Greetings Cougar Families,
As we wrap up the 2024–2025 school year, we want to extend a heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for an incredible year of learning, growth, and community. Your partnership, encouragement, and unwavering support made this year truly special for our students and staff.
1st through 5th grade report cards will be available to view on Infinite Campus Parent Portal on June 3rd. Parents Guide to View Report Cards. Kindergarten report cards will be sent electronically to the email addresses listed on Infinite Campus.
Staffing Update:
Thanks to the generous support of our PTO and school community, we’re excited to rehire for our academic math and literacy tutor positions for the upcoming school year. Additionally, we are hiring two new secondary teachers to fill positions opened by upcoming retirements. Our Intensive Learning Center is currently seeking paraeducators, and we anticipate having all hired completed well before the school year starts.
Congratulations Fifth Grade Cougars! Although your journey at Lafayette Elementary has come to a close, we know you are off to do great things! We are so proud of all you've accomplished and know you’re ready to soar as you head to middle school. You will always have a home here at Lafayette - once a Cougar, always a Cougar!
This year, we celebrate and honor our retirees: Barb Watson, Carolan Covington, Katherine Kross and Julie Marquez. Your passion, wisdom, and care have shaped generations of students and made a lasting impact on our school. You leave behind a legacy of love and excellence, and we wish you all the joy and relaxation this next chapter brings. Please enjoy our retirement slide deck complete with interviews LINK.
We’ll be back in touch in August with more updates. Until then, enjoy the sunshine and summer break!
Sincerely,
Megan Weir, Principal and Robin Stone, Dean of Students
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
1st through 5th Grade Teacher notification will be on Friday, August 8th by 4pm. Please note that anything that is viewable now is not final until the notification goes live on August 9th. We are unable to take requests for specific teachers.
August 11th Meet the Teacher/Staff 3:30-4:30, School Tour for new families starts in the Library at 4:00-4:30
August 13 First day of school for 1st-5th grade students (NOT a Late Start Day)
August 20 First Wednesday Late Start for all students
August 26 Back to School Night 6:00-7:30 PM
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, October 7th
Thursday, October 9th
Tuesday, October 15th (Virtual)
For a complete list of events, please see the CALENDAR on our website.
2025-2026 School Supplies Donation
The school supplies for K-5 next school year include the following:
Families bring:
~ Full size backpacks
~ Headphones or Earbuds
~ A water bottle labeled with the students name on it
~ $45 Donation ($40 goes towards classroom school supplies and $5 goes to specialists)
Families can donate by clicking here. Cash or checks written out to Lafayette Elementary are accepted in the main office.
Kindergarten Welcome Days
August 13-August 15th
Your child will attend one assigned day to attend. Click on this LINK to provide Welcome Day Preference!
Class Placements
Teachers try to balance our classrooms to create the best
possible learning environments for all students.
Class placement is based on:
Assessment and observation data
Information from previous teachers (if available)
Personalities and friendships formed
We try our best to balance classrooms based on the limited information that we have on incoming Kindergartners. Because we will not have assessment data until August, we will not create class lists for Kindergarten until August, after our Kindergarten “Kickoff” Days.
An email will be sent home on August 15 informing you of which class (teacher) your child(ren) will be in.
What happens during Welcome Days?
Kindergarten teachers and paraprofessionals co-teach
Relationships built with teachers and peers
Establish basic routines and rules (and have FUN)
Introduce beginning literacy and math topics and routines in playful, fun ways
Assessments with each child
Observations of peer interactions and friendships formed during work and play
Preschool Enrollment
BVSD preschool offers inclusive, high-quality, play-based instruction for our youngest learners. We are now enrolling for the 2025-2026 school year. Please visit bvsd.schoolmint.com to apply, or email preschool@bvsd.org for assistance in applying!
Summer Reading Opportunities
Library Books Due Soon!
Please help your child/ren return all library books by Friday May 16. Overdue book notices will be sent the week of May 19. If a book is lost or damaged, a $5 donation is requested to help cover the cost of replacement. Library donations can be made on Revtrak (please email Mrs. Arment when a donation is made) or by sending cash or check payable to Lafayette Elementary (Write library donation, book title, and child's name on checks). Fees that are a financial hardship do not need to be paid, please ask Mrs. Arment to waive them. All unpaid fees are waived at the end of the school year.
Summer Reading
The Lafayette Public Library is running a summer reading program from June 1-July 31. Kids set their own reading goals and earn prizes for meeting them! There are lots of fun events as well. Click here for more information.
SORA is BVSD’s student reading app. Students can check out and read/listen to e-books and audiobook books on SORA all summer long! Use these directions to log on:
Click here for help with SORA
Students can also access most of the digital resources on this doc. over the summer, including informational databases. Email Mrs. Arment if you have any questions!
Summer Garden Help Needed
Our wonderful students are getting the school garden planted this month. We need your help this summer to ensure we have a thriving crop when students return in the fall. Please consider “adopting” the garden for a week. Come pull a few weeds and check that everything is in order two or three times during your week. It’s a fun activity for the whole family that can have a big impact for our garden curriculum. Sign-up Here
Counselor's Corner
Dear Families,
It has been my pleasure working with your child throughout the 2024-2025 school year! I am amazed by the growth all students have exhibited academically, socially, and emotionally. Please check out the resources below for fun ways to keep your child entertained and engaged over summer break. You may also want to read this article for strategies to help create a successful break for you and your family.
In-Person Events/Activities
Online SEL Resources
15 ideas to strengthen social emotional learning over summer
Get Ready for Summer! Ideas for Teachers to Share with Families
Can I play with you? - Help kids learn about making their own fun!
Exploring the Community and Cultivating Good Neighbor Skills
Common Sense Media - Reviews of all media (movies, apps) for your children
Mental Health Support and Crisis
I hope you and your family have a safe, relaxing, and fun summer break. I look forward to seeing you all for the 2025-2026 school year!
Warm regards,
Ms. Anna
Character Trait Television
Each Wednesday, announcements are shown virtually in the classroom and feature our students, their artwork, and other student talents throughout the school. Please enjoy last week’s CTTV: LINK
Parent Teacher Organization
