From the Foundation
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Announcing the 2015 Spring Auction Theme...
Las Lomitas is returning to Portola Farms! It's time to place those Winning Picks and get in the Money. We take all comers that are ready to Win, Place or Show. Don your jockey silks and leathers or your fancy bowler or wide-brim hat. Or come casual, ready to mix it up with the rowdy infield crowd. Join us to celebrate the Sport of Kings at the best party of the year! Tickets go on sale April 1st.
We need your Horsepower - Can you help us make the Auction Catalog awesome? Here's a partial wish list of items: Sports tickets, special experiences, getaway vacation homes, fine wine, party hosts, cooking classes, memorabilia - get creative!
Don't have anything to donate? Please consider underwriting items that we can't get for free. At Las Lomitas, we especially need sponsors and hosts 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!
Join the Foundation next year!
Want to get more INVOLVED? Are you ready to do something VITALLY IMPORTANT?
Do you want to meet other dedicated and talented people, and work together on projects that are HIGHLY REWARDING and FUN?
The Las Lomitas Education Foundation is looking for people like YOU!
Please join us for an information session, and find out how YOU can make a HUGE difference in your children's education.
The Foundation's annual gift is the second largest source of revenue for our School District, and is absolutely essential to the high quality education delivered in our schools.
The Foundation needs many people like you to fulfill its mission every year. It is OUR TURN to carry on the 30-YEAR LEGACY of our Foundation. PLEASE JOIN US.
WHAT: Information Session on the role of an LLEF Board Member and Friends of the Foundation
WHEN: Tuesday, March 24 at 9:15 am
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Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 pm
Please RSVP to presidents@llef.org. Location and additional details will be provided to those interested in attending. Refreshments will be served.
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From the Principal
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Dear Las Lomitas Families, The transition for third grade students from Las Lomitas to La Entrada is exciting. A variety of activities are planned in order to smooth the way for students and parents. A panel of students and faculty from La Entrada will visit all 3rd grade classes on Wednesday, April 1st. This panel describes what students can expect at La Entrada and answers students' questions. That evening there is an orientation for parents at 6:30 pm. Principal Potts and members of the 4th grade team will present more detailed information about curriculum, schedules and special activities. On Thursday, April 2nd, our third grade classes will visit La Entrada. They will tour the campus and have a sweet treat before returning to Las Lomitas. Principal Potts also offers tours for incoming parents; contact their office for more information about tours. There is more detailed information about these events in today's Roar. Feel free to contact Principal Potts if you have questions about the transition. Having watched hundreds of children make this move to the "big school", including my own, I can reassure you that it will all be just fine! The following article is about one of our support programs for English Learners. We are very fortunate to have this class available for students who are limited-English proficient. Please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Montre if you have questions. There is also information on the district's webpage under English Learners. Until next time,
Sue Sartor
What is The Language Lab? Las Lomitas has a special classroom just for English Language Learners. Located in room 19, the Language Lab provides intensive English Language Development (ELD) lessons for all K-3 students who are working toward acquiring English proficiency. Nearly 60 children attend our ELD program and speak native languages which include Korean, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, French, Tongan, Danish, Swedish, Italian, Farsi and Finnish. We are a very international school community! Teaching in the Language Lab is ELD teacher, Nikki Montre. Working alongside her are bilingual paraeducators Olivia Betancourth (Spanish), and Grete Santucci (Norwegian). Together they provide leveled small group instruction designed especially to meet the needs of English learners. Correlating with new ELD standards, the lessons focus on listening, speaking, reading and writing. Developing vocabulary and oral language skills are high priorities. Our Language Lab provides a warm and friendly educational setting where English learners strengthen their English skills, make new friends, and learn alongside other language learners. It is one of the many important support programs here at Las Lomitas which help our students to thrive and succeed both socially and academically. Placement Information
If you have important information about your child's placement for next year, please let the classroom teacher know, or submit that information to Principal Sartor 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 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.
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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 |
Boxtops for Education 
Congratulations to the 3 lucky winners of the boxtops for education drawing! Estelle L., Lucy C., and Zoe Y. each have won a Jamba Juice gift card.
Many thanks to everyone who clipped and submitted boxtops as well as the Las Lomitas parents who helped prepare the boxtops for submission.
Keep saving and submitting those boxtops!
Thank you!
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.
