News from Mrs. Blaney
March, 2019
Spring!
I'm writing this newsletter during LCE's Spring Break. I'm currently in Wisconsin, visiting friends and family (they say it's Spring here, but I'm not too sure). I hope this newsletter finds all of you enjoying some time doing the same, whether you are traveling or not. Read on to find out about the events that took place in March as well as what's coming up in April. The photo below is from Molly's Garden, just outside of the LCE library (photo credit: Randy Smith).
March Events:
Community Read In
March 1st was a lovely day for community members to come to LCE and read to the students. PTA organized this event, one of our favorites. Here, 6th grader Brandon Lee walks community reader Mr. Kirk to his assigned classroom under the blooming trees.
Parent Child Lunch
Some students enjoyed lunch with their parents on March 8th, and others got to enjoy lunch with Leo the Lion and our own Mrs. DeBoer!
Southern California "Snow"
In a Spring breeze, when those lovely trees dropped their flowers, students and teachers had fun! Mrs. Pruden's third graders found time to play in the "snow".
Rainy Days, Sunny Days
We experienced a lot of rain in the last few weeks. When it rained, students stayed inside to play board games, cards, draw, or dance to Go Noodle. But when it was dry, they wished to play outside!
Books, Books, Books!
PTA organized another fantastic Book Fair and raised a lot of money for the school. This money will be spent, in part, on guided reading book sets for our youngest readers. If your child is in Kindergarten through 3rd grade, you will likely know what their guided reading level is (if not, ask their teacher!). By reading books at their independent level, students will be reading books that are not too hard and not too easy. If they are interested in a book that may be too hard - read it to them! If they are reading a book that is too easy - let them know that is perfectly OK! But books at their independent level should push them just enough to help them grow as readers. There is a helpful website for parents called Book Wizard (pictured above) that can help you find book titles at those levels.
Science: Inquiry
5th graders explore how beans grow in various conditions.
Science: Designing
Our Science Olympiads took silver in this year's county competition!
Science: Engineering
3rd graders built models to understand what kind of design was strongest.
Mrs. Bahrami
We learned the sad news of Mrs. Bahrami's passing in March. One way we wished to honor her memory at LCE is by having a school-wide Drop Everything And Read! event. Students also planted flowers, made cards, wrote messages, and drew pictures while adults monitored them closely and talked to them about this sad news. Another event we wanted to share with our community was LCE's Blood Drive to honor Mrs. Bahrami. Join us on April 18 (See the flyer linked above).
Enrichment Opportunities: Spring
Founders Day
6th Grade Tom Sawyer Day
Governing Board Update
Please visit this link to read the latest recap of the LCUSD Governing Board meeting. The next meeting is April 16. You can also find updates on Facebook by following @LCUSDSchoolBoard.
RESOURCES
Podcast for Parents: Everyday Parenting
From their website: "The Everyday Parenting Podcast helps parents navigate the insecurities, annoyances, and dilemmas of everyday parenting. Parenting expert, Maribeth Henry, interviews parents just like you and works through their burning questions with empathy and tangible advice. Listeners will take in valuable strategies for their families and find comfort in shared experiences." Recommended by an LCE parent!
Article for Parents of Young Students
The California Preschool Learning Foundations is an excellent read to find out what is developmentally appropriate at ages 4 and 5.
Book for Parents of Younger and Older Students
To continue your journey of understanding child development, I recommend Yardsticks: Children in the Classroom Ages 4 to 14. This book was first suggested to me by sixth grade teacher Vanessa Schwartz, and I've gained much from it.
Event Information
PTA STEAM WEEK
We still need volunteers to help with daily events at lunch times - 11:30 - 1:15 p.m;
When?
Monday, Apr 8, 2019, 11:30 AM
Where?
4540 Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Event Information
Kona Ice Truck: 6th Grade Fundraiser
Kick off the weekend on Friday, April 12th with your cool LCE friends and a sweet treat. The Kona Ice truck will be serving up shaved ice inside the La Canada Boulevard gate on Friday, April 12 from 1:30-3:30PM. 20% of sales will go towards the 6th grade class gift. Please note only $5.00 King Size will be sold in order to make the Kona Ice line and the carline go quicker.
When?
Friday, Apr 12, 2019, 01:45 PM
Where?
4540 Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Event Information
PTA Mother and Son Movie Night
When?
Friday, Apr 12, 2019, 06:15 PM
Where?
Memorial Park, Foothill Boulevard, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Event Information
LCE Blood Drive in Honor of Kay Bahrami
When?
Thursday, Apr 18, 2019, 10:00 AM
Where?
4540 Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Event Information
Collaboration Day for 1st - 6th Grades
When?
Friday, Apr 19, 2019, 08:15 AM
Where?
4540 Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Event Information
LCE Earth Week
When?
Monday, Apr 22, 2019, 08:15 AM
Where?
4540 Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Event Information
LCE TK and Kindergarten Orientation
When?
Friday, Apr 26, 2019, 09:00 AM
Where?