A main purpose of any PTA is to help build a sense of community among parents, teachers and students. Last week our LES TK, K, 1st and 2nd grade parents turned out to do just that, thanks to grade-level socials organized by our PTA Parent Social Chair (photo above is from TK/Kindergarten & 2nd grade nights!) Parent socials continue this week for our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade parents/guardians. Come down to Headlands on your designated evening(s), and finally meet the parent/s of the kiddo/s your student has been talking all about! (And don't forget the optional white elephant gift exchange!)
If you are "volunteer-curious" or would like to be more involved with community-building at LES, here are several opportunities that might be perfect for you:
Short-term & low-key, yet high-impact role: serve on the PTA nominating committee. This committee forms in January and collaborates (in person or virtually) to identify potential volunteers for next school year's slate of PTA program/event chairs and Executive Board roles. The nominated slate will be voted on at the March PTA meeting - & that's it, you're done!
Varied levels of time-commitment + high levels of satisfaction: Consider a role on the 2024-25 school year PTA Exec Board, or chair a PTA event or program next year! These are wonderful ways to feel more connected to LES, grow friendships, and help our events and programs thrive year each year.
We're happy to answer questions, so, please reach out! Email us or current Parliamentarian, Briannon McCurdy, for more information.
With gratitude always,
Andi & Ria
THIS WEEK'S NEED-TO-KNOWS - 12/05/2023
DEIB Umbrella Event: Becoming An Ally, Tonight (12/5) @ 5:30pm, LES Library
Grade-level parent socials wrap up this week with the 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade socials
Are you a parent/caregiver of a third-grader? Tonight is your parent social - come meet/hang out with all the other 3rd grade adults at Headlands 7 - 9pm!
fourth-grade parents/guardians are up next, tomorrow (Wed. 12/6) evening at the same time & place.
fifth-grade parents/guardians unite this Thursday (12/7).
This year, for added fun, each social includes an optional White Elephant Exchange. These no-host socials are held at Headlands Brewing, 3420 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. Please reach out to the PTA with any questions.
Becoming An Ally, Presented by the UMBRELLA Committee & Sponsored by the LES & Happy Valley DEIB Committees
LES and Happy Valley families are invited to attend a presentation by the UMBRELLA Committee, a group of local high school students who work with the elementary schools to teach students about important topics related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. The event will be interactive with opportunities to learn, discuss and reflect on what it means to be an ally and how we can make our schools safe places for all.
Who: LES & HV Families (Children must be accompanied by a caregiver.) The event is geared for 3rd - 5th grade students, but all are welcome.
LES is collecting toys this holiday season for Oakluv Foundation. Started in 2009 by current LES dad, Alex Cox, the organization takes no administration fees, so all donations go directly into the community. LES is proud to highlight this amazing local organization while helping spread holiday joy to deserving kiddos in the East Bay!
Feel the spirit of giving and bring an unwrapped toy to school to donate now through December 15th. Collection bins will be in front of the office to drop toys in during school hours.
We are looking for volunteers to join the Lafayette Elementary PTA NominatingCommittee to help fill our 2024-2025 PTA Board positions. The committee, made up of 5 PTA members plus 2 alternates, will meet starting in January. There will be one main meeting and then a shared google doc so people can contribute when they are available. To volunteer, please contact Briannon McCurdy, PTA Parliamentarian, at parliamentarian@lafayettepta.info.
In addition, do you have interest in learning more about PTA Executive Board positions, roles, and opportunities? Briannon or other current board members can assist with that as well! Click here for more LES PTA information.
Don't be shy, and reach on out! And thank you for your help!
New School Volunteer Screening Requirements Take Effect January
Don’t forget! The Lafayette School District has updated the requirements for on-campus volunteering starting in 2024 to include additional safety and health screenings. Scan or tap the QR Code to connect with the District’s google form for Volunteer Screening and Training Requirements Submission: for Lafayette Elementary, which provides details on the requirements and instructions for submitting your volunteer screening documents.
If you have any issues accessing or downloading the TB Screening form through the District's google form, you may also download it here.
Community Meeting for Connecting Lafayette: Downtown Pathways and Schools Safety Project
Date: Thursday, December 7th
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Lafayette Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room (950 Moraga Road)
You are encouraged to join the City of Lafayette at an upcoming Open House and workshop to share input on the direction of a project to improve walking and biking pathways around Stanley Middle School and the Lafayette-Moraga Trail.
During the event, the project team will provide a brief presentation outlining the goals of the project. Additionally, workstations will be set up for each project element, offering you the chance to engage with staff, discuss initial design alternatives, and provide valuable feedback.
Your participation will help shape the direction of this exciting project, contributing to the creation of a safer and more accessible network for pedestrians and cyclists in the community and a less congested commute to school for those who drive their kids..
ARE YOU READY FOR CHRISTMAS? ANY LAST-MINUTE ERRANDS/SHOPPING? OR DO YOU JUST
NEED SOME TIME WITHOUT THE KIDS?
Drop them off at LUMC on SATURDAY, 12/23 from 12pm-4pm, and our 12th grade GS troop will entertain them while you get everything done. Click herefor all the information and to sign up!
Save the Date for Tuesday January 16th 9am for it to open. We also still have openings in our Session 3 programs. Sienna Ranch in the winter is a unique experience to explore nature in the colder months. Our after school classes get to play flashlight games, see owls and other nighttime creatures, make warm fires, and visit our animals to see their winter coats. It is a much quieter calmer time of year on the Ranch and kids love this change. Check out our offerings at this link and come join for a session.
Troop 243 invites fifth-grade boys to come to our Open House on Tuesday, December 5 from 7:30 - 8:30 pm at the Lafayette Christian Church (located across the street from Las Trampas Pool).
This open house will include the following awesome activities:
