From the Foundation
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Attention 8th Grade Families: LLEF and District Leaders are happy to announce the 8th Grade Legacy Gift Challenge!
We need just 15 more families to reach the 80% participation threshold for the 8th grade. Every gift, of any amounts, counts towards this participation. If the class reaches this goal, your graduating 8th graders will earn the right to create a Legacy Gift of a painted wall mural at school! What a wonderful parting gift for your child's school. Can you help? Please make your contribution at www.LLEF.org today. 
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!
Can you help us make the Auction Catalog awesome? Here's a partial wishlist of items: Sports tickets, special experiences, getaway vacation homes, fine wine, party hosts, cooking classes, memorabilia - get creative!
Don't have anything to donate? Consider underwriting items that we can't get for free. At Las Lomitas, we especially need sponsors and host for the most popular grade-level parties, such as the 3rd grade graduation party and incoming grade parties. Please let us know if you would like to help sponsor a kid party - it's a fun and meaningful way to get involved. Questions? Email us at auction@llef.org. Thank you in advance for your help and support. Join the fun! Donate now!
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From the Principal
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Dear Las Lomitas Families, March is here! There is a lot going on this month, so be sure to keep up by reading the Lion's Roar and classroom newsletters. Parent-Teacher Conferences are this week, March 9-12. March 13 is a local holiday - 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. this week. I hope you enjoy this opportunity to have meaningful conversation about your child and discuss goals and expectations with the teacher. As mentioned in last week's article, Science Wonders is March 18th. You may want to explore the California Science Teachers Association website at http://www.cascience.org/csta/res_parents.asp for information about Family Science Nights. This site provides plenty of examples of hands-on science activities that families can do together. It may be a great way to spend some time "wondering" together! Finally, many of you are dog lovers; so am I. However, dogs and school are not a good combination. The School Handbook clearly states: Please understand that for health and safety reasons, dogs and pets are NOT allowed on campus during school hours unless prior arrangements have been made with staff - this includes dismissal time. All animals or pets that are brought to school for instructional purposes must be on leash or in closed carriers. Please help us keep the campus clean and safe for your children. I appreciate your support and cooperation. 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. |
Parents on Campus for LLL Classes
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If you are accompanying your child to a LLL class during school hours, please drop your child off and wait up by the flag pole until the class is over. Parents should not be loitering by classrooms or by the playground during instructional hours (9:00-3:30). It is also important that adjacent classes are not disturbed at any time. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our campus a positive place for learning.
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Your Partnership with the PTA
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Dear Moms and Dads, Thank you for your partnership in enriching the school experience for all students. Your time and talent are essential ingredients in making our school truly outstanding. This week when many of you come to campus to meet with teacher, we ask that you think about how you can support your child, his/her classroom, and the entire school. We are actively recruiting for the PTA and committees this month and we hope that you will consider joining other parents and contributing whatever you can to our school. Please take a few minutes to review the PTA roles and responsibilities by clicking this link:https://www.laslomitaspta.org/who.html We have a new position: Vice President of Technology and will no longer have a VP of Membership. If you are interested in learning more about a specific role, please reach out to our 2015 nominating committee: - Susie Gostyla <sgostyla@gmail.com> - Josie Tang <jatangmd@yahoo.com> - Caren Taylor <caren_m_taylor@yahoo.com> We also hope you might consider lead, co-leading or joining a committee, to learn more about committees, click here: https://www.laslomitaspta.org/ptaprograms.html Please contact, Laura Purpura at llpurpura@yahoo.com You have as much to gain as you have to give by volunteering. Please join us! |
| 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.
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.
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From the Health Office
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Dear Parents,
Las Lomitas School will be having our annual State required Hearing and Vision Screening on March 27 and March 30th.Certified school nurse contractors conduct the screening.Screening is done on all Kindergartners, all second graders,students new to the district and special education students. Students that have been referred by their teacher or by parent request will also be screened.
