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From the Head of School
Welcome Back!
Dear AL Community,
Welcome back!
It was an immense pleasure to welcome back all our students and staff on Wednesday. We are off to a great start with many exciting projects this year.
- The K-12 Growth Plan: As announced in April, Académie Lafayette made an offer on the Derrick Thomas Academy building. We have completed all the necessary inspections and we are now working diligently towards obtaining financing for the project that meets the long term goals of the school. We will continue to keep you informed as we progress in this exciting growth opportunity.
- Oak Secured Entrance: The construction of the secure entrance at the Oak campus is underway. It will accommodate office space, a new nurse's office, and a secure reception area. We will gain two more classrooms in the main building by moving offices to the addition. Unfortunately, because of the delay caused by the relocation of underground utilities, the completion date is now set for the end of November.
- IB MYP Authorization Visit in October: In mid-October, Académie Lafayette Middle School will welcome a visiting team from the International Baccalaureate Organization. The team will spend several days assessing our readiness for IB authorization. I would like to thank our teachers for their hard work and dedication. Merci to the Kauffman Foundation for funding this program.
- Strategic Plan on Diversity: Over the last 10 months, Académie Lafayette has been writing a new five year strategic plan. Thirty-five board members, parents, teachers and administrative staff have identified our challenges, strengths and opportunities; revised our mission, vision and values; and developed future goals and plans to achieve them. This five year strategic plan is centered on providing a successfully education to diverse learners by increasing our ethnic and socioeconomic diversity and making sure that every student is adequately served.
We have received preliminary information about our 2017 MAP scores. Our school academic achievement is very strong. We will have complete details soon.
Our athletics and robotics programs are some of the best in the metro area. Please check out
our new website
to see the trophies our teams have brought home. I would like to thank the PTSO for their invaluable support and also all the parents who give countless hours to help make our athletics and robotics programs a huge success.
I thank you very much for your continued support and I hope you will all be able to attend parent orientation night at your campus next week.
Have a safe and fun eclipse viewing with your family and friends.
Elimane Mbengue
Head of School
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From The Cherry Principal
Welcome Back!
Dear Cherry Parents:
Welcome back! Thank you so much for your support and flexibility during these first few days. It's been a fantastic start to the school year!
Here are a few reminders for next week:
Starting next week, students should plan to walk independently to class. Staff members will be stationed throughout the building to help students get to their classrooms. If you have supplies, snacks or other items to be delivered to the classroom, please drop them off at the front office and we'll make sure they are delivered.
Remember- parents in the drop-off lane should remain in their cars, and students should quickly exit the car curbside. Do not park in the drop- off lanes on Cherry or Kenwood.
Please join us from 6:00-7:30 pm on
Thursday, August 24, for Parent Orientation Night at the Cherry campus. Teachers will be welcoming parents in their classrooms to hear more about curriculum, expectations, classroom schedules, and procedures. Parents will also have the opportunity to hear from our Head of School, Elimane Mbengue and our Board President, Jon Otto.
To accommodate so many parents, we will offer two sessions: 6:00 and 6:50. Support and English teachers will be available at both sessions.
- Parents of kindergarteners and 1st graders should report to classrooms first at 6:00 to see teacher presentations, and then to the auditorium to hear from school leadership at 6:50.
- Parents of 2nd and 3rd graders should report to the auditorium first to hear from school leadership, and then transition to classrooms for the second session at 6:50.
- If parents have multiple children, they can choose to attend two classroom sessions if they prefer, in lieu of the meeting in the auditorium.
Please take a look at the
dress code policy. It is important to send students to school in the appropriate uniform to avoid missing class time if students need to change. Some items I've already observed are: big sparkly cat's ear headbands, pink and purple striped leggings, and non-AL approved jackets and sweatshirts in the classroom.
Thank you for being part of our school community. I look forward to seeing you at Cherry Parent Orientation Night,
Thursday, August 24.
