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Please Vote Tomorrow!
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From the Principal
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Dear Las Lomitas Families,
An Evening with the Principal will be held on November 6that 6:30 p.m. in the Library.
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 12-15. November 11 th 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 is 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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PTA News
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This year's Book Fair was a success by every measurement thanks to Sheriene Saadati, her outstanding committee, and the many volunteers who dedicated time to the event. I'm looking forward to Sheriene's detailed report to the community in next week's Lion's Roar!
Christy Chin
PTA President
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Workshop Prep Day: November 13, 9:00 a.m. to noon, Cano Hall
We need your help!! Come to the Holiday Workshop Prep Day to help prepare the crafts for your children. We will be sorting, cutting, and gluing so the kids can do their magic on the big day. It's a great way to preview this year's amazing creations AND to mingle with our wonderful parent volunteers.
We would also like to give a big shout out to Bianchini's Market, who generously donated all the paper shopping bags that our kids will use to take home their precious crafts! Thank You, Bianchini's!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  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. Donations may be submitted online via PayPal or purchased and brought directly to the classroom.
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The Las Lomitas Green Team needs your help!
We are looking for volunteers to help students sort their compost and recycling at lunch from 12:05 - 12:50 p.m. The time commitment is small and the benefits are huge! The best part will be how proud your child is to see you at school helping out!
If you have any questions, contact Marie Summers at mariesummers@live.com or go right ahead and sign up:
1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/gMa2Qc
2. Enter your email address: (You will not need to register an account on VolunteerSpot)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders.
It's Easy!
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liLas Lomitas Education Foundation
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Donate today - Click here
Please help us reach our fundraising goal of $2.6 million.
In order to maintain the small class sizes and art, music, language and other programs that are so important to an excellent elementary and middle school education, our district relies on private funds donated from our generous parents.
For more information please see our Community Report online here
Excellence is built one donation at a time
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Arrival and Dismissal Protocols
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LAS LOMITAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Arrival and Dismissal Protocols
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.
- 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 others 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.
- 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 Champions 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 to 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.
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School News
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WE STARTED OUT WITH 60 VISITOR BADGES AND NOW WE HAVE NONE. HMMMM. IF YOU FIND YOU HAVE A BADGE IN YOU CAR, HOUSE OR POCKET, COULD YOU PLEASE RETURN IT TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE? THANKS SOOOO MUCH!!! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Minimum Day Information We will be on a minimum day schedule November 12, 13, 14 and 15. 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 - All 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.
- Always 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 flagpole.
- 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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Tree Trimming
We have recently had three good-sized branches break off from the trees along the side of the school in the Camino al Lago parking lot. As part of handling that clean-up we did some assessment of the trees and have decided we should do some significant pruning on all these trees to reduce the weight of the canopy. Our goal is to insure that this high traffic area is safe and to minimize the risk of additional branches coming down during the upcoming winter season. You will likely notice the difference; the trees will be healthier and safer from this trimming and they will grow back.
This work will take place on Monday and Tuesday, November 4th and 5th, and every effort will be made to minimize the impact of the work on the parking lot and the normal drop-off and pick-up activities that take place during the day. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to keep the school safe for students, parents, siblings, staff, and the community. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly at 650-854-6311 x30.
Joyce Massaro, MOT Supervisor
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Information about Attendance
Students are expected to be at school unless they are ill, or if the parent reports that they will miss school due to an unavoidable family matter (funeral/wedding) or medical appointment. Education Code Section 48260 defines a student as truant if he/she has an "unexcused absence of more than 30 minutes on three (3) different days or more." If your child is regularly late to school, or misses school due to travel, he/she will be considered truant. If an absence is not reported to the school on the day of the absence, it is also considered unexcused, even if the child is sick.
Students who have good attendance records consistently do better in school! Please help us keep our student attendance high by taking family vacations during our scheduled holiday breaks.
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The school office would GREATLY appreciate your donation of small - medium sized sweat pants. We really need them for those occasional "accidents" . Thank you so much!
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Music Informances are coming up!
Please come watch your child's music informance. This is an opportunity to see what we're working on in music class.
Music informances are scheduled for the week of November 18-22 in room 37. Your child's specific time is listed on the music website. Click on the following link and then take time to look around the new music website.