Hearing
Students are tested using the School Audiometry Manual and the screeners follow the California Code of Regulations
If there is evidence of pathology (i.e a visible problem with outer ear or complaints of pain) a verbal and written referral for medical evaluation is made to the parents that same day.
If a student passes screening, no further testing is necessary and it is recorded on the child's record.
If a student does not pass initial screening, a second screening threshold test is performed at school no less than 2 weeks later to confirm screening failure.
If the student does not pass the second screening, a written notification is sent to parents with the test results and a recommendation is made for audiological evaluation. Vision Students are screened using the Snellen chart.After screening, if the visual acuity results are not within normal limits, a written recommendation for eye examination with a vision specialist will be sent home to the parent. If you have any questions about the screening process, please call the office at 854-5900 to speak with the school nurse.
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Lost and Found
|  Our Lost and Found is, once again, taking over the office! We will be donating it this Thursday, March 12 and we need your help. When you come for your conference, please, please, PLEASE stop by the office and have at look at our collection. You might find something that looks familiar. Thank you.
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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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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.
Parenting Teens & Young Adults Speaker Series :: Who's in Charge? - Join Dr. Martha Cravens in her final presentation as she explores practical tools you can put to use immediately through her interactive workshops and discusses how to handle responsibility and accountability with a teen/young adult. The focus is on helping parents move from frustration to feeling empowered about their relationship with their child. And, yes, even have some fun! The event has free admission and will be held at Bethany on Thursday, March 19 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. For additional information, visit bethany-mp.org/speakerseries . Contact Linda at 650-854-5897 with any questions.
Two World Premieres and the Return of a Legend! Celebrating its eighth season, Menlowe Ballet returns to the stage with  Rapture March 27-29 at the Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center. With great anticipation, the company brings two stunning new works to the stage: a soulful thrill-ride, Bru's Sweet, by Reginald Ray-Savage, Artistic Director of Savage Jazz Dance Company and Artistic Director Michael Lowe's alluring neo-classical ballet, Playing Love, exploring relationships and the facets of love. Tickets may be purchased at www.menloweballet.org, or by calling 800-595-4TIX (4849). To see a one-minute video of highlights from last season, click here: https://vimeo.com/116913390.
We very much look forward to seeing you at Rapture.....
Spring Tennis Clinics - Session II starts 3/8
Weekdays after school and weekends at Holbrook-Palmer Park
All levels of junior tennis are offered.
Summer Camp schedule is set and registration is open now.
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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
Please let me know if you have any questions ( danflahavan@gmail.com).
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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 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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Kindergarten/Preschool Vacation Camps at Toddle Flexible Playcare:
*Summer Camps  *Spring Break
*School In-Service Days
*Earth- and kid-friendly facility, organic snacks
* Flexible Playcare and programming year-round for children ages 2 through kindergarten
Visit www.toddle.org for more information and to register. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Summer Programs at Littlest Angels Preschool Join us for enrichment and fun at Camp Learn-A-Lot, the Summer Program at Littlest Angels Preschool in Menlo Park. Our camps are three weeks long and each offers an exciting theme. Each of our three sessions offer your little one the opportunity to experience theme-related vocabulary words and facts, music, science, pretend play, creative art experiences, cooking, counting, and color, shape and letter recognition. Children must be two (2) years old by May 1, 2014 in order to enroll. The Pre-K class is for 4/5 year old children who have not yet attended Kindergarten. For camp dates and additional information, please visit our website at www.bethany-mp.org/summer2015. Please contact the Preschool Office with questions or to schedule a tour (preschool@bethany-mp.org or 650-854-4973). * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * There are flyers in the office for Coach Tim's Sports Camp at Las Lomitas. Sessions are Mondays through Fridays, 1:00 - 4:00 on the field. The fee is $320 per session with price reduced if you sign up for more than one session. There are 4, one week sessions including Arts/Crafts, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Capture the Flag, Basketball, Baseball and many more! For more information, call 650-996-3308 or go to tbowler@sbcglobal.net
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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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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 