Heather Royce
K-3 Principal
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calendar Upcoming Events
August 21
No School
(Solar Eclipse)
August 25
$10,000 Cash Raffle
Kick-off. Sales begin.
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August 22
Oak Parent Orientation Night - 6 pm, Auditorium
September 4
No School - Labor Day
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August 24
Cherry Parent Orientation Night - 6 pm
September 15
No School |
Access the 2017-18 School Calendars by clicking
here.
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info sharing 
School Closed on August 21, 2017
 The school will be closed on Monday, August 21, because of the tot
al eclips
e of the sun. There were many factors that led to this decision. Click here to read the email sent yesterday.
Each student was given a pair of eclipse glasses today. Parents, please read and observe the safety instructions from the NASA website listed at the end of this message. Or go to the NASA website for more great information.
- Inspect the glasses before using them, and discard them if they are scratched or damaged. Read any instructions that accompany them.
- Children should be adequately supervised during the eclipse.
- Cover your eyes with the glasses before looking up at the sun. Do not remove the glasses while looking at the sun.
- Do not look at the sun through a camera or binoculars even with the glasses on.
- Since the Kansas City area is slightly outside the path of totality, do not take off the glasses even when the eclipse is at its peak. The glasses can be taken off only if you are in a location within the path of totality, and only when the moon completely covers the sun's bright face. As soon as the bright sun begins to reappear, put the glasses back on.
- If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on and put your eclipse glasses on over them.
We hope you will enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience with your family.
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INFO SHARING
Oak Parent Orientation Night Schedule
The Oak campus is a big place, and while your children already know where to go, you might not! So you can plan on meeting with all of your children's teachers, please look at the document below for room information as well as the night's schedule. Please arrive on time as the event will start at 6 pm sharp in the auditorium. The agenda will be posted on the day of the event at the school as well.
We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, August 22!
Leslie Houfaidi, Principal
Eric Roskam, Vice-Principal
For Parent Orientation schedule click
here.
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INFO SHARING
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Cherry Campus
:
Arrival:
- 7:30 am Doors open. Students go to the cafeteria/auditorium.
- 7:50 am Students go to homeroom.
- 8:00 am Classes begin.
Arrival time: Please plan to be at school by 7:50 am. Classroom instruction starts at
8:00 am. Having time to transition between home and school is important.
Dismissal:
- 3:30 pm classes are dismissed. Bus riders report to buses. Students are excused to YMCA and other after school programs.
- 3:30-3:45 pm
- Kindergarten students and 1st-3rd grade students who are two campus families will be accompanied to the gym to be dismissed to parents.
- Car Riders - Students are called by number and dismissed directly to cars on Kenwood.
- 3:45 pm - Remaining students report to the reception office.
Note: $1 dollar fee is incurred every minute after 3:45 for remaining students.
Oak Campus
:
Arrival
- 7:30 am Doors open. Students go to the auditorium/wait or gym/breakfast.
- 8:05 am Students go to homeroom.
- 8:15 am Classes begin.
Classroom instruction starts at 8:15 am, and having time to transition between home and school is important. Middle school students need extra time before classes begin to visit their locker and prepare materials for the day.
Dismissal:
- 3:40-3:45 pm Supervised locker time (for middle school).
- 3:45 pm Classes are dismissed.
- Bus riders report to buses.
- Students are excused to YMCA and other after-school programs.
- Parent pick-up students are taken to 69th Terrace for pick-up.
- 4:00 pm Remaining students report to the office or leave campus. Parent supervision is required for students who remain on school grounds after 4:00 pm.
Note: A $1 dollar fee is incurred every minute after 4:00 pm for remaining, unsupervised students.
CHANGE OF DISMISSAL PLANS: It's important for students to have a regular routine, but if a change of plan is absolutely necessary, please notify the school office by 12:00 pm on that day. Call the office at 816-361-7735 for changes. Please understand that we might not be able to honor changes after 12:00 pm. For emergency dismissal changes please do not email. Call the office instead.
