Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Summary : Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Message from the Principal
Dear Lafayette Community,
I hope that everyone had a great student-led conference followed by a wonderful break to connect with family and friends. Students worked hard on getting their materials together to share with you during student-led conferences. Just a reminder there are many things happening at Lafayette this month so please check with your child’s teacher on what is happening in their room. Talk with your child about what they are learning in Second STEP SEL and bully prevention.
Students are working hard and are very engaged in instruction. I have been very impressed with them as I visit classrooms. Please remind your student of our expectations at Lafayette: Show Respect, Make Good Decisions, and Solve Problems. Also, the weather has changed and it is very cold and damp. Please make sure that they have coats since we go out daily for recess. On December 8th through the 11th the staff will be working with Playworks on games and expectations for recess. Students will be working with Playworks on learning new games and then monitoring each other. Adults will also learn new games and monitoring strategies. If you are interested in volunteering for recess or lunch, please contact us at 206-252-9500. We appreciate your willingness to volunteer!
We have may people already volunteering to tutor students in reading and math. This is a very successful program and students are making gains. We are really proud of this program and appreciate the volunteer’s hard work. Thank you! Also, staff are working together so that students are involved in WIN (What I Need) to get services to excel their learning. It is new and all students are receiving intervention in the areas they need. This could be a reteaching of material or acceleration. It is based on the student need.
Please let us know if you are experiencing food, clothing or housing instability. We are working hard to make sure that all students have what they need to be successful at school. Please contact our counselor, Deb Blume if you are needing support.
I wish you all a very happy holiday season! I know this is a wonderful time for families to spend time together. If you have any questions, please contact me at cpchaput@seattleschools.org or 206-252-9500.
Sincerely,
Cindy Chaput and Tom Baisden
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Music Update from Mr. Payne
Hello Lafayette!
I hope everyone is doing well!
As we head into the month of December, we have a lot going on in music.
We have been working on our winter songs so that we will be ready for a very fun and joyous Winter Sing-along assembly on Friday, December 19th, K-2 10:00-10:30 and 3-5 12:45-1:15
If you are available, we would love to have you join us to sing some fun winter songs!
Along with our singing, we are also working on our musical instruments!
K-2 will continue working on xylophones and other percussion instruments, learning technique and playing as an ensemble.
3-5 will continue their learning on the ukuleles, learning new chords, melodies and proper playing techniques.
If you have any questions, please email me at sapayne@seattleschools.org
Thank you for all your help and support!
-Mr. Payne
Physical Education
What to Expect
We did our initial set of fitness measurements by recording our performance on the 15 meter pacer activity, a timed plank up to 3 minutes, and measuring the flexibility of our hamstring muscles. These are a set of measurements students take up to three times each school year in order to monitor their fitness progress. Students should use their measurements to set fitness goals for the school year.
After Thanksgiving break, we will do a cooperative activity called “Treasure Island” which will require the students to work together while crossing the gym without touching the floor. After Treasure Island, we will spend the rest of December working on inline skating and safety. We have all the equipment necessary, but it is encouraged for students to bring their own skates and pads if they have them. Helmets are required for skating in PE. Students should bring their own bicycle or skating from home on their PE days from December 8th- December 19th.
-Ms. O’Connor
-Mr. Cudney
Fine Arts
Dear Lafayette Families,
I want to say thank you to all the families that stopped by to see the artworks of our fourth and fifth grade students. It was such a positive experience for students to see the art they have put so much effort into displayed. During the December events, displayed on the walls will be art created by my kindergarten, first grade and second grade students. When visiting the craft fair, sing a long or other school event, be sure to take time to see the art.
Today I am loading the kiln with third grades clay projects. When they are back to school, students will be able to apply glaze and then I will fire the projects one more time, just in time for winter break!
Next on my clay project schedule is fourth grade. Students in fourth grade will draw a plan for their project on day one, construct it on day two. Fourth grade students will be given autonomy in their clay projects, it’s always fun to see their creations.
Thank you to all the students that participated in the Reflections program through the Washington State PTA. The art is wonderful. Thank you also to the volunteers who have been organizing this event and submissions.
