| PTA News |
Congratulations to all of our readers! The Read-A-Thon has ended! Report your Read-A-Thon minutes today! Submit minutes online or return your Read-A-Thon brochure as soon as possible so we can determine which grades have met their goal and will participate in the Popcorn Celebration. Please collect your sponsorship money and submit online via Paypal online or send in checks in your red Read-A-Thon envelope to your classroom by the end of this week. Please return by this Friday, February 8th! Thank you to the students, their family and friends that have made this a success! Questions? Contact Cheryl Cho-Phan, cchophan@gmail.com.
Pancake Breakfast
The 31st Annual Pancake Breakfast will be held Saturday March 9th 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. at Cano Hall. Please join us for pancakes hot off the griddle, delicious Aidells sausages,and fresh fruit. Coffee and hot chocolate provided by The Espresso Lane. Entertainment will be provided by the amazing magician Timothy Lane. Order advance tickets by Friday, March 1st for $5 per person online with Paypal or make a check out to Las Lomitas PTA and turn in to the office. Tickets will also be available the day of the event for $8 per person. We look forward to seeing you there. If you have questions or are interested in volunteering at the event contact Diane Appel, leslieappel@yahoo.com.
A new year brings new wishes, so now is a good time to look at the teachers' Apple for the
 Classroom wish lists again. Your support can make a real difference, so please consider picking an apple today.
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.
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 (jrchandik@gmail.com) with questions or comments about the Apple for the Classroom program. For questions about the Apple for the Classroom website, please contact webmaster@laslomitaspta.org.
Thank you for supporting our teachers and enriching your children's experience at Las Lomitas.
Box Tops for Education
 It's time to start collecting and submitting box tops. We will be having a drawing at the end of February for those that have submitted box tops. If you haven't already, please submit your box tops in a small plastic bag to the office with your student's name and room number on it.. (There is a cereal box attached to the side of the counter across from the lost and found). We will have a drawing on February 26th so please turn them in before then. Don't forget that your everyday online purchases can also help Las Lomitas. Visit the box top web page and designate Las Lomitas as the school you wish to support. Then, every time you shop online, as long as you enter through the Box Tops web page, a percentage of your purchase will be credited to our school. Thank you! Judy Nayebi Boxtops for Education Chair
LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN AND WOMEN!
Thank you to those of you who have already self-nominated for placement on the PTA board! If you're not ready to join us yourself, but know someone else who'd make a valuable asset to the board, please feel free to nominate them. We'll be happy to follow up on your recommendation!
Join us and learn first hand what happens at Las Lomitas. The PTA is looking for board members for the 2013-2014 academic year. Many of these positions require very little commitment of your time. Below is a list of our Las Lomitas PTA Executive Board positions. Please drop us an email and let us know if you're interested or would like to learn more. We'd love to have you on board!
- President - Christy Chin is slated to be the 2013-2014 PTA President
- 1st Vice President - This position requires a 2-3 year commitment. The first year is spent planning school assemblies and learning the ropes of the President position. The second year is the Presidency and third Parliamentarian
- Volunteer Coordinator - Helps with staffing all the PTA committees and organizes recruiting at the PTA General Meeting in August
- Hot Food Board Chair - Typically filled by one of this year's Hot Food Day Chairpersons
- Membership VP - Responsible for marketing, recruitment and reporting of PTA general membership
- Secretary - Takes and publishes PTA Board meeting minutes and coordinates communication with Room Parents
- Treasurer - processes receipts and payments, produces monthly reports for PTA Board meetings, files annual tax returns
- Past President/Parliamentarian - filled by current year's PTA President or other designee
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| Las Lomitas Education Foundation | |
Fundraising Update
Our fundraising campaign has been successful so far-let's keep the momentum going! Donate here.
Through January 28th Goal
Contributions $2,615,000 $3,000,000
Upcoming Events (For event descriptions, pricing and to buy tickets now go here.)
- Chinese New Year Party in Old Shanghai (for parents) - Friday, February 8
- Ice Skating Family Fun - Sunday, February 10
- La Entrada Kids Care at San Francisco City Academy -Take Two - Wed March 13
Buying Valentine's Day cards, flowers, or gifts? Visit LLEF Shopping first!
Whether you're making cards, ordering flowers, or choosing just the right presents for your loved ones, remember to start your online Valentine's Day shopping here. A portion of every purchase turns into a donation for our schools! Participating vendors include Tiny Prints, Minted, 1800flowers, Amazon, Red Envelope, and many more. Happy Valentine's Day from the Las Lomitas Education Foundation!