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INFO SHARING
Federal Programs Forms
There are a lot of MYTHS about completing the
Federal Forms and Free and Reduced Meal forms. Like this one:
It takes a lot of time to fill out the form.
NO!
The form is online and it takes about 15 minutes to complete.
How do I do that?
You received an email during the first two weeks of August from SchoolMint with a link to the online forms. If you did not receive this link, or if you cannot find it, contact Peggy Arians (816-361-7735 or
parians@academielafayette.org
) and she will get it to you. Paper forms are available too.
Anything else? YES! Every class that has 100% of their forms completed by September 30 will win an ice cream party! Yes -- do it for your kids.
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INFO SHARING
Parking Reminders
Cherry Campus:
Short-term parking is available during the day on Cherry by the main entrance. For longer visits, please park on the other side of the street or use the church parking lot on Kenwood. Parking on the school side of the street is not allowed on Cherry or Kenwood during arrival or dismissal times.
Oak Campus: Because of delays in the Secure Entry addition, the Oak parking lot will remain closed for drop off and pick up. Summer school drop off and pick up procedures will remain in place. See map below.
- Drop off children on 69th Street only. This is the street where the buses drop off and pick up students. Please drop off quickly and continue to Holmes. Our goal is to avoid any back-ups on Oak.
- Pick-up on 69th Terrace only. At the end of the school day teachers will escort students to 69th Terrace and wait with them until they are picked up.
- If you are dropping off or picking up during the school day you may use the parking lot. Remember, there is only one entrance and exit.
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INFO SHARING
PTSO: Make Friends, Do Great Stuff
Welcome to the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) for AL. Because you are a parent or guardian you are automatically a member! No dues, no forms. It's a great way to meet new friends and work together to make our school even better than it already is!
Our first general PTSO meeting is at 6 pm, September 12, at the Cherry campus. Dinner will be served, and childcare provided.
A few projects we are working on now:
- Trash Bag sale: Heavy duty trash bags and lawn/leaf bags for sale through your student now through September 9. Order forms are available at the front desk of both campuses, or download one here. Pick up will be Saturday, September 30, from 8 am to noon at the Oak Campus. If you are able to help that morning, please contact Meghan Flavin (meghkflavin@gmail.com)
- Volunteer Positions for all home Chiefs' games. A training session is required, but once you have gone through the initial training, you are good for 3 years. Each person will earn $100 for our school per game that they 'work' a concession stand. Click here for training dates. Click here to sign up for the games.
- Swope Park Rangers Give-Back: Saturday, September 2, game against Oklahoma City FC, coached by Sporting legend, Jimmy Nielsen. Tickets are $15 each. Email your contact information to Meghan Flavin and pay using PayPal (meghkflavin@gmail.com).
- Boo Bayou: This community building event will be on Saturday, October 21, and includes a carnival for the students and their families in grades K through 5 and a Masquerade Ball for students in Middle School (6th-8th graders). If you are interested in helping with the Carnival please contact Katie Kindle, katiekendle@gmail.com. If you want to assist with the Middle School Dance, please reach out to Meghan Flavin. We are looking for someone to take the lead for the dance. It will be at Cherry and a DJ is already lined up.
- Allez 5k & 1-mile Family Fun Run/Walk: Saturday, October 28. If you are interested in helping with the event please reach out to Meghan Flavin.
If you have questions please reach out to one of the officers:
Vice President (Oak) - (vacant)
Communications - (vacant)
EIP Chair(s) - Tiffany Meeks
Events/Volunteer Coordinator (Cherry) - (vacant)
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INFO SHARING
$10,000 Cash Raffle Coming Soon!
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Last years winner -- Amanda Campbell -- with Mr. Mbengue, her 3rd grade son Isaac (who sold her the ticket), her husband, Kenton, and Mme Houfaidi, Oak Principal. |
Académie Lafayette's 9th annual $10,000 Cash Raffle begins August 25. This fun event supports the general fund and helps provide salaries for nurses and social workers, international interns, and funds for transportation. Raffle packets with your tickets and all the details will be sent home on Friday, August 25.
