Los Compadres de Escuela Longfellow

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

Special Edition Newsletter

August 20, 2010

Summer is quickly coming to an end, despite our weather having been unseasonably cool.  Whatever grade your child is entering, starting a new school can bring excitement and anxiety. 

The school's Foundation and PTO, Los Compadres de Escuela Longfellow, has put together this Special Edition newsletter to help prepare you, and hopefully ease some of your anxiety.  It's just a quick overview: for more detail and information, please visit our website at: http://www.longfellowcompadres.org and check out our new Frequently Asked Questions section.

Ready, Set, Go!

"Welcome to Longfellow Spanish Immersion School!"

Los Compadres de Escuela Longfellow is our parent-teacher organization whose purpose is supporting the education of children at Longfellow.  It is a registered non-profit 501(c) (3) organization that helps plan, fund, and organize various activities throughout the school year. All parents/guardians, teachers, staff, and students are automatically members. There is no membership fee, but your donations are greatly appreciated.

What is Los Compadres de Escuela Longfellow?

Los Compadres has provided!

Annual Funding of Art Corps Program

Middle School Resource Books

Teacher's Grants

Playwrights Project for Middle School

Learning for Life (character development Program)

Cultural Arts & Assemblies

Field Trips

Dia de los Muertos

Family Math, Science and Art Events

Athletic Equipment

Running Program

Field Day

Garden

Parking and Traffic Courtesy

Longfellow does not have a parking lot.

Please park on July Street, and take extreme caution as there are many small children and pedestrians. Also, remember that Longfellow is in a neighborhood. Please be courteous to our neighbors! Do not double park, no illegal U-turns, and especially do not block our neighbors' driveways. In addition, there is no Longfellow parking in St. David's church parking lot. Lastly, it is strongly recommended that you lock your vehicle and do not leave any personal belongings in your car. The first week of school is a prime time for theft.

Start the day right: Don't be tardy!

School begins at 9:05 am for the K-5^th students. Teachers report to the morning line up area at 8:50 am, and will escort students to class. Students are considered tardy if they are not in their rooms at 9:05 am. Late students must obtain a tardy slip from the front office before going to class. Students may not be dropped off before 8:30 am, as there is no supervision provided before then. (Students enrolled in the Character Builds Program are exceptions.)

First Day -

What to Expect

  Special Edition Newsletter           Los Compadres de Escuela Longfellow               August 20, 2010

Please note that as a rule, Kinder parents will not be accompanying their children to class.

...in the class

Longfellow is a full Spanish-Immersion school, which means teachers speak only Spanish to the children in grades Kinder - 2^nd grade. Remind your child that all of their classmates are in the same situation, and most students will not understand anything the teacher is saying for a while. Some will begin to understand sooner than others, but if they help each other, they will all learn quicker.

On the first morning there will be an English-speaking translator that will explain all the important details, such as where the bathrooms are, where the nurse and front office are located, how to ask for water, etc. This will not be your child's teacher, but a bilingual assistant.

...at the end of the day

Children will be directed to their destination based on what each parent has specified (YMCA, bus, or to be picked up). The Kinder pick-up area is at the Kinder playground off July Street.  Your child will be released only when a teacher identifies the parent with the child.

Kinder Check List

✔ Label all clothing, lunch boxes,                    

     backpacks, etc, with your child's name

     and room number.      

✔ Bring an extra set of clothes.

✔ Pack sun block.

✔ Include a bottle of water and snacks in

    your child's backpack.

✔ Make sure that you have all medical

    releases signed and returned to the

    nurse, if necessary.

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YMCA "CHARACTER BUILDS"

Another decision to make before school begins is whether your child will attend the YMCA's before/afterschool care program.  The YMCA provides an accredited on-campus childcare program, but is a separate entity from the school.  Please contact them directly for more information, or you can visit them at<http://www.missionvalley.ymca.org/programs/child-care.html>.

Still Confused? Look for the Yellow Shirts!

Keep a look out for parents in

yellow shirts that say "Ask Me."

If you have a question, stop and

ask anyone in these shirts; they

will be happy to assist you.

Special Edition Newsletter        Los Compadres de Escuela Longfellow                 August 20, 2010

September 3^th, 1:00 pm

New Incoming Orientation

September 7^th, 9:30 am

Coffee with Los Compadres

September 12^th

Kinder Picnic (Flyer available at Orientation)

September 23^rd, 9:15 am

Art Corp Orientation

September 23^rd, 5:45 pm

Back to School Night (Grades K-5)

September 13^th, 6:00 pm

Los Compadres PTO General Meeting

September 24^th, 9:15 am

Coffee with the Principal

Week of September 20^th

ASB Spirit Week

To learn more about these programs, visit our website at http://www.longfellowcompadres.org

Show Your School Spirit!

