Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Lafayette Leopard Look Out
Message from the Principal
Dear Lafayette Community,
December is here and it is cold. Students are working hard and it feels like time is flying. Please make sure that your child has a coat and gloves for recess. They go out every day!
Typically, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is time spent telling students to remember to show respect, make good decisions, and solve problems. Please speak to your child to remind them to do this at school. Part of showing respect is remembering to being kind and not bullying other students. Please remind them of this.
We have lots going on this month! Our book fair will be taking place in our library starting on December 13th. This is also our Craft Fair date. It is a great opportunity for students to sell their crafts. It starts at 5:00pm. Also, we will have our community sing-along on December 20th. Please feel free to attend. This year we will have two assemblies: K-2 is at 8:15am and 3-5 is at 9:15am. This is a wonderful event!
Don’t forget this month progress report cards will be available on the Source. Hard copies will not be coming home. You can access them on the Source after December 20th.
There are many special events including field trips. Please check with your child’s teacher for specifics. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 206-252-9500 or cpchaput@seattleschools.org. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season!
Sincerely,
Cindy
Principal @ Lafayette
Message from the Assistant Principal
Greetings! I hope this message finds you well! I can hardly believe it’s December already. As the weather gets colder, please remind our students to wear warm enough clothes for outdoor activities.
We have lots of exciting events coming up, including the winter craft fair, school spirit week, and the book fair. Don’t forget to check the classroom newsletters for more details on these activities. Additionally, our Leopard Leaders will be selling candy cane grams December 16-18, which is sure to be a hit! Students can write a message on a candy cane notecard and have it delivered to friends or staff at Lafayette for only $1 per message. All money raised will be donated to Mary’s Place.
I also want to wish our robotics team, led by Mrs. Hatley, the best of luck as they head to Ballard High School on Saturday, the 14th, for their first competition! Go Leopards!
Lastly, we’re continuing to encourage students to play safely at recess. They have been reminded to keep games “no contact” so that everyone can have fun and participate. In addition, we continue to stress that if they are having a conflict with a peer, they should ask the peer to stop and get help from an adult.
Please note that report cards will be available on the Source on Friday, December 20th.
Thank you for your continued support and collaboration!
Best,
Tom Baisden, M.Ed. (he, him)
Assistant Principal
Lafayette Elementary
206-252-9540 (office)
206-713-8052 (cell)
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Music Update from Mr. Payne
Hello Lafayette!
I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe!
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 December 20th, K-2 8:15-9:00 and 3-5 9:15-10:00
If you are available, we would love to have you join us to hear and sing some fun winter songs!
Along with our singing, we are also working on our musical instruments!
K-2 will begin working on xylophones and other percussion instruments, learning technique and playing as a group
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
Hello Wonderful Lafayette Community,
In December we will work on cooperative skills with an activity called “Treasure Island”. This activity requires small teams to work together using limited equipment to cross the gym without touching the floor.
We are also in search of parents interested in coaching and volunteering for Ultimate. We had a third-grade team last year, but are planning to expand in order to have a third, fourth, and fifth grade team. Please e-mail me if you are interested in helping the Ultimate team expand!
The Family Challenge this month is to do your maximum plank at least 5 days a week.
Thank you,
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 has been busy as clay projects for grades k-2 and four have been in the firing and glazing process. I hope to wrap-up these projects the first week of December. Then, I will guide my third and fifth grade students through the process of creating a small clay sculpture. First students build a clay creation, when the clay is thoroughly dry, I fire it in the kiln. Students apply glaze to their bisque fired art and then I fire it again in the kiln.
In between clay projects. All students K-5 have created a Crayola transfer print. Students created art using Crayola markers on a glazed tile, spritzed it with water, and transferred the color to a piece of paper. Now students opt to keep it as it is, trim it down to frame on a black piece of paper or cut it apart to create a collage.
My fifth grade students have finished their baseline assessment, drawing, reflecting, writing an artist statement. I will use these drawings to create goals along with my fifth grade students. The idea here is to help students feel confidence in their drawing and artistic abilities. Their own perceptions of themselves as artists is the most important part of the baseline assessment. My hope is that all of my fifth grade students will leave Lafayette feeling confident with their artistic abilities as a means of expression.
Best,
Mrs. Bajaj
Multilingual Families
Welcome (back) to Lafayette!
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
Families, beginning in October, we will have time allotted after dropping off your student where I invite families into our classroom in P-33 on Thursdays from 8:00-8:30 AM. I am here to help understand (while I learn as well) the school system, curricula, and even extra-curricular activities offered by our school, PTA, and around our city here in Seattle. I will make another announcement before we start, but families have found the information resourceful, and I invite you to come whether you’re a multilingual family or not.
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
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Counselor’s Corner
Happy Holidays Lafayette Community!
