Hello Community,

I write this letter to the community with mixed emotions as I report two staff members who departed Las Lomas last week to further their career aspirations. As some of you know, Michael McAlister was named last week by the MDUSD as the new principal at Northgate High School. Michael started the year with us as an A.P. and he brought a fresh perspective and made an immediate positive impact within our school. Also, I am sad to inform everyone that Ade Melgoza, counselor, accepted a position with the UC System after eight wonderful years at Las Lomas. She had incredibly deep and meaningful relationships with her students and she will missed by all at Las Lomas. We wish both of them well on their endeavors beyond Las Lomas.

National Merit Semi-Finalists

It is my pleasure to announce three National Merit Semi-Finalists at Las Lomas. Please join me in congratulating Michael Lutzker, Nick O'Dea and David Xie. These students are worthy of high recognition because they scored in the top 1% in the nation when they took the PSAT last year. We are proud of these three hard working students.

Enjoy your week,

Matt Campbell

"The World Would be a Better Place If..."  is the theme for this year's Reflection Art Program. Students may submit entries in 6 different categories, Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, Dance Choreography, Film Production, and Music Composition. Selected works of art will move to the next level of juding and may ultimately end up at the state or national level! Rules and entry forms are available in the Attendance Office. All entries are due Monday, October 20th, in the Attendance Office. Get your creative juices flowing and participate in this nationally recognized program!

The PSAT exam will be administered on Saturday, October 18 at 8:00 AM at Las Lomas.  Sophomores and juniors should register for the test on the Las Lomas Web Store. The cost of the exam is $25.00. An official Student Guide, including practice tests, is available in the Career Counseling office when you register for the exam. Register early, as tests are limited. Registration ends Wednesday, October 10. Additional information is below.
 

Any senior who is applying to college early decision should notify his/her counselor as soon as possible.

PSAT
 Test room assignments will be posted on the Counseling Office window on the Friday prior to the test.  Students must report to their assigned classroom by 7:45 a.m. on test day, October 18, with two #2 pencils, a photo ID and a College Board approved calculator (see page 17 of the PSAT Official Student Guide). The test ends at approximately 11:15 a.m.

The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading, math and writing skills. The test is excellent practice for the SAT and the results provide a valuable tool in preparing for the SAT. It is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Program when taken as a junior. 

A preparation course is being offered at Las Lomas by Ames Seminar. Specific information is available by calling 937-2280.

Naviance Family Connection

If students have any Naviance questions, see Ellen Smith in the College/Career Center.

College Representative Visits and College Events in the Community

Check the schedule of visits on Naviance, in the College/Career Center, or on the PTSA website.  In addition, many colleges hold Information Sessions and other events in the community as well as Preview Days.  A list of many of these events can be found on the PTSA web site. 

SAT for Seniors

Seniors may continue to take the SAT Reasoning Test, the SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT tests in the fall. The University of California will accept December scores, as well as most CSU's. Cal Poly SLO and San Diego State request that testing be completed by November.

The application for the UC system is now available and may be submitted November 1 - 30, 2014 http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply

The application for the CSU schools is now available, and may be submitted October 1 - November 30, 2014 www.csumentor.edu

The Counselors and College Advisor will provide application help in the College/Career Center all Tuesdays October 7-November 4, periods 6 and 7.  Students can also come in to the College/Career Center for help at any time.

Senior Letters of Recommendation

Seniors requesting letters of recommendation must make requests four weeks in advance.  Complete counselor recommendation information on Naviance.  The counselor recommendation form is also known as the secondary school report.  The Naviance teacher recommendation forms are in "Surveys" and can be completed on the computer, but then should be printed and given to the teacher. (Same as the blue paper form available in the C/CC.)  Schools in the UC and CSU systems do not require, nor accept, letters of recommendation.

Senior Appointments
Counselors continue to meet with seniors to discuss graduation requirements and post high school plans now through November.  Any senior applying to college early decision should notify his/her counselor as soon as possible.