I have enjoyed being in conferences the past few weeks. Thank you to the students, families and teachers for incorporating an Art update into these conferences.
Best,
Mrs. Bajaj
Multilingual Families
Hello!
I am Traci Hogrefe, our school’s multilingual learner teacher. You may see me around school helping all students and families at our school.
Please connect with me if you are interested in our newsletters that are sent out. Many of the topics that we cover in the newsletter can be helpful to any new family in the area or to Seattle Public Schools. Please reach out to me so I can add you to our distribution list. tdhogrefe@seattleschools.org
We are completing WIDA testing during the month of March. Families participating in WIDA testing will receive results in the mail in the summer. After testing is completed, our program will be back working with students, families, and teachers. You will receive a message when we begin our “Hello Thursdays” support for families on Thursday mornings. Happy spring!
Here are some helpful resources:
PTA
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Lafayette is another support that helps you get involved in the community. They are a wonderful resource and offer scholarships as well as connections to community events and activities. You do not need to join as a member to receive newsletters or be part of activities. Please let me know if you need support.
English Language Arts (ELA)
In 2016, Seattle Public Schools adopted English language arts instructional materials created by Center for the Collaborative Classroom for reading and writing instruction in grades Kindergarten – 5th. This includes reading, writing, and oral communication. This all happens in the classroom.
Mathematics (Math)
enVision Math 2020 Common Core has been adopted as the K-5 math instructional material starting in the 2022-23 school year. Students can access SavvasRealize, the digital content for enVision, through the Seattle Public Schools student portal (Clever). Here is Seattle enVision Community Support Video
Need support understanding your child’s math? Go to Bounce Pages and aim your camera at their schoolwork.
You can find videos in English and in Spanish to support your understanding of what they are learning.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
At Lafayette, we use several programs to support Social Emotional Learning, including:
Learn more about Social Emotional Learning at Seattle Public Schools
Science
Assessments
Besides classroom assessments, we also have district and state assessments. Information about assessments at Seattle Public schools.
Have a great school year!
Traci Hogrefe (pronounce)
she/her
Multilingual Teacher & Interventionist
Multilingual at Seattle Public Schools
Lafayette & Alki Elementary Schools | Seattle Public Schools
Counselor Connection
The new School Counselor at Lafayette is Ms. Blume. She has started the year off doing an introduction in classrooms and inviting class for a brief tour of the School Counseling Space. Her hope is that this makes students feel like the office is a safe place to visit and ask for support. If you need to contact her, please email at deblume@seattleschools.org
Food Resources in Seattle
We know many folks in our Lafayette Community may be struggling with food insecurity and anxiety is rising as the possibility of SNAP benefits not being dispersed for November. Here are a few sites that may be helpful.
- United Way
- Food Lifeline
- King County Find a Food Bank
- West Seattle Food Bank
- White Center Food Bank
- Hot Meals Offered Various Locations
211
Calling 211 is a way to be connected to local resources.
Let’s all take good care of one another.
Caring for our emotional health is crucial and can be complicated to achieve in a fast-moving world.
Here are a few resources for parents and families.
988 Crisis Line
Health Room News
Hello! My name is Alison Angell, and I am the school nurse at Lafayette Elementary for this school year. I am at Lafayette on Tuesdays and alternating Wednesdays/Fridays. Please call or email me if you have any health concerns for your child. Health Office: 206-252-252-9507; Email: ahangell@seattleschools.org.
Stay Home when Sick
This is a reminder for all families to please keep your student home from school when they are sick. This allows them to rest until they are ready to learn and helps prevent the spread of illness to other students and staff.
Students with fevers must be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
Please see the guide, “Is My Child Too Sick to Go to School?”
Is My Child Too Sick to Go to School?
Updated guidance on Respiratory Illness from SPS, including advise on when to return to school, please see: Updated guidance on Respiratory Illness from SPS, including advise on when to return to school
Get your Flu and Covid-19 Vaccines
Seattle Public Schools is partnering with Seattle Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA) to provide vaccine clinics to the public.
