|
Principal
Lynn Main
Today started testing time at Lafayette. The current flavor of the week is called the DC-CAS (Comprehensive Assessment System). Previously we took the SAT-9. Next year we will be using the new test based on the Common Core Standards called the PARCC (the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers). It seems about every five years a new test is rolled out.
> Read More
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Your Calendar
April 25 (Thursday)
HSA Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
April 26 (Friday)
Fifth Grade Panoramic Photo, 9:00 a.m.
May 1 (Wednesday)
LSAT Meeting, 7:45 a.m.
May 2 (Thursday)
Parent Pick-Up Group, 2:15 p.m.
May 4 (Saturday)
Lafayette Spring Fair, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
See full school calendar |
|
From the HSA
Jenny Murray and Gayle Moseley, Co-Presidents
The weekend kicked off last Friday with the annual Great Zucchini benefit show in the Lafayette cafeteria. As many of you know, his special blend of magic and potty humor is irresistible to the younger set! We had a great turnout and raised $1,600 for the school. Big thanks go to the Great Zucchini for his generous performance and to the parent volunteers who made it all run smoothly.
This week DC CAS (DC Comprehensive Assessment System) testing begins. According to the DCPS website, second grade is tested in reading only, third grade has reading and math, fourth grade has reading, writing and math, and fifth grade has reading, math and science. Visit the DCPS page for the DC CAS link if you'd like to learn more.
In this edition of the Bulletin is an article which lists all the candidates for the 2013-14 HSA board and LSAT parent representatives. Please take a moment to see who's running and read their statements. Elections will be held at the HSA general meeting on May 9 at 7:30 p.m. We'll be presenting the HSA draft budget and gathering your feedback the same evening, so please mark your calendars.
The Spring Fair is less than 2 weeks away... have you bought your KidPasses yet? And don't forget to see if your class still needs volunteers for its Spring Fair activity - the Fair is 100% parent-powered and we can't do it without you!
Have a great week!
--Jenny & Gayle |
Change to End of School Year
Because of days missed due to inclement weather, DCPS has ust announced that they will extend the originally scheduled half-day on June 20 into a full-day and add a half-day on Friday, June 21, making it the new last day with dismissal at 12:15 pm. They will also convert the scheduled Parent-Teacher Conference Day on June 3 into a regular school day. Click here to read the letter from Chancellor Kaya Henderson. |
|
Candidates for HSA Board and the LSAT
Elections for next year's Home & School Association board and the Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) are coming up on May 9. Please take a moment to read through all of the candidate statements on the website. We plan to add more photographs of the candidates in the coming weeks so you can place faces with these names and bios!
If any parents are interested in running for the Local School Advisory Team (LSAT), please contact Jenny Murray by the end of this week.
On Monday, April 29, from 7:00-8:30 p.m., there will be a "Meet & Greet" event in the Great Hall for parents to come and speak with the HSA Board and LSAT candidates and have their questions answered. Please take this opportunity to find out more about the candidates and the role the HSA and LSAT play in the Lafayette community.
HSA Board candidates for 2013-14:
- Co-president (other co-president, Gayle Moseley, will fulfill the 2nd year of her two-year term next year): Hope Scheller
- 1st Vice President: Keith Jones
- 2nd Vice President: Marek Gootman
- Treasurer Co-chair (other co-chair, Kristin Willsey, will fulfill the 2nd year of her two-year term next year): Beth Taubman
- Volunteer Chair: Sue Wright
- Early Childhood Liaison: Jared Cohen (vote for 1)
- Communications Co-Chairs: Marilyn Kitzes and Miriam Van Dyck (vote for 2)
- Membership Chair: Rita Brickman
- Secretary: Janine Finck-Boyle
- Ways & Means co-chairs: Polly Snyder and Shannon Behm (vote for 2)
- Hospitality Co-chairs: Jenny Backus, Carrie Cohen and Josh Gordon (vote for 2)
- Environmental Chair: Kimberly Cestari
- Outreach/Tours Chair: Jen Lanoff
- Community Representatives: Joe Nelson and Tracy Stannard (vote for 2)
LSAT Parent Representative Candidates:
- Kerrie Bouker
- Eden Burgess
- Jeanne Metzger
- Peaches Scribner
|
|
Please Register for Next School Year
On Wednesday, April 24, the school office will be open until 7 p.m. so parents can return registration forms to school. We have specific registration targets to meet this year to keep all of our staff in place at the school. The earlier the forms are returned to school, the better it is for Lafayette in making those targets. Bring the entire registration packet with along with your proof of residency. What you can use for proof of residency is spelled out in the packet. We do NOT need health forms at this time. Please encourage any new parents and children to enroll now. We will also have a registration table at the Spring Fair.
|
| Spring Fair News - Cirque du Lafayette
The Spring Fair will be held on Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 4  p.m. Thanks to all the parents that have signed up to Co-Chair for all the categories at the Fair! Thanks to Maddie Breeden and Maddie Vassalo for designing this year's T-Shirt - we can't wait to see it! Only 2 weeks to go! If you haven't done so already, it's time to sign up to help at the fair. Here's how:
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
Each activity at the fair needs volunteers to be successful. Families should contact their Room Parent to sign up for an hour slot (or longer!) at the activity assigned to that class. If you're already signed up for something else, that's ok - we're reaching out to families who are able to help but have not signed up yet. If you have any questions regarding a particular activity, contact the appropriate co-chair(s) for more info. THANKS to each of you for contributing to this great community fair.
