Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Message from the Principal
Hello Lafayette Community,
April is here and what a Spring we are having! There are many things happening this month. This week our school has skating parties at Southgate Roller Rink -Tuesday is for Pre-K-1, Wednesday is for 2-3 and Thursday is for 4 and 5. It will be lots of fun and we hope you can make it. A reminder that there is no school April 14th-April 18th. This is for spring break. Don’t forget that our school auction is on April 26th at The Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College. This year’s theme is “One Short Night in the Emerald City.” A special thanks to Nicole Ricci for all her work on this. We really appreciate it! Lafayette School Auction tickets on sale
Testing begins this month with the classroom embedded assessments, MAP and the SBA. Please make sure that your student has had a good night sleep and a healthy breakfast. Also, know that we provide breakfast here daily starting at 7:40am. We will be testing students throughout the month so please check with your child’s teacher for their schedule.
There have been many questions regarding Advanced Learning and Highly Capable circulating. At Lafayette, we differentiate our curriculum to meet all student needs. This year in reading we are using book clubs, and identified students are meeting with a tutor. For both reading and math, students are using Successmaker Reading and Math, which students take a placement test and are assign problems or passages based on their results. We have a parent here who is also part of the Advanced Learner and Highly Capable programs at the district level. Teachers are working hard to make sure that all students are challenged at their level.
Thank you again for everything you do. If you have any questions, please contact me at 206-252-9500 or cpchaput@seatteschools.org.
Sincerely,
Cindy
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Message from the Assistant Principal
Happy April, Lafayette!
As we head into Spring and the weather is occasionally getting nicer, students are shedding jackets. I wanted to let everyone know that our lost and found is overflowing. If you are missing some jackets, hats, gloves or water bottles, please stop by and take a look for any lost items.
We continue to encourage students to report any problems or issues they are having with peers to an adult. Please reinforce this message at home and do not hesitate to reach out to us if students are reporting things at home that you think we need to know about!
We are all looking forward to the school auction! If you haven’t gotten your ticket yet and would like to come, you should definitely do so. The class projects I have seen are looking amazing!
Lastly, good luck to Confidential, our global reading challenge team, as they head to the citywide finals this Wednesday night!
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns and thank you for your support!
In partnership,
Tom Baisden, M.Ed.
Vice-Principal at Lafayette
206-252-9540
tpbaisden@seattelschools.org
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Music Update from Mr. Payne
Hello Lafayette!
I hope everyone is doing well as we head into our final few months of the year!
As we move into the month of April, we will begin the first week with our world music unit where we will be learning about the music and culture of France!
We are continuing to work on new rhythmic and melodic patterns and symbols, expanding their knowledge of music theory, understanding and practice.
We are also in the steps of memorizing songs and learning new pieces in preparation for our end of the year concerts.
I will be sending an email out this month with specific dates and times for each grade levels concert.
If you have any questions, please email me at sapayne@seattleschools.org
Thank you for all your help and support!
-Mr. Payne
Physical Education
Hello Wonderful Lafayette Community,
We Have been hard at work practicing Unicycles, Juggling, and a variety of other circus related performance skills! Students in grades 3-5 have been practicing bringing their bicycle helmets to school so we save time in PE and to be ready for our bicycle unit coming up.
From March 31st – April 11th, all students K-5 will be practicing bicycle and pedestrian safety skills. I’m asking teachers and parents to help remind students to bring their bicycle helmets during this time too. Students in grades k-2 will be practicing on our school set of strider bikes in the gym during this time. Students in grades 3-5 will be using the bicycles that the Cascade Bicycle Club lends to elementary schools in the Seattle district every year.
By the end of this unit, my goal is that every leopard learner has the skills and knowledge to safely cross an intersection, properly wear a bicycle helmet, and glide or pedal on a bicycle.
Thank you for always supporting the health and fitness journey of our students at Lafayette!
Sincerely,
Shawn Cudney
He/Him/His
Physical Education Specialist
Monday- Friday (8:00 am – 3:30 pm)| Book an appointment
Lafayette Elementary School | SPS | Seattle, WA
Fine Arts
Dear Lafayette Families,
The art room is full of recycling and shoe boxes. Thank you so much to the many students that have donated materials for the thirds grade mask project and fifth grade diorama project that will begin in May. I officially have enough recycling for third grade. We need many more shoe boxes, however for fifth grade.
This year when families come to Lafayette for their student’s Music concert, there will be a simultaneous Art Show! All Lafayette students are creating art for the Art Show. This will take place over two evenings in June.
The next few weeks before Spring break will be, filled with constructing the base for masks, hopefully some papier mâché, watercolors, oil pastels and me filling the kiln with third and fifth grade clay projects. Fourth and fifth grade students have created some fabulous one-point perspective drawings, there are a few students still finishing this project. They may choose to keep these drawings in their portfolios for the Art Show.
Kindergarten and first grade students are making abstract art for the Art Show. The work is wonderful! I look forward to sharing it with the community!
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
Math Information in Vietnamese
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
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Counselor’s Corner
Hello, Lafayette families!
This is my first newsletter message as a new school counselor at Lafayette! Thanks to all of you for making me feel welcome these past couple of months at your school, and I look forward to building relationships with all of you to support your children.
