EVENTS

 

Coffee Cart, Friday, October 26

Drop your kids off, order up your favorite coffee drink, compliments of the PTA, and then browse the Book Fair at your leisure. The coffee cart will be available from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. for parents and community members, and earlier for teachers!

 

Family Night, Friday, October 26

Come to Family Night on Friday, October 26, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.  Wear your pajamas and decorate book bags and book marks.  Listen to Principal Sue Sartor and Assistant Principal Alain Camou read a bed time story to the kids.  Come and meet the Las Lomitas Lion, Roary, and of course browse through the books.  There is something for everyone!

 

Saturday Fun, October 27

Kids want to help out at the cash registers and bag books?  On Saturday, you will be able to ring up customers and bag their books.  Come and help us out!

 

Book Club Night, Monday, October 29

Calling all grown up book clubbers!  Want to share what you have been reading with others?  Want to learn what others are enjoying?  Come to book club night on Monday, October 29 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.  Free autographed book from a local author for first 25 arrivals.

 

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ART NOTECARD ORDER FORMS ARE DUE THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19!

Please support the arts at Las Lomitas by purchasing cards made from your children's drawings. Funds from this program are used by classrooms for field trips, visiting artists, musicians and speakers, special art supplies and literature about art and music. The note cards make terrific gifts for friends and families, thank you notes, and enclosure cards for birthday presents. The printed note cards (with matching envelopes) will be delivered to the classrooms in late November. 

Thank you to all of our parent volunteers who helped complete the drawing sessions. Extra special thanks to our grade coordinators: Jane  Worden (3rd), Sook Jung (2nd), Melissa Almgren (1st) and Jenn Hipple (K) for their time and effort organizing all the volunteers. 
 
Order forms must be returned to the box in the school office no later than the end of the day on Friday, October 19th. Unfortunately, late orders cannot be accepted.
 
Questions? Contact Tissha Brumm ([email protected]), Jane Worden ([email protected]) or Sook Jung ([email protected])
 
Thank you for supporting the creative arts and music at Las Lomitas!!

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Holiday Workshop

Hello parents! It's that time again! We need to collect paper grocery bags
(with handles!) for each child to bring home their spectacular Holiday Workshop crafts. Please drop them off in the office. Thank you! Feel free to contact Kristina Valentine ([email protected]) or Josie Tang ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

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Apple for the Classroom is now online!

  applelogo
We are excited to announce that the Apple for the Classroom program is now available online. 

 

The Apple for the Classroom program is a way for parents to support their children's teachers directly.  All the teachers and specialists at Las Lomitas have been invited to create a "wish list" of items that would help to further enrich their classrooms.  Wishes may include art supplies, gift cards, books, or donations toward a special activity or field trip. 

 

To view the lists, please visit our website.

Once at the site, select the list you want to view. This is where you can then "pick an apple" -- teachers' lists are divided into two sections, so you can choose to bring an item directly to the classroom or you can choose to make a donation via PayPal.  All donations are tax deductible.

 

Feedback is appreciated. Please contact Julie Chandik ([email protected]) with questions or comments about the Apple for the Classroom program.  For questions about the Apple for the Classroom website, please contact [email protected]

 

Thank you for supporting our teachers and enriching your children's experience at Las Lomitas. 
  

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Membership
 thermometer2
We are still accepting donations to join the PTA!  So far, 65% of Las Lomitas families are part of the PTA.  We still need your help to reach our lofty goal of 80% participation.  You may have noticed the school directories your kids have brought home.  This is just one example of what your membership funds go towards.

 

If you haven't joined the PTA yet, there is still time to contribute to support the ongoing school assemblies, Holiday Workshop, field trips and much more.  If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Williams ([email protected])  

 

Spread the word and join the PTA today!


      

 
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Volunteer for the Hot Lunch Program 

 

The hot food program relies entirely on parent volunteers for serving lunch, so please consider signing up! Volunteering for hot lunch is an excellent way to be involved with the PTA, see your children at lunch time, have a great time with friends and get to know other parents. We are currently in need of volunteers on Tuesdays,  if you can serve lunch at the school from 11:45-12:45 once per week, every other week,  please contact Ozge Goker  [email protected].   

