Dear Las Lomitas Families,

As you know, our enrollment is near 620 students. If we add in faculty, staff, students and parents, Las Lomitas' population is about the same size as Belvedere, California! In order to function smoothly, we all need to do our part. Below is a list of ways you can make life here a little bit less hectic for everyone:

1. Read the Lion's Roar,  our school/PTA newsletter.  It has the answer to almost every question you may have.
2. Keep track of the school calendar.  It has the answer to questions about minimum days, vacations and conference dates.
3. Call in absences early in the morning.  This will reduce the number of follow up calls the secretaries must make to ensure your child is safe.
4. Provide written notes to the teacher if dismissal plans change.  This reduces the number of last minute phone calls and the need to interrupt the classroom to pass this vital information on to the teacher.
5. Return requested forms on time.  This reduces the number of repeated mailings we must make to ensure we have emergency information, medical permissions, etc. on file for your child.
6. Park in designated spaces.  This will keep us from having to make an announcement over the intercom and interrupt classroom learning.
7. Drop your child off on time.  Students should not arrive before 8:30 a.m.  We do not have supervision prior to 8:30 a.m.
8. Pick your child up on time.  The office closes at 4:00.  We cannot provide supervision after hours.
9. Be at the bus stop on time.  This will reduce the need for you to come to the school to pick up your child.
10. Keep track of after-school program changes.  There are multiple Las Lomitas League classes.  Keep your LLL teacher's number handy and call him/her to find out if there is a change in schedule.
11. Be patient.  We care about each child, parent and teacher at this school, but cannot give all of you our attention at the same time.

We have an area in our office specifically for parent information. There you will find calendars, Foundation information, bus schedules, enrichment program fliers, mail to parents from teachers, PTA files, and more all in one location. Our hope is to be able to provide a "one stop shopping" area for parents. As always, Monica and Carol are happy to assist you if you can't find what you need. With everyone's cooperation, our little "town" will function smoothly. Thanks for your support!

Until next time,

Sue Sartor

Principal

Session Requests for 2015-2016 ~ 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 began taking requests on January 1, 2015. You may email her at ssartor@llesd.org. Your requests will be placed on a wait list in the order received.

New family requests are not accepted until February 1, 2015, 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.

REMINDER:  All current Ladera kindergarten students will be moved to second session in first grade.  You must submit a request in order to be eligible to be placed in first session for the 2015-2016 school year.   

Kindergarten/New Student Registration

Kindergarten registration is now open.  You may come to the office to initiate the process between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  Please see the website for details.  If you wish to be placed in first session next year,  you must put that request in writing to Mrs. Sartor.  She will begin taking requests on February 1, 2015 at 10:00 p.m.  You may email her at ssartor@llesd.org.  Your requests will be placed on a wait list in the order received. 

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 parking signs 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 possibly frighten a student.

• WRITTEN PERMISSION IS REQUIRED FOR A CHANGE IN DISMISSAL; emails are not always read in time.  Be sure the note arrives to 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.

• 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 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 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.