Dragon Tales
May, 2024
Parking Lot Safety
Your help is needed to make our parking lot efficient and safe. Remember:
- no parking along the red curb
- NO LEFT TURN when exiting the parking lot. This causes a traffic jam in the lot and disrupts traffic flow
- do not get out of your vehicle, have your child ready to exit the car, with their backpack, closest to the curb. Scholars should be dressed and ready to exit. If they are not, please park on the street and get your scholar ready.
- if your scholar needs assistance getting to class, please park on the street and walk them inside
Principal's Message
Dear Dragon Families,
Please read all of the information contained in this newsletter.
- Last week we had some unsafe driving practices in our parking lots causing one student to nearly be struck in our crosswalk and one adult staff member to be hit. I continue to ask that you slow down, keep your eyes on the road in front of you, and remain in your vehicles when in the drop-off line. If your child requires assistance to get through the gates or to class, park your car on the street and walk your child onto campus. See above for parking lot safety expectations.
- The Honorary Service Awards are a great way to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff, parents and community members. Take a few minutes to nominate them so we can honor them during our Open House event. See the nomination link below.
- The month of May is recognized as Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Scholars will have opportunities during their day to learn about the contributions of Jewish Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders throughout history.
- CAASPP testing will begin this month! 3rd and 4th graders will test between May 13th and May 24th. 5th graders will test between May 20th and May 30th. Please avoid any appointments during this time and be sure your scholars get to school on time. Please assist your scholar by ensuring they get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast.
- Creation Rotations is coming to an end for this school year. The last day of Creation Rotation classes will be May 16th. I hope you and your scholars have enjoyed the enrichment opportunities that have been provided this school year. We have made wonderful memories while exploring STEAM concepts. Thank you to our PTA for supporting our programs!
- Next week we celebrate our amazing Ladera STARS Academy staff! See the flyer at the end of this letter to see how you and your scholar can participate in honoring our teachers and staff each day next week.
Calendar
Monday, May 6 - Friday, May 10: Staff Appreciation Week - see schedule of events above
Wednesday, May 8:
- 8:15: 4th Grade Field Trip to Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- 8:30-11:00: Garden Cleanup Day
Friday, May 10:
- Progress Reports to students
- 9:00: School Tour
Monday, May 13 - Friday, May 17: CAASPP Testing
Wednesday, May 15:
- 3:15: School Site Council Meeting
Friday, May 17:
- 9:30: 1st Grade Field Trip to Moorpark Zoo
- 12:45: Kindergarten Programs
Monday, May 20 - May 22: All District Band Festival
Friday, May 24 - Monday, May 27: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, May 28 - Friday, May 31: Book Fair
Thursday, May 30:
- 5:30: Open House
Friday, May 31:
- 9:00: 2nd Grade Field Trip to Chumash
Looking Ahead:
April 30: Spring Pictures
May 1: 5th Grade Pano Pictures
May 2: Jr. Chorus Show - 7:00pm
Honorary Service Awards
Do you know an amazing Ladera STARS Academy teacher, staff member, parent, or community member who exemplifies volunteerism? Our PTA will present the awards at our Open House Family Gathering on May 30, at 6 PM.
School Site Council Nomination Form - We need you!
Be On Time!
Our goal is to have 95% positive school attendance and continue to improve each month. This also means getting to school on time and teaching our students to be on time and ready to learn. If you need to report an absence please call the Attendance Line: (805) 241-1065 or email Joanne Vermaak @ jvermaak@conejousd.org. Families have 3 school days to clear absences or else your child will be considered "truant". Also, if you plan to be out of town for 3 or more days, please let our office know.
Uniforms
Ladera STARS Academy is a uniform school and scholars should wear their blue or grey polo daily to school. Solid bottoms should be worn. Pajama bottoms are not school appropriate and should not be worn outside of class/school pajama days. Please ensure your scholar is dressed appropriately before leaving for school. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our uniform policy please reach out to your child's teacher or the office.
Opt-In Form for Advisory Councils/Committees
At STARS Academy we have multiple parent representatives who attend monthly meetings at our district office. These parent representatives bring back information, updates, and ideas to our School Site Council meetings. Our committees include African-American District Advisory Council (AADAC), District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC), Gifted and Talented Education Advisory Council (GATE-DAC), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questions and Others Advisory Council (LGBTQ+AC), and Special Education District Advisory Council (SEDAC). If you would like to opt-in to receive information from our various parent advisory councils/committees, please complete this Google Form.
Please CALL...
Office: (805) 492-3565
Attendance Line: (805) 241-1065
An automated call is generated, if we have not received a call (and unfortunately, sometimes even if we have). Thank you for your support.
Ladera STARS Academy
Students inspired to reach for the STARS through explorations in Science, Technology, Arts and Rigorous Scholarship.
Follow us on Instagram: Instagram.com/laderastarsacademy
Email: tdove@conejousd.org
Website: http://www.conejousd.org/ladera
Location: 1211 Calle Almendro, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
Phone: (805)492-3565
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaderaSTARSAcademy/
Twitter: @LaderaSTARS