The Lion's Roar  

The Las Lomitas PTA Newsletter  
                                                               
 Week of February 10, 2014
   
In This Issue
From the Principal
PTA News
Las Lomitas Education Foundation
Kindergarten Registration
Next Year Session Requests - Returning Families ONLY
School News
Stanford Studies Seek Participants
Business Partners
Community News
Summer Programs/Camps
Newsletter Submissions
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links

 Calendar

 


This Week:  

  • Feb 12 - School Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - D.O. 
 

Next Week:    

  • Feb 17-21 No School - Presidents' Week   

 

Save the Date!

  • Friday April 25 - Kindergarten Roundup - 10:00 a.m. Cano Hall - A wonderful way for incoming Ks to get acquainted.  More information to follow.    

  

       

 

 

 

PLEASE NOTE:  ARTICLES FOR THE LION'S ROAR OF FEBRUARY 24 ARE DUE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12.   

From the Principal
 
A reminder...If  you have important information about your child's placement for next year, please let the classroom teacher know or submit that information to me in writing before May 1, 2014.  Any placement information received after this date may not be considered due to our placement schedule. 

Until next time,

Sue Sartor
Principal

 

PTA News

Earn money for the school with Box Tops for Education 
 
boxtops
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.

  

Thank you for supporting Las Lomitas!

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ScienceWonders is coming... The Las Lomitas version of a 'Science Fair',

ScienceWonders, will be on Wednesday, March 19 rom 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in Cano Hall. This is an age-appropriate, voluntary, non-competitive event. The general format for projects is, "I wonder..., I did..., I learned". Kids come up with any question about which they wonder and experiment and research to find answers. Their projects are displayed for friends and families at the Exhibition on March 19. More information can be found here and an information packet downloaded here

 

You may register online. If you have any questions, please contact Diana Sunshine at [email protected]  

 

 

  

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Read-A-Thon Submissions are Due!
  
Why Should I Donate to the Read-A-Thon?
Our annual Read-A-Thon is the PTA's primary fundraising activity. Your donations are combined with our PTA membership income to fund wonderful programs for the kids, such as:
        • Principal's Book Club (ask your child if they have a favorite)
        • Lunch Table Sun Covers (many need to be replaced each year)
        • Playground structures with adoption of the Peaceful Playground program
        • Quality Sound System for school events
        • Teacher Professional Development
        • And so much more! 
 
We are truly grateful for all donations received for the kids! --Thank you!
 
Please record your child(ren)'s minutes online here or turn in your red envelope with the Read-A-Thon brochure and checks as soon as possible so we can finalize our numbers to share after ski week.
 
We will have the Popcorn Celebration Friday, February 28th for all classes that meet their reading goal! The latest tally of minutes can be seen at www.laslomitaspta.org/readathon. Also, stop by and see the Read-A-Thon banner outside Cano Hall overflowing with popcorn kernels awarded to our Milestone Minute readers! 
   
Questions?  Please contact Cheryl Cho-Phan at [email protected].
 
liLas Lomitas Education Foundation

foundation logo

 

 



THANK YOU to all of the families in our wonderful community who have already donated to the Annual Giving Campaign!  With over 80% of families participating to date, we have been able to meet our challenge grant of $80,000!  Thank you to our marvelous AGC co-chairs, Dan Li and Julie Clugage!

 

 It's not too late to donate!
 

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Help make this our best auction ever by donating an item, service, or event

  

http://www.llef.org/auction  

 

If you're not sure what to donate, we can help! Email us at [email protected]
 

 

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Las Lomitas School hosts

2014 Grandparents Day!!

  

Friday, May 23rd

Save the date!

 

Online sign-up coming soon!

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.

  

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  Please support our schools and donate today   

  Excellence is built one donation at a time

 
LLEF Our Children Our Schools Our Community
Registration Information for 2014-2015
 

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION for 2014 - 2015 INFORMATION

Kindergarten registration for children who will turn age five on or before September 1, 2014 opened on Monday, January 6, 2014.  There are three (3) steps to the registration process.

 

Step #1

To begin the registration process, bring the following to the school office:

  • ORIGINAL birth certificate or passport
  • Your child's immunization records to date
  • Proof of residency in the form of two ORIGINAL utility bills (i.e. power, water) or one ORIGINAL utility bill and lease agreement or mortgage paper

Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

Step #2

Upon receipt of the items listed above, you will be given access to InfoSnap, our on-line registration system, where you will continue the registration process.


Step #3

Upon completion of the on-line registration, you MUST bring a hard copy of these forms to the school office to FINALIZE registration. Your child will not be registered at Las Lomitas until we receive your on-line registration papers.

 

Note: Las Lomitas School District does not offer Transitional Kindergarten.

