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Las Lomitas League News
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Registration for Spring, 2016 LLL before/after-school classes closes Friday, January 22nd at 11:59 p.m.. If you are still interested in registering for a class, there is still availability in some classes! If there are spaces available, you may still register after January 22nd, but you will be assessed a $25.00 late fee for each class. Check out the class listings here: http://laslomitasleague.com/activities/las-lomitas/
Please note that classes start the week of February 1st. For parents who have registered for an LLL class, here is some important information: -
Please provide your Las Lomitas classroom teacher with your child's dismissal plan so she knows your child needs to go to the LLL class or sport on a given day. Without written instructions stating otherwise, your child will be sent to the flagpole, bus or Champions, as usual.
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Please be punctual to pick up your child after a LLL class or sport at the designated class location, and not at the flagpole. If you are going to be late, please let the LLL instructor know in advance and with written notice with the name and contact number of the adult authorized to pick up your child. The LLL instructors cannot stay late to supervise your child. If parents are repeatedly late, the student may not be able to continue in the class.
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From the Principal
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Dear Las Lomitas Families, Our Read-A-Thon is at the half-way point! I encourage you to keep your reader reading! Be sure to help your child log his/her minutes and post them online. Kim Butler and Natalie Dowd-Abal welcomed children in from the cold with their storytelling skills last week. This week, PE teacher Carol Hedges and Language Lab teacher Lesli Leong will be in the library Wednesday morning to read some great books to the children. I encourage you to come a little early on Wednesdays to enjoy this event. You might even spot Roary the Lion on campus! Kindergarten registration started on January 11th. If you or someone in your neighborhood has an incoming kindergartner, please register as soon as possible. This helps us plan staffing for next year's classes. Remember, Ladera kindergartners are placed in first session and then in second session for first grade. All others must submit a request to be placed in first session in kindergarten. Session requests for kindergarten students (and new 1st-2nd) will be accepted starting at 5:00 pm on February 1, 2016. Visit our website to find the link to the Google Form application for session requests. Please note, any session requests for kindergarten and new 1st-2nd grade families will not be honored if made prior to February 1 at 5:00 pm. All registration forms must be complete and turned into the office by January 31st in order to make a session request. Please check with the office if you have any questions. Following this article is information about arrival and dismissal safety. As with the students, parents need to be reminded of safety expectations. I occasionally hear from neighbors about "near misses" and "unsafe behavior". Please take your time during arrival and dismissal times and slow down! Your children are so precious. A few extra minutes and courteous behavior will keep them, and you, safe. Thank you for your support. Until next time,
Alain Camou, Principal
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Arrival and Dismissal Safety
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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. We have also witnessed parents with small children darting between the buses during dismissal time. This is a very dangerous habit to get into. Please be safe and use the flagpole area for pickup and avoid using staff parking in the lot near Alameda de las Pulgas. 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. Alain Camou, 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. Avoid parking in the bus lane even if it is for "a quick minute".
- 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.
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Registration Information
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Session Requests for 2016-2017 ~
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 Mr. Camou. He will begin taking requests by Google Forms on 5:00 p.m., January 11, 2016. The link to the form will go live on our website at 5:00 on January 11, 2016. 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, 2016, 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 Mr. Camou if you have any questions about the session request process. Please click here to view the session request form.
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 Las Lomitas Education Foundation | |
We are so grateful for the support of a majority of our District Families. Thank you to all who have contributed! If you have not yet given, the time to give is NOW. Our schools and our students need your support. Please make your impact, show your commitment, and do your part - every gift of any size matters. Help us reach our 80% participation goal.
Please take a few minutes and make your contribution TODAY. We need all donations by January 31, 2016. It is important to know that the Las Lomitas School Board meets in early February to determine next year's budget.
The Foundation must commit to an annual gift amount that the Board can count on, and that we can deliver.
NOW is the time we determine the number of teachers and extracurricular classes that we can support next year. What could be more important than investing in your child's education?
We need your help today. Please click here to
Thank you!
The Parent Volunteers of LLEF
Inquire about your employer's matching gifts program to increase your donation to the District.
Join or Update eScrip - It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Visit http://www.eScrip.com
- Register or renew your Safeway Club Card and credit cards at the eScrip website and then designate Las Lomitas Education Foundation (Group ID# 125673324)
- Start Shopping!
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PTA News
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 MEMORY BOOK COVER CONTEST
Submit your Artwork by Thursday, January 21st
All contest entries will be included in the Memory Book!!
