9 December  2016

Le Journal



Principal News

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

Dear Académie Lafayette families,

park_snow.jpg As the cold weather has finally arrived and we had our first light blanket of snow it makes some of us hopeful and others dread... Snow days!  How do we decide? Who decides? How do we notify the school community?
 
There are various reasons for weather-related cancellations such as icy streets, dangerous quantities of snow (that is a relative amount being from Michigan), super-cold (like below -5 degrees), etc. 

Safety is prime when deciding whether to cancel or delay.  We close schools to prevent accidents and other problems caused by inclement weather.  Communication is made with the bus company who determines if it is safe for drivers and students based on the road conditions. However, it's our head of school, Mr. Mbengue, that makes the final decision. 

If AL is closed, staff and students/families will be notified via "School Messenger" (phone call) and it will also be posted on every local TV channel under "School Closings." Notification is sent before 7:00 am. Please, on snowy days, make sure you watch the news, check the channel's website and/or wait for the message from the school. Please do not drop off your child without first checking to see if someone is at school.
 
Above all, drive slowly and carefully and bundle up!!
 
Leslie Houfaidi
Oak principal




calendar

Upcoming Events

December 12
Board Meeting
6 pm, Oak Music Room


December 16
Oak Winter Parties
Starting at 2:30 pm

January 9
Board Meeting
6 pm, Oak Music Room

January 25
Early Release Day
Cherry: 12:45 pm
Oak: 1 pm
December 14
Early Release Day
Cherry: 12:45 pm
Oak: 1 pm
 
December 19 - January 3
NO SCHOOL


January 10
PTSO Meeting
6 pm, Cherry Campus



December 15
Cherry Winter Parties
Starting at 2:15 pm
 

January 4
School Starts


January 16
NO SCHOOL


Access the 2016-2017 School Calendar here

Info Sharing

Uniform Closet Updateuniformcloset

  ��The shelves and hanging rack are finished at Cherry and items are organized. There are dozens of shirts and last week I hung 10 plaid jumpers. The Oak campus closet is organized and fully stocked with dozens of shirts, plaid skirts and dozens of khaki pieces, especially in size 10 and 12. Our generous AL community makes frequent donations so check periodically for your uniform needs. The uniform closet is available to all AL families. Take, donate, exchange, make it work for you. The closet at Cherry is always unlocked. The Oak closet key is available at the front desk. In addition, the lost and found chest at Cherry is overflowing! It is conveniently located outside the auditorium and easily accessible at pickup. 

Questions or concerns: Contact Diane Rizzo,  diane.rizzo@yahoo.com, mom to a 4th grade boy and 3rd grade girl.


Info Sharing

Art Supplies For Oakartsupplies

Mme Smith, the art teacher, needs your help gathering a few materials for projects. She is looking for: 
  • maps of all types - local, global, state, trail maps, old, new, etc (not framed) - LEGOs (small standard legos)
  • yarn
  • magazines
  • calendars with images
  • shoes - particularly shoes that don't have a pair or are not fit to wear; vintage, retro or interesting shoes preferred
  • cereal boxes
Please deliver any materials to the office addressed to Art Room. Thank you for your help!


Info Sharing

Trivia Night Is BackTrivia

Please save the date and get ready to geek out! The Académie Lafayette's 6th annual Trivia Night will be held on January 28th, 2017. 

This year's theme: TriviaCon: A Comic Book, Sci/Fi/Fantasy Cosplay Extravaganza! Tickets will go on sale December 19 and will sell out quickly. 

Look for more information to follow shortly online and on Facebook. If you have a question about Trivia Night, contact Sara Harms at  saraharms974@gmail.com



Info Sharing

Last Week For Toy DriveToyDrive

red-toy-robot.jpg This Holiday Toy Drive is being hosted by Académie Lafayette and will go until December 16th. Please donate a new and unwrapped toy (ages infant-12 yrs old) to be given to Operation Breakthrough just in time for Christmas. The last two years the school donated more than 300 toys! Académie Lafayette community is the best!

Where: Just have your child bring their toy gift donation to school. A green donation bin will be placed in the entrance at both AL campuses. 