Thank you to our donors the week of 1/22/2013 - 1/29/2013:
Ehud Zohary and Rachel Ben-Eliyaha, Judy and Gary Carey (G), Jim and Diane Chesler (G), John Chou and Melody Sales, Christophe and Amelie Dargnies, Joi Deaser, Mark and Nalin Decker, Jerry and Barbara Gould (G), Tonie Hardin (G), Michael and Sook Jung, Jeff and Nicole Kangas, Larry and Danielle Kelmar, Stephan and Mondonna Kennedy, Azad Khodai and Mojgan Yeganian, Ashley Banks and Douglas Laird, Wendy and Michael Malecek, Michael and Melissa Malloy, Mark and Denise Danielson, Robert and Gretchen Mathews, Joe and Krista Merlino, Michael and Amy Molitz, Thembile Mtwa and Nia Fong, Jean-Marc Olivot and Anne-Sofhie Beraud, Soltana Shukurova and Ismayil Orujov, Joseph and Sandra Patane, Bob and Diane Peterson, Heather Peterson, Kyoko Robinson (C), Joseph and Adriana Ross, Jean Shen, John Solano and Toni Ouradnik, Richard and Eliene Sung, Rochelle Tilmans and Denise Dowsett, Otto and Idell Weiss (G), Eric Weiss
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| From the Principal | |
Dear Las Lomitas Families,
I have good news! We have a new librarian, Barbara Torres. Barbara has many years of experience as a school librarian. She is competent in using the Follett catalogue system, selecting appropriate books for students, teaching research skills and reading aloud with joyful expression. Barbara was in last week to learn alongside Bonnie Thielemann and wills start on her own today. Please take a minute and stop by to welcome Barbara to Las Lomitas.
Over the past several years, the faculty and I have worked diligently to improve school climate.
Our work included improvements on the playground as well as implementing conflict resolution and social skills curriculum. I'd like to take a minute today to remind all of you of how important it is for students to be able to independently engage in appropriate play. Below are some suggestions I read in the Elementary School Parents Newsletter (November 2010) that urges parents to encourage children to engage in creative, imaginative play, free of media, that you can facilitate at home:
- Bake something together: Bake cookies and take some to a neighbor or an older relative.
- Tell stories: Tell your child a true story about a time when you made a mistake - the more hilarious the better! Share stories of when your family over-came challenges or hardships.
- Play catch: Even if you can't get outside, toss a beanbag or a soft ball. If you can go to a park, try kicking a ball as well as tossing it.
- Collect objects from nature: Leaves can be gathered, placed between paper towels and pressed with a heavy book to preserve. Rocks, sticks, seed pods are also very entertaining. Find a box to decorate and carefully store these treasures.
- Sing: Start with old favorites like "Row, row, row your boat." Sing songs you remember from you childhood. Let your child sing songs to you that were learned in music class with Mrs. Lampert. Make your own instruments using items you find around the house.
- Read aloud: Children never tire of being read to. Take turns and let others in the family do the reading.
Whatever you do, the important thing is to take time to be with your child without the day-to-day distractions and constant media blitz. Time is a gift you can freely give all year long.
Until next time,
Sue Sartor, Principal
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School News
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From the Nurse
Respiratory viruses are widely circulating in our county now, with both children and adults being affected.To minimize the spread of illness, please keep sick children home from school and encourage the practice of frequent hand washing and respiratory etiquette.
The CDC recommends the following with regard to exclusion of ill persons in school settings: "Those who get flu-like symptoms at school should go home and stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicine." Thank you for your assistance with minimizing illness, check here for further information about managing the flu.
Disabled Parking Spaces Designated disabled parking spaces are to be used ONLY by those with a disabled parking placard. No exceptions! Even if you are only stopping for a couple of minutes to run into the office, you are to park in designated parking spaces. You may be cited if you violate this law. We do have disabled members in our community that rely on those spaces being available. Thank you for your cooperation.
Kindergarten Registration Kindergarten registration for the 2013-2014 school year began January 28th. If you have taken a kindergarten packet and not yet returned it, please do so as soon as possible. We need to have our numbers as true as possible for staffing purposes. Thank you for your help. District Directory Corrections and Additions The Las Lomitas and La Entrada PTA are in the process of publishing a district directory addendum. If your info is either missing or incorrect in the district directory please follow these steps to have it corrected/added:
- Stop at the school office to check that the school has your correct records;
- Email any addition or correction to directory@laentradapta.org by Friday, February 8th.
