2 October 2020

Le Journal


from the head of school

Kudos to AL!

Dear AL Community,

I would like to give huge kudos to the AL students, parents and teachers for having exceptional attendance during online learning. This is very encouraging as our teachers are committed to designing engaging learning activities and to working with the parents to assist any struggling student. Our community continues to impress me as we step up during these difficult and challenging times.

Furthermore, we are working with the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) to plan administering the fall online assessment session previously scheduled for early September. It is just another independent way to see how our students are performing after a few months of distance learning. Individual student's results will be shared with the parents and the overall data will be analyzed to identify areas of improvement.

Thank you very much for your strong support and for helping our students as they sell their raffle tickets. I also would like to thank the Diversity Committee and each parent that joined this week's first discussion on race & equity. A special thank you goes to AL parent and facilitator of the event Lisa Benson Copper. Click here to view the discussion. I look forward to the next conversations. 

Have a safe and fun weekend.
Elimane Mbengue
Head of School


  

In This Edition:


calendar

Upcoming Events

October 8
Diversity Committee mtg 6-7 pm (Link in calendar day of mtg) 

October 16
No school-School Improvement Day
October 12
Board of Directors Meeting AL FB page
October 14-15
Parent Teacher Conferences
Online


Access the 2020-21 school calendar by clicking here. 


INFO SHARING

Chromebook annual fundChromefund

Académie Lafayette is currently trying to purchase more Chromebooks to accommodate students on our waiting list. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Chromebook fund, click here and choose the first option.

INFO SHARING

Technology needs surveytechneeds

Dear Parents,

If you did not fill out a technology needs survey to indicate your needs please use this waiting list survey. Click here. You will be automatically entered into a waiting list and will be contacted as we are receiving our devices.

Thank you

INFO SHARING

Change in Schedule for Armour StudentsChange

The new MS schedule will start on Monday, October 5th. Yesterday, you and your student received an email with an introduction from our art teacher, Mme. Beachy, as well as your student's updated schedule and the art Google Classroom code. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.


INFO SHARING

AL Discussion sessions for familiesArmour

Dear Families,

On the evening of Tuesday, October 6th, we will hold two discussion sessions for families.  These sessions are geared toward the guardians of 4th - 9th grade students but all are welcome to attend.

Here is the link to register for one or both of the sessions.

6:00-6:30pm
Understanding the International Baccalaureate Program & Grading System
Facilitator: Katy Wilson, IB Coordinator
Come find out what makes the Academie Lafayette middle and high school experience unique.  AL is the only school offering the Middle Years International Baccalaureate Program in the KC Metro.  

6:30-7:15pm
Suicide Awareness and Prevention 
Facilitators: Liz Seely, Armour Counselor & Adam Nachum, Oak Social Worker
With our students at home right now, it is more important than ever that families understand how to identify and address a mental health crisis.  This discussion will include how to talk to your child about suicide and identify warning signs.


INFO SHARING

Order Your 8th Grade SweatshirtsSweatshirts8th

Attention families with 8th grade students! It's time to place your order for the always popular 8th grade sweatshirts.  Please place your order at this link by Friday, September 25th. Make sure to scroll all the way down to view the 8th grade sweatshirt ordering box.  Sizes run from adult S to 3XL. This is a one-time order opportunity to ensure we receive the best pricing. If it is a hardship to afford this sweatshirt for your child at this time, please email the counselor, Mme. Seely, at [email protected]

INFO SHARING

Annual $10,000 Cash Raffle Online updates & Weekly WinnerTendollar

The Annual $10,000 Cash Raffle has gone completely online this year! 
The winner will be drawn on Saturday, October 31st. 
Important links: 
-  Click here to view the updated Kick-off video. 
-  The exclusive QR code that directly links anyone to our raffle website
-  The full raffle packet that includes rules, prizes, and deadlines
-  Student optional promotional poster
-  Raffle information slide show
-  Raffle Short url: http://bit.ly/ALRaffle20 (Perfect to share)

Raffle Updates:
  • The winner of the Early Bird drawing for the Nintendo Switch was fifth-grader Gill Vogt! Congratulations!
  • This Friday's Weekly Winner is sixth-grader Jackson Hinkebein! The winner was drawn from the students who sold at least 5 tickets over the past week. Jackson won a $25 gift card to 
    Insomnia Cookies!
    The weekly drawing will be announced every Friday based on tickets sold Friday through Thursday of each week. Remember: it just takes 5 tickets sold each week to be eligible for this weekly drawing!
  • We currently have 20+ ticket entries that DO NOT have a student listed to receive their credit. The emails registered with the purchase have been contacted frequently to properly update tickets sold. Please tell your friends and family to check their emails if you think that this might have been an issue. Email [email protected] with any questions. 
  • We will continue to email parents each Wednesday with updates on ticket sales for your student(s). As you close in on qualifying deadlines to earn prizes, you can email [email protected] to get an update.
  • We're seeing students ask local businesses if they can put the poster up in their storefronts, which makes it easy for more members in the community to buy tickets. If you need posters printed for this purpose, please contact [email protected].
  • When someone buys tickets and receives an email receipt from Raffle Creator, be aware that this is generated from "[email protected]", so if you respond to that email to update any information, that email is not received at the school. If you need to change or add any information related to the tickets bought, please email [email protected].
Upcoming deadlines:
    • Monday, October 5th is the new deadline for the 40 tickets sold to receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Make sure to have a minimum of 40 tickets sold by the end of the day Monday 10/5 to earn a $50 Amazon gift card!
For any questions regarding the raffle, email [email protected].  Keep up the good work, and Happy Selling!

