You guys are amazing! We are normally begging and pleading to get AP volunteers but this year everyone has stepped up in a big way and we have most spots covered. The president’s role is varied, but the hardest part is getting volunteers and money. You guys have really made my job so much less stressful this year on both fronts. But we do still need help! We have a few more spots to cover mainly for our Junior heavy tests like Physics 1 & 2. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050945A9A922AAF94-56426193-apexam#/
Our 5/2 meeting centered really on two things. Getting volunteers for all of our big events and Coffeehouse!! While there has been a huge response to our AP needs, Project Graduation isn’t doing as well. I get that a weeknight super late-night commitment is a big ask, but it is important, meaningful, and potentially lifesaving. Keeping celebrating grads off the roads and away from drugs & alcohol saves lives. And I know there’s a belief that the LASA kids are too smart for that, but smart kids die for really stupid reasons, including being hit by other drunk drivers out late. And there’s a cumulative effect to these events, if most area high schools have them, and most kids go, and they happen every year, the culture around celebrating graduation changes. But keeping this event going means we need volunteers. And senior parents, you aren’t totally off the hook! We ask that the bulk of the working volunteers come from the other grades, but senior parents fill the leadership roles. Please don’t make me beg! Sign up to volunteer with Project Graduation.
Finally, Coffeehouse. Hopefully, you know what that event is (if not, great descriptions on the Facebook page and in Sunday’s Principal’s Message). Our fantastic Coffeehouse Chair showed up to talk about this year’s new venue and how exciting it is that this venue is bigger, very centrally located, has parking, and has two indoor stage areas. But there will also be food trucks and social space outdoors (see the Coffeehouse post for more info). If in doubt, err on the side of going (and getting tickets because they sell out), even if you are a freshman parent whose kid didn’t take any AP’s, even if you don’t know any kids performing, even if you are an introvert. This is a chance to see LASA at its best, and you don’t have to take my word for it.
Because the real star of the meeting was Mr. Snyder, the songwriting class teacher, who talked to us about how important this event is. How not every LASA kid is set to become an engineer. How this is a chance to perform their music in front of a large crowd on a real stage with light and sound equipment. How truly life-changing this event can be. And how this is the thing that LASA does that is cool. It makes their Austin/Bowie/McCallum/etc friends really jealous because it is so cool. The only regret I’ve ever heard about Coffeehouse is that people didn’t go every year.
And this wouldn’t be one of my May posts without one more volunteer ask. Coffeehouse needs volunteers to sell tickets, and will need event volunteers. Sign up for Coffeehouse ticket pre-sales.
No meeting this week, last meeting of the year and Joint PTSA meeting 5/16!
Wishing everyone good AP vibes,
Ellen Stewart-Klein
PFLASA President
