From the Principal
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Dear Las Lomitas Families, Now that kindergarten tours and registration are in full operation, several parents have asked how we create classes for the next academic school year. This article outlines our placement process. In May, the faculty spends three afternoons putting together the following year's classes. Each grade level team makes up the classes for the next grade. The Placement Committee members place incoming kindergarten students into classes. The teachers work carefully to create classrooms that are evenly balanced in terms of: - Gender
- Sessions (K-2)
- Academics - high, medium and low performing students
- Special needs - students who work with our many specialists such as Language Lab, Speech & Language, Resource Program, Reading Recovery, Reading Groups and Math Lab
- Health and other special factors
Teachers' names are not assigned until after the class configurations are complete. In order to maintain balance in class size we often have multi-graded classes. This year we have a K/1st multi-grade class. We also have job shares on our campus. This is when two teachers decide to co-teach a single class. Multi-grade and job share classes are of the same high caliber as all other classes. These classes are formed using the same process described above. In August, the teachers on the Placement Committee volunteer to come in to review and finalize class lists with the Principal to accommodate students who have enrolled or moved away over the summer. We put tremendous effort into creating balanced classes to best meet the needs of all our students. We are continually refining the process and are proud of our results. 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 April 15, 2015. Any placement information received after this date may not be considered due to our placement schedule, unless there are extenuating circumstances. If you've sent information in prior years that is still relevant, please include that information as well.Thank you for your cooperation in adhering to this deadline. 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. |
| PTA News |
Kindergarten Roundup Volunteers Needed! 
This is a high-visibility, fun, and fast volunteer opportunity!
Please consider volunteering on Friday, May 1 from 9:00-11:45 a.m. Join us as we welcome incoming kindergarteners and their parents into the Las Lomitas family. This may be the first experience many of these new families will have with Las Lomitas. With your help we can make this first touch point very special and present a well-rounded view of all of the many programs we have to offer as well as the amazing volunteer spirit they can soon become a part of.
Calling all Las Lomitas Students!
Science Wonders:
Student Science Fair Exhibition 2015 
6:00 - 8:00 PM - Wednesday, March 18
Cano Hall, Las Lomitas Elementary School
For more information visit:
laslomitaspta.org/programs/sciencewonders
What is Science Wonders?
Science Wonders is a science fair event to encourage your children to be inquisitive about the world around them. Most importantly, this is an opportunity to have FUN while sharing the joy of discovery with your children.
Where do we start?
Step 1: Ask a question! Think of something that excites or interests you.
Step 2: Think of how you can find an answer (hint: there are many great books on hold in the Las Lomitas Library and on websites listed in the packet).
Step 3: Write or draw what you saw.
Step 4: Decide the best way to present your "wonder" to your schoolmates.
Will my child's project be judged? This is a recreational, voluntary activity, designed to be NON-COMPETITIVE and child-driven. Please do this activity with your child after their schoolwork assignments. There will be no judging or class merit for participation, but each child will receive a certificate for completing a science fair project.
Can we still come if we don't participate this year?
Of course! Everyone is welcome to come to the event and view all the other projects.
How do I sign up?
Although not required, an RSVP to Scott & Dawn Smithson at sciencewonders@llpta.org by March 1 would be appreciated for coordination purposes.
Boxtops for Education 
Please continue to clip, collect, and submit box top coupons found on many favorite brands such as Betty Crocker, Nature Valley, Kleenex, Huggies, Ziploc, and so many more. Las Lomitas earns 10 cents for each box top submitted, and these really add up! Box tops can be turned in any time to the cereal box in the Las Lomitas office. Write your student's name and room number on the bag containing the box tops to be eligible for our prize drawing which will be held February 28.
The Apple for the Classroom program provides a way for
parents to support their children's classrooms directly. All
the teachers and specialists at Las Lomitas have been
invited to create a "wish list" of items that will help to
further enrich their classrooms. You can fulfill teachers'
wishes by bringing an item to the school office or by
donating via PayPal toward a special item of your
choosing. Thank you for supporting our teachers!
Please click here to choose a gift for your favorite teacher(s)!
PTA Application Developer
We are looking for the next year application developer for the Las Lomitas PTA website. He/she will be in charge of maintaining the Las Lomitas PTA program-specific forms and applications, which are linked to the PTA website.
