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Le Journal
AL News & Updates
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| Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month | |
Dear AL Community,
This fall, our classrooms came alive with culture as students and teachers embraced Hispanic Heritage Month through hands-on learning experiences that went far beyond the textbook.
At the middle school, under the leadership of Sr. Pérez Delgado, students explored food traditions, researched excerpts from Cine de Oro (Mexico’s Golden Age of Cinema), and then created their own short films. Some also tried their hand at writing telenovelas—serialized dramas reflecting daily life and relationships. Armour students and staff were invited to join in the fun by tasting the food and experiencing the culture firsthand.
At the high school, Sra. Astudillo guided students through storytelling and interview projects to deepen cultural awareness and highlight the diversity within Hispanic and Latino communities. High school students also participated in “comida típica” expos, preparing and sharing traditional foods from their own cultures. Two Spanish-speaking community members from Kansas City will also be joining classes for live interviews, giving students a unique opportunity to learn directly from those who bring these traditions to life. In music, Sr. Gallo-Balma helped students explore the richness of Hispanic musical traditions, further connecting language, culture, and art.
We are grateful to our teachers for immersing students in these authentic experiences, fostering global citizenship and appreciation for the diversity that strengthens our community. We cannot wait to continue celebrating for a couple more weeks! Be sure to check us out on social media for pictures and videos capturing these vibrant experiences.
Have a great weekend.
Elimane Mbengue
Superintendent
embengue@academielafayette.org
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October 7
Title I Fall Informational Meeting, 6-7 pm, Oak
October 8-10
ALIHS College Trip
October 9-10
NO SCHOOL - School Improvement Days
October 13
Board Meeting, 6 pm, Armour & Virtual
October 14
6th-10th Grade Families: Intro to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Program (MYP), 6:30 pm, Virtual
October 15
AL PTO Trash Bag Sale Pickup, 5-7 pm, Armour
October 16
ALIHS Open House, 5:30-7:30 pm, Armour
October 17
End of Quarter 1
October 18
AL PTO Trash Bag Sale Pickup, 2-4:30 pm, Armour
October 22
ALIHS Paying for College: Financial Aid Information Session, 6:30 pm, Armour
October 23
ALIHS College Fair, 1-2:30 pm, Armour
October 24
K-5 October Birthday Lunches
Last Day to Sell Raffle Tickets!
| Access our live academic and athletics calendar here. |
| | $10,000 Cash Raffle: Just Getting Started! | | |
INCREDIBLE! Students have already raised $40,690 for Académie Lafayette's Annual Fund in just one week!
For in-person sales, students can get physical ticket booklets at any campus front desk. Need tickets this weekend? Email astewart@academielafayette.org.
Week 2 Deadlines & Prizes:
- Sell $100 by 10/9 for a chance at an ice cream party from Fairway Creamery
- Sell $50 from 10/3–10/9 for a $25 Brookside Cosentino’s Market gift card
- Parents can win a dinner for two at Fogo De Chão by sharing your student’s raffle link and sending a screenshot to hvogel@academielafayette.org
More ticket booth slots added. Bring pens, change, and a sign with your student's name - physical tickets are going fast at booths this year! Turn in money to any campus front office.
What does the Annual Fund support?
The Annual Fund provides essential, unrestricted resources to cover the school's academic programs and campus needs. Our growth depends on generous donors.
Some examples of where your support goes:
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- New teacher moving stipends & visa costs
- Building & campus maintenance
- Clubs & educational enrichment
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- Transportation: daily bus routes, field trips, extracurricular activities, tutoring, college visits, etc.
- AL family support
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- School Immunization Reminders
- Cherry Book Fair
- 6th-10th Grade IB MYP Info Meeting
- Booster Club Update
- Missouri Sun Bucks Notice
- FoxTrot 5K Run
- Adopt a Family for the Holidays
- Title I Fall Informational Meeting
- ALIHS Open House: You Are Invited
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- AL PTO Events
- Boo Bayou
- MS Mixer
- Volunteers Power Our Community
- 24-25 K-8 Yearbooks Reorders
- School Communications
- Ads:
- Franck's Real Estate Corner
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💡 Did you know? Our newsletter is often so full of important updates that some browsers cut it off early. Be sure to click "View entire message" at the bottom so you do not miss a thing!
| | School Immunization Reminders | | Important reminder: Missouri law requires that all students have an up-to-date immunization record on file. If we do not have a copy of your child’s updated record by October 15, 2025, your child will not be allowed to attend school until compliance is met. If documentation of a required vaccine or vaccine series is missing, you should have already received a phone call or email from the nursing staff. Please take action as soon as possible. If you have any questions or need assistance, contact the Cherry campus school nurse by phone 816-888-7400 or email mlongstreet@academielafayette.org. | | |
Cherry will be welcoming the Scholastic Book Fair October 27-31. Preview week is October 20-24. Parents may accompany their student during their designated library class time that week. (Parents if you do plan to come- please bring ID and check in at the front office.) Book Fair will be open during Parent-Teacher conferences (11 am-7 pm on 10/30 and 8 am-4 pm on 10/31).
