School News
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Dear Las Lomitas Families,
On November 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library there will be an Evening with the Principal. I scheduled this evening time for those of you who cannot attend the morning sessions. These meetings are informal; it is a time for you to ask questions you may have about school programs or practices. I plan to discuss the session request process and parent teacher conferences, but any topic is welcome!
Parent-teacher conferences will be held November 13-17. November 12 is Veteran's Day - no school that day. We will be on a minimum day schedule on the four conference days. All K through 3 students will begin school at 9:00 a.m. and be dismissed at 12:20 p.m. that week.
The first parent-teacher conference is designed to better familiarize the classroom teacher with your child, to recognize your child's strengths and needs, and to coordinate school and home support. In fact, it is a sharing time whereby parents and teachers discuss and plan how best to assist the child in the learning process.
Conferences are scheduled in time blocks set by the teachers. Some teachers may schedule appointments before these minimum days. We ask your cooperation in being prompt to your conference time and date so there will be maximum time to talk about your child. Please note that there is to be no tape recording at parent conferences unless you have notified the teacher in advance and have the teacher's written permission.
It is customary here at Las Lomitas for other school personnel (i.e. counselor, principal, assistant principal, reading specialist, etc.) to attend parent-teacher conferences. We believe that by working as a team and sharing information we are able to better support your child.
Research shows that parent involvement in a child's education is a critical factor in determining the degree to which a child will be successful in school. Attending the parent/teacher conference one of the ways you can be involved in your child's education. Together we can make a difference.
Until next time,
Sue Sartor
Principal
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Music Informances Week!
Come to room 37 to watch and listen during your child's music class this week!! This is an opportunity to see what your student is doing in music class. Please check the music page of the Las Lomitas website to see when your child has music. If you have any questions, you can contact Ms. Lampert at mlampert@llesd.org.
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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.
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Student Safety - We need your HELP!
Traffic is very heavy on the streets around our school, particularly on Wednesdays. Please be sure that you closely monitor your children while walking on the sidewalks or waiting for the crossing guard. We've had reports that students are often too close to traffic. Thank you for keeping children safe at all times! They are our most precious treasure.
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The School Site Council Representative Needed!
The School Site Council is an advisory group of faculty and parent representatives who meet over the course of the year to address areas of program quality under the School Based Coordinated Program. Bill Steinmetz, who has served on the Site Council for several years, will begin his first term on the District Governing Board in December. As a result, we have a vacancy for a parent representative for the current school year.
The School Site Council's primary responsibilities are to review and monitor our Single Plan for Student Achievement and the School Improvement Program budget. Each member serves for two-years. We meet three to four times a year after school. Meetings are typically held from 3:00-4:30 on Wednesdays.
This year's faculty representatives are Barbara Porro, Michelle Donecho, Catherine Wedge, Robbie Christensen and Sue Sartor. Parent representatives are Eric Ver Ploeg, Rebecca Deutscher, Andrea Turner and Artis Montegue.
If you are interested in joining this group of dedicated parents and educators who monitor the school plan, make sure the budget supports the plan and care deeply about children and education, please join us. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to work with and learn from teachers and the administration.
If you would like to serve on the School Site Council or learn more about it, please contact Principal Sartor at 854-5900 ext. 261 or email her at ssartor@llesd.org.
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| TB Testing for Parent Volunteers | |
The California Health and Safety Code (Section 121545) requires all school district volunteers to be examined and found free of communicable tuberculosis once every 4 years. The Code also requires the School District to keep an up-to-date certificate on file for each volunteer.
Parent volunteers may have their TB testing done on November 7th at Las Lomitas School in Cano Hall from 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. TB Testing requires TWO VISITS. After the initial scratch test on November 7th, you will need to return to Las Lomitas in Cano Hall on Friday, Nov. 9th between 9:15 - 10:45 a.m. to have the results read. Please know that staff members have priority and parents may have to wait for staff members to be processed so that they can return to work.
