Bobcat Strong Tracker

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Feb 15 - Last day to register for STEM EXPO - see information below

Feb 13-17- Book Fair

Feb 15 - Book Fair Open in the Evening 5-6

Feb 13-March 3- Read-a-Thon

Feb 20-Feb 24- Winter Break- No School

March 1 - STEM EXPO 5pm-7pm in Multi

March 2 - Minimum Day

March 3 - End of Trimester 2

March 24 - International Gala and Auction 4:30-7:30

April 22- Junior Olympics 4-6th Grade- More details to come!

Hello Wonderful Bobcat Parents,

If you drive your student school you may have noticed our new signs in the parking lot or me standing in the parking lane in the morning. I have been standing there to remind parents to only drop off students in the circle or to park and walk your student onto campus. We have had students hit in the parking lot as they walk between the cars, we do not want this to happen ever again!

I understand the line to drop off is sometimes long and we are all in a hurry in the morning, yet safety is most important.

I truly appreciate you following the rules of Santa Rita!

On a happier note, the book fair is being set up this week and will be open all next week in the room next to the Library. Upper grades (4-6) can purchase books when the Fair is open. There will also be a night event for everyone - Wed 2/15 5-6pm! 10% of all proceeds will go back to support Santa Rita!

On-site Book Fair hours:

M-W, and Fri 8:10-8:30, lunch 12-1, after school 3-4pm

TH 8:10-8:30, lunch 12-1, after school 1:45-2:45

Night Event: W 5-6pm

The Book Fair is also virtual, happening NOW! https://efairs.literati.com/books/

You will need to create an online Literati account. All online orders will ship after 2/17.

Kelly Rafferty

Principal, Santa Rita Elementary

Dear Santa Rita community,

With mixed emotions, I will leave my role as School Psychologist over the February break because my husband received a job promotion on the east coast. It was a difficult decision, but hopefully the right one for our family. Over the past five years, I have truly enjoyed getting to know and supporting parents, students, and staff. In my career, it has been the most community-orientated and rewarding position. Santa Rita will always have a special place in my heart!

Aurora is so excited to be officially joining the amazing Santa Rita team! Throughout this school year Aurora has been part of the Santa Rita team under the supervision of Shelley. She is completing her internship to earn her EdS and credential in School Psychology. Her background is teaching middle and high school English Language Arts. Aurora lives in Los Altos Hills with her husband, labradoodle, and roommates. Outside of her work in education, Aurora loves baking challenging treats, playing piano, and exercising.

From Rube Goldbergs to Innovation, the possibilities are endless. Students in all grades are welcomed to participate in Santa Rita’s STEM EXPO on Wednesday, March 1st! Be sure to sign up on the Intent to Participate Form by Wednesday, February 15th! More information can be found on tinyurl.com/stemexpoLASD.

STEM EXPO

What is the STEM EXPO?

take a look at this presentation

When is it?

STEM EXPO on Wednesday, March 1st Evening Event from 5:00-7:00pm

How do I sign up?

Step 1: Narrow down your project/ category

Step 2: Fill out Intent to Participate form

http://tinyurl.com/StemExpoLASD

Due by Wednesday, February 15th

Step 3: STEM EXPO on Wednesday, March 1st during school and an Evening Event from 5:00-7:00pm

Welcome Parents, Students and Friends to our Read-a-thon!

This year, we are excited to announce that we will hold a Read-a-thon fundraiser. Our Read-a-thon is a program that brings students together with family and friends to encourage reading and to build literacy skills.

Our Read-a-thon will start February 13, 2023 and end March 3rd. By simply activating your reader’s personal page and using the promotional tools found there, friends and family anywhere in the world can show their support for your reader by making a donation to our Read-a-thon.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/fyMMUZ/1

Our prizes this year are:

Reading Prizes:

• 1000 Minutes: Sweet Shop gift card for $5 and entry into the Grand Prize drawing for a choice of a Kindle Paperwhite or $100 Amazon gift card!

Fundraising Prizes:

• $100-$250: Linden Tree gift card for $10
• $251-$399: Target gift card for $20
• $400+: Amazon gift card for $40 PLUS entry into grand prize drawing!

Participation prizes: Santa Rita Magnetic Bookmark

School-wide fundraising prizes:

$10k: Extra pajama day for the school

$15k: Principal Rafferty will dress in whacky blow up costume for school day

$25k: Class who raises the most gets to silly string Principal Rafferty

$30k: Bucket of ice water dumped on Principal Rafferty by the class teacher that raised the most

Grand Prize Drawing:

Choice between Kindle Paperwhite or $100 Amazon Gift Card

Your involvement in the Read-a-thon will help your child develop a lasting love of reading. We hope each one of you will activate your child’s personal page the day your child brings home their paperwork from their teacher.