Why: "Because it's totally fun to give toys to kids. Makes us happy and more thankful for what we have."- Cora Jones 4th Grader at AL

If you have any questions and/or would like to be a part of the big toy drive drop-off on  Friday, December 16 right after school, you can email Cora and Emma Jones' mom Debbie at  debbiebarrettjones@gmail.com. Thanks so much and Happy Holidays!


Info Sharing

Annual FundAnnualfund

 


Info Sharing

Cherry Clubs: A Few Seats Leftcherryclubs

A few spots remain for the after-school clubs. These clubs will be filled based on an essay that your child will need to write. T his will be the last week that we will accept the essays. The essay should be age appropriate (in other words- we will know if you helped or if it's their own work- wink wink!) The essay should be no more than 10 sentences long and no less than 5 sentences long. It must include the reason your child would like to be in this particular after school club.  

The clubs are:
  • Writing: 3 seats available
  • Science: 6 seats available
  • Home Economics: 4 seats available 
The essays will be judged by the coaches of the clubs. The "judging" is strictly comprised of coaches looking over the essays for a presence of sincere and genuine interest in the club. The only reason a child would be turned down is if all the spots are already filled. We will accept no more than 12 kids per club, because, at present, that is all the room we have based upon the number of volunteer coaches we have. 

The clubs will take place on Wednesday afternoons right after school from  3:35-4:35. They will begin shortly after all essays are received. Essays can be turned in in person at Cherry to Leslie Kohlmeyer, placed in the mailbox of Miss Kohlmeyer or can be emailed to  lkohlmeyer@academielafayette.org

Chess club update: I have been unable to find a chess club coach volunteer. What I was able to find is a coach who will charge each pupil $55 per semester (that is for the remainder of the school year.) It's based on 20 kids in class. We currently have 6 kids interested. I need 14 more kids who want to join this club and who are able to afford the $55 per semester. I also want to be clear that it is a personal commitment that I have made to the school that I want to be sure no child is left out based on finances. If there is a child who wants to join but can not afford that payment, please email me and I will make sure the child is able to join no questions asked. Please email me if your child is interested in the club at  lkohlmeyer@academielafayette.org


Info Sharing

Changes In School Notificationsnotifications

All parents/guardians should have received a text last week from SchoolMessenger, our school communication system. You must reply "Y" to the text message to opt-in and get the notifications. Data rates may apply. 

If you did not reply, you will not receive school communications by text message. 

Did not receive a text? Contact Mr. Addoh, eaddoh@academielafayette.org


Info Sharing

Calling All 2017-18 K Siblings!ksiblings

The open application period has begun and will continue through Friday, February 24, 2017 at 4:00 pm.  Click here for the online application .

If you have a sibling of a current (or graduate) AL student, you must complete the online application to reserve your child's space in Kindergarten. 
To be eligible for the 2017-18 school year, applicants MUST  be 5 before September 1, 2017.

ALL SIBLINGS MUST COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION BEFORE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017 AT 4 PM. IN ORDER TO SECURE THEIR SPACE FOR KINDERGARTEN.

Questions? Contact Diane Balagna, Cherry Campus Office Manager, at 816-888-7400 or email dbalagna@academielafayette.org.


AL in the community

AL Girl In STEMCommunity1



Photography by Charles Maples


Académie Lafayette currently offers 60 students the opportunity to learn programming, research skills, as well as people skills through the FIRST Lego League program. On November 12th, the six AL teams went to Olathe Northwest High School to compete. One of our teams, the She-Nerd Squad (all-girl team), won the Core Values Award for Teamwork. 

Morgan Wafer-Lyman, member of the She-Nerd Squad, was photographed running her team's robot during the competition. The picture was then used in the KC STEM Alliance November Newsletter. Click here to read it

Report your sightings of Académie Lafayette parents, staff, or students accomplishments to communication@academielafayette.org.  


AL in the community

Debate Championscommunity

Former AL students Sophie French and Wren Phillips won the novice division of the Debate KC City Championship on Dec 5. Both students are freshmen at Lincoln College Prep.

Wren Phillips also went on to win best speaker for the novice division.


Report your sightings of Académie Lafayette parents, staff, or students accomplishments to communication@academielafayette.org.  


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

Cherry Street Campus
3421 Cherry Street
Kansas City, MO 64109
816-888-7400

www.academielafayette.org