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From The head of school
Congratulations and Important News
Dear Académie Lafayette Families,
 I want to congratulate the Middle School IB team and the Middle School students, led by IB Coordinator Jessica McDowell, for successfully achieving full authorization for the
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. This is an outstanding achievement that has taken years to accomplish.
Also congratulations to Beth McCarthy, the newly elected parent-elect member of the Board of Directors. I look forward to working with her.
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Future sign at 201 E. Armour |
Next, I want to update you on the process for learning more about the K-8 expansion. As you know, we have successfully purchased our new campus at 201 E. Armour. We will move to that site in August 2018. At the same time we will add three kindergarten classes. We briefly presented information about options for campus configurations at the November 2 Town Hall meeting.
Decisions about campus configurations will be made by mid-February 2018.
Here is our process for gathering information from parents and teachers and making those important decisions:
- November 29 and 30: Parent-principal coffees where parents can ask questions and discuss the options with the principals at our two campuses. See calendar.
- Website updated regularly: Growth and Strategic Plan page
- FAQ included on webpage
- December 5: Conseil d'Ecloe meeting (6 pm, Oak campus music room). Conseil d'Ecole members will identify pros and cons of both options. This information will be published and made available to parents.
- December 12: Community survey sent to parents
- January 8, 2018: Staff forum
- January 11, 2018: Parent forum at Oak auditorium. There will be small group discussions about the configuration options. 5:30pm Pizza; childcare will be available. Small group meetings: 6-8:00 pm.
- February: (date: TBD) Board meeting to decide campus configurations
Thank you again for your strong support of our school.
Elimane Mbengue
Head of School
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From The oak Principal
Down Time
Dear Parents,
From Halloween to New Year's day is a crazy, busy time of year. We are (okay, I'll admit--I am) often caught up in all the activities and holiday fare so much that we rarely take time to just breathe and relax. This time of year can be exhilarating but also draining. Our children/students feel this "excitement" too.
So much of our lives revolve around our children's and our own schedules and we know we need to unwind but it is not easy. We especially should recognize the need for kids to break free from the confines of the structures we put in place for them and school. I am not necessarily giving you permission to not do homework (the teachers would not be happy with me) but finding
simple pleasures of just being together quietly relaxing...maybe listening to an audio book or just having "free time."
Parents, stay out of the way for a little bit. Let your kids just "be." Let kids be bored and grasp that it's perfectly okay to be there. They'll learn so much about self-identity, how to be creative and how to enjoy the downtime.
I will try to take my own advice! Enjoy the season.
Leslie Houfaidi
Oak Principal
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calendar Upcoming Events
November 13
6:30 pm, Board Meeting, Oak Campus Music Room
November 18
Holiday Art Market,
10-5:00 pm Cherry Campus
November 28
5:30 pm, Cherry Open House |
November 15
6 pm, 3rd Grade Concert, Oak Auditorium
November 21
Generations Day
8:30-10:30 Cherry
1:00-3:00 Oak
November 29
Parent-Principal Coffees
7:30 am, Library, Oak Campus
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November 16
Thankful Thursday Teacher Buffet
November 22-24
No School, Thanksgiving break
November 30
Parent-Principal Coffees
7:30 am, Auditorium, Cherry Campus |
Access the 2017-18 School Calendars by clicking
here.
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INFO SHARING
Unexpected but True
Did you know that Académie Lafayette receives less per student in public funding than any other charter public school in Kansas City? It's true. Stretching those funds to pay for the many features of an immersion curriculum (visas for international teachers, English teachers, material in French) plus the safety net of services we offer our students (nurse, social workers, transportation) is a challenging task. That is why we ask our families to help by contributing to the Annual Fund.
Every gift -- $10 per week for example -- makes such a huge difference. Last year alone our families contributed almost $250,000 to help us close the gap between what we receive in public funding and the actual cost of providing a world-class education for your child.
You will hear more about the Annual Fund beginning next week. Please think about how you can help. Thank you.
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INFO SHARING
Sibling Applications: Don't Wait!
We are now asking for all parents who have an incoming Kindergarten sibling next year to apply for your children. As you already have a
SchoolMint account, this process will take you less than one minute! We are asking that you do this as soon as possible.
While there is time and the application window does not close until
March 2, it is very difficult for us to be clear with new families on entry rates if we have no idea how many siblings we have. To be fair and transparent with all new families we like to be able to tell them how many seats we have available and how many seats will be taken by siblings.
When people wait until just before the deadline date to fill out the application, it throws off our projections and makes clear communication near impossible. If you have questions p
lease call Diane Balagna at
816-888-7400
.
Please help us and apply for your Kindergartener now. Thank you for all that you do and we can't wait to see your little ones here next year!
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INFO SHARING
Spread the Word!
Word of mouth is our number one recruitment tool. When parents from Académie Lafayette talk about how much they love our school at church, at the grocery store, in the park, on a playdate, walking around their neighborhoods and at community events- this produces applicants.
Each time someone comes in for a tour we ask, "How did you hear about the school?" Each time the answers are the same. "I heard from someone I know who attends here." So let us start by saying THANK YOU!
