SAT/ACT Pathway to Success

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Thursday, October 22nd
7pm

Join Bee Tutored’s SAT/ACT expert, Michael Cancella to learn all you need to know about SAT vs ACT, when to begin prep and how to navigate the new digital exam. Junior SAT is coming up in the spring, so this is a good opportunity to learn now how best to prepare.

Michael has an extensive background in teaching standardized test prep to a broad range of students in both a classroom environment and in one on one tutoring sessions, Michael is a veteran online test prep tutor, with over 20,000 (15,000 online) hours of teaching experience.

Tickets available at https://pflasa.org/product-category/masterclasses/.

New Deadline 08NOV2026 Reflections 2026-2027 “What My Culture Means to Me” Art Contest

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National PTA’s Reflections program provides opportunities for students to develop artistic literacy, increase confidence, and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life by creating original works of art. This year’s theme for the 2026-2027 program year is “What My Culture Means to Me.”

Submit completed work in one or more arts categories:

  • Dance Choreography
  • Film Production
  • Literature
  • Music Composition
  • Photography
  • Visual Arts

NEW Deadline is November 8th, 2026.

To qualify: join the LASA PTSA by 31OCT2026 https://www.lasaptsa.org/

LASA entries will be judged, and selected entries will move on to ACPTA level. From there, entries may move on to the TXPTA level and even nationals, where they may be chosen for state-wide and national honors.

Get all the details here: https://www.lasaptsa.org/reflections

LASA Student Entry Form: Online | Printable

PFLASA Meeting – This Friday, 10/23 at 8:15am

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Hello, LASA parents and caregivers! Come join PFLASA on Friday, October 23rd, 8:15–9:15am in the Parent Portable building (next to the tennis courts). Come early (7:45–8:15am) for socializing and a variety of hot and cold beverages! Stay afterwards for an informal chat with our Principal (9:15–9:45am).

  • Date: Friday, October 23rd
  • Time: 8:15–9:15am (7:45am for coffee/drinks and socializing)
  • Location: Parent Portable building (next to the tennis courts)

We need your help setting up (7:20–7:45am) and cleaning up (9:45–10am). Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044FAAA82AABF85-65808251-pflasa#/!

PFLASA – Deck cleaning party, Saturday, 10/24 10-11am

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We need a few volunteers to help clean up the back deck of the Parent Portable building (and one person with a pickup truck to haul large items to the dumpster). Our deck cleanup “party” will be Saturday, October 24th from 10–11am. With a little TLC, this could be a great outdoor gathering space, especially with this lovely cooler weather. If you can come help out, sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4DAFA92DA3FB6-66813210-deck. Thank you!

Raising Healthy Raptors: The 5 Cs of Media Use—A Guide for Parents of Teens

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Our Raptor teens are gaining independence, and media is a big part of how they explore who they are and stay connected with friends. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health offers the “5 Cs” to help families think through media use with both younger (10-14) and older teens (ages 15–17).

https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/media-and-children/center-of-excellence-on-social-media-and-youth-mental-health/5cs-of-media-use/?srsltid=AU7gw4UFJmPOPlGRg2luYvuczji9IGpsESUn8koD1A6RjZdZaRPoyr47

We hope this resource helps to give you ideas for conversations with your teen around their personal social media use, and even ideas for creating a plan for the whole family!

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/fmp/Pages/MediaPlan.aspx

Wishing you and your raptor the best,
The Raising Healthy Raptors Committee

PFLASA Application Mentoring Needs Your Help

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The PFLASA Application Mentoring program is gearing up for the upcoming application window and we need many volunteers. Please consider joining our team.

We provide students with access to adults who have the understanding of the application process and can help edit essay questions and discuss the COGAT. We go to various middle schools around Austin at various weekly times. Your commitment would be weekly from late-Nov until early Feb when applications are turned in. We will also need mentors for two Saturday Zoom sessions in January that are open to students city-wide.
The reaction to this program from both mentors and students has always been positive.

Mandatory training sessions will be as follows. (You only need to attend one.)

  • Monday, Oct 26 at 8:30am
  • Friday, Oct 30 at 12:00pm
  • Wednesday, Nov 4 at 6:00pm (zoom)

If you are interested please fill out this form.

Any questions, contact Emily Robson at mentoring@pflasa.org.

Raising Healthy Raptors: Encouraging Boredom

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In this article “The Art of Boredom: Why Downtime is Essential for Teen Brain Development” Dr Aman PS Sohal, a pediatric neurologist, talks about the benefits of boredom for teens.

https://www.neurokidsdoc.com/blogs/the-art-of-boredom-why-downtime-is-essential-for-teen-brain-development/

The Art of Boredom: Why Downtime is Essential for Teen Brain Development

You may want to ask your teen when they last felt bored or think about how this question applies to yourself — boredom is also good for the adult brain! Teens notice when we model the habits we value and you might just feel more creative, regulated, or motivated if you work some boredom into your own routine!

Wishing you and your raptor the best,
The Raising Healthy Raptors Committee

Join us for our first ever PFLASA Zoom meeting! – Tonight at 6:30pm

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Join us tonight from 6:30–7:30pm on Zoom! We’ll have a quick round of introductions, updates from committees, and upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, followed by a 20-minute presentation about Schoolinks by Mr Goode, one of LASA’s academic counselors. If you’ve always wanted to attend a PFLASA meeting, but never could make it on a Friday morning, this is your chance. I hope you can make it!

Tonight! 6:30–7:30pm (followed by a quick Schoolinks presentation)
Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89100568781?pwd=LbuvpMhgc6j7MKdO8kkweDgo45QhDt.1

Other Zoom options:
One tap mobile +13462487799,,89100568781#,,,,*945291# US (Houston); +17193594580,,89100568781#,,,,*945291# US
Join by SIP • 89100568781@zoomcrc.com
Join instructions: https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/89100568781/invitations?signature=s6UTeg18L2f100JXmdkEwOlR4Re5tcKtmVTMKk4__xg

The next PFLASA meeting will be Friday, Oct. 23rd @ 8:15am in the Parent Portable.

WE DID IT, RAPTORS! THANK YOU!

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What an incredible way to close out our 2026 No Hassle Fundraiser! Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our LASA families, friends, and community, we reached our goal and raised more than $220,000 for LASA students and staff!

We set an ambitious goal. You made it happen. Together, you showed just how powerful our community can be when we come together for our students and teachers.

Because of YOU, PFLASA can continue helping fund the programs, resources, teacher grants, classroom materials, student support, professional development, lab equipment, and so much more that enrich the LASA experience for all 1,566+ students.

To everyone who donated, participated in our match challenges, shared our posts, spread the word, volunteered, or cheered us on along the way: THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

There is still time to be part of this groundswell of support! Donate today: www.pflasa.org/donate

PFLASA Meeting Slides from September 25th, 2026

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Thank you to everyone who attended the PFLASA meeting on Friday morning! We had a fun reveal of the No Hassle Fundraiser results, followed by committee updates, tips on organizing social gatherings for your grade, volunteer opportunities, and where to find LASA merch. If you were unable to attend, would like to look up links/URLs/resources, or would like to refer to the list of upcoming events, here is a link to a PDF of the slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NF-TVVltLSEtpBMY_3U_KS8w5lVS5ofK/view?usp=sharing