 

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LE Book Fair LogoACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR THE LA ENTRADA USED BOOK FAIR!!!  
Out with the Old, and In with the New!  Bins will be located in front of 
Las Lomitas and La Entrada Monday, October 15th through Monday, November 5th. Please donate your used books!   We are accepting books in all genres ranging from Children's books, to adult and everything in between.  We welcome books in all languages.  Please make sure your books are in good condition.  The La Entrada Used Book Fair opens to the community on November 13th, so mark your calendars!
Las Lomitas League
Las Lomitas League 

BASKETBALL REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Basketball registration is now open. It closes Friday, October 26 at 7:00 p.m. Register at http://www.laslomitasleague.com/. Please register during the open registration dates. We cannot guarantee placement if you register late. This is a very popular winter sport that is open to all students in 3rd through 8th grade. Registration may be limited by the number of available coaches. Sign-up early and mark your calendars for the following dates:
  • October 26 at 7:00 p.m.:  Basketball registration closes.
  • November 1 at 6:30 p.m.:  Basketball Coaches Meeting & Fingerprinting in the La Entrada library. Required for all coaches. We choose practice times as well as go over rules, expectations, evaluations, etc. Practice times are selected based on coaches' availability and a lottery system.
  • November 3 & 4:  Basketball Evaluation Days (schedule coming soon) Evaluations are held in order to create fair and balanced teams, which is required for Menlo Park Recreation League participation. Your grade will be assigned a specific day and time closer to the date. Check back here or the LLL Basketball webpage later this month.
COACHES ARE NEEDED 
We still need more coaches so consider being a head coach or an assistant coach for your child's team. If you don't have a lot of experience, we can pair you with a more experienced coach. Also, we provide a coaching clinic in early December. Contact Sue Bartalo at [email protected] or Keri Tully at [email protected] if you are interested in coaching.

Community News
These programs are not supported by or affiliated with the Las Lomitas Elementary School or the Las Lomitas PTA.
  pumpkinpatch
Save the Date: Lucile Packard Pumpkin Patch
at Webb Ranch on 
Tuesday, October 23 
from 
 
1:00 - 6:00 p.m.
 
Circle of Friends volunteer organization, affiliated with Lucile Packard Children's hospital, is working with Webb Ranch to host a fabulous fun-filled pumpkin patch! When you attend, buy a pumpkin (or more) for your household and choose one to donate to the children at Lucile Packard.
 
All the pumpkins donated on Tuesday will be delivered to the hospital on Wednesday to create a very special pumpkin patch right inside the hospital for the children to enjoy! We will also be collecting decorations such as stickers, markers, tattoos and other Halloween themed items for the children in the hospital.
 
This year, Webb ranch will also be offering face painting, hay rides, a bouncy house, and a haunted house for your family to enjoy. 50% of dollars raised from this event will be donated right to the hospital. This is a very special event that the kids at Packard look forward to every year. Please contact [email protected] for further information.
 
Join the Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory for a smart, poignant evening of theatre!  Lisa Loomer's heartfelt play, "Distracted",  is a comical, fast-paced script that follows a dedicated mother on her quest to help her ADHD son find happiness.  The show runs October 19-21 and 26-28.  Tickets are available at www.pvtc-ca.org.  Please note: we have rated this show PG-13 due to mature content and are recommending it for adults and students in grades7+.

Need child care?  Come to the CCLC Open House to sign up and receive ONE WEEK FOR FREE!  We will be showcasing our center with art projects, food, music and FUN.  Wednesday, October 24 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.  See you there!

New! Menlo Tennis Academy 10 & under program of Menlo Swim and Sport announces weekly tennis lessons for kids age 5-10 at Burgess Park. Following the USTA 10 & under program, students learn the fundamentals of tennis with smaller courts, lighter and lower bouncing balls, and smaller and lighter rackets. Classes are offered Monday and Wednesday afternoons. For more details, visit our website.   
      
