Lion's Roar News for September 9, 2013

Why a bond? The Las Lomitas Elementary School District is very successful and our schools continue to attract more students - a 40% increase over 10 years. In fact:

· 10 years ago, La Entrada had 550 students. In two years, it will have 800 students

· 25% of our students attend classes in portables

The $60M bond will fund permanent classrooms to accommodate increased enrollment and allow us to continue educating our children at the highest levels.

Who we are? We are "Friends of Las Lomitas and La Entrada Schools - YES on S 2013", a Citizen's Bond Campaign Committee composed of parents, school board members, administrators and teachers, who are all volunteering their time to run a successful campaign. To see a complete list of committee members go to our website. There are four ways that you can help us win YES on S 2013!

1. VOTE! Only 30% of parents typically vote. If we can get a majority of our parents to vote, we will pass this important bond! Please sign up to vote here or to get your absentee ballot here.

2. Help us campaign. Sign-up to help make calls to the voters in our district. We are holding 31 phone banking nights, Monday through Thursday, from 5pm - 8pm beginningSeptember 5th. Please volunteer here.

3. Like us on Facebook!

4. Donate. By State law, district funds cannot be used to promote this bond. We need to raise funds to run our marketing campaign - informational mailings / pamphlets, direct voter contact, signs - and other essential campaign expenses. Follow this link to donate. Please consider this an additional donation to what you are planning to donate to the Foundation.

If you have any questions about Yes on S 2013, please email Diana Sunshine [sunshine@onderdonk.net] or Josh Becker [becker.josh@gmail.com]. You can find our FAQ here.

From the Principal

Dear Las Lomitas Families,

The first Morning with the Principal is scheduled for this Wednesday, September 11^th

at 9:00 a.m. in Cano Hall. I will share information about the opening of school and answer questions. Everyone is welcome! I hope to see you there!

Are you prepared for an emergency? At Las Lomitas we have many systems in place to ensure the safety of your child during an emergency. We have drills to practice what to do in case of a fire, earthquake or cause to shelter-in-place. We also have district-wide communication systems to notify you immediately if needed. However, we can only reach you if the contact information we have is correct. Please, notify the school if you have a new email or phone number. Make sure that names and phone numbers of emergency contacts are entered through InfoSnap should we not be able to reach you. Be sure your child knows who you have authorized to pick them up if you aren't available. Children are instructed to not go home with someone without your permission. An emergency is already a confusing situation. Let's set this confusion aside now! Finally, be sure the adults who are emergency contacts know that they are listed and may be called. Safety is our number one priority. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Continuing along with the safety theme, thank you to everyone who signs in at the office when arriving on campus. All visitors are expected to wear a name badge if they are going to be on campus other than going to the office ~ even if you are here for just a short time. You will be stopped and asked to return to the office if you do not have the badge visible during school hours. You do not need to sign in if you are on campus after hours, even on the minimum days.

Thank you to all of you who have joined the PTA. The PTA provides a wide variety of special activities for the students. With all the busy-ness of the first few weeks of school you may not have taken the time to join the PTA. If that's the case, simply go to their website and sign up. While you are there, look at the many options for volunteering. There is something for everyone! I hope to see you at the first PTA event, the Pancake Breakfast, on September 21^st. It's sure to be a great time for all.

For those of you who may not know, every Friday is "Spirit Day" at Las Lomitas. Be sure to wear your red and white! If you are interested in purchasing spirit wear, you can do so online. They have quite a selection!

Until next time,

Sue

PTA News

HELP NEEDED for PTA NOTECARD PROJECT

How it works: We need 2 Parent Volunteers per class for about 40 minutes only for ONE DAY during the period of September 10 to September 26. The Volunteers will pass out materials and assist the children in drawing their pictures and collect their finished peices! That's it! To volunteer and let us know your availability, contact Molly Drewes, at molly@drewes.net to sign up! THANK YOU for your support!!!!

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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 (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.

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Thank you to all if you that have "joined" the PTA! Your contributions pay for many wonderful things at Las Lomitas - including the school wide assemblies! Our first one is scheduled for September 25th so don't forget to ask your kids about it! And for those of you who haven't yet had the chance to contribute this year...yes, we realize its easy to forget but registration is so easy! PLEASE contribute now online so that we can plan our future assemblies this year!

Don't forget to ask your children about the first PTA sponsored assembly on Wednesday, September 25th! Thank you PTA!!

Featuring the 2011 Parents Choice Award winners....The Banana Slug String Band!