The Memory Book team would like to invite all Las Lomitas students to submit artwork for the cover design of this year's Memory Book. We can't wait to see your creativity! Please only one submission per student.
- Use crayons, watercolors, or colored pencils.
- Use watercolor paper or another type of paper with texture, if possible.
- Use 8½ by 11 inch sized paper. (Slightly larger is OK.)
- Drawing should be in "portrait" format, meaning it should be taller than it is wide.
- Be colorful! Don't leave the background blank or white.
- Include the "Las Lomitas" school name and make it stand out.
- Include the school year "2015-2016" as part of the drawing.
- Include the Las Lomitas Lion as part of the drawing.
- Artwork should be "friendly" (no battles or weapons, please).
- The edges may be trimmed slightly, so don't put anything important close to the edges.
- Be sure to write the artist's name, room number, and teacher's name on the back of the drawing. Use a pencil for the name and write lightly so the writing doesn't show through the artwork on the front side. Do not use Post-it Notes as they can fall off and become lost.
Please see Memory Books from prior years in the Las Lomitas library if you need ideas for your cover art.
Entries should be placed in the Memory Book bin in the Las Lomitas office no later than
Thursday, January 21st. And remember, all contest entries will be included on the back cover of the Memory Book. Finalists will also be displayed at the Student Art Exhibition during Open House. Artwork will then be returned when yearbooks are distributed in early June.
Great job reading! We're halfway through the Read-A-Thon!
Come check out the popcorn kernels popping up on the official Read-A-Thon banner in the main breezeway of the school! Each kernel recognizes a student who has read Milestone Minutes of 500, 1000, or 1500 minutes! Our school wide goal this year is 350,000 minutes!
Join us at Storytime in the Library on Wednesday mornings! This Wednesday, Ms. Leong and Ms. Hedges will be reading from 8:35-8:55am. Come visit and see all the fantastic book reviews that are posted.
Principal Camou and Vice-Principal Chalfant will once again reveal themselves as Mystery Book Characters this Friday! Stay tuned for more Mystery Character clues later this week.
It's not too late to start submitting weekly minutes online. Go to www.laslomitaspta.org/readathon and also see a real-time update as each student submits his/her minutes. Each grade that meets its goal will earn a Popcorn Celebration!
Lastly, don't forget to work on getting pledge sponsors. One-time pledges or pledges based on minutes read will all make a difference in building our programs and facilities at Las Lomitas.
Questions or interested in volunteering? Please contact the Read-A-Thon Committee at readathon@llpta.org .
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.
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A Note from the Curriculum Director
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Design Thinking is an approach for problem solving and innovation that can be used in a wide range of settings including organizations, schools, teams, student groups and committees.
Las Lomitas School District is pleased to be working with Tina and Paul Mitiguy to offer an overview/introductory workshop in Design Thinking that will explain their human centered, collaborative approach to creating positive change.
If you are interested in learning more about Design Thinking, please plan to attend our workshop on January 19, 2016 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the La Entrada MUR. A light dinner will be provided for attendees. This workshop is a repeat of our very successful session offered in September 2015. Register for Design Thinking by completing this form and submitting it ASAP. Participants in the September 2015 workshop are free to attend. https://docs.google.com/a/llesd.org/forms/d/1SZnznkDTyTXQpKrbbwZoZJl49KLxL4GW53jw8Dcvtjc/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link
Michael O'Laughlin
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
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DELAC News
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District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC) Parent Members Needed What is DELAC? The District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC) advises the Governing Board on programs and services for English Learners. The committee consists of Administrators, Teachers and Parents. The majority of the Committee must be parents of English Learners so it is important for parents in Las Lomitas Elementary School and La Entrada Middle School to join this committee. What does DELAC do and how often does it meet? This committee meets five times a year to review and monitor programs that affect our English Language Learners. Committee members' responsibilities include: assisting in developing school plans for English Learners, conducting an annual needs assessment and preparing an annual language census advising the District regarding re-designation procedures. This committee also is responsible for organizing the annual Re-designation Ceremony for those students who have "graduated" out of the ELD program. This is an excellent opportunity for parents of students who are English Learners to learn about the American public school system and meet other parents and school staff in a leadership capacity on campus. We have fun and encourage any parent interested to please contact your school's ELD staff or administrator for further details. How can a parent get involved in this interesting committee? If you are interested in serving on this committee, please call or email Lesli Leong, Language Lab Teacher, at lleong@llesd.org (854-5900 ext. 219) or Alain Camou, Las Lomitas Principal, at acamou@llesd.org (854-5900 ext 261).