Sample Tasks:
- Use Zoho Creator's drag & drop tools to update and test payment forms and reports
- Edit text for application instructions, email confirmation messages, etc as needed
- Generate/export reports for committee chairs as needed
- Edit custom application scripting if application changes are required
Recommended Skills:
- Proficent in intro-level programming (conditional statements, loops, functions, arrays)
Great for a working parents as the hours are flexible and all work can be done at
home (3-5 hours per month as needed for programs). Especially calling for the
Kindergarten and 1st grade parents. Please sign up on the PTA website for this very
important role.
2015 READ-A-THON 
LAST CALL! 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!
Congratulation Readers! All grades met their reading goal! The entire school will enjoy a Popcorn Celebration this Friday, February 27th. The final 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!
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From the Foundation
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Mark your calendars...The annual Spring Auction and "Party of the Year" will be held on May 16th!It's the biggest community event of the year, and we hope to see YOU there! Look for more details in the coming weeks. 
We know you have the goods and ideas to make this auction GREAT! Thank you in advance for your help and support. Please DONATE!
You can donate now by visiting www.llef.org/auction and clicking the "Donate Items" button on the left side of the page.
Need ideas for ways to help? Think sports tickets, getaways vacation homes, special experiences, fine wine, kid or parent parties, gifts, dinners, collectibles...
Don't have anything to donate? Consider underwriting items that we can't get for free. We are here to help - don't hesitate to email us at auction@llef.org
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PTA General Meeeting and Morning with the Principal
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PTA General Meeting and Morning with the Principal Everyone is welcome to join us on February 25th in Cano Hall at 9:00 for a brief PTA meeting followed by a Morning with the Principal. Counselor Kathy Ruwe will present information about social/emotional learning. We'll also discuss the placement process. As always, there will be time for questions about topics on your mind. We hope to see you there! Sue Sartor, Principal
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Special DELAC Event
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Save the Date for a Special Event! Hosted by the District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC) What: Recognition for Fluent-English Proficient Students When: February 26, 2015 5:00pm Where: La Entrada Multi-Use Room Many LLESD students enter school as limited-English proficient. These students work very hard to learn English language skills while learning the school curriculum. This special event will recognize these prior English learners who are now designated as Fluent- English Proficient. Parents and family are invited to join their child in celebrating this accomplishment during this evening event. Refreshments will be served. |
Grandparents' Day
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Grandparents' Day is Coming to La Entrada Friday, April 10th!
This year Grandparents' Day is for La Entrada students (grades 4-8) and their grandparents. This is a wonderful opportunity for the grandparents to visit their grandchildren at school and will include musical performances, art and technology showcases, tours of the campus, classroom time with their grandchildren and lunch together. It's one of the best community events of the year and we hope the grandparents can join us. The event is on Friday, April 10th from 10am - 1pm. We sincerely regret that we only have space for 450 people, so this event is for grandparents only. Parents, nannies and friends are welcome to participate by volunteering for the event! Registration is now open so feel free to register your child's grandparents directly. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please email gpday@llef.org. 
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Las Lomitas League
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Are you interested in Las Lomitas' After-school Sports and Classes? Then Join the LLL Board of Directors!
Join the team that provides enriching and fun after-school activities and sports for Las Lomitas and La Entrada students! Co-coordinators for next year's Las Lomitas classes are needed. It's a perfect opportunity for you and a friend! The Las Lomitas League (LLL) is a parent-led, non-profit organization and we are expanding our board of directors. Contact Maureen Goode to learn more.
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Business Partners
|  QWERTY Education Services, a premier provider of education services for Menlo Park, Palo Alto and surrounding Peninsula communities for over 25 years, offers private, one-on-one tutoring services, educational testing by Licensed Educational Psychologists and a variety of custom other education services designed to help your child. Looking for multi-sensory math tutoring, help with writing, study skills support, educational testing or expert insight about how your student learns? QWERTY is here to assist. - See more at: http://www.qwertyed.com
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Community News
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Registration for the AMA Softball 2015 season is extended through March 1st. AMA Softball is a community softball league for girls ages 5-12. The season runs from late February through early June and focuses on learning the game and having fun. Teams are set up by school, so recruit your friends! For league information and online registration, please visit http://amasoftball.com/
Studio Rincon Winter Youth Dance Sing ups are Open
Studio Rincon on Alameda in Menlo Park- Winter dance signups are now open! Classes begin the week of 1/5/2015. Signup here- http://studiorincon.com/schedule-youth.php Preballet, pre-tap, ballet & hip hop are all taught in a fun and positive atmosphere after school for ages 3-Teen. Now offering additional classes at Alpine Hills Tennis & Swimming Club in Portola Valley. Classes lead up to the annual end if year show at Woodside HS PAC! www.studiorincon.com
Classroom Volunteers Needed Next School Year - Sign up Now All Students Matter is expanding to support grades K-4 at Willow Oaks School in Menlo Park. We need parents willing to volunteer beginning in September to sign up now. Assist teachers in the classroom with individualized instruction much like you may have done in your own child's school. These classes have no parents helping...no PTA. In the Ravenswood district, 62% are below grade level in reading and 53% are below grade level in math - our volunteers make a difference for these kids. It's one hour per week and our organization provides orientation/training and coordinates everything. To learn more about us, visit www.allstudentsmatter.org. Have questions or want to sign up? Contact Carolyn Blatman at CBlatman@aol.com.