Dive in! Swim with us, alongside sea turtles and whales, on a musical odyssey into the Earth's one mysterious, marvelous - and precious - ocean. ONLY ONE OCEAN is 14 rockin' new songs from the award-winning Banana Slug String Band all designed to inspire young people and their families to learn about and care for the ocean. Special guests include George Winston, Brett Dennen, Zach Gill & Grammy winners Victor Wooten and BeaSoleil avec Michael Doucet. For more information, including home activities, visit their website.

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Holiday Workshop Planning Meeting

Wednesday, September 25, Cano Hall: 9:00 a.m.

It's that time again! Calling all parents! Would you like to help with the Holiday Workshop? Do you have an idea for a craft that our kids would enjoy? Perhaps, be a table lead? Come join us at our opening meeting to prepare for this fun event. If you have a craft, bring a sample to share. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or want to lead a craft table but are unable to attend the planning meeting.

Sign up to volunteer to help with this fun day via the PTA website. Save the Date: The Holiday Workshop - Wednesday, December 4. Contacts: Kristina Valentine (kristinavalentine@yahoo.com) or Josie Tang (jatangmd@yahoo.com).

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Earn money for the school with Box Tops for Education

It's time to start collecting and submitting box tops! Please remember to collect box top coupons found on many favorite brands, such as Betty Crocker, Nature Valley, Kleenex, Huggies, Ziplock, Avery and so many more. If you haven't already, please submit your box tops in a small bag to the office with your student's name and room number on it.. (There is a cereal box at the counter for you to drop them). We will have a drawing during the school year for those who turn their box tops in. 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.

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Las Lomitas Hot Lunch Program Hot lunch is available for children in grades 1-3. Kindergartners do not participate in the hot lunch program.

Choicelunch will continue to provide our hot lunch program. They will be offering new and improved meals this year with additional fruit and veggies, a simple snack and more earth friendly packaging. We look forward to working with them as they are a great way to give our children a hot nourishing lunch!

If your family had a Choicelunch account last year, you do not need to re-register as your child or children will be automatically moved up a grade and placed in the proper class. If you would like to add a student to your account, make changes to your existing information, or create a new account, please visit their website. If needed, the Las Lomitas registration code is "Atherton".

The hot lunch program is run solely by parent volunteers and is an excellent way to be involved with the PTA, see your children at lunch time, and have a great time getting to know other parents! We are in need of volunteers every day, especially Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so if you can help for one hour once per week or every other week, from 11:50-12:50, please contact Ozge Goker at ozgegoker@yahoo.com

or Christina Baszucki at Christina@baszucki.com. You can also sign up online here

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Las Lomitas Pancake Breakfast

pancakes

We're kicking off the school year with this fun family event on Saturday, September 21st from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. at Las Lomitas! Start your day with breakfast served to you while you catch up with friends and meet new families. We'll be serving hot-off-the griddle pancakes, delicious sausages, and fresh fruit along with juice, coffee and lattes. Happy Birds will be there to amuse the kids with their amazing performing parrots.

Order advance plates online or via this form for $6 each. Plates will be given to you at the Pancake Breakfast check-in tables. The deadline for advance orders is Friday, September 13. Plates will be available at the door for $8 each.

Please see the Pancake Breakfast Flyer for more info. If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering, please contact Susie Gostyla. We look forward to seeing you there!

Las Lomitas Education Foundation

The kids are in class and fall is here. Now's the time to add a few important to-dos to your back to school list!

Renew or register your Safeway or other grocery cards with escrip here. Our grocery stores will donate to our schools every time you shop!

Shopping online? Make llefshopping.com your starting point! By clicking through to other retailers (Amazon!) from our website, a percentage of your total purchase will be donated to our schools at no cost to you. Bookmark us!

Make sure your grandparents are connected to receive an invitation to Grandparent's Day in the Spring, and our newsletter just for them! Register them here

Are we having fun yet? We are if we're at a fall party with our friends and neighbors! There are still spaces available in some fantastic upcoming parties for parents and kids alike! Click here, register and come out and play.

Coming up in the next few weeks for adults:

Mexican Fiesta Progressive in University Heights - Sept. 14
3rd Annual Ladies Tennis Round Robin - Sept. 22
7th Annual Camino a los Cerros Progressive - Sept. 28

School News

Safety on Campus

Now that the first week and a half of school is over, all adults who are on campus beyond the flagpole and office area must sign-in and wear a badge at all times. This includes parents who are walking students to class or to the playground before 9:00 a.m. Staff will stop and ask you to return to the office if you are in the hallway without a badge. Thank you for your support to keep our campus safe and secure for the students.