Every Wednesday is Spirit Day, so don't forget to show your support by wearing our school colors, Charger Blue and Gold, or your Longfellow shirts! Go Giraffes!

The Longfellow office is the hub of our school. The office should always be your first stop if you need to contact your child or teacher during school hours. You will need to always sign in and should always wear a visitor or volunteer badge.

Our School Office

Watch for First Day     Packet!

On the first day of school, your child will come home with an envelope full of documents from the school, the San Diego Unified School District, and our PTO for you to read (and sometimes to return). The most important is your child's enrollment form, which must be completed and returned to the school the next day.

Fundraisers you can expect!

✔Our Annual Giving Campaign, which continues throughout the school year, is 100% tax deductible and 100% of the profit goes directly to the events and programs the PTO provides.

✔The Jog-A-Thon is held in the fall. It will be held on the morning of Friday, October 29, 2010. The Jog-A-Thon promotes great health while raising funds.  This event is 100% tax deductible, and has very few expenses, thanks to our wonderful donors.

✔Our Silent Auction is held in the spring. This year it is scheduled for March 19, 2011. This is a wonderful, Adult-Only evening during which various baskets, goods, and services collected by the Longfellow community are auctioned.

✔Merchant Rewards such as eScrip, Amazon.com, Office Depot, and others, make donating to your school easy. Please visit our website http://www.longfellowcompadres.org under "Fundraising" for more information.

✔Family Dinner Nights are hosted at various restaurants throughout the year. Come and have a family dinner and visit with friends and schoolmates. A percentage of the sale is donated back to Longfellow.

Food Services

Decide ahead of time if your child will be buying food at the school cafeteria. Longfellow's cafeteria offers breakfast and lunch. The menu, prices, and information on how to set up a prepaid account are available on the school website at: http://www.longfellowschool.org

New students will be walked through the cafeteria and will have assistance setting up

their PIN for their accounts.

Upcoming Events-Mark Your Calendars!

The First Day
I gave you a little wink and a smile,

As you entered my room today.
For I know how hard it is to leave

and know your child must stay.
You've been with them for five years now
And have been a loving guide,

But now, alas, the time has come

 to leave them at my side.
Just know that as you drive away
And tears down your cheeks may flow,

I'll love them as I would my own
And help them learn and grown.
How quickly the years do pass
And that one day soon it will be my turn
To take my child to class.
So please put your mind at ease
And cry those tears no more
For I will love them and take them in
When you leave them at my door.

No experience is needed and everyone is welcome. Give what you can-a lot or a little-in an area that interests you.

Parent/Guardian support is needed, without you many of the enrichment programs we offer to our children would have to be put on hold.

There are many opportunities for you to help. Please visit our website, and go to, "Volunteering" at http://longfellowcompadres.org .

Some of the areas in current need:

✔ Merchandise Team Leader

✔ Emergency Preparedness Team Leader

✔ Dia de los Muertos Team Leader

Studies indicate that students perform better, have higher self esteem, and greater success when parent are involved. 

 Volunteer! In the classroom, join or lead a team, attend meetings, and Stay Informed. There are many ways to volunteer!

Support Your Child!

If you don't want to miss out on important school news and announcements, sign up for eNews Standing Tall and eAnnouncements Reaching Higher.

We need your email and contact information to ensure that you will keep current with all school announcements, events, and activities. 

Visit our website "Home Page" at:

http://longfellowcompadres.org where you can "Get Connected," also you can go to "Communications" to read more about the various ways to Stay Informed.

On behalf of the Longfellow staff and Los Compadres PTO-Welcome to Longfellow! It will be a fun and exciting year, and I'm certain you will find that we have a gem of a community. Please do not hesitate to contact me or members of the Los Compadres Executive Board.

Warm Regards,

Carmela A. Lurie

President

Volunteers-Make a Difference!

PTO Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of the month, beginning at 6:00 pm in the school cafeteria. The master calendar at our website http://longfellowcompadres.org lists all PTO-related meetings.

Refreshments and FREE childcare are provided. Our first meeting will be on Monday, September 13^th.  We would love your input and this is a great way for you to Stay Informed about our school and its programs and events.

Los Compadres "PTO" Meetings

Get Connected/Stay Informed!

Special Edition Newsletter          Los Compadres de Escuela Longfellow                 August 20, 2010