Volunteer:

Chief Philip Kader Walk a benefit for the Juvenile Hall Auxiliary

Saturday October 11, 2014 Lafayette Reservoir

For more info contact Donna at admin@reachingouryouth.org

Events:

Financial Aid Seminar

Tuesday, October 7, 2014, 7 PM,  Las Lomas High School Theatre

All parents encouraged to attend - not just for parents of seniors.

College Planning Night for Junior Students and Parents

Tuesday, December 2, 2014, 7:00 - 8:30 PM LL Theatre

College Fairs

Performing and Visual Arts College Fair, Saturday, October 26, 2014, 1 - 3:30 PM

So. San Francisco Conference Center
255 S. Airport Blvd. S. San Francisco, For directions:  650-877-8787 For more information see http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs

SRVUSD College Night

More than 100 colleges represented

Wednesday, October 29, 2014, 6:30 - 8:30 pm,

California High School, 9870 Broadmoor Drive, San Ramon, CA 94583

See the full article for more information, and for the extended schedule of upcoming events.

The Las Lomas girls volleyball team will be having a fund raiser all day Oct 8th at Pinkies Pizza. It's easy to help support the team. All you need to do is enjoy some great pizza at Pinkies any time on Oct 8th and make sure to mention that you are a supporter of Las Lomas girls volleyball. This works for dine in, take out and even delivery. Pinkies will donate a percentage of whatever our supporters spend back to the team. Pinkies is located at 2085 N. Broadway across the street from the post office and their phone number is 939-5000. So go enjoy some pizza next Wednesday and make sure you tell them that you are a supporter of Las Lomas girls volleyball.

LLHS Champions for Education: Are You In?

Thank you to all who have made your 2014/15 donation! Together we have raised $133,000 in our collaborative campaign with the LLHS PTSA.

WCEF and the PTSA have always worked to champion education for students at Las Lomas. This year, we are being asked by the administration to increase our funding in a more significant way.  We invite you to join us and become a champion for your student's education. Click on the brochure for more information.

Haven't made your donation yet? Please do so today! DONATE NOW! Monthly payment plans are available online. Prefer to send in a check - you can do that too! Click here to download a printable donation form.

A donation in any amount makes a difference. Our kids are counting on all of us! Thank you!

____________________________________________

Events:

Save the Date to Welcome WCEF Business Partner: TALBOTS

• Friday, October 17, 2014: 15% off regularly priced merchandise all day
• Raffle prizes, refreshments and more from 3:00 - 6:00 PM
• 10% back to WCEF and our students

The Lamorinda Rugby program had over 300 players in what was a very successful 2013-2014 season. We always welcome new players at any level. Our main High School season runs from December to April. Registration for the next 2014-2015 season will open October 1st. Follow us on our website or on Facebook. Hope you had a great summer!

Class of 2015

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Class of 2016

Junior Web Page

------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Class of 2017 

Sophomore Web Page 

------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Class of 2018

Freshman Web Page 

The year's school calendar can be found here.

The Las Lomas PTSA publishes the eBoletin as a communications service to the Las Lomas community each Wednesday. If you have an article to contribute to the e-newsletter please email it to: laslomasptsa@yahoo.com.

The deadline for submission is each Sunday at 6 PM.

The mention of any business or service in this publication does not imply an endorsement by Las Lomas -High School or the Las Lomas PTSA. 

Communications at Las Lomas and through the PTSA is a "TEAM APPROACH". If you have any questions about the eBoletin or how to add/update your email address, a live person is just a phone call or email away:     

You may update your email information at anytime by clicking on the "Update Profile/Email Address" link at the bottom of this email. You may also select the areas of interest for which you would like to receive email from us:

If you do not wish to receive further eCommunications from us, you may completely remove your email address from our database by clicking on the "SafeUnsubscribe" link at the bottom of this email.