The Lion's Roar  
The Las Lomitas PTA Newsletter  
                                                               
 
Week of March 21, 2016
In This Issue
Las Lomitas Education Foundation
From the Principal
PTA News
Science Wonders
Parents Needed for our District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC)
Hearing and Vision Screening
A Musical Request
Las Lomitas League News
Community News
Summer Programs
Newsletter Submissions
Calendar
 
Important Upcoming Dates:
  • April 4-8 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
  • Wed April 13 - PTA Bd. Mtg - 9:00 am - room 20B
  • Wed April 13 - School Bd. Mtg. - 7:00 pm - D.O.
  • Thur April 14 - Incoming 4th grade Parent Orientation                            6:30 pm - La Entrada Library
  • Fri April 15 - 3rd graders visit La Entrada
  • Wed April 20 - Science Wonders - 6 pm - Cano Hall
 
Quick Links

LLFLas Lomitas Education Foundation
  
foundation logo








 
GRANDPARENTS' DAY - SAVE THE DATE
                                                                                         
Grandparents from Las Lomitas school 
are invited to join us for the...
 
Annual Grandparents' Day
May 27, 2016
9:00am to 12:00pm
 

 
                                    




 
From the Principal

Dear Las Lomitas Families,
 
With the end of winter officially here, the weather has proven to be quite mercurial~ chilly mornings leading into quite warm afternoons. This temperamental weather pattern causes students to shed their warm sweatshirts, sweaters and jackets. We just donated many winter clothes to charity and have a relatively empty Lost and Found in the office. I fear that it will fill up quickly again. Please come and visit the Lost and Found to claim any clothes your child(ren) may have left behind.
 
When the weather gets warm, please be sure your child wears sunscreen - hats are encouraged at lunch and on the playground. We will get the awnings up over the lunch area once we are sure the rain and wind is over. They wreak havoc on the awnings. Also, remember to follow our dress code and send your child to school in appropriate clothes for learning. If students arrive wearing flip-flops, we will call home for someone to bring shoes to school. Please remember that your child is going to school and should wear clothing suitable for learning and play. Below is an excerpt from our School Handbook:
 
Appropriate dress is necessary for all students in order to learn... Short shorts, mini skirts, halter tops or very short tee shirts are not permitted. At least a 4" inseam on shorts should be the guide...Hats, caps and bandannas are not to be worn indoors at school. All shoes, sandals etc. must have a strap or come up past the heel (no flip-flops or shoes with wheels). This prevents them from falling off children's feet during all playtime and P.E. classes.
 
I have received important information regarding placement needs for the next school year. As noted in prior articles, these requests must be received by April 15th in order to be considered. Please click on this link to provide information http://goo.gl/forms/PlB2fmQnX9.
 
Until next time,
Alain Camou

 
PTA News

PTA Webmaster/Application Developer

The PTA is looking for parents interested in getting involved with the PTA in a very flexible role in the Webmaster/Application developer team for the Las Lomitas PTA website. Tasks will range from maintaining the Las Lomitas PTA webpages, program-specific web forms and applications. He/she will work with the current webmaster and application developer. A good understanding of HTML and basic web technologies is a plus, but training will be provided. This is a great opportunity for parents with limited time availability since the hours are flexible and all work can be done at home (2-3 hours per month as needed for programs). 

Especially calling for Kindergarten parents. Interested? Please contact webmaster@llpta.org.
 

PTA Executive Board Positions

Dear Parents,
 
Your time and talent are essential ingredients in making our school truly outstanding.  We hope upon returning to campus after break, that you think about how you can support your child, his/her classroom, and the entire school.  We are actively recruiting for the PTA Executive Board this month. We hope that you will consider joining other parents and contribute 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 
 
If you are interested in learning more about a specific role on the PTA Executive Board, please reach out to us at parliamentarian@llesd.org 

If being on the PTA Executive Board isn't in the cards, we also hope you might consider leading, co-leading or joining a committee within the PTA.  To learn more about committees, click here: https://www.laslomitaspta.org/ptaprograms.html and please contact president@llpta.org 

You have as much to gain as you have to give by volunteering.  Take it from us! 

Please join us!

Artis Montague & Helen Ungerman
Co-Parliamentarians
2015-16  


NOW ACCEPTING ORDERS FOR THE 2015-2016 LAS LOMITAS MEMORY BOOK
 
Please take a minute to visit the PTA web site to order your child a copy of the 2015-2016 Las Lomitas Memory book.   The cost is $25/book and payment is accepted via Paypal.   You are able to order multiple copies if you have more then one child at Las Lomitas.  

Please note that no orders have been taken to date. The online ordering period for Memory Book's is February 22nd-April 21st.   All orders are fulfilled through your child's teacher, typically the last few days of school in June.  