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A reminder from the health office:

If your child will require medication to be given and/or stored at school, please bring it in the original container with a completed Medication Authorization form to the Las Lomitas school office. Important: a new form must be completed annually in order for us to administer medication (prescription or over the counter) at school.

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We have Student Accident and Sickness Coverage insurance forms for the 2013-14 school year in the Parent Corner of the school office.

Arrival/Dismissal Protocol

LAS LOMITAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - Arrival and Dismissal Protocol

Safety comes first at Las Lomitas. The streets in our neighborhood, including Camino al Lago, are very congested during arrival and dismissal times, especially on Wednesdays and minimum days. Please take a few minutes to review these safety tips. With everyone's cooperation, we can be sure that our students are safe and help traffic move smoothly.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Please share this information with others who will bring or pick up your child from school. We appreciate everyone's courtesy and patience in the parking area, on Camino al Lago and surrounding streets at arrival and dismissal times.

Sue Sartor, Principal

AT ALL TIMES

PLEASE BE PATIENT and RESPECTFUL; everyone is working hard to get students in and out of school safely.

TURN OFF YOUR CELLPHONE!

PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY and PAY ATTENTION, even on neighboring streets. Our students are young and not easily seen.

PARK IN DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES; please honor the no parkingsigns and only use the handicapped parking spaces if you have a placard. Do not block neighbors' driveways - please model courteous behavior. Do not park in staff spaces before 9:00 a.m.

LEAVE PETS AT HOME. Even the cutest puppy can cause more congestion and possible frighten a student.

WRITTEN PERMISSION IS REQUIRED FOR A CHANGE IN DISMISSAL; emails are not always read in time. Be sure the note arrives at school and is given to the teacher first thing in the morning.

ARRIVING BY CAR

BE READY TO UNLOAD; have backpacks ready so the line doesn't back up.

ALWAYS UNLOAD CURBSIDE; please do not ever unload from drive-through lane.

approach the crosswalk area slowly! Be especially cautious if you are in the drive-through lane.

CHECK TO SEE IF THE CROSSWALK IS CLEAR of students and parents before driving forward.

ARRIVING on FOOT or BICYCLE

ALWAYS use the crosswalk! Be a role model for the children, even when tempted to cut across the drive-through or loading lanes. Remember, even when you are alone, other children may be watching your example.

LOOK BOTH WAYS before crossing! Cars may not see you - watch for them.

WALK BICYCLES on the sidewalk; LOCK them at designated bike racks.

PICKING UP by CAR at DISMISSAL TIME

STAY IN THE PICK-UP LANE! Do not leave your car. Do not send someone to the flagpole to pick up your child and bring to the car.

PUT THE NAME CARD WHERE IT CAN BE CLEARLY SEEN from a distance. Hold it up or put it on the visor. If you do not have a name card, you will be given another one and may be asked to circle around again.

DRIVE SLOWLY through the drive-through lane if you are ready to go before othere in front of you.

PICKING UP in PERSON at DISMISSAL TIME

KEEP THE HALLWAYS CLEAR; do not wait in the hall to meet your child.

KEEP THE GATE AREA CLEAR

USE THE CROSSWALK! Watch for teachers to help cross through traffic.

ONLY PICK UP AT THE FRONT GATE OF THE SCHOOL; do not park in the CCLC lot or behind the school and ask students to meet you there.

ON WEDNESDAYS, do not come inside the gate once dismissal is in progress. Tell the teacher assigned at the gate area your child's name and she will call your child to come meet you.Students will be grouped by grade level in the flagpole courtyard every Wednesday and on minimum days.

Las Lomitas League

Registration for Fall 2013 LLL before/after-school classes has closed. Please note that classes start this week. The only LLL class that is still accepting students is Chorus. Parents can arrange for their child to preview the class and register by September 20th. Please contact the instructor Pam Donkin pam@pamdonkin.com directly to arrange for a preview.

For parents who have registered for an LLL class, here are some important information to take note of:

It is mandatory that parents submit or email the dismissal instruction form directly to the LLL instructorbefore class starts. If you have not done so, please submit the form as soon as possible. We thank you for your cooperation.

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 an LLL class or sport by contacting the LLL instructor directly. The school office is not involved in absence reporting for LLL classes.

If your child attends CCLC, please inform CCLC directly of the LLL classes that your child is enrolled in so that CCLC can remind your child when it is time to walk over for their LLL class and your child does not miss any LLL classes. The school or LLL is not responsible for informing CCLC of the classes you have enrolled your child in.