The holidays are a wonderful time of year – AND they can also be stressful. For some kids (and adults), the change in routine and more stimuli can feel very overwhelming. Understood.org sent out a very helpful newsletter about this very topic. Here are some great ideas from them on how to support your kids during this time of year:
1. Help kids feel comfortable in their clothes. Formal clothing might be a must for certain services and ceremonies, but some kids have sensory challenges that make it hard for them to get through events while wearing clothes that are stiff, tight or scratchy. Focus on being comfortable, not picture perfect.
2. Consider bringing distractions and stress relievers. Your child may have to sit longer than they are used to or be in situations that feel overwhelming and uncomfortable. Support your child by bringing small, quiet toys or tools for them to play with. Fidget tools, coloring books, stress balls can be helpful distractions.
3. Have an exit plan. Sometimes, no matter what you do, events just get to be too much. It can help your own stress if you think ahead of time about how you’ll react to certain situations.
4. Practice and Set Expectations. Some events can put kids (and you) out of their comfort zones. Before you go, talk together about the event. Let them know what to expect – the location, it it’ll be noisy or crowded, and who will be there.
5. Prepare for unfamiliar foods. Food can be a big part of many events. Your child may be offered food they’ve never tried before, or meals prepared differently than they’re used to. Many kids have food sensitivities, aversions, or allergies. Pack a snack you know your child will eat.
6. Be kind to yourself. It can be tough when you have expectations for an event and then it goes differently. Maybe you prepared so carefully, but something still caught you off guard. You might feel disappointed or let down. Your feelings are valid too! You’re being a great parent by setting your child up for success, even if things didn’t go as planned. Your child can feel when you’re on their team.
I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season. If I can help in any way, please email me at kmhart@seattleschools.org.
Kenna Hart, School Counselor
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.
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, please see https://www.seattleschools.org/resources/covid-19-health-and-safety/
Get your Flu and Covid-19 Vaccines
For information on SPS sponsored Flu and Covid-19 vaccine clinics please see https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/health-services/vaccine-clinics/
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. You may access this immunization registry here: https://myirmobile.com/
Alison Angell, MSN, RN (she/her)
School Nurse, Health Services
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
Library News
Global Reading Challenge began on November 1st for 60-fourth & fifth graders. The Library has a GRC cart of books available for participants to check out as needed. If your child has a Seattle Public Library account, they can also access GRC eBooks at any time or check out copies of the competition books. Students are asked to read at least 2 of the 8 books by December 20th to join a team. Teams will prepare after Winter Break for the School Quiz Bowl in February. The Team with the most points will advance to the District Semi-Final Round against other Teams from Seattle Public Schools. Families are welcome to be in the audience.
Plans are set for a fun evening on Friday, December 13th 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 afterschool for more opportunities to shop and support the Library Fund Raiser.
Go cash-free! Starting Friday, November 22nd, parents can set up an eWallet for their child to buy books with ease without worrying about cash being lost or stolen. Our youngest students will be picked up by a volunteer to help them make their purchases. Suggested deposit of $8-$25 into an eWallet account.
Click for more Book Fair Dates & Details. Online shopping will open on Friday, December 13th thru Thursday, December 26th. Lafayette earns 25% of every online purchase.
The Book Fairy returns, and we hope you can Make a Donation that will benefit Lafayette students who need help buying a book. Last year the Book Fairy collected over $300 in her eWallet, and 32 students visited the Fair & picked books to take home and read.
We are seeking 40-$10 donations to the Book Fairy eWallet to help more students get excited about reading & learning and would really appreciate your financial support.
We need your Help! Volunteer needed for lunch recess from 10:45-1:00 on Monday, December 16th-Wednesday, December 18th. Sign up HERE.
Linda Nakagawa – Librarian
Important Dates
- Tuesday, Dec. 10th – 1st graders to The Seattle Aquarium
- Tuesday, Dec. 10th – Mrs. Hatley’s class to SPL West Seattle
- Thursday, Dec. 12th – Kindergarteners to The Pacific Science Center
- Friday, Dec. 13th – Book/Craft Fair 5pm
- Dec. 16th-20th – Spirit Week Monday- Ugly Sweater Day , Tuesday – Disney Day , Wednesday – Hat Day , Thursday – Candy Cane Day , Friday – PJ’s Day
- Dec. 16th-18th – Candy Cane Gram Sale $1 each to support Mary’s Place
- Monday – Wednesday, Dec. 16th-18th – Book Fair
- Wednesday, Dec. 18th – Kindergarten Winter Crafts 8am
- Thursday, Dec. 19th – Candy Cane Day
- Friday, Dec. 20th – Winter Sing A Long K-2, 8:15am : grades 3-5, 9:15am
- Friday, Dec. 20th – 1 hour early dismissal
- Monday, Dec. 23rd – Friday, Jan. 3rd – Winter Break – No School