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Principal
Lynn Main
I've had stars on my mind a lot recently. It could be because one of the last things I see when I leave Lafayette each evening is a few stars in the sky over the houses on Broad Branch Road. Or maybe the number of lighted stars I see as holiday decorations on so many houses. It may be the time I'm spending at the Kennedy Center this month and singing with some people who could be considered stars. Or maybe because during my trip to Texas over winter break, I'll get to see something that people in this light-polluted metropolis never get to see, the entire sky full of glorious stars.
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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.
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Mark Your Calendar
December 19 (Thursday)
Winter holiday parties
December 23 (Monday) through January 6 (Monday)
No School - Winter Break
January 7 (Tuesday)
School Resumes
January 20 (Monday)
See full school calendar
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From the HSA
Gayle Moseley & Hope Scheller, co-presidents
Holiday parties are this Thursday, and winter break is right around the corner. We get a couple of weeks to relax and take a nice break from daily routines like carpools, packing lunches and homework.
As we wind down the year, if you've been meaning to join the HSA and haven't gotten around to it, you might want to consider joining before year-end so that you can take advantage of the tax deduction. We would like to see more families be part of the Home & School Association - it's only $25 for membership.
We hope you have wonderful week. If you are traveling for the break, be safe. We will see you all in the New Year.
-- Hope & Gayle
See HSA board members
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 From the Library
Judith Perlin, Librarian
The Book Fair was a great success. We sold over $12,000 in books. We now have $7,200 to spend on library books. I want to thank everyone who volunteered and all the students, parents, Lafayette staff, friends and relatives who visited the Book Fair. I loved seeing old students who came by during the week. During the book fair, students have the opportunity to choose books for the library. Most of the students choices will be out on display and available for checking out after the winter break. I have promised to catalog them as quickly as I can. Thanks again everyone.
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 From the Math Center Erin Betz and Edith Stanton, Math Specialists Math Club is a place to investigate a variety of math ideas and challenges. We started off with Pascal's triangle and then learned how to play Contig, a game of strategy that really works your
mental math muscles! Last week, we explored modular origami by making Sonobe units. These little parallelograms can be put together to create all kinds of 3 - D figures, so we are excited to
see what the kids will create this week! We meet on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. in the upper library, and we welcome any student in 3rd for learning!
Math Team continues to explore different topics and share problem solving-strategies. Last week we finally received the results from November's AMC-8 math competition. This nationwide contest features challenging, non-traditional math problems and is administered to students up to 8th grade. Fifth grader Sam Santacana received the highest score at Lafayette with 14 correct responses. Fifth graders Andy Burris and Alissa Simon tied for the silver with 12 correct responses. Fifth grader Manley McConkey and fourth grader Evelyn Goldwasser tied for bronze with 11 correct responses. Congratulations to all of our Math Team members for your hard work! Math Team meets Friday mornings at 8 a.m. in the upper library and is open to 4th and 5th grade students. |
Holiday Toy Drive
 I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made a donation to the boys and girls basketball team toy drive. If you have not, you still have time. Thursday, December 19 will be the last day to drop off an unwrapped toy in the box in the Great Hall. The toys will be donated to a local charity. Friday they will be given out at their annual holiday party. Thank you! -- Coach Hover |
Technology Survey for School Stakeholders
(Deadline to participate: December 20)
Want to better plan for using technology at Lafayette? Students, teachers, and parents are invited to participate in Speak Up, a technology survey. The survey, which takes 15-20 minutes to complete, is confidential and includes questions on learning and teaching with technology, internet safety, emerging technologies, and more. The Office of Teaching and Learning will use the responses to inform discussions on educational technology. School-level results will be available to principals in February. To participate, share this link http://www.speakup4schools.org/speakup2013/ and use the password "dcps."
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 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.
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Community Notices
Girls Empowerment Group
Wilson Senior Rosie Cohen (daughter of Peace teacher Linda Ryden) will be offering a free, 8-week program for 5th grade girls starting in February. "Girl Sense" will focus on media literacy, feminism, friendship, and self-empowerment. Workshops will include group discussion, videos, and role-playing. We'll meet from 3:30-4:30 in The Oasis (on Team 3) on Tuesdays or Thursdays (depending on what day works for more people). If you think your daughter might be interested or if you'd like more information please contact Rosie at [email protected].
Hoop Ed Winter Break Camps The Holidays and HoopEd! Two Great Weeks of Camp @Lafayette! All Sports and Games Camp will be in the Lafayette gym for both weeks of Winter Break. Check out our website to see the flexibility we offer working/busy parents this holiday season with daily, partial and full week offerings! No matter when you need us this Winter Break we will be ready for the kids with games galore! Children ages 5-13 are Welcome, AfterCare Available and we are Always Affordable! Week 1:12/23/13 - 12/27/13 (no ac 12/24, no camp 12/25) Week 2:12/30/13 - 1/3/14 (no ac 12/31, no camp 1/1) BONUS DAY 1/6/14Go to www.hoopeducation.com to Register and for more details.
Alice Deal Middle School Open House
Wednesday, December 18
9 am to 1:00 pm
Girls Softball Clinics
The Takoma Park Silver Spring Softball organization (TPSS) is a non-profit 501-C3 that has been working in the Takoma Park/Silver Spring area for over 20 years. Not only do we have softball programs, but we also provide baseball and co-ed baseball programming for students in grades 2nd-8th. Check out our website
at www.tpsssoftball.org. For questions about all that we have to offer, contact commissioner Bryan Williams at [email protected]. I have over 13 years experience as a teacher and am beginning my fifth year as commissioner with TPSS softball; my daughters have benefited greatly from this program.
Sewing and Craft Camps
The Handwork Studio, a kids' needle arts and machine sewing studio, is excited to be at Georgetown Day School this winter break. Join us as we create all kinds of great handmade crafts from stuffed creatures to warm fleece mittens, every day brings a new creative adventure. Available December 23, 26, 27, 30, Jan. 2 and 3. Full Day 9:00-3:00 ($95), half day 9:00-1:00 ($65) and afternoon 1:00-3:00 ($45) options available for kids ages 5-12. For more information go to our website or visit us on Facebook. You can register online or call Miss Alexis for assistance (610) 660-9600.
DC Youth Futbol Club
Registration is now open for the Spring 2014 season. Come join DCYFC to receive professional-level soccer training with motivated and committed players. For boys aged 7 to 13, academy-style training. All Games on Sunday Afternoons (2:30pm - 6:30pm) in Upper NW DC (Play on artificial turf or manicured grass fields).
Fees: $225/player if registration received before January 1, 2014 or $250 after. Fee includes weekly training sessions, Sunday games and club jersey. For registration and Information please visit: www.DCYouthFutbolClub.org.
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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
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