As a reminder, a student directory is provided for all Las Lomitas Elementary School District families by the PTAs and the cost is $7.50 per directory. |
| Las Lomitas League |
Registration for Winter/ Spring Classes LLL before/after-school classes has closed. The only LLL class that is still accepting students is LLL Chorus. Parents have until February 15th to preview the class and register. Please contact the instructor Pam Donkin (pam@pamdonkin.com) directly to arrange for a preview.
Please note that classes started last week. For parents who have registered for an LLL class, here is some important information to take note of:
- You will receive a welcome email from your LLL instructor before the end of this week requesting for the dismissal instruction form to be completed. It is mandatory that parents email the completed dismissal instruction form directly to the LLL instructor before class starts. All LLL classes start week of January 28th.
- Please provide your Las Lomitas classroom teacher with your child's dismissal plan so she knows your child needs to go to the LLL class or sport on a given day. Without written instructions stating otherwise, your child will be sent to the flagpole, bus or CCLC as usual.
- Please report your child's absence from a LLL class or sport by contacting the LLL instructor directly. The school office is not involved in absence reporting for LLL classes.
- Please be punctual to pick up your child after a LLL class or sport at the designated class location, and not at the flagpole. If you are going to be late, please let the LLL instructor know in advance and with written notice with the name and contact number of the adult authorised to pick your child up. The LLL instructors cannot stay late to supervise your child. If parents are repeatedly late, the student may not be able to continue in the class as a possible consequence.
- For parents who have registered on a wait list, you will only be notified via email IF a space becomes available - we appreciate your understanding that admittance is not guaranteed.
For more information, please refer to our FAQ on our website.
For a weekly reference on LLL classes taking place, please refer to our online LLL calendar. |
The Bus Stop
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Why does a different bus or different driver come to the bus stop some days? There are several circumstances that will result in a different bus or a different driver coming to pick up students on any given day. Here's why that happens: - In addition to a 30-minute inspection done every morning, each bus is required by California law to have an inspection and service done every 45 days. Every 6 weeks our 5 buses have this mandated service (Bus 1 on Monday, Bus 2 on Tuesday, etc.). Each day a bus is dropped off at Sequoia Union High School District's bus yard about 9:15 and picked up about 1:15. For Buses 1, 3, and 4, who have a LL 2nd session pick-up route, those drivers will use either Bus 2 or Bus 5 when their bus is in for service. And, when Bus 3 is at Sequoia for this service, Mr. Fernando uses another bus to take the Kindergartners home at noon.
- This same situation occurs when we have a bus that has unexpected mechanical problems. We will often switch buses around to cover a route when a bus needs to go to Sequoia for repairs or adjustments.
- Sometimes we find that the mechanical problems cannot be completed quickly enough for our bus to be back in service when we need it. In those cases, we borrow a bus from Redwood City School District to keep our normal scheduling in place. When you see us in a Redwood City bus that means that driver's normal bus is at Sequoia for repairs of some kind.
- Sometimes what you see is a different driver. When your driver is ill or needs to be away from school for some time period, you will see Neimias Moran, our substitute driver, or one of our other drivers covering a route that they do not normally drive.
- Sometimes Mr. Moran is unable to drive for us, so we are short a driver for the day. When that happens, we modify the routes at La Entrada to bring everyone in on 3 buses and cover the Las Lomitas routes with others, so some of you see a different driver.
Our objective, always, is to provide safe transportation for all our students. I know that for many of you, your bus driver is someone you know and trust. I can assure you that you can have the same level of trust in all our drivers, as we are all committed to safe transportation for students. Being on schedule is also important and we make every effort to keep things normal for you-sometimes that means a different bus or a different driver. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments we welcome your input. Please feel free to call me at any time.
Joyce Massaro, Transportation Supervisor, 854-6311 x30 |
DELAC Meeting
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DELAC (District English Language Advisory Committee) invites you to a DELAC Meeting and Technology Night Thursday, February 7 at La Entrada. The meeting is at 6:00 p.m. in the library and the technology presentation is at 7:00 p.m. in the computer lab. For questions and to RSVP, please contact ELD teacher Lesli Leong at Las Lomitas lleong@llesd.org or (650) 854-5900 ext. 219.
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| Business Partners | |
These programs are not supported by or affiliated with the La Entrada School or the La Entrada PTA.