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Warm Coat Drive
I t starts today and runs through Friday, November 15! Have the kids outgrown last year's coats? Got an extra coat or two in your closet? Daisy Troop 62345 is collecting warm, clean and reusable coats to give to families at the Haven Family House. Look for a collection bin by the flagpole. Troop members will be out there in the mornings to help make dropping off coats easier! Thank you for helping our friends at Haven Family House stay warm this winter. If you have any questions, please contact Jen Sheldon ( jwsheldon@gmail.com) o r Anne Koenig (mkoenig1@comcast.net). |
Las Lomitas League News
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  BASKETBALL SEASON IS APPROACHING It will take about a week to finalize teams so we hope to announce teams by Friday, November 8.
Information about game days is listed to the right. Practices will begin in mid-November and games begin the week of December 9.
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News from La Entrada
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THANK YOU FOR DONATING THOUSANDS OF BOOKS TO THE
LA ENTRADA USED BOOK FAIR! 
Mark Your Calendar and come shop for favorite books!
Dates: Tuesday, November 12th - Friday, November 15th
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: La Entrada, in MUR across from school office
Cost: $1, $3, $5, $8
Cash and checks only accepted
100% of the proceeds go directly to the La Entrada PTA
A few notable authors and books to mention:
Children's: Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, How I became A Pirate, Froggy, Sandra Boyton, Where the Wild Things Are, Skippyjon Jones, Magic School Bus
Young Adult: Magic Tree House, Goosebumps, Midnight for Charlie Bone, Ranger's Apprentice, Stink, Big Nate, Power of Six, Diary of A Wimpy Kid, Junie B Jones, Judy Moody, Dan Gutman books, Hardy Boys, Rainbow Magic, Harry Potter, Twilight Series, Hunger Games, Rick Riordan
Adult: Where'd You Go Bernadette, Beautiful Ruins, Gone Girl, Wild, Oprah Winfrey, Heroes of Olympus, Cooking Light Cook Books, Gone Girl, Snow Queen, Malcolm Caldwell, Michael Connelly
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Sweet Sacrifice
La Entrada Community Service Club
We have a new club at La Entrada called the Community Service Club where the students engage in Service Learning in which the act of service to others is the asset, not the individual projects. Service Learning incorporates and connects school curriculum (can be applied at any and all grades K- College) to real world experiences that enhance and contribute to a student's care and concern for society and the world in a multitude of arenas (environment, homelessness, elders, gardening, appreciation, etc.). The group and teams are completely student based; service projects are student created, planned, run, dispensed and concluded.
Our first project is entitled, "Sweet Sacrifice." This is a Candy Drive and is for any Halloween candy that you would like to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank for sweet treats. We will be collecting candy at La Entrada on Monday, November 4th & Tuesday, November 5th during drop off in the morning and pick up in the afternoon. We will also have an offsite collection for donations. Please email Monica Albers (Monica.albers@gmail.com) for information.
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Business Partners
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Honeycombers Lice Advice & Treatment Salon offers lice removal services, lice removal products and training, and prevention advice for families and organizations whose parent and employee populations deal with lice. We're dedicated to making lice a thing of the past for your family. From in-salon private treatment rooms to appointments in your home, we offer a full range of services and the expertise to help you choose what works best for you. Using non-toxic, enzyme-based products-combined with a gentle touch, a knack for calming kids (and adults), and serious removal expertise-we'll help you get rid of the little buggers fast. Call us anytime at (650) 800-7081 for advice or appointments at our salon in downtown Menlo Park (441 El Camino Real right next to the Shell Station at Middle Ave). Honeycombers - The Sweetest Way to Be Treated.
Champions Preschool and Pre-K @ Las Lomitas Champions at Las Lomitas is currently enrolling in our Preschool/Pre-K Programs! We promote an environment that ensures the development of academic, social, and physical skills. Our programs provide a comprehensive, research-based curriculum which meets Early Childhood Education standards and Kindergarten readiness expectations. Come visit us on Wednesday, October 16 th for Bring-a-Friend Day to experience a day at Champions powered by Early Foundations. Programs available from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact Ruby at ralter@cclc.com or 650-233-1860. Visit our website.
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Community News
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Reading Volunteers Needed for East Palo Alto 3rd Graders - 1 Hour per Week
All Students Matter needs parent volunteers for a structured reading program called Reading Scholars at Brentwood Academy in East Palo Alto (behind Home Depot). Volunteers help 3rd graders who are reading below grade level. For one hour a week you will meet with the same child and read books together. We will provide the training, supplies and coordinate the time. You'll see specific changes in your student's reading over time and enjoy getting to know an enthusiastic and motivated student. Have questions or want to sign up? Contact Jeanette Kennedy at jkc_kennedy@yahoo.com or Carolyn Blatman at CBlatman@aol.com. To learn more about our volunteer group, visit our website.
