January 28, 2014January 28, 2014January 28, 2014January 28, 2014

Dear Lacamas Families, I can hardly believe that we are heading into February, which marks half way through our school year! February 12

th is our 100

th Day. Where does the time go?

Our Lacamas Leopards have been busy growing academically, socially, and physically. We are all so proud of our Leopards! This year we have a school wide focus on reading. Walk into any classroom and you will see kids engaged in a variety of reading activities. Our kids are reading to self, reading with a partner, reading with an iPod, reading in a small group, reading with the teacher…we are readers! Our school goal is to build ACTIVE Readers,

readers who engage their thinking, questioning, and evaluating while developing a positive attitude towards reading. As a family, you can support your child’s reading skills by reading aloud to them. Research supports the benefits of reading aloud to kids from toddlers to teens! Reading aloud builds comprehension and vocabulary skills, models fluency and grammar usage, provides opportunities for discussion and critical thinking, and improves student’s written, oral, and listening skills. In fact, I recently read an article that provided evidence about the benefits of reading to your child frequently: students work harder, have more confidence, make right choices in friends, and have better attitudes about school. If you’re looking for a way to really support your child, keep reading to them. The time we spend sharing stories now will benefit our kids for years to come. If you’re looking for a good read aloud suggestion, below are just a few recommendations you might enjoy that support the Common Core: K-1

st Grade: Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

2-3rd

Grade: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White 4-5

th Grade: Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

I can’t think of a better way to spend that last hour before bedtime than pulling out a great book to read aloud to your child. Time goes by too quickly! We’re already half way through this year, so remember to spend some time reading together. Happy Reading!

Mrs. Mueller

Julie Mueller

Principal

LACAMAS HEIGHTS ELEMENTARYLACAMAS HEIGHTS ELEMENTARYLACAMAS HEIGHTS ELEMENTARYLACAMAS HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY

Leopard TracksLeopard Tracks

Lacamas Heights Elementary 4600 NE Garfield St, Camas, WA 98607

(360) 833-5740

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

3

4 5

Character Assembly 9:15 am

6 2nd grade field trip

to Newmark Theatre

7

10

11

K field trip to Aladdin Theater

Jump Rope for Heart Assembly

1:30 pm

12

13

Spirit Day - Wear Valentine’s

Colors

K - Valentine’s Party

14

No School - President’s Day

Weekend

17

No School President’s Day

18

19

PALS Meeting 5:30 - 7:30 pm

(Library)

20 21 PALS Movie Night Doors - 5:30 pm Movie - 6:00 pm

24

25

26

27 28

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Lacamas Heights Celebrates 50 Years!Lacamas Heights Celebrates 50 Years!Lacamas Heights Celebrates 50 Years!Lacamas Heights Celebrates 50 Years! What a great celebration of our school. First, with an assembly full of great stories from past teachers and fun performances from students. And then in the evening with a wonderful turnout of current and past Lacamas students and staff. The Lacamas Story premiered (and is available to purchase in the office for $2) to much applause. But best of all was seeing all the smiling faces as old friends reunited and shared happy memories. Look for more information in a special upcoming newsletter on the 50th anniversary.

Leopard Tracks January 28, 2014

Stay Connected!

Lacamas Heights Website

http://schools.camas.wednet.edu/lacamasheights/

Lacamas Heights PTO website

http://lacamaspals.weebly.com

Like the Lacamas Heights PTO on Facebook to get regular updates and reminders about all Lacamas Heights events.

https://www.facebook.com/LacamasHeightsPALS

Shop with Amazon and Support Lacamas Heights!

Are you an Amazon shopper? Well, now any purchase you make on Amazon can help earn money for Lacamas Heights PALS.

PALS is now a participant in the Amazon Associates program. Through this program, PALS will earn a percentage of every purchase you make just by going through the Amazon link on the PALS website.

This is a great and easy way to earn money for our school with no extra expenses for you and nothing you need to sign up for. Just bookmark the PALS website (http://lacamaspals.weebly.com) and click the link to Amazon every time you shop with them. Share this with your friends and family too!

Yearbook Photos

We need your photos of classroom activities, school events, field trips, etc. for the school yearbook! Our photographers can’t be everywhere so help us get as many great photos as possible to create a terrific yearbook. Send photos to: lacamasyearbook@gmail.com and provide information about each photo and the grade level of the students in the photo.

Sending in your photos is great way Sending in your photos is great way Sending in your photos is great way Sending in your photos is great way for your child to be seen in the yearbook!!for your child to be seen in the yearbook!!for your child to be seen in the yearbook!!for your child to be seen in the yearbook!!

Leopard Tracks January 28, 2014

Teacher Blogs

Teacher blogs are a great way to keep up to date on

classroom activities. Check out the following:

1st Grade

Mrs. Faddis (http://staff.camas.wednet.edu/blogs/rfaddis/)

Mrs. Clary (http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/JClary/)

2nd Grade

Mr. Blanchard (http://mrblanchardsclass.weebly.com/)

Mrs. Norgard (http://mrsnorgardsclass.weebly.com/)

Mrs. Sturges (http://staff.camas.wednet.edu/blogs/nikkisturges/)

3rd Grade

Mrs. Blair (http://staff.camas.wednet.edu/blogs/larablair/)

Mrs. Redmond (http://staff.camas.wednet.edu/blogs/katieredmond/)

4th grade

Mr. Benton (http://staff.camas.wednet.edu/blogs/richbenton/)

Mr. Lasher (http://staff.camas.wednet.edu/blogs/johnlasher/)

AR StoreAR StoreAR StoreAR Store————March 10thMarch 10thMarch 10thMarch 10th

The next AR store will take place on Monday, March 10th. Students who

have earned at least 10 points (5 points for K-1 students) may come into

the library during lunch recess to explore the store. AR points are earned

when students take comprehension tests on books they’ve finished. Not

only do students have opportunities to take AR tests at school, but they

may also log in at home to take tests.

