LCE News from Mrs. Blaney
October, 2018
What a Wonderful Month!
October is one of our favorite months at LCE because it always ends with a fantastic, fun-filled Halloween Haunt, PTA's largest fundraiser of the year. I hope you had a chance to enjoy the festivities on October 27 and consider helping us for this event next year. That's right! Planning for the 2019 Halloween Haunt is starting now! Please contact president@lcepta.org if you're interested. There are small jobs and leadership-type jobs - something for everyone.
The month of October included other great events, as well, which you will learn about in this newsletter. I missed out on much of the month of October due to a recent surgery. Thank you for your warm wishes during that time. The LCE staff, as usual, pitched in and helped make things run smoothly!
OCTOBER EVENTS:
1st Grade Science Class
First graders were using what they learned about plants to design windproof umbrellas. Can you see their Science Notebooks? This is how our students are practicing collecting their data. Photo Credit: Stephanie Boayes
4th Graders "Boo" the Office Staff
One of the delightful October traditions at LCE is when classes "Boo" another class by posting something on their door. In this case, Mrs. Hopkins and her fourth graders decided to "Boo" the office! Photo Credit: Laurie Hopkins
LCHS Marching Band Visits
Every year, we get a special visit from the LCHS Marching Band. Since this is such a large group, we hold the event outside which means all classes are invited at once to experience their performance! Photo Credit: Laurie Hopkins
Oct. 4: 2018 CAASPP Scores Released to Public
I'm so proud of our teachers, students, and families. LCUSD test scores continue to be some of the highest in the state of California. We can also brag a little that we test more students than any other top-ranked district! If you haven't had a chance to read it, here is the Outlook article that breaks down the scores. The LCE staff will use this data to create instructional goals, intervention strategies, and we'll do some celebrating, as well.
Mrs. Torres, our Art teacher, had the students design colorful paper and then used that colored paper to create these masterpieces.
Oct. 10: Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day
The results are currently being tabulated by our 6th graders, but I'd like to thank LCE PTA parent Betty Bredemann for organizing this event. Families were encouraged to leave the cars at home on this day, National Walk to School Day, and they accepted the challenge! The class with the most bikers/walkers/rollers will receive the Golden Sneakers trophy. Stay tuned!
Oct. 12: LCE's Pumpkin Patch was a huge success! Ask our 5th grade team!
Oct. 18: The Great Shake Out
LCUSD schools participated in the annual Great Shake Out disaster drill. Nancy DeBoer organizes this drill for us every year. Every staff member has a job during this drill. Some monitor students, others are in the First Aid center, some are part of our search and rescue team, and others are helping parents. We even have parent volunteers who come to practice with us! This drill is always analyzed after it takes place, and we make improvements every year.
Oct. 27: Halloween Haunt
This event should never be missed! We had beautiful weather, an amazing silent auction, a fun costume contest, great games, awesome prizes, delicious food (including the always-anticipated Korean BBQ), inflatables, confetti eggs, and more!
THINGS TO KNOW
Governing Board Update
Please visit this link to read the latest recap of the October 9th Board Meeting. The next meeting is Nov. 27. Before that date, you are invited to attend a Safety and Security Task Force meeting on November 6 at 6:30 p.m. At this Task Force meeting, you will have a chance to hear from the various sub committees and the progress they've been making.
Want to Get Rid of Some of that Halloween Candy?
Quick! Before you eat it all! LCE's Lions Really Care Club is collecting candy for Operation Gratitude. There will be collection boxes in or near the office.
Texting and Driving
Please pause and think about this question: Are you guilty of checking your phone for text messages while waiting at red light? a stop sign? in carline? I have to admit that I'm guilty of this, and I never thought of it as AAA refers to it; texting while driving is called driving intexticated. Even when we are not officially in drive mode, we still have to be SO AWARE of children walking. The last thing any of us want is an accident with a child Consider taking the pledge. I did.
RESOURCES:
Fantastic Web Resource and Blog: Go Zen
Empower your child to build resiliency! Anxiety is something that affects many students, and not only can it be debilitating for them, but it can leave parents feeling helpless. LCE teacher Jenny Franz found this website and shared it with me, and I wanted to share it with you. The blog entries are really interesting.
Book Recommendation: Best Friends, Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social World of Children, by Michael Thompson and Catherine O'Neill Grace
This book has been around for a while, but I wanted to share it with you because it offers some great insight on child development, especially how children navigate their social lives at different ages. There are real world examples, tips for parents, and tips for schools. I have a copy in my office if you are interested in reading it, or you can click on the book image below to be directed to Amazon.
Podcast for Kids
I remember, as a child, absolutely loving my story records. Today, our kids have access to excellent podcasts. One that is highly rated is called Wow In the World. This podcast explores scientific mysteries and adventures via two hosts, Guy and Mindy. There are many episodes. Podcasts are a great way to foster listening skills and have students screen-free while using their brains to create the images that the podcast creates. And they are usually free. :)
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Event Information
HOOPITUP! Kidz Assembly
When?
Thursday, Nov 1, 2018, 08:30 AM
Where?
La Cañada Elementary School, Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
https://youtu.be/Thw47SkjKDE
Event Information
Parent - Teacher Conferences for TK - 6th Grade Families
TK and Kindergarten are on regular schedule and will have conferences on a day when the teacher has created plans for a substitute teacher. Every family in 1st - 3rd grades will have conference appointments. 4th - 6th grade families may or may not be asked to have a parent - teacher conference at this time. These school days are 8:10 - 11:35 a.m.
When?
Tuesday, Nov 6, 2018, 11:45 AM
Where?
La Cañada Elementary School, Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Event Information
Family Learning Series: Safety and Security
Please join Peter Crabbe, Senior consultant for Chameleon and Associates, as he joins us in the LCHS auditorium to discuss campus safety and security. Peter always has time for questions.
When?
Thursday, Nov 8, 2018, 06:30 PM
Where?
La Cañada High School, Oak Grove Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Event Information
Veterans' Day: No School
When?
Monday, Nov 12, 2018, 08:00 AM
Where?
La Cañada Elementary School, Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Event Information
Report Cards Sent Home for 1st - 6th
Take a few minutes to watch this Challenge Success video by Denise Pope about GRADES.
When?
Thursday, Nov 15, 2018, 03:00 PM
Where?
La Cañada Elementary School, Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
https://youtu.be/K-e8ZcYTEu4
Event Information
Collaboration Day
When?
Friday, Nov 16, 2018, 11:30 AM
Where?
La Cañada Elementary School, Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Event Information
Thanksgiving Holiday
When?
Monday, Nov 19, 2018, 08:00 AM
Where?
Wherever You Go, I Hope You Have a Wonderful Time!
Event Information
LCFEF Jog a Thon
This is a big fundraiser for the La Canada Educational Foundation. Remember, this organization funds our small class sizes, our Arts programs, and out STEAM initiatives.
When?
Friday, Nov 30, 2018, 09:00 AM
Where?