Volunteers are needed to help count money, deliver prizes, and stuff Raffle packets. Click
here to sign up!
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INFO SHARING
Spirit Wear
Order your Academie Lafayette spirit wear by Sunday!
Take advantage of $2 off non-clearance items and free ship to school. In stock items will be available for pick up at Orientation next week. Anything that back orders will be delivered to classrooms in early September. Please visit
alspirit.com.
Volunteers to help with spirit wear sales are needed
next Tuesday and
Thursday. If you are interested, sign up
here.
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Girls on the Run 5K Event
 Girls on the Run is coming to Académie Lafayette Cherry Campus this fall!
Grab your running shoes and water bottles and join the Girls on the Run fun! This 10 week program for girls in the 3rd grade educates and prepares girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Using a well-researched curriculum, life lessons are taught through the use of fun interactive games combined with training for a non-competitive 5K event. Topics include: getting rid of negative self-talk, how to deal with bullying, gossip and peer pressure, nutrition, making healthy choices and much more.
Practices meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm at the Cherry Campus beginning the week of September 11 and concludes on November 17. All girls will run or walk in the celebratory, non-competitive 5K event on Saturday, November 4 at Children's Mercy Park (home of Sporting KC).
Participation fee is $165 per girl. Payment plans and financial assistance are available.
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4th & 5th Grade Distance Runners Allez!
Online registration is now open on the AL website for the 4th & 5th Grade Long Distance Training (LDT). Click on the registration link here.
Registration closes Tuesday, September 5.
Required forms can be downloaded from
here
.
This program will convene after school (3:45 pm-5:00 pm) on Tuesdays, starting September 5 through October 24, for one training session a week for eight weeks to help kids prepare for the Allez 5K fun run and introduce them to concepts of Cross Country. The Allez 5K Fundraiser will be held on Sunday, October 29, 10 am at Arrowhead Stadium. There are no external cross country meets for this age group but we will have a "mock meet" at Holmes Park toward the end of the season.
Participants will report to the Oak gym to change and then walk with coaches one block East to Holmes Park (68th& Holmes) for practice. Pick up will be at Holmes Park unless otherwise notified. Practice will happen rain or shine.
The kids will be assessed for basic skill level and be sent home with a training program/running log. Each week they will be assessed for progress and given recommendations on maintaining or changing their training at home. They will receive info about the basics of long distance running, warm up/ cool down, racing and eating for good health.
Recommended for: all skill levels BUT MUST BE VERY INTERESTED AND SERIOUS about learning to run for extended periods of time and working hard!
Required Equipment: a water bottle, a pair of running shoes that offer good support
Recommended Equipment: a cheap running watch to learn pacing and taking heart rate
Primary Coach: Brenda Kumm and Dan Bird
Support Coach: Yannick Mauvois
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INFO SHARING
Oak Robotics Enrollment Open
The FIRST Lego League Robotics program at Oak is currently enrolling students. Click
here to apply. Filling out the form does not guarantee a spot in the club. Thirty spots are available. The club fee is $50, due on the first day of practice. You will receive an email letting you know whether or not your child was accepted into the club by
Friday, August 25th.
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INFO SHARING
Chess Club at Oak and Cherry!
Chess club is back by popular demand beginning the week of
September 11!
Oak is open to all students 4th-8th grade. We will take the first 40 to register. After 40 we will create a wait list, on a first come and first served basis.
Chess club at Oak will take place
Wednesday after school from
4:00-4:45 pm. Children will need to be picked up promptly when clubs are finished.
Cherry is open to all students 1st-3rd grades. Will will take the first 20 to register. After 20 we will create a wait list, on a first come and first served basis. Chess club at Cherry will take place
Thursday after school from 3:45-4:30 pm. Children will need to be picked up promptly when clubs are finished.
Chess club will cost $60 for the first half of the year (September 11-
December 22) or $120 for the entire year (September 11-
May 25). Please contact Leslie Kohlmeyer,
lkohlmeyer@academielafayette.org to register your child.
