back to newsletters

Originally delivered on 8/29/2023 6:00 am

SUBJECT: Leopard Spots Aug. 29: PTA Meeting & Kindness Kickoff

Aug 29, 2023

PTA mtg detail 8.31.23, 6:15pm, LES Library, All Welcome

PTA Meeting Thurs. Evening

It was wonderful to see the big turnout at Back to School night, which our amazing teachers prepared for while also helping our students adjust to their new classrooms! And to no one's surprise, this year's first Frozen Friday was a huge hit! THANK YOU to our Frozen Friday chairs, Kara Cox and Lorin Bender, for all their work ensuring a there were a variety of popsicles and enough volunteers to keep the lines moving.

We hope to see many of you this Thursday at our PTA general meeting (6:15pm start time)! We're excited to have LPIE present "In the Know", a talk about state and district funding in our schools, by guest speakers Superintendent Dr. Brent Stephens, Sam Carter, VP of LPIE, and Elizabeth Horpedahl, Executive Director of LPIE. Stay for the parent social immediately afterward and enjoy light appetizers & desserts!

Have a wonderful week!

Andi & Ria

NEED-TO-KNOW

8/29/23 News from PTA Co-Presidents:

Last day to order Spirit Wear is this Wednesday, Aug. 30th!

#BeKind21 starts this week! Learn about the program

This Thursday, 6:15pm: our first PTA Meeting, Aug. 31st with LPIE Board Members & Superintendent Dr. Brent Stephens ...and food!

Remember: send $2 w/your student for this week's Frozen Friday

School Parent Party coming up - time to get your tickets

Run Club begins after Labor Day weekend

School Picture Day is Thursday, Sept. 7th (students will bring home more information this week)

PTA School Calendar

Wednesday, August 30

8:30a Spirit Wednesday: #BeKind21 Kick-Off

1:42p Summer Reading Popsicle Party

5:00p Spirit Wear Orders Due

Thursday, August 31

6:15p 1st General PTA Meeting (LES Library)

Friday, September 1

8:30a #BeKind21 - Chalk Art @ Recess

2:45p Frozen Friday

Saturday, September 2

Sunday, September 3

Monday, September 4

SCHOOL NEWS & HAPPENINGS

Thursday (8/31) Evening: 1st PTA Meeting

PTA Meetings are the place to be this year! (Seriously!)

What: Our 1st PTA Meeting | When: Thursday, August 31st, 6:15 - 7:45 PM in our school library | ALL are welcome (whether PTA member or not)!

Come help kick off a great year for our school - there will be votes on approving our PTA calendar of events & annual budget and other LES-specific topics. Quorum is needed, so make sure to come and vote!

And bring your thoughts and questions for In the Know at LES, a Special Presentation and Q&A that LafSD Superintendent Stephens and LPIE are hosting at each school in our district. Don't miss this in-person, school-focused opportunity!

If all that hasn't captured your interest, come for the light appetizer and dessert social - all participation makes an impact!

We are excited to bring Odyssey of the Mind (OM) back to LES this year! What is OM? It's an extracurricular program in which teams of students (K-2 & 3-5) work together to creatively solve problems and compete for recognition and awards!

Interested? Come to our Odyssey of the Mind Information Night:

What: Odyssey of the Mind LES Information Night hosted by NorCal OM

When: Wednesday, Sept. 6th @ 6:30 PM in our school library

Who: Anyone thinking about this program. Bring your interested student(s). Families welcome - no need for a sitter.

Questions? Or want to confirm your spot on the interest list now? Email Andi at president@lafayettepta.info.

Run Club Starts Next Wednesday!

No experience required. Participants can run or walk laps, and everyone receives a small participation award. Let's build healthy habits together and help our students get ready for Walk-a-thon, the biggest fundraiser of the year for Lafayette Elementary School PTA! Advance registration preferred.

Calling All Superheroes!

(Yep, that's YOU, parents!)

We are so excited for our Annual Parent Party on Saturday, Sept. 30th, 2023!

Come dressed as your favorite superhero, or just throw on a mask, or a T-shirt depicting a hero, or come as you are (your SUPER self)!

The point is to have a blast mingling with our LES adult community. Assemble your avengers or come meet some new sidekicks. DJ, drinks, apps, photo station, and more - see details here.

