Our first topic was the Project Graduation Auction which by now has ended. Perhaps you were among the lucky bidders? It was a great effort by the Class of 2025 and a preview of the work ahead for the other classes. We also covered our Giving Thanks Pie event and signups, which gets its own post here in the Raptor. Please read and donate, and if you can’t donate a pie, kindly write a note of appreciation. Those notes mean a lot to teachers.

Our Great Gatherings Fundraiser announced two events coming up soon. An All-Class Fiesta on December 12th and Class of 2025 Craft Beer Showcase on January 11th. Thanks to the hosts and the attendees for supporting our seniors. We also had an update from Grants, the Raising Healthy Raptors chair, and PTSA. I have plans for a post from Grants as an end-of-semester summary of all the things we’ve been able to do with your donated dollars!

After we adjourned, we had an update from Principal Crescenzi. These are always interesting, but this one talked about AP Research and their first semester project into the history of Johnston High School. For those of you who don’t know, our building opened as Johnston High School before becoming Eastside Memorial and now LASA. As part of this discussion, Ms. Crescenzi shared that for years, she’s been asked about the “Disco Ram” (the Ram was the Johnston mascot), but she had no idea what they were talking about. In an exciting development, the team found a picture of the “Disco Ram,” and perhaps someday this image can be incorporated into LASA. For those of you interested, the research is being posted (and updated) on the LASA site.

Our next and only December meeting is December 6th. As we wrap down the semester, I’m planning to have a light agenda and then open the meeting up for socializing and questions. Freshmen parents–come ask about finals! As always, everyone at LASA is a member of PFLASA and is welcome to attend.

Wishing you a restful Fall Break and Happy Thanksgiving

-Ellen Stewart-Klein, PFLASA President