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Le Journal
AL News & Updates
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| Advocating for Facilities That Match Our Students’ Excellence | |
Dear AL Community,
This week, I testified before the Missouri Senate Education Committee in support of HB 2404, alongside AL parent Paul Bartel and ALIHS alumnus and University of Missouri freshman Micah Bartel. This bill, already adopted by the House by 91 to 54, would remove deed and property use restrictions that prevent certain properties from being used for K-12 education — an issue that directly impacts our ability to purchase the former Westport Middle School building, now known as Park 39 located at Warwick & E. 39th Street.
As many of you know, our Armour campus has served our middle and high school students well. However, since it was not originally designed as a school, it lacks essential facilities such as a gymnasium, auditorium, and adequate athletic fields. Transitioning to Park 39 would provide our students with the comprehensive learning environment they deserve, one that reflects their achievement, talent, and potential.
Académie Lafayette proudly partnered with KCPS in support of last April’s GO Bond to ensure strong, safe public school facilities across Kansas City. Purchasing Park 39 would allow us to return an existing public school building to its intended purpose and represents a thoughtful and fiscally responsible use of taxpayer funds. If approved, GO Bond dollars would be directed toward improving the new building that would offer a regular high school soccer field, a gymnasium, an auditorium and additional parking spaces.
We have been in active discussions with KCPS and the building’s current owner, the Brain Group, for the past two years. KCPS board is expected to vote on removing the property use restriction this month — a critical step in making this opportunity possible.
This work is about equity, stewardship, and ensuring that our students have access to facilities that match the excellence happening inside our classrooms every day. We will continue to keep you informed as this process moves forward.
Thank you for your partnership and continued belief in what is possible for Académie Lafayette.
Elimane Mbengue
Superintendent
embengue@academielafayette.org
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April 7
Cherry & Oak Parent-Principal Coffees, 7:15 am
April 8
ALPTO Meeting, 6 pm, Oak
April 9
Armour Parent-Principal Coffee, 8:30 am
Conseil d'Ecole, 6 pm, Armour
April 11
MS Spring Dance, 6-8 pm, Armour
ALIHS Prom Night, 7:30-9:30 pm, 28th Event Space-The Kansas City Room & The Station
April 12
AL at the K, 1:10 PM
April 13
AL Board Meeting, 6 pm, Armour & Online
April 14
Title I Spring Informational Meeting, 6 pm, Cherry
April 15
Booster Club Meeting, 6:30 pm
April 16
Oak 2nd & 3rd Grade Concert, 5:30 pm, Oak
April 17
Picture Day for All Students - Class pictures in uniform.
Summer School 2026
June 8-July 8. No school on 6/19 or 7/3.
Armour: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm (doors open at 7:45 am)
Cherry & Oak: 8:15 am - 3:15 pm (doors open at 7:45 am). Upper Room after-school care available until 6:00 pm.
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Access our live academic and athletics calendar here.
Want to see all of our links in one place? Click here!
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- AL Booster Club Presents: AL Outstanding Coach Award
- Host Families Needed
- 2026 Musketeer March Sets New Record
- Title I Spring Informational Meeting
- Spring Pictures Information
- New: Cherry Musketeer Market Snack Cart
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- EIP 2026: Cirque!
- From the PTO: AL at the K, MS Dance
- Wanted: ALIHS Professional Opportunities
- 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!
| | AL Booster Club Presents: AL Outstanding Coach Award | |
Nominations are now open for the AL Booster Club's first annual Outstanding Coach Award. We are looking for stories of coaches who have made a lasting impact on their athletes, fostered a culture of sportsmanship, and demonstrated dedication to the AL community.
Who is eligible: Any coach of an official AL sport for the 2025-2026 school year.
How to nominate: Please share a brief story or explanation of why your AL coach is outstanding.
Deadline: All nominations must be submitted by May 10th.
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Become a host family for a French intern in 2026-2027! Interns are carefully matched with host families who open their hearts and homes to these wonderful individuals. A private bedroom and meals when you are together is all that's required. In return, host families experience the joy of language immersion and cultural exchange within their own household. Don't let this opportunity pass you by – seize the chance to make your home a beacon of hospitality and warmth!