You may access the AR website by going to the Lacamas Heights home page. Under the Student

Sites tab click on Library. Students will need to know their user name and password to take tests at

home. Happy Reading!

Spring Boxtop Drive

Save your Boxtops and

Labels for

Education. Another

classroom completion is

coming this Spring!

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Health Room Clothing Donations Needed

CLEANING OUT CLOSETS THIS SEASON?CLEANING OUT CLOSETS THIS SEASON?CLEANING OUT CLOSETS THIS SEASON?CLEANING OUT CLOSETS THIS SEASON? Do you have clothes that your child has outgrown? The School office is accepting clothing donations of gently used tops, bottoms, underwear, and socks so that we may restock our health room for those unexpected accidents that happen. Items currently needed:

• Girls sizes 4 up to size 10: Pants and leggings and underwear • Boys sizes 4 - 6: pants • Sweatshirts and long sleeve T’s for both genders are always welcome • Socks… unisex socks would be greatly appreciated

Thank you! Susie Huckvale Health Assistant, Lacamas Heights

LACAMAS HEIGHTS YEARBOOK ORDER FORM

The Lacamas Heights 2014 Yearbooks are now available for ordering! The cost of each book will be $15.00. You may order through either one of the following methods: 1) Pay by cash or check (made out to PALS) with this order form - return completed form and payment to the school. 2) Order on-line at the following address: www.jostens.com Click on “Yearbooks”, then “Buy Your Yearbook”, then select Lacamas Heights. There are a few more options for personalization, icons, protective cover, etc, for an additional cost. The deadline for ordering yearbooks is….. We need to know that you received this offer, so please return this form, even if you choose not to order a yearbook or have ordered on-line. Students who return their order forms will get an extra 5 minutes of recess.

If you have any questions about the yearbook, please contact Danielle Samson at lacamasyearbook@gmail.com

*************************************************** ************************************************

Will you be ordering a 2014 yearbook?

� YES, I would like to order a yearbook, enclosed is my payment

� YES, I have ordered my yearbook on-line

� NO, I do not wish to order a yearbook.

Student’s Name: ______________________________________ # of yearbooks ordered: ____________ Grade (2013/2014 school year) _____ Teacher’s name: ___________________________ Room #:_______ Ordering Parent’s Name: ______________________________________________________________________________ Phone number: ________________________ Alternate number (optional):_________________________ Email address: __________________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office use only

Method of payment: Cash � Check � Check number _________, Date rec’d:__________ Order confirmed by: ____________________________________ on (date) __________________

January 31, 2014

Lego Engineering Grades: 2-5

Challenging and fun! Build machines with motors and learn about gears and pulleys. Make cars that drive & robots that move. For more information go to www.camascommunityed.org or call 360-833-5544.

Wednesdays, March 5 - April 14 Time: 1:20-2:50 PM Location: Lacamas Gym Fee: $65

Lego Jr. - Blueprints and Buildings Grades: K-1

Design your masterpiece, and then create it! Each day your architect will be given a building project that they must first design using graph paper, and then build with Legos. Examples of projects include a picture frame, watermelon, and balloon powered car. For more information go to www.camascommunityed.org or call 360-833-5544. Wednesdays, March 5 - April 16 Time: 1:20-2:50 PM Location: Lacamas Gym Fee: $60

Success through Chess Grades: K-5

Develop critical and creative thinking skills while having fun learning the game of chess! We have a comprehensive program appropriate for all students, who will progress at their own rate. Instruction includes the critical principles, tactics, and strategies as well as “Success Secrets” applicable both to academics and to life! Curriculum developed by two-time national chess champion Andrew Svehaug. For more information go to www.camascommunityed.org or call 360-833-5544.

Mondays, Ongoing Time: 3:40-4:40 PM Location: Lacamas Library Fee: $99 per 8 week session

at Lacamas Heightsat Lacamas Heightsat Lacamas Heightsat Lacamas Heights

The 12th Annual Camas Educational Foundation

Phone-a-thon

February 18-20, 2014 Join the fun and raise some funds for Camas schools. The annual phone-a-thon gives middle and high school students a chance to volunteer their time and make scripted, professional calls to Camas families to ask for donations. Each year over 100 students and adults “man the phones” for three nights at Zellerbach Administrative Center to “dial in” support. This year’s goal is to raise $20,000.

For the Kids Will you support our cause? Please make a pledge when our student volunteers call. A pledge of any amount makes a difference. Credit and debit cards are welcome and if we miss you, please visit our website to donate by clicking on the “Donate Now” tab. CEF is a non-profit volunteer group of parents, educators and community members dedicated to supporting and enhancing the education of all Camas students. CEF is registered 501c (3) organization. Learn more about CEF at www.cefcamas.org. Want to Volunteer? Please contact us at…

Camas Educational Foundation 841 NE 22nd Avenue

Camas, Washington 98607

(360) 335-3000 ext 79915 cefcamas@gmail.com