Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Summary : Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Message from the Principal
Dear Lafayette Families:
We are off to an excellent start this year! The students are following the expectations of Show Respect, Make Good Decisions, and Solve Problems. We have a full-time counselor this year, and she is fabulous. The students love her! The weather is starting to change, so please make sure that your student has the proper clothing to be outside. At Lafayette, we go out everyday unless it is windy and raining (Down pouring).
This month students are really focused on our state and district assessments. Please be sure to have your student here on time, with plenty of sleep and a healthy breakfast. Reach out to us if you need help with this. I know that the buses have arrived late on some days. If there is a problem with your student, please reach out to transportation at 206-252-0900.
Many students are going on great field trips this month and having special presenters come to their classrooms. I appreciate all of those that have already gone through the volunteer process, as well as your patience in waiting to hear from your teacher. A huge Thank You!
Enrichment is off and running and students are really enjoying their activities afterschool. PTA is doing a great job! Please remember to visit their website lafayettepta.com and join. This month there is an assembly from Pacific Science Center that the students will all attend. I know I am looking for to it. Also, we have one of our biggest fundraisers, the Move-A-Thon on October 24th. It will be lots of fun for everyone!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 206-252-9500 or cpchaput@seattleschools.org
Sincerely,
Cindy & Tom
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Message from the Assistant Principal
Please see message above from both Ms. Chaput & Mr. Baisden.
Tom Baisden, M.Ed. (he, him)
Assistant Principal
Lafayette Elementary
206-252-9540 (office)
206-713-8052 (cell)
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Music Update from Mr. Payne
Hello Lafayette families!
We ended our month of September with a fun lesson on World Music and got the chance listen and learn about the amazing sounds of animals from Antarctica, selected by Ms. Milligan’s 5th Grade!
As we step into the month of October, we will be working on several different things in music:
K-1: The students are learning to identify, (name and note value), quarter notes and quarter rests, then being able to clap a four-measure rhythmic pattern with a combination of the two notes. I will soon be adding half-note and half-rest to their rhythmic entry tasks. We are also working on drum techniques and understanding proper playing practice and performance. We also work on listening to high, low, loud, and soft sounds and being able to understand the difference when hearing it and being able to play it.
2nd Grade: The students are learning to identify, (name and note value), quarter notes, quarter rests, half-notes, half-rests, and paired eighth notes. Also, being able to count and clap simultaneously. With 2nd grade I usually introduce two rhythmic entry tasks, so that the students can see how music can change depending on the combination of notes used. We are also working on drumming technique and proper playing practice and performance.
3rd Grade: The students can identify, (name and note value), quarter notes, quarter rests, half-notes, half-rests, whole-notes, whole rests and paired eighth notes. They are now being introduced to four sixteenth notes and the idea of time signatures and understanding the difference between 4/4, 3/4, and 2/4. Also, being able to count and clap simultaneously. With 3rd grade I have two rhythmic entry tasks, so that the students can see how music can change depending on the combination of notes used. I also start with sol-fa melodies this year to help them with playing pitched instruments, such as xylophones, bells, and ukulele.
4-5: The students can identify, (name and note value), quarter notes, quarter rests, half-notes, half-rests, whole-notes, whole rests, paired eighth notes, and four sixteenth notes. The students can identify different time signatures and understanding the difference between 4/4, 3/4, and 2/4. We are going to be moving into 6/8, 9/8, and 12/8 soon, and introducing triplets. Also, being able to count and clap simultaneously. With 4th and 5th grade I have two rhythmic entry tasks, so that the students can see how music can change depending on the combination of notes used. I also continue with sol-fa melody teaching to help them with playing the ukulele and playing pitched percussion instruments, such as xylophones.
K-5: We have also been working on how to listen and understand when to clap on the correct beat. The activity is called: “Let’s all play our drum.” In his activity, the students begin by listening to me say the phrase, “let’s all play our drum” and then clap when they hear the word drum. Once they get the main concept, I change my tempo or dynamic which they must listen carefully and match. This activity gets more challenging as we move up the levels, which teaches the students careful listening and patience. After the students have shown me that they can clap through the activity, I then move them to a variety of percussion instruments.
3-5: Have already begun Ukulele and we will continue to build on that learning in October and throughout the year.
We will also wrap up the month with another round of World Music!
If you have any questions, please email me at sapayne@seattleschools.org
Thank you for all your help and support!
-Mr. Payne
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Physical Education
Our Bicycle Unit Starts October 15th. All students should bring a bicycle helmet from home on their PE days until November 3rd.
We are doing a variety of different exercises and movements during our warm-up activities.
We are playing a variety of group games to help students learn to participate safely and be aware of their space.
Sincerely,
Mr. Cudney & Ms. O’Connor
Physical Education Specialist
Lafayette Elementary School
Phone: 206-252-9513
Email: smcudney@seattleschools.org eloconnor@seattleschools.org
Address: 2645 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Fine Arts
Dear Lafayette Families,
It has been a great start to school in the Art room. It has been so much fun meeting new students and the Kindergarteners! For my returning students, Art making just began right away. It’s great to see the students remember the routine and see that this creative time is cherished by so many kids!
This Tuesday is curriculum night. Be sure to stop by the bulletin board outside the Art room to see mini self-portraits made by every student that’s in K-5! The kids love finding their portrait, it has been a great celebration of building community. Ms. Ferguson’s third grade class will also have finished Zen Tangles above their lockers, be sure to check-out this beautiful work! I will be in the Art room as well, if you would like to see your child’s portfolio, just let me know. Most of the art is on the wall or being prepared to go on the wall, but the portfolios themselves are decorated.
On October 1st, fifth grade students will begin their still life drawing. If you are the contact for a fifth grader, you were sent the information about this by your child’s teacher. Also, your child knows the details. However, I’m sure they would benefit from a reminder as their art time approaches. Ms. Milligan’s students should start bringing their contribution to the still life starting October 1st. Ms. Ramsey’s students and Mr. Ngobi’s students should bring their still life object starting October 2nd.
There will be an Art Show for fourth and fifth grade during Math night on November 5th. Be sure to check-out their Zen Tangles with a free draw component.
Reflections: This year we will be participating in the Washington State P.T.A.’s Reflections project again. All kindergarten-third grade students will make a piece art for Reflections during Art class. Their Reflections Art will be on the bulletin board in the coming weeks. Fourth or fifth grade student would like to make Art for Reflections. Thank you to the parent volunteers who are helping with the paperwork and promotion of this project.
This year’s theme is, I Belong.
Thank you for your support!
Mrs. Bajaj
Visual Arts Teacher
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
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
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, Sept. 30th – Lafayette Curriculum Night Kindergarten 5pm Grades 1-5 5:30-6:30pm
- Wednesday, Oct. 1st – Kindergarten to The Seattle Children’s Theatre
- Wednesday, Oct. 8th – Pacific Science Center Assembly
- Thursday, Oct. 9th – WSHS Curriculum Night 7pm
- Friday, Oct. 10th – State In Service Day – No School for Students
- Wednesday, Oct. 15th – Coffee with the Principal 8:15am
- Thursday, Oct. 16th – Picture Day Make-Ups
- Tuesday, Oct. 21st – 3rd Grade Workshop in the Auditorium
- Friday, Oct. 24th – Move-A-Thon
- Friday, Oct. 31st – Kindergarten to Carpinito Bros. Farm
- Wednesday, Nov. 5th – Math & Family Connection Game Night
- Monday, Nov. 7th – Veterans Day Assembly
- Tuesday, Nov. 11th – Veterans Day – No School