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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Music Informances
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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 April 13-17 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. http://ll-llesd-ca.schoolloop.com/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1349864087212&no_controls=t
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Attention Parents of Third Graders
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Parents of Third Graders:
Save these dates regarding 4th grade orientation to La Entrada!
As you are well aware, third graders will be off to La Entrada in the fall! Several activities have been organized to address questions that you and your child may have about their "new school." In an effort to make the transition to La Entrada comfortable for everyone, we invite you to attend the following events: ORIENTATION FOR PARENTS OF THIRD GRADERS - Wednesday, April 1st All parents are invited to an orientation session on Wednesday, April 1st from 6:30 - 7:30 PM in the La Entrada Library. Shannon Potts, Principal and La Entrada staff will provide information about LE and the 4th grade program in particular, so that your transition will be smooth and comfortable. The evening will allow ample time for your questions. Refreshments will be served. Please Note: This evening is for parents only. Students will visit La Entrada for their own special orientation the next day. THIRD GRADE VISIT TO LA ENTRADA - Thursday, April 2nd On Thursday morning, April 2nd, third graders will take a field trip to La Entrada. The students will already have corresponded with 4th graders via a pen pal program. They will get to meet their pen pal and participate in an orientation planned by La Entrada staff and students to help your child become more comfortable and excited about his/her new school. LA ENTRADA OPEN HOUSE - Thursday, May 21st La Entrada teachers will hold Open House in their classrooms on Thursday, May 21st beginning at 6:30 PM. Incoming 4th graders and their families are welcome to attend this event. It's a great opportunity to meet the fourth grade teachers: Mrs. Mylod, Room 41, Mrs. Behrens, Room 43, Ms. Bicknell, Rm 44, Ms. Carter, Room 70, Ms. Fordham, Room 71, Ms. Cummins, Room 72, Mrs. Nixon, Room 62 and Ms. Logie, Room 64. (NOTE: Next year's teacher assignments have not been determined as of this date.) Questions? Call Kathy Ruwe, school counselor at Las Lomitas ext. 267
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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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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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Testing LLESD's SchoolMessenger System
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Testing LLESD's SchoolMessenger text messaging system
Last Fall, Las Lomitas Elementary School District initiated an "Opt-In" text message program which invited you to receive texts from the district for emergency/important communications.
On Tuesday March 31st, we will be testing the SchoolMessenger text system. If you "opted-in" to receive texts, you should see the following test message on Tuesday: "This is a test of the SchoolMessenger text system from LLESD. No response is needed." If you do not receive the text on Tuesday, it could be one of two reasons:
1. You "Opted- In" previously, but did not immediately receive a confirmation text indicating you were then registered with the SchoolMessenger notification service. This could be because one of the following reasons: -
If your phone is managed by a corporate account, which filters out the Opt-In option for mass messaging, you won't receive our text messages.
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If your texts are routed through Google accounts, Google is not part of the service provider Opt-In process.
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There may be other reasons related to your service provider. You may need to contact your service provider directly to request the Opt-In service at 68453.
2. You didn't sign up, (and now want to.) For those who have blocks by their service provider for mass text messages, please be assured that we will always use multiple means of communication to release emergency information (i.e. email and voicemail). If you have questions, please contact Suzanne Mitchell (smitchell@llesd.org). Thank you.
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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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Join us for Spring Break Fun at Champions! April 20 - 24, each day will have a special theme from Superheros to Puzzles to Jungles and Rainforests. Call (650) 233-1860 or go to CH000679@klcorp.com. We have fliers in the Las Lomitas office.
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.
SPRING DANCE CLASSES & SUMMER DANCE CAMPS at Studio Rincon - Spring dance signups are now open. http://studiorincon.com/schedule-youth.php to signup. Spaces are filling fast. Dance & Yoga Camps are scheduled and ready for online sign ups for ages 3-13, http://studiorincon.com/schedule-youth-camps.php. Ten different camps to choose from- with amazingly talented and fun instructors. All Camps are offered in the afternoon, providing a healthy snack and a lot of fun. Conveniently located close to home at 3536 Alameda de las Pulgas!
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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 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  World Cup Soccer Camps and Clinics by Ruedi Graf are at Las Lomitas School again this year. Camp weeks are July 20-24 and August 3-7 for ages 5 through 13, full and half days. Registration is now open. For more information call 408-354-4949, email thess@worldcupsoccercamps.com or, to register, visit www.worldcupsoccercamps.com. Fliers are in the Las Lomitas School office.
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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 