Parent volunteers will need to bring a check for $25.00 made out to US Health Works (no cash/credit is accepted).
TB testing will also be conducted on November 7th at La Entrada MUR between 2:00 - 4:15 p.m (4pm or later may be better timing for parent volunteers to come). Again, parents would return to La Entrada on Friday during those same times to have the test results read.
If you have already been screened through your own health provider, please provide a copy of your clear TB test to the school office. If you would like additional information on TB testing requirements, please visit the district website.
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| PTA News |
Thank you for a GREAT Book Fair!
This year's Book Fair was a success by every measurement thanks to Sheriene Saadati and her outstanding committee. We had a great turnout for Friday's pajama night when Sue Sartor read to the children, we overcame some exciting challenges with power outages and a fire drill! Early results indicate that we have matched sales from last year in excess of $30,000! We raised $1,745 in donations to Willow Oaks for their literacy program books. Thank you so much to all of the families who supported this valuable program for our fellow school!
Thank you to Sharon Kelly and Hicklebee's for selecting and providing an incredible selection of books! Thank you to all of the families who shopped and supported the Book Fair! The proceeds from your purchases (offered by Hicklebee's) will continue to build our wonderful library and classroom collections.
But a VERY SPECIAL thanks to the book fair committee that dedicated many hours to make our Book Bair a success:
Sheriene Saadati
Rebecca Grant
Donna Hall
Stacy May
Maggie Oren
Jeanne Arozqueta
Cheryl Phan-Cho
and the many volunteers who dedicated their valuable time to the event!
More financial details will be provided in next week's Roar!
Cindy Tipton
PTA President
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Holiday Workshop
Thanks to all who have brought in your grocery bags (with handles)! Keep 'em coming! It's not too late to volunteer for this fun day (Dec. 5). We especially need more volunteers for the Kindergarten shift (11:05-11:55 am). Please contact Kristina Valentine (kristinavalentine@yahoo.com) or Josie Tang (jatangmd@yahoo.com).
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Come visit the La Entrada Used Book Fair, Nov. 13-16 in the MUR across from the La Entrada office. Our hours are 7:30 am - 4:00 pm and 100% of the proceeds go to the La Entrada PTA. Cash or checks only please.
A few notable books to mention: Dr. Seuss, Olivia, Good Night Moon, Brown Bear Brown Bear, Penney, How I  became A Pirate, The Kissing Hand, Where the Wild Things Are, Skippyjon Jones, Baby Mouse Magic Tree House, The Puppy Place, Ivy and Bean, Big Nate, Captain Underpants, Diary of A Wimpy Kid, Junie B Jones, Judy Moody, Dan Gutman books, Hardy Boys, Rainbow Magic, DragonBreath Harry Potter, Twilight Series, Hunger Games, Girl With Dragon Tattoo, Pretty Little Liars, Rick Riordan: the Mark of Athena, Heroes of Olympus The Help, Cooking Light Cook Books, Gone Girl, Snow Queen, James Patterson, Michael Connelly, Tina Fey Bossy Pants Thank you for donating thousands of books to the La Entrada Used Book Fair! Come shop for all of your favorite books!
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Las Lomitas Education Foundation
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Donate Now - And Help us Earn the Challenge Grant!
We need all families to participate to reach our fundraising goals this year, so we can put the dollars to work for our children next year. Our phone appeal takes place this week. Foundation ambassadors will be calling you to answer questions and take credit card donations. And remember, any first time or increased donation you make will have an even bigger impact! Every new donation, as well as the amount of any donation larger than last year, will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, by other generous donors to the Foundation who have agreed to fund the Challenge Grant.
Don't forget to take advantage of 2012 Corporate Match dollars available from your employer! Your support makes all the difference to our schools and our children. Click here for a list of companies who have previously matched donations and for specific instructions. Alternatively, our Matching Gifts Coordinator at matchinggifts@llef.org can help you find out if your company will match your contribution. For additional questions feel free to email: ceil-pinto@comcast.net
Thanks to Last Week's Donors!
