from the head of school

Snow Days: Fun And Frustration 

Hello AL families,

Last year we did not have any snow days and this year we have had two, and it is not even the middle of January! I know it is frustrating to have more out-of-school days just after returning from Winter Break.

The school makes the decision to cancel or hold school very seriously. As Mme Houfaidi said in the December 9th newsletter, safety is the prime consideration. We only close school when we have serious questions about the safety of the buses going door-to-door on streets that are usually not plowed or treated. More than 400 students ride those buses every day and we will err on the side of caution when considering closing school. This same decision is not as pressing for other school districts because they do not offer the same services we do. Their buses pick students up at the corner or they do not offer buses at all.

If AL is closed, staff and students/families will be notified via "School Messenger" (phone call); it will also be posted on every local TV channel under "School Closings", and will be posted on the school's Facebook page. Notification is sent before 7:00 am. 

If you are not receiving automated school messages, please contact Edem Addoh at  eaddoh@academielafayette.org .

Please, on snowy days or even days where the snow is not deep but the weather is very cold, make sure you watch the news, check the TV channel's website and/or wait for the message from the school. Check the school's Facebook page as well. Please do not drop off your child without first checking to see if someone is at school.

Thank you very much for your understanding and your strong support for our school.

Sincerely,

Elimane Mbengue

Head of School

Principal News

Welcome Back! 

Dear families,

Bonne Année! Happy New Year and welcome back to school!

I don't even like to use the "R" word (resolution) in January because it tends to make everyone feel guilty if they did not make any resolutions, or if they've already broken them. :)

I do want to share one new INTENTION that I have set for myself: to improve the quality of my sleep. I'm trying to create some new routines at night to help myself get better rest. As I'm typing this, I'm thinking about the number of students (and parents) who could also benefit from a similar commitment.   

Here are a few pointers for all of us:

1) Turn off the electronics (phone, computer, television) well before bedtime. 

2) Stick to a schedule- going to bed and getting up at the same time.  

3) Pay attention to what you eat- too much or not enough food in the evening can disrupt sleep.  

4) Create relaxing routines or rituals. These might include a bath, herbal tea, soft music, or reading a bedtime story.

Let's all take care of ourselves and each other during these long winter months! 

Madame Royce

Cherry Principal

In This Edition: 

• Board meeting notice
• Coins for the Cabinet: thank you
• Trivia night
• School notifications
• From the PTSO
• Celebrating empathy
• Medicine drive for Jamaica
• Calling K siblings
• AL in the community

calendar

Upcoming Events

Info Sharing

Board Meeting Notice

The Académie Lafayette Board of Directors will hold their monthly meeting on Monday, January 9th, 2017, in the Oak campus music room starting at 6 pm. Click here to read the tentative agenda. 

Info Sharing

Thank You

Remember participating in the Coins for the Cabinet campaign before winter break? We ended up raising $924.17 to help provide medical equipment (eyeglasses, crutches, dental equipment) and medicine for those served by the Cabinet! All together, the eight participating schools in Kansas City raised  $6,866.43. Thank you for making a difference in our community! 

Info Sharing

Will We See You At Trivia Night?

We are quickly approaching a sell-out so don't delay in reserving your table! Want to play but don't have a complete team of 10? Consider reaching out through your child's class email list or on social media. This is a great opportunity to meet more of your community!

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! 

Click here to buy tickets!

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

Info Sharing

School Notifications

If you did not receive a phone call, email, and/or text message letting you know that school was closed yesterday and today, please contact Mr. Addoh,  eaddoh@academielafayette.org. 

If you know other families that did not get the message, please forward that information to them. 

Info Sharing

From The PTSO

The PTSO's General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 10th at the Cherry campus from 6 to 8 pm. Click here to read the agenda. Pizza and babysitting will be available. The Coterie Theater will be teaching beginning acting for the kids during the meeting. Thank you Heather Cochran for making the arrangements. 

Save the Date: 

• Wednesday, January 18th is Chipotle Night, 4:30 to 9 pm

• Tables are going fast for Trivia Night on Saturday, January 28th - buy online at www.ALTriviaNight.com

• The Father/Daughter Dance will be on Friday, February 10th at the Cherry campus

Info Sharing

Character Trait: Empathy

Oak campus celebrated 26 students for showing empathy. Empathy is not just feeling sorry or having sympathy for someone when they are sad or scared, but actually understanding how they feel because you have also felt sad or scared. Our citizens of the month were acknowledged for showing kindness and empathy to others. Great job! 

4th and 5th grade: Grace Hapke Cora Jones Emerson Strahm Janie Gacek Scarlett Lewandowski Lily Filkins Imogen Long Alice Coates Charlotte Brettel Nani Hill
	Middle School: Flannery Murphy Kiara Odums Ella Perry Sofia Guinto Bridget Love Tristan Porter Erin Orlick Brenden Maltbia Maggie Herber Makiya Fue Charlie Kohlmeyer Ava Kugler Rayna Bowman Naomi Humphrey Audrey Tronnes

Info Sharing

Medicine Drive For Jamaica

Many years ago Ella and Jack Perry's grandfather, Forrest Haggard, and his good friend, Richmond, formed a partnership to help those in need in Jamaica.

Ella and Jack Perry with the nurse at the clinic.

One of the things they did was start a free health clinic at Oberlin High School in rural Jamaica. Unfortunately, there was not a regular supply of medicine to the clinic and now the students have to pay for the supplies.  

Jack and Ella learned this three years ago when they visited the clinic and noticed a girl who came in and had to pay for the Tylenol that the nurse gave her. They asked their mom why she had

to pay because they thought it was a free clinic. 

When they got back to Kansas City, they organized a medicine drive through  Académie  Lafayette. That helped them donate medicine and money. As you can see their collection filled the shelves!

The collection is happening again this year. Here are some of the needed items:

- Acetaminophen & Ibuprofen tablets  - band aids (the wide ones)  - multivitamins  - rubbing alcohol  - hydrogen peroxide  - antibiotic ointments  - hydrocortisone & anti fungal creams - latex exam gloves

- hand sanitizers  - elastic bandages - cold and flu tablets - Loratadine (Claritin) or other allergy tablets including chewables for the younger kids - toothpaste and toothbrushes - any school supplies and small toys

Also, the school nurses can buy any of the above items at cost. So if want your money to go further, you can write a check to  Académie  Lafayette. 

We will have collection suitcases near the nurse's office at both campuses  January 10-24. Please be aware that children cannot bring medication to school, so parents will need to bring any of those items directly to the nurse. Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated by the students of Oberlin high school and the community in Jamaica. 

Info Sharing

Calling All 2017-18 K Siblings!

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

Helping Others Matters

The outreach coordinator for Jewish Vocational Services attended Mme Paturot's winter class party. He came to discuss how kids in KC can help welcome refugees. The kids filled backpacks and gathered needed items during the party. 

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

Research Medical Center, Brookside Campus, is a proud sponsor of academie lafayette

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