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Principal
Lynn Main
Last week's Tuesday Bulletin dealt with finding a silver lining in a budget cloud with relatively good news about staffing issues at the school. As in the past keeping class sizes reasonable has always been a big part of my planning and what I see as something the parents at Lafayette value and want. But in order to keep class sizes low something else has to be compromised.
>> Read More
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March 28 (Thursday)
March Madness Basketball Game, 4 p.m.
March 29 (Friday)
Early Dismissal, 12:15 p.m.
April 1 (Monday)Spring Break Begins
April 8 (Monday)
School Resumes
April 10 (Wednesday)
LSAT Meeting, 7:45 a.m.
April 15 (Monday)
No School, Professional Development Day
April 16 (Tuesday)
No School, Emancipation Day
April 17 (Wednesday)
HSA Open Chat, 2:15 p.m.
April 18 (Thursday)
Parent Pick-Up Group, 7:45 a.m.
Battle of the Books, 6:00 p.m.
HSA Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
April 23 (Tuesday)
Lafayette Open House, 9:00 a.m.
See full school calendar |
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From the HSA
Jenny Murray & Gayle Moseley, co-presidents
Thank you to those parents who came out last Thursday to give their thoughts and ideas on the HSA's budget for next year. Several good ideas were discussed, including funding for the Peace Program. We heard lots of support for this unique program and a desire to have it continue. If you have thoughts on this, or other ideas for HSA-funded projects at the school, please email Gayle or Jenny soon - we would really like to consider your ideas BEFORE we begin work on the draft budget after spring break.
This week you'll have a chance to "gear up" for Spring Break by stopping by the Lafayette school store on Thursday or Friday. See the article below for hours.
Finally, the deadline is approaching to run for a position on next year's HSA board. The HSA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Lafayette students, staff and families. Serving on the board is a great way to get involved and lend your talents to an important cause. If you might be interested or have questions, please contact Liz Wieser or Holly Idelson.
Remember - school lets out at 12:15 on Friday! Have a great Spring Break!
-Jenny & Gayle
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School Store This Week
 Just in time for Spring Break... get your Lafayette cap, jacket or car magnet (and much more)! Stock up on all of your favorite gear this week... - Thursday dismissal 3:00-3:30 p.m. (flagpole or Great Hall)
- Thursday 4:00-5:00 p.m. at the parent vs. staff b-ball game in the Lafayette gym
- Friday dismissal 12:00-12:30 p.m. (flagpole or Great hall)
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Teaching Peace
Linda Ryden
 Are you going up the Conflict Escalator? It's Conflict Resolution time in Peace Class! In 2nd - 5th grade we are spending time in Peace Class learning how to work out our conflicts peacefully. If you have the kind of child who tells you all about what happens at school (I have one who does and one who doesn't!) then you have probably heard about the Conflict Escalator. The Conflict Escalator is a way to help us think about how conflicts can start out as nothing but small problems but because of the things people say and do and the way that people react they can sometimes escalate into something much worse. Ask your child what is at the top of the Conflict Escalator. The answer: Nothing but Trouble! In second grade Peace Class we have been reading stories about conflicts and we are beginning to think about what sends a conflict up the escalator. In third grade Peace Class we are learning about the Conflict Resolution Toolbox. This toolbox is filled with solutions such as sharing, taking turns, and compromising. We are role-playing how to use these tools in different conflict scenarios. In fourth and fifth grade Peace Class we are learning more advanced conflict resolution methods and practicing them through role-playing. When all of the kids are speaking the same "language" about conflict it is much easier to keep things peaceful here at Lafayette!
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Arts Integration
Jacqueline Snowden, Arts Integration Coordinator As March goes "out like a lion," there was lots of arts integration instruction and displays of arts activities going on.
