Dear Lafayette Families:
Thank you to those of you who were able to join us last Thursday at the HSA General Meeting. During our time together, I was able to share the various parent structures we have to engage our parent community. The following are our current parent groups, their primary focus, and the best place to find more information:
LSAT (Local School Advisory Team)
The LSAT is a team of parents, teachers, non-instructional school staff, and community members who meet monthly to advise the principal on matters that promote high expectations and high achievement for all students at their school. This team advises the principal on topics including, but not limited to, school priorities and initiatives, the development of the Comprehensive School Plan (CSP), and the alignment of school goals with broader DCPS goals.” In short, the Lafayette LSAT meets monthly to discuss and advise on the comprehensive school plan, budget, curriculum, and other school policy matters. For more guidelines, please see the full DCPS policy guidelines here.
HSA (Home School Association)
The HSA works for our community in variety of ways including:
- Raising funds to support programs and events not covered by the DCPS budget.
- Engaging parents in volunteer and social activities around the school.
- Keeping parents informed of what is happening at school through our communications channels like the website, emails, backpack stuffers and social media.
- Serving as a resource for current or future parents
ASAT (After School Advisory Team)
The ASAT aims to connect Lafayette’s parents, school administration, and aftercare and enrichment providers with each other to address students’ after-school needs and experiences. The team meets monthly during the school year to focus on issues related to planning, program offerings, and feedback from the parent community. The current on-site providers may also use the ASAT as a “working group” for problem-solving situations.
Affinity Groups
I am also excited to announce a new addition for our parent community – Kaleidoscope Groups for parents. We are launching a set of parent-led, student-focused affinity groups to bring together parents and caregivers around identity-based perspectives that may be missing or underrepresented in our school community. In partnership with teachers and staff, the groups will provide the space and opportunity for parents and caregivers to share common experiences and identify ways in which members can be better represented in the culture of our school, support diverse programming, and provide the school with a better understanding of diversity and inclusion, and their impact on our student’s experience at Lafayette and in the larger community.
Proposed Affinity groups include: Parents of Children of Color (P-COC), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Allies Parenting Group (LGBTQA), Touched by Adoption, and Parents of Children with Special Needs. This list is not exhaustive, and we welcome ideas for additional groups. To learn more about our efforts to build a more inclusive Lafayette or to join an affinity group, please join us on Thursday, November 16 at 6 p.m. We will also be providing a call in phone number if you care to join us via phone. If you would like to chair or lead an affinity group, please click here.
Wonder Movie
In other big news, I am ecstatic to announce that our 3rd – 5th grade students will enjoy an early screening of the movie “Wonder” on Monday, November 13 To help us celebrate World Kindness Day, our students will head to Mazza Gallerie and watch the movie as a culminating event to our One Book, One School initiative. We are incredibly grateful to Chris Lisi and the HSA for facilitating and funding this incredible opportunity for our students.
Career Day
As we wrap up our Tuesday bulletin and start our week, please consider dedicating a few hours to come talk to our students about your interesting career field on Wednesday, November 15. Prepare to have artifacts, visuals, and/or hands-on activities for your table display as classes rotate through the career fair in small groups.
*Grades 3, 4, 5 will visit the Career Fair in the morning slots from 9:00-11 a.m.
*Grades 1 and 2 will visit the Career Fair in the afternoon slots from 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to check in, get your name tag, and set up your table. Sign up here. Last year this event was truly incredible. We are looking forward to hosting even more parents this year!
This week we celebrate Veterans Day. Thank you to all of our family members who have served our country. Although we officially celebrate your service on Friday, please know that we are collectively grateful throughout the year. Let’s have a great week together.
Take care,
Dr. B