When I’m not at Lafayette, I’m also a children’s therapist part-time who uses child-centered play therapy as my approach to helping children and their families. This is an evidence-based approach that improves emotion regulation, emotional vocabulary, self-esteem and increases world view. I thought it might be helpful to use this space to share some of the “nuggets” of knowledge and skills I teach parents who bring children to see me in therapy.
The first idea I’ll touch on is the power of your undivided attention on your child. Your attention means so much to your child – they crave it because it makes them feel loved, valued, and understood. Ideally, you can meet your child’s attention needs by setting up what we call a “special playtime” for 30 minutes, once a week, where you play one-on-one with your child. During “special play time,” you put away all distractions (phones, TVs, screens, etc.) and pour all your attention into your child. Let your child take the lead, deciding what play activity they want to engage in with you during this time, and let them make the rules and direct the activity. Have old-fashioned toys available during this time – a dollhouse, stuffed animals, board games, a ball, building blocks, a play kitchen, etc. as these options allow your child’s imagination, creativity, expression, and relationship with you to develop and grow. Video guide for parents wanting to start doing special playtime, Filial Play Therapy: “Special Playtime” in Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) and Special Play Time Demonstration by Mary Bennett, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S are video demonstrations of special playtime for your reference.
I realize finding 30 minutes to dedicate to a special playtime each week can be hard for many busy families. If you can even find 5 minutes or 1 minute to set aside distractions, turn your body toward your child, and really focus on them, it will make a big difference in helping them feel loved, valued, and understood!
Warmly,
Kristin Dickerson, M.S., LMHCA
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: 206-252-9507; Email: ahangell@seattlschools.org. For urgent concerns please call the main office: 206-252-9500.
Clothes for the Health Office
We are in need of gently used or new leggings, sweatpants, and socks for the health office. We have been quickly running though these items on these wet days and can use all sizes, especially larger sizes 10-12. Thank you!
Hearing Screenings
Students in grades K, 1, 2, 3 & 5 will continue their annual hearing screenings in March. If you have any questions about your child’s hearing, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Stay Home when Sick
Please remind students to wash their hands and cover their coughs!
Call or email the school attendance line (206-252-9502 or lafayette.attendance@seattleschools.or) and keep your child home when they show signs of:
- Fever (100.4 or higher) or chills (can return to school with no fever within the past 24 hours without medication)
- Cough (new, changed, or worsening)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea, vomiting, or Diarrhea (can return to school if no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours)
- Unknown rash
For updated guidance on Respiratory Illness from SPS, including advise on when to return to school. Updated guidance on Respiratory Illness from SPS, including advise on when to return to school
Department of Health information about Flu, including Flu and Covid vaccine information
Immunizations
Being fully immunized is important to keep all our students and staff safe and healthy. Some immunizations are required for continued attendance at school. Students may be excluded if their immunizations are not up to date.
If you received a letter from Seattle Public School’s Health Services letting you know that your student’s immunization status was ‘conditional,’ meaning your student is missing required vaccinations to attend school, please help us update your records. You can provide the missing immunization information directly to your school nurse.
Seattle Public Schools uses the Washington state Immunization Information System (WAIIS) to track a student’s compliance. Access this immunization registry.
Head Lice Information
Please help keep lice from spreading at school! 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 School (and parents of friends your child might have had close contact with), 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. Helpful information about lice from Seattle Children’s Hospital
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
Congratulations to all the 2025 Global Reading Teams!
Team Confidential led by Braden Uts (Captain), Arlen Amsberry, Addylin Tribble, Maxwell Hoppe, Kyiara Mustello, Annabelle Davis & Emily Xu (absent) advanced to the Semi-Final Round by winning the Lafayette Quiz Bowl.
The following week on March 14th, Team Confidential traveled to the Downtown Public Library to compete in one of the nine Semi-Final Rounds. The other participating schools in the Round were from BF Day, Green Lake, Hawthorne, Sacajawea, STEM, West Woodland, and Whittier. After 3-Rounds of Questions, we are pleased to announce that Team Confidential won the Semi’s and will advance to the City of Seattle Championship Round on April 2nd.
2024-2025 Global Reading Challenge Team Confidential Semi Final Round Winners
The K-2nd graders are participating in the Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award (WCCPBA) by listening to a variety of books and will be voting for their favorite. Click the link to view Presenting this years Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award nominees presenting this year’s nominees. Using these books students will explore and learn about a variety of topics and genres. We are currently learning about Biographies and discovered why pianist Mahani Teave is a special person to know about creating the Rapa Nui School of Music & Arts.
In Partnership,
Linda Nakagawa
School Librarian
Important Dates
- Tuesday, April 1st – 3rd grade field trip to The Burke Museum
- Tuesday, April 1st – PreK – 1st graders Skate Night @Southgate Roller Rink
- Wednesday, April 2nd – GRC City Championship Team Confidential
- Wednesday, April 2nd – 2nd & 3rd graders Skate Night @Southgate Roller Rink
- Thursday, April 3rd – 4th & 5th graders Skate Night @Southgate Roller Rink
- April 14th – 18th – Spring Break – No School
- Tuesday, April 22nd – Class Group Photo – Earth Day
- Saturday, April 26th – PTA Auction at The Brockey Center