Our application window is now open and will be until
March 2nd. Each year we receive nearly 300 applications. This coming year we will have 198 seats. This is a great time to apply!
We are seeking to recruit a very diverse student body. Last year we had a 56% minority new applicant pool and that combined with our current siblings brought us a final incoming kindergarten class of 43% minority. This was up 6% over the previous year and it's 10% higher than the school as a whole.
This is because of YOU. Please continue to help us recruit a beautifully diverse student body.
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INFO SHARING
Adopt a Family for the Holidays!
The Holiday Season is fast approaching and Académie
Lafayette is preparing to make
 it a little brighter for some of our own school families in need this year. We greatly appreciate your generosity in sponsoring a child or family. Please contact the school counselor, Lara Troutner at Oak by
Friday, November 17, if you are interested in giving to a child or family this season. You can contact Mme Lara Troutner
816.361.7735
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INFO SHARING
Generations Day Invitations
Invitations are going home in backpacks today for children to give to their grandparents  or special friends. Look for the bright tangerine envelopes!
When is Generations Day?
Tuesday, November 21 at both campuses.
Cherry campus (grades K-3); 3421 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 64109
- 8:30-9:00 am Coffee and muffins; registration
- 9:00-10:30 am Program and classroom time
Oak Campus (grades 4-8); 6903 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64113
- 1:00-1:30 Cookies; registration
- 1:30-3:00 pm Program and classroom time
Where's the parking for each campus?
Click here for parking information and directions to the campuses. Please note, unlike other years, there is no parking at the Oak campus because of construction of the secure entry addition. We are providing shuttle buses from the Research Medical Center, 6675 Holmes Road, Parking Lot C, to the campus. Holmes Road is two blocks east of the Oak campus.
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INFO SHARING
Uniform Closet Update
We have a Uniform Closet at both Cherry and Oak Campus stocked with gently used uniform items. When my son started Kindergarten, I took over keeping the uniform closets tidy and organized. It appealed to my need to recycle. Now that both my kids are at Oak Campus, I have a new Kindergarten mom, Sally King, who has helped tremendously keeping Cherry closet in order.
The uniform closet is free and available to all AL families. Take whatever you need. It is not necessary to trade in items for other items. Both Oak and Cherry are stocked and overflowing with dozens of shirts for both boys and girls, khaki pieces, plaid skirts, gym t-shirts, sweatshirts and sweaters. The door is always unlocked at Cherry, but please stop at Mme LaWanda's desk for a visitor's pass. Oak is locked. The key is available at the front desk from Mme Crista. If you have questions email
diane.rizzo@yahoo.com.
Thanks!
Diane Rizzo
mom to a 5th grade boy and 4th grade girl.
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INFO SHARING
Lecture on Mummies!
Dr. David Hunt from the Smithsonian came to AL today to talk to the 6th grade about his work with mummies. Dr. Hunt is in town to present a public lecture at Union Station about Mummies of the World on
November 11
.
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INFO SHARING
Thankful Thursday Teacher Lunch
Calling all parents! Let's show our teachers and support staff how thankful we are for all that they
 do! The second annual Thankful
Thursday Teacher Lunch will take place
Thursday, November 16. Click on the links below for more information or to sign up. If you have any questions please email Antonia Acorn at
antoniaacorn@gmail.com.
Click
here for the Cherry Campus sign up information.
Click
here for the Oak Campus sign up information.
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INFO SHARING
Holiday Art Market, November 18
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INFO SHARING
Box Tops for a Comets Game!
Collect 10 Box Tops and get a FREE ticket to a Kansas City Comets home game!
We are teaming up with the Kansas City Comets to offer a FREE ticket to a home game when your child collects 10 Box Tops by
November 30.
Please put the 10 Box Tops in an envelope with your child's name, your email address (so I can send you the form to request a ticket), and teacher's name and put in the bin for labels at either campus. Thank you for supporting our school!
Also, if you are interested in helping to count Best Choice, Tyson and Box Tops labels in November, save the date for Sunday, November 12, 2-4 pm.
Here is a
list of all the current Painless Fundraising opportunities available to help support our school.
If you have any questions about Painless Fundraising, please email
lynneporthouse@hotmail.com
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info sharing
Spirit wear just in time for the holidays at
alspirit.com! Be sure to share this info with grandma, grandpa, nana & pops or whoever may be shopping for your student this holiday!
Now through
November 16-- $2 off all non-clearance items and free ship to school. Items will be available for pick up at Generations Day on
November 21. In addition, the special order items are still available while supplies last. So first come, first serve. Any extras will be for sale at Generations Day, November 21. To ensure your order, remit
this form to the PTSO mailbox at either campus with checks payable to Académie Lafayette PTSO, or pay via
PayPal.
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AL in the community
Students are Proud of their Coach!
AL students Noah and Isaiah Evans, John Wilson, and Cooper Burton are proud of their coach, Chris Evans, who has been selected as one of
three finalists for the states of Missouri and Kansas Youth Baseball Manager of the Year through All Sports Media! This is a big accomplishment! Congratulations Coach Chris!
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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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There is still time to clean out the coins from the sofa, under the car seats and anywhere else so that we can make a difference for the 