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INFO SHARING
After School Clubs at Cherry
Welcome back! We are in the beginning phase of planning for after school clubs at Cherry. We will have Science, Writing, and Home Economics again. We have one coach for Writing and one for Science. We need one more for Science, one more for Writing, and two to three more for Home Economics.
The clubs take place after school at Cherry
on Wednesday's from
3:45-4:45 pm. You need to have some skills at child management, and a passion for whatever you are coaching. This is on a volunteer basis but you will be reimbursed for any personal expenses.
We will not have clubs if we cannot find coaches. Please only reply if you are interested
in coaching. Contact Leslie Kohlmeyer,
lkohlmeyer@academielafayette.org
.
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INFO SHARING
Stories
What is your AL story? Has attending AL made a difference in your child's life? In YOUR life? Did your family make a special effort to attend AL (such as move to the KCPS district so that you could apply?) Has it given your child the language skills to help someone in need? Does attending a free public school (i.e. not paying tuition) give your family the extra financial cushion to do something that you feel is important -- like start a not for profit? Has the foundation laid at AL given your older child an edge in high school or beyond? (Like Tom DeZutter who scored a perfect 36 on the English ACT.) Please share your AL story with us! Send them to Sarah Guthrie at
sguthrie@academielafayette.org. Put STORIES in the subject line. Thank you!
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INFO SHARING
Thank you BTLLF!
We received funding from the Baptist Trinity Lutheran
Legacy Foundation (BTLLF) for CPR, AED, and choking training for all staff.
This grant also previously paid for CPR and AED training for last year's 8th graders. and ensured AED units at bot
h campuses.
Thank you Baptist Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation for keeping our kids and staff safe and informed!
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INFO SHARING
Thank you Research Hospital!
A huge thank you to Research Hospital, Brookside campus, for the generous donation of nursing supplies.
Alexis Cook, RN, was thrilled to restock her cabinets with band aids, gloves, ace bandages and other supplies.
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Al in the news
Channel 4 News at AL
 Channel 4 reporter Marcus Officer interviewed new kindergarten moms Rachel Kabukala and Whitney Forrest about the excitement of starting school.
Special thanks to
Mme Brown who opened up her classroom and talked to the reporter about immersion education.Click here to see the story.
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AL in the community
Vote for Diane!
Earlier this year Diane Balagna, Office Manager of the Cherry Campus, had the honor of writing
an article about immersion at Académie Lafayette for the Getting Smart blog. Getting Smart is an organization dedicated to discovering and promoting great ideas in education, and theirs is one of the top 10 education blogs in the country.
She has created a conference speaker proposal based on that article for SXSWedu in Austin, TX next year.
SXSW uses public voting in addition to an advisory panel to choose speakers and workshops. She plans to highlight the techniques of immersion instruction and demonstrate how they can be harnessed in traditional language classrooms everywhere to make learning fun and more long lasting, just like we do at
Académie Lafayette every day.
If you'd like to cast your vote, please click
here. (To ensure one vote per person, the system asks you to create a login.) Thank you!
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INFO SHARING
Communication
 Académie Lafayette sends a weekly e-newsletter to all families using the email addresses provided during enrollment. If you know someone who is not receiving this newsletter, encourage them to contact Edem Addoh at
eaddoh@academielafayette.org with their email and other contact information.
In addition to the weekly newsletter, the periodic all-calls, and email blasts, we also use Facebook to communicate with our families. Please "like" us at
https://www.facebook.com/LafayetteKC/.
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RESEARCH MEDICAL CENTER, BROOKSIDE CAMPUS, IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF ACADEMIE LAFAYETTE
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Oak Street Campus
6903 Oak Street
Kansas City, MO 64113
816-361-7735 |
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Cherry Street Campus
3421 Cherry Street
Kansas City, MO 64109
816-888-7400 |
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www.academielafayette.org |
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Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved. Email marketing and design provided by The Creative Deparment | www.ideaville.net
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