Tuesday Bulletin
Lafayette Elementary Home and School Association 
Suzanne Stokes Vieth, editor October 8, 2013
In This Issue
DCPS Attendance
From the HSA
Walk to School Day
Back 2 School Nights
Drop Off Help Needed
LSAT Community Rep
Bake Sale
Ms. Perll Nominated
From the Art Room
WLES Shout Outs
Ramer's Gives Back
Mr. Eddie
Typing for Kids
Community Notices
Lafayette Sponsors
Make a Submission
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Join Our Mailing List
Quick Links...
 Principal 
Lynn Main  
Lynn Main

I hear from real estate agents that when you are trying to sell your house it helps if you throw some bread or cinnamon rolls in the oven to bake while it is being shown. The smell of the baking bread makes your house seem so warm and welcoming. Gets the buyer every time.

 

Last Friday a family from New York came to see the school and thanks to our kinder-garten students Lafayette had it own forms of delectable smells. On Thursday the students had visited Homestead Farm in Poolesville, Maryland.

 
Please Read:
  

DCPS Attendance Protocol

 

1) The Office of Youth Engagement now identifies students who accrue 10 unexcused absences as "chronically truant."

 

2) Students must be referred to court once they have reached 15 unexcused absences.

 

3) Students must be at school 80% of the entire school day in order to be considered "present".  

 

Reminder

  

The only excusable reasons for a student's late arrival and/or absence from school are:

  • Illness or medical cause (a doctor's note is needed for 5 or more absences)
  • Medical or dental appointment 
  • Death in the student's immediate family
  • Summoned to attend in judicial proceeding 
  • Religious holiday
  • Lawful exclusion or expulsion from school
  • Failure of DC to provide transportation  
  • Emergency or circumstances approved by LEA

In order to be acknowledged as "excused" the student must provide a note to the attendance counselor (written or electronically) from the parent and/or guardian citing at least one of the reasons listed above. 

 

If you have any questions please contact the office and ask to speak to Ms. Bright, or email her.


 

  
 
Mark Your Calendar  

October 9 (Wednesday)
Walk to School Day
  
October 10 (Thursday)
Picture Day for all Kindergarten classes and Mr. King's 2nd grade class
 
October 14 (Monday)
No School, Columbus Day
  
October 16 (Wednesday)
Student Count Day

  

October 17 (Thursday)
HSA Board Meeting 6:30 p.m.
 
October 18 (Friday)
No School, Professional Development Day
   

October 21 (Monday)

No School, Parent-Teacher Conference Day

 

October 22 (Tuesday)

Lafayette Tour, 9:00 a.m.

 

October 26 (Saturday)

Fall Festival, 3:00 p.m.

Movie Night, 5:00 p.m.  

 

 See full school calendar 

From the HSA 

Gayle Moseley & Hope Scheller, co-presidents 
 

How about that warm weather last week? There is nothing like a little heat wave to confuse the senses as to which season we are actually supposed to be experiencing. Fall is one of my favorites! Acorns and pine cones already litter the ground, and the trees are slowly beginning to change their colors. I can already tell that this year will not disappoint. Now, if we could just order up a little crisp weather... 

 

Recently there have been a few more furry friends present during morning drop-off and at afternoon pick-up. Although pets are certainly part of our families and communities, as a general rule, dogs and other animals are not permitted on school grounds during school hours. Many of us love dogs, but some children are terrified of dogs (especially large dogs) and some are allergic. Dogs on the school grounds present a safety issue, and can make some children panic. Since our number one goal is to keep our school environment safe and friendly for all our children, we ask that you help us out. If you are including a dog walk at the same time as picking up or dropping off your child, please say goodbye or meet our child on the perimeter of the typical busy activity surrounding the school at either of these times. As it is our intention to keep our campus safe for everyone, we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

 

DCPS Attendance Protocol

Does a family trip to Disney or a fabulous Caribbean Cruise qualify as an excused absence in the eyes of DCPS?  Some important changes have been made to the DCPS Attendance Protocol.  Want know how many unexcused absences before your child is considered "chronically truant"?  See the new attendance policy in the blue column on the left. Questions? Contact Ms. Bright in the front office or at [email protected].