For any questions, please send an email to amber@santaritapta.org

Come visit the Santa Rita Book Fair, beginning Feb 13-17th in the room next to the library. Upper grades (4-6) can purchase books when the Fair is open. There will also be a night event for everyone - Wed 2/15 5-6pm! 10% of all proceeds will go back to support Santa Rita!

On-site Book Fair hours:

M-W, and Fri 8:10-8:30, lunch 12-1, after school 3-4pm

TH 8:10-8:30, lunch 12-1, after school 1:45-2:45

Night Event: W 5-6pm

The Book Fair is also virtual, happening NOW! https://efairs.literati.com/books/

You will need to create an online Literati account. All online orders will ship after 2/17.

Interested in volunteering to help with the bookfair? Signups on Classroom Parent https://santarita.classroomparent.com/volunteering

A special thanks to the members of Assistance League of Los Altos. This organization, a non-profit in our community with a program called Operation School Bell R , provided funds so that Free and Reduced Lunch Students could participate in our Book Fair. We appreciate our greater Los Altos community for supporting us.

We’re Listening!

Tell us about your student’s experience this school year with STEM, computer science, PE, art, music, library, junior high electives, and mental health counselors.

Please complete our LAEF Survey! Check your email for a 2023 LAEF Survey invitation with the subject line “Reminder: 2023 LAEF Parent Survey”. If you have additional questions, email survey@laefonline.org.

Your input will be communicated to the school district and help guide LAEF’s funding priorities for next year. We still need $340K to fully fund this school year. If you have yet to give, donate to LAEF today!

Join us for an evening with Dr. Kelli Harding – author of The Rabbit Effect – as she discusses ways for school communities to help foster cultures of kindness and positive social connection.

The Rabbit Effect: Live Longer, Happier, and Healthier with the Groundbreaking Science of Kindness.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 7pm - 9pm | LAHS Eagle Theater ⧫ 201 Almond Avenue

Audience: Grade TK - 12 parents, caretakers, teachers, and counselors

Register: Register for this free event

Book: The Rabbit Effect

More information: Spanish ⧫ English

6th Grade Orchestra Students from Almond, Covington, Gardner Bullis and Santa Rita will be featured in a performance with Egan and Los Altos High School Orchestras. Come to see the progression of string students from elementary to high school. It is a free concert, everyone is invited!

Strictly Strings Concert

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

7:00 PM

Los Altos High School Eagle Theatre

Your Student will attend an assembly tomorrow, Friday Jan 13th to learn more about the STEM EXPO!

One of the highlights of our STEM Expo event is having the opportunity to listen to our students presenting on their projects. For Santa Rita’s STEM Expo event on Wednesday, March 1st,, we are looking for adults during the school day who would be willing to serve as a Guest Reviewer. As a Guest Reviewer, you will provide an authentic audience for the students to present their project submission and give feedback. Sign up here to participate for any block of time you are available! If you have any questions, please contact me at gchoi@lasdschools.org.

Do you have a child who will be attending Egan Junior High next school year 2023-24? Egan PTA is looking for new executive board members and also volunteers to help chair different Egan committees. This is a great way to get to know other parents and also to know what is happening at school! There are roles like Exec VP, Secretary, Treasurer, hot lunch, ice cream socials, sports and more! The time commitment for these roles vary- so whether you're ready to jump in or have more limited time, there's a place for you. Please consider joining!

Questions? Contact: Cynthia Razo (Santa Rita’s representative for Egan): Razo.c777@gmail.com

Computer Engineers of the Next Generation (CENG) will be hosting a FREE virtual hackathon for grades three to eight on

Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5

1–5 p.m. PST on both days.

Sign up for the hackathon at cengclass.org. Registration closes on Friday, February 24, 2023

MORE INFORMATION

CENG Hackathon virtual GRATIS para 3.º - 8.º grado Inscripción abierta ahora

Computer Engineers of the Next Generation (CENG) organizará un hackatón virtual GRATUITO para los grados tercero a octavo el sábado 4 y domingo 5 de marzo de 1 p. m. a 5 p. M. PST en ambos días.

Regístrese en el hackathon y compártalo con sus amigos y familiares que puedan estar interesados ​​hoy visitando cengclass.org. La inscripción cierra el viernes 24 de febrero.

MÁS INFORMACIÓN

Our new Universal Meals program will be available for a Grab and Go breakfast between 8:10-8:25, from our new Servery Window (By the lunch tables near the Multi) and eat at the tables. If they do not finish, they can save it until recess time.

• Monthly Menus will be published on the Santa Rita school website

If you have a special diet please email santaritasecretary@lasdschools.org and ask for a form to fill out. Please review the menu with your student. NUTRITION SERVICES FAQ - If you have questions, please add them to this document.

Email: krafferty@lasdschools.org
Website: https://www.santaritaschool.org
Location: 700 Los Altos Avenue, Los Altos, CA, USA
Phone: (650)559-1600
Facebook: santaritaPTA
Twitter: @BobcatsSR