SVNA is offering flu vaccine to anyone age four and up and covid vaccine to anyone age five and up. SVNA clinics require insurance (most plans accepted) or payment. You can find the school locations, dates, times, and registration link here:
School locations, dates, times, and registration
Additional vaccine resources for children and uninsured adults
Head Lice Information
Fall is often the time that we start to see cases of head lice at school. Please be sure to check your student for any signs/symptoms of lice infestation and see this important information:
- Signs & Symptoms – itching, tickling feeling of something moving in the hair, live lice and eggs (nits) attached to hair roots, sores or scratch marks on head caused by scratching.
- Transmission – direct head-to-head contact or via personal articles (hats, combs, clothing, etc.). Lice cannot jump, hop or fly, and cannot live away from a human host.
- What to Do if Lice Present – Notify any close contacts, begin treatment, and continue to come to school.
- Resources – There are drugstore over-the-counter products as well as lice salons that remove lice. Whichever route you choose, be sure to be vigilant and follow all instructions. Getting rid of lice often involves more than one treatment. For helpful information about lice from Seattle Children’s Hospital
Vision and Hearing Screening
Every year SPS provides mandated vision and hearing screenings. Students in grades K-3, 5 will begin to receive vision and hearing screening this fall. If your child wears glasses, please send the glasses to school every day so they can use their best vision in the classroom and be prepared for vision screening. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s vision or hearing or want to opt out of screenings, please reach out to Nurse Angell at ahangell@seattleschools.org.
Alison Angell, MSN, RN (she/her)
School Nurse, Health Services
Regional School Nurse Coordinator
Cell Phone: 206-639-8782
Lafayette Elementary
Tuesdays, alt. Wednesdays, alt. Fridays, 7:30-3pm
Phone: 206-252-9507, Main Office: 206-252-9500, Fax: 206-252-9501
Alki Elementary
Alt. Wednesdays, Thursdays 7:30-3pm
Phone: 206-252-9057, Main Office: 206-252-9050, Fax: 206-252-9051
ahangell@seattleschools.org
Library News
Global Reading Challenge (GRC) is a reading program for 4th & 5th graders. GRC will begin on November 3rd when the 8-titles are announced and become available for check out. Over 60 students have signed up and will check out their first book. Students are asked to finish reading 2 books by December 12th to be placed on a team. The Library will have a GRC cart of books available to check out. Or visit the West Seattle Public Library to find copies of this year’s titles.
Plans are set for a fun evening on Friday, December 12th so join us for the Scholastic Book Fair (5:30-7:30 PM) & the Winter Arts & Crafts Fair (6:30-8:00 PM). Drop by the Library before or during the Crafts Fair and shop for your favorite books!
The Book Fair will continue the following week during lunch and after school for more opportunities to shop and support the Library Fund Raiser.
Seattle Public Library: Live English and Spanish tutors are available from 2 to 10 p.m. daily. Vietnamese tutors are available from 4 to 7 p.m.
Log in to Tutor.com with a Library card or Library Link Number and PIN. To find out how to use your Seattle Public Schools student ID number, visit our Library Link page.
Tutors can help with any school subject, including:
- Math
- Writing
- Science
- History
- AP Classes
- College Essay Writing
- Job Applications, Cover Letters and Resumes
Important Dates
- Friday, Dec. 5th – 1st Grade to The Seattle Aquarium – 2nd Grade Toy Workshop
- Friday, Dec. 12th – Kindergarten to The Pacific Science Center – Book Fair starts @5pm in the library
- Monday, Dec. 15th-17th – Book Fair
- Monday, Dec. 15th – Spirit Week
- Thursday, Dec. 18th – Kindergarten Winter Celebration
- Friday, Dec. 19th – Winter Singalong – 1 hour early dismissal
- Saturday, Dec. 21st – First Day of Winter
- Monday, Dec. 22nd – Friday, Jan. 2nd – Winter Break – No School
- Thursday, Jan. 8th – Madison MS Open House for Parents and Guardians 6:30pm – 8pm
- Friday, Jan. 9th – Kindergarten Tour 8:15am
- Friday, Jan. 16th – MLK Jr. Assembly – 1st & 5th graders to Garfield HS for James & the Giant Peach