 

 

Session Information for Kindergarten

 

There are two sessions for Kindergarten. First session Kindergarten is from 9:00 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. and second session is from 10:15 a.m. to 2:05 p.m.  Due to transportation schedules, KINDERGARTEN families in the Ladera area are placed in the FIRST session unless their request for another session is granted. KINDERGARTEN families in the Woodside area are placed in the SECOND session unless their request for another session is granted. Families from Ladera or Woodside who are placed in another session upon their request are responsible for transportation from school to home.

 

 

Requesting First Session

 

If your kindergartner is not automatically placed in first session as listed above, you must request placement in first session. To request first session you must:

  1. Have ALL registration information, including the on-line registration form, on file in the school office by January 31, 2014.
  2. Email or deliver a written request for first session to the Principal at [email protected] beginning at 10:00 p.m., February 1, 2014. No requests will be accepted before this date. 

All requests will be placed on a wait list according to the date and time the email or letter is received. Requests will be cross-checked to ensure your registration information was complete by January 31, 2014.   

 

 

School Tours

Tours of the school for parents of incoming Kindergarten students will be offered on the dates listed below.  These tours are for adults only (no infants in strollers, please). In order to minimize distractions to the academic program, spaces are limited to 16 per tour and one tour per family. Please call the school office at 650-854-5900 x0 to reserve a tour.


Kindergarten tours are 9:45 - 11:00 a.m. on:

  • Thursday, February 13, 2014
Next Year Session Requests - Returning Families ONLY

Session Requests for 2014-2015 ~ RETURNING FAMILIES ONLY

If you have a current kindergarten or first grade student and wish to move to first session

next year, you must put that request in writing to Mrs.Sartor. She will begin taking requests by letter or email starting at 10:00 p.m., January 1, 2014. You may email her at [email protected]. No requests will be honored prior to this date and time. Your requests will be placed on a wait list in order received. 

 

New family requests are not accepted until February 1, 2014, allowing our returning families to have priority on the wait list.   If you are on this year's wait list, you must make a new request for next year. We do not "roll over" the list from year to year. Please call Mrs.Sartor if you have any questions about the session request process.

 

 School News
                                                    
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.


Stanford Studies Seek Participants

AUTISM RESEARCHERS at the Stanford University School of Medicine are recruiting twins for an investigation of the role of genetics in shaping the autistic brain. The team is seeking same-sex twin pairs aged 3 to 14.  Study subjects can be identical or non-identical twins.  In addition to a non-invasive MRI scan, all subjects will also receive standard cognitive and IQ assessments, as well as a battery of diagnostic tests for autism.  To obtain more information or volunteer for the trial, contact the study coordinator, Sue Cleveland, at (650) 723-7809 or [email protected].

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CHILDREN WITH ASPERGERS OR HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM NEEDED FOR STANFORD STUDIES:  Do you have a child age 7-12 with high functioning autism or Asperger's Syndrome who would like to participate in a Stanford brain study about how the brain processes auditory or mathematical information?

The Stanford Brain Development Project is also seeking typically developing children within the age range of 7-12 for these studies. Participants must be right-handed, verbal, without braces, and able to complete several testing sessions and an MRI.

Visit our website or more information and to fill out a participation form, email [email protected] or call Leslie at 650-736-0128.

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STANFORD BRAIN DEVELOPMENT STUDY - Brain Imaging Research on Learning in Children

Do you have a child who likes to play puzzles, math games, or memory games?  If so, join the Stanford Brain Development Project, and help us understand how children learn information!

We are seeking children who are right handed, ages 7-12, without a learning or attention disability, and without braces.

Visit our website for more information and to fill out a participation form, email [email protected], or call Leslie at 650-736-0128.

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EMOTION REGULATION AND AUTISM - The Stanford Psychophysiology Lab is recruiting children and young adults ages 8-22 with ASD, ADHA or typically developing controls  for a large scale research project investigation emotion reactivity and regulation among children and adolescents.  For more information contact Dr. Andrea Samson and her research assistants at [email protected] or call (650) 353-5777.

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FLYERS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE LAS LOMITAS SCHOOL OFFICE FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE.

Business Partners

Nice Lice Advice - 75% of the mothers who bring their children into Honeycombers also have lice.  My four daughters had lice twice, but I never got them, even though the girls were sleeping with me from time to time and we snuggled at bedtime.  We've asked our customers and it seems like the most likely culprit in those cases where the mom gets lice is sharing combs or brushes.  It seems so easy to just grab your brush from your purse and run it through your little one's head... but try to resist the urge.  Keep your brush, comb and hair accessories high up out of children's reach, and invest in a brush for each child.  Even if lice does come into your life, hopefully it will skip you.  Brought to you by Honeycombers Lice Advice & Treatment Salon in downtown Menlo Park.  Come by to purchase all-natural lice prevention and treatment products to treat your children for lice yourself at home.  Or call 1.888.863.2005 to book an appointment to have your children checked, and if needed, treated for lice by our friendly Combers.  We offer appointments 7 days a week in our bright, clean salon or in the privacy of your own home.   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, Before and After School Programs. Our center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Contact Ruby at 650-233-1860 to schedule a visit or get information about which program best meets your family's needs. Visit our website.

