LAF Update
February 8
Dates to Know
February:
- 15 - Early Dismissal - 12:45 p.m. (No lunch)
- 18 - No School - Presidents' Day
- 22 - Pizza Parlor Day
- 1 - Read A Thon Begins (More Info to Follow)
- 15 - Early Dismissal - 12:45 p.m.
- 21 - PTO Meeting - 9:15 a.m. - LAF Cafeteria
- 22 - Pizza Parlor Day
- 29 - Author Visit
LAF Field Trips 2019 Update
Dear Families,
In the last few months, we have worked with the LAF Team Leaders and Dr. LaSusa to analyze our end of the year trips to Ellis Island (4th grade) and Philadelphia (5th grade). In consultation with Dr. LaSusa and the Lafayette teachers, we have determined that the current management of each of these field trips requires modification. Each of these trips will require an increase in the number of teacher chaperones to ensure that all students are with a certified staff member at all times. We will also require that students with medical needs are assigned to trained staff members and/or a nurse at all times. These modifications will impact each trip differently.
We will no longer run the 4th Grade Ellis Island trip. We are currently exploring two ideas for an end of the year trip for 4th grade, both of which we believe better align with our fourth grade curriculum. We will communicate the details of the new field trip experience once we finalize our plans.
Our trip to Philadelphia will still take place this year with the following changes:
We will visit the Museum of the American Revolution, Carpenters Hall, and the Liberty Bell Center.
Students will bring their own peanut free snack and lunch.
Students will be in groups of 8 with a certified staff member and/or nurse.
Chaperones will be certified staff members.
The number of parent volunteers per homeroom will be reduced to 3 per homeroom.
The parent volunteers will be determined through a lottery system.
These modifications align with the safety requirements which we follow within the building. At the end of this year, we will determine if Philadelphia will remain a 5th grade trip. We have many American Revolution resources throughout New Jersey to take advantage of if we feel that the modified Philadelphia Trip does not meet our curricular needs.
We understand that some students may be disappointed by these changes, but there have been times in recent years when we have had to cancel one of these trips altogether due to extenuating circumstances. We are hopeful that the adjustments we make will lead to better overall experiences for children moving forward. Thank you in advance for your understanding and all of your support for our students.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Russo
Marco Freyre
Valentine's Walk to School Day!
If you would like to volunteer to help on Wednesday morning, it's always a fun time. You can join us at LAF from 8:10am-8:45am as we welcome kids to school for Walk to School Wednesday. There will be music and we will have materials for students to create Valentine's for the crossing guards. Please reach out to Jessica.Romeo@Gmail.com if you are available to help on this fun morning!
Lunch Accounts Payment
If you are sending in a check to replenish your child's lunch account, please make all checks payable to "School District of the Chathams" or "SDOC" . We can not accept checks made out to cash, Chartwells or Lafayette School.
Math Resources
Are you are looking for additional resources to support your child's math content knowledge? The following websites were provided by Stacy Winters, Mathematics Supervisor, to support math practice at home beyond the required homework.
Khan Academy
The Khan Academy provides an extensive video library, interactive challenges, and adaptive assessments for you to practice mathematics at any level.
AAA Math
AAA Math provides a comprehensive set of interactive arithmetic lessons with an unlimited amount of practice on any given topic.
Math Playground
http://www.mathplayground.com/
Math Playground provides math games, logic games, word problems, and math videos.
Arcademics
These games are free for anyone to play (at home or school) and allow students to practice math by playing games against other students around the world. Boost engagement with their multiplayer math and language arts games.
Adapted Mind Math
Games that reinforce math concepts.
ABCya
Games for practice in math, strategy, and skills.