Please contact: Oak - Crista Peeler, cpeeler@academielafayette.org
Cherry - Danielle Coates, dcoates@academielafayette.org
Meet Marjolaine - Oak Intern currently working with Mme Mazari's class
Q: Have you made new friendships with the other interns?
A: The Oak interns have become like a family to me and we plan on staying in touch once we go back to France and have even planned trips together after this year in the US.
I even discovered that one of them lives in the same city as me and studies at the same university! Our friendship is way stronger than I could have thought before coming here.
| | 2026 Musketeer March Sets New Record | |
Our students didn’t just meet our $85,000 goal — they crushed it by raising $107,108. That sets a new record for the Musketeer March! We are blown away by your effort and heart — thank you for showing up in such a big way.
There is still time to give through Thursday, April 9. Click here to help us reach our $110,000 stretch goal! Every dollar supports our students, teachers, international programs and school needs. We are so grateful for your support.
Celebrations ahead (details coming soon):
- ALL students earned a casual day
- 5th grade pizza & popsicle picnic
| | Title I Spring Informational Meeting | | |
The Académie Lafayette Title I Spring Informational Meeting will be Tuesday, April 14th from 6 to 7 pm in the Cherry Campus auditorium. ** Please note that while this meeting is taking place at the Cherry campus, the information is relevant to all campuses. **
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 (Title I) services this year, including After School Academic Support, working with a Reading Interventionist (Cherry and Oak), and/or the French paraprofessional (Oak), you are encouraged to attend to give your feedback. This meeting is an opportunity for you to learn about AL's obligations to parents under Title I, to gain a better understanding of what Supplemental Instruction does for your child or children, to ask questions about our efforts, as well as share some ideas for the future.
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.
| | Spring Pictures Information | | Class pictures and individual spring pictures will be taken on Friday, April 17. Students must be in uniform. Click here to order. Order codes: | | |
ALIHS
Class code: FM487975
Individual code: FM487977
Armour Middle School
Class code: FM487980
Individual code: FM487983
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Cherry
Class code: FM487965
Individual code: FM487966
Oak
Class code: FM487970
Individual code: FM487973
| | New: Cherry Musketeer Market Snack Cart | | With your contributions, Cherry kiddos will get tasty, cool snacks as a reward for top Class Dojo point earners beginning April 6th. Here is a list of snacks that are needed. Fresh fruit is also welcome. Donations can be delivered to Michael at the front desk. Merci! | | |
Auction teaser alert! Classroom projects are always a highlight of Evening in Paris. Our amazing parent volunteers have teamed up with students to create one-of-a-kind art pieces and themed baskets you will not find anywhere else! The silent auction opens Friday, May 1st!
Sneak peek:
- A custom Hedbanz game from M. Diaw’s 2nd grade
- A class-recommended book bundle from Mme Scaglia’s 4th grade
- A KC + soccer-inspired art project celebrating the World Cup coming to town from Mme Charles-Galley’s 2nd grade
- A custom card set designed by Mme Defosse’s 1st grade
There are still plenty of Evening in Paris tickets available! Whether you are grabbing an Individual Ticket or a Teacher Appreciation Ticket, we have got a spot waiting for you —reserve yours today.
This year’s EIP is in a new space, which means set-up and tear-down all happen on the same day. If you are able to lend a hand, please reach out to Hollie Vogel at hvogel@academielafayette.org. Every bit of help makes a difference!
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AL Day at the K
The AL PTO invites you for a day at The K to cheer on your boys in blue and support your PTO, as a portion of each ticket will go to the organization! Get your tickets now!
White Sox at Royals | Sun, Apr 12, 2026 • 1:10 PM CDT
Middle School Spring Fling
Come on out and dance on Saturday, April 11 from 6-8 pm at Armour. Bring your tropical vibes!
Get your tickets and sign up to volunteer at ALPTO.org/mixer.
| | Wanted: ALIHS Professional Opportunities | | |
As summer approaches, our ALIHS students are eager to broaden their horizons and gain meaningful, real-world experience. We would love to partner with you! Our students bring skills and interests across a wide range of fields, including health care, coding, graphic design, engineering, journalism, education, and technical careers.
If you have an internship opportunity for high school students at your workplace, please reach out to Liz Seely at lseely@academielafayette.org. Even if your organization does not currently have a formal internship program, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you to create a job shadow, project-based experience, or other meaningful way for a student to contribute.
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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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