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Summer Camps
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LAS LOMITAS SUMMER PROGRAM: Incoming Kindergarten through 4th graders  will learn about the rich culture, creatures, geography, and history of South America. This hands-on enrichment program spans 4 weeks, June 22 to July 17 from 9:00 to 1:00, at Las Lomitas School. Registration forms are available in the school office or by contacting Barbara Fong at llsp@me.com.
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Panthers "All Sports" Camp is back for another exciting 2015 summer. The link to the Panthers Camp website is www.pantherscamppv.com.
- Session 1: June 15-18
- Session 2: June 22-25
- Session 3: June 29 - July 2
- Session 4: July 6-9
In order to register, please click on the following link: https://thriva.activenetwork.com/Reg4/Form.aspx?IDTD=6807577&RF=11510011
If you register before 2/15/14, you will get the early bird special. Please let me know if you have any questions (danflahavan@gmail.com). Do not hesitate to forward this email to others who may be interested in attending.
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Kelly Coding and Creation Camps, 2015 
Who: Incoming 4th, 5th, and 6th Graders, Fall 2015
Where: La Entrada Middle School, 2200 Sharon Rd., Menlo Park CA 94025
When: Session 1, 6/15-26 and/or Session 2, 7/6-17. M-F, 8:30-12
Cost: $675 per two-week session, $1200 for both sessions.
Build programming and digital skills in a fun, self-paced environment. Each 2-week camp will demystify programming concepts in a fun environment that does not overwhelm students with syntax and scary results. Participants will also get hands-on experience using: Contact: Parker Kelly, La Entrada Middle School Technology Teacher Registration: http://goo.gl/kxETjS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Menlo Park Riekes Center Summer Camps: Early Bird Summer Camp Discount ends February 20th Weeklong day and overnight camps throughout the summer Ages: 6-18 http://riekes.org/summer/ Please call 650 364-2509 or email info@riekes.org Summer Camp list includes: Advanced Rock Camp, AFCANA ADVENTURE: Athletic Fitness, Creative Arts, Nature Awareness AFCANA: Athletic Fitness, Creative Arts, Nature Awareness, Electronic Music,
Leadership, Mountains to Sea Santa Cruz, Nature Explorers at Huddart Park, Photography Camp,
Plant Lore and Magic at Huddart Park, Surf Camp, Teen Rock Camp, Youth Rock, Youth Video Camp
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The Legends Baseball Experience Camp!
The Legends Baseball Experience is a one of a kind summer camp coached by the players and coaches of the nationally recognized Menlo Park Legends collegiate team. Our infamous 5:1 camper to coach ratio, combined with our innovative coaching program, creates a positive learning environment to develop new skills and build confidence while having tons of fun! Sign up for the Dugout Experience aftercamp program and your child will be a batboy, participate in between innings activities and hang out in the Legends dugout as they watch their coaches play in a real live game. After all, its more than a camp - its an EXPERIENCE!
Dates: Camps start June 15th and runs all summer long! 
Location: Flood Park in Menlo Park & Kennedy School in Redwood City
Ages: 6-12 all skill levels welcome!
Cost: $300 (Early bird pricing available until March 15th)
Questions: Email info@menloparklegends.com or call David at 650.387.4427
More info: http://www.menloparklegends.com
Sign up: https://legendsbaseball.campbrainregistration.com
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Newsletter Submissions
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To submit an item, email Carol Clark (cclark@llesd.org) by 12 noon on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication date.
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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 