Stanford United: Soccer Tryouts for Boys 7-10 Tuesday, November 19th and Thursday, November 21st from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. in Palo Alto
Our fantastic group of boys is head coached by Vava Marques, a US National Team futbal coach , and his experienced staff. The program focuses on developing soccer instincts, player discipline, and team spirit in a fun environment. We have 6 teams spanning 3 different age groupings and
3 different divisions, so there's lots of room for different levels of experience and commitment. Families interested in learning more and joining us for tryouts for Spring 2014 should email tryouts2013@gmail.com.
Neighborhood Trees
Sharon Green Apartments (near La Entrada) has filed for a permit to cut down 145 trees, including 62 heritage trees on their site (along with other construction work). There will be a public meeting on this permit request at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 4th at Menlo Park City offices (701 Laurel Street).
Studio Rincon Youth Dance and Yoga Classes on Alameda in Menlo Park. Now taking signups for the next session of Youth Dance and yoga classes. The next session begins the week of 11/4. Signup here. Preballet, ballet, hip hop, yoga- all in a fun and positive atmosphere after school. Classes for ages 3-Teen. View the youth schedule here. Twas the Night Before Christmas Menlo Mavericks Swim and Water Polo TeamNow accepting new members for this year-round Menlo Park swim and water polo team! USA Swimming certified swim team for youth age 5-18, plus Water Polo for boys and girls, 14 and under. Practices at Burgess and Belle Haven Pools. More information available here. Emotion Regulation Research at Stanford. Participants with Autism, ADD/ADHD and Controls Needed. 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) compared to children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) and typically developing participants. We are recruiting children with ASD, ADD/ADHD 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 22. 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.
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 that provides academic coaching and homework oversight for students from 1st - 5th grades. Open Monday - Thursday, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Visit our website for more details.
Menlowe Ballet Presents
Lineage
Menlowe Ballet's Presents Lineage (Fall Seaons 2013) . Performances are Friday and Saturday, November 15 & 16 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m., at Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center. For tickets, please visit our website or call (800) 595-4849
Join us with your pre-schooler for Story Time at Kepler's every Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. Every Thursday afternoon at 4:00 p.m., beginning October 31, come to the Menlo Park Libraryfor our School-Age Storytelling featuring John Weaver. This is NOT a story time but a story telling - all told without a book!
Alpine Strikers FC is excited to announce upcoming tryouts for the spring season. If your child is excited about soccer, she or he might be ready to come out and participate in these tryouts. Players new to the club can be evaluated via age group wide tryouts. Roster openings vary from team to team and are at the discretion of the coaches. For general club information, please visit our website. To register your child for tryouts, please click here.
Menlo College is offering a Junior Oaks Basketball Academy November 10th, 17th and December 8th and 15th. There are flyers in the Las Lomitas office or you may contact them directly at oaksbasketball@menlo.edu or call (650) 543-3846.
The students of Menlo-Atherton High School are kicking off their annual Canned Food Drive on Tuesday, November 5. This is a chance for the greater community to rally around the growing number of San Mateo County residents who cannot afford enough food to provide for themselves and their families. According to the Second Harvest Food Bank website, 1 in 4 people in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties are at risk for hunger. Many of them are children, and some are our neighbors, classmates, or acquaintances.
This year again, M-A has partnered with Second Harvest to ensure that families continue to have access to food sources beyond the Canned Food Drive. Supporting the Food Drive again this years are: Bianchini's in Ladera, Draeger's in Menlo Park; Key Market in Redwood City; Roberts Market in Portola Valley, the Safeways at Sequoia Station, on El Camino in Menlo Park, and in Sharon Heights, Trader Joe's in Menlo Park, and Whole Foods in Palo Alto. Here is how you can help the families in your community:
- When you are shopping for your family, please add a few extra cans to your cart and drop them into the Second Harvest Food Bank barrels. M-A students will be handing out the list of most-needed items requested by SHFB.
- Consider donating online. Type "high school" in the Online Food Drive box and select Menlo-Atherton High School so that your gift can be properly credited to the M-A outreach effort.
Please contact feedourfamilies@mabearspta.org if you have questions. Thank you for your support!
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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 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!
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The Lion's Roar 