The fourth grade held their annual Heroes in Wax Museum, where the biographical research, and drama skills were on full display. March, being Music in Our Schools Month, produced some our finest musicians and performers, as well as the premier performance of our own staff choir, who actually performed twice. I'm sure you heard about, or even saw, the Flash Mob performance of Call Me Maybe by most 3-5 grade and special subject teachers. How fun was that? We nominated our early childhood art, music, and P.E. teacher, Andrea Perll, for the Mayor's Art Award, for the great work she does everyday, as well as her work with the Cub Facts. As a sample of the wonderful work she does daily, we submitted her lesson on mobile artist, Calder, and the subsequent construction of mobiles with K and Pre-K, which was quite impressive, as was listening to the students "use their words" to describe their observations and what they learned about straight and curvy lines. I have submitted our top three choices of CETA courses to offer teachers here next school year. Those choices, and justification for them, had to be submitted mid month. They will notify us shortly of their decision at which time more planning will begin; course registration, arts coaching and demonstration assignments, study group assignments etc. Mr. King's second graders, along with Ms. Ryden, Peace Teacher, are working on a project resulting from the CETA Reading Portraits as Biography course offered here this year. They are learning about Wangari Maathi, a Kenyan woman who won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to teach women in her country how to plant trees to save their environment and ultimately their economy. After learning about her, they identified symbols of her life. Next they will construct print plates to make collograph portraits using those symbols. They will then construct six word memoirs about her life, and assemble a display. Look for the documentation of this wonderful project, coming soon. Finally, Friday, March 15, Ms. Jean's fifth graders performed at the District Building for Mayor Gray and the Mayor of Brasilia, at the signing of a Sister City Agreement. This was part of their involvement in the Embassy Adoption Program. They performed a Curriculum Based Reader's Theater (CBRT), which is a CETA arts integration strategy. I have video if you're interested and I've submitted photos for the Lafayette website. They did us all proud! Happy Spring Break ~Jackie Snowden, Arts Integration Coordinator
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30th Annual Larry Neal Writers' Competition: April 4 Deadline
Kathy Echave, Reading SpecialistThe DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) has announced the City's 30th annual Larry Neal Writers' Competition. This contest is open to all DC adults as well as young people in grades 4-12. Entries must adhere to strict guidelines, and the application system is complicated. On top of that, the due date for submissions is during our spring break: Thursday, April 4 at 6 p.m. In spite of all this, it's a wonderful opportunity for Lafayette students, alumni and parents who are interested in writing. The panel of judges is usually top-notch, and the winners will be announced at a classy awards ceremony on Saturday, May 4 at Folger Shakespeare Theatre Library. The presentation is in done in conjunction with the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. About 35 students in grades 4-5 attended the preliminary meeting and most seem eager to enter, however, due to the late notice, the untimely deadline and the cumbersome submission process, every child will need adult help to follow through. Teachers on the Library/Reading Committee--Ms. Jackson, Mr. Jewett, Ms. Fratto, Ms. Hallstrom, Ms. Jensen, Ms. Yedwab, Ms. Cobb, Ms. Nickel, Ms. Phillips, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Howard, Ms. Hill, Ms. Hallock, Ms. Perlin, Ms. McClanahan, Ms. Echave and Mr. McCoy--are ALL willing to help students with some stages, but parent support will also be needed. Below are two links that parents need to know:
Submission Guidelines
Entries must be submitted online through the ZoomGrants application system. No hand-delivered submissions will be accepted.
The deadline for all applications is Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
To review submission guidelines and access the application portal, please visit http://dcarts.dc.gov/
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Spring Fair News - Cirque de Lafayette!
Less than six weeks to go until the train is on our track, the moon bounces and slides and other rides cover Lafayette Park. Excitement is building for our Spring Fair on
May 4 (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Other things you can do NOW to help support the Fair: - Donate an hour or two to staff an activity, please contact your room parent or a co-chair to sign up.
- Start gathering books, video games, CDs and DVDs to donate to the sale.
- Bake for the bake sale.
- Donate a salad.
- Mark your calendar, bring the family, enjoy the Fair!