Students will have a chance to get their copy signed by friends and staff at that time.   

While we always order extra copies and make those available for sale the last two days of school at the Flagpole, we encourage you to order online since last year we completely sold out.

Visit the PTA web site now to place your order at 
http://www.laslomitaspta.org/programs/memorybook/index.htm.   
Any questions, please email memorybook@llpta.org.
 
                                                                                                  
Boxtops for Education

boxtops Congratulations to the 3 lucky winners of the boxtops for education drawing! Caitlin B, Matthew H, and Griffin M will each receive a Barnes and Noble gift card.

Many thanks to all who submitted boxtops and to the Las Lomitas parents who helped prepare the boxtops for submission.

Keep saving and submitting those boxtops. Write your student's name and their teacher's name on the bag. We will have our next drawing in the fall.

Thank you! 
 
 
Science Wonders

Calling All Las Lomitas Students

Science Wonders:

Student Science Fair Exhibition 2016                                     

6:00 - 8:00 PM - Wednesday, April 20
Cano Hall, Las Lomitas Elementary School

For more information (2015 pdf) visit:

What is Science Wonders?  Science Wonders is a science fair event to encourage your children to be inquisitive about the world around them, as well as an opportunity to have FUN while sharing the joy of discovery with the school community. 
 
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 to your question (hint: there are many great books in the Las Lomitas Library and on websites listed in the Student and Parent Guide at the URL above).

Step 3:
 Write down your ideas and develop a plan to present your "science 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 or on weekends/spring break. 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? Yes! Everyone is welcome to come to the event and view all the creative ideas that Las Lomitas students bring to life at Science Wonders.

How do I sign up? In order to help us coordinate, send an RSVP email to Scott & Dawn Smithson at sciencewonders@llpta.org by April 1.  Please include the student's name, grade and teacher in your RSVP.  Thank you!


Parents Needed for our District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC)
Is your student someone who speaks a language other than English?  
Are you interested in learning more about how our district plans English Language instruction for children at all grade levels?  

Care to share with this group some useful tips that parents new to the American school system would benefit from due to your personal experience?
Please consider joining our monthly meetings!  They are fun and a great way to learn more about our school system.

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, March 23, 2016, 9:45am in Room 5 at the La Entrada campus.

If you have any questions, please email Sonya Dineen at sdineen@llesd.org



Hearing and Vision Screening

Dear Parents,
                                                                                                                  
Las Lomitas School will be having our annual State required Hearing and Vision Screening March 28-30th. 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 for distance using the Snellen chart.A near vision screening will also be conducted this year. 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.


Music Informances
 
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 March 21-25 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.       

                   

Las Lomitas League News




For parents who have registered for an Las Lomitas League class, here is some important information to take note of:  
  • It is mandatory that parents email the dismissal instructions for your child directly to the Las Lomitas League instructor before class starts.
    Instructors will be emailing  you shortly in regards to this.
  • Please provide your Las Lomitas classroom teacher with your child's dismissal plan so she knows your child needs to go to the Las Lomitas League 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.
  • Please report your child's absence from a Las Lomitas League class or sport by contacting the Las Lomitas League instructor directly. The school office is not involved in absence reporting for Las Lomitas League classes.
  • Please be punctual to pick up your child after a Las Lomitas League class or sport at the designated class location, and not at the flagpole.  If you are going to be late, please let the Las Lomitas League instructor know in advance and with written notice with the name and contact number of the adult authorized to pick up your child.. The Las Lomitas League instructors cannot stay late to supervise your child. If parents are repeatedly late, the student may not be able to continue in the class.
  • For parents who have registered on a wait list, you will only be notified via email IF a space becomes available. we appreciate your understanding that admittance is not guaranteed.
  • Our Cancellation Policy: Our system requires we pay a fee for every registration up front, therefore any cancellations are refunded at 90% of the class or sport fee. Cancellations will be processed up to 24 hours prior to the second meeting of the class. There will be no refunds after the second meeting. If you need to withdraw your child, please contact the LLL Registrar at llleagueregistrar@gmail.com.
  • Late registrations: If we are able to accommodate a late registration, there will be a $25 late fee.


Community News
 
   

Informational Coffee on Monday, April 18 for All Students Matter
If you've wondered what All Students Matter is all about, then please join other local parents who are already volunteering with us in the classroom of K-4th grade students to learn more.  We invite you for coffee and refreshments while you hear about how you can make a true difference in the life of students in east Menlo Park and East Palo Alto by volunteering for an hour a week.  Monday, April 18 at 10:00 am at a home in Menlo Park.  Please contact to Jeanette Kennedy at  jkc_kennedy@yahoo.com to RSVP.  jkc_kennedy@yahoo.com.