INFO SHARING

Art Materials for Oak CampusArt

Hello Oak  and Cherry Parents,

We will be starting projects that will need materials very soon.  Some of the following materials were on the Yubbler list sent home.  Others didn't make it on.  Could you please make sure that your Oak or Cherry student has the following materials for at home art projects and then for when we transition back to school?  We are not allowed to share materials this year.  Thank you for your support of the Art program.
  • crayons
  • white construction paper
  • pencil
  • watercolors
  • paintbrush
  • washable markers
  • Elmer's glue bottle
  • eraser
  • permanent marker
  • colored construction paper
  • ruler ( not necessary for K&1)

INFO SHARING

Drive-up COVID-19 Testing available for symptomatic childrenDriveuptest 

Children's Mercy has some exciting news to share: Drive-up COVID-19 Testing available for symptomatic children at the following Urgent Care sites:
  • Children's Mercy Blue Valley in Overland Park, KS
  • Children's Mercy East in Independence, MO
  • Children's Mercy Northland in Kansas City, MO 
Testing is by appointment only: Monday- Friday 12 p.m.- 6 p.m.
 

INFO SHARING

Change.org Petition to Support J1 Intern and Teacher ProgramsJ1

Académie Lafayette welcomes dozens of interns and teachers each year through the J-1 Visa program sponsored by the Amity Institute. On June 24, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation which temporarily suspended the J-1 visa for several categories, including teachers and interns. A few weeks ago, the Alliance for International Exchange created a Change.org petition to the White House stating that J-1 Exchange Visitor Programs are important to the U.S. economy, national security, and public diplomacy. The organization then goes on to urge that these vital programs be exempted from the June 22 proclamation. For those of you who are not aware of the Alliance's work, it is an association that represents organizations and companies comprising the educational and cultural exchange community in the United States, serving as this community's public policy voice.

If you feel inclined, please take a moment to sign onto the petition to support J1 programs (linked here).  While this petition does not exclusively address the Teacher and Intern Programs, we believe it is important to support the J-1 exchange program in its entirety. We all know of the enormous benefits of exchange opportunities such as those offered by Amity... however, there is a common misconception as to the actual impact that these exchange programs have in the United States.  Therefore, petitions such as Alliance's are important for raising awareness.

INFO SHARING

Kinsa FLUency programNurseFlu

Dear elementary AL families, 
It is time to order your free thermometer! Please review the attached flyer and follow the directions to order your free thermometer.  Unfortunately, this program is only available for Cherry and Oak families, as it is exclusive to elementary schools.  


INFO SHARING

Social Work and Counseling CornerSocialCorner

Food pick up changed to Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 1:30pm.  The location is the east door of the Armour campus on McGee Street. Deliveries will also take place on that day. Please contact your school counselor or social worker if you need deliveries. This is available to all families.  We want to say a special thank you to the volunteers from St. John's Methodist Church for helping us with deliveries.

Sincerely,
Check out our AL Counseling and Social Services Department website!

INFO SHARING

Community Outreach CornerOutreach


INFO SHARING

Technology and EquipmentTech

  • If you have technical difficulties with a Chromebook or the Google Classroom contact Roger Goudiaby, [email protected].

INFO SHARING

CommunicationCommunication

  • To help answer your questions, we have created our Covid-19 webpage, which will be updated as we have more information to share.  If, at any time, you have a question, concern or information to share, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teachers, counselors, principals or Mr. Mbengue.
  • We will continue to communicate with families and students through emails, all-calls, website and social media updates. We are also exploring the possibility of text messages with families.
  • Looking to build your community? 
    Get going today by joining our private Facebook group here. You will need to answer the three security questions before being granted access. 

AdvertisementKW



AdvertisementCensus



AdvertisementLandsend
Oak Street Campus
6903 Oak Street
Kansas City, MO 64113
816-361-7735
Armour Campus,
201 E. Armour Blvd, 
Kansas City, MO 64111 
816-800-8771 
Cherry Street Campus
3421 Cherry Street
Kansas City, MO 64109
816-888-7400
www.academielafayette.org

Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved. Email marketing and design provided by The Creative Deparment | www.ideaville.net