Raptor Report

I have a LASA kid. I also have another very not LASA kid so believe when I say I know the difference. I have a kid I was terrified of putting back in public school because her undiagnosed dyslexia made her hate first grade. Who hates first grade? But the magnet experience both at Kealing and LASA made me believe in public education again.

It was extremely painful to admit my child was not a fit for our local elementary. I come from a background of public education and service in education. My mother was a PTA president, and my full-time IBM executive father served on our county school board. But that belief in public education was tested severely with a child who was bright and anxious with a learning difference. A child that needs to be challenged but seen and understood. At LASA, I found a place for my child. Teachers who believe in her and will work with her because my child is not unique in these qualities. At LASA, my child has peers who are like her—kids who want to be in school and who want to learn. Kids who will purposely get lunch detention so they will be forced to study. Kids who are quirky or “different.” I’m betting you have one of these kids too which is why you are at LASA.

But LASA can’t be all that it can be without PFLASA. And PFLASA can’t help LASA without funding. Whether you know it or not PFLASA has directly touched your experience here at LASA. Did you go to an Info Night or Showcase where you were greeted by a smiling volunteer? Maybe you came to one of our new “Find Your Fit” parent panels to aid you in your ranked choice application. Did your student attend the New Student Orientation when they came to LASA? Or perhaps your kid cuddled a hedgehog during our Fall Stressbuster. And even if somehow none of that applies, every teacher at LASA gets funds from PFLASA, dinner on Back to School Night, and all the support we can offer. Finally, in these days of declining education funds, PFLASA has contributed funds for staffing for the past four years and we pay for after school tutoring in multiple science classes.

I “ask not what PFLASA can do for you but what you can do for PFLASA.” Please donate what you can to our No Hassle Fundraiser.

Ellen Stewart-Klein
PFLASA President

This Friday, 9/6 at 8:15 am PFLASA will meet in the Portable (the only trailer on campus, next to the tennis courts). Please join us for committee updates, an exciting announcement, and LASA stickers!

PFLASA will also host the once-a-semester Zoom meeting on Monday 9/9 at 6pm. The link to register for the zoom meeting will be pushed out through a Raptor Special Edition and posted on Facebook the day of the meeting. Registration is required.

Can’t make either of those meetings? Don’t worry PFLASA is also scheduled to meet Friday 9/20 at 8:15 in the portable. This is after BYPTS (Bring Your Parent to School) days on 9/18-9/19.

Whether your kid is new to LASA, adjusting to new teachers and new expectations, or in the thick of college applications, there are lots of reasons that their anxiety may be spiking right now. Please check out this Google slide presentation, “Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders in Teens,” which was put together by the PFLASA Raising Healthy Raptors Committee (formerly PFLASA Health and Wellness Committee). In it, you will learn strategies to help your teen manage the physical and mental manifestations of anxiety (including panic attacks) and what you can do if you suspect your teen’s anxiety may have progressed into an anxiety disorder. Raising Healthy Raptors is a group of LASA parents with lived experience with a variety of mental and physical health struggles that seeks to support other parents, end stigma, and decrease isolation. To connect with other families, reach out to Kristi at wellness@pflasa.org.