As in past years, class assignments have been made to help make sure each activity has the volunteer help it needs to run successfully. |
Clowns Wanted
Parent and Teacher Clowns Wanted for Spring Fair  Do you secretly wish you could dress up like a clown and be silly (without anyone really knowing who you are)? Here's your chance! The co-chairs of the Lafayette Spring Fair are looking for parent and teacher volunteers who want to spend some time clowning around during the fair on Saturday, May 4th. Our theme this year is Cirque de Lafayette and we want EVERYONE to join the fun. We'll get you the costume, props, and will work with your schedule the day of the fair-all you have to do is have a blast! Interested? Contact Marilyn Kitzes at [email protected].
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School Boundary Update
This week many room parents will receive an update on the school boundary/feeder patten issue. The group of parents monitoring this issue continue to recommend that Lafayette parents as well as parents of future Lafayette children and Lafayette alumni review and sign on to a letter in support of maintaining the Lafayette, Deal, Wilson feeder pattern. Please note that this includes, for example, both parents from one household signing on -- not simply one parent representing the household. Before you leave for Spring Break, please be sure to cross "signing on to the letter" off your list of things to do. You can sign on at www.sites.google.com/site/lafayetteunited.
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| Deal Middle School Registration
Staff from the Deal Middle School registrar's office will be at Lafayette on April 18 from 5-7 p.m. They will be collecting registration forms from our current 5th grade students and answering any questions you may have. This year all registration forms have to be turned in at the school your child will be attending NEXT year. Lafayette will not be accepting registration forms for Deal.
Registration is scheduled to begin around April 1. Pre-filled forms will be sent to your home. Please return those to the school as soon as possible.
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Morning Drop Off
 We know you're in a hurry in the mornings, and sometimes the line for drop-off on Northampton gets a little backed up. But please, please be patient. The other morning we had a fender-bender when a car tried to pull around to the front of the line. Luckily it was minor and no one was hurt. But this is a place where children are hopping out of cars and it's crucial that parents wait until they can pull up in front of the blue doors. Please remember these guidelines to keep everyone safe... - Pull up as far as you can when it clears out.
- Stay in your car and let the staff help your child out of the car.
- Have backpacks in the front seat or next to your child.
- Do NOT drive around other cars to the front of the line.
- Look carefully behind you before you pull out.
- Thanks for your patience!
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Lost and Found
All items in the lost and found will be donated to charity over spring
break. Please check the rack (located in the great hall on the way to the music room) to pick up lost coats, hats, lunch boxes and other items on or before March 29. |
Community Notices Spring Parenting classes at PEP. PEP, a local nonprofit organization, provides classes for parents and caregivers with children of all ages throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The spring class schedule is now available at http://www.pepparent.org/pepguide.html. Check out these classes and more! I am looking for childcare for my easy going baby from May 13 through the end of the school year, during the school day only. He will be five and a half months old. Could be nanny share or a nanny whose charges are in school during the day. Am flexible about where. Details to be worked out with nanny and family. Please contact Dina Shapiro at [email protected]. I am looking for aftercare for my Pre-K daughter in Limebase. Nanny share etc. She is a very easy going child and gets along with boys and girls of all ages. If you know of any possibilities please let me know. We are in need immediately. Thank you, Julie 202-200-1207 or [email protected]. Looking for an experienced babysitter to pick up Luka, our 5-year old, from the Lafayette Pre-K and take him ( walk or drive) to Chevy Chase Community Center for sports classes on Mon/Thur from 3 to 6 p.m., starting April 8 to mid-June. Additional babysitting during these evening/weekends is highly desirable. Please let us know your availability. Call/leave message: 402-421-4877 (home), or email me at [email protected]. Mad Science. This spring, Mad Science will be offering Sensational Science. Students will earn many amazing aspects of heat and friction, magnetic magic and sonic sounds to name a few.
Details: Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 from April 10 through May 29 and Fridays, 3:30-4:30 from April 12 through May 31. Registration is first come first serve, so register now to secure your spot. Visit the Mad Science website to learn more and to register online at www.madscience.org/dc. For ages K-5. Registration deadline is Wednesday, March 27, 2013.