CCLC will only walk Kindergarteners to and from LLL classes. CCLC will no longer escort 1st-3rd graders to and from LLL classes. 1st-3rd graders will have to walk to LLL classes and back to CCLC on their own. If you have any questions on any of the above procedures, please contact the Director of CCLC, Ruby Alter directly at RAlter@cclc.com

Please be punctual to pick up your child after an 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.

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.

VOLUNTEER! The Las Lomitas League is in need of a registrar (or registrars). This is a great way to volunteer on your own time. The registrar sets up the online registration for classes and sports, answers questions and provides reports as needed. All work can be done at home. Board meetings are held once per month in the evenings. If interested, please contact Maureen Goode at goode4all@gmail.com

Business Partners

Circle of Friends Preschool

Looking for a great little preschool in the Las Lomitas neighborhood?Come see our developmental, play-based program where children have opportunities to create, explore, problem solve, learn skills and concepts, and integrate knowledge in a hands on supportive environment. 8:30 am - 1:30 pm. Contact Debbie at 650-854-2468 or cofpreschool@gmail.com. Visit their website here.

Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory (PVTC) offers imaginative, challenging THEATRE CLASSES this fall! PVTC's classes are open to students of all skill level, novice to experienced in Pre-K through high school. In addition to teaching acting skills, these classes build self-confidence and encourage collaboration with peers. Each week, students learn about theatre through well-loved theatre games and creative acting exercises. Students also rehearse a short play that is performed at the end of our 8-week session for family and friends. One of the highlights of the performance, in addition to the fact that all students get lines, is using simple costumes, props, & lighting, and performing the play on a real stage. Our fall theme is "Folktales, Myths, and Legends," so all of our short plays will center on classic stories of adventure and heroism. Thursday classes begin Sept. 5. All other classes begin the week of Sept. 9. Register online here. Questions? Email info@pvtc-ca.org

Studio Rincon Youth Dance and Yoga Classes on Alameda in Menlo Park. Youth classes start the week of September 9th. Signup here! Pre-ballet, ballet, tap and hip-hop all in a fun and positive atmosphere after school. Classes for ages 3-Teen. View the youth schedule here.

Menlo Park Great Clips for Hair Come visit your local Great Clips today for a great haircut at every day value prices. If you mention this ad, each customer with a purchase of ten dollars or more may have one mini ICE Spiker Colorz non-permanent color styling glue from Joico. Great for special events, sports teams, and just all-around fun. Store location is at the Sharon Heights Safeway, behind Starbucks, 325 Sharon Park Drive. Hours: M-F 9 - 8, Sat. 9-6, and Sun. 10-6. Phone: 650-763-3443. Check out our easy and convenient online check-in by clicking here. A Great Haircut. Guaranteed.

Community News

SmartFit Kids at Menlo Swim and Sport Acclaimed for coaching excellence, Menlo Swim and Sport's SmartFit Kids is an after-school homework and tutoring program at Burgess that provides academic coaching and homework oversight for students from first to fifth grades. Open Monday - Thursday, 3:30-5:30pm. Visit our website for more details.

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 CBlatman@aol.com

Alpine Strikers FC - Pre-Competitive Soccer Programs
Alpine Strikers FC is a competitive soccer club based in Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside - devoted to player development of the community's future soccer players! The fall season has started and there is still room in the pre-competitive programs for preschoolers and kindergarteners. If your child is excited about soccer and wants to develop soccer fundamentals in a fun-filled environment, please visit our website to register or find out more.

NJB Winter Basketball registration is now open on our website. Our focus is on skills-based instruction, personal growth, and positive competition for kids from 1^st through 8^th grades in MP, Atherton, PV, Woodside, or EPA. The season runs from November through February.

Cub Scout 2013-14 registration

Interested in Cub Scouts at Las Lomitas? Pack 222 will hold our annual 'Ice Cream Social', a fun, activity filled kickoff event for all 1st-5th grade boys on September 15. See how far your son can shoot our water Balloon Catapult! Come from 1-3 pm at Oak Knoll Elementary School. A new den for Las Lomitas 1st graders will be forming and we'd love to meet your son. If you have further questions, please email Tobias Freccia, tobias@fiarde.com, or visit the Pack 222 website .

Creative Art for Young Children...Fall 2013 @ Portola Valley Town Center...Sept.18-Dec. 7th (no classes Thanksgiving week) Teacher Jeannie Goldman (650)851-1914. These classes offer a unique art experience for children 3yrs-the 5th grade with the philosophy that children are natural born creators...each a master of his or her own style. The Fall session begins with pictures of furry little squirrels and clay bird feeders. For more info go to our website. You can register online or call Julia @ (650) 851-1700 ext 200.

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 (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;

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!