     

Studio Rincon Spring Youth Dance Classes 
Studio Rincon on Alameda in Menlo Park- Spring session of youth dance classes start the week of March 21st.  Classes M-F after school.  Preballet, ballet & hip hop are all taught in a fun and positive atmosphere after school for ages 3-Teen.  Classes lead up to the annual end if year show at Woodside HS PAC!  Signup  here-  http://studiorincon.com/schedule-youth.php  
 

Holbrook-Palmer Park Easter Egg Hunt - March 26, 2016
The Friends of Holbrook-Palmer Park cordially invite all community families to our annual Easter Egg Hunt. There will be thousands of colorful eggs ~~ plus three special "golden eggs" ~~ for children aged 10 and under to find and enjoy. In addition to the colorful eggs, the Friends have planned a wonderful family-oriented event with a magic show, face painters, yummy treats, beverages and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny!! Remember to bring your baskets and camera. This is an event not to be missed. The gates to the Park will open at 9:30 a.m. and the Hunt will start promptly at 10:15 a.m.   Cost is $10 per person entering the Park. Cash only at the park entrance gates. All proceeds benefit the beautification and improvement of Holbrook-Palmer Park.   
 
Announcing Open Enrollment  for the 2016-17 school year at Ladera Community Church Preschool!
LCCP welcomes all children aged 2 to 5 years old.  It is a fully licensed, NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accredited preschool that maintains low child-to-teacher ratios. It offers a play-based curriculum without religious content. Currently LCCP has a couple spaces available in all classes: 2s, 3s, and Pre-K. Please call or visit our website for more information.
 
Phone: 650-854-2997
 
 
Summer Programs

Las Lomitas Summer Program

Registration forms for the Las Lomitas Summer Program will be available on Monday, February 1, 2016.  They will also be sent home to our current students in our Monday envelope that day.  The theme this year will be AUSTRALIA and the dates are June 20 to July 15.  Register early to avoid disappointment!





Panthers Camp 
 
I hope all of you enjoyed a fantastic year in 2015 and are off to a great start for 2016. Panthers
 
"All Sports" Camp  is back for another exciting 2016 summer.  For more information regarding camp as well as registering, the link to the Panthers Camp website is 
2016 Panthers Camp:  
  • Session 1: June 13-16
  • Session 2: June 20-23
  • Session 3: June 27-30
  • Session 4: July 5-8
In order to register, please click on the following link: https://thriva.activenetwork.com/

If you register before 3/1/16, you will get the early bird special.  Please let me know if you have any questions: 
danflahavan@gmail.com

If your child has outgrown camp and will be entering 8th grade, they have an opportunity to build leadership skills as a Junior Counselor in Training (JCIT).  I will be sending out more information regarding this soon. 

I look forward to another great summer with your kids at Panthers Camp.


3rd Annual Kelly Coding and Creation Camps, Summer 2016 
 
Join Parker Kelly, the tech teacher for 16 years, for an exciting, educational experience at La Entrada's Mac lab this summer! In each 1-week session, students will learn programming, 3D design/printing and other multimedia skills in a fun, self-paced environment. 
 
 
Participants will learn from an experienced teacher (23 years) who has an MA in Instructional Technology. Each class will start with fun activities that cover essential computer science concepts using a mixture of visual block programming and coding, all while making fun animations, and video games. 
 
In addition, students will get hands-on experience designing 3D models and then print their creation with a 3D printer. As a culminating activity, the class will record a video in a broadcast studio environment that will show off their week at camp. 
 
Participants can enroll in 1, 2, 3 or ALL 4 sessions if they want! Choose from one or more of the following sessions: June 13-17, June 20-24, June 27-July 1 and July 11-15
 
Each day starts at 8:30 am and ends at 3:30pm. The camps are open to students entering 4th, 5th and 6th grade in the fall. 
 
Click here for more details and to register.

 
 
Coach Tim's Sports Camp will again take place at Las Lomitas this summer.  There are 4 one week sessions beginning the week of June 13.  Some of the activities are softball, soccer, broomball, ultimate frisbee and arts and crafts.  We have flyers in the school office or go to tbowler@sbcglobal.net for more information.

 
There are flyers in the office about Summer Reading Skills classes offered at Hillview Community Center being sponsored by the City of Los Altos.  Classes are for children entering Kindergarten  through entering 11th graders.  For more information or to register call 1-800-903-0162. 

JEFF ARONS' YOUTH SUMMER TENNIS CAMPS AT SACRED HEART SCHOOLS
 
BEGINNING JUNE 13TH
                                                                                                          
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. 
 
 
 
 

To submit an item, email Carol Clark (cclark@llesd.org) by 12 noon on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication date.


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!


Las Lomitas School | 299 Alameda de las Pulgas | Atherton | CA | 94027