Cost: $129 for 8 weeks
Contact: Laura Lindsley at [email protected] , [email protected] or Mia Diaz at 301-593-4777. Website: www.madscience.org/dc (to register) Walking for a Cure! For the fourth year in a row my daughter and I are participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer here in DC, May 4 and 5. We will be walking 40 miles in 2 days to raise awareness and to raise money to help fund breast cancer research and treatment here in the DC area. In order to walk, my team needs $3600 and we'd love to raise even more for the cause! If you would like to donate, you can do so online at www.avonwalk.org/goto/MargaretQuinn or by dropping off a check made out to "Avon Walk for Breast Cancer" with Kia Ghamarian in Pre-K. Thank you to all the parents and teachers who have already donated - the support of the Lafayette community means so much to me. -- Margaret Quinn. Bunny rabbit needs "babysitting" for 2 weeks. We are going on vacation and would like to leave our cuddly pet with a caring family for 2 weeks. Starting Saturday March 30 to Sunday April 14. We provide all bedding, cage and food. Contact Cathy Noel at 202-834-0582 or [email protected].
Spring is Just Around the Corner. Support Wilson Crew by buying plants from the Wilson Crew Plant Sale! We have a wide variety of plants for sale that may be purchased online at www.wilsoncrew.org, and you can give credit for the sale to your favorite rower. Plants will be delivered to your home on April 28, 2013.
The Lafayette Lunchtime Tennis program for 1st-5th graders will begin right after Spring Break on April 8th and run for 10 weeks ending on June 14. The regular schedule for the Lunchtime Tennis program is as follows: - Monday - 3rd Graders
- Tuesday - 2nd Graders
- Wednesday - 1st Graders
- Thursday - 4th Graders
- Friday - 5th Graders
Schedules may shift during a week with days off because of DCPS or holidays. If your child is involved in other activities during lunchtime, they are welcome to shift their tennis playing time to a class one grade above or below their own.
The fee for the 10 weeks is $100. Grade schedules will be set for each class based on other activities such as band practices that take place during lunch recess. Children with a split lunch, play first from noon to 12:40 then eat at 12:40 during the 3rd shift of the lunch period. Students may take only one lunchtime tennis class per week. Those who want to play more tennis can sign up for the Lafayette Afterschool Tennis. You can go to www.LafayetteTennis.org to get a copy of the registration form or pick one up from the brochure rack in the Great Hall. It is a great way for school friends to enjoy a fun physical activity together during their lunch recess. You can always contact me with questions at [email protected] or 202 441-0925. Lafayette Afterschool Tennis (LAT) starts April 8th and still has many slots open. It runs for 10 weeks starting right after Spring Break on April 8th and runs through June 14. The fee for the 10 weeks is $150. The program will be open to boys and girls age 5 through 15. Classes for younger players (5-12) will be held at 3:30 and 4:30. Classes for teens will be held at 5:30. Adult evening classes will take place at 6:30. Please go to www.LafayetteTennis.org to get a registration form and find out the weekly schedule by age and skill level. The website will also tell you how many slots are still available for each class. Call me with questions or to sign up at 202 441-0925 or email me at [email protected]. Lafayette Adult Morning Tennis started last week but still has many slots open. It runs for 11 weeks starting this week and runs through June 14. The fee for the 11 weeks is $220. Classes are available for beginners and experienced players. Please go to www.LafayetteTennis.org to get a registration form and find out the weekly schedule by skill level. The website will also tell you how many slots are still available for each class. Call me with questions or to sign up at 202 441-0925 or email me at [email protected]. |
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Thank You Lafayette Sponsors!
These organizations support Lafayette through a generous annual donation- please support them!
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Make a Submission
Submissions for next week's issue should be emailed to [email protected]. Submissions are due by 3:15 p.m. on Friday. Submissions received after this time will be included in the following issue, unless instructed otherwise. Please keep submissions brief. Longer articles may be truncated at the editor's discretion, with a link to the full text.
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