Community News

Sharing Cultures, Connecting Lives - AFS Information Night (Foreign Exchange Student Program) Sunday, February 23, 2-4pm, Freewheel Brewing Company, 3736 Florence St., Redwood City.  Everyone welcome to come eat free pizza and learn about the opportunities to host a foreign exchange student or for students to live abroad and study in over 40 different countries.  A family friendly event celebrating culture sharing and cultural exchange.  Learn about exchange from other local students who have been abroad, local host families, and international hosted students.  For more information visit our website.  Contact:  Holly ManieOskoii, [email protected]   


SPRING BREAK LEGO� CAMP
 (April 14 - April 18) @ Oak Knoll Elementary Grades K-5.
BrainVyne - Providers of LEGO� education:  Each day includes LEGO� build and play with LEGO� Zoom and LEGO� robotics models as well as favorite camp activities- games, art, sports. 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Post camp till 6:00 pm for an extra fee. Register by the day or sign up for entire week at a discounted price. Register Now!

AMA Softball Registration now open! 
Girls from K-7th grade are invited to join us for the 2014 AMA Softball season. Everyone plays and teams are organized by schools. Volunteers are always welcome, especially coaches. Register today!

Encore Lacrosse is excited to host the most FUNdamental lacrosse camp for introductory and intermediate players! Sign up to play the "fastest sport on two feet!" No previous experience is needed for beginners as safe soft balls are used, and lacrosse sticks can be purchased ($30) and delivered at camp. Equipment rentals are available for the intermediate division. For more information visit here or e-mail at [email protected].

Creighton School of Wrestling
Now at Sports House, Redwood City!  Come get CREIGHTONTRAINED by two-time National Champion and Wrestling Hall of Fame Coach Braumon Creighton!  Spring wrestling classes are available for ages 8-18, and all skill levels are welcome.  We offer training for beginning through advanced wrestlers on Mondays and/or Wednesdays starting March 10.  Register now!   Summer camps will be posted soon.

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 1/6/14. 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. 

Jeannie Goldman, instructor for Creative Art for Young Children, is offering winter classes for children 3 yrs. to 5th grade, January 8 - April 5 at the Portola Valley Town Center.  The Winter session begins with white animals, snowy backgrounds and snowflakes!  For more info, go to their website or call Cindy, 851-1700 ext. 200, to register.

Jeff Arons' Spring Tennis Program begins February 1st at Sacred Heart.  The programs are for adults and juniors.  For more information, please go to our website or email [email protected].

Junior All Terrain Runners (Jr-ATR)
Join us for an exciting new program for kids age 7-14! Through our fun, non-competitive curriculum, kids will work on all aspects of movement using confidence (obstacle) courses, core & strength work, and running.  Visit us online.  
 
Mavericks Youth Water Polo 
Menlo Swim and Sport welcomes Brenda Villa, the most decorated female water polo player ever, as the new Head of Mavericks Water Polo. Girls and Boys 12U and 14U teams forming now, register today! 
 
Summer Programs/Camps

Camp Menlo Summer Camp
Camp Menlo Summer Camp registration is now open for camps starting June 2, including our award-winning Camp Menlo Aquatics camp for kids age 4.5-9, Jr Lifeguard for age 9-14, Tennis and Swim for age 7-14, Performance Swim for age 9-18, and two Water Polo camps for beginners and more experienced players. Register before January 31 and save $25 on 5-day summer camps!

Panthers "All Sports" Camp  is back for another exciting 2014 summer. Located at Corte Madera School in Portola Valley, Panthers Camp has been thriving in the bay area for the past 20 years.  We look forward to working with your kids this summer.  Our primary focus is building confidence & inspiring a passion for a variety of movement skills.  For more information, here is the link to the Panthers Camp website.  In order to register, please visit here.   If you register before 3/1/14, you will get the early bird special.  Please let me know if you have any questions ([email protected]).   I look forward to another great summer with your kids at Panthers Camp.

Captivating Dance by Nona Summer Dance Camp: Learn/improve dance techniques for Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary, Tap, Ballet, and more! Additional fun activities included throughout the week. Great opportunity to learn from Nona Ybarra, multi-award winning choreographer/instructor, CDBN competition dance instructors, as well as some of Nona's Elite winning CDBN dance team members.For advanced campers only - a different special guest choreographer will teach a master class during one day of each weeklong session!

Ages:  boys and girls 4-17 Location: 1923 Menalto Times: M - F 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Beginning/intermediate); 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Advanced) Sessions: June 16 - July 28 Fees: $385/week (family and multi week discount available)  Contact: is again offering several camps this summer.  There are flyers in the Las Lomitas School office.  Visit our website or call 1-800-854-3684.

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

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!