 

Local School Advisory Team

Lastly, the LSAT met last Wednesday. Minutes from this meeting can be found on the Lafayette website. Parents are encouraged to reach out to any of the LSAT parent representatives (Kerrie Bouker, Eden Burgess, Jeanne Metzger and Peaches Scribner) with issues they would like to see the LSAT discuss during the school year.

 

Have a great week!

  -- Hope & Gayle

 

See HSA board members 

kids walking school Walk to School Day Tomorrow
Tomorrow is Walk to School Day at Lafayette! Leave the car at home and join your family and friends for a fun walk or bike ride to school in the morning. We'll have prize tables in front of and behind the school, weather permitting. If it rains, the prizes will be in the Great Hall. Unless we're having thunder and lightning or high winds, the event will go on as planned. Walking "school buses" will be departing from the corner of Tennyson St. and 32nd St. NW, and from the corner of McKinley St. and 30th St. NW at 8:15. Feel free to meet up and join a group of friends and neighbors at one of these locations for your walk to school. See you in the morning!"
  
camera.jpg Thursday is Picture Day 2!

(for Kindergarten & Mr. King's class)

 

All Kindergarten classes and Mr. King's class will be photographed on Thursday, October 10 by Bethesda photographer Freed Photography. Both the class and individual photos will be taken outside, using natural light.

 

Proofs will be available on a password-protected site before ordering as many (or as few) photos as you like. See flyer.  While the site will be password protected, all students' photos will be viewable - if you would prefer to have your child's proofs emailed privately, please contact Gayle Moseley and provide your email address.

 

Picture Day Clothing Suggestions: solid colors and simple patterns photograph best; collared shirts or polos for boys look great; and avoid sweatshirts/sweatpants and t-shirts with large logos or letters. Some shots may show your child's entire body, so please consider this when choosing an outfit. That being said, photos can be cropped, so if you really like the smile and expression of your child on a full-body shot, you can request to have it cropped to just show the head and shoulders if you prefer.

 

Please feel free to contact Gayle Moseley with any questions you may have.

 

Was Your Child Absent Last Thursday? 

If your child was absent on October 3rd, please let Gayle Moseley  know so she can be sure your child's paperwork is available on the make-up day and we know to pull your child out of class to be photographed. 

Please Help!
 

The drive-by drop-off line has proved to be very helpful to many families during their busy morning routine. Mr. Otunba has been a steady force out there assisting children as they get out of cars. When possible, other staff members are out there helping the process run smoothly. However, there are times when the staff has morning meetings and it is difficult to staff the drop-off line. Lafayette is hoping there may be some parents who are available to help with the drop-off on certain mornings when there are staff meetings. Typically, these days are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 - 8:50 am (20 minutes!), although it may happen on other mornings too. Please contact Ms. Diesner if you are able to help keep this valuable resource going.

 

Even if you may not be available on a regular basis, should you find yourself chatting with other parents outside the pre-K doors (or just walking by) and the drop-off line looks like it could use some help, please step forward and ask the staff member if they would like some help! As I'm sure you may have heard before, many hands make light work. Lending a few minutes of your time would make a world of difference to the efficiency of the drop-off line.

  
Community Rep Wanted

Do you have a neighbor who does not have kids at Lafayette, but you think may be interested in what goes on at their neighborhood elementary school? They could be a retiree, a former Lafayette parent, or a new parent whose children are not elementary school age yet.

 

The Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) at Lafayette is looking for a new community representative to join our committee. The LSAT is a group of elected and appointed members that exists in every DCPS school to advise the principal on matters that promote high expectations and high achievement for all students. The team consists of parents, teachers, non­-instructional school staff, and a community member. 

 
The LSAT meets at 7:45 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month for about an hour. The community representative would have a one-year term. If you know of someone who might be interested in filling this role, please let Peaches Scribner

know.

We hope to have a list of interested candidates to choose from by our next meeting on November 6. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Peaches for more information. 
  

Donate to the Fall Festival Bake Sale.

Or Else.