This indestructible good time will be here faster than a speeding bullet, so purchase your ticket/s before the Sept. 15 deadline!

Get excited: Walkathon is Friday, Sept. 29th!

Did you know that the Walk-a-thon is the #1 fundraiser for the Lafayette Elementary School PTA? 100% of funds raised directly support our school, teachers, and students. Last year's Walk-a-thon raised over $40,000, and funds this year will support field trips, Westival, Teacher Appreciation Week, end-of-year grade level field days, and more community building events. Will you help us make this Walk-a-thon even more successful?!

Learn more about what happens at the Walk-a-thon and how to fundraise here.

LPIE & DISTRICT NEWS

In The Know with LPIE

In The Know with LPIE @ this week's LES PTA Meeting

Join LafSD Superintendent Dr. Brent Stephens, LPIE Executive Director Elizabeth Horpedahl, and LPIE Vice President Samantha Carter for a special presentation!

In order to maintain a strong public school system, Lafayette relies on community support through LPIE and other sources. At LPIE, we recognize that there are many questions about how our schools are funded. In an effort to keep you “In the Know,” we are hosting a Q&A with Superintendent Dr. Brent Stephens, LPIE Executive Director Elizabeth Horpedahl, and LPIE Vice President Samantha Carter. So bring your questions and join us on August 31 at 6:15 pm in the Lafayette Elementary School Library. We hope to see you there!

LES Has a New District Board Liaison: Meet Dave Smith

Lafayette Elementary welcomes Dave Smith, who is the LafSD board liaison to our school for 2023-24 school year!

Dave joined the Governing Board in June 2021. He is passionate about public engagement, civic education, and social and emotional learning. He served on the board of Lafayette Partners in Education (LPIE) from 2019-2021 and on the leadership team for the Measure L parcel tax for Lafayette schools campaign in 2020.

His current Board assignments are Policy, Sustainability, LPIE, and Joint City/District. He is also liaison to the Lafayette Education Association.

Dave is a sixth-generation San Franciscan, enjoys playing golf, traveling the world, and going to Cal Football games. He lives in Lafayette with his wife, Maya, and their two children who attend Springhill Elementary.

COMMUNITY NEWS

*The below communications, activities or events are not PTA, school, or district-sponsored, nor are they endorsed by the Lafayette School District.*

Girl Scouts Lafayette Parent Info Night

SEED Back-to-School Events

On-Campus After-School Programs

Register NOW for After-School Activities AT OUR SCHOOL offered by the City of Lafayette Recreation Programs.

School is back on, and so are more After-School Programs! Click below for the after-school programs offered directly at our Lafayette Elementary campus. Check them out! Spots are limited, so sign up soon: Lafayette Rec at LES: After School Offerings & Registration

FULL-IMMERSION SPANISH CLASSES FOR STUDENTS AT LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

Students learn Spanish through games, songs, stories, and art projects. Classes offered on-campus daily before school.

Dates: September 5th, 2023 - May 24th, 2024 (34 weeks, follows district calendar) -- Times: Mondays - Fridays - 7:45 - 8:25 am -- Levels: 1st-3rd Grade Beginner Students & 2nd-5th Grade Continuing Students -- Where: Lafayette Elementary School (rooms to be determined) -- Tuition: $2,508 ($16 per class). *Please note this class is subject to cancellation due to low enrollment. -- To register, please click here. Email info@vivaelespanol.org or call 925-962-9177 with any questions or problems registering.

JOIN CUB SCOUT PACK 220!

Lamorinda Lacrosse Spring Registration Now Open

Lamorinda Lacrosse Boys and Girls Fall Skills Clinics – Register Now

Registration is now open for Fall Lamorinda Lacrosse Skills Clinics for girls and boys ages 8U-14U! All levels welcome, beginners encouraged to join us. 6 week session available 1x/week (Tues for girls, Thurs for boys). 4-5:30pm at Wilder 5 in September and October. A fun and great way to play and learn lacrosse!
To register go to: https://lamorindalacrosse.leagueapps.com/camps

If you have any questions, please email lamorindalaxops@gmail.com

We are looking forward to a great season!

How to Submit a Story

Email entries to leopardspots@lafayettepta.info
150 word maximum for entries
Submissions due Friday @ noon
Submissions run for two weeks

Please CLICK HERE for additional Leopard Spots Guidelines.