This year we will have French and English titles. Please set up an e-wallet for the easiest way to pay. If you do send cash, please talk with your student(s) about what they would like to purchase, so they come to the Book Fair with the correct amount of money. (Remember, tax is 9.975%, so add 10% to the total amount of the cost of the books.)
We need volunteers to help throughout the book fair- you can sign up here. We will also need help to set up the week before- if you're available, please email Mme Sinkhorn: tsinkhorn@academielafayette.org. Thank you for making the Cherry Book Fair a success!
| | 6th-10th Grade IB MYP Info Meeting | | Join us online on Tuesday, October 14, at 6:30 pm for an introduction to the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) that spans grades 6-10 at Armour. The topics will include the MYP framework and assessment practices. This is especially planned for both middle school and high school families new to Armour, as well as families who missed this introduction last year. | | The Athletic Booster Club is getting off the ground! Please join fellow parents and AL athletics supporters for a meeting at 6:30 pm on October 23, 2025 at the Waldo public library, 201 E. 75th Street. Our goal for the meeting is to finalize the club's bylaws and to elect our first set of officers. We need your energy and ideas as we work to support our many fantastic sports teams. Please join us! | | Missouri Sun Bucks Notice | | You may have received a Missouri Sun Bucks card this week. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Food and Nutrition Services has confirmed this was a widespread issuance affecting multiple districts—not just Académie Lafayette. Families can use the card, donate it, or discard it. | | |
Mark your calendars for Saturday morning, November 15, and get ready to run!
The high school is hosting its first annual "FoxTrot 5K Run" to benefit student international travel programs. Come out and support AL's mission to provide real-life global learning experiences. Register to run or make a donation here.
| | Adopt a Family for the Holidays | | The holidays are still three months away, but it is never too early to start organizing our annual adopt-a-family program. Please complete this form to let the social workers know how many family members you are willing to adopt. Typically, each family member receives presents or a gift card valued at $50. The deadline is Friday, October 17, and this link will be closed. Thank you for supporting our community! | | Title I Fall Informational Meeting | | |
The AL Title I Fall Informational Meeting will be Tuesday, October 7, from 6:00-7:00 pm, in the Oak auditorium (6903 Oak Street).
Because AL is considered Schoolwide Title I, any AL parent is welcome to attend and hear about the program. If you have received notification that your child is receiving Supplemental Instruction services (including After School Academic Support) this year, please consider attending to give your feedback. This meeting is an opportunity for you to:
- learn about AL's obligations to parents under Title I,
- gain a better understanding of what Supplemental Instruction does for your child or children
- ask questions about our efforts
- share your thoughts on Supplemental Instruction
If you are able to attend, please email the Supplemental Instruction (Title I) Coordinator, Keith Christensen, at kchristensen@academielafayette.org and specify how many people will be in your group. Please also know that we are available to answer questions and address concerns at any time by email. Online meetings are also possible by appointment. We hope to see you on October 7th!
| | ALIHS Open House: You Are Invited | | |
Boo Bayou
Boo Bayou is an annual family party for everyone in the AL community, hosted by AL PTO. While most of the activities are designed for K-5th grade students, all families are welcome to attend. Join us Saturday, Oct. 25 from 3-6 pm at the Armour campus soccer field. This free event includes Trunk 'n Treating, a costume contest, DJ, crafts, cake walk and fun activities. Volunteers are needed!
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MS Mixer
It's dance time! All middle schoolers are invited to the Fall Mixer on Oct. 25 from 6-8:30 pm in the Armour gym. There will be a DJ, snacks and Haunted Hallway (more details coming soon). Tickets are $5 for the dance. We need volunteers to make sure everyone stays safe and has fun. Please sign up to chaperone. Parents from all campuses are welcome as volunteers.
| | | Volunteers Power Our Community | | Every great organization is built by people who step up. Your time and talent can spark real change! Join our amazing family of volunteers and help us grow, thrive and celebrate success together. Sign up today! | | 24-25 K-8 Yearbooks Reorders | | K–8 parents who did not order a yearbook but would still like one can now place a reorder directly until the end of October through Strawbridge using code YB31447. Orders will be shipped straight to your home address. Click here to view the flyer and ordering instructions. | |
Armour MS & ALIHS
201 E. Armour Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-800-8771
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Cherry K-5
3421 Cherry St
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-888-7400
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Oak K-5
6903 Oak St
Kansas City, MO 64113
816-361-7735
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