 

Only kidding, but please bring your goodies and treats to the bake sale table at the Fall Festival on October 26. We'll be looking for you. Don't feel like baking? Expect Fear.

 

Questions: Laura Scalzo 202-641-8683, Liz Wieser 202-439-5257. Questions only, comments unwelcome. Only kidding again. Not really.

Andrea Perll Ms. Perll Nominated for Mayor's Arts Award

 

Among the many "artistic treasures" at Lafayette is our beloved Ms. Perll -- who has introduced our youngest learners to the joys of art, music and movement for the past several years. And now she has been nominated by her peers for a citywide arts award.

 

The Mayor's Arts Awards and Mayor's Awards for Arts Teaching are the most prestigious honors conferred by the city on individual artists, teachers, nonprofit organizations and patrons of the arts. The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities will present the 28th Annual Mayor's Arts Awards on Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00 PM at the Warner Theatre. In addition to revealing winners in five arts and three teaching categories, the program will celebrate the District's creative industries in the arts and entertainment community with 2013 Helen Hayes Award Winner (Outstanding Supporting Actress) E. Faye Butler as Mistress of Ceremonies.

 

The Mayor's Awards for Arts Teaching are limited to full-time arts teachers who are employed by a District of Columbia elementary, middle or high school. The three categories for arts teaching are Excellence in Teaching Performing Arts, Excellence in Teaching Visual Arts and Excellence in Teaching Language Arts. Teachers in all artistic disciplines (visual arts, music, theatre, dance or humanities-based) are eligible for nomination.

 

For more information about attending this free event, please visit the website  

Laurie McLaughlin From the Art Room ...

Laurie McLaughlin, Art Teacher grades 1-5
  
Remember to wear old or dark colored clothes on your art day! Some paints and other art mediums may stain (even though they claim to be washable.)

 

Congratulations to the following students who created art for the D.C. Healthy Schools Contest:  Third graders Paulina Inglima, Leah Carrier, Helena Wolfe-Fichter, Kate Oliphant, Eliza Vassalo, Cristina Banda, Rohan Mishra, and Alexis Booker;  Fourth graders Cyrah Meredith, Sophia Haggray, Katie Kennedy, Justine Hollar, Sophie Bruch and Joanna Chait; and Fifth graders Alissa Simon, Kathlyn Dell-Bosak, Ally Han, Maddie Eggen  and Grace Foose. Their entries have been delivered to the Health and Wellness Specialist at OSSE, they will be judged on theme, composition, and originality, and winners will be announced on October 21.

 

Thank you to all the volunteer coordinators and to those parents who have volunteered to help with various art room tasks on a regular basis! You make my life sane and the kids experience richer!!!
  
  
shout out dude Buy a WLES Shout Out

   

Have a custom message read to your child during the morning announcements. It is a great way to say "Happy Birthday," "Good Luck" or just send a fun message to your child at the beginning of the school day. Print and fill out this form, place it and a payment of $15 (checks made out to Lafayette HSA) in the WLES Shout Out box in the Great Hall. Announcements and payment must be received at least seven days prior to the announcement date. Please contact Eden Burgess for more information.

 

Ramer's Gives Back to Lafayette

 

It's time for rain boots, snow boots, and all of your Fall and Winter foot gear!  Head over to Ramer's Shoes, just off Chevy Chase Circle, beginning October 1 through October 31, and they will take 10% off of your purchase when you mention Lafayette Elementary School. Ramer's has generously agreed to give the 10% back to Lafayette as they are participating in our Portion of Proceeds Program for the month of October. 

 

Ramer's Shoes

3810 Northhmpton Street, NW

Washington, DC  20015

202-244-2288

www.ramersshoes.com

Daily 9:30am - 6:00pm

Saturday 9:30am - 5:30pm

 

If you have any questions, please email Shannon Behm. 

  

Get to Know ...

Mr. Eddie                       

  

Seven things you may not know about Lafayette's crossing guard, Eddie Hall (a/k/a "Mr. Eddie"):

 

1.      This is Eddie's fourth year at Lafayette.

2.      His job title is "safety technician."

3.      Once he got a standing ovation on the corner after safely juggling school buses, Metro buses, charter buses, delivery trucks and three Pepco trucks -- in pouring rain -- during morning drop off.

