Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Summary : Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Message from the Principal
Happy November!
As the weather changes, I would like to kindly remind everyone to please remind students to bring their coats to school and wear them out for recess! Umbrellas are also allowed but should only be opened outside. We also recommend that all students have a change of clothes, just in case. We really do go outside almost every day, regardless of the weather.
Please remind students that if they are having a conflict with their peers, they should first try to ask the other person to stop. If that doesn’t work, they should seek help from an adult.
We are looking forward to the Veteran’s Day assembly on Friday, the 7th. Students will have a day off on Tuesday the 11th to recognize Veteran’s Day.
This month, teachers will be holding student-led conferences. Please keep an eye out for scheduling information from your classroom teacher and remember that there is no school for students on the 25-29th of November.
A special thank you to all for the Move-A-Thon. We surpassed our goal so we will be going to the Admiral Theater on November 19th. Thank you to everyone for your generosity and your volunteering on the day of. It was a fabulous day!
Please reach out with any questions or concerns! You can reach me at 206-252-9500 or cpchaput@seattleschools.org.
Thank you for your support!
Cindy and Mr. B
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Music Update from Mr. Payne
Hello Lafayette Families!
I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe!
As October comes to an end and we step into the month of November, there are many things we will be continuing and adding in Music.
At the end of each month, we will be learning about a new country in my world music unit. This gives the students the opportunity to learn about different countries, cultures, music and about a variety of instruments. It is a great way for our students to learn about the world and have incredible discussions about what they hear and see in the music. We ended October learning about Luxembourg, voted on by Mr. Ngobi’s 5th Grade.
We will be continuing instrument playing from the month of October, learning new songs, creative rhythms and expanding our knowledge of music techniques. We will also continue to learn about the theory of music through studying rhythmic and melodic patterns and notation identification.
If you have any questions, please email me at sapayne@seattleschools.org
Thank you for all your support!
-Mr. Payne
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Physical Education
We are finishing up our Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety unit with many new riders and knowledge about navigating safely through intersections as a pedestrian or rider. We also had students in grades 3-5 practice on razor scooters and rip-sticks.
In November we will do our initial set of fitness measurements. Students will stretch, run, and hold a plank position in order to measure their current fitness levels, create fitness goals, and monitor their fitness growth throughout the school year.
-Ms. O’Connor
-Mr. Cudney
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Fine Arts
Dear Lafayette Families,
As we enter the beautiful month of November, I want to express how thankful I am to work in such a wonderful and supportive community.
Reflections: There are a few volunteers who are organizing the collection and submissions to the Washington State P.T.A.’s annual art competition. Entries are due November 14th for their review. All, of my kindergarten through third grade students have created a piece of art for this event. The theme this year is: I Belong. If your child would like to make another piece or if your fourth and fifth grade student would like to make a piece of art to be considered, please visit the Washington state’s P.T.A. website to learn about the details: https://www.wastatepta.org/programs/reflections/
Students may turn-in their work to me by November 14th.
The fourth and fifth grade art show is just around the corner. Students have created beautiful Zen Tangles and still-life drawings. Stop by Math night on November 5th and enjoy the art! I will be at the show 6:30-7:30.
My third-grade students will be making their much-anticipated clay project their second art session this week. Don’t worry, if your child is sick on their art class day, I will hold a make-up clay project day their second session the following week. Clay projects must be thoroughly dry before I can put them in the kiln. I’m hoping to have this first round of clay projects glazed and fired for a second time sometime before Thanksgiving.
I wish your families a happy November and time together over our Thanksgiving break.
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
We use amplify science curriculum.
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
https://www.uwkc.org/need-help/food-resources
Food Lifeline
King County Find a Food Bank
https://www.seattlefoodcommittee.org/find-a-food-bank
West Seattle Food Bank
https://westseattlefoodbank.org
White Center Food Bank
https://www.whitecenterfoodbank.org
Hot Meals Offered Various Locations
https://www.crisisconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2.ESB-Seattle-Food-4th-Quarter-2024.pdf
211
Calling 211 is a way to be connected to local resources.
Seattle Bridge
https://www.shelterbridge.org/seattle-food-services
Kind County Free Hot Meals
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.
NAMI Seattle https://namiseattle.org/
NAMI Washington https://www.namiwa.org/
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
- Wednesday, Nov. 5th – Dine Out @ Mission Cantina – Math & Family Game Night
- Friday, Nov. 7th – Veteran’s Day Assembly
- Tuesday, Nov. 11th – Veterans Day – No School
- Wednesday, Nov. 12th – MAT Menchies Party
- Wednesday, Nov. 19th – MAT Movie Day
- Monday, Nov. 24th – Wednesday, Nov. 26th – Student led conference days – No School
- Thursday, Nov. 27th – Friday, Nov. 28th – No School
- 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