Creative Art For Young Children
@ Portola Valley Town Center WINTER SESSION 2013 JAN. 9 - MAR. 23 (no classes Feb. 20 - 23)
Teacher: Jeannie Goldman (650) 851-1914 To register, contact the Portola Valley Town Hall (650) 851-1700, Cindy or Teresa (ext. 200) or register online. Youth Dance Classes at Studio Rincon on Alameda in Menlo Park. Preballet, ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, advance hip hop, breakin' & poppin'- all in a fun and positive atmosphere after school. Classes for ages 4-Teen. View the youth schedule here.
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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.
Help East Palo Alto 3rd Graders with Reading
Please join All Students Matter volunteers "adopt" third grade students who desperately need help reading. If you are interested, we will start February 4th. We will commit one to two days a week (Tuesdays and/or Thursdays) from 12:40 - 2:00 p.m. at Brentwood Academy. The third grade teachers will welcome us and guide us through this focused effort. The program will last 10 weeks and will allow you to develop strong ties with third grade students struggling with reading. To volunteer, call or email Carolyn Blatman at cblatman@AOL.com or (650) 269-5354.
Youth Soccer Programs for Ages 3-7 Alpine Strikers FC offers three fun programs for your youngest soccer players in the family. If your child would like to try soccer or improve his/her skills, check out the opportunities available for preschool, kindergarten and early elementary school kids. Go to our website to find out more!
Winter and Spring Camp Menlo: Open for registration!
Winter and Spring Camp Menlo sessions offer professional swim instruction at Burgess Pool 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 Friday, February 15, February 18-22, March 25-29, and April 1-5. Register today here.
Carillon Preschool is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for our 2013-2014 school year! We offer a 3's program 2 days per week, 4's program 3 days per week and a Young 5's program 4 days per week. All programs are half day, developmentally appropriate and play-based but uniquely designed as building blocks toward Kindergarten readiness. The campus is beautiful, And we aim to incorporate our natural environment into all of our programs. For more information or to schedule a visit, contact Lynn Sowers at (650) 529-1335 or email us at carillonpreschool@ccpvw.org U-Me's Love Party Come to U-Me for a Valentine's Day Celebration! February 14th, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. for art, music and games. Ages 2-7 welcome. Free For Members. Regular day pass rates apply. $20 + $10 for each additional sibling. For more information, visit our website.
Baseball and Softball Registration for 2013 Spring Alpine/West Menlo Little League and AMA Softball is now open. Details can be found on our website here.
Jeff Arons' Spring Tennis Program at Sacred Heart begins February 1st. Visit the website for more information. Menlo Park Library News The library is offering a free Mandarin/English Bilingual Storytime every Thursday at 10:15 a.m. for children ages 5 and under. Activities include stories, songs,and finger plays. Adults are requested to accompany their children.
Steve and Kate's Camp: Join us this summer! Steve and Kate's Camp is a summer day camp, founded in 1980, for campers entering grades K-7 in the fall. Instead of a rigid structure, we give campers choices. Instead of teaching kids the typical way, we give them tools and gentle guidance to help them become autodidacts. The difference is subtle -- and it's profound. We have 24 sites in the Bay Area (including Palo Alto) plus sites in Southern California, Chicago and Seattle. Liberate yourself from weekly sessions. You are free to attend any number of days, anytime from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at any location. Any unused days are refunded automatically. How is that for peace of mind? Namaste. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Youngblood; paloalto@steveandkate.com.
Panthers Camp - Summer 2013 Panthers Camp is an "All Sports" camp held at Corte Madera School and directed by Dan Flahavan during the 2013 summer. For more information visit the Panthers Camp website. If you are interested in registering, please click this link. Please contact Dan Flahavan if you have any questions (dflahavan@pvsd.net).
We are currently conducting a research study at Stanford University on emotion regulation and reactivity among children with and without an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We are recruiting children with ASD and typically developing children (ie. children without a diagnosis of ADD, ADHD, Asperger's, ASD, or any other psychiatric illness) between the ages of 8 and 21. The study consists of up to 4 sessions and participants will be reimbursed $30 for each session and an additional $30 if the online components (questionnaires and a daily emotion journal) are completed. The total potential cash reimbursement is up to $160. US Citizens only (must have social security number to receive payment). Please contact us at aserr.samson@stanford.edu if you are interested in having your child participate. For general information about participant rights, contact (866) 680-2906.
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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 