4.      He has five children between the ages of 14 and 29.

5.      His birthday is October 29.

6.      He used to travel the country as an amateur boxer.

7.      When he's not working at Lafayette, Eddie directs traffic for Washington Nationals games.  

In Touch With Typing

 

Remember the days when typing was an elective that you took in high school? Today, "touch typing" is no longer a part of school curriculums, but it is going to be very important in our children's futures. This year, the standardized tests in upper grades are moving to the computer, including a free response portion that needs to be typed. But the need for strong typing skills goes far beyond standardized tests. Typing skills will be a necessity for your child's future - both in school and in their future career.

 

Even our littlest ones should be learning why the "f" and "j" keys have those funny bumps on them. To bridge the gap, have them get started at home by visiting http://typingclub.com/.  Watch their hand placement. Make sure they are keeping their fingers relaxed (not clenched in a fist). Remind them to take it slow and make sure they are doing it write. Speed will come, but slow and careful repetition is what will get them there.

  
  

Community   
Community Notices

 

HoopEd! October One Day Camps at Lafayette!
The "No School" HoopEd All Sports and Games One Day Camps have kicked off for the 2013-1014 school year!  We are SUPER pumped to be back in your Lafayette gym and on your field for activities that all the kids will LOVE!  Start and End your week with HoopEd... We are Ready, ARE YOU?
 

Dates: October 14 and 18
Girls and Boys ages 5 to 13 are welcome
Camp runs from 9:00 a.m. (drop off can start at 8:30am) to 3:00 p.m. (AfterCare is available until 5:30 p.m.)
Cost: $60 for the day / $70 with AfterCare
Register: www.hoopeducation.com
 

Jujitsu Classes forming

Is your child interested in taking a Jujitsu Class? Polander Academy in Bethesda is offering a kid's class (older elementary grades) on Tuesdays at 5:20 pm. It is an amazing deal: $10 per class with very few kids in the class. Kelsey, 5th grade, is taking the class, but would like to have a few Lafayette kids take it with her. We could also carpool. Contact Sean at [email protected].

 

Need extra help in the morning?

Our wonderful part-time nanny is looking for additional hours in the morning. She has many years or experience caring for children of all ages, is extremely organized, a great cook and reliable driver. Our kids really enjoy her company. She works for us in the afternoons but is available in the mornings until noon or 1 pm Monday through Friday. She is happy to babysit or provide morning help getting kids off to school and driving them to school/day care. Please feel free to contact her directly at 202-412-0862. Or I'm happy to talk to you about her as a reference.

 

Tippi Toes Enrichment Program Meet & Greet
Tippi Toes will be outside by the flagpole tomorrowWednesday, October 9 after school to answer parent questions about the program. Tippi Toes is a dance company that has been teaching ballet, tap and jazz to boys and girls for over 14 years. Classes will meet on Thursdays starting October 10 and running through Dec 12th (3:30-4:15 Busy Bodies in Motion, 4-6 year olds & 4:30-5:15 Hip Hop 6.5-12 year olds). For more information, please visit www.TippiToesDC.com.

  

Experienced and versatile tutor/coach available. 

Is your child doing okay in school, but in need of course content support or engaging enrichment? Consider working in your home with an experienced tutor of English language arts (reading and writing at all levels), elementary math (e.g., Kumon, Singapore), science, social studies, and integrated subjects. I'm a lifelong resident with superb training in writing/composition studies, an advanced degree in linguistics from Georgetown, extensive teaching and advising experience, and current Lafayette, Murch, Deal, and GDS clients. Please contact Maggie Ronkin at [email protected] or call 202-316-2263.

 

Piano Teacher:  openings available

Gail Crane, Master of Music/Music Education has 30 years of experience teaching music in both private and public schools and private piano teaching. Four blocks from Lafayette School on Northampton Street If interested call 202-506-5125 or e-mail [email protected].

 

Thank You Lafayette Sponsors!

 

These organizations support Lafayette through a generous annual donation- please support them!

 

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