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From the Health Office
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Dear Parents,
Cold and flu season is here and our staff will be taking steps to reduce the spread of germs at Las Lomitas by promoting good hygiene and alerting you if your children become sick at school and need to go home. Below are some measures you can take at home to help reduce sickness in your children and reduce the spread of germs at school.  - The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children over the age of 6 months get the flu vaccine. This is the single best way to protect against the flu. Information about the flu can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/fluguideforparents.pdf
- Teach your children to wash their hands often. Washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is ideal ( that's about as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday"song twice.)
- Teach your children the proper use of hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.Place about a quarter size blob of gel on the palm of the hand, rub the sanitizer over the whole hand and between the fingers and continue to rub until the hand sanitizer is dry. This should take about 20 seconds.
- Teach your children to keep their hands away from their face and avoid touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
- Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of their elbow or sleeve, not their hands.
- Keep your child home if he/she is sick. They need to stay home until their temperature is normal for 24hrs (below 100 degrees) without the use of fever reducing medication.Please refer to these guidelines for when to keep sick children home: http://www.svsd410.org/cms/lib05/WA01919490/Centricity/Domain/33/SickChildren.pdf
- Help your children to learn these healthy habits by setting a good example and doing them yourself.
Thank you and if you have any questions or concerns about your child's health please contact your doctor. With everyone working together, we hope to minimize illnesses this season for everyone.
Health Exams and Immunizations A reminder that a Health Exam by a medical provider is required for school entry and needs to be turned into the main office by first grade. Please also bring any missing vaccination documentation to the office to update your child's records.
Lice Checks
 Please check your student periodically for any signs of head lice. Early detection of lice infestations through routine screening at home is the most effective way to reduce outbreaks. Please contact the Las Lomitas health office with any questions you may have about lice prevention, detection or treatment and the nurse can assist you.
For more information about head lice, please see " A Parent's Guide to Head Lice " published by the California Department of Public Health
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Documents/2012HeadLiceEng.pdf
Kelly Muenzen, R.N.
School Nurse
Las Lomitas School District
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A Musical Request
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Does your child take private music lessons? Are you happy with the teacher? Would you recommend him/her to other parents?  As the Las Lomitas music teacher, I get asked for private teacher recommendations all the time, and I would like to update my list. So, if you have a private music teacher you would like to recommend, please e-mail me with the teacher's name, contact information, and, if you have it, a little bit of information about him/her, such as educational and performance background, teaching style, teaching methods.
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Community News
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CREATIVE ART FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
@ Portola Valley Town Center
WINTER 2016 Jan. 13-March 26 (no classes Feb. 10-20) 
Winter dreams of Penguins in black tuxedos will fill our imaginations as we begin the session by reading the book "Happy Feet" about a
dancing penguin. The pictures we make with watercolors and collage will dance too! White dough snowmen, Dragon puppets for Chinese New Year, Japanese brush painting and mock Japanese Block prints for the older kids are just a few of the other things we will be doing. Then Kandinsky and his noisy paint box and the sounds he heard from his colors. I bet the kids will hear sounds too and maybe their feet will start dancing. We will end with what has become quite popular...an Art Show of all the kids masterpieces.
TO REGISTER contact Cindy (650) 851-1700 ext. 200
reg. forms available at the town office 765 Portola Rd. or
REG. online (portolavalley.net )
JEFF ARONS' SPRING TENNIS PROGRAM AT SACRED HEART SCHOOLS BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1ST Classes for Adults and Juniors  Jeff Arons is the director of tennis for Sacred Heart Schools. His coaching experiences include founding/directing the East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring Program and coaching a Wimbledon doubles champion. Website: www.jeffaronstennis.com
Email: jeffaronstennis@gmail.com
Calling all Baseball and Softball players!  Alpine/West Menlo Little League and Softball is open for registration for ballplayers aged 4 to 13. We're looking to teach young players, give parents opportunities to hone their coaching skills and provide (paying) jobs for kids interested in youth umpiring. Little League Baseball and Softball offers a combination of fun and competitive play in a community-centric environment unparalleled in youth sports. Come join the fun. Registration closes on January 21st for players ages 8-13, so sign up at www.alpinelittleleague.com
as soon as possible!!
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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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