The Lion's Roar  

The Las Lomitas PTA Newsletter  
                                                                         Week of August 19, 2013    
In This Issue
School News
Note to the Community
Las Lomitas Education Foundation
PTA News
Las Lomitas League
Community News
Newsletter Submissions
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Important Dates to Note:  

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  • Tue., Aug .27Parent Information Night                 Grades K & 1: 7:15 - 8:00 p.m. Grades 2 & 3:  6:30 - 7:15 p.m. (Please note correction from last week!)
  • Mon., Sept. 2 - NO SCHOOL; Labor Day holiday
  • Wed., Sept. 4 - PTA Board Meeting, Room 20B; 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
  • Wed., Sept. 11 - Morning with the Principal, Cano Hall: 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
  • Wed., Sept. 11 - School Board Meeting, District Office; 7:00 p.m.
  • Wed., Sept. 18 - Student Picture Day
  • Sat., Sept. 21 - Pancake Breakfast; 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

 

             

   

School News

Dear Las Lomitas Families,


There are three items I wanted to share with you prior to the first day of school.  The first will be most noticeable during lunch.  Last year I had several discussions with parents and PTA leaders regarding the amount of wasted food and trash accumulated at our 1
st-3rd grade lunch periods. Many children eat very little and throw almost all of their lunch into the compost/trash bins. In an effort to reduce the amount of thrash and a greener campus, there will be fewer snack choices from Choice Lunch.  It is our hope that the children will eat their entr�e rather than filling up on snacks.  It will also improve the nutritional value of the meal. An added benefit is that there will be fewer wrappers going into our trash bins.  Our goal this year is to become trash-free, or as close to trash-free as we can possible manage.  Choice Lunch is working to make all of their entr�e packages compostable. For those of you who send a lunch to school, (all of you will the first 3 days of school) I encourage you to use reusable containers.  Students will be asked to take all plastic bags and wrappers, as well as uneaten food, home with them each day.  Hopefully, this will not only help the environment, but you will know exactly what your child is eating at lunch each day and can make adjustments if needed.  If you have questions about these changes, you can contact me, PTA Hot Food Coordinator Ozge Goker, or PTA President Christy Chin.  Thank you for your cooperation to make lunch healthy for the children and our environment!

 

Secondly, there will be some changes in our dismissal procedures at the flag pole area to ensure student safety.  Details will be sent home in a separate flier. We will be on a 9:00 a.m. - 2:05 p.m. dismissal for all 1st-3rd grade students the first three days of school, so it will be very crowded.  I thank you in advance for being patient and cautious when you come to pick up your child.  

 

Finally, I ask that you take a minute to read the following note from our Counselor, Kathy Ruwe.  We are all optimistic that Kathy will make it through her treatments successfully and be back to her usual regimen in no time!  I know I can count on the Las Lomitas community to support her during this trying time.


I look forward to seeing all of you and your smiling children!  It's been awfully quiet around here!

 

Until next time,

Sue Sartor

Principal


Note to the Community

 

To the Las Lomitas Community:

 

While there is no easy way to tell you this, it is important to me you are aware, as this new school year opens, that I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June.

 

My very personal journey has me in the care of a group of talented doctors who have assured me my prognosis is excellent.  I am currently embarking on a chemotherapy and radiation regimen that is going to take me well into the fall. My hope/goal is to be done with therapies and back to "normal" by the holiday break.

 

In the meantime, I will be sporting colorful new scarves and hats for a couple of months.  I am guessing that most of the kids won't even give this a second thought.  If students do ask me questions, my simple answer will be "I took some medicine that made my hair fall out and as soon as I am done taking that medicine, my hair will grow back."  If your son/daughter has questions you are unable to answer, please feel free to contact me or Sue Sartor.  The American Cancer Society website www.cancer.org is also a tremendous resource.

 

Needless to say, this journey will impact my counseling program.  My intention is to work as much as I can (being surrounded by all of your children will be good for me!)  however my schedule will be unpredictable.  Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

 

I feel very fortunate to call Las Lomitas my home during this very challenging time!

 

Yours,

 

Kathy Ruwe

School Counselor

 

Las Lomitas Education Foundation
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Parties and Fun!
Summer is almost over, but that does not mean the fun has to stop!  There are still a few available spots in some fantastic parties going on this fall.  Come and celebrate the kids being back in school with you friends and neighbors!  From the SxSW back to school bash on August 24 to the Mexican Fiesta on September 14, there is space in a party for you and your spouse.  Come out and have some fun!  Click here to register:

And to make sure the kids don't miss out, check out these grade level parties:
  • Back to school party for entering Kindergardeners -- Tuesday, August 20, 10:30 a.m.
  • Back to school party for entering 2nd Graders -- Tuesday, August 20, 10:30 a.m.

Register for these and other kid's parties here!
PTA News

Check off this "to do" item before school starts!

 

Engage in your child's education and contribute to his/her love of learning!

 

Your membership:

  • enriches the educational experience of your child and all children
  • supports outreach children 
  • helps to fund classroom activities
  • provides you with opportunities to connect with students, teachers and other parents
  • covers the direct costs associated with PTA activities
  • assures that all students attend inspiring field trips, enjoy healthy lunches every day, and make holiday crafts for family members
This is also where you can purchase your copy of the coveted school district student directory AND advance purchase your child's memory book.  Don't miss out!


 volunteer PTA button 

Las Lomitas League

Las Lomitas League 

PLAN AHEAD! 

Information on the fall sports and after school classes is now up on our website here so you can start planning.  

Registration for both sports and classes will open on August 22nd at 7:00 p.m.

 

Community News

Girl Scout Trail Ride Saturday September 14, 2013 @ Webb Ranch. Drop off 1:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Pick-up 3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Single riders ok, but volunteer ratios apply. Nut-free snack and participation badge provided. Price contingent on number of riders but will be under $52. Advance registration. No walk-ins. Open to registered Girl Scouts ages 7 and up. Contact Ginny Rader [email protected] for more information.

Classroom Volunteers Needed in East Palo Alto - An Hour a Week Could Change a Student's Life
We are looking for parents willing to volunteer in a K-4 classroom this school year.  Assist teachers with tutoring and individualized instruction much like you may have done in your own child's classroom, but these classes have no parents helping...no PTA. The schools are located in East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park.  It's one hour per week with training starting September 6th. Our organization coordinates everything. To learn more about us, visit us here.  Have questions or want to sign up?  Contact Carolyn Blatman at [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

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