 Our fundraising campaign has been successful so far-let's keep the momentum going!
Through Oct. 30 Goal
Participation 34% of families 100% of families
Contributions $1,386,259 $3,000,000
Challenge Grant $ 115,000 $ 300,000
Earned Thank you so much to last week's 2012-2013 Annual Giving Campaign Donors! Matthew and Cindy Anderson, Adrian and Jeanne Arozqueta, Ravi and Rekha Balwada, Shea Browne, Du and Sarah Chai, Mann-ho Cho and Eunjoo Kim, Hsinya Chwu and Winnie Lau, Jason and Victoria Clague, Kevin and Kelley Clugage, Weiji Cui and Jin Zhou, Parents of Masaharu Deguchi, Nathan and Kristi Elder, Mark Ettefagh and Mina Motahari-Asl, Neal and Kathryn Evans, Eric and Laura Glader, Jon and Gina Gonzales, Liang Hua Guan and Dan Zhou, Craig and Noel Hirst, Sung Ho Jeong and Jieun Lee, Bradley and Kathryn Klaus, Kazuki and Sachiko Kodo, Parents of Yuki Konishi, Harumi and Tatsuya Kuboi, Gordon Leung and Cheryl Pan, Paul and Carolyn Littlefield, Mike and Alexandra Lopez, Matt and Emily Marenghi, Futosh and Kyoko Nakagami, Glenna Paige, Christian and Lisa Puccetti, Hamid and Sima Rafati, Gregory and Debora Rocklin, David and Amy Rousseau, Tohru and Emi Sato, Charley Scandlyn, Robert and Debbie Siegel, Ishwari Singh and Sladana Veljkoxic, Mary Ann Somerville, Kalyan Subramanian and Asha Vellaikal, Phil and Beth Sunshine, Andrew and Teresa Swett, Drea Thomas and Christine Ying, Laura Docter Thornburg, Gary Stoig and Sheri Toig, Marcello Typrin and Melissa Baumwald, Tom and Meredith van Loben Sels, Ann Crady and Dave Weiss, Eric Wright and Katia Diehl, Chul Hoon Kim and Joo Lee Yim
Congratulations to our Raffle Winners! These 3 families were among those who donated by October 31, and have won lunch with Lisa Cesario / Shannon Potts. Thank you and bon appetit!
Bob and Celia Shepard
Erica Gould and Timothy Bei
Pravin and Rupa Vazirani
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Las Lomitas League
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Game days are assigned as follows:
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Community News
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These programs are not supported by or affiliated with the Las Lomitas Elementary School or the Las Lomitas PTA.
Nothing Else Matters When You're Hungry.
On Tuesday 11/13 through Friday 11/16 Las Lomitas Cub Scouts will be conducting a Food Drive
to help Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) with their quest to end local hunger.
How can you help?
A SHFB food collection barrel will be located in the flag pole pick-up area next week. On one (or more!) days, donate a bag of food while you are dropping off or picking up the kids. Better yet, get your sons and daughters involved and have them bring a bag of food to donate and drop off each day! If they ride the bus, they can bring a little each day.
Visit the SHFB website with your child and learn about what they are doing to help feed people in need in our community - many of whom are children.
The Food Bank needs nutritious, non-perishable foods. For a complete list please look for our flyer in next week's Monday night envelope or go to visit the SHFB website and look for their list of most needed foods.
Together WE can make a difference by giving what matters.
Big Band Dance at Menlo-Atherton High School -
Join us Saturday, November 17th, 7-11pm, for the 29th Annual Big Band Dance featuring music by MA's award-winning jazz, concert and orchestra ensembles. This is a great family-friendly event and fundraiser for the MA Band Boosters. Admission includes free dance lessons with Cheryl Burke Studios! Fabulous auction items available like Disneyland tickets, overnights at the Rosewood Hotel and Spa, PGA pro golf lessons, dinner at favorite local restaurants, and more. Don't miss this fun community event and support music in our school. Tickets and more information available here.