CALLING ALL MUSICIANS - Musical Service Organization
District parent Paula Hamilton has started a musical service organization named 'Calling All Musicians.'  The organization visits senior residential centers and provides music by performing solos, duets, etc. or by leading and participating in sing-alongs.  This group was written up in inMenlo this past summer here and is looking for more musicians.  All ages and ability levels are welcome in this group.  If you, your children, or other family members or friends are interested in participating, we'd love to have you join us for one or more performances.  Please contact Paula ([email protected]) if you're interested in performing or being added to our email distribution list. 
 
Business Sponsors News

These programs are not supported by or affiliated with the Las Lomitas Elementary School or the Las Lomitas PTA:


Creative Art For Young Children - Portola Valley Town Center 
FALL 2012 Sept. 20 - Dec. 8 (no classes Nov. 22-24) 
To begin our Fall Session we will bring the earthy colors of fall together with art projects inspired by an African theme. We will explore what life is like for the Maasai children and learn the games they play and how much they are loved by the whole community. The making of clay dolls and jungle animals, masks and beaded jewelry will help us find a deeper connection to our African friends. 
And our hearts will jump for joy to the beat of African drums as we follow Picasso (who was also inspired by African Art) into his world of painting where we will find inspiration from a man who dared to sketch like a 3 year old and spent a lifetime learning to paint like a child. What comes next depends on where our creativity takes us, but we will end with our ever popular art show where the kids point to their artwork with our very big magic paint brush.  More info on the Town's website, or by contacting Jeannie Goldman at (650) 851-1914.  Register with the town online or call Cindy @ (650)851-1700 ext. 200.  Open registration began on August 24. 

 

Dance Expressions - Love to dance? Come Join Dance Expressions in Menlo Park at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Classes are offered for kids ages 3 and up. For more information check out our website. Don't miss out on the Dance Expressions fun!   

  

  
Studio Rincon - Tap is Back Mondays after school at Studio Rincon on Alameda in Menlo Park! "Tiny Tappers", ages 5-7. "Funky Tap", ages 8-11.  Advanced Tap, ages 12-teen. 
Fridays feature "Break Dancing & Poppin", ages 10-teen and "Hip Hop", ages 10-teen.  Kids learn and practice in small classes while having a great time! View the schedule. To sign up, or if you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].

 

Donations Wanted

Donate Old Computers, Printers, Digital Cameras, Flash Drives to M-A Students

WANTED:  old computers or parts, working or not, for M-A High School PTA computer donation program.  Your old computer equipment will be securely erased, refurbished, and sent home with a needy, hard-working student.  Our goal is for every student at M-A High School to have a working computer at home to assist them with their homework.  We welcome donations from individuals or corporate donations from companies that are upgrading their equipment.  Donations are tax-deductible.  We also need other types of electronic gear, such as USB flash drives and digital cameras (include manual, battery charger and memory card if you have them).  For more detailed information, visit www.suekayton.com/MAHigh/computerdonations.htm or contact Sue Kayton at (650) 853-1711 or [email protected]. 

 

Newsletter Submissions

The Lion's Roar is published by the Las Lomitas PTA as a service to the Las Lomitas families and community. Before submitting an article, please read our newsletter policies.

To submit an item, email Carol Clark ([email protected]) by 12 noon on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication date.

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;  
  • DO NOT send the article as an attachment but in the body of the email: submissions sent as a Word doc will be rejected;
  • Clearly indicate the title of your submission;  
  • DO NOT send flyers but provide a link to them;
  • DO NOT send pictures but provide a link to them;
For past issues, visit the PTA Newsletter archive

Donna Hall
Lion's Roar Editor

 

The Lion's Roar is distributed via email every Monday. Printed copies are available in the school office, or the newsletter archives may be viewed online.  If you have trouble receiving the Lion's Roar, please ensure your email reader or service is not blocking the Lion's Roar because it is a group distribution. To change your email address, please click 'Update Profile/Email Address' below. Thank you!