|
Battle of the Books
The Battle of the Books has been fought. No, it wasn't a war; it was  a book battle. About eighty fourth graders participated in the tournament. There were 16 teams each consisting of groups of four or five 4th graders who were all well-coached by parent volunteers. The bleachers were filled with supporters--parents, siblings, fellow students, and even a few third graders who wanted to know what this battle was all about. The Battle itself took place on Thursday evening, April 18 the Lafayette gym, but the preparation began months ago when students and parents were informed of the new event by fourth grade reading teachers, Ms. Fratto and Ms. Hallstrom. Once students decided to participate, they formed and named their groups, came up with slogans, designed t-shirts and posters, and most importantly, read, read, read! They studied on their own time under the direction of one or more parent volunteers who served as coaches to the groups. The coaches read with them, drilled the teams on questions that might be asked in the battle, and helped them decide which students would become "experts" on which books. (Some students decided to read and become authorities on all the books). The five books were Turtle in Paradise, The Year of Miss Agnes, The Chocolate Touch, The Enormous Egg and A Strong Right Arm. They ranged from easy to hard, and covered the genres of biography, realistic fiction, historical fiction and fantasy. [For a survey of which books the fourth graders liked best, read the Bear Facts]. To read more about BoB, click here. |
Arts Night
Arts nights are fast approaching. The 5th grade will not be  performing on Arts Night because of their trip to Gettysburg but will instead perform their Arts Night ensemble pieces on the 5th grade Promotion day in June.
Students in 1st-4th grade are required to perform with their class at Arts Night. If students have to miss, they can do the small essay option in its place. (Please see Mrs. Porter for more details.)
What to wear: For girls- skirts/ dresses/ dress pants and dress shoes. For boys- khaki pants, dress pants, a dress shirt and dress shoes.No jeans, no flip flops please. (Band students are expected to follow the normal dress code of white on top and black on bottom.)
There will be pizza for sale and free refreshments for your enjoyment.
BRING YOUR CHECKBOOK as IMAGES, our much loved art and literary anthology, which INCLUDES EVERY LAFAYETTE STUDENT, will be on sale in the Great Hall!
We are excited to celebrate the end of the school year with you through the Arts, and we look forward to seeing you at the concerts!
Thursday, May 16, Arts Night I
|
Group |
Time to gather in Mrs. Porter's music room |
Time of Performance | |
Pre-Kindergarten |
5:45 |
6:00 | |
Kindergarten |
5:55 |
6:15 | |
1st grade |
6:15 |
6:30 | |
Beginner Band and Advanced Band |
6:40 |
7:10 | |
Guitar Ensemble |
7:00 |
7:40 | |
Percussion Ensemble |
7:00 |
8:00 | |
Step Team |
7:00 (meet in Student Lounge) |
8:15 |
Thursday May 30, Arts Night II
|
Group |
Time to gather in Mrs. Porter's music room |
Time of Performance | |
Strings |
5:30 |
6:00 | |
2nd grade |
5:50 |
6:10 | |
Recorder Club |
6:05 |
6:20 | |
3rd grade |
6:15 |
6:30 | |
4th grade |
6:30 |
6:45 |
|
School Boundary Update
The Working Group continues to meet regularly to monitor this issue. Volunteers are needed to help collect signatures and talk with other parents about this issue at the Lafayette Spring Fair. If you are able to help out at the Spring Fair or are interested in joining the Working Group, please email Jared Cohen. If you have not already done so, please sign on to the letter encouraging DC officials to maintain the Lafayette, Deal, Wilson feeder pattern.
|
|
Donate Books/CDs/DVDs for Spring Fair
Ready for Spring cleaning? Please drop off your gently used books, CDs, DVDs, and video games in the designated boxes in the Great Hall. Children's books are especially welcome - no textbooks or dated computer books please. Your donation will raise money for Lafayette at the Book Sale at the Spring Fair. If you have any questions or need larger donations picked up, contact Teresa Gionis. Thanks!
Plus, we're having a BOOK DRIVE this Saturday, April 27 from 12-3 p.m. at 5800 Broad Branch Road (at Oliver). Free lemonade and popcorn!
|
Community Notices Housecleaner Available. Responsible, reasonable, conscientious. Recommended by Lafayette parent Jan Jacobson. Call Susana at 202-230-7986. Looking for a new warm loving home for a cute guinea pig. The guinea pig is around 8 months old and is very friendly. He has long brown hair with yellow highlights. The guinea pig comes with a cage and all its accessories. If you are interested please email [email protected]. No cost. Nanny Share. We have a fantastic nanny and are looking for a family to partner with in a nanny share! Rosemary has over 20 years of experience caring for infants and toddlers. She is loving, interactive, attentive and responsible. She walks with Eloise to the library and parks, she plays and sings with her and is a wizard at putting her to sleep! Our goal is to partner with a second family, with a similarly aged child, in NW DC. An idea start date would be June or earlier. Please reach out to Carolyn if you're interested via e-mail or by calling 202-870-1856. Tutor Available. My name is Bill Jackson, and I have fifteen years of teaching (and tutoring) experience specializing in English, writing, math, and study skills. I can design a summer program to address the skills your student needs. Frequently tutor younger students in reading, phonics, and study skills. Experienced coach for AD/HD, LD, and G/T students -- I can help your student
take the next step, and perhaps even enjoy learning! Combined MFA degree in literature/creative writing. Have worked since 2003 with students in grades 2-12 at Lafayette, Burning Tree, Carderock Springs, Bannockburn, Pyle, Wilson, Whitman, B-CC, and Churchill, among others. Plenty of references available. For more information, call Bill Jackson, 301-229-2602, or visit
www.billjacksontutoring.com |
|
Thank You Lafayette Sponsors!
These organizations support Lafayette through a generous annual donation- please support them!
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