Please join the Holbrook-Palmer Park Foundation Atherton Dames for their annual Children's Holiday Tea on Sunday, December 2, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Jennings Pavilion located at 150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton (Holbrook-Palmer Park). This is a magical holiday event for children and parents. Children will enjoy a visit with Santa, a holiday themed puppet show and craft activity. Sandwiches, delicious treats and beverages will be served. Pre-paid reservations through HolidayTea@athertondames.org starting November 5. For more information please visit our website. All proceeds benefit Holbrook-Palmer Park.
Alpine Strikers FC - Soccer Tryouts Is your child passionate about soccer and ready to take his/her game to the next level? Alpine Strikers FC is holding open tryouts to form new teams and expand existing teams. Alpine Strikers serves the communities of Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside, as well as neighboring areas. Tryouts for the spring season will be held the weekend of December 1 and 2 for the U8 to U11 age groups. To find out more and register, please visit our website.
Twas the Night Before Christmas
This holiday production is presented by Dancers Repertory Theatre and Menlo Park Academy of Dance and reviewed as a "charming alternative to the Nutcracker." Performances will be given at the Woodside Performing Arts Center on Sunday December 9th (1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.), Saturday, December 15 (1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.), and Sunday December 16, (1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.). Tickets are available here or by calling (650) 323-5292. Las Lomitas dancers include Juliana B., Sophia C., Jack C., Sabrina D., Riley J., Ashley M., Elina K., Jessica N. Tedi P., and Elena T.. La Entrada dancers include Ava A., Sophia B., Alex C., Annie C., Sarah E., Greta H., Leben K., Maddie O., Caroline T., and Amelia T. All six shows are expected to sell out, so buy your tickets now!
Holiday Camp Menlo: Open for registration! Holiday Camp Menlo offers professional swim instruction in a fun-filled camp format for all levels, ages 5-10. Daily level appropriate instruction provided by our excellent team of Menlo Swim School instructors in lessons with a 4:1 ratio. Out of the pool, campers enjoy various group games and activities that encourage self-confidence, growth, teamwork, and fun. Camp available Monday, November 12 (Veterans Day), December 26-28, January 2-4, and Monday, January 21 (MLK, Jr. Holiday). Register today.
Menlo Park Library News Did you know that you can check out books for your e-reader from the Menlo Park library?? You can pick up an information sheet at the library to help you get e-books for your particular device or you can try it yourself using the e-services link from the library's web page: Fair warning: There is a wait list for many of the books but with your library card number, you can put up to 8 e-books on a hold list for no charge and you'll receive an email when your title is available to be checked out. There are titles available for both children and adults. "Check" it out!
Winter Basketball for Girls K-2nd Grade The Sequoia YMCA (on Hudson Street off Woodside Road) is holding its 5th annual Girls 1st and 2nd Grade basketball league in January-March. Based on community interest, this year the Y is adding a Kindergarten program. This is a wonderful way to introduce your daughter to basketball, and a great transition into Las Lomitas League play, which starts in 3rd grade. Last year Las Lomitas fielded two parent-coached teams, a total of 23 girls, to rave reviews from parents and players. See more information here. 2nd grade girls families: Elizabeth Blair (mother of Erica F.) will once again be organizing the 2nd grade Las Lomitas girls teams. If you are interested in playing, please email her at elizblair@yahoo.com. 1st grade and Kindergarten families: Email Elizabeth if you are interested in learning more about the program and being the parent organizer. It's easy and its fun!
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Business Sponsors News
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These programs are not supported by or affiliated with the Las Lomitas Elementary School or the Las Lomitas PTA:
One On One Math Tutoring
Palo Alto elementary school teacher with 20 years experience in the classroom and as a district math lead teacher is available to tutor your 2nd - 5th grade child with a fun and effective approach. Both remediation and enrichment are available, in your home or mine. References available.
Please contact Paula Watson at (650) 291-4825.
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Newsletter Submissions
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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 (cclark@llesd.org) 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;
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The Lion's Roar 
